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+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: ASCII
+
+*** 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
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Boy Scouts'
+First Camp Fire
+
+OR
+
+Scouting with the Silver Fox Patrol.
+
+BY HERBERT CARTER
+
+          Author of "The Boy Scouts In the Blue Ridge," "The Boy
+          Scouts On the Trail," "The Boy Scouts In the Maine
+          Woods," "The Boy Scouts Through the
+          Big Timber," "The Boy Scouts
+          In the Rockies."
+
+
+[Illustration: A. L. BURT COMPANY
+
+NEW YORK]
+
+Copyright 1913
+
+BY A. L. BURT COMPANY
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMP FIRE.
+
+
+[Illustration: 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.
+
+_The Boy Scouts' First Camp Fire._]
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY SCOUTS'
+FIRST CAMP-FIRE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A HALT BY THE ROADSIDE.
+
+
+"Tara--tara!"
+
+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.
+
+"Good for you, Bumpus! Can't he just make that horn talk, though?" cried
+one.
+
+"Sounds as sweet as the church bell at home, fellows!" declared a
+second.
+
+"Say, Mr. Scout-Master, does that mean a halt for grub?" a third called
+out.
+
+"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."
+
+"That's why we kept on for an hour after noon," remarked the boy called
+Thad, and who seemed to be 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 backing;
+and the Silver Fox Patrol of the troop was now starting out upon its
+first hike, to be gone several days.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+And this love of music which the fat boy possessed had made the
+selection of a bugler for Cranford Troop the easiest thing possible. He
+actually had no competitor.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+He lived with his mother, said to be a widow. 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.
+
+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.
+
+1. Thad Brewster, Patrol Leader, and Assistant Scout-Master.
+
+2. Allan Hollister, upon whom the responsibility rested after Thad.
+
+3. Cornelius Hawtree.
+
+4. Robert Quail White.
+
+5. Edmund Maurice Travers Smith.
+
+6. Conrad Stedman.
+
+7. Davy Jones.
+
+8. Stephen Bingham.
+
+Of course, as the rules of the organization provided, there was a
+genuine 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. Calkins 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 them on this, their first real hike and
+outing, none of the scouts felt very sorry.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I expect to set the river on fire when I get in business," grinned
+Giraffe.
+
+"Give the signal to fall in, Mr. Bugler--but I say, where _is_ Bumpus
+anyway?" asked the acting scout-master, looking around.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Help! help! Oh, somebody come quick, and save me!"
+
+With that call every member of the scout patrol leaped erect, staring at
+one another in dismay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE PRISONER OF THE TREE STUMP.
+
+
+"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.
+
+"Or a bear!" suggested Step-hen.
+
+Thad was not the one to stand and speculate, when a comrade appeared to
+be in deep trouble, so he immediately cried out:
+
+"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!"
+
+"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.
+
+"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 leader, his face whiter than usual, but his eyes flashing with
+unaccustomed fire.
+
+"I think over in this direction," said Davy Jones, before the leader
+could reply.
+
+"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.
+
+"I think I heard a groan!" remarked Step-hen, in an awe-struck voice,
+that trembled in spite of his effort to seem brave.
+
+"So did I," declared Allan; "and it was over yonder to the left."
+
+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.
+
+"Stop again, and listen," said Thad, half a minute later. "We must be
+near the place where that groan came from. Hear it again, anybody?"
+
+"Help! oh, help! they're eating me alive!" came in a muffled voice from
+some unknown place near by.
+
+Thrilled by the words, and half expecting to see 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.
+
+"Where under the sun can he be?" exclaimed Giraffe.
+
+"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.
+
+"Allan has guessed it!" cried Smithy, who had chanced to see a little
+smile chase across the face of the boy from Maine.
+
+"Where is he, then?" asked Thad, wheeling on his second in command.
+
+"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.
+
+"But we can see the whole thing from top to bottom, and never a sign of
+Bumpus anywhere?" remarked Step-hen, doubtfully.
+
+"And he ain't such a little chap that he could hide under the bark of a
+dead tree either," remarked Davy, scornfully.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Whoop! he's _in_ the old stump!" shouted Davy Jones, starting to grin
+broadly.
+
+"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!"
+
+"But what's biting him, do you think?" said Step-hen, looking serious
+again. "Can it be rattlesnakes, Thad, or bumble-bees?"
+
+"Hardly," replied the other, readily; "I'd expect rather that it was
+ants. What do you say, Allan?"
+
+"No doubt of it," came from the boy who had practical experience in the
+ways of the woods. "They like to make their nests in old dead trees.
+But ask Bumpus."
+
+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:
+
+"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!"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"But what were you doing up that stump?" demanded Step-hen; while Thad
+and Allan were examining the remains of the once proud tree, as if to
+decide what ought to be done, in order to rescue the unlucky scout.
+
+"I know what ails Bumpus," cried Davy; "his old curiosity bump was
+working overtime, and coaxed him to climb up there."
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"But what do you want me to do?" asked the prisoner of the stump,
+piteously.
+
+"Why, here's a hole already, big enough for me to stick my hand in; feel
+that, do you, Bumpus?" and Thad inserted his hand, to clutch the leg of
+the other.
+
+"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."
+
+"Now keep as far back from this side as you can," continued the other.
+"Is the hollow big enough to allow that, Bumpus?"
+
+"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."
+
+"That's fine," Thad went on to say; "now keep back, and leave it all to
+Allan. He's going to commence chopping."
+
+Immediately there sounded the stroke of the descending ax.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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 he was
+dragged triumphantly out of his strange prison.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE ACCUSATION MADE BY STEP-HEN.
+
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Well, he really said it was to be used in case 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."
+
+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.
+
+"Here it is," he remarked, holding up a small bottle.
+
+"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."
+
+"It looks pretty tough," commented Giraffe.
+
+"The remedy is sometimes worse than the disease, they say," remarked
+Smithy.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 way, and I've just got to counteract that poison before your eyes
+close up."
+
+"Go on, use the whole bottle if you want to," urged the alarmed boy.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Well," said Step-hen, "if it had been our 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."
+
+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.
+
+"Do we make a start now?" asked Bob White; "exactly fifteen minutes
+spent, suh, in rescuing our comrade in distress."
+
+"Are you able to walk with us, Bumpus?" asked Thad.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 _my_ things
+always seem to disappear. I often think there must be some magic about
+it."
+
+"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 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."
+
+"Oh! thank you, Davy; perhaps I am just a little careless, as you say;
+but all the same it's funny how _my_ 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+Allan and Thad headed the procession that soon straggled in couples
+along the side of the dusty road.
+
+"What made you mention the name of Brose Griffin when you detailed
+Number Four to remain at the camp?" asked Allan, who had evidently been
+thinking about this same thing.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"But seriously, Thad, do you believe we'll see anything of Brose Griffin
+and his two shadows, Bangs and Hop?"
+
+"I certainly hope we won't," replied the other; "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."
+
+"What will we do if it happens that way?" asked Allan.
+
+"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.
+
+"But scouts are not supposed to fight; that is one of the principles of
+the organization," Allan remarked.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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" _his_ things had of vanishing without anybody ever touching
+them.
+
+"What's gone now, Step-hen?" asked Thad, as they came up, still
+wrangling.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+WHEN THE FIRE WAS KINDLED.
+
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"And just think of it, boys, what a roaring old fire we'll have
+to-night," spoke up Giraffe, craning his long neck to glance around the
+circle that had gathered about the leader.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"How far is the lake from here, would you say, Thad?" asked Davy Jones.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 be supposed to
+know as much about things as the rest of the scouts, who had been born
+in Cranford, and brought up there.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Along about four in the afternoon a shout arose.
+
+"I see water ahead!" yelled Giraffe, who had managed to get in ahead of
+the others.
+
+"Well, with that neck you ought to be able to see anything," called out
+Bumpus, from further back in the line.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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 _my_ 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."
+
+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.
+
+"There's the stuff the farmer brought, fellows!" said Thad, presently.
+
+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.
+
+"That word Omega 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.
+
+"I hope it won't be the end of any of us," 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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 working gloves made of
+canvas, in order to keep his hands from getting soiled.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+That was an event long to be remembered, and to be written down in the
+annals of the outing with becoming ceremony.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+AN UNINVITED GUEST.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+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,
+watching 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"All right," returned Bumpus, falling back lazily, again; "you don't
+choose to accept my word for it 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?"
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"We've got it stowed pretty much in the two tents, suh," remarked Bob
+White, to whom this particular duty had been detailed.
+
+"Think any wild animal might try and raid the camp, and get away with
+some of our grub?" asked Bumpus, a little uneasily.
+
+"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 wants to
+be sure he won't be ruined if one does come."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Presently a cry arose, and it came from Davy Jones.
+
+"Say, look at that Smithy, would you; bless me if he ain't got some
+_white sheets_, 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 ready it in camp. Next thing he'll be pulling out a
+nightcap to keep from getting cold!"
+
+All of them were laughing by now. As for Smithy, he looked as if he
+could not understand what all the fuss was about.
+
+"Why, I always sleep this way at home," he stammered, as he glanced
+around at his hilarious comrades.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Oh! I got that out of a book," declared Davy, frankly.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 it. And if you
+think enough of your fellow scouts to make this sacrifice, all the
+better."
+
+Without a word then, Smithy tossed the offending sheets across to Thad;
+and followed with his usual night apparel.
+
+"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.
+
+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 weak mamma.
+
+"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."
+
+Allan smiled, and nodded. Perhaps he did not have quite as much faith as
+the young scout-master, 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.
+
+"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 connected with a
+first camp-fire; and the Silver Fox Patrol must never forget this one.
+All ready now?"
+
+"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 _my_ things that get taken? Just like I
+was going to be a target for all the fun that's going."
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+"Now!" called out the patrol leader, in a tone of authority.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Oh! look! look what's coming in on us, fellows!"
+
+"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.
+
+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!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE DANCING BEAR.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+Some were not so fortunate.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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?
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The others? Well, the boy from the Blue ridge proved himself no mean
+sprinter when a real live 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.
+
+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.
+
+Smithy was perhaps almost as badly frightened as Bumpus, only he did not
+meet with the series of mishaps that befell the fat boy.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 odd way, as
+though he might be sniffing the air in order to locate the place where
+the food was kept.
+
+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.
+
+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 _looking straight at him_! 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+He still stood there, erect, sniffing to the right and 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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, extending his shorter forepaws as though
+holding a pole.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+SMITHY DID IT.
+
+
+"Oh! would you look at him waltzing!" cried Giraffe.
+
+"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."
+
+That brought out another whoop from Bumpus, who felt impelled to raise
+his head once more, even though it gave him renewed pain.
+
+"Oh! now I know what it all means!"
+
+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.
+
+"Have you seen the beast before, Smithy?" asked the scout-master,
+ceasing his little racketty 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Sure he did, and glad in the bargain to have some fellow help keep his
+show bear," Allan remarked, half laughing still.
+
+"Hey, Smithy, suppose you climb down right now then, and renew your
+acquaintance with the ugly old pirate!" sang out Davy Jones.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+But he at once set up a determined protest.
+
+"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."
+
+The delicate boy was pale before, but he turned even whiter now, as he
+looked in the direction of Thad.
+
+"Perhaps I _might_ coax him to be good; and get a chance to whip the end
+of that long chain around a tree," he said, in a voice he tried in vain
+to keep from trembling.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"You said you had fed him, didn't you, Smithy?" he asked.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Oh! I'm sure he would, he acted so very 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"It'll sure be the making of him," echoed Step-hen cheerfully, from his
+perch.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 succeed in chaining the ugly old terror to a tree,
+and thus saving his, Bumpus' life.
+
+When the delicate boy started to scramble down out of his leafy bower
+the others tried to encourage him in various ways.
+
+"Good boy, Smithy!" cooed Step-hen.
+
+"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.
+
+"Try the quarter loaf, Smithy; you'll find it just where Step-hen said,
+inside the tent where Bumpus is hanging out," Giraffe called.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 been a long ways
+apart lately for Bruin; but he seemed to understand that the boy had
+gone to secure him something.
+
+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.
+
+He was really begging for something to stay the pangs of hunger.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Bumpus! Bumpus, good boy! here supper for Bumpus!"
+
+"Hey, quit calling him by my name," said the fat boy, indignation even
+making him forget his recent fear.
+
+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 had held the
+chain at the time the animal danced for him.
+
+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.
+
+"Oh! he took it!" gasped Step-hen.
+
+"And it was the whole of that half loaf too," added Giraffe, with a sigh
+of regret.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED.
+
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Hey! ain't you goin' to help me out of this?" called Bumpus just then.
+
+"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 Bumpus, so that he could secure the
+compass he was positive the fat boy was hiding from him.
+
+"Yes, I _am_ 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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+At that Giraffe groaned most dismally. If there was anything he hated to
+see it was good food being tossed to the beasts.
+
+"Our first camp-fire brought us bad luck, fellows!" he complained.
+
+"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."
+
+"No, Smithy certainly made good this night; and 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+But apparently none of the others were so much given to thinking about
+the delights of eating as Giraffe, for nobody answered his question.
+
+Thad had pulled Allan aside.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Now you're joking, Thad; the only message he had about him was a hungry
+one, and it showed on his face and in the way he begged," Bob White
+remarked.
+
+"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."
+
+Nobody but Giraffe could have had a thought along these lines.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"But how about appointing a sentry to stay on guard during the night?"
+suggested Giraffe, turning to the scout-master.
+
+"What for?" asked Thad, winking at Allan.
+
+"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,
+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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+No one could question his intentions; but then at the time Smithy was
+worked up to a degree that might excuse some bungling.
+
+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 tone, as he used his
+fingers to ascertain just how the end of the chain was fastened.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+He found three fellows apparently already far gone in sleep, if he could
+judge from their steady and heavy breathing.
+
+So Thad, chuckling to himself as some humorous thought flitted through
+his mind, settled down to 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+LUCKY BRUIN.
+
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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?
+
+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.
+
+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 _fright_!
+
+An old moon had risen while the campers slept, so that it was no longer
+dark out on the lake near by.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Who in the wide world can it be?" asked Bob White.
+
+"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."
+
+"And listen to that splash, boys!" exclaimed Step-hen.
+
+"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!"
+
+"Hark! what is he shouting?" asked Allan.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I got it then, and it was Brose!" exclaimed Bob White, who had very
+acute hearing.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh! he got out all right," observed Allan.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"And boys, don't forget we owe a lot to our guest--what was that you
+called him, Smithy--Bumpus?" Thad continued.
+
+"Oh! let's change it to just plain Smith," suggested Bumpus.
+
+"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."
+
+At that Giraffe groaned dismally.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Listen, do you hear any more shouting?" asked Thad.
+
+Though they strained their ears no one could catch a single sound.
+
+"Guess they've got beyond earshot," remarked Step-hen.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+Smithy remarked that the old fellow deserved another feed after such
+splendid service in guarding the camp.
+
+"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.
+
+"Why, I didn't think it was so _very_ 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"He certainly does," replied the scout-master, laughing again.
+
+Smithy found that the chained visitor was perfectly agreeable, for the
+way he took that heavy cake and devoured, it was a caution.
+
+"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."
+
+"Huh! I only hope it gives him a cramp, and doubles him up," grunted
+the other, in more or less disgust.
+
+"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.
+
+"And now what?" demanded Step-hen, yawning, and stretching his long
+figure.
+
+"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.
+
+"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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+"'Sure, the sun niver goes down in ould Ireland wid a bang loike thot!'"
+called out Giraffe from the interior of the tent, spoiling the telling
+of Step-hen's little story, which no doubt every one of the boys knew.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+LOOKING TO BIG THINGS AHEAD.
+
+
+"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.
+
+They had splashed, and swam about to their hearts' content, until Thad
+timing the bathing period, ordered the last scout from the water.
+
+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.
+
+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, be it mentioned
+here, are about the same as the common pancake at home, though never
+called by that ordinary name in camp.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Hold on," remarked Giraffe, looking up, hungrily; "perhaps everybody
+ain't through yet; and Bob, I think those flapjacks you made are simply
+delicious."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh! all right, Bob, just as you say; and perhaps I have devoured as
+many as I had ought to; but they _were_ good, I don't care what you say.
+Come again, Bob."
+
+"Hey! anybody seen my head--" began Step-hen; when Davy interrupted him
+to bawl:
+
+"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."
+
+"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 _my_ things are always going, the funniest way ever. Now I
+could declare I hung that hat up on the broken branch of this tree."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Didn't, so there!" he snapped, as he turned away; and Step-hen,
+looking after him, wagged his head as he muttered:
+
+"Honest Injun now, I really believe he _did_ 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 invaded the
+camp; so that a snapshot could be taken that would preserve the event
+for all time.
+
+Bumpus, however, put his foot down flatly against having anything to do
+with such an "idiotic proceeding," as he chose to term it.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+But the drowning person being brought back to 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"How about the fire building tests?" demanded Giraffe, eagerly.
+
+"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.
+
+"You know you're as good as licked, before we begin," replied the other,
+derisively.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Then tell us all about it, Davy; because we want to know," demanded
+Step-hen.
+
+"That's right, and we _must_ know; so start up the music, Davy," said
+Giraffe.
+
+"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."
+
+"You're wrong there, Davy," said Thad, with 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."
+
+"But why the Blue Ridge mountains; whatever put that notion in your
+head, Thad?" demanded Giraffe, deeply puzzled.
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE SCOUT WHO USED HIS EYES.
+
+
+"Hold on," called out Step-hen, "let's start even all around. Has
+anybody seen my tin cup? Funny how _my_ 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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, but write it down each time, Step-hen," laughed Smithy.
+
+Step-hen turned upon this new tormentor.
+
+"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."
+
+Smithy writhed, and looked piteously at his nearest neighbor.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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 careless blows, after which he
+thrust it on his head in any old way.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Then the acting scout-master mentioned the rules governing the sport.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Bumpus was early out of the game. He did 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I don't know why," remarked Allan, as they were cooking a little lunch
+that noon; "but somehow that island over there looks mighty inviting to
+me."
+
+"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."
+
+"A boat up here is something nobody ever saw, I reckon, suh," said Bob
+White.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Well, I reckon I'll just have to comply with the rules; but it's pretty
+hard on a feller, not to have just _one_ 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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+BUMPUS MAKES A FIND.
+
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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
+depended on his accomplishing the end he had in view.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"But he might get fire after all?" protested Allan.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Well, in the first place, I suppose he feels like starting _something_;
+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."
+
+"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.
+
+"What's that?" asked Thad, smiling calmly.
+
+"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."
+
+Thereupon Thad quietly drew something, from each pocket in his khaki
+trousers.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Especially around grub time," chuckled the other.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Alone, or with you?" asked the other, quickly.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"By the way, where is Bumpus; I haven't noticed him around in camp for
+ten minutes or more?" remarked the second in command.
+
+"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."
+
+"Yes, and I said I would try it out while we 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"He's coming this way!" called out Step-hen, excitedly.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+And now all of them could make out what he was calling as he came
+stumbling along.
+
+"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?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND.
+
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Ain't this a great find, though?" declared Bob White, who was
+particularly fond of the water, and boats of all kinds.
+
+Bumpus smote himself on the chest, and puffed out his fat cheeks, as he
+looked around at his comrades.
+
+"Make fun of that wonderful investigating instinct of mine, will you,
+boys?" he remarked; "well, see what a feller gets for being
+persevering, 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!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+The eyes of the Southern boy gleamed with delight.
+
+"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."
+
+Thad bent down to examine closer. Then he 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.
+
+"Did you notice that the boat was turned upside-down when found?" asked
+Thad, first of all.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Yes, that's what I heard them saying," returned the other.
+
+"And what do you think?" asked the scout-master.
+
+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.
+
+Then he smiled.
+
+"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 the boat I can see signs that point to the same thing."
+
+"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.
+
+Thad looked a little serious.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"But what could he be doing, away up here in this lonely place?" asked
+the other.
+
+"Well, of course I don't pretend to know," replied 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+Step-hen was about to give an affirmative answer, when he just happened
+to remember something.
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh! all right, then just the three of us will go," returned Thad,
+carelessly.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 _compasses_ to get in 'em. Hung it out to air, did you? Mighty
+afraid somebody might _happen_ to peek in it by accident when you was
+gone, ain't you?"
+
+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.
+
+The boat upon being launched was found to be water tight. This fact went
+far toward convincing 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+He even wished now that he had not been so 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.
+
+One or twice he imagined he could see staring eyes among the bushes, but
+was ashamed to mention the fact to his chums.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+MAROONED.
+
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Well, at first _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."
+
+"Just what it must have been," remarked Bob, nodding his head in
+approval.
+
+Bumpus, however, did not seem to be wholly satisfied.
+
+"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-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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+He simply gripped both sides of the boat, and held on, while keeping his
+eyes fastened on the shore they were now fast approaching.
+
+No further sounds were heard, save the water lapping among the rocks,
+and giving out a musical gurgling in the rising wind.
+
+"There's a good landing where that little sandy beach runs along," Thad
+remarked, as they drew in closer.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, suh, and more than anxious to be on the move," answered the
+Southern boy.
+
+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.
+
+He quickly decided that it would be far more risky to separate from his
+comrades. If the island _did_ 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.
+
+"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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed the fat boy, when with a sudden whirr a partridge arose
+close beside them, and flew away with a rapid motion.
+
+He saw the Southern boy throw his stick to his shoulder, as though
+taking aim.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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
+_some_ things he could do, if he wasn't cut out for an agile fellow
+because of his heft.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Perhaps we may move over here to-morrow," said Thad. "I've several
+reasons for thinking that way."
+
+"One of which is that you'd like to get rid of that bear," chuckled Bob.
+
+"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?"
+
+They came out on the other side of the island, and had seen no sign of
+any sort of human habitation. 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.
+
+"Sure we're heading right, Thad?" asked Bob, presently.
+
+"Oh! my goodness I hope we don't get lost!" exclaimed Bumpus, in alarm.
+
+"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."
+
+"I can hear the waves beating against the rocks, and they sound right
+loud now," remarked Bumpus.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"But tell me," broke in Bumpus, "if that's so, where's our boat,
+fellows?"
+
+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!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE BOY FROM THE BLUE RIDGE.
+
+
+"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 enormous
+bandana.
+
+The other two walked forward.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"That, you're IT," replied the fat boy, getting 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 _has_ 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!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Thad suddenly conceived an idea. Perhaps it was the wash of the waves
+against the bank that gave it to him.
+
+He turned on Bumpus.
+
+"See here, how far up did you pull that boat?" he asked, suddenly.
+
+The fat boy stared, and scratched his head.
+
+"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.
+
+"When Bob and myself were going into the brush I told you to pull the
+boat up, and either stay here, or follow. Did you do it, Bumpus?" Thad
+went on.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Then the boat's drifted away, suh, you think?" Bob remarked, eagerly.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"But if we don't find it however am I going to get on the main land
+again?" complained Bumpus.
+
+"Well, it would serve you right if you did have to stay here alone
+awhile," Thad told him, with a sternness 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?"
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"You can see for yourself that there's no one in the boat, using the
+paddle," the scout-master replied.
+
+"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 dragging the boat after
+him."
+
+Both the others broke out into a laugh at that.
+
+"I see that imagination of yours is working overtime, Bumpus," remarked
+Thad; and then turning to the Southern boy he went on: "Shall it be you
+or I, Bob?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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
+on the island. There's _something_ about that place that seems to draw
+me."
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 in on it; because Bob here is as eager to learn as any
+of the boys."
+
+Bumpus, however, declared he was that tired he preferred staying in the
+camp, to keep the bear company.
+
+"He might get loose and try to clean us out of all our grub," he
+suggested, with a broad smile.
+
+"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 _me_, I'd fight to the
+last gasp before I'd let him make way with a single piece of cheese, or
+even a cracker."
+
+"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."
+
+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?
+
+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 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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE PICTURES THAT TALKED.
+
+
+"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.
+
+"Looks like a strip of fresh birch bark," remarked Giraffe.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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 would be
+to all of us. Here, look at what I've written, boys."
+
+"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."
+
+"And I can see a fire burning, right here," declared Giraffe, eagerly.
+
+"What's this four-legged critter, a wolf or a dog?" asked Step-hen,
+pointing to the object he had in mind.
+
+"What would you say, Thad?" asked Allan, smiling.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"It's interesting, all right, Allan," observed Davy Jones.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"First, you see, here are five figures represented," Allan began.
+
+"That means the total number of the enemy, don't it?" asked Davy,
+quickly.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Sure, and it's some interesting, Allan," declared Step-hen.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Looks to me as if the men had gone five miles up to that cross," Thad
+remarked.
+
+"Just what I was going to say," said Davy, disappointed to come in
+second.
+
+"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."
+
+"Here's another picket fence," remarked Davy; "this time only four
+miles."
+
+"Then what?" asked Allan.
+
+"There's a crooked line running across. Can't be a snake they've struck,
+because it's too big for that," mused Davy.
+
+"I know," remarked Smithy. "That must be a river, because here's a boat;
+anyhow, it looks like one to me."
+
+"Why, of course," broke in Bob White; "and I must have been blind not to
+have glimpsed that before. 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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"And just beyond, the boat seems to have broken in two; that shows
+something happened, I reckon," Davy hastened to remark.
+
+"Well, here the three of them are swimming like ducks, and the boat
+doesn't appear again, so something _did_ happen. Go on Allan, this is
+just as fine as any illustrated rebus I ever struck," Thad said, himself
+deeply interested.
+
+"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 _dot_ 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."
+
+"But see here, a little further on you forgot to mark the whole three
+again; I can only see two, all told," Davy declared.
+
+"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 the water, or from
+the shore with his gun while they were floundering there."
+
+"I guess the two chaps crawled out here on the bank," said Step-hen,
+pointing.
+
+"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 _setting_ sun by the spurs
+that stand up like spokes; while the sun rising is simply a half circle
+on the horizon."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE MAKER OF FIRES.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+Supper was finally in preparation. The bass had 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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!"
+
+"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 _you_, that's all. Nothing to be ashamed of, is it, Thad?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Why, no, the boys warned me that the fresh air might sharpen up some of
+our appetites," replied Thad; "and I guess it has."
+
+"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."
+
+"I was just wondering," said Thad, "if those two foreigners who own this
+beast will ever show up to reclaim him."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Have you ever shot one, Thad?"
+
+"Well, hardly, seeing that I've never lived where they grew grizzlies;
+but the time might come when 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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 would some day
+have a chance to visit that country, to see for themselves if it was as
+fine as Allan pictured.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"The ghost walked, fellers!" exclaimed Davy, as he caught his breath
+again.
+
+"What's all that silly talk mean, Davy?" demanded the scout-master.
+
+"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.
+
+"Where was all this happening?" pursued Thad.
+
+"Why, over there on the island!" answered Davy, positively.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE ALARM.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I tell you I _did_ see it!" affirmed Davy, stoutly.
+
+"Say, I know what he glimpsed," remarked Bumpus.
+
+"What was it, then?" asked Step-hen.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+Before the scout leader could answer, another took up the argument.
+
+"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."
+
+"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:
+
+"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."
+
+"But there wasn't any cabin or hut there?" Bob White declared.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"That might be, of course, though I doubt it," 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?"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"How about our moving the camp over on the island to-morrow; have you
+changed your mind about that, Mr. Scout-Master?" asked Allan.
+
+"Yes, I was just hanging in the balance, when this new thing happened,
+and settled it for me," replied Thad.
+
+"Then we don't go?" asked Step-hen, guessing the way things were moving
+from the expression he saw on the other's face.
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Well, I hope he don't choose you, for one, Davy," said Step-hen,
+jealously.
+
+"Why not?" demanded Davy, showing resentment at once.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Better be careful, suh, how you play that trick, if ever you go down
+with me into the Blue Ridge country," laughed Bob White.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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:
+
+"Well, there's thieves broke loose in this same camp, fellows, or else
+the place is just bewitched, that's what!"
+
+"You'll have to explain what you mean, Bumpus?" declared Thad; while
+Step-hen half started from his seat on a blanket, his face becoming
+scarlet as if he expected that every eye would immediately be turned in
+his direction.
+
+"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!"
+
+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!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+A GOOD RIDDANCE.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Little, oh, my!" Giraffe burst out with; and then subsided at a frown
+from the scout-master.
+
+"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."
+
+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 country in company with an
+ignorant foreigner and his dancing bear, if he did not have some sly
+game back of it?
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 foreigner's native country seemed to be,
+as far as Thad could make out.
+
+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 took it with some strange words, which the boy supposed were meant
+to express his gratitude.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"See, he knows he'll miss the good feeds he's had since he dropped in on
+us," remarked Davy.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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
+_you took the wrong tent_! 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!"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+DRAWING STRAWS FOR A CHANCE.
+
+
+At any rate Bumpus was manly enough to do the right thing. He walked
+straight up to Step-hen, and held out his hand.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Apparently Thad found little satisfaction in his labors, for he was
+frowning when he returned to the circle.
+
+"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.
+
+"I'm dead sure of that," replied Thad.
+
+"Different shoes make different trails, eh?" went on Davy.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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
+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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Partly so; though you went me one better when you made out that his
+hands were white under the grime," answered the scout-master.
+
+"That sounds like you think he took on all that dirt on purpose?"
+remarked Bumpus.
+
+"Perhaps he did," replied Thad; "perhaps the man is playing some sort of
+part, for a reason of his own."
+
+"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.
+
+"Well, I don't agree with you there, Step-hen," remarked Allan. "Like
+Smithy here, I found something 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."
+
+"And I say the same," observed Thad, vigorously.
+
+"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."
+
+"Go on, we all want to know," urged Thad.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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, 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Of course there was more or less joking as the 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Each one tried to show that he had a shorter straw than the one that
+fell to Smithy, but without success.
+
+"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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+STEP-HEN'S STRATEGY FAILS.
+
+
+"Don't throw your straws away yet, fellows;" remarked Allan, after the
+drawing had come to a conclusion; "Thad has something more to say."
+
+"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."
+
+"Trouble! Oh! my stars!"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 should hate to
+miss the "wigwagging" with signal flags; as well as more of Allan's
+trail talks, which were so great.
+
+"Davy Jones, you go!" remarked Thad, after the various "straws" had been
+compared, and his was found to be the shortest.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Count me in that job, if Allan will let me go along," Bumpus declared,
+showing considerable interest.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+Of course Giraffe was indignant.
+
+"Why, I could beat Bumpus with one hand tied behind me!" he declared.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+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 clumsy water dog at best, with one arm tied down to his side.
+
+Just then Bumpus happened to look at Step-hen. He could not help
+noticing how unduly the other seemed tickled at the prospect. And then
+and there a sudden terrible suspicion gripped hold of Bumpus.
+
+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?
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+So Bumpus, looking the other straight in the eyes, went on to say:
+
+"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 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."
+
+Step-hen certainly looked very much disappointed. There was a sneer, as
+well as a shadow on his face, as he remarked scornfully:
+
+"Huh! you take water, eh, Bumpus?"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Step-hen was saying this to himself as he watched 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.
+
+Thad did not have many preparations to make, however. Most of his time
+was spent in talking with Allan, and arranging for the work that was to
+be done that morning, in showing the balance of the patrol numerous
+interesting things connected with scout life.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Never a peep," Allan went on to say. "And that makes me think there's
+sure something crooked about 'em. I wish----"
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+The rest of the scouts gathered at the water's edge 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THE PATCHED SHOE AGAIN.
+
+
+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:
+
+"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 _my_ things
+that go wandering around loose. Own up now; and whoever hid it just come
+right in here, and show me where it is!"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Davy was a ready observer, and not above picking up points from one who
+knew more than he did.
+
+And presently, profiting from these plain hints, he was able to make
+easier progress.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+All this while good progress had been made, and they were now drawing
+close in to the island. It 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.
+
+"What's that bird out yonder on the water?" asked Smithy, just then
+pointing beyond a spur of the island.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Sure I will; and tell you a few things I got from 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.
+
+"Bob must have been through some stuff in his old home," remarked Davy,
+enviously; "from the few little things he's said. Things _happen_ 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!"
+
+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.
+
+They drew the boat up good and far on the beach.
+
+"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."
+
+"I should say not," observed Smithy, uneasily; for he had only recently
+learned how to swim, and 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Just see the black holes, would you?" Davy declared, again and again.
+"Why, lots of 'em'd 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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!"
+
+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!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+FIGURING IT OUT.
+
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"I'm sorry now it didn't happen that way," remarked the scout-master,
+"it might have made some difference in my plans, you see, boys."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"In case, what?" pursued Davy, who wanted to know everything.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Well, yes, I am beginning to, right fast," answered the other, frankly.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 yeggmen who
+have done something that they knew would send them to prison if caught!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Have you ever been in Faversham, Davy?" asked Thad, suddenly.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You mean Malcolm Hotchkiss, don't you?" asked the other, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, the name he mentioned to you, when he spoke about the marked
+shoe?" the patrol leader went on to say.
+
+"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."
+
+"Who is he, then, Davy?"
+
+"Why, Malcolm Hotchkiss, he's just the Chief of Police over at
+Faversham, that's what, Thad," replied the other scout, almost
+breathless in his renewed excitement.
+
+"Oh; is that so?" remarked Thad. "Well, how does it strike you now,
+Davy?"
+
+"Looks bad for these here men, that's what," came the reply.
+
+"You mean they must be worse than game poachers; is that it?" continued
+Thad.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I certainly do; but I wish you could tell me one thing," the other
+remarked.
+
+"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."
+
+"Try and remember if that boy said anything 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?"
+
+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.
+
+"I caught on to it, Thad," he declared with the air of a victor.
+
+"Well, what do you think about it now, Davy?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'd sure be sorry to hear you say that, Thad," remarked Davy, his face
+showing keen disappointment.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"That's just it," remarked the Jones boy; "I had a look in at that same
+beach under the branches of the trees, Thad; and believe me, I didn't
+see a sign of any boat!"
+
+"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.
+
+"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!
+
+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!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+WHAT SMITHY FOUND.
+
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"You're right, it could," admitted Davy, easily convinced.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"Do you mean they've made up their minds to try and keep us prisoners
+on this terrible island?" asked the other.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"A pretty good idea, Davy," admitted the scout-master, readily enough;
+"there's only one drawback to it, that I can see."
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Well, such talk would convince anybody, I guess," laughed Thad.
+
+"Then you're goin' to let me try it, I hope?" ventured Davy, joyfully.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+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
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Do you think they might attack us, Thad?" asked Smithy, who was
+somewhat pale, but showing a resolute front in this crisis.
+
+"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."
+
+"What do you suppose they'd be apt to do to us for giving them so much
+trouble, and taking their boat?" continued Smithy.
+
+"What Paddy gave the drum, perhaps," remarked Davy; "a beating. But if
+you two fellers 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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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 Faversham the 'phone; is that it,
+Thad?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I got it all just as you stated it, Thad," declared 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."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+Thad turned on him in some surprise.
+
+"Now you've got us both wondering what you mean, Smithy," he remarked;
+"suppose you explain before Davy leaves us."
+
+"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 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?"
+
+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.
+
+"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!
+
+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!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+THE SCOUT-MASTER'S SCHEME.
+
+
+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.
+
+For both of them could understand what this meant, and that Thad felt
+more or less suspicious regarding the genuineness of the two coins.
+
+"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."
+
+"That part of it has already been settled," remarked Thad, with a vein
+of authority in his voice; 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.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+That was why Smithy felt pleased, even while he at the same time
+experienced a touch of uneasiness because of the new developments that
+were constantly making their situation look more desperate.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 _very_ 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+Thad did not answer, for the simple reason that 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"But you said it would be hours before he could even get to camp, didn't
+you, Thad?" asked Smithy.
+
+"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."
+
+"That would mean two in the afternoon, then, Thad?"
+
+"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. 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."
+
+The other sighed.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"You could see them on the bank, if that were so, Smithy," remarked
+Thad. "Try again with another guess; and this time think well before
+you answer."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 Giraffe to Rockford so as to call the
+Faversham Chief over the 'phone?"
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+A SIGNAL STATION IN A TREE-TOP.
+
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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 how to best stop a
+runaway horse without endangering my life more than is absolutely
+necessary."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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 _me_ when you coaxed my mother to let me join the Boy
+Scouts. Nobody else could have done it but you, Thad."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+The higher he climbed the better he was satisfied; for he 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.
+
+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 Smithy know the
+signalman was fixed, and that he had better go back to the beach to
+wait.
+
+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.
+
+So, to amuse himself while waiting Thad turned 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+Turning wholly, so as to devote his full attention to the signal station
+hill, Thad counted the minutes that seemed to drag so heavily.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 _must_ turn his head,
+and sweep the shore of the same with his glasses.
+
+Ordinary curiosity should cause him to do that; 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+A few seconds of suspense, and then Thad breathed with relief.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+THE WIGWAG TELEGRAPH.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+And now Allan was signaling that he understood the chief wished to send
+an important message, which he was ready to receive.
+
+So Thad commenced by asking:
+
+"Who have you close by to send with a message to Rockford?"
+
+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:
+
+"Giraffe, Bumpus; other two gone signal station beyond."
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"O. K. Tremendous! Go on!" came the immediate reply.
+
+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.
+
+Thad went on to give the other more knowledge, 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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. 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Why, it's already paid us ten times over for all 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+That the new recruit would be deeply interested, he felt sure; for
+everything connected with the 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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 had witnessed both
+landings of the invading parties of scouts.
+
+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!
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Certainly Smithy was not in sight. He turned in both directions, and
+swept the half circle of brush with an anxious gaze.
+
+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:
+
+"Smithy, hello!"
+
+There was no answer to his summons. The loon laughed again out on the
+lake, as though mocking 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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+THE TRAIL AMONG THE ROCKS.
+
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"Well, what am I thinking about?" was the 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."
+
+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.
+
+And he had not been at this task more than half a minute when he
+received considerable of a shock.
+
+"Why, here's that footprint with the marked sole!" he whispered, a new
+thrill in the region of his heart.
+
+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!
+
+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!
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 yielded.
+
+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!
+
+The very thought caused Thad to take a firmer grip on the stout cudgel
+he carried, and resolve that should he be attacked, these rascals would
+not have the easy victory they had found with his comrade, Smithy.
+
+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.
+
+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?
+
+Thad felt that he could never look a scout in the face again if he were
+guilty of such small business.
+
+"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 comforting 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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!"
+
+It made Thad feel quite pleased to know that the tenderfoot could be so
+smart, with such little training. 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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 kept pushing resolutely on,
+eyes and ears constantly on the alert.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"And if it _did_ 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?"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 important 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!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+SPRINGING THE TRAP.
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Thad started when he suddenly heard a gruff voice; it sounded so very
+close by, that his first thought was he had been discovered. But as he
+caught the words that were spoken he realized his mistake.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Oh! if only he could creep across the space that 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+And the possible result was so pleasant to contemplate that he just
+could not resist trying for it.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Smithy--'sh!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+But there was no need of wasting time when the choice lay only in one
+selection.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 believing that the prisoner still lay where he had been left.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+"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.
+
+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 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.
+
+And so the mouth of the old bear's den was sealed, imprisoning within,
+the two fugitives from the law.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+THE MYSTERY SOLVED--CONCLUSION.
+
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Yes," remarked Thad, smiling broadly, "and from the way you can hear
+those two fellows on the other side of the stone carrying on, I guess
+you must be right; for they seem to be some angry I take it."
+
+"You don't think they could upset this rock, do you?" asked Smithy, a
+little anxiously.
+
+"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?"
+
+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.
+
+"I'm willing to do anything you say, Thad," he replied, with a sigh.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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 _our_ boat in the bushes as I came along on the trail you 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."
+
+Smithy fairly glowed with pride. A compliment from the scout-master was
+worth more to this boy than anything he could imagine.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+In due time Smithy was seen to land, with the other boys crowding
+around, doubtless plying him 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"There, that was sure an auto horn, tooting!" he exclaimed about
+half-past four in the afternoon.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 in the fracas accompanying this failure to
+catch them at work.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+So by degrees everybody was ferried over to the camp, Bob White taking
+turns with Allan in wielding 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+And at that every scout snatching off his campaign hat, gave three
+cheers, as though right then, 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.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+THE JACK LORIMER SERIES
+
+5 Volumes By WINN STANDISH
+
+          Handsomely Bound in Cloth
+          Full Library Size--Price
+          40 cents per Volume, postpaid
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER; or, The Young Athlete of Millvale High.
+
+          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.
+
+
+JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS; or, Sports on Land and Lake.
+
+          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.
+
+
+JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS; or, Millvale High in Camp.
+
+          It would be well not to put this book into a boy's
+          hands until the chores are finished, otherwise
+          they might be neglected.
+
+
+JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE; or, The Acting Captain of the Team.
+
+          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.
+
+
+JACK LORIMER, FRESHMAN; or, From Millvale High to Exmouth.
+
+          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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+  publishers
+  A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.
+
+
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SERIES
+
+
+By HILDEGARD G. FREY. The only series of stories for Camp Fire Girls
+endorsed by the officials of the Camp Fire Girls Organization. PRICE, 40
+CENTS PER VOLUME
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, The Winnebagos go Camping.
+
+          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.
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT SCHOOL: or, The Wohelo Weavers.
+
+          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.
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT ONOWAY HOUSE; or, In The Magic Garden.
+
+          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.
+
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS GO MOTORING; or, Along the Road That Leads the Way.
+
+          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.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
+  publishers
+  A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Page 6, "Granford" changed to "Cranford". (bugler for Cranford)
+
+Page 9, "geniue" changed to "genuine". (a genuine scout-master)
+
+Page 9, "Calikns" changed to "Calkins". (medicine with Dr. Calkins)
+
+Page 13, "Sop" changed to "Stop". (Stop again, and)
+
+Page 17, "examing" changed to "examining". (Allan were examining)
+
+Page 34, "Omerga" changed to "Omega". (word Omega means)
+
+Page 44, "week" changed to "weak". (of a weak mamma)
+
+Page 45, "conneced" changed to "connected". (connected with a)
+
+Page 51, "befel" changed to "befell". (that befell the)
+
+Page 63, "Bumus" changed three times to "Bumpus". ("Bumpus! Bumpus, good
+boy! here supper for Bumpus!")
+
+Page 96, "Allen" changed to "Allan". (remarked Allan, as they)
+
+Page 122, "emormous" changed to "enormous". (with that enormous)
+
+Page 125, "sterness" changed to "sternness". (sternness in his)
+
+Page 125, "draging" changed to "dragging". (along and dragging)
+
+Page 144, "owuld" changed to "would". (would some day)
+
+Page 149, "Allen" changed to "Allan". (Master?" asked Allan)
+
+Page 158, "freigner's" changed to "foreigner's". (foreigner's native
+country)
+
+Page 173, "semed" changed to "seemed". (seemed tickled at)
+
+Page 175, "arrnging" changed to "arranging". (arranging for the)
+
+Page 186, "remarkd" changed to "remarked". (way," remarked the)
+
+Page 199, "Haversham" changed to "Faversham". (get Faversham the)
+
+Page 214, "the" changed to "he". (for he found)
+
+Page 214, "Smihty" changed to "Smithy". (let Smithy know)
+
+Page 230, "yeielded" changed to "yielded". (have soon yielded)
+
+Page 231, "conforting" changed to "comforting". (that comforting cudgel)
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+
+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 ***
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