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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 01:23:20 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 01:23:20 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20499-h.zip b/20499-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..79f33e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/20499-h.zip diff --git a/20499-h/20499-h.htm b/20499-h/20499-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..52f567e --- /dev/null +++ b/20499-h/20499-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7674 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +Afloat; or, Adventures on Watery Trails +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 5%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: medium; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.letter {font-size: small ; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.salutation {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.closing {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.footnote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.index {font-size: small ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.intro {font-size: medium ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.dedication {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 15%; + text-align: justify } + +P.published {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 15% } + +P.quote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.report {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.report2 {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.finis { text-align: center } + + +H3.h3left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H3.h3right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H3.h3center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgleft { float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: 1%; + padding: 0; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgright {float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1%; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: auto; } + +.pagenum { position: absolute; + left: 1%; + font-size: 95%; + text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; } + + + + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Afloat, by Alan Douglas + +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: Afloat + or, Adventures on Watery Trails + +Author: Alan Douglas + +Release Date: February 1, 2007 [EBook #20499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFLOAT *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="The track could plainly be seen but the trail ended abruptly." BORDER="2" WIDTH="420" HEIGHT="581"> +<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 500px"> +The track could plainly be seen but the trail ended abruptly. +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +AFLOAT: +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<I>or,</I> +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +<I>Adventures on Watery Trails</I> +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H4> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SCOUT MASTER +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY +<BR> +CHICAGO :: NEW YORK +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +Copyright, 1917, by +<BR> +The New York Book Co. +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<BR> + +<CENTER> + +<TABLE WIDTH="80%"> +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="15%">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="85%"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">THE RAIL BIRDS HEAR SOME NEWS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">WHEN HEN CONDIT LEFT TOWN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">A PROMISING CLUE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">JOHNNY'S CHICKEN THIEF TRAP</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">BOUND FOR SASSAFRAS SWAMP</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">THE MISSING SKIFF</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">PICKING UP CLUES</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">THE PERILS OF THE WATER LABYRINTH</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">THE SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS OF LANDY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">A NIGHT ALARM</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">THE VALUE OF SCOUTCRAFT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">HEN CONDIT'S STRANGE MESSAGE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">BOUND TO SUCCEED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">WOLF PATROL PLUCK WINS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">CONCLUSION</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +ON WATERY TRAILS +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE RAIL BIRDS HEAR SOME NEWS +</H3> + +<P> +"Elmer said we'd take a vote on it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and tonight the next regular meeting of the Hickory Ridge Boy +Scout Troop is scheduled to take place, so we'll soon know where we +stand." +</P> + +<P> +"Thith hath been a pretty tame thummer for the cwowd, all told, don't +you think, Lil Artha?" +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly has, as sure as your name's Ted Burgoyne. Our camping +out was cut short, for with so many rainy days we just had to give it +up." +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth, after three of the fellowth came down with bad cases of malarial +fever. The mothquitoes were so plentiful." +</P> + +<P> +"That was some news to me to find out that a certain breed of +mosquitoes are the only ones that give you the malarial poison when +they smack you." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! I used to think all that talk was a silly yarn, too, Toby, but +now I put a heap of stock in the same," declared the unusually tall and +thin boy, who seemed to answer to the queer name of "Lil Artha;" he had +evidently been dubbed so by his comrades as an undersized cub, and when +shooting up later on had been unable to shake off the absurd nickname. +</P> + +<P> +"But here we've still got a couple of weeks left of our vacation, you +know," remarked the chap called Toby, "and it'd be just a shame to let +the good old summer time dribble away without one more whack at the +woods, and the open air life we all love so well." +</P> + +<P> +"Toby, jutht hold your horthes!" exclaimed the one who lisped so +dreadfully, and whose name was Theodore Burgoyne, though seldom called +anything but Ted; "you let Elmer decide for the crowd. I'm dead +certain he'll lay out a joyouth plan at the meeting tonight that'll +call for the unanimous approval of every member of the troop to be +found in thith sleepy town these dog days." +</P> + +<P> +"Hear! hear! Ted has got it down pat, let me tell you!" cried Toby +Jones, who in the bosom of his family was occasionally reminded that he +had once upon a time been christened Tobias Ellsworth Jones. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you know our faithful and hard-working patrol leader to a dot, +Ted," added the long-legged scout, with a wide grin on his thin and +freckled face. "Trust Elmer Chenowith to think up a programme that +will meet with universal approval. But this is a pretty warm +proposition for a late August day. Let's sit in the shade a while, and +cool off, while we're waiting for Landy and Chatz to show up." +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly the trio of boys in faded khaki suits, that looked as +though they had seen considerable service, proceeded to perch upon the +top-most rail of a fence at a point where a splendid oak tree threw its +wide-spreading branches over the road. +</P> + +<P> +They were just outside the town of Hickory Ridge, and if you want to +know where this usually wide-awake place was situated it might be well +to refer to earlier books in this Series in order to ascertain all the +interesting particulars. +</P> + +<P> +These three lads belonged to the local troop of scouts, just then in a +most flourishing condition. Under the leadership of Elmer Chenowith +the Wolf Patrol of the troop had accomplished so many unusual things +that a fever had taken possession of the town boys to become enrolled. +</P> + +<P> +There was also the Beaver Patrol, with a full number, and the Eagle as +well as the Fox seemed destined to finish their quota of eight members +in the early Fall. +</P> + +<P> +The three boys whom we have met on the road chanced to be among the +original charter members of the troop. All of them belonged to the +Wolf Patrol; for it often happens that fellows wearing the same totem +are brought closer together than others. +</P> + +<P> +Since it chances that the exciting incidents which we have started out +to chronicle in the present story fell almost exclusively to the +portion of the boys belonging to the original Wolf Patrol, it might be +well to give a brief description of who and what they were, before +going any further. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer Chenowith, being the patrol leader, comes first in line. He was +a manly lad, with many winning qualities that made him a prime favorite +among his fellows. At one time his father had had charge of a vast +farm and cattle ranch up in the Canadian Northwest, and while there the +boy had learned a thousand things calculated to be useful to him in his +capacity of a scout. +</P> + +<P> +He had long ago received official authority from Boy Scout Headquarters +to act as a deputy or assistant scout master, whenever the regular +overseer, young Mr. Roderic Garrabrant, could not be present. Elmer +filled the position in such a clever fashion that no one ever +questioned his ability to play the part of guide. +</P> + +<P> +Then there was Mark Anthony Cummings, who was looked upon as Elmer's +chum. He was the grandson of a famous artist, and there were those who +prophesied that some day Mark would follow in the footsteps of his +illustrious ancestor; for he would draw off-hand charcoal sketches of +his chums, mostly in a humorous vein, that excited roars of laughter. +Mark was also something of a musician, and had in the beginning been +elected to fill the position of bugler to the troop. +</P> + +<P> +Ted Burgoyne was afflicted with a dreadful lisp, on account of a +hare-lip, so that as the boys used to say if offered a fortune he could +get no closer to the real thing when dared than to say "thoft thoap." +But then Ted was a marvel in his way, for he had more knowledge of +medicine than all the other boys of the troop combined; and on this +account they often called him "Doctor Ted," or "Old Sawbones." +</P> + +<P> +In cases of snake-bite, fainting, cramps, near-drowning, cuts from the +camp axe or hatchet, gun-shot wounds, broken bones, or, in fact, +anything likely to happen to campers, Ted was what Lil Artha always +called "Johnny-on-the-spot," though Toby could never pin him down to +saying "which spot." +</P> + +<P> +Toby Jones was really the "funny" boy of the patrol. His grandfather +being one of those Zouave veterans, who had accompanied Colonel +Ellsworth to Washington when the war between the States broke out, and +saw the latter shot in Alexandria, Virginia, while taking down a +Confederate flag, nothing would do but that the boy must bear that +venerated name and so he was christened Tobias Ellsworth Jones. +</P> + +<P> +Toby was ambitious. His leaning lay in the line of aeronautics, and he +was always trying to invent some sort of aeroplane that would discount +all the efforts of such men as the Wright brothers. The dreadful fate +of Darius Green and his famous flying machine had no terrors for Toby, +though his chums were always warning him to beware. +</P> + +<P> +He had, on several occasions in the past, attempted to show off with +one of these ambitious contraptions. Those who have read some of the +preceding volumes of this Series know what ludicrous results came about +because of this over-vaulting ambition on the part of Toby. But he was +not one whit discouraged, and often declared that unless his life were +cut short he meant to see that the name of the Joneses went "ringing +down the ages" as one of the most illustrious since the days of Paul +Jones, the American who fought sea battles in the Revolutionary War. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha, in reality Arthur Stansbury, was reckoned a good scout, and +a loyal companion who could both play a joke and take one when it was +aimed at him; he was rather fond of photography, and addicted somewhat +to harmless slang. +</P> + +<P> +The sixth member of the original Wolf Patrol was a Southern boy, +Charlie Maxfield by name, though known simply as "Chatz." He possessed +all the traits to be found in boys who have been born and raised south +of Mason and Dixon's line, was inclined to be touchy whenever he +thought anyone doubted his honor, talked with a quaint little twang +that was really delightfully musical, and taken in all had grown to be +a prime favorite with his fellows. +</P> + +<P> +Chatz had one silly weakness which, though he tried hard to overcome +it, would occasionally crop up. He was dreadfully superstitious, and +believed in ghosts, which failing he laid to his having associated with +piccaninnies when a youngster, and in some way imbibing their belief in +the supernatural. +</P> + +<P> +Yes, Chatz at one time had even carried a rabbit's foot for luck, and +to ward off evil spirits. The animal was said to have been killed in a +graveyard in the full moon and it was a sure-enough <I>left</I> hind foot, +too, which he believed to be a very important distinction, since no +other would answer. Of late, however, Chatz said less about these +things than when he first came to Hickory Ridge; and Elmer believed he +was by degrees out-growing the foolish, superstitious beliefs of his +childhood. +</P> + +<P> +Two later additions to the Wolf Patrol were Henry Condit, known simply +as "Hen," and Landy Smith, otherwise Philander. The latter was a fat, +good-natured chap, always perspiring, and who had a queer habit of +placing his forefinger alongside his nose when puzzled or reflecting. +</P> + +<P> +As occasional mention may be made in these pages to other members of +the Troop, it might be well to simply give a list of their names and +"let it go at that," as Lil Artha would say. +</P> + +<P> +The Beaver Patrol being full consisted of eight boys. Matty Eggleston +was the leader, and after him came "Red" Huggins, Ty Collins, Jasper +Merriweather, Tom Cropsey, Larry Billings, Phil Dale and "Doubting +George" Robbins, a cousin to Landy. +</P> + +<P> +There were also four members to the Eagle Patrol, with others about to +come in. Jack Armitage filled the position of leader, and after him +came Nat Scott, Ben Slimmons and Jim Oskamp. +</P> + +<P> +Apparently, the three fellows perched on the Virginia rail fence had +agreed to wait for others who were to join them in starting for the +favorite "swimmin' hole," for their conversation betrayed this fact. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha began to grow a little impatient. He wiped his perspiring +face and in so many words gave his two chums to understand that if the +laggards did not put in an appearance inside of ten minutes he meant to +start without them. +</P> + +<P> +"A fine lot of scouts Chatz and Landy are showing themselves to be, not +keeping their word," the tall boy grumbled; "there, didn't you hear the +clock strike ten? They were to be here not later than a quarter to the +hour." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, you know Chatz isn't in a hurry," chuckled Toby. "Fellows +raised down in Dixie are used to taking their time. It's the warm +climate that does it, he told me. But speaking of angels and you hear +their wings, they say; for unless my eyes deceive me there comes Chatz +right now." +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth, and thauntering along like he might be away ahead of the time +thet for meeting here. Chatz ith what I call a cool cuthtomer." +</P> + +<P> +When the fourth lad joined the bunch, there was a lot of good-natured +badinage indulged in all around, after the manner of boys in general. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you intend waiting any longer fo' Landy?" asked the newcomer. +</P> + +<P> +At that remark the other laughed uproariously. +</P> + +<P> +"It makes me think of the full 'bus," said Lil Artha; "when it stops to +take on another passenger they all look cross; and he squeezes into a +seat wondering why people will act so piggish; but let it stop again +for another fare and he grumbles louder than anybody else." +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth, we've waited fifteen minutes for you, Chatz," said Ted, "and +it'd be only fair to give poor, fat Landy ten minutes more." +</P> + +<P> +Chatz immediately took out his little nickel watch and held it in his +hand, just as though he might have been the judge at a sprinting match. +</P> + +<P> +Before five minutes had crept past, however, there was a cry raised. +</P> + +<P> +"Here comes poor old Landy," said Toby, "mounted on his wheezy bicycle, +and pegging for all he's worth. Look at him puffing away, will you? +He just knows he's been keeping us waiting here ever so long, and +that's making him put on so much steam. Wow! he nearly took a header +that time into the ditch. What a splash there would have been, my +countrymen, if he played leap-frog into that mud-puddle!" +</P> + +<P> +The boys sat there on the rail fence and began to greet the coming +bicycle rider with loud shouts. +</P> + +<P> +"Hit her up, Landy!" +</P> + +<P> +"One good turn deserves another, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"A little more power to your left foot, or you'll be in that ditch yet, +Landy!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! Landy, does your mother know you're risking your precious old +neck on that beaut of a wheel?" +</P> + +<P> +The fat scout did not cease his exertions until he had reached the +place where his four chums sat on the fence. Then they saw that while +his round face was red, and the perspiration stood out in beads on his +forehead, there was a drawn, almost a scared look on his countenance. +</P> + +<P> +"Hey! what ails the fellow?" burst out Lil Artha, as though discovering +that Landy was trembling more with some mysterious emotion than fatigue. +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth, hurry up and tell uth what's happened!" cried Ted Burgoyne, +jumping off his perch, and hastening to the side of the panting boy. +</P> + +<P> +Landy seemed to swallow something that may have been threatening to +choke him. Then making a great effort, he managed to say a few words. +</P> + +<P> +"Terrible thing's happened, fellows! Knocks the reputation of the Wolf +Patrol all to smithereens!" +</P> + +<P> +Of course, this excited those four scouts as nothing else could have +done. +</P> + +<P> +"Has anything happened to Elmer?" almost shouted Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"No, it's Hen Condit!" answered Landy; "he's gone and stole a lot of +money from his guardian, and lit out, that's what! And him belonging +to the Wolf Patrol, too!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WHEN HEN CONDIT LEFT TOWN +</H3> + + +<P> +"Hey! say that over again, won't you, Landy! I sure believe my ears +must have fooled me!" exclaimed Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Hen Condit robbed his uncle and guardian, are you telling us, Landy?" +gasped Toby; "aw! come off, now, you're just giving us taffy, thinking +it smart." +</P> + +<P> +"I tell you I just came from their house," continued the perspiring +scout, mopping his reeking forehead with a suspicious looking +handkerchief that may once on a time have been really white. "You see, +Mr. Condit didn't get up as early as he generally does, because he had +a <I>terrible</I> headache. And say, they even think he might have been +given a dose of chloroform to make him sleep longer." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on, fellows," snapped Toby just then, "as luck will have it here +comes Elmer in his father's little runabout. He said he had to go over +to Rockaway on an important errand for his dad this morning, which was +the only reason he couldn't join us for a swim. Let's hold him up, and +Landy can tell the whole story then." +</P> + +<P> +When they made urgent gestures to the boy in the swift-flying runabout, +he hastened to pull up, laughing at the same time. +</P> + +<P> +"I hurried over and back on purpose to follow you fellows to the ole +swimmin' hole," he told them; "but I didn't expect to meet you on the +way. Don't delay me; I'll jump on my wheel to chase after you." +</P> + +<P> +"But, Elmer, something awful has happened, and you ought to know about +it," declared Toby, at which the boy in the small car looked +searchingly at each of the others in turn, and seeing how grave they +appeared, he demanded what it meant. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you see," explained Lil Artha, "Landy here was late in joining +us. He just came along on his machine, pegging it for all he was +worth, and looking like he had seen one of the ghosts some people +believe in. He only started to tell us when you came in sight; but +it's terrible. What d'ye think, he says our Wolf Patrol comrade, Hen +Condit, has run away from home, and robbed his guardian in the bargain!" +</P> + +<P> +Elmer instantly jumped to the road. He faced Landy as a lawyer might a +witness on the stand; and Elmer knew just how to "pump" a fellow so as +to get the principal facts without much loss of time, as his chums +understood. +</P> + +<P> +"Go on and tell us about it, Landy," he commanded. "How did you happen +to learn about the fact in the first place?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you see," answered the other, only too willing to explain to the +best of his ability, "ma, she sent me over on an errand to the Condit +house. I was madder'n hops about it, too, because I just knew I'd be +keepin' the fellows waiting here under the Grandaddy Oak." +</P> + +<P> +"What did you find when you got there?" asked Elmer, who knew Landy to +be long-winded, and that often the quickest way to learn facts from him +was to put him on the grill. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, they were all upset," admitted Landy. "Mr. Condit was as mad as +a bull in a china shop, and his wife was looking as white as chalk, +yes, and scared, too. Seems that when he went into his library after +eating breakfast he found the safe open and everything gone. It was an +'inside job' the Chief said, because nobody had busted the safe." +</P> + +<P> +"Then the Chief was there, was he?" questioned the patrol leader. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure he was; Mr. Condit had 'phoned to him. There were a dozen +neighbors in the house, too, and more acomin' right along. Biggest +kind of excitement. Oh! it's going to be town property before night, I +guess, and lots of people'll be pointing their fingers at every fellow +wearing khaki, and saying they always knew scouts was no better than +the law allowed. Oh! wouldn't I like to get hold of that Hen Condit, +though." +</P> + +<P> +"What makes them believe it was Hen" continued Elmer. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, that's the queerest part of it all," answered the fat boy; "the +silly gump gave the whole business away himself—went and left a note +behind him telling that he was the guilty villain, and that they +needn't ever expect to see him again, because he had lit out for +Chicago." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! you don't say!" gasped Lil Arthur, apparently half stunned by +this later intelligence; "I never would have thought Hen could be such +a fool as to convict himself like that." +</P> + +<P> +"When was he seen last?" demanded Elmer, still after information. +</P> + +<P> +"He went to bed last night, they said, just as usual; but shucks! it +would be the easiest thing agoing for Hen to climb down from his window +if he took a notion. I've known him to do the same dozens of times +just for fun, rather than take the trouble to go around to the stairs." +</P> + +<P> +"Then Hen has disappeared, and no one has seen him this morning?" +</P> + +<P> +"Never a soul. His aunt went to his room when he didn't show up, but +not finding him expected Hen had gone off to my house. And his uncle +is whopping mad over it. He nearly took a fit when the expert Chief +said he reckoned someone had chloroformed him. He called Hen a viper +that he had fostered, and said if he could only ketch him he'd see that +he got his deserts." +</P> + +<P> +"Listen, Landy, did you see that note?" asked Elmer. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I did, let me tell you," came the prompt reply, "and it +was in Hen's well-known fist, too; I could tell that a mile off if I +saw it. Haven't I heard the writing teacher at school tell him he was +well named, because his paper looked like a hen had dabbled in the ink, +and then strolled around every-which-way." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you can tell us about what it said, can't you?" continued the +patrol leader. +</P> + +<P> +Landy laid that ready forefinger of his alongside his nose, as though +that action would aid his memory. Then he closed one eye, another +singular habit he had; after which he slowly went on to say: +</P> + +<P> +"Course the exact words have slipped me, Elmer, but it ran something +like this. He said circumstances which he couldn't control had forced +him to do this thing; that he was sorry, but it couldn't be helped. He +hoped his uncle would forgive him, and forget there was such a fellow +in the wide world as Hen Condit. There was also some more that I can't +just recollect; but it was to the effect that he believed he had money +coming to him, so Mr. Condit could take it out of that and call it +square. But just think what all this is going to do to the scouts, +Elmer! Never since the troop was organized has it met up with such a +terrible blow." +</P> + +<P> +All of them looked serious. They knew that a certain element in +Hickory Ridge would only too eagerly seize upon this incident to prove +what they had always claimed, which was that scouts, after all, were no +better than other boys, and that when put to the test they could turn +out bad as well as the rest. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, the honor of the Wolf Patrol is hanging in the balance, Elmer," +said Lil Artha. "Are we going to just stand by and not lift a hand +because it was one of our chums who did this mean job? If it was +anyone else and they called on us to track him, wouldn't we respond to +a man? Here's a supreme test before us that's going to prove how much +our honor means." +</P> + +<P> +"I say the same, Elmer," urged Chatz, indignantly; "let's all get busy +and see if we can run Hen Condit down like a fox we've got on the trail +of. Let's fetch him back to face his uncle, and prove to all Hickory +Ridge that the boys of the Wolf Patrol can never stand for wrong doing +in their ranks. Yes suh, it's surely up to us to show our colors." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer rubbed his forehead. He looked thoughtful, as though possibly he +might see a little further into this mysterious happening than any of +the rest. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen, fellows," he told them; "I've known for some little time that +Hen was acting queerly. He failed to attend the last two meetings, and +when I asked him about it he avoided my eye. I've been wondering what +it all meant, and intended to have a good heart-to-heart talk-fest with +Hen as soon as I got a chance." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on," said Toby. "I wonder now if that man I saw him with could +have had anything to do with this ugly business." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer turned on him like a flash. +</P> + +<P> +"It may have more to do with it than you think, Toby," he remarked; +"when was it you saw them, and where?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just yesterday morning," replied the other, "and down at the bridge +over the creek. Hen nodded to me when I rode past on my wheel, but it +struck me even at the time he acted like he hoped to goodness I +wouldn't bother stopping to say anything." +</P> + +<P> +"And a man you didn't know was with him, you say?" questioned Elmer. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I didn't just glimpse his face, for you see he turned his head +away as I passed, but I made up my mind he was a stranger in these +regions, so far as I could see." +</P> + +<P> +"That looks mighty suspicious, I should say, suh!" declared Chatz, +positively. "That stranger is the nigger in the woodpile, according to +my mind, suh." +</P> + +<P> +"Mebbe poor weak Hen has been cowed and bulldozed into doing the whole +thing," suggested Lil Artha, sagely. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, I wonder if that could weally be tho?" remarked Ted. +</P> + +<P> +"We ought to get busy and do something right away, Elmer," observed +Toby Jones. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm glad to know that's the way you feel about it," continued the +patrol leader. "This is a bad piece of business. It's up to the boys +of the Wolf Patrol to find out the truth. I had laid out another +scheme for our last outing of this vacation, but everything must give +way to tracking our comrade down, and learning the whole truth!" +</P> + +<P> +"Bully for you, Elmer!" ejaculated Lil Artha, looking delighted. +</P> + +<P> +The others were almost as exuberant in their expressions of approval. +Just a brief time before some of their number had been wondering what +could be done to give them a short siege in the woods to wind up the +vacation period; and here along comes this necessity calling to the +other members of the "Wolf Patrol to awaken and defend the honor of +their organization. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, jump aboard all of you but Landy, and he can come along on his +wheel," ordered Elmer, making room after he had seated himself back of +the steering wheel. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you meaning to go to Hen's house?" called out Landy, looking +worried because he was to be left behind, and would have to straddle +his wheezy old wheel once more. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, if you care to toss your machine in those bushes, Landy, and can +get aboard, come along!" called out Elmer, relenting when he caught +that piteous expression on the other's rosy face. +</P> + +<P> +In another moment they were off, Landy having been hauled aboard. The +runabout had never been made to carry such a full cargo of passengers; +but then boys can hang on like monkeys, and are ever ready to accept +chances. +</P> + +<P> +They were quickly at the Condit house. Like the home of Landy, it +stood on the border of the town, with a back gate opening on a side +road. Altogether, there may have been two acres in the place. +</P> + +<P> +By now fully two dozen curious people were in and around the house upon +which such a sudden catastrophe had fallen. They talked among +themselves, asked questions, examined the queer note signed by Hen, and +shook their heads pityingly as they observed the white face of the +boy's suffering aunt. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Condit was a rather severe man. He looked very angry, and kept +calling the boy hard names as he told how Hen must have known the +combination of the safe; and doubtless doubled at least the amount +taken in hard cash, as it is human nature to make even troubles seem +many times as large as they are. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer and the others managed to see the convicting note. They were all +of the same opinion as Landy; and agreed that no one but Hen could ever +have written those fateful words. +</P> + +<P> +"I never would have believed he could ever be such a silly gump!" was +what Lil Artha remarked, after surveying the crooked writing, which, of +course, he knew only too well. +</P> + +<P> +After they had hung around for some time, and Elmer had asked all the +questions he could think of, the boys went outside to talk it over. +</P> + +<P> +"Right now some of those people are looking at us in a sneering way, +suh," observed the touchy Southern boy, indignantly; "and I give you my +word fo' it they're beginning to say among themselves that Hen Condit +belonged to the wonderful Wolf Patrol. Elmer, we've suttinly got to do +something to clear the good name of our patrol." +</P> + +<P> +"We will," replied the other, simply, and yet with that earnestness +which carries conviction in its train. "Already I've got a suspicion. +There may be nothing to it but it's given me an idea where we ought to +look first of all." +</P> + +<P> +"Please tell us about it, Elmer?" begged Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"I just knew Elmer would get on the track in double-quick time," +asserted Landy, who always believed there was nothing impossible to the +patrol leader, once he set himself to a task. +</P> + +<P> +"It all came about from hearing a boy talking when I was down in the +market yesterday morning. You know who he is, Johnny Spreen, the +fellow who always ships out a raft of dried ginseng roots every year, +and in the Spring sends a bunch of muskrat skins to the city." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure we know Johnny," assented Toby, quickly; "he comes to town with a +load of hay once every two weeks. His folks live a long ways off, up +beyond the two lakes where we used to go camping." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, Toby," said Elmer, "and their farm borders that terribly +big Sassafras Swamp lying beyond Lake Solitude. Well, I happened to +hear Johnny tell how he had taken a look through the swamp the other +day, just to find out how the muskrats were coming on, so as to get a +pointer on his winter business this year. He said he honestly believed +there must be some man hiding there, because in several places he had +come on tracks." +</P> + +<P> +"But people sometimes go in Sassafras Swamp to hunt, don't they, +Elmer?" objected Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Not in August, because there are no woodcock up there, you know, and +nothing else can be shot at this time of year," Elmer continued; "but +Johnny had something else to say that interested me considerably. It +seems at one place he found ashes that told of a fire, and while +rooting around he picked up a piece of steel that he allowed me to see. +It had evidently been <I>filed</I>; and boys, can you guess what it made me +think it must have once been?" +</P> + +<P> +Although all of them looked eagerly interested, they shook their heads +in the negative, as though unable to hazard even a guess. +</P> + +<P> +"Go on, Elmer, and tell us," urged Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, let down the bars and relieve our anxiety, please, Elmer," added +Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Unless I'm away off in my reckoning," said the other, solemnly, "it +was part of a pair of steel handcuffs such as officers fasten to the +wrists of prisoners when taking them to the penitentiary!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A PROMISING CLUE +</H3> + + +<P> +It was about four o'clock on the following afternoon when a wagon drawn +by a pair of husky horses moved along the shore of Lake Solitude, many +miles away from the town of Hickory Ridge. +</P> + +<P> +This vehicle was filled with lively lads, all of them in the faded +khaki uniforms that, as a rule, distinguish Boy Scouts the wide world +over. +</P> + +<P> +Counting them it would be seen that they numbered just seven, and this +included all of those whom we met on the road under the spreading +branches of the big oak, and Mark Cummings in addition. Since the +entire membership of the Wolf Patrol consisted of eight, it was plain +that the only one now lacking was the unfortunate Hen Condit. +</P> + +<P> +After making up their minds to exert themselves to the utmost in hopes +of finding the runaway, and bringing him back home, Elmer and the +others had set to work preparing for the campaign. +</P> + +<P> +The patrol leader gave such advice as was required by some of the +others, telling them to go as light as possible, since they would have +to be moving around, and ordinary camp material could not be considered. +</P> + +<P> +If they were compelled to remain out in the open for one or more +nights, there were plenty of ways whereby they could secure shelter +without carrying along such a cumbersome thing as a tent. +</P> + +<P> +Each fellow had his rubber poncho strapped to his pack. Elmer and Lil +Artha carried a gun each, not that they expected to shoot any game, but +to use as a threat should they be faced by a desperate escaped jail +bird. Besides this the boys had seen to it that each one had some sort +of food supply, in the shape of sandwiches, dried beef, and such things +as could be most easily packed. +</P> + +<P> +As Lil Artha had gaily declared, they expected to be like "Sherman's +bummers," and live off the country as they went along, though willing +to pay ready cash for any and all eggs, fowls or bread secured from +farmers' wives. +</P> + +<P> +Josh had arranged to "tote" a coffee pot along, together with a supply +of the ground bean; while Landy had a capacious frying-pan fastened to +his pack, which the others just knew would be frequently tripping him +up, and making all sorts of noises when they wanted to steal silently +along. +</P> + +<P> +Just what they meant to fry in that pan no one fully knew; but they +were strong in "hopes," and believed that things would turn up to +satisfy their hunger when the sensation became too acute. +</P> + +<P> +The team had been hired at the town livery stable, and they had been on +the road now since early in the morning, for it was a long way up to +Lake Solitude. +</P> + +<P> +As this region had been the scene of some of the earliest camps of the +Hickory Ridge scouts, of course, the conversation covered many memories +connected with those experiences. +</P> + +<P> +The horses had shown signs of playing out some miles back; but Lil +Artha proved himself to be an artful as well as clever driver. He +managed to coax them along, and there was little doubt now that they +would reach their intended destination inside of a short time. +</P> + +<P> +This was a farmer's place that lay adjacent to the swamp at the head of +the solitary lake. Here they would arrange to leave their team while +searching the dark recesses of the swamp. As all of them had had +considerable experience in such unsavory places they believed they knew +fairly well how to go about the hunt. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we ought to fetch that old farm mighty soon now, I should think, +Elmer," remarked the driver, as he flecked the back of the off-horse to +disturb a big green fly that was trying to stab the sweat-covered +animal in a tender spot. +</P> + +<P> +"From what I've been able to find out, and what I know in the bargain +from my own experience up here," the patrol leader explained, "the head +of the lake lies just beyond that patch of willow trees, and we'll see +the farmhouse as soon as we make the next turn. Easy there, Art, you +came near dumping us then." +</P> + +<P> +"The pesky old road is so narrow it's hard to keep going straight," +complained the other, in disgust; for one wheel had, indeed, slipped +over the edge, and their escape from a bad spill had been what Lil +Artha himself would have called a "close shave." +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon suh, Sassafras Swamp must lie over in that direction then?" +remarked Chatz, pointing as he spoke. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what it does," replied Elmer. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks particularly gloomy, I should say," remarked Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Swamps always do, you must know," Elmer told him; "some of them are +always half dark even in the middle of the day. That's because of the +jumble of vines that hang from tree to tree, and the canopy of branches +overhead. Why, down South, as Chatz here can tell you, where Spanish +moss covers the trees, it's almost dark in some swamps." +</P> + +<P> +"But, Elmer, there's one thing I just don't understand," suggested +Landy. +</P> + +<P> +"Out with it then; and if I can explain I'll be only too willing," he +was told. +</P> + +<P> +"Supposing now for the sake of argument that stranger was a bad man who +had escaped from a sheriff somewhere, when being taken to the +penitentiary; and that he managed to get a strangle hold on our chum, +Hen Condit, so that the other just had to do whatever he was told—get +all that, do you? Well, if they skipped out of Hickory Ridge night +before last, how under the sun could they get away up here in a day or +so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it's something like thirty miles, I should say, Elmer, and it +takes that boy Johnny a day and a night to get to our place with his +load, all down-grade, too. You remember that Hen Condit never was +anything to brag of in the line of a long-distance walker." +</P> + +<P> +"He may have made up his mind that he had to do some tall sprinting," +said the other, "when he realized what a hornets' nest he'd stirred up +back there." +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth," remarked Ted Burgoyne who had been listening to all this talk +with certain ideas of his own, "and lots of times it ithn't tho very +hard to get a lift on the road. Wagons and autoth happen along, you +know, and the farmers around here are thoft things, you thee." +</P> + +<P> +"I was just going to say that same thing, Ted," Elmer remarked, "when +you took the very words out of my mouth. Yes, they may have had a +lift; or else Hen had to stretch himself to do the tallest walking of +his career. All of which is based on the supposition that they did +come away up here, and are hiding right now somewhere about Sassafras +Swamp." +</P> + +<P> +"You're figuring on what Johnny said, eh, Elmer?" asked Mark. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm figuring on a whole lot of things," replied the other; "and among +them is the fact that some unknown man has been using the swamp for a +hiding-place of late." +</P> + +<P> +"P'raps we'll learn a heap more about it after we stwike the farm we're +heading for," suggested Ted. +</P> + +<P> +"And there, if you look now you can see the house among those trees, +with smoke coming out of the chimney at the kitchen end," said Elmer, +pointing ahead. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha deliberately took chances by removing one hand from the +lines, and vigorously rubbing his stomach with it. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I know something of what bully suppers farmers' wives c'n serve +up," he hastened to say, throwing all the longing he could into looks +and words; "and here's hoping we get an invite to stay over there till +morning. If they are very pressing, Elmer, I entreat you not to hurry +us off. Things can wait that long, and we don't expect to do much in +the night-time, you remember." +</P> + +<P> +The patrol leader made no rash promises. He simply smiled, and started +to talk of other subjects; so poor Lil Artha, who did feel so empty +after such a little lunch by the wayside, was left in suspense. +</P> + +<P> +"What's this farmer's name?" asked Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Trotter," replied Elmer. "You know Johnny Spreen is really a bound +boy, and he has to work for the farmer until he gets a certain age, +when he is supposed to be given a sum of money, and be his own boss. +That's the law." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, all I hope is that we pick up some decent clue around here," +said Lil Artha; "Yes, and a bully supper in the bargain, that'll fill a +horrible vacuum, and put us all in fighting condition." +</P> + +<P> +Their arrival created something of a sensation. Dogs began to bark, +roosters to crow, cows to moo, and even a donkey started to bray in a +fearful fashion. Immediately Johnny Spreen, the boy who trapped +muskrats in the winter, came running out from the big barn where he was +probably milking some of the cows, for he held a three-legged stool in +one hand as though it might be a weapon of defense. +</P> + +<P> +The farmer, a long, lanky individual with a keen face, also bobbed in +sight, holding a currycomb; while at the kitchen door could be seen the +buxom figure of his wife, evidently bound to learn what was happening +even if her dinner did burn in consequence. +</P> + +<P> +Three tow-headed, wild-eyed little Trotters, who had been playing at +teeter with a plank laid over a carpenter's "horse" for a seesaw, +ranged themselves all in a row, and gaped their fill at the strange +spectacle of a wagonload of boys all dressed pretty much alike. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you Mr. Trotter?" asked Elmer, as he jumped down, and the other +came forward toward him. +</P> + +<P> +"That's my name, son; what fetches the hull lot of you up this way? +Ameanin' to camp on the lake-shore, it might be? I've heard about the +scouts daown at Hickory Ridge; Johnny yonder's been apinin' to jine 'em +this long time back, but, of course, it ain't to be thunk of, with him +so far away." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we are the members of the Wolf Patrol, Mr. Trotter," said Elmer, +who wanted to make a good friend of the farmer in the start. "I'm +Elmer Chenowith; perhaps you know my father, or some of the other +fellows' parents." +</P> + +<P> +He thereupon introduced each one of the boys by name, and even +mentioned the fact that the father of this one or that occupied a +prominent place in the business or professional world of Hickory Ridge +town. +</P> + +<P> +"We haven't exactly come up here to camp out this trip, Mr. Trotter," +continued the patrol leader, after bowing to the farmer's wife who had +first darted indoors to see that her supper was not burning, and then +hurried to join them. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer knew that the truth might just as well come out in the beginning +as later. On this account he did not intend to hold anything back, but +be perfectly frank with the owner of the lake farm. +</P> + +<P> +"What might be your object then, son?" asked the tiller of the soil, +possibly feeling a bit of natural curiosity in the matter. +</P> + +<P> +"Ask him first of all, won't you Elmer," pleaded Lil Artha, as though +he feared lest this important matter be lost sight of in the confusion +of affairs; "whether he c'n spare us some eggs, and a few broilers to +take into the old swamp with us?" +</P> + +<P> +"I guess ma c'n let you have what you want along them lines," replied +Mr. Trotter, "though seems like somebody's been amakin' free with her +layin' hens lately. They keep disappearin' right along. Sometimes I +think it's a mink that's gettin' 'em, but they ain't any signs of sech +a critter around; 'cause you know a mink'll kill as many as a dozen +fowls in one night, and jest suck their blood." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer exchanged suggestive looks with his mates. +</P> + +<P> +"From what you say, sir," he remarked quickly, "your fowls are carried +off bodily. Is that it?" +</P> + +<P> +"They jest keep on gettin' less an' less right along," the farmer +admitted. "Me and Johnny here was thinkin' o' settin' up with guns to +see if we could get a crack at the chicken thief, whether he was a +mink, a badger, or a two-legged raskil." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we was meanin' to do," agreed the said Johnny, glad to +have his name mentioned in the matter at all. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we've got a hunch, Mr. Trotter," said Lil Artha, bound to get +his say in the affair, "that we might put you wise about that same +thief." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd shore be glad to hear it," declared the farmer; "Johnny here has +been asayin' as heow he b'lieves thar's a feller ahidin' out in the +swamp, 'cause he seen his tracks. I even reckoned on sendin' for a +neighbor o' mine, Bay Stanhope, that's got some hounds used to +follerin' people, an' see if we could run him daown." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Mr. Trotter, that is exactly what we scouts propose doing," said +Elmer. "And now if you'll listen to something I've got to tell, you +can understand what sort of interest we've got in this thing." +</P> + +<P> +So in as few words as possible he narrated the story of how Hen Condit +had acted in such a queer way, robbing his uncle and guardian, and +actually leaving a silly letter that fastened the crime on his own +shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +"He was seen by one of my chums talking with a strange man just the day +before this happened," continued. Elmer. "We believe that man was the +same unknown party who has been hiding in Sassafras Swamp for a time +past, and as you've just told us, living off your flock of fowls. +Johnny here, down in the hay market, gave me something he picked up in +the swamp near some ashes. Here it is, Mr. Trotter, and all of us +believe firmly it is part of a steel handcuff which was filed in half, +showing that the man must be a desperate character escaped from jail." +</P> + +<P> +At that the farmer's wife uttered a little shriek, and began to look +frightened. +</P> + +<P> +"Hennery," she told her husband authoritatively, "you go git your gun +right away. And Johnny, chain the bull-dog close to the kitchen door. +After this I'm meanin' to make sure the bar's in place when I'm left +alone, and Moses kept inside the house along with me." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer guessed that the said Moses must be the bull-dog. He also +figured that, as a rule, the animal was kept indoors nights, which +accounted for his not having interfered with the carrying off of the +farmer's chickens. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Trotter was plainly deeply interested by this time in the story +connected with the coming of these seven scouts. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I'll do all I kin to help you land the critters, boys," he +assured them. "But that swamp is some big, an' I guess as haow you'll +have all you want to do achasin' through the same. Supposin' naow you +let things rest till tomorry, and make an early start. Mebbe we might +bag the raskils this very night, if so be they try to make another haul +on my feathered stock, aimin' to git a turkey this time." +</P> + +<P> +Of course, Elmer could see through a grindstone that had a hole in its +center. He knew very well that the shrewd farmer wanted to make use of +them in order to protect his property; but it served Elmer's purpose +just as well to readily agree to the proposition. +</P> + +<P> +As for Lil Artha, his eyes were almost popping out of his head with +suspense; he was also licking his lips after the manner of a hungry dog +when scenting a bone. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll stop over with you then, Mr. Trotter," agreed the patrol leader; +"and before morning try to figure out our plan of campaign looking to +rounding up the chicken thieves who are believed to be hiding in +Sassafras Swamp." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +JOHNNY'S CHICKEN THIEF TRAP +</H3> + + +<P> +"I'm only sorry for one thing, boys," remarked Farmer Trotter's wife, +who had apparently hailed the decision of the seven bold scouts to +guard her fowl-roost with undeniable joy. +</P> + +<P> +"What might that be, ma'm?" asked Lil Artha, in a quivering voice; for +the poor fellow began to have a terrible fear that she was about to +warn them her stock of provisions was too valuable to be wasted on a +batch of tramps. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, we'll be glad to have you to supper, and breakfast, too, +for that matter," she told them; "but I'm afraid I couldn't find beds +enough to go 'round, even if you all doubled up." +</P> + +<P> +At that the elongated scout gave a loud laugh; the clouds passed from +his face like magic. If he could only be positive of his regular +rations it mattered nothing to Lil Artha where he laid his head. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! don't let that little thing bother you, Mrs. Trotter," he hastened +to say, thereby making himself spokesman for the crowd; "why, we're +used to camping out, you see, and in our time we've slept in the +queerest beds you ever heard tell of. We can bunk in any old place, I +give you my word." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with sleeping in the barn?" asked Toby, suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," added Landy, eagerly; "it's nearly full of nice sweet hay, +cut only a month or so back. Me to hit the hay every time." +</P> + +<P> +In fact, the idea seemed to appeal to all of them. They had planned to +make their camp just as circumstances permitted, and this thing of +spending the first night in a hay barn was romantic enough to suit the +fancy of any scout who loved adventure and the Big Outdoors. +</P> + +<P> +So it was quickly settled. +</P> + +<P> +The boys were shown the barn by the eager Johnny, who could hardly +finish his numerous chores on account of the excitement surrounding +him. It was an event of prime importance, according to his mind, when +seven real scouts came and took the farmhouse of the Trotters by storm. +</P> + +<P> +That supper was one never to be forgotten by the fellows. +</P> + +<P> +Why, according to Lil Artha, and he ought to know as well as the next +one, the table fairly <I>groaned</I> under the weight of good things which +the farmer's wife kept placing upon it. +</P> + +<P> +"Talk about your festive board," the tall scout afterwards remarked to +several of his pards, "that table just talked, that's what it did, and +in the sweetest tones you ever heard. Yum! yum, wouldn't I like to +board with the lady of the Trotter Farm for just one long week. I'd +pick up flesh at the rate of five pounds per day. The only trouble +would be about getting into my clothes in the end." +</P> + +<P> +Johnny had shown them where they were to sleep, so that each fellow +could fix himself to his best advantage. This was done ahead of time, +for all of them knew how difficult it was to manage such things by the +aid of a wretched stable lantern. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer saw that Johnny was fairly itching to tell him something, and so +he managed to get the bound boy aside just as darkness was creeping +along. +</P> + +<P> +"What have you got up your sleeve, Johnny?" he demanded, at which the +other had a laughing spell, and confessed. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you see, I got a trap all rigged out!" he started to explain. +</P> + +<P> +"A trap for the chicken thieves, do you mean?" asked the patrol leader. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the ticket, Elmer. Yuh see, I reckoned that by now they'd be +gettin' real tired o' jest plain hen, and might feel like climbin' +higher. We gut some whoopin' nice young turks that like tuh roost in a +certain tree. Easiest thing in the world tuh grab a couple in the +night, and kerry 'em off. So I fixed it." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you let me take a look at the trap you made, Johnny?" +suggested Elmer, naturally interested. +</P> + +<P> +"Jest what I was agoin' tuh ask yuh tuh do, Elmer. And I guess now it +wouldn't be a bad ijee fur the rest tuh kim along, too. If so be +there's a kerflummix in the middle o' the night, they ought tuh know +what she means." +</P> + +<P> +Now, Elmer himself could not exactly find a definition for that word, +but he had a faint idea Johnny meant a big noise or a row. At any rate +he was glad of the chance to invite the other six scouts to accompany +them. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer lighted a lantern, and after the boys had gathered around he led +them away from the big barn. +</P> + +<P> +Presently, at some little distance, he came to a halt. +</P> + +<P> +"This here's the tree the turks hes picked out tuh roost in. Some o' +'em likes tuh fly 'way up, but others prefers the bottom limbs. If a +feller's keerful he kin climb up and wring the necks o' as many as he +wants. Young turks they don't know nigh as much as old uns, yuh see. +Now I'll show yuh how I sets my trap." +</P> + +<P> +First of all they noticed that there was what appeared to be a drygoods +box exactly under the tree. +</P> + +<P> +"Seems to me you're making it mighty easy for the chicken thieves when +they drop around, with that box right under the lower row of turkeys?" +suggested Toby, upon discovering this fact. +</P> + +<P> +Johnny Spreen gurgled over with laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, d'ye reckon so?" he exclaimed; "well, by hokey! now, that's part +of the game, sure it be." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! then you really want them to climb up on that big box when trying +to grab one of the young turkeys?" asked Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Jes' so," chuckled the bound boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Is she loaded, then?" continued Lil Artha, as all of them gravely +examined the innocent-looking box. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll show yuh how she works," Johnny said, proudly. "Mebbe my ijee +ain't good for nawthin', but she's the best I could think up. Course, +the thieves they hain't fotchin' no lantern along, 'cause they'd be +afeared we'd see a movin' light. Then ag'in I don't b'lieve sich +slinkers ever does own a lantern." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, Johnny," remarked Toby, impatiently, "let's take it for +granted then they come in the dark. What will they do next?" +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! what'd any feller do when he sees sech a nice box awaitin' for +him to git up on, so's to grab the nigh turk?" demanded Johnny. "Now, +if yuh watch me yuh'll git the ijee in a jiffy." +</P> + +<P> +A stout rope seemed to be hanging from the limb overhead. It had a +running noose at the end, which the bound boy was now adjusting on the +top of the drygoods box. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer chuckled as he began to grasp the scheme; it seemed pretty smart +to him, and he was ready to give the bound boy credit for a bright idea. +</P> + +<P> +"Now," continued Johnny, "jest tuh show yuh how she works I'm agoin' +tuh make a wat yuh calls it, a martin o' myself. Hold the lantern, +Elmer, and gimme room." +</P> + +<P> +He climbed up on the big box. The turkeys were craning their necks and +observing him with evident wonder, though they were undoubtedly on +friendly terms with Johnny who had fed and driven them since hatching +time, and knew his raspy voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Yuh see, in the dark he don't notice the loop any," continued the +inventor of the trap, "and when he gits real busy with the turks why +there's a good chanct o' his foot gittin' caught in the loop. She on'y +needs a leetle jerk this-aways!" +</P> + +<P> +He gave the required pull, and instantly a most surprising event came +to pass. That jerk at the rope must have set a hair-trigger going, for +there followed a sudden rattling noise, the loop was instantly +tightened around his ankle, and in a trice Johnny was hanging head +down, as helpless as a snared rabbit. +</P> + +<P> +The scouts clapped their hands in glee. +</P> + +<P> +"Great scheme, Johnny!" +</P> + +<P> +"It sure does you credit!" +</P> + +<P> +"My! what a cwack when your feet hit the limb!" +</P> + +<P> +So the scouts kept giving their views, while Johnny swung there, vainly +trying to reach up and catch hold of the limb, with the turkeys +twittering, and showing more or less alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Elmer, git me daown outen this, please!" begged the prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +"But how can we do it, Johnny, when we don't know the combination of +the racket?" demanded Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Foller the rope, and shove the hogshead up the rise agin!" explained +the suspended boy, who was probably already beginning to feel the +discomforts of "standing on his head." +</P> + +<P> +Several of them rushed off, and sure enough they found the secret of +the springing of the trap. Johnny's clever scheme was simple enough +when once its secret had been disclosed. +</P> + +<P> +He had an old hogshead perched on the top of a steep little rise near +by. It was connected with the long rope that had a noose at the end. +When anyone pulled the rope, as with a foot caught in the loop, a +trigger was set free, and the heavy hogshead started to roll down the +little descent, jerking the entangled thief up by one or both ankles, +as happened to be the case. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, by rolling the hogshead back to its initial position Johnny +was enabled to right himself, and get his foot free from the noose. +</P> + +<P> +He started rubbing his shin as though it felt sore after such a rough +experience, but they could hear him laughing softly to himself all the +while. +</P> + +<P> +"I jest reckoned the old thing'd work to beat the band," he told them; +"an' now I knows it. Wait till I set the trap agin, fellers, an' then +we'll go back tuh the barn. What d'ye spect's agoin' tuh happen if +them chicken thieves kim around tuhnight, Elmer, hey?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, somebody's liable to meet up with the surprise of their lives, +that's all," the scout patrol leader admitted. +</P> + +<P> +The boys were pretty tired, and did not care to remain up too long. +Perhaps Mrs. Trotter might have liked to have these lively fellows in +to sing for her, and enliven her monotonous life a little; but +considering that they half expected to be hard pushed on the morrow, +Elmer advised that they try to get all the sleep possible while they +had the chance. +</P> + +<P> +The horses had been well cared for, and arrangements made with the +farmer to keep them in his stable until the scouts were ready to return +to Hickory Ridge. +</P> + +<P> +"This is what I call a soft snap," ventured Toby, who had burrowed into +the hay as far as he thought necessary, and lay there at full length. +</P> + +<P> +"The farmer was mighty careful to ask whether any of us smoked, you +noticed," remarked Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you blame him?" demanded Landy. "He must have twenty tons of fine +new hay in this big barn, and that's worth all of four hundred dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Jutht as like ath not, too, he didn't put a cent of inthurance on the +barn," Ted remarked; "farmers are careleth that way, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"And so are boys who make out to be men because they smoke on the sly," +Elmer went on to say. "More than one barn has been set on fire by +smokers using matches in the hay. Tramps are responsible for a heap of +this waste; and I don't blame any farmer for asking such a question. +I'm glad we could tell him none of us had taken to the habit as yet." +</P> + +<P> +"Or if they had they'd reformed!" chuckled Lil Artha, meaning himself. +</P> + +<P> +"One thing sure," observed Mark, "if we hear that barrel crashing down +the hill with all those stones inside it, we ought to be pretty spry +getting out there, because a poor wretch might get dizzy hanging with +his head down." +</P> + +<P> +"What if nobody happened to hear the alarm," suggested Landy, who had a +tender heart even when chicken thieves were concerned. +</P> + +<P> +"I take it suh, that would be a bad thing fo' the coon that set the +trap off," Chatz announced, gravely. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! Johnny has prepared for even that," said Elmer. "He showed me +how he had fixed another cord that runs all the way to his room in the +house. When the barrel starts to rolling that cord will be snapped, +causing a weight to fall on the floor close to his bed, and bound to +waken anybody but the dead." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, that Johnny's a sure-enough wonder!" declared Toby; "he's got the +inventive genius developed to beat the band. I'd like to see more of +Johnny Spreen. Who knows but that we might hitch together and make a +team. I've done a few little wrinkles along the line of invention +myself, you remember. Jones and Spreen wouldn't sound bad." +</P> + +<P> +Of course, that brought about a stirring up of old history, for many +and humorous had been Toby's attempt to construct a flying machine, and +also a parachute that would save the lives of daring aeronauts when +their engines gave out a mile or two up in the air. +</P> + +<P> +Finally, the boys began to talk less, and it could be easily seen that +they were getting sleepy. Elmer really encouraged them to quit their +efforts to keep awake. He himself felt that sleep would be welcome +just then; and when that humor seizes a fellow he dislikes being kept +awake against his will by the chattering of a comrade who does not know +what a bed is meant for. +</P> + +<P> +Then the last word was mumbled, and stentorian breathing here and there +in those hay nests announced that the tired scouts had surrendered to +the sleep god. Elmer was, perhaps, the last to drop off, for he had +been thinking of a lot of things, running from the chicken-thief trap +to the strange conduct of Hen Condit in robbing his guardian, and then +leaving that ridiculous note to condemn himself. +</P> + +<P> +Once Elmer chanced to awaken, and more from the habit of the cattle +range than anything else, he raised his head to listen. The only +sounds he heard consisted of the champing of the horses, still busy +with their sweet hay, or it might be the distant cry of a +whip-poor-will calling to its mate in the apple orchard. +</P> + +<P> +So Elmer dropped back with a satisfied feeling such as comes on +realizing that all is well. Perhaps the thieves would not make a visit +to the farm adjoining the big Sassafras Swamp, on that particular +night, at least. Perhaps morning would come at last, and find the trap +undisturbed. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer was letting these things pass through his brain in a hazy sort of +way peculiar to one who is just yielding to sleep. He had almost +reached the point when things would have slipped entirely from his grip +when suddenly and without the least warning there started a tremendous +racket such as he had noticed came to pass when that hogshead started +rolling down the grade, and the stones with which it was loaded began +to rattle about inside. +</P> + +<P> +Almost at the same instant there rang out a shrill scream of agony that +could only have come from the throat of someone in mortal distress. +</P> + +<P> +As if by magic every scout sat bolt upright, as though they had been +shot into that position by the action of a gigantic galvanic battery. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! what happened?" Landy was heard to call out in trembling tones. +</P> + +<P> +"It's Johnny's trap!" whooped Lil Artha, all excitement. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE +</H3> + + +<P> +"Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the +word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the +big barn. +</P> + +<P> +It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the +opening all they had to do was to make for it. Elmer had been careful +to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be +run upon by accident. +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn +than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong +toward them. Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising +the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that +the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and +therefore must be a friend rather than a foe. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady, boys, it must be Johnny!" he told his comrades as they +clustered there. +</P> + +<P> +Johnny it proved to be. The bound boy must have lain down on his cot +fully dressed and equipped, for he had on even his cowhide boots, and +was minus only a hat. Of course, the boy was fairly brimming over with +intense excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't yuh hear him yell?" he was crying. "We've kotched the chicken +thief fur sure, fellers. Whoop la! kim on, everybody, and nab him +afore all the blood runs tuh his head!" +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha and Elmer, of course, had snatched up their guns, although +they hardly believed they would find any use for the weapons. All of +them started on the run toward the spot where the turkeys roosted in +the favorite tree. +</P> + +<P> +The sky was clouded over, and while it was not actually dark the boys +had some little difficulty in seeing as well as they might have liked. +Now and then one of the sprinters would stumble over some impediment, +and perhaps measure his length on the ground, only to scramble erect +again and tear after the rest. +</P> + +<P> +It was usually clumsy Landy who met with these mishaps; but even such +things did not seem to subdue his ambition to keep after the crowd. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer was listening as he ran. He wondered why they did not already +hear the groans or whines of the wretched thief who had been hung up by +the heels without receiving a second's warning. +</P> + +<P> +Remembering how Johnny had been whisked aloft, Elmer felt sure no one +could be blamed for letting out that shriek when the catastrophe came +about. Nor would he have thought it queer if the suspended rascal kept +up his groans as he writhed and twisted in a vain effort to reach up to +the limb; which only a circus contortionist would have been able to do. +</P> + +<P> +He imagined he heard some sort of sound ahead of them. But even at +that Elmer could not be certain. It might be the night breeze sighing +through the upper branches of the tall tree, or the alarmed turkeys +holding a confab among themselves, for all he could tell. +</P> + +<P> +But they were rapidly bearing down upon the spot now, and in another +half minute ought to be where they could see the swaying figure of the +caught thief. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't seem to get him, Johnny!" ventured Lil Artha, in a +disappointed tone. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! somethin' gone wrong I guess!" grunted the inventor; and if the +tall scout could feel chagrin, fancy what a shock it must have been to +Johnny when he realized that there was no dangling figure to greet him, +despite that wild yell so full of mortal agony. +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps already wise Elmer had begun to hazard a shrewd guess as to the +why and wherefore of this vacancy. He was a great hand to see through +things long before the answer became apparent to his chums. If this +were so, at least he did not venture to say anything to them about it. +</P> + +<P> +By now all of them, save slow-poke Landy, had arrived at the tree. +They could hear the alarmed turkeys making some twittering sounds +above, but if any of them had flown off the rest remained on their +roosts. +</P> + +<P> +Johnny had been smart enough to fetch his lantern along. This he now +proceeded to light, and as soon as the wick took fire he began to +examine the trap. +</P> + +<P> +"Dog-gone the luck, she went and broke on me!" he wailed, as though his +boyish heart were almost broken by the catastrophe. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what comes of not testing things before-hand!" said Toby, with +the air of a wise-acre who knew it all; and yet Toby was himself a most +notorious offender along those very same lines, as his chums could have +informed the bound boy had they chosen to give a fellow-scout away. +</P> + +<P> +"Gee whiz! he did test it, Toby," said Lil Artha, indignantly; "didn't +we all of us see him ahangin' head-down. There's some sort of a +mystery about it, that's what." +</P> + +<P> +"Not much," said Elmer, who, while the others were talking, had been +examining the end of the rope that lay on the ground near by; "it's +been cut, that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"Cut with a knife d'ye mean, Elmer?" cried Johnny, aghast. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what it has," continued the patrol leader firmly; "you can see +that with one eye, for the edges are smooth, and not ragged as they +would be if the rope had broken a strand at a time." +</P> + +<P> +Every fellow had to push up and examine it to make sure, and there was +no dissenting voice after that. They knew Elmer was right, as he very +nearly always appeared to be in matters like this. +</P> + +<P> +"But say, however could he have twisted up to get at the rope while he +was hanging here by one leg, I'd like to know?" demanded Landy. +</P> + +<P> +"Mebbe the second thief helped him git loose," suggested the bound boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what happened as sure as anything," assented Elmer. "They were +too smart for you that time, Johnny. Instead of running away when the +alarm went off, this second fellow whipped out his blade, and finding +the rope where it ran from the tree, he cut it." +</P> + +<P> +"Then the other dropped down, and got his legs loose," added Toby. +"See, here's the loop lying on the ground." +</P> + +<P> +Sure enough, it was just as he said. The loop was there in plain +sight, just as it had apparently been hurled aside by the trapped thief +after he had a chance to use his hands. +</P> + +<P> +Johnny was the most bitterly disappointed fellow Elmer had come across +in a long time. He kept muttering to himself as he examined the +fragment of rope. Lil Artha said he was "chewing the rag," whatever +that might mean; but, at any rate, Johnny did not seem to be in a very +happy frame of mind, so the operation could hardly have been of a +pleasant nature. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, I understand that second little rumble I heard," said Elmer. "It +was just as Johnny reached us in front of the barn, and sounded like +the barrel had started on again. That happened when the rope was cut, +allowing the weighted hogshead to keep on a little further to the +bottom of the drop." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's see if you hit the nail on the head with that guess," suggested +Toby, who liked to be convinced by his own eyesight when anything came +to pass. +</P> + +<P> +So, led by the inventor of the trap, they hurried to where the hogshead +had been perched on the brink of the steep little descent. It could be +seen at the bottom; and this confirmed the theory Elmer had advanced. +</P> + +<P> +"And we didn't get a glimpse of the thieves after all," lamented Landy; +"now I was hoping I'd see a fellow dangling there when we came up. Not +that I'd like him to suffer too much, you know; but for Johnny's sake I +wanted him to be nabbed." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it's all off now," admitted Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, after that row they wouldn't be silly enough to come again +for another try?" suggested Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! that ole trap ain't no good after that mess," grunted Johnny, +disdainfully. "I reckons as how I'll hev tuh think up sum other kind. +But they ain't agoin' tuh git any o' them turks if I have to sot up all +night, and borry a gun frum you fellers in the bargain." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with tying Moses the bulldog to the tree here?" +remarked Elmer; "he's barking now at the kennel near the house. I'd +certainly make use of the old dog if I were you, Johnny." +</P> + +<P> +"Jest what I will do, Elmer. Moses ain't a great hand tuh bark, yuh +see; bulls do the business with their teeth 'stead o' with their noise. +But he kin give tongue when he wants tuh. I'll fix him here fur the +rest o' the night." +</P> + +<P> +"How does it come the farmer hasn't shown up?" asked Mark, who thought +it a bit queer Mr. Trotter displayed so little interest in the safe +keeping of his young turkeys. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! him," chuckled Johnny; "nobody never ain't agoin' tuh get him +waked up once he hits the hay. Talk tuh me baout sleepin', he kin beat +anything yuh ever met. I bet yuh the missus is up and waitin' tuh know +if we grabbed one." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think they got a turkey after all?" asked Landy, as he picked +up several feathers from the ground near the tree. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you say about that, Johnny?" Elmer inquired. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it daon't stand tuh reason he did," replied the other, gravely; +"even if he had holt o' one at the time, he never'd a held on tuh hit +arter that rope had slung him head down'ards. Guess I ort tuh know. +If any o' yuh wants tuh feel what it's like, I'll rig the trap up agin +in the mawnin' for yuh. Hold a turkey nawthin'. He couldn't even hold +his breath, but had tuh give a yell like he was killed." +</P> + +<P> +Indeed, they were all of pretty much the same opinion. No matter how +brave a fellow the trespasser might be, when he met with such a sudden +and unexpected upheaval as that running noose brought about, his wits +were bound to desert him for the time being at least. +</P> + +<P> +It may have been noticed also that no one, even bold Lil Artha, the +most venturesome of them all, volunteered to make the additional test +when morning came. They seemed perfectly satisfied to accept the will +for the deed. They had witnessed the speedy working of Johnny's trap, +and evidently had no itching to try what it felt like to hang head +downward from the limb of a tree, with a leg almost dislocated by a +sudden jerking, powerful lever. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, 'tain't no use acryin' over spilt milk, they sez," remarked +Johnny, who, after all, seemed to be of a philosophical turn of mind; +"the thing's done, an' that's all they is tuh hit. Might as well git +Mose and fix him here tuh the tree. Them turks has jes' gut tuh be +saved, no matter how much trouble it takes." +</P> + +<P> +"Elmer, what are you thinking about?" asked Mark just then; for being +used to the ways of his best chum he could see that the patrol leader +was pondering something in his mind. +</P> + +<P> +"If you want to know it was about that yell," Elmer admitted. +</P> + +<P> +"A pretty husky whoop in the bargain, let me say," observed Lil Artha; +"I used to think I could beat all creation letting out a yell, but that +went one better, you hear me talking." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," added Toby, "it sounded as if the top of the world had blown +off, the fellow made such a howl. Anyway, that's how it seemed to me +when I was waked up so suddenly." +</P> + +<P> +"Have we ever heard a whoop like that before?" asked Elmer. +</P> + +<P> +"Now you're thinking of Hen Condit, of course, Elmer," came from Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Hen's got a good strong pair of lungs, let me tell you," +admitted Landy. "I remember the time that cow tossed him when he was a +small boy, and say, he made everybody inside of half a mile run +outdoors to see what was the matter. They found Hen straddlin' a limb +of a tree, and whooping it up for all he was worth. It might have been +him, Elmer, no telling." +</P> + +<P> +"And just as well any other person badly scared," Mark observed. "I +think I'd be able to do some fine work along those lines under the same +conditions." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it seems that we'll never be able to identify Hen by that shout," +laughed Elmer; "but there's a way we can find something out, as all +scouts ought to know." +</P> + +<P> +That remark immediately put them all on their mettle. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing, Elmer," agreed Lil Artha, "for, of course, you mean if we +could find a trail around here we might pick out the different +footprints; and one of us ought to know something about the kind of +shoes Hen wears." +</P> + +<P> +"That's me," admitted Landy, "because I happened to be going with Hen +more or less lately. Show me the footprints and I'll tell you soon +enough if it's him." +</P> + +<P> +Of course, nothing could be done without the lantern, so they kept +close to Johnny, who carried the same. From time to time he was given +instruction how to hold the light so they might examine certain spots. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello! Elmer's found something!" suddenly exclaimed keen-eyed Lil +Artha, when he saw the scout leader stoop over almost under the tree, +and alongside the large drygoods box. +</P> + +<P> +"That so, Elmer; what was it?" several asked him in a breath. +</P> + +<P> +"Gather around me," the other commanded, "and let's see if you can +recognize what I picked up." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! bet you it fell from his pocket when he was dragged upside-down," +was the way Lil Artha put it; quick to guess the truth, though he had +not himself thought of this possibility before. +</P> + +<P> +"Correct for you, Lil Artha, for that's what happened," Elmer +acknowledged. +</P> + +<P> +"Is it a knife, Elmer?" continued the tall scout. +</P> + +<P> +"Once more you hit it," said the other; "and Landy, since you say +you've been going more or less with Hen lately, perhaps you'd be apt to +know his knife if you happened to set eyes on it?" +</P> + +<P> +"To be sure I would, Elmer." +</P> + +<P> +"You've handled it then, have you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Lots of times, because you see I lost my own frog-sticker some weeks +back, and I ain't had a birthday since to get a new one," Landy +confessed. +</P> + +<P> +"That sounds good to me," Elmer told him; "so now take a look at this, +and tell us what you think." +</P> + +<P> +With that he brought his hand around, having been keeping it behind his +back all this time. When he opened it there was disclosed a common, +every-day jack-knife with a buckhorn handle, such as might be expected +to be found in the pocket of almost any lad, and capable, when given a +keen edge, of performing miracles in the way of shaving sticks and +cutting up apples. +</P> + +<P> +So Landy gravely, though eagerly, took up the knife. He opened the big +blade and seemed interested in a certain nick he found there. +</P> + +<P> +"Elmer, that settles it," he said, finally; "it's Hen's knife, I'm +positive; and it must have been him that was hanging from this tree a +bit ago!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BOUND FOR SASSAFRAS SWAMP +</H3> + + +<P> +When Landy Smith settled the matter in this convincing fashion, the +rest of the scouts showed more or less interest in the outcome. +</P> + +<P> +"That proves one thing," asserted Toby; "Hen Condit is up here, all +right." +</P> + +<P> +"It proves a whole lot of things, according to my opinion," added Lil +Artha as he nodded his head in a way he had of emphasizing his remarks; +"it tells us Hen is in bad company, for the second fellow must be the +man he was seen with the other day in Hickory Ridge town." +</P> + +<P> +"According to my notion, fellows," said Mark, seriously, "the hand of +that same unknown man stands back of all poor Hen's troubles. Until +that party was seen in this part of the country, Hen didn't seem to +have a single worry. He was always as light-hearted a chap as you +could find in a week of Sundays." +</P> + +<P> +"What under the sun can it mean?" queried Landy, looking distressed; +because, truth to tell, he and the missing scout had been getting quite +fond of one another lately, and the shock had told upon Landy much more +than any other boy belonging to the Wolf Patrol. +</P> + +<P> +"I tell you what I think," ventured Ted Burgoyne just then; "that man +mutht have hypnotized Hen. I don't thee how elth he could make him do +whatever he wants. Yeth, I even believe he forced Hen to wite that +letter. Needn't laugh, Lil Artha, I've been reading it all up lately, +and there are thome queer happeningth along the line of hypnothism." +</P> + +<P> +"Elmer, how about that; do you believe in it?" asked Lil Artha, who was +known to be pretty much of a scoffer in his way. +</P> + +<P> +"I decline to commit myself—just yet at any rate," laughed the patrol +leader. "I confess that queer things do happen, and a fellow who +always refuses to believe because he doesn't understand is silly. But +we do know this unknown man has some kind of influence over our chum; +what it is we're going to find out before we're many days older." +</P> + +<P> +"I like to hear you say that, Elmer," cried Landy, "because I just seem +to believe the thing's more'n half done when you put <I>your</I> hand to the +plough. I can't help but think how poor Hen must be feeling right now, +after getting himself in such a fix." +</P> + +<P> +"How about those tracks we started out to find?" asked Toby just then. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll give another look before closing shop," replied the patrol +leader. "Just fetch the lantern over, Johnny; they'd be apt to head +away from the barn." +</P> + +<P> +It was really in the direction of the near-by swamp that they now +commenced to look. The wisdom of Elmer's figuring was soon made +manifest, for they quickly ran across what they were looking for. +</P> + +<P> +"Here you are," said Elmer, "and now get busy, Landy." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, drop down on your marrow-bones and see what you make of the +footprints," Lil Artha told the fat scout. +</P> + +<P> +Now Landy had had fair training in certain kinds of work associated +with scout-craft. He had even taken numerous lessons in following a +trail, though giving poor promise of ever being a shining light in that +respect. +</P> + +<P> +"Please hold the lantern closer, Johnny," he said, as he thrust his +nose down near the ground; "yes, here's a footprint as clear as +anybody'd want to see; and I sure ought to know the person who made the +same." +</P> + +<P> +"Tell us why, Landy?" asked Elmer, with a pleased smile. +</P> + +<P> +"That's an easy thing to do, Elmer. You see that diagonal mark across +the toe of this impression—well, that's caused by a patch on the left +shoe. All right, Hen Condit had just such a patch put on his shoe a +week ago last Saturday." +</P> + +<P> +"You know that for a fact, do you, Landy?" questioned the patrol +leader, who did not want any guessing about this business. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I sat there all the time the cobbler was working at the same, +having accompanied Hen to the shoemaker's shop," continued Landy. +"What's more I joshed him about the fine and dandy track he made every +time he stepped in some half-hard mud that day after he left the shop. +Oh! I'm as sure of this footprint as I am that my name's Landy Smith." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, then, we've had double evidence," spoke up Ted Burgoyne; "and I +gueth that ought to thettle the matter. Ith our Hen that was dragged +up by the heelth. Elmer, will it pay uth to try and follow the trail?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly just now, at any rate, Ted," the other told him. "We might aim +to do something of the kind in the morning. But even here it looks as +if they headed for the swamp. That's a point to remember, boys." +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps several of the scouts were just as well satisfied. The idea of +starting out on a trail that might soon take them into a dismal swamp, +and at midnight in the bargain, with a cloudy sky overhead, did not +appeal very strongly to Landy, Toby and Chatz. +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly, they turned back, heading for the friendly barn, +attracted, doubtless, by fond memories of those comfortable beds in the +sweet hay. +</P> + +<P> +"How about the bulldog, Johnny?" asked Elmer, as they reached the barn +entrance. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm meanin' tuh git Mose up yonder, and tie him tuh the tree," replied +the boy. "Them turks hes gut tuh be looked arter, if I hes tuh stay up +all night tuh do the trick. An' lemme tell yuh, Elmer, I kin make up +another trap jest as cunnin' as any ole fox. I'll git 'em yit if so be +they keep hangin' 'raound these parts." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you would, Johnny," assented the other, who realized that +the bound boy was displaying several good traits that would carry him +along through the world once his time of bondage with the farmer was up. +</P> + +<P> +There being no reason why they should keep away from their sleeping +quarters any longer, the seven scouts entered the barn. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow! but it's plumb dark in here, though!" protested Lil Artha, after +he had knocked his shins twice against some projection, and even +slammed into a post that chanced to be directly in his way. +</P> + +<P> +"We'd better stand still for a little while, so as to let our eyes get +used to the gloom," suggested Elmer; "it's always that way when you +step into one of the moving-picture places, you remember; but a few +minutes later you can see all around you. Better waste a little time +than a lot of cuticle." +</P> + +<P> +"Just so," grunted Lil Artha; "already half an inch of skin has been +barked off my shin, and my nose is swelling where I banged the same +against that awful post." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Toby, whose ankles had not been bruised and who +consequently could even think to joke about the matter, "it's probably +the first time then Lil Artha was ever left at the post. But I can see +a heap better already." +</P> + +<P> +All of them found that their eyesight soon became accustomed to the +gloom; and that it was not so very bad after all. They had just +managed to reach the place where their traps were left, and started +burrowing in the hay again, when Elmer called their attention to +certain suggestive sounds outside. +</P> + +<P> +"That must be Johnny and the bull pup going past on the way to the +turkey roost," ventured Mark, as they plainly caught a whine, and then +a low growl that was vicious enough to make one's blood turn cold. +</P> + +<P> +"If those fellows should be reckless enough to come back to make a +second try for young turkey," Landy was saying, as though he could not +keep his mind from grappling with Hen Condit and his troubles, "they'll +be some surprised when that ferocious old Mose grabs them by the legs, +and holds on like everything." +</P> + +<P> +"For one, now," admitted Toby, "I'd want to be excused from any session +with the big white teeth of Mose that stick out from his lower jaw. +But if you asked me my opinion I'd say one scare a night was as much as +any ordinary chicken thief could put up with." +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing doing," muttered Lil Artha, showing that he, too, was of the +same mind as the companion scout. +</P> + +<P> +At least it was very evident none of the boys expected being disturbed +again in their slumbers, for they went about settling down as though +they meant to enjoy a good long session. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't wake me too early, mother dear," Toby was heard to say, half to +himself, "for to-morrow won't be the first of May, and I'm not to be +the queen of the occasion either. So please let me have my snooze out, +everybody." +</P> + +<P> +Nothing did occur to disturb their slumbers which doubtless were +additionally sweet after that one break. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer had them all up when he considered that it was right and proper. +True, the sun was only peeping above the horizon, and the birds still +twittered amidst the shrubbery near by; but Elmer knew what great hands +farm people are about getting up betimes, and he did not wish to keep +Mrs. Trotter's breakfast waiting for any sleepy-heads. +</P> + +<P> +The grumbling ceased as if by magic the moment he mentioned that word +"breakfast," and Lil Artha immediately announced himself as being +wide-awake. +</P> + +<P> +"H'm! seems like I could even smell the batter cakes frying right now, +fellows," he told them, with a smack of his lips. "Notice that I scorn +to give them the well-known name of flapjacks on this festive occasion, +because we're going to eat at a regular table, under a hospitable roof; +and it's only when in camp that wheat cakes are called flapjacks." +</P> + +<P> +"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," chortled Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but if you kept calling it an onion you'd soon think it didn't," +affirmed Lil Artha; "but say, do you reckon that bell was meant for us? +Oh! where's my other shoe; they pinched me, so I took 'em off in the +middle of the night, and the left one has gone and hid in the hay." +</P> + +<P> +"Mebbe the rats got away with it, Lil Artha," suggested Landy, +wickedly; "I'm certain I heard 'em squeakin' all around here; and they +like shoe for breakfast." +</P> + +<P> +It turned out, however, that there was no damage done; the missing +foot-wear was soon discovered under a wisp of hay, and quickly the tall +scout crept out in the wake of his six comrades. +</P> + +<P> +A second time the bell was heard, and at that they all started on a run +for the rear of the house, where several tin basins, and some soap, as +well as clean towels announced that the farmer's good wife had gotten +things ready for them. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha had guessed right; perhaps his keen scent had discovered the +odor of pancakes in the air, for they were in plain sight, several +pyramids of the golden beauties, with a pitcher of real maple syrup, +and plenty of fresh butter to go with the same. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Trotter may only have had three little girls of her own, but she +certainly had been brought up in a family where there were boys, +because she knew so well what their weaknesses were. +</P> + +<P> +What with three fried eggs apiece, guaranteed strictly home-grown and +fresh; a great rasher of sweet ham, also a product of the farm; coffee, +with genuine cream in the same, a dish of oatmeal, and then those +steaming stacks of cakes, it was a wonder some of those scouts were not +completely foundered. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer had more or less difficulty in coaxing Lil Artha away from the +table. The elongated scout could hardly breathe, he was so full; but +he heaved many a sigh as he noticed that a fresh plateful of those +unexcelled pancakes had just been put on, with no one left to do them +justice. +</P> + +<P> +Shaking his head sadly, Lil Artha finally managed to get on his feet +and leave the dining-room. His last look back spoke volumes; it said +as plainly as anything those wonderfully expressive words: "though lost +to sight, to memory dear;" and probably never again in the course of +human events would Lil Artha equal the astounding record he made that +same morning of thirteen pancakes straight. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer knew they would have a big day ahead of them, and was really +anxious to get started. He had made arrangements with the farmer and +his wife to supply such provisions as they could conveniently carry +along with them for a couple of days, while they were combing the big +Sassafras Swamp in hopes of coming across the two parties they sought. +</P> + +<P> +If the Chief of Police in Hickory Ridge, with others to help him, +should put in an appearance, Elmer hoped they might be given such +information as lay in the power of Mr. Trotter. +</P> + +<P> +"We are not hoggish, you must know, Mr. Trotter," he told the farmer, +as they were making their last preparations before starting forth; +"much as we want to be the ones who will round up these two lurkers in +Sassafras Swamp, if the police come to take a hand in the chase we wish +them every luck. Yes, and what's more we stand ready as true scouts to +lend them a helping hand." +</P> + +<P> +"All we want," added Ted, seriously, "ith a chance to athist our chum +Hen. We believe him to be under thome influence, and tho we're bent on +breaking hith chains." +</P> + +<P> +Each of the seven boys had a certain load to carry besides his rubber +poncho, and his pack was supposed to hold the extra food supplies as +well. Some people on seeing what these consisted of might imagine the +swamp hunters meant to spend a very long time in their search; but then +such persons would in that way betray their gross ignorance as to what +a growing boy's appetite amounts to. They were taking no chances of +starvation; and two whole days meant at least three times that many +full meals, with sundry bites in between. +</P> + +<P> +From what Elmer had learned through Johnny Spreen, it was possible to +navigate a fair portion of the swamp with a boat. They had several +flat-bottomed skiffs that were used for that purpose, usually by the +boy in his fur-hunting expeditions during the fall and winter seasons. +</P> + +<P> +Unfortunately, things were so much behind at the farm that Johnny could +not be spared to accompany them. Elmer had hinted at this, not because +he feared his own ability to get around, but because Johnny's being +along would save them much precious time. +</P> + +<P> +When the scout leader had soaked in all possible information the bound +boy was capable of delivering, he believed he was in a fair way to +master the situation. If Hen and his unknown captor were still hiding +anywhere in the big swamp, Elmer fancied they could be found. What was +going to happen after that event came about, of course, he could not +say just then. +</P> + +<P> +They made their way along for some distance until near the place where +the three flat-bottomed skiffs were kept tied up. It was here that +Johnny made a sudden discovery that gave them all a little thrill. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE MISSING SKIFF +</H3> + + +<P> +"Well, I swan!" was the sudden exclamation that broke from the lips of +Johnny Spreen, the farmer's bound boy, as he came to a halt. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer, glancing hastily at him, saw the boy rubbing his eyes in a +somewhat dazed fashion. He acted for all the world like a fellow who +did not feel sure that his sight was as good as usual. Something +evidently was amiss. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" demanded Lil Artha, in his usual impetuous way. +</P> + +<P> +"The boats!" muttered Johnny Spreen. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing, we see 'em!" declared the tall scout. +</P> + +<P> +"How many kin yuh count, tell me?" asked the other, beseechingly, still +giving an occasional dab at his eyes, as though doubts clung to his +mind regarding their faithfulness. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, let's see, I glimpse three—no, there are only two skiffs +afloating in that little bayou," Lil Artha told him. +</P> + +<P> +"Only two, air yuh dead sartin?" continued Johnny. +</P> + +<P> +"That's correct, two boats and no more. I c'n see each one as clear as +anything. Why, what difference does that make, Johnny?" asked Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"But ther ought tuh be <I>three</I>, I tells yuh," insisted the bound boy; +"wun two-year old, another built larst season, and the last un just +this Spring. Yessir, three on 'em in all." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I gueth your old boat took a notion to go to the bottom then, +Johnny," asserted Ted, "becauth there are only a pair floating there, I +give you my word." +</P> + +<P> +"They was every wun thar yist'day," persisted Johnny. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you sure of that?" Elmer asked him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, my name's Johnny Spreen, ain't it?" demanded the other, grimly; +"I'm workin' out my time with Mister Trotter hyar, ain't I? Then I +still got two eyes, and I ain't turned loony yit by a long shot. I +tell yuh, Elmer, I handled three skiffs yist'day—seen as they was tied +securely. And now yuh tells me they be but two." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's a fact," the patrol leader assured him. +</P> + +<P> +"All right then, they gut one, thet's boz." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer expected some such result as this, so after all he did not seem +to be very much staggered. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose by 'them' you mean the chicken thieves, Johnny?" he remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"No other." +</P> + +<P> +"But if the man has been moving around in the swamp for a couple of +weeks, more or less, could he do without a boat all that time?" +continued the leader. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess he cud, Elmer, though w'en yuh wants tuh trap muskrats yuh +need sum sort o' craft the wust kind. P'raps he didn't chanct tuh run +across our skiffs up tuh last night. Then agin mebbe he was askeered +tuh snatch one, fur fear we'd hunt arter it, an' bother him in the +swamp." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Johnny, I believe you're barking up the proper tree," said +Elmer; "but it looks as if the man changed his mind last night, and +took a boat." +</P> + +<P> +"Yep, an' by gosh! the newest one o' the lot, too!" groaned the bound +boy, as he led them closer to where the other skiffs floated, secured +to stakes. +</P> + +<P> +"After all that row," suggested Lil Artha, "it might be they thought +we'd give a quick chase, and they couldn't afford to take any more +chances. So as a boat'd come in handy for them they gobbled it." +</P> + +<P> +"Anybody'd pick the best in the bunch, come to that," added wise Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know about that," Mark went on to say; "a really smart fellow +would be apt to reason that if he took only the old tub the owner +mightn't think it worth while to make much of a hunt for it, not caring +whether he got the same again or not." +</P> + +<P> +"I consider that sound reasoning, Mark," observed the patrol leader, +who was never happier than when he found some of his followers +displaying good judgment in such matters. "But the boat's gone, and +our next duty is to take a look around the bank before we get to +trampling things up too much. We ought to make sure of things by +finding that marked track again." +</P> + +<P> +"It can be done as easy as turning a handspring," vowed Toby Jones, as +all of them immediately spread out, fan-shape, like hounds that had +lost the scent temporarily, and were searching for it again. +</P> + +<P> +Hardly half a minute had gone when there was an exultant cry raised. +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't I say so?" demanded Toby, triumphantly; "but I never thought +Landy of all fellows'd be the one to find the trail." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! sometimes queer things do happen in this world," asserted the fat +scout, swelling with his triumph; "they say the race ain't always to +the swift. But take a look, everybody, and see if I'm right." +</P> + +<P> +They looked and unanimously pronounced Landy's judgment correct. There +was the imprint of a shoe, a <I>left</I> shoe in the bargain, beyond doubt, +and anyone who had eyes could detect that diagonal mark running across +the sole, which Landy had pointed out before as the line of the new +leather, placed there while he waited for Hen Condit in the Italian +cobbler's shop. +</P> + +<P> +"As plain as the nose on your face, Landy!" admitted Lil Artha, with a +trifle of disappointment in his voice, for he had calculated on +discovering the tracks himself, and for one who was next door to a +greenhorn to do it humiliated the tall scout. +</P> + +<P> +"No personal remarks, please, Lil Artha," said Landy; "I know my nose +isn't as prominent as yours, and some others in the crowd, but it +answers my purpose all right, and I'm not ashamed of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, now we know where we're at," remarked Ted, with a satisfied air, +as though it might be a maxim with him to always start right. +</P> + +<P> +"And it's up to us to divide our forces, choose our boats, and make a +start," Mark Cummings was saying. +</P> + +<P> +"Ginger! don't I on'y wish I cud be goin' along!" said Johnny Spreen +with an expression on his face that could only be described as compound +disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +"All of us would be glad if you were, Johnny," Elmer told him, feeling +for the boy, whose company would certainly be of considerable help to +the expedition, for Johnny knew the watery paths and the tangles of +Sassafras Swamp as, perhaps, no other fellow possibly could, since he +had long haunted its recesses, laying traps, and looking for new haunts +of the wily muskrats. +</P> + +<P> +"As there are seven of us, all told," remarked Lil Artha, "that means +three in one boat, and four in the other. Elmer, you divide up. This +newer skiff looks to me just a weenty bit the bigger." +</P> + +<P> +"It is by a foot, and wider, too," asserted Johnny, quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Then it ought to carry four, of course; but how's this, Johnny, where +are the oars for both craft; I don't see any!" +</P> + +<P> +"Shucks! we don't use oars in the ole swamp," declared the other. "A +push pole's the best way tuh git along. Yuh see it's soft mud +everywhar, and so we cuts poles with a crotch at the end. That keeps +'em frum sinking deep in the mud, so yuh kin git a chanct tuh shove." +</P> + +<P> +"And a mighty good idea, too," avowed Toby; "I've had a little +experience with just plain everyday push poles, and even got hung up +when one stuck in the mud, so the boat left me. But Elmer, how'll we +divide?" +</P> + +<P> +The patrol leader glanced over his force. It was only fair that he +arrange it so the weight would be as nearly equal as possible. +</P> + +<P> +"Lil Artha, take Mark and Landy in the smaller skiff; the rest will go +with me," he announced immediately. +</P> + +<P> +Mark was the nearest chum of the patrol leader, but Elmer disliked +favoritism, and hence he thus tacitly placed Lil Artha in command of +the second boat. But then there was also another good reason for doing +this, since the tall scout had always shown himself to be clever on the +water, much more so than the bugler of the troop. +</P> + +<P> +Johnny was already showing them how to pull the skiffs in by means of a +rope attached to each. It was a good way of mooring them when not in +use. +</P> + +<P> +"Yuh see the third boat was drawed up on the shore here," he remarked +in a disconsolate tone; "'cause I was ausin' her right along. I guess +that's the reason they took the best o' the lot." +</P> + +<P> +When the two boats had been brought to the shore, packs were +distributed in the same, according to the directions of the leader. +These were not hastily tossed aboard, but placed where they would be +out of the way of the one who was using the long push-pole. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank goodneth we've got our camp hatchet along," remarked Ted, as he +took his place, "tho even if we do lose or bweak our pole we can +alwayth cut another one." +</P> + +<P> +"Yep, I never go intuh the swamp without my hatchet," asserted Johnny. +"Yuh see it comes in mighty handy when yuh want tuh make a fire, or cut +a way through sum tangled snarl o' brush. Then, besides, I find a use +fur the same in setting traps, fur mushrats ain't ther on'y kind o' fur +we bags araound these diggings." +</P> + +<P> +Some of the boys might have liked keeping up the talk, especially when +it bordered on such an interesting subject. Elmer, however, knew that +time was valuable to them just then, with such a difficult task ahead. +They had to find two parties who were secreted somewhere in the swamp; +and as Lil Artha declared it was "pretty much like looking for a needle +in a haystack." +</P> + +<P> +Johnny stood there on the bank, and waved his hat to the scouts as he +watched them poling away. They could almost imagine they heard the +tremendous sigh that came from his breast as he saw a glorious chance +for real fun pass from his grasp. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-bye, an' good luck tuh yuh all!" he called out. +</P> + +<P> +Following the serpentine passage of clear water, the two boats soon +passed from the sight of the bound boy, though doubtless he could still +hear gurgling sounds as the push-poles were worked, and the flat prows +of the skiffs passed over the numerous water-lily pads. +</P> + +<P> +And now the swamp was before them. +</P> + +<P> +All of the scouts surveyed the scene with lively anticipations. They +could easily understand that the immediate future might throw all +manner of strange adventures across their path, and, like most boys, +Elmer and his chums were ever hungry for exciting things to happen—it +was in the blood. +</P> + +<P> +But, then, at first the borders of the big Sassafras Swamp did not look +so very forbidding. Elmer warned them not to expect that this +condition of affairs would last long. +</P> + +<P> +"You remember what Johnny told us," he remarked so that all of them +could hear his words; "it keeps getting worse the further you go in. +Things are easy to begin with, but after a while we'll have our hands +full. Above all things we must keep our heads about us, for if we do +that we'll escape getting lost." +</P> + +<P> +"Then Johnny did admit a fellow could get lost in this place, did he?" +inquired Landy, uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"He used to lose his way often when he first started coming in here +after muskrats," confessed Elmer; "and then he began to have some +system about his excursions so that by degrees he got it all down pat." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Johnny said he believed he could pole a boat pretty much into the +heart of Sassafras with his eyes shut or bandaged," remarked Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Too bad he couldn't get off and be along with us," lamented Landy; +"and Elmer, if we'd only promised Farmer Trotter five dollars a day +he'd have let his help join us, I'm sure of that." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! too bad you didn't think of that before, Landy, and put it up to +Elmer," jeered Lil Artha; "but I wouldn't bother too much about it if I +was you. Chances are we won't get lost much; and by the same token, +even if we do it'll be some kind of a sensation to wake us up." +</P> + +<P> +Landy scratched his head, but not knowing how much of this was intended +by his tormentor he did not reply. As they were gradually working +further into the dense growth by now there was enough around them to +chain their attention and arouse their interest. +</P> + +<P> +In some places they could see that the shore stood above the sluggish +water, although covered for the most part with dense shrubbery that +would be difficult to pass through. Channels began to be met with +running to the right and left, so that it behooved Elmer to remember +the explicit directions given by the muskrat trapper if he wished to +avoid getting side-tracked in the start. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha, in the other boat, was also using his knowledge of woodcraft +to some purpose. When it happened that the two skiffs came alongside +he called out to Elmer, as if to settle some point he had in mind. +</P> + +<P> +"Even if I hadn't listened when Johnny was laying down the law to us +about the main channel in here, Elmer, I reckon I'd had no trouble +stickin' to the same, up to now, anyhow." +</P> + +<P> +"Why tho, Lil Artha?" asked Ted Burgoyne. +</P> + +<P> +"It's just this way," continued the other, briskly, as though only too +willing to show his hand, "you see Johnny has followed the same passage +in here so often now he's actually gone and left a trail behind him." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, what are you giving us, Lil Artha?" demanded Toby; "on shore a +trail is all very well, but the water leaves none. Once it settles +down after a boat's passed, I defy anybody to tell a thing about the +same." +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha grinned as though he really pitied the dense ignorance of +some people. +</P> + +<P> +"You've got another think coming, Toby," he said, drily. "I suppose if +you sat down and racked your poor brain a whole week you'd be no nearer +knowing what I mean, so I'll have to explain." +</P> + +<P> +"Guess you will, that," muttered Toby; "if you know yourself what +you're getting at, which I doubt." +</P> + +<P> +"Looky there," said the skipper of the second skiff, "do you notice +that where we make this turn to the left the bushes along the point are +kind of frayed, like something had rubbed against 'em a heap of times?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, yes, it does seem so," admitted Toby, reluctantly. +</P> + +<P> +"All right then," continued Lil Artha; "if you'd kept your eyes about +you all the while you'd seen that same thing at near every turn. +Trying to cut short when he poled along, Johnny has left a track of his +passage at every bend. I always look sharp, and I can tell as easy as +falling off a log whether he went on, or cut into another passage. And +Elmer will bear me out on that explanation, too!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +PICKING UP CLUES +</H3> + + +<P> +The leader of the Wolf Patrol laughed when he heard Lil Artha make this +remark. +</P> + +<P> +"Every word that you are saying, Lil Artha, is the truth," he +announced. "I've been watching those ragged edges of bushes myself. +You see, the time might come after a while when I'd get mixed on the +directions given by Johnny Spreen. Then I'd want to have some other +scheme so as to find my way." +</P> + +<P> +"But after a bit, Elmer, we'll get to a spot where Johnny changed his +course from one day to another, as he went to different traps; how're +we meaning to regulate our hunt then?" asked Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got to search the best way we can for the missing skiff," Elmer +explained. "If only we can find it hauled up somewhere on the bank +we'll know they went ashore at that point, don't you see?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, how eathy!" declared Ted, evidently lost in admiration for the +simplicity of the scheme, that could never have occurred to him before. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! then, if that's the case I reckon we'd better not be making quite +so much racket as we go along," said Mark. +</P> + +<P> +"I was just going to remark about that," the patrol leader added. "If +all of a sudden we found the boat, and had been talking loud, or +laughing, the chances are the game would give us the slip. So after +this whoever is doing the pushing try not to splash more than you can +help; and when you talk do it in whispers." +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps all this mystery added to the pleasure of such a fellow as Lil +Artha; at least his eyes were sparkling much more than their wont as he +continued to ply his pole with the air of a Venetian gondolier along +the Grand Canal. +</P> + +<P> +Once, however, he must have rammed it too hard into the yielding ooze, +for when he tried to pull it out there was considerable resistance. +Lil Artha managed to stop the moving skiff in time to save himself; +even then he might have been pulled overboard only that watchful Mark, +anticipating something of the sort, threw his arms around the long legs +of the pusher, and held on grimly until the pole could be extricated. +</P> + +<P> +An hour, two of them had slipped by since parting from Johnny Spreen. +They were now in the heart of the swamp. All around them lay a solemn +silence broken only by the splash of a bullfrog leaping from a bank, +the gurgle of some water snake or the solemn croak of a bittern fishing +near by, followed by the flap of its wings as it flew away, alarmed by +their approach. +</P> + +<P> +All of the boys were more or less impressed by this strange silence. +It seemed as though some heavy weight were pressing down upon them. +Toby even whispered to one of his mates that it could hardly be worse +if they were passing through a country graveyard at midnight. +</P> + +<P> +At the same time, all of them being bright, wide-awake fellows, there +were plenty of interesting things continually cropping up to arouse +their interest as scouts. Every minute or so someone was calling +attention to this or that thing, though never forgetting the need of +caution. +</P> + +<P> +If at any time a voice was raised more than Elmer deemed wise, a single +"hist" from his lips caused the speaker to moderate his tones instantly. +</P> + +<P> +By now they were not so much concerned about where they went as the +possibility of finding the missing skiff. Eager eyes were ever on the +alert. A number of times Lil Artha, or it might be Toby or Chatz, felt +a sudden thrill as some object caught their attention ahead, which at +first glance seemed to open up great possibilities. Then as they moved +closer and a better chance came to investigate, deep disappointment and +chagrin would follow; for after all it turned out to be only the end of +a log, or some such simple thing, and not the stern of the old skiff at +all. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer happened to be a little ahead of the other boat at the time +Chatz, consulting his nickel watch, found it was just ten o'clock. +When he showed this to Toby the latter grinned as though very much +pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"I nominated ten, didn't I, Chatz?" he remarked in a low tone; "when +you asked me to take a squint up at the sun, and say what the hour +might be?" +</P> + +<P> +"You certainly hit it that time in the bull's-eye, suh," admitted the +Southern lad; "and I confess that I thought it half an hour later. I'm +still some shy, it seems, on telling time by the sun and stars." +</P> + +<P> +A low hiss from Elmer just then, as he wielded the pole, caused the two +scouts to stop talking, and turn their attention to what was going on. +The first thing they discovered was that the skiff was now heading for +the near shore. Then looking further the boys could see that evidently +someone must have camped there, for to the practiced eye many things +indicated as much. +</P> + +<P> +When the prow of the flat-bottomed boat ran gently up on the shore, at +a low order from the skipper, Ted, who happened to be further up in the +bow than any of the others, jumped to the land and began to draw the +skiff up. +</P> + +<P> +There was a bank several feet high just beyond, but Ted waited until +the others had also disembarked before attempting to ascend this. By +now the other boat had also reached shore, with its crew tumbling out, +though avoiding any sign of confusion, for they were pretty well +drilled in the elements of obedience to orders, as all true scouts +should be. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner had the boys gained the higher ground than they readily +discovered that it had been the site of a camp at some time in the not +far-distant past. +</P> + +<P> +A number of things told them this, chief of which might be mentioned +the little pile of dead ashes that lay in plain sight. They could even +see the sticks that the unknown party had used when cooking some sort +of meat close to the red coals. +</P> + +<P> +All of them gathered around. Elmer gravely examined the ashes, while +the others eagerly waited to hear his decision. +</P> + +<P> +"Quite some time old," said the leader at last, having figured out the +solution by means of certain rules well known to those who have made +woodcraft a study. "At least a couple of rains have passed over since +this fire was left. There are no footprints that I can see. That also +goes to show it was some time ago; but I think it was only one person +who camped here." +</P> + +<P> +He pointed as he spoke to where soft hemlock browse had been gathered +as if for the purpose of forming a couch; and there being but a single +bed even Landy could guess Elmer was correct when he said one party had +made the temporary camp. +</P> + +<P> +"Then it must have been the unknown man," said Lil Artha, "and our chum +Hen wasn't along at the time." +</P> + +<P> +They moved around as if looking for further signs, because scouts are +always keen to find tell-tale marks that will add to the size of the +edifice they are building up, founded partly on conjecture and also on +"give-away" facts. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha it was who emitted a low whistle, and the others glancing up, +well knowing that he must have made some sort of important discovery, +saw him waving one of his hands to them—he held the Marlin +double-barrel with the other, of course. +</P> + +<P> +"See that?" he told them when they reached his side amidst the bushes +adjacent to the little opening where the long-cold fire ashes lay. +</P> + +<P> +"Feathers, for a cookey!" exclaimed Toby, "and a heap of the same, too." +</P> + +<P> +"Now we know what he cooked on the ends of those sticks!" observed Mark. +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth, and now we know where one of Farmer Trotter's henth went to," +added Ted. +</P> + +<P> +"This is more than Johnny ever ran across," remarked Lil Artha, +"because he only guessed the chicken thief was hiding in the swamp, for +he'd seen tracks. Hold on, he did say there was ashes, too, at the +place he picked up that filed half-circle of steel, but it must have +been in a different place from this." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's only a little incident after all," said Elmer, "and doesn't +tell us much that we didn't know before." +</P> + +<P> +"Only that we're on the track of those lost chickens, you know," +chuckled the tall scout. "But see here, Elmer, if they made a fizzle +of their raid last night, how d'ye suppose they're going to keep from +starving to death in here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ask me something easy, please," retorted the other; "though if I was +in their place I think I could manage to keep alive. There are lots of +ways for doing that, if you only stop to think." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure there are," spoke up Toby, eager to show that he had learned his +lesson fairly well, even though not claiming to be as expert at some +things as were Elmer and Lil Artha. "Now, with some cord and a bait I +reckon rabbits could be trapped or snared. Then gray squirrels are +plenty in here, if only you found a nest of the same in a hollow tree." +</P> + +<P> +"And," added Landy with a yearning vein in his voice, "haven't we seen +whopping big green-back bullfrogs aplenty? If there's one dish I'm +fond of more than any other, that's fried frogs' legs. Yum! yum, don't +I wish we could spare the time to knock over a dozen of those bullies." +</P> + +<P> +"Not while we're on such a duty as we started out to fulfill, Landy," +Elmer advised the fat scout. +</P> + +<P> +"Then there are fish in these waters, too, fat sunfish as big as any I +ever set eyes on," continued Toby; "and when you're hungry they taste +prime, though I hate the bones, and came near choking to death once on +a sunny. Worse than pickerel, according to my mind, and that's saying +a lot. Oh! I guess a smart fellow with matches to make fires, could +manage to keep the wolf from his door in here all right." +</P> + +<P> +"But all men are not up to one-tenth of the resources known to Boy +Scouts," ventured Elmer, "which is why they generally have to rely on +staving off hunger by raiding the chicken roosts of poor farmers. +That'll be enough for this time. Suppose we get aboard again, and +continue our exploration of Sassafras Swamp." +</P> + +<P> +"It's a sure-enough big patch of mud and water and brush and mystery," +admitted Mark, as they began to climb into the boats again as before. +</P> + +<P> +"And from what Johnny told me we haven't seen as much as a tenth of the +place yet," Elmer assured them; whereat there were all sorts of +incredulous looks to the right and to the left, as though the magnitude +of their task might by this time be making a stronger impression on the +boys' minds. +</P> + +<P> +A change was made in pushers as they started off once more. It turned +out to be no child's play handling that long, heavy pole which had a +faculty for clinging to the ooze below the surface of the water, and +necessitating more or less exertion in order to drag it loose each time +it was used. +</P> + +<P> +Landy had not taken his turn as yet. It really looked as though Lil +Artha was a little afraid of the fat scout, for he and Mark had +alternated in doing the work. Landy was not complaining at all. +Indeed, Lil Artha felt sure he could see a satisfied grin upon the +rubicund face of the happy-go-lucky, fat scout from time to time as he +heard the one at the pole puffing with the exertion. +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps in the end it would prove to be a case of the "last straw on +the camel's back," and Lil Artha, casting discretion to the winds, +would feel impelled to thrust the push-pole into the inexperienced +hands of Landy Smith. He was evidently putting off the evil hour as +long as he could, fearful of consequences. +</P> + +<P> +So noon came and found them well into the depths of Sassafras Swamp. +</P> + +<P> +They went ashore to eat their lunch, Lil Artha begging that they have a +small fire and make a pot of coffee. +</P> + +<P> +"I c'n pick up aplenty of real dry wood, you know, Elmer," he went on +to say in his wheedling way, "so that there ain't going to be hardly a +whiff of smoke that anybody could see with a field glass. And say, +when you're all tuckered out with pushing a boat through the grass and +lily-pads, nothing makes you feel so fine as a brimming cup of coffee. +So please say yes, Mister Scout Master!" +</P> + +<P> +Of course, Elmer could not resist such a piteous plea as that. +</P> + +<P> +"You could wring tears from a stone, Lil Artha," he told the other, +laughingly, "when you put on a face like that. I reckon we might have +a small cooking fire and a pot of coffee. None of us would object to +it, and sandwiches are dry eating all by themselves, even when you're +hungry. So go ahead; but no chopping, mind; break all the small stuff +you gather over your knee." +</P> + +<P> +Landy eagerly assisted, though Lil Artha kept a watchful eye on what he +gathered lest he mix in green stuff that would make a black smoke when +it burned. Another scout managed to find a stick with a crotch that +would hold the coffee-pot over the blaze until it had boiled. +</P> + +<P> +The scouts were not in the habit of putting up with such apologies for +comfort as these; as a rule, when they camped out they had tents, +blankets, and a little spider contraption that folded up in small +compass, and which served as a gridiron stove, being placed over the +red coals, with cooking utensils resting on the bars. +</P> + +<P> +The coffee was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, and a vote of thanks +taken for Lil Artha, who had first suggested making it. Resting for a +short time afterwards, the boys felt refreshed when once more the task +was taken up. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha looked at Landy tumbling contentedly into the middle of the +old skiff, and seemed on the point of saying something; then he shook +his head and picked up the push-pole himself. +</P> + +<P> +"Not yet, but soon it's just got to be; only I hope he won't upset us +all," Mark heard the tall scout mutter to himself, nor did he need a +further hint to know what was passing through Lil Artha's mind; Landy +was not going to evade his share of the arduous labor forever. +</P> + +<P> +It, doubtless, took considerable thinking and planning on the part of +Elmer to make sure they did not "repeat." So far, none of the boys +could say as they moved along that they had ever before seen the +stretch of water and scrubby shore, covered with trees and vines. +</P> + +<P> +This spoke volumes for the smartness of the young patrol leader, though +somehow his chums did not seem to consider it such a wonderful feat for +Elmer. That is the penalty for being successful; others expect great +things from such a comrade, so that he is constantly put to his best +efforts to satisfy them. +</P> + +<P> +It must have been quite some time, perhaps as much as two hours after +they had stopped to eat their lunch when without warning the swamp +explorers met with a surprise that gave them a new thrill. +</P> + +<P> +At the time, Lil Artha happened to have passed a little in the lead, +though he would soon be dropping back again, especially when there came +a chance to make a mistake in direction, for he wanted Elmer to decide +such puzzles. +</P> + +<P> +The tall scout must have forgotten his warning from Elmer, for he cried +out: +</P> + +<P> +"Hey! everybody look what we're up against! A bear, Elmer, that's what +it is!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE PERILS OF THE WATER LABYRINTH +</H3> + +<P> +"Silence, everybody!" hissed Elmer, who knew it would be just like +Toby, and perhaps some of the other fellows, to burst into a shout as +soon as they could get command of their voices. +</P> + +<P> +It was certainly a bear, a small one to be sure, but genuine enough, +and not such as can be seen with wandering foreigners, taught to dance, +or wield a pole as a soldier would his musket. +</P> + +<P> +Just when the scouts glimpsed the hairy denizen of Sassafras Swamp, he +was engaged in sitting on his haunches and gathering in the bushes with +his sturdy forelegs. To Lil Artha, it looked as though Bruin might be +making a lunch from the luscious, big blueberries that grew in such +abundance here and there through the swamp. +</P> + +<P> +Up to the moment when Lil Artha thus called attention to the presence +of the black native, the bear must have been in ignorance of their +being so near at hand. When he did notice them, he simply gave a +disgusted grunt, and ambled away through the brush. Lil Artha always +declared the bear glanced back at them as he ran, and even put out his +tongue, just as if he knew it was the close season, and that a kind +game law protected him from all harm. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, let me tell you this old Sassy swamp isn't such a bad place for a +game preserve after all," said Toby; "I think some of us could enjoy +having a week up here, after the law on bears and all such was up. But +it's too far from home during the school session, for us to come." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I don't know about that," remarked the tall scout, meditatively; +"we could borrow a car, and start in the middle of the night when there +was a moon. That'd give us a whole day up here. Take it at +Thanksgiving and we could make it three, with Friday and Saturday +thrown in. Elmer, think it over, won't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Plenty of time for that," he was assured; "We've got our hands full as +it is, without borrowing trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"And perwaps before we're done with it," Ted croaked, "you'll be that +tired of seeing nothing but thwamp all around, that you'll vow never +again for yourth." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to make a proposition, Elmer," said Landy; "and I hope +you'll agree. Suppose we go ashore and tackle some of those elegant +blueberries ourselves? It's a shame that bears should be the only ones +to enjoy such a feast. And it's tough sitting here so long!" +</P> + +<P> +At that Lil Artha grunted, and looking almost savagely at the speaker +nodded his head while he muttered: +</P> + +<P> +"That settles it, my boy; I see your finish. You're going to earn your +salt after this, no matter what happens!" +</P> + +<P> +Elmer seemed to consider for a few seconds. +</P> + +<P> +"I see no reason why we shouldn't pull up for a little while, just as +you say, Landy," he observed, to the delight of the rest; "and everyone +of us is fond of a mess of good ripe blueberries. So pitch in while +the supply lasts." +</P> + +<P> +The berries were thicker and larger than any they had ever seen before; +and Lil Artha declared he considered the judgment of the little black +bear "prime." +</P> + +<P> +"He sure knew a good thing when he found it, and so do we," he told +those who were working fingers and jaws near him. +</P> + +<P> +When Elmer concluded that "enough was as good as a feast," they once +more embarked, and the voyage was resumed. There was a new pusher in +the older skiff, however. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, you Landy, suppose you change seats with me," Lil Artha had +remarked as the fat scout started to settle down in the middle of the +boat, just as though he had a mortgage on that prize seat. +</P> + +<P> +Landy looked worried. +</P> + +<P> +"What for, Lil Artha?" he ventured to say, looking at the skipper with +distress plainly marked on his round features; "do you want me to push +the boat now? Not but that I'm willing to do anything I'm asked, you +know; but I didn't think you'd want to take chances on getting wet, and +mebbe losing our packs in the bargain; because I know I'm awful clumsy +about some things." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, in this case we'll have to take the risk," said the other, +grimly; "the only satisfaction we have is that if anybody does get wet +you won't escape. We're all in the same boat, you understand; and we +sink or swim together. Now climb up here, and I'll show you how to +handle a pusher. Time you learned a few more of the tricks a true +scout ought to know." +</P> + +<P> +Landy, apparently, wanted to do his best. He watched how Lil Artha +used the heavy pole and then started to imitate him. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the way, Landy," said Mark, desirous of encouraging the stout +boy in his new duties; "you can do it all right if you only keep on the +watch." +</P> + +<P> +"Course I can," replied the new hand, scornfully; "guess you're all +fooled if you think I never pushed a skiff with a pole before." +</P> + +<P> +"So you were just playing 'possum, were you?" demanded the indignant +Lil Artha, "bent on fooling me so as to evade hard work, eh? I'd be +serving you right, Landy, if I kept you shovin' away the rest of the +afternoon. It'd thin you down a trifle, too, because I think you're +getting too fat for any use. Go slow there, and don't splash so loud +when you drop the pole end in again." +</P> + +<P> +Landy seemed to soon become fairly proficient so that his mentor could +turn his attention to other things of interest they happened to see +around them as they continued their course. +</P> + +<P> +Crows scolded from the treetops as the two boats glided underneath. +This circumstance might probably pass unnoticed by one who knew little +or nothing of woodcraft, but to an Indian it would be a sure sign that +the sharp-eyed birds had discovered some human being, probably an +enemy, and in that way he would be put on his guard against a surprise. +</P> + +<P> +As the man they were looking for did not appear to be educated along +these lines, they need not fear that their presence in the swamp would +be betrayed through any such agency as crows cawing, or flying about in +excitement. +</P> + +<P> +Some time later Toby uttered a low "whew" that caused Chatz, just then +in the act of putting the pole back into the water, to hold it +suspended in midair. +</P> + +<P> +"Elmer, I may be mistaken," said Toby, "but something moved over in the +branches of that tree yonder, and unless my eyes deceived me, which +they seldom do, it was a cat!" +</P> + +<P> +"You mean a wildcat, don't you, Toby?" whispered Landy, for the two +boats were close enough together for the occupants to have shaken +hands, had they wanted to. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I meant," repeated Toby, firmly. "I can't say that I see +him now, for he's somewhere up in the thickest part of the bushy tree; +but it must have been something more than a 'coon, because I actually +saw the blaze of its eyes!" +</P> + +<P> +"Whew!" gasped Landy, looking as though he wanted to drop the push-pole +on the spur of the moment; "get your gun, Lil Artha, why don't you? +Mean to let a feller be jumped on, and clawed something awful, do you? +I give you my word that if I see a wildcat comin' for me, I'll jump +overboard, and let him tackle the rest of you in the boat, that's what. +Get your gun, Lil Artha; they're vicious you must know, specially when +they've got kits around." +</P> + +<P> +"We haven't lost any cat!" remarked Lil Artha, composedly, as though he +really took a cruel satisfaction in seeing Landy shiver; "and, besides, +I don't more'n half believe the fairy story. Toby's got to show me +before I own up. I reckon some of my people must have come from +Missouri." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, they raise a heap of mules there, I understand," remarked Toby, +with considerable sarcasm; "but I'm glad to see that Elmer has thought +it worth while to lay hold of his scatter-gun, so as to be ready. +Course we don't want any trouble with any old cat; but there's such a +thing as armed peace. If she jumps for us, I hope Elmer will give her +a load before she lands, that's all. We've got to pass pretty much +under some part of that tree, understand?" +</P> + +<P> +Acting on Elmer's initiative, Lil Artha now also picked up his gun, and +started to keep a sharp watch. As Toby had truly said, they could not +really continue on their way without passing under the wide-stretching +branches of the tree where he claimed to have seen "something that +looked like a wildcat." +</P> + +<P> +"Get busy there, Landy, use your pole, and push us along. Don't stand +there just like you were frozen stiff; we won't let any cat grab you, +make up your mind to it. Get a move on you, I say, Landy Smith." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, might as well be killed for a sheep as a lamb, I reckon," +muttered the fat scout as he started to make use of his push-pole. +</P> + +<P> +For the time being, caution was thrown to the winds; all Landy +considered was the rapidity with which he could get past that ominous +tree containing Toby's bobcat. +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps Landy's heart was beating a regular tattoo as he found himself +actually compelled to pass under the tree itself, owing to the +narrowness of the channel at just that part of the runway. Elmer, +watching out of the tail of his eye, could see how pale the other had +become, and he was secretly amused. +</P> + +<P> +It was just like Lil Artha, when their skiff was directly under the +suspected tree, to utter a low gasp, and proceed to elevate his gun in +a hurry, as though sighting the quarry. +</P> + +<P> +Poor Landy came very near having a fit; he dropped the pole overboard +and fell backwards in the boat, which came near swamping. Toby, in the +other craft, succeeded in rescuing the floating pole before it had gone +completely beyond reach. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess I was mistaken that time!" said Lil Artha, without cracking a +smile, although no doubt he must have been secretly chuckling at the +way the handler of the push-pole had shown alacrity in getting out of +range. +</P> + +<P> +So Landy, with a sheepish grin, managed to get on his feet again, and +take the rescued pole from Toby's hands. He gave the tall scout a +sharp look as though suspecting that it had been a trick intended to +play upon his nerves. But then Landy was always a good-natured fellow, +and never bore anyone ill-will, no matter what the joke might be of +which he became the victim. +</P> + +<P> +Toby could not be persuaded that he had not glimpsed a wildcat in that +tree under which they passed. He kept staring back as long as it was +possible to catch a view of its leafy branches. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, say what you like," he concluded, "I did see <I>something</I> whisk +out of sight up there; yes, and it had starey eyes in the bargain. If +it was a 'coon, then all I can say is they breed queer 'coons up in +this old Sassafras Swamp country. There now, that's about enough from +me." +</P> + +<P> +"The afternoon is nearly half gone, and we haven't scared up our quarry +yet," advised Mark later on. +</P> + +<P> +"Plenty of time, for there's another day coming," said Elmer. "We're +here to comb the swamp through from end to end but what we'll find +nobody knows. Keep listening, too. It might be possible we'd hear a +shout that would give us a clue." +</P> + +<P> +"Say now, I hadn't thought of that before," admitted Toby. "If Hen +<I>is</I> being treated harsh-like by that unknown who's got hold of him, +mebbe he might let out a yawp once in a while. There's no harm done in +listening, I reckon, and Landy here could tell if it was him giving +tongue." +</P> + +<P> +Now and then some sound did come to their ears, but of an entirely +different character from the one they were hoping to catch. A +granddaddy bullfrog on some mossy log sent out loud and deep-toned +demands for "more rum! more rum!" Then a saucy bluejay started in to +scold the fellows in the boats for daring to trespass in its preserves, +and how the angry bird did lay it on until they were well beyond reach +of its chatter. +</P> + +<P> +Once a far-away grumble floated faintly to their ears, at which there +was an immediate comparing of opinions. Some seemed to incline to the +belief that it must be distant thunder, and that they were bound to +soon be caught in a storm, which had been creeping unnoticed up on +them, the dense foliage by which they were surrounded preventing them +from learning the fact sooner. +</P> + +<P> +"If you asked me what it was," said Elmer, when he found that the +others were not able to agree, "I'd be inclined to say we're not more +than half a mile away from one side of the swamp, and that there's a +farm lying yonder on which they keep a bull. I imagine it was his +lowing we heard just then." +</P> + +<P> +"Bully, say I, not meaning to be funny either," remarked Landy; "for +I'd a heap sooner believe it was a bovine trying out his bazoo than a +thunder-storm heading this way. It's bad enough to be in constant +danger of getting ducked by falling overboard, without taking chances +overhead in the bargain." +</P> + +<P> +As they did not hear any repetition of the suspicious sound the scouts +finally determined that Elmer had guessed right, and that there must be +a stock farm not a great distance away from the border of the swamp. +</P> + +<P> +The more they pushed on into what seemed the interminable recesses that +surrounded them the greater became their wonder as to how they were to +find those they sought. The chances seemed very much against them; but +then they had an abounding faith in Elmer's sagacity; and he seemed to +be determined on persevering. Doubtless, too, the others reasoned to +themselves, Elmer had some clever plan laid out which would be sprung +when the proper time arrived; and this confidence did much to relieve +their minds as they pressed steadily on. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha was apparently bent on making Landy pay for his previous easy +time; he kept the other at work, though frequently the fat scout had to +hold his push-pole under his arm while he mopped his reeking brow. +Perhaps Landy panted very loud on purpose, with the object of causing +his obdurate boss to relent, and give him a chance to "spell" with Mark. +</P> + +<P> +Heedless of sighs and half-heard groans alike, Lil Artha just sat there +and took his ease, while the slave worked and worked as though he were +chained to the galley's oar. +</P> + +<P> +No one ever knew whether it were actually an accident or a deep-laid +scheme on the part of the weary Landy to end this period of torture. +There may be some things even worse than a mere ducking—at least a +stout boy like Landy Smith might think so. +</P> + +<P> +At any rate, none of the scouts happened to be looking very closely at +the time, and consequently they could not say one way or the other. +All they knew was that without any warning Landy was seen to be dragged +out of the stern of the skiff, struggle to clasp his writhing legs +about the pushpole that stood at an oblique angle, caught firmly in the +tenacious mud, and then releasing his hold, flop with a great splash +into the dark-colored water of Sassafras Swamp! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS OF LANDY +</H3> + + +<P> +To this very day, it has never been positively known among the scouts +of the Wolf Patrol whether Landy met with an unexpected accident, or +allowed himself to be deliberately dragged out of the boat, seized with +a sudden overwhelming desire to end his spell of drudgery. +</P> + +<P> +The splash was simply terrific, and Landy vanished completely beneath +the surface of the swamp water, which chanced to be fairly deep at that +place, as of necessity Landy himself must have known. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! he's overboard!" exclaimed Toby, in the other boat, perhaps louder +than his orders from the scout master permitted. +</P> + +<P> +"What a nuisance!" grunted Lil Artha, trying to appear unconcerned, +though it might have been noticed that he tried the best he could to +stop the movement of the skiff by thrusting both hands in the water, +and paddling. +</P> + +<P> +Mark did better than that, for he snatched up a thwart that he knew was +loose, and started to use it vigorously so as to check the progress of +the floating boat. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, of course, Landy came to the surface like a bobbing cork +that had been pulled down by the bite of a fish. He was floundering +around like a whale, spouting volumes of water that he must have +swallowed in his dive, and apparently doing his level best to stay on +top. +</P> + +<P> +"Hey! ain't you goin' to help a feller?" they managed to make out from +his almost incoherent splutter. +</P> + +<P> +The other boat had by now pushed up close alongside, and Elmer, leaning +over the side, seized the swimmer by the coat collar. Landy at once +allowed himself to apparently collapse. He was content to have someone +support him; but some of his chums imagined there was a suspicious +<I>manufactured</I> look in the expression of terror that had fixed itself +on his face. +</P> + +<P> +With plenty to lend a helping hand the fat scout was soon pushed and +hauled on board the skiff from which he had fallen. The treacherous +pole was also recovered and given in charge of Lil Artha, for, of +course, it could not be expected that a fellow who had just been +rescued from a watery grave would be able to continue that arduous task +of pushing. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha frequently looked queerly at the dripping Landy as he used +the pole. Sometimes he would chuckle softly to himself, and a swift +grin flash athwart his lean countenance as though a humorous thought +had struck him; after which the tall scout might be observed to shake +his head as if bothered. +</P> + +<P> +Landy settled down to taking things easy. He wanted them all to know +that he had had a remarkably close call, and every little while he +would heave a great sigh, to follow it with such words as: +</P> + +<P> +"I'm terrible glad you boys were on deck to save me. My clothes seemed +as heavy as lead, and I sure think I'd have gone down three times if +you hadn't chucked me aboard here. That was a narrow squeak for me. I +guess I went and got too confident, and it made me careless. But holy +smoke! how that mud can grip! I just couldn't get the old pole out +nohow, and that's a fact. I won't forget what you did for me, fellers, +sure I won't. I hope to be able to do the same for every lasting one +of you some day." +</P> + +<P> +"You're too kind, Landy," laughed Toby; "none of us are hankering after +an experience like that. I'll never forget what you looked like, +dangling there on that push-pole, and trying to squirm your legs around +it so as to climb up. Want to know what you made me think of, Landy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Go on and tell me," said the other, with a tremble in his voice, for +he was by this time beginning to feel the effect of his immersion. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you remember how we used to go frog-hunting in a boat, with a +three-foot line at the end of a stout pole, and a small hook baited +with a piece of red flannel? Well, when we'd see a whopping big +greenback we'd dangle that red stuff close to his nose. It was funny +to see him squat down like a cat does on sighting a sparrow or a robin, +and then jump up to grab the flannel." +</P> + +<P> +Toby paused to chuckle afresh, and the object of his attack urged him +to continue, although he evidently realized that he was about to be +held up to boyish ridicule. +</P> + +<P> +"First, the frog thinks he wants that queer red bug the worst kind," +Toby went on to say, "but as soon as he feels the hook he changes his +mind. Then he starts in to do the greatest acrobatic feats you ever +saw, twisting his hind legs up over his head like he wanted to turn a +somersault, or else climb up the line. Well, when I saw you dangling +on that push-pole, I thought of a fat, greenback frog." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! guess you'd a tried to climb, too, if you'd been in my place," +grunted the stout scout, drawing his coat a little closer around him, +and shivering. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'd have stuck by the boat, Landy," said Toby, soberly. +</P> + +<P> +Landy shot him a suspicious glance but did not make a reply. Perhaps +he may have been wondering whether any of his mates already suspected +that his recent narrow escape had not been such an accident as it +appeared. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer now took a hand in the discussion. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, let's make less noise, fellows," he remarked. "In the +excitement we've already broken our rule, and if there was anyone near +by they must have known all about us. And we're going ashore just +beyond there." +</P> + +<P> +"So soon in the afternoon, Elmer; what's up?" demanded Chatz, who, +having rested since last using the pole, did not understand why they +should call it a day's work at not much after three o'clock. +</P> + +<P> +"If you look at Landy, you'll understand why," continued the patrol +leader. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, he is shivering, sure enough!" exclaimed Chatz; "what ails you, +suh? Are you feeling cold on such a warm day as this?" +</P> + +<P> +"What, me cold!" stuttered Landy, trying to put on a brave face, though +his lips were turning blue and quivering; "of course I ain't. It must +be the excitement of the little scare has gripped me, that's all." +</P> + +<P> +But wise Elmer knew very well he was assuming a degree of comfort which +he did not feel, and he could not stand for it. +</P> + +<P> +"You've got to do one of two things, Landy,", he said, with authority, +"either take the push-pole again, and warm your blood up, or else go +ashore to dry your clothes. Otherwise, we'll have you getting a chill, +and then the fat will be in the fire as far as our hunt goes. Which +shall it be?" +</P> + +<P> +"If it's all the same to you, Elmer, and you mean the whole kit to stop +off too, I say let's go ashore," hastily replied Landy. +</P> + +<P> +"Head for that little cove, Lil Artha, and you too, Toby," said Elmer. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to lend him something I've got in my pack," remarked Lil +Artha, apparently taking pity on the shivering one; "only you c'n see +with one eye it wouldn't come within a mile of meeting around his +waist." +</P> + +<P> +"I've got a sweater he could put on while his clothes are drying," +volunteered Toby Jones; "of course, it isn't his size by a jugfull, but +then you know sweaters stretch. Like as not it'll go around me twice +though, after Landy's worn the same. But he's our chum, and scouts +should always be ready to make sacrifices for each other." +</P> + +<P> +"That's real good of you, Toby," mumbled Landy, strangely enough unable +to meet the honest gaze of the generous donor. +</P> + +<P> +The landing was soon made, and when the dripping Landy got ashore the +first thing Elmer made him do was to jump around, and thresh his arms +back and forth. This, of course, was to induce a circulation of blood, +so as to resist the chill following his late immersion. +</P> + +<P> +"Lil Artha, I leave it to you to make the fire," said the patrol +leader. "Use dry wood so there'll be little or no smoke; and build it +in that low spot over to the right. If we choose to keep it going +to-night, there's only a small chance that anyone will discover the +light in that dip." +</P> + +<P> +Nothing pleased Lil Artha better than to make a camp fire. Besides the +genial glow, which he so dearly loved, being a fire worshipper by +nature, it doubtless meant that before a great while they would be +cooking supper; and as we happen to be aware such a task was never +onerous to the lanky scout, whose appetite seldom failed him. +</P> + +<P> +There were others to help pick up the right kind of wood, for every +scout has to learn such things early in his career in woodcraft. Soon +a crackling little blaze sprang up, which, being carefully fed, +presently amounted to a considerable fire. +</P> + +<P> +"Here you are, Landy," said Elmer, when he could feel the genial heat +at a distance of five feet away; "strip off, and hang your duds on +these sticks we've planted around the fire. They'll soon begin to +steam, and then dry out." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer even took a hand himself, wringing each article cast off by the +bulky Landy before he hung it judiciously before the fire. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately, the fat scout had made out to carry an extra pair of socks +and a suit of clean underwear in his pack, and having donned these, +with the help of Toby's expansive sweater, he had to make out. There +was considerable fun poked at him as he squatted there by the fire +attending to his clothes, so as to make sure they did not get scorched +by the heat. +</P> + +<P> +"There's one thing bad about this drying-out process, though," Lil +Artha was heard saying to Ted, who chanced to be near by; "and that's +the way clothes shrink after they've been wet." +</P> + +<P> +"Which reminds me," Toby called out, "of that story about the fat +bachelor who had washed a suit of his new underwear himself, and hung +it on the clothes-line to dry; but the maid came along afterwards and +finding them ready to take in hung up a suit belonging to the kid, +about four years of age. When the stout bach stepped out to get his +suit and saw that baby outfit hanging in its place, he rubbed his eyes +and was heard to say to himself: 'Great Scott! and the clerk swore they +wouldn't shrink a bit!'" +</P> + +<P> +"But I hope <I>my</I> clothes won't shrivel up so I can't get in the same," +Landy observed, anxiously. "A nice figure I'd cut going around day and +night like this. And let me tell you the skeeters would fairly eat me +alive. As it is, I'm cracking at them all the time right now." +</P> + +<P> +Frequent examinations, however reassured him. His clothes were drying +nicely, and did not seem to be losing any of their former generous +proportions. So in time Landy might hope to be garbed in his proper +attire as became a scout, and not an Arab or a "side show freak," such +as Toby persisted in dubbing him. +</P> + +<P> +Supper was later on taken in hand. There was no lack of recruits when +it came to doing the cooking; in fact, Elmer found that he had six +enthusiastic would-be <I>chefs</I> to choose from, even Landy expressing a +willingness to serve, as he had to hover near the blaze more or less +anyway, and might as well be busy. +</P> + +<P> +Afterwards the fire was allowed to go down, though Elmer did not feel +that it was positively necessary for them to let it die out entirely. +If it was bound to betray them doubtless the mischief had already been +done; and having to shoulder the blame, they might as well have the +game. +</P> + +<P> +It was a great delight to them all to squat there around the fire and +talk in low tones. There were no boisterous language or actions +tolerated. Elmer gave them to understand that they were now out on +serious business, and all such conduct must be left to another time. +</P> + +<P> +Still, they found plenty to talk about, most of it connected with the +strange happening at Hickory Ridge, in which their unfortunate comrade, +Hen Condit, bore such a prominent part. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder now," Toby was saying at one time, "whether the Chief of +Police got a clue like we did that'd fetch him up in this region of the +country with a posse, meaning to try to round up this escaped rascal?" +</P> + +<P> +There was a variety of opinions concerning this point, some believing +one way and the rest having contrary views. +</P> + +<P> +"It would be too bad, now," said Ted, "if they managed to haul both of +them up before we could get Hen in hand, and hear hith thory of what +happened." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a fact," added Lil Artha. "We know the Chief, and that he'd +take Hen back to town just like he was a real criminal. No matter what +excuse the boy'd try to give, the Chief wouldn't listen, leaving all +that for the Justice of the Peace before whom he'd take his prisoners. +Boys, we've just got to find Hen first; that's all there is to it." +</P> + +<P> +That seemed to be the consensus of opinion among them. By degrees they +had come to believe that Hen Condit must be under a spell, to have +acted as he did. Nothing else would explain the mystery, for Hen had +always been reckoned a mild, inoffensive sort of fellow, one of the +last boys in Hickory Ridge to do anything so terrible as commit a +robbery. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what it is!" declared Toby, as they again talked it all +over in hopes of getting a better conception of the truth, "the man +who's got Hen must be one of those terrible hypnotists you read about. +I saw one down in the city last summer at a show, and he made fellows +do the most ridiculous things anybody ever heard tell of." +</P> + +<P> +"Such as what?" asked Lil Artha, looking as though he might be +skeptical. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, one boy thought he was a goat, and ran all around on his hands +and feet, hunting for tin cans and old shoes to eat. Another believed +he was a dog baying at the full moon, and I nearly took a fit listening +to him whoop. Then there was a third fellow who believed he was made +of iron, so he stretched himself from one chair to another, and three +men stood right in his middle; and he didn't break, either. Say, it +was the greatest sight you ever saw." +</P> + +<P> +"Fakes, all rank fakes!" snorted Lil Artha; "every one of those boys +was a confederate of the impostor. You notice they never come to small +places where everybody knows everybody else, but show in cities, where +a new audience comes each night. I'd like to see a circus like that, +just to laugh; but you couldn't get me to believe in hypnotism worth a +cent." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, then," demanded Toby, "what do you think this man's got on Hen +that he's made him do whatever he wanted, tell us that, if you can?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know," replied Lil Artha, promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"See?" cried Toby, exultantly, "he backs down right away." +</P> + +<P> +"There are a lot of things I don't know," added the tall scout; "but +it's my opinion that Hen's being held to that man through some kind of +fear. P'raps he's been made to believe he did something <I>terrible</I>, +and his only hope is to skip out before the police get him. But let's +wait till we find him, and then we'll know it all." +</P> + +<P> +"A sensible conclusion," remarked Elmer, who had listened to all the +talk with considerable interest; "and as the hour is getting late +suppose we begin to settle how we're going to sleep through our first +night in Sassafras Swamp." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A NIGHT ALARM +</H3> + + +<P> +Up to then none of them had apparently bothered about figuring how they +would make themselves comfortable, so that Elmer's suggestion was like +a bomb thrown into the camp. +</P> + +<P> +"I should think we had better get busy if we want to have a place to +sleep on," Landy exclaimed, for the hard ground did not appeal very +much to the fat scout, accustomed as he was to a feather bed at home. +</P> + +<P> +"We have no blankets, remember," said Elmer, "and that is one reason +why I laid out to keep the fire burning in a small way through the +night." +</P> + +<P> +"But luckily," added Mark, who apparently had been looking around more +or less since they came ashore, "there are plenty of spruce and hemlock +and fir trees close by. We can make our beds like hunters always used +to do, away back in Daniel Boone's time." +</P> + +<P> +"Every fellow will have to shift for himself, then," said Elmer; "so +let's start in and lay a foundation for a soft and fragrant bed." +</P> + +<P> +"Hay was good enough for me last night, suh!" declared the Southern +boy; "but I've got a hunch I can sleep just as sound on balsam." +</P> + +<P> +"Hemlock for mine every time!" announced Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +Then there was a bustling time as the entire seven scouts started to +break off small branches and twigs from the adjacent trees, laying them +in piles until it looked as though they had secured enough for their +purpose. +</P> + +<P> +The beds were arranged in something like a circle around the fire, and +acting on the advice of Elmer, who had been on the cattle range and +knew what was right, each sleeper expected to keep his feet toward the +fire. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks a heap like a big cart-wheel," observed Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"The fire is the hub, and each scout a spoke, that's right, suh," Chatz +agreed. +</P> + +<P> +Landy acted as though he would never get enough of the fragrant browse. +Long after the others had stopped gathering it, he continued. When +they joked him about being greedy when there was no price to pay, he +had an answer ready. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm a whole lot heavier than anybody else, don't you know?" he told +them. "And on that account I ought to have a higher pile under me. +Besides, I always did like to gather things in." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll remember that, Landy," threatened Lil Artha, "the next time we +need a big supply of firewood. You've fixed it up good and tight, and +you'll find us the most obliging lot of scouts east of the Rockies." +</P> + +<P> +After considerable fussing and joshing, they managed finally to get +"fixed." As none of them had slept too soundly on the preceding night, +owing to their strange environment, and the wild alarm that sounded +when Johnny's chicken-thief trap was sprung, the boys were both weary +and drowsy. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer was really the last to drop off, and he smiled as he raised his +head to glance around at the stretched-out figures of his six chums. +Some were breathing pretty loud, but Elmer could forgive that, and so +he also gave himself up to indulging in refreshing slumber. +</P> + +<P> +He was awakened by a horrible crash that made him instantly sit up. +Other figures were bobbing up all around the smouldering camp fire. +From the condition of this latter, Elmer knew that he must have been +asleep much more than an hour. +</P> + +<P> +"What happened?" gasped Landy the first thing, for he was digging his +fat knuckles into his heavy eyes as though trying to rout the last atom +of drowsiness from them. +</P> + +<P> +"It was me," replied Lil Artha, promptly; "I fired my gun!" +</P> + +<P> +"What at?" demanded Elmer, thrilled in spite of himself. +</P> + +<P> +"A creeping man!" came the astounding answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow! what's all that, Lil Artha?" Toby exclaimed; "you must have been +dreaming, and did it in your sleep. It's a good thing none of us +happened to be in range of your old Marlin scatter-gun, that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"Rats! I tell you I was wide awake, and sitting up when I fired," +insisted the tall scout. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, by this time all were on their feet, for the excitement had +gripped hold of them. Elmer realized that Lil Artha was speaking +earnestly, and showing no symptoms of having played a practical joke. +</P> + +<P> +"Now tell us all about it, Lil Artha," he commanded. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it was about thisaway," said the other, obediently. "I happened +to wake up and felt a bit thirsty, so I sat up thinking I'd crawl over +to our big jug of fresh water and take a swig. But just as I sat up I +saw something moving over in the bushes about twenty-five feet away. +Yes, sir, and the fire picked up just then so I could make out what +looked mighty like a man peeking at me through the same bushes—fact +is, I <I>know</I> that's what it was, and nothing else." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what did you do then?" asked the patrol leader. +</P> + +<P> +"I always keep my faithful Marlin handy when I sleep out in the woods, +you remember, Elmer," continued the other, with a touch of boyish pride +in his voice; "so all I had to do was to grab up the gun and blaze away +as quick as I could throw the same to my shoulder." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer caught his arm in a fast grip. +</P> + +<P> +"Not aiming at a man in the bushes only twenty-five feet away, Lil +Artha—don't tell me you were silly enough to do that?" he asked, +somewhat hoarsely. +</P> + +<P> +The tall scout chuckled, and Elmer's fears were instantly dissipated. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not a fool, Elmer," he said, loftily. "I aimed away up in the +air, and shot to scare not to hurt!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good enough, Lil Artha," the scout master went on to say in a relieved +tone; "I couldn't believe you'd be so reckless. A charge of bird shot +at that distance goes like a bullet, because it hasn't a chance to +scatter." +</P> + +<P> +It was apparently Toby's turn to appear skeptical now. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! I s'pose he lit out then like a streak, after you'd wasted a +good charge of shot in the air, and knocked leaves from the branches of +trees—is that what you want us to believe, Lil Artha?" +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't you hear the row he made rushing away?" demanded the other, +severely; "but then all of you started talking at once, and I guess you +didn't take much notice." +</P> + +<P> +"I heard some sort of noise off that way," asserted Elmer, pointing. +</P> + +<P> +"Correct, Elmer, for that's where he was kneeling, right over there in +those thick bushes. You see I mightn't have noticed him at all only he +happened to move just when a little flame shot up along that piece of +partly burned wood." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I admit that you may have seen <I>something</I>," persisted Toby; "but +the chances are ten to one it was a white-faced heifer that had hit on +our camp, and was looking to see who and what we were. We happen to +know there's a stock farm not a great ways off, and I reckon their cows +get into the swamp once in so often." +</P> + +<P> +"Think you've laid it down pretty pat, don't you?" sneered Lil Artha; +"but I'm going to show you where you're away off your base. Guess I've +got eyes, and know a human from a white-faced heifer. Watch my smoke, +that's all." +</P> + +<P> +With that the indignant scout handed his gun to Chatz, and stepping +over to the fire picked up the half-burned brand which he had mentioned +before. This Lil Artha whirled briskly around his head several times +until he had it crackling and taking fire afresh, so that it promised +to make a very fair torch, if used for only a brief time. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer made no objections to the programme. Indeed, he was deeply +interested in the outcome, whatever it might prove to be. +</P> + +<P> +After having made sure of sufficient light, Lil Artha boldly strode +directly toward the spot he had indicated as the scene of the +near-tragedy. +</P> + +<P> +"Go slow, Lil Artha," warned cautious Landy; "he might be laying for +you there. Keep him covered, Chatz, with the gun, won't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! give us a rest, Landy; didn't I tell you he hoofed it like fun +after that shot gave him a scare? Who's afraid?" +</P> + +<P> +With that Lil Artha reached the bushes indicated, and the others were +close on his heels, every fellow eager to find out whether what he had +told them was in fact true, or if the apparition had only been a +figment of Lil Artha's imagination, the tail-end, as it were, of a +stirring dream. +</P> + +<P> +Bending down, the long-legged scout began to scan the ground. His +discoveries started almost immediately, as his excited words announced: +</P> + +<P> +"Here's where he pushed back the brush, as you c'n see for yourselves. +Yes, and there's aplenty of footprints besides. Looky where he knelt +down, because here's the mark of his knees as plain as anything. Now +what do you say, Toby Jones? Is the laugh on me, after all?" +</P> + +<P> +Toby had to confess that it did not look that way. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I'm ready to own up you did see a man snooping around our camp, +Lil Artha," he confessed, frankly; "and when you let fly with that load +he lit out like all possessed. Elmer, of course the chances are it was +<I>that man</I>, don't you think?" +</P> + +<P> +"We know of no other in this region," said the patrol leader. "He must +have discovered our fire, and was creeping up when our vigilant comrade +saw him, meaning to steal part of our food supply. We happen to know +they're short of grub, and now that the country is being roused against +them this man is beginning to be more or less afraid to venture out of +the swamp to secure another lot of fowls, or anything else along the +eating line." +</P> + +<P> +"But it looks as if he came here alone, Elmer, seeing we can find only +one set of footprints," remarked Lil Artha. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! mercy! I certainly hope now he hasn't done anything <I>ter</I>rible to +our chum, Hen Condit," quavered Landy, in a panic. +</P> + +<P> +"There's no reason why we should believe such a thing," announced +Elmer, decidedly; "we've already agreed that he possesses some sort of +strange power over poor Hen, and I suppose the boy is waiting in their +camp away from here, for the man to come back with provisions." +</P> + +<P> +They walked back and the fire was revived, for since no one felt just +like trying to sleep again they concluded to sit up a while and talk it +all over. This attempted visit on the part of the unknown man had +apparently put a new face on the whole matter. It might change their +plans considerably, too, some of the scouts feared. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see why that should be," Elmer explained. "Of course, after +this we'll have to keep a watch every night, so as to hold him up if he +tries to get away with any of our stuff. It may hurry things along in +the end. If they have little to eat, and the man is really afraid to +go outside of the swamp thinking the police are waiting to arrest him, +he may make up his mind to surrender to us." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you believe he knows why we're here, do you, Elmer?" demanded +Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"It seems possible, although, of course, we have to jump at +conclusions, because we really don't know," came the answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! but this is all a dark mystery," confessed Landy; "and I never +was much account at guessing the answer to riddles. Who is this man; +what is he holding over Hen Condit's head; why should our chum do that +awful thing, and then leave such a silly letter behind to convict +himself? I'm all in a whirl, and if anybody can straighten me out I'd +be a heap obliged." +</P> + +<P> +Apparently, nobody could, at least there was no effort made in that +direction. In fact, to tell the truth, all the boys felt that they +were groping in the gloom, and even their best guesses had only a +slender foundation. +</P> + +<P> +"We've enlisted in the war, though," said Lil Artha, grimly, "and we +won't be kept back by any little thing. If that chap comes snooping +around any more he stands a mighty good chance of getting hurt, that's +all I'm going to say about it." +</P> + +<P> +"And we'll run across Hen, sooner or later, you can put that in your +pipe and smoke it," asserted Toby Jones, firmly. +</P> + +<P> +When they had discussed the subject from every side, without picking up +much additional information worth while, the boys began to feel sleepy +again. So Elmer told them off in watches, two scouts being assigned to +duty at a time. Landy was left out, because he was the odd fellow, and +perhaps for other obvious reasons. +</P> + +<P> +He pretended to be quite indignant over the slight, and vowed that he +would certainly sit up through one of the watches with the pair whose +turn it happened to be. But none of them took his threats seriously, +because they knew full well when Landy Smith once got asleep it +required something like a young earthquake to arouse him. Elmer hardly +anticipated another visit from the mysterious unknown that night. He +fancied the fellow must have imagined Lil Artha really shot point-blank +at him, and that it was only his good luck which enabled him to escape +disaster. +</P> + +<P> +Being too good a scout to take unnecessary chances, and not wishing to +lose the main part of such supplies as they had fetched along for +several days' use, the patrol leader took all due precautions. +</P> + +<P> +The fire was kept up the balance of the night in the bargain, for they +felt as though the illumination helped to guard them. Complete +darkness might have tempted a raiding thief to try again, while he +would be afraid to attempt such a risky move while the flames crackled +and lighted up the immediate surroundings. +</P> + +<P> +After all, nothing happened to disturb them. The sentries stuck +diligently to their duties, and changed at the time appointed. This +had been laid out by Elmer, as the sky had cleared and the stars could +be plainly seen in places. He figured time from the position of +certain bright planets, and their setting would mean the different +changes in guard mount. Scouts who have been in camp have learned +these methods of telling time by the use of the heavenly watch, and few +of them after once mastering the interesting method find a need for +Ingersols. +</P> + +<P> +When daylight sifted in through the treetops overhead, the boys gave +signs of arousing. Landy, of course, was the last to awaken, and he +professed to be quite heart-broken because no one had called him in +time to help stand out that watch. The gleam of humor in his eyes, +however, told Elmer that the fat boy was not quite so much disappointed +as he made out to be. In fact, the patrol leader was beginning to fear +that Landy had latterly shown signs of developing a new trait in his +composition, and started to play the part of a deceiver, in return for +constant badgering on the part of his fun-loving mates. +</P> + +<P> +It was while they were eating breakfast that Elmer propounded a new +scheme, and after placing it before his comrades asked them what their +opinions were. +</P> + +<P> +"The question now is," was what he said, seriously, "whether we mean to +keep on poling our skiff along the waterways; or shouldering our packs +take the shore from now on; and as our rule always has been, majority +votes carry the day." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE VALUE OF SCOUTCRAFT +</H3> + + +<P> +"But that old skiff suits me all right," objected Landy, who did not +particularly fancy shouldering his pack, to tramp through brush and +over marshy tracts of land, such as must be their portion. +</P> + +<P> +"Why ought we make a change, Elmer?" asked Ted, also unable to grasp +the meaning of this new move. +</P> + +<P> +Not so Lil Artha, who was quick to see things, especially when some +suggestion on the part of the scout-master was concerned. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, what ails you fellows?" he exclaimed, scornfully, as became one +possessed of superior brains; "don't you understand my sighting that +man last night alters the whole business? Now, there's no need of +hunting a needle in a haystack, for we've got a real trail to follow +up." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, suh, and scouts ought to be able to accomplish the +task," Chatz remarked in his superior way, which, however, everybody +knew was only skin-deep, the result of his Southern birth and training, +for he was a splendid fellow at heart, and well liked. +</P> + +<P> +"What about the skiffs then, if we abandon the same?" asked Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! we'll mark the place, and Johnny can easily find his property when +we're paying him five dollars for their use," said Lil Artha, lightly. +"And boys, better make a start with those packs right now." +</P> + +<P> +Landy sighed heavily, and seeing there was no escape he started to +carry out the suggestion of the tall scout. His lack of ambition was +so noticeable that Lil Artha could not resist the temptation to take a +shot at him. +</P> + +<P> +"I was just thinking, fellows," he went on, maliciously, "that Landy's +going to play out on us, and give no end of trouble; so we might leave +him here to watch the boats while we're gone." +</P> + +<P> +"What! me stay here, and starve to death?" ejaculated Landy, commencing +to put considerably more vigor into his labor; "I guess not, if I know +myself, and I think I do." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! for that matter we'd let you have some grub," continued the +generous Lil Artha; "enough for one full meal anyway." +</P> + +<P> +"No thank you, not any in mine. I'm going where the rest do, make up +your mind to that. If the old boats have to be watched stay yourself, +Lil Artha, that's all. You couldn't coax or hire me to remain alone a +single night in this awful swamp, not if you tried till doomsday. I +like company, and if I have to I c'n even put up with you as a steady, +Lil Artha. Now that'll do for you. It isn't to be considered for a +second." +</P> + +<P> +Of course, Lil Artha was only having a little fun, because there was no +thought of leaving anybody behind to stand guard over the two abandoned +skiffs; and least of all would Elmer have dreamed of appointing the fat +and timid scout for such a duty. +</P> + +<P> +When deciding on such a radical change in their plans, Elmer did not +forget that it might also be well for them to conceal the two boats. +Should the man they were hunting chance to come upon the skiffs he +might think it good policy to smash in the planks to such an extent +that they would be useless for further voyaging; and possibly the +scouts would be glad to get out of the swamp by the same means they had +taken when entering. +</P> + +<P> +"First of all, let's hide the boats somewhere," he suggested. "They're +pretty heavy, of course, but seven of us ought to be able to carry +them, one at a time." +</P> + +<P> +"It needn't be for far either," Lil Artha assured them, "because here's +a jimdandy place close by. Everybody on the job, and see what you can +lift." +</P> + +<P> +After all it was nothing to speak of, for the two skiffs were easily +handled, and nicely concealed from view. When the boys had removed all +traces of their passage, anyone might walk by within five feet of the +patch of bushes and never suspect what lay there so neatly hidden. +</P> + +<P> +"There, that job's done," said Elmer; "now finish packing, and we'll be +off." +</P> + +<P> +Landy hurried now. He had a lingering fear that there might be more in +that obscure threat made by Lil Artha of desertion on their part than +appeared on the surface. The more he considered being left alone in +that dreary swamp the faster Landy's fingers flew. He also kept a wary +eye on the tall scout, and had Lil Artha shown any intention of +hurrying off he would have surely found Landy tagging at his heels, +whether he had his pack or not. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, Elmer, having quickly arranged his possessions, because of +long familiarity in the packing line, had gone over once more to the +bush patch where on the preceding night Lil Artha had seen that +suspicious lurker. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, it was Elmer's intention to examine the tracks left by the +mysterious visitor, and see whether it would be possible for them to +pick up the trail. +</P> + +<P> +He was, of course, taking it for granted that the party must have been +the same man they had been hunting ever since reaching the swamp. So +far as Elmer could say, his footprints resembled those they had seen +with Hen's, although there was really nothing remarkable about them to +distinguish the indentations above all others. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer knew that they took certain chances in figuring this way. After +all this man may have been the farmer who had a stock farm. Some of +his cattle breaking bounds would likely enough wander into the swamp, +and in looking for the strays perhaps he had discovered the smouldering +fire. +</P> + +<P> +As tramps, and possibly bad men as well, sometimes hid in the depths of +swamps, the cautious cattle-raiser may have been crawling up to find +out the truth when that sudden shot frightened him, so that he had run +wildly away. +</P> + +<P> +Well, no matter which of these two solutions to the mystery proved to +be the correct one, Elmer meant to try and come upon the party whose +trail now lay before him. He still favored the original idea, and, in +fact, never bothered mentioning the other speculation to his comrades. +</P> + +<P> +All of them being ready they set out. Elmer and Lil Artha led the van, +for they were recognized as the best equipped scouts in the Wolf Patrol +when it came to a question of trailing. What Lil Artha lacked in +actual experience, he partly made up for in his pertinacity, as well as +his constant practice along these lines. +</P> + +<P> +It soon became evident to them that the fugitive had not thought it +worth while to try and hide his trail at the time he fled from the +camp. That sudden shot must have given him a nervous shock, so that +all he cared about just then was to put as much distance between +himself and those seven khaki-clad boys as possible. The fact that +they carried weapons and would not hesitate to use their firearms must +have convinced him it was a risky thing to hang around that region any +longer. +</P> + +<P> +For half an hour the boys moved on. Sometimes it was at a fair walk, +and then again when the trail grew fainter so that those at the head of +the column were compelled to exercise all of their knowledge in order +to make sure progress, things slackened more or less. +</P> + +<P> +The boys had been warned not to make any unnecessary noise. Talking +save in the lowest of whispers was strictly tabooed, and even at that +Elmer did not encourage any conversation. They also had to take care +of their feet, and not press their weight upon some stick that would +break with a loud snap. Even such small things have spoiled well-laid +plans before now, and trackers, whether of wild beasts of human +fugitives, cannot be too careful. +</P> + +<P> +If Landy puffed a little the other made no objection, since he took +care to do it half under his breath. It was not such very easy work, +though as scouts most of them enjoyed every minute of the time, being +constantly thrilled with the expectation of suddenly coming upon a camp +where those they sought might be found, and taken by surprise. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha even had it all arranged in his mind just how he meant to +threaten that man with his gun, warning him savagely that it would be +as much as his skin was worth to attempt to flee. +</P> + +<P> +It was in this humor that they came to a log that lay across their +path. Here the trail ended, but, of course, such clever fellows as +Elmer and Lil Artha would understand a little trick like that. The +stumbling man had naturally taken to the log, passed well along to the +other end, and then jumped off. +</P> + +<P> +"You take that side and I'll cover this one," said Elmer, without the +least hesitation; "ten to one we'll get him again." +</P> + +<P> +They did, for Lil Artha quickly found the tracks once more. The +incident, however, told them that the man had begun to fear he would be +followed when morning came, since this was his first effort to baffle +pursuit. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm sorry that happened," said Elmer, softly, to his working partner; +"because it's going to make our task all the harder you see." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean because he's begun to be afraid he'll be followed?" asked +the other. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just it," continued the patrol leader; "if that idea gets a +firm hold of him he's bound to do everything he knows how so as to +leave us in the lurch. In the end he might even decide to quit the +swamp, and take his chances of getting away outside." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we don't quit at that, do we?" asked Lil Artha, with a gritting +of his teeth that told of grim determination. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer looked at him and smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"We'd be a nice lot of scouts, wouldn't we," he said, sarcastically, +"if we were ready to throw up the sponge at the first sign of trouble? +No, we've started on this trail, and we'll run it down if it keeps us +busy the rest of our vacation." +</P> + +<P> +"In the immortal words of General Grant while flanking Lee and driving +him back toward Richmond," continued the other, "'we'll fight it out on +this line if it takes all summer!' I'm glad to hear you say that, +Elmer. But here we are up against it again, seems like." +</P> + +<P> +This time the fleeing man had reached a certain point, for his tracks +could be plainly seen, but the trail abruptly ended. +</P> + +<P> +"It's an easy guess," said Elmer, after a brief examination. "You can +see that he stood up on his toes here, for the indentation is heavier +forward. Then, besides, look at this bark lying fresh on the ground, +only a few small pieces, but scraped from the tree above us." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing, Elmer!" declared Lil Artha, while the others stood and +watched the actions of their comrades with the utmost curiosity, "he +just grabbed hold of that lowermost limb, gave his feet a fling against +the trunk of the tree, and hoisted himself up yonder." +</P> + +<P> +"Then perhaps he's somewhere up there still," suggested Landy. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think so," continued Elmer; "but we'll send up an expedition +to find out after we make sure that all avenues of escape are closed. +My own opinion is that he passed out along some other low-hanging limb, +and dropped to the ground again, perhaps thirty feet away from here." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's look and see!" cried Toby, eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Be careful," warned Lil Artha, hurriedly; "for unless you step mighty +fine you may cover up the prints of his shoes where he dropped down." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer had already decided just about where he would have descended from +the tree had he been in the place of the fugitive. Lil Artha, too, +seemed to have settled on the same spot for he was just at the heels of +the leader. +</P> + +<P> +Instead of looking down, Elmer kept glancing up. It might be he was +mentally following the straddling figure along that great limb. +Presently he abruptly stopped. +</P> + +<P> +"I can see signs that tell me he came this far, but they end up there," +he told his companion. "Yes, and here you see fresh leaves on the +ground. Look sharp, Lil Artha, and it may be your eyes will light on +the fresh trail." +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had Elmer spoken when a low but eager cry told that success had +been achieved. Lil Artha pointed to the mark of feet close beside +them. Undoubtedly, the fugitive had dropped once more to the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, let me tell you he's a slick article, that chap," said Toby, +after they had once more made a fresh start. "I wouldn't be surprised +to learn he'd been out on the plains in his day, he seems to know so +much about Indian ways and all that." +</P> + +<P> +"But he's met his match in our scout-master, for a fact," blustered +Landy, full of genuine admiration for the commander who had many a time +led the Wolf Patrol boys to victory over stupendous obstacles. +</P> + +<P> +"Silence everybody now," came from Elmer, though naturally it must have +given him a warm feeling in the region of his heart to know that these +good chums felt so kindly toward him and were not backward in +expressing their sentiments. +</P> + +<P> +So they continued on for another stretch. The fugitive must have come +to believe that by this time he would have thrown any possible tracker +off the scent; at any rate, he tried no new game looking to baffling +pursuit. +</P> + +<P> +Gliding along like shadows the seven scouts made fair progress. Elmer +was of the opinion that at any minute now they might come upon the spot +where the unknown had his hide-out. He had communicated his plans to +the others before this, and they all knew the parts they would be +expected to play should it come to a hold-up. +</P> + +<P> +Covered by the guns that he and Lil Artha carried, it was doubtful +whether the man would dare take chances and try to flee. If he did and +left Hen behind him, the first thing for them to do would be to secure +the boy, even if he evinced a desperate desire to avoid them. +</P> + +<P> +Somehow, Elmer himself believed they would find what they were seeking +in the unusually large patch of brush that now lay ahead of them. He +caught glimpses of the water just beyond, which proved that an arm of +the swamp extended in this direction. +</P> + +<P> +Pushing steadily on as noiselessly as possible, they were presently +able to part the bushes and discover a dead fire in plain sight. The +boat lay on the shore, with one plank smashed in, doubtless the result +of an accident that had wrecked the hopes of the two fugitives. +</P> + +<P> +Eagerly they surveyed the prospect, and then Lil Artha gave a grunt of +disgust. +</P> + +<P> +"Skipped out, that's a measly shame!" he exclaimed, wrathfully. +</P> + +<P> +"But what's that white thing stuck in the crotch of the wand yonder?" +demanded Toby; "looks to me like it might be some sort of communication +from our poor pard Hen Condit; because that's an old scout and Indian +way of leaving word, you know." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer was already hurrying forward to possess himself of the message. +The others watched him take it from the crotch of the stick and open +the soiled paper on which there seemed to be more or less crooked +writing in pencil. Then the patrol leader turned to his comrades, a +look of satisfaction on his face. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +HEN CONDIT'S STRANGE MESSAGE +</H3> + + +<P> +"Is it from Hen?" asked two or three at once, that being the all +important fact stamped upon their minds. +</P> + +<P> +At the same time they realized just as well as anything it must be so, +else Elmer would not be smiling and frowning as he deciphered the +meaning of the scrawl. As all the boys knew, Hen Condit was one of the +poorest writers in the Hickory Ridge High School. It may be remembered +that in speaking of his other note some of them brought this fact +forward, stating that a teacher had once declared the boy well named, +since his efforts looked like "hen-tracks" on paper. +</P> + +<P> +"It's lucky that I'm able to read any sort of old writing," remarked +Elmer, not without a touch of boyish pride; "it's a gift with me, and +Hen sometimes came to ask me to tell him what he'd set down, for after +it got cold he couldn't well make it out himself." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you've sensed the meaning of his present communication, have you, +Elmer?" questioned Mark, a little bit given to stilted language. +</P> + +<P> +"I can read it all right," was the reply he received, "but +understanding the gist of it is another thing. The sentences seem +disconnected, and some of them are queer. When Hen wrote this he must +either have been half out of his mind, or else he was in great fear of +something, or <I>somebody</I>!" +</P> + +<P> +Of course, when the scout-master said this, it produced something of a +sensation among the other six fellows. They exchanged grave looks, +while Lil Artha was seen to shake his head, and give that gun of his a +little tilt upwards, as though he now believed more than ever the time +was near at hand when he would be compelled to make some sort of use of +the same, in order to save the kidnapped chum. +</P> + +<P> +"Please read it out to us, Elmer!" begged Landy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth, we're wondering what it can all be about," added Ted Burgoyne. +</P> + +<P> +"Then listen, and please don't interrupt me until I finish," said +Elmer. "This is what Hen's written with a lead pencil on this sheet of +paper, which I think he must have torn from a little memorandum book I +happen to know he always carries about in his pocket." +</P> + +<P> +He held the crumpled paper closer to his eyes, for in places the +writing was rather faint, and in two particular spots Elmer had to +guess at a word, for evidently a drop of something, perhaps a salty +tear, had fallen on the paper, blurring the work of the lead pencil +stub. +</P> + +<P> +"Boys, perhaps you'll get this—he says he counted seven and everyone +wore a khaki uniform—he thinks you must be the militia—course I know +better—but it's no use, you just can't help me—I'm a goner, and the +most miserable boy on earth—but I say on the honor of a scout I never +meant to do it—I've just got to disappear—maybe I'll let you hear +from me if ever I get Out West where they can't find me. Oh! what hard +luck, but I have to do whatever he says, no matter what I want. I'm +meaning to leave this behind in the scout way, and don't I hope you'll +find it. There, he's calling to me to hurry, for we're going to quit +this hide-out and try to escape. I'm awful hungry, too. Better leave +me to my fate unless you can find a way to seal his lips. That's all. +Hen." +</P> + +<P> +"Great Caesar!" exclaimed Lil Artha, who had hung on every word spoken +by Elmer. "That proves one of two things. Either our poor pard is +looney, or else he's got in the power of a rascal who controls his +mind. I always knew Hen was weak in the upper story just a teenty +mite. Poor old chap, we've got to find him if it takes us till +Christmas. You hear me talking now!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yeth, and we all thay the thame!" burst from Ted, as he doubled his +none too expansive fists, and looked as savage as he could. +</P> + +<P> +Indeed, a hasty glance around just then would have told any observer +that this strange message, filled with despair and yearning, left by +Hen Condit in the crotch of a stick thrust into the ground, had renewed +their former resolution not to give over the search until they had +either found the missing chum or exhausted every known device looking +to success. +</P> + +<P> +"If you asked me," said Elmer, "I'd say the answer to the riddle lay +between the two things you mention, Lil Artha. Hen is crazed almost, +but it is with fear. He finds himself in the power of a brute who is +using him for his own purposes. How it's been done, of course, we can +only guess, but the boy believes he has been forced to rob his +guardian, and that a posse is searching right now for him, with the +intention of putting him in jail. That explains his panic." +</P> + +<P> +"And say, he tells us right at the end of his note that he's some +hungry," Lil Artha went on to remark; "and, according to my notion, +that condition is next door to being insane. Why, mebbe the poor +fellow hasn't had a solitary bite for a whole day or even two of 'em. +I pity him from the bottom of my heart." +</P> + +<P> +"Notice what he incidentally says near the end," added Elmer. "'Better +leave me to my fate unless you can find a way to seal his lips.' That +seems to strengthen our theory, doesn't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"All this mention of 'he' must stand for the unknown man who has got +Hen, of course?" ventured Mark. +</P> + +<P> +"Couldn't be anybody else," the patrol leader made answer; "in fact, +Hen just now doesn't seem able to even think of any other person." +</P> + +<P> +"The fellow is no common rascal, let me tell you, suh," Chatz declared. +"He must have been some sort of professor along the lines of magic, +perhaps a hypnotist who performed wonders on the stage before crowds, +and then dabbled in things that the law sat down on, which landed him +in the penitentiary finally." +</P> + +<P> +"When the truth comes out, Chatz, I'm positive that your theory will be +found pretty near the exact facts," affirmed Elmer. +</P> + +<P> +"But all the time we're jabbering away here," warned Lil Artha, +"remember that they're getting further and further away from us." +</P> + +<P> +"As to that," the patrol leader assured him, "a few minutes don't make +so much difference, and it's always best to start right, so as to avoid +a loss of ten times as much later on by making mistakes. Then again, +I'm pretty sure that man is too smart to think of trying to leave +Sassafras Swamp before night comes, even if he plans to do it then." +</P> + +<P> +Somehow, this intelligence comforted the more impetuous ones. They had +such unlimited faith in Elmer knowing what course was best to pursue +that his judgment was accepted on its face value every time—just as +the Treasury notes of the United States Government are relied upon to +be worth their face denomination in specie. +</P> + +<P> +"About how long ago would you thay they had thkipped out of here?" Ted +asked, as they still lingered, looking to the right and to the left, as +though wanting to make certain nothing valuable in the way of a clue +could have escaped their scrutiny. +</P> + +<P> +"Lil Artha, we're depending on you for that information," suggested +Elmer, although it could not be doubted that he himself was able to +give a pretty good answer, for he had observed certain signs as well as +the tall scout. +</P> + +<P> +"Not more than two hours ago, I'd say, Elmer," Lil Artha ventured, with +considerable confidence manifested in his manner, as though if put to +it he was able to muster all the evidence necessary to establish his +veracity. +</P> + +<P> +"Just about what I thought myself," added the scout-master, with a +satisfied smile. "Two heads are better than one, any day, Lil Artha, +especially when they seem to work together as well as ours do." +</P> + +<P> +"Then the man didn't think to skip out right away after he got back +here, did he?" asked Landy, "because a good many hours have elapsed +since Lil Artha woke us all up with that sudden shot." +</P> + +<P> +"No, he must have slept for some time," answered Elmer, "knowing there +wasn't apt to be any sort of a pursuit in the night. Then again he +relied more or less on having blinded his trail, as a man who had spent +some time in the West among Indians and cowboys would have done. It +wasn't a great while before dawn when he must have aroused poor Hen and +told him they must get away." +</P> + +<P> +"But when do you think our chum could have scribbled that message?" +asked Mark. +</P> + +<P> +"Evidently, after he knew about our being within a mile of him," +replied Elmer, with a promptness that told how he had figured it all +out. "I suppose the man told him about the khaki soldiers who were in +the swamp looking for them, thinking it would make Hen more frightened +than ever; but we know he guessed the truth about our being his +comrades of the Wolf Patrol." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, believing he would be hurried off again, sooner or later," Mark +continued, "he took the first chance he had to write that message. He +must have fixed it in that split stick, and just as they were leaving +here stuck the wand in the ground, scout fashion." +</P> + +<P> +"We seem to have it all sized up to a dot by now," remarked the leader, +preparing to move; "and as there isn't anything else for us to do here, +suppose we get busy on the trail again, Lil Artha?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm your chicken, and you can depend on me when it comes to scenting +out a trail, Elmer. Wonder if that man will be up to any more high +jinks in the way of walking along logs, climbing trees, and such +tricks? We'll keep a good lookout for such capers, believe me." +</P> + +<P> +They were soon moving along, the two trackers in the van as before, +with others trailing after. Landy brought up the rear, though Mark +kept a careful eye on him most of the time, as though rather skeptical +about his ability to make progress without getting into some sort of +trouble. +</P> + +<P> +It would be just like clumsy Landy to trip, and make a headlong plunge +into the brown tamarack water of the swamp just when he should have +been most careful. They had known him to do such things more than a +few times in the past; and on this account Mark always made it a point +to drop back and keep him company when he imagined the situation became +acute. +</P> + +<P> +From the rapid manner in which Lil Artha and Elmer picked up the trail +it was plainly evident that so far the unknown fugitive from justice +had not bothered resorting to any of his tricks looking to blinding the +tracks. +</P> + +<P> +He had been compelled to wait for daylight before trying to move +through the swamp, because progress would have been next door to +impossible at night time unless one were familiar with the way, or else +carried a lantern. Neither of these happened to be within his scope, +and so he had to depend upon daylight. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, none of the boys knew what sort of a reception they might +expect when finally they overtook the man they were following. What +little they could gather from various sources inclined them to believe +he must be a pretty desperate sort of customer. The occasional mention +of him in that strange message left by Hen was along those very lines. +</P> + +<P> +He might be armed for all they knew. Such criminals usually are, +though in this case it might be otherwise, Elmer had told them, since +he believed the man had been a prisoner making his escape when first he +struck Sassafras Swamp, and concluded to have his hide-out in its +depths. +</P> + +<P> +Still Lil Artha was not for taking too many chances. As he moved +along, the tall scout managed to keep that reliable gun of his in +position for quick use, should an occasion arise calling for service. +</P> + +<P> +He also tried to glance ahead from time to time, in hopes of locating +any suspicious ambuscade. A sudden attack that would leave himself and +Elmer weaponless might throw the entire party into a state of +helplessness, which would always reflect on their ability as scouts. +</P> + +<P> +They spent half an hour in this fashion, though the trail wound in and +out so much that at the end of that time they could hardly have been +more than a quarter of a mile away from the late camp of the fugitives. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you hear that, Elmer?" whispered Lil Artha, suddenly, throwing out +a hand so as to clutch the other's arm; while everyone became rigid +with suspense. +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly sounded like a cough," admitted the other. +</P> + +<P> +"But I'm dead certain it wasn't from in front of us, but over to the +left, which would be some queer," muttered the tall tracker, staring in +the quarter which he now indicated with outstretched finger. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought the same, Lil Artha," Elmer told him; "but then this trail +twists and turns so much it might get around that way easy enough." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it might, Elmer." +</P> + +<P> +"All we can do is to keep going along as we are, and some of us watch +for signs of Hen and the man over yonder," added the scout-master. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you don't think it'd pay to strike out to the left?" questioned +the other, who seemed to be hesitating between two opinions. +</P> + +<P> +"We would be silly to quit a sure thing for an uncertainty," said +Elmer, decidedly. "After all our ears may have deceived us, and it +might have only been some queer grunt of a frog, a heron fishing for +minnows, or even a muskrat choking over his dinner. No, we must keep +on as we're going, that's sure." +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha looked relieved. After all, it pleased the tall scout to +have someone decide a puzzling question like this for him. +Responsibility weighs heavy on the shoulders of many even capable boys, +and they are only too glad to be able to shift it on occasion. +</P> + +<P> +"Just as you say, Elmer, and I reckon you're quite right, too," always +in a low, sibilant tone that would not carry further than a dozen yards +at the most. +</P> + +<P> +They again turned to take up the trail, which just at that point +happened to run through some bushes coming up to their hips. It was +easy to see where those ahead of them had brushed through, for they had +trampled down the lush grass, and brushed aside the tender branches of +the bushes. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer had even bent over to take a good look down at the ground before +setting forth when he heard Toby Jones give a sudden, violent hiss. +</P> + +<P> +Now, that was a well-known sign among the boys of the Wolf Patrol, and +which had served them in good stead many a time in the past. Heard +under such thrilling conditions, it could mean only one thing; Toby had +discovered some sort of danger, and was warning his comrades in order +that they might drop down out of sight. +</P> + +<P> +Every fellow seemed to understand this instantly, for as though they +were all moved by the same controlling influence, they allowed +themselves to sink on their knees amidst the friendly bushes that +afforded such splendid shelter. Even as Elmer dropped thus he had shot +a quick glance toward the left, from which that seeming cough had come, +and saw something that electrified him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BOUND TO SUCCEED +</H3> + + +<P> +No wonder the young scout-master was surprised and thrilled by what he +saw as he crouched there amidst the bushes, and stared over their tops. +</P> + +<P> +Not more than sixty or seventy yards away at the most there appeared to +be a violent commotion among another bunch of brush, as though a number +of unseen parties might be forcing their way through the obstruction. +</P> + +<P> +Even as Elmer, and his chums as well, looked, a figure burst out, +quickly followed by a second, a third, and then still more, until in +all there were six in the queer procession that seemed to be heading +directly for the late hide-out of the swamp fugitives. +</P> + +<P> +What startled the boys most of all was the fact that they knew several +of those who went to make up that strange company. First, there was +Johnny Spreen, the bound boy at the Trotter farm, and who had given +them so many points concerning the swamp he knew so well. +</P> + +<P> +Just behind Johnny walked a consequential looking personage dressed in +a blue uniform, and, with a glittering shield fastened on his left +breast. Well did the Hickory Ridge boys know the Chief of Police in +their own town. Behind him came a second and a third man, also in +uniform, whom they knew to be local "cops;" while the next had the +appearance of having been impressed into the posse; then at the tail +end of the procession came Farmer Trotter, carrying an old musket that +may have done duty in the Civil War, half a century back, for it looked +like a fossil. +</P> + +<P> +"Gosh!" +</P> + +<P> +That was Lil Artha "letting off steam," as he would have termed it; but +he uttered his favorite expression so very low that there was not the +slightest danger of it's being overheard. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't wink an eyelash if you can help it, fellows," whispered Elmer, +who apparently, for reasons of his own, did not want the posse to know +of their presence so near by. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, the others instantly knew what he meant, and if they had +been made of stone it is doubtful whether they could have maintained a +more rigid attitude as they crouched there in the bushes. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately, all of the posse seemed to be looking ahead. Perhaps they +had been warned by the bound boy that the place to which he was taking +them was not very far distant, which would account for their eagerness. +</P> + +<P> +So they passed on. Elmer kept whispering to his followers not to make +a move unless it was to drop down flat on their faces. Apparently, not +even Landy felt inclined to do this. As long as the Chief and his +gallant posse remained in sight everyone crouched there and took it out +in staring. +</P> + +<P> +Then when even Farmer Trotter had been swallowed up in the scrub, sighs +might have been heard arising from some of the boys' lips, as though +they were relieved to have the suspense ended. +</P> + +<P> +"Never glimpsed us!" remarked Mark, triumphantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Blind as bats in the day-time!" added Landy. +</P> + +<P> +"They didn't happen to turn this way," said Elmer; "and since you all +kept so still I don't believe they'd have noticed us even if they had +looked. I want to say it was well done, boys." +</P> + +<P> +"That was Johnny Spreen, wasn't it?" asked Landy, as though he wanted +to have someone corroborate what his own eyes had told him. +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly was," said Lil Artha. "The farmer wouldn't let him come +with us, but I guess the Chief just swore them both into his posse, and +then they had to come or run up against the law. A sheriff or a police +Chief can do that, you understand; no matter whether a man wants to +serve or not, he's got to." +</P> + +<P> +"And you all noticed, I reckon," remarked Chatz, "that they were making +straight fo' the hide-out where Hen and that man spent the night. That +shows Johnny must have figured out after we left him that it would be a +good place for hiding. What do you all say about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! there's no question but what you're correct, old top!" Lil Artha +told him in his queer way. "But I'm real tickled because Elmer didn't +take a notion to hail the Chief, and take him in on our deal." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer laughed at that. +</P> + +<P> +"It wasn't any 'Hail to the Chief' this time, you see, Lil Artha," he +remarked. "We have borne the heat and burden of the day, and it wasn't +right that that crowd, coming in at the tail end of the chase, should +share alike with us. Besides, you remember we decided we wanted to get +at poor Hen <I>before</I> the law could lay a hand on him." +</P> + +<P> +"So we did," muttered Chatz. +</P> + +<P> +"But Elmer," objected Toby, "supposing they get to that place, and find +the birds flown, don't you reckon they'll notice that we've been there?" +</P> + +<P> +"So far as the Chief and his men go," returned the other, "I wouldn't +believe them capable of finding out anything except that the camp was +empty. But all the same I suppose they will know about us." +</P> + +<P> +"Meaning that Johnny will see our tracks, and read the story there; is +that it, Elmer?" queried Lil Artha, quick to catch on to the meaning of +the patrol leader's words. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Johnny will tell, because he's been hunting furs so long that he +knows a heap about following tracks. When he finds out there were a +lot of boys in the camp he'll guess we discovered the place." +</P> + +<P> +"Mebbe they'll take it for granted we caught the birds, and be ready to +throw up the game then and there?" suggested Toby. +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly that," advised Elmer; "Johnny ought to be able to tell them +different. He would soon learn after looking things over that all our +tracks were made <I>after</I> those of the man, when we left the camp. You +see that must tell him we were pursuing the fellow. I put myself in +Johnny's place; and that's how I believe I'd figure it out." +</P> + +<P> +"A good way to do, too, believe me," said Mark. +</P> + +<P> +"Then in that case," Lil Artha continued, "they'll be coming along +after us before a great while. Whew! if this doesn't beat anything I +ever took part in. It's a continuous procession, boys, winding in and +out through the high lands of old Sassafras Swamp—first Hen and the +man who controls his actions; then seven bold scouts of the Wolf +Patrol; and finally our big puffball of a Chief and his valiant posse +bringing up the rear." +</P> + +<P> +"But we don't want them to overtake us, do we?" asked Landy, actually +meaning to hint that they had better be moving on, which was a +remarkable thing to enter the head of the Smith boy, always the first +to desire a halt. +</P> + +<P> +"We do not," Lil Artha informed him, plainly, "and to prevent such a +horrible catastrophe from happening we expect to be on the jump again +right away, doubling our pace it may be, Landy. The worst is yet to +come, remember." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! you can't scare me any, Lil Artha," the fat scout told his +tormentor; for he knew very well that with a trail to follow they could +hardly proceed any more rapidly than before. +</P> + +<P> +Progress was immediately resumed. They went forward in about the same +manner as before, with Mark keeping Landy company at the tail-end of +the procession. The situation was now growing more and more serious, +and much depended on whether they could manage to overtake the +fugitives before night came on. A whole day's tramping through the +intricate recesses of the swamp, just as the dry land afforded footing, +was a monumental task that must try the nerve of the best of them; and +Landy, if not one or two others, would be apt to drop out of the ranks +long before sunset came. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer, however, was hopeful that they must overtake those they chased +long before such utter weariness seized upon them. He knew that Hen +Condit himself, although no weakling, could not stand hours upon hours +of continual walking, especially when it consisted of such uncertain +footing as fell to their portion under those conditions. +</P> + +<P> +Complete exhaustion then might compel Hen to beg his companion to +either leave him or else order a halt. One way or the other suited the +scouts just as well, so long as they overtook Hen. +</P> + +<P> +When Landy found that he was puffing from his exertions he took an +extra grip on himself and would not listen to Lil Artha when the tall +scout proposed that he drop out. +</P> + +<P> +"All you have to do is to squat where we leave you, Landy," the other +had told him in a wheedling way; "and after we're done our business +we'll sure promise to look you up again, won't we, Elmer?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing doing," snapped Landy, decisively; "what d'ye take me for, Lil +Artha, to desert my poor chum Hen when he needs help so much? I'm a +sticker I want you to know. Adhesive plasters haven't got anything on +me when it comes to standing by you through thick and thin. No use +wasting your breath; save it for your work, say I!" +</P> + +<P> +"Let him be, Lil Artha," said the patrol leader, hardly knowing whether +it was fidelity to a fellow-scout in distress that influenced Landy, or +a dreadful fear lest he find himself left alone in the midst of the +dismal swamp. +</P> + +<P> +"Why yes," added Mark, "Landy is doing all right, even if he does +wheeze more'n is good for him. But he hasn't stumbled more than six +times in the last half hour, which is some record for Landy, you +understand, follows [Transcriber's note: fellows?]." +</P> + +<P> +Apparently, Landy took this as a great compliment, for his perspiring +face was set in a grin of triumph as he thrust out his tongue at Lil +Artha, as much as to say: +</P> + +<P> +"See, Mister Smarty, others appreciate my good qualities if you don't. +So just mind your own business, and leave me alone to attend to mine. +I'll get there or burst a blood-vessel trying. That's the Smith nature +every time." +</P> + +<P> +Having heard Landy talk in this strain many a time the rest of the +scouts could easily put these expressions in his mouth, though he was +too short of breath just then to give them utterance; looks, however, +often count more than mere words. +</P> + +<P> +They had been making splendid progress all this while, and must have +covered considerable distance since the time when they watched the +official posse wind its way past their hiding-place. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha and Elmer had once or twice held a low consultation after +making an examination of the tracks they were following. +</P> + +<P> +The others, listening to what the leaders said, found they were +comparing notes, and that it appeared to be the opinion of both Hen was +getting pretty tired. This they could make out in various ways known +to scouts who had made a business of reading the story to be found in +tracks. +</P> + +<P> +"You can see how uneven Hen walks most of the time," said Lil Artha; +"he wobbles even worse than Landy here, which goes to show he's getting +pretty tuckered out. Can you blame the poor fellow when p'raps he's +weak from hunger? If any of us had to go without a bite to eat all day +we'd get wobbly on our pins, too." +</P> + +<P> +There was no dissenting voice raised to this assertion; eating is so +essential to the average boy that nothing on earth can compensate for a +dearth of food at the regular intervals. +</P> + +<P> +"Then we saw several places where Hen had sat down to rest, you +remember," Elmer reminded the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and the last time it struck us both that the man had yanked him +to his feet again by main force; which I take it wasn't as nice and +kind of that bully as you might expect," Lil Artha went on to say. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! the coward!" Chatz was heard to growl, and the look on his face as +he said those few words told what he meant to do if ever the +opportunity came his way to strike a blow for the abducted chum. +</P> + +<P> +Filled with renewed determination after this little conference, they +once more took up their task. Lil Artha likened their progress to the +ways of the Siberian wolf that follows its quarry day and night until +in the end its very persistence wins the victory. +</P> + +<P> +"We're in this to the finish," he was fond of saying whenever he had +the chance, "and sooner or later we'll get him. The boys of the Wolf +Patrol mean to stick to their name, and run the prey to the earth. He +just can't get away nohow. All we've got to do is to keep moving, and +believe the game is going to come our way. Everybody put his best foot +forward again. It's for the honor of the patrol, boys, that we get +hold of Hen Condit before the Chief takes him in." +</P> + +<P> +It was now two hours and more since they had started on this new trail. +Before this time no doubt the posse must have reached the deserted +hide-out, and learned that the birds had flown. Yes, it was even +possible that they were coming along the plain trail the seven scouts +had left behind them. +</P> + +<P> +Figuring then that the bulky Chief and his men would not exceed their +own rate of progress, they could count on almost two full hours' +advantage over the others. That surely ought to be an abundance of +time in which to carry out their plans, granting that they could +overtake the fugitives. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer had again cautioned them to keep still. The swamp was very +silent where they now found themselves, and sounds could be carried to +some distance under such conditions. +</P> + +<P> +Landy was getting on fairly well, considering a number of things that +he had to contend with. Indeed, Elmer meant to tell him as much when +he had the chance; for he felt that the stout scout deserved +encouragement. What might seem trifles to some of the others assumed +the aspect of mountains in the eyes of one who was not gifted with +agility by Nature, and had to carry a far greater weight with him than +any of his mates were obliged to. +</P> + +<P> +But here was Lil Artha coming to a full stop again. Looking at him the +others found that the tracker did not seem to be bending over to +examine the trail more closely, as had occurred many times before. +</P> + +<P> +On the contrary, Lil Artha was now raising his head in an expectant +attitude. Landy even conjectured that he must be observing a +woodpecker boring a hole in some rotten tree-top, and was about to try +and follow the supposed line of vision on the part of Lil Artha when he +heard him say something. +</P> + +<P> +It was only a brief sentence, but it meant worlds to those tired trail +followers. +</P> + +<P> +"I smell smoke—wood smoke at that!" was what Lil Artha hissed, as he +continued to sniff vigorously. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WOLF PATROL PLUCK WINS +</H3> + + +<P> +It was no time for talking, and everyone realized that fact. If they +were close enough to the fugitives to catch the scent of burning wood, +the camp could not be far away. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer and Lil Artha seemed to hit upon the same idea at the same time. +They took note of the prevailing direction of the wind, and guessed +that the fire must be in the quarter from which it was blowing. That +was not exactly straight ahead, but a little to the left. +</P> + +<P> +Making motions to indicate extreme caution, Elmer led the way. Now was +the time for the scouts of the Wolf Patrol to prove the value of their +education. Many times in the past had they practiced this very same +difficult feat of creeping up on the camp of an unsuspecting enemy, +just as a bunch of red Indians might do; and what they had learned +under those conditions was going to prove of practical value to them +now. +</P> + +<P> +No one tried to hurry. What was the use, when those they followed had +come to a halt, and there was no longer any need of haste? +</P> + +<P> +So they went on yard by yard, straining their vision all the while in +hopes of glimpsing the column of smoke, or the crackling flames ahead. +In making this advance they were careful to creep along as close to the +ground as possible. This was an easy matter for a thin fellow like Lil +Artha, but to stout Landy it was quite a different task, though he +succeeded in flattening himself out wonderfully well, all things +considered. +</P> + +<P> +When finally smoke was discovered, their caution increased, if such a +thing were possible. Fortunately, the nature of the ground proved +favorable to such work as creeping, there being a certain amount of +grass that might be used to conceal their movements. +</P> + +<P> +Pretty soon those in the advance could catch sight of a figure seated +on the edge of the bank at a place where the water extended. Back of +him the fire smouldered, as though feeding on wood that had been thrown +upon it some time before. +</P> + +<P> +It was Hen Condit! +</P> + +<P> +Imagine the thrill that passed through Elmer, Lil Artha and those other +fellows when they made this out to be a fact. Pretty soon as they +looked they saw that the missing chum seemed to be engaged in +industriously fishing, for he had a rude rod in his hand, and baited +his hook with some worms even as they watched. +</P> + +<P> +His back was turned toward them, so there was no opportunity for the +newcomers to open negotiations with the fellow-member of the Wolf +Patrol even should they want to. +</P> + +<P> +And now stretching their necks a trifle more they made another +discovery. The man in the case was lying on his back, and so far as +they could tell, sound asleep. Apparently, the master could take +things easy and rest himself, but the slave must keep constantly +employed trying to take in something calculated to satisfy their hunger. +</P> + +<P> +It made Lil Artha grind his teeth when he saw this; and Elmer had to +touch him on the arm, as well as shake his head sternly in order to +warn him that nothing desperate must be attempted. With victory almost +in their grasp they would, indeed, be foolish to ruin things by too +much haste. +</P> + +<P> +As motions must from this time on take the place of speech, Elmer began +to make use of a beckoning finger to tell the others what their next +move should be. This, of course, was a further advance. They must +contrive in some way to push closer to the camp, so that when the +crisis came, they would be in a position to thwart any move the man +might make looking to carrying Hen off with him. +</P> + +<P> +All this had been arranged beforehand, and each fellow knew exactly +what part he was to play in the round-up. Lil Artha and Chatz had, +indeed, been warned that it would be up to them to make sure Hen did +not run away, filled with a fear of the consequences should he be +taken, even by his friends. +</P> + +<P> +Advancing in this careful fashion, the scouts had covered many yards, +and were now almost within striking distance of the camp. It was at +this particular moment that a sudden thing happened calculated to bring +matters to a climax. +</P> + +<P> +After all that patient waiting, and rebaiting of his hook, the +persistence of the fisherman with the crooked rod was rewarded. He was +seen to give a quick jerk, and then with a mighty effort throw a fairly +large, shining fish over his head. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner had it landed with a thump on the ground, and commenced to +flop furiously, than Hen gave vent to a cry of delight, such as any +hungry boy might utter when he found himself favored with a chance to +break his long fast. +</P> + +<P> +The sleeping man jumped to his feet as though at first he thought the +police had found them out. Seeing the excited boy and the flopping +fish, he hurried over to the spot. His first act was to strike poor +Hen over the head, and tell him to get busy again if he wanted a bite +to eat for himself, because there was only enough in that fish to take +the edge off one person's appetite. +</P> + +<P> +Lil Artha came very nearly upsetting all Elmer's plans when he saw this +brutal act of the man, for he started to gain his feet, and had to be +pulled down by violence, shivering with excitement. +</P> + +<P> +Hen had gone back to his task again, looking thoroughly cowed and +disheartened. The man, taking the fish in his hand, held it up as if +to admire its looks; then he stepped down to the water as though +meaning to clean the prize without any loss of time, possibly spurred +on by hunger. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer again began to advance a foot at a time, meanwhile keeping close +watch on all that was going on ahead. They had the situation well in +hand, their line covering the ground, with the water cutting off escape +in one quarter. +</P> + +<P> +Even without those serviceable guns the seven boys might have proven +themselves master of the game, for clubs could serve in lieu of better +weapons. As it was, Elmer felt positive things must go their way. +</P> + +<P> +Just then, Hen, in turning to reach his supply of bait, chanced to see +that line of creeping figures in khaki. The mingled expressions that +crossed his face told what a flutter the sight must have brought to his +heart. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer instantly put a finger on his lips, and made a gesture warning +Hen not to betray them. Perhaps it was just as well, for the poor +fellow seemed on the point of crying out in his mixture of joy and +fear. He did succeed in making some sort of sound that attracted the +attention of the man, who raised his head to growl: +</P> + +<P> +"What ails you now, you young fool? I'm almost sorry I went to the +bother of trying to save you from the clutch of the law. What are you +complaining about, I'd like to know? Get another fish, if you expect +to stave off your hunger; the first of the spoils always goes to the +boss." +</P> + +<P> +"I caught my finger on the hook, that's all, Joe," stammered Hen, +perhaps telling the truth, too, for in his sudden shock of excitement +at seeing his chums he could very well have done such a thing. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, suck it, and get busy doing your work, that's all, while I cook +this fish, and perhaps another you may take. Yes, and while you're +about it just pray that my appetite will be stayed with this one; for +if it isn't, you'll have a small chance for a bite unless they come in +faster than they've been doing." +</P> + +<P> +Well, the crisis had passed, and there had been no discovery; but then +Elmer was really caring very little now. He only wanted to post his +backers a shade better so as to cut off all chance of escape, when he +intended opening up the game himself by springing a surprise on the man. +</P> + +<P> +One thing he did mean to look out for, and this was a possible move on +the part of the escaped jail bird to lay hold of Hen. Such a man would +think first of all how he could use the boy for a shield, while he made +terms with the enemy. It was an old trick, which Elmer had known to be +used with more or less success when up on that Canadian cattle ranch, +where bad men were occasionally met with, who gave lots of trouble +before they were rounded up. +</P> + +<P> +Two, three minutes passed. +</P> + +<P> +Elmer did not believe it would be good policy for them to continue to +advance any further. He did not wish to get so close to the man that +the other could by a sudden rush reach them before they were able to do +anything. +</P> + +<P> +By a low hiss he warned his comrades that the critical time had +arrived, when every scout would be expected to do his duty. +</P> + +<P> +Then slowly he got up, first on his knees, and then on his feet. Every +fellow duplicated his move, so that the entire seven were now standing +there, forming a line slightly inclined to resemble the new crescent +moon. +</P> + +<P> +And there was Hen Condit turning his head around to stare at them, his +face as white as the chalk they were accustomed to use upon the +blackboard in school. His eyes were as round as circles, while upon +his strained countenance hope, fear, expectation, almost a dozen +emotions struggled for the mastery. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello! Joe!" called out Elmer, without the slightest warning. +</P> + +<P> +Up rose the head of the man who was busy cleaning the fish. When he +saw those seven khaki-clad figures standing there, with two shotguns +bearing directly on his person, he was to all appearances struck dumb +for the moment. His eyes stared and his mouth fell open. Fish and +knife dropped from his nerveless hands. +</P> + +<P> +"Caught, by thunder! and by a bunch of boys at that!" +</P> + +<P> +These words burst from his lips, after which he started to use some +pretty strong language until Elmer put his foot down sternly. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop that kind of talk, Joe!" he ordered. "We've got you rounded up, +and there's no use kicking. If you make a move to run, or jump this +way, we'll fill you full of bird-shot, do you hear?" +</P> + +<P> +"Both barrels in the bargain, Joseph, mind you!" added Lil Artha, still +burning with indignation as he recollected how they had seen the beast +cuff poor Hen; and perhaps deep down in his boyish heart actually +hoping the other might take a notion to try and get away, when they +would be justified in peppering him, after he had run possibly thirty +or forty yards. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I guess the jig's all up with me, boys," said the man, with a +look of sheer disgust on his face. "I've had a little run for my +money, but the stone jug seems to be yawning for me. I was a fool to +bother with the kid, it seems; but when the scheme came to me at first +I thought it too fine to drop. Here's where I get paid for being a +silly gump. What do you want me to do, boys? I'll obey with as much +cheerful alacrity as I can, seeing that I'm starving to death just now." +</P> + +<P> +"First of all," said Elmer, who had it all mapped out, "lie down on +your face and put both hands behind you. We're going to tie you up, +and wait for the Chief with his posse to come along. Do you get that, +Joe?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I do, and since it's Hobson's choice with me here goes. I +suppose you fellows must be Boy Scouts. I once organized a troop of +the same, but never dreamed I'd be arrested by the khaki crowd. It's +all in a day's work, though." +</P> + +<P> +He, accordingly, stretched himself flat on the ground. When they could +see that he had his hands held behind his back, and conveniently +crossed at the wrists, four of the boys advanced. +</P> + +<P> +"Keep your gun aimed at him, Lil Artha," commanded the scout-master, +"and if he tries any funny business let him have it in the legs. Here, +Landy, you and Chatz sit on him while I secure his hands." +</P> + +<P> +The man attempted no resistance, for he realized the folly of it. He +did groan, however, when Landy squatted down on his legs, and the other +fellows could hardly blame him for grunting. It was like a thousand of +brick dropping from a second story building, as Lil Artha afterwards +described it. +</P> + +<P> +The job was quickly and neatly dispatched, Elmer wrapping his cord many +times around the wrists of the prisoner. By this time Joe seemed to +have recovered his nerve, and made out to consider the whole thing more +in the light of a big joke than anything else. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, there was Hen standing near by, and hardly knowing whether +to look delighted at seeing his cruel boss thus being tied up, or show +the dreadful fear that was gripping his soul as he contemplated what +must follow. +</P> + +<P> +"Cheer up, Hen, old fellow," said Toby, stepping over to grasp his +hand; but to his amazement Hen immediately broke down, and began to sob +as if his heart were broken. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't know the worst, that's what," he said, plaintively. "That +stealing the money from my uncle was bad enough, but oh! will they +really hang me for the other? I sure didn't mean to do such a terrible +thing when I threw that stone and hit the tramp that day! I've had no +peace of mind ever since he told me his pal had really died. He said +he'd keep still about it if I'd go with him, and do everything he told +me to. And I've just had to, even when I felt sick enough to want to +lay me down and die." +</P> + +<P> +"What's this yarn you've been giving the boy, Joe?" demanded Elmer, +sternly, as he faced the man, who with his hands tied behind his back +had been propped up against a convenient tree. +</P> + +<P> +The man looked at Elmer and then burst into a derisive laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"I knew he was a soft subject when I met him that day," he said, "and I +made up my mind I'd work him for fair. He did throw a stone and hit a +fellow I was with on the head. We chased after him but he was too +speedy for us. Later on when I was all alone I set up that slick game +on him, telling him my pal had actually died, and I'd buried him in the +woods. Oh! it was almost too easy. He did just whatever I wanted him +to. You'll find every cent of the money in my pocket, because I never +had a ghost of a chance to spend any of it. That's all, son. Now you +understand what ails the silly fool." +</P> + +<P> +Hen Condit had listened to this, at first with that look of abject pain +on his face. Then as the substance of the man's confession dawned upon +his mind he began to exhibit fresh interest that caused another +expression, that of wild hope, to swiftly take the place of despair on +his countenance. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! do you mean then, Joe, that your pal didn't die after all? +Please, oh please, tell me that, and I'll forgive you for everything +mean you've done to me!" he begged. +</P> + +<P> +"The last I saw of the tramp," the prisoner told him, "he was settled +in an empty freight car, and bound for the city. He was as frisky as +ever then. I'd have joined him only I didn't want to pull up broke in +the city; and I thought there ought to be some rich pickings for a +clever crook around these regions. That's where I made my one big +mistake. And now I'm going to take my medicine. That's all from me, +you hear. Only I say, kid, you're lucky to have such a fine lot of +chums to help you out of a bad scrape!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CONCLUSION +</H3> + + +<P> +"I can hardly believe it's true," muttered Hen Condit, helplessly, as +he looked around him at the beaming faces of his seven loyal chums; +"just seems to me as if I'd wake up and find it only a lovely dream." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it isn't, just the same, Hen," said Lil Artha, as he wrung the +other's cold hand as though it had been a pump handle, and he the +honest milkman; "the money's been recovered, every cent of it, and like +as not there's some sort of a reward out for the recapture of this gent +here, who broke jail with a pair of handcuffs on his wrists which he +filed off weeks ago up in this same swamp. And if there is, you share +with us in that, Hen, remember." +</P> + +<P> +"But I didn't do a single thing to get him, and that wouldn't be fair!" +weakly protested the relieved boy, with his arm linked in that of +Elmer, upon whom he seemed to lean in this dreadful crisis of his young +life. +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't hey?" snorted Toby; "I guess you <I>lured him along</I>; then again +and helped to blind his eyes while we crept noiselessly closer and +closer. Sure you deserve part of the reward, Hen, providing there is +any up." +</P> + +<P> +At hearing that unique remark, the prisoner burst into a hearty laugh. +Evidently, "Joe," having made up his mind that he was going back to the +clutches of the law, could enjoy a good joke as well as the next one; +he was undoubtedly a reckless sort of fellow anyway. +</P> + +<P> +"That's fine for you, son," he told Toby; "luring the rascal on is a +good one. That poor kid was almost too easy for me to work, for he +fell into my trap as soon as I pulled the string. Why, I felt ashamed +of myself sometimes, it was so much like taking candy from the baby. +But he isn't a half bad sort of a boy; and let's hope this'll be a +lesson to him never again to throw stones at poor tramps. They're +human as well as the rest of us, and have their feelings. That lump on +his head pained Weary Willie Larkins as much as it would have done Hen +here." +</P> + +<P> +Having made sure that the desperate character whom they only knew as +Joe could not escape, the boys built a jolly fire, and proceeded to +cook something. Hen was so savagely hungry they had to lead him away +while the meal was in preparation, for he vowed he was dreadfully +tempted to jump in and devour his food raw. +</P> + +<P> +And when a supply had been made ready, the scouts did not forget to +feed their prisoner, who certainly seemed to enjoy it very much, indeed. +</P> + +<P> +"You boys are a great bunch," he told Lil Artha, who was looking after +his necessities in the line of food; "and after all, I'm not sorry you +were the ones to get me, if it had to be. I'd never forgive myself if +that fat Chief of Police down at Hickory Ridge managed to round me up, +and him as ignorant about following a trail as a greenhorn." +</P> + +<P> +You see, before then the man had guessed that Elmer must have spent +some time Out West, from various things he heard mentioned. Indeed, he +had asked plainly if such were not the case, and afterwards told the +young scout-master a few interesting things connected with his own +checkered career. +</P> + +<P> +His real name he declared would never be known, for he came of a good +family, which he would not wish to disgrace. He admitted that he had +had every chance in the world to make a mark in the line of law or the +ministry, and had even been a professor at one time in a college; but, +somehow, a love for dissipation dragged him down until finally he had +disappeared, assumed another name in a part of the country where he was +not known, and commenced his career of vice. +</P> + +<P> +The man told the scouts to take a lesson from his blasted career, +though they hardly knew whether he really meant it or, as Lil Artha was +constrained to say, was "talking through his hat." +</P> + +<P> +The fire was kept burning, and fed with more or less green wood in the +hope and expectation that the black smoke thus generated might draw the +tracking posse to the scene the more rapidly. +</P> + +<P> +It was almost two hours before they arrived, which would indicate that +Johnny might not be quite as expert at following a "man trail" as some +of the scouts were. +</P> + +<P> +Great was the astonishment of the Chief and his men when upon +approaching the fire by creeping up they discovered that those about it +were the eight scouts, and even recognized in the bedraggled figure of +the last member none other than the wretched culprit, Hen Condit. +</P> + +<P> +And there, seated with his back against a tree and his hands and ankles +securely bound scout-fashion, was the man they wanted. He greeted +their coming, and the look of amazement on the Chief's red face with +roars of amusement. +</P> + +<P> +"Better late than never, Chief," he called out. "While you were +sleeping over it, these smart scouts did the business, and took me in. +All the cold cash that was taken has been recovered to a last red cent; +and I've explained just how I forced this silly boy Hen to write that +letter, when it was really me who cribbed the money. So don't bother +blaming a kid like that. He's had his lesson, Chief." +</P> + +<P> +Elmer thought that was pretty handsome of Joe, and he did not hesitate +to tell him so. He could see that the man was a strange mixture of +good and evil, though it seemed that the bad elements in his +composition were generally on top. +</P> + +<P> +As there was no need of remaining any longer in the swamp, they started +to leave. Johnny said he would go back and take the two skiffs out, +towing one behind him. Later on he could come and mend the new boat by +fetching a plank to replace the one that had been staved in by striking +a log at full speed. +</P> + +<P> +"Hope we see you again down at Hickory Ridge, Johnny!" called out Lil +Artha after the bound boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and we won't forget that clever chicken trap of yours," added +Toby, "even if the man did cut his companion free before we reached the +spot. By the way, Hen, here's something of yours that we found." +</P> + +<P> +"My knife with the buckhorn handle!" exclaimed the Condit boy, looking +pleased. "I missed that, and thought I'd never see it again. Where +did you pick it up, Toby?" +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! you dropped it from your pocket once upon a time when your heels +were some higher than your head. That helped to give us a strong clue, +and we knew we were on the right track up here near old Sassafras +Swamp. Next time you're chicken hungry, Hen, button up your pockets; +you never know what's going to happen these days." +</P> + +<P> +Hen turned fiery red, and then laughed in a confused fashion. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," he said, boldly, "both of us were terribly hungry, and since +I'd jumped in up to my neck you know, an inch further didn't seem to +mind. I suppose that's the way with all boys who go to the bad; the +first step leads to another until they don't care much what becomes of +them. But oh! I'm hugging myself to know it's all going to be like an +ugly dream now. What don't I owe you fellows? All my life I'll +remember it." +</P> + +<P> +Once out of the swamp and they were soon at Farmer Trotter's place. +Here it was found that the Chief and his posse had come in a big +touring car that just held the party comfortably, though there would +still be room for Joe, of course. +</P> + +<P> +The boys were invited to pile in and hang on; but respectfully +declined. A ride of so many miles to the home town, going at a fast +pace over a bumpy road, and hanging on outside the car in the bargain, +did not seem to have any great attractions for them. +</P> + +<P> +"We prefer to take our time, and use the big wagon, Chief," said Elmer +after consulting with his seven chums; "like as not half-way there +we'll make camp and have a jolly night of it, arriving home before +sundown again." +</P> + +<P> +"Pleath tell our people we're on the way, and expect to turn up thooner +or later," added Ted Burgoyne. +</P> + +<P> +"And Chief, you promised to let my uncle know the whole story, +remember," called out the contrite Hen Condit. "I'll be ashamed to +face him, but perhaps he won't be so <I>very</I> angry when he hears how I +was deceived so terribly, and made to believe I had actually killed +that tramp when I threw the stone. And my aunt loves me, that I know. +Don't forget to tell them every cent has been recovered from the thief, +and that I'm bringing it back with me." +</P> + +<P> +The scouts did camp that night in a wood alongside the road. +Fortunately, the weather proved very kind to them. Lil Artha said the +"wind was tempered to the shorn lamb," by which he undoubtedly meant +that since they had neither tents nor blankets it considerately did not +turn cold, nor were they caught out in a heavy rain storm. +</P> + +<P> +Their last outing of the vacation season had proved to be a fine one. +They had passed through a novel experience when exploring the depths of +the mysterious Sassafras Swamp; and better still had managed to save +their poor, mistaken comrade from a fate, the very thought of which +would often make him shiver even when months and years had crept by. +</P> + +<P> +They had a great night of it there in camp. Even Hen tried to forget +for a time what he must face on the morrow, and joined his chums in +their songs, as they sat cross-legged around the cheery blaze. +</P> + +<P> +There was no longer any necessity for suppressing their boyish +exuberance, for the gloomy swamp had been left behind, nor was there +any hiding escaped criminal to take alarm. So they laughed and talked +and sang to their hearts' content; nor did the sleepiest of them, +meaning Landy, of course, get a chance to lay his head on his +make-believe pillow until nearly midnight. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the use of wasting so much time in sleeping?" Lil Artha had +demanded, when the stout boy pleaded for them to desist, and give him a +chance to get some rest; "this is going to be our very last camp until +away off in Thanksgiving week, even if we have one then. So let's make +the most out of it. You c'n sleep any old time, and lie abed till ten +on Sunday, if you want to. Now for another song, fellows, and Landy, +we want your fine tenor to help out, remember." +</P> + +<P> +The morning found them astir, and after breakfast the horses were once +more put to the pole so that a start could be made for home. +</P> + +<P> +None of them were in a hurry, and it was really about the middle of +that afternoon when the expedition entered town. The news had, of +course, been widely circulated, and everybody was on tip-toe, filled +with excitement, and watching for their arrival. +</P> + +<P> +A great crowd had collected to greet them, and there was the brass band +of which Hickory Ridge was getting to be quite proud, playing a +sonorous tune which some of the scouts believed must be "Lo! the +Conquering Hero Comes," though none of them felt quite sure of it. +</P> + +<P> +Well, Hen Condit was forgiven by his uncle, after he heard all about +the terrible time the boy had, and in what way unscrupulous "Joe" +deceived the foolish boy. Elmer and his chums made it a point to see +that the story was widely circulated, and the balance of the scout +troop aided to the best of their ability, for Hen was well liked. +</P> + +<P> +The consequence of all this was that most people decided the boy had +already been sufficiently punished, and that his lesson was apt to be +of lasting benefit to him during the balance of his natural life. +Besides, it gave shrewd fathers and mothers a fine moral lesson to hold +up before their own erring youngsters, and hence for a long time to +come the narrow escape which Hen Condit had had from going wholly to +the bad was used as a means of correction. In this way it doubtless +did much good, if that could be of any satisfaction to Hen. +</P> + +<P> +No doubt there will be other stirring events come up, with mysteries to +be solved, as the Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts pursue their activities; and +should such interesting happenings take place, be sure they will not +escape our notice. Until then we must say good-bye to the faithful +readers who have accompanied us through the stirring adventures that +befel our young friends in Sassafras Swamp. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="finis"> +THE END +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Afloat, by Alan Douglas + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFLOAT *** + +***** This file should be named 20499-h.htm or 20499-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/4/9/20499/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Afloat + or, Adventures on Watery Trails + +Author: Alan Douglas + +Release Date: February 1, 2007 [EBook #20499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFLOAT *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: The track could plainly be seen but the trail ended +abruptly.] + + + + + + +AFLOAT: + +_or,_ + +_Adventures on Watery Trails_ + + +BY + +CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS + +SCOUT MASTER + + + + +M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY + +CHICAGO :: NEW YORK + + + + +Copyright, 1917, by + +The New York Book Co. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I. THE RAIL BIRDS HEAR SOME NEWS + II. WHEN HEN CONDIT LEFT TOWN + III. A PROMISING CLUE + IV. JOHNNY'S CHICKEN THIEF TRAP + V. THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE + VI. BOUND FOR SASSAFRAS SWAMP + VII. THE MISSING SKIFF + VIII. PICKING UP CLUES + IX. THE PERILS OF THE WATER LABYRINTH + X. THE SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS OF LANDY + XI. A NIGHT ALARM + XII. THE VALUE OF SCOUTCRAFT + XIII. HEN CONDIT'S STRANGE MESSAGE + XIV. BOUND TO SUCCEED + XV. WOLF PATROL PLUCK WINS + XVI. CONCLUSION + + + + +ON WATERY TRAILS + + +CHAPTER I + +THE RAIL BIRDS HEAR SOME NEWS + +"Elmer said we'd take a vote on it!" + +"Yes, and tonight the next regular meeting of the Hickory Ridge Boy +Scout Troop is scheduled to take place, so we'll soon know where we +stand." + +"Thith hath been a pretty tame thummer for the cwowd, all told, don't +you think, Lil Artha?" + +"It certainly has, as sure as your name's Ted Burgoyne. Our camping +out was cut short, for with so many rainy days we just had to give it +up." + +"Yeth, after three of the fellowth came down with bad cases of malarial +fever. The mothquitoes were so plentiful." + +"That was some news to me to find out that a certain breed of +mosquitoes are the only ones that give you the malarial poison when +they smack you." + +"Huh! I used to think all that talk was a silly yarn, too, Toby, but +now I put a heap of stock in the same," declared the unusually tall and +thin boy, who seemed to answer to the queer name of "Lil Artha;" he had +evidently been dubbed so by his comrades as an undersized cub, and when +shooting up later on had been unable to shake off the absurd nickname. + +"But here we've still got a couple of weeks left of our vacation, you +know," remarked the chap called Toby, "and it'd be just a shame to let +the good old summer time dribble away without one more whack at the +woods, and the open air life we all love so well." + +"Toby, jutht hold your horthes!" exclaimed the one who lisped so +dreadfully, and whose name was Theodore Burgoyne, though seldom called +anything but Ted; "you let Elmer decide for the crowd. I'm dead +certain he'll lay out a joyouth plan at the meeting tonight that'll +call for the unanimous approval of every member of the troop to be +found in thith sleepy town these dog days." + +"Hear! hear! Ted has got it down pat, let me tell you!" cried Toby +Jones, who in the bosom of his family was occasionally reminded that he +had once upon a time been christened Tobias Ellsworth Jones. + +"Yes, you know our faithful and hard-working patrol leader to a dot, +Ted," added the long-legged scout, with a wide grin on his thin and +freckled face. "Trust Elmer Chenowith to think up a programme that +will meet with universal approval. But this is a pretty warm +proposition for a late August day. Let's sit in the shade a while, and +cool off, while we're waiting for Landy and Chatz to show up." + +Accordingly the trio of boys in faded khaki suits, that looked as +though they had seen considerable service, proceeded to perch upon the +top-most rail of a fence at a point where a splendid oak tree threw its +wide-spreading branches over the road. + +They were just outside the town of Hickory Ridge, and if you want to +know where this usually wide-awake place was situated it might be well +to refer to earlier books in this Series in order to ascertain all the +interesting particulars. + +These three lads belonged to the local troop of scouts, just then in a +most flourishing condition. Under the leadership of Elmer Chenowith +the Wolf Patrol of the troop had accomplished so many unusual things +that a fever had taken possession of the town boys to become enrolled. + +There was also the Beaver Patrol, with a full number, and the Eagle as +well as the Fox seemed destined to finish their quota of eight members +in the early Fall. + +The three boys whom we have met on the road chanced to be among the +original charter members of the troop. All of them belonged to the +Wolf Patrol; for it often happens that fellows wearing the same totem +are brought closer together than others. + +Since it chances that the exciting incidents which we have started out +to chronicle in the present story fell almost exclusively to the +portion of the boys belonging to the original Wolf Patrol, it might be +well to give a brief description of who and what they were, before +going any further. + +Elmer Chenowith, being the patrol leader, comes first in line. He was +a manly lad, with many winning qualities that made him a prime favorite +among his fellows. At one time his father had had charge of a vast +farm and cattle ranch up in the Canadian Northwest, and while there the +boy had learned a thousand things calculated to be useful to him in his +capacity of a scout. + +He had long ago received official authority from Boy Scout Headquarters +to act as a deputy or assistant scout master, whenever the regular +overseer, young Mr. Roderic Garrabrant, could not be present. Elmer +filled the position in such a clever fashion that no one ever +questioned his ability to play the part of guide. + +Then there was Mark Anthony Cummings, who was looked upon as Elmer's +chum. He was the grandson of a famous artist, and there were those who +prophesied that some day Mark would follow in the footsteps of his +illustrious ancestor; for he would draw off-hand charcoal sketches of +his chums, mostly in a humorous vein, that excited roars of laughter. +Mark was also something of a musician, and had in the beginning been +elected to fill the position of bugler to the troop. + +Ted Burgoyne was afflicted with a dreadful lisp, on account of a +hare-lip, so that as the boys used to say if offered a fortune he could +get no closer to the real thing when dared than to say "thoft thoap." +But then Ted was a marvel in his way, for he had more knowledge of +medicine than all the other boys of the troop combined; and on this +account they often called him "Doctor Ted," or "Old Sawbones." + +In cases of snake-bite, fainting, cramps, near-drowning, cuts from the +camp axe or hatchet, gun-shot wounds, broken bones, or, in fact, +anything likely to happen to campers, Ted was what Lil Artha always +called "Johnny-on-the-spot," though Toby could never pin him down to +saying "which spot." + +Toby Jones was really the "funny" boy of the patrol. His grandfather +being one of those Zouave veterans, who had accompanied Colonel +Ellsworth to Washington when the war between the States broke out, and +saw the latter shot in Alexandria, Virginia, while taking down a +Confederate flag, nothing would do but that the boy must bear that +venerated name and so he was christened Tobias Ellsworth Jones. + +Toby was ambitious. His leaning lay in the line of aeronautics, and he +was always trying to invent some sort of aeroplane that would discount +all the efforts of such men as the Wright brothers. The dreadful fate +of Darius Green and his famous flying machine had no terrors for Toby, +though his chums were always warning him to beware. + +He had, on several occasions in the past, attempted to show off with +one of these ambitious contraptions. Those who have read some of the +preceding volumes of this Series know what ludicrous results came about +because of this over-vaulting ambition on the part of Toby. But he was +not one whit discouraged, and often declared that unless his life were +cut short he meant to see that the name of the Joneses went "ringing +down the ages" as one of the most illustrious since the days of Paul +Jones, the American who fought sea battles in the Revolutionary War. + +Lil Artha, in reality Arthur Stansbury, was reckoned a good scout, and +a loyal companion who could both play a joke and take one when it was +aimed at him; he was rather fond of photography, and addicted somewhat +to harmless slang. + +The sixth member of the original Wolf Patrol was a Southern boy, +Charlie Maxfield by name, though known simply as "Chatz." He possessed +all the traits to be found in boys who have been born and raised south +of Mason and Dixon's line, was inclined to be touchy whenever he +thought anyone doubted his honor, talked with a quaint little twang +that was really delightfully musical, and taken in all had grown to be +a prime favorite with his fellows. + +Chatz had one silly weakness which, though he tried hard to overcome +it, would occasionally crop up. He was dreadfully superstitious, and +believed in ghosts, which failing he laid to his having associated with +piccaninnies when a youngster, and in some way imbibing their belief in +the supernatural. + +Yes, Chatz at one time had even carried a rabbit's foot for luck, and +to ward off evil spirits. The animal was said to have been killed in a +graveyard in the full moon and it was a sure-enough _left_ hind foot, +too, which he believed to be a very important distinction, since no +other would answer. Of late, however, Chatz said less about these +things than when he first came to Hickory Ridge; and Elmer believed he +was by degrees out-growing the foolish, superstitious beliefs of his +childhood. + +Two later additions to the Wolf Patrol were Henry Condit, known simply +as "Hen," and Landy Smith, otherwise Philander. The latter was a fat, +good-natured chap, always perspiring, and who had a queer habit of +placing his forefinger alongside his nose when puzzled or reflecting. + +As occasional mention may be made in these pages to other members of +the Troop, it might be well to simply give a list of their names and +"let it go at that," as Lil Artha would say. + +The Beaver Patrol being full consisted of eight boys. Matty Eggleston +was the leader, and after him came "Red" Huggins, Ty Collins, Jasper +Merriweather, Tom Cropsey, Larry Billings, Phil Dale and "Doubting +George" Robbins, a cousin to Landy. + +There were also four members to the Eagle Patrol, with others about to +come in. Jack Armitage filled the position of leader, and after him +came Nat Scott, Ben Slimmons and Jim Oskamp. + +Apparently, the three fellows perched on the Virginia rail fence had +agreed to wait for others who were to join them in starting for the +favorite "swimmin' hole," for their conversation betrayed this fact. + +Lil Artha began to grow a little impatient. He wiped his perspiring +face and in so many words gave his two chums to understand that if the +laggards did not put in an appearance inside of ten minutes he meant to +start without them. + +"A fine lot of scouts Chatz and Landy are showing themselves to be, not +keeping their word," the tall boy grumbled; "there, didn't you hear the +clock strike ten? They were to be here not later than a quarter to the +hour." + +"Oh! well, you know Chatz isn't in a hurry," chuckled Toby. "Fellows +raised down in Dixie are used to taking their time. It's the warm +climate that does it, he told me. But speaking of angels and you hear +their wings, they say; for unless my eyes deceive me there comes Chatz +right now." + +"Yeth, and thauntering along like he might be away ahead of the time +thet for meeting here. Chatz ith what I call a cool cuthtomer." + +When the fourth lad joined the bunch, there was a lot of good-natured +badinage indulged in all around, after the manner of boys in general. + +"Do you intend waiting any longer fo' Landy?" asked the newcomer. + +At that remark the other laughed uproariously. + +"It makes me think of the full 'bus," said Lil Artha; "when it stops to +take on another passenger they all look cross; and he squeezes into a +seat wondering why people will act so piggish; but let it stop again +for another fare and he grumbles louder than anybody else." + +"Yeth, we've waited fifteen minutes for you, Chatz," said Ted, "and +it'd be only fair to give poor, fat Landy ten minutes more." + +Chatz immediately took out his little nickel watch and held it in his +hand, just as though he might have been the judge at a sprinting match. + +Before five minutes had crept past, however, there was a cry raised. + +"Here comes poor old Landy," said Toby, "mounted on his wheezy bicycle, +and pegging for all he's worth. Look at him puffing away, will you? +He just knows he's been keeping us waiting here ever so long, and +that's making him put on so much steam. Wow! he nearly took a header +that time into the ditch. What a splash there would have been, my +countrymen, if he played leap-frog into that mud-puddle!" + +The boys sat there on the rail fence and began to greet the coming +bicycle rider with loud shouts. + +"Hit her up, Landy!" + +"One good turn deserves another, you know." + +"A little more power to your left foot, or you'll be in that ditch yet, +Landy!" + +"Oh! Landy, does your mother know you're risking your precious old +neck on that beaut of a wheel?" + +The fat scout did not cease his exertions until he had reached the +place where his four chums sat on the fence. Then they saw that while +his round face was red, and the perspiration stood out in beads on his +forehead, there was a drawn, almost a scared look on his countenance. + +"Hey! what ails the fellow?" burst out Lil Artha, as though discovering +that Landy was trembling more with some mysterious emotion than fatigue. + +"Yeth, hurry up and tell uth what's happened!" cried Ted Burgoyne, +jumping off his perch, and hastening to the side of the panting boy. + +Landy seemed to swallow something that may have been threatening to +choke him. Then making a great effort, he managed to say a few words. + +"Terrible thing's happened, fellows! Knocks the reputation of the Wolf +Patrol all to smithereens!" + +Of course, this excited those four scouts as nothing else could have +done. + +"Has anything happened to Elmer?" almost shouted Toby. + +"No, it's Hen Condit!" answered Landy; "he's gone and stole a lot of +money from his guardian, and lit out, that's what! And him belonging +to the Wolf Patrol, too!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WHEN HEN CONDIT LEFT TOWN + +"Hey! say that over again, won't you, Landy! I sure believe my ears +must have fooled me!" exclaimed Lil Artha. + +"Hen Condit robbed his uncle and guardian, are you telling us, Landy?" +gasped Toby; "aw! come off, now, you're just giving us taffy, thinking +it smart." + +"I tell you I just came from their house," continued the perspiring +scout, mopping his reeking forehead with a suspicious looking +handkerchief that may once on a time have been really white. "You see, +Mr. Condit didn't get up as early as he generally does, because he had +a _terrible_ headache. And say, they even think he might have been +given a dose of chloroform to make him sleep longer." + +"Hold on, fellows," snapped Toby just then, "as luck will have it here +comes Elmer in his father's little runabout. He said he had to go over +to Rockaway on an important errand for his dad this morning, which was +the only reason he couldn't join us for a swim. Let's hold him up, and +Landy can tell the whole story then." + +When they made urgent gestures to the boy in the swift-flying runabout, +he hastened to pull up, laughing at the same time. + +"I hurried over and back on purpose to follow you fellows to the ole +swimmin' hole," he told them; "but I didn't expect to meet you on the +way. Don't delay me; I'll jump on my wheel to chase after you." + +"But, Elmer, something awful has happened, and you ought to know about +it," declared Toby, at which the boy in the small car looked +searchingly at each of the others in turn, and seeing how grave they +appeared, he demanded what it meant. + +"Why, you see," explained Lil Artha, "Landy here was late in joining +us. He just came along on his machine, pegging it for all he was +worth, and looking like he had seen one of the ghosts some people +believe in. He only started to tell us when you came in sight; but +it's terrible. What d'ye think, he says our Wolf Patrol comrade, Hen +Condit, has run away from home, and robbed his guardian in the bargain!" + +Elmer instantly jumped to the road. He faced Landy as a lawyer might a +witness on the stand; and Elmer knew just how to "pump" a fellow so as +to get the principal facts without much loss of time, as his chums +understood. + +"Go on and tell us about it, Landy," he commanded. "How did you happen +to learn about the fact in the first place?" + +"Why, you see," answered the other, only too willing to explain to the +best of his ability, "ma, she sent me over on an errand to the Condit +house. I was madder'n hops about it, too, because I just knew I'd be +keepin' the fellows waiting here under the Grandaddy Oak." + +"What did you find when you got there?" asked Elmer, who knew Landy to +be long-winded, and that often the quickest way to learn facts from him +was to put him on the grill. + +"Why, they were all upset," admitted Landy. "Mr. Condit was as mad as +a bull in a china shop, and his wife was looking as white as chalk, +yes, and scared, too. Seems that when he went into his library after +eating breakfast he found the safe open and everything gone. It was an +'inside job' the Chief said, because nobody had busted the safe." + +"Then the Chief was there, was he?" questioned the patrol leader. + +"Sure he was; Mr. Condit had 'phoned to him. There were a dozen +neighbors in the house, too, and more acomin' right along. Biggest +kind of excitement. Oh! it's going to be town property before night, I +guess, and lots of people'll be pointing their fingers at every fellow +wearing khaki, and saying they always knew scouts was no better than +the law allowed. Oh! wouldn't I like to get hold of that Hen Condit, +though." + +"What makes them believe it was Hen" continued Elmer. + +"Say, that's the queerest part of it all," answered the fat boy; "the +silly gump gave the whole business away himself--went and left a note +behind him telling that he was the guilty villain, and that they +needn't ever expect to see him again, because he had lit out for +Chicago." + +"Whew! you don't say!" gasped Lil Arthur, apparently half stunned by +this later intelligence; "I never would have thought Hen could be such +a fool as to convict himself like that." + +"When was he seen last?" demanded Elmer, still after information. + +"He went to bed last night, they said, just as usual; but shucks! it +would be the easiest thing agoing for Hen to climb down from his window +if he took a notion. I've known him to do the same dozens of times +just for fun, rather than take the trouble to go around to the stairs." + +"Then Hen has disappeared, and no one has seen him this morning?" + +"Never a soul. His aunt went to his room when he didn't show up, but +not finding him expected Hen had gone off to my house. And his uncle +is whopping mad over it. He nearly took a fit when the expert Chief +said he reckoned someone had chloroformed him. He called Hen a viper +that he had fostered, and said if he could only ketch him he'd see that +he got his deserts." + +"Listen, Landy, did you see that note?" asked Elmer. + +"That's what I did, let me tell you," came the prompt reply, "and it +was in Hen's well-known fist, too; I could tell that a mile off if I +saw it. Haven't I heard the writing teacher at school tell him he was +well named, because his paper looked like a hen had dabbled in the ink, +and then strolled around every-which-way." + +"Then you can tell us about what it said, can't you?" continued the +patrol leader. + +Landy laid that ready forefinger of his alongside his nose, as though +that action would aid his memory. Then he closed one eye, another +singular habit he had; after which he slowly went on to say: + +"Course the exact words have slipped me, Elmer, but it ran something +like this. He said circumstances which he couldn't control had forced +him to do this thing; that he was sorry, but it couldn't be helped. He +hoped his uncle would forgive him, and forget there was such a fellow +in the wide world as Hen Condit. There was also some more that I can't +just recollect; but it was to the effect that he believed he had money +coming to him, so Mr. Condit could take it out of that and call it +square. But just think what all this is going to do to the scouts, +Elmer! Never since the troop was organized has it met up with such a +terrible blow." + +All of them looked serious. They knew that a certain element in +Hickory Ridge would only too eagerly seize upon this incident to prove +what they had always claimed, which was that scouts, after all, were no +better than other boys, and that when put to the test they could turn +out bad as well as the rest. + +"Yes, the honor of the Wolf Patrol is hanging in the balance, Elmer," +said Lil Artha. "Are we going to just stand by and not lift a hand +because it was one of our chums who did this mean job? If it was +anyone else and they called on us to track him, wouldn't we respond to +a man? Here's a supreme test before us that's going to prove how much +our honor means." + +"I say the same, Elmer," urged Chatz, indignantly; "let's all get busy +and see if we can run Hen Condit down like a fox we've got on the trail +of. Let's fetch him back to face his uncle, and prove to all Hickory +Ridge that the boys of the Wolf Patrol can never stand for wrong doing +in their ranks. Yes suh, it's surely up to us to show our colors." + +Elmer rubbed his forehead. He looked thoughtful, as though possibly he +might see a little further into this mysterious happening than any of +the rest. + +"Listen, fellows," he told them; "I've known for some little time that +Hen was acting queerly. He failed to attend the last two meetings, and +when I asked him about it he avoided my eye. I've been wondering what +it all meant, and intended to have a good heart-to-heart talk-fest with +Hen as soon as I got a chance." + +"Hold on," said Toby. "I wonder now if that man I saw him with could +have had anything to do with this ugly business." + +Elmer turned on him like a flash. + +"It may have more to do with it than you think, Toby," he remarked; +"when was it you saw them, and where?" + +"Just yesterday morning," replied the other, "and down at the bridge +over the creek. Hen nodded to me when I rode past on my wheel, but it +struck me even at the time he acted like he hoped to goodness I +wouldn't bother stopping to say anything." + +"And a man you didn't know was with him, you say?" questioned Elmer. + +"Well, I didn't just glimpse his face, for you see he turned his head +away as I passed, but I made up my mind he was a stranger in these +regions, so far as I could see." + +"That looks mighty suspicious, I should say, suh!" declared Chatz, +positively. "That stranger is the nigger in the woodpile, according to +my mind, suh." + +"Mebbe poor weak Hen has been cowed and bulldozed into doing the whole +thing," suggested Lil Artha, sagely. + +"Now, I wonder if that could weally be tho?" remarked Ted. + +"We ought to get busy and do something right away, Elmer," observed +Toby Jones. + +"I'm glad to know that's the way you feel about it," continued the +patrol leader. "This is a bad piece of business. It's up to the boys +of the Wolf Patrol to find out the truth. I had laid out another +scheme for our last outing of this vacation, but everything must give +way to tracking our comrade down, and learning the whole truth!" + +"Bully for you, Elmer!" ejaculated Lil Artha, looking delighted. + +The others were almost as exuberant in their expressions of approval. +Just a brief time before some of their number had been wondering what +could be done to give them a short siege in the woods to wind up the +vacation period; and here along comes this necessity calling to the +other members of the "Wolf Patrol to awaken and defend the honor of +their organization. + +"Here, jump aboard all of you but Landy, and he can come along on his +wheel," ordered Elmer, making room after he had seated himself back of +the steering wheel. + +"Are you meaning to go to Hen's house?" called out Landy, looking +worried because he was to be left behind, and would have to straddle +his wheezy old wheel once more. + +"Yes, if you care to toss your machine in those bushes, Landy, and can +get aboard, come along!" called out Elmer, relenting when he caught +that piteous expression on the other's rosy face. + +In another moment they were off, Landy having been hauled aboard. The +runabout had never been made to carry such a full cargo of passengers; +but then boys can hang on like monkeys, and are ever ready to accept +chances. + +They were quickly at the Condit house. Like the home of Landy, it +stood on the border of the town, with a back gate opening on a side +road. Altogether, there may have been two acres in the place. + +By now fully two dozen curious people were in and around the house upon +which such a sudden catastrophe had fallen. They talked among +themselves, asked questions, examined the queer note signed by Hen, and +shook their heads pityingly as they observed the white face of the +boy's suffering aunt. + +Mr. Condit was a rather severe man. He looked very angry, and kept +calling the boy hard names as he told how Hen must have known the +combination of the safe; and doubtless doubled at least the amount +taken in hard cash, as it is human nature to make even troubles seem +many times as large as they are. + +Elmer and the others managed to see the convicting note. They were all +of the same opinion as Landy; and agreed that no one but Hen could ever +have written those fateful words. + +"I never would have believed he could ever be such a silly gump!" was +what Lil Artha remarked, after surveying the crooked writing, which, of +course, he knew only too well. + +After they had hung around for some time, and Elmer had asked all the +questions he could think of, the boys went outside to talk it over. + +"Right now some of those people are looking at us in a sneering way, +suh," observed the touchy Southern boy, indignantly; "and I give you my +word fo' it they're beginning to say among themselves that Hen Condit +belonged to the wonderful Wolf Patrol. Elmer, we've suttinly got to do +something to clear the good name of our patrol." + +"We will," replied the other, simply, and yet with that earnestness +which carries conviction in its train. "Already I've got a suspicion. +There may be nothing to it but it's given me an idea where we ought to +look first of all." + +"Please tell us about it, Elmer?" begged Toby. + +"I just knew Elmer would get on the track in double-quick time," +asserted Landy, who always believed there was nothing impossible to the +patrol leader, once he set himself to a task. + +"It all came about from hearing a boy talking when I was down in the +market yesterday morning. You know who he is, Johnny Spreen, the +fellow who always ships out a raft of dried ginseng roots every year, +and in the Spring sends a bunch of muskrat skins to the city." + +"Sure we know Johnny," assented Toby, quickly; "he comes to town with a +load of hay once every two weeks. His folks live a long ways off, up +beyond the two lakes where we used to go camping." + +"That's right, Toby," said Elmer, "and their farm borders that terribly +big Sassafras Swamp lying beyond Lake Solitude. Well, I happened to +hear Johnny tell how he had taken a look through the swamp the other +day, just to find out how the muskrats were coming on, so as to get a +pointer on his winter business this year. He said he honestly believed +there must be some man hiding there, because in several places he had +come on tracks." + +"But people sometimes go in Sassafras Swamp to hunt, don't they, +Elmer?" objected Lil Artha. + +"Not in August, because there are no woodcock up there, you know, and +nothing else can be shot at this time of year," Elmer continued; "but +Johnny had something else to say that interested me considerably. It +seems at one place he found ashes that told of a fire, and while +rooting around he picked up a piece of steel that he allowed me to see. +It had evidently been _filed_; and boys, can you guess what it made me +think it must have once been?" + +Although all of them looked eagerly interested, they shook their heads +in the negative, as though unable to hazard even a guess. + +"Go on, Elmer, and tell us," urged Toby. + +"Yes, let down the bars and relieve our anxiety, please, Elmer," added +Lil Artha. + +"Unless I'm away off in my reckoning," said the other, solemnly, "it +was part of a pair of steel handcuffs such as officers fasten to the +wrists of prisoners when taking them to the penitentiary!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A PROMISING CLUE + +It was about four o'clock on the following afternoon when a wagon drawn +by a pair of husky horses moved along the shore of Lake Solitude, many +miles away from the town of Hickory Ridge. + +This vehicle was filled with lively lads, all of them in the faded +khaki uniforms that, as a rule, distinguish Boy Scouts the wide world +over. + +Counting them it would be seen that they numbered just seven, and this +included all of those whom we met on the road under the spreading +branches of the big oak, and Mark Cummings in addition. Since the +entire membership of the Wolf Patrol consisted of eight, it was plain +that the only one now lacking was the unfortunate Hen Condit. + +After making up their minds to exert themselves to the utmost in hopes +of finding the runaway, and bringing him back home, Elmer and the +others had set to work preparing for the campaign. + +The patrol leader gave such advice as was required by some of the +others, telling them to go as light as possible, since they would have +to be moving around, and ordinary camp material could not be considered. + +If they were compelled to remain out in the open for one or more +nights, there were plenty of ways whereby they could secure shelter +without carrying along such a cumbersome thing as a tent. + +Each fellow had his rubber poncho strapped to his pack. Elmer and Lil +Artha carried a gun each, not that they expected to shoot any game, but +to use as a threat should they be faced by a desperate escaped jail +bird. Besides this the boys had seen to it that each one had some sort +of food supply, in the shape of sandwiches, dried beef, and such things +as could be most easily packed. + +As Lil Artha had gaily declared, they expected to be like "Sherman's +bummers," and live off the country as they went along, though willing +to pay ready cash for any and all eggs, fowls or bread secured from +farmers' wives. + +Josh had arranged to "tote" a coffee pot along, together with a supply +of the ground bean; while Landy had a capacious frying-pan fastened to +his pack, which the others just knew would be frequently tripping him +up, and making all sorts of noises when they wanted to steal silently +along. + +Just what they meant to fry in that pan no one fully knew; but they +were strong in "hopes," and believed that things would turn up to +satisfy their hunger when the sensation became too acute. + +The team had been hired at the town livery stable, and they had been on +the road now since early in the morning, for it was a long way up to +Lake Solitude. + +As this region had been the scene of some of the earliest camps of the +Hickory Ridge scouts, of course, the conversation covered many memories +connected with those experiences. + +The horses had shown signs of playing out some miles back; but Lil +Artha proved himself to be an artful as well as clever driver. He +managed to coax them along, and there was little doubt now that they +would reach their intended destination inside of a short time. + +This was a farmer's place that lay adjacent to the swamp at the head of +the solitary lake. Here they would arrange to leave their team while +searching the dark recesses of the swamp. As all of them had had +considerable experience in such unsavory places they believed they knew +fairly well how to go about the hunt. + +"Well, we ought to fetch that old farm mighty soon now, I should think, +Elmer," remarked the driver, as he flecked the back of the off-horse to +disturb a big green fly that was trying to stab the sweat-covered +animal in a tender spot. + +"From what I've been able to find out, and what I know in the bargain +from my own experience up here," the patrol leader explained, "the head +of the lake lies just beyond that patch of willow trees, and we'll see +the farmhouse as soon as we make the next turn. Easy there, Art, you +came near dumping us then." + +"The pesky old road is so narrow it's hard to keep going straight," +complained the other, in disgust; for one wheel had, indeed, slipped +over the edge, and their escape from a bad spill had been what Lil +Artha himself would have called a "close shave." + +"I reckon suh, Sassafras Swamp must lie over in that direction then?" +remarked Chatz, pointing as he spoke. + +"Just what it does," replied Elmer. + +"It looks particularly gloomy, I should say," remarked Toby. + +"Swamps always do, you must know," Elmer told him; "some of them are +always half dark even in the middle of the day. That's because of the +jumble of vines that hang from tree to tree, and the canopy of branches +overhead. Why, down South, as Chatz here can tell you, where Spanish +moss covers the trees, it's almost dark in some swamps." + +"But, Elmer, there's one thing I just don't understand," suggested +Landy. + +"Out with it then; and if I can explain I'll be only too willing," he +was told. + +"Supposing now for the sake of argument that stranger was a bad man who +had escaped from a sheriff somewhere, when being taken to the +penitentiary; and that he managed to get a strangle hold on our chum, +Hen Condit, so that the other just had to do whatever he was told--get +all that, do you? Well, if they skipped out of Hickory Ridge night +before last, how under the sun could they get away up here in a day or +so?" + +"Yes, it's something like thirty miles, I should say, Elmer, and it +takes that boy Johnny a day and a night to get to our place with his +load, all down-grade, too. You remember that Hen Condit never was +anything to brag of in the line of a long-distance walker." + +"He may have made up his mind that he had to do some tall sprinting," +said the other, "when he realized what a hornets' nest he'd stirred up +back there." + +"Yeth," remarked Ted Burgoyne who had been listening to all this talk +with certain ideas of his own, "and lots of times it ithn't tho very +hard to get a lift on the road. Wagons and autoth happen along, you +know, and the farmers around here are thoft things, you thee." + +"I was just going to say that same thing, Ted," Elmer remarked, "when +you took the very words out of my mouth. Yes, they may have had a +lift; or else Hen had to stretch himself to do the tallest walking of +his career. All of which is based on the supposition that they did +come away up here, and are hiding right now somewhere about Sassafras +Swamp." + +"You're figuring on what Johnny said, eh, Elmer?" asked Mark. + +"I'm figuring on a whole lot of things," replied the other; "and among +them is the fact that some unknown man has been using the swamp for a +hiding-place of late." + +"P'raps we'll learn a heap more about it after we stwike the farm we're +heading for," suggested Ted. + +"And there, if you look now you can see the house among those trees, +with smoke coming out of the chimney at the kitchen end," said Elmer, +pointing ahead. + +Lil Artha deliberately took chances by removing one hand from the +lines, and vigorously rubbing his stomach with it. + +"Oh! I know something of what bully suppers farmers' wives c'n serve +up," he hastened to say, throwing all the longing he could into looks +and words; "and here's hoping we get an invite to stay over there till +morning. If they are very pressing, Elmer, I entreat you not to hurry +us off. Things can wait that long, and we don't expect to do much in +the night-time, you remember." + +The patrol leader made no rash promises. He simply smiled, and started +to talk of other subjects; so poor Lil Artha, who did feel so empty +after such a little lunch by the wayside, was left in suspense. + +"What's this farmer's name?" asked Toby. + +"Trotter," replied Elmer. "You know Johnny Spreen is really a bound +boy, and he has to work for the farmer until he gets a certain age, +when he is supposed to be given a sum of money, and be his own boss. +That's the law." + +"Well, all I hope is that we pick up some decent clue around here," +said Lil Artha; "Yes, and a bully supper in the bargain, that'll fill a +horrible vacuum, and put us all in fighting condition." + +Their arrival created something of a sensation. Dogs began to bark, +roosters to crow, cows to moo, and even a donkey started to bray in a +fearful fashion. Immediately Johnny Spreen, the boy who trapped +muskrats in the winter, came running out from the big barn where he was +probably milking some of the cows, for he held a three-legged stool in +one hand as though it might be a weapon of defense. + +The farmer, a long, lanky individual with a keen face, also bobbed in +sight, holding a currycomb; while at the kitchen door could be seen the +buxom figure of his wife, evidently bound to learn what was happening +even if her dinner did burn in consequence. + +Three tow-headed, wild-eyed little Trotters, who had been playing at +teeter with a plank laid over a carpenter's "horse" for a seesaw, +ranged themselves all in a row, and gaped their fill at the strange +spectacle of a wagonload of boys all dressed pretty much alike. + +"Are you Mr. Trotter?" asked Elmer, as he jumped down, and the other +came forward toward him. + +"That's my name, son; what fetches the hull lot of you up this way? +Ameanin' to camp on the lake-shore, it might be? I've heard about the +scouts daown at Hickory Ridge; Johnny yonder's been apinin' to jine 'em +this long time back, but, of course, it ain't to be thunk of, with him +so far away." + +"Yes, we are the members of the Wolf Patrol, Mr. Trotter," said Elmer, +who wanted to make a good friend of the farmer in the start. "I'm +Elmer Chenowith; perhaps you know my father, or some of the other +fellows' parents." + +He thereupon introduced each one of the boys by name, and even +mentioned the fact that the father of this one or that occupied a +prominent place in the business or professional world of Hickory Ridge +town. + +"We haven't exactly come up here to camp out this trip, Mr. Trotter," +continued the patrol leader, after bowing to the farmer's wife who had +first darted indoors to see that her supper was not burning, and then +hurried to join them. + +Elmer knew that the truth might just as well come out in the beginning +as later. On this account he did not intend to hold anything back, but +be perfectly frank with the owner of the lake farm. + +"What might be your object then, son?" asked the tiller of the soil, +possibly feeling a bit of natural curiosity in the matter. + +"Ask him first of all, won't you Elmer," pleaded Lil Artha, as though +he feared lest this important matter be lost sight of in the confusion +of affairs; "whether he c'n spare us some eggs, and a few broilers to +take into the old swamp with us?" + +"I guess ma c'n let you have what you want along them lines," replied +Mr. Trotter, "though seems like somebody's been amakin' free with her +layin' hens lately. They keep disappearin' right along. Sometimes I +think it's a mink that's gettin' 'em, but they ain't any signs of sech +a critter around; 'cause you know a mink'll kill as many as a dozen +fowls in one night, and jest suck their blood." + +Elmer exchanged suggestive looks with his mates. + +"From what you say, sir," he remarked quickly, "your fowls are carried +off bodily. Is that it?" + +"They jest keep on gettin' less an' less right along," the farmer +admitted. "Me and Johnny here was thinkin' o' settin' up with guns to +see if we could get a crack at the chicken thief, whether he was a +mink, a badger, or a two-legged raskil." + +"That's what we was meanin' to do," agreed the said Johnny, glad to +have his name mentioned in the matter at all. + +"Well, we've got a hunch, Mr. Trotter," said Lil Artha, bound to get +his say in the affair, "that we might put you wise about that same +thief." + +"I'd shore be glad to hear it," declared the farmer; "Johnny here has +been asayin' as heow he b'lieves thar's a feller ahidin' out in the +swamp, 'cause he seen his tracks. I even reckoned on sendin' for a +neighbor o' mine, Bay Stanhope, that's got some hounds used to +follerin' people, an' see if we could run him daown." + +"Well, Mr. Trotter, that is exactly what we scouts propose doing," said +Elmer. "And now if you'll listen to something I've got to tell, you +can understand what sort of interest we've got in this thing." + +So in as few words as possible he narrated the story of how Hen Condit +had acted in such a queer way, robbing his uncle and guardian, and +actually leaving a silly letter that fastened the crime on his own +shoulders. + +"He was seen by one of my chums talking with a strange man just the day +before this happened," continued. Elmer. "We believe that man was the +same unknown party who has been hiding in Sassafras Swamp for a time +past, and as you've just told us, living off your flock of fowls. +Johnny here, down in the hay market, gave me something he picked up in +the swamp near some ashes. Here it is, Mr. Trotter, and all of us +believe firmly it is part of a steel handcuff which was filed in half, +showing that the man must be a desperate character escaped from jail." + +At that the farmer's wife uttered a little shriek, and began to look +frightened. + +"Hennery," she told her husband authoritatively, "you go git your gun +right away. And Johnny, chain the bull-dog close to the kitchen door. +After this I'm meanin' to make sure the bar's in place when I'm left +alone, and Moses kept inside the house along with me." + +Elmer guessed that the said Moses must be the bull-dog. He also +figured that, as a rule, the animal was kept indoors nights, which +accounted for his not having interfered with the carrying off of the +farmer's chickens. + +Mr. Trotter was plainly deeply interested by this time in the story +connected with the coming of these seven scouts. + +"Sure I'll do all I kin to help you land the critters, boys," he +assured them. "But that swamp is some big, an' I guess as haow you'll +have all you want to do achasin' through the same. Supposin' naow you +let things rest till tomorry, and make an early start. Mebbe we might +bag the raskils this very night, if so be they try to make another haul +on my feathered stock, aimin' to git a turkey this time." + +Of course, Elmer could see through a grindstone that had a hole in its +center. He knew very well that the shrewd farmer wanted to make use of +them in order to protect his property; but it served Elmer's purpose +just as well to readily agree to the proposition. + +As for Lil Artha, his eyes were almost popping out of his head with +suspense; he was also licking his lips after the manner of a hungry dog +when scenting a bone. + +"We'll stop over with you then, Mr. Trotter," agreed the patrol leader; +"and before morning try to figure out our plan of campaign looking to +rounding up the chicken thieves who are believed to be hiding in +Sassafras Swamp." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +JOHNNY'S CHICKEN THIEF TRAP + +"I'm only sorry for one thing, boys," remarked Farmer Trotter's wife, +who had apparently hailed the decision of the seven bold scouts to +guard her fowl-roost with undeniable joy. + +"What might that be, ma'm?" asked Lil Artha, in a quivering voice; for +the poor fellow began to have a terrible fear that she was about to +warn them her stock of provisions was too valuable to be wasted on a +batch of tramps. + +"Of course, we'll be glad to have you to supper, and breakfast, too, +for that matter," she told them; "but I'm afraid I couldn't find beds +enough to go 'round, even if you all doubled up." + +At that the elongated scout gave a loud laugh; the clouds passed from +his face like magic. If he could only be positive of his regular +rations it mattered nothing to Lil Artha where he laid his head. + +"Oh! don't let that little thing bother you, Mrs. Trotter," he hastened +to say, thereby making himself spokesman for the crowd; "why, we're +used to camping out, you see, and in our time we've slept in the +queerest beds you ever heard tell of. We can bunk in any old place, I +give you my word." + +"What's the matter with sleeping in the barn?" asked Toby, suddenly. + +"That's so," added Landy, eagerly; "it's nearly full of nice sweet hay, +cut only a month or so back. Me to hit the hay every time." + +In fact, the idea seemed to appeal to all of them. They had planned to +make their camp just as circumstances permitted, and this thing of +spending the first night in a hay barn was romantic enough to suit the +fancy of any scout who loved adventure and the Big Outdoors. + +So it was quickly settled. + +The boys were shown the barn by the eager Johnny, who could hardly +finish his numerous chores on account of the excitement surrounding +him. It was an event of prime importance, according to his mind, when +seven real scouts came and took the farmhouse of the Trotters by storm. + +That supper was one never to be forgotten by the fellows. + +Why, according to Lil Artha, and he ought to know as well as the next +one, the table fairly _groaned_ under the weight of good things which +the farmer's wife kept placing upon it. + +"Talk about your festive board," the tall scout afterwards remarked to +several of his pards, "that table just talked, that's what it did, and +in the sweetest tones you ever heard. Yum! yum, wouldn't I like to +board with the lady of the Trotter Farm for just one long week. I'd +pick up flesh at the rate of five pounds per day. The only trouble +would be about getting into my clothes in the end." + +Johnny had shown them where they were to sleep, so that each fellow +could fix himself to his best advantage. This was done ahead of time, +for all of them knew how difficult it was to manage such things by the +aid of a wretched stable lantern. + +Elmer saw that Johnny was fairly itching to tell him something, and so +he managed to get the bound boy aside just as darkness was creeping +along. + +"What have you got up your sleeve, Johnny?" he demanded, at which the +other had a laughing spell, and confessed. + +"Why, you see, I got a trap all rigged out!" he started to explain. + +"A trap for the chicken thieves, do you mean?" asked the patrol leader. + +"That's the ticket, Elmer. Yuh see, I reckoned that by now they'd be +gettin' real tired o' jest plain hen, and might feel like climbin' +higher. We gut some whoopin' nice young turks that like tuh roost in a +certain tree. Easiest thing in the world tuh grab a couple in the +night, and kerry 'em off. So I fixed it." + +"Suppose you let me take a look at the trap you made, Johnny?" +suggested Elmer, naturally interested. + +"Jest what I was agoin' tuh ask yuh tuh do, Elmer. And I guess now it +wouldn't be a bad ijee fur the rest tuh kim along, too. If so be +there's a kerflummix in the middle o' the night, they ought tuh know +what she means." + +Now, Elmer himself could not exactly find a definition for that word, +but he had a faint idea Johnny meant a big noise or a row. At any rate +he was glad of the chance to invite the other six scouts to accompany +them. + +Elmer lighted a lantern, and after the boys had gathered around he led +them away from the big barn. + +Presently, at some little distance, he came to a halt. + +"This here's the tree the turks hes picked out tuh roost in. Some o' +'em likes tuh fly 'way up, but others prefers the bottom limbs. If a +feller's keerful he kin climb up and wring the necks o' as many as he +wants. Young turks they don't know nigh as much as old uns, yuh see. +Now I'll show yuh how I sets my trap." + +First of all they noticed that there was what appeared to be a drygoods +box exactly under the tree. + +"Seems to me you're making it mighty easy for the chicken thieves when +they drop around, with that box right under the lower row of turkeys?" +suggested Toby, upon discovering this fact. + +Johnny Spreen gurgled over with laughter. + +"Say, d'ye reckon so?" he exclaimed; "well, by hokey! now, that's part +of the game, sure it be." + +"Oh! then you really want them to climb up on that big box when trying +to grab one of the young turkeys?" asked Lil Artha. + +"Jes' so," chuckled the bound boy. + +"Is she loaded, then?" continued Lil Artha, as all of them gravely +examined the innocent-looking box. + +"I'll show yuh how she works," Johnny said, proudly. "Mebbe my ijee +ain't good for nawthin', but she's the best I could think up. Course, +the thieves they hain't fotchin' no lantern along, 'cause they'd be +afeared we'd see a movin' light. Then ag'in I don't b'lieve sich +slinkers ever does own a lantern." + +"That's right, Johnny," remarked Toby, impatiently, "let's take it for +granted then they come in the dark. What will they do next?" + +"Huh! what'd any feller do when he sees sech a nice box awaitin' for +him to git up on, so's to grab the nigh turk?" demanded Johnny. "Now, +if yuh watch me yuh'll git the ijee in a jiffy." + +A stout rope seemed to be hanging from the limb overhead. It had a +running noose at the end, which the bound boy was now adjusting on the +top of the drygoods box. + +Elmer chuckled as he began to grasp the scheme; it seemed pretty smart +to him, and he was ready to give the bound boy credit for a bright idea. + +"Now," continued Johnny, "jest tuh show yuh how she works I'm agoin' +tuh make a wat yuh calls it, a martin o' myself. Hold the lantern, +Elmer, and gimme room." + +He climbed up on the big box. The turkeys were craning their necks and +observing him with evident wonder, though they were undoubtedly on +friendly terms with Johnny who had fed and driven them since hatching +time, and knew his raspy voice. + +"Yuh see, in the dark he don't notice the loop any," continued the +inventor of the trap, "and when he gits real busy with the turks why +there's a good chanct o' his foot gittin' caught in the loop. She on'y +needs a leetle jerk this-aways!" + +He gave the required pull, and instantly a most surprising event came +to pass. That jerk at the rope must have set a hair-trigger going, for +there followed a sudden rattling noise, the loop was instantly +tightened around his ankle, and in a trice Johnny was hanging head +down, as helpless as a snared rabbit. + +The scouts clapped their hands in glee. + +"Great scheme, Johnny!" + +"It sure does you credit!" + +"My! what a cwack when your feet hit the limb!" + +So the scouts kept giving their views, while Johnny swung there, vainly +trying to reach up and catch hold of the limb, with the turkeys +twittering, and showing more or less alarm. + +"Elmer, git me daown outen this, please!" begged the prisoner. + +"But how can we do it, Johnny, when we don't know the combination of +the racket?" demanded Lil Artha. + +"Foller the rope, and shove the hogshead up the rise agin!" explained +the suspended boy, who was probably already beginning to feel the +discomforts of "standing on his head." + +Several of them rushed off, and sure enough they found the secret of +the springing of the trap. Johnny's clever scheme was simple enough +when once its secret had been disclosed. + +He had an old hogshead perched on the top of a steep little rise near +by. It was connected with the long rope that had a noose at the end. +When anyone pulled the rope, as with a foot caught in the loop, a +trigger was set free, and the heavy hogshead started to roll down the +little descent, jerking the entangled thief up by one or both ankles, +as happened to be the case. + +Of course, by rolling the hogshead back to its initial position Johnny +was enabled to right himself, and get his foot free from the noose. + +He started rubbing his shin as though it felt sore after such a rough +experience, but they could hear him laughing softly to himself all the +while. + +"I jest reckoned the old thing'd work to beat the band," he told them; +"an' now I knows it. Wait till I set the trap agin, fellers, an' then +we'll go back tuh the barn. What d'ye spect's agoin' tuh happen if +them chicken thieves kim around tuhnight, Elmer, hey?" + +"Well, somebody's liable to meet up with the surprise of their lives, +that's all," the scout patrol leader admitted. + +The boys were pretty tired, and did not care to remain up too long. +Perhaps Mrs. Trotter might have liked to have these lively fellows in +to sing for her, and enliven her monotonous life a little; but +considering that they half expected to be hard pushed on the morrow, +Elmer advised that they try to get all the sleep possible while they +had the chance. + +The horses had been well cared for, and arrangements made with the +farmer to keep them in his stable until the scouts were ready to return +to Hickory Ridge. + +"This is what I call a soft snap," ventured Toby, who had burrowed into +the hay as far as he thought necessary, and lay there at full length. + +"The farmer was mighty careful to ask whether any of us smoked, you +noticed," remarked Lil Artha. + +"Can you blame him?" demanded Landy. "He must have twenty tons of fine +new hay in this big barn, and that's worth all of four hundred dollars." + +"Jutht as like ath not, too, he didn't put a cent of inthurance on the +barn," Ted remarked; "farmers are careleth that way, you know." + +"And so are boys who make out to be men because they smoke on the sly," +Elmer went on to say. "More than one barn has been set on fire by +smokers using matches in the hay. Tramps are responsible for a heap of +this waste; and I don't blame any farmer for asking such a question. +I'm glad we could tell him none of us had taken to the habit as yet." + +"Or if they had they'd reformed!" chuckled Lil Artha, meaning himself. + +"One thing sure," observed Mark, "if we hear that barrel crashing down +the hill with all those stones inside it, we ought to be pretty spry +getting out there, because a poor wretch might get dizzy hanging with +his head down." + +"What if nobody happened to hear the alarm," suggested Landy, who had a +tender heart even when chicken thieves were concerned. + +"I take it suh, that would be a bad thing fo' the coon that set the +trap off," Chatz announced, gravely. + +"Oh! Johnny has prepared for even that," said Elmer. "He showed me +how he had fixed another cord that runs all the way to his room in the +house. When the barrel starts to rolling that cord will be snapped, +causing a weight to fall on the floor close to his bed, and bound to +waken anybody but the dead." + +"Say, that Johnny's a sure-enough wonder!" declared Toby; "he's got the +inventive genius developed to beat the band. I'd like to see more of +Johnny Spreen. Who knows but that we might hitch together and make a +team. I've done a few little wrinkles along the line of invention +myself, you remember. Jones and Spreen wouldn't sound bad." + +Of course, that brought about a stirring up of old history, for many +and humorous had been Toby's attempt to construct a flying machine, and +also a parachute that would save the lives of daring aeronauts when +their engines gave out a mile or two up in the air. + +Finally, the boys began to talk less, and it could be easily seen that +they were getting sleepy. Elmer really encouraged them to quit their +efforts to keep awake. He himself felt that sleep would be welcome +just then; and when that humor seizes a fellow he dislikes being kept +awake against his will by the chattering of a comrade who does not know +what a bed is meant for. + +Then the last word was mumbled, and stentorian breathing here and there +in those hay nests announced that the tired scouts had surrendered to +the sleep god. Elmer was, perhaps, the last to drop off, for he had +been thinking of a lot of things, running from the chicken-thief trap +to the strange conduct of Hen Condit in robbing his guardian, and then +leaving that ridiculous note to condemn himself. + +Once Elmer chanced to awaken, and more from the habit of the cattle +range than anything else, he raised his head to listen. The only +sounds he heard consisted of the champing of the horses, still busy +with their sweet hay, or it might be the distant cry of a +whip-poor-will calling to its mate in the apple orchard. + +So Elmer dropped back with a satisfied feeling such as comes on +realizing that all is well. Perhaps the thieves would not make a visit +to the farm adjoining the big Sassafras Swamp, on that particular +night, at least. Perhaps morning would come at last, and find the trap +undisturbed. + +Elmer was letting these things pass through his brain in a hazy sort of +way peculiar to one who is just yielding to sleep. He had almost +reached the point when things would have slipped entirely from his grip +when suddenly and without the least warning there started a tremendous +racket such as he had noticed came to pass when that hogshead started +rolling down the grade, and the stones with which it was loaded began +to rattle about inside. + +Almost at the same instant there rang out a shrill scream of agony that +could only have come from the throat of someone in mortal distress. + +As if by magic every scout sat bolt upright, as though they had been +shot into that position by the action of a gigantic galvanic battery. + +"Oh! what happened?" Landy was heard to call out in trembling tones. + +"It's Johnny's trap!" whooped Lil Artha, all excitement. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE KNIFE WITH THE BUCKHORN HANDLE + +"Everybody get out in a hurry!" called Elmer, suiting the action to the +word himself by scrambling erect and making for the open door of the +big barn. + +It was far from light in there; but as they could easily see the +opening all they had to do was to make for it. Elmer had been careful +to make sure that there were no pitchforks lying around loose, to be +run upon by accident. + +Hardly had the scouts managed to stream from the interior of the barn +than they became aware of the fact that someone was running headlong +toward them. Toby threw himself into an attitude of defense, raising +the piece of wood he had grasped for a club; but Elmer realized that +the runner was approaching from the direction of the farmhouse and +therefore must be a friend rather than a foe. + +"Steady, boys, it must be Johnny!" he told his comrades as they +clustered there. + +Johnny it proved to be. The bound boy must have lain down on his cot +fully dressed and equipped, for he had on even his cowhide boots, and +was minus only a hat. Of course, the boy was fairly brimming over with +intense excitement. + +"Didn't yuh hear him yell?" he was crying. "We've kotched the chicken +thief fur sure, fellers. Whoop la! kim on, everybody, and nab him +afore all the blood runs tuh his head!" + +Lil Artha and Elmer, of course, had snatched up their guns, although +they hardly believed they would find any use for the weapons. All of +them started on the run toward the spot where the turkeys roosted in +the favorite tree. + +The sky was clouded over, and while it was not actually dark the boys +had some little difficulty in seeing as well as they might have liked. +Now and then one of the sprinters would stumble over some impediment, +and perhaps measure his length on the ground, only to scramble erect +again and tear after the rest. + +It was usually clumsy Landy who met with these mishaps; but even such +things did not seem to subdue his ambition to keep after the crowd. + +Elmer was listening as he ran. He wondered why they did not already +hear the groans or whines of the wretched thief who had been hung up by +the heels without receiving a second's warning. + +Remembering how Johnny had been whisked aloft, Elmer felt sure no one +could be blamed for letting out that shriek when the catastrophe came +about. Nor would he have thought it queer if the suspended rascal kept +up his groans as he writhed and twisted in a vain effort to reach up to +the limb; which only a circus contortionist would have been able to do. + +He imagined he heard some sort of sound ahead of them. But even at +that Elmer could not be certain. It might be the night breeze sighing +through the upper branches of the tall tree, or the alarmed turkeys +holding a confab among themselves, for all he could tell. + +But they were rapidly bearing down upon the spot now, and in another +half minute ought to be where they could see the swaying figure of the +caught thief. + +"I don't seem to get him, Johnny!" ventured Lil Artha, in a +disappointed tone. + +"Huh! somethin' gone wrong I guess!" grunted the inventor; and if the +tall scout could feel chagrin, fancy what a shock it must have been to +Johnny when he realized that there was no dangling figure to greet him, +despite that wild yell so full of mortal agony. + +Perhaps already wise Elmer had begun to hazard a shrewd guess as to the +why and wherefore of this vacancy. He was a great hand to see through +things long before the answer became apparent to his chums. If this +were so, at least he did not venture to say anything to them about it. + +By now all of them, save slow-poke Landy, had arrived at the tree. +They could hear the alarmed turkeys making some twittering sounds +above, but if any of them had flown off the rest remained on their +roosts. + +Johnny had been smart enough to fetch his lantern along. This he now +proceeded to light, and as soon as the wick took fire he began to +examine the trap. + +"Dog-gone the luck, she went and broke on me!" he wailed, as though his +boyish heart were almost broken by the catastrophe. + +"That's what comes of not testing things before-hand!" said Toby, with +the air of a wise-acre who knew it all; and yet Toby was himself a most +notorious offender along those very same lines, as his chums could have +informed the bound boy had they chosen to give a fellow-scout away. + +"Gee whiz! he did test it, Toby," said Lil Artha, indignantly; "didn't +we all of us see him ahangin' head-down. There's some sort of a +mystery about it, that's what." + +"Not much," said Elmer, who, while the others were talking, had been +examining the end of the rope that lay on the ground near by; "it's +been cut, that's all." + +"Cut with a knife d'ye mean, Elmer?" cried Johnny, aghast. + +"Just what it has," continued the patrol leader firmly; "you can see +that with one eye, for the edges are smooth, and not ragged as they +would be if the rope had broken a strand at a time." + +Every fellow had to push up and examine it to make sure, and there was +no dissenting voice after that. They knew Elmer was right, as he very +nearly always appeared to be in matters like this. + +"But say, however could he have twisted up to get at the rope while he +was hanging here by one leg, I'd like to know?" demanded Landy. + +"Mebbe the second thief helped him git loose," suggested the bound boy. + +"Just what happened as sure as anything," assented Elmer. "They were +too smart for you that time, Johnny. Instead of running away when the +alarm went off, this second fellow whipped out his blade, and finding +the rope where it ran from the tree, he cut it." + +"Then the other dropped down, and got his legs loose," added Toby. +"See, here's the loop lying on the ground." + +Sure enough, it was just as he said. The loop was there in plain +sight, just as it had apparently been hurled aside by the trapped thief +after he had a chance to use his hands. + +Johnny was the most bitterly disappointed fellow Elmer had come across +in a long time. He kept muttering to himself as he examined the +fragment of rope. Lil Artha said he was "chewing the rag," whatever +that might mean; but, at any rate, Johnny did not seem to be in a very +happy frame of mind, so the operation could hardly have been of a +pleasant nature. + +"Now, I understand that second little rumble I heard," said Elmer. "It +was just as Johnny reached us in front of the barn, and sounded like +the barrel had started on again. That happened when the rope was cut, +allowing the weighted hogshead to keep on a little further to the +bottom of the drop." + +"Let's see if you hit the nail on the head with that guess," suggested +Toby, who liked to be convinced by his own eyesight when anything came +to pass. + +So, led by the inventor of the trap, they hurried to where the hogshead +had been perched on the brink of the steep little descent. It could be +seen at the bottom; and this confirmed the theory Elmer had advanced. + +"And we didn't get a glimpse of the thieves after all," lamented Landy; +"now I was hoping I'd see a fellow dangling there when we came up. Not +that I'd like him to suffer too much, you know; but for Johnny's sake I +wanted him to be nabbed." + +"Yes, it's all off now," admitted Lil Artha. + +"Of course, after that row they wouldn't be silly enough to come again +for another try?" suggested Toby. + +"Huh! that ole trap ain't no good after that mess," grunted Johnny, +disdainfully. "I reckons as how I'll hev tuh think up sum other kind. +But they ain't agoin' tuh git any o' them turks if I have to sot up all +night, and borry a gun frum you fellers in the bargain." + +"What's the matter with tying Moses the bulldog to the tree here?" +remarked Elmer; "he's barking now at the kennel near the house. I'd +certainly make use of the old dog if I were you, Johnny." + +"Jest what I will do, Elmer. Moses ain't a great hand tuh bark, yuh +see; bulls do the business with their teeth 'stead o' with their noise. +But he kin give tongue when he wants tuh. I'll fix him here fur the +rest o' the night." + +"How does it come the farmer hasn't shown up?" asked Mark, who thought +it a bit queer Mr. Trotter displayed so little interest in the safe +keeping of his young turkeys. + +"Oh! him," chuckled Johnny; "nobody never ain't agoin' tuh get him +waked up once he hits the hay. Talk tuh me baout sleepin', he kin beat +anything yuh ever met. I bet yuh the missus is up and waitin' tuh know +if we grabbed one." + +"Do you think they got a turkey after all?" asked Landy, as he picked +up several feathers from the ground near the tree. + +"What do you say about that, Johnny?" Elmer inquired. + +"Well, it daon't stand tuh reason he did," replied the other, gravely; +"even if he had holt o' one at the time, he never'd a held on tuh hit +arter that rope had slung him head down'ards. Guess I ort tuh know. +If any o' yuh wants tuh feel what it's like, I'll rig the trap up agin +in the mawnin' for yuh. Hold a turkey nawthin'. He couldn't even hold +his breath, but had tuh give a yell like he was killed." + +Indeed, they were all of pretty much the same opinion. No matter how +brave a fellow the trespasser might be, when he met with such a sudden +and unexpected upheaval as that running noose brought about, his wits +were bound to desert him for the time being at least. + +It may have been noticed also that no one, even bold Lil Artha, the +most venturesome of them all, volunteered to make the additional test +when morning came. They seemed perfectly satisfied to accept the will +for the deed. They had witnessed the speedy working of Johnny's trap, +and evidently had no itching to try what it felt like to hang head +downward from the limb of a tree, with a leg almost dislocated by a +sudden jerking, powerful lever. + +"Well, 'tain't no use acryin' over spilt milk, they sez," remarked +Johnny, who, after all, seemed to be of a philosophical turn of mind; +"the thing's done, an' that's all they is tuh hit. Might as well git +Mose and fix him here tuh the tree. Them turks has jes' gut tuh be +saved, no matter how much trouble it takes." + +"Elmer, what are you thinking about?" asked Mark just then; for being +used to the ways of his best chum he could see that the patrol leader +was pondering something in his mind. + +"If you want to know it was about that yell," Elmer admitted. + +"A pretty husky whoop in the bargain, let me say," observed Lil Artha; +"I used to think I could beat all creation letting out a yell, but that +went one better, you hear me talking." + +"Yes," added Toby, "it sounded as if the top of the world had blown +off, the fellow made such a howl. Anyway, that's how it seemed to me +when I was waked up so suddenly." + +"Have we ever heard a whoop like that before?" asked Elmer. + +"Now you're thinking of Hen Condit, of course, Elmer," came from Toby. + +"Well, Hen's got a good strong pair of lungs, let me tell you," +admitted Landy. "I remember the time that cow tossed him when he was a +small boy, and say, he made everybody inside of half a mile run +outdoors to see what was the matter. They found Hen straddlin' a limb +of a tree, and whooping it up for all he was worth. It might have been +him, Elmer, no telling." + +"And just as well any other person badly scared," Mark observed. "I +think I'd be able to do some fine work along those lines under the same +conditions." + +"Then it seems that we'll never be able to identify Hen by that shout," +laughed Elmer; "but there's a way we can find something out, as all +scouts ought to know." + +That remark immediately put them all on their mettle. + +"Sure thing, Elmer," agreed Lil Artha, "for, of course, you mean if we +could find a trail around here we might pick out the different +footprints; and one of us ought to know something about the kind of +shoes Hen wears." + +"That's me," admitted Landy, "because I happened to be going with Hen +more or less lately. Show me the footprints and I'll tell you soon +enough if it's him." + +Of course, nothing could be done without the lantern, so they kept +close to Johnny, who carried the same. From time to time he was given +instruction how to hold the light so they might examine certain spots. + +"Hello! Elmer's found something!" suddenly exclaimed keen-eyed Lil +Artha, when he saw the scout leader stoop over almost under the tree, +and alongside the large drygoods box. + +"That so, Elmer; what was it?" several asked him in a breath. + +"Gather around me," the other commanded, "and let's see if you can +recognize what I picked up." + +"Huh! bet you it fell from his pocket when he was dragged upside-down," +was the way Lil Artha put it; quick to guess the truth, though he had +not himself thought of this possibility before. + +"Correct for you, Lil Artha, for that's what happened," Elmer +acknowledged. + +"Is it a knife, Elmer?" continued the tall scout. + +"Once more you hit it," said the other; "and Landy, since you say +you've been going more or less with Hen lately, perhaps you'd be apt to +know his knife if you happened to set eyes on it?" + +"To be sure I would, Elmer." + +"You've handled it then, have you?" + +"Lots of times, because you see I lost my own frog-sticker some weeks +back, and I ain't had a birthday since to get a new one," Landy +confessed. + +"That sounds good to me," Elmer told him; "so now take a look at this, +and tell us what you think." + +With that he brought his hand around, having been keeping it behind his +back all this time. When he opened it there was disclosed a common, +every-day jack-knife with a buckhorn handle, such as might be expected +to be found in the pocket of almost any lad, and capable, when given a +keen edge, of performing miracles in the way of shaving sticks and +cutting up apples. + +So Landy gravely, though eagerly, took up the knife. He opened the big +blade and seemed interested in a certain nick he found there. + +"Elmer, that settles it," he said, finally; "it's Hen's knife, I'm +positive; and it must have been him that was hanging from this tree a +bit ago!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +BOUND FOR SASSAFRAS SWAMP + +When Landy Smith settled the matter in this convincing fashion, the +rest of the scouts showed more or less interest in the outcome. + +"That proves one thing," asserted Toby; "Hen Condit is up here, all +right." + +"It proves a whole lot of things, according to my opinion," added Lil +Artha as he nodded his head in a way he had of emphasizing his remarks; +"it tells us Hen is in bad company, for the second fellow must be the +man he was seen with the other day in Hickory Ridge town." + +"According to my notion, fellows," said Mark, seriously, "the hand of +that same unknown man stands back of all poor Hen's troubles. Until +that party was seen in this part of the country, Hen didn't seem to +have a single worry. He was always as light-hearted a chap as you +could find in a week of Sundays." + +"What under the sun can it mean?" queried Landy, looking distressed; +because, truth to tell, he and the missing scout had been getting quite +fond of one another lately, and the shock had told upon Landy much more +than any other boy belonging to the Wolf Patrol. + +"I tell you what I think," ventured Ted Burgoyne just then; "that man +mutht have hypnotized Hen. I don't thee how elth he could make him do +whatever he wants. Yeth, I even believe he forced Hen to wite that +letter. Needn't laugh, Lil Artha, I've been reading it all up lately, +and there are thome queer happeningth along the line of hypnothism." + +"Elmer, how about that; do you believe in it?" asked Lil Artha, who was +known to be pretty much of a scoffer in his way. + +"I decline to commit myself--just yet at any rate," laughed the patrol +leader. "I confess that queer things do happen, and a fellow who +always refuses to believe because he doesn't understand is silly. But +we do know this unknown man has some kind of influence over our chum; +what it is we're going to find out before we're many days older." + +"I like to hear you say that, Elmer," cried Landy, "because I just seem +to believe the thing's more'n half done when you put _your_ hand to the +plough. I can't help but think how poor Hen must be feeling right now, +after getting himself in such a fix." + +"How about those tracks we started out to find?" asked Toby just then. + +"We'll give another look before closing shop," replied the patrol +leader. "Just fetch the lantern over, Johnny; they'd be apt to head +away from the barn." + +It was really in the direction of the near-by swamp that they now +commenced to look. The wisdom of Elmer's figuring was soon made +manifest, for they quickly ran across what they were looking for. + +"Here you are," said Elmer, "and now get busy, Landy." + +"Yes, drop down on your marrow-bones and see what you make of the +footprints," Lil Artha told the fat scout. + +Now Landy had had fair training in certain kinds of work associated +with scout-craft. He had even taken numerous lessons in following a +trail, though giving poor promise of ever being a shining light in that +respect. + +"Please hold the lantern closer, Johnny," he said, as he thrust his +nose down near the ground; "yes, here's a footprint as clear as +anybody'd want to see; and I sure ought to know the person who made the +same." + +"Tell us why, Landy?" asked Elmer, with a pleased smile. + +"That's an easy thing to do, Elmer. You see that diagonal mark across +the toe of this impression--well, that's caused by a patch on the left +shoe. All right, Hen Condit had just such a patch put on his shoe a +week ago last Saturday." + +"You know that for a fact, do you, Landy?" questioned the patrol +leader, who did not want any guessing about this business. + +"Why, I sat there all the time the cobbler was working at the same, +having accompanied Hen to the shoemaker's shop," continued Landy. +"What's more I joshed him about the fine and dandy track he made every +time he stepped in some half-hard mud that day after he left the shop. +Oh! I'm as sure of this footprint as I am that my name's Landy Smith." + +"Well, then, we've had double evidence," spoke up Ted Burgoyne; "and I +gueth that ought to thettle the matter. Ith our Hen that was dragged +up by the heelth. Elmer, will it pay uth to try and follow the trail?" + +"Hardly just now, at any rate, Ted," the other told him. "We might aim +to do something of the kind in the morning. But even here it looks as +if they headed for the swamp. That's a point to remember, boys." + +Perhaps several of the scouts were just as well satisfied. The idea of +starting out on a trail that might soon take them into a dismal swamp, +and at midnight in the bargain, with a cloudy sky overhead, did not +appeal very strongly to Landy, Toby and Chatz. + +Accordingly, they turned back, heading for the friendly barn, +attracted, doubtless, by fond memories of those comfortable beds in the +sweet hay. + +"How about the bulldog, Johnny?" asked Elmer, as they reached the barn +entrance. + +"I'm meanin' tuh git Mose up yonder, and tie him tuh the tree," replied +the boy. "Them turks hes gut tuh be looked arter, if I hes tuh stay up +all night tuh do the trick. An' lemme tell yuh, Elmer, I kin make up +another trap jest as cunnin' as any ole fox. I'll git 'em yit if so be +they keep hangin' 'raound these parts." + +"I believe you would, Johnny," assented the other, who realized that +the bound boy was displaying several good traits that would carry him +along through the world once his time of bondage with the farmer was up. + +There being no reason why they should keep away from their sleeping +quarters any longer, the seven scouts entered the barn. + +"Wow! but it's plumb dark in here, though!" protested Lil Artha, after +he had knocked his shins twice against some projection, and even +slammed into a post that chanced to be directly in his way. + +"We'd better stand still for a little while, so as to let our eyes get +used to the gloom," suggested Elmer; "it's always that way when you +step into one of the moving-picture places, you remember; but a few +minutes later you can see all around you. Better waste a little time +than a lot of cuticle." + +"Just so," grunted Lil Artha; "already half an inch of skin has been +barked off my shin, and my nose is swelling where I banged the same +against that awful post." + +"Well," remarked Toby, whose ankles had not been bruised and who +consequently could even think to joke about the matter, "it's probably +the first time then Lil Artha was ever left at the post. But I can see +a heap better already." + +All of them found that their eyesight soon became accustomed to the +gloom; and that it was not so very bad after all. They had just +managed to reach the place where their traps were left, and started +burrowing in the hay again, when Elmer called their attention to +certain suggestive sounds outside. + +"That must be Johnny and the bull pup going past on the way to the +turkey roost," ventured Mark, as they plainly caught a whine, and then +a low growl that was vicious enough to make one's blood turn cold. + +"If those fellows should be reckless enough to come back to make a +second try for young turkey," Landy was saying, as though he could not +keep his mind from grappling with Hen Condit and his troubles, "they'll +be some surprised when that ferocious old Mose grabs them by the legs, +and holds on like everything." + +"For one, now," admitted Toby, "I'd want to be excused from any session +with the big white teeth of Mose that stick out from his lower jaw. +But if you asked me my opinion I'd say one scare a night was as much as +any ordinary chicken thief could put up with." + +"Nothing doing," muttered Lil Artha, showing that he, too, was of the +same mind as the companion scout. + +At least it was very evident none of the boys expected being disturbed +again in their slumbers, for they went about settling down as though +they meant to enjoy a good long session. + +"Don't wake me too early, mother dear," Toby was heard to say, half to +himself, "for to-morrow won't be the first of May, and I'm not to be +the queen of the occasion either. So please let me have my snooze out, +everybody." + +Nothing did occur to disturb their slumbers which doubtless were +additionally sweet after that one break. + +Elmer had them all up when he considered that it was right and proper. +True, the sun was only peeping above the horizon, and the birds still +twittered amidst the shrubbery near by; but Elmer knew what great hands +farm people are about getting up betimes, and he did not wish to keep +Mrs. Trotter's breakfast waiting for any sleepy-heads. + +The grumbling ceased as if by magic the moment he mentioned that word +"breakfast," and Lil Artha immediately announced himself as being +wide-awake. + +"H'm! seems like I could even smell the batter cakes frying right now, +fellows," he told them, with a smack of his lips. "Notice that I scorn +to give them the well-known name of flapjacks on this festive occasion, +because we're going to eat at a regular table, under a hospitable roof; +and it's only when in camp that wheat cakes are called flapjacks." + +"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," chortled Toby. + +"Yes, but if you kept calling it an onion you'd soon think it didn't," +affirmed Lil Artha; "but say, do you reckon that bell was meant for us? +Oh! where's my other shoe; they pinched me, so I took 'em off in the +middle of the night, and the left one has gone and hid in the hay." + +"Mebbe the rats got away with it, Lil Artha," suggested Landy, +wickedly; "I'm certain I heard 'em squeakin' all around here; and they +like shoe for breakfast." + +It turned out, however, that there was no damage done; the missing +foot-wear was soon discovered under a wisp of hay, and quickly the tall +scout crept out in the wake of his six comrades. + +A second time the bell was heard, and at that they all started on a run +for the rear of the house, where several tin basins, and some soap, as +well as clean towels announced that the farmer's good wife had gotten +things ready for them. + +Lil Artha had guessed right; perhaps his keen scent had discovered the +odor of pancakes in the air, for they were in plain sight, several +pyramids of the golden beauties, with a pitcher of real maple syrup, +and plenty of fresh butter to go with the same. + +Mrs. Trotter may only have had three little girls of her own, but she +certainly had been brought up in a family where there were boys, +because she knew so well what their weaknesses were. + +What with three fried eggs apiece, guaranteed strictly home-grown and +fresh; a great rasher of sweet ham, also a product of the farm; coffee, +with genuine cream in the same, a dish of oatmeal, and then those +steaming stacks of cakes, it was a wonder some of those scouts were not +completely foundered. + +Elmer had more or less difficulty in coaxing Lil Artha away from the +table. The elongated scout could hardly breathe, he was so full; but +he heaved many a sigh as he noticed that a fresh plateful of those +unexcelled pancakes had just been put on, with no one left to do them +justice. + +Shaking his head sadly, Lil Artha finally managed to get on his feet +and leave the dining-room. His last look back spoke volumes; it said +as plainly as anything those wonderfully expressive words: "though lost +to sight, to memory dear;" and probably never again in the course of +human events would Lil Artha equal the astounding record he made that +same morning of thirteen pancakes straight. + +Elmer knew they would have a big day ahead of them, and was really +anxious to get started. He had made arrangements with the farmer and +his wife to supply such provisions as they could conveniently carry +along with them for a couple of days, while they were combing the big +Sassafras Swamp in hopes of coming across the two parties they sought. + +If the Chief of Police in Hickory Ridge, with others to help him, +should put in an appearance, Elmer hoped they might be given such +information as lay in the power of Mr. Trotter. + +"We are not hoggish, you must know, Mr. Trotter," he told the farmer, +as they were making their last preparations before starting forth; +"much as we want to be the ones who will round up these two lurkers in +Sassafras Swamp, if the police come to take a hand in the chase we wish +them every luck. Yes, and what's more we stand ready as true scouts to +lend them a helping hand." + +"All we want," added Ted, seriously, "ith a chance to athist our chum +Hen. We believe him to be under thome influence, and tho we're bent on +breaking hith chains." + +Each of the seven boys had a certain load to carry besides his rubber +poncho, and his pack was supposed to hold the extra food supplies as +well. Some people on seeing what these consisted of might imagine the +swamp hunters meant to spend a very long time in their search; but then +such persons would in that way betray their gross ignorance as to what +a growing boy's appetite amounts to. They were taking no chances of +starvation; and two whole days meant at least three times that many +full meals, with sundry bites in between. + +From what Elmer had learned through Johnny Spreen, it was possible to +navigate a fair portion of the swamp with a boat. They had several +flat-bottomed skiffs that were used for that purpose, usually by the +boy in his fur-hunting expeditions during the fall and winter seasons. + +Unfortunately, things were so much behind at the farm that Johnny could +not be spared to accompany them. Elmer had hinted at this, not because +he feared his own ability to get around, but because Johnny's being +along would save them much precious time. + +When the scout leader had soaked in all possible information the bound +boy was capable of delivering, he believed he was in a fair way to +master the situation. If Hen and his unknown captor were still hiding +anywhere in the big swamp, Elmer fancied they could be found. What was +going to happen after that event came about, of course, he could not +say just then. + +They made their way along for some distance until near the place where +the three flat-bottomed skiffs were kept tied up. It was here that +Johnny made a sudden discovery that gave them all a little thrill. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE MISSING SKIFF + +"Well, I swan!" was the sudden exclamation that broke from the lips of +Johnny Spreen, the farmer's bound boy, as he came to a halt. + +Elmer, glancing hastily at him, saw the boy rubbing his eyes in a +somewhat dazed fashion. He acted for all the world like a fellow who +did not feel sure that his sight was as good as usual. Something +evidently was amiss. + +"What is it?" demanded Lil Artha, in his usual impetuous way. + +"The boats!" muttered Johnny Spreen. + +"Sure thing, we see 'em!" declared the tall scout. + +"How many kin yuh count, tell me?" asked the other, beseechingly, still +giving an occasional dab at his eyes, as though doubts clung to his +mind regarding their faithfulness. + +"Why, let's see, I glimpse three--no, there are only two skiffs +afloating in that little bayou," Lil Artha told him. + +"Only two, air yuh dead sartin?" continued Johnny. + +"That's correct, two boats and no more. I c'n see each one as clear as +anything. Why, what difference does that make, Johnny?" asked Toby. + +"But ther ought tuh be _three_, I tells yuh," insisted the bound boy; +"wun two-year old, another built larst season, and the last un just +this Spring. Yessir, three on 'em in all." + +"Well, I gueth your old boat took a notion to go to the bottom then, +Johnny," asserted Ted, "becauth there are only a pair floating there, I +give you my word." + +"They was every wun thar yist'day," persisted Johnny. + +"Are you sure of that?" Elmer asked him. + +"Well, my name's Johnny Spreen, ain't it?" demanded the other, grimly; +"I'm workin' out my time with Mister Trotter hyar, ain't I? Then I +still got two eyes, and I ain't turned loony yit by a long shot. I +tell yuh, Elmer, I handled three skiffs yist'day--seen as they was tied +securely. And now yuh tells me they be but two." + +"Yes, that's a fact," the patrol leader assured him. + +"All right then, they gut one, thet's boz." + +Elmer expected some such result as this, so after all he did not seem +to be very much staggered. + +"I suppose by 'them' you mean the chicken thieves, Johnny?" he remarked. + +"No other." + +"But if the man has been moving around in the swamp for a couple of +weeks, more or less, could he do without a boat all that time?" +continued the leader. + +"I guess he cud, Elmer, though w'en yuh wants tuh trap muskrats yuh +need sum sort o' craft the wust kind. P'raps he didn't chanct tuh run +across our skiffs up tuh last night. Then agin mebbe he was askeered +tuh snatch one, fur fear we'd hunt arter it, an' bother him in the +swamp." + +"All right, Johnny, I believe you're barking up the proper tree," said +Elmer; "but it looks as if the man changed his mind last night, and +took a boat." + +"Yep, an' by gosh! the newest one o' the lot, too!" groaned the bound +boy, as he led them closer to where the other skiffs floated, secured +to stakes. + +"After all that row," suggested Lil Artha, "it might be they thought +we'd give a quick chase, and they couldn't afford to take any more +chances. So as a boat'd come in handy for them they gobbled it." + +"Anybody'd pick the best in the bunch, come to that," added wise Toby. + +"I don't know about that," Mark went on to say; "a really smart fellow +would be apt to reason that if he took only the old tub the owner +mightn't think it worth while to make much of a hunt for it, not caring +whether he got the same again or not." + +"I consider that sound reasoning, Mark," observed the patrol leader, +who was never happier than when he found some of his followers +displaying good judgment in such matters. "But the boat's gone, and +our next duty is to take a look around the bank before we get to +trampling things up too much. We ought to make sure of things by +finding that marked track again." + +"It can be done as easy as turning a handspring," vowed Toby Jones, as +all of them immediately spread out, fan-shape, like hounds that had +lost the scent temporarily, and were searching for it again. + +Hardly half a minute had gone when there was an exultant cry raised. + +"Didn't I say so?" demanded Toby, triumphantly; "but I never thought +Landy of all fellows'd be the one to find the trail." + +"Oh! sometimes queer things do happen in this world," asserted the fat +scout, swelling with his triumph; "they say the race ain't always to +the swift. But take a look, everybody, and see if I'm right." + +They looked and unanimously pronounced Landy's judgment correct. There +was the imprint of a shoe, a _left_ shoe in the bargain, beyond doubt, +and anyone who had eyes could detect that diagonal mark running across +the sole, which Landy had pointed out before as the line of the new +leather, placed there while he waited for Hen Condit in the Italian +cobbler's shop. + +"As plain as the nose on your face, Landy!" admitted Lil Artha, with a +trifle of disappointment in his voice, for he had calculated on +discovering the tracks himself, and for one who was next door to a +greenhorn to do it humiliated the tall scout. + +"No personal remarks, please, Lil Artha," said Landy; "I know my nose +isn't as prominent as yours, and some others in the crowd, but it +answers my purpose all right, and I'm not ashamed of it." + +"Well, now we know where we're at," remarked Ted, with a satisfied air, +as though it might be a maxim with him to always start right. + +"And it's up to us to divide our forces, choose our boats, and make a +start," Mark Cummings was saying. + +"Ginger! don't I on'y wish I cud be goin' along!" said Johnny Spreen +with an expression on his face that could only be described as compound +disappointment. + +"All of us would be glad if you were, Johnny," Elmer told him, feeling +for the boy, whose company would certainly be of considerable help to +the expedition, for Johnny knew the watery paths and the tangles of +Sassafras Swamp as, perhaps, no other fellow possibly could, since he +had long haunted its recesses, laying traps, and looking for new haunts +of the wily muskrats. + +"As there are seven of us, all told," remarked Lil Artha, "that means +three in one boat, and four in the other. Elmer, you divide up. This +newer skiff looks to me just a weenty bit the bigger." + +"It is by a foot, and wider, too," asserted Johnny, quickly. + +"Then it ought to carry four, of course; but how's this, Johnny, where +are the oars for both craft; I don't see any!" + +"Shucks! we don't use oars in the ole swamp," declared the other. "A +push pole's the best way tuh git along. Yuh see it's soft mud +everywhar, and so we cuts poles with a crotch at the end. That keeps +'em frum sinking deep in the mud, so yuh kin git a chanct tuh shove." + +"And a mighty good idea, too," avowed Toby; "I've had a little +experience with just plain everyday push poles, and even got hung up +when one stuck in the mud, so the boat left me. But Elmer, how'll we +divide?" + +The patrol leader glanced over his force. It was only fair that he +arrange it so the weight would be as nearly equal as possible. + +"Lil Artha, take Mark and Landy in the smaller skiff; the rest will go +with me," he announced immediately. + +Mark was the nearest chum of the patrol leader, but Elmer disliked +favoritism, and hence he thus tacitly placed Lil Artha in command of +the second boat. But then there was also another good reason for doing +this, since the tall scout had always shown himself to be clever on the +water, much more so than the bugler of the troop. + +Johnny was already showing them how to pull the skiffs in by means of a +rope attached to each. It was a good way of mooring them when not in +use. + +"Yuh see the third boat was drawed up on the shore here," he remarked +in a disconsolate tone; "'cause I was ausin' her right along. I guess +that's the reason they took the best o' the lot." + +When the two boats had been brought to the shore, packs were +distributed in the same, according to the directions of the leader. +These were not hastily tossed aboard, but placed where they would be +out of the way of the one who was using the long push-pole. + +"Thank goodneth we've got our camp hatchet along," remarked Ted, as he +took his place, "tho even if we do lose or bweak our pole we can +alwayth cut another one." + +"Yep, I never go intuh the swamp without my hatchet," asserted Johnny. +"Yuh see it comes in mighty handy when yuh want tuh make a fire, or cut +a way through sum tangled snarl o' brush. Then, besides, I find a use +fur the same in setting traps, fur mushrats ain't ther on'y kind o' fur +we bags araound these diggings." + +Some of the boys might have liked keeping up the talk, especially when +it bordered on such an interesting subject. Elmer, however, knew that +time was valuable to them just then, with such a difficult task ahead. +They had to find two parties who were secreted somewhere in the swamp; +and as Lil Artha declared it was "pretty much like looking for a needle +in a haystack." + +Johnny stood there on the bank, and waved his hat to the scouts as he +watched them poling away. They could almost imagine they heard the +tremendous sigh that came from his breast as he saw a glorious chance +for real fun pass from his grasp. + +"Good-bye, an' good luck tuh yuh all!" he called out. + +Following the serpentine passage of clear water, the two boats soon +passed from the sight of the bound boy, though doubtless he could still +hear gurgling sounds as the push-poles were worked, and the flat prows +of the skiffs passed over the numerous water-lily pads. + +And now the swamp was before them. + +All of the scouts surveyed the scene with lively anticipations. They +could easily understand that the immediate future might throw all +manner of strange adventures across their path, and, like most boys, +Elmer and his chums were ever hungry for exciting things to happen--it +was in the blood. + +But, then, at first the borders of the big Sassafras Swamp did not look +so very forbidding. Elmer warned them not to expect that this +condition of affairs would last long. + +"You remember what Johnny told us," he remarked so that all of them +could hear his words; "it keeps getting worse the further you go in. +Things are easy to begin with, but after a while we'll have our hands +full. Above all things we must keep our heads about us, for if we do +that we'll escape getting lost." + +"Then Johnny did admit a fellow could get lost in this place, did he?" +inquired Landy, uneasily. + +"He used to lose his way often when he first started coming in here +after muskrats," confessed Elmer; "and then he began to have some +system about his excursions so that by degrees he got it all down pat." + +"Yes, Johnny said he believed he could pole a boat pretty much into the +heart of Sassafras with his eyes shut or bandaged," remarked Lil Artha. + +"Too bad he couldn't get off and be along with us," lamented Landy; +"and Elmer, if we'd only promised Farmer Trotter five dollars a day +he'd have let his help join us, I'm sure of that." + +"Huh! too bad you didn't think of that before, Landy, and put it up to +Elmer," jeered Lil Artha; "but I wouldn't bother too much about it if I +was you. Chances are we won't get lost much; and by the same token, +even if we do it'll be some kind of a sensation to wake us up." + +Landy scratched his head, but not knowing how much of this was intended +by his tormentor he did not reply. As they were gradually working +further into the dense growth by now there was enough around them to +chain their attention and arouse their interest. + +In some places they could see that the shore stood above the sluggish +water, although covered for the most part with dense shrubbery that +would be difficult to pass through. Channels began to be met with +running to the right and left, so that it behooved Elmer to remember +the explicit directions given by the muskrat trapper if he wished to +avoid getting side-tracked in the start. + +Lil Artha, in the other boat, was also using his knowledge of woodcraft +to some purpose. When it happened that the two skiffs came alongside +he called out to Elmer, as if to settle some point he had in mind. + +"Even if I hadn't listened when Johnny was laying down the law to us +about the main channel in here, Elmer, I reckon I'd had no trouble +stickin' to the same, up to now, anyhow." + +"Why tho, Lil Artha?" asked Ted Burgoyne. + +"It's just this way," continued the other, briskly, as though only too +willing to show his hand, "you see Johnny has followed the same passage +in here so often now he's actually gone and left a trail behind him." + +"Say, what are you giving us, Lil Artha?" demanded Toby; "on shore a +trail is all very well, but the water leaves none. Once it settles +down after a boat's passed, I defy anybody to tell a thing about the +same." + +Lil Artha grinned as though he really pitied the dense ignorance of +some people. + +"You've got another think coming, Toby," he said, drily. "I suppose if +you sat down and racked your poor brain a whole week you'd be no nearer +knowing what I mean, so I'll have to explain." + +"Guess you will, that," muttered Toby; "if you know yourself what +you're getting at, which I doubt." + +"Looky there," said the skipper of the second skiff, "do you notice +that where we make this turn to the left the bushes along the point are +kind of frayed, like something had rubbed against 'em a heap of times?" + +"Why, yes, it does seem so," admitted Toby, reluctantly. + +"All right then," continued Lil Artha; "if you'd kept your eyes about +you all the while you'd seen that same thing at near every turn. +Trying to cut short when he poled along, Johnny has left a track of his +passage at every bend. I always look sharp, and I can tell as easy as +falling off a log whether he went on, or cut into another passage. And +Elmer will bear me out on that explanation, too!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +PICKING UP CLUES + +The leader of the Wolf Patrol laughed when he heard Lil Artha make this +remark. + +"Every word that you are saying, Lil Artha, is the truth," he +announced. "I've been watching those ragged edges of bushes myself. +You see, the time might come after a while when I'd get mixed on the +directions given by Johnny Spreen. Then I'd want to have some other +scheme so as to find my way." + +"But after a bit, Elmer, we'll get to a spot where Johnny changed his +course from one day to another, as he went to different traps; how're +we meaning to regulate our hunt then?" asked Toby. + +"We've got to search the best way we can for the missing skiff," Elmer +explained. "If only we can find it hauled up somewhere on the bank +we'll know they went ashore at that point, don't you see?" + +"Why, how eathy!" declared Ted, evidently lost in admiration for the +simplicity of the scheme, that could never have occurred to him before. + +"Oh! then, if that's the case I reckon we'd better not be making quite +so much racket as we go along," said Mark. + +"I was just going to remark about that," the patrol leader added. "If +all of a sudden we found the boat, and had been talking loud, or +laughing, the chances are the game would give us the slip. So after +this whoever is doing the pushing try not to splash more than you can +help; and when you talk do it in whispers." + +Perhaps all this mystery added to the pleasure of such a fellow as Lil +Artha; at least his eyes were sparkling much more than their wont as he +continued to ply his pole with the air of a Venetian gondolier along +the Grand Canal. + +Once, however, he must have rammed it too hard into the yielding ooze, +for when he tried to pull it out there was considerable resistance. +Lil Artha managed to stop the moving skiff in time to save himself; +even then he might have been pulled overboard only that watchful Mark, +anticipating something of the sort, threw his arms around the long legs +of the pusher, and held on grimly until the pole could be extricated. + +An hour, two of them had slipped by since parting from Johnny Spreen. +They were now in the heart of the swamp. All around them lay a solemn +silence broken only by the splash of a bullfrog leaping from a bank, +the gurgle of some water snake or the solemn croak of a bittern fishing +near by, followed by the flap of its wings as it flew away, alarmed by +their approach. + +All of the boys were more or less impressed by this strange silence. +It seemed as though some heavy weight were pressing down upon them. +Toby even whispered to one of his mates that it could hardly be worse +if they were passing through a country graveyard at midnight. + +At the same time, all of them being bright, wide-awake fellows, there +were plenty of interesting things continually cropping up to arouse +their interest as scouts. Every minute or so someone was calling +attention to this or that thing, though never forgetting the need of +caution. + +If at any time a voice was raised more than Elmer deemed wise, a single +"hist" from his lips caused the speaker to moderate his tones instantly. + +By now they were not so much concerned about where they went as the +possibility of finding the missing skiff. Eager eyes were ever on the +alert. A number of times Lil Artha, or it might be Toby or Chatz, felt +a sudden thrill as some object caught their attention ahead, which at +first glance seemed to open up great possibilities. Then as they moved +closer and a better chance came to investigate, deep disappointment and +chagrin would follow; for after all it turned out to be only the end of +a log, or some such simple thing, and not the stern of the old skiff at +all. + +Elmer happened to be a little ahead of the other boat at the time +Chatz, consulting his nickel watch, found it was just ten o'clock. +When he showed this to Toby the latter grinned as though very much +pleased. + +"I nominated ten, didn't I, Chatz?" he remarked in a low tone; "when +you asked me to take a squint up at the sun, and say what the hour +might be?" + +"You certainly hit it that time in the bull's-eye, suh," admitted the +Southern lad; "and I confess that I thought it half an hour later. I'm +still some shy, it seems, on telling time by the sun and stars." + +A low hiss from Elmer just then, as he wielded the pole, caused the two +scouts to stop talking, and turn their attention to what was going on. +The first thing they discovered was that the skiff was now heading for +the near shore. Then looking further the boys could see that evidently +someone must have camped there, for to the practiced eye many things +indicated as much. + +When the prow of the flat-bottomed boat ran gently up on the shore, at +a low order from the skipper, Ted, who happened to be further up in the +bow than any of the others, jumped to the land and began to draw the +skiff up. + +There was a bank several feet high just beyond, but Ted waited until +the others had also disembarked before attempting to ascend this. By +now the other boat had also reached shore, with its crew tumbling out, +though avoiding any sign of confusion, for they were pretty well +drilled in the elements of obedience to orders, as all true scouts +should be. + +No sooner had the boys gained the higher ground than they readily +discovered that it had been the site of a camp at some time in the not +far-distant past. + +A number of things told them this, chief of which might be mentioned +the little pile of dead ashes that lay in plain sight. They could even +see the sticks that the unknown party had used when cooking some sort +of meat close to the red coals. + +All of them gathered around. Elmer gravely examined the ashes, while +the others eagerly waited to hear his decision. + +"Quite some time old," said the leader at last, having figured out the +solution by means of certain rules well known to those who have made +woodcraft a study. "At least a couple of rains have passed over since +this fire was left. There are no footprints that I can see. That also +goes to show it was some time ago; but I think it was only one person +who camped here." + +He pointed as he spoke to where soft hemlock browse had been gathered +as if for the purpose of forming a couch; and there being but a single +bed even Landy could guess Elmer was correct when he said one party had +made the temporary camp. + +"Then it must have been the unknown man," said Lil Artha, "and our chum +Hen wasn't along at the time." + +They moved around as if looking for further signs, because scouts are +always keen to find tell-tale marks that will add to the size of the +edifice they are building up, founded partly on conjecture and also on +"give-away" facts. + +Lil Artha it was who emitted a low whistle, and the others glancing up, +well knowing that he must have made some sort of important discovery, +saw him waving one of his hands to them--he held the Marlin +double-barrel with the other, of course. + +"See that?" he told them when they reached his side amidst the bushes +adjacent to the little opening where the long-cold fire ashes lay. + +"Feathers, for a cookey!" exclaimed Toby, "and a heap of the same, too." + +"Now we know what he cooked on the ends of those sticks!" observed Mark. + +"Yeth, and now we know where one of Farmer Trotter's henth went to," +added Ted. + +"This is more than Johnny ever ran across," remarked Lil Artha, +"because he only guessed the chicken thief was hiding in the swamp, for +he'd seen tracks. Hold on, he did say there was ashes, too, at the +place he picked up that filed half-circle of steel, but it must have +been in a different place from this." + +"Well, it's only a little incident after all," said Elmer, "and doesn't +tell us much that we didn't know before." + +"Only that we're on the track of those lost chickens, you know," +chuckled the tall scout. "But see here, Elmer, if they made a fizzle +of their raid last night, how d'ye suppose they're going to keep from +starving to death in here?" + +"Ask me something easy, please," retorted the other; "though if I was +in their place I think I could manage to keep alive. There are lots of +ways for doing that, if you only stop to think." + +"Sure there are," spoke up Toby, eager to show that he had learned his +lesson fairly well, even though not claiming to be as expert at some +things as were Elmer and Lil Artha. "Now, with some cord and a bait I +reckon rabbits could be trapped or snared. Then gray squirrels are +plenty in here, if only you found a nest of the same in a hollow tree." + +"And," added Landy with a yearning vein in his voice, "haven't we seen +whopping big green-back bullfrogs aplenty? If there's one dish I'm +fond of more than any other, that's fried frogs' legs. Yum! yum, don't +I wish we could spare the time to knock over a dozen of those bullies." + +"Not while we're on such a duty as we started out to fulfill, Landy," +Elmer advised the fat scout. + +"Then there are fish in these waters, too, fat sunfish as big as any I +ever set eyes on," continued Toby; "and when you're hungry they taste +prime, though I hate the bones, and came near choking to death once on +a sunny. Worse than pickerel, according to my mind, and that's saying +a lot. Oh! I guess a smart fellow with matches to make fires, could +manage to keep the wolf from his door in here all right." + +"But all men are not up to one-tenth of the resources known to Boy +Scouts," ventured Elmer, "which is why they generally have to rely on +staving off hunger by raiding the chicken roosts of poor farmers. +That'll be enough for this time. Suppose we get aboard again, and +continue our exploration of Sassafras Swamp." + +"It's a sure-enough big patch of mud and water and brush and mystery," +admitted Mark, as they began to climb into the boats again as before. + +"And from what Johnny told me we haven't seen as much as a tenth of the +place yet," Elmer assured them; whereat there were all sorts of +incredulous looks to the right and to the left, as though the magnitude +of their task might by this time be making a stronger impression on the +boys' minds. + +A change was made in pushers as they started off once more. It turned +out to be no child's play handling that long, heavy pole which had a +faculty for clinging to the ooze below the surface of the water, and +necessitating more or less exertion in order to drag it loose each time +it was used. + +Landy had not taken his turn as yet. It really looked as though Lil +Artha was a little afraid of the fat scout, for he and Mark had +alternated in doing the work. Landy was not complaining at all. +Indeed, Lil Artha felt sure he could see a satisfied grin upon the +rubicund face of the happy-go-lucky, fat scout from time to time as he +heard the one at the pole puffing with the exertion. + +Perhaps in the end it would prove to be a case of the "last straw on +the camel's back," and Lil Artha, casting discretion to the winds, +would feel impelled to thrust the push-pole into the inexperienced +hands of Landy Smith. He was evidently putting off the evil hour as +long as he could, fearful of consequences. + +So noon came and found them well into the depths of Sassafras Swamp. + +They went ashore to eat their lunch, Lil Artha begging that they have a +small fire and make a pot of coffee. + +"I c'n pick up aplenty of real dry wood, you know, Elmer," he went on +to say in his wheedling way, "so that there ain't going to be hardly a +whiff of smoke that anybody could see with a field glass. And say, +when you're all tuckered out with pushing a boat through the grass and +lily-pads, nothing makes you feel so fine as a brimming cup of coffee. +So please say yes, Mister Scout Master!" + +Of course, Elmer could not resist such a piteous plea as that. + +"You could wring tears from a stone, Lil Artha," he told the other, +laughingly, "when you put on a face like that. I reckon we might have +a small cooking fire and a pot of coffee. None of us would object to +it, and sandwiches are dry eating all by themselves, even when you're +hungry. So go ahead; but no chopping, mind; break all the small stuff +you gather over your knee." + +Landy eagerly assisted, though Lil Artha kept a watchful eye on what he +gathered lest he mix in green stuff that would make a black smoke when +it burned. Another scout managed to find a stick with a crotch that +would hold the coffee-pot over the blaze until it had boiled. + +The scouts were not in the habit of putting up with such apologies for +comfort as these; as a rule, when they camped out they had tents, +blankets, and a little spider contraption that folded up in small +compass, and which served as a gridiron stove, being placed over the +red coals, with cooking utensils resting on the bars. + +The coffee was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, and a vote of thanks +taken for Lil Artha, who had first suggested making it. Resting for a +short time afterwards, the boys felt refreshed when once more the task +was taken up. + +Lil Artha looked at Landy tumbling contentedly into the middle of the +old skiff, and seemed on the point of saying something; then he shook +his head and picked up the push-pole himself. + +"Not yet, but soon it's just got to be; only I hope he won't upset us +all," Mark heard the tall scout mutter to himself, nor did he need a +further hint to know what was passing through Lil Artha's mind; Landy +was not going to evade his share of the arduous labor forever. + +It, doubtless, took considerable thinking and planning on the part of +Elmer to make sure they did not "repeat." So far, none of the boys +could say as they moved along that they had ever before seen the +stretch of water and scrubby shore, covered with trees and vines. + +This spoke volumes for the smartness of the young patrol leader, though +somehow his chums did not seem to consider it such a wonderful feat for +Elmer. That is the penalty for being successful; others expect great +things from such a comrade, so that he is constantly put to his best +efforts to satisfy them. + +It must have been quite some time, perhaps as much as two hours after +they had stopped to eat their lunch when without warning the swamp +explorers met with a surprise that gave them a new thrill. + +At the time, Lil Artha happened to have passed a little in the lead, +though he would soon be dropping back again, especially when there came +a chance to make a mistake in direction, for he wanted Elmer to decide +such puzzles. + +The tall scout must have forgotten his warning from Elmer, for he cried +out: + +"Hey! everybody look what we're up against! A bear, Elmer, that's what +it is!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE PERILS OF THE WATER LABYRINTH + +"Silence, everybody!" hissed Elmer, who knew it would be just like +Toby, and perhaps some of the other fellows, to burst into a shout as +soon as they could get command of their voices. + +It was certainly a bear, a small one to be sure, but genuine enough, +and not such as can be seen with wandering foreigners, taught to dance, +or wield a pole as a soldier would his musket. + +Just when the scouts glimpsed the hairy denizen of Sassafras Swamp, he +was engaged in sitting on his haunches and gathering in the bushes with +his sturdy forelegs. To Lil Artha, it looked as though Bruin might be +making a lunch from the luscious, big blueberries that grew in such +abundance here and there through the swamp. + +Up to the moment when Lil Artha thus called attention to the presence +of the black native, the bear must have been in ignorance of their +being so near at hand. When he did notice them, he simply gave a +disgusted grunt, and ambled away through the brush. Lil Artha always +declared the bear glanced back at them as he ran, and even put out his +tongue, just as if he knew it was the close season, and that a kind +game law protected him from all harm. + +"Say, let me tell you this old Sassy swamp isn't such a bad place for a +game preserve after all," said Toby; "I think some of us could enjoy +having a week up here, after the law on bears and all such was up. But +it's too far from home during the school session, for us to come." + +"Oh! I don't know about that," remarked the tall scout, meditatively; +"we could borrow a car, and start in the middle of the night when there +was a moon. That'd give us a whole day up here. Take it at +Thanksgiving and we could make it three, with Friday and Saturday +thrown in. Elmer, think it over, won't you?" + +"Plenty of time for that," he was assured; "We've got our hands full as +it is, without borrowing trouble." + +"And perwaps before we're done with it," Ted croaked, "you'll be that +tired of seeing nothing but thwamp all around, that you'll vow never +again for yourth." + +"I'm going to make a proposition, Elmer," said Landy; "and I hope +you'll agree. Suppose we go ashore and tackle some of those elegant +blueberries ourselves? It's a shame that bears should be the only ones +to enjoy such a feast. And it's tough sitting here so long!" + +At that Lil Artha grunted, and looking almost savagely at the speaker +nodded his head while he muttered: + +"That settles it, my boy; I see your finish. You're going to earn your +salt after this, no matter what happens!" + +Elmer seemed to consider for a few seconds. + +"I see no reason why we shouldn't pull up for a little while, just as +you say, Landy," he observed, to the delight of the rest; "and everyone +of us is fond of a mess of good ripe blueberries. So pitch in while +the supply lasts." + +The berries were thicker and larger than any they had ever seen before; +and Lil Artha declared he considered the judgment of the little black +bear "prime." + +"He sure knew a good thing when he found it, and so do we," he told +those who were working fingers and jaws near him. + +When Elmer concluded that "enough was as good as a feast," they once +more embarked, and the voyage was resumed. There was a new pusher in +the older skiff, however. + +"Here, you Landy, suppose you change seats with me," Lil Artha had +remarked as the fat scout started to settle down in the middle of the +boat, just as though he had a mortgage on that prize seat. + +Landy looked worried. + +"What for, Lil Artha?" he ventured to say, looking at the skipper with +distress plainly marked on his round features; "do you want me to push +the boat now? Not but that I'm willing to do anything I'm asked, you +know; but I didn't think you'd want to take chances on getting wet, and +mebbe losing our packs in the bargain; because I know I'm awful clumsy +about some things." + +"Well, in this case we'll have to take the risk," said the other, +grimly; "the only satisfaction we have is that if anybody does get wet +you won't escape. We're all in the same boat, you understand; and we +sink or swim together. Now climb up here, and I'll show you how to +handle a pusher. Time you learned a few more of the tricks a true +scout ought to know." + +Landy, apparently, wanted to do his best. He watched how Lil Artha +used the heavy pole and then started to imitate him. + +"That's the way, Landy," said Mark, desirous of encouraging the stout +boy in his new duties; "you can do it all right if you only keep on the +watch." + +"Course I can," replied the new hand, scornfully; "guess you're all +fooled if you think I never pushed a skiff with a pole before." + +"So you were just playing 'possum, were you?" demanded the indignant +Lil Artha, "bent on fooling me so as to evade hard work, eh? I'd be +serving you right, Landy, if I kept you shovin' away the rest of the +afternoon. It'd thin you down a trifle, too, because I think you're +getting too fat for any use. Go slow there, and don't splash so loud +when you drop the pole end in again." + +Landy seemed to soon become fairly proficient so that his mentor could +turn his attention to other things of interest they happened to see +around them as they continued their course. + +Crows scolded from the treetops as the two boats glided underneath. +This circumstance might probably pass unnoticed by one who knew little +or nothing of woodcraft, but to an Indian it would be a sure sign that +the sharp-eyed birds had discovered some human being, probably an +enemy, and in that way he would be put on his guard against a surprise. + +As the man they were looking for did not appear to be educated along +these lines, they need not fear that their presence in the swamp would +be betrayed through any such agency as crows cawing, or flying about in +excitement. + +Some time later Toby uttered a low "whew" that caused Chatz, just then +in the act of putting the pole back into the water, to hold it +suspended in midair. + +"Elmer, I may be mistaken," said Toby, "but something moved over in the +branches of that tree yonder, and unless my eyes deceived me, which +they seldom do, it was a cat!" + +"You mean a wildcat, don't you, Toby?" whispered Landy, for the two +boats were close enough together for the occupants to have shaken +hands, had they wanted to. + +"Just what I meant," repeated Toby, firmly. "I can't say that I see +him now, for he's somewhere up in the thickest part of the bushy tree; +but it must have been something more than a 'coon, because I actually +saw the blaze of its eyes!" + +"Whew!" gasped Landy, looking as though he wanted to drop the push-pole +on the spur of the moment; "get your gun, Lil Artha, why don't you? +Mean to let a feller be jumped on, and clawed something awful, do you? +I give you my word that if I see a wildcat comin' for me, I'll jump +overboard, and let him tackle the rest of you in the boat, that's what. +Get your gun, Lil Artha; they're vicious you must know, specially when +they've got kits around." + +"We haven't lost any cat!" remarked Lil Artha, composedly, as though he +really took a cruel satisfaction in seeing Landy shiver; "and, besides, +I don't more'n half believe the fairy story. Toby's got to show me +before I own up. I reckon some of my people must have come from +Missouri." + +"Yes, they raise a heap of mules there, I understand," remarked Toby, +with considerable sarcasm; "but I'm glad to see that Elmer has thought +it worth while to lay hold of his scatter-gun, so as to be ready. +Course we don't want any trouble with any old cat; but there's such a +thing as armed peace. If she jumps for us, I hope Elmer will give her +a load before she lands, that's all. We've got to pass pretty much +under some part of that tree, understand?" + +Acting on Elmer's initiative, Lil Artha now also picked up his gun, and +started to keep a sharp watch. As Toby had truly said, they could not +really continue on their way without passing under the wide-stretching +branches of the tree where he claimed to have seen "something that +looked like a wildcat." + +"Get busy there, Landy, use your pole, and push us along. Don't stand +there just like you were frozen stiff; we won't let any cat grab you, +make up your mind to it. Get a move on you, I say, Landy Smith." + +"Oh! well, might as well be killed for a sheep as a lamb, I reckon," +muttered the fat scout as he started to make use of his push-pole. + +For the time being, caution was thrown to the winds; all Landy +considered was the rapidity with which he could get past that ominous +tree containing Toby's bobcat. + +Perhaps Landy's heart was beating a regular tattoo as he found himself +actually compelled to pass under the tree itself, owing to the +narrowness of the channel at just that part of the runway. Elmer, +watching out of the tail of his eye, could see how pale the other had +become, and he was secretly amused. + +It was just like Lil Artha, when their skiff was directly under the +suspected tree, to utter a low gasp, and proceed to elevate his gun in +a hurry, as though sighting the quarry. + +Poor Landy came very near having a fit; he dropped the pole overboard +and fell backwards in the boat, which came near swamping. Toby, in the +other craft, succeeded in rescuing the floating pole before it had gone +completely beyond reach. + +"Guess I was mistaken that time!" said Lil Artha, without cracking a +smile, although no doubt he must have been secretly chuckling at the +way the handler of the push-pole had shown alacrity in getting out of +range. + +So Landy, with a sheepish grin, managed to get on his feet again, and +take the rescued pole from Toby's hands. He gave the tall scout a +sharp look as though suspecting that it had been a trick intended to +play upon his nerves. But then Landy was always a good-natured fellow, +and never bore anyone ill-will, no matter what the joke might be of +which he became the victim. + +Toby could not be persuaded that he had not glimpsed a wildcat in that +tree under which they passed. He kept staring back as long as it was +possible to catch a view of its leafy branches. + +"Well, say what you like," he concluded, "I did see _something_ whisk +out of sight up there; yes, and it had starey eyes in the bargain. If +it was a 'coon, then all I can say is they breed queer 'coons up in +this old Sassafras Swamp country. There now, that's about enough from +me." + +"The afternoon is nearly half gone, and we haven't scared up our quarry +yet," advised Mark later on. + +"Plenty of time, for there's another day coming," said Elmer. "We're +here to comb the swamp through from end to end but what we'll find +nobody knows. Keep listening, too. It might be possible we'd hear a +shout that would give us a clue." + +"Say now, I hadn't thought of that before," admitted Toby. "If Hen +_is_ being treated harsh-like by that unknown who's got hold of him, +mebbe he might let out a yawp once in a while. There's no harm done in +listening, I reckon, and Landy here could tell if it was him giving +tongue." + +Now and then some sound did come to their ears, but of an entirely +different character from the one they were hoping to catch. A +granddaddy bullfrog on some mossy log sent out loud and deep-toned +demands for "more rum! more rum!" Then a saucy bluejay started in to +scold the fellows in the boats for daring to trespass in its preserves, +and how the angry bird did lay it on until they were well beyond reach +of its chatter. + +Once a far-away grumble floated faintly to their ears, at which there +was an immediate comparing of opinions. Some seemed to incline to the +belief that it must be distant thunder, and that they were bound to +soon be caught in a storm, which had been creeping unnoticed up on +them, the dense foliage by which they were surrounded preventing them +from learning the fact sooner. + +"If you asked me what it was," said Elmer, when he found that the +others were not able to agree, "I'd be inclined to say we're not more +than half a mile away from one side of the swamp, and that there's a +farm lying yonder on which they keep a bull. I imagine it was his +lowing we heard just then." + +"Bully, say I, not meaning to be funny either," remarked Landy; "for +I'd a heap sooner believe it was a bovine trying out his bazoo than a +thunder-storm heading this way. It's bad enough to be in constant +danger of getting ducked by falling overboard, without taking chances +overhead in the bargain." + +As they did not hear any repetition of the suspicious sound the scouts +finally determined that Elmer had guessed right, and that there must be +a stock farm not a great distance away from the border of the swamp. + +The more they pushed on into what seemed the interminable recesses that +surrounded them the greater became their wonder as to how they were to +find those they sought. The chances seemed very much against them; but +then they had an abounding faith in Elmer's sagacity; and he seemed to +be determined on persevering. Doubtless, too, the others reasoned to +themselves, Elmer had some clever plan laid out which would be sprung +when the proper time arrived; and this confidence did much to relieve +their minds as they pressed steadily on. + +Lil Artha was apparently bent on making Landy pay for his previous easy +time; he kept the other at work, though frequently the fat scout had to +hold his push-pole under his arm while he mopped his reeking brow. +Perhaps Landy panted very loud on purpose, with the object of causing +his obdurate boss to relent, and give him a chance to "spell" with Mark. + +Heedless of sighs and half-heard groans alike, Lil Artha just sat there +and took his ease, while the slave worked and worked as though he were +chained to the galley's oar. + +No one ever knew whether it were actually an accident or a deep-laid +scheme on the part of the weary Landy to end this period of torture. +There may be some things even worse than a mere ducking--at least a +stout boy like Landy Smith might think so. + +At any rate, none of the scouts happened to be looking very closely at +the time, and consequently they could not say one way or the other. +All they knew was that without any warning Landy was seen to be dragged +out of the stern of the skiff, struggle to clasp his writhing legs +about the pushpole that stood at an oblique angle, caught firmly in the +tenacious mud, and then releasing his hold, flop with a great splash +into the dark-colored water of Sassafras Swamp! + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS OF LANDY + +To this very day, it has never been positively known among the scouts +of the Wolf Patrol whether Landy met with an unexpected accident, or +allowed himself to be deliberately dragged out of the boat, seized with +a sudden overwhelming desire to end his spell of drudgery. + +The splash was simply terrific, and Landy vanished completely beneath +the surface of the swamp water, which chanced to be fairly deep at that +place, as of necessity Landy himself must have known. + +"Oh! he's overboard!" exclaimed Toby, in the other boat, perhaps louder +than his orders from the scout master permitted. + +"What a nuisance!" grunted Lil Artha, trying to appear unconcerned, +though it might have been noticed that he tried the best he could to +stop the movement of the skiff by thrusting both hands in the water, +and paddling. + +Mark did better than that, for he snatched up a thwart that he knew was +loose, and started to use it vigorously so as to check the progress of +the floating boat. + +Meanwhile, of course, Landy came to the surface like a bobbing cork +that had been pulled down by the bite of a fish. He was floundering +around like a whale, spouting volumes of water that he must have +swallowed in his dive, and apparently doing his level best to stay on +top. + +"Hey! ain't you goin' to help a feller?" they managed to make out from +his almost incoherent splutter. + +The other boat had by now pushed up close alongside, and Elmer, leaning +over the side, seized the swimmer by the coat collar. Landy at once +allowed himself to apparently collapse. He was content to have someone +support him; but some of his chums imagined there was a suspicious +_manufactured_ look in the expression of terror that had fixed itself +on his face. + +With plenty to lend a helping hand the fat scout was soon pushed and +hauled on board the skiff from which he had fallen. The treacherous +pole was also recovered and given in charge of Lil Artha, for, of +course, it could not be expected that a fellow who had just been +rescued from a watery grave would be able to continue that arduous task +of pushing. + +Lil Artha frequently looked queerly at the dripping Landy as he used +the pole. Sometimes he would chuckle softly to himself, and a swift +grin flash athwart his lean countenance as though a humorous thought +had struck him; after which the tall scout might be observed to shake +his head as if bothered. + +Landy settled down to taking things easy. He wanted them all to know +that he had had a remarkably close call, and every little while he +would heave a great sigh, to follow it with such words as: + +"I'm terrible glad you boys were on deck to save me. My clothes seemed +as heavy as lead, and I sure think I'd have gone down three times if +you hadn't chucked me aboard here. That was a narrow squeak for me. I +guess I went and got too confident, and it made me careless. But holy +smoke! how that mud can grip! I just couldn't get the old pole out +nohow, and that's a fact. I won't forget what you did for me, fellers, +sure I won't. I hope to be able to do the same for every lasting one +of you some day." + +"You're too kind, Landy," laughed Toby; "none of us are hankering after +an experience like that. I'll never forget what you looked like, +dangling there on that push-pole, and trying to squirm your legs around +it so as to climb up. Want to know what you made me think of, Landy?" + +"Go on and tell me," said the other, with a tremble in his voice, for +he was by this time beginning to feel the effect of his immersion. + +"Why, you remember how we used to go frog-hunting in a boat, with a +three-foot line at the end of a stout pole, and a small hook baited +with a piece of red flannel? Well, when we'd see a whopping big +greenback we'd dangle that red stuff close to his nose. It was funny +to see him squat down like a cat does on sighting a sparrow or a robin, +and then jump up to grab the flannel." + +Toby paused to chuckle afresh, and the object of his attack urged him +to continue, although he evidently realized that he was about to be +held up to boyish ridicule. + +"First, the frog thinks he wants that queer red bug the worst kind," +Toby went on to say, "but as soon as he feels the hook he changes his +mind. Then he starts in to do the greatest acrobatic feats you ever +saw, twisting his hind legs up over his head like he wanted to turn a +somersault, or else climb up the line. Well, when I saw you dangling +on that push-pole, I thought of a fat, greenback frog." + +"Huh! guess you'd a tried to climb, too, if you'd been in my place," +grunted the stout scout, drawing his coat a little closer around him, +and shivering. + +"No, I'd have stuck by the boat, Landy," said Toby, soberly. + +Landy shot him a suspicious glance but did not make a reply. Perhaps +he may have been wondering whether any of his mates already suspected +that his recent narrow escape had not been such an accident as it +appeared. + +Elmer now took a hand in the discussion. + +"Here, let's make less noise, fellows," he remarked. "In the +excitement we've already broken our rule, and if there was anyone near +by they must have known all about us. And we're going ashore just +beyond there." + +"So soon in the afternoon, Elmer; what's up?" demanded Chatz, who, +having rested since last using the pole, did not understand why they +should call it a day's work at not much after three o'clock. + +"If you look at Landy, you'll understand why," continued the patrol +leader. + +"Why, he is shivering, sure enough!" exclaimed Chatz; "what ails you, +suh? Are you feeling cold on such a warm day as this?" + +"What, me cold!" stuttered Landy, trying to put on a brave face, though +his lips were turning blue and quivering; "of course I ain't. It must +be the excitement of the little scare has gripped me, that's all." + +But wise Elmer knew very well he was assuming a degree of comfort which +he did not feel, and he could not stand for it. + +"You've got to do one of two things, Landy,", he said, with authority, +"either take the push-pole again, and warm your blood up, or else go +ashore to dry your clothes. Otherwise, we'll have you getting a chill, +and then the fat will be in the fire as far as our hunt goes. Which +shall it be?" + +"If it's all the same to you, Elmer, and you mean the whole kit to stop +off too, I say let's go ashore," hastily replied Landy. + +"Head for that little cove, Lil Artha, and you too, Toby," said Elmer. + +"I'd like to lend him something I've got in my pack," remarked Lil +Artha, apparently taking pity on the shivering one; "only you c'n see +with one eye it wouldn't come within a mile of meeting around his +waist." + +"I've got a sweater he could put on while his clothes are drying," +volunteered Toby Jones; "of course, it isn't his size by a jugfull, but +then you know sweaters stretch. Like as not it'll go around me twice +though, after Landy's worn the same. But he's our chum, and scouts +should always be ready to make sacrifices for each other." + +"That's real good of you, Toby," mumbled Landy, strangely enough unable +to meet the honest gaze of the generous donor. + +The landing was soon made, and when the dripping Landy got ashore the +first thing Elmer made him do was to jump around, and thresh his arms +back and forth. This, of course, was to induce a circulation of blood, +so as to resist the chill following his late immersion. + +"Lil Artha, I leave it to you to make the fire," said the patrol +leader. "Use dry wood so there'll be little or no smoke; and build it +in that low spot over to the right. If we choose to keep it going +to-night, there's only a small chance that anyone will discover the +light in that dip." + +Nothing pleased Lil Artha better than to make a camp fire. Besides the +genial glow, which he so dearly loved, being a fire worshipper by +nature, it doubtless meant that before a great while they would be +cooking supper; and as we happen to be aware such a task was never +onerous to the lanky scout, whose appetite seldom failed him. + +There were others to help pick up the right kind of wood, for every +scout has to learn such things early in his career in woodcraft. Soon +a crackling little blaze sprang up, which, being carefully fed, +presently amounted to a considerable fire. + +"Here you are, Landy," said Elmer, when he could feel the genial heat +at a distance of five feet away; "strip off, and hang your duds on +these sticks we've planted around the fire. They'll soon begin to +steam, and then dry out." + +Elmer even took a hand himself, wringing each article cast off by the +bulky Landy before he hung it judiciously before the fire. + +Fortunately, the fat scout had made out to carry an extra pair of socks +and a suit of clean underwear in his pack, and having donned these, +with the help of Toby's expansive sweater, he had to make out. There +was considerable fun poked at him as he squatted there by the fire +attending to his clothes, so as to make sure they did not get scorched +by the heat. + +"There's one thing bad about this drying-out process, though," Lil +Artha was heard saying to Ted, who chanced to be near by; "and that's +the way clothes shrink after they've been wet." + +"Which reminds me," Toby called out, "of that story about the fat +bachelor who had washed a suit of his new underwear himself, and hung +it on the clothes-line to dry; but the maid came along afterwards and +finding them ready to take in hung up a suit belonging to the kid, +about four years of age. When the stout bach stepped out to get his +suit and saw that baby outfit hanging in its place, he rubbed his eyes +and was heard to say to himself: 'Great Scott! and the clerk swore they +wouldn't shrink a bit!'" + +"But I hope _my_ clothes won't shrivel up so I can't get in the same," +Landy observed, anxiously. "A nice figure I'd cut going around day and +night like this. And let me tell you the skeeters would fairly eat me +alive. As it is, I'm cracking at them all the time right now." + +Frequent examinations, however reassured him. His clothes were drying +nicely, and did not seem to be losing any of their former generous +proportions. So in time Landy might hope to be garbed in his proper +attire as became a scout, and not an Arab or a "side show freak," such +as Toby persisted in dubbing him. + +Supper was later on taken in hand. There was no lack of recruits when +it came to doing the cooking; in fact, Elmer found that he had six +enthusiastic would-be _chefs_ to choose from, even Landy expressing a +willingness to serve, as he had to hover near the blaze more or less +anyway, and might as well be busy. + +Afterwards the fire was allowed to go down, though Elmer did not feel +that it was positively necessary for them to let it die out entirely. +If it was bound to betray them doubtless the mischief had already been +done; and having to shoulder the blame, they might as well have the +game. + +It was a great delight to them all to squat there around the fire and +talk in low tones. There were no boisterous language or actions +tolerated. Elmer gave them to understand that they were now out on +serious business, and all such conduct must be left to another time. + +Still, they found plenty to talk about, most of it connected with the +strange happening at Hickory Ridge, in which their unfortunate comrade, +Hen Condit, bore such a prominent part. + +"I wonder now," Toby was saying at one time, "whether the Chief of +Police got a clue like we did that'd fetch him up in this region of the +country with a posse, meaning to try to round up this escaped rascal?" + +There was a variety of opinions concerning this point, some believing +one way and the rest having contrary views. + +"It would be too bad, now," said Ted, "if they managed to haul both of +them up before we could get Hen in hand, and hear hith thory of what +happened." + +"That's a fact," added Lil Artha. "We know the Chief, and that he'd +take Hen back to town just like he was a real criminal. No matter what +excuse the boy'd try to give, the Chief wouldn't listen, leaving all +that for the Justice of the Peace before whom he'd take his prisoners. +Boys, we've just got to find Hen first; that's all there is to it." + +That seemed to be the consensus of opinion among them. By degrees they +had come to believe that Hen Condit must be under a spell, to have +acted as he did. Nothing else would explain the mystery, for Hen had +always been reckoned a mild, inoffensive sort of fellow, one of the +last boys in Hickory Ridge to do anything so terrible as commit a +robbery. + +"That's just what it is!" declared Toby, as they again talked it all +over in hopes of getting a better conception of the truth, "the man +who's got Hen must be one of those terrible hypnotists you read about. +I saw one down in the city last summer at a show, and he made fellows +do the most ridiculous things anybody ever heard tell of." + +"Such as what?" asked Lil Artha, looking as though he might be +skeptical. + +"Why, one boy thought he was a goat, and ran all around on his hands +and feet, hunting for tin cans and old shoes to eat. Another believed +he was a dog baying at the full moon, and I nearly took a fit listening +to him whoop. Then there was a third fellow who believed he was made +of iron, so he stretched himself from one chair to another, and three +men stood right in his middle; and he didn't break, either. Say, it +was the greatest sight you ever saw." + +"Fakes, all rank fakes!" snorted Lil Artha; "every one of those boys +was a confederate of the impostor. You notice they never come to small +places where everybody knows everybody else, but show in cities, where +a new audience comes each night. I'd like to see a circus like that, +just to laugh; but you couldn't get me to believe in hypnotism worth a +cent." + +"Well, then," demanded Toby, "what do you think this man's got on Hen +that he's made him do whatever he wanted, tell us that, if you can?" + +"I don't know," replied Lil Artha, promptly. + +"See?" cried Toby, exultantly, "he backs down right away." + +"There are a lot of things I don't know," added the tall scout; "but +it's my opinion that Hen's being held to that man through some kind of +fear. P'raps he's been made to believe he did something _terrible_, +and his only hope is to skip out before the police get him. But let's +wait till we find him, and then we'll know it all." + +"A sensible conclusion," remarked Elmer, who had listened to all the +talk with considerable interest; "and as the hour is getting late +suppose we begin to settle how we're going to sleep through our first +night in Sassafras Swamp." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NIGHT ALARM + +Up to then none of them had apparently bothered about figuring how they +would make themselves comfortable, so that Elmer's suggestion was like +a bomb thrown into the camp. + +"I should think we had better get busy if we want to have a place to +sleep on," Landy exclaimed, for the hard ground did not appeal very +much to the fat scout, accustomed as he was to a feather bed at home. + +"We have no blankets, remember," said Elmer, "and that is one reason +why I laid out to keep the fire burning in a small way through the +night." + +"But luckily," added Mark, who apparently had been looking around more +or less since they came ashore, "there are plenty of spruce and hemlock +and fir trees close by. We can make our beds like hunters always used +to do, away back in Daniel Boone's time." + +"Every fellow will have to shift for himself, then," said Elmer; "so +let's start in and lay a foundation for a soft and fragrant bed." + +"Hay was good enough for me last night, suh!" declared the Southern +boy; "but I've got a hunch I can sleep just as sound on balsam." + +"Hemlock for mine every time!" announced Lil Artha. + +Then there was a bustling time as the entire seven scouts started to +break off small branches and twigs from the adjacent trees, laying them +in piles until it looked as though they had secured enough for their +purpose. + +The beds were arranged in something like a circle around the fire, and +acting on the advice of Elmer, who had been on the cattle range and +knew what was right, each sleeper expected to keep his feet toward the +fire. + +"Looks a heap like a big cart-wheel," observed Lil Artha. + +"The fire is the hub, and each scout a spoke, that's right, suh," Chatz +agreed. + +Landy acted as though he would never get enough of the fragrant browse. +Long after the others had stopped gathering it, he continued. When +they joked him about being greedy when there was no price to pay, he +had an answer ready. + +"I'm a whole lot heavier than anybody else, don't you know?" he told +them. "And on that account I ought to have a higher pile under me. +Besides, I always did like to gather things in." + +"We'll remember that, Landy," threatened Lil Artha, "the next time we +need a big supply of firewood. You've fixed it up good and tight, and +you'll find us the most obliging lot of scouts east of the Rockies." + +After considerable fussing and joshing, they managed finally to get +"fixed." As none of them had slept too soundly on the preceding night, +owing to their strange environment, and the wild alarm that sounded +when Johnny's chicken-thief trap was sprung, the boys were both weary +and drowsy. + +Elmer was really the last to drop off, and he smiled as he raised his +head to glance around at the stretched-out figures of his six chums. +Some were breathing pretty loud, but Elmer could forgive that, and so +he also gave himself up to indulging in refreshing slumber. + +He was awakened by a horrible crash that made him instantly sit up. +Other figures were bobbing up all around the smouldering camp fire. +From the condition of this latter, Elmer knew that he must have been +asleep much more than an hour. + +"What happened?" gasped Landy the first thing, for he was digging his +fat knuckles into his heavy eyes as though trying to rout the last atom +of drowsiness from them. + +"It was me," replied Lil Artha, promptly; "I fired my gun!" + +"What at?" demanded Elmer, thrilled in spite of himself. + +"A creeping man!" came the astounding answer. + +"Wow! what's all that, Lil Artha?" Toby exclaimed; "you must have been +dreaming, and did it in your sleep. It's a good thing none of us +happened to be in range of your old Marlin scatter-gun, that's all." + +"Rats! I tell you I was wide awake, and sitting up when I fired," +insisted the tall scout. + +Of course, by this time all were on their feet, for the excitement had +gripped hold of them. Elmer realized that Lil Artha was speaking +earnestly, and showing no symptoms of having played a practical joke. + +"Now tell us all about it, Lil Artha," he commanded. + +"Why, it was about thisaway," said the other, obediently. "I happened +to wake up and felt a bit thirsty, so I sat up thinking I'd crawl over +to our big jug of fresh water and take a swig. But just as I sat up I +saw something moving over in the bushes about twenty-five feet away. +Yes, sir, and the fire picked up just then so I could make out what +looked mighty like a man peeking at me through the same bushes--fact +is, I _know_ that's what it was, and nothing else." + +"Well, what did you do then?" asked the patrol leader. + +"I always keep my faithful Marlin handy when I sleep out in the woods, +you remember, Elmer," continued the other, with a touch of boyish pride +in his voice; "so all I had to do was to grab up the gun and blaze away +as quick as I could throw the same to my shoulder." + +Elmer caught his arm in a fast grip. + +"Not aiming at a man in the bushes only twenty-five feet away, Lil +Artha--don't tell me you were silly enough to do that?" he asked, +somewhat hoarsely. + +The tall scout chuckled, and Elmer's fears were instantly dissipated. + +"I'm not a fool, Elmer," he said, loftily. "I aimed away up in the +air, and shot to scare not to hurt!" + +"Good enough, Lil Artha," the scout master went on to say in a relieved +tone; "I couldn't believe you'd be so reckless. A charge of bird shot +at that distance goes like a bullet, because it hasn't a chance to +scatter." + +It was apparently Toby's turn to appear skeptical now. + +"Huh! I s'pose he lit out then like a streak, after you'd wasted a +good charge of shot in the air, and knocked leaves from the branches of +trees--is that what you want us to believe, Lil Artha?" + +"Didn't you hear the row he made rushing away?" demanded the other, +severely; "but then all of you started talking at once, and I guess you +didn't take much notice." + +"I heard some sort of noise off that way," asserted Elmer, pointing. + +"Correct, Elmer, for that's where he was kneeling, right over there in +those thick bushes. You see I mightn't have noticed him at all only he +happened to move just when a little flame shot up along that piece of +partly burned wood." + +"Oh! I admit that you may have seen _something_," persisted Toby; "but +the chances are ten to one it was a white-faced heifer that had hit on +our camp, and was looking to see who and what we were. We happen to +know there's a stock farm not a great ways off, and I reckon their cows +get into the swamp once in so often." + +"Think you've laid it down pretty pat, don't you?" sneered Lil Artha; +"but I'm going to show you where you're away off your base. Guess I've +got eyes, and know a human from a white-faced heifer. Watch my smoke, +that's all." + +With that the indignant scout handed his gun to Chatz, and stepping +over to the fire picked up the half-burned brand which he had mentioned +before. This Lil Artha whirled briskly around his head several times +until he had it crackling and taking fire afresh, so that it promised +to make a very fair torch, if used for only a brief time. + +Elmer made no objections to the programme. Indeed, he was deeply +interested in the outcome, whatever it might prove to be. + +After having made sure of sufficient light, Lil Artha boldly strode +directly toward the spot he had indicated as the scene of the +near-tragedy. + +"Go slow, Lil Artha," warned cautious Landy; "he might be laying for +you there. Keep him covered, Chatz, with the gun, won't you?" + +"Oh! give us a rest, Landy; didn't I tell you he hoofed it like fun +after that shot gave him a scare? Who's afraid?" + +With that Lil Artha reached the bushes indicated, and the others were +close on his heels, every fellow eager to find out whether what he had +told them was in fact true, or if the apparition had only been a +figment of Lil Artha's imagination, the tail-end, as it were, of a +stirring dream. + +Bending down, the long-legged scout began to scan the ground. His +discoveries started almost immediately, as his excited words announced: + +"Here's where he pushed back the brush, as you c'n see for yourselves. +Yes, and there's aplenty of footprints besides. Looky where he knelt +down, because here's the mark of his knees as plain as anything. Now +what do you say, Toby Jones? Is the laugh on me, after all?" + +Toby had to confess that it did not look that way. + +"Oh! I'm ready to own up you did see a man snooping around our camp, +Lil Artha," he confessed, frankly; "and when you let fly with that load +he lit out like all possessed. Elmer, of course the chances are it was +_that man_, don't you think?" + +"We know of no other in this region," said the patrol leader. "He must +have discovered our fire, and was creeping up when our vigilant comrade +saw him, meaning to steal part of our food supply. We happen to know +they're short of grub, and now that the country is being roused against +them this man is beginning to be more or less afraid to venture out of +the swamp to secure another lot of fowls, or anything else along the +eating line." + +"But it looks as if he came here alone, Elmer, seeing we can find only +one set of footprints," remarked Lil Artha. + +"Oh! mercy! I certainly hope now he hasn't done anything _ter_rible to +our chum, Hen Condit," quavered Landy, in a panic. + +"There's no reason why we should believe such a thing," announced +Elmer, decidedly; "we've already agreed that he possesses some sort of +strange power over poor Hen, and I suppose the boy is waiting in their +camp away from here, for the man to come back with provisions." + +They walked back and the fire was revived, for since no one felt just +like trying to sleep again they concluded to sit up a while and talk it +all over. This attempted visit on the part of the unknown man had +apparently put a new face on the whole matter. It might change their +plans considerably, too, some of the scouts feared. + +"I don't see why that should be," Elmer explained. "Of course, after +this we'll have to keep a watch every night, so as to hold him up if he +tries to get away with any of our stuff. It may hurry things along in +the end. If they have little to eat, and the man is really afraid to +go outside of the swamp thinking the police are waiting to arrest him, +he may make up his mind to surrender to us." + +"Then you believe he knows why we're here, do you, Elmer?" demanded +Toby. + +"It seems possible, although, of course, we have to jump at +conclusions, because we really don't know," came the answer. + +"Whew! but this is all a dark mystery," confessed Landy; "and I never +was much account at guessing the answer to riddles. Who is this man; +what is he holding over Hen Condit's head; why should our chum do that +awful thing, and then leave such a silly letter behind to convict +himself? I'm all in a whirl, and if anybody can straighten me out I'd +be a heap obliged." + +Apparently, nobody could, at least there was no effort made in that +direction. In fact, to tell the truth, all the boys felt that they +were groping in the gloom, and even their best guesses had only a +slender foundation. + +"We've enlisted in the war, though," said Lil Artha, grimly, "and we +won't be kept back by any little thing. If that chap comes snooping +around any more he stands a mighty good chance of getting hurt, that's +all I'm going to say about it." + +"And we'll run across Hen, sooner or later, you can put that in your +pipe and smoke it," asserted Toby Jones, firmly. + +When they had discussed the subject from every side, without picking up +much additional information worth while, the boys began to feel sleepy +again. So Elmer told them off in watches, two scouts being assigned to +duty at a time. Landy was left out, because he was the odd fellow, and +perhaps for other obvious reasons. + +He pretended to be quite indignant over the slight, and vowed that he +would certainly sit up through one of the watches with the pair whose +turn it happened to be. But none of them took his threats seriously, +because they knew full well when Landy Smith once got asleep it +required something like a young earthquake to arouse him. Elmer hardly +anticipated another visit from the mysterious unknown that night. He +fancied the fellow must have imagined Lil Artha really shot point-blank +at him, and that it was only his good luck which enabled him to escape +disaster. + +Being too good a scout to take unnecessary chances, and not wishing to +lose the main part of such supplies as they had fetched along for +several days' use, the patrol leader took all due precautions. + +The fire was kept up the balance of the night in the bargain, for they +felt as though the illumination helped to guard them. Complete +darkness might have tempted a raiding thief to try again, while he +would be afraid to attempt such a risky move while the flames crackled +and lighted up the immediate surroundings. + +After all, nothing happened to disturb them. The sentries stuck +diligently to their duties, and changed at the time appointed. This +had been laid out by Elmer, as the sky had cleared and the stars could +be plainly seen in places. He figured time from the position of +certain bright planets, and their setting would mean the different +changes in guard mount. Scouts who have been in camp have learned +these methods of telling time by the use of the heavenly watch, and few +of them after once mastering the interesting method find a need for +Ingersols. + +When daylight sifted in through the treetops overhead, the boys gave +signs of arousing. Landy, of course, was the last to awaken, and he +professed to be quite heart-broken because no one had called him in +time to help stand out that watch. The gleam of humor in his eyes, +however, told Elmer that the fat boy was not quite so much disappointed +as he made out to be. In fact, the patrol leader was beginning to fear +that Landy had latterly shown signs of developing a new trait in his +composition, and started to play the part of a deceiver, in return for +constant badgering on the part of his fun-loving mates. + +It was while they were eating breakfast that Elmer propounded a new +scheme, and after placing it before his comrades asked them what their +opinions were. + +"The question now is," was what he said, seriously, "whether we mean to +keep on poling our skiff along the waterways; or shouldering our packs +take the shore from now on; and as our rule always has been, majority +votes carry the day." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE VALUE OF SCOUTCRAFT + +"But that old skiff suits me all right," objected Landy, who did not +particularly fancy shouldering his pack, to tramp through brush and +over marshy tracts of land, such as must be their portion. + +"Why ought we make a change, Elmer?" asked Ted, also unable to grasp +the meaning of this new move. + +Not so Lil Artha, who was quick to see things, especially when some +suggestion on the part of the scout-master was concerned. + +"Why, what ails you fellows?" he exclaimed, scornfully, as became one +possessed of superior brains; "don't you understand my sighting that +man last night alters the whole business? Now, there's no need of +hunting a needle in a haystack, for we've got a real trail to follow +up." + +"That's right, suh, and scouts ought to be able to accomplish the +task," Chatz remarked in his superior way, which, however, everybody +knew was only skin-deep, the result of his Southern birth and training, +for he was a splendid fellow at heart, and well liked. + +"What about the skiffs then, if we abandon the same?" asked Toby. + +"Oh! we'll mark the place, and Johnny can easily find his property when +we're paying him five dollars for their use," said Lil Artha, lightly. +"And boys, better make a start with those packs right now." + +Landy sighed heavily, and seeing there was no escape he started to +carry out the suggestion of the tall scout. His lack of ambition was +so noticeable that Lil Artha could not resist the temptation to take a +shot at him. + +"I was just thinking, fellows," he went on, maliciously, "that Landy's +going to play out on us, and give no end of trouble; so we might leave +him here to watch the boats while we're gone." + +"What! me stay here, and starve to death?" ejaculated Landy, commencing +to put considerably more vigor into his labor; "I guess not, if I know +myself, and I think I do." + +"Oh! for that matter we'd let you have some grub," continued the +generous Lil Artha; "enough for one full meal anyway." + +"No thank you, not any in mine. I'm going where the rest do, make up +your mind to that. If the old boats have to be watched stay yourself, +Lil Artha, that's all. You couldn't coax or hire me to remain alone a +single night in this awful swamp, not if you tried till doomsday. I +like company, and if I have to I c'n even put up with you as a steady, +Lil Artha. Now that'll do for you. It isn't to be considered for a +second." + +Of course, Lil Artha was only having a little fun, because there was no +thought of leaving anybody behind to stand guard over the two abandoned +skiffs; and least of all would Elmer have dreamed of appointing the fat +and timid scout for such a duty. + +When deciding on such a radical change in their plans, Elmer did not +forget that it might also be well for them to conceal the two boats. +Should the man they were hunting chance to come upon the skiffs he +might think it good policy to smash in the planks to such an extent +that they would be useless for further voyaging; and possibly the +scouts would be glad to get out of the swamp by the same means they had +taken when entering. + +"First of all, let's hide the boats somewhere," he suggested. "They're +pretty heavy, of course, but seven of us ought to be able to carry +them, one at a time." + +"It needn't be for far either," Lil Artha assured them, "because here's +a jimdandy place close by. Everybody on the job, and see what you can +lift." + +After all it was nothing to speak of, for the two skiffs were easily +handled, and nicely concealed from view. When the boys had removed all +traces of their passage, anyone might walk by within five feet of the +patch of bushes and never suspect what lay there so neatly hidden. + +"There, that job's done," said Elmer; "now finish packing, and we'll be +off." + +Landy hurried now. He had a lingering fear that there might be more in +that obscure threat made by Lil Artha of desertion on their part than +appeared on the surface. The more he considered being left alone in +that dreary swamp the faster Landy's fingers flew. He also kept a wary +eye on the tall scout, and had Lil Artha shown any intention of +hurrying off he would have surely found Landy tagging at his heels, +whether he had his pack or not. + +Meanwhile, Elmer, having quickly arranged his possessions, because of +long familiarity in the packing line, had gone over once more to the +bush patch where on the preceding night Lil Artha had seen that +suspicious lurker. + +Of course, it was Elmer's intention to examine the tracks left by the +mysterious visitor, and see whether it would be possible for them to +pick up the trail. + +He was, of course, taking it for granted that the party must have been +the same man they had been hunting ever since reaching the swamp. So +far as Elmer could say, his footprints resembled those they had seen +with Hen's, although there was really nothing remarkable about them to +distinguish the indentations above all others. + +Elmer knew that they took certain chances in figuring this way. After +all this man may have been the farmer who had a stock farm. Some of +his cattle breaking bounds would likely enough wander into the swamp, +and in looking for the strays perhaps he had discovered the smouldering +fire. + +As tramps, and possibly bad men as well, sometimes hid in the depths of +swamps, the cautious cattle-raiser may have been crawling up to find +out the truth when that sudden shot frightened him, so that he had run +wildly away. + +Well, no matter which of these two solutions to the mystery proved to +be the correct one, Elmer meant to try and come upon the party whose +trail now lay before him. He still favored the original idea, and, in +fact, never bothered mentioning the other speculation to his comrades. + +All of them being ready they set out. Elmer and Lil Artha led the van, +for they were recognized as the best equipped scouts in the Wolf Patrol +when it came to a question of trailing. What Lil Artha lacked in +actual experience, he partly made up for in his pertinacity, as well as +his constant practice along these lines. + +It soon became evident to them that the fugitive had not thought it +worth while to try and hide his trail at the time he fled from the +camp. That sudden shot must have given him a nervous shock, so that +all he cared about just then was to put as much distance between +himself and those seven khaki-clad boys as possible. The fact that +they carried weapons and would not hesitate to use their firearms must +have convinced him it was a risky thing to hang around that region any +longer. + +For half an hour the boys moved on. Sometimes it was at a fair walk, +and then again when the trail grew fainter so that those at the head of +the column were compelled to exercise all of their knowledge in order +to make sure progress, things slackened more or less. + +The boys had been warned not to make any unnecessary noise. Talking +save in the lowest of whispers was strictly tabooed, and even at that +Elmer did not encourage any conversation. They also had to take care +of their feet, and not press their weight upon some stick that would +break with a loud snap. Even such small things have spoiled well-laid +plans before now, and trackers, whether of wild beasts of human +fugitives, cannot be too careful. + +If Landy puffed a little the other made no objection, since he took +care to do it half under his breath. It was not such very easy work, +though as scouts most of them enjoyed every minute of the time, being +constantly thrilled with the expectation of suddenly coming upon a camp +where those they sought might be found, and taken by surprise. + +Lil Artha even had it all arranged in his mind just how he meant to +threaten that man with his gun, warning him savagely that it would be +as much as his skin was worth to attempt to flee. + +It was in this humor that they came to a log that lay across their +path. Here the trail ended, but, of course, such clever fellows as +Elmer and Lil Artha would understand a little trick like that. The +stumbling man had naturally taken to the log, passed well along to the +other end, and then jumped off. + +"You take that side and I'll cover this one," said Elmer, without the +least hesitation; "ten to one we'll get him again." + +They did, for Lil Artha quickly found the tracks once more. The +incident, however, told them that the man had begun to fear he would be +followed when morning came, since this was his first effort to baffle +pursuit. + +"I'm sorry that happened," said Elmer, softly, to his working partner; +"because it's going to make our task all the harder you see." + +"Do you mean because he's begun to be afraid he'll be followed?" asked +the other. + +"That's just it," continued the patrol leader; "if that idea gets a +firm hold of him he's bound to do everything he knows how so as to +leave us in the lurch. In the end he might even decide to quit the +swamp, and take his chances of getting away outside." + +"Well, we don't quit at that, do we?" asked Lil Artha, with a gritting +of his teeth that told of grim determination. + +Elmer looked at him and smiled. + +"We'd be a nice lot of scouts, wouldn't we," he said, sarcastically, +"if we were ready to throw up the sponge at the first sign of trouble? +No, we've started on this trail, and we'll run it down if it keeps us +busy the rest of our vacation." + +"In the immortal words of General Grant while flanking Lee and driving +him back toward Richmond," continued the other, "'we'll fight it out on +this line if it takes all summer!' I'm glad to hear you say that, +Elmer. But here we are up against it again, seems like." + +This time the fleeing man had reached a certain point, for his tracks +could be plainly seen, but the trail abruptly ended. + +"It's an easy guess," said Elmer, after a brief examination. "You can +see that he stood up on his toes here, for the indentation is heavier +forward. Then, besides, look at this bark lying fresh on the ground, +only a few small pieces, but scraped from the tree above us." + +"Sure thing, Elmer!" declared Lil Artha, while the others stood and +watched the actions of their comrades with the utmost curiosity, "he +just grabbed hold of that lowermost limb, gave his feet a fling against +the trunk of the tree, and hoisted himself up yonder." + +"Then perhaps he's somewhere up there still," suggested Landy. + +"I don't think so," continued Elmer; "but we'll send up an expedition +to find out after we make sure that all avenues of escape are closed. +My own opinion is that he passed out along some other low-hanging limb, +and dropped to the ground again, perhaps thirty feet away from here." + +"Let's look and see!" cried Toby, eagerly. + +"Be careful," warned Lil Artha, hurriedly; "for unless you step mighty +fine you may cover up the prints of his shoes where he dropped down." + +Elmer had already decided just about where he would have descended from +the tree had he been in the place of the fugitive. Lil Artha, too, +seemed to have settled on the same spot for he was just at the heels of +the leader. + +Instead of looking down, Elmer kept glancing up. It might be he was +mentally following the straddling figure along that great limb. +Presently he abruptly stopped. + +"I can see signs that tell me he came this far, but they end up there," +he told his companion. "Yes, and here you see fresh leaves on the +ground. Look sharp, Lil Artha, and it may be your eyes will light on +the fresh trail." + +Hardly had Elmer spoken when a low but eager cry told that success had +been achieved. Lil Artha pointed to the mark of feet close beside +them. Undoubtedly, the fugitive had dropped once more to the ground. + +"Say, let me tell you he's a slick article, that chap," said Toby, +after they had once more made a fresh start. "I wouldn't be surprised +to learn he'd been out on the plains in his day, he seems to know so +much about Indian ways and all that." + +"But he's met his match in our scout-master, for a fact," blustered +Landy, full of genuine admiration for the commander who had many a time +led the Wolf Patrol boys to victory over stupendous obstacles. + +"Silence everybody now," came from Elmer, though naturally it must have +given him a warm feeling in the region of his heart to know that these +good chums felt so kindly toward him and were not backward in +expressing their sentiments. + +So they continued on for another stretch. The fugitive must have come +to believe that by this time he would have thrown any possible tracker +off the scent; at any rate, he tried no new game looking to baffling +pursuit. + +Gliding along like shadows the seven scouts made fair progress. Elmer +was of the opinion that at any minute now they might come upon the spot +where the unknown had his hide-out. He had communicated his plans to +the others before this, and they all knew the parts they would be +expected to play should it come to a hold-up. + +Covered by the guns that he and Lil Artha carried, it was doubtful +whether the man would dare take chances and try to flee. If he did and +left Hen behind him, the first thing for them to do would be to secure +the boy, even if he evinced a desperate desire to avoid them. + +Somehow, Elmer himself believed they would find what they were seeking +in the unusually large patch of brush that now lay ahead of them. He +caught glimpses of the water just beyond, which proved that an arm of +the swamp extended in this direction. + +Pushing steadily on as noiselessly as possible, they were presently +able to part the bushes and discover a dead fire in plain sight. The +boat lay on the shore, with one plank smashed in, doubtless the result +of an accident that had wrecked the hopes of the two fugitives. + +Eagerly they surveyed the prospect, and then Lil Artha gave a grunt of +disgust. + +"Skipped out, that's a measly shame!" he exclaimed, wrathfully. + +"But what's that white thing stuck in the crotch of the wand yonder?" +demanded Toby; "looks to me like it might be some sort of communication +from our poor pard Hen Condit; because that's an old scout and Indian +way of leaving word, you know." + +Elmer was already hurrying forward to possess himself of the message. +The others watched him take it from the crotch of the stick and open +the soiled paper on which there seemed to be more or less crooked +writing in pencil. Then the patrol leader turned to his comrades, a +look of satisfaction on his face. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HEN CONDIT'S STRANGE MESSAGE + +"Is it from Hen?" asked two or three at once, that being the all +important fact stamped upon their minds. + +At the same time they realized just as well as anything it must be so, +else Elmer would not be smiling and frowning as he deciphered the +meaning of the scrawl. As all the boys knew, Hen Condit was one of the +poorest writers in the Hickory Ridge High School. It may be remembered +that in speaking of his other note some of them brought this fact +forward, stating that a teacher had once declared the boy well named, +since his efforts looked like "hen-tracks" on paper. + +"It's lucky that I'm able to read any sort of old writing," remarked +Elmer, not without a touch of boyish pride; "it's a gift with me, and +Hen sometimes came to ask me to tell him what he'd set down, for after +it got cold he couldn't well make it out himself." + +"Then you've sensed the meaning of his present communication, have you, +Elmer?" questioned Mark, a little bit given to stilted language. + +"I can read it all right," was the reply he received, "but +understanding the gist of it is another thing. The sentences seem +disconnected, and some of them are queer. When Hen wrote this he must +either have been half out of his mind, or else he was in great fear of +something, or _somebody_!" + +Of course, when the scout-master said this, it produced something of a +sensation among the other six fellows. They exchanged grave looks, +while Lil Artha was seen to shake his head, and give that gun of his a +little tilt upwards, as though he now believed more than ever the time +was near at hand when he would be compelled to make some sort of use of +the same, in order to save the kidnapped chum. + +"Please read it out to us, Elmer!" begged Landy. + +"Yeth, we're wondering what it can all be about," added Ted Burgoyne. + +"Then listen, and please don't interrupt me until I finish," said +Elmer. "This is what Hen's written with a lead pencil on this sheet of +paper, which I think he must have torn from a little memorandum book I +happen to know he always carries about in his pocket." + +He held the crumpled paper closer to his eyes, for in places the +writing was rather faint, and in two particular spots Elmer had to +guess at a word, for evidently a drop of something, perhaps a salty +tear, had fallen on the paper, blurring the work of the lead pencil +stub. + +"Boys, perhaps you'll get this--he says he counted seven and everyone +wore a khaki uniform--he thinks you must be the militia--course I know +better--but it's no use, you just can't help me--I'm a goner, and the +most miserable boy on earth--but I say on the honor of a scout I never +meant to do it--I've just got to disappear--maybe I'll let you hear +from me if ever I get Out West where they can't find me. Oh! what hard +luck, but I have to do whatever he says, no matter what I want. I'm +meaning to leave this behind in the scout way, and don't I hope you'll +find it. There, he's calling to me to hurry, for we're going to quit +this hide-out and try to escape. I'm awful hungry, too. Better leave +me to my fate unless you can find a way to seal his lips. That's all. +Hen." + +"Great Caesar!" exclaimed Lil Artha, who had hung on every word spoken +by Elmer. "That proves one of two things. Either our poor pard is +looney, or else he's got in the power of a rascal who controls his +mind. I always knew Hen was weak in the upper story just a teenty +mite. Poor old chap, we've got to find him if it takes us till +Christmas. You hear me talking now!" + +"Yeth, and we all thay the thame!" burst from Ted, as he doubled his +none too expansive fists, and looked as savage as he could. + +Indeed, a hasty glance around just then would have told any observer +that this strange message, filled with despair and yearning, left by +Hen Condit in the crotch of a stick thrust into the ground, had renewed +their former resolution not to give over the search until they had +either found the missing chum or exhausted every known device looking +to success. + +"If you asked me," said Elmer, "I'd say the answer to the riddle lay +between the two things you mention, Lil Artha. Hen is crazed almost, +but it is with fear. He finds himself in the power of a brute who is +using him for his own purposes. How it's been done, of course, we can +only guess, but the boy believes he has been forced to rob his +guardian, and that a posse is searching right now for him, with the +intention of putting him in jail. That explains his panic." + +"And say, he tells us right at the end of his note that he's some +hungry," Lil Artha went on to remark; "and, according to my notion, +that condition is next door to being insane. Why, mebbe the poor +fellow hasn't had a solitary bite for a whole day or even two of 'em. +I pity him from the bottom of my heart." + +"Notice what he incidentally says near the end," added Elmer. "'Better +leave me to my fate unless you can find a way to seal his lips.' That +seems to strengthen our theory, doesn't it?" + +"All this mention of 'he' must stand for the unknown man who has got +Hen, of course?" ventured Mark. + +"Couldn't be anybody else," the patrol leader made answer; "in fact, +Hen just now doesn't seem able to even think of any other person." + +"The fellow is no common rascal, let me tell you, suh," Chatz declared. +"He must have been some sort of professor along the lines of magic, +perhaps a hypnotist who performed wonders on the stage before crowds, +and then dabbled in things that the law sat down on, which landed him +in the penitentiary finally." + +"When the truth comes out, Chatz, I'm positive that your theory will be +found pretty near the exact facts," affirmed Elmer. + +"But all the time we're jabbering away here," warned Lil Artha, +"remember that they're getting further and further away from us." + +"As to that," the patrol leader assured him, "a few minutes don't make +so much difference, and it's always best to start right, so as to avoid +a loss of ten times as much later on by making mistakes. Then again, +I'm pretty sure that man is too smart to think of trying to leave +Sassafras Swamp before night comes, even if he plans to do it then." + +Somehow, this intelligence comforted the more impetuous ones. They had +such unlimited faith in Elmer knowing what course was best to pursue +that his judgment was accepted on its face value every time--just as +the Treasury notes of the United States Government are relied upon to +be worth their face denomination in specie. + +"About how long ago would you thay they had thkipped out of here?" Ted +asked, as they still lingered, looking to the right and to the left, as +though wanting to make certain nothing valuable in the way of a clue +could have escaped their scrutiny. + +"Lil Artha, we're depending on you for that information," suggested +Elmer, although it could not be doubted that he himself was able to +give a pretty good answer, for he had observed certain signs as well as +the tall scout. + +"Not more than two hours ago, I'd say, Elmer," Lil Artha ventured, with +considerable confidence manifested in his manner, as though if put to +it he was able to muster all the evidence necessary to establish his +veracity. + +"Just about what I thought myself," added the scout-master, with a +satisfied smile. "Two heads are better than one, any day, Lil Artha, +especially when they seem to work together as well as ours do." + +"Then the man didn't think to skip out right away after he got back +here, did he?" asked Landy, "because a good many hours have elapsed +since Lil Artha woke us all up with that sudden shot." + +"No, he must have slept for some time," answered Elmer, "knowing there +wasn't apt to be any sort of a pursuit in the night. Then again he +relied more or less on having blinded his trail, as a man who had spent +some time in the West among Indians and cowboys would have done. It +wasn't a great while before dawn when he must have aroused poor Hen and +told him they must get away." + +"But when do you think our chum could have scribbled that message?" +asked Mark. + +"Evidently, after he knew about our being within a mile of him," +replied Elmer, with a promptness that told how he had figured it all +out. "I suppose the man told him about the khaki soldiers who were in +the swamp looking for them, thinking it would make Hen more frightened +than ever; but we know he guessed the truth about our being his +comrades of the Wolf Patrol." + +"Then, believing he would be hurried off again, sooner or later," Mark +continued, "he took the first chance he had to write that message. He +must have fixed it in that split stick, and just as they were leaving +here stuck the wand in the ground, scout fashion." + +"We seem to have it all sized up to a dot by now," remarked the leader, +preparing to move; "and as there isn't anything else for us to do here, +suppose we get busy on the trail again, Lil Artha?" + +"I'm your chicken, and you can depend on me when it comes to scenting +out a trail, Elmer. Wonder if that man will be up to any more high +jinks in the way of walking along logs, climbing trees, and such +tricks? We'll keep a good lookout for such capers, believe me." + +They were soon moving along, the two trackers in the van as before, +with others trailing after. Landy brought up the rear, though Mark +kept a careful eye on him most of the time, as though rather skeptical +about his ability to make progress without getting into some sort of +trouble. + +It would be just like clumsy Landy to trip, and make a headlong plunge +into the brown tamarack water of the swamp just when he should have +been most careful. They had known him to do such things more than a +few times in the past; and on this account Mark always made it a point +to drop back and keep him company when he imagined the situation became +acute. + +From the rapid manner in which Lil Artha and Elmer picked up the trail +it was plainly evident that so far the unknown fugitive from justice +had not bothered resorting to any of his tricks looking to blinding the +tracks. + +He had been compelled to wait for daylight before trying to move +through the swamp, because progress would have been next door to +impossible at night time unless one were familiar with the way, or else +carried a lantern. Neither of these happened to be within his scope, +and so he had to depend upon daylight. + +Of course, none of the boys knew what sort of a reception they might +expect when finally they overtook the man they were following. What +little they could gather from various sources inclined them to believe +he must be a pretty desperate sort of customer. The occasional mention +of him in that strange message left by Hen was along those very lines. + +He might be armed for all they knew. Such criminals usually are, +though in this case it might be otherwise, Elmer had told them, since +he believed the man had been a prisoner making his escape when first he +struck Sassafras Swamp, and concluded to have his hide-out in its +depths. + +Still Lil Artha was not for taking too many chances. As he moved +along, the tall scout managed to keep that reliable gun of his in +position for quick use, should an occasion arise calling for service. + +He also tried to glance ahead from time to time, in hopes of locating +any suspicious ambuscade. A sudden attack that would leave himself and +Elmer weaponless might throw the entire party into a state of +helplessness, which would always reflect on their ability as scouts. + +They spent half an hour in this fashion, though the trail wound in and +out so much that at the end of that time they could hardly have been +more than a quarter of a mile away from the late camp of the fugitives. + +"Did you hear that, Elmer?" whispered Lil Artha, suddenly, throwing out +a hand so as to clutch the other's arm; while everyone became rigid +with suspense. + +"It certainly sounded like a cough," admitted the other. + +"But I'm dead certain it wasn't from in front of us, but over to the +left, which would be some queer," muttered the tall tracker, staring in +the quarter which he now indicated with outstretched finger. + +"I thought the same, Lil Artha," Elmer told him; "but then this trail +twists and turns so much it might get around that way easy enough." + +"Of course it might, Elmer." + +"All we can do is to keep going along as we are, and some of us watch +for signs of Hen and the man over yonder," added the scout-master. + +"Then you don't think it'd pay to strike out to the left?" questioned +the other, who seemed to be hesitating between two opinions. + +"We would be silly to quit a sure thing for an uncertainty," said +Elmer, decidedly. "After all our ears may have deceived us, and it +might have only been some queer grunt of a frog, a heron fishing for +minnows, or even a muskrat choking over his dinner. No, we must keep +on as we're going, that's sure." + +Lil Artha looked relieved. After all, it pleased the tall scout to +have someone decide a puzzling question like this for him. +Responsibility weighs heavy on the shoulders of many even capable boys, +and they are only too glad to be able to shift it on occasion. + +"Just as you say, Elmer, and I reckon you're quite right, too," always +in a low, sibilant tone that would not carry further than a dozen yards +at the most. + +They again turned to take up the trail, which just at that point +happened to run through some bushes coming up to their hips. It was +easy to see where those ahead of them had brushed through, for they had +trampled down the lush grass, and brushed aside the tender branches of +the bushes. + +Elmer had even bent over to take a good look down at the ground before +setting forth when he heard Toby Jones give a sudden, violent hiss. + +Now, that was a well-known sign among the boys of the Wolf Patrol, and +which had served them in good stead many a time in the past. Heard +under such thrilling conditions, it could mean only one thing; Toby had +discovered some sort of danger, and was warning his comrades in order +that they might drop down out of sight. + +Every fellow seemed to understand this instantly, for as though they +were all moved by the same controlling influence, they allowed +themselves to sink on their knees amidst the friendly bushes that +afforded such splendid shelter. Even as Elmer dropped thus he had shot +a quick glance toward the left, from which that seeming cough had come, +and saw something that electrified him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +BOUND TO SUCCEED + +No wonder the young scout-master was surprised and thrilled by what he +saw as he crouched there amidst the bushes, and stared over their tops. + +Not more than sixty or seventy yards away at the most there appeared to +be a violent commotion among another bunch of brush, as though a number +of unseen parties might be forcing their way through the obstruction. + +Even as Elmer, and his chums as well, looked, a figure burst out, +quickly followed by a second, a third, and then still more, until in +all there were six in the queer procession that seemed to be heading +directly for the late hide-out of the swamp fugitives. + +What startled the boys most of all was the fact that they knew several +of those who went to make up that strange company. First, there was +Johnny Spreen, the bound boy at the Trotter farm, and who had given +them so many points concerning the swamp he knew so well. + +Just behind Johnny walked a consequential looking personage dressed in +a blue uniform, and, with a glittering shield fastened on his left +breast. Well did the Hickory Ridge boys know the Chief of Police in +their own town. Behind him came a second and a third man, also in +uniform, whom they knew to be local "cops;" while the next had the +appearance of having been impressed into the posse; then at the tail +end of the procession came Farmer Trotter, carrying an old musket that +may have done duty in the Civil War, half a century back, for it looked +like a fossil. + +"Gosh!" + +That was Lil Artha "letting off steam," as he would have termed it; but +he uttered his favorite expression so very low that there was not the +slightest danger of it's being overheard. + +"Don't wink an eyelash if you can help it, fellows," whispered Elmer, +who apparently, for reasons of his own, did not want the posse to know +of their presence so near by. + +Of course, the others instantly knew what he meant, and if they had +been made of stone it is doubtful whether they could have maintained a +more rigid attitude as they crouched there in the bushes. + +Fortunately, all of the posse seemed to be looking ahead. Perhaps they +had been warned by the bound boy that the place to which he was taking +them was not very far distant, which would account for their eagerness. + +So they passed on. Elmer kept whispering to his followers not to make +a move unless it was to drop down flat on their faces. Apparently, not +even Landy felt inclined to do this. As long as the Chief and his +gallant posse remained in sight everyone crouched there and took it out +in staring. + +Then when even Farmer Trotter had been swallowed up in the scrub, sighs +might have been heard arising from some of the boys' lips, as though +they were relieved to have the suspense ended. + +"Never glimpsed us!" remarked Mark, triumphantly. + +"Blind as bats in the day-time!" added Landy. + +"They didn't happen to turn this way," said Elmer; "and since you all +kept so still I don't believe they'd have noticed us even if they had +looked. I want to say it was well done, boys." + +"That was Johnny Spreen, wasn't it?" asked Landy, as though he wanted +to have someone corroborate what his own eyes had told him. + +"It certainly was," said Lil Artha. "The farmer wouldn't let him come +with us, but I guess the Chief just swore them both into his posse, and +then they had to come or run up against the law. A sheriff or a police +Chief can do that, you understand; no matter whether a man wants to +serve or not, he's got to." + +"And you all noticed, I reckon," remarked Chatz, "that they were making +straight fo' the hide-out where Hen and that man spent the night. That +shows Johnny must have figured out after we left him that it would be a +good place for hiding. What do you all say about it?" + +"Oh! there's no question but what you're correct, old top!" Lil Artha +told him in his queer way. "But I'm real tickled because Elmer didn't +take a notion to hail the Chief, and take him in on our deal." + +Elmer laughed at that. + +"It wasn't any 'Hail to the Chief' this time, you see, Lil Artha," he +remarked. "We have borne the heat and burden of the day, and it wasn't +right that that crowd, coming in at the tail end of the chase, should +share alike with us. Besides, you remember we decided we wanted to get +at poor Hen _before_ the law could lay a hand on him." + +"So we did," muttered Chatz. + +"But Elmer," objected Toby, "supposing they get to that place, and find +the birds flown, don't you reckon they'll notice that we've been there?" + +"So far as the Chief and his men go," returned the other, "I wouldn't +believe them capable of finding out anything except that the camp was +empty. But all the same I suppose they will know about us." + +"Meaning that Johnny will see our tracks, and read the story there; is +that it, Elmer?" queried Lil Artha, quick to catch on to the meaning of +the patrol leader's words. + +"Yes, Johnny will tell, because he's been hunting furs so long that he +knows a heap about following tracks. When he finds out there were a +lot of boys in the camp he'll guess we discovered the place." + +"Mebbe they'll take it for granted we caught the birds, and be ready to +throw up the game then and there?" suggested Toby. + +"Hardly that," advised Elmer; "Johnny ought to be able to tell them +different. He would soon learn after looking things over that all our +tracks were made _after_ those of the man, when we left the camp. You +see that must tell him we were pursuing the fellow. I put myself in +Johnny's place; and that's how I believe I'd figure it out." + +"A good way to do, too, believe me," said Mark. + +"Then in that case," Lil Artha continued, "they'll be coming along +after us before a great while. Whew! if this doesn't beat anything I +ever took part in. It's a continuous procession, boys, winding in and +out through the high lands of old Sassafras Swamp--first Hen and the +man who controls his actions; then seven bold scouts of the Wolf +Patrol; and finally our big puffball of a Chief and his valiant posse +bringing up the rear." + +"But we don't want them to overtake us, do we?" asked Landy, actually +meaning to hint that they had better be moving on, which was a +remarkable thing to enter the head of the Smith boy, always the first +to desire a halt. + +"We do not," Lil Artha informed him, plainly, "and to prevent such a +horrible catastrophe from happening we expect to be on the jump again +right away, doubling our pace it may be, Landy. The worst is yet to +come, remember." + +"Huh! you can't scare me any, Lil Artha," the fat scout told his +tormentor; for he knew very well that with a trail to follow they could +hardly proceed any more rapidly than before. + +Progress was immediately resumed. They went forward in about the same +manner as before, with Mark keeping Landy company at the tail-end of +the procession. The situation was now growing more and more serious, +and much depended on whether they could manage to overtake the +fugitives before night came on. A whole day's tramping through the +intricate recesses of the swamp, just as the dry land afforded footing, +was a monumental task that must try the nerve of the best of them; and +Landy, if not one or two others, would be apt to drop out of the ranks +long before sunset came. + +Elmer, however, was hopeful that they must overtake those they chased +long before such utter weariness seized upon them. He knew that Hen +Condit himself, although no weakling, could not stand hours upon hours +of continual walking, especially when it consisted of such uncertain +footing as fell to their portion under those conditions. + +Complete exhaustion then might compel Hen to beg his companion to +either leave him or else order a halt. One way or the other suited the +scouts just as well, so long as they overtook Hen. + +When Landy found that he was puffing from his exertions he took an +extra grip on himself and would not listen to Lil Artha when the tall +scout proposed that he drop out. + +"All you have to do is to squat where we leave you, Landy," the other +had told him in a wheedling way; "and after we're done our business +we'll sure promise to look you up again, won't we, Elmer?" + +"Nothing doing," snapped Landy, decisively; "what d'ye take me for, Lil +Artha, to desert my poor chum Hen when he needs help so much? I'm a +sticker I want you to know. Adhesive plasters haven't got anything on +me when it comes to standing by you through thick and thin. No use +wasting your breath; save it for your work, say I!" + +"Let him be, Lil Artha," said the patrol leader, hardly knowing whether +it was fidelity to a fellow-scout in distress that influenced Landy, or +a dreadful fear lest he find himself left alone in the midst of the +dismal swamp. + +"Why yes," added Mark, "Landy is doing all right, even if he does +wheeze more'n is good for him. But he hasn't stumbled more than six +times in the last half hour, which is some record for Landy, you +understand, follows [Transcriber's note: fellows?]." + +Apparently, Landy took this as a great compliment, for his perspiring +face was set in a grin of triumph as he thrust out his tongue at Lil +Artha, as much as to say: + +"See, Mister Smarty, others appreciate my good qualities if you don't. +So just mind your own business, and leave me alone to attend to mine. +I'll get there or burst a blood-vessel trying. That's the Smith nature +every time." + +Having heard Landy talk in this strain many a time the rest of the +scouts could easily put these expressions in his mouth, though he was +too short of breath just then to give them utterance; looks, however, +often count more than mere words. + +They had been making splendid progress all this while, and must have +covered considerable distance since the time when they watched the +official posse wind its way past their hiding-place. + +Lil Artha and Elmer had once or twice held a low consultation after +making an examination of the tracks they were following. + +The others, listening to what the leaders said, found they were +comparing notes, and that it appeared to be the opinion of both Hen was +getting pretty tired. This they could make out in various ways known +to scouts who had made a business of reading the story to be found in +tracks. + +"You can see how uneven Hen walks most of the time," said Lil Artha; +"he wobbles even worse than Landy here, which goes to show he's getting +pretty tuckered out. Can you blame the poor fellow when p'raps he's +weak from hunger? If any of us had to go without a bite to eat all day +we'd get wobbly on our pins, too." + +There was no dissenting voice raised to this assertion; eating is so +essential to the average boy that nothing on earth can compensate for a +dearth of food at the regular intervals. + +"Then we saw several places where Hen had sat down to rest, you +remember," Elmer reminded the other. + +"Yes, and the last time it struck us both that the man had yanked him +to his feet again by main force; which I take it wasn't as nice and +kind of that bully as you might expect," Lil Artha went on to say. + +"Oh! the coward!" Chatz was heard to growl, and the look on his face as +he said those few words told what he meant to do if ever the +opportunity came his way to strike a blow for the abducted chum. + +Filled with renewed determination after this little conference, they +once more took up their task. Lil Artha likened their progress to the +ways of the Siberian wolf that follows its quarry day and night until +in the end its very persistence wins the victory. + +"We're in this to the finish," he was fond of saying whenever he had +the chance, "and sooner or later we'll get him. The boys of the Wolf +Patrol mean to stick to their name, and run the prey to the earth. He +just can't get away nohow. All we've got to do is to keep moving, and +believe the game is going to come our way. Everybody put his best foot +forward again. It's for the honor of the patrol, boys, that we get +hold of Hen Condit before the Chief takes him in." + +It was now two hours and more since they had started on this new trail. +Before this time no doubt the posse must have reached the deserted +hide-out, and learned that the birds had flown. Yes, it was even +possible that they were coming along the plain trail the seven scouts +had left behind them. + +Figuring then that the bulky Chief and his men would not exceed their +own rate of progress, they could count on almost two full hours' +advantage over the others. That surely ought to be an abundance of +time in which to carry out their plans, granting that they could +overtake the fugitives. + +Elmer had again cautioned them to keep still. The swamp was very +silent where they now found themselves, and sounds could be carried to +some distance under such conditions. + +Landy was getting on fairly well, considering a number of things that +he had to contend with. Indeed, Elmer meant to tell him as much when +he had the chance; for he felt that the stout scout deserved +encouragement. What might seem trifles to some of the others assumed +the aspect of mountains in the eyes of one who was not gifted with +agility by Nature, and had to carry a far greater weight with him than +any of his mates were obliged to. + +But here was Lil Artha coming to a full stop again. Looking at him the +others found that the tracker did not seem to be bending over to +examine the trail more closely, as had occurred many times before. + +On the contrary, Lil Artha was now raising his head in an expectant +attitude. Landy even conjectured that he must be observing a +woodpecker boring a hole in some rotten tree-top, and was about to try +and follow the supposed line of vision on the part of Lil Artha when he +heard him say something. + +It was only a brief sentence, but it meant worlds to those tired trail +followers. + +"I smell smoke--wood smoke at that!" was what Lil Artha hissed, as he +continued to sniff vigorously. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WOLF PATROL PLUCK WINS + +It was no time for talking, and everyone realized that fact. If they +were close enough to the fugitives to catch the scent of burning wood, +the camp could not be far away. + +Elmer and Lil Artha seemed to hit upon the same idea at the same time. +They took note of the prevailing direction of the wind, and guessed +that the fire must be in the quarter from which it was blowing. That +was not exactly straight ahead, but a little to the left. + +Making motions to indicate extreme caution, Elmer led the way. Now was +the time for the scouts of the Wolf Patrol to prove the value of their +education. Many times in the past had they practiced this very same +difficult feat of creeping up on the camp of an unsuspecting enemy, +just as a bunch of red Indians might do; and what they had learned +under those conditions was going to prove of practical value to them +now. + +No one tried to hurry. What was the use, when those they followed had +come to a halt, and there was no longer any need of haste? + +So they went on yard by yard, straining their vision all the while in +hopes of glimpsing the column of smoke, or the crackling flames ahead. +In making this advance they were careful to creep along as close to the +ground as possible. This was an easy matter for a thin fellow like Lil +Artha, but to stout Landy it was quite a different task, though he +succeeded in flattening himself out wonderfully well, all things +considered. + +When finally smoke was discovered, their caution increased, if such a +thing were possible. Fortunately, the nature of the ground proved +favorable to such work as creeping, there being a certain amount of +grass that might be used to conceal their movements. + +Pretty soon those in the advance could catch sight of a figure seated +on the edge of the bank at a place where the water extended. Back of +him the fire smouldered, as though feeding on wood that had been thrown +upon it some time before. + +It was Hen Condit! + +Imagine the thrill that passed through Elmer, Lil Artha and those other +fellows when they made this out to be a fact. Pretty soon as they +looked they saw that the missing chum seemed to be engaged in +industriously fishing, for he had a rude rod in his hand, and baited +his hook with some worms even as they watched. + +His back was turned toward them, so there was no opportunity for the +newcomers to open negotiations with the fellow-member of the Wolf +Patrol even should they want to. + +And now stretching their necks a trifle more they made another +discovery. The man in the case was lying on his back, and so far as +they could tell, sound asleep. Apparently, the master could take +things easy and rest himself, but the slave must keep constantly +employed trying to take in something calculated to satisfy their hunger. + +It made Lil Artha grind his teeth when he saw this; and Elmer had to +touch him on the arm, as well as shake his head sternly in order to +warn him that nothing desperate must be attempted. With victory almost +in their grasp they would, indeed, be foolish to ruin things by too +much haste. + +As motions must from this time on take the place of speech, Elmer began +to make use of a beckoning finger to tell the others what their next +move should be. This, of course, was a further advance. They must +contrive in some way to push closer to the camp, so that when the +crisis came, they would be in a position to thwart any move the man +might make looking to carrying Hen off with him. + +All this had been arranged beforehand, and each fellow knew exactly +what part he was to play in the round-up. Lil Artha and Chatz had, +indeed, been warned that it would be up to them to make sure Hen did +not run away, filled with a fear of the consequences should he be +taken, even by his friends. + +Advancing in this careful fashion, the scouts had covered many yards, +and were now almost within striking distance of the camp. It was at +this particular moment that a sudden thing happened calculated to bring +matters to a climax. + +After all that patient waiting, and rebaiting of his hook, the +persistence of the fisherman with the crooked rod was rewarded. He was +seen to give a quick jerk, and then with a mighty effort throw a fairly +large, shining fish over his head. + +No sooner had it landed with a thump on the ground, and commenced to +flop furiously, than Hen gave vent to a cry of delight, such as any +hungry boy might utter when he found himself favored with a chance to +break his long fast. + +The sleeping man jumped to his feet as though at first he thought the +police had found them out. Seeing the excited boy and the flopping +fish, he hurried over to the spot. His first act was to strike poor +Hen over the head, and tell him to get busy again if he wanted a bite +to eat for himself, because there was only enough in that fish to take +the edge off one person's appetite. + +Lil Artha came very nearly upsetting all Elmer's plans when he saw this +brutal act of the man, for he started to gain his feet, and had to be +pulled down by violence, shivering with excitement. + +Hen had gone back to his task again, looking thoroughly cowed and +disheartened. The man, taking the fish in his hand, held it up as if +to admire its looks; then he stepped down to the water as though +meaning to clean the prize without any loss of time, possibly spurred +on by hunger. + +Elmer again began to advance a foot at a time, meanwhile keeping close +watch on all that was going on ahead. They had the situation well in +hand, their line covering the ground, with the water cutting off escape +in one quarter. + +Even without those serviceable guns the seven boys might have proven +themselves master of the game, for clubs could serve in lieu of better +weapons. As it was, Elmer felt positive things must go their way. + +Just then, Hen, in turning to reach his supply of bait, chanced to see +that line of creeping figures in khaki. The mingled expressions that +crossed his face told what a flutter the sight must have brought to his +heart. + +Elmer instantly put a finger on his lips, and made a gesture warning +Hen not to betray them. Perhaps it was just as well, for the poor +fellow seemed on the point of crying out in his mixture of joy and +fear. He did succeed in making some sort of sound that attracted the +attention of the man, who raised his head to growl: + +"What ails you now, you young fool? I'm almost sorry I went to the +bother of trying to save you from the clutch of the law. What are you +complaining about, I'd like to know? Get another fish, if you expect +to stave off your hunger; the first of the spoils always goes to the +boss." + +"I caught my finger on the hook, that's all, Joe," stammered Hen, +perhaps telling the truth, too, for in his sudden shock of excitement +at seeing his chums he could very well have done such a thing. + +"Well, suck it, and get busy doing your work, that's all, while I cook +this fish, and perhaps another you may take. Yes, and while you're +about it just pray that my appetite will be stayed with this one; for +if it isn't, you'll have a small chance for a bite unless they come in +faster than they've been doing." + +Well, the crisis had passed, and there had been no discovery; but then +Elmer was really caring very little now. He only wanted to post his +backers a shade better so as to cut off all chance of escape, when he +intended opening up the game himself by springing a surprise on the man. + +One thing he did mean to look out for, and this was a possible move on +the part of the escaped jail bird to lay hold of Hen. Such a man would +think first of all how he could use the boy for a shield, while he made +terms with the enemy. It was an old trick, which Elmer had known to be +used with more or less success when up on that Canadian cattle ranch, +where bad men were occasionally met with, who gave lots of trouble +before they were rounded up. + +Two, three minutes passed. + +Elmer did not believe it would be good policy for them to continue to +advance any further. He did not wish to get so close to the man that +the other could by a sudden rush reach them before they were able to do +anything. + +By a low hiss he warned his comrades that the critical time had +arrived, when every scout would be expected to do his duty. + +Then slowly he got up, first on his knees, and then on his feet. Every +fellow duplicated his move, so that the entire seven were now standing +there, forming a line slightly inclined to resemble the new crescent +moon. + +And there was Hen Condit turning his head around to stare at them, his +face as white as the chalk they were accustomed to use upon the +blackboard in school. His eyes were as round as circles, while upon +his strained countenance hope, fear, expectation, almost a dozen +emotions struggled for the mastery. + +"Hello! Joe!" called out Elmer, without the slightest warning. + +Up rose the head of the man who was busy cleaning the fish. When he +saw those seven khaki-clad figures standing there, with two shotguns +bearing directly on his person, he was to all appearances struck dumb +for the moment. His eyes stared and his mouth fell open. Fish and +knife dropped from his nerveless hands. + +"Caught, by thunder! and by a bunch of boys at that!" + +These words burst from his lips, after which he started to use some +pretty strong language until Elmer put his foot down sternly. + +"Stop that kind of talk, Joe!" he ordered. "We've got you rounded up, +and there's no use kicking. If you make a move to run, or jump this +way, we'll fill you full of bird-shot, do you hear?" + +"Both barrels in the bargain, Joseph, mind you!" added Lil Artha, still +burning with indignation as he recollected how they had seen the beast +cuff poor Hen; and perhaps deep down in his boyish heart actually +hoping the other might take a notion to try and get away, when they +would be justified in peppering him, after he had run possibly thirty +or forty yards. + +"Oh! I guess the jig's all up with me, boys," said the man, with a +look of sheer disgust on his face. "I've had a little run for my +money, but the stone jug seems to be yawning for me. I was a fool to +bother with the kid, it seems; but when the scheme came to me at first +I thought it too fine to drop. Here's where I get paid for being a +silly gump. What do you want me to do, boys? I'll obey with as much +cheerful alacrity as I can, seeing that I'm starving to death just now." + +"First of all," said Elmer, who had it all mapped out, "lie down on +your face and put both hands behind you. We're going to tie you up, +and wait for the Chief with his posse to come along. Do you get that, +Joe?" + +"Sure I do, and since it's Hobson's choice with me here goes. I +suppose you fellows must be Boy Scouts. I once organized a troop of +the same, but never dreamed I'd be arrested by the khaki crowd. It's +all in a day's work, though." + +He, accordingly, stretched himself flat on the ground. When they could +see that he had his hands held behind his back, and conveniently +crossed at the wrists, four of the boys advanced. + +"Keep your gun aimed at him, Lil Artha," commanded the scout-master, +"and if he tries any funny business let him have it in the legs. Here, +Landy, you and Chatz sit on him while I secure his hands." + +The man attempted no resistance, for he realized the folly of it. He +did groan, however, when Landy squatted down on his legs, and the other +fellows could hardly blame him for grunting. It was like a thousand of +brick dropping from a second story building, as Lil Artha afterwards +described it. + +The job was quickly and neatly dispatched, Elmer wrapping his cord many +times around the wrists of the prisoner. By this time Joe seemed to +have recovered his nerve, and made out to consider the whole thing more +in the light of a big joke than anything else. + +Meanwhile, there was Hen standing near by, and hardly knowing whether +to look delighted at seeing his cruel boss thus being tied up, or show +the dreadful fear that was gripping his soul as he contemplated what +must follow. + +"Cheer up, Hen, old fellow," said Toby, stepping over to grasp his +hand; but to his amazement Hen immediately broke down, and began to sob +as if his heart were broken. + +"You don't know the worst, that's what," he said, plaintively. "That +stealing the money from my uncle was bad enough, but oh! will they +really hang me for the other? I sure didn't mean to do such a terrible +thing when I threw that stone and hit the tramp that day! I've had no +peace of mind ever since he told me his pal had really died. He said +he'd keep still about it if I'd go with him, and do everything he told +me to. And I've just had to, even when I felt sick enough to want to +lay me down and die." + +"What's this yarn you've been giving the boy, Joe?" demanded Elmer, +sternly, as he faced the man, who with his hands tied behind his back +had been propped up against a convenient tree. + +The man looked at Elmer and then burst into a derisive laugh. + +"I knew he was a soft subject when I met him that day," he said, "and I +made up my mind I'd work him for fair. He did throw a stone and hit a +fellow I was with on the head. We chased after him but he was too +speedy for us. Later on when I was all alone I set up that slick game +on him, telling him my pal had actually died, and I'd buried him in the +woods. Oh! it was almost too easy. He did just whatever I wanted him +to. You'll find every cent of the money in my pocket, because I never +had a ghost of a chance to spend any of it. That's all, son. Now you +understand what ails the silly fool." + +Hen Condit had listened to this, at first with that look of abject pain +on his face. Then as the substance of the man's confession dawned upon +his mind he began to exhibit fresh interest that caused another +expression, that of wild hope, to swiftly take the place of despair on +his countenance. + +"Oh! do you mean then, Joe, that your pal didn't die after all? +Please, oh please, tell me that, and I'll forgive you for everything +mean you've done to me!" he begged. + +"The last I saw of the tramp," the prisoner told him, "he was settled +in an empty freight car, and bound for the city. He was as frisky as +ever then. I'd have joined him only I didn't want to pull up broke in +the city; and I thought there ought to be some rich pickings for a +clever crook around these regions. That's where I made my one big +mistake. And now I'm going to take my medicine. That's all from me, +you hear. Only I say, kid, you're lucky to have such a fine lot of +chums to help you out of a bad scrape!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +CONCLUSION + +"I can hardly believe it's true," muttered Hen Condit, helplessly, as +he looked around him at the beaming faces of his seven loyal chums; +"just seems to me as if I'd wake up and find it only a lovely dream." + +"Well, it isn't, just the same, Hen," said Lil Artha, as he wrung the +other's cold hand as though it had been a pump handle, and he the +honest milkman; "the money's been recovered, every cent of it, and like +as not there's some sort of a reward out for the recapture of this gent +here, who broke jail with a pair of handcuffs on his wrists which he +filed off weeks ago up in this same swamp. And if there is, you share +with us in that, Hen, remember." + +"But I didn't do a single thing to get him, and that wouldn't be fair!" +weakly protested the relieved boy, with his arm linked in that of +Elmer, upon whom he seemed to lean in this dreadful crisis of his young +life. + +"Didn't hey?" snorted Toby; "I guess you _lured him along_; then again +and helped to blind his eyes while we crept noiselessly closer and +closer. Sure you deserve part of the reward, Hen, providing there is +any up." + +At hearing that unique remark, the prisoner burst into a hearty laugh. +Evidently, "Joe," having made up his mind that he was going back to the +clutches of the law, could enjoy a good joke as well as the next one; +he was undoubtedly a reckless sort of fellow anyway. + +"That's fine for you, son," he told Toby; "luring the rascal on is a +good one. That poor kid was almost too easy for me to work, for he +fell into my trap as soon as I pulled the string. Why, I felt ashamed +of myself sometimes, it was so much like taking candy from the baby. +But he isn't a half bad sort of a boy; and let's hope this'll be a +lesson to him never again to throw stones at poor tramps. They're +human as well as the rest of us, and have their feelings. That lump on +his head pained Weary Willie Larkins as much as it would have done Hen +here." + +Having made sure that the desperate character whom they only knew as +Joe could not escape, the boys built a jolly fire, and proceeded to +cook something. Hen was so savagely hungry they had to lead him away +while the meal was in preparation, for he vowed he was dreadfully +tempted to jump in and devour his food raw. + +And when a supply had been made ready, the scouts did not forget to +feed their prisoner, who certainly seemed to enjoy it very much, indeed. + +"You boys are a great bunch," he told Lil Artha, who was looking after +his necessities in the line of food; "and after all, I'm not sorry you +were the ones to get me, if it had to be. I'd never forgive myself if +that fat Chief of Police down at Hickory Ridge managed to round me up, +and him as ignorant about following a trail as a greenhorn." + +You see, before then the man had guessed that Elmer must have spent +some time Out West, from various things he heard mentioned. Indeed, he +had asked plainly if such were not the case, and afterwards told the +young scout-master a few interesting things connected with his own +checkered career. + +His real name he declared would never be known, for he came of a good +family, which he would not wish to disgrace. He admitted that he had +had every chance in the world to make a mark in the line of law or the +ministry, and had even been a professor at one time in a college; but, +somehow, a love for dissipation dragged him down until finally he had +disappeared, assumed another name in a part of the country where he was +not known, and commenced his career of vice. + +The man told the scouts to take a lesson from his blasted career, +though they hardly knew whether he really meant it or, as Lil Artha was +constrained to say, was "talking through his hat." + +The fire was kept burning, and fed with more or less green wood in the +hope and expectation that the black smoke thus generated might draw the +tracking posse to the scene the more rapidly. + +It was almost two hours before they arrived, which would indicate that +Johnny might not be quite as expert at following a "man trail" as some +of the scouts were. + +Great was the astonishment of the Chief and his men when upon +approaching the fire by creeping up they discovered that those about it +were the eight scouts, and even recognized in the bedraggled figure of +the last member none other than the wretched culprit, Hen Condit. + +And there, seated with his back against a tree and his hands and ankles +securely bound scout-fashion, was the man they wanted. He greeted +their coming, and the look of amazement on the Chief's red face with +roars of amusement. + +"Better late than never, Chief," he called out. "While you were +sleeping over it, these smart scouts did the business, and took me in. +All the cold cash that was taken has been recovered to a last red cent; +and I've explained just how I forced this silly boy Hen to write that +letter, when it was really me who cribbed the money. So don't bother +blaming a kid like that. He's had his lesson, Chief." + +Elmer thought that was pretty handsome of Joe, and he did not hesitate +to tell him so. He could see that the man was a strange mixture of +good and evil, though it seemed that the bad elements in his +composition were generally on top. + +As there was no need of remaining any longer in the swamp, they started +to leave. Johnny said he would go back and take the two skiffs out, +towing one behind him. Later on he could come and mend the new boat by +fetching a plank to replace the one that had been staved in by striking +a log at full speed. + +"Hope we see you again down at Hickory Ridge, Johnny!" called out Lil +Artha after the bound boy. + +"Yes, and we won't forget that clever chicken trap of yours," added +Toby, "even if the man did cut his companion free before we reached the +spot. By the way, Hen, here's something of yours that we found." + +"My knife with the buckhorn handle!" exclaimed the Condit boy, looking +pleased. "I missed that, and thought I'd never see it again. Where +did you pick it up, Toby?" + +"Huh! you dropped it from your pocket once upon a time when your heels +were some higher than your head. That helped to give us a strong clue, +and we knew we were on the right track up here near old Sassafras +Swamp. Next time you're chicken hungry, Hen, button up your pockets; +you never know what's going to happen these days." + +Hen turned fiery red, and then laughed in a confused fashion. + +"Well," he said, boldly, "both of us were terribly hungry, and since +I'd jumped in up to my neck you know, an inch further didn't seem to +mind. I suppose that's the way with all boys who go to the bad; the +first step leads to another until they don't care much what becomes of +them. But oh! I'm hugging myself to know it's all going to be like an +ugly dream now. What don't I owe you fellows? All my life I'll +remember it." + +Once out of the swamp and they were soon at Farmer Trotter's place. +Here it was found that the Chief and his posse had come in a big +touring car that just held the party comfortably, though there would +still be room for Joe, of course. + +The boys were invited to pile in and hang on; but respectfully +declined. A ride of so many miles to the home town, going at a fast +pace over a bumpy road, and hanging on outside the car in the bargain, +did not seem to have any great attractions for them. + +"We prefer to take our time, and use the big wagon, Chief," said Elmer +after consulting with his seven chums; "like as not half-way there +we'll make camp and have a jolly night of it, arriving home before +sundown again." + +"Pleath tell our people we're on the way, and expect to turn up thooner +or later," added Ted Burgoyne. + +"And Chief, you promised to let my uncle know the whole story, +remember," called out the contrite Hen Condit. "I'll be ashamed to +face him, but perhaps he won't be so _very_ angry when he hears how I +was deceived so terribly, and made to believe I had actually killed +that tramp when I threw the stone. And my aunt loves me, that I know. +Don't forget to tell them every cent has been recovered from the thief, +and that I'm bringing it back with me." + +The scouts did camp that night in a wood alongside the road. +Fortunately, the weather proved very kind to them. Lil Artha said the +"wind was tempered to the shorn lamb," by which he undoubtedly meant +that since they had neither tents nor blankets it considerately did not +turn cold, nor were they caught out in a heavy rain storm. + +Their last outing of the vacation season had proved to be a fine one. +They had passed through a novel experience when exploring the depths of +the mysterious Sassafras Swamp; and better still had managed to save +their poor, mistaken comrade from a fate, the very thought of which +would often make him shiver even when months and years had crept by. + +They had a great night of it there in camp. Even Hen tried to forget +for a time what he must face on the morrow, and joined his chums in +their songs, as they sat cross-legged around the cheery blaze. + +There was no longer any necessity for suppressing their boyish +exuberance, for the gloomy swamp had been left behind, nor was there +any hiding escaped criminal to take alarm. So they laughed and talked +and sang to their hearts' content; nor did the sleepiest of them, +meaning Landy, of course, get a chance to lay his head on his +make-believe pillow until nearly midnight. + +"What's the use of wasting so much time in sleeping?" Lil Artha had +demanded, when the stout boy pleaded for them to desist, and give him a +chance to get some rest; "this is going to be our very last camp until +away off in Thanksgiving week, even if we have one then. So let's make +the most out of it. You c'n sleep any old time, and lie abed till ten +on Sunday, if you want to. Now for another song, fellows, and Landy, +we want your fine tenor to help out, remember." + +The morning found them astir, and after breakfast the horses were once +more put to the pole so that a start could be made for home. + +None of them were in a hurry, and it was really about the middle of +that afternoon when the expedition entered town. The news had, of +course, been widely circulated, and everybody was on tip-toe, filled +with excitement, and watching for their arrival. + +A great crowd had collected to greet them, and there was the brass band +of which Hickory Ridge was getting to be quite proud, playing a +sonorous tune which some of the scouts believed must be "Lo! the +Conquering Hero Comes," though none of them felt quite sure of it. + +Well, Hen Condit was forgiven by his uncle, after he heard all about +the terrible time the boy had, and in what way unscrupulous "Joe" +deceived the foolish boy. Elmer and his chums made it a point to see +that the story was widely circulated, and the balance of the scout +troop aided to the best of their ability, for Hen was well liked. + +The consequence of all this was that most people decided the boy had +already been sufficiently punished, and that his lesson was apt to be +of lasting benefit to him during the balance of his natural life. +Besides, it gave shrewd fathers and mothers a fine moral lesson to hold +up before their own erring youngsters, and hence for a long time to +come the narrow escape which Hen Condit had had from going wholly to +the bad was used as a means of correction. In this way it doubtless +did much good, if that could be of any satisfaction to Hen. + +No doubt there will be other stirring events come up, with mysteries to +be solved, as the Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts pursue their activities; and +should such interesting happenings take place, be sure they will not +escape our notice. Until then we must say good-bye to the faithful +readers who have accompanied us through the stirring adventures that +befel our young friends in Sassafras Swamp. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Afloat, by Alan Douglas + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AFLOAT *** + +***** This file should be named 20499.txt or 20499.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/4/9/20499/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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