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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rover Boys on a Hunt
+by Arthur M. Winfield (Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Rover Boys on a Hunt
+       or The Mysterious House in the Woods
+
+Author: Arthur M. Winfield (Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+Release Date: July 7, 2007 [EBook #22012]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Mary Meehan, and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced
+from scans of public domain material produced by Microsoft for their
+Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
+
+                                    OR
+
+                    _THE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE IN THE WOODS_
+
+                                    BY
+
+                            ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+                           (Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN,"
+"THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES," ETC.
+
+                              _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+
+
+
+NEW YORK
+GROSSET & DUNLAP
+PUBLISHERS
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+Copyright, 1920, by
+EDWARD STRATEMEYER
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE WOLVES GAVE LOUD YELPS OF PAIN.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Rover Boys on a Hunt_
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+MY DEAR BOYS: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the
+fourth volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second
+Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."
+
+As mentioned in some volumes of the first series, this line was started
+years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," "On the
+Ocean," and "In the Jungle," in which I introduced my readers to Dick,
+Tom and Sam Rover. The twenty volumes of the first series related the
+doings of these three youths while attending Putnam Hall Military
+Academy, Brill College, and while on numerous outings.
+
+Having acquired a thorough education, the three young men established
+themselves in business and were married. Presently Dick Rover became the
+father of a son and a daughter, and so did his brother Sam, while Tom
+Rover became the father of twin boys. The four lads were later on sent
+to boarding school, as related in the first volume of this second
+series, entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."
+
+From Colby Hall the scene was shifted to "Snowshoe Island," where the
+lads went for a winter outing. Then they came back to the military
+academy, and later on participated in the annual encampment, as related
+in the third volume, entitled "The Rover Boys under Canvas."
+
+In the present volume the scene is shifted from lively times at Colby
+Hall to still more livelier times in the woods, to which the lads
+journeyed for a season of hunting. They came upon a mysterious house in
+the forest, and there uncovered a secret which I will leave the pages
+that follow to relate.
+
+Once more I wish to thank my numerous readers for the many nice things
+they have said about these "Rover Boys" books. I trust that the reading
+of the volumes will do them all good.
+
+Affectionately and sincerely yours,
+
+EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+       I THE BOBSLED RACE
+
+      II ABOUT THE ROVERS
+
+     III NEWS OF IMPORTANCE
+
+      IV SOMETHING ABOUT CEDAR LODGE
+
+       V THE DEFEAT OF THE BULLY
+
+      VI AT THE MOVING PICTURE THEATER
+
+     VII THE END OF THE TERM
+
+    VIII CHRISTMAS AT HOME
+
+      IX THE RAILROAD ACCIDENT
+
+       X THE RESCUE
+
+      XI ON THE WAY TO CEDAR LODGE
+
+     XII AT THE FROZEN-UP SPRING
+
+    XIII THE MEETING ON THE ROAD
+
+     XIV THE FIRST HUNT
+
+      XV A CRY FOR HELP
+
+     XVI UNDESIRABLE VISITORS
+
+    XVII NEW YEAR'S DAY IN CAMP
+
+   XVIII FISHING THROUGH THE ICE
+
+     XIX LETTERS FROM HOME
+
+      XX LOST IN THE WOODS
+
+     XXI A NIGHT UNDER THE CLIFF
+
+    XXII AT TONY DUVAL'S CAMP
+
+   XXIII SIX BIG SNOWBALLS
+
+    XXIV A CONVERSATION OF IMPORTANCE
+
+     XXV THE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE IN THE WOODS
+
+    XXVI WHAT THE BIG BARN CONTAINED
+
+   XXVII THE COMING OF THE WOLVES
+
+  XXVIII THE MAN IN THE GREY OVERCOAT
+
+    XXIX WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LODGE
+
+     XXX THE EXPOSURE--CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE BOBSLED RACE
+
+
+"All ready, boys?"
+
+"Wait a minute, Jack."
+
+"Can't wait; life is too short!" cried Jack Rover gayly. He was seated
+at the front of a long bobsled holding six boys. "Remember, we've got to
+be back at the Hall in half an hour."
+
+"Please don't mention it!" pleaded Randy Rover, his cousin.
+
+"Hi, you fellows! are you going to race or not?" came from another youth
+on a bobsled standing close by.
+
+"You bet we're going to race!" sang out Fred Rover, who was at the tail
+end of the first sled. "And we'll beat you, too, Bill Glutts!"
+
+"You will, like fun!" grumbled the cadet addressed, a rather heavy-set
+and by-no-means pre-possessing youth. "Come on now, unless you're
+afraid."
+
+"We're afraid of nobody!" sang out Andy Rover, and, leaning sideways
+from where he sat on the bobsled, he scooped up a handful of loose snow
+and threw it playfully at Glutts.
+
+"Hi, you! what do you mean?" roared Bill Glutts in anger, as the snow
+landed directly behind his right ear.
+
+"Hello! I guess it must have begun to snow again," cried Randy Rover,
+mischievously.
+
+"I'll 'snow' you!" retorted Glutts. "I guess you fellows are afraid to
+race. That's why you are cutting up."
+
+"Never mind--race them anyway, Bill," came from a small, pasty-faced
+youth, who was usually called Codfish on account of his broad mouth. "Go
+ahead and show 'em what your new bobsled can do."
+
+"That's the talk!" cried another cadet, a newcomer at the academy. "Show
+'em that the _Yellow Streak_ can lick anything on this hill."
+
+"That's a dream that will never come true!" cried Spouter Powell. "Come
+ahead, Jack, let's start this race," he added to the oldest Rover boy.
+
+The scene was Long Hill, a rise of ground located about midway between
+Colby Hall Military Academy and the town of Haven Point. There was
+something of a wagon road leading up the hill from the main highway
+which skirted Clearwater Lake, and this road had been converted by the
+cadets of the academy into a slide for their bobsleds.
+
+From the top of the hill the slide ran down and over two smaller hills,
+then crossed the main highway and shot down another road onto the lake,
+which at this season of the year was covered with ice.
+
+It was a Saturday afternoon, and, as usual, the cadets of the military
+academy were making the most of their off time, some with bobsleds and
+other with ordinary handsleds and what were locally called "bread
+shovels."
+
+For some weeks before this the boys, as well as many other residents in
+that vicinity, had enjoyed skating on the lake. But a rather wet snow
+had fallen which the wind had been unable to sweep away, and
+consequently skating became a thing of the past. Then the lads turned to
+their bobsleds, the Rovers getting out one they had used the season
+before. This they painted and varnished very carefully and christened
+the _Blue Moon_.
+
+"Because, you see," explained Randy, with a wink, "it's only once in a
+blue moon that she'll be beaten."
+
+The Rovers and their chums, as well as many other cadets and boys and
+girls from that vicinity, had been using the hill for a couple of hours
+when the race between the _Blue Moon_ and the _Yellow Streak_ was
+proposed by Nick Carncross, the new friend of Bill Glutts.
+
+Now, as my old readers know, the Rovers and Bill Glutts were by no means
+on good terms with each other. In the past Glutts had proved himself
+anything but a friend, and they had had more than one personal encounter
+with this freckled-faced bully.
+
+But it was not in the nature of any of the Rover boys to refuse a
+challenge to race, knowing well that if this was done many would think
+they were afraid of being beaten. So the challenge was accepted, and
+immediately the details were arranged.
+
+Each bobsled was to carry six cadets, and they were to start down the
+hill side by side, the _Blue Moon_ keeping well to the right and the
+_Yellow Streak_ well to the left. The first sled to cross a mark located
+out on the lake was to be declared the winner.
+
+With the four Rover boys were their intimate chums, Spouter Powell and
+Gif Garrison. With Glutts were Codfish, Carncross, and three other of
+the bully's cronies.
+
+"Gee! I wish I was in that race," came from Will Hendry, who, on account
+of his unusual stoutness, was always called Fatty.
+
+"Nothing doing, Fatty," remarked Dan Soppinger, another cadet. "You'd
+make the Rovers lose sure."
+
+"All ready?" questioned Walt Baxter, who had been settled on as the
+starter of the race.
+
+"All ready," answered Jack Rover, after a glance around to see that
+nothing was out of order.
+
+"Been ready half an hour," grumbled Bill Glutts.
+
+"All right, then!" cried Walt. "One--two--three--go!"
+
+As he finished Fred Rover, who was at the rear of the _Blue Moon_, gave
+that bobsled a quick push and leaped aboard. At the same time Carncross
+sent the _Yellow Streak_ forward and also sprang to his seat. Then, side
+by side, the two bobsleds moved down the long hill, slowly at first, but
+gradually gathering speed.
+
+It was five o'clock of an afternoon in early December, and consequently
+quite dark, even on the snow-clad hills. Many of the smaller children,
+and also the girls, had gone home, leaving the place to the cadets and a
+few others.
+
+"I hope we win this," remarked Randy, as the two sleds continued to
+speed forward side by side.
+
+"Of course we'll win it," came promptly from Gif Garrison.
+
+"We've got to win it!" added Fred Rover.
+
+"If you don't win Bill Glutts will never stop crowing over you," put in
+Spouter Powell.
+
+"Hi, there, Glutts! Keep to your side of the run," warned Jack suddenly.
+The _Yellow Streak_ had swerved over well into the middle of the road.
+
+"I know what I'm doing," growled Glutts. "You tend to your own
+business."
+
+"Well, you know the rules," warned Jack. "You keep over on your own
+side. If you don't there'll be trouble."
+
+"Humph! you don't have to tell me what to do," growled the other cadet;
+and then, striking a bit of extra smooth roadway, the _Yellow Streak_
+bounded ahead, much to the delight of its riders.
+
+"Hurrah! here is where we leave them behind," sang out Codfish.
+
+"Nothing to it but the shouting," added another of Bill Glutts' cronies.
+
+"We'll be a mile ahead by the time we reach the lake," exulted Nick
+Carncross.
+
+For half a minute it looked as if his prophecy might be true. The
+_Yellow Streak_ was gliding over the icy surface of the long hill, and
+consequently going ahead, while the _Blue Moon_ struck several soft
+spots where going was anything but good.
+
+"Oh, Jack! can't you pull out of this?" queried Gif Garrison anxiously.
+"Pull over to the left where the going is harder. It's too soft here
+entirely."
+
+"I'm sticking to my side of the road, just as I was expected to do,"
+said Jack grimly.
+
+The _Yellow Streak_ disappeared over the first rise, and for a few
+seconds was lost to view. But then the _Blue Moon_ came along, and
+beyond this rise found going somewhat easier. Slowly but surely they
+crawled up behind the other bobsled.
+
+"Keep to your side of the road, Glutts!" yelled Jack, in a second
+warning. "If you don't, there'll be trouble."
+
+"And you'll get the worst of it," added Randy.
+
+"I know what I'm doing," retorted Glutts. He had found the snow somewhat
+soft on his side of the road, and was now running near the center, and
+occasionally crowding to Jack's side.
+
+"We'll run into 'em sure!" came from Spouter Powell in alarm. "Look out,
+Jack!"
+
+"Look out!" echoed Fred.
+
+"Over on your own side, or we'll smash you, Glutts!" yelled Jack, for
+the _Blue Moon_ had suddenly found going much easier and was forging
+forward rapidly. "Get out of the way!"
+
+The call was so peremptory that Glutts felt bound to obey. He swerved to
+his side of the road, and with not a second to spare, for almost
+instantly the _Blue Moon_ shot past and continued down the slope toward
+the lake.
+
+"We win! we win!" yelled Andy gayly.
+
+"But the _Yellow Streak_ is just behind us!" cried Spouter, looking
+back. "Here they come!"
+
+"Yes, and on our side of the road, too!" cried Fred, in alarm. He turned
+his head still further around. "Glutts, get to your own side!"
+
+"Aw, dry up!" cried the other cadet, in disgust. "You don't have to act
+as if you owned the whole road."
+
+"You know the rules of the race," flung back Fred.
+
+Crossing the highway which skirted the lake was not so easy, and beyond
+this the snow was rather deep, and consequently the speed of the _Blue
+Moon_ was slackened. The _Yellow Streak_ came dangerously close, and
+then Bill Glutts seemed to lose his head completely. He slued around to
+his own side of the road, but made such a short turn that in a twinkling
+the long bobsled was upset and the occupants hurled in all directions.
+
+"There they go! They are upset!" yelled Fred. And then he lost sight of
+those left behind as the _Blue Moon_ shot out on the surface of the lake
+and beyond the mark set for the end of the race.
+
+"We win! we win!" cried Andy, leaping from the bobsled, and in the
+exuberance of his spirits he turned a handspring in the snow.
+
+"What happened to the other sled?" asked Jack, who had been so busy
+steering the _Blue Moon_ he had paid little attention to what had been
+going on behind.
+
+"They had a spill," answered Fred. "But before they took it they came
+pretty close to running into us."
+
+"It was up to them to keep to their side of the road," said Gif
+Garrison. "Why, we might have had a terrible accident if they had run
+into us!"
+
+There were about a dozen boys on the lake who had witnessed the finish
+of the race, and these, along with those who had come down on the _Blue
+Moon_, now turned back to see what had happened to the Glutts party.
+They found the cadets who had been spilled picking themselves up and
+brushing the snow from their garments. One was nursing a bruised ankle,
+and another a bruised elbow, while Bill Glutts was wiping some blood
+from a scratch on his chin.
+
+"Well, we won the race," said Jack briefly. He had no desire to crow
+over his opponents.
+
+"Huh! you didn't win it fairly," growled Glutts, glaring at him.
+
+"Didn't win it fairly!" exclaimed Jack. "What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I mean you got in our way so we couldn't get past you--that's what I
+mean!" growled the other.
+
+"That is false, Glutts, and you know it," retorted the oldest Rover boy.
+
+"See here, Jack Rover! you can't talk to me in that fashion," roared
+Bill Glutts. He had been in a more or less bad humor all the afternoon,
+and the defeat had not improved his temper. "I say you got in my way,
+and that is why I lost the race."
+
+"And I say your statement isn't true," returned Jack sturdily.
+
+"It is true! And I won't let you or anybody else say any different,"
+said Bill Glutts. And then, in sudden passion, he stepped forward and
+gave Jack a shove which sent the oldest Rover boy flat on his back in a
+snowbank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+ABOUT THE ROVERS
+
+
+The attack upon Jack Rover was so unexpected that he had no chance to
+save himself from going down into the snowbank. He went down so hard and
+the snow was so soft that for the moment he was almost covered and had
+to flounder around quite some to regain his feet.
+
+"See here, Bill Glutts! what do you mean by attacking my cousin?" cried
+Randy, leaping forward and catching the bully by the arm.
+
+"He had no right to talk to me the way he did," retorted Glutts. "Let go
+of me!" and he shook himself free.
+
+"What Jack said was true," put in Fred quickly. "I was on the back of
+our bobsled and watched you nearly all the time. You came over on our
+side of the road at least three different times."
+
+By this time half a dozen of the cadets were speaking at once, Carncross
+and several others upholding Bill Glutts. In the midst of the discussion
+Jack managed to regain his feet, and, leaping forward, he caught Bill
+Glutts firmly by both wrists.
+
+"Glutts, you listen to me," said he sternly, looking the bully in the
+eyes. "If I wasn't an officer at the Hall, I'd give you a sound
+thrashing for what you just did. As it is, I expect you to apologize or
+else take the consequences."
+
+"Huh! I suppose you mean by that you'll play sissy and report me," said
+the bully.
+
+"No, I won't report you, but I'll see to it that you get what is coming
+to you," answered Jack.
+
+"Knowing he is an officer and can't fight you, you took a mean advantage
+of Jack," broke in Gif Garrison. "You ought to be thrashed for it,
+Glutts."
+
+"I don't think Bill meant to shove him down into the snow," put in
+Codfish, somewhat timidly.
+
+"He did mean to do it!" said Jack quickly. "And he'll either apologize
+for his actions or he'll take the consequences."
+
+"Well, I'll take the consequences, whatever they are," retorted Bill
+Glutts, with a sickly grin. "I know that race wasn't a fair one. Come
+on, fellows, let's get back to the Hall, it's almost supper time," and
+with that he trudged away, he and his cronies pulling the _Yellow
+Streak_ behind them.
+
+"He sure is one sweet-tempered fellow," was Spouter's comment.
+
+"Jack, why didn't you pitch into him, anyway?" questioned Andy
+anxiously.
+
+"I didn't have to," returned Jack briefly. "Just the same, I won't
+forget the way he has acted. If it wasn't that I am captain of Company
+C, and am expected not to fight, I'd have given him the thrashing of his
+life."
+
+To the many young folks who have read the former volumes in this series,
+the Rover boys will not need an introduction. But for the benefit of new
+readers a few words concerning my characters will be necessary.
+
+In the first volume, entitled "The Rover Boys at School," I related how
+three brothers, Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover, were sent to Putnam Hall
+Military Academy, where they made a great number of friends, including a
+cadet named Lawrence Colby.
+
+From Putnam Hall the boys went to Brill College, and, after leaving that
+institution of learning, joined their father in business in New York
+City, with offices on Wall Street. They organized The Rover Company, of
+which Dick was president, Tom, secretary and general manager, and Sam,
+treasurer.
+
+During their cadet days at Putnam Hall the three Rovers had become
+acquainted with a number of charming girls, including Dora Stanhope and
+her cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning. When Dick went into business he
+made Dora Stanhope his life partner, and a short while after this Tom
+married Nellie Laning and Sam married Grace. The three brothers
+purchased a fine plot of ground on Riverside Drive overlooking the
+Hudson River, and there they built three connecting houses, Dick and his
+wife living in the middle house, with Tom on one side and Sam on the
+other.
+
+About a year after their marriage Dick and his wife became the proud
+parents of a little son, who was named John after Mr. Laning. This son
+was followed by a daughter, named Martha, after her Great-aunt Martha,
+of Valley Brook Farm. Little Jack, as he was commonly called, was a
+manly lad with many of the qualities which made his father so successful
+in life.
+
+It was about this time that Tom and Nellie Rover sprang a great surprise
+on all the others. This surprise was in the shape of a pair of very
+lively boy twins, one christened Anderson, after his grandfather, and
+the other Randolph, after his Great-uncle Randolph of Valley Brook Farm.
+Andy and Randy, as the twins were always called, were decidedly active
+lads, taking after their father, "who was never still a minute," to
+quote Grandpa Rover.
+
+Shortly after the twins were born, Sam and Grace Rover came along with a
+beautiful girl, named Mary, after Mrs. Laning. Then, a year later, the
+girl was followed by a sturdy boy, who was called Fred, in honor of Sam
+Rover's old and well known school chum, Fred Garrison.
+
+Residing so close together, the younger generation of Rovers were
+brought up very much like one big family. They usually spent their
+winters in New York City, and during the summers often went out to
+Valley Brook Farm, where their grandfather, Anderson Rover, still
+resided with Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha.
+
+When the boys and girls grew old enough they were at first sent to
+private schools in the Metropolis. But soon the lads, led by Andy and
+Randy, showed a propensity for "cutting loose" that their parents were
+compelled to hold a consultation.
+
+"We'll have to send them to some strict boarding school--some military
+academy," said Dick Rover; and so it was decided.
+
+Lawrence Colby, their old Putnam Hall chum, had since that time become a
+colonel in the state militia and had then opened a military academy
+called Colby Hall. To this institution, Jack, Fred and the twins were
+sent, as related in detail in the first volume of my second series,
+entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."
+
+This military school was located about half a mile from the town of
+Haven Point on Clearwater Lake, a beautiful sheet of water about two
+miles long. The school consisted of a large stone building facing the
+lake. It was a three-storied structure and contained the classrooms and
+the mess hall, and also dormitories and private rooms for the students.
+Besides the main building, there was a smaller structure occupied by
+Colonel Colby and his family and some of the professors, and also an
+up-to-date gymnasium and boathouses and bathing pavilions.
+
+On arriving at the academy the younger Rovers found several of their
+friends awaiting them, one of these being Dick Powell, the son of
+Songbird Powell, a former schoolmate of their fathers. Dick was always
+called Spouter because of a fondness for long speeches. Another cadet
+was Gif Garrison, a son of Fred Garrison, after whom Fred Rover had been
+named. There was also Walter Baxter, a son of Dan Baxter, who, years
+previous, had been an enemy of the older Rovers, but who had since
+reformed and who was doing well.
+
+As mentioned, Colby Hall was situated about half a mile from Haven
+Point. On the opposite side of the town was located Clearwater Hall, a
+boarding school for girls. During a panic in a moving picture theatre
+Jack and his cousins became acquainted with a number of these school
+girls, including Ruth Stevenson, May Powell, Alice Strobell and Annie
+Larkins. They soon found out that May was Spouter Powell's cousin, and
+the whole crowd of young people became friends. Later on Mary and Martha
+Rover became pupils at Clearwater Hall.
+
+Ruth Stevenson had an old Uncle Barney, who in times past had had a
+bitter quarrel with Ruth's parents. The Rover boys, while out hunting
+one day, had occasion to save the old man's life. For this the old
+fellow was exceedingly grateful, and as a result he invited them to
+spend their winter holidays with him, which they did, as related in "The
+Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island."
+
+On this island the lads met two of their former enemies, Nappy Martell
+and Slugger Brown, as well as Asa Lemm, a discharged teacher of Colby
+Hall. The boys exposed a plot against old Uncle Barney, and in the end
+caused the old fellow's enemies to leave in disgust.
+
+"I guess we haven't seen the last of Nappy and Slugger," said Jack when
+he and his cousins had left Snowshoe Island.
+
+And he was right. Nappy and Slugger turned up once more, as related in
+the volume previous to this, entitled "The Rover Boys Under Canvas." In
+that volume I told how the cadets went into their annual encampment,
+this being after a spirited election for officers in which Jack Rover
+had been elected captain of Company C and Fred had been elected first
+lieutenant of the same command.
+
+Among the cadets who wished to become a captain was one named Gabe
+Werner, a great chum at that time of Bill Glutts. Having failed of
+election, Werner did all he could to make things uncomfortable for the
+Rovers, and in his actions he was seconded by Glutts. But in the end
+Werner and Glutts were discovered in some of their nefarious doings,
+and, becoming alarmed, Gabe Werner left the school camp early in the
+morning and did not return. Glutts was brought before Captain Dale, the
+teacher in charge of the camp, and received a stern lecture and was
+deprived of many liberties he might otherwise have enjoyed. He laid his
+troubles at the door of the Rovers and vowed that sooner or later he
+would pay them back for the way he had been treated.
+
+While the Rover boys were at Colby Hall the great war in Europe had
+opened and our country was now overrun with German spies and
+sympathizers. During their time at the encampment the boys made several
+surprising discoveries, and in the end helped the Secret Service
+officers to capture a hidden German submarine. They also rounded up the
+fathers of Nappy Martell and Slugger Brown. Mr. Brown and Mr. Martell
+were sent to prison, while Slugger and Nappy were marched off to a
+detention camp in the South, and that, for the time being, was the last
+the Rovers heard of them.
+
+"Well, one thing is certain--we're well rid of Slugger and Nappy and
+their fathers," remarked Jack, as this news was brought to them.
+
+"Yes, and I guess we're rid of Gabe Werner too," said Fred. "He seems to
+have dropped out completely." But in his remark concerning Werner the
+young lieutenant was mistaken. Gabe Werner was destined to turn up in
+their path unexpectedly and cause them not a little trouble.
+
+When the call for volunteers came, Dick Rover and Sam had lost no time
+in enlisting. At first Tom Rover had been unable to get away. But now
+the business in New York City had been left in reliable hands, and all
+three fathers of the boys were in the trenches in Europe doing their bit
+for Uncle Sam. They had been in several small engagements, and so far
+had come through unwounded.
+
+"But there is no telling if they will come through every time," was the
+way Fred expressed himself anxiously.
+
+"Right you are," answered Jack. "Do you know, I dread to look at the
+lists of the killed and wounded in the newspapers for fear I'll see one
+of their names."
+
+"Oh, if only this awful war was over!" put in Randy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+NEWS OF IMPORTANCE
+
+
+"Battalion attention! Shoulder arms! Forward march!"
+
+Boom! Boom! Boom, boom, boom! The drums beat, and away marched the three
+companies forming the Colby Hall battalion. They marched around the
+school building, as was the custom, and then marched into the place, put
+away their rifles, and entered the mess hall.
+
+The roll call and brief drill and march took place less than half an
+hour after the encounter on the hill following the finish of the bobsled
+race. Captain Jack and Lieutenant Fred had lost no time in hurrying back
+to the school, and their chums had gone with them. Bill Glutts and his
+cronies had gone ahead, as already stated. And they did not show
+themselves until the call came to appear on the parade ground.
+
+As captain and lieutenant, Jack and Fred were in rather a delicate
+position when it came to quarreling with the other cadets. In the past
+Colonel Colby had laid down the rule that there should be no fighting at
+the Hall, and this rule was particularly enforced when it came to
+officers. Now that the master of the military academy had joined the
+army and gone with the older Rovers to Europe, Captain Dale, who was in
+general command, was enforcing this rule with more strictness than ever
+before.
+
+The afternoon spent coasting had given the Rovers and their chums good
+appetites, and they fell to with gusto over the ample supper provided
+for them. Unlike many boarding schools, the table at Colby Hall was
+always a bountiful one, and it is needless to say that the growing
+cadets always did full justice to everything that was set before them.
+
+"What are you going to do about Bill Glutts, Jack?" questioned Fred,
+after the meal was over and the two were on their way to get several
+reference books from the school library.
+
+"I don't know yet," was the young captain's answer. "He ought to have a
+thrashing, but you know how matters stand."
+
+"Of course. And Jack, we can't think of that with the end of the term so
+near. You don't want to spoil your record, and neither do I."
+
+"It's a confounded shame that Glutts didn't leave when Gabe Werner
+went," continued the oldest Rover boy. "They were two of a kind."
+
+"Did you hear what Andy said--that he thought Glutts had a lot of German
+blood in him?"
+
+"That might be. His face looks it, and the name sounds a little that way
+too."
+
+"Andy and Randy both want to pitch into him," continued the young
+lieutenant.
+
+"You warn them not to do it--at least, not until this term comes to an
+end," warned Jack. "They have been cutting up so much since last
+September that their averages are none too high as it is. They'd be
+mighty sorry if Captain Dale sent home a bad report about them. It would
+just about break Aunt Nellie's heart, I'm sure."
+
+Having procured the reference books, the two made their way upstairs to
+the rooms occupied by them. The Rovers had a suite of four rooms, one of
+which was used as a sitting room and for studying. As they walked
+through the upper hallway they passed Nick Carncross and Bill Glutts.
+Glutts looked sourly at them but did not say a word, and they refused to
+notice the pair.
+
+"I guess you've got their goat, Bill," remarked Carncross, as they
+passed on. "That race really belonged to you, and they know it."
+
+"Of course it belonged to me," returned Glutts. "If they hadn't got in
+my way I'd have won with ease. There isn't a bobsled anywhere around
+that can beat the _Yellow Streak_."
+
+"I'm glad you shoved him over in the snow, even if he is a captain,"
+continued Carncross. "He's got too big an opinion of himself."
+
+"He only got to be captain by a fluke, Nick. Gabe Werner should have had
+that office," continued Glutts.
+
+"Is that why Werner left?" questioned Carncross curiously.
+
+"Oh, no. He left because he got sick of the discipline around here. He
+said there was no chance for any fun," answered Glutts.
+
+"Where is he now? Did his folks approve of his leaving school?"
+
+"Oh, I guess they didn't care one way or the other. Old man Werner is
+pretty rich, and he didn't get his money by being educated either. So I
+guess he doesn't care much for education."
+
+"Does he let Gabe have much spending money?"
+
+"Quite a little--but, of course, not as much as Gabe would like to have.
+You know Gabe is a good deal of a sport." Bill Glutts' face lit up with
+satisfaction. "I expect we are going to have a bang-up time together
+during the holidays."
+
+"Then you expect to see him?"
+
+"Yes; we're planning a trip together."
+
+"Gee! I'll envy you," returned Carncross.
+
+Andy and Randy had not yet come upstairs. Neither could resist the
+temptation to have a little fun, and after supper they had gone outside
+and begun to snowball Shout Plunger, the school janitor, and Bob Nixon,
+the chauffeur.
+
+"It's all in fun, you know," explained Andy, as he let fly a snowball at
+the old janitor, who was always called Shout because he was so deaf.
+
+"Hi there! you stop that!" roared Shout. And then, when they continued
+to snowball him, he came after them with a wooden snow-shovel.
+
+"Look out! Here comes the enemy!" cried Randy gayly, and let fly a
+snowball which struck the upraised snow-shovel and sent a shower of
+loose snow into the janitor's face.
+
+"You young rascals!" roared Plunger, and then lost his footing on some
+ice. In endeavoring to keep his balance he sent the snow-shovel whirling
+through the air. It landed at Andy's feet, catching that fun-loving
+youth in the shins and sending him flat on his face.
+
+"Hurrah! One down!" came from Bob Nixon good-naturedly, and then the
+chauffeur picked up a large chunk of snow and threw it high in the air,
+to land directly on Randy's shoulder.
+
+"Great pyramids of Egypt!" gasped Randy. "Is that a snowslide?" For some
+of the snow had filled his ear and gone down his neck.
+
+"Oh, we didn't begin this, you know," cried the chauffeur gleefully.
+"Come on, Shout; let's show 'em what the older generation can do." And
+then he picked up another chunk of snow and hurled it at Andy, nearly
+burying that youth while he was endeavoring to regain his feet.
+
+"Hi! Hi you!" spluttered Andy. "We went in for snowballing. We didn't go
+in for avalanches."
+
+"When you start something, always be sure you can finish it," admonished
+Bob Nixon. And then he picked up a third chunk of snow; but before he
+could make use of it the Rover twins had dived out of sight around a
+corner of the school building.
+
+"I guess that's the time we got the worst of it," remarked Andy
+ruefully.
+
+"And maybe we deserved it," was Randy's ready response. "Come on and
+snowball some of the other cadets."
+
+A number were willing, and an impromptu snowballing battle took place
+which lasted the best part of a quarter of an hour. Then one of the
+teachers came out and ordered the youths upstairs, for this was the
+study hour.
+
+On Sundays such of the cadets as desired to do so were permitted to
+attend one or another of the churches in Haven Point. All of the Rovers
+went to church, and there met, not only Mary and Martha, but also Ruth
+Stevenson, May Powell, and some of the other girls.
+
+"Well, Jack, I suppose this snowy weather puts you in mind of the time
+you went to my Uncle Barney's place on Snowshoe Island," remarked Ruth
+Stevenson, with a bright smile at the young captain, who, of course, was
+dressed in his best uniform.
+
+"That's what it does, Ruth," he answered. "And, my, what a good time we
+did have! How is your uncle getting along?"
+
+"Very well indeed. He is a changed man since he stopped quarreling with
+my folks and since it has been proved that Snowshoe Island is really and
+truly his property."
+
+"I'm glad we were able to help the old man."
+
+"Have you decided on what you intend to do during the coming holidays?"
+continued the girl from Clearwater Hall.
+
+"Not exactly, Ruth. More than likely we'll go home with the girls and
+spend some time with our mothers. They probably feel pretty lonely now
+that our dads have gone to Europe."
+
+"Yes, I can imagine how that must be."
+
+"You girls ought to come down with Mary and Martha."
+
+"We're talking of doing that," put in May Powell. "You see, we wanted
+them to come up to my house first, and then Ruth wanted them. But as
+their mothers are now all alone in New York they thought it best that we
+should spend the time down there. We could have something of a house
+party, and that would help cheer the older folks up."
+
+"A good idea!" came from Fred. "Do it by all means!"
+
+"Yes, you girls can have a fine time in New York during the winter
+holidays," added Randy.
+
+"I suppose you boys will want to go off hunting," said May, pouting a
+little. "I wish I was a boy and could do that!"
+
+"Gee! I wish we could go off hunting, like we did that time at Snowshoe
+Island," cried Randy wistfully. "Such an outing would suit me right down
+to the ground."
+
+"Gif Garrison said something a few days ago about going off on a hunt,"
+remarked Fred. "He says his father some years ago bought a place known
+as Cedar Lodge. He didn't tell me very much about it. In fact, he acted
+quite mysteriously."
+
+"I suppose he didn't want to hurt your feelings, Fred," returned Jack.
+"More than likely he knew you would feel bad to have him going off for a
+good time up in the woods and have you and the rest of us staying at
+home."
+
+Two days passed, and the young cadets were so busy getting ready for the
+examinations previous to the midwinter holidays that they had no time to
+pay attention to anything else. They heard that Bill Glutts was openly
+boasting that the _Yellow Streak_ could beat any bobsled in that
+vicinity and that the _Blue Moon_ had won the contest by a foul. But to
+this just then they paid no attention.
+
+"I'll get at Bill later--just wait!" was the way Jack expressed himself,
+and the others knew that the young captain would keep his word.
+
+On Wednesday the boys received letters from home stating that word had
+come in that their fathers were still in the trenches in France. No
+serious fighting had so far taken place in their sector, and none of
+them had been wounded and all were in the best of health.
+
+"That's the best news yet," said Fred, with satisfaction, and the others
+agreed with him.
+
+Gif Garrison had also received a letter, and this he read with
+tremendous satisfaction. His face was aglow as he called the Rover boys
+to him.
+
+"I've got an important announcement to make to you fellows," he said.
+"Let us go up to your rooms and talk it over."
+
+"What is the announcement?" questioned Andy eagerly.
+
+"I'll tell you when we are alone," answered Gif.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT CEDAR LODGE
+
+
+"Oh, go ahead, Gif, and get it off your chest!"
+
+"Don't keep us waiting."
+
+"Has some one died and left you a fortune?"
+
+Such were some of the remarks made after Gif Garrison had said that he
+had an important announcement to make to the four Rover boys.
+
+"Not another word until we get to your rooms," said Gif. "And, Andy,
+won't you please run off and get Spouter Powell? I just saw him heading
+for the gymnasium."
+
+"All right, Gif. But don't you dare to let the others in on the secret
+until I get back," returned the fun-loving Rover boy, and away he sped
+on his errand.
+
+A few minutes later all of the lads mentioned were assembled in the
+Rover boys' sitting room, some on chairs, one on a table, and two on a
+couch. Andy playfully started to throw a pillow at Fred, but Gif at once
+put up his hand in protest.
+
+"Any horseplay, and I'll call it all off," he warned.
+
+"I'll be good, Gif!" cried Andy reluctantly, and got rid of the pillow
+by using it for a back rest.
+
+"This letter is from my Uncle Louis, who is a partner with my father in
+the ownership of a large tract of land not far from the seacoast," began
+Gif. "There is a small but comfortable bungalow on it, known as Cedar
+Lodge. Nobody was going to use the Lodge this winter, and I suggested to
+my folks and Uncle Louis that they allow us fellows to occupy it during
+the holidays."
+
+"And what did they say?" questioned Randy eagerly.
+
+"They said I could go there if I wanted to, and I could take you Rover
+boys and Spouter with me, provided you could get consent to go."
+
+"Isn't that dandy!"
+
+"Of course we'll go, Gif. Horses couldn't hold us back!"
+
+"How is the hunting there? Can we get a deer or a moose?"
+
+"How do you get there?"
+
+These were a few questions hurled at Gif after he had made his important
+announcement. He placed his hands over his ears in despair.
+
+"One question at a time, please!" he begged. "What do you think I am,
+anyhow--an encyclopaedia? To get there you go from here to Portview, and
+then along the coast to a place called Timminsport. From Timminsport you
+have either to take a sleigh or else hike to the camp, which is about
+five or six miles away. There is an old fellow, named Jed Wallop, who
+lives near the property in a little shack some distance from the
+bungalow. If we want him to, he will get a sled and drive us to the
+place, and he will also assist us in getting settled, and in getting
+what stores we may need--that is, provided you fellows can really go."
+
+"You can count of me," declared Spouter promptly. "My folks said I could
+do as I pleased during the holidays, provided I kept out of mischief.
+And what mischief could a fellow get into in the midst of those grand
+primeval forests where perhaps the woodsman has never dared to lay his
+axe to the heart of the sturdy oak, and where the timid deer, in fancied
+freedom, ambles through the darkening glades, and--"
+
+"Turn off the spigot, Spouter, or you'll have us flooded!" burst out
+Randy.
+
+"Save your orations for the day before election," came from Fred.
+
+"You can give us the rest of it, Spouter, when we are in camp some night
+and have nothing to read and don't know what to do," suggested Jack.
+
+"That's it--always cutting my rhetorical effusions short," remarked
+Spouter reproachfully. "Some day, when you are aching to have me make a
+speech, you'll find me dumb."
+
+"Tell us more about this camp, Gif," cried Fred.
+
+Thereupon Gif Garrison related all he knew concerning the camp, which
+was located on a small stream of water that in the summer time ran down
+to a bay emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. There was a good deal of
+timber on the tract, and, so far as Gif knew, there was quite some small
+game.
+
+"I don't know about deer," he continued. "More than likely the big
+animals have gone further north. But one might get a chance at a wolf or
+a fox, and maybe some brook mink. We'll be sure to get plenty of rabbits
+and squirrels and ducks, and most likely some partridges and maybe wild
+turkeys. But, first of all, you Rovers have got to make sure that you
+can go."
+
+"Oh, we'll arrange that somehow, Gif," said Jack. "Of course, we'll want
+to go home first and see our folks and cheer them up a bit. They are
+pretty lonely now that our dads are over in France."
+
+"Oh, I'm going home myself first. But we can have at least three weeks
+up there, because the school is going to be closed more than a month
+before and after Christmas."
+
+Gif's announcement was such a pleasing one that the Rovers found it hard
+work after that to settle down to their studies. Letters were at once
+written to their mothers, and presently word came back that they might
+go to the camp immediately after Christmas if they wanted to do so. Then
+Jack telephoned to his sister at Clearwater Hall and got word back that
+Ruth and May would go down to New York with Mary and Martha and remain
+there until it was time to return to the girls' school.
+
+"It's too bad we can't be at home while the girls are there," remarked
+Jack to his cousins. He sighed deeply.
+
+"You mean it's too bad you can't be there while Ruth is there," put in
+Andy slyly.
+
+"That's the time you struck the nail on the head!" cried Randy.
+
+"Humph! you needn't rap me about it," returned the young captain
+briefly. "I guess you'd like to see the girls yourselves."
+
+Now that they knew what they were going to do during the midwinter
+holidays, the Rover boys and their chums were eager to have the school
+session come to an end. But they did not neglect their studies, nor did
+Jack and Fred neglect their duties as officers.
+
+Jack had an essay to write on "The Real Training of a Soldier," and he
+spent a great deal of time over this.
+
+"Not but what there is a good deal about it that I don't know," said
+Jack to his cousins. "I guess dad could write a better essay than I can
+turn out. He's seen some of the real side of a soldier's life."
+
+"What wonderful things our dads will have to tell when they get back,"
+said Fred. "That is, if they ever do get back," he added anxiously.
+
+"Oh, they've got to come back, Fred! They've simply got to!" returned
+Jack. But his face, too, showed his worry. The Rover boys did not care
+to admit it to each other, yet each day every one of them worried over
+their parents. It was dreadful to think that one's father, or one's
+beloved uncle, might be killed by the Germans, or even badly wounded.
+
+On the Saturday following the bobsled contest the boys assembled once
+more on the long Hill, and this time they were accompanied by many of
+the girls from Clearwater Hall. Jack and his cousins gave Ruth and the
+others many rides down the hill, much to their mutual delight.
+
+"Here comes Bill Glutts with his _Yellow Streak_," cried Fred presently.
+
+"Here's a chance to have another race with him, Jack," said Fatty
+Hendry. "He says you won the other race by a foul."
+
+"That's the talk, Jack!" cried Dan Soppinger. "Show him and the whole
+crowd that you beat him fairly."
+
+At first Jack did not care to pit himself again against Glutts. But
+there was so much talk that at length he consented, but insisted upon it
+that the whole course of the slide must be policed by the cadets.
+
+"All right, we'll do that," said Major Ralph Mason, and then ordered all
+the cadets he could collect to station themselves on each side of the
+slide from the top to where it ran out on the lake.
+
+"Oh, Jack, I hope you do win again!" said Ruth anxiously.
+
+"I intend to do my best," he answered.
+
+"You have got to win, Jack Rover!" cried his sister Martha. "If you
+don't beat that great big clumsy Glutts, I'll never speak to you again."
+
+With so many cadets stationed along the course, Bill Glutts felt that
+his chances of winning the race were diminishing. He had thought that he
+could crowd Jack as he had done before, but now Walt Baxter laid down
+the law in such a manner that it could not be misunderstood.
+
+"I will toss up a coin," said Walt, "and if you guess right, Glutts, you
+can take your choice of sides, and whichever side you or Jack Rover
+select, that side you must stick to from start to finish."
+
+The coin was tossed up, and Bill Glutts called out "tails" and won. Then
+he said he would take the right side of the slide, that which Jack Rover
+and his chums had previously used.
+
+"All right, then, Glutts," announced Walt. "Now then, remember that you
+have got to keep to the right all the way down; and you, Jack Rover,
+must keep to the left. If either of you crosses the middle of the
+course, that one will be disqualified and the race will be given to the
+other."
+
+"All right, Walt, I will stick to the left from start to finish; just
+watch me and see," declared Jack.
+
+"And I'll stick to the right," announced Bill Glutts. But his face
+showed anything but a happy expression as he spoke.
+
+Jack had the same crowd on board that he had before, but Glutts made
+several changes. He retained Nick Carncross and Codfish, but for the
+other three cadets substituted youths who were slightly built, and
+consequently rather light in weight.
+
+"He's saving all the pounds he can," whispered Randy.
+
+"Jack, do you think the right side of the course is better than the
+left?" questioned Gif.
+
+"I don't know. One looks about as good as the other to me," was the
+young captain's reply.
+
+Professor Frank Grawson had come up and was quite interested in the
+proposed contest.
+
+"I used to do a lot of bobsledding myself," said the professor, who was
+well liked by nearly all the cadets. "I used to have a home-made sled
+which was my pride for several seasons. Now, to make this more
+interesting, I'll put up a prize for the winner."
+
+"Fine, Professor! Fine!" was the cry.
+
+"What's the prize?"
+
+The teacher thought for a moment.
+
+"Well, every boy likes a good pocket knife," he said presently. "Now, to
+the one who wins this race I'll give a first-class, four-bladed,
+buck-handled knife. I saw some very good ones down in the hardware store
+at the Point, and I'll get one Monday."
+
+"That's splendid, Professor!" cried Jack. "I'll do my best to win that
+knife."
+
+"You'll see that knife coming to me!" exclaimed Bill Glutts, glaring at
+the young captain.
+
+Walt Baxter now called for the contestants to get ready. In a minute
+more the two bobsleds stood side by side, each with its load of
+passengers, and with Fred ready to push one to the front and Nick
+Carncross ready to shove the other.
+
+"All ready!" shouted Walt. "One--two--three! Go!"
+
+And away both bobsleds dashed, and the great race was on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE DEFEAT OF THE BULLY
+
+
+"Go ahead, Jack! You've got to win!"
+
+"Don't let 'em beat you, Bill. Put it all over those Rovers."
+
+"Oh, Jack, don't let them get the best of you!" cried Ruth.
+
+"You've got to win!" screamed Martha.
+
+"Here is where Glutts shows 'em what the _Yellow Streak_ can do!"
+
+So the cries ran on as the two bobsleds slowly gathered momentum and
+started down the long slope leading to Clearwater Lake.
+
+At the beginning Glutts had a little the better of it, because the right
+side of the slide seemed to be more slippery than the other. He was the
+first to gain the top of the nearest rise and he shot over this while
+Jack's bobsled was still climbing the slope.
+
+"Hurrah! Bill Glutts is ahead!"
+
+"He said the _Yellow Streak_ could beat any thing in this vicinity."
+
+"Oh, do you really think Glutts will win?" questioned Ruth anxiously, as
+she turned to Dan Soppinger.
+
+"Well, I should hope not!" answered Dan.
+
+"If he does win there will be no holding him down," put in Ned Lowe,
+another chum of the Rovers. "He'll crow to beat the band all winter."
+
+Forward went the two bobsleds, each steersman doing his best to guide
+his sled where running might be the easiest.
+
+Just as Jack topped the first rise and started to speed down on the
+other side, he saw Bill Glutts start to resume his old tactics. The
+bully was running close to the center of the course, and now he
+overlapped the other side by at least six inches.
+
+"Hi, there, Glutts! Get over on your side!" yelled one of the cadets who
+was helping to police the course.
+
+"That's right, Bill. Get over, or you'll be disqualified," added
+another.
+
+"Keep to the right! Keep to the right!" was the cry from several others.
+And then, knowing that the eyes of all the cadets in that vicinity were
+upon him, the bully slowly steered over to his side of the course. And
+he was not any too quick, for otherwise there might have been a serious
+disaster. Down the slope of the first hill rushed the _Blue Moon_. Jack
+was on his side, but had not more than six inches to spare. Had Glutts
+kept on as he was running the _Blue Moon_ would have sideswiped the
+_Yellow Streak_, and there would undoubtedly have been a serious
+accident.
+
+"Here comes the _Blue Moon_!"
+
+"Say, but they are gathering some speed!"
+
+"Hurrah, the Rovers are ahead!"
+
+"Go on, Glutts! Go on! Don't let 'em beat you!"
+
+It was true that the _Blue Moon_ was now ahead and was slowly but surely
+increasing the distance between the Rovers and those aboard the _Yellow
+Streak_.
+
+"Push her ahead, Bill! Push her ahead!" yelled Nick Carncross
+desperately.
+
+"We've got to win!" cried Codfish.
+
+"I'm doing the best I can," muttered Bill Glutts between his set teeth,
+and his eyes glowed with hatred as he saw the _Blue Moon_ vanishing over
+the second rise of the course.
+
+After that, as Fatty Hendry remarked, "it was all over but the
+shouting." Down toward the highway skirting the lake shot the _Blue
+Moon_. Then it ran swiftly along the final lap of the course and came
+out on Clearwater Lake, shooting several hundred feet beyond the
+finishing mark. The line was crossed while the _Yellow Streak_ was still
+on the roadway beyond the lake shore.
+
+[Illustration: DOWN TOWARD THE HIGHWAY SHOT THE _BLUE MOON_.]
+
+"Hurrah! The _Blue Moon_ wins!"
+
+"My, but that was some run, believe me!"
+
+"What will Bill Glutts have to say now?"
+
+"He can't say this wasn't a fair race."
+
+The run for the _Blue Moon_ had certainly been a swift one, and while
+Jack was congratulated on his victory, he was also praised for the way
+in which he had handled his speedy bobsled.
+
+"We certainly came down fast," remarked Randy. "I thought my ears were
+going to blow right off my head," and this remark caused a general
+laugh.
+
+Glutts had finished the race twelve seconds behind his opponent and was
+in anything but a happy frame of mind.
+
+"There were a number of sticks and stones on my side of the slide, and
+they held us back," he protested lamely. "I guess some of the fellows
+who didn't want to see the _Yellow Streak_ win put 'em there."
+
+"I can't believe that, Glutts," answered Major Mason flatly. "I looked
+over the course, and it was just as clear on one side as it was on the
+other."
+
+"Don't be a sorehead, Bill, just because you lost," put in Fatty Hendry.
+"Be a good sport and shake hands with Jack over your defeat."
+
+"I'll do as I please," roared the bully. "I don't need any advice from
+you. You fellows are all against me." And with this remark he turned his
+back on the crowd, and soon he and his cronies were making their way up
+along the lake shore, dragging the _Yellow Streak_ behind them.
+
+"It was a well won race, Captain Rover," said Professor Grawson. "You
+can be proud of being the possessor of such a speedy bobsled. On Monday
+I shall take great pleasure in getting that knife for you."
+
+"Thank you, Professor. And I'll take great pleasure in accepting the
+knife," said Jack, with a grin.
+
+"Well, that's the time you squared up with Bill Glutts," remarked
+Spouter, after the fun on Long Hill had come to an end and the boys had
+said good-bye to the girls and were on the return to Colby Hall. "You
+certainly paid him back for shoving you into that snowbank."
+
+"I don't know whether I did or not," answered the young captain.
+"Evidently Glutts doesn't know when he's had enough. I suppose he'll be
+more bitter now than ever against me."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't worry about Glutts," put in Gif. "He's nothing but a
+great big overgrown butcher boy." He said this because it was a
+well-known fact that Bill Glutts was the only son of a wholesale butcher
+who had made a small fortune in manufacturing and selling frankfurters.
+
+"I don't see how a fellow like Nick Carncross can take up with him,"
+remarked Fatty Hendry.
+
+"I know why he does that," came from Ned Lowe. "Bill has had plenty of
+money to spend lately--an uncle or somebody sent him quite a wad--and
+Nick's pocketbook, I imagine, is rather thin."
+
+"Say, Ned, come around to our rooms to-night and give us some music just
+to celebrate this glorious event!" cried Fred, for Ned Lowe was quite a
+performer on the mandolin and usually had some very funny songs to sing.
+
+"All right, I'll be glad to come," answered the mandolin player. "Any
+eats?"
+
+"Oh, maybe we can scrape up something," answered Randy. The idea of a
+little spread on the quiet appealed to him.
+
+The idea of a little spread appealed to the others, too, and as a
+consequence it was arranged between the Rovers and their chums that two
+of them should go to Haven Point for some things for the spread. This
+task was delegated to Andy and Fred, and they hurried off early in the
+evening, returning with several packages containing sandwiches, cake,
+candy, nuts and a large hand of bananas. In the meantime, the other
+Rover boys and Ned Lowe had gathered in Gif Garrison's room, and there
+enjoyed themselves singing and listening to Ned's playing of the
+mandolin.
+
+As soon as the monitors had gone their rounds to see that everything was
+quiet for the night, Spouter, Gif, Fatty, Ned, Dan, Walt and several
+others found their way to the Rover boys' suite.
+
+"Now, don't make too much noise," admonished Fred, who let them in.
+"Remember Bill Glutts and his gang will be only too glad to find out
+what is going on and report us."
+
+"And we don't want to get any black marks when it's so near the end of
+the term," added Jack.
+
+"Right-o," came from Andy.
+
+The new arrivals proceeded to make themselves at home, and then the
+Rovers passed around the good things which had been obtained.
+
+"Say, this is all right," declared Walt, munching a tongue sandwich.
+
+"Couldn't be beat," came from Gif, who had his mouth full of layer cake.
+
+"Here, Fatty, have some nuts!" cried Andy gayly, and let several almonds
+slide down the fat youth's collar.
+
+"Hi, there! Let up!" cried Fatty. "I don't eat nuts that way," and he
+made a pass at Andy with a pillow.
+
+"No horseplay, now! Cut it out, Andy," warned Jack.
+
+After that the cadets conversed in low tones and at the same time
+enjoyed the many good things to eat.
+
+"What are you going to do with those banana skins, Andy?" questioned his
+twin, as he saw the youth place several of the skins in a bit of
+newspaper.
+
+"Oh, I've got a plan to use them," was the answer.
+
+"Well, if there is any fun on foot, let me in on it," went on Randy
+promptly.
+
+"I was thinking we might send some of these good things over to Bill
+Glutts, Codfish and Nick Carncross," went on the fun-loving Rover. "It
+might make 'em feel better over their defeat."
+
+"What! Give up some of these good eats to them?" demanded Fred.
+
+"Well, I don't know whether they would be very good eats or not,"
+answered Andy, closing one eye suggestively. "Do you see what I've got
+in this little package?" he went on, bringing a small paper bag from his
+pocket. "Smell it."
+
+Fred did so, but with caution. Then he gave a sudden sneeze.
+
+"Cayenne pepper!"
+
+"Right you are, Freddie boy! How did you guess it?" and Andy grinned
+broadly.
+
+"Say, that's the talk!" burst out Randy. "Let's send them over a few
+sandwiches and a couple of slices of cake, all well doctored with
+cayenne pepper."
+
+"They'll be suspicious, especially if you take them over," remarked
+Jack. "We ought to get some outsider to do the job."
+
+"I'll do it if you want me too," responded Walt Baxter promptly. "I
+don't love those chaps any more than you do. You just fix up some
+sandwiches and the cake, and I'll go around and explain that Dan and Ned
+and Fatty, and some of the rest of us, are giving the Rovers a little
+spread in honor of the victory and that we don't think it any more than
+right that they should have some of the good things."
+
+So it was decided, and a little while later the cover of a pasteboard
+box was fixed up as a tray, containing several tempting looking
+sandwiches, some slices of layer cake, and two bananas. Then Walt Baxter
+marched off with the things in the direction of the room occupied by
+Bill Glutts.
+
+"Come on and listen to what happens," said Andy, and presently, having
+slipped off their shoes, he and the others followed Walt down the
+corridor, but kept well in the background.
+
+When Baxter arrived at Bill Glutts' room he heard low voices, and was
+much pleased to learn that Glutts was talking to Nick Carncross. When he
+knocked lightly on the door there was an uneasy stir within.
+
+"Maybe it's one of the monitors come back," whispered Carncross
+uneasily.
+
+"Who is there?" questioned Glutts sharply.
+
+"It's I--Walt Baxter," was the answer. "Open the door, Glutts. I've got
+something good for you fellows."
+
+The door was opened cautiously, and Walt explained his errand, at the
+same time holding out the improvised tray.
+
+"I don't know that we want anything," said Glutts rather sourly.
+
+"Oh, well, we might as well take it," put in Carncross hastily. He was a
+growing cadet, and always hungry.
+
+"We'd like to have Codfish have some of this, too," said Walt. "Will you
+see that he gets some?"
+
+"Sure!" answered Carncross readily. "He's right across the hall. I'll
+call him."
+
+In a few minutes more Codfish came from his room clad in his pajamas and
+slippers. He sneaked over into the room occupied by Glutts and
+Carncross, and then the three began dividing the things Walt had brought
+for them.
+
+"I'll have to go now," said Walt hastily. "Remember, this is with
+regards from our whole crowd," he added significantly.
+
+"Thanks," muttered Carncross briefly, while Glutts and Codfish said
+nothing.
+
+Then the bully closed the door and he and his cronies prepared to enjoy
+the things which had been brought to them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+AT THE MOVING PICTURE THEATRE
+
+
+"There'll be something doing in a minute or two," murmured Randy, as he
+and the others came to a halt before Bill Glutts' door.
+
+"You fellows be careful and don't step on any of these," whispered Andy,
+as he bent down and laid the banana skins he had saved on the floor.
+"Splendid doormat for them when they come out," he added, grinning.
+
+Fortunately, those within the room were so busy dividing the sandwiches
+and cake that they paid no attention to what was going on outside.
+
+"Rather nice of them to remember us," remarked Codfish. "Thank you, I
+don't think I care for any sandwiches, but I'll take that piece of cake
+instead."
+
+"Me for a sandwich, Bill," murmured Carncross. "I'm quite hungry."
+
+Then the three began to munch away on the sandwiches and the cake at a
+lively rate.
+
+All had their mouths full when suddenly Codfish began to splutter.
+
+"Hello! what's the matter?" cried Glutts. "Trying to swallow too much at
+once?"
+
+"You don't want to make a pig of yourself, Codfish," admonished
+Carncross.
+
+"Oh! Oh!" cried the sneak of the school. "Oh!"
+
+"What's wrong?"
+
+"Oh, I'm burning up! Oh, they must have poisoned me!"
+
+"Gee! do you suppose they put something in that cake?" cried Carncross,
+in sudden alarm.
+
+"Oh, my mouth is on fire!" groaned Codfish.
+
+To this neither Glutts nor Carncross made any answer. Each was beginning
+to feel a sudden strange sensation on his tongue and in his throat. Both
+began to feel as if their mouths were burning up.
+
+"It's something they've put in the eats!" exclaimed Glutts. "They're
+trying to poison us, or something!"
+
+"It's pepper! That's what it is--cayenne pepper!" came from Codfish.
+"Oh, give me a drink of water, or something! This is dreadful!"
+
+The sneak made a dash across the room to where a water pitcher stood on
+a stand with a glass beside it. But the pitcher proved to be empty.
+
+"My gracious, this is terrible!" spluttered Carncross, and began to
+cough.
+
+In the meantime Glutts smelled of the food that remained on the
+improvised tray, and suddenly gave a loud sneeze, followed by several
+others.
+
+"Hurrah! they are enjoying it all right enough," remarked Jack, in a low
+tone.
+
+"I've got to have a drink!" yelled Carncross recklessly. "Gee! I'm
+burning up clean from my mouth to my stomach!"
+
+"You're no worse off than I am," spluttered Glutts. "Oh, just wait until
+I get hold of that Walt Baxter!"
+
+"It was the whole bunch that did it. I'll bet the trick was gotten up by
+those Rovers!"
+
+The door was flung open, and all of the occupants of the room dashed out
+into the hallway, bent upon getting to the nearest bathroom or water
+cooler for a drink. Not one of them noticed the slippery banana skins
+spread out on the floor, and on the instant Bill Glutts went sliding
+along and came down flat on his back. Carncross did likewise, Codfish
+tripping over him and pitching headlong.
+
+"Say! what's this?" exploded Glutts. "Oh, my back! I guess I've broken
+my shoulder."
+
+"They must have soaked the floor," came from Carncross. "No! It's banana
+skins," he added, in deep disgust. "Say, Codfish, take your feet off my
+stomach, will you?"
+
+"I--I couldn't help falling over you, you went down so suddenly,"
+apologized the sneak. "Oh dear! let me get a drink of water--I'm all on
+fire inside."
+
+The Rovers and their chums had retreated to a distance, and this was
+wise, for, had Glutts and Carncross been able to get hold of them, there
+would certainly have been a fight. But as it was, the bully and his
+cronies passed down a back corridor to the nearest bathroom, where they
+proceeded to wash out their mouths and get a long drink.
+
+"Now we'd better get back to our rooms and get into bed as soon as
+possible," said Jack. "They may report us, and some of the professors
+may come around to investigate."
+
+"Let them come! We'll all be asleep like so many innocent lambs,"
+remarked Randy.
+
+"They'll find that I've been asleep for the last two hours," added Walt
+Baxter, and at this the others had to smile.
+
+The crowd separated, and the four Rovers returned to their rooms, where
+they lost no time in getting rid of all the evidences of the feast. Then
+they undressed, turned out the lights, and crept into their beds.
+
+"I don't believe they'll dare to report this," whispered Andy to his
+twin. And in this surmise the fun-loving Rover was correct. Glutts and
+his cronies did a good deal of grumbling, but there the matter, for the
+time being, ended.
+
+"But I'll get square some day! You just wait and see!" Glutts told the
+others.
+
+The school term was now drawing to an end, and it was definitely
+announced that, owing to the war conditions, Colby Hall would remain
+closed for a period of six weeks for the winter holidays. This would
+give the Rovers and their chums a full month's vacation after New
+Year's.
+
+"And what a good time we will have up at Cedar Lodge!" cried Fred.
+
+"It certainly was grand of Gif to ask us to go up there with him and
+Spouter," added Jack.
+
+The Rovers and their chums, and especially Walt Baxter, kept a close eye
+on Bill Glutts and his cronies. But beyond scowling at them whenever
+they passed, the bully did nothing regarding the peppered food which had
+been presented.
+
+"He's laying low for something, I suppose," said Walt. "However, I'm not
+going to worry."
+
+One day he received a "soaker" of a snowball in his left ear while
+hurrying to the gymnasium. He did not know who threw the missile, but
+was satisfied in his mind that it came from either Glutts or Carncross.
+
+The examinations for the term were held, and much to the Rover boys'
+satisfaction all acquitted themselves creditably. Spouter and Gif did
+very well too, and were equally elated.
+
+"Let us go down to town this evening and celebrate," suggested Jack that
+afternoon. "I think Captain Dale will let us go, and I understand they
+are giving a very good war picture at Mr. Falstein's moving picture
+theater."
+
+"That will suit me," answered Fred.
+
+The matter was talked over by a number of the cadets, and they went to
+see Captain Dale about it; and as a result nine of them set out for
+Haven Point, where was located the moving picture theater at which Jack
+and his cousins first met the girls from Clearwater Hall.
+
+"This looks like a pretty good picture," remarked Gif, as he pointed to
+one advertised on the billboards. "A real war play with some of the
+scenes taken at the front."
+
+"Either at the front or on the Hackensack Meadows," remarked Randy
+dryly. "They tell me that more than three-fourths of those so-called war
+pictures are faked up."
+
+"Well, you wouldn't expect the moving picture actors to go right out in
+the middle of a battlefield and perform, would you?" queried Jack.
+
+"Here's a good comic, too!" put in Fatty Hendry. "That suits me all
+right. I like a good laugh."
+
+"Fatty, you ought to go in the movies," remarked Fred. "You would make a
+hit as the Living Skeleton."
+
+"He would unless his face broke the camera," added Ned Lowe.
+
+"I understand some of those fat fellows in the movies get a couple of
+hundred dollars a week for acting," said Fatty. "I wouldn't mind doing
+some of those stunts myself at that price."
+
+The cadets purchased their tickets and were soon inside the showhouse.
+An educational film was being thrown on the screen, and they were much
+interested in seeing the details of tanning leather and making leather
+belts, handbags, and shoes.
+
+"Gee! how easy it is to learn about these things in a moving picture,"
+remarked Gif.
+
+"What a pity it is they can't teach a fellow algebra and geometry in the
+same way," sighed Randy.
+
+The educational film was followed by the war play, and whether this was
+given with faked-up backgrounds or not, it proved to be a very
+interesting production, especially to the Rover boys. There were
+pictures of life in the soldiers' camps and on the transports bound for
+Europe, and then scenes of life in the French trenches, culminating in a
+terrific bombardment by big cannons, and then a thrilling charge over
+No-Man's Land.
+
+"Gee, isn't that immense!" murmured Fred. "Think of dad being in such a
+charge as that!"
+
+"It brings the war pretty close, doesn't it, Fred?" asked Jack.
+
+The scenes of the mighty conflict not alone thrilled the Rover boys but
+also sobered them, especially when there came a picture of the dead and
+the dying, with the ambulances rushing hither and thither to take the
+wounded to the field hospitals.
+
+Poor Fred felt the tears coming into his eyes, and was glad that the
+moving picture house was rather dark, so that he might use his
+handkerchief without being noticed.
+
+The war picture was followed immediately by one depicting the trials and
+tribulations of a fat man who obtained a position as a bell-boy in a
+country hotel. He did some wonderful stunts, and managed to break up a
+great deal of crockeryware and innumerable pies, and this set all the
+cadets, as well as the majority of the audience, to roaring with
+laughter.
+
+"I guess those fellows earn their money," remarked Spouter to Fatty.
+"Just think of being slammed around in front of the camera like that!"
+
+"Yes. And think of having three or four pies plastered all over your
+face," returned the stout youth. "I guess, after all, I'd rather go into
+ordinary business."
+
+"I imagine some of those so-called stunts are only trick pictures--I
+mean those things like climbing up the side of a house and holding on to
+the top of a church steeple," remarked Jack. "Just the same, those
+moving picture actors have to risk their lives more than once,
+especially when they take wild rides on horse-back or in automobiles, or
+get in railroad smash-ups."
+
+Immediately following the comic picture, all the lights in the theater
+were turned on and a gentleman stepped on the stage to address the
+audience.
+
+"I wonder what he's going to talk about," whispered Randy.
+
+"Liberty Loan, or something like that, I suppose," answered his twin.
+
+He was right. There was a new drive on to raise money for the Government
+to be used for war purposes, and this gentleman, as a member of the
+local committee, had come forth to urge every man and woman in the
+audience to invest in Liberty Bonds.
+
+"That is what my father was doing in and around New York before he went
+to war," explained Andy to Walt Baxter. "He made quite a success of it,
+too. He was on a whole lot of committees."
+
+"And he did a lot of work for the Red Cross, too," added Randy.
+
+While the lights were turned on the cadets had a chance to look around
+the showhouse. They thought that possibly some of the girls from
+Clearwater Hall might be present, but they were disappointed.
+
+The talk about Liberty Bonds had come to an end, and several men and
+women were passing through the audience trying to get subscribers for
+the bonds when half a dozen newcomers entered the moving picture
+theater. One of the number was in cadet uniform, and as he came down the
+aisle and took a seat on the other side of the showhouse, Jack caught
+Fred by the arm.
+
+"Look who's here, will you?" he whispered excitedly.
+
+"Why, it's Bill Glutts!" returned Fred.
+
+"Exactly! And do you see who is with him?"
+
+"No. I can't make out. Who is it?"
+
+"Gabe Werner!"
+
+"Gabe Werner! Are you sure, Jack?"
+
+"Positive! I saw him full in the face just before he sat down."
+
+Soon the lights in the showhouse went out once more, and the moving
+picture performance continued.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE END OF THE TERM
+
+
+"What can Gabe Werner be doing around here?" questioned Randy, who had
+heard the conversation between his two cousins.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," answered Jack. "He doesn't live anywhere in
+this vicinity, and I thought after he left the school he went home."
+
+"Evidently Glutts must have known about his being here, otherwise they
+wouldn't be together," said Andy.
+
+Jack stood up so that he might get a better view of the other side of
+the showhouse. He noticed several vacant seats directly behind those
+occupied by Glutts and Werner.
+
+"I'm going to slip over there just as soon as the lights are turned
+down," he said to Fred. "If they are hatching out any mischief perhaps
+we'll hear something worth listening to."
+
+"I'll go with you," was the ready reply.
+
+The pair explained to the others what they were about to do, and then
+slipped out of their seats and made their way to the back of the moving
+picture theater. Then, when the lights were being turned out, they moved
+forward and slipped into two seats directly behind Glutts and Werner
+without being noticed by the two bullies.
+
+The educational film was now being shown again, and this caused Glutts
+to give a snort of disgust.
+
+"I don't care for that sort of stuff," said the wholesale butcher's son.
+"I wish they would put on the war play. Tell me some more about this
+scheme you've got for spending the winter holidays."
+
+"Oh, it's a dandy scheme, all right, Bill," responded Werner. And then
+he began a description of a winter's camp and told how he had permission
+to go there and how he wanted Glutts to go with him.
+
+While Gabe Werner was speaking some people sitting next to him had
+arisen and were trying to get out. Gabe and Bill arose, and as they did
+so the former turned around and caught sight of the two Rovers.
+
+"Say! what do you know about this?" he cried in astonishment.
+
+"Jack Rover and Fred Rover!" murmured Glutts, and his face likewise
+betrayed astonishment.
+
+"Did you fellows follow us into the theater?" demanded Werner.
+
+"We certainly did not," returned Fred quickly. "We were in the theater
+long before you came in."
+
+"Huh!" Werner was stumped for a moment. "I didn't notice them here, did
+you?" he questioned his crony.
+
+"If I had I should have taken a seat elsewhere," was Glutts' ready
+reply. He glared at the Rovers. "I suppose you have been listening to
+everything we said."
+
+"If you don't want to be heard you had better not talk in a place like
+this," replied Jack.
+
+"I don't care what they did hear," grumbled Werner. "I'm not ashamed of
+what I am doing or intend to do."
+
+"If I were you, Glutts, I'd cut Werner," advised Fred. "Captain Dale
+won't give you any credit for sticking to him after what happened at the
+encampment."
+
+"I suppose you are going to tell Captain Dale you saw me with him,"
+retorted Glutts.
+
+"I shan't say a word unless I am questioned."
+
+"I haven't forgotten what happened at the encampment," said Gabe Werner,
+turning to Jack. "Some day I'm going to square accounts with you."
+
+"When that time comes I think I'll be able to defend myself, Werner,"
+answered the young captain coldly.
+
+By this time a number of people in the audience were turning around,
+evidently annoyed by the conversation. One heavy-set man turned back and
+tapped Werner on the shoulder.
+
+"Say, if you fellows want to hold a talk-fest, go outside and do it," he
+growled. "We want to look at the pictures."
+
+"Come ahead, Jack," whispered Fred. "It won't do us any good to stay
+here, now that Glutts and Werner have discovered our presence."
+
+"Right you are," was the answer. And a moment later the two Rovers
+slipped out of their seats and made their way to the rear of the
+showhouse. Here they were joined by the others of their crowd; and all
+went outside and across the street to a drugstore, where Jack treated
+the others to hot chocolate soda.
+
+"They are hatching out something, that is sure," remarked Jack.
+
+"As near as I could make out, Werner is going off into the woods on a
+hunt and wants Glutts to go with him," returned Fred. "I wonder where
+they are going?"
+
+No one could answer that question, and presently the crowd began to talk
+of other things, and especially of the war play they had just witnessed.
+
+"Gosh! but a play like that brings the war pretty close to a fellow,"
+said Randy, with a sigh.
+
+"Makes a fellow think of how our dads are making out over there, doesn't
+it?" said Fred.
+
+"When they showed those ambulance scenes with all the dead and dying
+lying around it gave me the cold shivers," came from Andy. "I tell you
+what--war is a terrible thing."
+
+"Yes, and you have got to see something like that to realize how really
+terrible it is," put in Jack.
+
+Several days later the term at Colby Hall came to an end. There was
+something of an entertainment, with prize speaking in which Spouter
+distinguished himself, and then came the final drill and parade around
+the campus. Following this the cadets indulged in several snowball
+fights and in quite some horseplay, and then rushed off to their rooms
+to pack their suitcases and other baggage so as to be ready to depart
+for home in the early morning.
+
+"Wow! but it feels good to know I haven't got to look at a grammar or an
+algebra for the next few weeks," cried Randy, with satisfaction.
+
+"Say! it makes me feel as happy as a clown in a circus," declared Andy,
+and, in high spirits, he began a jig and ended by turning a flip-flap
+over one of the beds. Then he and his twin indulged in a pillow fight,
+in which Fred joined.
+
+"Hi, you fellows! stop your rumpus," cried Jack, who was trying to pack
+his suitcase. "You keep on, and you'll have the ceiling of the floor
+below down."
+
+"Can't help it!" cried Andy gayly. "We've got to break loose once in a
+while," and he playfully landed a cake of soap in the open suitcase.
+
+"I'll soap you!" cried the young captain, and, taking the article in
+question, he made a leap over the bed, caught his cousin by the neck,
+and allowed the cake of soap to slip down Andy's back.
+
+"Great salt mackerel!" ejaculated the fun-loving Rover, and, pulling his
+coat tight, he arched his back. "Anybody notice the camel's hump?"
+
+"It isn't a hump, Andy. It's only a wart on your backbone," answered his
+twin.
+
+"Well, hump or wart, it isn't going to stay there very long," remarked
+the other, and immediately proceeded to stand on his hands, shaking his
+body in such a manner that presently the soap rattled out on the floor.
+Then quietness was restored for the time being, and the Rovers continued
+their packing.
+
+A conference was held with Gif, and it was decided that all of the crowd
+were to go home for Christmas. Several days later the Rovers were to
+meet Gif and Spouter at Portview, and then all would proceed to Cedar
+Lodge.
+
+"And don't forget to bring your guns and all your other traps," said
+Gif.
+
+"You trust us for that!" responded Fred.
+
+"We'll be there with everything that is necessary outside of the
+provisions. Those, of course, we can get at Portview or at Timminsport."
+
+"I hope we get a chance at a moose," sighed Randy.
+
+"Gee! Why don't you make it a lion or an elephant or a polar bear while
+you are at it?" cried his twin. "Might as well wish for everything in
+the menagerie. It doesn't cost any more," and at this there was a
+general smile.
+
+"I know what I'd like to get," said Jack. "I was reading about one in
+the paper the other day. They must be beautiful creatures."
+
+"What's that?" questioned Gif.
+
+"A silver fox."
+
+"Oh, say, Jack! that would be fine. But I imagine silver foxes are
+exceedingly rare."
+
+"Oh, I know that. Just the same, I'd like to bag one. The fur would make
+a very fine piece for some lady to wear."
+
+"Ruth Stevenson, for instance," murmured Andy; and at this his cousin
+made a playful pass at him with his fist, which the fun-loving Rover
+easily dodged.
+
+The next morning the cadets had an early breakfast, and a short while
+later saw many of them on their way by carriage and automobile to Haven
+Point. Many girls were also coming in from Clearwater Hall, so that the
+railroad station present an unusually lively appearance.
+
+In the crowd was Bill Glutts, but he took care to keep away from the
+Rovers. Gabe Werner was nowhere to be seen, and the Rovers rightfully
+conjectured that he had left the town.
+
+The boys had hardly arrived when a carry-all came in from Clearwater
+Hall containing Mary and Martha, as well as Ruth and May and a dozen
+other girl students. There was a general handshaking, and then all took
+a stand on the station platform to wait for the coming of two trains
+which were to bear the various students in opposite directions.
+Everybody had already procured a ticket, and the trains which were
+expected were extras, for it would have been impossible for the ordinary
+locals to have taken care of such heavy traffic.
+
+"I am sorry you're not going to travel with us to New York," said Jack
+to Ruth.
+
+"Well, I'm sorry you're not coming my way," answered the girl, with a
+smile.
+
+"But you'll be down to our house directly after Christmas, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, we'll be down the day after--May and I."
+
+"Well, that will give us a whole day together, anyhow, before us fellows
+start for Cedar Lodge," went on the young captain. Then he nudged Ruth
+in the elbow. "Come over here," he whispered. "I want to show you
+something that I don't want the others to see."
+
+Together they slipped out of the crowd and around the corner of the
+little railroad station. Then Jack brought out a large flat package from
+an inner pocket of his overcoat. "I had these taken as a Christmas
+surprise to mother and Martha. What do you think of them?" and he
+brought forth several photographs of himself taken in his cadet uniform.
+They had been taken by the leading photographer of Haven Point who made
+a specialty of work for the two schools, and they certainly showed the
+young captain at his best.
+
+"Oh, how lovely, Jack!" cried Ruth in genuine pleasure. "I declare, they
+are splendid pictures."
+
+"Then you like them?" he queried anxiously.
+
+"I certainly do! I don't think they could be better." She looked at the
+three poses presented critically. "If it's all the same to you, I'll
+keep this one," she said finally.
+
+"Oh, Ruth, you don't want my picture, do you?" he questioned, and there
+was a trace of wistfulness in his voice.
+
+"Of course I do, Jack. I can keep this one, can't I?" and the girl
+looked full at him in a manner that spoke volumes.
+
+"Why, sure! if you want it," he answered quickly. "But, say! don't I get
+one of yours in return?" he added.
+
+"Well, I'll see about that," she hesitated.
+
+"Oh, now, Ruth--"
+
+"I haven't had one taken in an awfully long time, Jack."
+
+"Never mind, you will let me have one of them anyhow, won't you?"
+
+"I--I guess--maybe so. I'll give it to you for a Christmas present. Only
+don't tell the others."
+
+"I won't, Ruth. And you can keep about my picture to yourself, too,"
+added the captain. And thereupon the decidedly interesting conversation
+between the pair had to come to an end as one of the trains came puffing
+in--that which was to carry Ruth and some of the other girls, as well as
+many of the cadets, away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+CHRISTMAS AT HOME
+
+
+"Well, here we are at last. I wonder if anybody will be at the station
+to meet us," said Martha Rover.
+
+"Oh, I'm sure somebody will come down," answered Mary.
+
+The six Rovers had had a long and uneventful train ride from Haven Point
+to the Grand Central Terminal, Forty-second Street, New York City. They
+had had to change cars at the Junction, where some months before they
+had had such fun with Mr. Asa Lemm, the discharged teacher of the Hall,
+as related in detail in the volume previous to this. The train had been
+crowded with passengers, but the Rovers had managed to get seats
+together, much to their satisfaction; and they had also managed to get
+pretty fair accommodations when it came time to go into the diner.
+
+They had telegraphed ahead concerning their coming, and found two
+chauffeurs employed by Dick Rover and Tom Rover on hand to receive them
+and take charge of their baggage. Then they went out to the street,
+where they found two automobiles awaiting them, one containing Jack's
+mother and the other the mothers of Fred and the twins.
+
+"Hello, Ma!" cried the young captain, as he rushed forward to embrace
+his parent. "How are you? You are looking pretty good."
+
+"Oh, I am feeling quite fair," answered Mrs. Dick Rover with a smile.
+
+"Home again, and glad of it!" exclaimed Fred, as he embraced his mother.
+
+"My, my, but I'm glad that that term at the school is at an end!" cried
+Andy, as he gave Mrs. Tom Rover the hug he knew she would be expecting,
+a hug which was speedily duplicated by his twin. "Hope you've got a good
+big dinner waiting for us. Traveling has made me hungry."
+
+"Not but what we had a pretty good meal on the train," added his twin.
+
+"You'll get all you want to-night," answered Mrs. Tom Rover
+affectionately.
+
+In the meantime Mary and Martha had come up and joined their parents.
+There was a good deal of kissing and questioning, and while this was
+going on the chauffeurs assisted the young people to their seats and
+stowed away their handbaggage. There were no trunks to come, for all the
+young folks had left a large part of the belongings at the schools.
+
+There was only one thing which saddened the home-coming of the young
+people, and that was the absence of their fathers. Although Jack had
+said that his mother was looking well, still he had not failed to notice
+that her face showed a certain paleness and some lines of care.
+
+"Don't worry, Mother. I'm sure dad will come back all right," he said
+later on, in an endeavor to comfort her.
+
+"I am hoping so, Jack. But, oh! how I wish this awful war would come to
+an end," and Mrs. Dick Rover sighed deeply.
+
+All too quickly the next few days passed. Young folks and old folks were
+busy doing their shopping for Christmas, and in addition to this, the
+boys went out to purchase a number of things they thought they might
+need while at the camp.
+
+"I'm afraid we're in for it," said Randy dismally, on the afternoon
+before Christmas. "This looks like a regular blizzard."
+
+It certainly did look like a blizzard, with the snow coming down thickly
+and the wind blowing it first in one direction then in another. By
+nightfall the streets were almost impassable, and in the morning traffic
+along Riverside Drive was practically suspended.
+
+"Merry Christmas!" shouted Randy, who was the first to get up.
+
+"Merry Christmas!" replied Andy. "And how do you like to live at the
+North Pole?" he added, as he glanced out of the window at the
+storm-bound street and the river and the Palisades beyond.
+
+There was a grand reunion of the three families in the Dick Rover
+residence, and presents were exchanged all around. The boys had
+purchased a number of small but appropriate gifts for their mothers and
+the two girls, and also for the various servants of the families. In
+return they received a number of gifts, both useful and ornamental,
+including gold-mounted stylographic pens, which each one had desired,
+and also some new hockey skates and story books.
+
+Martha had knit a bright sweater for her brother, and Mary had done the
+same for Fred, and the girls between them had likewise knit sweaters for
+the twins.
+
+"We sure are the lucky kids," remarked Andy, when all of them were
+looking over their gifts. "This sweater suits me to a T. And, my! just
+wait until I get on those hockey skates. There won't be a thing in New
+York or on Clearwater Lake that will beat me."
+
+"I see you doing some tall skating to-day," replied his twin, with a
+grin. "What you will need is a snow shovel if you want to get anywhere."
+
+The storm kept up until noon of Christmas, and then cleared away almost
+as rapidly as it had come, the night being clear and cold, with a
+beautiful moon and twinkling stars shining from above.
+
+"I hope it stays clear so that May and Ruth will have a chance to come
+down," remarked Fred during the course of the afternoon.
+
+"I guess we all hope that," answered Jack.
+
+With so much to think of in connection with their proposed trip to Cedar
+Lodge, the Rover boys put in a busy time all of that day and part of the
+next. Then they went down to the Grand Central Terminal with the girls
+to meet the expected visitors.
+
+"There they are!" cried Martha, after the long train had rolled into the
+station. And a moment later she and Ruth were in each other's arms,
+while Mary was embracing May. Then the boys shook hands, and all drove
+away to the Rover residences.
+
+"Did you get that picture for me, Ruth?" questioned Jack, as soon as he
+could get a chance to speak to the girl in private.
+
+"Oh, you don't want any picture," she declared mischievously.
+
+"Aw, come now," he pleaded, "don't try to put me off that way. You know
+what you promised."
+
+"Well, can't you wait until we get to the house?"
+
+"Oh, sure! But I wanted to make certain that you had brought the picture
+along."
+
+"You'll be scared when you see it," declared Ruth. "I look a perfect
+fright. The man snapped the picture before I was half ready."
+
+But later on, when Jack received the gift, he declared that the picture
+was a very good one indeed, although it did not look half as pretty as
+Ruth did herself. The two had quite a little fun over the picture, and
+then Jack placed it in his pocket.
+
+"Now you've got it, what are you going to do with it?" questioned Ruth
+curiously.
+
+"I'm going to carry it right here," he declared, for he had it in an
+inside pocket over his heart.
+
+"Oh, you big goose!" cried Ruth, but then she blushed and looked pleased
+nevertheless.
+
+It was announced that part of the lake in Central Park had been scraped
+clear of the snow, and the following day the young folks went skating
+and had a most glorious time. Then in the evening all attended a
+theatrical performance at one of the leading theaters.
+
+"Oh, my! but I am having a splendid time," said Ruth to Martha.
+
+"It's too bad the boys are going away," was the answer. "But I don't
+blame them for wanting to go on a hunt. If I were a boy I'd like to go
+on a hunt myself."
+
+On the following morning came a letter from Dick Rover, stating that
+matters were still somewhat quiet in the sector in France where they
+were located, but that word was being passed around that they were to
+make an advance in the near future.
+
+"Hurrah! I guess they'll show those Huns what Americans can do," cried
+Jack.
+
+"Oh, I dread to think of their going into battle!" said his mother.
+
+"Ma, while we are away don't forget to send us any news that may come
+in," said Jack quickly. "You can telegraph to Timminsport, and we will
+leave word there at the telegraph office so that any important message
+will be delivered to us."
+
+"I'll certainly do that, Jack." And later on Mrs. Tom Rover and Mrs. Sam
+Rover promised to do the same thing.
+
+"There is no telling what may happen to our dads if they get into a
+regular first-class battle," remarked Fred, that night when the four
+boys were holding a little conference among themselves.
+
+"Well, we've got to take what comes," returned Randy briefly. "However,
+I'll be as much worried as ma until this war is at an end or until our
+dads come home."
+
+The boys had looked over their traps with care and examined their rifles
+and shotguns, and had even gone down into the cellar of one of their
+residences to try out the weapons to make certain that they were in
+working order.
+
+With a shotgun in his hand Andy wanted to have some fun with one of the
+servant girls, but Randy quickly stopped him.
+
+"Nothing doing, Andy," he said. "You'll only make ma nervous, and she is
+nervous enough already, thinking about dad. You save your tomfoolery
+until we are on the way or up at the camp."
+
+At length came the time for the boys to take their departure. Jack hated
+to think of running away from Ruth, and Fred was equally sorry to leave
+May Powell behind, yet the thought of what was ahead brightened all of
+the lads considerably.
+
+"We ought to have the time of our lives," declared Fred. "That is, if
+hunting is half as good as Gif Garrison said it was."
+
+"And if I can get that silver fox," added Jack.
+
+"Nothing but a moose for me," declared Randy. "Either a moose or a
+six-legged jack rabbit."
+
+"Wouldn't you like to shoot a bear that weighed about a thousand
+pounds?" questioned Jack.
+
+"And lug the carcass to camp yourself?" came from Fred.
+
+"Speaking about carrying a thousand-pound bear puts me in mind of
+something," cried Randy quickly. "A fellow was telling me of a man here
+in the city who carried twelve hundred pounds."
+
+"Twelve hundred pounds!" exclaimed his twin. "It can't be done."
+
+"Why, that's more than a half a ton!" said Jack incredulously.
+
+"Never mind, the fellow carried the twelve hundred pounds," went on
+Randy. "A whole lot of people saw him do it."
+
+"Where was this?" questioned Fred.
+
+"It was down at one of the Broadway banks," answered Randy innocently.
+"The fellow was an English army officer. He had twelve hundred pounds in
+English money that he was exchanging for good old U. S. A. coin."
+
+"Fooled!" cried Fred, and this was followed by a general laugh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE RAILROAD ACCIDENT
+
+
+The four Rover boys journeyed from New York City to Baxton and there
+changed from one station to another nearby and took the next train for
+Portview.
+
+Arriving in Portview they took a taxicab to the leading hotel, and were
+there met by Gif and Spouter, who had come in a few hours earlier and
+had already signed for their accommodations.
+
+"Mighty glad to see you got here," declared Gif. "I read about the awful
+storm you had down around New York, and I thought you might be delayed."
+
+"Well, I see they have had some of the snow up here," answered Jack.
+"Although it isn't as heavy as it was down our way."
+
+"Don't worry about snow, Jack. You'll get all you want of it after we
+reach Cedar Lodge."
+
+The Rover boys were tired out from their all-day trip, and as Gif and
+Spouter had likewise had their fill of traveling for the time being, all
+were glad enough to retire for a good night's rest, even Andy being too
+worn out to play any of his jokes. But the following morning found the
+youths as bright and fresh as ever and eager to continue their journey.
+
+"We can get a train for Timminsport at ten-thirty," announced Gif. "That
+will give us plenty of time for breakfast and to do a little shopping if
+we need anything. Portview has as good stores as many big towns. When
+you get to Timminsport, you will find it nothing but a one-horse country
+town."
+
+They had a substantial breakfast, and then wandered down the main street
+as far as a small park, and then came back on the other side of the
+thoroughfare. They made a number of small purchases, including some
+cakes of choice chocolate and a bag of almonds, of which Spouter and
+Randy were particularly fond.
+
+"When we get to Timminsport don't forget to add a good big bag of sugar
+to our stores," said Randy. "Then, if we are snowed in sometime, we can
+spend a few hours making some home-made candy."
+
+"Yes, and we can try our hands at some cookies," added Fred. "I've
+watched our cook make them quite a few times, and I think I could make
+some myself if I tried real hard."
+
+"Anyway, you might be able to turn out some sinkers," said Andy, with a
+grin. "And if we couldn't eat 'em we could take 'em back to Colby Hall
+and present 'em to some of the teachers for paperweights." And at this
+there was a laugh.
+
+With the bundles the boys returned to the hotel, paid their bill, and
+with their suitcases in hand, returned once more to the depot. Here in
+the smoky trainshed the cars were already waiting, and they climbed
+aboard; and a few minutes later were on their way to Timminsport.
+
+The coast in this vicinity is very irregular, so that the train did not
+run close to the shore. They skirted a bay, and then branched off at a
+small place called Leeways for the town for which they were bound. At
+Leeways they met several heavy lumber trains, and also met a gang of men
+bound for one of the lumber camps.
+
+"We are certainly getting away from the big towns now," remarked Fred.
+
+"I just saw a few hunters with their guns!" cried Randy. "That looks
+interesting to me!"
+
+There was no diner on the train, but around noon it stopped at a
+way-station where there was a lunch counter, and here the young
+travelers had ten minutes in which to satisfy their appetites.
+
+"Maybe we'd better take a few sandwiches along," remarked Jack. "We may
+not have another chance to eat until we get to the Lodge."
+
+"Oh, there is a little restaurant at Timminsport," declared Gif. "It's
+not a very nice place, but we'll be able to get as much as we want
+there."
+
+Soon the train was on its way again, having backed up at Leeways to drop
+a passenger car and take on one of mixed freight. The character of the
+passengers had largely changed, and most of them were now country folks,
+lumberjacks, and city people bound for a season of hunting. The steam
+heat had died out in the car which the boys occupied, and it was growing
+colder and colder.
+
+"The train doesn't go any farther than Timminsport," explained Gif, "and
+I suppose the engineer is saving on steam."
+
+"Say, Gif, I didn't think you were going to give us such a cold
+reception!" cried Randy.
+
+"Never mind the cold reception!" exclaimed Spouter, who was gazing out
+of the window at the scenery. "Just look at this truly wonderful
+picture! See those hillsides with massive pines, and those clusters of
+bushes, all bent down with their weight of snow. And see how the
+sunshine sparkles, making each snowdrop look like a diamond. It's a
+wonderful sight, and it fills one's soul with a feeling of awe and
+admiration for--"
+
+"Hurrah! Spouter has come into his own again," cried Andy. "That's
+right, Spout, warm up good, and maybe you'll help warm this car."
+
+"If those snowdrops were really diamonds, Spouter, what do you thing
+they'd be worth a dozen?" came from Randy.
+
+"Aw, that's just like you fellows!" grumbled the would-be orator, in
+disgust. "You haven't any poetry in your souls."
+
+"Haven't any poetry in my soul?" cried Andy. "You bet I have--tons and
+tons of it! Just listen to this," and he chanted gayly:
+
+    "I love to see a snowdrop
+       Ahanging on a tree,
+     Aglistening in the sunshine
+       As happy as can be."
+
+"Great red-headed snakes!" burst out Jack. "Andy has turned poet!"
+
+"Don't you think you ought to take something for it, Andy? Cough
+mixture, or measles eradicator, or something like that?" questioned
+Fred.
+
+"I think what he needs is a good dose of codliver oil, served hot," came
+from Gif.
+
+"No codliver oil for me!" cried the fun-loving Rover. "You deal that out
+to Spouter. It will help oil his tongue and make his flow of oratory
+better."
+
+"Speaking of cough mixtures, I think I'll get a bottle of some sort when
+we get to Timminsport if they have a drugstore," said Jack. "Some of us
+may catch cold and need it."
+
+With such talk going on, the journey continued. They were now running
+for a small station named Enwood, where they were to pick up two extra
+cars from a small side road coming down from the north. In this section
+there was a good deal of snow, and the train, consequently, had to run
+rather slowly.
+
+"I think I could get out and walk almost as fast as this train is
+moving," remarked Spouter presently.
+
+"It isn't as bad as that, Spouter," returned Jack, looking out of the
+window. "We are making at least fifteen miles an hour, and you couldn't
+hoof it as quick as that."
+
+"It certainly seems awfully slow," remarked Fred. He was beginning to
+grow sleepy, and now he rested his head on the back of the seat and
+closed his eyes.
+
+"Perhaps we won't be able to get through to Timminsport," came from
+Randy. "That would be a fine state of affairs, eh?"
+
+"I don't see any houses along the line. We'd have one sweet job finding
+a place to go to if the train became snowbound," said Andy.
+
+"They generally manage to keep this road open, no matter how bad the
+storms are," declared Gif. "You see, the hunters are coming and going
+all the time, as well as the lumbermen and the folks that live in and
+around Timminsport and Enwood. They don't like to be cut off from the
+rest of the world, even for a day or two."
+
+"I hope we don't have to wait for that other train when we get to
+Enwood," said Spouter. "That may be awfully late, you know."
+
+"I asked the conductor awhile ago, and he said they hoped it would be on
+time. It comes down hill most of the way, and that is in its favor. If
+they had to pull uphill much, they might get stuck."
+
+Presently they passed a small lumber camp, and one of the other
+passengers told the boys they were now within half a mile of Enwood.
+
+"And that is only twelve miles from Timminsport," said Gif. "We ought to
+be there in about half an hour or so."
+
+They had struck a portion of the track which was comparatively free of
+snow, and the engineer of the train was now trying to make up some of
+the lost time. The boys were congratulating themselves on this when they
+suddenly heard a shriek of the locomotive whistle, followed instantly by
+the sudden application of the steam brakes. The train shuddered and
+shook, and two seconds later there came a crash from the front, and then
+the train came to a sudden stop.
+
+The Rover boys and their chums had leaped to their feet at the first
+shock. The second threw Spouter headlong, and Randy went down almost on
+top of him. Fred was awakened from his brief nap by having his forehead
+bumped upon the seat ahead of him.
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"What did we strike?"
+
+"Are we going to upset?"
+
+"Let me get out of here! I don't want to be smashed up!"
+
+Such were some of the cries which rent the air while the train was still
+in motion and after it came to a standstill. Every passenger had been
+shaken up, and not a few were knocked down. Fortunately, however, no one
+in that particular car seemed to be much hurt, although several were
+bruised and every one was more or less nervous.
+
+"Are you hurt, Fred?" questioned Jack quickly, as he saw his young
+cousin feeling of his forehead.
+
+"Well, I got a pretty good bump," answered the youngest Rover, "and I
+guess I'm going to have a lump there as a consequence."
+
+"We'll get out and see what's doing, and then you can put some snow on
+it."
+
+Some of the passengers were already leaving the car, and the Rover boys
+and their chums quickly followed. The trouble was all ahead, and they
+had some difficulty in wading through the snow alongside the track to
+get to the front of the train.
+
+Here it was plain to be seen what had happened. The train from the north
+had come in and tried to take the siding, as was the custom. But the
+switch had become blocked with snow, and the train had been thrown out
+on the main track, which at this point, crossed the track on which the
+train from Portview was coming. The big locomotive of the latter train
+had ploughed through the middle of the train from the north, hitting the
+latter between two of the cars and sending those cars in either
+direction to the sides of the track.
+
+"Gee! this is some wreck!" exclaimed Gif.
+
+"I should say it was!" declared Jack. "It looks to me as if somebody
+might be killed."
+
+From the two wrecked cars came cries of pain and yells for help. One of
+the cars still stood up, but at a dangerous angle, while the other had
+turned completely over and rested on its top in the snow.
+
+All was excitement, and for the time being everyone seemed to be so
+dazed that but little was done. Passengers were leaping from both of the
+wrecked cars, some coming through the doorways and some through the
+broken-out windows. Jack and Randy ran to one of the cars, and were able
+to assist a woman with a little girl to alight and reach a place of
+safety. In the meanwhile, the other lads assisted two elderly men. One
+had his foot hurt, and they carried him into the railroad station, where
+they laid him on one of the benches.
+
+"Look! Look!" cried Fred suddenly, forgetting all about his hurt
+forehead. "Look! That car over yonder is on fire!"
+
+The car he mentioned was that which had turned over and was resting on
+its top in the snow. From the interior thick black smoke was coming, and
+this was presently followed by a tongue of flame. The car was a
+combination baggage and smoker, and it was afterwards learned that one
+of the passengers had been carrying a can of kerosene which had broken
+open in the smash-up, and had evidently become ignited by some
+thrown-down cigar or cigarette.
+
+"Those people will be in danger of burning up!" gasped Randy.
+
+"They will be unless they get out in a hurry," answered Spouter.
+
+From the interior of the car came more cries, and presently all outside
+heard a man yelling in a tone of agony:
+
+"Help! Help! Somebody save me! My leg is caught fast, and I can't get
+out! Save me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE RESCUE
+
+
+"There's a man left in there!"
+
+"He says his leg is caught fast!"
+
+"Help! Help!" came more faintly from the interior of the burning car.
+"Help, or I'll be burnt to death!"
+
+Only a few passengers seemed to hear these cries, for most of the men
+who had come from the other train were gathered near the car which was
+still standing. The Rover boys and their chums listened in horror to the
+call for assistance. Jack was the first to leap forward.
+
+"We'll have to save that fellow if we can," he cried determinedly.
+
+"I think he is close to one of these windows," said Randy, pointing to
+several broken-out windows through which some other passengers in the
+car had climbed.
+
+"Wait! I've got an idea!" exclaimed Fred. "See that stick of wood? Why
+can't we place that against one of the windows and climb up on it?"
+
+He had pointed to a plank one end of which, in some manner, had become
+torn up from the roadbed. All of the boys rushed for this plank and
+turned and twisted it until they had the fastened end under the snow
+loose. Then they rushed over to the burning car and placed the plank on
+a slant from the snow to the broken-out window which, because the
+overturned car was not on a level, was two or three feet above their
+heads.
+
+Jack was the first to get on the plank, and speedily crawled up to the
+window. Fortunately a draft was taking most of the smoke to the other
+side of the car, so that he could see into the interior quite plainly.
+
+A scene of great confusion met the eyes of the young captain. A number
+of broken seats had fallen down on the ceiling of the car and in the
+midst of this wreckage lay a short, stocky man with several cuts and
+bruises on his face from which the blood was flowing. The man had his
+arms and one leg free, but several seats and some handbaggage were
+wedged in across his left leg and his stomach in such a manner that he
+seemed unable to extricate himself. The fire was creeping up to within a
+few inches of his caught foot, and this had caused him to raise his wild
+cry for assistance.
+
+"Help! Help!" he repeated, as soon as he caught sight of Jack's face
+framed in the broken-out window. "Get me out of here before the fire
+reaches me!"
+
+"We'll do it!" answered Jack. "Come on, Randy. I think the two of us can
+do the trick," he added to his cousin, who had come up behind him on the
+plank.
+
+"Want any more help?" questioned the others simultaneously.
+
+"If we do we'll let you know quick enough."
+
+Jack dropped down into the car, and Randy followed. They landed among a
+mass of broken glass and other wreckage, but to this paid no attention.
+
+"Here, Randy, take hold of this seat and pull it back," ordered Jack;
+and between them they set to work with vigor.
+
+But it was no mean task to get all of the wreckage off of the trapped
+passenger. There were half a dozen heavy suitcases among the broken
+seats, and these the boys hurled through the broken windows, where they
+were picked up by those outside and carried to a safe place. In the
+meanwhile the flames were creeping closer, and now a sudden change in
+the air caused a heavy volume of smoke to drift toward them.
+
+"Gee! this is getting fierce," spluttered Randy, and began to cough,
+while the tears started from his eyes.
+
+"Don't leave me! Please don't leave me!" pleaded the passenger under the
+wreckage. "I don't want to be burnt up!" and then he said something in a
+foreign tongue which the others did not understand.
+
+The last bit of wreckage was the hardest of all to get away from where
+it rested across the man's stomach. This was wedged in between the
+ceiling and the side of the car, and the boys had to use all their
+strength before they could dislodge it. But at last it came loose, and
+then the man was able to sit up.
+
+"Here, we'll help you," cried Jack, as the passenger seemed to be too
+weak to regain his feet. He and Randy caught the fellow under his arms
+and, standing him upright, dragged him to the window upon which the end
+of the plank rested. They shoved him out, and he went rolling and
+sliding down the plank into the snow. Randy followed him quickly, and
+then came Jack.
+
+[Illustration: HE WENT ROLLING AND SLIDING DOWN THE PLANK INTO THE
+SNOW.]
+
+The rescue had occurred none too soon, for the wind was now coming up,
+and soon the overturned car was a mass of smoke and flames from end to
+end. The boys left the plank where it was, and assisted the rescued
+passenger to the little railroad station, where all the others who had
+been injured had already been taken.
+
+The short, stocky man was very much excited and he thanked the lads over
+and over again for what they had done.
+
+"I wish I was a rich man," he said sadly, and now they noticed that he
+spoke with a decided accent. "If I was rich I would pay all of you well
+for what you have done. It was very noble--very noble indeed! I shall
+never forget it."
+
+"We don't want any reward," answered Jack.
+
+"You young gentlemen do not look as if you needed any reward," said the
+man, with a little smile, as he noted how well dressed the youths were.
+"I am a poor man, so I can offer you nothing but my thanks, but those I
+give you with all my heart. And now may I ask your names?"
+
+They told him, and all shook hands. He said his name was Herman Crouse,
+and that he was a farmer working a small place some miles away. He was
+plainly dressed and evidently far from wealthy.
+
+While the boys were assisting Herman Crouse to the little railroad
+station, others had gone into the burning car and picked up such baggage
+and other things as could be gotten out. Then the car, which was nothing
+but an old rattletrap affair, was allowed to burn up.
+
+Of course the accident had caused a great deal of excitement, and
+telegrams were at once dispatched to Leeways and Timminsport for
+assistance.
+
+"I think I'll send word home that we are all right," said Jack. "The
+folks may hear about this accident and worry over it," and as soon as he
+had an opportunity he sent a message, and Gif and Spouter did the same.
+
+As the trains from the north ran no farther on that branch than Enwood,
+all of the passengers on board had been bound for either that place or
+Timminsport. Consequently many of those who were injured remained in the
+town, while the others were made as comfortable as possible on the other
+train and taken to Timminsport. Fortunately, no one had been killed or
+fatally hurt. Herman Crouse remained at Enwood. He thanked the boys
+again most heartily when they left him.
+
+"Maybe some day I shall be able to pay you back for your goodness to
+me," said he. "If it comes that way, I shall certainly do it," and then
+he shook hands once more.
+
+"I guess he's a German all right enough," remarked Jack, when the boys
+were once again in the train and it was moving forward, the track having
+been cleared. "He spoke with a very strong German accent."
+
+"Yes, and his name is undoubtedly German," said Randy. "But he was a
+pretty decent sort, anyway."
+
+"Oh, a good many of the German-Americans, so-called, are all right,"
+said Gif. "Why, there are thousands of them in the army and in the navy,
+as well as in the air service. And they are fighting just as hard and
+loyally for Uncle Sam as anybody."
+
+"Sure!" declared Andy. "Look at Hans Mueller, who used to be a great
+chum of our dads at Putnam Hall. He's as loyal as they make 'em, and
+he's in the army too, and will undoubtedly give a good account of
+himself."
+
+"Oh, I don't doubt but what a lot of the Germans are loyal to this
+country," came from Spouter. "Just the same, it's a good thing to keep
+your eyes on them."
+
+"Right you are!" cried Andy. "Don't forget those German spies we ran
+into at the offices in Wall Street--the same chaps who were in with Mr.
+Brown and Mr. Martell."
+
+"I tell you one thing," remarked Gif, changing the subject. "This
+accident is going to get us into Timminsport very late, and I don't know
+whether Jed Wallop will be there to meet us or not." They had sent word
+ahead for the old fellow who lived near the Cedar Lodge property to come
+with his boxsled for them and their traps.
+
+"Probably he was hanging around the railroad station waiting for the
+train to come in, and, if so, he must have heard about the accident, and
+he would be very anxious about you, Gif," remarked Jack.
+
+"Well, we'll see when we get there. But if Jed isn't there, I don't know
+what we can do for the night. I don't believe Timminsport has any hotel
+fit to stop at, and it wouldn't be a very nice hike of five or six miles
+to Cedar Lodge in the dark and through the snow."
+
+With so many hurt passengers on board, the engineer was careful, and so
+did not run very fast, and as a consequence it was well after dark by
+the time they rolled into Timminsport. Quite a crowd was collected at
+the depot, anxious to get the particulars of the accident, and also to
+meet those who needed assistance. The two doctors living in that
+vicinity had been summoned and were on hand to give all the aid
+possible.
+
+"There is Jed Wallop now!" cried Gif presently, and pointed to a tall,
+angular individual wrapped up in a shaggy overcoat and wearing an
+equally shaggy cap with the eartabs tied down under his chin.
+
+"Hello, Jed!" he cried cheerfully, and shoved his way forward to greet
+the man.
+
+Jed Wallop proved to be so excited that he hardly paid attention to
+Gif's greetings nor to his introduction to the other youths from Colby
+Hall.
+
+"I'm lookin' fer a cousin o' mine--Tim Doolittle," he exclaimed. "I
+heard as how he was in the accident. Did you see him?"
+
+"I don't know the man, Jed," answered Gif. "The hurt ones are all in the
+forward car."
+
+Jed Wallop pushed his way through the crowd and soon found the man he
+was seeking. The poor fellow had one arm in a sling and had several cuts
+on his face, and declared himself very much "shook up" and rather weak.
+
+"Well, by gosh! I'm mighty glad you wasn't killed, Tim," declared
+Wallop. "Now, what you goin' to do with yourself? You can't go up to
+Burke's Camp in that condition."
+
+"No, I can't," answered Tim Doolittle. "I've got to rest up fer a spell
+and git this sprained arm o' mine fit fer work agin. I was thinkin' I
+might ride over to Uncle Joe's place if I could git anyone to take me."
+
+"I can take you there myself. I can git a sleigh from Hank Miller and do
+it--that is, if these young fellers would be willin' to drive over to
+Cedar Lodge alone," added Jed Wallop, looking anxiously at Gif and his
+companions.
+
+"I suppose I could do that," answered Gif slowly. "I don't know the way
+very well, but I think I could make it."
+
+"Oh, it's a putty straight road, Gif," said Wallop. "You can't miss your
+way if you keep your eyes open. Whenever you strike the crossroads keep
+to the right every time, and then you won't git left," and he chuckled a
+little over his joke.
+
+"How are the team and the boxsled?"
+
+"All right. You know them horses--Mary and John, a very reliable team.
+They won't run away, and they'll make good time."
+
+"All right then, Jed. Just show me where the sled is, and then you can
+go off and take care of your cousin," said Gif. "We'll have to stay in
+town for a while and see if we can't pick up some grub and at least
+enough supplies to last us for a few days."
+
+So the matter was arranged, and a few minutes later Jed Wallop went off
+to see what he could do about caring for his injured cousin.
+
+"It's all right for him to look after his cousin," remarked Gif. "But
+that leaves us to go on alone. I hope we find everything at Cedar Lodge
+all right."
+
+"Oh, it will be a lark to go on all alone!" cried Fred. "We don't want
+that fellow along. We can get along alone very well."
+
+"I know what I want to do first of all," declared Andy. "I want to get a
+bite to eat. That sandwich I had didn't satisfy me at all."
+
+"All right, we'll go to that restaurant I spoke about," said Gif. "Then
+we'll get our provisions and be on the way to the Lodge."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+ON THE WAY TO CEDAR LODGE
+
+
+The restaurant Gif had in mind was a small affair located on a side
+street directly behind the railroad station. Leaving their handbaggage
+at the station in a pile with numerous other bags, and their guns with
+the station-master, they made their way to this resort. Ordinarily at
+this time of night the restaurant was doing very little business, but on
+account of the accident many people had dropped in, so the tables
+presented a lively appearance.
+
+"We'll have some difficulty in finding seats, I guess," remarked Jack,
+looking around.
+
+"There are a couple of small tables over in the alcove," came from
+Spouter. "We might shove them together, and I guess they'll hold us
+all."
+
+This was done, and after a wait of several minutes a girl came to take
+their orders.
+
+"What have you got ready?" questioned Gif. "There is no use of our
+waiting to have anything cooked to order," he continued to his chums.
+
+The girl named over a variety of things, including hot pork and beans,
+roast beef with potatoes and turnips, and also several kinds of
+sandwiches and pies, and also tea and coffee.
+
+"Those things will do first rate, I guess," cried Fred. "Me for a dish
+of pork and beans and a good hot cup of coffee!"
+
+It did not take the cadets long to give their orders, and the girl
+bustled off to serve them. While the lads were waiting for the things to
+be brought, Andy happened to glance across the restaurant at the other
+patrons and suddenly gave a low whistle of surprise.
+
+"Look who's here, will you!" he exclaimed.
+
+All looked in the direction pointed out, and there, at a side table, saw
+Bill Glutts, Gabe Werner and Henry Stowell.
+
+"My gracious! what do you know about that?" ejaculated Randy. "Glutts,
+Werner and Codfish!"
+
+"What can those fellows be doing in Timminsport?" demanded Spouter.
+
+"Say! I think I know the answer to that question," returned Jack
+quickly. He looked at his cousin Fred. "Don't you remember what Bill and
+Gabe said in the moving picture theater about going up to some camp to
+hunt? I wager that camp is located somewhere in this vicinity."
+
+"That must be it!" answered Fred.
+
+"However did they get poor Codfish to come along with them?" queried
+Andy. "They'll plague the life out of that little sneak."
+
+"They'll make a regular servant of him, that's what they'll do!"
+answered his twin.
+
+"If they came up here to hunt, I hope they are not going to settle down
+anywhere near Cedar Lodge," remarked Gif. "I'd hate to have those
+fellows saddled on me while I was trying to have some fun."
+
+"I wonder if they saw us?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Let's not take any notice of them," advised Jack. "I'd rather go my way
+and let them go theirs."
+
+To this the others readily agreed. They were soon served with the things
+they had ordered and lost no time in making away with the food. Then
+they hurried out of the resort, leaving Glutts, Werner and Codfish still
+at the table which they occupied. The two bullies had lighted
+cigarettes.
+
+"Now let's skip over to one of the general stores and see what we can
+get in the way of provisions," said Gif. "We'll have to hurry up, or the
+storekeeper may close up on us."
+
+"I've got the list here, Gif," declared Jack. "Show us where the store
+is, and then you bring around the team with the boxsled. By that time
+maybe we'll have most of our things bought."
+
+The store proved to be a low, rambling affair filled with a hundred and
+one varieties of goods, some looking quite fresh and others with the
+appearance of having been in stock for some years.
+
+The storekeeper was pleased to serve them, especially when he realized
+that their purchases would be for cash. Jack and the others knew exactly
+what they wanted, and picked out everything with care.
+
+"I guess you young fellows have been up in the woods before," remarked
+the storekeeper, with a shrewd look.
+
+"We have been, although not around here," answered Jack.
+
+"Thought you had by the way you're ordering. Some of them fellows that
+come up here have no more idee about what is wanted in a camp than
+nothing at all. They take along the most ridiculous things, and
+sometimes leave out coffee and sugar and salt and bacon and things like
+that which a feller has jest got to have."
+
+Gif had brought around the boxsled, and into this the storekeeper's
+assistant piled the various boxes and bags which contained the
+provisions they had purchased. The things made quite a load, so that the
+six cadets had about all they could do to get in themselves.
+
+"We sure would have been crowded had Jed Wallop been along," remarked
+Fred, who was squeezed in on top of some boxes with Randy on one side of
+him and Spouter on the other. Gif was up in front driving, with Jack and
+Andy beside him.
+
+"Let her go!" cried Andy gayly. "Hurrah for Cedar Lodge!"
+
+"Hold on!" exclaimed Jack suddenly. "Are you fellows going up there
+without your suitcases and guns?"
+
+At this there came a groan from nearly all of the others.
+
+"Gee! I forgot all about those suitcases and firearms."
+
+"Where in the world are we going to place them?"
+
+"If we put the suitcases in, we'll surely have to walk!"
+
+"Oh, we'll stow 'em in somehow," declared Gif. "You fellows don't know
+how to load a boxsled."
+
+"I know what we can do!" cried Jack. "Let us get a few loose
+packing-case boards and stand them up around the back of the sled. We
+can place the boxes against them, and then pile the suitcases on top,
+and the tops of the boards will hold them in. The guns can go in
+anywhere."
+
+"That's the stuff!" said Spouter and he and Gif and Andy hurried back to
+the store to get the boards and arrange them as suggested.
+
+In the meantime, Jack, Fred and Randy hurried in the direction of the
+railroad station to get the six suitcases and the guns which had been
+left there. They found the crowd had thinned out somewhat, although
+quite a few people were still present.
+
+It did not take the three lads long to find the six suitcases, and,
+armed with two each and with all the guns, they trudged back to where
+they had left the boxsled. Then the suitcases were piled up and tied
+fast to the upright boards and to the boxsled itself, so that they might
+not be jounced off. The guns were placed in the bottom alongside the
+boxes.
+
+"Now then, pile in, and we'll be getting to the Lodge," cried Gif. "I
+can tell you fellows I am mighty anxious to see the old place, to see if
+it looks like it did when I was here last."
+
+The youths were just stowing themselves away on the sled when there came
+a cry from out of the darkness, and three fellows came hurrying through
+the snow from the direction of the railroad station.
+
+"Hi, there! Stop!" called out the foremost of the trio. "Stop, I tell
+you!"
+
+"Why, it's Gabe Werner!" exclaimed Randy. "What can he want of us?"
+
+In a moment more the big bully was beside the sled, and Glutts and
+Codfish followed him.
+
+"Thought you were mighty smart, eh?" cried Gabe Werner angrily. "Another
+minute, and I suppose you would have been gone!"
+
+"What do you want, Werner?" demanded Jack.
+
+"What are you fellows doing in this neighborhood?" questioned Fred.
+
+"What we are doing here is our business," answered Werner sourly. "What
+I want of you is my suitcase."
+
+"Your suitcase?" queried several of the others.
+
+"Yes, my suitcase! Oh, you needn't play the innocent! I know you've got
+my suitcase somewhere on this boxsled. But you're not going to get away
+with it. Hand it over, or I'll call a policeman."
+
+Gabe Werner was very much in earnest, and his face was red with anger
+and resentment. He reached up and caught hold of the lines which Gif
+held in his hands.
+
+"Drop those lines, Werner!" cried Gif quickly. "Drop them, I say!"
+
+"I want my suitcase! You had no business to touch it!"
+
+"I don't know anything about your suitcase," declared Gif. He turned to
+the others. "We haven't anything but our own bags, have we?"
+
+"I don't think we have," declared Jack.
+
+"I know better!" grumbled Werner.
+
+"I'll bet they've got it and are hiding it away," declared Bill Glutts.
+"They took a whole lot of bags away just as we were coming up. The
+baggage master saw 'em."
+
+"I'm glad they didn't get my bag!" cried Codfish, who was lugging a
+good-sized Gladstone.
+
+"If we took your bag it must have been by mistake," said Randy. "I
+looked at the markings pretty carefully though."
+
+"So did I," said Fred.
+
+"Well, we'll make sure," remarked Jack, and brought out a flashlight
+which he had taken from his own suitcase for possible use on the road.
+He flashed the light in the direction of the six suitcases, and he and
+his chums looked over all of the markings with care.
+
+"How is your bag marked?" questioned Gif.
+
+"G. A. W.," answered Werner.
+
+"Well, you can see for yourself that there is no such marking on any of
+these bags," declared Jack. "There is my own. These two belong to Andy
+and Randy. This is Fred's, and here is Gif's and that one is Spouter's."
+
+"Maybe they've got it hidden under the blankets, or something like
+that," suggested Glutts.
+
+"There are no other suitcases in this boxsled," declared Gif flatly.
+
+"We'll take a look and make sure."
+
+"You'll do nothing of the sort, Gabe Werner!" and now, with flashing
+eyes, Gif raised his whip as if to bring it down over the bully's head.
+
+"Hold on, Gif! Don't do anything like that," advised Jack. "Let them
+look around the sled if they want to. Then they will know we're telling
+the truth. If we go off without giving them a chance to look, they may
+complain to the authorities here and make a lot of trouble for us."
+
+"All right, then, go ahead and look," answered Gif, leaping from the
+boxsled. "But don't you harm any of our things, or you'll hear from me."
+
+Jack flashed the light into the sled, and Werner and Glutts made an
+examination of the contents. Of course, they found no other baggage, and
+so drew back in disgust.
+
+"I don't understand it," said Werner lamely. "I left that bag there in
+the station master's care while I and the others went to get something
+to eat. Now my bag is gone."
+
+"Well, that is none of our affair," answered Jack. "Come on, fellows,
+it's getting late. Let's be on the way."
+
+"I'll get that bag back, or I'll make the station master pay for it,"
+grumbled Gabe Werner, and then he and his cronies turned on their heels
+and walked back in the direction of the railroad station.
+
+"Gee! somebody must have walked off with his bag while he was eating,"
+remarked Fred. "Rather tough luck if he had anything of real value in
+it."
+
+"Serves him right--for being so cross and cranky," was Andy's comment.
+But the bag had not been stolen. It had been simply misplaced, as was
+afterwards proven.
+
+Once more the boys adjusted themselves on the boxsled, and then Gif took
+up the reins and spoke to the team. Off they started at a walk, but soon
+broke into a slow trot as the sled began to go down a long slope leading
+in the direction of Cedar Lodge.
+
+The way was little more than a woods road, winding in and out among the
+trees. They had to mount several small hills, and on these the horses
+settled down to a very slow walk.
+
+"I guess Jed Wallop was right about Mary and John not running away,"
+came from Randy. "I don't think anything short of an earthquake could
+start 'em into a gallop."
+
+"They are lumber-camp horses, used to drawing pretty heavy loads,"
+explained Gif. "They may not be very much on speed, but on the other
+hand you can depend on their pulling us out of any tight hole where
+fancy horses might get stuck."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+AT THE FROZEN-UP SPRING
+
+
+On and on went the boxsled carrying the Rovers and their chums, deeper
+and deeper into the woods. Occasionally the road was so narrow that they
+brushed the snow-laden bushes on one side or the other.
+
+"Hi there, Gif, look out!" cried Randy presently. A bush had been turned
+aside by those ahead, and now it slipped back, covering Randy's face
+with loose snow.
+
+"I'm sorry, Randy," returned Gif. "But we've got to take this road as it
+comes. You'll have to watch out, just as the others are doing."
+
+There was a smoky lantern dangling from the front of the boxsled, but
+this gave little light. The moon was down beyond the trees, and only the
+diamond-like stars glittered overhead.
+
+"How much further have we got to go?" questioned Jack presently, after
+they had passed a crossroads and kept to the right, as Jed Wallop had
+directed.
+
+"I think we have covered about half the distance, Jack," was the reply
+of the young driver. "Still, I'm not sure. You know a boxsled isn't like
+an auto--it doesn't carry a speedometer."
+
+"Gee! an auto would have been there and back two or three times since we
+started," was Fred's comment.
+
+"Not in this snow," came from Spouter. "I think you'd get stuck in some
+of these deep places."
+
+"They do use a few cars up here in the winter, but not many," said Gif.
+"It's too uncertain."
+
+To make the time pass more quickly, Jack started one of the old school
+songs, and the others joined him. Then they ended with the well-known
+Colby Hall cry:
+
+    "Who are we?
+    Can't you see?
+    Colby Hall!
+    Dum! Dum! Dum, dum, dum!
+    Here we come with fife and drum!
+    Colby! Colby! Colby Hall!"
+
+"I wonder what the neighbors will think if they hear us," remarked
+Randy.
+
+"I don't think there are any neighbors very close," answered Gif. "There
+was a house some distance back, but I don't know of any others between
+here and Cedar Lodge. The other places are beyond the point where we
+turn off to go down to the bungalow."
+
+They had now to make several sharp turns, and at these spots the road
+was unusually rough. One runner of the boxsled went up on some rocks,
+and for a moment it looked as if the turnout would upset.
+
+"Look out there, Gif!"
+
+"You'll have us in the snow with the sled on top of us!"
+
+"Git along there, Mary and John!" cried the young driver. "Git along!"
+and he cracked his whip, and soon the team had pulled the boxsled from
+the rocks, and then going became better.
+
+"We ought to be coming to a signboard soon," declared Gif a few minutes
+later. "I remember there used to be one on the road, pointing to a
+number of camps north of this place."
+
+In a few minutes they came to the spot he had mentioned, but to his
+disappointment there was no signboard to be seen.
+
+"Someone must have taken it down, or else it fell of itself," he
+remarked.
+
+"Are you quite sure you're on the right road?" questioned Andy.
+
+"It would be fierce to have to turn back this time of night," added his
+twin.
+
+"Oh, I'm pretty sure this is the right road," answered their chum.
+Nevertheless, his face showed a doubtful look. Not to find the signboard
+which had been a landmark in that vicinity for many years puzzled him.
+
+A little later they came to where the road branched out in three
+directions, the road on the right being narrow and running directly into
+a thick patch of woods.
+
+"Whoa!" cried Gif to the team, and then he looked around more puzzled
+than ever, and shook his head.
+
+"What's wrong now?" asked Jack.
+
+"I guess I'm stumped," was the slow reply. "I can't remember this spot
+at all."
+
+"Oh, Gif, don't tell us we're on the wrong road after all!" exclaimed
+Andy.
+
+"Jed Wallop told us to keep to the right," announced Spouter. "We've
+been doing that, and we might as well do it now."
+
+"But that road doesn't look as if it leads to anywhere," declared Fred.
+
+"It's a mighty narrow road, too," returned Gif. "We might get down in
+among the trees and be unable to turn around, and then what would we
+do?"
+
+"Better stay here, Gif, while I walk ahead and investigate," said Jack.
+
+"Better take a gun along, in case you stir up something you don't want
+to meet," warned Fred.
+
+"Not a bad idea," and, reaching down into the boxsled, Jack brought out
+one of the weapons that had been placed there.
+
+"If you see a moose shoot him on the spot!" cried Randy.
+
+"What spot?" queried his twin gayly. "A spot on the end of his tail or
+the tip of his ear wouldn't be of much account."
+
+"I don't see how you can joke, Andy, when we're lost away out here in
+the woods and it's past midnight," came ruefully from Fred. "I'd give as
+much as a dollar to be at the Lodge and lying down in front of a roaring
+fire. I'm getting pretty cold."
+
+They were all cold, for since nightfall the thermometer had been going
+down steadily. More than this, the wind was rising, and this in the open
+places was anything but pleasant to the cadets.
+
+"I'll go with you, Jack," announced Spouter, and he, too, armed himself
+with his gun, a double-barreled affair of which he was quite proud.
+
+Holding his flashlight so that they might see where they were walking,
+Jack led the way, and Spouter came close behind. They walked a distance
+of several hundred feet, and here found that the road came to an end
+among some rocks which were now covered with ice.
+
+"It's a road to a spring, that's all," said Jack. "The water is frozen
+now, but I suppose in the summer time the lumbermen and the other folks
+around here occasionally travel in for a drink. We may as well go back."
+
+"Well, it's a mighty good thing we didn't drive in here. We might have
+had a job turning around on that rough ice," answered Spouter.
+
+The frozen-up spring was a beautiful sight, the water standing out in
+columns and waves as if made of milky glass. Behind the columns there
+was still a trickle of water.
+
+To get a better view of the sight, Jack swept the rays of the flashlight
+first to one side and then to the other. As he did this he caught a
+glimpse of a pair of gleaming eyes from the brushwood and snow behind
+the spring. The eyes looked full of curiosity and fright.
+
+"Look, look, Spouter!" he cried, and then dropped the flashlight into
+his overcoat pocket.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I just saw the eyes of some wild animal back there. See! There they are
+now!"
+
+As Jack spoke he raised his gun and blazed away. This shot was followed
+by one from Spouter.
+
+The reports were followed almost immediately by a snarl and a whining
+cry, and they heard some animal thrashing around wildly in the bushes
+behind the spring, sending the loose snow flying in all directions.
+
+"We hit it, whatever it is," announced Jack.
+
+"What do you suppose it can be?" questioned Spouter quickly. "It wasn't
+a deer, was it?"
+
+"I don't think so, Spouter. It was too low down for that. Maybe it was a
+fox, although it didn't sound like it."
+
+"Perhaps there are brook mink around this spring."
+
+"Maybe."
+
+"Are you going back there to find out?" went on Spouter, for the sounds
+in the brushwood had now ceased.
+
+"Sure, I'm going back there! You don't suppose I'm going to let any game
+get away from us!"
+
+"Be careful, Jack. That animal may be playing possum, you know, and may
+spring out at you."
+
+"Don't worry; I'll be on my guard," answered Jack.
+
+He had slipped another charge into his gun, and Spouter quickly did
+likewise. Then, with their weapons ready for use and with the flashlight
+held so that it cast its rays ahead, they cautiously moved around to one
+side of the frozen spring and made their way in the direction of the
+bushes and rocks in the rear.
+
+"Hello there! what are you shooting at?" The cry came from where the
+pair had left the boxsled. It was Gif who was calling.
+
+"We don't know yet," answered Jack.
+
+"We saw a pair of eyes, and we shot at them," added Spouter.
+
+"Gee! what do you know about that?" exclaimed Fred. "Hunting before we
+even reach the Lodge!"
+
+"Let's go ahead and see what they struck," came from Randy.
+
+"That's the talk!" added his twin.
+
+Gif was willing, and in a moment more the four lads had scrambled down
+from the boxsled and were making their way along the road leading to the
+spring. By this time Jack and Spouter had advanced through the brushwood
+and over the rocks close to the spot where they had last seen the
+gleaming eyes. As they went on Jack imagined once or twice he saw
+something moving through the snow, but of this he was not certain.
+
+"Here is where we hit it, whatever it was," declared Spouter, when they
+reached the point directly behind the spring. "See how the snow is dug
+up?"
+
+"Yes, and here are some drops of blood," said Jack, as he turned the
+flashlight on the snow. "But whatever it was, it got away," he added
+disappointedly.
+
+"What have you got?" sang out Gif, for he and the others had come up on
+the opposite side of the spring.
+
+"We haven't got anything," answered Spouter dolefully. "We hit
+something, but it got away from us."
+
+"It wasn't a moose, was it?" queried Randy with great interest.
+
+"No, I think it was a three-horned elephant," replied Jack, who was not
+then in the best of humor. He hated to have the first thing he shot at
+get away from him.
+
+"Well, this seems to be the end of this road," remarked Gif, looking
+around.
+
+"Yes, it only led down to this frozen-up spring," answered Spouter.
+
+"I move we go on," said Fred. "I'm cold, and I'm sleepy too."
+
+"I think we're all that way," answered Gif. "Come on, you fellows. No
+use of remaining around here. If that animal got away it probably moved
+off quite a distance."
+
+"That would depend on how badly it was wounded," answered Jack. "Just
+wait a minute, and I'll see if I can't find its trail."
+
+Aided by the flashlight, he looked around carefully, and presently made
+out some tracks in the snow leading in the direction of a nearby
+thicket. He moved to this, coming presently to several low-hanging
+trees.
+
+"See anything?" questioned Fred impatiently.
+
+"Not yet. But the trail is here as plain as can be."
+
+"Maybe those are only rabbit tracks," remarked Randy.
+
+"Or tracks of the animals that came down to the spring for a drink," put
+in Gif.
+
+Jack did not answer. He was flashing the light around carefully,
+inspecting all the trees and bushes in that vicinity. Suddenly the light
+was flashed upward, and as the rays ran along one of the branches of the
+tree directly in front of the youth there came a sudden snarl of rage
+and protest.
+
+"It's a wildcat!" ejaculated Spouter, whose eyes had also been following
+the rays of light. "A wildcat!"
+
+"Yes, and it's the animal we wounded," answered Jack. "See how it is
+holding up one of its front paws."
+
+"Be careful!" sang out Gif, in alarm. "A wounded wildcat is no beast to
+play with."
+
+Scarcely had he uttered the words when the wildcat gave another snarl of
+rage. Then the tail of the beast began to quiver, and suddenly, with a
+cry, it leaped down from the tree, striking the ground directly in front
+of the surprised boys.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE MEETING ON THE ROAD
+
+
+That the wildcat was in a savage mood and prepared to fight to a finish,
+there could be no doubt. Evidently the wounded paw had made the beast
+more savage than usual, and hardly had it struck the ground than it
+tried to make a leap forward at Jack.
+
+"Look out, Jack!"
+
+"He means to claw you to death!"
+
+Bang! went Spouter's gun, but he did not dare to take too close an aim
+for fear of hitting Jack, and as a consequence the charge of shot merely
+damaged the wildcat's tail.
+
+It must not be thought that the oldest Rover was slow in moving. Had
+this been true, the wildcat would undoubtedly have fastened its claws
+and its teeth into the youth and done serious damage. As the animal came
+forward, the young captain leaped to one side and the wildcat landed in
+the snow, facing the others who had come up.
+
+"Shoot him! Shoot him!" came from Fred excitedly.
+
+"Plug him quick!" added Andy.
+
+None of those who had followed Jack and Spouter were armed, so the fight
+rested entirely upon the shoulders of that pair. Circling around so as
+to avoid the others, Jack pulled the trigger and fired. The wildcat
+began flipping and flopping on the snow, badly wounded. Then Spouter
+discharged his firearm once more, and after this the creature lay quiet
+where it dropped.
+
+"Is--is he dead?" questioned Fred, who was the first to speak. The
+youngest Rover was very much excited, and with good cause.
+
+"Wait! Don't go forward!" ordered Jack, as he stepped back a few paces.
+"He may be playing possum. Anyway, we had better load our guns first,"
+he added to Spouter.
+
+This advice to load immediately after discharging a weapon was one which
+had been well drilled into the cadets, and so now the pair lost no time
+in putting new charges into their weapons. Then they approached with
+caution, and Jack turned the wildcat over with the barrel of the gun,
+keeping his hand meanwhile on the trigger ready for action.
+
+But the beast was quite dead, the charges from the two guns having gone
+completely through its body.
+
+"What are you going to do with the carcass?" questioned Randy, after all
+had made an inspection.
+
+"Might as well leave it here," declared Fred. "It isn't good for
+anything. Even the skin is all torn from the shot."
+
+"No, we might as well take it along. We can hang it on the back of the
+boxsled," said Gif. "Perhaps we can use the meat to trap some other wild
+animals."
+
+A strap which one of the boys happened to carry was fastened around the
+neck of the wildcat, and then they carried it from the spring to where
+they had left the boxsled. The excitement for the time being had caused
+all of the cadets to forget how late it was and how cold and windy it
+was growing. But now, when they were once more ready to drive off,
+several of them began to shiver.
+
+"It's going to be mighty cold before morning," announced Randy.
+
+"Yes, and I wish we were at that bungalow in front of a good log fire,"
+added Andy.
+
+"Now that we've discovered that wasn't the road, which way do you
+propose to go, Gif?" questioned Jack.
+
+"We won't count that as a road, and we'll take the other one on the
+right," was the reply. "I don't know of anything else to do," Gif added,
+somewhat helplessly.
+
+None of the others could give advice, for the reason that this territory
+was entirely new to them. Even Spouter, who had visited the woods a
+number of times, had never been in that vicinity.
+
+Onward they went once more, up a gentle hill and then down the slope on
+the other side. At the foot of the hill the road became rougher and
+rougher, and presently the horses had all they could do to make any
+progress.
+
+"Gif, this can't be the right road," declared Jack at last. "If it was
+as rough as this, Jed Wallop would have told us about it. He said we
+wouldn't have any trouble at all in reaching Cedar Lodge."
+
+"Yes, and besides, we must have come at least five or six miles," added
+Spouter.
+
+"I'll bet we've come all of eight miles," broke in Fred.
+
+"That's just what I think," declared Randy. "I'll bet an elephant
+against a mouse we're on the wrong road."
+
+"Well, I won't dispute that, Randy," answered the young driver of the
+boxsled. "But you'll all bear witness to it that I followed directions
+and kept to the right."
+
+The road now ran along the side of a hill. Here the heavy fall of snow
+had slid down over the rocks and the going was anything but safe. The
+faithful old horses had all they could do to keep their footing.
+
+"We'll upset the first thing you know!" exclaimed Fred, and he had
+scarcely spoken when the runner on the up side of the road struck a
+series of rocks, and the next minute all of the boys, including Gif,
+went tumbling from the boxsled, and some of their provisions followed.
+
+"Whoa there! Whoa there, Mary and John!" called Gif to the team. But
+this command was not needed, for the tired old horses were only too glad
+to stop, and had come to a halt the moment the youths tumbled off.
+
+All had landed in the snow, which at this point was rather deep; so none
+of them was seriously hurt, although somebody stepped on one of Randy's
+hands and Spouter got a scratch on his ear from some nearby bushes.
+
+"Well, here's a mess!" exclaimed Fred, as he picked himself up. "Now we
+are in a pickle."
+
+"Oh, it might have been worse," declared Jack, as cheerfully as he
+could, because he could easily see that Gif was in a state of mind
+bordering on desperation. "Nobody is seriously hurt, I hope?"
+
+All scrambled up, and then looked at the roadway immediately ahead. Here
+was a somewhat level spot, and to this the sled was driven, and the lads
+picked up the stuff which had fallen off in the snow and replaced it,
+this time tying it down with some ropes and straps which were handy.
+
+"I don't believe I'll drive any further on this road," said Gif. "It
+doesn't seem to lead to anywhere, and I'm quite certain now that it
+isn't the way to Cedar Lodge."
+
+"What will you do?" asked Andy. "Go back to that other road?"
+
+Everybody was stumped, and for several seconds nobody made any reply.
+
+"Might as well go back," said Spouter.
+
+Fred and Randy walked on ahead, trying to determine where the road led
+to. But all they could see was the blackness of the forest, and the
+roadway seemed to grow rougher and more perilous at every step.
+
+It was no easy task to turn the team and the boxsled around without
+spilling everything again. But it was accomplished at last, and then
+slowly and painfully they climbed along the hill until they reached the
+point where there had been another split in the road. Here they came to
+a halt.
+
+"Listen!" cried Randy suddenly.
+
+All did as requested, and from a distance heard the low musical jingle
+of sleigh bells.
+
+"There's a sleigh!" exclaimed Gif. "And unless I'm mistaken, it's coming
+this way!"
+
+They listened again, and were overjoyed to note that the sounds were
+gradually coming nearer. Then they stepped out behind the boxsled, and
+presently discerned a large two-seated sleigh, drawn by a powerful pair
+of horses, approaching.
+
+The steeds were making good time, despite the roughness of the road and
+the depth of the snow.
+
+"Hi there! Hi there!" called out Gif, and then Jack sent the rays of his
+flashlight toward the on-coming turnout.
+
+There were exclamations of astonishment from those in the sleigh, and
+for a moment it looked to the boys as if the occupants were bent upon
+passing them without paying any attention to their call. But then Gif,
+Spouter, and Fred took a position directly in front of the on-coming
+horses, and the driver brought them snortingly to a sudden stop.
+
+"What do you fellows want?" demanded a heavy guttural voice from the
+sleigh.
+
+The words were uttered in a German accent, and by the look of his face
+the speaker, who sat on the front seat beside the driver, was evidently
+of Teutonic origin. He glared suspiciously at those in the roadway, and
+Jack and Gif afterward declared that they saw the gleam of a pistol in
+the man's hand as it was thrust in the flap of his overcoat.
+
+"We've lost our way," said Gif, coming a few steps closer. "We thought
+maybe you folks could direct us."
+
+"Huh! I don't know about that," said the man in his thick German accent.
+"Where do you want to go?"
+
+"We want to go to Cedar Lodge. It's located somewhere up here, about
+five or six miles from Timminsport."
+
+"Cedar Lodge!" said one of the men who were seated on the rear seat of
+the sleigh. "Do you mean the hunting lodge that is owned by the
+Garrisons?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you are on the wrong road to get to that place," said the man.
+"You'll have to go back the way we came for about half a mile, and then
+take the road to the left. It is in from this road, I think, about a
+quarter of a mile."
+
+"Is it the first road we shall come to from here?" questioned Gif, bound
+to fix matters so that he could not make another mistake.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Thank you. That is all we want to know."
+
+"What are you young fellows going to do at that place?" queried the
+German who was on the front seat.
+
+"We came up here for a season of hunting," answered Jack.
+
+"The place belongs to my father and my uncle," explained Gif. "My name
+is Gifford Garrison."
+
+"I see. Well, have a good time," said the man on the front seat of the
+sleigh. But he did not seem to be particularly pleased.
+
+"Have you a hunting lodge around here?" questioned Fred curiously.
+
+"No. We are just taking a little trip to visit some friends up here,"
+answered the man on the back seat who previously had not spoken. "We
+shall stay only a day or two," he added. Then the man on the front seat
+spoke to the driver, and away they went once more, and were soon out of
+sight, taking the road the cadets had just been thinking of pursuing.
+
+"Well, I'm mighty glad we met those men," declared Gif. "Now I know
+where I am. Thank goodness! we are not so very far out of the way after
+all."
+
+"Don't crow, Gif, until you are out of the woods--or at least until we
+are in sight of the Lodge," cried Andy.
+
+"I didn't like the looks of those fellows," declared Jack.
+
+"They were a bunch of Germans, and not very nice Germans at that," said
+Fred.
+
+"Isn't it queer that we are running into so many Germans?" remarked
+Spouter. "First that Herman Crouse on the train, and now these chaps."
+
+"Oh, hurry up, fellows! Don't stand here and gas!" ejaculated Randy.
+"Let's see if we can't find that lost Lodge. I want to get warmed up,
+and I want to go to bed."
+
+Then the boxsled was turned around once more and the journey to Cedar
+Lodge was resumed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE FIRST HUNT
+
+
+The six cadets from Colby Hall found the side road the Germans had
+mentioned with ease; and after that it was not long before they came to
+a spot which looked familiar to Gif.
+
+"Thank fortune! we're on the right road at last," cried the young driver
+of the boxsled. "See those peculiar trees over there?" He pointed to
+three all growing together. "I know those very well. We ought to come in
+sight of the Lodge now in a few minutes."
+
+"Well, you can't get there any too quick for me," declared Fred, as he
+gave a deep yawn.
+
+The way was over a small bridge which spanned the river Gif had
+mentioned to the Rover boys, and then they passed through a patch of
+woods and to a clearing about half an acre in extent. In the center of
+this clearing was located the Lodge.
+
+It was a substantial and artistic log structure, a single story in
+height, with a broad veranda running the length of the front. Right at
+either end of the lodge was a huge cedar tree, and more cedars were at
+the edge of the clearing. Behind the bungalow was a small barn and also
+a fair-sized woodshed and close by was a small building which Gif
+explained to them was used in the summer time for a kitchen.
+
+Gif was the first out of the boxsled, and he lost no time in unlocking
+the front door for the party. Jack brought his flashlight into play, and
+they lit two lamps after filling them with oil which had been brought
+along.
+
+"Now we'll get the stuff in from the sled, and then I'll have to put the
+team away," said Gif.
+
+"Let me do that, Gif," said Jack. "Just show me where they are to go,
+then you and the others can light the fire."
+
+"Yes, and we'll fix something to eat, too!" declared Randy.
+
+"I'll go out to the stable with Jack," came from Spouter, who was no
+shirker when it came to doing his share of the work.
+
+It was not a hard task to transfer the baggage and provisions, as well
+as the guns and team was driven around to the stable, where ammunition,
+to the Lodge, and, this done, the sled was run in under a shed. Then
+Jack and Spouter proceeded to make Mary and John at home for the night.
+
+In the meantime all of the others had gone to the woodshed and returned
+to the Lodge with sticks of various sizes for the fire. The building of
+this was left to Gif, as it was felt that he was, in a certain sense,
+the host. Yet all were ready to help, and soon they had a big blaze
+roaring up the wide chimney and gradually filling the bungalow with its
+warmth.
+
+The arrangement of the Lodge was very simple. The living room occupied
+the center, with a sort of winter kitchen and entryway behind it. To
+each side of the living room were located two bedrooms, one in the front
+and the other in the rear. Above the living room was a loft which could
+be reached by a rustic pair of stairs, a loft which could be used only
+for a storeroom, since it was less than five feet high in the center,
+sloping to the eaves, front and back. The big chimney was in the rear of
+the living room, and behind it, in the kitchen, was a stove for cooking.
+
+"Say, this is just all right," declared Fred, after he had warmed up a
+bit and taken a look around. "We ought to be as snug as bugs in a rug
+here."
+
+"We'll have to arrange about sleeping quarters," remarked Gif. "Two of
+the rooms have a double bed each, and the other rooms have two single
+beds each." The doors to the various rooms had been left open so that
+the heat from the fire might draw through the entire Lodge.
+
+It was great sport for the boys to divest themselves of their heavy
+overcoats and caps and then get to work preparing the Lodge for
+occupancy. All of the bedclothes had to be shaken out and warmed, and
+they also had to get out some linen which had been packed away. Gif,
+assisted by Andy and Randy, did this, and meanwhile Jack, Spouter, and
+Fred brought out the dishes and other things and set the table and also
+began to boil water for some hot chocolate, which they had decided to
+have, along with some smoked beef and cheese sandwiches and some
+doughnuts that had been brought along.
+
+Soon the boys were seated around the big square table the living room
+contained enjoying themselves to their hearts' content. The steaming
+chocolate and the things to eat put them in the best possible humor, and
+their troubles with Bill Glutts and Gabe Werner, and also with the
+wildcat and on the road, were, for the time being, forgotten. Outside
+the wind was rising, making a mournful sound as it swept through the
+cedars and the other trees in that vicinity. But inside the fire
+crackled merrily and the heat of the fitful flames as they roared up the
+chimney filled the lads with satisfaction.
+
+"We sure had a tough time getting here," declared Randy, "but it was
+worth it."
+
+"Isn't this just peachy!" cried his twin, as, with a final doughnut in
+hand, he sank deep in a rocking chair at one side of the fireplace.
+"This suits me right down to the tips of my toes."
+
+"I should think it would suit anybody," declared Spouter. "Why, this
+whole surroundings has the most artistic setting I ever beheld. Just
+think of this rustic bungalow nestling away in the midst of this
+gigantic forest, and think of this deep-throated fireplace with the
+flames soaring upward, casting their flickering shadows hither and
+thither over the bright faces--"
+
+"Of six well fed and sleepy young fellows who ought to be in bed this
+minute," broke in Jack. "I move we adjourn for the night and let Spouter
+finish his oration in the morning."
+
+"That's it! Always cutting me short when I have some beautiful
+sentiments to express," grumbled the would-be orator. "Never mind, I'll
+get square with you some day."
+
+"Never mind, Spout. Don't take it too hard," broke in Andy. "Remember
+that even slipping down on a banana peel is a good deal of a skin game."
+
+"To bed it is," announced Gif. "Unless, of course, Andy and Fred want to
+remain up to wash the dishes."
+
+"Nothing doing," yawned Fred. "I could go to sleep sitting in this
+chair. I'll wash the dishes to-morrow morning before breakfast."
+
+It was decided that the twins should occupy one of the rooms with a
+double bed. Gif and Spouter took the other double bed, and Fred and Jack
+went into one of the rooms containing two single beds.
+
+"We'll keep the fourth room for possible visitors," announced Gif. "You
+know, Glutts and Werner may call on us," he added quizzically.
+
+"Of course they'll call--when they are invited!" declared Jack. "Not but
+what it's your house, Gif," he added quickly.
+
+"They'll never come here on my invitation," was the ready response.
+
+Their previous experience in camping out stood the six cadets in good
+stead, and they knew exactly how to leave their fire so that it would
+keep burning until morning without doing any damage. Then, one after
+another, they speedily shoved off to bed and soon all of them were
+slumbering peacefully after a long and arduous day's traveling.
+
+In the morning Jack was the first to arise and he was speedily followed
+by Gif and Spouter.
+
+"Might as well let the others sleep for a while," said the oldest Rover
+boy. "They were pretty well tired out, Fred and Andy especially."
+
+"Sure, let 'em sleep as long as they want to. Our time is our own, and
+there is no use in hurrying. Just the same, I bet Fred wakes up pretty
+quick when he smells boiling coffee and pancakes."
+
+Some pancake flour had been brought along, and soon the appetizing odor
+of the cakes, along with the odor of steaming coffee, filled the Lodge.
+Then came a call from one of the bedrooms, and, sure enough, it was Fred
+speaking.
+
+"Hi there! don't you eat all those good things up before I get there,"
+he called out. "Say! this air certainly gives a fellow an appetite."
+
+By the time breakfast was ready all of the boys were dressed. Jack and
+Spouter had gone outside for more wood, and they reported that it had
+begun to snow hard.
+
+"All right, let it snow," said Randy. "Now that we are here, what do we
+care?"
+
+"Well, we don't want to get snowed in," remarked Spouter.
+
+"Oh, I don't think the storm will be as bad as that," returned Gif.
+"Just the same, I'm glad we didn't get caught last night in a downfall.
+We might have had worse luck than ever in getting here."
+
+By the time breakfast was finished it was snowing heavily. There was a
+fairly strong wind blowing, and this sent the fine particles flying in
+all directions. When they went out to feed the horses they found the
+snow already an inch or more in depth.
+
+"I think this is going to add quite a little to what is already on the
+ground," said Jack. "If it keeps on for any length of time it will make
+hunting rather difficult."
+
+"Why can't we go out and do some hunting before the storm gets too bad?"
+questioned Fred. Now that he had reached the Lodge he was exceedingly
+anxious to try his skill with a gun.
+
+"When I was here before there was quite a rabbit run on the other side
+of the cedars behind this bungalow," declared Gif. "It isn't a long way
+off. We could easily go that distance even through the snow."
+
+"There wouldn't be any chance of our losing our way?" queried Spouter.
+
+"Oh, no. It's not far enough off for that."
+
+"Then let's go before the storm gets any worse," cried Andy.
+
+"Yes, but how about the dishes to be washed?" asked Gif.
+
+"Oh, Gif, can't we do them just as soon as we get back?" questioned
+Fred.
+
+"Last night's dishes are still standing in the kitchen," declared Jack,
+looking somewhat sternly at his cousins.
+
+"We'll get at them the minute we get back from our hunt for rabbits!"
+exclaimed Fred. "Won't we, Andy?"
+
+"That's a contract," declared the fun-loving Rover.
+
+"All right then, see that you keep your word," answered Jack. "Remember,
+Gif, no more grub for anybody until the dishes are washed."
+
+"It's too bad we didn't bring some wooden dishes with us," remarked
+Randy. "Then, after we had used them, we could put 'em in the fire."
+
+"Lazybones!" called out Spouter. "You are as bad as the tramp who said
+he didn't care to eat prunes because it was such a job to spit out the
+pits;" and at this there was a general smile.
+
+A little later the boys were ready for their first hunt. They had
+discarded their overcoats for a number of hunting jackets of which the
+bungalow boasted, and had also donned leggings and caps. Each looked to
+see that his weapon was in first-class order and that he had a
+sufficient supply of ammunition.
+
+"We'll take only the shotguns along," said Gif. "You won't find any big
+game in this immediate vicinity."
+
+Fixing the fire so that it would keep until they returned, they locked
+up and then started away. The snow was still coming down steadily, and
+they were glad when they reached the shelter of the woods.
+
+"You don't suppose Jed Wallop will come here during our absence?"
+questioned Jack.
+
+"If he does he'll know what to do," answered Gif. "He knows where the
+key to the bungalow is, and I left a note for him in the stable, stating
+that if he wanted to take the team away he could do so. He usually keeps
+the horses up at his place, which is about half a mile from here."
+
+Forward they trudged along a narrow trail leading through the woods. Gif
+was at the front, with Spouter and Jack close behind and the others
+following. Feeling that the rabbits might be on the alert, they relapsed
+into silence, making practically no noise as they advanced.
+
+They had covered a distance of several hundred feet when Jack, happening
+to glance overhead, saw something that interested him very much. A flock
+of wild ducks was circling about, and he pointed them out to Gif.
+
+"I have often seen 'em around here," whispered Gif. "But you'd have to
+go a long distance to get 'em unless you could shoot 'em on the wing.
+They never settle down in the vicinity of the bungalow."
+
+"Some day I'm going to take a crack at them," said Jack. "That is, if
+they fly low enough."
+
+Presently Gif slowed his pace and motioned for the others to do
+likewise. They had come out to where there was a small clearing. Here
+all gazed around sharply, trying to find some trace of the rabbit run
+Gif had mentioned.
+
+"I see one!" exclaimed Spouter presently. "See him? Over yonder," and he
+pointed with his hand.
+
+"Yes! And there is another!" answered Jack.
+
+"I see four or five of them," put in Gif.
+
+"Oh, say! there is our chance," ejaculated Fred excitedly. "Let's get
+busy at once," and he made as if to raise his shotgun.
+
+"Don't fire yet," cautioned Jack. "We're not close enough."
+
+"Come on! I'll show you a place where we'll have a good chance to get at
+those rabbits," said Gif. "Come, follow me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A CRY FOR HELP
+
+
+Making as little noise as possible, the other lads followed Gif back
+into the woods and then along a snow-laden trail skirting the clearing.
+
+Less than two minutes' walk brought the young hunters to a spot where
+were located a series of rough rocks, and here Gif motioned for his
+companions to halt.
+
+"I think you will find the rabbits in the hollow just on the other side
+of these rocks," he whispered. "Now get you guns ready before you show
+yourselves."
+
+Slowly and cautiously they mounted the rocks and then lay down in the
+snow on top. They peered into the hollow below, and presently made out
+the forms of at least a dozen rabbits running to and fro, evidently
+trying to find something among the trees and bushes opposite that would
+be fit to eat.
+
+"We might as well fire all at the same time," said Jack. "Because after
+the first shot those bunnies will do their best to get to cover."
+
+It was quickly decided that some of the hunters should shoot at the
+rabbits directly ahead, while others were to shoot at those to the right
+or to the left.
+
+It must be admitted that Fred and Andy were trembling with excitement,
+and Randy was also agitated. The others were quite calm, or else they
+did not allow their real feelings to show. It was decided that Jack
+should give the order to fire.
+
+"All right," said the oldest Rover boy. "Now take aim, and when I say
+three, shoot."
+
+There were several seconds of silence during which all of the young
+hunters got in readiness to shoot. Then, while they were still aiming
+their weapons, one of the rabbits suddenly stopped running around and
+sat upright, directly facing them, with his long ears pointed skyward.
+
+"Quick!" exclaimed Jack excitedly. "They see us! One--two--three! Fire!"
+
+The six shotguns spoke almost as one piece, and as the reports echoed
+across the clearing and through the woods, several of the rabbits were
+seen to leap into the air and then fall back lifeless. Several others
+were seriously wounded, and these were speedily put out of their misery
+by a second shot from Gif and Spouter.
+
+"Hurrah! Seven rabbits!" exclaimed Fred, running forward. "That's what I
+call a pretty good start."
+
+"Come on, let us go after the others! Leave these where they are," cried
+Jack, and plunged into the wood where he had seen several of the rabbits
+seeking refuge. He managed to bring down one of them, and Randy brought
+down another. The others got away.
+
+"Nine rabbits is by no means a bad haul," was Gif's comment, after the
+boys had brought the dead game together.
+
+"Enough for a splendid potpie, and then some," came from Spouter.
+
+"Do you suppose we can get any more?" exclaimed Andy. He was quite
+certain he had brought down one of the bunnies.
+
+"We can try, Andy," answered Gif. "It isn't late yet, and the snow isn't
+so deep but what it might be deeper."
+
+Having divided the rabbits between them, so that each lad might carry
+some of the game, they moved forward, across the little clearing, and
+then through the woods for the best part of a quarter of a mile. During
+that time they saw several squirrels, but were unable to get a shot at
+the frisky animals.
+
+"A squirrel is as quick as they make 'em," declared Gif. "You've got to
+act like lightning to catch 'em."
+
+By this time it was snowing so heavily that all concluded it would be a
+wise move to return to Cedar Lodge. The wind was rising, shaking the
+tops of the trees violently and causing a strange moaning sound through
+the thickets which was anything but pleasant.
+
+"I'd hate to be caught out here all alone and in the darkness," remarked
+Randy to Fred, as they trudged along.
+
+"Would give a fellow the creeps, wouldn't it?" was the reply.
+
+As they continued on their way they kept their eyes wide open for the
+possible appearance of more game. But no animals showed themselves, nor
+did they see any birds circling through the snow, which seemed every
+moment to be coming down thicker than ever.
+
+"If this snow continues and the wind keeps on rising, we'll have a
+regular blizzard before morning," announced Gif.
+
+"Don't say a word about the wind," panted Andy, who had dropped a few
+paces behind, "My nose and my ears are almost frozen."
+
+"Well, thank goodness, Andy, we're not very far from the Lodge. You'll
+soon be able to warm up."
+
+They were still deep in the woods when from a distance they heard a
+peculiar whistle twice repeated.
+
+"That's Jed Wallop's whistle," announced Gif. "He must have just come
+in."
+
+He whistled in return, and presently they came out at a point where the
+cedars fringed the clearing in the midst of which was located the
+bungalow. They saw Jed Wallop standing outside the little stable and
+waved their hands to him, and he waved in return.
+
+"Thought you might have gone out huntin'," announced Wallop, when they
+came up. "Had some luck, too, I see."
+
+"Nine rabbits," said Fred, a bit proudly.
+
+"Good enough! I guess that means some good, old-fashioned rabbit stew
+to-night," and Jed Wallop grinned.
+
+He had not seen Gif's note, and so the lads explained the situation, to
+which the man listened with much concern.
+
+"Well, by gum! what do you know about that?" he ejaculated. "I certain
+did mix it when I give you them directions. I might o' told you about
+turnin' to the left when it come to the road past this lodge. You see, I
+got all twisted up in my mind as soon as I heard about my cousin, Tim
+Doolittle, bein' hurt."
+
+"That's just the way I figured it, Jed," answered Gif. "However, as we
+got here at last it doesn't matter."
+
+"Goin' to have a pretty good fall o' snow, boys;" and Jed Wallop looked
+anxiously at the sky.
+
+"Do you think we shall be snowed in?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Might be--if the storm keeps up long enough. But you got plenty o'
+provisions, ain't you?"
+
+"Oh, we've got enough to last us for a week or ten days," answered Gif.
+
+"Then I guess you'll be all right. But say! maybe you fellers would like
+me to stay here with you?" continued Jed Wallop. "Not but wot you're big
+enough to take care of yourselves."
+
+"We'll get along all right, Jed. Don't worry," answered Gif.
+
+"Then I'll be a-takin' the team and gettin' over to my own place,"
+announced the man. "And I won't lose no time, nuther. I don't want to
+git stuck on the road with Mary and John. They are a purty good team,
+but they are apt to loose heart if the wind gits to blowin' too strong
+agin 'em."
+
+"How is your cousin getting along?" questioned Jack kindly.
+
+"Oh, he's a-doin' tolerable. I took him over to our Uncle Joe's, you
+know, and the women folks over there will give him the best o' care."
+
+The boys assisted Jed Wallop to hook up the team to the boxsled, and in
+a few minutes more the man was off with a crack of his whip, which sent
+the team away at a fairly respectable pace.
+
+"Now, have a good time!" he called back to the boys. "And don't shoot
+all the game in the State."
+
+"When will you be back?" sang out Spouter.
+
+"In a few days. If you want me before that time give the signal;" for it
+had been arranged that when the boys wanted Jed Wallop to come over from
+where he lived they were to shoot a gun two times twice in succession.
+
+"He won't have any sweet job of it getting to his place," announced
+Fred.
+
+"Fortunately, it isn't a great distance off," answered Gif. "If he had
+several miles to go, I doubt if he would be able to make it."
+
+Shutting up the stable and loading their arms with firewood from the
+shed, the six cadets made their way into the Lodge. When they opened the
+door the wind rushed in, causing the sparks and the ashes from the
+smouldering fire to fly in all directions.
+
+"Shut that door!" Gif cried quickly. "My, how that wind is rising!"
+
+"Maybe it'll blow the bungalow over," remarked Randy.
+
+"Oh, I don't believe it will get as bad as all that, Randy," said Jack.
+"This looks as if it was a pretty substantial building."
+
+"You're right," came from Gif. "Those logs are good and heavy, and they
+were put together by some of the best workmen around here. This house
+won't go down unless the woods go down with it. But I am mighty glad we
+are under shelter where we can take it comfortable."
+
+"Do you know what I think?" said Fred. "I think we ought to bring in
+more of that firewood. There is no telling if we'll be able to get any
+of it by morning if this snow keeps coming down."
+
+"A good idea, Fred," said Jack. "Let us go out at once and pile all the
+wood we can in the entryway beside the kitchen."
+
+Leaving Gif to stir up the fire so that the Lodge might get warm once
+more, the others hurried out to the woodshed. They made four trips from
+that place to the entryway beside the kitchen, each time bringing in all
+the logs they could carry.
+
+"There! that wood ought to last us for two or three days," declared
+Jack, when the task was done.
+
+"Now I know what I'm going to do," said Fred, as they re-entered the
+main building.
+
+"What's that?" queried Spouter.
+
+"I'm going to get at those dishes."
+
+"So are we!" declared Andy and Randy in a breath.
+
+Water was heated, and it did not take long to dispose of the dirty
+dishes. While the three boys were doing this, the others cleaned up the
+living room of the bungalow, and also straightened out their beds. From
+time to time all gazed out of the small-paned windows, to see that the
+snow was coming down as thickly as ever.
+
+"We're in for it, and no mistake," said Gif finally. "I don't think
+we'll be able to do much hunting for a day or two."
+
+"Well, that will give us a good chance to rest," declared Jack. "I don't
+know but what I would just as lief take a nap after lunch. That tramp in
+the wind after the rabbits made me sleepy."
+
+All were rather tired, and as a consequence the lunch was an informal
+affair, the boys warming up and opening a large can of pork and beans
+and making themselves a large pot of steaming chocolate.
+
+"We'll have dinner to-night," said Gif, and to this the others agreed.
+
+Then they cleared the dishes away and took it easy, some resting in
+front of the fire and others on the beds in the rooms.
+
+"If it gets much colder we'll have to pull some of those beds out into
+the living room and close the doors to the bedrooms," announced Gif. "I
+remember we did that one time when I was up here."
+
+By five o'clock the boys felt rested, and then began preparations for a
+regular dinner. Several of the rabbits were cleaned and cooked, and they
+also boiled some potatoes and onions. Then Gif and Jack prepared a pan
+of biscuits and a pot of tea.
+
+"Some day I'm going to take a few hours off and make some pies and
+cakes," announced Randy. He had always had a great liking for desserts.
+
+"Yes, and don't forget we're going to make some candy, too," added his
+twin.
+
+In the evening the boys read some magazines they had brought along, and
+Jack and Spouter played checkers. Before retiring, they looked out of
+the windows, to find that it was snowing and blowing just as furiously
+as ever.
+
+"It's going to be a wild night, believe me," announced Spouter. "I don't
+believe there will be many people traveling around in this vicinity."
+
+They retired as they had done the night before, and soon, despite the
+whistling of the wind, all of the lads were sound asleep.
+
+Suddenly Jack awakened with a start. How long he had been asleep he did
+not know. He sat up quickly, for he realized that some sound from
+without had awakened him.
+
+"Help! Help!" came from outside the bungalow. "Help! Let us in! We're
+freezing to death!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+UNDESIRABLE VISITORS
+
+
+"Wake up, Fred! There is somebody at the door trying to get in!" called
+out Jack, as the cry from outside was repeated.
+
+"What's that? What's the matter?" came sleepily from the other Rover
+boy.
+
+From outside came a feeble kicking and pounding on the main door to the
+Lodge. Two boys were calling piteously for assistance.
+
+"Get up, everybody!" sang out Jack, as he jumped up and stuck his feet
+into a pair of slippers which were handy.
+
+His call and the noise from outside aroused Gif and Spouter, as well as
+Fred, and soon the four cadets were hurrying into the living room. They
+wore nothing but their pajamas, and slippers, but now each slipped
+hastily into his overcoat.
+
+"Who is it?" demanded Gif, for he had no desire to have the Lodge
+overrun by a crowd of noisy and possibly half-drunken lumberjacks.
+
+"It's us--Bill Glutts and Gabe Werner," was the faint reply. "Please
+leave us in before we are frozen to death."
+
+"Werner and Glutts!" ejaculated Fred. And now the continued noise
+brought Andy and Randy on the scene.
+
+"What can they be doing out here this time of night?" demanded Fred.
+
+"Say, let us in, won't you?" came pleadingly in Gabe Werner's voice.
+"You don't want to let us freeze to death, do you?"
+
+"What brought you here this time of night?" demanded Jack.
+
+"We're on our way to Tony Duval's place," answered Gabe Werner. "But the
+storm is so fierce we couldn't get any further. Our horse is completely
+winded."
+
+"You are sure you are alone?" demanded Gif.
+
+"Yes, yes! Please let us in. My nose and ears are frozen."
+
+"And I don't know whether I've got any feet left or not," broke in Bill
+Glutts piteously.
+
+The main door to the bungalow had not only been locked, but also barred.
+Now the door was unfastened, and Gif, with the others beside him,
+allowed the portal to swing open a few inches.
+
+A terrible scene met their eyes. The snow was piled up against the door
+to the depth of two feet or more, and the wind was swirling the white
+particles in all directions, so that the snow came into the living room
+in a perfect cloud. In this mass of white stood Bill Glutts and Gabe
+Werner, their heavy clothing covered with a ghost-like mantle. Behind
+them was a one-seated sleigh drawn by a horse that looked ready to drop
+from exhaustion.
+
+"Come in," said Gif briefly.
+
+No such invitation was needed, for as soon as the door was opened wide
+enough Bill Glutts staggered into the living room, followed by his
+crony. A swirl of snow followed them, and continued until Gif and Jack
+managed to close the door once more.
+
+"Gee! I'm all in," gasped Glutts, as he sank down on a chair close to
+the smouldering fire.
+
+"I thought we'd drop before we got you fellows up," added Werner. "You
+sure are some sleepers," he grumbled, as he too sank down on a seat.
+
+Ordinarily the Rovers and their chums would have treated these two
+bullies with scant courtesy. But now Glutts and Werner appeared to be
+suffering so much from the cold that they had not the heart to find
+fault with their enemies.
+
+"I'll stir up that fire a little," said Gif, and did so while Andy and
+Randy went out into the entryway, to bring in some additional sticks of
+wood.
+
+"We can't leave that horse out there," remarked Jack. "He'll be frozen
+to death."
+
+"Well, I'm not going out to take care of him," declared Gabe Werner
+quickly. "I wouldn't go out in that storm again for a thousand dollars."
+
+"Neither would I," growled Glutts. "The nag can look after himself."
+
+"That's a shameful way to treat any animal, Glutts," declared Gif. "But
+as you fellows seem to be so exhausted, we'll look after him," he
+continued.
+
+"If you go out, Gif, I'll go with you," said Jack quickly. "But we had
+better slip some of our clothing right over our pajamas. I'll bet it's
+as cold as Greenland's icy mountains around that stable."
+
+While the newcomers continued to make themselves comfortable before the
+fire, and Spouter and Fred prepared a pot of hot tea for them to drink,
+Gif and Jack hurried into their clothing and then went outside.
+
+The blast that struck them as they hurried toward the exhausted horse
+was terrific, and for the moment they thought they would have to turn
+back and abandon the animal. But then they took another grip on
+themselves, and finally managed to turn the horse in the direction of
+the stable.
+
+They saw that the sleigh was filled with provisions and other things,
+and so managed to haul it under the shed where it would be partly
+protected. Then they placed the horse in the stable, gave him a drink,
+and likewise left some hay for him to chew on.
+
+"We may not be able to get here in the morning," said Gif; "so we'll
+leave him some supper and some breakfast at the same time."
+
+"I don't much like the idea of Glutts and Werner loading down on us in
+this fashion," remarked Jack, as the pair prepared to go back to the
+Lodge.
+
+"Like it!" exclaimed his chum. "I should say not! But what are we going
+to do about it, Jack?"
+
+"Oh, we'll have to make the best of it."
+
+"If this storm keeps up we may have those fellows on our hands for some
+days."
+
+"Well, if they stay here that long they can pay their own way," declared
+Jack. "They have some provisions in that sleigh, and there is no reason
+why we should feed them for nothing. If we divide up our stuff they can
+divide up theirs."
+
+"It wouldn't be any more than fair."
+
+"Where is this Tony Duval's place they mentioned?" continued the oldest
+Rover boy.
+
+"It's about two miles from here, off to the eastward--in fact, the road
+on which this Lodge is located ends at Duval's place. He is a
+French-Canadian, and he hasn't a very good reputation in these parts.
+Some of the old hunters used to think Tony was a good deal of a
+thief--that he would go around in the night or early morning and empty
+their traps. He came from down east."
+
+"What do you suppose Werner and Glutts are going to do there?"
+
+"Of late years Duval has made a specialty of hiring out his place to
+hunters. There are two or three shacks on his land, and he lets the
+various crowds have those buildings, and then, if the hunters want it,
+he cooks for them, for he is said to be quite a handy man with a
+coffeepot and a frying pan. More than likely, from what you heard at the
+moving picture theater, Gabe Werner has a chance to use one of those
+shacks and has got Glutts to go with him."
+
+"I wonder why Codfish isn't with them--he was at that restaurant in
+Timminsport."
+
+"I'm sure I don't know, except that Codfish may have got cold feet when
+it came to traveling up this way in such a snowstorm. You know there is
+nothing brave about that little sneak." And in this surmise Gif was
+correct. Stowell had found a boarding place in the town and had said he
+would remain there until the storm cleared away and the others returned
+to get him.
+
+In the meantime Glutts and Werner were seated at the living-room table
+drinking the hot tea which had been prepared and eating some doughnuts
+which Fred and Andy had offered. The bullies had become thawed out, and
+their usual aggressiveness was beginning to assert itself.
+
+"Of course we could have kept on until we got up to Tony's place; but
+what was the use on such a wild night as this when we knew this place
+was handy?" remarked Werner.
+
+"I'm afraid you're going to be snowed in with us," said Spouter.
+
+"Huh! I don't know as that will be very pleasant," grumbled Glutts.
+"Have you fellows got enough for all hands to eat?" he demanded eagerly.
+
+"We've got some provisions," answered Fred cautiously. "We shot nine
+rabbits to-day," he added proudly.
+
+"Nine rabbits!" exclaimed Werner. "How did you do it?"
+
+"They must have driven the poor rabbits together in a bunch and then
+slaughtered them," was Glutts' comment.
+
+"We did not!" cried Fred.
+
+"I'm sure we'll get all the rabbits we want when we reach Tony Duval's
+place," continued Werner boastfully. "I believe hunting up there is much
+better than it is around here."
+
+"And they tell me Tony is one of the best guides in these parts," added
+Glutts. "We expect to get a deer or two and a whole lot of other game."
+
+"Say, have you fellows got a place where we can sleep?" questioned the
+other bully, looking around the living room.
+
+"There is a bedroom here that is not being used," answered Spouter. "But
+you'll have to ask Gif about that. This bungalow, you know, belongs to
+Mr. Garrison and his brother."
+
+When Gif and Jack returned the situation was explained to them, and Gif
+said that for the balance of the night the two newcomers could occupy
+the bedroom which was not in use.
+
+"And then we'll see what can be done to-morrow morning," he added.
+
+"Of course we'll pay for our accommodations," said Werner, in his most
+lordly manner.
+
+"We don't want any pay, Werner," declared Gif. "But if you have to stay
+here very long you'll have to divide your stores with us. It is quite a
+task to get new stuff all the way from Timminsport; so if you've got
+anything in the sleigh outside it won't be any more than fair for you to
+divide with us."
+
+"What did you do with the sleigh and the stuff?"
+
+"We placed it under the shed next to the stable and covered your stuff
+with a horse blanket. The snow is sifting in there some, but I don't
+think anything will get hurt; unless, of course, you've got some stuff
+that might freeze."
+
+"Let it freeze," grumbled Glutts. "I'm not going out again, now I'm
+comfortable here."
+
+As there was no love lost between the newcomers and our friends, the
+conversation languished after this. Gif showed Glutts and Werner where
+they might sleep in the bedroom which had not been occupied, and gave
+them the necessary bedding and some extra blankets. Then the pair shoved
+off without even saying good-night and closed the door behind them.
+
+"Real loving and thankful--I don't think," whispered Randy.
+
+"I don't see why those fellows were wished on us," growled his twin.
+"I'd just as lief have a skunk in the place as to have either of that
+pair."
+
+"Well, we couldn't leave them out in the storm to perish," answered
+Jack, in a low tone; "so we'll have to make the best of it."
+
+"Just the same," whispered Fred, "I'm going to keep my eyes and ears
+wide open while they are here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+NEW YEAR'S DAY IN CAMP
+
+
+When Randy and Andy retired it was a long while before the merry twins
+could get to sleep again.
+
+"We ought to play some good joke on them," was the way Andy expressed
+it. "Something they would remember."
+
+"I'd do it in a minute, Andy, if it wasn't that they are so worn out,"
+responded his twin. "But I don't think Jack and Fred would like it at
+all if we disturbed 'em. And, besides, you must remember that while we
+are here we're Gif's guests."
+
+Gif and Jack were the first to get up in the morning, and they had the
+fire revived and breakfast underway before any of the others showed
+themselves.
+
+"Where are Glutts and Werner?" questioned Spouter, when he appeared.
+
+"They haven't showed themselves yet, Spouter," answered Jack. "Might as
+well let them sleep as long as they want to. They can't leave here in
+such a storm as this."
+
+The snow was still coming down and the wind was blowing almost as
+fiercely as it had during the early part of the night. Gazing through
+the windows, the cadets saw that all of the cedars were bent down with
+the weight of the fine white crystals. The snow had swept up along one
+side of the little barn until there was an unbroken line reaching up to
+the very top.
+
+"Well, I never!" ejaculated Jack, turning around suddenly to his chums.
+"Happy New Year, everybody!"
+
+"Happy New Year!" came from the others, including Fred and the twins,
+who had just got up.
+
+"Gosh! I forgot all about it's being New Year's," exclaimed Fred.
+
+"This looks like a real New Year's Day, and no mistake," remarked Randy.
+"Look outside! Isn't it just like a picture on a New Year's card?"
+
+"It is assuredly a spectacle to fill one with awe and reverence," came
+from Spouter. "Just gaze upon that magnificent stretch of snowy mantle
+and those tall cedars bending low before the wintry blasts! Can you
+imagine what this must be in the solemn depth of the mighty forest,
+where not a footfall is heard nor a--"
+
+"Jack rabbit can get as much as a turnip to eat?" finished Randy gayly.
+"Spouter, if you are going to orate, why don't you stand on the table
+when you turn on the spigot?"
+
+"Let us have a regular New Year's dinner!" cried Gif, "and then Spouter
+can do the speech-making--"
+
+"While we do the eating," finished Randy. "Say, Spout, how about it?"
+
+"Nothing doing," was the prompt reply. "I want my share of the eats
+every time."
+
+"We'll make a regular rabbit potpie to take the place of turkey,"
+announced Gif.
+
+"And for dessert, how about that canned plum pudding we brought along?"
+queried Fred.
+
+"Great thought, Fred!" answered Randy. "And we can have some of those
+nuts, too. And to-night we'll try our hand at some candy making."
+
+"One thing you fellows are forgetting," remarked Gif. "And that is that
+we have Werner and Glutts with us. They'll certainly want their share of
+the good things."
+
+"What! Plum pudding and all?" questioned Fred, with a gloomy look
+settling over his face.
+
+"We can't deny them anything that we have ourselves, Fred," replied
+Jack.
+
+"I don't think Glutts or Werner deserve it!" exclaimed Randy. "I think
+as soon as this storm clears away they ought to be sent about their
+business. It isn't so very far to that Tony Duval's place, and with
+their horse and sleigh they ought to be able to make it somehow."
+
+Randy had scarcely finished speaking when the door to the bedroom the
+two bullies occupied was flung open and Werner strode into the living
+room.
+
+"Fine way you have of talking about us, Rover!" he said, with a sour
+look on his face. "We didn't come here because we wanted to. We came
+because it was necessary."
+
+"And we said we would pay for whatever we had to eat or drink," added
+Glutts, who had followed his crony.
+
+"I told you before that you wouldn't have to pay a cent," broke in Gif.
+"Just the same, Glutts, we might as well come to an understanding. You
+know as well as I do that there is no love lost between you fellows and
+our crowd. You are welcome to stay here and have your dinner, and if you
+think you can't get out to-day you can stay here for supper and sleep
+here again to-night. By that time I think the storm will have cleared
+away, and you will be able to get over to Tony's place without trouble."
+
+"You can take it from me, we won't stay here an hour longer than we have
+to," declared Werner. And then he turned back into the bedroom to finish
+his dressing, closing the door behind him.
+
+The presence of the two bullies put a good deal of a damper on our
+friends, and as a consequence the breakfast was rather a silent one.
+Then Gif suggested that Glutts and Werner go out and look after their
+horse, and this they agreed to do.
+
+"If you won't take any pay we'll stand for our share of the grub,"
+announced Werner just before he went out. "We've got some goods in the
+sleigh, as you know. What shall I bring in?"
+
+"Bring in whatever you think is fair," said Gif, after a few whispered
+words to Jack and Spouter.
+
+The two bullies were gone the best part of an hour, and during that time
+the Rovers and their chums cleaned several of the rabbits and also got
+ready some potatoes and turnips for dinner.
+
+"That will give us quite a meal, along with the dried lima beans that I
+put to soak last night," said Gif. "Of course, we'll have the plum
+pudding, well steamed, as Fred suggested."
+
+"And we'll make a pan of biscuits, too," added Spouter. "Gee! by the
+time we get through up here, fellows, we'll be able to get jobs as chefs
+in some of the first-class New York hotels."
+
+When Glutts and Werner returned they carried two packages which they
+threw on the living-room table.
+
+"There are some dried apricots and a package of rice," said Werner.
+"They ought to help out for a New Year's dinner."
+
+"Very well, we'll cook what we need for the meal, Werner," said Gif
+briefly, "and the rest you can take with you."
+
+Gif and Spouter made a small rice pudding, and also stewed some of the
+apricots. All told, the New Year's dinner proved to be quite a bountiful
+affair, and after all of the lads had eaten their fill, it must be
+confessed that everybody felt in better humor. The plum pudding
+especially came in for a large share of their attention, as well as did
+the nuts and the small amount of raisins which followed.
+
+"I think we'll go and take a nap," announced Werner presently. "I didn't
+get very much sleep last night."
+
+"And I'll do the same," added Glutts.
+
+"What about washing those dishes?" remarked Fred, with a significant
+look at the two bullies.
+
+"That's right, Glutts and Werner!" cried Jack. "You ought to be willing
+to do your share of the dish-washing."
+
+"Me wash dishes!" roared Bill Glutts. "I never did anything like that in
+my life!"
+
+"You washed your own dishes at the encampment," answered Spouter
+sharply.
+
+"Oh, well, that was different."
+
+"Oh, don't gas," grumbled Werner. "We'll wash our own dishes, anyway,"
+and he went to work without another word, although with very bad grace,
+and presently Glutts followed him.
+
+Gif and the other boys also took hold, so the dish-washing and the pot
+cleaning did not take very long.
+
+The majority of the boys felt sleepy, so the rest of the day was spent
+in taking it easy or in reading. Then, toward night, they had a light
+supper, and Fred and the twins started to make some home-made candy.
+
+By this time the storm had cleared away; no more snow was coming down
+and the wind had also ceased. Overhead the stars glittered like so many
+diamonds.
+
+"It will be a great day to-morrow," announced Gif.
+
+"Perhaps we can get out and get on the track of a deer!" cried Fred.
+
+"Say, Fred, you must think the deer in this vicinity are standing around
+just waiting to be shot," came from Jack, with a smile.
+
+"I don't care, Jack. I'm going to get a crack at something worth while
+before I go home," announced the youngest Rover.
+
+Declining to partake of the taffy and the nut candy the twins and Fred
+had made, Glutts and Werner retired early.
+
+"We'll be going in the morning if the storm will permit it," said Werner
+to Gif. And then he added curtly: "Much obliged for taking us in."
+
+"Don't mention it, Werner," answered Gif, just as briefly.
+
+"Remember, we'll pay you if you'll tell us how much it is," added
+Glutts.
+
+"You can't pay me anything, Glutts."
+
+"Just as you say."
+
+Then the door to the bedroom was closed as before, and Gif and his chums
+were left to themselves.
+
+"Some New Year's Day, believe me," was Fred's whispered comment. "The
+presence of those fellows is about as cheering as a funeral."
+
+Randy and Andy had their heads close together and were whispering.
+Presently Randy got up and stretched himself.
+
+"Now that it has stopped snowing I am going to go out and get a little
+fresh air in my lungs," he remarked.
+
+"And I'm going along," responded his twin quickly.
+
+"So am I," broke in Fred.
+
+"And that means we can wash the dishes," said Jack. "All right, there
+are only a handful anyway. Go ahead, only don't walk too far and get
+lost."
+
+The three lads were soon outside, ploughing around through the deep
+snow. Then Randy caught Fred by the arm.
+
+"Come on down to the stable," he said. "Andy and I have a little
+something up our sleeves."
+
+"Just what I thought," chuckled Fred, "I bet you're planning to play
+some trick on Glutts and Werner."
+
+"Can you blame us?" demanded Andy.
+
+"Certainly not. I'm with you. What do you propose to do?"
+
+"We want to find out first what those fellows are carrying in the way of
+provisions. Quite something, I imagine."
+
+Reaching the stable, the three Rovers passed around one corner to where
+was located the shed. Here they found the sleigh and its contents just
+as it had been left by Glutts and Werner when they had procured the rice
+and the apricots. Randy carried a flashlight, and this was turned on so
+they might see what was stored there.
+
+"A pretty complete lot of stuff," was Randy's comment, after they had
+looked over the various bundles and packages, each one of which was
+marked.
+
+"Here is a bag of sugar and another bag of salt," announced Andy. "I
+think the flavor of each will be vastly improved by mixing them up a
+bit," and he grinned.
+
+"And here's a bottle of vinegar and two bottles of catsup and maple
+syrup," came from Randy. "I think a little mixing up here will help
+matters also."
+
+"Say, don't go too far!" cried Fred in alarm.
+
+"Too far!" exclaimed Randy. "You couldn't go too far with Gabe Werner
+and Bill Glutts! Just remember what they did to us at Colby Hall and at
+the encampment. Both of those fellows are nothing but rascals. They
+didn't deserve to be taken in."
+
+After that Fred joined the twins in "doctoring up the provisions," as
+Andy expressed it. The three had quite some fun doing this, and all
+returned to the bungalow grinning broadly.
+
+"There will be something doing when they start to use those stores,"
+chuckled Andy. "My, won't Glutts and Werner be mad!"
+
+"They won't know we did it," returned his twin.
+
+"They won't know it," answered Fred, "but they'll take it for granted,
+nevertheless. I'll tell you, fellows, I don't know about this," he added
+dubiously.
+
+"Oh, don't worry," answered Andy gayly. "Gabe Werner and Bill Glutts
+deserve all that they are getting, and more too."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+FISHING THROUGH THE ICE
+
+
+With nothing of importance to do and nobody to awaken them, the Rover
+boys and their chums slept late the next morning. Gif was the first to
+get up, and, seeing that the others were still asleep, he made as little
+noise as possible when he went out into the living-room to stir up the
+smouldering fire and place upon it a couple of extra logs.
+
+"Hello, Gif! Up already?" came from Spouter, when the other cadet came
+back to finish his dressing. "What sort of a day is it?"
+
+"Clear as crystal, Spouter. It couldn't be better."
+
+"Then perhaps we'll get a chance to go out hunting."
+
+"Perhaps." Gif looked doubtful for a moment. "I don't know that I care
+to leave this place until Glutts and Werner have gone."
+
+"I don't blame you, Gif. It would be just like those mean chaps to try
+to do some damage before they left. They are not the kind to appreciate
+in the least what we have done for them."
+
+"Hardly--after the way they kicked up about washing a few dishes. It
+made me sick."
+
+Gif and Spouter began preparations for breakfast, and while they were at
+this the four Rovers appeared, one after another. The door to the room
+turned over to Glutts and Werner remained closed.
+
+"Those fellows are certainly putting in some sleep," was Jack's comment.
+
+"Shall I wake 'em up?" questioned Fred quickly.
+
+"No. Let them take their own time," answered Gif. "With such fine
+weather they ought to have no trouble in getting away, and there is no
+use of another row before they start."
+
+The lads prepared a generous breakfast of pancakes and some sausage meat
+that had been brought along from Timminsport, washed down with a copious
+supply of hot coffee. As they ate they cast sundry glances at the closed
+bedroom door, but saw no sign of Glutts or Werner.
+
+"Gee! they must be sleeping like rocks," was Andy's comment.
+
+"You'd think the smell of the pancakes and sausage would wake 'em up on
+such a cold morning as this," added his twin. "My! but it's good!"
+
+"Perhaps they thought they wouldn't bother us about breakfast and take
+it out in sleep instead," suggested Fred.
+
+"Say, did any of you fellows get up during the night to get something to
+eat--crackers or cheese, or anything like that?" questioned Gif quickly.
+
+All of the others shook their heads.
+
+"What makes you ask that question, Gif?" remarked Jack.
+
+"Why, I saw a lot of crumbs scattered over the kitchen table and on the
+floor."
+
+"Maybe Glutts and Werner got up to get something--" began Fred, and then
+a sudden idea came into his mind and he gave a start. "Gee! what would
+you say if they were gone?"
+
+"Gone!" echoed the others.
+
+"Maybe they're not in that room at all!" added Jack.
+
+"I'll soon find out!" answered Gif, and, leaving the breakfast table, he
+went over and tried the bedroom door. It was unlocked, and he opened it
+and went inside.
+
+"They're gone, all right enough," he called out, and immediately the
+others followed him into the room. Here they found the beds mussed up
+and empty. All of the things belonging to Glutts and Werner were gone
+and the single window of the room was wide open.
+
+"That's a fine way to leave, I must say," grumbled Gif.
+
+"Yes, and to leave this window wide open so the room can get as cold as
+a barn!" added Spouter, as he pulled down the sash. "Some mean fellows,
+believe me!"
+
+"Let's see if the horse and sleigh are gone too!" cried Randy.
+
+In a few minutes he and Fred were ready to go out, and they lost no time
+in hurrying down to the barn and the shed. Sure enough, the horse and
+sleigh were gone, and the barn door had been left wide open.
+
+"I wonder when they went," remarked Fred.
+
+"Most likely as soon as it was daylight. They probably had this all
+fixed last night. That's why they went to bed early."
+
+"Well, it doesn't hurt my feelings to have them missing."
+
+"I'd like to know if they took any of our things with them."
+
+The two Rovers returned to the Lodge, and there told of what they had
+discovered. A search around the Lodge was immediately instituted, the
+boys looking over their clothing and firearms and then their stores and
+the regular belongings of the bungalow.
+
+"As far as I can make out, there is only one flannel blanket from the
+bed missing," said Gif. "I suppose they took that along to keep warm on
+the ride. They didn't have but one small robe in the sleigh."
+
+"I don't know about these stores," announced Spouter, who had been going
+over them carefully. "It seems to me we had more canned stuff than
+this--some green corn and asparagus, and also some canned salmon and
+sardines."
+
+"I wouldn't put it past 'em to take anything they thought they needed,"
+declared Fred. "They are just that sort, and everybody here knows it."
+
+"All I can say is, 'Good riddance to bad rubbish,'" said Randy.
+
+"And may we fail to see 'em again while we're in this vicinity," added
+his twin.
+
+"My! but it's a real relief to have them gone," announced Jack. "Now we
+can do as we please and have the best times ever," and his face showed
+his pleasure.
+
+Everybody felt glad to think the two bullies were gone, and soon they
+were chatting gayly. Then, after the breakfast dishes had been put away,
+all went outside and there indulged in a snowball fight which lasted the
+best part of the morning.
+
+After such a glorious time in the open, all the cadets ought to have
+felt in the best of spirits, but it was observed by Jack at dinner time
+that Fred and the twins looked rather preoccupied. They were whispering
+together, and presently Randy spoke.
+
+"I and Andy and Fred have been thinking that perhaps it would be best
+for us to let you other fellows know how matters stand," said he. "Maybe
+you won't approve of what we did. Just the same, we think Glutts and
+Werner deserve it." And thereupon he and the others related what had
+been done the evening before down at the shed. All of the others had to
+grin at the recital, yet Jack and Gif shook their heads.
+
+"I don't blame you," said the oldest Rover boy. "Just the same, it may
+lead to more trouble."
+
+"If they find out that you did it, they'll probably come here and try to
+pay us back," was Gif's comment.
+
+"Let them come," announced Spouter. "I guess we can hold our own against
+them. I am glad we did something for them to remember us by, especially
+if they walked off with some of our stuff."
+
+That afternoon the boys went hunting again, but on account of the heavy
+fall of snow did not go any great distance. They managed, however, to
+get two more rabbits, and also two squirrels, and two quail.
+
+"Well, that's something, anyhow," declared Fred, who had laid one of the
+squirrels low. "A bird and squirrel potpie won't go bad for a change."
+
+"Right-o!" cried Andy.
+
+"Say, Gif, what's the matter with trying our hand at fishing through the
+ice?" questioned Jack. "The deep snow ought not to interfere with that
+sport."
+
+"Just as you say. We can go down to the river to-morrow if the crowd is
+willing."
+
+The day passed without their seeing or hearing any more of Werner and
+Glutts, nor did anyone come to disturb them through the night. Once Andy
+awoke to hear a noise at a distance, but he soon figured out that this
+was nothing more than a hoot owl.
+
+Ten o'clock of the next day found them on the river bank. They had
+brought their fishing tackle with them, and also an axe with which to
+chop some holes through the ice.
+
+"Pretty thick, I'm thinking," announced Jack, as they came out on the
+ice. "We'll have our own troubles making holes."
+
+"How foolish we were not to bring our skates along!" cried Randy. "We
+could have a dandy skate." Their skates had been left up at the Lodge.
+
+"Never mind, we'll skate some other time," said Spouter. "We're out for
+some fish to-day."
+
+It took over half an hour to knock several fair-sized holes through the
+ice, and then the boys began their fishing, following directions that
+had been given to Gif by some of the older hunters.
+
+"If I catch a whale I don't see how I'm going to bring him up through
+this hole," remarked Andy, with a grin.
+
+"Oh, that's easy," returned his brother gayly. "All you'll have to do
+will be to jump in and push him up through the hole where I can get hold
+of him."
+
+"Thank you, you can do the jumping in yourself. This water is about
+twenty degrees below Cicero."
+
+"I was thinking that we could enlarge one of the holes and keep it
+open," said Jack, with a serious look on his face; "then all you fellows
+can come down here every morning and take a dip." At present they were
+obtaining water from a deep well directly outside of the kitchen.
+
+They fished for a long time without getting even a nibble. But then Jack
+felt a gentle tug, and, after some little excitement, managed to bring
+out a fair-sized catch.
+
+"Hurrah! The first fish!" he cried, holding it up proudly.
+
+"And may he be the forerunner of many more," proclaimed Spouter.
+
+"I want a whale," declared Randy.
+
+Such a catch was an incentive to all of the others to do their best, and
+as a result inside of three hours the lads had eleven fish between them,
+some of fair size and others quite small, one, in fact, so tiny that it
+was thrown back into the stream, "so it might grow a little," as Fred
+expressed it.
+
+"One o'clock!" announced Gif, looking at his watch. "I think we had
+better go back to the Lodge and have some of these fish fried for
+dinner."
+
+"Second the commotion!" cried Randy quickly.
+
+Properly fried, the freshly-caught fish proved delicious eating, and the
+boys lingered over the repast while a scrap of those which had been
+served was left. Half of the catch was packed away in snow to be served
+at another time.
+
+The day had just come to an end when the boys heard a jingle of
+sleighbells on the road, and then came a whistle.
+
+"It's Jed Wallop," announced Gif.
+
+"Yes, and he's coming from the direction of Timminsport!" cried Fred.
+"He must have been down to the town."
+
+"Look! He's holding up some letters!" ejaculated Jack. "Letters!"
+
+"Letters! Letters!" was the general cry, and then the whole crowd of
+cadets rushed down to meet the old hunter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+LETTERS FROM HOME
+
+
+While Gif was sorting out the mail, which included not only letters but
+also several packages which had been sent by parcel post, Jack and
+Spouter told the old hunter about the coming of the two bullies to the
+Lodge, and how they had sneaked away at daybreak.
+
+"Accordin' to that, them fellers can't be very good friends o' yourn,"
+remarked the old hunter dryly.
+
+"They are our enemies," answered Spouter. "They did all sorts of mean
+things at Colby Hall, and when they were found out Werner got so scared
+that he ran away and never came back."
+
+"I guess their folks ought to take 'em in hand. If they don't they'll be
+sorry fer it later on," said Wallop. "But I must be gittin' on now, fer
+I've got to git ready to-night fer a big day's work to-morrow."
+
+"Some day we want you to come down here and go out hunting with us,"
+said Jack. "Can't you show us where we can get a chance at a deer, or
+something else that is worth while?"
+
+"Wot's the matter with stirrin' up a bear?" replied the old hunter, with
+a grin, his eyes twinkling.
+
+"That would suit me to a T!" exclaimed Randy.
+
+"Trot out your bears and we'll polish 'em off!" added his twin.
+
+"Not many bears 'round here," announced Jed Wallop. "But you might
+strike something jest as bad, especially if the snow keeps on gittin'
+deeper. The wolves in this neighborhood git mighty pestiferous when they
+can't git nothin' to eat."
+
+"Wolves!" exclaimed Fred. "Gee! I don't know that I want to run up
+against a savage wolf."
+
+After promising to come down and see them during the following week, Jed
+Wallop drove off, leaving the boys to return to the Lodge and look over
+their letters and parcel post packages.
+
+"Here is a letter from mother, and it encloses a letter from dad!" cried
+Jack, as he glanced over the epistle.
+
+"I've got a letter from Mary," said Fred. "And here is one from May
+Powell, too."
+
+"Who is your second letter from, Jack?" queried Spouter.
+
+"Oh, never you mind about that."
+
+"Looks as if it might be in Ruth Stevenson's handwriting," said Andy,
+with a grin.
+
+There were letters for everybody. Two of the packages were from the
+Rover boys' homes, and the third had been sent to Spouter by his mother.
+
+"A fruit cake!" exclaimed Fred, as he opened the package addressed to
+him. "I'll tell you! It takes my mother to remember what us fellows
+like," and he smacked his lips.
+
+The other package, addressed to Andy and Randy, contained a box of
+home-made sugar cookies, while that which Spouter had received contained
+a long loaf of ginger cake and a box of hard candies.
+
+"Well, one thing is sure--they haven't forgotten us," was Spouter's
+remark, as he passed the candies around.
+
+All the boys were anxious to read their letters, and for the time being
+everything else was forgotten. Mrs. Dick Rover wrote that nothing of
+importance had happened at home since they had gone away. Ruth Stevenson
+and May Powell were still with them, but all of the girls expected to go
+to the Stevenson homestead to finish their school vacation.
+
+The letter from Dick Rover had been sent from the battlefront in France.
+In it he related how he and his brothers, as well as some of their old
+school chums, had been in a number of small engagements. In one of these
+Tom and Sam Rover had been slightly wounded by the fragments from a
+shell, and he himself had been in a gas attack, but had escaped without
+serious injury. All had been sent to the field hospital to be treated,
+but now they were once more at the front in what were called their
+winter quarters.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"The Boches are watching us like a cat watches a mouse, and we are
+equally on the alert," wrote Dick Rover. "There have been no big
+battles, but sniping is going on constantly, and several of our men have
+been killed or wounded. We are all anxious to have the cold weather
+break up, so that we can go forward and finish this war. We feel that we
+can wallop the enemy, if only we have a chance to get at them."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That's dad, all right," murmured Jack admiringly. He had read the
+letter aloud for the benefit of the others.
+
+"Oh, dear! I hope dad wasn't seriously hurt," murmured Fred.
+
+"I think if our fathers were very badly hurt Uncle Dick would let us
+know," answered Randy. "He isn't one to hold back news--he knows we want
+the truth."
+
+"If only this war was over!" remarked Andy, and now there was little of
+his usual light-heartedness in his tone. "I won't feel at ease until our
+soldiers are bound for home."
+
+The six cadets talked over the letters they had received for some time.
+They had brought stationery with them, and they spent the evening
+writing letters in return.
+
+"I don't see how we're going to get these down to Timminsport unless we
+walk down there," remarked Jack. "And a walk of five or six miles
+through this snow each way wouldn't be an easy job."
+
+"I know what we can do," replied Gif. "We can skate down the river to a
+place called Henryville. There is a post-office there, and letters are
+sent over to Timminsport at least once a day."
+
+"How far is it to Henryville?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Oh, not more than three miles."
+
+"Do you suppose the skating is any good?"
+
+"I don't see why it shouldn't be."
+
+"Let's do it!" broke in Spouter. "We wanted to have a skate anyway. We
+can take our guns along, in case we see any game." And so it was
+arranged.
+
+The next day dawned bright and clear, and after breakfast the boys got
+their letters and their skates and started for the river.
+
+"I'll wager we'll find the ice covered with snow in some places,"
+remarked Randy.
+
+"I don't know about that," answered Gif. "I was hoping the high wind had
+swept it pretty clean."
+
+They were soon on the ice, their skates ringing merrily as they struck
+out into an impromptu race. They swept down the river and around a broad
+bend, and were soon well out of sight of the tract of forest land upon
+which the Lodge was located.
+
+"I hope Glutts and Werner don't visit the bungalow during our absence,"
+remarked Spouter.
+
+"Well, that's a risk we've got to run," answered Jack. "We can't remain
+at home all the time."
+
+"Exactly so!" put in Gif. "And it would be no fun for some of us to stay
+behind on guard while the others were off enjoying themselves."
+
+For the most part they found the river swept clear of snow, although
+here and there were drifts more or less deep over which they had to
+plough their way as best they could. This, however, was nothing but fun
+for the lads, and nobody complained.
+
+Arriving at Henryville, they found that the mail for Timminsport would
+go out in less than an hour, and also learned that the mail from that
+place came in twice daily, morning and evening.
+
+"Let's have all our mail re-addressed from Timminsport to Henryville,"
+suggested Fred; "then we can come down here on our skates any time we
+feel like it and get it." And this was done.
+
+They found a fairly good general store at Henryville, and made a few
+purchases of such things as they thought they could use to advantage
+during their outing. They were about to start up the river again when
+Jack's attention was attracted to a large sleigh drawn by a pair of
+powerful horses. The sleigh was driven by a man who looked as if he
+might be a German, and on the back seat, wedged in by a number of
+packages, were two other German-looking individuals.
+
+"One of those men on the back seat is that Herman Crouse, the fellow we
+rescued from the burning car," said Jack to the others.
+
+"Yes, and that driver and the other man are two of the fellows we met on
+the road when we were trying to locate the Lodge," added Randy.
+
+"It's queer that that Herman Crouse should be up here," said Fred.
+
+"Oh, I don't know. He said he worked a small farm somewhere in this
+vicinity."
+
+"I thought it was down near Enwood," remarked Spouter.
+
+"One thing certain--I don't like the looks of those other Germans," came
+from Gif. "They look like mighty suspicious characters to me."
+
+Even had the boys wished to do so, they got no opportunity to speak to
+the man they had rescued from the burning railroad car. The sleigh had
+stopped at a house in Henryville, and now it passed on around a corner
+of the road, and was soon lost to sight in the woods.
+
+Now that they knew their letters were on the way, the cadets were in no
+hurry to get back to the Lodge. They had brought along a few sandwiches
+and now purchased some fresh doughnuts, in case they stayed away from
+the Lodge during the lunch hour.
+
+"Let's take our time and skate up one or two branches of this river,"
+suggested Gif. "It will be easier than walking, and we may have a chance
+at some game."
+
+All were willing, and it was suggested that Gif led the way, which he
+did. They left the main stream and started up a smaller watercourse
+leading directly into the forest.
+
+"I just saw a rabbit!" exclaimed Randy presently. "There he is now!"
+and, raising his gun, he fired quickly. But his aim was not good, and
+the bunny hopped behind a tree and out of sight.
+
+"Too bad you had to take a shot for nothing," remarked Fred. "That may
+put the other game in this vicinity on the alert."
+
+Soon they came to a point where skating was not so easy. At first they
+thought to go back, but then it was suggested that they tramp along the
+frozen-up watercourse on foot.
+
+"I was thinking we might run across some brook mink up here," said Gif.
+"Or some ducks."
+
+"Oh, I'd like to get a mink or a duck if there are any in this
+vicinity," answered Jack.
+
+On they tramped until a good quarter of a mile had been covered. Then
+they caught sight of several rabbits, and brought down two of them.
+Later still they saw a squirrel, but though Spouter shot at the frisky
+creature, it managed to elude him.
+
+"Well, we can't expect to bag everything we shoot at," consoled Jack.
+
+"I think I know of a short cut from here to the Lodge," said Gif. "So if
+you would rather tramp through the woods than go back by way of the
+river, we might do so and get a chance at some other game."
+
+"All right, Gif; lead the way," said Jack, and they went forward under
+Gif's guidance.
+
+They were deep in the forest when they heard a whir overhead. They
+looked up quickly to see a number of partridges sailing past close to
+the tree tops.
+
+"Quick!" yelled Jack, and blazed away, while all of the others did the
+same.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+LOST IN THE WOODS
+
+
+There was no time wasted in shooting at the partridges which were flying
+along so close to the tree tops. The six cadets did their best but four
+of the charges went wild. The aim of Jack and Gif was effective, and one
+wounded partridge came fluttering down to the snow while another dropped
+dead on the branches of a nearby cedar.
+
+"Hurrah! we've got two of them, anyhow," cried Gif, as he reached
+forward and quickly put the wounded bird out of its misery.
+
+"We've got two provided we can reach that one up in the tree," answered
+Jack. "I'm afraid it's going to be some climb to get it down."
+
+"That's so," said Randy.
+
+"Oh, I can get up there in no time!" cried Andy gayly. "Here, take my
+gun," and with his usual agility he was soon mounting the branches of
+the big tree, taking particular delight in shaking down great masses of
+loose snow on the heads of those below.
+
+As is usual with cedars, the branches were close together, and Andy soon
+found he would have his own troubles in reaching the point where the
+dead partridge rested. However, he kept on, worming his way upward as
+best he could, until he was within a few feet of the prize.
+
+"Some climb, believe me!" he called out to those below. "This tree is
+almost as close-grown as a cedar bush."
+
+Up went Andy, and presently managed to get hold of the dead partridge
+and drew the game toward him. Just as he did this he heard a peculiar
+sound a few feet below him on the other side of the tree.
+
+"Hello! is somebody following me?" he questioned, looking down to see
+what the movement among the branches below meant.
+
+There was no reply to his question, and Andy came to the conclusion that
+the branches must have become crossed in some way and then loosened
+themselves. He continued his descent, but just as he reached a branch
+two feet further down a peculiar cry came to his alert ears, a cry not
+unlike that of an angry cat.
+
+"Hello! something is up in this tree, that is sure," he told himself.
+
+He listened, and then heard another cry, this time less than two yards
+below him, coming from one of the larger branches of the big cedar. At
+once he sent up a shout.
+
+"What's wanted?" questioned his twin. "Why don't you hurry up down so we
+can do some more hunting?"
+
+"There is some wild animal in this tree!" answered Andy. "I don't know
+what it is, but it sounds like a wildcat."
+
+"A wildcat!" burst out several of the others.
+
+"And Andy hasn't any gun!" cried Gif. "Come on, let us see if we can't
+shoot the thing!"
+
+"Go slow there," cautioned Jack. "Let us see if we can't locate it and
+find out what it is first. We don't want it to attack Andy while he is
+unarmed."
+
+"Are you in any danger, Andy?" called out Fred.
+
+"Where is the cat--or whatever it is?" asked Randy.
+
+"It's just below me somewhere. I can't see it, but I can hear it plainly
+enough. It's moving around in those lower branches. I guess I had better
+stay up here for a while;" and as he spoke Andy mounted to a higher
+limb. With no weapon handy, he had no desire to face any wild animal.
+
+Those below slowly circled the big cedar, keeping their eyes on the
+alert for a view of whatever might be prowling around among the
+branches. They had their guns ready for use, but realized that they must
+fire with great caution, or otherwise they might hit the lad who was in
+peril.
+
+"I suppose the wildcat, or whatever it is, was up in the tree and didn't
+know what to do when Andy started to come up. The beast knew we were
+down here, or otherwise it would probably have jumped down and run off."
+
+"Squirrels don't cry like a cat, and I heard that beast just cry," said
+Jack. "All squirrels do is to chatter."
+
+"There's another danger," said Gif. "If we come too close to that tree
+we'll probably drive the wildcat, or whatever it is, up to where Andy
+is."
+
+"Here's the bird!" shouted Andy from above, and threw the partridge down
+and away from the tree.
+
+Jack and Andy's twin took a few steps closer to the big cedar, at the
+same time holding their guns ready for instant use. They peered upward
+among the snow-laden branches, and presently caught sight of a slinking
+form resting in a crotch of the tree.
+
+"There it is!" exclaimed Randy, and was on the point of firing when the
+wildcat--for such it had proved to be--dropped out of sight and leaped
+to a branch on the other side of the tree trunk.
+
+"Hi there! don't drive that beast up here," called out Andy.
+
+"Andy," called back his twin suddenly, "weren't you carrying that
+flashlight?"
+
+"No, I left it at the Lodge. I didn't think I would want it on the trip
+to Henryville."
+
+"I've got my flashlight," remarked Gif. "Here it is," and he brought it
+forth.
+
+The light was flashed up into the tree and around from branch to branch.
+As the rays traveled through the cedar there was a sudden wild cry from
+the animal, and then came a swish and a whirr as the wildcat sprang to
+the outer end of a limb and then down into the snow.
+
+Bang! bang! bang! went the guns in the hands of Gif, Randy, and Spouter.
+But whether they hit the wildcat or not, they could not tell. There was
+a whirl in the snow, and then in a twinkling the beast had disappeared
+into the forest behind them.
+
+"Well, it's gone, anyhow," declared Jack, in a tone of great relief.
+"You can come down, Andy."
+
+Andy was soon out of the tree, and, having picked up the two partridges,
+the six young hunters continued on their way, as they supposed, in the
+direction of Cedar Lodge.
+
+Presently they came to another clearing, and on the far side of this
+noted some animals hopping about which they felt certain must be
+rabbits.
+
+"Let's go over there!" cried Fred excitedly. "Maybe we can make a good
+haul."
+
+"It's a pretty good tramp around to the other side of this clearing,"
+remarked Gif. "And it looks to me as if it might begin to snow again,"
+he added, with a glance at the sky which was now heavily overcast.
+
+But all of the others wanted a chance to get more game, so in the end
+the six cadets tramped around one edge of the clearing until they
+reached a point close to the spot where the rabbits had been seen. Here
+the bunnies were out in force, trying to find something to eat, and they
+had but little difficulty in bagging four of the creatures.
+
+"Well, that's not so bad but what it might be worse," announced Jack.
+
+"We should have had more than four," grumbled Randy. "There were at
+least fifteen or sixteen rabbits to be seen." He had missed what he had
+thought to be a comparatively easy shot.
+
+"Well, we can't have everything," declared Spouter philosophically.
+
+They trudged on once more, Gif, as before, taking the lead. But
+presently the tall cadet called a halt.
+
+"What's the matter now?" questioned Randy. "See any more game ahead?"
+
+"No." Gif was staring around first to the right and then to the left.
+"Hang it if I know whether we are on the right trail or not!"
+
+"Do you mean to say, Gif, you don't know in what direction the Lodge is
+located?" questioned Spouter quickly.
+
+"I think it's off in that direction, Spouter," was the reply, and Gif
+pointed with his hand, "but I'm not dead sure of it. Circling that
+clearing threw me off the track."
+
+"Well, were you sure of the trail before we came over here?" questioned
+Jack. "If you were, we can go back you know, even though it is quite a
+tramp."
+
+"I thought I was sure, Jack. But now I'm not sure of anything," answered
+Gif helplessly. "Someway or other, I seem to be completely turned
+around."
+
+"Gee! then we're in a pretty pickle," groaned Fred, who was beginning to
+grow tired of tramping through the snow.
+
+"If we could only get down to the river again we'd be all right," came
+from Randy.
+
+"I wonder if I could locate the Lodge from the top of one of these
+trees," remarked Jack. "It would be quite a climb to get such a view,
+but it would be better than tramping around without knowing where one
+was going."
+
+"I'll do the climbing," answered Gif quickly. "I got you fellows into
+this mess, and it's up to me to get you out."
+
+"Oh, don't think I'm complaining," returned Spouter quickly.
+
+"None of us is complaining, Gif. We all know it's the easiest thing in
+the world to get lost in a big woods like this--especially when there is
+snow on the ground to cover up the landmarks."
+
+A tall pine was selected, and the others boosted Gif upward as far as
+they could. Then he mounted from branch to branch, and the others waited
+below as patiently as possible for what he might have to report. In the
+meantime a few flakes of snow came drifting downward, and soon it was
+snowing steadily.
+
+"Well, what can you see?" called out Jack, after those below had waited
+quite a while for their chum to make a report.
+
+"I can't see very much on account of the snow coming down," announced
+Gif. "I can see the edge of a clearing that might be the one where Cedar
+Lodge is located, but I am not certain of it."
+
+"Well, take another good look," advised Spouter. "Wish we had field
+glasses," he added.
+
+It was a full fifteen minutes before Gif rejoined the others. He had
+located but one place that looked like the clearing surrounding the
+Lodge, but, as he had said before, he was by no means certain that this
+was the right location.
+
+"Well, we might as well try it anyway," announced Jack. "We can't stay
+here all night."
+
+[Illustration: BANG! BANG! BANG! WENT THE GUNS IN THE HANDS OF GIF,
+RANDY, AND SPOUTER.]
+
+"It's too bad it began to snow so heavily just as I was climbing the
+tree," remarked Gif. "If it hadn't been for that I might have gotten
+quite a view and maybe located the bungalow without difficulty. However,
+this may prove to be the right trail after all. Come on, before it gets
+dark."
+
+"Wish I had something more to eat," remarked Andy. The few sandwiches
+and doughnuts they had brought along had long since been eaten.
+
+As they walked on the way seemed to grow more difficult. They soon found
+themselves at a point where there were a series of rocks backed up by
+low-hanging bushes thickly covered with snow. There was no wind, but the
+snow was now coming down more thickly than ever.
+
+"Gee! it looks to me as if we were lost," remarked Fred.
+
+All gazed around them, but saw little to give them satisfaction. Behind
+them lay the thick forest, and in front of them the rocks and bushes. It
+was now growing dark, and this added to their uneasiness.
+
+"Well, what shall we do next?" questioned Gif.
+
+Nobody answered that question. They were undoubtedly lost, and what was
+to be done about it was a serious problem.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A NIGHT UNDER THE CLIFF
+
+
+"One thing is sure," said Jack presently. "We can't stand out here in
+this snowstorm all night."
+
+"Let's go on at least a short distance further," broke in Spouter.
+
+"Maybe we'll come to some sort of trail that Gif will recognize," put in
+Randy.
+
+"I'm getting dead tired. I can't tramp more than a mile or two further,"
+said Fred.
+
+"I don't believe any of us care to go any such distance as that, Fred,"
+returned Jack kindly. "Here, give me your gun. I'll carry it for you,"
+for it was plainly to be seen the youngest Rover was becoming exhausted.
+
+All were tired out from their skate and their tramp, and climbing among
+the rough rocks covered with snow was by no means easy.
+
+Soon they reached another line of rocks, this time much higher than
+those they had been crossing. At one end of the rocks was a small cliff.
+At the top of this several cedars had once stood, but the winds of the
+winter before had blown them over, so that, while the roots were still
+imbedded in the cliff, the tops rested in the snow below.
+
+"Great salt mackerel!" cried Gif in dismay. "Well, now I have spilled
+the beans!"
+
+"What's up now?" questioned Randy quickly.
+
+"I heard my uncle tell about this place. He visited it just after those
+trees fell over. He said the spot was about three miles from the Lodge."
+
+At this there was a groan from the twins and Fred.
+
+"We can't walk that distance in this snowstorm," said the latter
+decidedly.
+
+"Not over those rough rocks, anyway," added Randy. "I feel as if my
+ankles were getting twisted out of shape."
+
+"Do you know in what direction the Lodge is from here?" questioned
+Spouter.
+
+"I do not, except that you have to be on the top of the cliff to get to
+it. We were evidently headed the right way, although we must have walked
+in a big semicircle since we left the river."
+
+"I'm going to climb to the top of the cliff and have a look around,"
+declared Jack. "Here, take these guns and the game."
+
+It was no easy matter to mount to the top of the cliff which at this
+point was at least fifteen feet over their heads. But Jack finally made
+it, and was followed by Spouter and Gif.
+
+Here, however, the view was no better than from below--the thickly
+falling snow hiding the landscape on every side. Night was coming on and
+it was growing colder, and the boys could not help but shiver.
+
+"I guess the best thing we can do it to try to make ourselves
+comfortable for the night," remarked Jack.
+
+"How can we make ourselves comfortable without anything to eat?"
+questioned Spouter.
+
+"We've got the game. We can start a fire and cook some of that."
+
+"And besides, you must remember we have the things we bought at
+Henryville," said Gif.
+
+The three rejoined the others, and the question of what to do was put to
+the younger Rovers. Fred and Andy declared they could not tramp much
+further, and at once agreed that it would be best to try to make
+themselves comfortable for the night.
+
+"It looks as if there might be some kind of shelter under those fallen
+cedars," said Randy. "Hanging down from the top of the cliff, they form
+a sort of lean-to."
+
+"I was thinking of that," said Jack. "Let us get under them and
+investigate."
+
+"Beware of more wildcats," cautioned Andy.
+
+"We'll use my flashlight," said Gif.
+
+This was done, he and several of the others investigated the spot under
+the fallen cedars with care. No trace of any wild animal, not even a
+rabbit or a squirrel, was found. Then the boys began to size up the
+situation, trying to determine how they could make themselves at home
+there for the night.
+
+"First of all I think we had better build a fire," suggested Gif. "Then,
+after we have warmed up and rested a bit, we can prepare supper."
+
+With so much wood at hand it was an easy matter to start a campfire.
+This was placed at one side of the opening under the fallen cedars, the
+boys taking care that the flames should not reach the trees. With their
+hatchet they cut off some of the cedar boughs and scattered these over
+the ground for a flooring. The driest they placed to one side to use for
+bedding later.
+
+Fortunately while at Henryville they had purchased a fair-sized box of
+cocoa. This box was of tin, and Jack suggested that they dump the cocoa
+out on a sheet of paper which he had in his pocket and then use the tin
+for a pot in which to boil water.
+
+"It won't make a very large cocoa pot, but it will be better than
+nothing, and we can fill it as many times as we please."
+
+The boys had several collapsible drinking cups with them, and these they
+would take turns in using.
+
+"I'm mighty glad we bought that cheese," remarked Spouter. "That will
+help out quite a little," for they carried a piece weighing almost two
+pounds.
+
+Of the other things purchased at Henryville, only a box of fancy
+crackers could be used. There were two dozen all told, and these were
+divided by Randy, four crackers to each cadet.
+
+"We'll clean a couple of the rabbits and see what we can do about
+broiling them over the flames," said Gif. "Now you fellows can show what
+you can do," he added, with a grin. "It's all well enough to work when
+you've got the tools to work with, but quite another story when you've
+got next to nothing."
+
+Water was obtained by melting a quantity of the snow, and soon they had
+the first can of hot cocoa ready. In the meanwhile several of the lads
+were broiling the rabbits as best they could.
+
+"I know how I'm going to heat the next can of water," declared Andy.
+"I'm going to do as the Indians did--drop a clean, redhot stone into
+it." And this he did later on and got his boiling water in short order.
+
+It was not a very satisfactory meal, but the lads had fun eating it, and
+they did not complain when they found portions of the broiled rabbits
+slightly burnt and found that four fancy crackers with cheese each did
+not take the place of a big pan of biscuits or a good-sized loaf of
+bread.
+
+"One thing is in our favor, anyhow," said Fred, with a sigh of
+satisfaction, after they had finished their scant meal. "We won't have
+to wash the dishes."
+
+The can was dried over the fire, the cocoa was replaced, and then the
+lads proceeded to make themselves comfortable for the night. They missed
+their blankets, and it was therefore decided that they should take turns
+in sitting up and guarding the fire, so that all might keep warm without
+running the danger of setting fire to the cedars under which they were
+resting.
+
+It proved to be a long and wearisome night for most of them. The resting
+places were anything but soft, and a fitful wind often blew the smoke of
+the campfire toward the would-be sleepers, causing them to cough and
+shift their positions. But neither man nor beast came to disturb them,
+for which they were thankful.
+
+"Going to bother about breakfast?" questioned Jack, as he sat up and saw
+that Gif and Spouter were already stirring.
+
+"I don't think so," was the answer. "If you fellows are willing, we'll
+strike right out for the Lodge. We can get a better meal there."
+
+The others agreed, and almost before daylight they were on their way
+again. They climbed to the top of the cliff, and, after moving around
+cautiously for several hundred feet, reached a well defined trail
+running in the direction Gif thought they ought to take.
+
+The storm had cleared away, and soon the sun came peeping over the
+treetops.
+
+"Gee! I won't do a thing to a good hot breakfast when we reach the
+Lodge," remarked Randy to his twin.
+
+"I'll be with you," returned Andy. "A big heaping plate of pancakes with
+maple syrup for me, flanked by a couple of good-sized sausage cakes and
+washed down with a big cup of that cocoa!"
+
+"Say, Andy, you make me hungry clean down to my shoes!" burst out Fred.
+
+"I think we'll all be able to eat a good breakfast by the time we get
+there," announced Gif.
+
+"Are you sure you are on the right trail, Gif?" questioned Spouter
+anxiously.
+
+"Yes, I know where I am now. It's queer how I got mixed up before."
+
+"How much further?" questioned Jack.
+
+"About half a mile."
+
+They crossed another small clearing, and on the edge of this caught
+sight of several more rabbits. Jack and Randy fired simultaneously and
+were lucky to bring down two of the bunnies.
+
+"They will help out the larder just so much more," announced Gif, after
+they had tried for several minutes to stir up more of the rabbits, but
+without success.
+
+"I wish we could get a chance at some other kind of game," remarked
+Jack.
+
+Presently they caught sight of Cedar Lodge at a distance, and then all
+hurried their pace.
+
+"Looks mighty good to a fellow after he's been away all night," declared
+Spouter.
+
+"Look, Look!" burst out Gif. "What can that mean? Every window and every
+door of the Lodge is wide open!"
+
+"Sure as you're born, Gif is right!" ejaculated Fred. "Something is
+wrong, that's sure."
+
+All set off on a run, to ascertain as quickly as possible what had
+occurred at the Lodge during their absence. Gif was the first to enter
+the place, but he was quickly followed by the others.
+
+"Gee! what do you know about this?" ejaculated Andy.
+
+"This is the work of our enemies!" murmured Jack.
+
+The doors and windows had evidently been open for some time, for the
+Lodge was bitter cold inside and not a little snow had drifted in
+through the openings. The wind had likewise entered, blowing the ashes
+of the dead fire in all directions.
+
+"I'll bet Glutts and Werner did this!" cried Spouter.
+
+"Just what I think," answered Jack.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+AT TONY DUVAL'S CAMP
+
+
+The six cadets lost no time in making a thorough examination of the
+Lodge. In the bedrooms they found everything topsy-turvy, the bed
+clothes having been hauled near the windows where the incoming snow
+might fall upon them. In the kitchen they found many of their cooking
+utensils in the sink, and over them had been poured a mixture of flour,
+catsup, maple syrup, and condensed milk. In the storeroom many other
+things were upset, and not a few of the supplies appeared to be missing.
+
+"This is certainly the worst yet!" groaned Fred, as he looked at the
+mussed-up and ruined food.
+
+"I said Glutts and Werner would get back at you for meddling with their
+supplies," remarked Jack sharply. "They have certainly paid us back with
+interest."
+
+"I wish we had those two fellows here now. I'd hammer them good and
+proper," declared Randy. "Just the same, I suppose this is our fault,
+and I'm mighty sorry for it," he added, looking at Jack, Gif, and
+Spouter.
+
+"They either took a large share of our supplies away, or else hid them,"
+said Gif, after another look around. "My, what a mess they did make!"
+
+"Well, as we are largely responsible for this, it's up to us to take
+hold and clean up the best we can," announced Randy to his twin and
+Fred.
+
+"Right you are," answered Andy. "Come ahead! we'll clean up the
+living-room first and get a fresh fire started."
+
+"All right, you fellows do that, and we'll tackle the bedrooms," said
+Jack. "We'll have to dry out that bedding before night."
+
+Soon the whole crowd was busy, breakfast, for the time, being forgotten.
+All went at the task with a will, and before long everything was
+straightened out but the kitchen. Doors and windows had been closed, a
+fresh fire had been lit, and then the roaring logs sent a grateful
+warmth through the entire bungalow.
+
+"Now we'll get breakfast, and then we'll clean up this mess in the
+kitchen," announced Gif.
+
+"And what are we going to do after that?" questioned Jack.
+
+"What do you think we ought to do, Jack?"
+
+"Square accounts with Glutts and Werner, if they are the guilty
+parties."
+
+"They only paid us back for what Fred and the twins did," said Spouter.
+"I don't know but what we might as well call it quits."
+
+"Well, we'll go over there, anyway, and see what they've got to say for
+themselves," said Jack. "Perhaps at the least we'll be able to scare
+them so that they'll leave us alone in the future."
+
+"All right, we might do that," answered Gif; and so it was decided.
+
+The boys came to the conclusion that Glutts and Werner, accompanied
+possibly by Codfish, must have visited the Lodge some time in the middle
+of the previous afternoon. Evidently the marauders had been afraid that
+the bungalow's occupants might return at any moment, for they had worked
+with great speed.
+
+"They took a big chance with that fire," remarked Randy. "If the wind
+had blown the sparks too far--into the bedrooms for instance--the whole
+place might have gone up in flames."
+
+At first the lads thought to go over to Tony Duval's place without
+delay. But by the time they had straightened out the bungalow and gotten
+their breakfast, the older cadets were in a different frame of mind.
+
+"More than likely they'll be on their guard to-day, looking for us to
+come over," said Jack. "Let us wait two or three days and try to catch
+them unawares," and this change was made in their plans.
+
+Several days, including Sunday, passed, and the six cadets took it easy.
+It snowed part of the time, so that they went out hunting only once. On
+that trip they managed to get several more rabbits and four quail, but
+that was all.
+
+"I thought I saw a fox," said Gif on the morning following. "I heard him
+bark during the night too."
+
+"Was he a silver fox?" questioned Jack eagerly.
+
+"I didn't see him well enough to find out, and I can't tell the color of
+a fox from his bark," was Gif's somewhat dry reply. And at this there
+was a laugh.
+
+Then the storm cleared away once more, and on the following morning the
+boys resolved to tramp in the direction of Tony Duval's place and see if
+they could locate Werner and Glutts.
+
+"I don't believe this Tony Duval is a very nice fellow to meet,"
+remarked Gif, when they were on their way. "I saw him twice, and he
+looked like anything but a pleasant character."
+
+The middle of the forenoon found them on the grounds occupied by the
+various shacks belonging to the French-Canadian. They were small
+structures, built for the most part of slabsides, and each contained but
+two windows and a door.
+
+"I wonder which shack is that used by Glutts and Werner," remarked
+Randy, as they looked around.
+
+Nobody was in sight. There were five of the shacks located several
+hundred feet apart, and each with some timber around it.
+
+"We'll try the nearest place," said Gif, and, going up to it, he knocked
+sharply on the door. He waited for fully a minute, but there was no
+reply.
+
+"Seems to be empty," remarked Jack, after looking in through one of the
+windows. "There is no sign of a fire in the fireplace."
+
+They tramped on to the next shack, and found that was likewise vacant.
+
+"I think we'll find somebody at home in the third shack," announced
+Spouter. "Anyway, I see smoke coming from the chimney."
+
+They were approaching the doorway of this rude structure when it was
+suddenly flung open and a man stepped into view. He wore a hunter's
+outfit, and carried a double-barreled shotgun in his hands.
+
+"Who are you?" he questioned, and his tone had a strong French accent.
+"What do you want here?"
+
+"We are looking for a fellow named Werner who hired one of these
+shacks," answered Gif.
+
+"Who are you?" repeated the man sharply, and then Gif recognized Tony
+Duval.
+
+"I am the son of one of the men who own Cedar Lodge. We want to find
+Werner and the two fellows who are with him."
+
+"Aha! So you are the young fellows from Cedar Lodge who made so much
+trouble for Mistaire Werner and his friends," cried Tony Duval. "He has
+told me all about that."
+
+"Did he tell you what he did down at Cedar Lodge?" demanded Jack.
+
+"He say he would square the account. Why should he not do that? You have
+no right to destroy his things and hurt his horse."
+
+"We didn't touch his horse!" answered Fred quickly.
+
+"His horse is gone lame, and he say you do that," cried Tony Duval. "I
+do not want such people as you around my place. You can go back, and you
+must stay off my property," and Tony Duval emphasized his words by
+handling his shotgun suggestively.
+
+"If Werner and his friend are here we want to see them," cried Jack
+sharply. "Which shack do they live in?"
+
+"They live there." Duval pointed with his thumb. "They are not at home
+now. They go on a hunt. But you shall not make more trouble for them or
+you will hear from me," and again he handled his gun suggestively. The
+man's face was very red and looked as if he had been drinking. Evidently
+he was in an ugly humor.
+
+After that the cadets attempted to argue with Tony Duval, but all to no
+purpose. He was very stubborn, and he insisted upon it that they had
+already made a great deal of trouble for his patrons. He finally ordered
+them away, and acted so threateningly that they retired.
+
+"Well, we've had our walk for nothing," remarked Fred, when they were in
+the woods again.
+
+"I don't know about that," answered Randy. "Let us keep our eyes open.
+Maybe we'll run across Werner and Glutts."
+
+The four Rovers and their chums walked leisurely through the woods,
+keeping their eyes open for the possible appearance of their enemies,
+and also for any game that might present itself. Thus the best part of
+an hour went by, and they managed to bring down one more rabbit and also
+a squirrel. Then they heard some shooting at a distance, and walked
+cautiously in that direction.
+
+"There they are!" cried Randy presently, and pointed out of the woods
+and across a small clearing.
+
+All looked in the direction indicated, and there saw Werner, Glutts, and
+Codfish. Each had a gun, and the three had been shooting at a number of
+rabbits. Only Werner had been successful, the others shooting wide of
+the mark.
+
+"Let us circle the clearing and surprise them," said Jack, and to this
+the others immediately agreed.
+
+With caution they made their way around the clearing, doing their best
+to remain hidden from the other boys. They had no desire to be mistaken
+for game and shot at, so they had to keep their eyes on the alert as
+they advanced.
+
+Werner and his cronies had passed into the woods, and now were making
+their way down a hillside into a hollow where they had built a
+fair-sized campfire. As the Rovers and their chums came closer they saw
+the three sitting around the campfire and evidently getting ready to
+have a midday lunch.
+
+"Come on! We're six to three, so we ought to be able to manage those
+fellows with ease!" cried Fred.
+
+"Wait a minute! I've got an idea!" exclaimed Randy, holding his cousin
+back.
+
+"What is it?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"Do you see how much higher the other side of the slope is?" went on
+Andy. "Well, that slope runs right down to where they are sitting and
+have their fire. Now a few big snowballs started down that slope--"
+
+"I've got you, Andy!" burst out his twin, with twinkling eyes. "It will
+be great! Come on, fellows, we'll smother 'em with snow!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+SIX BIG SNOWBALLS
+
+
+It did not take the four Rovers and their chums long to reach that part
+of the slope pointed out by Andy. As he had said, this was much higher
+than the spot where they had stood before and the slope was much
+steeper, leading directly down to where Werner, Glutts, and Codfish were
+now busy over their campfire preparing the midday meal.
+
+The bully and his cronies were good feeders, and had brought a
+considerable quantity of food for their lunch. Some of this was now
+spread out on a napkin resting on the snow, and the rest of it was being
+warmed over the campfire.
+
+"It's the chance of our lives," said Randy softly. "Come on, fellows,
+let's make the biggest snowballs we can."
+
+All of the others were willing, and soon they had rolled six snowballs,
+each of which was two feet or more in diameter.
+
+Of course, our friends were well out of sight of those in the hollow,
+and as they spoke in low tones their enemies had no suspicion of what
+was coming.
+
+"Now then, place all the snowballs in a line on the very edge of the
+slope," said Jack. "And, Gif, you give the word when we are to push them
+down."
+
+Soon the six massive snowballs were lined up side by side. Those behind
+them looked below to make sure that none of the trio was close to the
+fire, because they did not wish anybody to be burnt.
+
+"Now then," whispered Gif suddenly, when he saw the three lads sit down
+with the cooked stuff between them. "All ready? Go!"
+
+Everybody gave a shove, and over the edge of the slope went the six
+snowballs, slowly at first, but gradually gathering both size and speed.
+Through the snow they rolled and over the bare rocks until almost to the
+foot of the slope.
+
+"Hi! what's this coming?" roared Glutts, happening to glance around as a
+strange noise reached his ears.
+
+"It's a snowslide!" screamed Werner.
+
+"Oh, oh! let me get out of the way!" shrieked Codfish.
+
+All three attempted to spring to their feet, Glutts knocking over a pot
+of hot coffee as he did so. But the movement came too late, for the next
+instant the six snowballs bowled over the three boys, hurling them in
+all directions. One ball rolled through the lunch, carrying most of this
+along, imbedded in the snow. Another snowball went directly through the
+campfire, smashing that flat and leaving the embers hissing and
+blackened.
+
+"Don't let them see you," called Jack, as the twins were about to dash
+down the slope. "Get back there out of sight."
+
+"Oh, they'll know we did it, all right enough," answered Spouter. "Come
+on down and have it out with them."
+
+This was what the majority desired, and before Glutts and the others
+could recover from their astonishment and dismay Gif and his crowd were
+down the slope.
+
+"Huh! so you were the fellows to roll those snowballs down on us,"
+growled Bill Glutts, as he rubbed his leg where some of the hot coffee
+had been spilled upon it.
+
+"That's a fine way to treat a fellow," said Werner, digging some snow
+from his ear.
+
+"And you spoiled all the lunch!" wailed Codfish, looking around for his
+cap, which had been knocked off. "Oh dear! I wish I hadn't come to this
+out-of-the-way place!"
+
+"Shut up your whining!" roared Werner. "You make me sick!"
+
+"I don't care. I told you yesterday I wanted to go home," answered
+Codfish complainingly. "I hate it up here!"
+
+"Well, go home then!" snapped Werner. "Go home this minute if you want
+to. I'm sick of having you around."
+
+"You'd do much better, Codfish, if you wouldn't train with fellows like
+Werner and Glutts," remarked Jack.
+
+"If I leave them will you fellows show me the way back to Timminsport?"
+questioned the sneak of Colby Hall pleadingly. It was plainly to be seen
+that he had had no easy time of it since he had come up into the woods.
+
+"That depends," said Gif, and caught the youth by the wrist. "Tell me,
+Codfish, were you at our Lodge the other day--the day the whole place
+was rough-housed?"
+
+"No, I wasn't, Gif. Really and truly I wasn't!" cried the sneak, in
+alarm.
+
+"Were Werner and Glutts alone?"
+
+"Yes, yes! I had nothing to do with it!"
+
+"See here, Codfish, you keep your mouth shut!" roared Glutts, and he
+moved forward as if to strike the small youth who cowered before him.
+
+"You keep your distance, Glutts," admonished Jack. "If Codfish is tired
+of staying with you fellows, he's going to leave, and you're not to say
+anything about it."
+
+"What right had you fellows to smash those snowballs down on us?"
+questioned Werner, with an angry look in his eyes.
+
+"What right had you fellows to come and upset Cedar Lodge, destroying
+some of our stores, and walking off with some of the others?" questioned
+Jack sternly.
+
+"We didn't walk off with anything," answered Werner quickly. "What we
+did we had a right to do--to pay you back for what you did to our stores
+in the sleigh."
+
+"We didn't take any of your things," put in Fred quickly; "and a whole
+lot of our stuff is missing."
+
+"We didn't take a thing away--not a thing," put in Glutts, and he smiled
+grimly to himself as he spoke.
+
+"I know what they did!" cried Codfish quickly. "If you'll take me along
+with you, and see that I get to Timminsport safely, I'll tell you where
+your things are."
+
+"You say a word, Codfish, and I'll lambaste the life out of you!" yelled
+Werner.
+
+"You won't touch Codfish!" broke in Jack sturdily. "And if he wants to
+go with us, he'll go."
+
+"I want to go!" wailed the sneak. "I don't want to stay with them
+another minute. But how am I to get my things that are up at their
+shack?" he questioned helplessly.
+
+"Well go up there with you," answered Gif.
+
+A war of words followed, and then in uncontrolled rage Werner and Glutts
+attacked Jack and Gif. Half a dozen blows were exchanged, and then
+Glutts attempted to run away while Werner attempted to use the butt of
+his gun as a club. Andy tripped Glutts up, and Spouter caught Werner
+from behind, and as a consequence of the general mix-up the two bullies
+received a well-deserved drubbing. Then their weapons were discharged
+and their ammunition was taken away from them, and they were told to
+march back to Tony Duval's shacks.
+
+Here, as they expected, our friends had another set-to with the
+French-Canadian. Tony Duval wanted to take sides with Werner and Glutts,
+but the others would not listen.
+
+"This young man is going with us, and he is going to take his things
+with him," announced Gif, pointing to Codfish. "If you make any trouble
+for us, Duval, I'll at once notify my father and my uncle, and likewise
+the authorities at Portview. Your reputation around here is already none
+of the best, and I'll see to it that you are treated as you deserve."
+
+"Bah! what do I care for you or your father or your uncle?" cried Tony
+Duval, in a rage. "This is my property. You will leave it at once."
+
+"We'll leave when this young man has his things, and not before,"
+answered Jack, and now he, too, fingered his gun in a suggestive manner.
+
+Tony Duval realized that he was outnumbered and that the boys from Cedar
+Lodge meant business. He grumbled a good deal and talked in a whisper
+with Werner and Glutts. In the meanwhile, Codfish hurriedly gathered
+together his few belongings, and presently announced that he was ready
+to leave.
+
+"Now, one thing more," said Gif, turning to the two bullies. "Don't you
+dare to show your faces anywhere near Cedar Lodge again. If you come on
+our property, you come at your own peril."
+
+"Oh, you don't know how to take a joke," grumbled Glutts.
+
+"We'll do as we please," added Werner, but it was plainly to be seen
+that he was much disturbed.
+
+The boys were about ready to leave the shack when they heard the sound
+of sleigh bells, and soon a two-seated sleigh came into sight drawn by a
+pair of powerful horses. The turnout drove directly to the front of the
+shack occupied by Tony Duval.
+
+"Hello! there are those men again," cried Gif.
+
+All looked and saw that he referred to the Germans they had met on the
+road when looking for Cedar Lodge. The newcomers paid no attention to
+them, but leaped out of the sleigh and entered the Duval shack.
+
+"I must go," said Tony Duval abruptly. "And I want you to go, too, and
+never come back here again," he added, and then hurried away.
+
+"Who are those men?" questioned Jack, turning to Werner and Glutts.
+
+"That's none of your business," answered Werner sourly. "You clear out
+of here and never come back."
+
+There seemed nothing to do but to leave the premises, yet the Rovers and
+their chums were curious to know who the Germans were and what their
+errand to Tony Duval's shack could be. Yet they had no excuse for
+lingering longer, so presently they took their departure, Werner and
+Glutts looking sourly after them as they walked away.
+
+"Do you know, I'd give a good deal to know more about those Germans,"
+remarked Jack, as they trudged along. "I wonder what they want here?
+They can't be hunters, because they haven't any hunting outfits."
+
+"They certainly couldn't be up here for business," returned Spouter,
+"because there is no business to speak of in this vicinity. Why, there
+isn't even a farm or a farmer around here, and the nearest logging camp
+is miles away, so they told me at Henryville."
+
+"I'll tell you what we might do," said Gif. "We might pass into the
+woods and then turn around and come back again up behind Tony Duval's
+shack. We can watch and see what the Germans do, and maybe we'll hear
+what they and Duval have to say."
+
+"That's an idea!" cried Jack. "I don't know but what we had better act
+on it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A CONVERSATION OF IMPORTANCE
+
+
+"Do you know anything about those Germans?" questioned Fred, turning to
+Codfish.
+
+"I know they came to see Tony Duval once or twice before," answered the
+sneak of Colby Hall. "They and Duval seem to have some secret business
+between them."
+
+"Do you know what it is?" asked Jack.
+
+At this Codfish shook his head.
+
+"Did Werner and Glutts have anything to do with it?" came from Gif.
+
+"They went to Duval's cabin once when the Germans were there. I asked to
+go along, but they wouldn't let me. After that Bill and Gabe took some
+kind of a message down to Timminsport for them. It was on their way back
+from the town that they stopped and made a mess of things at your Lodge.
+They were laughing and joking about it when they got back, and that is
+how I know what took place."
+
+"You said you would tell us where the things that were taken away are,"
+came from Spouter.
+
+"They are all in the barn under the hay--at least that is what Bill and
+Gabe said. They took 'em out there in one of the bed sheets."
+
+"I guess that's right," came quickly from Gif. "I noticed that one of
+the sheets was missing."
+
+They had now reached the shelter of the forest, and here, after a little
+talk, it was decided that the twins and Fred should return to Cedar
+Lodge at once, taking Codfish with them, while Jack, Gif, and Spouter
+took a roundabout course leading to the rear of Tony Duval's shack.
+
+"We've got to be careful," announced Jack. "For all we know, those
+Germans may be desperate characters."
+
+"And on the other hand they may be the most innocent fellows in the
+world," added Spouter. "Remember, not all the German-Americans in this
+country are unpatriotic."
+
+The three soon reached a point where they could catch sight of Duval's
+shack. They approached with caution so that they might not be seen from
+the single back window of which the rough building boasted. As the boys
+drew closer they saw that the window had been raised several inches.
+Evidently there was a good fire going inside of the shack, and with so
+many occupants the place had become overly warm.
+
+"Then it's all settled, and you'll attend to the matter?" they heard one
+of the Germans remark, as they crawled up close to the building.
+
+"Yes, I'll do it," answered Tony Duval. "But I'll be running a big
+risk."
+
+"Not if you are careful," said another of the Germans.
+
+"And don't forget that you are being well paid for your work," added a
+third German, "and that you are doing this for the country in which your
+mother was born."
+
+"I should not want to be caught," grumbled Tony Duval. "If I was, the
+authorities might hang me."
+
+"Poof! be not so chicken-hearted," said the German who had first spoken.
+"Now it is all arranged, be careful that you do not disappoint us," he
+added sternly.
+
+The three cadets had listened to this talk with intense interest. Now
+Jack could not resist the temptation to peer in at one corner of the
+window. He saw one of the Germans returning a wallet to his pocket, and
+saw Tony Duval take up several bank bills from the table and place them
+away in his hunting jacket. All of the Germans were on their feet, and
+now turned to the door, which one of them flung wide open.
+
+"It's all over; get back as far as you can to the woods," whispered the
+oldest Rover boy, and led the way with the others at his heels.
+
+When the cadets gained the shelter of the trees they saw the Germans get
+into the sleigh once more, and a few seconds later they drove away, Tony
+Duval watching their departure.
+
+"Now what do you make of that, Jack?" questioned Gif. His face showed
+that he was puzzled.
+
+"It looks to me as if those fellows were up to no good," returned Jack.
+
+"Did you notice what they said about Tony Duval's mother?" cried
+Spouter. "That seemed to me as if his mother might have been a German
+woman."
+
+"That's the way I took it, too," returned Jack. "And then, don't forget
+what Duval said--that the authorities might hang him if he was caught.
+That sounds as if they were asking him to do something which was against
+the law."
+
+"Yes, and a big crime at that," put in Gif.
+
+"I wonder where the Germans live?"
+
+"Most likely at a distance. Otherwise they wouldn't be using a sleigh."
+
+"We ought to look into this, and without delay," said Jack decidedly.
+
+"Let us make it our business to find out all about the Germans
+to-morrow," said Gif. And so it was decided.
+
+When the three arrived at Cedar Lodge they found the others were already
+there and had uncovered the goods hidden by Glutts and Werner under the
+hay in the barn. There they likewise found the bedsheet and the blanket
+which had previously been taken.
+
+"Well, anyway, they didn't rob us," was Randy's comment.
+
+"I guess they were afraid to do that," answered his twin. "They thought
+we might bring the law down on them."
+
+"I don't like those fellows any more, and I intend to have nothing more
+to do with 'em," said Codfish.
+
+"I guess they got you up here simply to make you toady to them."
+
+"That's what they did, Andy. They made me carry all the things for 'em,
+and made me cut the wood and wash the dishes and everything. I was a big
+fool to leave home, where I might have had a splendid time during the
+holidays."
+
+That evening came the first real drawback of the outing. In returning
+from the barn Spouter slipped on some ice and fell down with his foot
+under him. When he got up he found that his ankle was sprained, so that
+he could scarcely walk upon it. The others assisted him into the
+bungalow and did what they could to make him comfortable.
+
+"I guess I'll be all right in a day or two," grumbled Spouter. "But this
+will prevent me from going out with you to-morrow to find out about
+those Germans."
+
+"Well, anyway, Spouter, you'll have Codfish here to keep you company,
+and I'm sure he'll be glad enough to get something to eat for you," said
+Jack.
+
+"I'll do that willingly if only you won't call me Codfish any more,"
+pleaded the cadet mentioned.
+
+"All right, Henry. We'll have to call you by your right name after
+this." And at this the sneak of the school seemed much relieved.
+Secretly, he hated the nickname of Codfish exceedingly.
+
+Early in the morning came a surprise. The boys heard a well-known
+whistle and beheld Jed Wallop approaching, this time on foot. The old
+hunter had his gun with him.
+
+"Thought I'd make a day of it with you," he announced. "That is, unless
+you've some other plans."
+
+"We were thinking of coming over to your place," answered Jack. "We want
+to get some information."
+
+"All right. I'm the walkin' dictionary and cyclopaedia of this hull
+district," answered Jed Wallop, with a grin. "Go on and fire all the
+questions at me that you want to."
+
+The old hunter listened with interest to what the cadets had to say
+concerning the Germans and Tony Duval, and also about the message Glutts
+and Werner had carried to Timminsport for the strangers.
+
+"That don't look right to me, at all," he said, shaking his head
+gravely. "I've seen them Germans a few times myself, drivin' around in
+that big sleigh of theirn. Sometimes there's only two of 'em, and then
+agin the four are in a bunch. Someone once told me that Duval had German
+blood in his veins, and I guess that's right."
+
+"And I'm sure Glutts is German, and maybe Werner too," said Randy.
+
+"My idee is that them Germans are holdin' out at an old house up River
+Bend way. It was the old Parkingham estate, but it hasn't been used for
+years. It's a mighty lonely place, too, right in the midst of the
+woods."
+
+"How far is that from here?" questioned Fred.
+
+"About three miles, I should say."
+
+"Is there a pretty good road?" questioned Jack.
+
+"The way by the mountain road would be all of five miles. But I know a
+fair trail through the woods that we might take."
+
+"Then let's get there as soon as possible!" cried Gif. "Will you go with
+us, Jed?"
+
+"O' course I will! If them Germans are traitors to this country, or
+anything like that, I want to know it," answered the old hunter
+decidedly. "I'm too old to enlist for the war, but I ain't too old to do
+my duty by Uncle Sam."
+
+"We might combine business with pleasure," remarked Jack. "We can take
+our guns and game bags, and also a substantial lunch. Then if we see any
+signs of game going or coming, we can take our time about getting back
+here."
+
+"One thing that brought me over was this," went on Jed Wallop. "I heard
+one of you young fellers sayin' you wanted to get a crack at a silver
+fox. Well, I know a holler about two miles from here where quite a few
+foxes are hangin' out. I've heard 'em barkin' around there more than
+once. I saw a silver fox up that way, too, and if he shows himself you
+might git what you are wishin' fer."
+
+"Fine!" exclaimed Jack, with enthusiasm. "But is that hang-out of the
+foxes on the way to the old mansion you mentioned?"
+
+"No, it ain't. But we might work around that way comin' back."
+
+A substantial lunch was prepared and packed, and then, after seeing to
+it that their guns were in good order, the five cadets and Jed Wallop
+left the Lodge.
+
+"Mighty sorry I can't go along," said Spouter dolefully. "However, I
+wish you all the best of luck, not only in getting some information
+about those Germans, but also in locating the foxes."
+
+"And you can depend on me taking good care of Dick," said Henry Stowell.
+
+"All right, Henry," answered Gif; for he and all of the others had been
+told how Codfish hated his nickname, and they had decided to do what
+they could toward dropping it, although, as Andy had remarked, "It might
+be pretty hard to stop calling a donkey a donkey all the time."
+
+"We'll give the little sneak a chance to turn over a new leaf," was what
+Jack had said in return. "I don't believe Codfish is bad at heart--he's
+only been traveling in the wrong company."
+
+It was a fair day with the sun coming up clearly over the treetops. It
+was still intensely cold, but there was little or no wind, for which the
+lads were thankful.
+
+"I suppose you have thinned out the game a good deal right around this
+Lodge," remarked Jed Wallop. "You know rabbits and squirrels don't like
+to hear the bangin' of a gun. They know mighty well it spells trouble
+fer 'em."
+
+A mile was covered before they sighted anything that looked like game.
+Then a big fat rabbit ran directly across their path. To give the boys a
+chance, Jed Wallop did not fire, and as a consequence the bunny got
+away, none of the cadets being quick enough to get a shot at it.
+
+"You've got to have your eyes open if you want to lay low all the game
+in these woods," chuckled the old hunter.
+
+"He was too close to us," grumbled Gif. "Why, he was out of sight before
+I could think of raising my gun!"
+
+"You mustn't think, Gif. Jest fire and let it go at that," and Jed
+Wallop grinned broadly. He was a man who loved company, and he thought
+it great sport to be out in the woods with the cadets.
+
+After this they trudged along in silence, each of the lads keeping his
+eyes wide open for the possible appearance of any game. But nothing came
+to view.
+
+"Now we'll soon be in sight of that old house," announced Jed Wallop
+presently. "It's on the other side of this hill."
+
+They topped the rise, and there saw before them a small clearing, beyond
+which was a rough mountain road. On the other side of the road was a
+thick patch of timber, and in the midst of this stood a long low house
+with a wide veranda in front.
+
+"There is the Parkingham house," said Jed Wallop. "And unless I'm
+greatly mistaken that's where them Germans are hangin' out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+TEE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE IN THE WOODS
+
+
+"We don't want anyone to see us," remarked Jack, as they came to a halt
+on the edge of the clearing.
+
+"Oh, them Germans won't know but what you're simply out huntin',"
+answered Jed Wallop.
+
+Nevertheless, the boys were anxious to approach the old house
+unobserved, and so skirted the clearing and crossed the mountain road,
+which at this point was lined with thick pines. Then they entered the
+forest again, coming up presently at a point in the rear of the building
+where there was a small barn and also several sheds.
+
+The Parkingham house was a rambling structure which had seen better
+days. One end sagged, and here a porch post had fallen away, along with
+several steps. But the other end of the long building had evidently been
+put in some kind of repair, for some boards on the piazza were new, as
+were also several window sashes. All the curtains were drawn down.
+
+"Somebody mast be living here," remarked Randy. "Otherwise they wouldn't
+have gone to the trouble and expense of making repairs."
+
+They looked around the old house carefully, but could see nobody. Then
+they peered into the barn.
+
+"No horses here," announced Gif. "And that big sleigh isn't here
+either."
+
+"Then, if those Germans live here, they must be away on a trip,"
+remarked Jack after a pause.
+
+"I don't see anything suspicious around this place," said Andy.
+
+The barn showed signs of use, and so did the other outbuildings, and
+there were numerous tracks in the snow leading from the barn to the
+house. At the well some water had been spilled, and this had not yet had
+time to freeze.
+
+"They can't have gone away so very long ago," was Gif's comment. He
+turned to the others. "Well, what's the next move?"
+
+"I don't see why you don't walk right up and knock on the door, and if
+them fellers are around have a talk with 'em," declared Jed Wallop. "If
+they are above board, they won't hesitate about answerin' questions."
+
+"Let us wait around the barn for a while and see if anybody comes in or
+goes out," suggested Jack. He could not get it out of his mind how
+queerly the Germans had acted, and he felt certain that something was
+wrong and that the fellows ought to be reported to the authorities.
+
+"Gee! it's rather cold around here," remarked Fred, as they walked up
+and down in the big barn to keep warm.
+
+"I'm going to cover myself in the hay if you fellows are going to stay
+here any length of time," cried Andy, and in a playful mood he and his
+twin made a dash for what looked to be a large quantity of hay at one
+side of the barn. Both burrowed down in this, and then Randy set up a
+cry of surprise.
+
+"Hello! this isn't a pile of hay at all. It's bundles of wire!"
+
+"Bundles of wire?" queried Jack.
+
+"What kind of wire?" asked Gif.
+
+"Looks like fence wire, or telegraph wire, to me," said Andy, who was
+holding some of the hay to one side so that he might get a better look
+at what was underneath. "It looks brand new, too."
+
+There were numerous coils of the wire, and these the cadets and Jed
+Wallop looked at with interest. Then they found several packing cases,
+all nailed up tightly and marked in English and in German.
+
+"This is certainly queer," said Jack.
+
+"Say, what's the matter with opening one or two of the cases and seeing
+what's in 'em?" suggested Fred.
+
+"Have we any right to do that?" asked Gif doubtfully.
+
+"We'll take the right," decided Jack. "I'm satisfied that those fellows
+are up to no good. You know what Tony Duval said when they asked him to
+do something."
+
+Not far from the barn was a woodshed, and here the cadets procured an
+axe and a hammer. With these implements they managed to pry open one of
+the packing cases. Inside was what looked to be electrical machinery,
+but just what it was they could not make out.
+
+"Looks like that telephone or telegraph line all right enough," remarked
+Randy. "But what are those fellows going to do with any such line as
+that away up here?"
+
+"It's a riddle, ain't it?" remarked Jed Wallop. "Jest the same, that
+stuff looks mighty suspicious to me."
+
+They continued their investigation, and behind the packing cases found
+some machinery. All of it was new and strange to them.
+
+"If they've got so much queer stuff out here in the barn, how much more
+do you suppose they've got in the house?" questioned Fred.
+
+"If I was sure no one was at home I'd be strongly tempted to find a way
+inside and take a look around," said Jack.
+
+"Come ahead and do it!" burst out Randy. "I don't believe there's a soul
+around."
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Jack finally. "You keep out of sight,
+and I'll go out on the road and walk toward the house and knock on the
+door. Then, if anybody comes, I'll say that I'm out hunting and would
+like to buy a bit to eat. They can't refuse me a bite, and that will
+give me a little chance to look around while I'm inside."
+
+"I don't think you ought to go alone," said Gif. "They know there are a
+bunch of us at the Lodge and they would be rather suspicious if you were
+by yourself. Why not let me go with you?"
+
+So it was arranged, and, leaving the others hidden in the barn, the two
+cadets started to walk through the woods to the road.
+
+"Keep your guns with you," advised Jed Wallop. "And if you git into
+anything like a tight place, shoot off one of the guns as a signal and
+we'll be to the rescue in no time."
+
+The two boys were soon out on the lonely mountain road, and then they
+headed for the old house. Boldly mounting the main piazza, they knocked
+sharply on the door.
+
+At first there was no response, and the lads were just congratulating
+themselves on the fact that the premises were deserted when they heard
+shuffling footsteps. Then came the tremulous voice of an elderly woman
+speaking in broken English.
+
+"Who ist der? Vat you vants?"
+
+"We are a couple of boys out hunting," answered Jack. "We would like to
+know if we can buy something to eat."
+
+"I haf nodings for you. You besser go somevhere else."
+
+"Can't we come in and get warm?" asked Gif.
+
+"_Nein._ You go avay."
+
+"Who lives here?" questioned Jack loudly, for the woman had made no
+attempt to open the door.
+
+"Dis ist Mister Bauermann's house."
+
+"Is he in? I'd like very much to speak to him. I am sure he would let us
+have something to eat," went on Jack in the smoothest tone he could
+command.
+
+"Do you know Mister Bauermann?" questioned the woman cautiously.
+
+"Isn't he the gentleman who has been riding around here in his sleigh
+with two or three other men?" asked Gif. "If he is," he continued, "we
+have met him near my father's place."
+
+"I think you might at least let us have a little to eat. We're willing
+to pay well for it," broke in Jack. "Just a little bread and butter, and
+maybe a cup of hot coffee or tea if you have it."
+
+"I can't open de door for you," said the woman firmly. "Mister Bauermann
+he gifs orders not to let anypody in de house. You haf to go avay unt
+get somedings to eat somevhere else."
+
+"When do you expect Mr. Bauermann back?" asked Gif.
+
+"Dot I can't say. Maybe he was come back by dinner time, unt maybe not
+bis night."
+
+"All right then, we'll go. But I think you are rather mean not to sell
+us something to eat," said Jack.
+
+To this the woman did not make any reply, but they heard her fumbling at
+the door, evidently making certain that the lock and bolt were secure.
+
+As there seemed nothing else to do, the two cadets retired, and, feeling
+that the woman must be watching them from behind the tightly drawn
+curtains at the windows, walked on down the rough road until a bend hid
+the house from view. Then they came up through the woods again and
+rejoined those at the barn.
+
+"Well, we found out one thing, anyway," declared Jack. "There is a woman
+keeping guard in the house, and the menfolks are all away and won't be
+back until noon or to-night."
+
+"Evidently those chaps are very secretive," said Gif. "I agree with Jack
+that the whole thing looks mighty suspicious."
+
+"Do you intend to wait around here until those Germans come back?" asked
+Fred a bit impatiently.
+
+"Why not go out on a hunt and come back later?" suggested Randy.
+
+"That's the talk!" broke in Andy. "I'm getting tired of hanging around
+here doing nothing." To him it had been a long wait while the others had
+gone to the house.
+
+"I suppose we might as well go on a hunt," announced Gif. "Anyway, I'm
+willing to do whatever the others say."
+
+So it was decided that they should go off on a hunt, to return to the
+house either later that day or else on the day following. This suited
+Jed Wallop, for the old hunter did not feel in the humor for
+investigating the old mansion or the Germans staying there.
+
+"Come on, come on," said he, "and maybe we'll git a chance at a fox or
+two."
+
+"Now you're saying something!" cried Fred.
+
+Leaving the old Parkingham house and outbuildings behind, they struck
+off through the woods, crossed the mountain road and a small frozen-up
+watercourse, and then mounted one of the hills lying to the northwest of
+Cedar Lodge. Here they found traveling rather difficult, and more than
+once the old hunter said he wished they were on snowshoes.
+
+"Purty hard to use 'em at first," said he. "But after a while travelin'
+that way gits to be as easy as the reg'lar way."
+
+"Oh, we know something about snowshoes," said Jack. "But we didn't think
+we'd need any on this trip."
+
+They tramped around for the rest of the forenoon, managing to stir up
+several rabbits, and also a partridge, which Fred was fortunate enough
+to bring down. Then they built a small campfire and made themselves a
+pot of hot chocolate and had this with the lunch they had brought along.
+
+The middle of the afternoon found them in the location Jed Wallop had
+had in mind when speaking of foxes. The old hunter told all of them to
+be on the alert.
+
+"You know Mr. Fox ain't goin' to stand still to be shot at," said he
+quizzically. "As soon as he spots you he'll be off quicker than greased
+lightning."
+
+They advanced with caution, and had hardly proceeded a hundred yards
+when Jed Wallop suddenly put up his hand for silence. They were coming
+to a series of rocks, and beyond this was a small clearing, backed up by
+brushwood still thickly covered with snow. They looked over toward this
+brushwood in the direction which Jed Wallop pointed out, and there saw a
+fox standing on a high rock, gazing expectantly at the woods beyond.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+WHAT THE BIG BARN CONTAINED
+
+
+"There's your chance," whispered Wallop to the cadets. "Quick, now; or
+he may leap away before you can say Jack Robinson."
+
+"Go ahead, Gif," said Jack quickly, for he felt that their host should
+have the first chance to shoot.
+
+There was no time to argue the matter, and, raising his gun, Gif took
+hasty aim and fired. His aim was not of the best, for only a few of the
+scattering shot pierced the fox's side. The animal wheeled around in
+evident astonishment, and for a second did not know which way to escape.
+
+"Fire at him! Fire at him!" called out Jed Wallop quickly. "Fire, or
+he'll git away."
+
+This time all of the others blazed away, one after another. Several of
+the charges went wild, but Randy managed to catch the fox directly in
+the shoulder, and he leaped high in the air, and then came down,
+floundering around and kicking the loose snow in all directions.
+
+"Hurrah! We've got him!" cried Randy.
+
+"Mebbe you have and mebbe you haven't," answered Jed Wallop. "Better run
+in and finish him."
+
+Gif was the first to do this, and a final charge caused the fox to cease
+his struggles.
+
+"A purty good-sized animal," remarked the old hunter, when they were
+inspecting it. "That skin is worth some money."
+
+The old hunter said he would carry the dead fox for them, and again they
+went forward. They spent the best part of the afternoon looking for more
+foxes, but in this they were disappointed. However, deep in the woods
+they came upon a covey of partridges. All banged away at a lively rate,
+and had the satisfaction of killing three of the birds.
+
+"A pretty good haul, after all," remarked Fred, with satisfaction.
+
+"Don't you think it about time that we returned to that old Parkingham
+house?" questioned Jack, after the game had been placed in their bags.
+
+"We might as well work around that way," answered Gif. "Remember, we'll
+have quite a tramp after that getting back to the Lodge."
+
+They turned in the direction of the old house in the woods and on their
+way kept their eyes open for more game. But all they sighted were two
+small squirrels, and these they thought not worth shooting at.
+
+They were just about to cross the mountain road not far from the old
+house when they heard a pair of horses hitched to a long boxsled
+approaching. The sled was piled high with several boxes and three bales
+of hay.
+
+"Get back!" cried Jack quickly. "That may be one of those Germans
+coming, and I don't think it would be wise to let him see us."
+
+They stepped behind some trees and brushwood, and soon the boxsled came
+closer. Then another surprise awaited them, for the driver of the sled,
+who was alone, was none other than the farmer they had rescued from the
+burning railroad car.
+
+"It's that fellow Crouse," whispered Gif. "What do you know about that?"
+
+"Shall we go out and speak to him?" questioned Andy.
+
+"I don't see that it would do any harm," said Jack. "We have a perfect
+right to be out hunting in this neighborhood."
+
+Accordingly they stepped out in the roadway almost directly in front of
+the on-coming boxsled. The driver, who was crouched down with the big
+collar of his overcoat turned up around his ears, had evidently been in
+deep thought, for when he noticed them he straightened up in surprise
+and brought his team to a sudden halt.
+
+"Why, if it isn't our friend from the railroad train!" remarked Jack,
+with a smile.
+
+"Well, I never!" declared Herman Crouse, with a momentary look of
+pleasure on his face. "How did you young gentlemen get up here?" And
+then, of a sudden, a cloud came over his features.
+
+"Can't you see we're out hunting?" answered Fred, pointing to the guns
+and game in their bags.
+
+"Yes, yes! To be sure! I forgot that you came up here to go hunting.
+Have you had much success?"
+
+"A little," answered Gif. "We've got a fox, and we've had quite a few
+rabbits, squirrels, quail and partridges."
+
+"Not so bad." Herman Crouse looked anxiously at the boys and Jed Wallop.
+"Where are you staying?"
+
+"At Cedar Lodge. It's several miles from here," answered Jack. And then
+he continued: "You belong around here? I thought you said you had a farm
+near Enwood."
+
+"So I have. But during the winter I make a little extra money trucking.
+That's what I am doing now. I am feeling pretty good again."
+
+"Where are you bound?" questioned Randy.
+
+At this question Herman Crouse seemed somewhat disturbed.
+
+"Oh, I've got to go up the road quite a distance," he answered
+evasively. "I might offer to give you a ride, only you can see I am
+loaded down as it is." And this statement was correct, for the boxsled
+was carrying about all the team could haul.
+
+"We met some other Germans around here--four men who drive around in a
+big sleigh," said Jack boldly and looking Herman Crouse full in the
+eyes.
+
+"Yes, yes! I know!" The eyes of the man fell for an instant. "I am not a
+German," he said somewhat lamely. "That is, I was born on the other
+side, but I came to this country before I was twenty-one, and now I am
+an American."
+
+"Then you don't side with Germany in this war?"
+
+"I don't side with the Kaiser. I am sorry for the common people, for
+they have had no say-so in this awful slaughter that is going on."
+
+"Well, I'm glad to hear that you stick up for the good old U. S. A.!"
+cried Jack. "You know there are a good many Germans and German-Americans
+here who are the other way."
+
+"I want nothing to do with them and nothing to do with war!" answered
+Herman Crouse. "I am only a hard-working man who wants to be left
+alone." He paused for an instant. "Don't imagine that I have forgotten
+what you did for me," he continued, with a little smile. "You were my
+very good friends, and I shall never forget it. Now, if you please, I
+must hurry on, because I want to get back home before it gets too dark.
+I wish you all the best of luck with your hunting;" and he took up the
+reins again.
+
+"Do you know anything about the hunting in that direction?" questioned
+Randy, pointing to where the old Parkingham house was located.
+
+"I do not think it is very good up there," was the quick reply. "And,
+anyway, if I were you gentlemen I would not go anywhere near the old
+house up there."
+
+"Why not?" demanded Jed Wallop.
+
+"The people who are staying there are very queer. They do not like any
+strangers around."
+
+"Then you know them?" questioned Gif.
+
+"Yes, I know them, but not very well. Some of them are German-Americans,
+like me, but they are not my friends. I would advise you to stay away
+from them. The hunting, anyway, is better elsewhere. Now good-bye and
+good luck." And thus speaking, Herman Crouse urged forward his team and
+continued on his way.
+
+"I'll bet a new hat against a lemon that he is bound for the old
+Parkingham house!" exclaimed Randy, when the German was out of earshot.
+
+"Let us follow him and make sure," returned his twin.
+
+"All right," said Jack. "But we had better keep out of sight among the
+trees."
+
+With so much timber standing around, this was an easy matter. Following
+Crouse, they saw the man at last turn in at the old house and drive
+around to where the barn was located. Then he got out of the boxsled and
+walked to a back door of the residence.
+
+"Now I guess we'll find out if those Germans are back or not," announced
+Gif.
+
+They waited for several minutes, and then the door was again opened and
+Herman Crouse came out, followed by two of the men the boys had
+previously seen. All three hurried down to the barn and there began to
+unload the boxsled. Then the boys saw the unknown Germans give Crouse
+some money. The three talked together for a few minutes in German, and
+then the owner of the boxsled drove away and the other Germans returned
+to the house.
+
+"This is getting interesting," remarked Jack. "Of course, that hay was
+meant for the horses, but what do you suppose can be in those packing
+cases?"
+
+"Come on around to the back of the barn, and maybe we can learn
+something further," said Fred.
+
+"It's gettin' purty late, boys," announced Jed Wallop.
+
+"If you want to go home, don't let us keep you," returned Gif, quickly.
+
+"Well, I don't want to see any of you lads git into trouble," answered
+Wallop. "At the same time, I hate to leave my family alone after dark."
+
+"Well, you go on, then," put in Jack quickly. "There are five of us, and
+I guess we can take care of ourselves, especially as we have our guns
+with us."
+
+"O' course, everything may be perfectly reg'lar here," continued Jed
+Wallop. "Although, like you, I have my doubts. But unless you want me to
+stay, I'll git home." And a little later he took his departure.
+
+Left to themselves, the Rovers and Gif watched their chance, and,
+unobserved, entered the big barn. Here they found that all of the
+packing cases which had been brought in by Herman Crouse had been placed
+out of sight under the hay.
+
+"One thing is certain--they don't want any outsiders to know about these
+cases," remarked Jack.
+
+Suddenly Fred, who was looking out of the doorway toward the house,
+uttered a low cry of alarm.
+
+"Get under cover, fellows, just as quick as you can!" he said. "Three of
+those Germans are coming down here!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE COMING OF THE WOLVES
+
+
+Fred's announcement came as a surprise. The Germans were coming from the
+house so rapidly that there was no time to leave the barn, the back door
+being closed and having some packing cases and hay against it.
+
+"Come on up in the loft!" cried Jack. "Be quick now!"
+
+"Why not hide down here in the hay?" suggested Andy.
+
+"Because they may try to get at those packing cases, and then they would
+probably discover us," was the reply. "Quick! This way!"
+
+Gif was already acting on the oldest Rover boy's suggestion and going up
+a ladder nailed to one side of the barn. Randy and the others followed,
+Fred being the last.
+
+At the top of the ladder was an opening to a large loft. Here there was
+more hay, and also some old farm implements which had evidently been
+hoisted there by means of a block and tackle.
+
+"Hush now," warned Gif, and the five cadets tiptoed their way toward the
+hay, bent upon secreting themselves should it become necessary to do so.
+
+The Germans carried two lanterns, for it was now quite dark in the barn.
+They were talking volubly in their native tongue, so that the cadets
+could understand very little of what was said. One man, a tall, burly
+individual, who was evidently more prosperous than the others, was
+addressed as Herr Bauermann, and he was the man mentioned by the woman
+who had refused to open the door and let Jack and Gif in.
+
+Herr Bauermann had come out to inspect the contents of the packing cases
+brought in by Herman Crouse. He had the two other men open the cases and
+take out layers of excelsior so that he might look at what was
+underneath. He gave a grunt of satisfaction and nodded his head
+approvingly, at the same time continuing to speak in German.
+
+All of the cadets were anxious to see what the boxes contained, and
+looked cautiously down the ladder opening and through some cracks in the
+loft flooring. All they could make out was some machinery, apparently
+electrical and similar to that in the other cases. There was also a
+large round package covered with heavy bagging, and this was found to
+contain more coils of wire of various sizes.
+
+While the men were looking around one of them suddenly stooped and
+picked up something from the floor. He passed this to the others, at the
+same time making some remark which, of course, the lads could not
+understand.
+
+"He's got a glove," whispered Jack.
+
+"It's one of my gloves! I dropped it when we climbed the ladder,"
+returned Randy in sudden alarm.
+
+The finding of the glove interested the Germans very much. They looked
+all around the barn, and for a few minutes the cadets were fearful that
+they would come up in the loft. But then they evidently concluded that
+the glove had been dropped by Herman Crouse, and placed it on a shelf.
+
+It was a good half hour before the Germans left the barn and returned to
+the house, and by that time the five cadets in the loft were almost
+frozen. They had been unable to move around and thus keep warm, and with
+the coming of night the thermometer was going down steadily.
+
+"Come on! let us get out of here," said Fred, his teeth chattering. "If
+we don't move soon I'll be frozen stiff."
+
+The boys came cautiously out of the barn and looked toward the house.
+Every curtain was tightly drawn, and lights shown only from the kitchen
+and the dining room of the old dwelling.
+
+"Those fellows are going to get supper," said Randy, "and I move we go
+home and do likewise. We can't learn anything more standing here, and if
+we went to the door and showed ourselves those men might get very
+suspicious."
+
+"All right! let's go back to the Lodge then," announced Jack. "Just the
+same, I'm going to investigate this matter further, and I'm not going to
+wait so very long either."
+
+"Oh, I guess we all want to investigate these Germans," said Fred
+quickly. "Don't you remember how we helped to round up those submarine
+rascals?" he added, referring to an affair which has been related in
+detail in the volume entitled, "The Rover Boys Under Canvas."
+
+Losing no more time, the five cadets hurried down the rough mountain
+road, and then struck off through the woods on a bee line for Cedar
+Lodge. This time Gif took good care that they should not become lost.
+But it was a long wearisome journey, and before the Lodge was reached
+every one of the lads was almost ready to drop from exhaustion. They
+were bitterly cold, and some of them thought their ears or noses must be
+frozen.
+
+"There's the light!" cried Fred at last, and he pointed to a candle
+which Spouter had had Stowell place in one of the windows.
+
+"Spouter must have done that to help us to find the way," said Jack.
+"Very thoughtful of him."
+
+As soon as they were a little closer they set up a ringing shout, and at
+once Henry Stowell came to the door and flung it open. All were glad
+enough to troop in and throw themselves down in comfortable seats before
+the blazing fire.
+
+"Me for a big hot supper!" announced Randy. "And I can't get it inside
+of me any too quick!"
+
+"Ditto right here," added Fred.
+
+"And don't forget to pass me a large portion, please," came from Andy.
+
+Under Spouter's directions, Stowell had already set a pot of water to
+boiling, and had likewise baked a large pan of pork and beans and made
+another pan of biscuits. Even though he had asked the sneak of Colby
+Hall to work, Spouter had spoken kindly to Stowell and given him some
+first-class advice, and this was evidently having its effect.
+
+"I've got my skates, and I'm going to skate down to Henryville
+to-morrow," said Stowell. "From there I can take the public sleigh to
+Timminsport, and go home that way. Wish I was there now!"
+
+Soon supper was under way, and, while eating, the other cadets related
+to their chum what they had seen and heard around the old house in the
+woods.
+
+"There sure is something wrong up there," declared Spouter, whose
+sprained ankle was much better. "Those fellows are up to no good. I
+think, Jack, we ought to notify the authorities."
+
+"We talked that over, Spouter; and we have concluded that we will take
+another look around the place first," was the reply.
+
+The others questioned Stowell again, but could get little further
+information from the young cadet. He was satisfied, however, that Werner
+had been doing some queer things for Tony Duval, and that Bill Glutts
+had assisted his crony.
+
+"There is something strange about the whole business," said he. "Once or
+twice I asked Bill or Gabe about it, but I never could get any
+satisfaction. I sometimes think carrying that message was only a bluff,
+and that the Germans were merely trying to test out Bill and Gabe, to
+see if they could not get them to do something else."
+
+In the morning came a big surprise. It was snowing and blowing
+furiously, and to go hunting or to do anything else outside was
+practically out of the question. The windows were coated with ice.
+
+"I guess I'll have to stay with you fellows for awhile," remarked
+Stowell dolefully. "I wouldn't dare to try to get to Henryville in such
+a snowstorm as this."
+
+"You stay right where you are, Henry, and make yourself comfortable,"
+said Gif. "As long as you're willing to do your share of the work around
+here, you shall have your share of whatever there is to eat."
+
+"It's very nice of you fellows to treat me this way after all that has
+happened," said the young cadet. "Of course I'll do my full share of the
+work. When I was with Bill and Gabe they always wanted me to do
+everything."
+
+The storm continued all that day, the wind, if anything, increasing in
+violence. All the boys could do was to keep the fire going and make
+themselves as comfortable as possible inside the Lodge. They read, wrote
+letters, and played games, and also tried their hands at more
+candy-making, and also the baking of some pies and cookies.
+
+"Gee! those pies are pretty good," announced Spouter, after a piece of
+one of them had been passed to him.
+
+"They ought to be good," returned Fred. "My face was nearly burned off
+baking them."
+
+"And please don't ask me to make any more doughnuts," announced Randy.
+"If I had to run a bake shop, I'd charge about twice as much as the
+regular bakers do."
+
+"He'd charge for the hole in the doughnut," came from his twin, with a
+grin.
+
+During the day they had once or twice heard a sound outside that was new
+to them. They were not sure, but Jack thought it might be a wolf, and to
+this Gif agreed.
+
+"There are wolves prowling around here," said the latter. "But I never
+knew of any to come close to the Lodge."
+
+"More than likely he's hungry and wants something to eat, and has
+smelled our stuff cooking," ventured Fred.
+
+They had an early supper, and then Gif said they would have to get in
+another supply of wood from the shed before retiring.
+
+"And we might as well get in a good supply while we are at it," he
+added. "If this snow keeps coming down we may not be able to get out at
+all to-morrow unless we do a lot of shoveling."
+
+It was no easy job to get to the woodshed, for the wind was still
+blowing furiously. When they opened the back door of the Lodge the snow
+came swirling in, almost blinding them.
+
+"No use of you fellows trying it," announced Jack to Fred and Stowell.
+
+"That's it," said Gif. "Four of us going out will be more than enough.
+You fellows can push the snow away from the door if you want to."
+
+With their overcoats buttoned up tightly and their caps pulled well down
+over their ears, Gif, Jack and the twins sallied forth in the direction
+of the woodshed, which was about fifty yards away. They had all they
+could do to make any progress, and when the shed was gained they were
+almost winded.
+
+"Say, we were foolish not to get this wood before," panted Gif.
+
+"Well, there is no use of finding fault now," answered Jack. "Come on.
+Now we have packed down the path a little it won't be quite so hard."
+
+The four boys made two trips to the woodshed, each time bringing all the
+logs they could carry. Then Randy wanted to call a halt.
+
+"I'm about played out," said he. "Let us get the rest in to-morrow."
+
+"That's just what I say," gasped his twin. "No use of killing
+ourselves."
+
+"I'm going to make one more trip," said Gif.
+
+"And so am I," added Jack.
+
+The pair stepped out of the house with the others watching them. In a
+minute more they disappeared from view in the storm and the darkness.
+
+"Gee! but it's going to be one awful night," cried Fred.
+
+"You've said it!" returned Randy. Then, of a sudden, he gave a start.
+"What's that?" he ejaculated.
+
+What he referred to was a long mournful howl which arose on the
+storm-laden air. This howl was followed by another, and then by a third.
+
+"It's wolves!" cried Fred.
+
+"Look! Look!" ejaculated Andy. "Look out there, will you? A whole pack
+of wolves!"
+
+"Yes, and they're coming right for the house!" wailed Stowell. "Shut
+that door quick, or they'll jump in on us!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+THE MAN IN THE GREY OVERCOAT
+
+
+"Don't shut the door!" cried Randy. "Remember, Gif and Jack are
+outside."
+
+"Hello out there!" yelled Spouter, hobbling to the door in the
+excitement. "Beware of the wolves!"
+
+Whether his voice carried to Jack and Gif through the storm they could
+not tell. Then came another howl from the wolves, this time in concert,
+and suddenly two of the slinking forms appeared close to the open door.
+The eyes of the beasts appeared so baneful to the cadets that they
+quickly slammed the barrier shut and bolted it.
+
+"But we can't leave Jack and Gif out there!" cried Fred. "Remember! they
+are unarmed."
+
+"Get the guns!" ordered Spouter. "Hurry up! We'll give those wolves all
+they are looking for."
+
+He hobbled across the floor to his own weapon, resting against the wall
+in a corner, and looked to see if it was loaded. The others also made a
+wild dash to arm themselves.
+
+In the meanwhile the howls of the wolves kept increasing. Two more of
+the beasts had come up close to the Lodge, so that the total number was
+now five.
+
+"Oh, oh! do you think they'll break into the house and eat us up?"
+wailed Stowell.
+
+"If they break in they'll get one mighty warm reception," answered Andy.
+"Come on! let us open that door and go after them," he continued boldly.
+
+Now that they were armed the Rovers and Spouter felt much safer, and
+they lost no time in getting back to the door which they had just
+closed.
+
+"Oh, dear! don't open the door," pleaded Stowell. "They'll jump right in
+on top of us!"
+
+"Not after we give 'em a few doses of shot," answered Spouter. "Here,
+Henry, you stand behind the door along with Fred. You, Andy and Randy,
+fire as soon as you catch sight of the wolves. I'll reserve my shot for
+any beast that tries to enter."
+
+"Wait!" called out Randy suddenly. "When you shoot at the wolves be sure
+to aim low. Otherwise the shots may carry through the storm and hit Gif
+or Jack."
+
+The door was opened cautiously by Fred, Stowell being too frightened to
+assist. Those ready to fire saw several of the wolves in a bunch less
+than fifteen feet away. The beasts had found some scraps of food which
+had been thrown out of the bungalow and were pawing for more in the
+snow.
+
+"Bang! bang!" went the shotguns in the hands of the twins. The wolves
+gave loud yelps of pain, and one leaped high in the air. Another uttered
+a fierce snarl, and then, seeing the young hunters, made a dash directly
+for them.
+
+It was a moment of great peril, for the wolf had been wounded just
+enough to make it tremendously ugly. Its eyes gleamed wickedly, and it
+showed every tooth in its wide-open mouth.
+
+But Spouter was on guard. He waited until the wolf was less than five
+feet from the door, and then blazed away. The charge of shot was so
+heavy that the beast fell back, its neck completely shattered.
+
+"Now give 'em a second barrel, boys!" cried Spouter, and a moment later
+three more reports rang out.
+
+Then, unable to resist the temptation to get into the fight, Fred caught
+up his gun and also fired, managing to catch one of the fleeing beasts
+in the hind quarters.
+
+"I guess that's the last of those wolves," remarked Spouter. "I don't
+believe they'll come around here again all winter."
+
+The wolf shot through the neck was dead, while at least two of the
+others were so badly wounded they could scarcely drag themselves away
+through the storm. The others disappeared as if by magic, racing along
+at the top of their speed.
+
+"Hello there!" came from out of the storm. "How did you make out with
+those wolves?" It was Jack who was calling, and a moment later he
+appeared with Gif following.
+
+"There is what is left of the pack!" cried Randy, pointing to the dead
+wolf. "Spouter brought that one down, and we managed to wound at least
+two others."
+
+"And those that could do it left quicker than them came," added his
+twin.
+
+"Good for you, Spouter!" cried Jack. "Evidently spraining your ankle
+didn't interfere with your marksmanship."
+
+"Huh! anybody could hit a target if he was right on top of it," answered
+the other cadet; nevertheless Spouter was immensely pleased over his
+success in laying the big wolf low.
+
+The carcass of the dead beast was dragged into the entryway, and then
+Gif and Jack brought a few more sticks of wood from the shed.
+
+"We'll have to skin that wolf," said Gif. "Spouter, you can get a very
+nice rug out of it, or maybe use the fur for some kind of a garment."
+
+"I'll send it home," said Spouter. "I know it will please the folks very
+much."
+
+It was not until some days later that the storm cleared away
+sufficiently for the boys to go out once more. Then, as they were
+running short of supplies, they decided to accompany Stowell down to
+Henryville, going as before on their skates.
+
+"I must say I rather hate to leave you fellows," declared the little
+cadet. "You've treated me very nicely--much better than I was treated by
+Bill and Gabe. When we get back to Colby Hall I won't forget it."
+
+"Well, you turn over a new leaf, Henry, and join the right crowd, and
+you'll get along much better," answered Jack. "It will never do a fellow
+any good to train with chaps like Glutts and Werner or with fellows like
+Nappy Martell and Slugger Brown."
+
+They found quite a little snow on the river and had often to plough
+across the drifts on their skates as best they could. But there were
+many long, cleared spaces, and here all of the cadets made good time,
+for even Stowell was a fairly good skater.
+
+"You'll be just in time, Henry," said Gif, as they came in sight of the
+town. "It's now half-past ten, and, if I remember rightly, the public
+sleigh for Timminsport leaves at eleven o'clock."
+
+Gif's surmise proved correct and all walked over to the hotel from which
+the sleigh for the other town started. It was an easy matter for Stowell
+to obtain accommodations in this turnout, and soon he had said good-bye
+and was bound for home.
+
+"I'm mighty glad he is going to give up training with Glutts and
+Werner," remarked Fred, and the others agreed with him.
+
+The boys had made out a list of what they wanted, and, leaving the
+hotel, they went over to the general store where they had traded before.
+The proprietor was glad to see them, especially when he found out they
+needed so many things.
+
+"I had a man in here last night asking about you," said the storekeeper
+when he was busy putting up their things.
+
+"Asking about us?" repeated Jack. "Who was he?"
+
+"I don't know. He was in here once before, two or three weeks ago asking
+about the different hunting lodges and lumber camps in this vicinity. He
+didn't give any name, and he didn't say what his business was."
+
+"What sort of looking man was he?" asked Gif.
+
+"Oh, just an ordinary looking sort of fellow--not very tall and not very
+short either. He had a clean-shaven face and dark hair and dark eyes."
+
+"How was he dressed?" questioned Fred.
+
+"He wore a dark grey overcoat and a slouch hat and fur gloves. He bought
+a couple of my best cigars, and stood around awhile, talking about the
+people who came to the store to trade. Then he asked about Cedar Lodge,
+and he wanted to know all about who was staying there. When he heard the
+name Rover he was very much interested, and when I told him you were a
+bunch of cadets from Colby Hall he said he would have to look you up."
+
+"Maybe he's a friend of ours!" cried Randy. "Too bad you didn't get the
+name."
+
+"I don't know as he was any particular friend. You see, he asked about
+some of the other places around here too--about Jed Wallop's place, and
+those shacks belonging to Tony Duval, and about the old Hunker cabin and
+the deserted Parkingham house, and the old Crosby camp, and those shacks
+down at Miller's saw mill, and a lot of places like that. I thought
+maybe he had an idea of buying some place and locating here."
+
+"He may have been nothing but a real estate agent," declared Andy.
+
+"What did you tell him about the old Parkingham house?" questioned Jack
+curiously.
+
+"I told him a bunch of foreigners were staying up there--I thought
+possibly they might be Germans trying to hide themselves so as to keep
+out of the draft. Say! do you suppose he might be a Government agent
+rounding up the slackers?" continued the storekeeper, with interest.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," answered Jack. "If he calls again ask him his
+name, and if he is a friend of ours tell him we would be glad to see him
+up at the lodge at any time."
+
+"All right, I'll do that."
+
+Had they not been hampered by so many bundles and packages, some of
+which were quite heavy, the cadets would have remained out hunting for
+the rest of the day. But as it was, they decided to skate directly home
+and obtain a belated lunch at the Lodge, and then, if they felt like it,
+go out later.
+
+"We're up here just for the fun of it, so there is no necessity of being
+too strenuous," said Gif. "We want to go back to Colby Hall feeling
+really refreshed."
+
+They had reached the river once more, and were busy putting on their
+skates, when they heard a shout behind them. Turning, they beheld a man
+who, as soon as he saw they were looking in his direction, waved his
+hand at them.
+
+"Excuse me, but are some of you the Rover boys?" he questioned, as he
+came closer.
+
+"Yes," answered Jack. "I am one of the Rovers, and these are my
+cousins," and he indicated the others.
+
+"I was up at the store, and the storekeeper told me you had just gone
+away and were bound up the river. If you don't mind, I would like to
+have a talk with you."
+
+The man was of medium size, with dark hair and dark eyes, and as he wore
+a dark grey overcoat and a slouch hat, the cadets immediately put him
+down for the individual mentioned to them by the storekeeper. He had a
+quiet smile on his face which was reassuring to all of the lads.
+
+"What is it you want to know?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Are you the Rovers from Colby Hall--the young men who had so much to do
+with rounding up those Germans at Camp Barlight and capturing that
+hidden submarine?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And you also helped in rounding up those other fellows who were trying
+to put through some deal with two men named Brown and Martell?"
+
+"We did," said Andy.
+
+"It was a fine thing to do, and it shows that you fellows are true
+blue," returned the man, with satisfaction.
+
+"Are you a Secret Service man?" questioned Jack suddenly.
+
+"Why do you want to know that, Rover?" was the counter question.
+
+"If you belong to the Secret Service you are just the man we are looking
+for."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LODGE
+
+
+"So you want to see a Secret Service man, eh?" said the newcomer, after
+a slight pause. "What's in the wind?"
+
+"We think we have discovered something that the Government ought to know
+about," answered Jack slowly.
+
+"But there isn't any use of our saying anything about it unless you are
+really a public official of some sort or other," broke in Randy hastily.
+
+After this there followed quite a conversation, the newcomer leading the
+boys on to tell what they knew concerning the Germans at the old
+Parkingham house, and also what they knew about Herman Crouse and Tony
+Duval.
+
+"I think I am on the right track at last," said the man. "And since you
+have told me so much I will return your confidences by stating that I
+_am_ a Secret Service officer. We had an idea that the Germans might try
+something of that sort in this vicinity, and I am pretty sure now that
+we are on the right track."
+
+"Try something of what sort?" questioned Andy.
+
+"We received word in a roundabout way over six weeks ago that an attempt
+would be made by the Germans to establish a radio station somewhere
+along this portion of the coast. The hills back of Timminsport and
+Henryville would make an ideal spot for such a station."
+
+"Do you mean a radio station from which they could send wireless
+messages all the way to Germany?" cried Fred.
+
+"Oh, no! Not such a distance as that. Such a station would require more
+power than they would be able to generate without heavy and complicated
+machinery. But it was thought they might establish a lesser station from
+which they could send wireless messages to any of their submarines or
+warships that might be sailing within a given distance of our shore."
+
+"You surely have struck it!" cried Randy. "Those coils of wire and the
+electrical things we saw in the packing cases up at their barn prove
+it."
+
+The Secret Service agent, who gave his name as William Pollock,
+questioned them still further, and then said he would get into immediate
+communication with his superiors.
+
+"You'll hear more from me in the near future," said he, when the talk
+had come to an end. "I'll probably be at Cedar Lodge in two or three
+days. In the meantime, if you want to do Uncle Sam a real service say
+nothing at all to any outsider of what you have discovered, or of your
+meeting with me."
+
+To this the cadets readily consented, and then William Pollock hurried
+off, to obtain a private turnout in which to get to Timminsport as
+speedily as possible.
+
+"Now I guess there will be something doing up at the Parkingham house
+before long," declared Gif, when they were once more on their way to the
+Lodge.
+
+"Yes, and there will be something doing at Tony Duval's place too,"
+returned Jack.
+
+"I wish we could be on hand to see what happens!" cried Randy wistfully.
+
+"Perhaps, if the Secret Service men come up here to make an arrest, they
+will allow us to go along with them," added his twin.
+
+On account of his ankle, which was still somewhat weak, Spouter had
+remained at the bungalow. When the others returned he listened with keen
+interest to all they had to tell.
+
+"Gee, that's great!" he exclaimed. "If those Germans are really guilty I
+hope the government officials round them up in short order."
+
+"Yes, and round up Tony Duval, too," added Fred.
+
+"What about Glutts and Werner?" questioned Andy.
+
+"Well, if they have been guilty of any treachery toward our Government,
+they ought to suffer," was the way Gif expressed himself.
+
+"Do you know, I'll feel rather sorry for that Herman Crouse, if he is
+mixed up in this," said Jack. "He seemed to be a pretty decent sort."
+
+"Well, in these war times a man has either got to be for Uncle Sam or
+against him," answered Spouter.
+
+Feeling certain that William Pollock would be unable to do anything that
+afternoon, the boys got a hasty lunch, and late in the afternoon went
+out for some more hunting. They tramped a distance of over two miles
+through the snow, and managed to bring down several rabbits and likewise
+a pheasant and some smaller birds.
+
+"I hope we don't see any more of those wolves," said Fred, when they had
+started to return to the Lodge.
+
+"Look! look!" cried Gif suddenly.
+
+He had scarcely spoken when Jack raised his gun and fired. Then the
+oldest Rover boy fired again, both shots being taken before the others
+could get their guns into action.
+
+"It's a fox!" cried Randy. "Jack, I guess you got him, too!"
+
+"I hope so," was Jack's answer as he stopped to reload his weapon.
+
+The animal he had fired at had been running across a small opening
+between the trees. At the first shot the game had made a turn, and at
+the second had given a leap and disappeared into a small hollow filled
+with snow.
+
+When the boys reached the hollow all they could see at first was the
+snow which had been kicked in several directions. But then they caught
+sight of a bushy tail peeping forth from the white covering.
+
+"It's a fox, all right enough!" exclaimed Gif.
+
+"Look out there! He may not be dead," warned Fred. "If he's alive and
+you touch him he may give you quite a bite."
+
+They advanced with caution, and Gif turned the animal over with the end
+of his gun barrel. He exposed a large fox of a silvery grey color. It
+was quite dead.
+
+"A silver fox!" came from Andy.
+
+"Jack, you've had your wish," said Gif. "It's a silver fox, all right
+enough."
+
+They dragged it forth from the hollow and examined the animal with much
+interest. The fur was somewhat reddish next to the hide, but the tips
+were white and silver grey.
+
+"A beautiful piece of fur, that's certain," said Gif. "Your folks will
+be glad to get it."
+
+"How about Ruth Stevenson getting it," said Randy, with a grin; and at
+this remark Jack blushed.
+
+A part of the next day was spent in skinning both the fox and the wolf.
+The boys wondered if they would see anything of the Secret Service
+agent, but he did not show himself.
+
+"They may take their own time about working up this case," remarked
+Spouter. "They may want to get just the right kind of evidence before
+they close in on the rascals."
+
+Another day went by, and again the lads went forth to try their skill
+both at hunting and at fishing. This time Spouter went along, and while
+the others were fishing with more or less success the orator of Colby
+Hall had the honor of stirring up a brook mink of fair size and laying
+it low.
+
+"You've got a nice little neck-piece there for somebody," said Jack, as
+he looked at the soft fur of the mink. "You can count yourself lucky."
+
+Another Sunday was passed in camp, but still the Secret Service agent
+did not show himself. On the Sabbath day Jed Wallop came down to see
+them. They said nothing to the old hunter of what was in the wind.
+
+"I am sorry to hear your vacation is drawin' to a close," said Jed
+Wallop. "But you ought to be purty well satisfied over what you've got.
+It ain't everybody that can git a silver fox and other foxes too, and a
+wolf and a brook mink, not to say anything about rabbits, squirrels,
+partridges, and sech. I think you lads have done wonderful well."
+
+"I think so myself," answered Gif.
+
+Monday morning the young hunters took it easy, and it was not until
+after lunch that they thought of going out once again with their guns.
+
+"Might as well make the best of what time is left to us," was the way
+Fred expressed himself. "Before long we'll have to be at the Colby Hall
+grind again."
+
+"Don't mention school to me," answered Andy. "This kind of a life suits
+me down to the heels."
+
+The boys were almost ready to leave the Lodge when they heard the jingle
+of sleigh bells and to their surprise saw a large sled approaching
+filled with the bundled-up figures of men.
+
+"Hello, it must be those Secret Service agents!" cried Gif. "Now maybe
+there will be something doing!"
+
+All watched the approach of the big sleigh, and were then surprised to
+see that the turnout contained the four Germans they had met before, and
+likewise Tony Duval and a sixth man, who was a stranger to them.
+
+"Are you at home?" called out the largest of the Germans, the man named
+Bauermann.
+
+"Looks as if we were, doesn't it?" answered Jack, as he stood in the
+doorway with the others peering over his shoulders.
+
+"We would like to have a talk with you, young man," went on Emil
+Bauermann, with a frown on his face. "We came over here on purpose to
+see you."
+
+"If you young men have been trying to make trouble for me you shall
+suffer for it," came in a growl from Tony Duval.
+
+"Who said we were trying to make trouble for you, Duval?" demanded Gif.
+
+"Bah! you cannot fool me, Garrison," said the hunter wrathfully.
+Evidently he was greatly excited.
+
+"Duval, let me handle this matter," remonstrated Emil Bauermann. "We
+want to have a serious talk with you young men," he added to the boys.
+
+All of the occupants of the big sleigh sprang out in the snow, and
+without waiting for an invitation to do so stalked into the Lodge.
+
+The Germans were evidently in a bad humor, and they glowered at the
+cadets in a way that made them feel far from comfortable.
+
+"What is it you want?" demanded Gif, not liking the manner of their
+intrusion.
+
+"We want to come to an understanding," growled one of the Germans.
+
+"You cannot play tricks behind our backs without taking the
+consequences," grumbled another.
+
+"Maybe you think you're smart, but you'll find that we are smarter,"
+added a third. "Many a man has been so smart that he has stuck his head
+into the noose."
+
+"Let me handle this matter," broke in Emil Bauermann, and then uttered
+some words in German. An animated discussion in that tongue followed,
+the cadets understanding next to nothing of what was said.
+
+"I do not like the looks of this at all," whispered Randy to Jack. "I
+believe they came here to do us harm."
+
+"That's the way it looks to me too," whispered Fred. "They must have got
+wind in some way of our being up around their place."
+
+The Germans had turned to the strange man who was with them, and when
+they pointed to the cadets this stranger nodded. Evidently he was
+identifying the boys.
+
+"It is as I thought," said Emil Bauermann sternly, as he glared at the
+young hunters. "This man saw you spying around our place and around the
+Duval place. What do you mean by such conduct? Explain yourselves or
+take my word for it, it will go hard with you," and he shook a menacing
+fist in their faces.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE EXPOSURE--CONCLUSION
+
+
+It must be confessed that the six cadets did not like the menacing
+attitude of the five Germans and Tony Duval. Evidently one of the
+men--the stranger--had been spying on them, and he had carried his
+information to the others.
+
+"That's right, Bauermann, make them explain themselves," growled Tony
+Duval. "And don't be too easy on 'em, either!"
+
+"See here, you have no right to come in here without being invited,"
+said Gif angrily.
+
+"Poof! what are you but a pack of silly schoolboys?" growled the German.
+"Perhaps you thought you were doing a wonderful thing spying around our
+house and our barn? You didn't know we had someone watching you all the
+time."
+
+"Yes, and watching you also when you spied on Duval," broke in another
+of the men.
+
+"Well, what do you want?" questioned Randy, after a brief and ominous
+pause.
+
+"We want you to tell us just what you have discovered and what you
+propose to do about it," answered Emil Bauermann. "And remember, I want
+the plain truth! No beating about the bush!" and he shook a warning
+finger at the cadets.
+
+While the man was speaking Jack had stepped to the rear of the crowd.
+Now he made a movement to pick up his gun, but at this one of the
+Germans rushed forward, pulling a pistol from his pocket as he did so.
+
+"Stop that! Don't you dare to touch that gun!" the man roared
+threateningly.
+
+"You can't order us around in our own house," declared Gif. "If you are
+going to talk like that you can get out."
+
+"We'll stay as long as we please; and if you boys don't behave
+yourselves, so much the worse for you," answered Emil Bauermann. "We are
+going to get to the bottom of your tricks, and do it now."
+
+"Suppose we have nothing to say," said Andy.
+
+"But you will say something," stormed another of the Germans. "If you
+don't--well, you will take the consequences, that's all."
+
+After this the Germans did their best to make the cadets give all the
+particulars regarding their visit to Tony Duval's shack, and also to the
+house and barn on the Parkingham place. They were anxious to ascertain
+just how much the boys knew, and also how much they suspected.
+
+But the cadets were on their guard, and refused to answer many of the
+questions put to them. This infuriated both the Germans and Duval, and
+for the time being it looked as if a fight was coming and the cadets
+might get the worst of it. All of the men were armed, and they did not
+permit any of the young hunters to touch their weapons. Instead, one of
+the men was ordered by Bauermann to confiscate the guns. And this he
+did, placing them in a heap outside of the Lodge.
+
+Seeing they could get very little out of the cadets, and suspecting that
+the lads were getting ready to notify the authorities, the Germans held
+another consultation in their own tongue and then called Duval to one
+side.
+
+"Just as I expected, we'll have to make prisoners of them for the time
+being," said Emil Bauermann to Duval. "We can take them up in the
+mountains, to that log cabin you spoke about."
+
+"But we can't take them in the sleigh," answered Duval.
+
+"Then you and two of my men will have to march them up there on foot. We
+can come up later and bring you supplies."
+
+"Do you think it's as bad as all that?" questioned Tony Duval nervously.
+
+"I do! They have learned too much! And if word of this got to the
+authorities it might go hard with all of us."
+
+Thereupon the six cadets were ordered to get their belongings together
+and prepare to leave the Lodge. All demurred, but the Germans and Duval
+showed their weapons and acted so threateningly that there was nothing
+left to do but to obey.
+
+"This is the worst yet!" groaned Fred. "Where in the world do they
+intend to take us?"
+
+"Don't ask me," replied Randy dismally.
+
+"If only we could get at our guns," whispered Gif.
+
+"Let's make a dash for them," suggested Jack.
+
+"Yes, and get shot down on the spot!" returned Spouter.
+
+With their belongings over their shoulders, the six cadets had just been
+marched out of the Lodge when there came an unexpected interruption.
+Glancing toward the river, Jack saw a body of men approaching. They were
+at least eight or ten in number, and the man in the lead was William
+Pollock.
+
+"Look! look!" whispered the oldest Rover boy to the others. "There is
+that Secret Service agent, and he has an armed posse with him."
+
+"Grab the guns and make for the Lodge," suggested Randy.
+
+A shout came from the woods as Pollock approached. This surprised the
+Germans and Duval, and, noting the number of men coming on, they were
+bewildered and did not know what to do. It was just such a diversion as
+the boys were hoping for, and in a trice they had rushed for their guns
+and secured their weapons. Then Jack sent up a shout.
+
+"Mr. Pollock! Mr. Pollock! This way! Here are those Germans now! And
+Tony Duval is with them!"
+
+The things that happened next came so rapidly that it is almost
+impossible to describe them. At first the Germans and Duval sought to
+make resistance, and several shots were fired by them. The boys and some
+of the Secret Service posse fired in return, and Duval was struck in the
+arm and one of the Germans got a bullet through his leg. Then the
+Germans and Duval made a rush for the sleigh in an endeavor to escape.
+
+But William Pollock and his men had handled such desperate characters
+before. Two of them leaped in front of the moving horses and stopped
+them, while the others surrounded the men in the sleigh and pointed
+their guns at the fellows.
+
+"Hands up, all of you!" ordered Pollock sternly. "Quick now, if you
+don't want us to fire!"
+
+At heart the Germans were cowards, and even though they still held their
+pistols, when they saw the uplifted guns of, not alone the posse, but
+also the cadets, pointed at them, they raised their hands without
+further protest, and Tony Duval did the same; and thus the brief but
+sharp encounter came to a termination.
+
+"You are making a terrible mistake," said Emil Bauermann lamely. "We
+have done no wrong."
+
+"You can tell your story in court," answered William Pollock briefly,
+and thereafter he made the Germans and Duval give up all their weapons.
+Then he had some of his men search the evildoers and take from them
+whatever papers and documents they carried. When he had a list of their
+names he looked well satisfied.
+
+"Bauermann, we have been trying to round you up for the past six
+months," said he sternly. "You know you are wanted for that little
+affair in Philadelphia." And at this the German looked much disturbed.
+
+The cadets were exceedingly thankful for the opportune arrival of the
+Secret Service man and his posse.
+
+"Well, I told you I would come," said he. "I was delayed a little
+though. You know in these war times matters do not always move as
+swiftly as one would want. A good deal of the credit for this haul goes
+to you boys," he added with a smile.
+
+Much to the surprise of the cadets, in the crowd of newcomers was Herman
+Crouse. The German-American farmer seemed well satisfied with what had
+taken place.
+
+"Mr. Pollock knows that I am true-blue," said he. "That Bauermann and
+the rest of his gang thought they could use me. But I have fooled them
+nicely. There is but one country for old Herman Crouse, and that is the
+good old United States of America," and his face beamed as he spoke.
+
+"That's the right way to talk!" cried Jack. "You don't know how pleased
+I am to know the man we hauled out of that train wreck is true-blue."
+
+"If we had thought you were a traitorous German, we might have left you
+to shift for yourself," added Randy. "Although maybe I wouldn't have had
+the heart to do that, either," he added, on second thought.
+
+After the Germans and Duval had been made prisoners they were left at
+the Lodge in charge of two of the Secret Service men and the cadets.
+Then William Pollock and the other men took the sleigh and lost no time
+in making their way to the old Parkingham house. They had some trouble
+with the old German housekeeper, but wasted no words with her and
+finally compelled her to tell all she knew. The old house was ransacked
+from top to bottom for evidence against the Germans, after which the
+posse turned its attention to the contents of the barn.
+
+The results were as William Pollock had anticipated. These Germans,
+aided by a number of others and also by Duval, were getting ready to
+erect a fair-sized radio station in the woods behind the old house.
+Duval had carried many messages for them and also done some trucking. He
+was hand-in-glove with them, willing to make money at any cost. He told
+later that both his mother and his grand-mother had been Germans.
+
+As Herman Crouse had said, he had been used to do some trucking for the
+Germans, and had likewise been asked to perform a number of errands. But
+gradually he had become suspicious of the men, and was thinking
+seriously of notifying the authorities when the cadets appeared on the
+scene.
+
+"And what about Bill Glutts and Gabe Werner?" questioned Jack of William
+Pollock later on, when the Secret Service men were getting ready to take
+the Germans and Duval away.
+
+"I can't tell you all the particulars about those two young fellows,"
+answered the Secret Service man. "The Germans evidently used them, but
+whether Glutts and Werner knew the truth of what the Germans were doing
+remains to be found out."
+
+It may be added here that Glutts and Werner were very much scared over
+the position in which they found themselves, and when the Germans and
+Duval came up for a hearing the parents of the two young fellows had all
+they could do to convince the authorities that Gabe and Bill were really
+patriotic.
+
+"Well, I'm mighty glad we are clear of those Germans, and of Tony Duval,
+too," said Gif, after the evildoers had been taken away. "Now maybe we
+can finish our outing in peace."
+
+And this they did. Jed Wallop came over to see them and went out with
+the young hunters a number of times. No larger game appeared, but they
+brought down a number of rabbits and squirrels, as well as partridges
+and some smaller birds, and with this they had to be content.
+
+During those days the boys received several letters from the girls, and
+also a letter from Mrs. Tom Rover enclosing one from her husband in
+France. This latter epistle stated that the writer and his brother Sam
+had recovered from the shell wounds received, and that Dick Rover was no
+longer suffering from the effects of the gas attack he had experienced.
+
+"Gee! this is the best news yet," cried Jack, with satisfaction.
+
+"You've said it!" came from the twins; and Fred's face also showed his
+satisfaction.
+
+"Well, we've certainly had a wonderful outing," declared Randy.
+
+"And how many queer things have happened!" added his twin. "I don't
+believe we'll ever have as much excitement as this again."
+
+But in this surmise Andy was mistaken. There were many happenings still
+in store for the boys, and what some of them were will be related in our
+next volume, to be entitled "The Rover Boys in the Land of Luck; Or,
+Stirring Adventures in the Oil Fields."
+
+"Well, we'll be going back to Colby Hall before long," said Gif, that
+evening.
+
+"But first you'll have to testify against those Germans and Tony Duval,"
+answered Spouter.
+
+"Good old Colby Hall!" cried Jack. "I don't know but what I'll be glad
+enough to get back there, after all, and see all the other fellows."
+
+"And see the girls of Clearwater Hall, too," put in Andy slyly.
+
+"We'll certainly have some stories to tell--how we brought down all that
+game," came from Fred, his eyes glistening.
+
+Then in the best of good humor the boys started singing one of their
+favorite school songs. And here we will leave them and say good-bye.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+Other books published by GROSSET & DUNLAP, New York
+
+
+_This Isn't All!_
+
+Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in
+this book?
+
+Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and
+experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
+
+On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you
+will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same
+store where you got this book.
+
+_Don't throw away the Wrapper_
+
+_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But
+in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete
+catalog._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BOOKS BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD (Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+    THE FIRST ROVER BOYS SERIES
+
+    THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
+    THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
+    THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE
+    THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA
+    THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR
+
+
+    THE SECOND ROVER BOYS SERIES
+
+    THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+    THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
+    THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
+
+
+    THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES
+
+    THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS
+    THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS
+    THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS
+    THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION
+    THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT
+    THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE HARDY BOYS SERIES
+
+By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
+
+Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself
+
+The Hardy Boys are sons of a celebrated American detective, and during
+vacations and their off time from school they help their father by
+hunting down clues themselves.
+
+    THE TOWER TREASURE--A dying criminal confessed that
+    his loot had been secreted "in the tower." It remained for the
+    Hardy Boys to clear up the mystery.
+
+    THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF--Mr. Hardy started to investigate--and
+    disappeared! An odd tale, with plenty of excitement.
+
+    THE SECRET OF THE OLD MILL--Counterfeit money was
+    in circulation, and the limit was reached when Mrs. Hardy took
+    some from a stranger. A tale full of thrills.
+
+    THE MISSING CHUMS--Two of the Hardy Boys' chums
+    disappear and are almost rescued by their friends when all are
+    captured. A thrilling story of adventure.
+
+    HUNTING FOR HIDDEN GOLD--In tracing some stolen
+    gold the trail leads the boys to an abandoned mine, and there
+    things start to happen.
+
+    THE SHORE ROAD MYSTERY--Automobiles were disappearing
+    most mysteriously from the Shore Road. It remained for
+    the Hardy Boys to solve the mystery.
+
+    THE SECRET OF THE CAVES--When the boys reached
+    the caves they came unexpectedly upon a queer old hermit.
+
+    THE MYSTERY OF CABIN ISLAND--A story of queer
+    adventures on a rockbound island.
+
+    THE GREAT AIRPORT MYSTERY--The Hardy Boys solve
+    the mystery of the disappearance of some valuable mail.
+
+    WHAT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT--The boys follow a
+    trail that ends in a strange and exciting situation.
+
+    WHILE THE CLOCK TICKED--The Hardy Boys aid in vindicating
+    a man who has been wrongly accused of a crime.
+
+    FOOTPRINTS UNDER THE WINDOW--The Smuggling
+    of Chinese into this country is the basis of this story in which the
+    boys find thrills and excitement aplenty.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+TED SCOTT FLYING STORIES
+
+By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
+
+Illustrated. Each Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+No subject has so thoroughly caught the imagination of young America as
+aviation. This series has been inspired by recent daring feats of the
+air, and is dedicated to Lindbergh, Byrd, Chamberlin and other heroes of
+the skies.
+
+    OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS;
+    _or, Ted Scott's Daring Long Distance Flight._
+
+    RESCUED IN THE CLOUDS;
+    _or, Ted Scott, Hero of the Air._
+
+    OVER THE ROCKIES WITH THE AIR MAIL;
+    _or, Ted Scott Lost in the Wilderness._
+
+    FIRST STOP HONOLULU;
+    _or, Ted Scott Over the Pacific._
+
+    THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST FLYERS;
+    _or, Ted Scott Over the West Indies._
+
+    SOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE;
+    _or, Ted Scott On a Secret Mission._
+
+    ACROSS THE PACIFIC;
+    _or, Ted Scott's Hop to Australia._
+
+    THE LONE EAGLE OF THE BORDER;
+    _or, Ted Scott and the Diamond Smugglers._
+
+    FLYING AGAINST TIME;
+    _or, Breaking the Ocean to Ocean Record._
+
+    OVER THE JUNGLE TRAILS;
+    _or, Ted Scott and the Missing Explorers._
+
+    LOST AT THE SOUTH POLE;
+    _or, Ted Scott in Blizzard Land._
+
+    THROUGH THE AIR TO ALASKA;
+    _or, Ted Scott's Search in Nugget Valley._
+
+    FLYING TO THE RESCUE;
+    _or, Ted Scott and the Big Dirigible._
+
+    DANGER TRAILS OF THE SKY;
+    _or, Ted Scott's Great Mountain Climb._
+
+    FOLLOWING THE SUN SHADOW;
+    _or, Ted Scott and the Great Eclipse._
+
+    BATTLING THE WIND;
+    _or, Ted Scott Flying Around Cape Horn._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BOB CHASE BIG GAME SERIES
+
+By FRANK A. WARNER
+
+In these thrilling stories of outdoor life the hero is a young
+lumberjack who is a crack rifle shot. While tracking game in the Maine
+woods he does some rich hunters a great service. They become interested
+in him and take him on various hunting expeditions in this country and
+abroad. Bob learns what it is to face not only wildcats, foxes and deer
+but also bull moose, Rocky Mountain grizzly bears and many other species
+of big game.
+
+    BOB CHASE WITH THE BIG MOOSE HUNTERS
+
+    BOB CHASE AFTER GRIZZLY BEARS
+
+    BOB CHASE IN THE TIGER'S LAIR
+
+    BOB CHASE WITH THE LION HUNTERS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rover Boys on a Hunt
+by Arthur M. Winfield (Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT ***
+
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