initial commit of ebook 22924HEADmain

205 files changed, 20056 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/22924-8.txt b/22924-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..198df00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6364 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pathfinder, by Alan Douglas
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Pathfinder
+       or, The Missing Tenderfoot
+
+Author: Alan Douglas
+
+Release Date: October 8, 2007 [EBook #22924]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATHFINDER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephen Blundell and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ PATHFINDER
+ OR
+ THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+
+
+
+ +----------------------------------------------+
+ |                                              |
+ |          COMPLETE ROSTER, WHEN THE           |
+ |           PATROLS WERE FILLED, OF            |
+ |                                              |
+ |           THE HICKORY RIDGE TROOP            |
+ |                OF BOY SCOUTS                 |
+ |                                              |
+ |     MR. RODERIC GARRABRANT, SCOUT MASTER     |
+ |                                              |
+ |                                              |
+ |               THE WOLF PATROL                |
+ |                                              |
+ |   ELMER CHENOWITH, Patrol Leader, and also   |
+ |            Assistant Scout Master            |
+ |                                              |
+ | MARK CUMMINGS                                |
+ |   TED (THEODORE) BURGOYNE                    |
+ |     TOBY (TOBIAS) ELLSWORTH JONES            |
+ |       "LIL ARTHA" (ARTHUR) STANSBURY         |
+ |         CHATZ (CHARLES) MAXFIELD             |
+ |           PHIL (PHILIP) DALE                 |
+ |             GEORGE ROBBINS                   |
+ |                                              |
+ |                                              |
+ |              THE BEAVER PATROL               |
+ |                                              |
+ |   MATTY (MATTHEW) EGGLESTON, Patrol Leader   |
+ |                                              |
+ | "RED" (OSCAR) HUGGINS                        |
+ |   TY (TYRUS) COLLINS                         |
+ |     JASPER MERRIWEATHER                      |
+ |       TOM CROPSEY                            |
+ |         LARRY (LAWRENCE) BILLINGS            |
+ |           HEN (HENRY) CONDIT                 |
+ |             LANDY (PHILANDER) SMITH          |
+ |                                              |
+ |                                              |
+ |               THE EAGLE PATROL               |
+ |                                              |
+ |         JACK ARMITAGE, Patrol Leader         |
+ |                                              |
+ |              NAT (NATHAN) SCOTT              |
+ |                                              |
+ | (OTHERS TO BE ENLISTED UNTIL THIS PATROL HAS |
+ |        REACHED ITS LEGITIMATE NUMBER)        |
+ |                                              |
+ +----------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Elmer tries to tell us he is pursuing the two who headed
+northwest."]
+
+
+
+
+ THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
+
+
+          PATHFINDER
+              OR
+    THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+
+              BY
+
+     CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS
+         SCOUT MASTER
+
+
+   THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+           NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+ COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY
+ THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+ CHAPTER                                       PAGE
+
+    I.--THE BIRCH-BARK MESSAGE                   17
+
+   II.--AT THE HAUNTED MILL                      25
+
+  III.--THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF NAT         34
+
+   IV.--THE SEARCH FOR A CLEW                    42
+
+    V.--THE TRAIL GROWS WARMER                   50
+
+   VI.--HUNTING FOR THE MISSING SCOUT            58
+
+  VII.--THE AMBITION OF LANDY                    67
+
+ VIII.--READING THE SIGNS                        75
+
+   IX.--SETTING THE TRAP                         84
+
+    X.--HOW THE TRAP WORKED                      93
+
+   XI.--RUN DOWN                                101
+
+  XII.--THE LANGUAGE OF SIGNS                   110
+
+ XIII.--THE CALL OF THE WOLF                    119
+
+  XIV.--THE NEED OF A PATHFINDER                127
+
+   XV.--RESCUED--CONCLUSION                     136
+
+
+
+
+ PATHFINDER
+ OR
+ THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+
+
+
+THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
+
+PATHFINDER;
+
+OR,
+
+THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE BIRCH-BARK MESSAGE.
+
+
+"Hold on, boys; here's a stick standing upright in the trail. And look,
+fellows, there's a piece of nice new birch bark held fast in the cloven
+end, that grips it like the jaws of a vise."
+
+"Say, it's a message, all right."
+
+"And from our crack-a-jack pathfinder, Elmer Chenowith, too, I warrant
+you."
+
+"What do you say, Matty? Is Red Huggins right?"
+
+Seven boys had come to a halt in the heart of the big woods. They were a
+rather husky-looking set, all told, and evidently bent on getting all
+the benefit possible from being outdoors through the last few weeks of
+vacation time.
+
+The one appealed to, Matty Eggleston by name, was something of a leader
+among the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts.
+
+In fact, he was at the head of the Beaver Patrol, and studying
+constantly in order to attain the rank of a first-class scout.
+
+There are so very many things a boy must know in order to reach this
+ambition that comparatively few scouts ever attain it. But by
+concentrating all his energies upon one particular study he may earn a
+merit badge, which it will make him proud to wear.
+
+Matty took the piece of bark from the cloven stick. The other six boys
+clustered eagerly around, anxious to see what sort of message it could
+be that the assistant scout master had left in the trail.
+
+They were out to try a new experience, and one that appealed to every
+boy in the bunch.
+
+A party of the scouts, their identity and number unknown to Elmer and
+the balance, had started off for the woods early in the day.
+
+An hour later, Elmer, with one companion, had taken up the trail, and
+when a second hour had elapsed the balance of those who were bent upon
+playing the game left town in two detachments.
+
+It had been arranged that Elmer was to act as pathfinder and tracker. He
+would in turn leave a plain trail that a child could follow.
+
+Besides this, he had promised to transmit from time to time some sort of
+message. Thus those who came along in the rear, in two detachments,
+would be kept in touch with events, and also advised as to what they
+should do.
+
+The party bringing up the rear was headed by Mark Cummings, who was
+Elmer's particular chum. He was really the bugler of the troop; but for
+this occasion Elmer himself carried that instrument, with the idea of
+calling the scouts together at some time later on.
+
+"Hey, look at that, would you; it's all marked up with crow's feet
+tracks!" exclaimed Landy Smith, a rather fat boy who had only recently
+joined the Wolf Patrol, making the eighth and last member.
+
+"What's Elmer think we are, a lot of kids, to leave us an illustrated
+rebus to guess? Looks to me like a little boy's first try to draw cows
+and Noah's Ark people."
+
+Some of the others laughed when George Robbins gave expression to his
+disgust in this way. George was a cousin to Landy, and had also recently
+signed the muster roll of the scouts, although he belonged to Matty's
+patrol, the Beaver.
+
+"You've got a heap to learn yet, George," said Red Huggins, shaking his
+head at the offender.
+
+"In what way?" demanded the other.
+
+"Why, this is what they call Injun picture writing," replied Red,
+obligingly.
+
+"Oh! it is, eh? But what's that got to do with finding a trail, or
+following one that's already found?" asked the latest tenderfoot.
+
+"A heap, as you'll soon learn, my boy," replied Red, with a pitying
+look, as if he could not understand how anyone should be so green.
+"Matty, suppose you enlighten him a little, won't you--that is, if
+you've got through reading your letter?"
+
+"Letter!" ejaculated both Landy and George--"that thing a letter?"
+
+"A short and sweet one," remarked Matty. "You see, Elmer has signed it
+with what I make out to be the paw of a wolf. That's the totem of his
+patrol, while mine is a beaver tail, and the third one would be the claw
+of an eagle."
+
+"Say, that sounds kind of interesting like," observed Landy. "I rather
+expect I'll cotton to this same Injun picture writing letter business,
+once I get at the secret key of it."
+
+"That's where you're away off to start with, Landy," remarked Matty,
+laughing, "because you see there's nothing hidden about this business at
+all. In fact, the one particular idea with the one who writes a message
+in Indian picture writing is to make it so simple a child might
+understand."
+
+"Well, I declare," cried the fat scout, who was not in khaki uniform
+like four of his companions, simply because he and George were waiting
+until the town tailor, father to Jasper Merriweather, one of the members
+of the troop, could complete their suits--"then, if a baby could
+understand what our pathfinder has left for us, perhaps now there might
+be some chance for me."
+
+"Oh! it's as easy as falling off a log, once you get the hang of it,"
+declared Larry Billings.
+
+"Look here, and I'll show you, fellows," remarked Matty, holding the
+bark up so that everyone present could see the lead-pencil marks.
+
+"Looks like several men, to start with," interposed George.
+
+"Good enough, George," said the patrol leader, "and that's just what
+they are. Count them, will you?"
+
+"One, two, three."
+
+"That's right. So you see, to begin with, our pathfinder tells us the
+enemy ahead are three in number. Now, do you see anything close by those
+three figures of men?" and Matty held the bark directly in front of
+Landy and George.
+
+"Sure," replied George. "Under one is a mark--say, it looks like the
+same down at the bottom of the letter, and you said that was the sign or
+totem of the Wolf Patrol."
+
+"Just so; and this tells us the first fellow is a member of that patrol.
+Under the others you will see marks to indicate that they are members of
+the Beaver and the Eagle patrols."
+
+"That's so, Matty; I can see 'em," declared Landy, who evidently did not
+wish his cousin to get all the credit for smartness.
+
+"All right. Let's get on a little," said Matty. "First notice two have
+hats on, while the third wears none. Now, you may think that an accident
+in drawing, but it isn't at all. Elmer meant it for something."
+
+"And I can guess what it is," declared Chatz Maxfield, the Southern boy.
+
+"Then tell the rest of us," cried several.
+
+"Why, it's dead easy," was his reply. "Stop and think; who's always
+losing his hat every chance he gets?"
+
+"Nat Scott!" quickly exclaimed Landy.
+
+"All right. And don't we happen to know that Nat was one of those who
+went ahead of Elmer and Lil Artha by an hour or so," laughed Red.
+
+"Well, I declare!" cried Landy, "and do you mean to say Elmer has
+guessed that, or did he see the fellows before he wrote this letter?"
+
+"Neither one nor the other. He just figured it out from something he
+found. Perhaps he knows what the print of Nat's shoe looks like, for we
+all make different tracks, you know."
+
+"Yes," said Chatz, "that would be just like Elmer. He's the most
+observing, wide-awake fellow I ever knew since I came up from the South.
+I've seen him measuring some of our tracks, and making a copy in that
+wonderful little book of his."
+
+"Now, let's get on a little further. Do you see that the second figure,
+no matter how often he appears, always has his left leg bent a little?"
+and Matty pointed in several places to confirm his statement.
+
+Immediately Red laughed aloud, and then in one breath he and Larry
+exclaimed:
+
+"That's Ty Collins, as sure as anything!"
+
+"I guess you've hit the mark," said Matty, "and that was just what Elmer
+was trying to tell us. Ty's left leg has always been a little crooked
+since he fell out of that cherry tree three years ago. Now, the third
+fellow got me at first, but come to look at him he seems a little
+different from the others. See here, and here, and here."
+
+"That's a fact," declared Landy, scratching his nose in a way he had
+when puzzled.
+
+"He can't mean he's a dead one, and sprouting wings, can he?" asked
+George.
+
+"Wings! I've got it, fellows!" shouted Red.
+
+"Then pass it around to the rest, because I'm all up a stump," observed
+Larry.
+
+"Shucks! don't you know there's only one fellow in the whole troop who's
+always sighing because he can't fly, and wishes he had wings?" demanded
+Red, promptly.
+
+"Toby Jones, the boy who's bent on sailing through the clouds some day!"
+cried Chatz.
+
+"Exactly," remarked Matty. "And in this clever way our pathfinder has
+told us who the three scouts ahead are. Now he shows them coming to a
+fork in the trail. One goes to the north, and the others to the
+northwest. Which party can be carrying the wampum belt we expect to
+trace down?"
+
+All of them looked again, and while several shook their heads Red
+remarked:
+
+"Seems to me one of the two that kept together fell down just at the
+fork of the trail. Was that only an accident, Matty, or a part of the
+play?"
+
+"I believe it was done on purpose," the other replied. "Because, if you
+look closely, you'll find that the one who stretched out on the ground
+was Ty, and that from that time on he has a funny little wiggly line
+drawn around his waist."
+
+"Sure, he has. That must be the wampum belt," exclaimed Red.
+
+"Yes. No doubt he was instructed by our scout master, Mr. Garrabrant,
+that when they separated the fellow carrying the belt must do
+_something_ to show it. That was a clever dodge of Ty's to lie down, and
+make an impression in the earth."
+
+"Yes, and smarter yet for Elmer to discover the impression, and read
+it," declared Chatz.
+
+"What else does the letter say?" asked Landy, who seemed quite enthused
+now, after discovering how exceedingly interesting this communicating by
+means of Indian picture writing might become.
+
+"Elmer tries to tell us he is pursuing the two who headed northwest. You
+see he has made an arrow showing this fact," Matty continued.
+
+"But there are some other marks; can you make them out at all?" asked
+Landy.
+
+"This is certainly a fire. Before separating, the three enemies built a
+fire and pretended to feed. Here they are sitting around the blaze and
+eating; and if you look over yonder right now, you'll see the ashes
+where the fire has been."
+
+All of them hurried across to where Matty pointed.
+
+"By all that's wonderful, there has been a camp fire here," said Landy.
+
+"You're a little off there, Landy," corrected the leader of the Beaver
+Patrol; "this was only a little cooking blaze, not a camp fire."
+
+"But what's the difference?" demanded the new recruit; "I thought a fire
+must be a fire."
+
+"Well," said Matty, "when hunters are in a hostile country and want to
+prepare a meal they dig a hole and make a small blaze in it that will be
+hot enough for their purpose, but which might not be seen fifty feet
+away."
+
+"And a camp fire?" continued the novice.
+
+"Quite a different matter. That is generally a rousing blaze made for
+comfort, and at a time when no danger is feared. This was only a cooking
+fire," Matty went on to explain, as he again thrust the "message" into
+the jaws of the cloven stick.
+
+"Do you know how long ago this fire was made?" asked George.
+
+"The ashes are cold now, but they must have been warm when Elmer was
+here. He says so--anyhow, that's the way I read it. Here are four hands
+held up. Counting fingers and thumbs he wants us to know he has gained
+on the enemy, and was only twenty minutes behind when they separated at
+this fire."
+
+"Well, that takes the cake!" ejaculated Landy, whose whole appearance
+indicated amazement.
+
+"I wonder if it's going to turn out so?" remarked George, who was always
+unbelieving, and hence sometimes called by his friends "Doubting
+George."
+
+"Well, we'll prove it later," said Matty, "because I am putting all
+these things down in my record. When we come together Elmer will tell us
+what he meant, and read our answers out loud. Then well see how that
+second squad come out. But let's be on the move again, fellows. Plenty
+to do before we overhaul our pathfinder, and find out if he secured the
+wampum belt. Come along, everybody!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+AT THE HAUNTED MILL.
+
+
+Once more the little squad of scouts resumed their forward movement.
+
+Matty remained at their head, as before. This game was growing more
+delightful to him every minute, and some of the others were feeling the
+same way.
+
+Of course it was easy work for those who came after, and the second
+bunch, headed by Mark Cummings, would have, as Red expressed it, a
+"snap."
+
+The real work of following the trail was falling upon Elmer and his
+companion, the tall, angular fellow known among his mates as Lil Artha.
+
+In carrying out the purpose of the game they were to do all the reading
+of the signs, and leave a plain track for those who came after. But the
+two detachments of scouts were expected to pick up as much knowledge
+concerning the methods used as they could.
+
+Besides this, they must read the messages left occasionally by their
+pathfinder.
+
+For quite some time the boys scurried along. More than once they had to
+quicken their pace to what Matty called a "dog-trot." This happened
+especially when the "signs" were very plain.
+
+"Why all this haste?" asked Landy, who seemed to be puffing a little,
+because of his being rather a stout boy, and not very well up in
+athletics.
+
+"Because we want to gain on Elmer when we have the chance," replied the
+leader.
+
+"But look here, Matty," said Landy, "do you mean to tell me Elmer is
+getting along about as fast as we've been doing, when he has a blind
+trail to follow, and we have a plain one?"
+
+"Looks like it, don't it?" exclaimed Red.
+
+"But how under the sun does he do it?" pursued the doubting greenhorn.
+
+"Well," Matty went on, "Elmer lived in Canada, away up where our
+blizzards come from. He used to ride a wild broncho, throw a rope, hunt
+antelope and wolves, and was once in at the death of a big grizzly bear
+that had been playing hob with their cattle."
+
+"Yes, I've heard all that," admitted Landy.
+
+"So you see he learned a lot about following a trail that would never be
+seen by any fellows like us scouts. He knows a dozen signs that tell him
+the facts. And when greenhorns like Ty, Nat, and Toby try to fool him,
+why, he just eats the trail up."
+
+Matty, as he finished speaking, came to a sudden pause.
+
+"We might as well take a breathing spell," he remarked, "because we're
+getting pretty close to the meeting place anyhow. Besides, here's a
+chance for me to show you how Elmer manages."
+
+The others crowded around, eager to see for themselves what object
+lesson Matty expected to lay before them.
+
+"Now I want you to notice right here," he said, pointing to the ground,
+"that the footprints of the two boys ahead suddenly stop. Here are the
+plain marks left purposely by Elmer and Lil Artha. Do you notice how
+they run alongside this fallen tree?"
+
+"That's a fact," declared George, as all of them walked slowly along.
+
+"The two foxes in the lead thought to puzzle the hounds by jumping on
+this long log, and running its entire length," said Matty, with a grin,
+"but they had their trouble for nothing. Why, it was such an old trick
+that Elmer guessed it at a glance. He must have gained quite a lot on
+'em here."
+
+George and Landy exchanged glances.
+
+"Well, there's a heap more in this game than I ever thought of,"
+admitted the latter.
+
+"Don't see how he does it," remarked George, with a doubting shake of
+his head.
+
+"Oh, the more you study up on this thing," said Red, "the better you'll
+like it. No end of clever stunts that can be engineered. But see here,
+Matty, didn't you say we must be getting near the place where we
+expected to round up both foxes and hounds?"
+
+"Yes, I'm looking to hear the bugle any minute right now," replied the
+leader.
+
+"Where was it fixed for?" asked Landy.
+
+"Oh, I thought you knew," Matty replied, as they once more took up the
+broad trail, at the point beyond the end of the fallen tree.
+
+"I heard some talk about an old mill, but didn't pay much attention to
+it," remarked Landy, carelessly.
+
+"Then you've got to turn over a new leaf, old fellow, if you expect to
+ever succeed as a good scout," Red broke in with.
+
+"How's that?" demanded Landy.
+
+"Because," replied the red-headed lad, himself always wide-awake and on
+the alert, "a scout to succeed must forever keep his wits about him and
+observe things. In fact, Elmer says he should take as a motto, besides
+the words 'Be Prepared' the old sign you see at railroad crossings."
+
+"Stop! look! listen!" exclaimed Matty, Larry, and Chatz in chorus.
+
+"I suppose I _am_ somewhat sleepy," grumbled Landy, "but perhaps some
+day I'll surprise you wide-awake Slim Jims by doing something real
+smart. But tell me more about this mill."
+
+"You sure must have heard of Munsey's mill?" remarked Matty.
+
+"Oh, I believe it does sound kind of familiar, but then I must have
+forgotten all I ever heard about it," Landy confessed.
+
+Red and Matty exchanged glances, and shook their heads mournfully. It
+seemed a pretty tough proposition to ever expect to make a good and
+profitable scout out of such poor material.
+
+"Well," said the patrol leader, "there is a long story connected with
+the old ramshackle mill. No use of my going into all the details. It's
+been abandoned a good many years now. People have tried to live there
+three times since old Munsey was found dead there, but they had to give
+it up."
+
+"Yes, suh," Chatz broke in, his eyes shining brightly, for this was a
+subject that appealed very strongly to him, "they just couldn't hold
+out. Got cold feet after going through the experience and had to quit."
+
+"But why?" demanded Landy.
+
+"Because they declared the old mill was haunted!" replied Matty.
+
+"Yes, suh, it was haunted," echoed Chatz.
+
+The Southern boy had always confessed to a streak of superstition in his
+make-up. He admitted that he must have imbibed it from association with
+the ignorant little negro lads with whom he had been accustomed to play
+down on the plantation.
+
+He had even admitted once to carrying in his pocket, as a charm, the
+left hind foot of a rabbit, which animal had been killed by himself in a
+graveyard when the moon was full.
+
+The boys plagued Chatz so much that he had by degrees shown signs of
+considering most of his former beliefs as folly.
+
+Still, the mere mention of a haunted house set his nerves to quivering.
+Chatz might be a timid fellow when up against anything bordering upon
+the ghostly, but on all other occasions he had proven himself brave,
+almost to the point of rashness.
+
+It was "Doubting George" who burst out into a harsh laugh.
+
+"A haunted house!" he exclaimed. "Ghosts! Strange knockings! Thrilling
+whispers! Ice-cold hands! Oh, my, what a lark! I've always wanted to get
+up against a thing like that. Don't believe in 'em the least bit. You
+could talk to me till you was gray-headed, and I'd just laugh. There
+never was such things as ghosts, never!"
+
+Chatz looked at him rather queerly.
+
+"Oh, well, perhaps you're right, George," he said, holding himself in
+check, "but I've read of some people who had pretty rough experiences."
+
+"Rats! They fooled themselves every time," declared the boy who would
+not believe. "Bet you it was the wind whistling through a knot hole, or
+a parcel of rats squeaking and fighting between the walls. Ghosts! It
+makes me laugh."
+
+"Same here," declared Red.
+
+"Listen!" exclaimed Larry just then, making them all start. Through the
+timber ahead of them came the sweet clear notes of a bugle.
+
+"Told you so, fellows," declared Matty, smiling; "that's Elmer. He's
+learning to use the bugle nearly as well as Mark himself."
+
+"Then we're at the end of our trail following, are we?" asked Landy, not
+without a sigh of relief, for it had not been as easy work in his case
+as with his less stout comrades.
+
+"Well, pretty near," Matty replied. "We've got to keep it up till we
+come in sight of the mill."
+
+"But why?" asked George, who seemed to want to know every little thing,
+so that his natural tendency to object might have a chance to show
+itself.
+
+"Oh, well, there might be one more opening for a message, and our main
+business is to translate these, you know."
+
+"Do we stay long at the old mill?" asked Chatz.
+
+Red gave him a quick, suspicious look.
+
+"Aw, I reckon I know what's on our comrade's mind," he remarked, with a
+wink.
+
+"As what?" demanded Landy.
+
+"Chatz thinks he'd like to prowl around some, and see if that ghost has
+left any signs. 'Tain't often he's had a chance to meet up with a real
+haunted house, eh, Chatz?" and Red gave the Southern boy a sly dig in
+the ribs.
+
+"Never had that pleasure in all my life, fellows, I assure you," replied
+the Southern boy, with ill-concealed delight in his manner.
+
+"But say, no respectable ghost was ever known to walk except at
+midnight, and we don't intend camping out at the old mill, do we, just
+because of this silly talk?" asked George.
+
+"Oh, the rest of us don't, but Chatz might take a notion to stay over,"
+laughed Red. "When a fellow is set on investigating things he don't
+understand, and which were never meant for us to understand, there's
+just no telling how far he will carry the game."
+
+Chatz gave him a lofty look.
+
+"Thank you for the compliment, suh," he said.
+
+They continued to follow the "spoor" of the two hounds, left so plainly
+for their guidance.
+
+It was not long before another stick that held a bark "message" was
+discovered. And Landy felt immensely elated to think that by some chance
+he had been the first to see the "sign."
+
+"I'll surprise you fellows yet, just mark me," he chuckled, while Matty
+was trying to read the queer little characters Elmer had marked upon the
+brown inner side of the fresh bark torn from a convenient tree close by.
+
+"Wish you would, old top," remarked Red, with his customary enthusiasm.
+
+"You'll get to like all these things more and more, the farther you go,"
+said Larry.
+
+"I feel that way already," was Landy's quick reply; "only I'm that
+clumsy and slow-witted I just don't see how I'm ever going to keep up
+with the procession."
+
+"Elmer says it's only keeping everlastingly at it that makes a good
+scout," remarked Chatz.
+
+Evidently, from the way these boys continually quoted "Elmer," the
+assistant scout master must be a very popular fellow in Hickory Ridge,
+and those who have made a study of boy nature can understand what rare
+elements the said Elmer must have in his composition to make so many
+friends and so few enemies.
+
+"Come around and see what I've made out of this message," said Matty
+just then.
+
+It proved to be the concluding communication, and in plain picture
+language informed those for whom it was left that the two foxes had
+stopped here, made a dense smoke to attract their missing comrade, and
+when joined by him, the three had gone on together to the rendezvous at
+the old mill.
+
+"Fine," cried Landy, when he heard what a remarkable story those rude
+drawings told.
+
+"Very good--if true," admitted George.
+
+"Well, come along and we'll prove it," laughed Matty; "for unless I miss
+my guess the mill is close by."
+
+"Sure," declared Red. "I can hear the noise of water tumbling down some
+rocks, or over a mill dam."
+
+Five minutes later and Chatz called out:
+
+"There you are, suh!"
+
+The mill could be seen through the trees, and all of the boys felt the
+greatest eagerness to hurry along and reach this spot.
+
+It happened that none of this bunch had ever set eyes on Munsey's mill,
+or the pond just above it. There were plenty of places nearer Hickory
+Ridge for fishing purposes. And besides, the dear familiar old "swimming
+hole" was more convenient than this place, nearly seven miles away.
+
+"I see Elmer and Lil Artha," observed Larry.
+
+"Yes, and there's another fellow just beyond. I reckon it must be Ty
+Collins," said Chatz.
+
+Elmer waited for them to come up. He and his companions were standing on
+the edge of the dam which had long ago been built in order to hold up
+the water and form the big lonely looking pond beyond.
+
+"Ugh, what a spooky looking place this is!" exclaimed Larry, as soon as
+they drew up where they could look out on the big pond, its surface in
+places partly covered with lily plants, and the long trailing branches
+of weeping willows dipping down to the water.
+
+"It sure is, suh!" remarked Chatz, plainly interested, and not a little
+excited.
+
+"Here we are, Elmer," called out Matty; "and I guess the second bunch
+will be along soon. I see Ty and Toby, but where's Nat Scott?"
+
+Elmer gave him a serious look.
+
+"That's just what we're wondering," he said. "They all reached the old
+mill, you see, but Nat seems to have disappeared in a mighty queer way!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF NAT.
+
+
+"Oh!"
+
+Chatz was the only one who gave utterance to a sound after Elmer had
+made this surprising, as well as alarming, admission.
+
+The others were looking, first at Elmer, then at each of his three
+companions as well; and finally out upon the dismal pond that assumed
+much the appearance of a lake, it stretched so far up the valley, almost
+a quarter of a mile, in fact.
+
+Just then the only sound they heard was the noisy scolding of the water
+as it went over the spill or apron of the stout dam that had stood all
+these long years, defying floods and the ravages of time.
+
+And somehow, there was something chilling in the very lonesome character
+of their surroundings.
+
+Of the ten scouts present, Chatz seemed to be the only one who did not
+look solemn. There was an eager glow in the Southern boy's dark eyes, as
+though the situation appealed to that element of superstition in his
+nature.
+
+And Elmer, noting this expression, that was almost of glee, knew that
+when the companions of Chatz fondly believed they had cured him of his
+silly faith in ghosts and such things, they had made a mistake. The
+snake had only been "scotched," not killed. It was already awakening
+again, under the first favorable conditions.
+
+"Say, this ain't any part of the game, is it?" demanded Red.
+
+"Yes, you don't expect us to guess what's become of Nat, and then find
+him grinning at us, perhaps astraddle of a limb up in a big tree?"
+remarked Larry.
+
+"I asked these fellows," said Elmer, seriously, "and both Toby and Ty
+gave me their word of honor that no game or joke was set up between
+them. If Nat is playing a prank then he's doing it on his own account."
+
+"And Nat ain't generally the fellow to think of playing a joke on his
+chums," declared Larry.
+
+"Gee, this is getting wild and woolly now!" remarked Landy; "I'm all of
+a tremble. What if the poor fellow fell over this dam here, struck his
+head on a rock, and lies right now at the bottom of that black pool
+where the foam keeps on circling around and around. Ugh! It makes me
+shiver, fellows, honest and truly."
+
+George, as usual, scoffed at the idea of anything having happened to Nat
+Scott.
+
+"He'll show up as soon as he feels like it, make sure of that," he
+declared.
+
+"Have you called him!" asked Matty.
+
+"Yes, all of us did," replied Lil Artha, whose customary rollicking good
+nature seemed subdued in a measure for once.
+
+"And he didn't answer?" demanded Chatz.
+
+"We never heard a word, and that's a fact, boys," declared Toby Jones,
+uneasily.
+
+Then they all looked around again, their eyes naturally roving in the
+quarter where, near the farther end of the dam, the old mill stood.
+
+Its day was long since past. The great water wheel at the end of the
+sluice had partly fallen to pieces with the passage of time and the
+ravages of neglect. What was left seemed to be almost entirely covered
+with green moss, among which the clear little fingers of water trickled.
+
+Suddenly a discordant scream rang out. It was so fearful that several of
+the fellows turned pale, and all of them started violently.
+
+"There!" ejaculated Chatz.
+
+His manner was almost triumphant; just as though he would like to demand
+whether these chums of his could not find some reason to believe as he
+did, after such a manifestation.
+
+"Oh, glory, what was that!" quivered Landy, as he clutched the arm of
+Elmer Chenowith.
+
+"But it didn't come from the mill," declared Larry. "Sounded to me like
+it was out there on the pond."
+
+"Good for you, Larry," remarked Elmer.
+
+"Then I was right?" asked the other.
+
+"You certainly were, and if the whole of you turn your eyes aways up
+yonder, perhaps you'll notice a big black-and-white bird come to the
+surface. It dived just after scolding us for disturbing its fishing
+excursion."
+
+Following the direction indicated by Elmer's extended finger the scouts
+all watched eagerly.
+
+"I see something moving just behind that bunch of lily pads," exclaimed
+one with keen vision.
+
+"There it swims out now, and it's a big water bird, too. Looks like a
+goose to me," Landy remarked, earnestly.
+
+"That's a loon, fellows!" exclaimed Red.
+
+"Is it, Elmer?" they demanded in a breath.
+
+"Just what it is, and nothing else," replied the acting scout master.
+"They are very common up in the Great Northwest. And once you've heard
+their wild laugh you'll never forget it."
+
+"Huh, sounds just like the shout of a crazy man to me," ventured Lil
+Artha.
+
+"Everybody says that," Elmer declared. "And I never knew a single
+fellow who liked to hear a loon call. Some say it's a sign of ill luck
+to be scolded by a loon."
+
+"Ill luck!" echoed Chatz, once more looking in the direction of the
+ramshackle old mill.
+
+"But see here," remarked Matty, "tell us about Nat, won't you? When was
+his queer disappearance first noticed, Elmer?"
+
+"Well, when Lil Artha and myself arrived here we found Toby and Ty
+throwing stones out in the pond, scaring the little red-marked turtles
+that were sitting by dozens on every old log and rock, and great big
+bullfrogs as well."
+
+"Never saw so many whopping big frogs in all my life," declared Ty.
+
+"You see," explained Toby, "we missed Nat, but thought he had just
+wandered off to look around. Ty and me, why, we felt too tired to
+explore things till the rest came along."
+
+"Oh, but you could amuse yourselves throwing things into the water, eh?"
+Matty remarked, with such a vein of sarcasm in his voice that Toby
+immediately aroused to defend himself.
+
+"'Twa'n't that at all, Matty Eggleston; prove it by Ty here if either of
+us was afraid to go inside your old haunted mill, was we, Ty?" he
+exclaimed, with a fine show of righteous indignation.
+
+"Course we wasn't," Ty hastened to declare, with a decided shake of his
+tousled head. "We walked along the shore till we came to a nice shady
+place, and then squatted down, meanin' to wait till Elmer showed up.
+Then I popped a rock at a sassy little turkle, and pretty soon both of
+us were letting fly."
+
+"When did you miss Nat, and where was he the last you saw him?" asked
+Matty, who was expected some day to become a lawyer.
+
+"Oh!" answered Toby, "he said he'd hang around the dam here and look
+into things. You know Nat always did want to pry into everything he
+saw."
+
+"What then?" Matty went on asking.
+
+"Why, we saw Elmer and Lil Artha coming, and went to meet 'em, that's
+all," replied Ty.
+
+"Have any of you been inside the mill?"
+
+"Why, no," Toby spoke up. "Elmer and Lil Artha sat down to rest, and you
+see we expected Nat to pop out on us any minute, so we just didn't say
+anything about it till they asked."
+
+"And that was just about the time we first heard your voices close by,"
+said Elmer, "so we made up our minds to wait till you joined us, when we
+could scatter and search."
+
+"Search!" echoed Larry. "Good gracious! do you think Nat can be lost?"
+
+"It doesn't seem possible," admitted Elmer, "but I blew the bugle, and
+sounded the assembly. If Nat heard that he is scout enough to know it
+was a command for him to come in--if he could."
+
+"Whew! this is something we didn't expect to run up against--a mystery
+right in the start," remarked Matty, mopping his face with his big
+bandana handkerchief, which he wore about his neck, cowboy fashion, with
+the knot behind.
+
+"You never can tell, suh!" said Chatz, in a solemn manner; and somehow
+none of the boys seemed quite as ready to scoff at the Southerner's
+superstitious belief, as usual.
+
+"But hadn't we better be looking around?" remarked Matty. "Nat may have
+gone into the old mill, bent on investigating, and some accident have
+happened to him."
+
+"As what?" queried George, cautiously.
+
+"Oh, well, perhaps he tripped and fell, striking his head as he went
+down. Then again, a rotten plank might have given way under him, and let
+him get an ugly fall," Matty replied.
+
+"That sounds reasonable enough," said Elmer, "and now I want some of you
+to scatter around and see if you can discover any trace of our missing
+comrade. Red, you get a long pole and poke down in that deep pool,
+though I feel pretty sure you won't find any sign of him there, because
+there isn't a mark of blood on the rocks, as there would be if he had
+fallen from up here on the dam."
+
+The boys looked aghast.
+
+Up to this point perhaps Landy and several others may have indulged in a
+hope that after all perhaps this might only be a little finish to the
+remarkable game of fox and hounds which they had been playing.
+
+Indeed, Red and Larry had once or twice even exchanged sly winks. They
+actually suspected that Elmer had secretly ordered Nat to conceal
+himself, up among the branches of a tree, perhaps, so as to have the
+whole party guessing, and running around like a pack of dogs off the
+scent.
+
+Now the last vague hope in this particular seemed shattered by Elmer's
+thrilling suggestion.
+
+And more than Red's horrified eyes roved in the direction of the ugly
+black pool, across the surface of which the foamy white bubbles kept
+circling constantly, as the surplus water ran over the dam.
+
+"Where will the rest of us look, Elmer?" asked Matty, breaking the awful
+silence that had gripped them after hearing the scout master's
+suggestion.
+
+"Any old place," replied Elmer; "only I guess you needn't go far along
+that farther shore, because Toby and Ty were there where you see that
+big oak tree."
+
+"They couldn't see the dam from there, could they?" asked Red, quickly.
+
+"No, that's true," answered Toby.
+
+"And so they wouldn't know whether anybody knocked poor Nat over here;
+or if he went across to the old mill," Red continued.
+
+"Right you are, Red," replied Ty; "but neither did we hear any shout. An
+old bluejay was screechin' in the woods near us. Yep, a feller might 'a'
+called out and we not noticed it."
+
+"I want two of you to go with me to the mill," said Elmer.
+
+"Count me for one!" cried some one, instantly; and of course that was
+the eager Chatz, who would have started a new rebellion had he been
+debarred that privilege.
+
+"And I'm the second victim," declared Lil Artha, with a grin, but at the
+same time looking very determined.
+
+"All right," said Elmer; "fall in behind me, and we'll see what the
+inside of the mill looks like."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE SEARCH FOR A CLEW.
+
+
+Following the lead of Elmer, the tall lanky scout and the wiry Southern
+boy quickly found themselves at the other end of the mill dam.
+
+Lil Artha had cast his eyes about him as he cautiously made his way
+along. He seemed to be figuring on what chance there might be for an
+active chap like Nat Scott slipping on one of the wet and moss-covered
+stones, to go tumbling down toward that suspicious black pool.
+
+Not so Chatz Maxfield.
+
+Apparently he had made up his mind from the start that this strange
+vanishing of their comrade must have some connection with the mystery of
+the old mill.
+
+Did they not admit that three separate times people had tried to live
+there in the dwelling that was part and parcel of the mill; and on every
+occasion they had given it up as a bad job?
+
+Why?
+
+Well, it seemed to be understood that none of them could stand the
+sights and sounds which had come to them while under that roof.
+
+People might scoff at such things all they had a mind to, but surely it
+seemed as if there must be _something_ in it.
+
+At any rate, everyone of those three families believed the mill house
+haunted. And for many years now, no one had had the nerve to occupy the
+place.
+
+And yet it had once been a paying venture, for the main road was only a
+few hundred yards away from this lonely, forbidding-looking pond, where
+the frogs grew so large and the red-marked "turkles," as Ty Collins
+called them, were so saucy.
+
+"Careful here!" warned Elmer, as they arrived at the runway, where in
+times past the water was turned on when the mill was to be operated.
+
+The boards were rotting and slimy, and if one made a slip he might get a
+wet jacket in the sluice, where there was more or less running water.
+
+Elmer held up a hand to hold his comrades back. He seemed to be down on
+his hands and knees, as though examining something that had just caught
+his attention.
+
+"What is it?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"He came this way, all right, boys."
+
+"Do you mean Nat?" questioned Chatz.
+
+"Why, of course," replied the leader.
+
+"How do you know?" continued Chatz.
+
+"I've been following Nat's trail for miles," answered Elmer, "and sure I
+ought to know what his footprint looks like. Here it is on this clay
+just beside the sluice. Wait till I cross and see if he made the other
+side all right."
+
+"He must, because he ain't in the sluiceway," remarked the tall boy.
+
+A minute later and Elmer, who had carefully crossed over, testing each
+board before trusting his weight on it, called out:
+
+"The marks are here, all right, fellows. Nat did start to look into the
+old mill. Come over, but be careful. Go slow, Chatz," he warned again,
+as the impetuous Southern boy slipped, and might have landed in the
+slimy sluice only that Lil Artha threw out a hand and clutched him.
+
+They were now almost in the shadow of the deserted mill. It looked
+gloomy and forbidding to the eyes of at least Elmer and the tall lad,
+though Chatz may have considered it an object well worth coming a long
+distance to see.
+
+"Wow! I must get some pictures of this same old ruin while we're up
+here," said Lil Artha, who carried a little pocket camera along, and was
+a very clever artist indeed.
+
+"A fine idea," remarked Elmer; "but there are a lot of good people in
+Hickory Ridge who would think a picture of Munsey's mill very tame and
+incomplete without the ghost showing in it."
+
+"Ah!" said Chatz, his face aglow.
+
+"Oh, well," Lil Artha went on, "perhaps now I might be lucky enough to
+tempt that same ghost to pose for me. Anyhow I mean to ask him, if so be
+we happen to run across his trail."
+
+He looked at Chatz, and then winked one eye humorously at Elmer. But the
+Southern boy did not deign to take any notice.
+
+"Come, let's go in, fellows," he said, impatiently.
+
+With that the three started for the other side of the mill, where an
+entrance could most likely be much more easily effected.
+
+Elmer continued to watch the ground, and from the satisfied look on his
+face Lil Artha felt sure the scout master must be discovering further
+traces of the missing boy.
+
+Perhaps, after all, they would find Nat hiding inside the mill or the
+dwelling alongside. Perhaps he had been so busy investigating that he
+had not noticed their shouts, or the bugle call, for the falling water
+made quite a little noise.
+
+Or, on the other hand, possibly Nat may have been seized with a sudden
+desire to tease his comrades in return for many a practical joke of
+which he had been the victim.
+
+But one of the three was quite firm in his belief that neither of these
+explanations would turn out to be the true one.
+
+Of course this was Chatz Maxfield, through whose mind had run the
+conviction that poor Nat Scott must have paid dearly for his temerity in
+invading the haunted mill.
+
+Yes, Chatz feared that the ghost must have got Nat, though he was afraid
+to openly proclaim his belief. Fear of ridicule was a weakness of Chatz.
+It often causes boys to hide their real feelings, and even appear to be
+much bolder than they naturally are.
+
+Once around the end of the mill and they saw the dwelling attached to
+it.
+
+Here, too, was the old road, now overgrown with weeds and almost hidden
+from view. And yet, twenty years ago, in Miller Munsey's time, no doubt
+farmers daily drove up here with sacks of corn, wheat, or rye, to have
+the grain delivered to them again in the shape of flour.
+
+"Shall we try to go in by way of the house door?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"No," replied Elmer, "he went in through that opening where some boards
+are off the side of the mill. Perhaps we'd better do the same."
+
+"A good idea," remarked Chatz, with the air of one who could not get
+inside the walls of the mill too speedily to please him.
+
+"Just as you say, Elmer," the lanky scout observed; for having been in
+the company of the other when the latter was acting as pathfinder to the
+expedition, Lil Artha was more than ever filled with admiration for his
+wonderful talents in discovering things supposed to be lost.
+
+So Elmer without further hesitation ducked through the opening, with his
+two allies keeping close to his heels.
+
+At any rate it was somewhat more restful inside the mill.
+
+Those walls, even if now going rapidly into a condition of decay, shut
+out some of the noise caused by the falling water.
+
+Lil Artha and Chatz both looked about them eagerly, even anxiously, as
+soon as they found themselves within those walls which had once
+resounded to the clatter of the grinding.
+
+Their motives, however, were probably as far apart as the two poles;
+while the long-legged scout hoped, yet dreaded, to see the figure of Nat
+Scott lying somewhere about, Chatz, on the other hand, was anticipating
+discovering some token of ghostly visitors.
+
+Nothing rewarded either of them, however. The interior of the mill was
+of course in a generally dilapidated condition. What remnants of the
+crushing and milling machinery remained were rusty and broken, as though
+tramps may have made the place a refuge, and tried to destroy what they
+could not carry away to sell.
+
+The boards creaked dismally under their tread. More than that, they
+were loose in places, and Lil Artha, stepping upon the end of one, might
+have vanished through a gap in the floor only that his agility saved
+him.
+
+"Wow, would you see that, now, Elmer!" he exclaimed, his voice sounding
+strange amidst such singular surroundings.
+
+"You made a neat side step, old fellow," said the one addressed. "Some
+of us, more clumsy, would have slid down into the cellar."
+
+"Say, now, I wonder--" began Lil Artha, and then stopped to stare at the
+treacherous plank that formed such a trap.
+
+"You're wondering whether poor old Nat could have taken that tumble?"
+suggested Elmer.
+
+"That's what I was; what do you think?" asked the tall scout.
+
+"Here, lay hold and we'll soon find out," remarked Elmer, bending over
+the loose plank.
+
+It required considerable tugging to get it out of the bed it had
+occupied so long, even if it was fastened by no nails.
+
+Both of them lay down and thrust their faces into the gap.
+
+"Looks pretty dark down there, don't it?" asked Lil Artha, who was
+secretly shivering with the anticipation of making a grewsome discovery,
+but who would not have his comrades know the true condition of his
+nerves for a good deal.
+
+"It sure does that," was Elmer's reply.
+
+"I can just make out something or other lying down there; it might be
+an old log, you know, and again, p'raps it ain't."
+
+Lil Artha did not venture to say plainly that he more than half feared
+lest the object he could see might turn out to be poor Nat Scott. But
+that was a fact.
+
+"Well, let's find out for sure."
+
+Elmer, while speaking, was taking something from his pocket. It proved
+to be an old newspaper, from which he tore a sheet, crumpling it up into
+a ball.
+
+"I generally carry a newspaper along when I go into the woods," he said
+in explanation. "And it's wonderful what a help it sometimes turns out
+to be in case you want to start a quick fire. Now for a match."
+
+"I'm sorry now," remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"About what?" asked the scout leader.
+
+"That I didn't think to fetch it along--that new electric hand torch my
+father gave me on my birthday, you remember, Elmer?"
+
+"Oh," laughed Elmer, "well, who'd ever think we'd have any need of a
+torch on this hike! Why, it was an altogether daylight affair, and we
+expected to be back home long before supper time. I even promised Mark
+to practice battery work some this afternoon. There, now watch when it
+drops. I hope there's nothing down there to take fire."
+
+"If the old trap did go up in smoke I guess nobody would care much,"
+muttered Lil Artha, as he pressed his face still further into the
+opening, after Elmer released his fire ball.
+
+The burning paper seemed to alight upon the damp earthen floor of the
+cellar. Immediately both boys tried to secure a mental photograph of all
+there was below them.
+
+"It's only a log!" cried Lil Artha, in a relieved tone of voice, and at
+the same time betraying more or less disappointment, for perhaps he had
+made up his mind that they were to be treated to some species of horror.
+
+"You're right," added Elmer, "that's what it is--an old log that has
+lain there, goodness only knows how long. Nat doesn't seem to have
+slipped down into the cellar, then, does he?"
+
+"Not that you could notice," replied Lil Artha, and then he added: "but
+Elmer, didn't you notice something jump when that paper first went
+down?"
+
+"Well, yes, I did, for a fact, Arthur."
+
+"Any idea what it could be?" persisted the other.
+
+"I hope you're not thinking of that ghost we've heard so much about?"
+said Elmer.
+
+"Now, that's hardly fair, Elmer; you know I don't take any stock in
+fairy tales or hobgoblin yarns. But something sure moved."
+
+"A big rat I guess, perhaps a muskrat from the pond above. They
+sometimes find a burrow leads them to some old, unused cellar."
+
+"But look over there, and you'll see a lot of white bones, Elmer,"
+pursued Lil Artha.
+
+"That's a fact. Some animal must have fallen in here, starved to death,
+and been eaten up by the rats."
+
+"But, Elmer, are you sure they are animal bones?"
+
+"I noticed the skull, and I think it must have been a large dog,"
+replied Elmer.
+
+Then he and the tall scout scrambled hastily to their feet, for Chatz
+had suddenly given utterance to an exclamation that seemed to contain
+much of both surprise and mystification.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE TRAIL GROWS WARMER.
+
+
+"Say, just look up there, fellows!"
+
+Chatz pointed a quivering finger upward as he gave utterance to these
+words.
+
+Of course both Elmer and the lengthy scout followed his directions, and
+turned an inquiring gaze toward the dimly seen rafters of the old
+deserted mill.
+
+"Gee whittaker! what in the dickens are they?" exclaimed Lil Artha, as
+his startled eyes rested on what seemed to be countless numbers of queer
+little bunches of dusky gray or brown hair.
+
+They looked for all the world like some farmer's wife's winter
+collection of herbs, tied up in small packages, and fastened in regular
+order along the different beams.
+
+"Well, I declare," laughed Elmer.
+
+"You know what they are, Elmer; let us in on it, won't you?" demanded
+Chatz.
+
+"Nothing whatever to do with the ghost, but all the same often found in
+haunted houses, church belfries, and old towers. See here."
+
+He stooped and picked up quite a good-sized stone that happened to be
+lying on the floor.
+
+Elmer was a pitcher on the Hickory Ridge baseball nine, and could hurl a
+pretty swift ball.
+
+When he shot that stone upward it went like a young cyclone, struck the
+rafters with a loud bang, clattered around from one beam to another, and
+finally fell back to the floor with a thud.
+
+This latter sound was certainly not heard by any one of the three
+scouts, for it was utterly drowned in a tremendous rush as of sturdy
+wings, and several openings above were filled with some rapidly flying
+objects.
+
+"Wow, did you ever see the like of that now!" cried Lil Artha.
+
+"What were they, Elmer?" asked Chatz, who had really been too startled
+to think fairly.
+
+"Bats!" replied the scout leader, promptly.
+
+"I supposed as much," declared Chatz, "and as you remarked just now,
+they always seem to like a building said to be haunted."
+
+"Well," remarked the tall boy, "sometimes I've had the fellows hint to
+me that I had bats in _my_ belfry; but sure not that many. Why, I reckon
+there must have been well-nigh a thousand in that gay bunch, Elmer."
+
+"I guess there were, more or less," replied the other.
+
+"And now what?" asked Chatz.
+
+"Let's look further here before we go into the house itself," the scout
+master made reply.
+
+So they went from one end of the deserted mill to the other, peering
+into every place where it seemed there might be the slightest hope of
+discovering their missing comrade.
+
+Elmer even entered a small room off the main floor, and which had
+possibly been used as an office when the grist-mill was in business.
+
+"Nothing doing, Elmer?" announced Lil Artha, as the other came out
+again.
+
+Elmer shook his head in the negative.
+
+"Don't seem to be around here at all," he said.
+
+"Well, let's try the house," suggested Chatz; and it was easily seen
+from his manner that he was eager to make the change.
+
+After one more careful glance around, as if to make absolutely positive
+that nothing had been neglected, the scout leader nodded his head.
+
+"Come on, then, fellows," he said.
+
+So the others once more fell in his wake, like true scouts who knew
+their little lesson full well, and were ready to follow their leader
+wherever he might choose to go.
+
+Elmer had previously noticed a door leading, as he believed, from the
+main mill into the cottage that had once been the miller's home.
+
+Toward this he now pushed. He wondered if he would find the door
+fastened in any way. One touch told him it was not.
+
+And so, without hesitation, Elmer strode across the threshold into what
+had once been the happy home of a contented miller, until trouble came,
+and tragedy ended it all.
+
+Like the mill itself the house was fast falling into a state of decay.
+
+It was only a cottage of some four rooms, all on the one floor. The boys
+passed from one apartment to another until presently they had been over
+all the territory comprised within those four walls, so far as they
+could see.
+
+Both Chatz and Lil Artha uttered exclamations that breathed their
+disappointment.
+
+Because each of them had failed to discover that upon which he had set
+his mind he failed to see anything else.
+
+Not so Elmer, who carried out the principle which he was forever holding
+up before the others as a cardinal virtue which should govern a true
+scout always.
+
+He noted a number of things that the other two might have passed by,
+simply because they refused to let their minds work outside of a certain
+groove.
+
+A frown came upon Elmer's face also, as though he did not wholly like
+the looks of things.
+
+"Well, he ain't here, that's sure," remarked Lil Artha, shrugging his
+shoulders in disgust.
+
+"He certainly isn't," muttered Chatz, who, however, was thinking of an
+entirely different object than the one the tall boy referred to.
+
+"Suppose we give him a shout, and see if there's any result?" suggested
+Lil Artha.
+
+"Do so, if you like," replied Elmer, in a tone that did not seem to
+promise much faith in the outcome of this plan.
+
+So the tall boy raised his voice and shouted in his loudest key. A few
+stray bats that had taken up lodgings in various dark corners of the
+four rooms went flapping through a broken sash. But beyond that nothing
+came to pass.
+
+"This sure beats the Dutch," remarked Lil Artha, using his bandana again
+to wipe off the perspiration that had gathered in beads upon his
+forehead.
+
+Elmer was looking around again.
+
+"Wonder if there can be a cellar under here?" he remarked, presently.
+
+"I should say yes," replied the tall boy.
+
+"Then there ought to be a trapdoor in the floor somewhere about. Look
+around and see if you can find it, boys," Elmer continued, himself
+stepping into the kitchen.
+
+Chatz and the tall boy had hardly gotten well started in their search
+than they heard Elmer calling.
+
+"He's found it, sure!" observed the Southern lad.
+
+"The luckiest chap ever, take that from me," declared Lil Artha, and
+then adding hastily: "but then, he always deserves his luck, because he
+works for it."
+
+Although he did not exactly mean to do so, the one who said that
+expressed one of the greatest truths known. Deserve good luck, and it
+will many times knock at your door. Do things worth while, and obtain
+pleasing results.
+
+Of course they hastened into the kitchen. Here they found Elmer bending
+over and examining the floor.
+
+"It's a trapdoor, all right," declared Lil Artha, as he noted the
+dimensions of the cracks that formed an almost perfect square.
+
+"But how to get it up's the question," said Elmer; "for there seems to
+be no ring in sight. All the same, boys, I reckon this same trap has
+been used more than a few times lately, from the looks of things."
+
+"Whew! do you really mean it, Elmer?" remarked Chatz, deeply interested.
+
+"Why, you can see for yourself right here that some sort of tool has
+been used to pry up the thing," Elmer went on.
+
+"Say, I had a glimpse of an old broken kitchen knife lying over there by
+the sink. Wonder if that would do the trick? Shall I get it?" remarked
+Lil Artha.
+
+"If you will," replied Elmer.
+
+The article in question was speedily placed in the hands of the scout
+master.
+
+"Just the very thing to lift this trap with," he declared, as he started
+to insert the stout remnant of the blade in the crack.
+
+"Reckon it's been used to do the trick many a time," advanced Chatz.
+
+"I wouldn't wonder," Elmer added.
+
+Using the broken blade as a lever he soon pried the trap up far enough
+to allow the others a chance to insert their ready fingers. After that
+it was easily completed, and the square of wooden flooring removed.
+
+"Dark as Egypt," remarked Lil Artha, as he tried to pierce the gloom
+with his gaze.
+
+Elmer made a move, and Chatz, thinking he intended descending the ladder
+that led down into the unknown depths, caught his arm.
+
+"I wouldn't do it, Elmer," he said.
+
+"Do what?" asked the other.
+
+"Go down there," continued Chatz. "No telling how deep it may be or what
+lies there, either. If anybody must go, send me."
+
+"Well," laughed Elmer, "I like your nerve, Chatz. You think something
+might hurt _me_, but you don't care so much for yourself. That's like
+you Southern fellows, though. But make your mind easy, my boy, because
+just at present I don't think any of us need drop into this hole."
+
+"I'm glad of that," declared the other; "but when you made a move I
+thought you were going."
+
+"Oh, I only meant to get out my newspaper again, and make another little
+candle," said Elmer, with a chuckle.
+
+"Well, say what you will, boys," remarked Lil Artha, who had been
+thrusting his head below the level of the floor and sniffing at a great
+rate; "I'm glad, too, that we don't just have to drop down this ladder.
+It's cold and damp down there, and I tell you I don't like the smell."
+
+"There is a queer odor comes up, now that you mention it," admitted
+Elmer.
+
+At that the eyes of Chatz grew round with wonder and suspense.
+
+"Oh, I hope you don't think--" he began, when Elmer interrupted him.
+
+"Kind of fishy smell, don't you think?" he said.
+
+"Well, since you speak of it I rather guess it is something like that,"
+Lil Artha admitted.
+
+Then Chatz breathed easy again.
+
+"But how could fish ever get in here from the mill pond?" he demanded.
+
+"Give it up; I pass. Ask me something easy," the tall scout hastened to
+say.
+
+Meanwhile Elmer had, as before, taken a section of the newspaper,
+crumpled it into a ball, and after that drew out his match box.
+
+"Guess it's safe to drop this down," he remarked. "It seems so damp
+there can really be no danger of anything taking fire."
+
+"Sure there couldn't," asserted Lil Artha, sturdily. "Let her go, Elmer;
+and everybody look."
+
+The match crackled, and the resulting flame was instantly applied to the
+paper ball.
+
+Then Elmer let this drop, after he had made sure it would burn.
+
+Three pairs of very good eyes immediately started in to take a complete
+inventory of the contents of the little damp cellar under the deserted
+mill cottage.
+
+For perhaps a full minute the paper ball continued to burn, lighting up
+the cellar well enough for them to see from wall to wall.
+
+Then the flame dwindled, flickered, and finally went out altogether.
+Chatz gave a big sigh.
+
+"Well, I declare!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What did you see, Chatz?" asked Elmer.
+
+"Who, me?" exclaimed the Southern boy. "Nothing at all, Elmer," and his
+manner told plainly that he was both disappointed and disgusted.
+
+"How about you, Arthur?" continued the acting scout master.
+
+"What did I see?" Lil Artha replied, promptly; "four damp-looking stone
+walls, a hard earth floor, and a few old boxes lying around, but not
+another blessed thing."
+
+Something about Elmer's manner caught his attention and aroused his
+suspicions.
+
+"See here, did _you_ discover anything?" he demanded.
+
+"Well," replied Elmer, "I can't say that the evidence is so plain a
+fellow who runs may read; but from a number of things I've seen since
+coming here to the Munsey mill pond I've about made up my mind this
+place isn't quite as deserted as people seem to believe."
+
+"Do you mean, Elmer," cried Lil Artha, excitedly, "that tramps or some
+more yeggmen, like those fellows we met with up at McGraw's lumber camp,
+have squatted here in this haunted house?"
+
+"Something like that," replied the other, steadily, "though I don't
+believe they dare spend a night under this roof. There's no sign of
+that."
+
+"But what would they kidnap our chum for?" demanded the excited tall
+scout.
+
+"I don't know for certain, but we're going to find out pretty soon,"
+said Elmer, with a determined look.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+HUNTING FOR THE MISSING SCOUT.
+
+
+"Honest, now, Elmer, do you really believe that?" asked Chatz Maxfield,
+after staring at the scout master in a puzzled manner for half a dozen
+seconds.
+
+"It looks so, on the face of it," replied the other.
+
+"But plague take it," argued Chatz, "for the life of me I just can't
+understand, suh, what those fellows would want to make a prisoner of
+poor Nat for. In all our troop he's about the most harmless scout,
+except perhaps Jasper Merriweather. Nat is strong as an ox, but he
+wouldn't hurt a fly if he could help it."
+
+"That's so," echoed Lil Artha. "I've seen him walk around so as not to
+step on a harmless little snake on the road. And it wasn't because he
+was afraid of snakes, either. Remember he killed that fierce big
+copperhead last summer, after the other fellows had skipped out?"
+
+"There's one chance, though," Elmer went on, "that after all Nat may be
+hiding."
+
+"But he knows the sound of the bugle, and what penalty follows
+disobedience on the part of a scout," declared Lil Artha.
+
+"That's true enough, fellows," Elmer said, as if he himself might be
+trying to see through a haze; "but perhaps Nat finds himself in a
+position where he can't answer us without betraying himself to these
+unknown men."
+
+Again did Chatz and the tall scout look at each other helplessly. And
+judging from the way they shook their heads, the puzzle was evidently
+too deep for them.
+
+"Say, Elmer, you manage to get on to these things in a way to beat the
+band; could you give a guess now about how many men there are holding
+out around this old haunted mill?"
+
+Lil Artha asked this in good faith. He had come to believe, with most of
+his comrades, that Elmer Chenowith was next door to a wizard. Of course
+they realized that his knowledge was at all times founded on facts and
+common sense; yet this did not detract from the wonder of his
+accomplishments.
+
+"I think there are three at least, perhaps four or five in the lot,"
+Elmer replied.
+
+"Whew! that's a healthy crowd of toughs, now, to run up against!"
+remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"And what do you propose doing, suh, if I may make so bold as to ask?"
+
+Chatz was usually a very dignified fellow, especially when coming in
+contact with one who, according to recognized scout law, must be
+considered his superior officer, and as such entitled to respect.
+
+"First of all, perhaps we'd better go outside," the other replied.
+
+"And tell the rest of the boys what we've found--or rather what we
+didn't find," remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"Yes. There doesn't seem to be anything more to poke into here; for I'm
+dead certain those men, whoever they are, don't make their headquarters
+in either the mill or the cottage."
+
+"You mean they don't sleep here; is that it, suh?" inquired Chatz.
+
+"That covers the ground," Elmer answered.
+
+"But they _do_ come in here sometimes, while the sun is shining,"
+persisted Chatz.
+
+"I have seen the marks of many heavy hobnailed shoes in the dust of this
+place; and some of the prints were very fresh," came the answer.
+
+"Then if they're wanting in the nerve to sleep under this roof, when it
+would be so handy, in a thunderstorm like we had the other day, for
+instance, that looks as if they believed some in the ghost story, don't
+it, Elmer?"
+
+"Why, I suppose it does, Chatz."
+
+"All right. I'm not saying anything more," remarked the Southern boy,
+with a look of conviction on his dark face, "but I only hope we run
+across one or more of these mysterious unknowns while we're up at
+Munsey's mill."
+
+"Listen to that, would you, Elmer! I declare if he don't mean to
+interview these fellows, and find out what they've gone and seen here in
+the night time!" and Lil Artha chuckled as he said this.
+
+"All right," remarked Chatz. "There are a lot of things I've always
+wanted to know, and I'd be a silly to let the chance slip past me."
+
+"Hey, how about this bally old trapdoor, Elmer?" demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"We'd better put it back where it belongs," replied the scout leader.
+
+"I reckon you're right, suh," observed Chatz. "If some one came in here,
+walking in the dark, he might take a nasty header down this hole."
+
+"Say, supposing your ghost did that," remarked the tall scout, as he
+helped lift the wooden square back to where it belonged; "why, you could
+do better than asking questions of an outsider, because, Chatz, you
+might interview your old ghost himself."
+
+The other drew himself up.
+
+"Kindly omit calling it _my_ ghost, if you please, suh," he said,
+stiffly. "I don't pretend to have any claim on the object in
+question--if there really is such a thing. I'm only wanting to know; and
+I come from South Carolina, suh, not Missouri."
+
+Elmer, after one last glance around the kitchen, was heading for the
+other room where an exit could be made.
+
+And it was almost ludicrous to see with what haste the other two
+followed after; just as if neither of them cared to be left alone inside
+the walls of the haunted mill cottage.
+
+Once outside, they found several of their comrades clustered near by,
+evidently awaiting them. That curiosity was rapidly reaching fever heat
+it was easy to see from the anxious looks cast upon those who had been
+investigating the interior of the buildings.
+
+No doubt every fellow had meanwhile been industriously engaged in
+ransacking his brain to remember all he had ever heard concerning
+Munsey's mill, and the troublesome spirit that had frightened away three
+separate tenants in years gone by.
+
+They were rather a demoralized trio of boys who welcomed the coming of
+Elmer, Chatz, and Lil Artha.
+
+"Find any signs of Nat?" asked one.
+
+"Hope the plagued old ghost didn't get him," another ventured.
+
+"Tell us all about it, Elmer?" asked the third member of the little
+bunch.
+
+But the scout leader instead raised the bugle to his lips and sounded
+the assembly call.
+
+Voices were heard, and immediately the others came hurrying to the spot.
+Landy was the last to arrive, and he came up puffing and blowing as
+though he might have been at some little distance when he heard the
+summons for gathering.
+
+"Listen!" said Elmer, raising his hand, and immediately the confused
+chattering of many boyish tongues ceased.
+
+This enabled them to hear distant shouts from the southeast, as though
+newcomers might be approaching the mill over about the same course as
+that they had pursued.
+
+"Mark Cummings and the last detachment!" declared Matty.
+
+"Hurrah! six more good fellows to do battle with the outlaws of the
+haunted mill!" exclaimed Red; at which some of the others gasped in
+astonishment, and exchanged uneasy glances.
+
+"Better wait till they all get here, boys," said Elmer, "and then I'll
+tell you what we've found out, also what we suspect."
+
+Chatz and Lil Artha could not but notice how particular Elmer was to use
+the plural pronoun. But then, that was always his way. Whatever faults
+the boy may have had--and the best of fellows comes far from being
+perfect--selfishness was not one of them. Impatiently they waited for
+the coming of the six scouts forming the last detachment. This would
+increase their roll-call to sixteen, lacking only _one_ of the number
+that had started out.
+
+Presently a sight of khaki uniforms among the trees announced their near
+approach.
+
+As the two wings of the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts came together,
+there was a general exchange of badinage.
+
+The newcomers had an intense desire to learn whether their
+interpretation of the messages might excel that of the first detachment.
+
+But in the midst of the questioning, the startling news concerning Nat
+Scott's mysterious vanishing began to circulate among the newcomers.
+
+This put a quietus on all business, and the entire troop clustered
+around Elmer, begging to know what it could mean.
+
+So the scout master, understanding just how his comrades must feel,
+started in to explain, as far as lay in his power.
+
+First of all, for the benefit of the newcomers, he told of how Nat's
+disappearance was brought to his attention by Toby and Ty, just before
+the coming of Matty and his group of scouts.
+
+Then he quickly related what he and Chatz and Lil Artha had done in the
+deserted buildings close by.
+
+Presently the story was finished, and some of the boys, who had listened
+with hearts beating much faster than their wont, took the first decent
+breath in five minutes.
+
+Of course questions poured in on Elmer as thick as hail stones during a
+summer storm. Finding it utterly impossible to answer a quarter of these
+intelligently, and make any kind of progress, Elmer called for silence.
+
+"It stands to reason, fellows," he remarked, when the last whisper had
+died away, "that we've got to have system about this thing if we expect
+to do any business. Am I right?"
+
+"Yes, yes," came from every scout; for boys though they were, they
+recognized the wisdom of what he said.
+
+"All right, then," Elmer went on. "I'm going to divide the troop into
+three searching parties. We must scour the neighborhood and see if we
+can find any sign of where these unknown men sleep, for there isn't any
+trace of their staying in cottage or mill at night time."
+
+"We understand what you mean, Elmer. How shall we divide up?" asked
+Mark.
+
+"You keep your detachment as it was, intact, Mark," came the reply; "and
+Matty, you have your six to back you. Lil Artha, Toby, and Ty will fall
+in with me, and make the third party."
+
+"All right, suh, we understand," called out Chatz.
+
+But he, as well as many others of the boys, showed in their faces that
+they envied the good luck of the three fellows who had been picked out
+to form Elmer's smaller group.
+
+"What are our duties to be?" asked Mark, who, having only recently
+arrived, and being staggered by the sudden nature of the intelligence,
+had as yet not fully grasped the situation.
+
+"First of all, let every scout who has not already done so, pick up a
+stout club in the woods, as he passes along," said Elmer.
+
+"Like this, for instance," remarked Jack Armitage, flourishing a husky
+specimen that would pass muster for an Irishman's shillalah.
+
+"Or this!" cried Red, whose cudgel was as long as a walking stick, and
+almost as thick through as his wrist.
+
+"Suit yourselves about that, boys," continued the scout master, "only
+don't be in a hurry to use them as weapons until you have the order.
+Now, each detachment must keep close enough together so that the
+members may communicate by means of patrol calls--the cry of the wolf,
+the slap of a beaver's tail as he beats the water to call his mate, or
+the scream of the eagle."
+
+"We know, Elmer; what else?" asked Matty.
+
+"All the while you will keep on the lookout for some sign of the enemy.
+The scout who discovers anything that he thinks would have a bearing on
+the solving of the puzzle must immediately summon his leader. This he
+can do by the whistle which all of you know, as it has been used
+before."
+
+"Is that all, Elmer?" asked Mark.
+
+"If the matter seems very important to the mind of the leader, let him
+give the assembly call very loud on his whistle. Upon hearing that,
+every scout is expected to give up hunting on his own account, and head
+in toward the place the signal comes from. Is that plain to every
+fellow?"
+
+A chorus of assent answered him.
+
+"That's all, then, fellows," Elmer went on. "Do your duty, every scout.
+We've got to find our comrade, and we've got to get him out of the hands
+of these men, whoever they may turn out to be."
+
+"If they've hurt our Nat, it's going to be a bad day for them, that's
+all," blustered Red, as he pounded his club against an inoffensive
+stone.
+
+"Now, start out, fellows, and let's see who'll be the lucky one to
+discover this hidden shack where these men must stay nights," Elmer
+concluded.
+
+"Say, hold on here! Is _that_ what you're looking for--a hidden shack?
+Why, I can take you to one right now," called out a voice.
+
+The speaker was Landy Smith.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE AMBITION OF LANDY.
+
+
+Every boy became suddenly stationary when this surprising intelligence
+broke from the lips of the new member, who, like three others in the
+troop, did not wear a khaki uniform.
+
+Elmer had several times let his eye fall on the stout boy, as though
+trying to guess what his manner indicated.
+
+He had seen Landy come up last of all, panting so for breath that not
+one word had he spoken while the scout master was explaining things.
+
+Landy was not only a tenderfoot scout, but he had in a number of ways
+proven his right to the title of greenhorn.
+
+Imagine, then, the utter amazement of his comrades when he so coolly
+declared that he might be able to lead them to a hidden shack.
+
+Elmer, if surprised, did not allow this fact to interfere with his plain
+duty.
+
+"Come here, Landy," he said, and the stout new recruit hastened to do as
+he was ordered.
+
+Of course Landy would not have been human, and a boy, had he been able
+to repress the grin that forced itself upon his rosy countenance.
+
+Perhaps he remembered saying not so very long ago that the time might
+come when he would be able to prove his ability to carry the name of a
+scout.
+
+Of course at the time Landy could never have even dreamed the opening
+would arrive so soon. That made it all the more welcome. Perhaps now,
+some of the fellows who loved to tease him, and say that he was too fat
+and slow-witted to ever be a shining success in the Hickory Hill troop,
+would change their tune.
+
+Landy's hour had come. He was in the lime light, and occupied the center
+of the stage.
+
+Mindful of the respect due his superior officer, Landy saluted as he
+clicked his heels together, and stood at attention before the scout
+master.
+
+"You say you can show us where there is a hidden shack or cabin, do you,
+Number Eight?"
+
+Elmer frequently addressed the boys by the number they held in their
+patrol, and as Landy was the last one admitted into the Wolf Patrol he
+went as Number Eight.
+
+"Yes, sir," the tenderfoot replied, quite enjoying the fact that fifteen
+pairs of eager eyes were riveted upon him right then and there.
+
+Landy looked redder than usual, but for all that he seemed able to
+command his voice, for it did not tremble a particle.
+
+"You arrived later than the rest when I sounded the assembly on the
+bugle," went on Elmer; "was that because you were some little distance
+away?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I was just going to peek in through the window of that funny
+little cabin I found when I heard the call. But I didn't look, sir,
+because I knew _a scout's duty was to obey_!"
+
+"Hear, hear!" said Red, in a low voice.
+
+"That was well done, Number Eight," Elmer continued, "and I hope you
+will always keep your duty before your mind. Do you think you could lead
+us to where you saw that hidden shack?"
+
+"I expect I can, sir; anyhow, I'm ready to try," Landy promptly
+answered.
+
+Several of the scouts exchanged nods and glances. Why, they had never
+before dreamed that the fat boy had so much business about him. He acted
+just as might one who had been a member of the troop a whole month,
+instead of but a few days.
+
+It was plain to be seen that his becoming a scout was going to be the
+making of Philander Smith. Already there was a great change in his ways.
+He was throwing off his weaknesses, and beginning to think for himself.
+
+"All right," said Elmer; "suppose you come with me, then, Number Eight,
+and try to go back over your own trail. That might be the quickest way
+to get there."
+
+"But how about us, Mr. Scout Master; do we keep up the formation as
+arranged?" asked Mark.
+
+"No, for the present that is all off," Elmer replied, "the whole of you
+fall in behind; and don't forget to keep an eye out for your sticks. But
+no talking above a whisper, remember. This may turn out to be serious
+business."
+
+The scouts already realized this. Still his words of caution entailing
+silence were well placed, for boys as a rule do love to chatter.
+
+And so the whole troop started off, with Elmer and Landy in the lead,
+the latter hardly knowing whether to be tickled at the attention he was
+receiving, or worried because he presently began to doubt his ability to
+"deliver the goods."
+
+Strange how all sections of the woods look alike to a fellow who is a
+novice in the art of picking his way. Landy had imagined that he was
+just soaking in valuable information while following the lead of Matty
+or Elmer. But when the crisis arose, and he found himself placed upon
+his own responsibility, he lost confidence.
+
+Pretty soon Elmer guessed the truth, and that their guide was getting
+what Lil Artha would call "wabbly." This was when he took them twice to
+the same spot and then looked pained.
+
+"Up a stump, fellows," chuckled Larry, who had perhaps himself felt a
+little twinge of jealousy because a greenhorn had so suddenly leaped
+into the front when older and more experienced scouts had been unable to
+score.
+
+But Elmer was not at all dismayed. In fact, to tell the actual truth, he
+had rather expected that the new beginner might find more or less
+trouble in carrying out his orders.
+
+"Getting mixed up some, are you, Number Eight?" he demanded, as Landy
+scratched his head and then tenderly caressed quite a good-sized lump
+they now saw he had on his forehead.
+
+"Well, I'm sorry to say, sir, I seem to be a little confused," admitted
+the fat boy; "but then perhaps that ain't to be wondered at if you knew
+just how hard I bumped into that crooked tree yonder."
+
+"With your head?" asked Elmer.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Landy; "you see I was trying to hurry, when my foot
+caught in a vine and I went ker-slam right against that tree. Say, but I
+saw ten million stars right then! and that's no exaggeration, sir."
+
+"Why do you say it was this tree, Number Eight?" the young disciple of
+woodcraft continued.
+
+"Well, it was impressed pretty forcibly on my head, and my mind, too,
+sir," grinned Landy, "and perhaps, if you looked, you could find the
+dent I bet I made when I struck."
+
+Some of the boys snickered at this. Not so Elmer, who seemed to feel he
+had quite a serious proposition on his hands, and that the others had a
+right to look to him to untangle the knot.
+
+"I'll soon find out," he said, and then turning to the crowd he added:
+"keep back and give me a chance to see if Landy is right."
+
+"He's after the trail, that's what," said one of the scouts, as they saw
+Elmer advance to where the crooked tree pointed out by the fat recruit
+stood, and bend down at its base.
+
+Every eye remained glued on the young scout master. Not a word more was
+said, for they knew that explanation of Elmer's movements must be the
+right one.
+
+No sooner had Elmer dropped to his knees than he felt a thrill of
+pleasure.
+
+"It's here, sure enough!" he muttered, as his eye discovered the torn
+turf where Landy's toes must have dragged when he fell.
+
+And with the knowledge of trailing which he possessed, it must surely
+prove an easy task to follow those plain tracks. Landy knew nothing at
+all concerning the art of hiding a trail, and which the bearer of the
+wampum belt and his companion had tried their best to put into practice
+with the idea of deceiving the pathfinder who came behind.
+
+When Landy put his foot down it was with considerable emphasis.
+Consequently, any one of the more experienced scouts would have been
+equal to the task of following that trail backward.
+
+As Elmer moved away he made a swift, beckoning movement with his arm.
+This the boys interpreted as a command or invitation to "get a move on,"
+as Lil Artha put it, and follow after their leader.
+
+So the troop moved onward, and more than one fellow's teeth came
+together with a click as he grasped his cudgel tighter in his hand, and
+resolved to give a good account of himself should it become necessary to
+do something violent.
+
+True, the rules counseled peaceful victories; but there may be times
+when it becomes absolutely necessary for Boy Scouts to show that they
+have good red blood in their veins.
+
+And most of those present were of the opinion that the present occasion
+promised to be just such a crisis that called for strenuous treatment.
+
+Their companion, Nat Scott, had mysteriously disappeared, and they had
+good reason to believe that he had fallen into the hands of these
+unknown men who made the vicinity of Munsey's mill their secret
+headquarters.
+
+Why they should seize upon Nat, and what object they could have in
+holding him a prisoner, were questions no one could answer, as yet. But
+they meant to know, and that before long.
+
+Now and then some fellow would step aside without a word, and possess
+himself of some attractive club that had caught his eye while passing.
+
+Evidently none of them had forgotten the injunction of their leader to
+arm themselves. And really it was strange how much comfort even a stout
+walking stick could give a fellow on an occasion of this sort, when
+unseen and unknown perils hovered about them.
+
+Meanwhile Elmer stuck to his task. Indeed, it was an easy one for so
+experienced a tracker and pathfinder, and he did not hurry along faster
+simply because he wanted a little time to collect his own thoughts, and
+decide what ought to be done.
+
+When Landy so obediently gave up his investigation, and sought to rejoin
+the balance of the troop when the bugle sounded, he managed to make what
+proved to be a "bee line" through the woods. Even trees that were in the
+way could not stop him with impunity, as he had proven when he collided
+with that crooked one.
+
+This made Elmer's job still easier. And as he advanced farther into the
+woods he marveled first at the rashness of Landy in wandering so far
+away; and second at the ability he displayed in getting safely back to
+the shore of the pond.
+
+Elmer was keeping one eye out ahead as he moved along. Of course he
+anticipated coming upon the concealed shack at any moment now. When he
+saw an unusually large cluster of high bushes and undergrowth he felt
+positive that he must be almost in touch with the place.
+
+What kind of reception might they expect? If these men, whom none of
+them had as yet even seen, turned out to be rascals who were hiding from
+justice, and who suspected them of being a posse sent out to round up
+the tramp thieves, their manner of greeting might prove to be anything
+but friendly.
+
+Could they have one or more fierce dogs among them? Elmer had not seen
+the first trace of a dog anywhere around, but this could hardly be
+accepted as positive evidence that there were none.
+
+Frequently such men make it a point to possess canine companions. And
+these are invariably of some species fond of the spirit of battle.
+
+It was partly the expectation of running across such four-footed enemies
+that had influenced Elmer to have the boys arm themselves with clubs. He
+knew what a power for good a stout cudgel may prove under such
+conditions.
+
+Looking closely he had to confess that he could see no sign of life
+about that clump of bushes.
+
+And yet the trail led directly from it; and as if to sweep away his last
+remaining doubt he now discovered a second series of fresh tracks
+leading straight _toward_ the spot.
+
+Besides, here was a regular path, beaten down by many feet, and which
+headed in the quarter Elmer knew the big pond lay.
+
+That settled it.
+
+Elmer waited for the balance of the troop to come up. Everyone's gaze
+was fastened on him. Eyes flashed more brightly than usual, and some of
+the boys naturally showed their nervousness by the way they kept their
+cudgels moving.
+
+"Is that the place, Landy, where you saw the shack?" he demanded.
+
+Landy had known it was for more than a full minute past, but he
+remembered that a scout on duty must wait to be asked before
+volunteering any information.
+
+"Yes, sir," he replied, "that is the place."
+
+"Spread out a little, fellows," said Elmer, quietly, "and advance
+slowly. Everyone be ready to give a good account of himself if they rush
+any dogs on us. Forward now!"
+
+And silently the sixteen scouts, spread out somewhat like an open fan,
+started to advance upon the strange dense thicket in which Landy had
+seen a shack.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+READING THE SIGNS.
+
+
+"Halt!"
+
+At the command the scouts came to a stop. They had been gradually
+concentrating as they pushed forward, so that when this halt was made
+they formed half a circle, and each fellow was almost touching elbows
+with the next in line.
+
+Just before them, even though pretty well concealed by the foliage of
+the bushes, they could make out what appeared to be a rough shack.
+
+No other name would apply, for it was clumsily built out of odds and
+ends of boards, secured at the mill, no doubt, together with sods, a
+heap of stones, some mud that had hardened until it resembled mortar;
+and, finally, a roof thatched with straw, much after the style the boys
+had seen in pictures of foreign cottages in Switzerland, France, and
+Italy.
+
+"Say," observed Red, who found it unusually hard to keep from expressing
+his views, "I don't believe there are any kiyi dogs around here,
+fellows."
+
+"Don't seem like it," remarked another, doubtless breathing a sigh of
+relief at the improved prospect.
+
+"Sure we'd have heard them give tongue," observed Toby, advancing boldly
+to look in through the opening at the side of the shack, and which
+doubtless served the purpose of a window.
+
+"Careful, Toby; go slow," called out Elmer; for there could be no
+telling what sort of a storm the appearance of the boys in khaki might
+raise within the shanty.
+
+An intense silence followed. Every fellow could feel his heart pounding
+against his ribs like a trip hammer, and he wondered whether the sound
+were loud enough to betray his nervous frame of mind to his companions,
+never dreaming that they were all in the same box.
+
+A red squirrel in a tree overhead, that had been observing all these
+doings with round-eyed wonder, began to chatter and scold. A little
+striped chipmunk sat up on a neighboring stump and took note.
+
+"Nobody home, fellers," called out Toby, after he had apparently stared
+in through that opening for more than a full minute.
+
+Some of the scouts looked relieved; others frowned as if disgusted. This
+sort of thing might be all very well, but it did not seem to be taking
+them any closer to the rescue of their comrade, or clearing up any of
+the dark fog of mystery that hung like a wet blanket between themselves
+and the solution.
+
+Elmer immediately strode forward. By following the well-defined path he
+was able to find himself at what was plainly the rude door of the shack.
+
+Upon this he knocked sharply. There came no answer, and even the keenest
+ears among the scouts failed to catch the slightest sound following this
+summons.
+
+"Try it once more, Elmer," advised cautious Mark.
+
+Again the tattoo sounded, but as before it produced no results. So Elmer
+opened the door, which he saw had been fashioned in the rudest way from
+boards, and hung upon strap hinges.
+
+As he pushed the door aside, every scout held his breath and gripped his
+stick expectantly. But nothing happened. No string of rough men came
+bustling forth, demanding in coarse language what the boys meant by
+bothering them.
+
+It looked as though Toby must have struck the right key when he so
+confidently declared there was nobody at home.
+
+So Elmer entered, with some of the bolder among the scouts at his heels.
+The balance contented themselves in pressing around the door and window,
+and taking it out in looking.
+
+Just as he had expected, Elmer found the interior of the shack pretty
+gloomy. Under the best of conditions very little daylight could find a
+way through such small openings, and these were now almost filled by the
+bodies of the curious scouts. But this was a matter easily remedied.
+Elmer had his matchsafe ready in his hands, and his first act was to
+strike a light.
+
+As soon as the match flamed up he cast one quick look around the
+interior. This assured him that there were certainly no low-browed men
+crouching in the corners, and ready to hurl themselves upon the young
+invaders.
+
+The next thing Elmer did was also a very natural move. He saw a candle
+in a bottle, standing on an upturned box, and stepping forward he
+applied his match to the waiting wick.
+
+Then he looked around again.
+
+There could be no doubt about this shack having been recently used as
+sleeping quarters by a number of men.
+
+Several heaps of straw told where they lay, and Elmer counted four of
+these. Then there were a few bits of old clothing hanging from nails, a
+pair of heavy shoes, a frying pan, a kettle in which coffee might have
+been made, some broken bread, part of a ham, and some ears of corn; this
+last possibly stolen from the field of some farmer.
+
+It looked like a tramp's paradise, but the puzzle was, what would tramps
+be doing so far away from all customary sources of supply?
+
+Elmer sniffed the atmosphere, which was both heavy and far from
+pleasant. And Lil Artha, who had pressed into the shack, hot upon the
+heels of his chief, took note of his significant action.
+
+"I should say yes, it's rank as all get out," he remarked, holding his
+nose between a finger and thumb. "Even beats that fishy smell we struck
+when we looked down into the cellar at the cottage. Whew!"
+
+Others expressed themselves about as strongly, and little Jasper
+Merriweather, who had unwisely pushed into the shack, found it necessary
+to hurry out again, white of face and gasping.
+
+But Elmer had conceived an idea, even while suffering from the
+unpleasant odor of the place.
+
+"Howling cats!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "I don't see how you can stand it,
+Elmer. Talk to me about tramps, and the way they hate water, here's the
+rank evidence of it. Wow, ain't I sorry for poor Nat if he's got to
+associate with this hobo crowd for long!"
+
+"But how do we know they're hoboes?" asked Elmer, turning on the tall
+scout.
+
+"Hey? What's that?" exclaimed Lil Artha, actually so surprised that he
+neglected to hold that firm grip on his nose any longer.
+
+"What makes you so sure they're tramps?" pursued the scout master.
+
+"Why, goodness gracious alive, Elmer, you don't mean to say you doubt
+that now?" cried the tall boy, sweeping his hand around as though to
+draw attention to the various articles that seemed to stamp that theory
+a positive fact.
+
+"Seeing these things here is what makes me question that idea very
+much," began Elmer; and then he picked up one of the old shoes, to hold
+it at arm's length. "Look at that, fellows; never made in this country,
+and you know it. Hobnails such as no one but foreigners use on their
+shoes."
+
+"Well, I declare; I guess Elmer's right!" exclaimed Red.
+
+"He certainly is, suh, take my word foh it," was the way Chatz expressed
+himself.
+
+"Now look here, whoever saw a tramp's nest with anything like this in
+it?" and Elmer picked up a string of beads, evidently a rosary, that
+must have been overlooked in a hasty flight.
+
+"Whew, that's going some!" ejaculated Phil Dale who, with his cousin
+Landy, happened to be in the shack eager to see all that went on.
+
+"Perhaps he can even tell us what brand of foreigners these fellows
+are," remarked Landy, who was beginning to look upon Elmer pretty much
+in the light of a wizard.
+
+"Oh, that ought to be easy, fellows," said the young scout master, as he
+reached up and took down a worn letter his quick eye had noticed stuck
+in a crack.
+
+Every eye was immediately focused on the scout master. They knew his
+reasoning powers of old, and expected that Elmer would quickly put them
+on the right track now.
+
+Indeed, hardly had the latter glanced at the well-worn letter he held
+than he smiled.
+
+"What is it?" asked Red, impatiently.
+
+"Yes, tell us what you've found out, Elmer," said Lil Artha.
+
+"Why, look here at the name. As near as I can make out it's Giuseppi
+Caroni," replied the other.
+
+"Wow, that is plain enough!" exclaimed Red.
+
+"Sure Italiano," echoed the tall scout.
+
+"Just as I thought," replied Elmer.
+
+"But you can prove it," remarked Chatz.
+
+"That's easy enough," added Dr. Ted, "the thtamp ought to be enough, you
+thee."
+
+"And if it isn't, fellows, here's the postmark as plain as
+anything--Naples, Italy," continued Elmer.
+
+"Naples, hey?" remarked Lil Artha. "Say, I was just reading about Naples
+the other day, and it said that next to the island of Sicily we get more
+of our Black Hand crowd from there than any other part of Garibaldi's
+old land."
+
+A gasp seemed to go the complete rounds of all the khaki-clad warriors
+who thronged that mysterious little shack.
+
+"Black Hand, you say, Lil Artha?" exclaimed Red.
+
+"Yes, and anarchists, too; the kind that blow up the kings and queens of
+the Old World. The kind that abduct people so as to make their rich
+relatives whack up a big ransom."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+Some of the boys looked a little timid, and glanced around
+apprehensively, as though they anticipated seeing a whole bunch of
+fierce-looking dynamite users rise up around them.
+
+Others shut their teeth together harder than ever, and these more
+determined fellows, it might be noticed, tightened the grip they had
+upon their sticks.
+
+All eyes were turned again upon Elmer, who had listened to these remarks
+with an amused smile.
+
+"Hold on your horses, boys," he said, raising his hand just then to
+still the rising dispute.
+
+"Shut up, everybody; Elmer's got something more to tell us," Lil Artha
+cried.
+
+The hubbub died away, and an eagerness to listen took its place; for
+every one of them was anxious to pick up points concerning the clever
+way their leader figured things out.
+
+It was an important part of a scout's duty to learn how to read signs,
+not only when following a trail, but at all times.
+
+And especially valuable would this qualification become when confronted
+by a baffling mystery such as the Hickory Ridge troop was now up
+against.
+
+"Those who occupied this shack were four in number," Elmer began.
+
+"How did you find that out?" asked Red.
+
+"By the various tracks. So far as I could see there were just four
+separate kinds leading up to this place, and each one different."
+
+"Hurrah! I tell you, fellows, that's the way to learn things. Elmer
+knows how to do it," cried Lil Artha.
+
+Without even smiling at the implied compliment Elmer went on:
+
+"Two of them wore shoes with hobnails just as you see on this old
+cast-off shoe here. A third one had on American-made brogans, and I
+expect they hurt him some, too, because he was limping as he walked. He
+is undoubtedly the chap who used to own these old foreign-made
+gun-boats."
+
+"Hold on a minute, please, Elmer," pleaded Red.
+
+"All right. You want to ask me something, and I think I know what it
+is," remarked the other.
+
+"You say this fellow's new shoes hurt him, and made him limp; please
+tell us how in the wide world you ever found that out?" Red continued.
+
+"Well, it might be possible that the fellow was always lame, but his
+tracks show plainly that he limped. Something was wrong with his left
+leg or foot, because the toe dug deeply into the ground."
+
+"Well, I declare is that dead-sure evidence, Elmer?" demanded the
+astounded tenderfoot, Landy, who was listening with all his might to
+these intensely interesting facts as brought out by the scout master.
+
+"Try it yourself sometime, Landy," remarked Elmer. "Pick out a nice
+piece of ground where the marks will show plainly. Limp as naturally as
+you can with the left leg. Then go back and examine the trail. You will
+find that not only does the left foot dig deeper at the toe than the
+right one, but that same toe drags a little over the ground as you bring
+the left foot forward each time."
+
+"Just listen to that, will you!" remarked Red, "but I know Elmer is
+right. I can grab the principle of the thing."
+
+"But how about the fourth one, Elmer; seems to me you've been holding
+back something there, that you mean to spring on us," said Lil Artha.
+
+"Well, I have," remarked the other, quickly. "This fourth track was
+smaller than the others, and the person also wore American-made shoes."
+
+"Ah, a boy, eh?" asked Red.
+
+The scout master shook his head.
+
+"Wrong that time, my boy. You'll have to guess again, I reckon," he
+said.
+
+"Was it a woman, Elmer?" demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"Just what it was--an Italian woman, squatty like most of her race; and
+I should say between fifty-five and sixty years of age," Elmer replied,
+soberly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+SETTING A TRAP.
+
+
+At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
+
+"Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the
+respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in
+the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't
+expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
+
+"Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other,
+calmly.
+
+"Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive
+front of the other.
+
+"Stop and think, did you ever see any other than a short, squatty woman
+among the Italian laborers? And I reckon nobody else ever did. They
+carry heavy burdens on their heads, and people say that's one reason
+they're always dumpy," Elmer began.
+
+"He's right, fellows," broke out Landy; "why, I've seen a dago woman
+carrying a mattress, a stove and some chairs on her head all at the same
+time. Gee, looked like a two-legged moving van:"
+
+"But see here, you notice a shelf with a few things on it, some hairpins
+among the lot. It was built unusually low, so _she_ could reach it. And
+what's this you see here, fellows? A piece of broken looking glass
+fastened to the wall. Notice how low down it is? No man ever used that
+glass, you can depend on it; and the woman who did was surely small,
+wasn't she now?"
+
+"A regular sawed-off," assented Lil Artha, emphatically.
+
+"Elmer's sure proved his point there, fellows," declared Red Huggins,
+grinning.
+
+"But what makes you think the woman is old, Elmer?" asked Landy,
+curiously.
+
+"That's so; how in the wide world could you know such a thing without
+ever seeing her?" demanded Toby.
+
+"Nothing could be easier, fellows; see here!"
+
+As Elmer spoke he reached out his hand and took something off the low
+shelf.
+
+Those in the room crowded around, fairly wild to follow out the clever
+deduction of their young leader.
+
+"Why, it's a comb," cried one.
+
+"Only an old broken comb," echoed another, with a shade of uncertainty
+in his voice.
+
+"What is there about that to tell you, Elmer?" queried Red, staring
+first at the article in question, and then at the smiling scout master.
+
+"I know," burst out Matty just then.
+
+"Tell us," pleaded several.
+
+"Yes, throw some light on the dark mystery," added Lil Artha, "because
+to the untrained eye it's all as gloomy as the inside of my pocket. A
+comb, and how to tell a woman's age from that! Well, I own up beat."
+
+"Why, it's as easy as falling off a log, or coming down in a smash when
+you're first learning how to fly," Matty began.
+
+"Hey, don't you drag me into this thing," spoke up Toby, whose many
+experiments as a new beginner in the science of aviation had usually
+ended in his enjoying a disastrous tumble.
+
+"All you have to do is to examine the comb," Matty went on. "Then you'll
+find that it holds a few long hairs, and, fellows, just see how gray
+they are, will you?"
+
+"Well, what d'ye think of that!" burst out Red. "And I guess we're a lot
+of chumps, fellows, not to have seen through it before."
+
+"Would a woman be among anarchists, Elmer?" demanded Toby.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," came the reply. "Perhaps so, though not as a usual
+thing. But understand that I haven't said I agreed with you altogether,
+when you gave such a hard name to these people."
+
+"Then you don't count 'em as Black Hand kidnapers, who expect to raise a
+bully good sum by holding our pard, Nat Scott, for ransom?" demanded
+Red.
+
+"I've seen nothing to tell me that's the way matters stand," Elmer
+commenced saying, "and several things seem to say just the opposite. The
+presence of the woman, and her having such an article as this precious
+string of beads don't seem to go along with such a thing as a band of
+rascals."
+
+"Yes, yes, go on, Elmer," several called out.
+
+"We haven't found the slightest sign of a bomb factory here, or even a
+book teaching how to bring about a revolution. These things make me
+believe that these three men and a woman may not be such terribly hard
+cases after all."
+
+"But you believe they've got our chum, and are holding him a prisoner,
+don't you, Elmer?" asked Matty.
+
+"I do believe it," Elmer went on. "In fact I know it, because if you
+look back of that empty box yonder, which they use for a table, you'll
+find a hat--Nat's hat, if I'm not mistaken."
+
+A rush was made for the box in question, and there followed a confusion
+of tongues, as half a dozen fellows tried to talk at once.
+
+"You found a hat, didn't you?" demanded Elmer.
+
+"We sure did, and here she is," cried Red, holding up the article in
+question.
+
+"It looks like a scout's regulation hat?" Elmer remarked.
+
+"Which nobody could deny," sang Lil Artha.
+
+"And as every scout present has his own hat on his head right now, it
+stands to reason this couldn't belong to any of us, eh, fellows?"
+
+"To clinch the matter, Elmer," observed Matty, "if you look inside the
+hat you'll find two little silver letters fastened there. The N. S.
+stands for Nathaniel Scott."
+
+"Well, that point seems proved. Nat was here. Perhaps in wandering about
+he struck this place. But the indications are he was captured first, and
+brought to this shack."
+
+"But," said hasty Red, interrupting Elmer, "if you admit that these
+Italians have made our pard a prisoner, how can you say they are not bad
+men, thieves wanted by the officers of the law, even if not anarchists?"
+
+"Some things I can only guess at, without being able to explain my
+conviction. But, honestly, fellows, I hardly think these people are as
+bad as you make out. I know blackmail is practiced over in Italy a lot.
+And that one of the favorite ways to get money is to kidnap the son or
+daughter of a rich man, and demand a heavy ransom. But in this case they
+would hardly pick Nat Scott for a pigeon to be plucked. His father is
+only a schoolmaster. There are others here who would seem to be more
+attractive bait."
+
+"Hear, hear!" cried Lil Artha, casting a meaning look in the direction
+of Larry Billings, whose father, being a banker, was reckoned the
+richest man in all Hickory Ridge.
+
+"But ain't we wasting a heap of time here?" asked Red, impatient as
+always to be doing something.
+
+"That's just what I was saying to Ted here," declared Larry, whom the
+meaning glance of Lil Artha had plainly rendered uneasy.
+
+"You may think so," remarked Elmer, "but this is a case of the more
+haste the less speed. I reckon it's wise for us to make sure about the
+character of these Italians before we go to chasing after them. They're
+an excitable lot, you know, and we might bring on trouble that could
+just as well be avoided if we went slow."
+
+Matty looked at his leader sharply.
+
+"Say, see here, Elmer," he remarked, "you know, or anyhow you've got a
+pretty good hunch, who these people are?"
+
+"Why, yes, Italians," laughed the other.
+
+"Now, that ain't what I mean," Matty went on. "No dodging, but own up."
+
+"You're wrong there," Elmer said. "I don't know, and my suspicions so
+far are founded on such slight evidence that I don't care to commit
+myself before the whole of you--yet."
+
+"But from what you said just now," Matty continued, "you don't seem to
+agree with the rest of us when we call these Italians anarchists."
+
+"Because there hasn't been a solitary thing to prove it. We pathfinders
+must always discover some trace of the trail, or else we'd go astray.
+And I've owned up that I'm more than half inclined to believe these
+people are not the bad lot you'd make out."
+
+"But they've got our chum a prisoner," said Red.
+
+"Looks that way," assented Elmer, cheerfully.
+
+"And honest men would never do a thing like that," declared Red.
+
+"Oh, wouldn't they?" replied the other. "Perhaps now the shoe might be
+on the other foot."
+
+"Eh?"
+
+"And perhaps these honest people might suspect that you three fellows in
+uniform represented the great United States army about to surround
+them, and make them prisoners because they had been occupying private
+property here at Munsey's mill."
+
+The scouts looked at one another, astonished. Here was a theory then
+which had never appealed to them before.
+
+"Well, I declare!" gasped Red.
+
+"Don't it just beat the Dutch how he gets on to all these things?" said
+Lil Artha.
+
+"But, Elmer, why take poor Nat a prisoner, bottle him up so he couldn't
+call for help, fetch him to this old shack, and finally carry him off
+when they light out!"
+
+It was Matty who asked this question. Elmer smiled and shook his head.
+
+"I can figure out a lot of things," he said, "just as I can read Indian
+writing; but please don't expect me to tell you what people _think_. I
+only know that these Italians were surely frightened at the sudden
+appearance of three fellows in khaki, and that they probably took them
+for soldiers. They must have had some idea in view when they captured
+Nat, and hustled him to this shack. Perhaps they only meant to hide here
+until the rest of us had gone."
+
+"And they got more scared when you sounded that bugle, I reckon,"
+remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"Yes, and then the coming of another bunch of six scouts may have made
+them believe the worst was about to happen," Elmer continued.
+
+"Say, I thought I heard low voices when I was just going to peep in that
+window there, and the bugle called me back to duty," Landy spoke up.
+
+"Yes," Elmer added; "and it may be the coming of Landy just finished
+their panic. After he went away they must have vamosed the ranch in a
+hurry."
+
+"Well, all this is mighty interesting, sure," declared Red, with an
+appreciative nod, "but it ain't bringing us any closer to finding our
+chum Nat."
+
+"Yes, what's the programme, Elmer?" asked Chatz. "Do we take up the
+trail right away, and try to follow these heah rascals to their new
+camp? You can count on all of us, suh, to do the troop credit."
+
+"There may be another way," remarked Elmer, who seemed to be pondering
+over the matter.
+
+"Tell us about it, then, please."
+
+"Sometimes it's the best policy to hike after an enemy as fast as you
+can put. Then again, there are other times when a whole lot can be won
+just by waiting for the enemy _to come to you_."
+
+"That's so, fellows," declared Matty; "I see what Elmer means. He thinks
+that if we hid out here, we'd be able to bag the whole blooming crowd
+soon."
+
+"Sounds all right in theory," admitted Red, "but for one I'd like to
+know why Elmer believes that push will come back after a little."
+
+"I only feel pretty sure on one point," explained the acting scout
+master. "And that concerns the woman alone."
+
+"Meaning, I take it, that you think they'll send her back, the cowards,
+to find out whether the coast is clear," ventured Red.
+
+"No, they will never have to send her back, fellows," Elmer went on,
+positively.
+
+"Won't, eh?" remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"I firmly believe that once we withdraw from this same old shack the
+woman will steal back of her own free will."
+
+"To get her precious old comb, mebbe," sneered Red.
+
+"To recover something which I guess she values above ten thousand
+combs," and Elmer as he spoke held up the string of beads forming the
+rosary.
+
+"In her hurry to get away she must have forgotten all about this. But I
+warrant you, fellows, she's discovered the loss by now. What follows?
+She makes up her mind that she's just _got_ to return and find it, if so
+be we haven't taken it from that nail where it was hanging when we came
+in."
+
+"Good! You've got things down just pat, Elmer. And then what?" asked
+Matty.
+
+"I expect to hide near by while the rest of you go noisily away. She
+can't know how many came, and she'll think all have departed. Then, when
+she comes in I'll make her a prisoner. Perhaps they'll be glad to
+exchange Nat for their woman. Or else, if we can make her understand
+that we're only toy soldiers, and mean the men no harm, she will lead us
+to their hide-out."
+
+The scouts were listening attentively, as they always did when Elmer was
+talking. He possessed such a fund of interesting information that they
+knew full well they could learn many useful things by trying to grasp
+the ideas he advanced.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+HOW THE TRAP WORKED.
+
+
+"There's only one thing about it that I object to on general
+principles," remarked Mark.
+
+"What's that?" asked Elmer.
+
+"You shouldn't think to stay here alone," the other went on. "Perhaps
+one of the men might return with the woman--if she does come."
+
+"Yes, that's true; there is a chance," Elmer admitted.
+
+"Well, you see how you'd be up against it then," Mark went on,
+earnestly. "A savage Italian woman, who might have a knife along, would
+be bad enough for one fellow to handle."
+
+"That's so, Mark."
+
+"And should there be a dago man along, why, I guess you'd just have to
+sit sucking your thumb and not making a move," Mark continued.
+
+"I reckon I would," laughed Elmer. "All of which means that you think I
+ought to pick out a couple of husky fellows to keep me company."
+
+"That's what I'd do."
+
+"And that you wouldn't mind being one of the same guards, eh, Mark?"
+
+"I'd enjoy it all right, Elmer."
+
+"Well, I'm thinking that way myself now. You can hold over with me,
+then. I'll want another fellow, too. Let's see," and he glanced at the
+eager faces by which he was surrounded: "oh, well, Lil Artha will be the
+other."
+
+"Oh, shucks!" grumbled Red, bitterly disappointed, because he dearly
+loved action.
+
+"Matty," said the acting scout master.
+
+"On deck," replied the leader of the Beaver Patrol, saluting.
+
+"You might try and see how far you've gone in the art of following a
+trail. I don't believe these rough fellows know the first thing about
+trying to hide their tracks, so you oughtn't to have a great deal of
+trouble."
+
+"Oh, I guess I'd be equal to the job so long as they keep down on the
+low ground. But if they once start up the side of the hill, where it's
+all rocky, I reckon my cake will be dough, then, Elmer."
+
+"Do your best, anyhow, Matty," the scout master went on; "nobody can do
+more. But to tell you the truth, I believe the first chance lies here."
+
+"You really think, then, the woman will return?" queried Mark.
+
+"I am almost dead certain of it," Elmer replied. "I've been among the
+Italians some in the colony they have on the outskirts of our town. And
+I've studied them more or less. They seem a queer people to us, but
+their religion is a big part of their lives--at least that goes with the
+women part of the settlement."
+
+"I think you're right, Elmer," remarked George, who had not spoken up to
+now; "I happen to know a little about the Italians, too, because my
+father employs a lot of 'em, you see. Wouldn't be surprised one bit if
+she sneaks back here to recover those beads. They mean a heap to her,
+fellows."
+
+Everybody stared to hear George talk like that, for as a rule he was
+hard to convince; which fact, as has been stated before, had caused him
+to be known as "Doubting George."
+
+"Well, let's get busy," suggested Red, who, if he could not hold over to
+assist Elmer, at least felt that the sooner he and the rest started on
+the trail the better.
+
+"That's the stuff," added Toby, also anxious to be doing something, he
+cared little what.
+
+"All right," remarked Elmer, "and, as a first move, suppose you fellows
+begin to back out of here. Keep in a bunch outside. Mark, you and Lil
+Artha watch for a chance to drop down in the bushes, and lie as quiet as
+church mice till I give the signal, which will be a whistle.
+Understand?"
+
+"Sure," replied Lil Artha, pausing in the doorway to watch Elmer hang up
+the beads again on the nail where he had found them; "but why ought we
+be so particular about dropping out of sight, if you don't mind telling
+us?"
+
+"Well, it might be the woman has already returned, and is hiding
+somewhere close by, waiting for the crowd to move."
+
+"That's so," admitted Lil Artha.
+
+"And of course if she even suspected that any of us hung out she
+wouldn't try to enter the shack at all," Elmer pursued.
+
+"Then we'll have to be mighty careful, Mark, how we do the great
+vanishing act," the tall scout remarked.
+
+"Wait till the boys happen to bunch around you, then just drop, and let
+them go on. But Mark, as you will be the last one out, suppose you close
+the door after you, just as if the shack were empty."
+
+"Are you expecting to hide behind that box, Elmer?" demanded his chum,
+pointing to the affair that had evidently served as a rude table.
+
+"Just what I am," replied the other, promptly.
+
+"Oh, I see."
+
+And with one last look around, Mark advanced toward the exit, beyond
+which the scouts could be seen talking and gesturing as Matty looked for
+the trail left when the Italians fled in such haste.
+
+Evidently it was Mark's idea to take a good mental impression of the
+interior of the shack away with him. This would prove useful in case
+there arose a sudden necessity for his presence, and that of Lil Artha,
+on the scene of action.
+
+When the last of his companions had gone, and the rough door of the
+shack was swung shut, Elmer hastened to softly move the big box a
+little, so that it might suit his purpose better.
+
+He did not imagine that this would appear suspicious in the eyes of the
+woman, should she return for her rosary, because it was to be expected
+that in a search of the cabin such changes were apt to take place.
+
+He could still hear the chatter of many voices outside, but they were
+growing fainter. Evidently Matty must have found the trail he wanted,
+showing where the four Italians, together with their prisoner, had left
+the concealed shack.
+
+So, knowing the value of time in an affair like this, Elmer hastened to
+crawl behind the big box.
+
+Anyone entering the room could not see him, nor would his crouching form
+be visible from the hole in the shack wall, intended as a window.
+
+At the same time Elmer had so contrived things that, by making use of an
+old bunch of straw which he allowed to hang over the edge of the table,
+he was easily able to keep watch upon both openings, the window and the
+door.
+
+Then he waited patiently for something to happen.
+
+Some minutes passed.
+
+Outside all seemed as quiet as a Sunday in Hickory Ridge.
+
+The sound of boyish voices had utterly died away, proving that Matty
+must be showing considerable skill in leading his detachment along a
+trail.
+
+Indeed, once the presence of human beings no longer acted as a
+disturbing element, a little frisky red squirrel hopped up in the open
+window and peeped within the shack.
+
+Perhaps the little chap was more or less at home there. At any rate
+Elmer was pleased to see him sit up on his haunches and begin to gnaw at
+a stray nut he had evidently discovered.
+
+To his mind the red squirrel was apt to serve in place of a vidette.
+Should anyone approach the shack now the little nut-cracker would give
+warning by frisking away in sudden alarm.
+
+So the wide-awake scout finds opportunities to make use of the most
+ordinary and commonplace things to be met with in the woods.
+
+Everything may have a meaning, if only the scout possesses the key of
+knowledge so necessary for the unlocking of the door.
+
+Not moving a finger Elmer simply awaited the turn of events.
+
+And not once did he doubt the outcome, so positive was he that his
+reasoning must be correct.
+
+If the woman returned alone, he believed they ought to easily take her
+prisoner; but, on the other hand, should one or more of the men
+accompany her, he must expect the conditions to be changed, and alter
+his own plans in consequence.
+
+Two minutes must have gone by now.
+
+Elmer was not simply guessing this, or, as Lil Artha would say, "making
+a blind stab at it." He knew because, as he crouched there watching, he
+was continually marking the flight of time by counting to himself.
+
+In imagination his gaze followed the swinging pendulum of the big
+grandfather clock that stood in the hall of his home.
+
+"Tick, tick, tick!" he could see it go back and forth, each movement
+marking the passing of another second of precious time.
+
+Ah! the squirrel had ceased to work at his nut now. He even gave signs
+of sudden alarm, as though his keen little ratlike ears had caught a
+foreign sound indicating the coming of a human being.
+
+And yet Elmer knew positively that he himself had not moved in the
+slightest degree, so that the squirrel's panic could not be laid at his
+door.
+
+"I guess something's going to happen," he thought, "unless either Mark
+or Lil Artha showed themselves recklessly; and I don't believe they'd do
+it."
+
+He continued to watch his four-footed little sentinel perched up there
+in the apology for a window.
+
+Even as he looked the timid squirrel vanished as suddenly as it had
+appeared.
+
+Elmer only silently chuckled, quite satisfied with the way things were
+working.
+
+And he somehow still continued to keep his eyes glued on that hole in
+the wall, as though laboring under the impression that when the Italian
+woman did come she would first of all appear in that particular quarter.
+
+And he was right.
+
+Even as he looked he discovered a suspicious movement in the gap. This
+was brought about by the uplifting of a human hand, upon the fingers of
+which he could count at least five broad rings without settings.
+
+Perhaps the owner of that hand was on her knees, and in this manner
+sought to rise up.
+
+Elmer, still looking, saw a head presently fill part of the crude
+window.
+
+It was a woman who stared in, there could be no questioning that fact.
+And so far as he could tell she seemed to be alone, for he neither saw
+nor heard any sign of a second party.
+
+Once he knew her burning gaze was fastened upon the bunch of straw which
+he had arranged so as to serve as a veil, back of which he might
+continue to watch what was taking place.
+
+Elmer fairly held his breath, fearing that she might have discovered the
+lurker, or at least entertained suspicions regarding his presence there.
+
+But not so.
+
+Her eyes, having swept back and forth until they had fairly covered the
+whole interior of the dimly lighted shack, seemed to be attracted toward
+one particular spot.
+
+This was where the string of beads hung from the nail driven into a log.
+
+It was the lodestone which had served to draw this woman once more into
+the danger zone.
+
+And from that instant, if Elmer had allowed the slightest doubt to creep
+into his mind before, it no longer found lodgment there.
+
+The woman was bound to enter in order to obtain possession of that
+precious string of beads.
+
+Once she thrust her head and shoulders through the opening and attempted
+to clutch the rosary, but the effort was useless.
+
+"Now she is coming!"
+
+Elmer whispered this to himself as he saw that the woman no longer
+occupied the opening--she had undoubtedly started for the door.
+
+Yes, now he could see the closed door begin to quiver, as though eager
+hands had started to open it.
+
+Elmer held his breath with eagerness, and all the while watched the
+door.
+
+Between his strong teeth the scout master held a little German silver
+whistle, such as patrol leaders usually carry for signaling purposes.
+
+This he expected to sound when the time was ripe, and he had every
+reason to believe that his two comrades would rush into the shack the
+very instant they heard the call.
+
+Now the door was surely opening wider. Even in her hurry the Italian
+woman did not forget the need of due caution when all these enemies
+seemed to be hanging around.
+
+Her experiences across the ocean may have made her exceedingly ill
+disposed to trust anything that wore a uniform.
+
+Yes, the door had given way by now to admit a moving figure, and then it
+was drawn shut again.
+
+Elmer smiled to see how closely his guess had come to the actual truth.
+The Italian woman was not only squatty, and "broad of beam," as Lil
+Artha would have put it, but, as Elmer had said, might be close on sixty
+years of age, for she had many wrinkles, and her hair was certainly
+gray.
+
+She left the door unfastened behind her. Elmer chuckled to himself under
+his breath, for he saw that in doing this the woman had not only left a
+way of speedy escape open for herself in case of necessity, but also a
+free passage for the scouts when the signal whistle blew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+RUN DOWN.
+
+
+Straight across the floor of the shack glided the woman.
+
+She was making a bee line for the string of beads with the little silver
+cross at the double end.
+
+And the hidden scout could hear the low words of musical Italian flowing
+from her lips when she reached out an eager hand to seize upon the
+sacred article.
+
+Now was his time.
+
+The critical moment had arrived when he must proceed to spring his trap.
+
+As silently as he could, then, Elmer arose to his feet. He was behind
+the woman and could never bring himself to believe that he had made even
+the slightest sound when rising.
+
+Then the only explanation left was that the woman happened to be in
+front of the broken looking glass at the moment, bent on fastening the
+beads about her thick neck. And if so, she must have discovered him as
+he arose from behind the big box.
+
+At any rate she uttered a cry that to his mind was not unlike the snarl
+of a wild beast. He saw the almost savage look that came over her
+swarthy face, and knew that after all, such a woman was fully as much to
+be feared as the stoutest ladrone.
+
+And so Elmer did not think it was unworthy of a true scout to send out
+the call for help.
+
+The woman might be disposed to defy just one half-grown lad, whereas if
+she believed herself to be up against the whole troop she would submit
+with the best grace she could command.
+
+And so he blew a shrill blast that must bring both Mark and Lil Artha
+dashing to the spot.
+
+The effect upon the woman was rather surprising.
+
+Perhaps Elmer might have expected seeing her cower down, seized with a
+sudden overwhelming fear, but nothing of the kind occurred.
+
+To his surprise she snatched out a wicked-looking knife from the bosom
+of her dress. It looked to Elmer like a broken kitchen knife that had
+been ground down to a point. With such a blade he remembered seeing the
+Italian women from the settlement just outside Hickory Ridge wandering
+around in the early spring, digging dandelion plants for "greens."
+
+He could hear the rush of approaching footsteps even as the woman sprang
+for the door with a wild look on her face.
+
+The other two scouts had of course caught his shrill signal, and were
+hastening to join their leader.
+
+Undoubtedly both Mark and Lil Artha must have seen the woman, if not
+while she was looking in at the window, then when she turned the corner
+of the hidden shack to enter by the door.
+
+And hence they would surely understand that there was no man opposed to
+their combined force.
+
+The fact of the woman being armed with so terrible a weapon as a knife,
+and that look of grim determination on her dark face, alarmed Elmer.
+
+What if she attacked the two scouts--what if in her sudden panic she
+wounded either of his chums? There could be no telling what a
+fear-crazed, ignorant woman, strong as an ox, and almost as
+irresponsible, might do in an emergency like this.
+
+Of course he would have only been too well pleased could he have shown
+the woman that it was all a mistake, and that they meant her no ill.
+
+But with her brandishing that wicked-looking knife and leaping for the
+door, there was certainly no opportunity for argument.
+
+Elmer sprang forward.
+
+His main idea was to try and knock that blade from her grasp by striking
+sharply on her arm or her knuckles.
+
+At the same time he thought to warn the other scouts, so that they might
+take due precautions when suddenly brought face to face with the Italian
+woman who was running amuck.
+
+Perhaps when they heard him shout they would just naturally believe he
+was being hard pressed. And in that case, instead of deterring them, his
+cries would only further spur the others on.
+
+Nevertheless Elmer lifted his voice in warning:
+
+"Look out, boys! She's got a knife, and is coming out at you! Take care
+there!"
+
+Just then something happened.
+
+The woman had not turned her head as Elmer thus gave tongue, as might a
+hound on the warm trail of the fox.
+
+She kept straight on. The door was before her, and while she had drawn
+it shut after entering, it has been mentioned before that she made no
+attempt to fasten the same.
+
+So now, when she hurled her whole weight against the barrier it flew
+outward with a jump.
+
+As luck would have it, the two scouts had managed to reach the door at
+exactly the same time. And that second chanced to be the identical one
+when the frightened foreigner crashed into the door.
+
+There could only be one result, and that filled with bitterness and woe
+to both Lil Artha and Mark. As the uncouth door was thrown suddenly
+outward, as if forced by a battering ram from within, it struck the
+scouts a tremendous blow.
+
+They crumpled up and went over. A couple of ten-pins struck by a swiftly
+hurled ball could hardly have collapsed more ingloriously than did Lil
+Artha and his mate.
+
+Indeed, the long-legged scout seemed to perform a complete revolution in
+the air, landing on his knees among the bushes.
+
+Two seconds later, when Elmer dashed out of the shack, this was the
+astonishing spectacle he saw--the woman running away as best her bulk
+allowed, casting glances that were half frightened, half triumphant,
+behind her; while Mark was sitting up, rubbing a bump on his forehead
+ruefully, and Lil Artha had taken out a handkerchief to dab at his
+bleeding nose.
+
+Still, nothing short of an earthquake could ever bottle up the flow of
+animal spirits that usually possessed the lanky one.
+
+While he applied his handkerchief until it looked particularly gory, he
+was bent upon giving expression to his views.
+
+"Wow! and again I say, wow! What cyclone was that we ran up against,
+Elmer? Did you let fly with that club of yours, or did the old shack
+just take a notion to fall over on us? It felt like I was being kicked
+by an army mule."
+
+"Same here, Elmer," lamented Mark, as he succeeded in struggling to his
+feet.
+
+"Well, it wasn't anything like that at all," declared Elmer, hastily;
+"and if you take the trouble to look yonder, before your eyes begin to
+close up, you'll see what hit you, running away like a scared
+hippopotamus."
+
+"Glory be! Was it that dago woman?" yelled Lil Artha, now on his feet
+again.
+
+"Yes, she burst the door open when she saw me, and as you chanced to be
+in the way, why, you got the benefit, that's all," Elmer remarked.
+
+"Don't let her get away, fellows! Come on, who's afraid? We can cover
+three feet to her one. Let's make her a prisoner," shouted Lil Artha,
+whose usually even temper seemed to have been decidedly ruffled by his
+recent mishap.
+
+So the three scouts left the shack and began to rush after the fleeing
+Italian woman.
+
+Of course she knew immediately that she was being pursued. She tried to
+increase her pace, but evidently with little success. Short, dumpy
+people can never hope to compete with slim, long-legged greyhounds like
+Lil Artha.
+
+And so, almost from the start, the three scouts began to close in upon
+the fleeing Italian woman.
+
+"Say, she's got a bloody old knife," gasped Lil Artha, as they struggled
+on through the woods where the creeping vines and the underbrush, not to
+mention frequent logs and occasional woodchuck holes, made running a
+desperate business.
+
+"That's so, Elmer," piped up Mark, "I saw her shake it at us then."
+
+"I know it, fellows," said the scout master, "and that's what I was
+shouting about, to warn you."
+
+"Are we gaining any, Elmer? I can't see just as well as I'd like, with
+this thing up to my nose," the lanky runner asked.
+
+"Pulling up on her fast, my boy," came the reassuring answer.
+
+"And what're we goin' to do when she turns on us?" demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"First of all, surround her."
+
+"That sounds good as far as she goes. What next?"
+
+"We must try and knock that nasty thing out of her hand by a sharp blow
+on the arm," continued Elmer, who strangely enough seemed as cool as a
+cucumber, while both of his companions showed the effect of the mad
+pace.
+
+"I tumble to it, Elmer," gasped Lil Artha, "and I'm the fellow to give
+that lovely little tap. I made Red drop his stick seven times when we
+were having a bout with long sticks, and which we pretended were the
+old-style quarterstaves."
+
+Even the long-legged Lil Artha must see now that the distance separating
+the pursuers from the fugitive had been greatly shortened. Another five
+minutes would see them overhaul the woman, unless something not down on
+the bills came to pass.
+
+Five minutes--why there would surely be ample time to bring this result
+about, judging by the way they were covering two yards to her one.
+
+The woman knew it, too.
+
+She was becoming more and more anxious. This was shown by the way she
+kept turning her head from time to time as she ran.
+
+Elmer knew what was apt to happen. For himself he found that he had
+need of both his eyes with every step forward he took through that
+tangle, where trailing vines lay in wait to trip him up, and branches
+hung low as if seeking to catch in his hair, to make him another
+Absalom.
+
+Already had Lil Artha gone down with a thud, but as he said himself, his
+"dander" was aroused, and no little things like this could be allowed to
+interfere with his pursuit.
+
+So he had hastily scrambled to his feet and followed at the heels of his
+more fortunate chums, a sight calculated to excite wild laughter among
+the rest of the troop, with his blood-flecked face.
+
+At any rate Lil Artha was game to the backbone, and Elmer often
+remembered it afterward when "trying out" his scouts.
+
+The closer they drew to the fleeing woman the greater her fright seemed
+to become.
+
+Whenever he saw her looking backward over her shoulder Elmer would make
+pantomime gestures with his free hand.
+
+He was trying the best he knew how to tell her to give over this foolish
+flight, and that they had no hostile intentions.
+
+But the chances were she interpreted these movements just the other way,
+and believed he must be threatening her with all sorts of terrible
+things unless she yielded herself a prisoner to their prowess.
+
+Well, no matter, it could hardly last more than another minute or so. Do
+what she would the woman must find it utterly impossible to get away.
+
+Already the active mind of the young scout master was busy, weaving a
+clever scheme by means of which they could surround the woman, and by
+attacking her all at once, succeed in knocking the shining knife out of
+her hand.
+
+No doubt he would have succeeded in doing the job, too, had conditions
+continued to make such a move necessary.
+
+But they did not.
+
+The fickle hand of Fate came in between just in time to share in the
+matter.
+
+It seemed to Elmer that they were constantly getting into a more tangled
+mess of undergrowth. All around and ahead were traps calculated to slyly
+catch unwary feet and trip them up.
+
+Suddenly Elmer gave vent to a low gasping cry; but while Mark
+involuntarily turned his head to learn if his companion had gone lame,
+to his surprise and gratification he found the other running as smoothly
+and easily as ever, as though perfectly fresh.
+
+"The woman!" shrieked Lil Artha, who, apparently, from his position in
+the rear had been enabled to see just what had happened.
+
+"Where--is--she?" gasped Mark, once more allowing his eyes to travel
+ahead.
+
+For, apparently, the fleeing Italian had vanished at that instant, as
+completely as though the earth had opened and swallowed her up.
+
+"She's down--caught her foot in a root!" cried Elmer, not slackening his
+warm pace, for he wanted to make a quick job of the thing.
+
+Then Mark saw that some object was threshing the bushes furiously. Twice
+the woman tried to rise, but on each occasion she fell back again.
+
+Then presently he gave a shout as he guessed the true situation.
+
+"She's caught fast in a vine, Elmer. Even the woods work with us! I tell
+you she's a prisoner right now! All we've got to do is to tie her
+hands!"
+
+"But look out for that dandelion knife, boys," warned Elmer, as the
+three of them reached the spot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE LANGUAGE OF SIGNS.
+
+
+It happened just as the boys had expected. While turning her head so
+often to see how near these persistent pursuers were, the woman had
+caught her foot in a stout vine.
+
+She had been hurled to the ground with considerable force, but
+apparently received no serious injury. When she tried to regain her
+feet, however, on each occasion the clinging vine refused to release its
+hold. As a consequence she went down again.
+
+Finally, as though realizing the uselessness of further struggling
+against Fate, the woman stopped trying to get up.
+
+Having twisted around in some manner, she just sat there and stared at
+the three boys in khaki.
+
+"Now she's wondering what we're going to do," said Mark, as they stood
+with the woman between them.
+
+"Yes, she's frightened again, poor thing," remarked Elmer. "I'm afraid
+it's these uniforms that have done it. She surely takes us for soldiers,
+and thinks we've come here just to arrest the whole bunch."
+
+"I'm glad of one thing, though," said Lil Artha.
+
+"What might that be?" asked Elmer.
+
+"Looks like she must have dropped that fierce frog sticker when she
+fell, because you notice she hasn't got the old knife in her claws just
+now."
+
+"That's right," admitted Mark, cheerfully, for the fact naturally
+pleased him.
+
+"And here it is, right at my feet," said Elmer, as he stooped and took
+something from the ground.
+
+It was the knife which the Italian woman had flourished so recklessly.
+
+"My stars, what a savage-looking thing!" ejaculated Lil Artha, as he
+stared at the knife.
+
+"Well, it does look wicked for a fact," remarked Elmer; "but after all,
+I reckon she's never done anything with it but cut dandelion greens, or
+else prepared fish," and he took occasion to bring the blade close to
+his nose while speaking, only to make a face, as though the fishy odor
+that clung to the steel might be far from pleasant.
+
+"Well, we've overhauled the lady; now whatever are we going to do with
+her?" demanded the tall scout.
+
+"I wonder if she understands English?" remarked Elmer.
+
+"Try her and see," Mark suggested.
+
+The woman had been watching them keenly all this while. Her manner
+suggested that she might be trying to read her fate more from their
+actions than any words which they would let fall.
+
+Accordingly, Elmer stepped forward a pace.
+
+"No hurt," he said, in the gentlest tone he could muster;
+"friends--boys--no soldiers."
+
+"She don't savvy worth a cent, Elmer," said Lil Artha, in disgust.
+
+"And her eyes keep following your movements with the knife, as if she
+thought you meant to strike her," observed Mark.
+
+Elmer himself saw that this was a fact. Plainly, then, the woman could
+not understand English, and in her present state of fright she seemed
+incapable of reading his reassuring gestures. What he meant to be a sign
+of friendliness she interpreted as a symbol of hostility.
+
+"Seems to me we ought first of all to get her foot free from that nasty
+tangle," he remarked.
+
+"Sure, and I guess the only way to do it is to cut the plagued old
+vine," said Lil Artha. "But I guess I hadn't ought to run the thing
+down, because it served us a mighty good turn just now."
+
+"Step in and cut the vine, Elmer," suggested Mark.
+
+When, however, the young scout master had taken a step or two forward,
+knife in hand, the woman's fears were once more aroused.
+
+She threw herself forward, struggling violently to release her trapped
+foot. But the vine proved as strong as a new clothesline, and held
+tenaciously.
+
+"Good gracious, what a silly goose!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "when all we
+want to do is to set her free."
+
+"But you see she don't look at it that way. The poor creature thinks
+we're conspiring to turn the tables on her, just because she threatened
+us with this knife. Here, hold it, Mark."
+
+Elmer handed over the knife to his chum at a moment when he saw that the
+woman's eyes were fastened upon him.
+
+Then he held up both his hands as he smiled reassuringly. It was the
+universal "peace sign" known throughout the world. Hardly a savage tribe
+in the heart of Darkest Africa but would recognize the meaning it
+expressed.
+
+This time when he advanced the Italian woman did not struggle again. She
+watched him. Curiosity was overcoming fear. Perhaps she had even begun
+to realize that these dreadful soldiers did not present such a savage
+front after all.
+
+So Elmer dropped down on his knees, at a point where he could come in
+contact with her imprisoned foot, and the wiry vine that gripped it.
+
+A brief examination convinced him that since she had turned around
+several times during her violent struggle to break away, the only means
+of freeing the entrapped foot was to cut the vine.
+
+Of course that meant the knife again, and if he asked Mark to hand it to
+him, possibly the foolish foreigner would have another fit of terror.
+
+So Elmer commenced to use tact again.
+
+First of all he commenced to work at the vine, the woman watching him
+eagerly.
+
+"No use, pardner," remarked Lil Artha. "That thing is like steel bands,
+and the old woman has managed to tie herself up handsomely. Nothing but
+a knife, and a sharp one, too, will do the business."
+
+"I know it," replied Elmer, quietly. "I'm only pretending to try and get
+her foot out just to make her understand that we want to help her. Now
+just watch me, and see how I manage."
+
+Presently, as if despairing of success, he ceased his labor. Then he
+pointed to the vine, and made several slashes across it with his
+forefinger, after which he pointed to the knife Mark was holding out,
+and nodded his head.
+
+The woman was interested.
+
+"Go through it all again; she's beginning to understand," said Mark,
+himself deeply interested in the success of this deaf and dumb method of
+communication.
+
+"Well, of all the stupids going, give me one of these same dagoes,"
+grumbled Lil Artha. "Why, you make it plain enough for a Hottentot to
+grab, Elmer. But I'm beginning to hope she'll get on soon. Try her once
+more, pardner. You're the boss hand at wig-wagging. Give her the high
+sign, Elmer."
+
+Deliberately Elmer again pretended to cut the vine with his forefinger,
+then shook his head and afterward pointed to the knife.
+
+The woman's black eyes followed each movement, and evidently she began
+to grasp the idea that he did not desire the weapon so as to injure, but
+to assist her.
+
+"Glory be!" ejaculated Lil Artha, who had been almost holding his breath
+with suspense while all this pantomime business was going on, "look at
+that, would you, fellows? A bright thought has managed to get a foothold
+in her brain. I bet you it needed a sledge hammer to pound it in. Say,
+she's beginning to smile at you, Elmer. You've won out. She believes you
+mean all right. Give him the toad-sticker, Mark, and let him get to
+work."
+
+Elmer knew that his actions would no longer be misconstrued. The Italian
+woman understood.
+
+So he held out his hand and received the knife from Mark. The woman
+moved uneasily, but the smile Elmer gave her was surely enough to disarm
+any lingering suspicion she may have entertained.
+
+Of course it was only a small job now to cut through the obstinate vine
+at a point where the greatest holding point lay.
+
+"There you are!" remarked Lil Artha, as the knife severed the last
+strand.
+
+The woman got slowly to her feet. She folded her arms across her bosom
+with what seemed to be an air of resignation. Yet Elmer knew that all
+the while those sparkling black eyes were watching him intently.
+
+The woman had guessed that Elmer must be the leader of the three
+strangers in uniform. Hence she looked to him for orders.
+
+"Well, what're we going to do with this pretty thing, now that we've got
+it?" remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"I suppose, first of all, we ought to go back to the shack," said Elmer.
+
+"You mean to hold her a prisoner, I take it?" asked Mark, who had the
+utmost faith in the acting scout master's ability to grasp the
+situation.
+
+"That's about the only thing open to us," Elmer replied. "Through the
+woman perhaps we can get in touch with the three men who are holding Nat
+Scott a prisoner, and bring about his release."
+
+"I don't see how," grumbled Lil Artha. "If you had all that trouble
+getting her to understand you only meant to cut the old vine, and not
+her foot off, how in the dickens d'ye expect to get her to know we don't
+mean to do her bunch any harm?"
+
+"Oh, there may be ways," smiled Elmer.
+
+"But you don't speak Italiano, Elmer; that's dead sure, else you'd have
+used it right now to tell her you only wanted to cut the vine," Lil
+Artha went on.
+
+"How about George?" remarked Elmer.
+
+"What! George Robbins?" asked the tall scout.
+
+"Why, yes, you remember he told us his father employs a large number of
+these foreigners, and unless I'm mistaken I think I remember hearing
+George say he'd been picking up quite a lot of Italian words."
+
+"That sounds all to the good then," declared Lil Artha, with enthusiasm.
+"Bully for George! His knowledge may be the key that's going to unlock
+this old padlock for us."
+
+"Then let's get back to the shack. Fall in around the woman. That ought
+to tell her what we want her to do."
+
+Elmer, as he spoke, took up his position alongside the prisoner, while
+Mark and the long-legged scout clapped their sticks to their right
+shoulders as though parading arms.
+
+Then Elmer pointed backward in the direction they had just come from.
+
+"Go!" he said, impressively.
+
+Whether the prisoner understood the word, or judged from their actions
+what was required, Elmer could not say. All he cared for was the fact
+that when he started off she accompanied him, limping a little as though
+she might have twisted her ankle somewhat in the violence of her
+struggles, looking sullen rather than fearful now, and apparently
+resigned to her fate, whatever that might prove to be.
+
+There was no difficulty about reaching the abandoned shack again. All
+Elmer had to do was to follow the broad trail they had made when chasing
+after the fleeing woman.
+
+They found no change when they presently drew up at the hidden retreat.
+Nor was there any sign of the other scouts, though once Elmer thought he
+did hear loud and excited voices up on the side of the mountain, as
+though Matty and his detachment might have found it necessary to leave
+the lowlands, and were having troubles of their own.
+
+"Well," remarked Lil Artha, as they arrived in front of the shack, "here
+we are, all to the good, and right side up with care. The question is,
+what d'ye expect to do with the signorina, now that you've got her?"
+
+"She must be kept a prisoner in the shanty until we can decide on our
+course, and get George here," replied Elmer, so readily that the others
+understood how he must have his plan of action fully mapped out in his
+own mind.
+
+"Let's see you usher her in, then," chuckled the tall scout, just as
+though he anticipated enjoying a treat when Elmer tried to "shoo" the
+Italian woman into the place.
+
+But it proved the easiest thing possible. When Elmer took her by the arm
+and pointed to the open door the woman gave him one look, shook herself
+free from his grasp, and hastened to vanish within the shack.
+
+"Easy as falling off a log," declared Lil Artha, a shade of
+disappointment in his voice, for he had anticipated more or less of a
+struggle.
+
+Elmer quietly closed the door.
+
+"How are you going to fasten it?" asked Mark.
+
+"I wish that was the hardest nut I had to crack," laughed the scout
+master. "Fortunately the door opens outwardly."
+
+"Unfortunately, you mean," echoed Mark, as he touched the painful lump
+on his forehead.
+
+"I say yes to that," grinned Lil Artha, whose nose had stopped bleeding
+by this time, but whose face was a sight to behold, being smeared with
+all manner of strange red marks that made him resemble an Apache Indian
+on the warpath.
+
+"As it does open outwardly, however," Elmer went on saying, with a
+sympathetic smile for the woes of his chums, "it ought to be easy enough
+for us to barricade the door. Look around, boys, and see if you can find
+several good stout sticks about three or four feet long. Even a small
+tree trunk would be about what we want."
+
+"And I think I know where to find one," said Lil Artha, hastening away,
+"because I took a header over it when we were chasing the dago woman."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE CALL OF THE WOLF.
+
+
+"That's the ticket, Lil Artha," said Elmer, as the tall scout returned
+presently, bearing on his shoulder quite a good-sized log about five
+feet in length.
+
+"Reckon that ought to hold all right," panted the burden bearer, as he
+cast the small tree trunk at Elmer's feet.
+
+"Fine and dandy," commented Mark, beginning to get the barricade in
+position.
+
+Of course the log had to be planted in such a way that it might secure a
+grip on the door. This meant that it must incline at an angle of more
+than forty-five degrees.
+
+Elmer dug a little hole, first of all, at a certain distance from the
+door, after the length of the log had been tested.
+
+Then, with the help of his chums, he seated one end of the log firmly in
+this. When the other end was allowed to slip down the face of the door
+it rested about halfway.
+
+"No danger of that slipping loose if she tries to push out," remarked
+Elmer.
+
+Mark gave several additional pulls downward at the upper end of the log,
+to make it still firmer.
+
+"I'll just wager," he said, finally, "that nobody, man or woman, could
+open that door now from the inside."
+
+"How about the window?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"You might manage to crawl through that small opening, but that
+broad-beamed woman, never," declared the scout master, positively.
+
+"Then we've got our wild bird safely caged."
+
+"Looks like it, for the time being, anyhow," was the way Elmer replied.
+
+"Say, see here, you don't seem to go very strong on the jail business.
+What's on your mind now, Elmer?" and Lil Artha confronted the other as
+he spoke, lifting a reproachful finger at him.
+
+"Well, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip, you know."
+
+"Oh, rats! Get down to business, Elmer. What might happen to upset our
+plans?" asked the tall scout.
+
+"One of the men might return."
+
+"And of course throw down the log and liberate our prisoner. But between
+you and me and the lamp-post, Elmer, I don't believe that's going to
+happen. 'Cause why? Well, it's my honest belief that this Italiano
+woman's got all the nerve there is in that crowd. The men are cowards."
+
+"I'm rather of the same opinion, Artha," remarked Elmer. "And I've
+thought that same thing more than once when watching some of them in
+their settlement."
+
+"But how about your other reason, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha. "Suppose now
+the men don't come, what danger is there of her getting out? D'ye expect
+she could burrow under the walls like we did once up at that old lumber
+camp?"
+
+"Perhaps. But I was thinking of another thing. Notice how poorly this
+shack is put together? Why, if that Amazon got on the rampage and just
+took a notion, I believe she could bring the whole business down in
+ruins about her head."
+
+"Wow, I guess she could, Elmer!" remarked the tall boy, nodding his
+head, "just like Samson did long ago when he yanked the temple down, and
+kicked the bucket himself, with all his enemies. But I don't think this
+dull-witted creature's got sense enough for that; do you?"
+
+"Perhaps not. I hope she won't, anyhow, because I mean to leave you and
+Mark here to guard our prisoner while I'm gone," said Elmer.
+
+"Oh, I see, you want to join the rest of the troop. Perhaps you've got a
+hunch they might be needing you about now?" Lil Artha observed.
+
+"One thing I know, and that is they've left the low ground and gone up
+the side of the mountain."
+
+"I guessed that myself when I heard some of the fellers callin' up
+yonder. So it stands to reason they've lost the trail among the rocks,"
+Lil Artha went on.
+
+"I expect as much," Elmer said, "and you know that since the men carried
+Nat Scott away with them we've just got to find them sooner or later."
+
+"But why d'ye suppose now they'd be so pesky mean as to climb the hill?"
+demanded the tall scout.
+
+"Oh, perhaps they guessed it would be harder for anyone to track them up
+there," Elmer answered.
+
+"Yes, that's so," Mark put in; "or it might be they know of some fine
+cave up yonder where they can hide. You often run across caves, big and
+little, on stony hills."
+
+Elmer seemed to agree with this suggestion, for he nodded his head after
+Mark had advanced it.
+
+"Do you think you can manage?" he asked.
+
+"Well, we'd be a pretty pair of scouts, wouldn't we now, if we failed to
+make good on a job like this?" scoffed Lil Artha.
+
+He threw his staff over his shoulder, gun fashion, and began tramping up
+and down before the door of the hidden shack, just as though he were a
+military sentry on duty.
+
+"I guess you'll do all right, Lil Artha," laughed Elmer.
+
+"Before you go, Elmer," said Mark, "please tell us just why you believe
+these Italians haven't meant to hurt our chum Nat."
+
+"Well, I just seem to feel it in my bones, and that's about all I can
+say," returned the other. "I'm more convinced now than ever that it's
+going to turn out only a silly mistake on their part. Perhaps they've
+been doing something here that's against the law, and the sight of our
+uniforms threw them into a panic. They've carried Nat off with them just
+so he couldn't give the alarm, and bring the rest down on 'em."
+
+"Counterfeiting, perhaps," suggested Mark. "Seems to me I've heard that
+the Italians are pretty smart at that sort of thing."
+
+"Well, I don't imagine it's anything as serious as that," Elmer replied.
+
+"Then tell us what you _do_ think," demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"You _will_ force my hand, will you?" laughed Elmer.
+
+"It's only fair to tell us," pleaded the tall scout.
+
+"Well, all right, seeing that I'm more than ever convinced I'm on the
+right track. Here, smell that, both of you and tell me what it reminds
+you of."
+
+He thrust the queer, sharp-pointed knife that had been taken from the
+woman into the hand of Lil Artha.
+
+That individual immediately raised it to his nose, took one good smell,
+and made a wry face.
+
+"Ugh! rank fishy odor, all right!" he declared.
+
+"Then look back a bit, Lil Artha," Elmer continued. "Don't you remember
+that in the mill and cottage we discovered a strong fishy smell when we
+tried to investigate that underground place?"
+
+"You're right, we did," assented the tall scout; "it made me feel a bit
+squeamish, too, for if there's one thing I can't stomach it's rank fish.
+Ugh!"
+
+"I see what you're leading up to, Elmer," announced Mark, briskly, "and
+I must say it looks as if there might be a whole lot of truth in it,
+too."
+
+"These Italians are often fishermen. A cousin of mine once told me that
+along the Gulf coast and around New Orleans the whole fishing industry
+lies in their hands," Elmer went on.
+
+"Then you believe this bunch is getting fish out of Munsey mill pond,
+and selling them, perhaps over in Scarsdale?" said Mark.
+
+"They are netting fish illegally, I imagine," Elmer answered. "That
+would explain their alarm. Perhaps the game warden has been around and
+threatened to have them hauled in if they didn't take warning. And ever
+since that time they've been on the nervous lookout."
+
+"Gee, I bet you now that's what it means, fellows!" declared Lil Artha,
+filled with new enthusiasm, as he grasped the startling idea advanced by
+the scout master.
+
+"And I never saw so many big frogs as there are around here," Elmer went
+on.
+
+"That's because even the boys keep away from the haunted mill," Mark
+added.
+
+"You know how frogs sell in the market, and how it would pay anybody to
+catch a few hundred such jumboes as there are here," Elmer remarked.
+
+"Well, it does take you to figure things out just, I must say," laughed
+Mark.
+
+"He's a wizard, that's what," declared Lil Artha, whose admiration for
+his leader was boundless.
+
+"Not at all," smiled the other; "a little common sense was all that was
+needed. The strong odor of fish in that cellar put me on the track
+first. You know there's an old saying to the effect that where there's
+smoke there must be fire."
+
+"And then this knife, too--like as not the woman does all the cleaning
+of the fish. I thought she reminded me of black bass or pickerel, I
+wasn't sure which," Lil Artha stated, with a chuckle.
+
+"But we've been around more or less, Elmer," Mark put in, "and I don't
+remember seeing any signs of fish cleaning, scales or anything."
+
+"Of course not," came the quick reply. "If these people knew they were
+breaking the law, and expected the game warden to pop in on them any
+day, you can just believe they'd be mighty careful to hide all traces of
+this thing."
+
+"Perhaps they throw it all back in the pond for fish bait," suggested
+the tall scout.
+
+"Not a bad idea," commented Elmer.
+
+"And the cellar under the mill cottage?" asked Mark.
+
+"They might use that as a cool place to keep the fish until they can get
+them to market," Elmer replied.
+
+"That's a fact, seeing they have no ice to pack them in," Lil Artha
+observed. "And the more I think of it all, the better it looks to me,
+fellows."
+
+"Then you believe my explanation may be the true answer to our chum's
+vanishing?"
+
+"I sure do."
+
+"That they came upon him by accident," Elmer went on, "and filled with a
+sudden panic, just captured him to keep Nat from calling out, and
+bringing the rest of us around?"
+
+"That's what they did," Lil Artha affirmed. "And no matter how sorry
+they might be afterward because they did it, they just can't drop him
+now."
+
+"Then, since we've agreed on that point I don't see the need of my
+hanging around here any longer," Elmer observed, drawing his belt one
+notch tighter, as though preparing for new labors.
+
+"And your orders are just the same?" Mark asked.
+
+"Yes, you two keep guard over the shack, and don't let the prisoner get
+away, if you can prevent it."
+
+"Depend on us, Elmer. And say," Lil Artha remarked, "don't you think now
+it would be a good thing to send George down here?"
+
+"That's an idea worth while," Elmer quickly replied.
+
+"Oh, I get 'em once in a long time," grinned the other.
+
+"A good scheme, and I'll send George back as soon as I can. When he
+comes, take him in to see the woman. Have him try and get her to
+understand that we mean her men no harm, and only want them to set our
+chum free."
+
+"And then what? Supposing George is able to get that pounded into her
+head?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"Why, he must make her understand that we want to conduct an exchange of
+prisoners."
+
+"By that, Elmer," Mark broke in, "I suppose you mean well give the woman
+up if they let Nat go free?"
+
+"That's it," returned the leader. "And as she is the only one who knows
+their new hiding place, she must lead us to them."
+
+"That puts me wise, all right," declared Lil Artha. "But get good old
+George here as soon as you can, Elmer. I'm just crazy to see if he knows
+how to tell the old woman all this."
+
+"That's all, boys; I'll be going now."
+
+But although Elmer said this he continued to stand there immovable.
+Neither of his comrades thought it strange, for they, too, had caught
+the same sound that had reached his ears.
+
+It was evidently a pretty good imitation of the howl of a wolf.
+
+Now, as this was the signal call of Elmer's own patrol they knew
+immediately that some scout belonging to that section of the Hickory
+Ridge troop must be approaching, and took this customary method of
+announcing his coming.
+
+All eyes were accordingly turned toward that quarter from whence the
+note of the wolf had seemed to come.
+
+This was a little up the side of the mountain. Elmer, thinking to give
+the other his location, sent out an answering signal.
+
+"You're scaring the old woman again with your howls," remarked Lil
+Artha, pointing to the shack, at the small window of which they could
+see the face of the prisoner, filled with wonder and awe.
+
+Perhaps the Italian woman was beginning to suspect she had fallen into
+the hands of a pack of crazy people.
+
+"There he comes!" suddenly announced Mark, pointing as he spoke.
+
+"Looks like Dr. Ted," remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"Just who it is," said Elmer. "I wish it had been George Robbins, now,
+because that would have saved time. No such luck, it seems, so we'll
+just have to make the best of it."
+
+"But what d'ye suppose Ted's coming back after?" pursued the tall scout.
+
+"Help," declared Mark, decisively. "You heard what Elmer said when he
+turned the troop over to Matty? If they found themselves up a stump they
+were to let Elmer know, just so he could swing in somehow, and pull them
+out of the hole."
+
+"They're up against it, good and hard, bet you a cooky on it," declared
+Lil Artha, as the other scout drew near.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE NEED OF A PATHFINDER.
+
+
+As Dr. Ted approached he made the scout salute in due regulation style.
+
+"You're wanted above, thir," he said to the acting scout master.
+
+"By that I suppose you mean they've struck a snag?" questioned Elmer.
+
+"The rockth bothered Matty. Tho long ath they left a trail in the earth
+he could follow it all right. But when it kept on athending it got
+tougher and tougher. Then he lotht it altogether, and thent me to fetch
+you along, thir."
+
+"All right, I'll go with you, Number Three. You'll be interested to know
+that we've got a prisoner here in the old cabin," remarked Elmer.
+
+Ted glanced that way, and caught sight of the face in the window.
+
+"The old Italian woman, eh?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Sure," said Lil Artha, as proudly as though the honors of the capture
+belonged exclusively to him.
+
+"Then she did come back for her beadth?"
+
+"Yes. Tell you all about it on the way, for we must be moving now, Ted,"
+the scout master remarked.
+
+"All right. I'm with you, Elmer. Come on, then," and, wheeling sharply
+around, Ted started to retrace his steps.
+
+So Mark and his long-legged comrade were left to guard the prison of the
+old Italian woman, while the other two scouts climbed the hill.
+
+"No uthe going over the trail we made," remarked Ted. "It wound around
+and then climbth the hill. We could thee about where the cabin lay, and
+I made a bee line downhill for the thame."
+
+As they toiled upward Elmer, keeping his promise, related all that had
+happened in the neighborhood of the hidden shack.
+
+Ted seemed to enjoy the narrative very much indeed. He was particularly
+pleased with the account of where the old woman in her panic had burst
+the door open, and upset both Mark and Lil Artha.
+
+"I wondered what happened to our friendth," said Ted. "And if you hadn't
+been in thuch a big hurry to cut out, I'd have tried fixing both the
+poor fellowth up. Lil Artha lookth like a pirate chief, and ath for
+Mark, you'd think hith brains might be breaking out."
+
+Elmer had no trouble at all in following the plain trail left by Ted
+when he came down from above. His practiced eye could easily see the
+marks on turf, leaf mold, or even where the other's heels with their
+steel nails had scraped along a slanting rock.
+
+"Tell me thome more about that, pleath," said Ted, while they were still
+climbing.
+
+Nothing loath, for he really believed he had solved the secret of the
+whole business, Elmer gave him the story, from his first faint suspicion
+upon looking down into the strange-smelling cellar of the mill house, up
+to his detecting such a strong odor of fish about the Italian woman, and
+particularly the knife she carried.
+
+"That'th a bully good idea, all right," said Ted, when the story was
+finished.
+
+"Do you think it sounds fishy?" laughed Elmer.
+
+"Yeth and no," answered the other, immediately. "While it theemth to be
+a fish yarn, yet it ith all to the good. I really believe you've gone
+and figured it out, Elmer. And if that ith tho, it ith going to be
+another big feather in your cap, don't you forget it."
+
+"We ought to be close to where you left the rest of the boys, by now,"
+suggested the scout master, desirous of changing the conversation, for,
+strange to say, Elmer never liked to hear himself praised.
+
+"I reckon we are," replied Ted. "Suppothe you try your whistle, and give
+'em a call."
+
+So the patrol leader's whistle was brought into play again. Hardly had
+it sounded than there came an answer from a point not far distant.
+
+"There they are!" cried Ted, pointing, "I thee Red waving hith hat to
+uth right now. We'll join 'em in a jiffy, if the walking ith good."
+
+It proved to be decent enough for the two climbers to reach the spot
+where Matty and the rest of the troop awaited them.
+
+"I'm all in, Elmer," admitted the leader of the Beaver Patrol, as he
+threw up both hands in disgust. "Just as I said, it was all hunk till I
+struck the rocks, and I've been up in the air ever since."
+
+"Yes, Matty has even hinted that he believes those Italians must have
+had wings somewhere around here, and just flown away," laughed Chatz.
+
+"Well, that wouldn't be so very queer," declared Toby Jones, always
+thinking of things touching on aviation. "It's a bully good place to
+make a start, anyway, if a feller only had the wings."
+
+"Yes, and a gay old place to bring up on all the rocks down there. And
+how about our chum Nat; he never had any longing to soar through the
+air. But tell us what's doing, Elmer," said Red, impatiently.
+
+"Oh, he's got lots to tell you," declared Ted, with the air of a highly
+favored one who had been already taken into the great secret.
+
+Of course his words stirred the scouts as nothing else could have done.
+They crowded around and began to beg for particulars.
+
+"Where's Lil Artha?" one questioned.
+
+"And Mark?" exclaimed another.
+
+"Say, Elmer, did she come back, and step into the nice little trap you
+were going to get ready?" asked a third scout, with intense interest
+aroused.
+
+When Elmer nodded his head they broke out into a rousing boyish cheer.
+
+"Tell us all about it, Elmer," was flung at the scout master from all
+quarters.
+
+As this was Elmer's intention anyway he lost no time in briefly though
+forcibly describing all that had taken place down below.
+
+"And now I want George to go down with Ted, here," Elmer went on, "and
+try to engage the woman in conversation. Tell her, if you can, who and
+what we are, and the reason for our coming here in uniform. Tell her we
+mean them no harm, but that we want our chum set free. Do you follow me,
+George?"
+
+"Of course I do," came the ready answer.
+
+"You understand Italian, and talk it some, I've been told?" Elmer went
+on.
+
+"Oh, yes, I can really converse with some Italian men. Don't know about
+a woman, though. But I'll do my best to make her see things straight."
+
+"I like to hear you talk that way, George," continued Elmer; "the true
+scout is always ready to do his best. And I think you're going to make a
+fine addition to our troop before long."
+
+"After I've told her, what then?" asked George, who looked pleased at
+hearing these words of praise from one he respected as highly as he did
+Elmer.
+
+"Why, you must bring her along, and rejoin us. Lil Artha and Mark will
+accompany you, because all ought to be in at the finish. You understand,
+don't you, George?"
+
+"I sure do. Come on, Ted, show me the way down to the old shack. As we
+go along I'll be brushing up my Italian words so as to spring 'em on the
+old lady. This way, Ted."
+
+"And while you're jabbering with the woman, why, perhaps now I might be
+amuthing mythelf doctoring the noble woundth of our two chumth,"
+declared the fellow who was never so happy as when engaged in the work
+of a doctor.
+
+Why, some of the boys often called Ted "Sawbones," because he gave
+himself over, heart and soul, to his one great hobby.
+
+So the two of them vanished down the side of the hill. As their voices
+died away among the thickets Elmer turned his attention to the task of
+finding and following the trail of the Italians.
+
+"Show me where you saw it last, Matty," he said.
+
+"Here you are, then," came the reply; "that footprint is as plain as
+anything."
+
+"So it is," remarked Elmer, after studying the mark briefly. "Our chum
+made that, I'm positive."
+
+"Then he must have done it on purpose," said Matty, "because I've
+noticed that one footprint right along."
+
+Elmer smiled.
+
+"Good for Nat," he remarked. "If he don't dare use his voice and call
+out to us, he's doing everything in his power to show us the trail.
+That's what he's learned of scouting tactics. I'm glad he remembered. It
+shows how much a fellow can learn."
+
+"That's right," remarked Matty; "I see it all plain enough right now;
+but d'ye know the suspicion never did break in on me that these tracks
+had been made purposely, and by Nat? Why, I just had an idea one of the
+bunch was a little careless, that's all."
+
+"Well, you'll know better after this, Matty. But stand back, and let's
+see what luck I'll have, if so be you fellows haven't killed the trail
+by running around."
+
+They watched his actions eagerly, each fellow bent on learning all he
+could of the science that was already proving to be so interesting.
+
+First of all Elmer took a comprehensive survey of the ground above; for
+everyone understood that those they were tracking must be aiming to
+reach some cave or crevice farther up the slope.
+
+Then, having settled in his mind about where the fugitives might be
+aiming for, the scout master began to look for marks on the rocks.
+
+For a little while he found it very hard work, indeed, but after
+reaching the limits of the search maintained by Matty and those with
+him, the task became considerably easier.
+
+And mindful of his position as acting scout master to the troop during
+the temporary absence of Mr. Garrabrant, Elmer made it a point to
+explain more or less as he went along.
+
+"See, here is where one of the men slipped on this rock, and left a new
+scratch. And this shows where another broke a twig off this branch in
+passing. You can see it has been freshly done, because the green leaves
+do not show much sign of wilting."
+
+In this fashion, then, he not only intensely interested his followers,
+but continued to make progress all the while.
+
+Most of the boys were eager to get points on such an engaging subject as
+trail finding. These hung upon his every word, examined the marks to
+which Elmer drew their attention, commented upon the same among
+themselves, and several even went so far as to take out memorandum books
+in which they hastily scribbled such notes as would enable them to
+remember.
+
+All the while they were climbing higher, and by degrees found themselves
+in a wilder section than any of them had dreamed existed so near their
+home town of Hickory Ridge.
+
+"Looks like there might be a few caves around such a place as this,"
+remarked Red, as he wiped his face with the red bandana handkerchief
+which he had hung cowboy fashion around his neck, with the knot at the
+back.
+
+"Oh, that's a dead-sure thing," replied Ty, who happened to be close at
+his elbow at the time. "Fact is, I've seen several myself. Anyhow, they
+were dark, ugly looking holes between big rocks, and if this was a game
+country I'd say they might be bear dens or the homes of wolves."
+
+All this sort of talk tended to key the anticipations of the boys up to
+a point where they were expecting almost anything to happen.
+
+Elmer paid no attention to side issues. There might be a dozen likely
+looking hiding places along the route, but they did not interest him an
+iota so long as that faintly marked trail continued.
+
+He had about all he cared to do, moving from one spot where a stone had
+been freshly dislodged to another point at which the moss and lichen had
+been torn from a sloping rock by a foot that accidentally or purposely
+slipped.
+
+There were possibly some little indications, which to his mind told that
+they might now be drawing near the place where the panic-stricken
+Italians were hiding. If so, Elmer did not confide this to his
+companions, perhaps because he might not himself be so very sure, but
+more probably on account of not wishing to waste more or less precious
+time in explaining on what vague grounds he founded his theory.
+
+The trees still grew around them, springing out of spaces between the
+rocks. They were more stunted than those in the great forest that
+covered the richer bottom lands, but as a rule they served as a canopy
+overhead, and only occasional glimpses could be obtained of the country
+beyond.
+
+By this time some of the scouts had begun to feel the effect of the
+climb, for there is nothing more fatiguing than ascending a steep hill.
+
+Still they proved their grit by keeping on, as if determined to stick it
+out.
+
+Even fat Landy Smith, while actually panting for breath, and mopping his
+forehead with a damp handkerchief, stubbornly declined to own himself
+in the "has been" class, as Red called it.
+
+They were moving along what seemed to be a little plateau, at the end of
+which arose a cliff seamed with numerous cracks and scars.
+
+Elmer had smiled when he cast a glance toward the rocky wall, just as if
+he could scent the end of the trail close at hand.
+
+But he was already halfway across the level territory, with the scouts
+scattered back of him, when without the least warning there suddenly
+sounded a shot that seemed to come from somewhere ahead; and the report
+gave each scout a strange chill in the region of his heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+RESCUED--CONCLUSION.
+
+
+"Scatter, and hide!"
+
+It was Elmer who shouted this order. He had not heard any sound as of a
+bullet passing, and did not know but that the shot had been fired simply
+for the purpose of a warning.
+
+Still, there was no need of their taking chances. And as he gave the
+command, Elmer was one of the first to seek the shelter of a near-by
+rock.
+
+Immediately the valiant scouts scurried around, each eagerly desirous of
+finding some sort of snug retreat.
+
+No further shots came, much to the satisfaction of the boys, and inside
+of half a minute not a figure was to be seen upon the little plateau.
+
+It chanced that Red had selected the same rock as Elmer picked out,
+behind which to crouch.
+
+And of course Red could not long remain silent, since his overcharged
+feelings just had to find a vent.
+
+"Whew, this is what I call warm!" he said, puffing.
+
+"Do you mean the weather, or the fact that we have been under fire?"
+asked Elmer, who was looking out from his end of the rock, and trying to
+size the situation up.
+
+"Oh, well, I guess both of 'em would pass muster, all right," Red went
+on. "You don't think any fellow got hurt, do you, Elmer?"
+
+"Not any. Fact is," continued the scout master, "I've a pretty good
+hunch the shot was not fired at us, but into the air, warning us to keep
+off or we might get hurt."
+
+"The ginnies fired it, of course, Elmer?"
+
+"I'm sure of that."
+
+"And we've cornered the bunch at last, hey? You did the trick, Elmer.
+Trust you for following even half a trail blindfolded. But say, do you
+know where they're holding the fort?"
+
+"I've got something of an idea," replied Elmer. "If you look up the face
+of the cliff, Red, you'll notice a bunch of green stuff growing. I think
+there must be a shelf of rock there, and perhaps a cave back of it."
+
+"But what makes you think that, Elmer?"
+
+"Because I saw the powder smoke puff out from those little bushes when
+the report sounded," replied Elmer.
+
+"But my stars! that's all of fifty feet up. How d'ye suppose those
+dagoes could get up there?" continued the one who sought information.
+
+"Oh, that would just as likely as not turn out to be easy enough, once
+you got started. Perhaps there's some sort of path leading up the face
+of the cliff, and which we just can't see from here."
+
+"What're we going to do, Elmer?"
+
+"Nothing--just now, anyway."
+
+"Just sit on our haunches, and wait for our birds to drop into our
+hands, eh?" pursued Red.
+
+"Oh, perhaps we may have to fight for it in the end, but I'm hoping for
+an easier wind up to the affair," Elmer continued, musingly.
+
+"You think the old woman may help out?"
+
+"I know she will, if George can only succeed in convincing her that
+we're friends, not enemies."
+
+"Then we're waiting till they arrive?" asked Red.
+
+"I'm going to give the signal for retiring as soon as the boys get their
+breath back," remarked the scout master.
+
+"Well, they might be in better places, because the sun feels scorching
+to me right now," grumbled Red.
+
+"Then pick out your new roost, and be ready to migrate as soon as you
+hear the whistle. Pass the word along, too, Red."
+
+Presently it was understood that when the scout master gave the signal
+every fellow was expected to crawl or dart away, seeking through one way
+or another to get out of the fire zone.
+
+"I hope George has succeeded in explaining everything to the woman by
+now," remarked Red.
+
+"I'm sure he has, and that the whole of them are even now on the way
+here to wind up this business," Elmer declared most confidently.
+
+When ten minutes had gone by, and he felt sure that all of the scouts
+knew what they were expected to do, Elmer took out his whistle.
+
+Then the shrill notes sounded, cutting the air as though charged with
+irresistible force.
+
+Immediately everybody got busy. Khaki-clad figures could be seen darting
+this way and that, but none of them made any attempt to advance. This
+sort of move might be expected to anger the Italians, without doing any
+good, and the scouts had been warned against it.
+
+There came no second discharge of firearms, and from this fact it seemed
+evident that the unseen enemy understood that there was nothing hostile
+connected with this action on the part of the scouts.
+
+Again did Red and Elmer find themselves good neighbors as they arrived
+at a pile of rocks, behind which they sought shelter.
+
+"All safe?" asked the former.
+
+"Yes, as far as I know," came the answer. "Landy fell all over himself,
+and started to roll downhill, but one of the other fellows pulled him
+up. He was limping to beat the band, but I hope it's nothing serious."
+
+"No danger," chuckled Red. "Landy is too well padded to suffer much from
+a fall. Now do we just wait here till the others fetch the lady?"
+
+"That's a part of the contract," said Elmer; "so just make yourself as
+comfy as you can."
+
+"And watch the big rock there, eh, Elmer?"
+
+"Oh, if you want. We would feel pretty cheap if they took a sly sneak,
+and left us in the lurch."
+
+Elmer settled down as though he thought there was no use borrowing
+trouble. And seeing their leader take things in such a matter-of-fact
+way the balance of the scouts followed suit.
+
+Confidence thus begets confidence in others; and this in itself was one
+of Elmer's reasons for acting as he did.
+
+The minutes passed.
+
+Several times did impatient Red get up on his knees to take a look down
+the hill.
+
+"Shucks! but they're a long time coming," he mumbled. "Perhaps, after
+all, the old woman was too sharp for the bunch--perhaps she's tucked 'em
+away in the cabin--turning the tables on our four chums--perhaps,
+now----"
+
+Right there Red stopped in his predictions of evil.
+
+"There they come," said Elmer, quietly.
+
+One hasty look satisfied Red that his comrade spoke only the truth.
+Moving figures caught his eye just a little way down the slope.
+
+These presently developed into four boys, three of whom were clad in
+khaki. The other, who was, of course, George, the interpreter, kept
+close at the side of the Italian woman.
+
+Now and then she seemed to address some remark to George, which he
+doubtless answered to the best of his ability. When his vocabulary
+proved unequal to the task he would finish with a series of gestures
+and shrugs as he had seen chattering Italians do.
+
+And presently they reached the spot where the balance of the scouts held
+forth.
+
+The woman surveyed them as she came up, but Elmer noticed that she did
+not seem afraid now.
+
+"I guess you've done the business, George," he remarked to the new
+recruit.
+
+"Well," replied the other, with a broad grin, "that's what I think
+myself, Elmer."
+
+"She understands now who we are, and that we haven't any intention of
+doing her men any harm--you explained all that?"
+
+"Sure. And you can see now that instead of looking scared, she's ready
+to grin if you give her any encouragement," replied George.
+
+"And she knows that we want her to go out with us and have a talk with
+her old man, telling him what a fool he's been making of himself. She
+understands all that, does she?"
+
+"Like a book, and is ready to do the trick. We'll have our Nat back in
+short order, now," George continued, looking proud and happy because he
+had been able to prove of such valuable assistance to his fellow scouts,
+even before he got his uniform.
+
+"All right, then. The sooner we start the ball rolling the better. Come
+along, George."
+
+Presently the two of them were escorting the Italian woman toward the
+foot of the cliff.
+
+When two thirds of the way there an angry, excitable voice stopped
+them. On looking up they could see several heads topping the sparse
+vegetation that undoubtedly grew along a ledge.
+
+"Now, tell her to talk, George!" said Elmer.
+
+There was hardly any need, for the woman had broken loose on her own
+account. And such chattering as followed--Lil Artha afterward declared
+it reminded him of a monkey cage when one of the inmates had taken more
+than his share of the dinner provided.
+
+But the woman did most of the talking. She also scolded, stamped her
+foot, and even shook her fist up at those above.
+
+Evidently her arguments must have had a convincing ring about them, for
+suddenly she turned to George and smiled amiably as she said something,
+and made a suggestive movement of both shoulders.
+
+"It's all right, Elmer," declared George.
+
+"Are they going to do what we want?" asked the scout master, greatly
+pleased.
+
+"Sure. And I reckon there he comes now. One of the men seems to be
+helping Nat down the path that runs along the face of the rock. Bully!
+We win out!"
+
+A loud cheer from the scouts told how they were enjoying the situation.
+
+Nat Scott waved his hand to them in greeting, for, having lost his hat
+at the shack, he was bareheaded.
+
+The Italian was still a little suspicious, for he would come only two
+thirds of the way down. But Nat easily made the balance, and was soon
+shaking hands with everyone of his mates, just as though he had been
+separated from them for a week.
+
+Leaving the woman to rejoin her people the scouts made their way down
+the side of the mountain until they reached the mill pond.
+
+Nat's story was brief, and just about what Elmer had guessed. In
+prowling around he had unexpectedly come upon the three men.
+
+They had seized upon him and threatened him with their knives if he so
+much as gave a yell. He had been kept for a short time in the shack.
+Then Landy's prowling around seemed to fill the Italians with a new
+alarm, and the three men, together with the woman, had hastily fled.
+
+On the way up the mountain the woman had discovered the loss of
+something, and gone back.
+
+Then the men forced him to hurry along, and finally landed him on that
+secret ledge where he believed there was some sort of cave.
+
+That was all Nat knew, and the whole thing smacked strongly of mystery
+until he heard what Elmer's theory was.
+
+"Anyhow," Nat said, with considerable satisfaction in his voice and
+manner, "they didn't scare me one little bit. And besides, Elmer, in
+lots of places I went and made plain marks that I just knew you could
+read any old time."
+
+"That stamps you a true-blue scout, Nat," declared Elmer, "and I think
+the troop has reason to be proud of you."
+
+"Three cheers for Comrade Nat Scott," suggested impulsive Red; and they
+were given with such a vim that many of the big bullfrogs along the
+farther bank jumped into the mill pond in great alarm.
+
+As their main object had been carried out while on the way to the
+haunted mill, and there was no further reason for lingering after they
+had eaten the "snack" carried along for this purpose, the Hickory Ridge
+troop of scouts took up the homeward march.
+
+After talking it all over among themselves it was decided that their
+duty compelled them to give the game and fish warden a hint as to what
+was probably going on up at Munsey's mill.
+
+He went there with a deputy two days later, but the Italians had taken
+warning and fled. However, the warden found and destroyed several nets
+with which the fish poachers had been illegally gathering the finny
+prizes in the long-deserted pond.
+
+There was one disappointed scout in the troop however, and this was
+Chatz Maxfield.
+
+He always would feel as though he had missed the opportunity of his life
+in spending some time at a haunted mill which was supposed to support a
+good lively ghost, and never once chancing to come upon the hobgoblin.
+
+However, Chatz would continue to live in hope.
+
+At any rate, everyone was positive that he had learned a host of
+valuable things calculated to make him take higher rank as a woodsman,
+and a true scout. And no doubt in the annals of the Hickory Ridge Boy
+Scouts that little hike to Munsey's mill would always be read and
+re-read with the keenest interest, and take rank with the greatest of
+their achievements.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+ADDENDA
+
+BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE
+
+
+
+ BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE
+ HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES.
+
+
+ Wild Animals of the United States }
+                          Tracking } in Number I.
+
+ THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL.
+
+
+ Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
+
+ WOODCRAFT, OR HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD.
+
+
+ Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
+
+ PATHFINDER, OR THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.
+
+
+ Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
+
+ FAST NINE, OR A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.
+
+
+ Insects of the United States in Number V.
+
+ GREAT HIKE, OR THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP.
+
+
+ Birds of the United States in Number VI.
+
+ ENDURANCE TEST, OR HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY.
+
+
+
+THE REPTILES OF THE UNITED STATES.
+
+
+The reptiles are a class of vertebrate animals. By vertebrate animals is
+meant those having a backbone. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals having
+scaly skins, and breathing by lungs and not by gills as do the fish.
+Strange as it may seem they are related to the birds. In prehistoric
+times they were of enormous size and many of them were capable of
+flying. Fossil forms of reptiles are very numerous and scientists have
+given these fossil forms such sonorous names as Dinosaurs, Ichthyosaurs,
+Plesiosaurs and Pterosaurs. These names are made up of Greek words
+meaning terrible lizards, fish lizards, near lizards and winged lizards.
+
+The class of reptiles is made up of five orders:
+
+    Sphenodons;
+    Lacertilia;
+    Ophidia;
+    Chelonia;
+    Crocodilia.
+
+Of the Sphenodons, there is but one living representative. Its home is
+in New Zealand. Zoologists tell us that this reptile is more closely
+related to its fossil cousins than any other now in existence. Since we
+are considering only those reptiles which an American boy may find
+living in their natural haunts in his home land, discussion of the
+Sphenodon is out of place in this article. We recommend, however, that
+you read up about this curious creature that links the gigantic
+prehistoric lizards with the little creatures of to-day's world.
+
+[Illustration: PTEROSAURS.]
+
+
+
+
+THE LIZARDS
+
+
+
+
+THE LACERTILIA OR LIZARDS.
+
+
+ [Illustration: LIZARDS.
+  1. ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARD.
+  2. PACIFIC SWIFT.
+  3. COLLARED LIZARD.
+  4. WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT.
+  5. COMMON SWIFT OR FENCE LIZARD.]
+
+Lizards differ from snakes in that the right and left halves of the
+lower jaw are joined together by bone instead of elastic ligament and in
+that they have legs and eyelids. They are found in the warmer climates.
+Most of them live on insects, but some types as, for instance, the
+Iguanas, live entirely on vegetable matter, while others prey on birds,
+mice, frogs, etc.
+
+
+THE GECKOS.
+
+The Geckos form a large sub-order of lizards. Their chief characteristic
+is their adhesive toes, which enable them to cling to and run on
+smoothest surfaces even when upside down. They do not like the hot
+sunlight and largely feed at twilight and at night. The Reef Gecko is
+found in Florida; the Warty Gecko, so called on account of the rows of
+large wart-like scales on its back and sides, inhabits Lower California;
+the Cape Gecko, Lower California; the Banded Gecko, Texas, New Mexico,
+Arizona and California. The latter is the most gaudily marked of the
+Geckos found in the United States and is likewise the most abundant. It
+may be seen at dusk coming out of rock crevices to feed on small
+insects. Many consider this lizard poisonous and its saliva is supposed
+to produce painful skin eruptions. Authorities, however, tell us that
+this is not so. The first three Geckos mentioned live largely in trees,
+but the Banded Gecko lives on or near the ground.
+
+
+THE CHAMELEONS.
+
+The American Chameleons are not true chameleons, but belong to the same
+family as the Iguana. They have come to be known as Chameleons because,
+like the rightful owners of that name, they change the color of their
+bodies. This change is occasioned by the differences of temperature and
+light. One species is found in the United States and is known under
+various names, such as the green lizard, the fence lizard and the
+alligator lizard. It is called alligator lizard from its resemblance to
+a young alligator. This lizard is found in the southeastern United
+States from North Carolina to Florida. The common colors of the American
+Chameleon or the Anolis, which is its scientific name, are brown and
+green. These colors vary with conditions. When asleep, for instance,
+this little reptile is green above and white below, and when fighting or
+frightened it becomes green; at other times it is brown. Raymond L.
+Ditmars, Curator of Reptiles in the New York Zoological Park, says that
+in collecting these lizards and placing them in wire-covered boxes, he
+has "always noted their change from various hues, prior to capture, to a
+scrambling collection of several dozen emerald-green lizards. If the
+gauze cage be laid down for half an hour or so while the collector
+rests, the lizards soon take on a brownish tinge, but as soon as the box
+is again carried about and the occupants are shaken up and frightened,
+the brilliant color appears among them all." He further says that "there
+is no relation or influence between the lizard's colors and its
+surroundings. The change of color is brought about principally through
+temperature and light and their influences on the creature's activity;
+also by anger, fear and sleep."
+
+The Anolis stalks its prey like a cat does a mouse. It crouches and
+creeps forward for the final spring with motions that are exactly
+similar. It lives in trees and feeds upon insects. These little
+creatures make interesting pets and will soon learn to take their food
+from your hand. The proper quarters for it is a wire-covered fernery
+which should be placed in a warm but moist situation and the foliage
+daily sprinkled with water. The Anolis is a great water drinker and will
+find the drops adhering to the leaves of the plants.
+
+
+THE IGUANAS.
+
+There are but few species of Iguanas found in the United States and
+these only in the southwestern part. They are large in size and have a
+crest of spiny scales running along the neck and back. They use their
+tails as weapons of offense and defense. The Cape Iguana is a species
+found only in Lower California. The tail is ringed with large spines.
+The Black Iguana is found in southern Arizona. It is a great fighter
+when at bay and is then no mean antagonist. It does not invite a fight,
+however, but will run if there is any chance of escape. Both of these
+Iguanas reach about four feet in length. They have large appetites and
+eat both animal and vegetable matter--birds, small animals and tender
+vegetation. In central and southern America their flesh is prized as a
+food and it is said to have the flavor of chicken. They live part of the
+time in trees and part of the time on the ground. The Desert Iguana,
+however, is terrestrial. It is found in the desert parts of the
+southwestern United States--in Colorado, California, Arizona and Nevada.
+It is largely vegetarian. The tail is brittle, and to free itself when
+held by it, this creature will easily and readily snap it off.
+
+[Illustration: IGUANA.]
+
+
+THE CHUCKAWALLA.
+
+There is only one of these that is fairly common in the United States
+and that is found in the deserts of the southwest. It is the largest
+lizard found there except the Gila Monster which will be described
+later. The body of the Chuckawalla is broad and the legs short. Its
+length averages about a foot. It lives mostly among the rocks of the
+deserts.
+
+
+THE COLLARED LIZARD.
+
+This lizard is so called on account of the markings of the neck, which
+have the appearance of a double black collar. The throat is an orange
+color. It is one of the most gayly colored of the small lizards. It is
+quite common in the dry and stony parts of the western states and in
+western Texas is very abundant. It is a great eater and is not afraid to
+fight for its dinner. One peculiarity of this lizard is its ability to
+run on its hind legs. It will gulp and bolt food as large as itself.
+
+
+THE LEOPARD LIZARD.
+
+In color it is yellow, spotted with dark spots and lined across the back
+with dull red lines. Its habitat includes Oregon, California, Nevada,
+Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
+
+
+THE ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARDS.
+
+These are small ground lizards found from Texas to California,
+especially in the dry sections. They run with great rapidity with the
+tail curved upward, which exposes the markings of the lower surface.
+Frequently they run like the Collared Lizard, on the hind feet. The
+black-and-white tail markings account for their name.
+
+
+THE SPOTTED LIZARDS.
+
+These are small ground lizards found in many states from Kansas to
+California and southward. They are very quick in their movements. Their
+food consists of insects of the more sluggish type. They do not stalk
+their prey like the chameleons.
+
+
+THE SWIFTS.
+
+There are a great many species of these small lizards in the United
+States. They live on the ground among rocks in dry places and are called
+swifts on account of the speed with which they are able to get over the
+ground. Some of them are covered with spiny scales. Clark's Swift is
+abundant in certain parts of the country. It is found in California,
+Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah. It is fond of the strongest sunlight.
+The Yellow Striped Swift is found from Texas to Nebraska on the north,
+into Mexico on the south and California on the west.
+
+The Common Swift is found abundantly both in the eastern and in the
+western United States. They like dry, sandy places among fallen trees,
+fences, old wood, etc. In color they are gray and are usually in harmony
+with their surroundings.
+
+The Collared Swift lives among rocks in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
+It has a black collar with very sharp spiny scales.
+
+
+THE HORNED LIZARD.
+
+These lizards are commonly called Horned Toads, because of their
+resemblance in the shape of their bodies to that of a toad and of their
+spiny scales which have the appearance of small horns. Their habitat is
+in the hottest and driest parts of the country. They are fond of the
+hottest sunlight and bury themselves in sand at the approach of evening.
+
+The Regal Horned Lizard is found in Arizona and Colorado.
+
+The California Horned Lizard is found abundantly in sections of
+California.
+
+[Illustration: HORNED TOAD.]
+
+
+THE SNAKE-LIKE LIZARDS.
+
+These lizards have elongated bodies with either small limbs or no
+external evidence of such. Some cannot be easily distinguished from
+snakes. On close examination it will be seen that there is a ridge along
+each side of the body.
+
+The Keeled Lizard has a habit of keeping its tongue protruded and will
+wipe its lips with it after feeding. Its tail is easily separated from
+its body and when so separated, the broken off portion wriggles
+violently. New tails grow on. It is found in California, Oregon,
+Washington and eastward from California to Texas.
+
+The "Glass-Snake" has no limbs and to the eye of anyone but a naturalist
+would easily be mistaken for a snake. What distinguishes it from a snake
+is the presence of eyelids and ear holes. It occurs in many localities.
+It is common from the Carolinas to Florida and as far north as Illinois.
+Like the Keeled Lizard it has the ability to shed a very lively,
+wriggling tail. It feeds on worms and slugs that it finds by burrowing
+and will occasionally break and eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds.
+
+
+THE BEADED LIZARDS.
+
+This is a family of large lizards whose bodies look as if covered with
+beads. They are held to be poisonous by well-known authorities and are
+the only poisonous lizards found in the states.
+
+The Gila Monster (pronounced Hee-la) has a thick body with short limbs
+and a short tail. In color it is pink and black. Its length is about a
+foot and a half. It is found in New Mexico and Arizona and is named
+after the river Gila, the valley of which it inhabits. The creature will
+defend itself viciously and will hold on tenaciously with its strong
+jaws. The eggs are buried in the sand.
+
+
+XANTHUS LIZARDS.
+
+Small lizards that are found where the tree yuccas grow.
+
+
+THE RACE RUNNERS.
+
+These are easily distinguished by the yellow stripes on their bodies.
+They are to be found in the dry, sandy portions of the western states,
+burrowing in the sand and when pursued taking refuge in these burrows.
+
+
+THE WORM LIZARDS.
+
+These are a low grade of lizards that live underground like worms. The
+Worm Lizard, found in Florida, is scarcely any larger around than an
+earthworm. It is able to move backward or forward in the earth, the end
+of the tail being shaped similar to the head.
+
+
+THE SKINKS.
+
+This is a large family. They are burrowing lizards. The Red Headed
+Lizard is widely distributed throughout the United States. It is very
+timid and extremely difficult to capture. Its color changes with its
+age. The Black Banded Skink is found in the central portions of the
+United States. The Florida Skink in southern Florida. The Black Skink
+from Pennsylvania southward to Texas.
+
+Here we reach the end of the order of reptiles known as lizards; the
+next order is that of the snakes.
+
+
+
+
+THE SNAKES
+
+
+
+
+THE OPHIDIA OR SNAKES.
+
+
+Snakes are closely related to lizards. Some lizards, as you have already
+seen, are very much like snakes in form. The main distinguishing
+features of the snake are the elastic tissue which connects the two
+halves of the lower jaw and the absence of eyelids. Snakes are
+carnivorous and are capable of moving with great ease and swiftness
+notwithstanding their lack of limbs. They cast their skins several times
+a year. Many of the snakes are poisonous, and authorities tell us that
+there is no external characteristic that indicates which are poisonous
+and which are not.
+
+
+THE BLIND SNAKES.
+
+This is a low form of snake. They are worm-like and burrowing. The Texas
+Blind Snake is found in Texas and New Mexico. The California Blind Snake
+in California and Mexico.
+
+
+THE BOAS.
+
+The most common member of this family that comes within the range of
+this article is a snake that is found in the Pacific states and eastward
+as far as Nevada. It is over a foot in length and about half an inch in
+diameter. Various names have been given to it; in certain sections it is
+called the Rubber Boa, in others the Silver Snake, Two-headed Snake,
+Worm Snake. The name Two-headed Snake is given it evidently on account
+of the stubby appearance of the tail end.
+
+
+THE RIBBON SNAKES.
+
+These snakes have a yellow stripe along the back and the sides. They are
+long, slim snakes; specimens have been seen that measured nearly three
+feet long, although the average length is about two feet. It is found
+east of the Mississippi, but is not common. It frequents the banks of
+water to feed on young frogs and so forth. They swim well and are at
+home in the water. In the Western Ribbon Snake the back stripe is darker
+than those on the side, or in some instances a different color.
+
+
+THE GARTER SNAKES.
+
+These are found all over the United States and are perfectly harmless.
+They are abundant. Burrowing in the ground in the late fall they remain
+there all winter. Even the boy living in the large cities may, without
+going out of the city limits, find these snakes. They are quite commonly
+found in large public parks. They like frogs and toads and bolt their
+food. There are many varieties of this snake. Both the Ribbon Snakes and
+the Garter Snakes belong to the genus Eutænia, which is the most
+numerous of those of the United States. They are all striped snakes and
+are very much like the water snakes in structure. There is no easily
+distinguished characteristic that would enable a boy, at a glance, to
+tell a Garter Snake. They vary widely in color and marking.
+
+
+THE WATER SNAKES.
+
+Here is another genus of snakes that is found commonly in many sections
+of our country. They frequent the vicinity of water and swim with ease,
+feeding on frogs, toads, fish. The Queen Snake is found generally east
+of the Mississippi Valley. It is brown above and has yellow stripes on
+the side. The Banded Water Snake is the water snake which is commonly
+found in the southern part of the United States east of Texas. It
+closely resembles the Moccasin, a poisonous snake, and is often mistaken
+for it. It attains an average length of over a yard. When alarmed, like
+all the water snakes, it takes to the water for refuge. This genus never
+preys on birds or mice. It is one of the most common of the southern
+snakes. The Red-bellied Water Snake is found in the east, but not north
+of Virginia. The Common Water Snake is the northern representative of
+this genus. These snakes are popularly known as "Moccasins." The Diamond
+Back Water Snake is common along the lower Mississippi states. They
+average four feet in length. May be seen on low branches overhanging
+water. The Green Water Snake is similar in habit to the Diamond Back
+and is found in the Gulf and the Mississippi Valley states. One
+peculiarity of the water snakes is their love of their home. They pick
+out a particular sunning place and will return to it regularly.
+
+[Illustration: WATER SNAKE.]
+
+
+THE GROUND SNAKE OR BROWN SNAKE.
+
+This is a common snake, found all over the United States east of the
+Rocky Mountains. It is small in size, about a foot long and slender, and
+hides under stones, where it probably feeds on the worms and forms of
+insect life that live in such places.
+
+
+THE RACERS.
+
+The serpents of this type are very active and nervous. The Gopher Snake,
+or Indigo Snake, is one of the largest found in the United States. It
+has been known to measure over eight feet in length. It is found from
+Texas eastward in the Gulf states. Its scales have a polished appearance
+and are blue black in color. It may be seen in sandy stretches. When
+feeding it holds its prey down with part of its body. It is not
+particular as to its diet and will eat birds with the same relish as
+cold-blooded frogs and toads. In the Central and South American
+countries this snake is highly valued as a "ratter" and frequents human
+habitations without fear. The Black Snake is abundant in the United
+States. It has a bad reputation. It is said to be a fearless fighter,
+not afraid to attack man even, and to be able to "charm" its prey within
+its reach. These attributes are popular beliefs without any basis of
+fact. It is fond of small birds and field mice and is what may be called
+a meadow snake. When frightened it speeds away at an incredible rate.
+The Coachwhip Snake, found in the southeast, is even more agile than the
+Black Snake, and like that serpent, will eat smaller snakes. It gets its
+name from its slender structure and similarity of the appearance of its
+scale distribution to a plaited whip. The Striped Racer of the
+southwestern states is very long and slender.
+
+
+THE RAT SNAKES OR COLUBERS.
+
+These are large, strong snakes that squeeze and crush their prey by
+coiling themselves around it. They are useful to the farmer, as they
+inhabit grainfields and prey on the rats and mice. An easy way to tell
+these snakes is by their flat belly. The Fox Snake is quite common in
+the Central states. It averages about four feet long. It derives its
+name from an odor which it is able to eject, which smells not unlike
+that of the fox. Often it will kill and eat animals as large as rabbits.
+It deposits its eggs in some natural hollow and leaves them there to
+hatch. A snake that is abundant in the southeastern states is known by
+the various names of Corn Snake, Red Chicken Snake, Mouse Snake, Scarlet
+Racer and Red Coluber. It is red, black and white. It is not as much of
+a climber as the Racers are, nor is it as agile; but it is braver and
+will fight when cornered. It is frequently found in cornfields, hence
+its name. The Pilot Black Snake or Mountain Black Snake is often taken
+for the Common Black Snake. Its head is larger and it is spotted with
+white. It is a snake frequently found in the same locations as the
+rattlesnake and copperhead. The Chicken Snake is fond of eggs and young
+chickens. Like the Fox Snake it will emit an unpleasant odor when
+caught.
+
+
+THE BULL SNAKES.
+
+The Pine or Bull Snake is one of the largest snakes found in the east.
+It is found in the sandy pine woods of the coast. When disturbed it is
+vicious in appearance, hisses loudly and strikes vigorously. It feeds on
+small animals and birds. It is also called the Gopher Snake. "The Yellow
+Gopher" Snake is found in the middle and western states.
+
+
+THE GREEN SNAKES.
+
+The Green Whip Snake or Magnolia Snake is green above, yellow below. It
+feeds on insects and is a good climber. In color it so perfectly
+matches the leaves and grass that detection is difficult. The "Grass
+Snake" is a common snake of the northeastern states.
+
+
+THE RING-NECKED SNAKES.
+
+The eastern Ring-necked Snake is found in the eastern portion of the
+United States. It has a yellow ring about the neck. This snake is not
+given to venturing abroad, but prefers to lie under stones and the loose
+bark of trees.
+
+
+THE KING SNAKES.
+
+These snakes are remarkable for their colors. They are banded around
+their bodies with rings of bright colors. They will eat rats and mice
+and other snakes. The Milk Snake or "Checkered Adder" is popularly
+supposed to be fond of milk. Scientists tell us that this is a fallacy.
+It feeds on mice, rats, other snakes and lizards. The Red Milk Snake is
+prettily colored--red and yellow--and is the type found in the south.
+All the King Snakes have pronounced patterns. More than in any other
+genus is the habit of feeding on its kind developed--attacking, and
+usually successfully, snakes larger than themselves. It is from this
+characteristic that they derive their name. It is bitten by the
+poisonous snakes which it attacks but without effect; the King Snake
+tightens its grip until its adversary is lifeless.
+
+
+THE RAINBOW SNAKES.
+
+These are sometimes called the mud snakes, from the fact that they are
+abundant in swamps. They burrow in the mud. The Red-bellied Snake is
+also called the Rainbow Snake, Mud Snake, Horn Snake and Hoop Snake.
+
+
+THE HOG-NOSED SNAKES.
+
+These snakes are fighters. The peculiar formation of the mouth makes
+them easily distinguishable. They hiss when disturbed and flatten their
+heads and necks. They are popularly known as "adders" and "vipers." They
+are found in dry and sandy situations.
+
+The common Hog-nosed Snake is found in dry, sandy locations practically
+all through the United States except on the Pacific slope. It has the
+peculiar habit of feigning death when cornered. Before it tries these
+tactics it will make a terrific show of ferocity. It is capable of
+flattening its head and neck in a formidable manner and while assuming
+this attitude it hisses sharply. If this show does not scare away its
+enemy it will suddenly be seized with a spasm, ending by turning on its
+back, limp and apparently lifeless. When it thinks danger is past it
+recovers its normal position and quickly gets away. This snake is known
+popularly as the "Flat-headed Adder," the "Puff Adder," "Viper" and
+"Blow Snake."
+
+
+THE HARLEQUIN OR CORAL SNAKE.
+
+Is a strikingly marked serpent. Its colors are scarlet, black and
+yellow. This snake is found in the southeastern and central United
+States. It is a near relative to the deadly Cobra-de-Capello and is
+itself poisonous. A burrowing reptile.
+
+
+THE MOCCASINS.
+
+These snakes are highly poisonous. The Water Moccasin is one of the
+largest venomous snakes found in the United States. Some have been
+caught that measured four feet in length and almost two and a half
+inches around. Certain kinds of harmless water snakes are popularly
+supposed to be and are called "moccasins." Unless you have a very close
+knowledge of which is which, you should be careful how near you approach
+them. The Water Moccasin is found quite abundantly in the east from the
+Carolinas southward and along the Mississippi states as far north as
+Illinois. It likes swamps and is found abundantly in many southern
+swampy sections. This snake is often known as the "Cotton Mouth" Snake.
+It is vicious and pugnacious and will fight snakes of any size. The
+prey of this serpent consists of birds, frogs, other snakes, fish and
+small animals. The Copperhead derives its name from the copperish tint
+on its head. It is not as large a snake as the Water Moccasin, nor does
+it like the swamps. It frequents rocky locations that are thickly
+wooded. It has a peculiar habit of backing away from danger by looping
+its body and then drawing it straight again.
+
+[Illustration: THE MOCCASIN.]
+
+
+THE RATTLESNAKES.
+
+The rattlesnake is the most interesting as well as the most deadly of
+the North American serpents. Its chief distinguishing characteristic is
+the rattle at the end of tail. Curator Ditmars, of the New York
+Zoological Park, says that although he has "studied living examples of
+many species of deadly snakes--the South American bushmaster and the
+fer-de-lance, the African puff adder and the berg adder, and such East
+Indian species as the king cobra, the spectacled cobra and Russell's
+viper, and although there is indelibly stamped upon his mind the bloated
+body, the glassy stare and the rhythmic hissing of the berg adder, the
+rearing, uncanny pose of an infuriated cobra--there is one image vivid
+above all, the rattlesnake. Thrown into a gracefully symmetrical coil,
+the body inflated, the neck arched in an oblique bow in support of the
+heart-shaped head, the slowly waving tongue with spread and tremulous
+tips, and above all, the incessant, monotonous whir of the rattle. One
+stroke--a flash--of that flat head would inject a virus bringing speedy
+death."
+
+[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE.]
+
+The rattlesnake always warns its enemy of its presence by its rattle.
+Were it not for this habit there would probably be many more deaths from
+the bites of this snake. The snake does not add a new ring to its rattle
+each year, as it is popularly supposed to do. The Massasauga is one of
+the smaller rattlesnakes, averaging about two feet in length. It
+inhabits swampy places. The Timber Rattlesnake is found from Vermont to
+Florida and west to Kansas. It is abundant in the mountains of New York,
+Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In the spring and fall the snakes
+congregate on ledges of rocks; such places are called "rattlesnake
+dens." They spend the winter in crevices in these rocky places. The
+Timber Rattler is more timid than many of its cousins, preferring
+flight to combat, but if cornered will fight as fiercely. It feeds on
+birds and small animals. The largest rattlesnake is the Diamond-back.
+Specimens have been caught that measured over six feet long and four
+inches around. This snake is one of the most deadly in the world. It is
+found most abundantly in Florida. It is never known to strike uncoiled
+and rarely retreats from danger. The food of this snake seems to consist
+mostly of small animals. It takes but a minute for the poison from the
+Diamond-back's fangs to kill a rabbit.
+
+
+
+
+THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES
+
+
+
+
+THE CHELONIA OR TURTLES AND TORTOISES.
+
+
+Turtles and tortoises belong to the order known as Chelonia. There are
+Fresh-water Turtles, Sea Turtles and Land Turtles.
+
+
+THE SEA TURTLES.
+
+These turtles are often carried by storm far north of their customary
+habitat, which is in the warmer waters of the southeastern coast. The
+Leatherback, or Trunk Turtle, is the largest of the sea turtles,
+sometimes reaching a weight of half a ton. It is not found in abundance.
+The Loggerhead Turtle has a very large head. Its eggs are buried in the
+sand about May or June and the young turtles hatch out in about two
+months' time. The Green Turtle often strays into northern waters. The
+flesh of this turtle is prized by epicures. It will die if not placed on
+its back, the under shell being pressed by the weight of the upper shell
+against its lungs, causing suffocation. The Hawksbill Turtle is
+distinguished by the hawk-like appearance of its head. It is the
+smallest of the sea turtles and the one from which is obtained the
+sought-after tortoise shells.
+
+[Illustration: SEA TURTLE.]
+
+
+THE SNAPPING TURTLES.
+
+These are the largest of the fresh-water turtles. Like the snakes they
+strike at their prey or their enemy, and their sharp mandibles make them
+a formidable antagonist. They will pull down their prey under the water
+where they always feed. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is found in the
+Gulf states. A peculiarity of this reptile is the fleshy filament,
+grub-like in appearance, which it has in its mouth and which acts as a
+bait, attracting fish within the reach of its powerful jaws.
+
+
+THE MUD TURTLES.
+
+The Musk Turtle is a common type of the Mud Turtle and is found in
+abundance in the muddy streams of the eastern, part of the United
+States. It will often be taken on a fish hook. It derives its name from
+the odor it gives forth. Seldom is it found out of the water. It snaps
+when taken in a way which rivals the Snapping Turtle. The common Mud
+Turtle is not as abundant as the Musk turtle to which it is similar in
+habit, crawling along the muddy bottoms of ponds and rivers. The under
+shell of the Mud Turtles is much broader than that of the Musk turtles.
+The Banded Mud Turtle, found in Georgia and Florida, has three yellow
+stripes or "bands" on its shell. The Yellow-necked Mud Turtle gets its
+name from its bright yellow neck.
+
+
+THE TERRAPINS.
+
+The Painted Terrapin or Pond Turtle is brightly colored. The under shell
+is yellow and the upper shell is bordered with mottled red. It is found
+in the eastern United States. You may frequently see it taking a sunning
+on a partially submerged log, diving into the water upon your approach.
+It feeds on insects, small fishes and water weeds. In your aquarium it
+will eat small pieces of beef, fish, worms or tender greens. The Chicken
+Turtle or Long-necked Terrapin is found in the southeastern states. The
+Yellow-bellied Terrapin is found from Virginia to Georgia. It is one of
+the terrapins that are sold in the markets. Many may be seen there,
+especially in Charleston. The Cumberland Terrapin may be known by the
+red marking on each side of its head. This, too, is sold in the markets;
+it is found in the middle western states. The Diamond Back Terrapin is
+the most highly prized by epicures--seven-inch-long turtles bringing as
+much as $5 or more apiece. It is found in the marshes of the eastern and
+southeastern coast states. As the size increases, the price advances.
+They are becoming scarce. It always feeds under water. Grows to larger
+size in the South. The Spotted Turtle is found in abundant quantities in
+the eastern states. It has round yellow spots scattered over its black
+upper shell and may be seen near ponds, streams and marshy places. It is
+fond of water that is grassy, hiding therein.
+
+
+THE BOX TURTLES.
+
+This turtle is fitted with a complete suit of armor, into which it can
+withdraw and become practically immune from harm. It is not an aquatic
+reptile, its food consisting principally of vegetation. It is fond of
+berries and is found most abundantly in grassy thickets. It lives many
+years. At the approach of winter it burrows into the ground.
+
+[Illustration: BOX TURTLE.]
+
+
+THE TORTOISES.
+
+The Tortoises live only on the land. The Gopher Tortoise is found from
+South Carolina to Florida, and west as far as Texas. It feeds on
+vegetation. It inhabits principally the dry and sandy places and makes
+long burrows into which it retires from the hot midday sun. The eggs of
+this tortoise are buried in the sand and are hatched by the sun's rays
+Agassiz's Tortoise, or the Desert Tortoise, is distributed over the
+deserts of Arizona and southern California.
+
+
+THE SOFT-SHELLED TURTLES.
+
+The shells of these turtles are soft and the head has the distinguishing
+characteristic of a pointed nose. They are aquatic and are much like the
+snapping turtles in habit. Large specimens can do damage with their
+sharp jaws. They are popularly known as "flap jack turtles," and they do
+not look unlike large pancakes. They are vicious and can make severe
+wounds or injuries. Their food is the same as that of the snapping
+turtles; in fact, they have so many points in common that they are often
+called "soft-shelled snapping turtles."
+
+
+
+
+THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS
+
+
+
+
+THE CROCODILIA OR THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS.
+
+
+The Crocodiles and Alligators belong to that order of reptiles known as
+Crocodilia. The Alligator's head is broad and blunt; the Crocodile's is
+narrow and sharp.
+
+ [Illustration:
+  1. ALLIGATOR.
+  2. CROCODILE.]
+
+The Alligators are distributed over the low and swampy ground from North
+Carolina southward, but are becoming rare almost to the point of
+extinction. Their skin is valued and their eggs are sought as food so
+that they are annually becoming rarer. They are afraid of man, but if
+cornered will fight. Their jaws are large, powerful and provided with
+strong teeth, capable of inflicting serious injury. They feed on fish,
+animals and birds. Alligators make a "bellowing" sound. The Crocodile is
+livelier and more pugnacious than the Alligator, but there are no
+"man-eating" Crocodiles in the United States.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX
+
+
+ Adder,
+   Berg, 177
+   Checkered, 168
+   Flat-headed, 169
+   Puff, 169, 171
+
+ Agassiz's Tortoise, 181
+
+ Alligators, 183, 185
+
+ Alligator Snapping Turtle, 177
+
+ Anolis, 152
+
+
+ Banded
+   Gecko, 152
+   Mud Turtle, 180
+   Water Snake, 164
+
+ Beaded Lizards, 158
+
+ Berg Adder, 177
+
+ Black
+   -banded Skink, 159
+   Iguana, 153
+   Snake, 166
+     Mountain, 167
+     Pilot, 167
+
+ Blind Snakes, 163
+   California, 163
+   Texas, 163
+
+ Blow Snake, 169
+
+ Boas, 163
+   Rubber, 163
+
+ Box Turtle, 173
+
+ Brown Snake, 166
+
+ Bull Snake, 167
+
+ Bushmaster, 171
+
+
+ California
+   Blind Snake, 163
+   Horned Toad, 157
+
+ Cape
+   Gecko, 152
+   Iguana, 153
+
+ Chameleon, 152
+
+ Checkered Adder, 168
+
+ Chelonia, 147, 177
+
+ Chicken
+   Snake, 167
+     Red, 167
+   Turtle, 180
+
+ Chuckawalla, 154
+
+ Clark's Swift, 156
+
+ Coachwhip Snake, 166
+
+ Cobra,
+   King, 171
+   Spectacled, 171
+
+ Cobra-de-Capello, 169
+
+ Collared
+   Lizard, 151, 155
+   Swift, 156
+
+ Colubers, 167
+   Red, 167
+
+ Common Swift, 151, 156
+
+ Copperhead, 171
+
+ Coral Snake, 169
+
+ Corn Snake, 167
+
+ Cotton Mouth Snake, 169
+
+ Crocodiles, 183, 185
+
+ Crocodilia, 147, 185
+
+ Cumberland Terrapin, 180
+
+
+ Desert
+   Iguana, 154
+   Tortoise, 181
+
+ Diamond-back
+   Rattlesnake 173
+   Terrapin, 180
+   Water Snake, 165
+
+ Dinosaurs, 147
+
+
+ Eutænia, 164
+
+
+ Fence Lizard, 151
+
+ Fer-de-lance, 171
+
+ Flapjack Turtle, 181
+
+ Flat-headed Adder, 169
+
+ Florida Skink, 159
+
+ Fox Snake, 167
+
+ Fresh-water Turtle, 177
+
+
+ Garter Snakes, 164
+
+ Gecko, 152
+   Banded, 152
+   Cape, 152
+   Reef, 152
+   Warty, 152
+
+ Gila Monster, 158
+
+ Glass Snake, 158
+
+ Gopher
+   Snake, 166, 167
+   Tortoise, 181
+
+ Grass Snake, 168
+
+ Green
+   Turtle, 177
+   Water Snake, 165
+   Whip Snake, 167
+
+ Ground Snake, 166
+
+
+ Harlequin Snake, 169
+
+ Hawksbill Turtle, 177
+
+ Hog-nosed Snakes, 168
+
+ Hoop Snake, 168
+
+ Horn Snake, 168
+
+ Horned
+   Lizard, 156
+   Toads, 156
+     California, 156
+     Regal, 156
+
+
+ Ichthyosaurs, 147
+
+ Iguana, 152, 153
+   Black, 153
+   Cape, 153
+   Desert, 154
+
+ Indigo Snake, 166
+
+
+ Keeled Lizard, 157
+
+ King
+   Cobra, 171
+   Snake, 168
+
+
+ Lacertilia, 147, 151
+
+ Land Turtle, 177
+
+ Leatherback Turtle, 177
+
+ Leopard Lizard, 155
+
+ Lizards, 149
+   Beaded, 158
+   Collared, 151, 155
+   Fence, 151
+   Horned, 156
+   Keeled, 157
+   Leopard, 155
+   Red-headed, 159
+   Snake-like, 156
+   Spotted, 155
+   Worm, 158
+   Xanthus, 158
+   Zebra-tailed, 151, 155
+
+ Loggerhead Turtle, 177
+
+ Long-necked Terrapin, 180
+
+
+ Magnolia Snake, 167
+
+ Massasauga, 171
+
+ Milk Snake, 168
+   Red, 168
+
+ Moccasin, 165, 169, 170
+   Water, 169
+
+ Mountain, Black, Snake, 167
+
+ Mouse Snake, 167
+
+ Mud
+   Snake, 168
+   Turtle, 179
+
+ Musk Turtle, 178
+
+
+ Ophidia, 147, 163
+
+
+ Pacific Swift, 151
+
+ Painted Terrapin, 180
+
+ Pilot Black Snake, 167
+
+ Pine Snake, 167
+
+ Plesiosaurs, 147
+
+ Pond Turtle, 180
+
+ Pterosaurs, 147, 148
+
+ Puff Adder, 169, 171
+
+
+ Queen Snakes, 164
+
+
+ Racers, 166
+   Scarlet, 167
+   Striped, 166
+
+ Race Runners, 158
+
+ Rainbow Snake, 168
+
+ Rattlesnakes, 171, 172, 173
+   Diamond-back, 173
+
+ Rat Snake, 167
+
+ Red
+   -bellied Snake, 168
+     Water Snake, 165
+   Chicken Snake, 167
+   Coluber, 167
+   Headed Lizard, 159
+   Milk Snake, 168
+
+ Reef Gecko, 152
+
+ Regal Horned Toad, 157
+
+ Ribbon Snakes, 163
+
+ Ring-necked Snakes, 168
+
+ Rubber Boas, 163
+
+ Russell's Viper, 171
+
+
+ Scarlet Racer, 167
+
+ Sea Turtles, 177, 178
+
+ Silver Snake, 163
+
+ Skink, 159
+   Black-banded, 159
+   Florida, 159
+
+ Snake-like Lizards, 156
+
+ Snakes, 163
+   Banded Water, 164
+   Black, 166
+   Blind, 163
+     California, 163
+     Texas, 163
+   Blow, 169
+   Brown, 166
+   Bull, 167
+   California Blind, 163
+   Chicken, 167
+     Red, 167
+   Coachwhip, 166
+   Copperhead, 171
+   Coral, 169
+   Corn, 167
+   Cotton Mouth, 169
+   Diamond-back
+     Rattle, 173
+     Water, 165
+   Fox, 167
+   Garter, 164
+   Glass, 158
+   Gopher, 166, 167
+   Grass, 168
+   Green, 167
+     Water, 165
+     Whip, 167
+   Ground, 166
+   Harlequin, 169
+   Hog-nosed, 168
+   Hoop, 168
+   Horn, 168
+   Indigo, 166
+   King, 168
+   Magnolia, 167
+   Milk, 168
+   Mountain, Black, 167
+   Mouse, 167
+   Mud, 168
+   Pilot Black, 167
+   Pine, 167
+   Queen, 164
+   Rainbow, 168
+   Rat, 167
+   Red
+     -bellied, 168
+       Water, 165
+     Milk, 168
+   Ribbon, 163
+   Ring-necked, 168
+   Silver, 163
+   Texas Blind, 163
+   Two-headed, 163
+   Water, 164, 165
+   Worm, 163
+   Yellow Gopher, 167
+
+ Snapping Turtle, 177
+
+ Soft-shelled Turtle, 181
+
+ Spectacled Cobra, 171
+
+ Sphenodon, 147
+
+ Spotted
+   Lizard, 155
+   Turtle, 180
+
+ Striped Racers, 166
+
+ Swifts, 156
+   Clark's, 156
+   Collared, 156
+   Common, 151, 156
+   Pacific, 151
+   White-bellied, 151
+   Yellow-striped, 156
+
+
+ Terrapin, 180
+   Cumberland, 180
+   Diamond-back, 180
+   Long-necked, 180
+   Painted, 180
+   Yellow-bellied, 180
+
+ Texas Blind Snake, 163
+
+ Timber Rattlesnake, 171
+
+ Tortoises, 181
+   Agassiz's, 181
+   Desert, 181
+   Gopher, 181
+
+ Trunk Turtle, 177
+
+ Turtles, 175
+   Alligator Snapping, 177
+   Banded Mud, 180
+   Box, 181
+   Chicken, 180
+   Flapjack, 181
+   Fresh-water, 177
+   Green, 177
+   Hawksbill, 177
+   Land, 177
+   Leatherback, 177
+   Loggerhead, 177
+   Mud, 179
+   Musk, 179
+   Pond, 180
+   Sea, 177, 178
+   Snapping, 177
+   Soft-shelled, 181
+   Spotted, 180
+   Trunk, 177
+
+ Two-headed Snake, 163
+
+
+ Viper, 169
+   Russell's, 171
+
+
+ Warty Gecko, 152
+
+ Water Moccasin, 169
+
+ Water Snakes, 164, 165
+     Diamond-back, 165
+     Green, 165
+     Red-bellied, 165
+
+ Whip Snake, Green, 167
+
+ White-bellied Swift, 151
+
+ Worm
+   Lizards, 158
+   Snakes, 163
+
+
+ Yellow
+   -bellied Terrapin, 180
+   Gopher Snake, 167
+   Striped Swift, 156
+
+
+ Xanthus Lizards, 158
+
+
+ Zebra-tailed Lizards, 151, 155
+
+
+
+
+THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
+
+A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+Which, in addition to the interesting boy scout stories by CAPTAIN ALAN
+DOUGLAS, Scoutmaster, contain articles on nature lore, native animals
+and a fund of other information pertaining to out-of-door life, that
+will appeal to the boy's love of the open
+
+
+I. THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL
+
+Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities
+to use their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer
+Chenowith, a lad from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his
+familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should
+read.
+
+
+II. WOODCRAFT; OR, HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD
+
+This tale presents many stirring situations in which some of the boys
+are called upon to exercise all their ingenuity and unselfishness. A
+story filled with healthful excitement.
+
+
+III. PATHFINDER; OR, THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the
+credit of our young friends. A variety of incidents follow fast, one
+after the other.
+
+
+IV. FAST NINE; OR, A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD
+
+They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of
+the final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof,
+form a stirring narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent
+years.
+
+
+V. GREAT HIKE; OR, THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP
+
+After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest
+undertaking. Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured
+rivalry of the different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing
+situations.
+
+
+VI. ENDURANCE TEST; OR, HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY
+
+Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of
+apparent failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and
+surprise their most ardent admirers. One of the best stories Captain
+Douglas has written.
+
+
+BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES
+
+ Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--in Number I.
+ Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
+ Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
+ Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
+ Insects of the United States in Number V.
+ Birds of the United States in Number VI.
+
+
+ _Cloth Binding    Cover Illustrations in Four Colors    40c. Per Volume_
+
+
+ THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+ 147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St) NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+    Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Dialect
+    spellings have been retained.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pathfinder, by Alan Douglas
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATHFINDER ***
+
+***** This file should be named 22924-8.txt or 22924-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/9/2/22924/
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephen Blundell and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/22924-8.zip b/22924-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f1ed5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-8.zip
diff --git a/22924-h.zip b/22924-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7ca9bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h.zip
diff --git a/22924-h/22924-h.htm b/22924-h/22924-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..583bd16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/22924-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,7312 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot, by Captain Alan Douglas
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;}
+
+    h1,h2 {text-align: center; clear: both;}
+
+    h3 {text-align: center; clear: both; margin-bottom: 2em;}
+
+    hr {width: 33%; margin: 2em auto; clear: both;}
+
+    table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}
+    .td1 {text-align: right; padding-top: .5em;}
+    .td2 {text-align: left; font-variant: small-caps; padding-top: .5em; padding-right: 5em;}
+    .td3 {text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;}
+    .td4 {text-align: center; font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    body{margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+
+    .pagenum  {position: absolute;
+               left: 94%;
+               font-size: smaller;
+               font-style: normal;
+               text-align: right;}
+
+    .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; font-size: .9em;}
+
+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    .figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center; font-size: .9em;}
+
+    .trans1     {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em; text-align: justify;}
+
+    img {border: none}
+
+    a:link    {text-decoration:none;}
+    a:visited {text-decoration:none;}
+
+    ul      {list-style-type: none}
+    .outof  {margin-left: 2.5em;}
+
+    .cpoem    {width: 25em; margin: 0 auto; border: solid 2px;}
+
+    .hd1 {text-decoration: underline; margin-bottom: 2em;}
+    .hd2 {text-align: center; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;}
+    .hd3 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;}
+    .hd4 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 2em;}
+    .hd5 {text-align: center; font-variant: small-caps; font-size: larger; margin-top: 2em;}
+    .hd6 {text-align: left; font-size: larger; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 1.5em;}
+    .curly  {float: right; font-size: 200%;}
+
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pathfinder, by Alan Douglas
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Pathfinder
+       or, The Missing Tenderfoot
+
+Author: Alan Douglas
+
+Release Date: October 8, 2007 [EBook #22924]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATHFINDER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephen Blundell and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 334px;">
+<img src="images/001.jpg" style="border: solid 4px;" width="334" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h1>PATHFINDER<br />
+
+<small><small>OR</small></small><br />
+
+<span class="smcap">The Missing Tenderfoot</span></h1>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<div class="cpoem">
+<p class="center">COMPLETE ROSTER, WHEN THE<br />
+PATROLS WERE FILLED, OF<br />
+<br />
+<big>THE HICKORY RIDGE TROOP<br />
+OF BOY SCOUTS</big><br />
+<br />
+<span class="smcap">MR. RODERIC GARRABRANT, Scout Master</span><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+THE WOLF PATROL<br />
+<br />
+<span class="smcap">Elmer Chenowith</span>, Patrol Leader, and also<br />
+Assistant Scout Master</p>
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Mark Cummings</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3em;"><span class="smcap">Ted (Theodore) Burgoyne</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><span class="smcap">Toby (Tobias) Ellsworth Jones</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><span class="smcap">"Lil Artha" (Arthur) Stansbury</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><span class="smcap">Chatz (Charles) Maxfield</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 7em;"><span class="smcap">Phil (Philip) Dale</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;"><span class="smcap">George Robbins</span></span><br /><br /><br /></p>
+
+<p class="center">THE BEAVER PATROL<br />
+<br />
+<span class="smcap">Matty (Matthew) Eggleston</span>, Patrol Leader</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">"Red" (Oscar) Huggins</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3em;"><span class="smcap">Ty (Tyrus) Collins</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><span class="smcap">Jasper Merriweather</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><span class="smcap">Tom Cropsey</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><span class="smcap">Larry (Lawrence) Billings</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 7em;"><span class="smcap">Hen (Henry) Condit</span></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 8em;"><span class="smcap">Landy (Philander) Smith</span></span><br /><br /><br /></p>
+
+<p class="center">THE EAGLE PATROL<br />
+<br />
+<span class="smcap">Jack Armitage</span>, Patrol Leader</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Nat (Nathan) Scott</span></p>
+<p class="center"><small>(OTHERS TO BE ENLISTED UNTIL THIS PATROL HAS<br />
+REACHED ITS LEGITIMATE NUMBER)</small></p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 456px;">
+<img src="images/002.png" width="456" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+"Elmer tries to tell us he is pursuing the two who headed northwest."</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/003.png" width="600" height="126" alt="THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h1 style="margin: .5em auto 1em;"><big>PATHFINDER</big><small><small><br /><br />OR<br /><br /></small></small>
+<span class="smcap">The Missing Tenderfoot</span></h1>
+
+
+<h2  style="margin: 2em auto;"><small>BY<br /><br /></small>
+<span class="smcap">Captain ALAN DOUGLAS</span><br />
+<small><small>SCOUT MASTER</small></small></h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 70px; margin: 1.5em auto;">
+<img src="images/004.png" width="70" height="69" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY<br />
+NEW YORK</b></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<p class="center"><small><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1913, by</span><br />
+THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</small></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td class="td1"><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td class="td1" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">I.</td><td class="td2">&mdash;The Birch-bark Message</td><td class="td1"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">II.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;At the Haunted Mill</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">III.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;The Strange Disappearance of Nat</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">IV.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;The Search for a Clew</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">V.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;The Trail Grows Warmer</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">VI.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;Hunting for the Missing Scout</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">VII.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;The Ambition of Landy</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">VIII.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;Reading the Signs</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">IX.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;Setting the Trap</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">X.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;How the Trap Worked</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">XI.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;Run Down</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">XII.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;The Language of Signs</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">XIII.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;The Call of the Wolf</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">XIV.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;The Need of a Pathfinder</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td1">XV.</td>
+<td class="td2">&mdash;Rescued&mdash;Conclusion</td>
+<td class="td1"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2><big>PATHFINDER</big><br />
+
+<small>OR</small><br />
+
+<big><span class="smcap">The Missing Tenderfoot</span></big></h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
+<h2 class="hd1">THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS</h2>
+
+<p class="hd2">PATHFINDER;</p>
+
+<p class="hd3">OR,</p>
+
+<p class="hd2" style="margin-bottom: 3em;">THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE BIRCH-BARK MESSAGE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Hold on, boys; here's a stick standing upright in the
+trail. And look, fellows, there's a piece of nice new
+birch bark held fast in the cloven end, that grips it like
+the jaws of a vise."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, it's a message, all right."</p>
+
+<p>"And from our crack-a-jack pathfinder, Elmer Chenowith,
+too, I warrant you."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say, Matty? Is Red Huggins right?"</p>
+
+<p>Seven boys had come to a halt in the heart of the big
+woods. They were a rather husky-looking set, all told,
+and evidently bent on getting all the benefit possible from
+being outdoors through the last few weeks of vacation time.</p>
+
+<p>The one appealed to, Matty Eggleston by name, was
+something of a leader among the Hickory Ridge Troop of
+Boy Scouts.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, he was at the head of the Beaver Patrol, and
+studying constantly in order to attain the rank of a first-class
+scout.</p>
+
+<p>There are so very many things a boy must know in order<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+to reach this ambition that comparatively few scouts ever
+attain it. But by concentrating all his energies upon one
+particular study he may earn a merit badge, which it
+will make him proud to wear.</p>
+
+<p>Matty took the piece of bark from the cloven stick. The
+other six boys clustered eagerly around, anxious to see
+what sort of message it could be that the assistant scout
+master had left in the trail.</p>
+
+<p>They were out to try a new experience, and one that appealed
+to every boy in the bunch.</p>
+
+<p>A party of the scouts, their identity and number unknown
+to Elmer and the balance, had started off for the
+woods early in the day.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later, Elmer, with one companion, had taken up
+the trail, and when a second hour had elapsed the balance
+of those who were bent upon playing the game left town in
+two detachments.</p>
+
+<p>It had been arranged that Elmer was to act as pathfinder
+and tracker. He would in turn leave a plain trail that a
+child could follow.</p>
+
+<p>Besides this, he had promised to transmit from time to
+time some sort of message. Thus those who came along in
+the rear, in two detachments, would be kept in touch with
+events, and also advised as to what they should do.</p>
+
+<p>The party bringing up the rear was headed by Mark
+Cummings, who was Elmer's particular chum. He was
+really the bugler of the troop; but for this occasion Elmer
+himself carried that instrument, with the idea of calling
+the scouts together at some time later on.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey, look at that, would you; it's all marked up with
+crow's feet tracks!" exclaimed Landy Smith, a rather fat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>
+boy who had only recently joined the Wolf Patrol, making
+the eighth and last member.</p>
+
+<p>"What's Elmer think we are, a lot of kids, to leave us
+an illustrated rebus to guess? Looks to me like a little
+boy's first try to draw cows and Noah's Ark people."</p>
+
+<p>Some of the others laughed when George Robbins gave
+expression to his disgust in this way. George was a cousin
+to Landy, and had also recently signed the muster roll of
+the scouts, although he belonged to Matty's patrol, the
+Beaver.</p>
+
+<p>"You've got a heap to learn yet, George," said Red
+Huggins, shaking his head at the offender.</p>
+
+<p>"In what way?" demanded the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, this is what they call Injun picture writing,"
+replied Red, obligingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! it is, eh? But what's that got to do with finding
+a trail, or following one that's already found?" asked the
+latest tenderfoot.</p>
+
+<p>"A heap, as you'll soon learn, my boy," replied Red,
+with a pitying look, as if he could not understand how
+anyone should be so green. "Matty, suppose you enlighten
+him a little, won't you&mdash;that is, if you've got
+through reading your letter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Letter!" ejaculated both Landy and George&mdash;"that
+thing a letter?"</p>
+
+<p>"A short and sweet one," remarked Matty. "You see,
+Elmer has signed it with what I make out to be the paw of
+a wolf. That's the totem of his patrol, while mine is a
+beaver tail, and the third one would be the claw of an
+eagle."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Say, that sounds kind of interesting like," observed
+Landy. "I rather expect I'll cotton to this same Injun
+picture writing letter business, once I get at the secret key
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"That's where you're away off to start with, Landy,"
+remarked Matty, laughing, "because you see there's nothing
+hidden about this business at all. In fact, the one particular
+idea with the one who writes a message in Indian
+picture writing is to make it so simple a child might understand."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare," cried the fat scout, who was not in
+khaki uniform like four of his companions, simply because
+he and George were waiting until the town tailor, father
+to Jasper Merriweather, one of the members of the troop,
+could complete their suits&mdash;"then, if a baby could understand
+what our pathfinder has left for us, perhaps now
+there might be some chance for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! it's as easy as falling off a log, once you get the
+hang of it," declared Larry Billings.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, and I'll show you, fellows," remarked
+Matty, holding the bark up so that everyone present could
+see the lead-pencil marks.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like several men, to start with," interposed
+George.</p>
+
+<p>"Good enough, George," said the patrol leader, "and
+that's just what they are. Count them, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"One, two, three."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right. So you see, to begin with, our pathfinder
+tells us the enemy ahead are three in number. Now,
+do you see anything close by those three figures of men?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+and Matty held the bark directly in front of Landy and
+George.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," replied George. "Under one is a mark&mdash;say,
+it looks like the same down at the bottom of the letter, and
+you said that was the sign or totem of the Wolf Patrol."</p>
+
+<p>"Just so; and this tells us the first fellow is a member
+of that patrol. Under the others you will see marks to indicate
+that they are members of the Beaver and the Eagle
+patrols."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so, Matty; I can see 'em," declared Landy,
+who evidently did not wish his cousin to get all the credit
+for smartness.</p>
+
+<p>"All right. Let's get on a little," said Matty. "First
+notice two have hats on, while the third wears none. Now,
+you may think that an accident in drawing, but it isn't at
+all. Elmer meant it for something."</p>
+
+<p>"And I can guess what it is," declared Chatz Maxfield,
+the Southern boy.</p>
+
+<p>"Then tell the rest of us," cried several.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's dead easy," was his reply. "Stop and think;
+who's always losing his hat every chance he gets?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nat Scott!" quickly exclaimed Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"All right. And don't we happen to know that Nat was
+one of those who went ahead of Elmer and Lil Artha by an
+hour or so," laughed Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare!" cried Landy, "and do you mean
+to say Elmer has guessed that, or did he see the fellows before
+he wrote this letter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither one nor the other. He just figured it out
+from something he found. Perhaps he knows what the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+print of Nat's shoe looks like, for we all make different
+tracks, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Chatz, "that would be just like Elmer.
+He's the most observing, wide-awake fellow I ever knew
+since I came up from the South. I've seen him measuring
+some of our tracks, and making a copy in that wonderful
+little book of his."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, let's get on a little further. Do you see that
+the second figure, no matter how often he appears, always
+has his left leg bent a little?" and Matty pointed in
+several places to confirm his statement.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately Red laughed aloud, and then in one breath
+he and Larry exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"That's Ty Collins, as sure as anything!"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you've hit the mark," said Matty, "and that
+was just what Elmer was trying to tell us. Ty's left leg
+has always been a little crooked since he fell out of that
+cherry tree three years ago. Now, the third fellow got me
+at first, but come to look at him he seems a little different
+from the others. See here, and here, and here."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a fact," declared Landy, scratching his nose in
+a way he had when puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>"He can't mean he's a dead one, and sprouting wings,
+can he?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>"Wings! I've got it, fellows!" shouted Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Then pass it around to the rest, because I'm all up a
+stump," observed Larry.</p>
+
+<p>"Shucks! don't you know there's only one fellow in
+the whole troop who's always sighing because he can't fly,
+and wishes he had wings?" demanded Red, promptly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Toby Jones, the boy who's bent on sailing through the
+clouds some day!" cried Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," remarked Matty. "And in this clever
+way our pathfinder has told us who the three scouts ahead
+are. Now he shows them coming to a fork in the trail.
+One goes to the north, and the others to the northwest.
+Which party can be carrying the wampum belt we expect
+to trace down?"</p>
+
+<p>All of them looked again, and while several shook their
+heads Red remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"Seems to me one of the two that kept together fell
+down just at the fork of the trail. Was that only an accident,
+Matty, or a part of the play?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it was done on purpose," the other replied.
+"Because, if you look closely, you'll find that the one who
+stretched out on the ground was Ty, and that from that
+time on he has a funny little wiggly line drawn around his
+waist."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, he has. That must be the wampum belt," exclaimed
+Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. No doubt he was instructed by our scout master,
+Mr. Garrabrant, that when they separated the fellow carrying
+the belt must do <i>something</i> to show it. That was a
+clever dodge of Ty's to lie down, and make an impression
+in the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and smarter yet for Elmer to discover the impression,
+and read it," declared Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"What else does the letter say?" asked Landy, who
+seemed quite enthused now, after discovering how exceedingly
+interesting this communicating by means of Indian
+picture writing might become.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Elmer tries to tell us he is pursuing the two who headed
+northwest. You see he has made an arrow showing this
+fact," Matty continued.</p>
+
+<p>"But there are some other marks; can you make them
+out at all?" asked Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"This is certainly a fire. Before separating, the three
+enemies built a fire and pretended to feed. Here they are
+sitting around the blaze and eating; and if you look over
+yonder right now, you'll see the ashes where the fire has
+been."</p>
+
+<p>All of them hurried across to where Matty pointed.</p>
+
+<p>"By all that's wonderful, there has been a camp fire
+here," said Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"You're a little off there, Landy," corrected the leader
+of the Beaver Patrol; "this was only a little cooking blaze,
+not a camp fire."</p>
+
+<p>"But what's the difference?" demanded the new recruit;
+"I thought a fire must be a fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Matty, "when hunters are in a hostile
+country and want to prepare a meal they dig a hole and
+make a small blaze in it that will be hot enough for their
+purpose, but which might not be seen fifty feet away."</p>
+
+<p>"And a camp fire?" continued the novice.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite a different matter. That is generally a rousing
+blaze made for comfort, and at a time when no danger is
+feared. This was only a cooking fire," Matty went on to
+explain, as he again thrust the "message" into the jaws
+of the cloven stick.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know how long ago this fire was made?" asked
+George.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The ashes are cold now, but they must have been warm
+when Elmer was here. He says so&mdash;anyhow, that's the way
+I read it. Here are four hands held up. Counting fingers
+and thumbs he wants us to know he has gained on the
+enemy, and was only twenty minutes behind when they
+separated at this fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that takes the cake!" ejaculated Landy, whose
+whole appearance indicated amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if it's going to turn out so?" remarked
+George, who was always unbelieving, and hence sometimes
+called by his friends "Doubting George."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll prove it later," said Matty, "because I
+am putting all these things down in my record. When we
+come together Elmer will tell us what he meant, and read
+our answers out loud. Then well see how that second
+squad come out. But let's be on the move again, fellows.
+Plenty to do before we overhaul our pathfinder, and find
+out if he secured the wampum belt. Come along, everybody!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>AT THE HAUNTED MILL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Once more the little squad of scouts resumed their forward
+movement.</p>
+
+<p>Matty remained at their head, as before. This game
+was growing more delightful to him every minute, and
+some of the others were feeling the same way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Of course it was easy work for those who came after,
+and the second bunch, headed by Mark Cummings, would
+have, as Red expressed it, a "snap."</p>
+
+<p>The real work of following the trail was falling upon
+Elmer and his companion, the tall, angular fellow known
+among his mates as Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>In carrying out the purpose of the game they were to do
+all the reading of the signs, and leave a plain track for
+those who came after. But the two detachments of scouts
+were expected to pick up as much knowledge concerning
+the methods used as they could.</p>
+
+<p>Besides this, they must read the messages left occasionally
+by their pathfinder.</p>
+
+<p>For quite some time the boys scurried along. More than
+once they had to quicken their pace to what Matty called
+a "dog-trot." This happened especially when the
+"signs" were very plain.</p>
+
+<p>"Why all this haste?" asked Landy, who seemed to be
+puffing a little, because of his being rather a stout boy,
+and not very well up in athletics.</p>
+
+<p>"Because we want to gain on Elmer when we have the
+chance," replied the leader.</p>
+
+<p>"But look here, Matty," said Landy, "do you mean to
+tell me Elmer is getting along about as fast as we've been
+doing, when he has a blind trail to follow, and we have a
+plain one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like it, don't it?" exclaimed Red.</p>
+
+<p>"But how under the sun does he do it?" pursued the
+doubting greenhorn.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," Matty went on, "Elmer lived in Canada, away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+up where our blizzards come from. He used to ride a
+wild broncho, throw a rope, hunt antelope and wolves, and
+was once in at the death of a big grizzly bear that had been
+playing hob with their cattle."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I've heard all that," admitted Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"So you see he learned a lot about following a trail that
+would never be seen by any fellows like us scouts. He
+knows a dozen signs that tell him the facts. And when
+greenhorns like Ty, Nat, and Toby try to fool him, why, he
+just eats the trail up."</p>
+
+<p>Matty, as he finished speaking, came to a sudden pause.</p>
+
+<p>"We might as well take a breathing spell," he remarked,
+"because we're getting pretty close to the meeting place
+anyhow. Besides, here's a chance for me to show you
+how Elmer manages."</p>
+
+<p>The others crowded around, eager to see for themselves
+what object lesson Matty expected to lay before them.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I want you to notice right here," he said, pointing
+to the ground, "that the footprints of the two boys
+ahead suddenly stop. Here are the plain marks left purposely
+by Elmer and Lil Artha. Do you notice how they
+run alongside this fallen tree?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's a fact," declared George, as all of them walked
+slowly along.</p>
+
+<p>"The two foxes in the lead thought to puzzle the hounds
+by jumping on this long log, and running its entire length,"
+said Matty, with a grin, "but they had their trouble for
+nothing. Why, it was such an old trick that Elmer guessed
+it at a glance. He must have gained quite a lot on 'em
+here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>George and Landy exchanged glances.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there's a heap more in this game than I ever
+thought of," admitted the latter.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't see how he does it," remarked George, with a
+doubting shake of his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the more you study up on this thing," said Red,
+"the better you'll like it. No end of clever stunts that
+can be engineered. But see here, Matty, didn't you say
+we must be getting near the place where we expected to
+round up both foxes and hounds?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'm looking to hear the bugle any minute right
+now," replied the leader.</p>
+
+<p>"Where was it fixed for?" asked Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I thought you knew," Matty replied, as they once
+more took up the broad trail, at the point beyond the end of
+the fallen tree.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard some talk about an old mill, but didn't pay
+much attention to it," remarked Landy, carelessly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you've got to turn over a new leaf, old fellow,
+if you expect to ever succeed as a good scout," Red broke
+in with.</p>
+
+<p>"How's that?" demanded Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"Because," replied the red-headed lad, himself always
+wide-awake and on the alert, "a scout to succeed must forever
+keep his wits about him and observe things. In fact,
+Elmer says he should take as a motto, besides the words
+'Be Prepared' the old sign you see at railroad crossings."</p>
+
+<p>"Stop! look! listen!" exclaimed Matty, Larry, and
+Chatz in chorus.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I <i>am</i> somewhat sleepy," grumbled Landy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+"but perhaps some day I'll surprise you wide-awake Slim
+Jims by doing something real smart. But tell me more
+about this mill."</p>
+
+<p>"You sure must have heard of Munsey's mill?" remarked
+Matty.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I believe it does sound kind of familiar, but then
+I must have forgotten all I ever heard about it," Landy
+confessed.</p>
+
+<p>Red and Matty exchanged glances, and shook their heads
+mournfully. It seemed a pretty tough proposition to ever
+expect to make a good and profitable scout out of such poor
+material.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the patrol leader, "there is a long story
+connected with the old ramshackle mill. No use of my going
+into all the details. It's been abandoned a good many
+years now. People have tried to live there three times
+since old Munsey was found dead there, but they had to
+give it up."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, suh," Chatz broke in, his eyes shining brightly,
+for this was a subject that appealed very strongly to
+him, "they just couldn't hold out. Got cold feet after going
+through the experience and had to quit."</p>
+
+<p>"But why?" demanded Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"Because they declared the old mill was haunted!" replied
+Matty.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, suh, it was haunted," echoed Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>The Southern boy had always confessed to a streak of
+superstition in his make-up. He admitted that he must
+have imbibed it from association with the ignorant little
+negro lads with whom he had been accustomed to play down
+on the plantation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He had even admitted once to carrying in his pocket, as a
+charm, the left hind foot of a rabbit, which animal had been
+killed by himself in a graveyard when the moon was full.</p>
+
+<p>The boys plagued Chatz so much that he had by degrees
+shown signs of considering most of his former beliefs as
+folly.</p>
+
+<p>Still, the mere mention of a haunted house set his nerves
+to quivering. Chatz might be a timid fellow when up
+against anything bordering upon the ghostly, but on all
+other occasions he had proven himself brave, almost to the
+point of rashness.</p>
+
+<p>It was "Doubting George" who burst out into a harsh
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"A haunted house!" he exclaimed. "Ghosts! Strange
+knockings! Thrilling whispers! Ice-cold hands! Oh,
+my, what a lark! I've always wanted to get up against a
+thing like that. Don't believe in 'em the least bit. You
+could talk to me till you was gray-headed, and I'd just
+laugh. There never was such things as ghosts, never!"</p>
+
+<p>Chatz looked at him rather queerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, perhaps you're right, George," he said, holding
+himself in check, "but I've read of some people who
+had pretty rough experiences."</p>
+
+<p>"Rats! They fooled themselves every time," declared
+the boy who would not believe. "Bet you it was the wind
+whistling through a knot hole, or a parcel of rats squeaking
+and fighting between the walls. Ghosts! It makes me
+laugh."</p>
+
+<p>"Same here," declared Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Larry just then, making them all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+start. Through the timber ahead of them came the sweet
+clear notes of a bugle.</p>
+
+<p>"Told you so, fellows," declared Matty, smiling;
+"that's Elmer. He's learning to use the bugle nearly as
+well as Mark himself."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we're at the end of our trail following, are we?"
+asked Landy, not without a sigh of relief, for it had not
+been as easy work in his case as with his less stout comrades.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, pretty near," Matty replied. "We've got to
+keep it up till we come in sight of the mill."</p>
+
+<p>"But why?" asked George, who seemed to want to know
+every little thing, so that his natural tendency to object
+might have a chance to show itself.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, there might be one more opening for a message,
+and our main business is to translate these, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Do we stay long at the old mill?" asked Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>Red gave him a quick, suspicious look.</p>
+
+<p>"Aw, I reckon I know what's on our comrade's mind,"
+he remarked, with a wink.</p>
+
+<p>"As what?" demanded Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"Chatz thinks he'd like to prowl around some, and see
+if that ghost has left any signs. 'Tain't often he's had a
+chance to meet up with a real haunted house, eh, Chatz?"
+and Red gave the Southern boy a sly dig in the ribs.</p>
+
+<p>"Never had that pleasure in all my life, fellows, I assure
+you," replied the Southern boy, with ill-concealed delight
+in his manner.</p>
+
+<p>"But say, no respectable ghost was ever known to walk
+except at midnight, and we don't intend camping out at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+the old mill, do we, just because of this silly talk?" asked
+George.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the rest of us don't, but Chatz might take a notion
+to stay over," laughed Red. "When a fellow is set on
+investigating things he don't understand, and which were
+never meant for us to understand, there's just no telling
+how far he will carry the game."</p>
+
+<p>Chatz gave him a lofty look.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for the compliment, suh," he said.</p>
+
+<p>They continued to follow the "spoor" of the two
+hounds, left so plainly for their guidance.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before another stick that held a bark
+"message" was discovered. And Landy felt immensely
+elated to think that by some chance he had been the first to
+see the "sign."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll surprise you fellows yet, just mark me," he chuckled,
+while Matty was trying to read the queer little characters
+Elmer had marked upon the brown inner side of the
+fresh bark torn from a convenient tree close by.</p>
+
+<p>"Wish you would, old top," remarked Red, with his
+customary enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll get to like all these things more and more, the
+farther you go," said Larry.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel that way already," was Landy's quick reply;
+"only I'm that clumsy and slow-witted I just don't see
+how I'm ever going to keep up with the procession."</p>
+
+<p>"Elmer says it's only keeping everlastingly at it that
+makes a good scout," remarked Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>Evidently, from the way these boys continually quoted
+"Elmer," the assistant scout master must be a very popular<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+fellow in Hickory Ridge, and those who have made a
+study of boy nature can understand what rare elements
+the said Elmer must have in his composition to make so
+many friends and so few enemies.</p>
+
+<p>"Come around and see what I've made out of this message,"
+said Matty just then.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be the concluding communication, and in
+plain picture language informed those for whom it was
+left that the two foxes had stopped here, made a dense
+smoke to attract their missing comrade, and when joined
+by him, the three had gone on together to the rendezvous
+at the old mill.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine," cried Landy, when he heard what a remarkable
+story those rude drawings told.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good&mdash;if true," admitted George.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, come along and we'll prove it," laughed
+Matty; "for unless I miss my guess the mill is close by."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," declared Red. "I can hear the noise of water
+tumbling down some rocks, or over a mill dam."</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes later and Chatz called out:</p>
+
+<p>"There you are, suh!"</p>
+
+<p>The mill could be seen through the trees, and all of the
+boys felt the greatest eagerness to hurry along and reach
+this spot.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that none of this bunch had ever set eyes
+on Munsey's mill, or the pond just above it. There were
+plenty of places nearer Hickory Ridge for fishing purposes.
+And besides, the dear familiar old "swimming hole" was
+more convenient than this place, nearly seven miles away.</p>
+
+<p>"I see Elmer and Lil Artha," observed Larry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and there's another fellow just beyond. I reckon
+it must be Ty Collins," said Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer waited for them to come up. He and his companions
+were standing on the edge of the dam which had
+long ago been built in order to hold up the water and form
+the big lonely looking pond beyond.</p>
+
+<p>"Ugh, what a spooky looking place this is!" exclaimed
+Larry, as soon as they drew up where they could look out
+on the big pond, its surface in places partly covered with
+lily plants, and the long trailing branches of weeping willows
+dipping down to the water.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure is, suh!" remarked Chatz, plainly interested,
+and not a little excited.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we are, Elmer," called out Matty; "and I guess
+the second bunch will be along soon. I see Ty and Toby,
+but where's Nat Scott?"</p>
+
+<p>Elmer gave him a serious look.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what we're wondering," he said. "They
+all reached the old mill, you see, but Nat seems to have
+disappeared in a mighty queer way!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF NAT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Oh!"</p>
+
+<p>Chatz was the only one who gave utterance to a sound
+after Elmer had made this surprising, as well as alarming,
+admission.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The others were looking, first at Elmer, then at each of
+his three companions as well; and finally out upon the dismal
+pond that assumed much the appearance of a lake, it
+stretched so far up the valley, almost a quarter of a mile,
+in fact.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the only sound they heard was the noisy scolding
+of the water as it went over the spill or apron of the
+stout dam that had stood all these long years, defying
+floods and the ravages of time.</p>
+
+<p>And somehow, there was something chilling in the very
+lonesome character of their surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>Of the ten scouts present, Chatz seemed to be the only
+one who did not look solemn. There was an eager glow in
+the Southern boy's dark eyes, as though the situation appealed
+to that element of superstition in his nature.</p>
+
+<p>And Elmer, noting this expression, that was almost of
+glee, knew that when the companions of Chatz fondly believed
+they had cured him of his silly faith in ghosts and
+such things, they had made a mistake. The snake had only
+been "scotched," not killed. It was already awakening
+again, under the first favorable conditions.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this ain't any part of the game, is it?" demanded
+Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you don't expect us to guess what's become of
+Nat, and then find him grinning at us, perhaps astraddle of
+a limb up in a big tree?" remarked Larry.</p>
+
+<p>"I asked these fellows," said Elmer, seriously, "and
+both Toby and Ty gave me their word of honor that no
+game or joke was set up between them. If Nat is playing
+a prank then he's doing it on his own account."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And Nat ain't generally the fellow to think of playing
+a joke on his chums," declared Larry.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee, this is getting wild and woolly now!" remarked
+Landy; "I'm all of a tremble. What if the poor fellow
+fell over this dam here, struck his head on a rock, and lies
+right now at the bottom of that black pool where the foam
+keeps on circling around and around. Ugh! It makes
+me shiver, fellows, honest and truly."</p>
+
+<p>George, as usual, scoffed at the idea of anything having
+happened to Nat Scott.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll show up as soon as he feels like it, make sure of
+that," he declared.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you called him!" asked Matty.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, all of us did," replied Lil Artha, whose customary
+rollicking good nature seemed subdued in a measure for
+once.</p>
+
+<p>"And he didn't answer?" demanded Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"We never heard a word, and that's a fact, boys," declared
+Toby Jones, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>Then they all looked around again, their eyes naturally
+roving in the quarter where, near the farther end of the
+dam, the old mill stood.</p>
+
+<p>Its day was long since past. The great water wheel at
+the end of the sluice had partly fallen to pieces with the
+passage of time and the ravages of neglect. What was left
+seemed to be almost entirely covered with green moss,
+among which the clear little fingers of water trickled.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a discordant scream rang out. It was so fearful
+that several of the fellows turned pale, and all of them
+started violently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"There!" ejaculated Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>His manner was almost triumphant; just as though he
+would like to demand whether these chums of his could
+not find some reason to believe as he did, after such a
+manifestation.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, glory, what was that!" quivered Landy, as he
+clutched the arm of Elmer Chenowith.</p>
+
+<p>"But it didn't come from the mill," declared Larry.
+"Sounded to me like it was out there on the pond."</p>
+
+<p>"Good for you, Larry," remarked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I was right?" asked the other.</p>
+
+<p>"You certainly were, and if the whole of you turn your
+eyes aways up yonder, perhaps you'll notice a big black-and-white
+bird come to the surface. It dived just after
+scolding us for disturbing its fishing excursion."</p>
+
+<p>Following the direction indicated by Elmer's extended
+finger the scouts all watched eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I see something moving just behind that bunch of lily
+pads," exclaimed one with keen vision.</p>
+
+<p>"There it swims out now, and it's a big water bird, too.
+Looks like a goose to me," Landy remarked, earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a loon, fellows!" exclaimed Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it, Elmer?" they demanded in a breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Just what it is, and nothing else," replied the acting
+scout master. "They are very common up in the Great
+Northwest. And once you've heard their wild laugh you'll
+never forget it."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh, sounds just like the shout of a crazy man to me,"
+ventured Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody says that," Elmer declared. "And I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+never knew a single fellow who liked to hear a loon call.
+Some say it's a sign of ill luck to be scolded by a loon."</p>
+
+<p>"Ill luck!" echoed Chatz, once more looking in the direction
+of the ramshackle old mill.</p>
+
+<p>"But see here," remarked Matty, "tell us about Nat,
+won't you? When was his queer disappearance first
+noticed, Elmer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, when Lil Artha and myself arrived here we found
+Toby and Ty throwing stones out in the pond, scaring the
+little red-marked turtles that were sitting by dozens on
+every old log and rock, and great big bullfrogs as well."</p>
+
+<p>"Never saw so many whopping big frogs in all my life,"
+declared Ty.</p>
+
+<p>"You see," explained Toby, "we missed Nat, but
+thought he had just wandered off to look around. Ty and
+me, why, we felt too tired to explore things till the rest
+came along."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but you could amuse yourselves throwing things
+into the water, eh?" Matty remarked, with such a vein
+of sarcasm in his voice that Toby immediately aroused to
+defend himself.</p>
+
+<p>"'Twa'n't that at all, Matty Eggleston; prove it by
+Ty here if either of us was afraid to go inside your old
+haunted mill, was we, Ty?" he exclaimed, with a fine show
+of righteous indignation.</p>
+
+<p>"Course we wasn't," Ty hastened to declare, with a decided
+shake of his tousled head. "We walked along the
+shore till we came to a nice shady place, and then squatted
+down, meanin' to wait till Elmer showed up. Then I
+popped a rock at a sassy little turkle, and pretty soon both
+of us were letting fly."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"When did you miss Nat, and where was he the last you
+saw him?" asked Matty, who was expected some day to
+become a lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" answered Toby, "he said he'd hang around
+the dam here and look into things. You know Nat always
+did want to pry into everything he saw."</p>
+
+<p>"What then?" Matty went on asking.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, we saw Elmer and Lil Artha coming, and went
+to meet 'em, that's all," replied Ty.</p>
+
+<p>"Have any of you been inside the mill?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no," Toby spoke up. "Elmer and Lil Artha
+sat down to rest, and you see we expected Nat to pop out
+on us any minute, so we just didn't say anything about it
+till they asked."</p>
+
+<p>"And that was just about the time we first heard your
+voices close by," said Elmer, "so we made up our minds
+to wait till you joined us, when we could scatter and
+search."</p>
+
+<p>"Search!" echoed Larry. "Good gracious! do you
+think Nat can be lost?"</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't seem possible," admitted Elmer, "but I
+blew the bugle, and sounded the assembly. If Nat heard
+that he is scout enough to know it was a command for him
+to come in&mdash;if he could."</p>
+
+<p>"Whew! this is something we didn't expect to run up
+against&mdash;a mystery right in the start," remarked Matty,
+mopping his face with his big bandana handkerchief, which
+he wore about his neck, cowboy fashion, with the knot behind.</p>
+
+<p>"You never can tell, suh!" said Chatz, in a solemn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+manner; and somehow none of the boys seemed quite as
+ready to scoff at the Southerner's superstitious belief, as
+usual.</p>
+
+<p>"But hadn't we better be looking around?" remarked
+Matty. "Nat may have gone into the old mill, bent on
+investigating, and some accident have happened to him."</p>
+
+<p>"As what?" queried George, cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, perhaps he tripped and fell, striking his
+head as he went down. Then again, a rotten plank might
+have given way under him, and let him get an ugly fall,"
+Matty replied.</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds reasonable enough," said Elmer, "and
+now I want some of you to scatter around and see if you
+can discover any trace of our missing comrade. Red, you
+get a long pole and poke down in that deep pool, though I
+feel pretty sure you won't find any sign of him there, because
+there isn't a mark of blood on the rocks, as there
+would be if he had fallen from up here on the dam."</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked aghast.</p>
+
+<p>Up to this point perhaps Landy and several others may
+have indulged in a hope that after all perhaps this might
+only be a little finish to the remarkable game of fox and
+hounds which they had been playing.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, Red and Larry had once or twice even exchanged
+sly winks. They actually suspected that Elmer had secretly
+ordered Nat to conceal himself, up among the branches of
+a tree, perhaps, so as to have the whole party guessing,
+and running around like a pack of dogs off the scent.</p>
+
+<p>Now the last vague hope in this particular seemed shattered
+by Elmer's thrilling suggestion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And more than Red's horrified eyes roved in the direction
+of the ugly black pool, across the surface of which the
+foamy white bubbles kept circling constantly, as the surplus
+water ran over the dam.</p>
+
+<p>"Where will the rest of us look, Elmer?" asked Matty,
+breaking the awful silence that had gripped them after
+hearing the scout master's suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"Any old place," replied Elmer; "only I guess you
+needn't go far along that farther shore, because Toby and
+Ty were there where you see that big oak tree."</p>
+
+<p>"They couldn't see the dam from there, could they?"
+asked Red, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, that's true," answered Toby.</p>
+
+<p>"And so they wouldn't know whether anybody knocked
+poor Nat over here; or if he went across to the old mill,"
+Red continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are, Red," replied Ty; "but neither did we
+hear any shout. An old bluejay was screechin' in the woods
+near us. Yep, a feller might 'a' called out and we not noticed
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"I want two of you to go with me to the mill," said
+Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Count me for one!" cried some one, instantly; and
+of course that was the eager Chatz, who would have started
+a new rebellion had he been debarred that privilege.</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm the second victim," declared Lil Artha, with
+a grin, but at the same time looking very determined.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Elmer; "fall in behind me, and we'll
+see what the inside of the mill looks like."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE SEARCH FOR A CLEW.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Following the lead of Elmer, the tall lanky scout and
+the wiry Southern boy quickly found themselves at the
+other end of the mill dam.</p>
+
+<p>Lil Artha had cast his eyes about him as he cautiously
+made his way along. He seemed to be figuring on what
+chance there might be for an active chap like Nat Scott
+slipping on one of the wet and moss-covered stones, to go
+tumbling down toward that suspicious black pool.</p>
+
+<p>Not so Chatz Maxfield.</p>
+
+<p>Apparently he had made up his mind from the start
+that this strange vanishing of their comrade must have
+some connection with the mystery of the old mill.</p>
+
+<p>Did they not admit that three separate times people had
+tried to live there in the dwelling that was part and parcel
+of the mill; and on every occasion they had given it up
+as a bad job?</p>
+
+<p>Why?</p>
+
+<p>Well, it seemed to be understood that none of them could
+stand the sights and sounds which had come to them while
+under that roof.</p>
+
+<p>People might scoff at such things all they had a mind to,
+but surely it seemed as if there must be <i>something</i> in it.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, everyone of those three families believed
+the mill house haunted. And for many years now, no one
+had had the nerve to occupy the place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And yet it had once been a paying venture, for the main
+road was only a few hundred yards away from this lonely,
+forbidding-looking pond, where the frogs grew so large
+and the red-marked "turkles," as Ty Collins called them,
+were so saucy.</p>
+
+<p>"Careful here!" warned Elmer, as they arrived at
+the runway, where in times past the water was turned on
+when the mill was to be operated.</p>
+
+<p>The boards were rotting and slimy, and if one made a
+slip he might get a wet jacket in the sluice, where there
+was more or less running water.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer held up a hand to hold his comrades back. He
+seemed to be down on his hands and knees, as though examining
+something that had just caught his attention.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"He came this way, all right, boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean Nat?" questioned Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, of course," replied the leader.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?" continued Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"I've been following Nat's trail for miles," answered
+Elmer, "and sure I ought to know what his footprint
+looks like. Here it is on this clay just beside the sluice.
+Wait till I cross and see if he made the other side all
+right."</p>
+
+<p>"He must, because he ain't in the sluiceway," remarked
+the tall boy.</p>
+
+<p>A minute later and Elmer, who had carefully crossed
+over, testing each board before trusting his weight on it,
+called out:</p>
+
+<p>"The marks are here, all right, fellows. Nat did start
+to look into the old mill. Come over, but be careful. Go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+slow, Chatz," he warned again, as the impetuous Southern
+boy slipped, and might have landed in the slimy sluice
+only that Lil Artha threw out a hand and clutched him.</p>
+
+<p>They were now almost in the shadow of the deserted
+mill. It looked gloomy and forbidding to the eyes of at
+least Elmer and the tall lad, though Chatz may have considered
+it an object well worth coming a long distance to
+see.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! I must get some pictures of this same old ruin
+while we're up here," said Lil Artha, who carried a little
+pocket camera along, and was a very clever artist indeed.</p>
+
+<p>"A fine idea," remarked Elmer; "but there are a lot
+of good people in Hickory Ridge who would think a picture
+of Munsey's mill very tame and incomplete without the
+ghost showing in it."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" said Chatz, his face aglow.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well," Lil Artha went on, "perhaps now I might
+be lucky enough to tempt that same ghost to pose for me.
+Anyhow I mean to ask him, if so be we happen to run across
+his trail."</p>
+
+<p>He looked at Chatz, and then winked one eye humorously
+at Elmer. But the Southern boy did not deign to take any
+notice.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, let's go in, fellows," he said, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>With that the three started for the other side of the mill,
+where an entrance could most likely be much more easily
+effected.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer continued to watch the ground, and from the satisfied
+look on his face Lil Artha felt sure the scout master
+must be discovering further traces of the missing boy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Perhaps, after all, they would find Nat hiding inside the
+mill or the dwelling alongside. Perhaps he had been so
+busy investigating that he had not noticed their shouts,
+or the bugle call, for the falling water made quite a little
+noise.</p>
+
+<p>Or, on the other hand, possibly Nat may have been seized
+with a sudden desire to tease his comrades in return for
+many a practical joke of which he had been the victim.</p>
+
+<p>But one of the three was quite firm in his belief that
+neither of these explanations would turn out to be the true
+one.</p>
+
+<p>Of course this was Chatz Maxfield, through whose mind
+had run the conviction that poor Nat Scott must have paid
+dearly for his temerity in invading the haunted mill.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, Chatz feared that the ghost must have got Nat,
+though he was afraid to openly proclaim his belief. Fear
+of ridicule was a weakness of Chatz. It often causes boys
+to hide their real feelings, and even appear to be much
+bolder than they naturally are.</p>
+
+<p>Once around the end of the mill and they saw the dwelling
+attached to it.</p>
+
+<p>Here, too, was the old road, now overgrown with weeds
+and almost hidden from view. And yet, twenty years ago,
+in Miller Munsey's time, no doubt farmers daily drove
+up here with sacks of corn, wheat, or rye, to have the grain
+delivered to them again in the shape of flour.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we try to go in by way of the house door?"
+asked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Elmer, "he went in through that opening
+where some boards are off the side of the mill. Perhaps
+we'd better do the same."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"A good idea," remarked Chatz, with the air of one
+who could not get inside the walls of the mill too speedily
+to please him.</p>
+
+<p>"Just as you say, Elmer," the lanky scout observed;
+for having been in the company of the other when the latter
+was acting as pathfinder to the expedition, Lil Artha
+was more than ever filled with admiration for his wonderful
+talents in discovering things supposed to be lost.</p>
+
+<p>So Elmer without further hesitation ducked through
+the opening, with his two allies keeping close to his heels.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate it was somewhat more restful inside the mill.</p>
+
+<p>Those walls, even if now going rapidly into a condition
+of decay, shut out some of the noise caused by the falling
+water.</p>
+
+<p>Lil Artha and Chatz both looked about them eagerly,
+even anxiously, as soon as they found themselves within
+those walls which had once resounded to the clatter of the
+grinding.</p>
+
+<p>Their motives, however, were probably as far apart as
+the two poles; while the long-legged scout hoped, yet
+dreaded, to see the figure of Nat Scott lying somewhere
+about, Chatz, on the other hand, was anticipating discovering
+some token of ghostly visitors.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing rewarded either of them, however. The interior
+of the mill was of course in a generally dilapidated condition.
+What remnants of the crushing and milling machinery
+remained were rusty and broken, as though tramps
+may have made the place a refuge, and tried to destroy
+what they could not carry away to sell.</p>
+
+<p>The boards creaked dismally under their tread. More<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+than that, they were loose in places, and Lil Artha, stepping
+upon the end of one, might have vanished through a gap
+in the floor only that his agility saved him.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow, would you see that, now, Elmer!" he exclaimed,
+his voice sounding strange amidst such singular surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>"You made a neat side step, old fellow," said the one
+addressed. "Some of us, more clumsy, would have slid
+down into the cellar."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, now, I wonder&mdash;" began Lil Artha, and then
+stopped to stare at the treacherous plank that formed such
+a trap.</p>
+
+<p>"You're wondering whether poor old Nat could have
+taken that tumble?" suggested Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I was; what do you think?" asked the tall
+scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, lay hold and we'll soon find out," remarked
+Elmer, bending over the loose plank.</p>
+
+<p>It required considerable tugging to get it out of the bed
+it had occupied so long, even if it was fastened by no
+nails.</p>
+
+<p>Both of them lay down and thrust their faces into the
+gap.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks pretty dark down there, don't it?" asked Lil
+Artha, who was secretly shivering with the anticipation of
+making a grewsome discovery, but who would not have his
+comrades know the true condition of his nerves for a good
+deal.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure does that," was Elmer's reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I can just make out something or other lying down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+there; it might be an old log, you know, and again, p'raps it
+ain't."</p>
+
+<p>Lil Artha did not venture to say plainly that he more
+than half feared lest the object he could see might turn out
+to be poor Nat Scott. But that was a fact.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's find out for sure."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer, while speaking, was taking something from his
+pocket. It proved to be an old newspaper, from which
+he tore a sheet, crumpling it up into a ball.</p>
+
+<p>"I generally carry a newspaper along when I go into
+the woods," he said in explanation. "And it's wonderful
+what a help it sometimes turns out to be in case you want
+to start a quick fire. Now for a match."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry now," remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"About what?" asked the scout leader.</p>
+
+<p>"That I didn't think to fetch it along&mdash;that new electric
+hand torch my father gave me on my birthday, you
+remember, Elmer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," laughed Elmer, "well, who'd ever think we'd
+have any need of a torch on this hike! Why, it was an
+altogether daylight affair, and we expected to be back
+home long before supper time. I even promised Mark to
+practice battery work some this afternoon. There, now
+watch when it drops. I hope there's nothing down there
+to take fire."</p>
+
+<p>"If the old trap did go up in smoke I guess nobody
+would care much," muttered Lil Artha, as he pressed his
+face still further into the opening, after Elmer released
+his fire ball.</p>
+
+<p>The burning paper seemed to alight upon the damp<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+earthen floor of the cellar. Immediately both boys tried to
+secure a mental photograph of all there was below them.</p>
+
+<p>"It's only a log!" cried Lil Artha, in a relieved tone
+of voice, and at the same time betraying more or less disappointment,
+for perhaps he had made up his mind that
+they were to be treated to some species of horror.</p>
+
+<p>"You're right," added Elmer, "that's what it is&mdash;an
+old log that has lain there, goodness only knows how long.
+Nat doesn't seem to have slipped down into the cellar, then,
+does he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not that you could notice," replied Lil Artha, and then
+he added: "but Elmer, didn't you notice something jump
+when that paper first went down?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes, I did, for a fact, Arthur."</p>
+
+<p>"Any idea what it could be?" persisted the other.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you're not thinking of that ghost we've heard
+so much about?" said Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, that's hardly fair, Elmer; you know I don't take
+any stock in fairy tales or hobgoblin yarns. But something
+sure moved."</p>
+
+<p>"A big rat I guess, perhaps a muskrat from the pond
+above. They sometimes find a burrow leads them to some
+old, unused cellar."</p>
+
+<p>"But look over there, and you'll see a lot of white bones,
+Elmer," pursued Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a fact. Some animal must have fallen in here,
+starved to death, and been eaten up by the rats."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Elmer, are you sure they are animal bones?"</p>
+
+<p>"I noticed the skull, and I think it must have been a
+large dog," replied Elmer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then he and the tall scout scrambled hastily to their
+feet, for Chatz had suddenly given utterance to an exclamation
+that seemed to contain much of both surprise
+and mystification.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE TRAIL GROWS WARMER.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Say, just look up there, fellows!"</p>
+
+<p>Chatz pointed a quivering finger upward as he gave utterance
+to these words.</p>
+
+<p>Of course both Elmer and the lengthy scout followed his
+directions, and turned an inquiring gaze toward the dimly
+seen rafters of the old deserted mill.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee whittaker! what in the dickens are they?" exclaimed
+Lil Artha, as his startled eyes rested on what
+seemed to be countless numbers of queer little bunches of
+dusky gray or brown hair.</p>
+
+<p>They looked for all the world like some farmer's wife's
+winter collection of herbs, tied up in small packages, and
+fastened in regular order along the different beams.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare," laughed Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"You know what they are, Elmer; let us in on it, won't
+you?" demanded Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing whatever to do with the ghost, but all the
+same often found in haunted houses, church belfries, and
+old towers. See here."</p>
+
+<p>He stooped and picked up quite a good-sized stone that
+happened to be lying on the floor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Elmer was a pitcher on the Hickory Ridge baseball nine,
+and could hurl a pretty swift ball.</p>
+
+<p>When he shot that stone upward it went like a young
+cyclone, struck the rafters with a loud bang, clattered
+around from one beam to another, and finally fell back to
+the floor with a thud.</p>
+
+<p>This latter sound was certainly not heard by any one
+of the three scouts, for it was utterly drowned in a tremendous
+rush as of sturdy wings, and several openings
+above were filled with some rapidly flying objects.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow, did you ever see the like of that now!" cried
+Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"What were they, Elmer?" asked Chatz, who had really
+been too startled to think fairly.</p>
+
+<p>"Bats!" replied the scout leader, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"I supposed as much," declared Chatz, "and as you
+remarked just now, they always seem to like a building
+said to be haunted."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," remarked the tall boy, "sometimes I've had
+the fellows hint to me that I had bats in <i>my</i> belfry; but
+sure not that many. Why, I reckon there must have been
+well-nigh a thousand in that gay bunch, Elmer."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess there were, more or less," replied the other.</p>
+
+<p>"And now what?" asked Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's look further here before we go into the house
+itself," the scout master made reply.</p>
+
+<p>So they went from one end of the deserted mill to the
+other, peering into every place where it seemed there might
+be the slightest hope of discovering their missing comrade.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer even entered a small room off the main floor, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+which had possibly been used as an office when the grist-mill
+was in business.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing doing, Elmer?" announced Lil Artha, as the
+other came out again.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer shook his head in the negative.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't seem to be around here at all," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's try the house," suggested Chatz; and it
+was easily seen from his manner that he was eager to make
+the change.</p>
+
+<p>After one more careful glance around, as if to make absolutely
+positive that nothing had been neglected, the scout
+leader nodded his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, then, fellows," he said.</p>
+
+<p>So the others once more fell in his wake, like true
+scouts who knew their little lesson full well, and were ready
+to follow their leader wherever he might choose to go.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer had previously noticed a door leading, as he believed,
+from the main mill into the cottage that had once
+been the miller's home.</p>
+
+<p>Toward this he now pushed. He wondered if he would
+find the door fastened in any way. One touch told him it
+was not.</p>
+
+<p>And so, without hesitation, Elmer strode across the
+threshold into what had once been the happy home of a
+contented miller, until trouble came, and tragedy ended
+it all.</p>
+
+<p>Like the mill itself the house was fast falling into a state
+of decay.</p>
+
+<p>It was only a cottage of some four rooms, all on the one
+floor. The boys passed from one apartment to another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+until presently they had been over all the territory comprised
+within those four walls, so far as they could see.</p>
+
+<p>Both Chatz and Lil Artha uttered exclamations that
+breathed their disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>Because each of them had failed to discover that upon
+which he had set his mind he failed to see anything else.</p>
+
+<p>Not so Elmer, who carried out the principle which he
+was forever holding up before the others as a cardinal virtue
+which should govern a true scout always.</p>
+
+<p>He noted a number of things that the other two might
+have passed by, simply because they refused to let their
+minds work outside of a certain groove.</p>
+
+<p>A frown came upon Elmer's face also, as though he did
+not wholly like the looks of things.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he ain't here, that's sure," remarked Lil Artha,
+shrugging his shoulders in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>"He certainly isn't," muttered Chatz, who, however, was
+thinking of an entirely different object than the one the
+tall boy referred to.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose we give him a shout, and see if there's any
+result?" suggested Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Do so, if you like," replied Elmer, in a tone that did
+not seem to promise much faith in the outcome of this plan.</p>
+
+<p>So the tall boy raised his voice and shouted in his loudest
+key. A few stray bats that had taken up lodgings in
+various dark corners of the four rooms went flapping
+through a broken sash. But beyond that nothing came to
+pass.</p>
+
+<p>"This sure beats the Dutch," remarked Lil Artha, using
+his bandana again to wipe off the perspiration that had
+gathered in beads upon his forehead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Elmer was looking around again.</p>
+
+<p>"Wonder if there can be a cellar under here?" he remarked,
+presently.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say yes," replied the tall boy.</p>
+
+<p>"Then there ought to be a trapdoor in the floor somewhere
+about. Look around and see if you can find it, boys,"
+Elmer continued, himself stepping into the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>Chatz and the tall boy had hardly gotten well started
+in their search than they heard Elmer calling.</p>
+
+<p>"He's found it, sure!" observed the Southern lad.</p>
+
+<p>"The luckiest chap ever, take that from me," declared
+Lil Artha, and then adding hastily: "but then, he always
+deserves his luck, because he works for it."</p>
+
+<p>Although he did not exactly mean to do so, the one
+who said that expressed one of the greatest truths known.
+Deserve good luck, and it will many times knock at your
+door. Do things worth while, and obtain pleasing results.</p>
+
+<p>Of course they hastened into the kitchen. Here they
+found Elmer bending over and examining the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a trapdoor, all right," declared Lil Artha, as he
+noted the dimensions of the cracks that formed an almost
+perfect square.</p>
+
+<p>"But how to get it up's the question," said Elmer; "for
+there seems to be no ring in sight. All the same, boys, I
+reckon this same trap has been used more than a few times
+lately, from the looks of things."</p>
+
+<p>"Whew! do you really mean it, Elmer?" remarked
+Chatz, deeply interested.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you can see for yourself right here that some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+sort of tool has been used to pry up the thing," Elmer
+went on.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, I had a glimpse of an old broken kitchen knife
+lying over there by the sink. Wonder if that would do
+the trick? Shall I get it?" remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will," replied Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>The article in question was speedily placed in the hands
+of the scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"Just the very thing to lift this trap with," he declared,
+as he started to insert the stout remnant of the blade in the
+crack.</p>
+
+<p>"Reckon it's been used to do the trick many a time,"
+advanced Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't wonder," Elmer added.</p>
+
+<p>Using the broken blade as a lever he soon pried the trap
+up far enough to allow the others a chance to insert their
+ready fingers. After that it was easily completed, and the
+square of wooden flooring removed.</p>
+
+<p>"Dark as Egypt," remarked Lil Artha, as he tried to
+pierce the gloom with his gaze.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer made a move, and Chatz, thinking he intended descending
+the ladder that led down into the unknown
+depths, caught his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't do it, Elmer," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Do what?" asked the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Go down there," continued Chatz. "No telling how
+deep it may be or what lies there, either. If anybody must
+go, send me."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," laughed Elmer, "I like your nerve, Chatz.
+You think something might hurt <i>me</i>, but you don't care<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+so much for yourself. That's like you Southern fellows,
+though. But make your mind easy, my boy, because just
+at present I don't think any of us need drop into this
+hole."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad of that," declared the other; "but when you
+made a move I thought you were going."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I only meant to get out my newspaper again, and
+make another little candle," said Elmer, with a chuckle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, say what you will, boys," remarked Lil Artha,
+who had been thrusting his head below the level of the
+floor and sniffing at a great rate; "I'm glad, too, that we
+don't just have to drop down this ladder. It's cold and
+damp down there, and I tell you I don't like the smell."</p>
+
+<p>"There is a queer odor comes up, now that you mention
+it," admitted Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>At that the eyes of Chatz grew round with wonder and
+suspense.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I hope you don't think&mdash;" he began, when Elmer
+interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Kind of fishy smell, don't you think?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, since you speak of it I rather guess it is something
+like that," Lil Artha admitted.</p>
+
+<p>Then Chatz breathed easy again.</p>
+
+<p>"But how could fish ever get in here from the mill
+pond?" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Give it up; I pass. Ask me something easy," the
+tall scout hastened to say.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Elmer had, as before, taken a section of
+the newspaper, crumpled it into a ball, and after that
+drew out his match box.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Guess it's safe to drop this down," he remarked. "It
+seems so damp there can really be no danger of anything
+taking fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure there couldn't," asserted Lil Artha, sturdily.
+"Let her go, Elmer; and everybody look."</p>
+
+<p>The match crackled, and the resulting flame was instantly
+applied to the paper ball.</p>
+
+<p>Then Elmer let this drop, after he had made sure it
+would burn.</p>
+
+<p>Three pairs of very good eyes immediately started in to
+take a complete inventory of the contents of the little
+damp cellar under the deserted mill cottage.</p>
+
+<p>For perhaps a full minute the paper ball continued to
+burn, lighting up the cellar well enough for them to see
+from wall to wall.</p>
+
+<p>Then the flame dwindled, flickered, and finally went out
+altogether. Chatz gave a big sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare!" he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you see, Chatz?" asked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Who, me?" exclaimed the Southern boy. "Nothing
+at all, Elmer," and his manner told plainly that he was
+both disappointed and disgusted.</p>
+
+<p>"How about you, Arthur?" continued the acting scout
+master.</p>
+
+<p>"What did I see?" Lil Artha replied, promptly; "four
+damp-looking stone walls, a hard earth floor, and a few old
+boxes lying around, but not another blessed thing."</p>
+
+<p>Something about Elmer's manner caught his attention
+and aroused his suspicions.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, did <i>you</i> discover anything?" he demanded.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied Elmer, "I can't say that the evidence
+is so plain a fellow who runs may read; but from a number
+of things I've seen since coming here to the Munsey mill
+pond I've about made up my mind this place isn't quite
+as deserted as people seem to believe."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean, Elmer," cried Lil Artha, excitedly,
+"that tramps or some more yeggmen, like those fellows we
+met with up at McGraw's lumber camp, have squatted here
+in this haunted house?"</p>
+
+<p>"Something like that," replied the other, steadily,
+"though I don't believe they dare spend a night under
+this roof. There's no sign of that."</p>
+
+<p>"But what would they kidnap our chum for?" demanded
+the excited tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know for certain, but we're going to find out
+pretty soon," said Elmer, with a determined look.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>HUNTING FOR THE MISSING SCOUT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Honest, now, Elmer, do you really believe that?"
+asked Chatz Maxfield, after staring at the scout master in
+a puzzled manner for half a dozen seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks so, on the face of it," replied the other.</p>
+
+<p>"But plague take it," argued Chatz, "for the life of
+me I just can't understand, suh, what those fellows would
+want to make a prisoner of poor Nat for. In all our troop
+he's about the most harmless scout, except perhaps Jasper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+Merriweather. Nat is strong as an ox, but he wouldn't
+hurt a fly if he could help it."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," echoed Lil Artha. "I've seen him walk
+around so as not to step on a harmless little snake on the
+road. And it wasn't because he was afraid of snakes,
+either. Remember he killed that fierce big copperhead last
+summer, after the other fellows had skipped out?"</p>
+
+<p>"There's one chance, though," Elmer went on, "that
+after all Nat may be hiding."</p>
+
+<p>"But he knows the sound of the bugle, and what penalty
+follows disobedience on the part of a scout," declared
+Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"That's true enough, fellows," Elmer said, as if he himself
+might be trying to see through a haze; "but perhaps
+Nat finds himself in a position where he can't answer us
+without betraying himself to these unknown men."</p>
+
+<p>Again did Chatz and the tall scout look at each other
+helplessly. And judging from the way they shook their
+heads, the puzzle was evidently too deep for them.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Elmer, you manage to get on to these things in
+a way to beat the band; could you give a guess now about
+how many men there are holding out around this old
+haunted mill?"</p>
+
+<p>Lil Artha asked this in good faith. He had come to believe,
+with most of his comrades, that Elmer Chenowith
+was next door to a wizard. Of course they realized that
+his knowledge was at all times founded on facts and common
+sense; yet this did not detract from the wonder of his
+accomplishments.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think there are three at least, perhaps four or five
+in the lot," Elmer replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew! that's a healthy crowd of toughs, now, to run
+up against!" remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"And what do you propose doing, suh, if I may make
+so bold as to ask?"</p>
+
+<p>Chatz was usually a very dignified fellow, especially when
+coming in contact with one who, according to recognized
+scout law, must be considered his superior officer, and as
+such entitled to respect.</p>
+
+<p>"First of all, perhaps we'd better go outside," the other
+replied.</p>
+
+<p>"And tell the rest of the boys what we've found&mdash;or
+rather what we didn't find," remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. There doesn't seem to be anything more to poke
+into here; for I'm dead certain those men, whoever they
+are, don't make their headquarters in either the mill or
+the cottage."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean they don't sleep here; is that it, suh?" inquired
+Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"That covers the ground," Elmer answered.</p>
+
+<p>"But they <i>do</i> come in here sometimes, while the sun
+is shining," persisted Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen the marks of many heavy hobnailed shoes
+in the dust of this place; and some of the prints were
+very fresh," came the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Then if they're wanting in the nerve to sleep under
+this roof, when it would be so handy, in a thunderstorm
+like we had the other day, for instance, that looks as if
+they believed some in the ghost story, don't it, Elmer?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why, I suppose it does, Chatz."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. I'm not saying anything more," remarked
+the Southern boy, with a look of conviction on his dark
+face, "but I only hope we run across one or more of these
+mysterious unknowns while we're up at Munsey's mill."</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to that, would you, Elmer! I declare if he don't
+mean to interview these fellows, and find out what they've
+gone and seen here in the night time!" and Lil Artha
+chuckled as he said this.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," remarked Chatz. "There are a lot of
+things I've always wanted to know, and I'd be a silly to
+let the chance slip past me."</p>
+
+<p>"Hey, how about this bally old trapdoor, Elmer?" demanded
+Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"We'd better put it back where it belongs," replied
+the scout leader.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon you're right, suh," observed Chatz. "If some
+one came in here, walking in the dark, he might take a
+nasty header down this hole."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, supposing your ghost did that," remarked the
+tall scout, as he helped lift the wooden square back to
+where it belonged; "why, you could do better than asking
+questions of an outsider, because, Chatz, you might
+interview your old ghost himself."</p>
+
+<p>The other drew himself up.</p>
+
+<p>"Kindly omit calling it <i>my</i> ghost, if you please, suh,"
+he said, stiffly. "I don't pretend to have any claim on
+the object in question&mdash;if there really is such a thing. I'm
+only wanting to know; and I come from South Carolina,
+suh, not Missouri."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Elmer, after one last glance around the kitchen, was
+heading for the other room where an exit could be made.</p>
+
+<p>And it was almost ludicrous to see with what haste the
+other two followed after; just as if neither of them cared
+to be left alone inside the walls of the haunted mill cottage.</p>
+
+<p>Once outside, they found several of their comrades clustered
+near by, evidently awaiting them. That curiosity was
+rapidly reaching fever heat it was easy to see from the
+anxious looks cast upon those who had been investigating
+the interior of the buildings.</p>
+
+<p>No doubt every fellow had meanwhile been industriously
+engaged in ransacking his brain to remember all he had
+ever heard concerning Munsey's mill, and the troublesome
+spirit that had frightened away three separate tenants in
+years gone by.</p>
+
+<p>They were rather a demoralized trio of boys who welcomed
+the coming of Elmer, Chatz, and Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Find any signs of Nat?" asked one.</p>
+
+<p>"Hope the plagued old ghost didn't get him," another
+ventured.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us all about it, Elmer?" asked the third member
+of the little bunch.</p>
+
+<p>But the scout leader instead raised the bugle to his lips
+and sounded the assembly call.</p>
+
+<p>Voices were heard, and immediately the others came
+hurrying to the spot. Landy was the last to arrive, and
+he came up puffing and blowing as though he might have
+been at some little distance when he heard the summons
+for gathering.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" said Elmer, raising his hand, and immediately
+the confused chattering of many boyish tongues
+ceased.</p>
+
+<p>This enabled them to hear distant shouts from the southeast,
+as though newcomers might be approaching the mill
+over about the same course as that they had pursued.</p>
+
+<p>"Mark Cummings and the last detachment!" declared
+Matty.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! six more good fellows to do battle with the
+outlaws of the haunted mill!" exclaimed Red; at which
+some of the others gasped in astonishment, and exchanged
+uneasy glances.</p>
+
+<p>"Better wait till they all get here, boys," said Elmer,
+"and then I'll tell you what we've found out, also what
+we suspect."</p>
+
+<p>Chatz and Lil Artha could not but notice how particular
+Elmer was to use the plural pronoun. But then, that was
+always his way. Whatever faults the boy may have had&mdash;and
+the best of fellows comes far from being perfect&mdash;selfishness
+was not one of them. Impatiently they waited
+for the coming of the six scouts forming the last detachment.
+This would increase their roll-call to sixteen, lacking
+only <i>one</i> of the number that had started out.</p>
+
+<p>Presently a sight of khaki uniforms among the trees announced
+their near approach.</p>
+
+<p>As the two wings of the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy
+Scouts came together, there was a general exchange of
+badinage.</p>
+
+<p>The newcomers had an intense desire to learn whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+their interpretation of the messages might excel that of
+the first detachment.</p>
+
+<p>But in the midst of the questioning, the startling news
+concerning Nat Scott's mysterious vanishing began to circulate
+among the newcomers.</p>
+
+<p>This put a quietus on all business, and the entire troop
+clustered around Elmer, begging to know what it could
+mean.</p>
+
+<p>So the scout master, understanding just how his comrades
+must feel, started in to explain, as far as lay in his power.</p>
+
+<p>First of all, for the benefit of the newcomers, he told
+of how Nat's disappearance was brought to his attention
+by Toby and Ty, just before the coming of Matty and his
+group of scouts.</p>
+
+<p>Then he quickly related what he and Chatz and Lil Artha
+had done in the deserted buildings close by.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the story was finished, and some of the boys,
+who had listened with hearts beating much faster than
+their wont, took the first decent breath in five minutes.</p>
+
+<p>Of course questions poured in on Elmer as thick as
+hail stones during a summer storm. Finding it utterly
+impossible to answer a quarter of these intelligently, and
+make any kind of progress, Elmer called for silence.</p>
+
+<p>"It stands to reason, fellows," he remarked, when the
+last whisper had died away, "that we've got to have system
+about this thing if we expect to do any business. Am
+I right?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes," came from every scout; for boys though
+they were, they recognized the wisdom of what he said.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, then," Elmer went on. "I'm going to divide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
+the troop into three searching parties. We must scour the
+neighborhood and see if we can find any sign of where these
+unknown men sleep, for there isn't any trace of their
+staying in cottage or mill at night time."</p>
+
+<p>"We understand what you mean, Elmer. How shall
+we divide up?" asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"You keep your detachment as it was, intact, Mark,"
+came the reply; "and Matty, you have your six to back
+you. Lil Artha, Toby, and Ty will fall in with me, and
+make the third party."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, suh, we understand," called out Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>But he, as well as many others of the boys, showed in
+their faces that they envied the good luck of the three
+fellows who had been picked out to form Elmer's smaller
+group.</p>
+
+<p>"What are our duties to be?" asked Mark, who, having
+only recently arrived, and being staggered by the sudden
+nature of the intelligence, had as yet not fully grasped
+the situation.</p>
+
+<p>"First of all, let every scout who has not already done
+so, pick up a stout club in the woods, as he passes along,"
+said Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Like this, for instance," remarked Jack Armitage,
+flourishing a husky specimen that would pass muster for an
+Irishman's shillalah.</p>
+
+<p>"Or this!" cried Red, whose cudgel was as long as a
+walking stick, and almost as thick through as his wrist.</p>
+
+<p>"Suit yourselves about that, boys," continued the scout
+master, "only don't be in a hurry to use them as weapons
+until you have the order. Now, each detachment must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+keep close enough together so that the members may communicate
+by means of patrol calls&mdash;the cry of the wolf,
+the slap of a beaver's tail as he beats the water to call his
+mate, or the scream of the eagle."</p>
+
+<p>"We know, Elmer; what else?" asked Matty.</p>
+
+<p>"All the while you will keep on the lookout for some
+sign of the enemy. The scout who discovers anything
+that he thinks would have a bearing on the solving of the
+puzzle must immediately summon his leader. This he can
+do by the whistle which all of you know, as it has been
+used before."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all, Elmer?" asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"If the matter seems very important to the mind of the
+leader, let him give the assembly call very loud on his
+whistle. Upon hearing that, every scout is expected to
+give up hunting on his own account, and head in toward
+the place the signal comes from. Is that plain to every
+fellow?"</p>
+
+<p>A chorus of assent answered him.</p>
+
+<p>"That's all, then, fellows," Elmer went on. "Do your
+duty, every scout. We've got to find our comrade, and
+we've got to get him out of the hands of these men, whoever
+they may turn out to be."</p>
+
+<p>"If they've hurt our Nat, it's going to be a bad day
+for them, that's all," blustered Red, as he pounded his
+club against an inoffensive stone.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, start out, fellows, and let's see who'll be the
+lucky one to discover this hidden shack where these men
+must stay nights," Elmer concluded.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, hold on here! Is <i>that</i> what you're looking for&mdash;a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+hidden shack? Why, I can take you to one right now,"
+called out a voice.</p>
+
+<p>The speaker was Landy Smith.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE AMBITION OF LANDY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Every boy became suddenly stationary when this surprising
+intelligence broke from the lips of the new member,
+who, like three others in the troop, did not wear a khaki
+uniform.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer had several times let his eye fall on the stout
+boy, as though trying to guess what his manner indicated.</p>
+
+<p>He had seen Landy come up last of all, panting so for
+breath that not one word had he spoken while the scout
+master was explaining things.</p>
+
+<p>Landy was not only a tenderfoot scout, but he had in
+a number of ways proven his right to the title of greenhorn.</p>
+
+<p>Imagine, then, the utter amazement of his comrades
+when he so coolly declared that he might be able to lead
+them to a hidden shack.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer, if surprised, did not allow this fact to interfere
+with his plain duty.</p>
+
+<p>"Come here, Landy," he said, and the stout new recruit
+hastened to do as he was ordered.</p>
+
+<p>Of course Landy would not have been human, and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>
+boy, had he been able to repress the grin that forced itself
+upon his rosy countenance.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps he remembered saying not so very long ago
+that the time might come when he would be able to prove
+his ability to carry the name of a scout.</p>
+
+<p>Of course at the time Landy could never have even
+dreamed the opening would arrive so soon. That made
+it all the more welcome. Perhaps now, some of the fellows
+who loved to tease him, and say that he was too
+fat and slow-witted to ever be a shining success in the
+Hickory Hill troop, would change their tune.</p>
+
+<p>Landy's hour had come. He was in the lime light, and
+occupied the center of the stage.</p>
+
+<p>Mindful of the respect due his superior officer, Landy
+saluted as he clicked his heels together, and stood at attention
+before the scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"You say you can show us where there is a hidden
+shack or cabin, do you, Number Eight?"</p>
+
+<p>Elmer frequently addressed the boys by the number
+they held in their patrol, and as Landy was the last one
+admitted into the Wolf Patrol he went as Number Eight.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," the tenderfoot replied, quite enjoying the
+fact that fifteen pairs of eager eyes were riveted upon him
+right then and there.</p>
+
+<p>Landy looked redder than usual, but for all that he
+seemed able to command his voice, for it did not tremble a
+particle.</p>
+
+<p>"You arrived later than the rest when I sounded the
+assembly on the bugle," went on Elmer; "was that because
+you were some little distance away?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, I was just going to peek in through the
+window of that funny little cabin I found when I heard
+the call. But I didn't look, sir, because I knew <i>a scout's
+duty was to obey</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hear, hear!" said Red, in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"That was well done, Number Eight," Elmer continued,
+"and I hope you will always keep your duty before your
+mind. Do you think you could lead us to where you saw
+that hidden shack?"</p>
+
+<p>"I expect I can, sir; anyhow, I'm ready to try," Landy
+promptly answered.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the scouts exchanged nods and glances. Why,
+they had never before dreamed that the fat boy had so
+much business about him. He acted just as might one
+who had been a member of the troop a whole month, instead
+of but a few days.</p>
+
+<p>It was plain to be seen that his becoming a scout was
+going to be the making of Philander Smith. Already
+there was a great change in his ways. He was throwing
+off his weaknesses, and beginning to think for himself.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Elmer; "suppose you come with me,
+then, Number Eight, and try to go back over your own
+trail. That might be the quickest way to get there."</p>
+
+<p>"But how about us, Mr. Scout Master; do we keep up
+the formation as arranged?" asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"No, for the present that is all off," Elmer replied,
+"the whole of you fall in behind; and don't forget to
+keep an eye out for your sticks. But no talking above a
+whisper, remember. This may turn out to be serious business.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>"</p>
+
+<p>The scouts already realized this. Still his words of
+caution entailing silence were well placed, for boys as a
+rule do love to chatter.</p>
+
+<p>And so the whole troop started off, with Elmer and Landy
+in the lead, the latter hardly knowing whether to be tickled
+at the attention he was receiving, or worried because he
+presently began to doubt his ability to "deliver the goods."</p>
+
+<p>Strange how all sections of the woods look alike to
+a fellow who is a novice in the art of picking his way.
+Landy had imagined that he was just soaking in valuable
+information while following the lead of Matty or Elmer.
+But when the crisis arose, and he found himself placed
+upon his own responsibility, he lost confidence.</p>
+
+<p>Pretty soon Elmer guessed the truth, and that their
+guide was getting what Lil Artha would call "wabbly."
+This was when he took them twice to the same spot and then
+looked pained.</p>
+
+<p>"Up a stump, fellows," chuckled Larry, who had perhaps
+himself felt a little twinge of jealousy because a greenhorn
+had so suddenly leaped into the front when older and
+more experienced scouts had been unable to score.</p>
+
+<p>But Elmer was not at all dismayed. In fact, to tell the
+actual truth, he had rather expected that the new beginner
+might find more or less trouble in carrying out his orders.</p>
+
+<p>"Getting mixed up some, are you, Number Eight?"
+he demanded, as Landy scratched his head and then tenderly
+caressed quite a good-sized lump they now saw he
+had on his forehead.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm sorry to say, sir, I seem to be a little confused,"
+admitted the fat boy; "but then perhaps that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+ain't to be wondered at if you knew just how hard I
+bumped into that crooked tree yonder."</p>
+
+<p>"With your head?" asked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," replied Landy; "you see I was trying to
+hurry, when my foot caught in a vine and I went ker-slam
+right against that tree. Say, but I saw ten million stars
+right then! and that's no exaggeration, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say it was this tree, Number Eight?"
+the young disciple of woodcraft continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it was impressed pretty forcibly on my head,
+and my mind, too, sir," grinned Landy, "and perhaps, if
+you looked, you could find the dent I bet I made when I
+struck."</p>
+
+<p>Some of the boys snickered at this. Not so Elmer, who
+seemed to feel he had quite a serious proposition on his
+hands, and that the others had a right to look to him to
+untangle the knot.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll soon find out," he said, and then turning to the
+crowd he added: "keep back and give me a chance to
+see if Landy is right."</p>
+
+<p>"He's after the trail, that's what," said one of the
+scouts, as they saw Elmer advance to where the crooked tree
+pointed out by the fat recruit stood, and bend down at
+its base.</p>
+
+<p>Every eye remained glued on the young scout master.
+Not a word more was said, for they knew that explanation
+of Elmer's movements must be the right one.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had Elmer dropped to his knees than he felt
+a thrill of pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"It's here, sure enough!" he muttered, as his eye discovered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+the torn turf where Landy's toes must have dragged
+when he fell.</p>
+
+<p>And with the knowledge of trailing which he possessed,
+it must surely prove an easy task to follow those plain
+tracks. Landy knew nothing at all concerning the art of
+hiding a trail, and which the bearer of the wampum belt
+and his companion had tried their best to put into practice
+with the idea of deceiving the pathfinder who came
+behind.</p>
+
+<p>When Landy put his foot down it was with considerable
+emphasis. Consequently, any one of the more experienced
+scouts would have been equal to the task of following that
+trail backward.</p>
+
+<p>As Elmer moved away he made a swift, beckoning movement
+with his arm. This the boys interpreted as a command
+or invitation to "get a move on," as Lil Artha put
+it, and follow after their leader.</p>
+
+<p>So the troop moved onward, and more than one fellow's
+teeth came together with a click as he grasped his cudgel
+tighter in his hand, and resolved to give a good account
+of himself should it become necessary to do something
+violent.</p>
+
+<p>True, the rules counseled peaceful victories; but there
+may be times when it becomes absolutely necessary for
+Boy Scouts to show that they have good red blood in their
+veins.</p>
+
+<p>And most of those present were of the opinion that the
+present occasion promised to be just such a crisis that called
+for strenuous treatment.</p>
+
+<p>Their companion, Nat Scott, had mysteriously disappeared,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+and they had good reason to believe that he had
+fallen into the hands of these unknown men who made the
+vicinity of Munsey's mill their secret headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>Why they should seize upon Nat, and what object they
+could have in holding him a prisoner, were questions no
+one could answer, as yet. But they meant to know, and
+that before long.</p>
+
+<p>Now and then some fellow would step aside without a
+word, and possess himself of some attractive club that had
+caught his eye while passing.</p>
+
+<p>Evidently none of them had forgotten the injunction of
+their leader to arm themselves. And really it was strange
+how much comfort even a stout walking stick could give
+a fellow on an occasion of this sort, when unseen and unknown
+perils hovered about them.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Elmer stuck to his task. Indeed, it was an
+easy one for so experienced a tracker and pathfinder, and
+he did not hurry along faster simply because he wanted a
+little time to collect his own thoughts, and decide what
+ought to be done.</p>
+
+<p>When Landy so obediently gave up his investigation,
+and sought to rejoin the balance of the troop when the
+bugle sounded, he managed to make what proved to be a
+"bee line" through the woods. Even trees that were in
+the way could not stop him with impunity, as he had
+proven when he collided with that crooked one.</p>
+
+<p>This made Elmer's job still easier. And as he advanced
+farther into the woods he marveled first at the rashness
+of Landy in wandering so far away; and second at the
+ability he displayed in getting safely back to the shore of
+the pond.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Elmer was keeping one eye out ahead as he moved along.
+Of course he anticipated coming upon the concealed shack
+at any moment now. When he saw an unusually large
+cluster of high bushes and undergrowth he felt positive
+that he must be almost in touch with the place.</p>
+
+<p>What kind of reception might they expect? If these
+men, whom none of them had as yet even seen, turned out
+to be rascals who were hiding from justice, and who
+suspected them of being a posse sent out to round up the
+tramp thieves, their manner of greeting might prove to be
+anything but friendly.</p>
+
+<p>Could they have one or more fierce dogs among them?
+Elmer had not seen the first trace of a dog anywhere
+around, but this could hardly be accepted as positive evidence
+that there were none.</p>
+
+<p>Frequently such men make it a point to possess canine
+companions. And these are invariably of some species fond
+of the spirit of battle.</p>
+
+<p>It was partly the expectation of running across such
+four-footed enemies that had influenced Elmer to have
+the boys arm themselves with clubs. He knew what a
+power for good a stout cudgel may prove under such conditions.</p>
+
+<p>Looking closely he had to confess that he could see no
+sign of life about that clump of bushes.</p>
+
+<p>And yet the trail led directly from it; and as if to sweep
+away his last remaining doubt he now discovered a second
+series of fresh tracks leading straight <i>toward</i> the spot.</p>
+
+<p>Besides, here was a regular path, beaten down by many
+feet, and which headed in the quarter Elmer knew the big
+pond lay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>That settled it.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer waited for the balance of the troop to come up.
+Everyone's gaze was fastened on him. Eyes flashed more
+brightly than usual, and some of the boys naturally showed
+their nervousness by the way they kept their cudgels
+moving.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that the place, Landy, where you saw the shack?"
+he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>Landy had known it was for more than a full minute
+past, but he remembered that a scout on duty must wait
+to be asked before volunteering any information.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," he replied, "that is the place."</p>
+
+<p>"Spread out a little, fellows," said Elmer, quietly, "and
+advance slowly. Everyone be ready to give a good account
+of himself if they rush any dogs on us. Forward now!"</p>
+
+<p>And silently the sixteen scouts, spread out somewhat like
+an open fan, started to advance upon the strange dense
+thicket in which Landy had seen a shack.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>READING THE SIGNS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Halt!"</p>
+
+<p>At the command the scouts came to a stop. They had
+been gradually concentrating as they pushed forward, so
+that when this halt was made they formed half a circle,
+and each fellow was almost touching elbows with the next
+in line.</p>
+
+<p>Just before them, even though pretty well concealed by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+the foliage of the bushes, they could make out what appeared
+to be a rough shack.</p>
+
+<p>No other name would apply, for it was clumsily built out
+of odds and ends of boards, secured at the mill, no doubt,
+together with sods, a heap of stones, some mud that had
+hardened until it resembled mortar; and, finally, a roof
+thatched with straw, much after the style the boys had
+seen in pictures of foreign cottages in Switzerland, France,
+and Italy.</p>
+
+<p>"Say," observed Red, who found it unusually hard to
+keep from expressing his views, "I don't believe there are
+any kiyi dogs around here, fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't seem like it," remarked another, doubtless
+breathing a sigh of relief at the improved prospect.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure we'd have heard them give tongue," observed
+Toby, advancing boldly to look in through the opening at
+the side of the shack, and which doubtless served the purpose
+of a window.</p>
+
+<p>"Careful, Toby; go slow," called out Elmer; for there
+could be no telling what sort of a storm the appearance
+of the boys in khaki might raise within the shanty.</p>
+
+<p>An intense silence followed. Every fellow could feel
+his heart pounding against his ribs like a trip hammer, and
+he wondered whether the sound were loud enough to betray
+his nervous frame of mind to his companions, never
+dreaming that they were all in the same box.</p>
+
+<p>A red squirrel in a tree overhead, that had been observing
+all these doings with round-eyed wonder, began to
+chatter and scold. A little striped chipmunk sat up on a
+neighboring stump and took note.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nobody home, fellers," called out Toby, after he had
+apparently stared in through that opening for more than
+a full minute.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the scouts looked relieved; others frowned as
+if disgusted. This sort of thing might be all very well,
+but it did not seem to be taking them any closer to the
+rescue of their comrade, or clearing up any of the dark
+fog of mystery that hung like a wet blanket between themselves
+and the solution.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer immediately strode forward. By following the
+well-defined path he was able to find himself at what was
+plainly the rude door of the shack.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this he knocked sharply. There came no answer,
+and even the keenest ears among the scouts failed to catch
+the slightest sound following this summons.</p>
+
+<p>"Try it once more, Elmer," advised cautious Mark.</p>
+
+<p>Again the tattoo sounded, but as before it produced
+no results. So Elmer opened the door, which he saw had
+been fashioned in the rudest way from boards, and hung
+upon strap hinges.</p>
+
+<p>As he pushed the door aside, every scout held his breath
+and gripped his stick expectantly. But nothing happened.
+No string of rough men came bustling forth, demanding
+in coarse language what the boys meant by bothering them.</p>
+
+<p>It looked as though Toby must have struck the right
+key when he so confidently declared there was nobody
+at home.</p>
+
+<p>So Elmer entered, with some of the bolder among the
+scouts at his heels. The balance contented themselves in
+pressing around the door and window, and taking it out
+in looking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Just as he had expected, Elmer found the interior of the
+shack pretty gloomy. Under the best of conditions very
+little daylight could find a way through such small openings,
+and these were now almost filled by the bodies of
+the curious scouts. But this was a matter easily remedied.
+Elmer had his matchsafe ready in his hands, and his first
+act was to strike a light.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the match flamed up he cast one quick look
+around the interior. This assured him that there were certainly
+no low-browed men crouching in the corners, and
+ready to hurl themselves upon the young invaders.</p>
+
+<p>The next thing Elmer did was also a very natural move.
+He saw a candle in a bottle, standing on an upturned box,
+and stepping forward he applied his match to the waiting
+wick.</p>
+
+<p>Then he looked around again.</p>
+
+<p>There could be no doubt about this shack having been
+recently used as sleeping quarters by a number of men.</p>
+
+<p>Several heaps of straw told where they lay, and Elmer
+counted four of these. Then there were a few bits of old
+clothing hanging from nails, a pair of heavy shoes, a frying
+pan, a kettle in which coffee might have been made, some
+broken bread, part of a ham, and some ears of corn; this
+last possibly stolen from the field of some farmer.</p>
+
+<p>It looked like a tramp's paradise, but the puzzle was,
+what would tramps be doing so far away from all customary
+sources of supply?</p>
+
+<p>Elmer sniffed the atmosphere, which was both heavy and
+far from pleasant. And Lil Artha, who had pressed into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+the shack, hot upon the heels of his chief, took note of his
+significant action.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say yes, it's rank as all get out," he remarked,
+holding his nose between a finger and thumb. "Even
+beats that fishy smell we struck when we looked down into
+the cellar at the cottage. Whew!"</p>
+
+<p>Others expressed themselves about as strongly, and little
+Jasper Merriweather, who had unwisely pushed into the
+shack, found it necessary to hurry out again, white of face
+and gasping.</p>
+
+<p>But Elmer had conceived an idea, even while suffering
+from the unpleasant odor of the place.</p>
+
+<p>"Howling cats!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "I don't see
+how you can stand it, Elmer. Talk to me about tramps,
+and the way they hate water, here's the rank evidence of
+it. Wow, ain't I sorry for poor Nat if he's got to associate
+with this hobo crowd for long!"</p>
+
+<p>"But how do we know they're hoboes?" asked Elmer,
+turning on the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey? What's that?" exclaimed Lil Artha, actually
+so surprised that he neglected to hold that firm grip on
+his nose any longer.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you so sure they're tramps?" pursued the
+scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, goodness gracious alive, Elmer, you don't mean
+to say you doubt that now?" cried the tall boy, sweeping
+his hand around as though to draw attention to the various
+articles that seemed to stamp that theory a positive fact.</p>
+
+<p>"Seeing these things here is what makes me question
+that idea very much," began Elmer; and then he picked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+up one of the old shoes, to hold it at arm's length. "Look
+at that, fellows; never made in this country, and you know
+it. Hobnails such as no one but foreigners use on their
+shoes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare; I guess Elmer's right!" exclaimed Red.</p>
+
+<p>"He certainly is, suh, take my word foh it," was the
+way Chatz expressed himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Now look here, whoever saw a tramp's nest with anything
+like this in it?" and Elmer picked up a string of
+beads, evidently a rosary, that must have been overlooked
+in a hasty flight.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew, that's going some!" ejaculated Phil Dale who,
+with his cousin Landy, happened to be in the shack eager
+to see all that went on.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he can even tell us what brand of foreigners
+these fellows are," remarked Landy, who was beginning
+to look upon Elmer pretty much in the light of a wizard.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that ought to be easy, fellows," said the young
+scout master, as he reached up and took down a worn letter
+his quick eye had noticed stuck in a crack.</p>
+
+<p>Every eye was immediately focused on the scout master.
+They knew his reasoning powers of old, and expected that
+Elmer would quickly put them on the right track now.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, hardly had the latter glanced at the well-worn
+letter he held than he smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Red, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, tell us what you've found out, Elmer," said Lil
+Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, look here at the name. As near as I can make
+out it's Giuseppi Caroni," replied the other.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wow, that is plain enough!" exclaimed Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure Italiano," echoed the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Just as I thought," replied Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"But you can prove it," remarked Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"That's easy enough," added Dr. Ted, "the thtamp
+ought to be enough, you thee."</p>
+
+<p>"And if it isn't, fellows, here's the postmark as plain
+as anything&mdash;Naples, Italy," continued Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Naples, hey?" remarked Lil Artha. "Say, I was just
+reading about Naples the other day, and it said that next
+to the island of Sicily we get more of our Black Hand
+crowd from there than any other part of Garibaldi's old
+land."</p>
+
+<p>A gasp seemed to go the complete rounds of all the
+khaki-clad warriors who thronged that mysterious little
+shack.</p>
+
+<p>"Black Hand, you say, Lil Artha?" exclaimed Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and anarchists, too; the kind that blow up the
+kings and queens of the Old World. The kind that abduct
+people so as to make their rich relatives whack up a big
+ransom."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!"</p>
+
+<p>Some of the boys looked a little timid, and glanced around
+apprehensively, as though they anticipated seeing a whole
+bunch of fierce-looking dynamite users rise up around them.</p>
+
+<p>Others shut their teeth together harder than ever, and
+these more determined fellows, it might be noticed, tightened
+the grip they had upon their sticks.</p>
+
+<p>All eyes were turned again upon Elmer, who had listened
+to these remarks with an amused smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hold on your horses, boys," he said, raising his hand
+just then to still the rising dispute.</p>
+
+<p>"Shut up, everybody; Elmer's got something more to
+tell us," Lil Artha cried.</p>
+
+<p>The hubbub died away, and an eagerness to listen took
+its place; for every one of them was anxious to pick up
+points concerning the clever way their leader figured things
+out.</p>
+
+<p>It was an important part of a scout's duty to learn
+how to read signs, not only when following a trail, but at
+all times.</p>
+
+<p>And especially valuable would this qualification become
+when confronted by a baffling mystery such as the Hickory
+Ridge troop was now up against.</p>
+
+<p>"Those who occupied this shack were four in number,"
+Elmer began.</p>
+
+<p>"How did you find that out?" asked Red.</p>
+
+<p>"By the various tracks. So far as I could see there
+were just four separate kinds leading up to this place,
+and each one different."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! I tell you, fellows, that's the way to learn
+things. Elmer knows how to do it," cried Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>Without even smiling at the implied compliment Elmer
+went on:</p>
+
+<p>"Two of them wore shoes with hobnails just as you see
+on this old cast-off shoe here. A third one had on American-made
+brogans, and I expect they hurt him some, too, because
+he was limping as he walked. He is undoubtedly
+the chap who used to own these old foreign-made gun-boats."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a minute, please, Elmer," pleaded Red.</p>
+
+<p>"All right. You want to ask me something, and I
+think I know what it is," remarked the other.</p>
+
+<p>"You say this fellow's new shoes hurt him, and made
+him limp; please tell us how in the wide world you ever
+found that out?" Red continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it might be possible that the fellow was always
+lame, but his tracks show plainly that he limped. Something
+was wrong with his left leg or foot, because the
+toe dug deeply into the ground."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare is that dead-sure evidence, Elmer?"
+demanded the astounded tenderfoot, Landy, who was listening
+with all his might to these intensely interesting
+facts as brought out by the scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"Try it yourself sometime, Landy," remarked Elmer.
+"Pick out a nice piece of ground where the marks will
+show plainly. Limp as naturally as you can with the left
+leg. Then go back and examine the trail. You will find
+that not only does the left foot dig deeper at the toe than
+the right one, but that same toe drags a little over the
+ground as you bring the left foot forward each time."</p>
+
+<p>"Just listen to that, will you!" remarked Red, "but
+I know Elmer is right. I can grab the principle of the
+thing."</p>
+
+<p>"But how about the fourth one, Elmer; seems to me
+you've been holding back something there, that you mean to
+spring on us," said Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I have," remarked the other, quickly. "This
+fourth track was smaller than the others, and the person
+also wore American-made shoes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ah, a boy, eh?" asked Red.</p>
+
+<p>The scout master shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Wrong that time, my boy. You'll have to guess again,
+I reckon," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Was it a woman, Elmer?" demanded Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Just what it was&mdash;an Italian woman, squatty like most
+of her race; and I should say between fifty-five and sixty
+years of age," Elmer replied, soberly.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>SETTING A TRAP.</h3>
+
+
+<p>At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well
+as of disbelief.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in
+his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an
+acting scout master, even though in the private walks of
+life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect
+us to swallow that, now, Elmer."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?"
+asked the other, calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;er&mdash;both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as
+he saw the positive front of the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop and think, did you ever see any other than a
+short, squatty woman among the Italian laborers? And
+I reckon nobody else ever did. They carry heavy burdens
+on their heads, and people say that's one reason they're
+always dumpy," Elmer began.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He's right, fellows," broke out Landy; "why, I've
+seen a dago woman carrying a mattress, a stove and some
+chairs on her head all at the same time. Gee, looked like
+a two-legged moving van:"</p>
+
+<p>"But see here, you notice a shelf with a few things on
+it, some hairpins among the lot. It was built unusually
+low, so <i>she</i> could reach it. And what's this you see here,
+fellows? A piece of broken looking glass fastened to the
+wall. Notice how low down it is? No man ever used that
+glass, you can depend on it; and the woman who did was
+surely small, wasn't she now?"</p>
+
+<p>"A regular sawed-off," assented Lil Artha, emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"Elmer's sure proved his point there, fellows," declared
+Red Huggins, grinning.</p>
+
+<p>"But what makes you think the woman is old, Elmer?"
+asked Landy, curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"That's so; how in the wide world could you know such
+a thing without ever seeing her?" demanded Toby.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing could be easier, fellows; see here!"</p>
+
+<p>As Elmer spoke he reached out his hand and took something
+off the low shelf.</p>
+
+<p>Those in the room crowded around, fairly wild to follow
+out the clever deduction of their young leader.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's a comb," cried one.</p>
+
+<p>"Only an old broken comb," echoed another, with a
+shade of uncertainty in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"What is there about that to tell you, Elmer?" queried
+Red, staring first at the article in question, and then at
+the smiling scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"I know," burst out Matty just then.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Tell us," pleaded several.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, throw some light on the dark mystery," added
+Lil Artha, "because to the untrained eye it's all as gloomy
+as the inside of my pocket. A comb, and how to tell a
+woman's age from that! Well, I own up beat."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's as easy as falling off a log, or coming down
+in a smash when you're first learning how to fly," Matty
+began.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey, don't you drag me into this thing," spoke up
+Toby, whose many experiments as a new beginner in the
+science of aviation had usually ended in his enjoying a
+disastrous tumble.</p>
+
+<p>"All you have to do is to examine the comb," Matty
+went on. "Then you'll find that it holds a few long hairs,
+and, fellows, just see how gray they are, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what d'ye think of that!" burst out Red. "And
+I guess we're a lot of chumps, fellows, not to have seen
+through it before."</p>
+
+<p>"Would a woman be among anarchists, Elmer?" demanded
+Toby.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know," came the reply. "Perhaps so,
+though not as a usual thing. But understand that I haven't
+said I agreed with you altogether, when you gave such a
+hard name to these people."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you don't count 'em as Black Hand kidnapers,
+who expect to raise a bully good sum by holding our pard,
+Nat Scott, for ransom?" demanded Red.</p>
+
+<p>"I've seen nothing to tell me that's the way matters
+stand," Elmer commenced saying, "and several things seem
+to say just the opposite. The presence of the woman, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+her having such an article as this precious string of beads
+don't seem to go along with such a thing as a band of
+rascals."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, go on, Elmer," several called out.</p>
+
+<p>"We haven't found the slightest sign of a bomb factory
+here, or even a book teaching how to bring about a
+revolution. These things make me believe that these three
+men and a woman may not be such terribly hard cases
+after all."</p>
+
+<p>"But you believe they've got our chum, and are holding
+him a prisoner, don't you, Elmer?" asked Matty.</p>
+
+<p>"I do believe it," Elmer went on. "In fact I know it,
+because if you look back of that empty box yonder, which
+they use for a table, you'll find a hat&mdash;Nat's hat, if I'm
+not mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>A rush was made for the box in question, and there followed
+a confusion of tongues, as half a dozen fellows tried
+to talk at once.</p>
+
+<p>"You found a hat, didn't you?" demanded Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"We sure did, and here she is," cried Red, holding up
+the article in question.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks like a scout's regulation hat?" Elmer remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Which nobody could deny," sang Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"And as every scout present has his own hat on his
+head right now, it stands to reason this couldn't belong to
+any of us, eh, fellows?"</p>
+
+<p>"To clinch the matter, Elmer," observed Matty, "if
+you look inside the hat you'll find two little silver letters
+fastened there. The N. S. stands for Nathaniel Scott."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, that point seems proved. Nat was here. Perhaps
+in wandering about he struck this place. But the
+indications are he was captured first, and brought to this
+shack."</p>
+
+<p>"But," said hasty Red, interrupting Elmer, "if you
+admit that these Italians have made our pard a prisoner,
+how can you say they are not bad men, thieves wanted by
+the officers of the law, even if not anarchists?"</p>
+
+<p>"Some things I can only guess at, without being able
+to explain my conviction. But, honestly, fellows, I hardly
+think these people are as bad as you make out. I know
+blackmail is practiced over in Italy a lot. And that one of
+the favorite ways to get money is to kidnap the son or
+daughter of a rich man, and demand a heavy ransom. But
+in this case they would hardly pick Nat Scott for a pigeon
+to be plucked. His father is only a schoolmaster. There
+are others here who would seem to be more attractive bait."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear, hear!" cried Lil Artha, casting a meaning look
+in the direction of Larry Billings, whose father, being a
+banker, was reckoned the richest man in all Hickory Ridge.</p>
+
+<p>"But ain't we wasting a heap of time here?" asked
+Red, impatient as always to be doing something.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what I was saying to Ted here," declared
+Larry, whom the meaning glance of Lil Artha had plainly
+rendered uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>"You may think so," remarked Elmer, "but this is
+a case of the more haste the less speed. I reckon it's wise
+for us to make sure about the character of these Italians
+before we go to chasing after them. They're an excitable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
+lot, you know, and we might bring on trouble that could
+just as well be avoided if we went slow."</p>
+
+<p>Matty looked at his leader sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, see here, Elmer," he remarked, "you know, or
+anyhow you've got a pretty good hunch, who these people
+are?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, Italians," laughed the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, that ain't what I mean," Matty went on. "No
+dodging, but own up."</p>
+
+<p>"You're wrong there," Elmer said. "I don't know,
+and my suspicions so far are founded on such slight evidence
+that I don't care to commit myself before the whole
+of you&mdash;yet."</p>
+
+<p>"But from what you said just now," Matty continued,
+"you don't seem to agree with the rest of us when we call
+these Italians anarchists."</p>
+
+<p>"Because there hasn't been a solitary thing to prove it.
+We pathfinders must always discover some trace of the trail,
+or else we'd go astray. And I've owned up that I'm more
+than half inclined to believe these people are not the bad
+lot you'd make out."</p>
+
+<p>"But they've got our chum a prisoner," said Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks that way," assented Elmer, cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>"And honest men would never do a thing like that,"
+declared Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, wouldn't they?" replied the other. "Perhaps
+now the shoe might be on the other foot."</p>
+
+<p>"Eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"And perhaps these honest people might suspect that
+you three fellows in uniform represented the great United<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+States army about to surround them, and make them prisoners
+because they had been occupying private property
+here at Munsey's mill."</p>
+
+<p>The scouts looked at one another, astonished. Here was
+a theory then which had never appealed to them before.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare!" gasped Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't it just beat the Dutch how he gets on to all
+these things?" said Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Elmer, why take poor Nat a prisoner, bottle him
+up so he couldn't call for help, fetch him to this old shack,
+and finally carry him off when they light out!"</p>
+
+<p>It was Matty who asked this question. Elmer smiled and
+shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I can figure out a lot of things," he said, "just as
+I can read Indian writing; but please don't expect me
+to tell you what people <i>think</i>. I only know that these Italians
+were surely frightened at the sudden appearance of
+three fellows in khaki, and that they probably took them
+for soldiers. They must have had some idea in view when
+they captured Nat, and hustled him to this shack. Perhaps
+they only meant to hide here until the rest of us had gone."</p>
+
+<p>"And they got more scared when you sounded that
+bugle, I reckon," remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and then the coming of another bunch of six scouts
+may have made them believe the worst was about to happen,"
+Elmer continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, I thought I heard low voices when I was just
+going to peep in that window there, and the bugle called
+me back to duty," Landy spoke up.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Elmer added; "and it may be the coming of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+Landy just finished their panic. After he went away they
+must have vamosed the ranch in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, all this is mighty interesting, sure," declared
+Red, with an appreciative nod, "but it ain't bringing us
+any closer to finding our chum Nat."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, what's the programme, Elmer?" asked Chatz.
+"Do we take up the trail right away, and try to follow
+these heah rascals to their new camp? You can count on
+all of us, suh, to do the troop credit."</p>
+
+<p>"There may be another way," remarked Elmer, who
+seemed to be pondering over the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us about it, then, please."</p>
+
+<p>"Sometimes it's the best policy to hike after an enemy
+as fast as you can put. Then again, there are other times
+when a whole lot can be won just by waiting for the enemy
+<i>to come to you</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so, fellows," declared Matty; "I see what Elmer
+means. He thinks that if we hid out here, we'd be
+able to bag the whole blooming crowd soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Sounds all right in theory," admitted Red, "but for
+one I'd like to know why Elmer believes that push will
+come back after a little."</p>
+
+<p>"I only feel pretty sure on one point," explained the
+acting scout master. "And that concerns the woman
+alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning, I take it, that you think they'll send her
+back, the cowards, to find out whether the coast is clear,"
+ventured Red.</p>
+
+<p>"No, they will never have to send her back, fellows,"
+Elmer went on, positively.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Won't, eh?" remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"I firmly believe that once we withdraw from this same
+old shack the woman will steal back of her own free will."</p>
+
+<p>"To get her precious old comb, mebbe," sneered Red.</p>
+
+<p>"To recover something which I guess she values above
+ten thousand combs," and Elmer as he spoke held up the
+string of beads forming the rosary.</p>
+
+<p>"In her hurry to get away she must have forgotten all
+about this. But I warrant you, fellows, she's discovered the
+loss by now. What follows? She makes up her mind that
+she's just <i>got</i> to return and find it, if so be we haven't
+taken it from that nail where it was hanging when we
+came in."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! You've got things down just pat, Elmer. And
+then what?" asked Matty.</p>
+
+<p>"I expect to hide near by while the rest of you go
+noisily away. She can't know how many came, and she'll
+think all have departed. Then, when she comes in I'll
+make her a prisoner. Perhaps they'll be glad to exchange
+Nat for their woman. Or else, if we can make her understand
+that we're only toy soldiers, and mean the men no
+harm, she will lead us to their hide-out."</p>
+
+<p>The scouts were listening attentively, as they always did
+when Elmer was talking. He possessed such a fund of
+interesting information that they knew full well they could
+learn many useful things by trying to grasp the ideas he
+advanced.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>HOW THE TRAP WORKED.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"There's only one thing about it that I object to on
+general principles," remarked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" asked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"You shouldn't think to stay here alone," the other
+went on. "Perhaps one of the men might return with
+the woman&mdash;if she does come."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's true; there is a chance," Elmer admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see how you'd be up against it then," Mark
+went on, earnestly. "A savage Italian woman, who might
+have a knife along, would be bad enough for one fellow to
+handle."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so, Mark."</p>
+
+<p>"And should there be a dago man along, why, I guess
+you'd just have to sit sucking your thumb and not making
+a move," Mark continued.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon I would," laughed Elmer. "All of which
+means that you think I ought to pick out a couple of husky
+fellows to keep me company."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I'd do."</p>
+
+<p>"And that you wouldn't mind being one of the same
+guards, eh, Mark?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd enjoy it all right, Elmer."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm thinking that way myself now. You can
+hold over with me, then. I'll want another fellow, too.
+Let's see," and he glanced at the eager faces by which he
+was surrounded: "oh, well, Lil Artha will be the other."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, shucks!" grumbled Red, bitterly disappointed, because
+he dearly loved action.</p>
+
+<p>"Matty," said the acting scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"On deck," replied the leader of the Beaver Patrol,
+saluting.</p>
+
+<p>"You might try and see how far you've gone in the art
+of following a trail. I don't believe these rough fellows
+know the first thing about trying to hide their tracks, so
+you oughtn't to have a great deal of trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess I'd be equal to the job so long as they
+keep down on the low ground. But if they once start up
+the side of the hill, where it's all rocky, I reckon my cake
+will be dough, then, Elmer."</p>
+
+<p>"Do your best, anyhow, Matty," the scout master went
+on; "nobody can do more. But to tell you the truth, I
+believe the first chance lies here."</p>
+
+<p>"You really think, then, the woman will return?" queried
+Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"I am almost dead certain of it," Elmer replied. "I've
+been among the Italians some in the colony they have on
+the outskirts of our town. And I've studied them more or
+less. They seem a queer people to us, but their religion
+is a big part of their lives&mdash;at least that goes with the
+women part of the settlement."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you're right, Elmer," remarked George, who
+had not spoken up to now; "I happen to know a little
+about the Italians, too, because my father employs a lot
+of 'em, you see. Wouldn't be surprised one bit if she
+sneaks back here to recover those beads. They mean a heap
+to her, fellows."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Everybody stared to hear George talk like that, for as a
+rule he was hard to convince; which fact, as has been stated
+before, had caused him to be known as "Doubting George."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let's get busy," suggested Red, who, if he could
+not hold over to assist Elmer, at least felt that the sooner
+he and the rest started on the trail the better.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the stuff," added Toby, also anxious to be doing
+something, he cared little what.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," remarked Elmer, "and, as a first move,
+suppose you fellows begin to back out of here. Keep in
+a bunch outside. Mark, you and Lil Artha watch for a
+chance to drop down in the bushes, and lie as quiet as
+church mice till I give the signal, which will be a whistle.
+Understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," replied Lil Artha, pausing in the doorway to
+watch Elmer hang up the beads again on the nail where
+he had found them; "but why ought we be so particular
+about dropping out of sight, if you don't mind telling us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it might be the woman has already returned, and
+is hiding somewhere close by, waiting for the crowd to
+move."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," admitted Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"And of course if she even suspected that any of us
+hung out she wouldn't try to enter the shack at all," Elmer
+pursued.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'll have to be mighty careful, Mark, how we
+do the great vanishing act," the tall scout remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait till the boys happen to bunch around you, then
+just drop, and let them go on. But Mark, as you will be
+the last one out, suppose you close the door after you, just
+as if the shack were empty."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Are you expecting to hide behind that box, Elmer?"
+demanded his chum, pointing to the affair that had evidently
+served as a rude table.</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I am," replied the other, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see."</p>
+
+<p>And with one last look around, Mark advanced toward
+the exit, beyond which the scouts could be seen talking and
+gesturing as Matty looked for the trail left when the Italians
+fled in such haste.</p>
+
+<p>Evidently it was Mark's idea to take a good mental impression
+of the interior of the shack away with him. This
+would prove useful in case there arose a sudden necessity
+for his presence, and that of Lil Artha, on the scene of
+action.</p>
+
+<p>When the last of his companions had gone, and the rough
+door of the shack was swung shut, Elmer hastened to softly
+move the big box a little, so that it might suit his purpose
+better.</p>
+
+<p>He did not imagine that this would appear suspicious
+in the eyes of the woman, should she return for her rosary,
+because it was to be expected that in a search of the cabin
+such changes were apt to take place.</p>
+
+<p>He could still hear the chatter of many voices outside,
+but they were growing fainter. Evidently Matty must have
+found the trail he wanted, showing where the four Italians,
+together with their prisoner, had left the concealed shack.</p>
+
+<p>So, knowing the value of time in an affair like this,
+Elmer hastened to crawl behind the big box.</p>
+
+<p>Anyone entering the room could not see him, nor would
+his crouching form be visible from the hole in the shack
+wall, intended as a window.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At the same time Elmer had so contrived things that,
+by making use of an old bunch of straw which he allowed
+to hang over the edge of the table, he was easily able to
+keep watch upon both openings, the window and the door.</p>
+
+<p>Then he waited patiently for something to happen.</p>
+
+<p>Some minutes passed.</p>
+
+<p>Outside all seemed as quiet as a Sunday in Hickory
+Ridge.</p>
+
+<p>The sound of boyish voices had utterly died away, proving
+that Matty must be showing considerable skill in leading
+his detachment along a trail.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, once the presence of human beings no longer
+acted as a disturbing element, a little frisky red squirrel
+hopped up in the open window and peeped within the shack.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the little chap was more or less at home there.
+At any rate Elmer was pleased to see him sit up on his
+haunches and begin to gnaw at a stray nut he had evidently
+discovered.</p>
+
+<p>To his mind the red squirrel was apt to serve in place
+of a vidette. Should anyone approach the shack now the
+little nut-cracker would give warning by frisking away in
+sudden alarm.</p>
+
+<p>So the wide-awake scout finds opportunities to make use
+of the most ordinary and commonplace things to be met
+with in the woods.</p>
+
+<p>Everything may have a meaning, if only the scout possesses
+the key of knowledge so necessary for the unlocking
+of the door.</p>
+
+<p>Not moving a finger Elmer simply awaited the turn of
+events.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And not once did he doubt the outcome, so positive was
+he that his reasoning must be correct.</p>
+
+<p>If the woman returned alone, he believed they ought to
+easily take her prisoner; but, on the other hand, should
+one or more of the men accompany her, he must expect
+the conditions to be changed, and alter his own plans in
+consequence.</p>
+
+<p>Two minutes must have gone by now.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer was not simply guessing this, or, as Lil Artha
+would say, "making a blind stab at it." He knew because,
+as he crouched there watching, he was continually marking
+the flight of time by counting to himself.</p>
+
+<p>In imagination his gaze followed the swinging pendulum
+of the big grandfather clock that stood in the hall
+of his home.</p>
+
+<p>"Tick, tick, tick!" he could see it go back and forth,
+each movement marking the passing of another second of
+precious time.</p>
+
+<p>Ah! the squirrel had ceased to work at his nut now.
+He even gave signs of sudden alarm, as though his keen
+little ratlike ears had caught a foreign sound indicating
+the coming of a human being.</p>
+
+<p>And yet Elmer knew positively that he himself had not
+moved in the slightest degree, so that the squirrel's panic
+could not be laid at his door.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess something's going to happen," he thought,
+"unless either Mark or Lil Artha showed themselves recklessly;
+and I don't believe they'd do it."</p>
+
+<p>He continued to watch his four-footed little sentinel
+perched up there in the apology for a window.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Even as he looked the timid squirrel vanished as suddenly
+as it had appeared.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer only silently chuckled, quite satisfied with the
+way things were working.</p>
+
+<p>And he somehow still continued to keep his eyes glued
+on that hole in the wall, as though laboring under the
+impression that when the Italian woman did come she would
+first of all appear in that particular quarter.</p>
+
+<p>And he was right.</p>
+
+<p>Even as he looked he discovered a suspicious movement
+in the gap. This was brought about by the uplifting of
+a human hand, upon the fingers of which he could count
+at least five broad rings without settings.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the owner of that hand was on her knees, and
+in this manner sought to rise up.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer, still looking, saw a head presently fill part of
+the crude window.</p>
+
+<p>It was a woman who stared in, there could be no questioning
+that fact. And so far as he could tell she seemed
+to be alone, for he neither saw nor heard any sign of a
+second party.</p>
+
+<p>Once he knew her burning gaze was fastened upon the
+bunch of straw which he had arranged so as to serve as a
+veil, back of which he might continue to watch what was
+taking place.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer fairly held his breath, fearing that she might
+have discovered the lurker, or at least entertained suspicions
+regarding his presence there.</p>
+
+<p>But not so.</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes, having swept back and forth until they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+fairly covered the whole interior of the dimly lighted shack,
+seemed to be attracted toward one particular spot.</p>
+
+<p>This was where the string of beads hung from the nail
+driven into a log.</p>
+
+<p>It was the lodestone which had served to draw this
+woman once more into the danger zone.</p>
+
+<p>And from that instant, if Elmer had allowed the slightest
+doubt to creep into his mind before, it no longer found
+lodgment there.</p>
+
+<p>The woman was bound to enter in order to obtain possession
+of that precious string of beads.</p>
+
+<p>Once she thrust her head and shoulders through the
+opening and attempted to clutch the rosary, but the effort
+was useless.</p>
+
+<p>"Now she is coming!"</p>
+
+<p>Elmer whispered this to himself as he saw that the
+woman no longer occupied the opening&mdash;she had undoubtedly
+started for the door.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, now he could see the closed door begin to quiver,
+as though eager hands had started to open it.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer held his breath with eagerness, and all the while
+watched the door.</p>
+
+<p>Between his strong teeth the scout master held a little
+German silver whistle, such as patrol leaders usually carry
+for signaling purposes.</p>
+
+<p>This he expected to sound when the time was ripe, and
+he had every reason to believe that his two comrades would
+rush into the shack the very instant they heard the call.</p>
+
+<p>Now the door was surely opening wider. Even in her
+hurry the Italian woman did not forget the need of due<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+caution when all these enemies seemed to be hanging
+around.</p>
+
+<p>Her experiences across the ocean may have made her
+exceedingly ill disposed to trust anything that wore a
+uniform.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, the door had given way by now to admit a moving
+figure, and then it was drawn shut again.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer smiled to see how closely his guess had come to
+the actual truth. The Italian woman was not only squatty,
+and "broad of beam," as Lil Artha would have put it,
+but, as Elmer had said, might be close on sixty years of
+age, for she had many wrinkles, and her hair was certainly
+gray.</p>
+
+<p>She left the door unfastened behind her. Elmer chuckled
+to himself under his breath, for he saw that in doing this
+the woman had not only left a way of speedy escape open
+for herself in case of necessity, but also a free passage for
+the scouts when the signal whistle blew.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>RUN DOWN.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Straight across the floor of the shack glided the woman.</p>
+
+<p>She was making a bee line for the string of beads with
+the little silver cross at the double end.</p>
+
+<p>And the hidden scout could hear the low words of musical
+Italian flowing from her lips when she reached out an
+eager hand to seize upon the sacred article.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now was his time.</p>
+
+<p>The critical moment had arrived when he must proceed
+to spring his trap.</p>
+
+<p>As silently as he could, then, Elmer arose to his feet.
+He was behind the woman and could never bring himself
+to believe that he had made even the slightest sound when
+rising.</p>
+
+<p>Then the only explanation left was that the woman happened
+to be in front of the broken looking glass at the moment,
+bent on fastening the beads about her thick neck.
+And if so, she must have discovered him as he arose from
+behind the big box.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate she uttered a cry that to his mind was not
+unlike the snarl of a wild beast. He saw the almost savage
+look that came over her swarthy face, and knew that
+after all, such a woman was fully as much to be feared as
+the stoutest ladrone.</p>
+
+<p>And so Elmer did not think it was unworthy of a true
+scout to send out the call for help.</p>
+
+<p>The woman might be disposed to defy just one half-grown
+lad, whereas if she believed herself to be up against
+the whole troop she would submit with the best grace she
+could command.</p>
+
+<p>And so he blew a shrill blast that must bring both Mark
+and Lil Artha dashing to the spot.</p>
+
+<p>The effect upon the woman was rather surprising.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Elmer might have expected seeing her cower
+down, seized with a sudden overwhelming fear, but nothing
+of the kind occurred.</p>
+
+<p>To his surprise she snatched out a wicked-looking knife<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+from the bosom of her dress. It looked to Elmer like a
+broken kitchen knife that had been ground down to a
+point. With such a blade he remembered seeing the Italian
+women from the settlement just outside Hickory Ridge
+wandering around in the early spring, digging dandelion
+plants for "greens."</p>
+
+<p>He could hear the rush of approaching footsteps even
+as the woman sprang for the door with a wild look on her
+face.</p>
+
+<p>The other two scouts had of course caught his shrill
+signal, and were hastening to join their leader.</p>
+
+<p>Undoubtedly both Mark and Lil Artha must have seen
+the woman, if not while she was looking in at the window,
+then when she turned the corner of the hidden shack to
+enter by the door.</p>
+
+<p>And hence they would surely understand that there was
+no man opposed to their combined force.</p>
+
+<p>The fact of the woman being armed with so terrible a
+weapon as a knife, and that look of grim determination
+on her dark face, alarmed Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>What if she attacked the two scouts&mdash;what if in her sudden
+panic she wounded either of his chums? There could be
+no telling what a fear-crazed, ignorant woman, strong as
+an ox, and almost as irresponsible, might do in an emergency
+like this.</p>
+
+<p>Of course he would have only been too well pleased
+could he have shown the woman that it was all a mistake,
+and that they meant her no ill.</p>
+
+<p>But with her brandishing that wicked-looking knife and
+leaping for the door, there was certainly no opportunity
+for argument.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Elmer sprang forward.</p>
+
+<p>His main idea was to try and knock that blade from her
+grasp by striking sharply on her arm or her knuckles.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time he thought to warn the other scouts,
+so that they might take due precautions when suddenly
+brought face to face with the Italian woman who was running
+amuck.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps when they heard him shout they would just
+naturally believe he was being hard pressed. And in that
+case, instead of deterring them, his cries would only further
+spur the others on.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless Elmer lifted his voice in warning:</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, boys! She's got a knife, and is coming out
+at you! Take care there!"</p>
+
+<p>Just then something happened.</p>
+
+<p>The woman had not turned her head as Elmer thus gave
+tongue, as might a hound on the warm trail of the fox.</p>
+
+<p>She kept straight on. The door was before her, and
+while she had drawn it shut after entering, it has been
+mentioned before that she made no attempt to fasten the
+same.</p>
+
+<p>So now, when she hurled her whole weight against the
+barrier it flew outward with a jump.</p>
+
+<p>As luck would have it, the two scouts had managed to
+reach the door at exactly the same time. And that second
+chanced to be the identical one when the frightened foreigner
+crashed into the door.</p>
+
+<p>There could only be one result, and that filled with bitterness
+and woe to both Lil Artha and Mark. As the
+uncouth door was thrown suddenly outward, as if forced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+by a battering ram from within, it struck the scouts a tremendous
+blow.</p>
+
+<p>They crumpled up and went over. A couple of ten-pins
+struck by a swiftly hurled ball could hardly have collapsed
+more ingloriously than did Lil Artha and his mate.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, the long-legged scout seemed to perform a complete
+revolution in the air, landing on his knees among
+the bushes.</p>
+
+<p>Two seconds later, when Elmer dashed out of the shack,
+this was the astonishing spectacle he saw&mdash;the woman running
+away as best her bulk allowed, casting glances that
+were half frightened, half triumphant, behind her; while
+Mark was sitting up, rubbing a bump on his forehead ruefully,
+and Lil Artha had taken out a handkerchief to dab
+at his bleeding nose.</p>
+
+<p>Still, nothing short of an earthquake could ever bottle
+up the flow of animal spirits that usually possessed the
+lanky one.</p>
+
+<p>While he applied his handkerchief until it looked particularly
+gory, he was bent upon giving expression to his
+views.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! and again I say, wow! What cyclone was that
+we ran up against, Elmer? Did you let fly with that club
+of yours, or did the old shack just take a notion to fall
+over on us? It felt like I was being kicked by an army
+mule."</p>
+
+<p>"Same here, Elmer," lamented Mark, as he succeeded
+in struggling to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it wasn't anything like that at all," declared
+Elmer, hastily; "and if you take the trouble to look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+yonder, before your eyes begin to close up, you'll see what
+hit you, running away like a scared hippopotamus."</p>
+
+<p>"Glory be! Was it that dago woman?" yelled Lil Artha,
+now on his feet again.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she burst the door open when she saw me, and as
+you chanced to be in the way, why, you got the benefit,
+that's all," Elmer remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let her get away, fellows! Come on, who's
+afraid? We can cover three feet to her one. Let's make
+her a prisoner," shouted Lil Artha, whose usually even
+temper seemed to have been decidedly ruffled by his recent
+mishap.</p>
+
+<p>So the three scouts left the shack and began to rush
+after the fleeing Italian woman.</p>
+
+<p>Of course she knew immediately that she was being pursued.
+She tried to increase her pace, but evidently with
+little success. Short, dumpy people can never hope to
+compete with slim, long-legged greyhounds like Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>And so, almost from the start, the three scouts began to
+close in upon the fleeing Italian woman.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, she's got a bloody old knife," gasped Lil Artha,
+as they struggled on through the woods where the creeping
+vines and the underbrush, not to mention frequent
+logs and occasional woodchuck holes, made running a desperate
+business.</p>
+
+<p>"That's so, Elmer," piped up Mark, "I saw her shake
+it at us then."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, fellows," said the scout master, "and that's
+what I was shouting about, to warn you."</p>
+
+<p>"Are we gaining any, Elmer? I can't see just as well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+as I'd like, with this thing up to my nose," the lanky runner
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Pulling up on her fast, my boy," came the reassuring
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"And what're we goin' to do when she turns on us?"
+demanded Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"First of all, surround her."</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds good as far as she goes. What next?"</p>
+
+<p>"We must try and knock that nasty thing out of her
+hand by a sharp blow on the arm," continued Elmer, who
+strangely enough seemed as cool as a cucumber, while
+both of his companions showed the effect of the mad pace.</p>
+
+<p>"I tumble to it, Elmer," gasped Lil Artha, "and I'm
+the fellow to give that lovely little tap. I made Red drop
+his stick seven times when we were having a bout with
+long sticks, and which we pretended were the old-style
+quarterstaves."</p>
+
+<p>Even the long-legged Lil Artha must see now that the
+distance separating the pursuers from the fugitive had been
+greatly shortened. Another five minutes would see them
+overhaul the woman, unless something not down on the
+bills came to pass.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes&mdash;why there would surely be ample time to
+bring this result about, judging by the way they were covering
+two yards to her one.</p>
+
+<p>The woman knew it, too.</p>
+
+<p>She was becoming more and more anxious. This was
+shown by the way she kept turning her head from time
+to time as she ran.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer knew what was apt to happen. For himself he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+found that he had need of both his eyes with every step
+forward he took through that tangle, where trailing vines
+lay in wait to trip him up, and branches hung low as if
+seeking to catch in his hair, to make him another Absalom.</p>
+
+<p>Already had Lil Artha gone down with a thud, but as
+he said himself, his "dander" was aroused, and no little
+things like this could be allowed to interfere with his pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>So he had hastily scrambled to his feet and followed at
+the heels of his more fortunate chums, a sight calculated
+to excite wild laughter among the rest of the troop, with
+his blood-flecked face.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate Lil Artha was game to the backbone, and
+Elmer often remembered it afterward when "trying out"
+his scouts.</p>
+
+<p>The closer they drew to the fleeing woman the greater
+her fright seemed to become.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever he saw her looking backward over her shoulder
+Elmer would make pantomime gestures with his free hand.</p>
+
+<p>He was trying the best he knew how to tell her to give
+over this foolish flight, and that they had no hostile intentions.</p>
+
+<p>But the chances were she interpreted these movements
+just the other way, and believed he must be threatening
+her with all sorts of terrible things unless she yielded herself
+a prisoner to their prowess.</p>
+
+<p>Well, no matter, it could hardly last more than another
+minute or so. Do what she would the woman must find it
+utterly impossible to get away.</p>
+
+<p>Already the active mind of the young scout master was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+busy, weaving a clever scheme by means of which they
+could surround the woman, and by attacking her all at
+once, succeed in knocking the shining knife out of her
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>No doubt he would have succeeded in doing the job,
+too, had conditions continued to make such a move necessary.</p>
+
+<p>But they did not.</p>
+
+<p>The fickle hand of Fate came in between just in time to
+share in the matter.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to Elmer that they were constantly getting
+into a more tangled mess of undergrowth. All around and
+ahead were traps calculated to slyly catch unwary feet and
+trip them up.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Elmer gave vent to a low gasping cry; but
+while Mark involuntarily turned his head to learn if his
+companion had gone lame, to his surprise and gratification
+he found the other running as smoothly and easily as ever,
+as though perfectly fresh.</p>
+
+<p>"The woman!" shrieked Lil Artha, who, apparently,
+from his position in the rear had been enabled to see just
+what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"Where&mdash;is&mdash;she?" gasped Mark, once more allowing
+his eyes to travel ahead.</p>
+
+<p>For, apparently, the fleeing Italian had vanished at that
+instant, as completely as though the earth had opened and
+swallowed her up.</p>
+
+<p>"She's down&mdash;caught her foot in a root!" cried Elmer,
+not slackening his warm pace, for he wanted to make a
+quick job of the thing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then Mark saw that some object was threshing the bushes
+furiously. Twice the woman tried to rise, but on each occasion
+she fell back again.</p>
+
+<p>Then presently he gave a shout as he guessed the true
+situation.</p>
+
+<p>"She's caught fast in a vine, Elmer. Even the woods
+work with us! I tell you she's a prisoner right now! All
+we've got to do is to tie her hands!"</p>
+
+<p>"But look out for that dandelion knife, boys," warned
+Elmer, as the three of them reached the spot.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LANGUAGE OF SIGNS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It happened just as the boys had expected. While turning
+her head so often to see how near these persistent pursuers
+were, the woman had caught her foot in a stout vine.</p>
+
+<p>She had been hurled to the ground with considerable
+force, but apparently received no serious injury. When
+she tried to regain her feet, however, on each occasion the
+clinging vine refused to release its hold. As a consequence
+she went down again.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, as though realizing the uselessness of further
+struggling against Fate, the woman stopped trying to get
+up.</p>
+
+<p>Having twisted around in some manner, she just sat there
+and stared at the three boys in khaki.</p>
+
+<p>"Now she's wondering what we're going to do," said
+Mark, as they stood with the woman between them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she's frightened again, poor thing," remarked
+Elmer. "I'm afraid it's these uniforms that have done it.
+She surely takes us for soldiers, and thinks we've come
+here just to arrest the whole bunch."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad of one thing, though," said Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"What might that be?" asked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like she must have dropped that fierce frog
+sticker when she fell, because you notice she hasn't got the
+old knife in her claws just now."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," admitted Mark, cheerfully, for the fact
+naturally pleased him.</p>
+
+<p>"And here it is, right at my feet," said Elmer, as he
+stooped and took something from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>It was the knife which the Italian woman had flourished
+so recklessly.</p>
+
+<p>"My stars, what a savage-looking thing!" ejaculated
+Lil Artha, as he stared at the knife.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it does look wicked for a fact," remarked Elmer;
+"but after all, I reckon she's never done anything with it
+but cut dandelion greens, or else prepared fish," and he took
+occasion to bring the blade close to his nose while speaking,
+only to make a face, as though the fishy odor that clung
+to the steel might be far from pleasant.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we've overhauled the lady; now whatever are
+we going to do with her?" demanded the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if she understands English?" remarked
+Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Try her and see," Mark suggested.</p>
+
+<p>The woman had been watching them keenly all this while.
+Her manner suggested that she might be trying to read her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+fate more from their actions than any words which they
+would let fall.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, Elmer stepped forward a pace.</p>
+
+<p>"No hurt," he said, in the gentlest tone he could muster;
+"friends&mdash;boys&mdash;no soldiers."</p>
+
+<p>"She don't savvy worth a cent, Elmer," said Lil Artha,
+in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>"And her eyes keep following your movements with the
+knife, as if she thought you meant to strike her," observed
+Mark.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer himself saw that this was a fact. Plainly, then,
+the woman could not understand English, and in her present
+state of fright she seemed incapable of reading his
+reassuring gestures. What he meant to be a sign of friendliness
+she interpreted as a symbol of hostility.</p>
+
+<p>"Seems to me we ought first of all to get her foot free
+from that nasty tangle," he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, and I guess the only way to do it is to cut the
+plagued old vine," said Lil Artha. "But I guess I hadn't
+ought to run the thing down, because it served us a mighty
+good turn just now."</p>
+
+<p>"Step in and cut the vine, Elmer," suggested Mark.</p>
+
+<p>When, however, the young scout master had taken a
+step or two forward, knife in hand, the woman's fears
+were once more aroused.</p>
+
+<p>She threw herself forward, struggling violently to release
+her trapped foot. But the vine proved as strong as a new
+clothesline, and held tenaciously.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious, what a silly goose!" exclaimed Lil Artha,
+"when all we want to do is to set her free."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But you see she don't look at it that way. The poor
+creature thinks we're conspiring to turn the tables on her,
+just because she threatened us with this knife. Here, hold
+it, Mark."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer handed over the knife to his chum at a moment
+when he saw that the woman's eyes were fastened upon him.</p>
+
+<p>Then he held up both his hands as he smiled reassuringly.
+It was the universal "peace sign" known throughout the
+world. Hardly a savage tribe in the heart of Darkest Africa
+but would recognize the meaning it expressed.</p>
+
+<p>This time when he advanced the Italian woman did not
+struggle again. She watched him. Curiosity was overcoming
+fear. Perhaps she had even begun to realize that these
+dreadful soldiers did not present such a savage front
+after all.</p>
+
+<p>So Elmer dropped down on his knees, at a point where
+he could come in contact with her imprisoned foot, and
+the wiry vine that gripped it.</p>
+
+<p>A brief examination convinced him that since she had
+turned around several times during her violent struggle to
+break away, the only means of freeing the entrapped foot
+was to cut the vine.</p>
+
+<p>Of course that meant the knife again, and if he asked
+Mark to hand it to him, possibly the foolish foreigner would
+have another fit of terror.</p>
+
+<p>So Elmer commenced to use tact again.</p>
+
+<p>First of all he commenced to work at the vine, the woman
+watching him eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"No use, pardner," remarked Lil Artha. "That thing
+is like steel bands, and the old woman has managed to tie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+herself up handsomely. Nothing but a knife, and a sharp
+one, too, will do the business."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," replied Elmer, quietly. "I'm only pretending
+to try and get her foot out just to make her understand
+that we want to help her. Now just watch me, and
+see how I manage."</p>
+
+<p>Presently, as if despairing of success, he ceased his labor.
+Then he pointed to the vine, and made several slashes across
+it with his forefinger, after which he pointed to the knife
+Mark was holding out, and nodded his head.</p>
+
+<p>The woman was interested.</p>
+
+<p>"Go through it all again; she's beginning to understand,"
+said Mark, himself deeply interested in the success
+of this deaf and dumb method of communication.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all the stupids going, give me one of these
+same dagoes," grumbled Lil Artha. "Why, you make it
+plain enough for a Hottentot to grab, Elmer. But I'm beginning
+to hope she'll get on soon. Try her once more,
+pardner. You're the boss hand at wig-wagging. Give her
+the high sign, Elmer."</p>
+
+<p>Deliberately Elmer again pretended to cut the vine with
+his forefinger, then shook his head and afterward pointed
+to the knife.</p>
+
+<p>The woman's black eyes followed each movement, and
+evidently she began to grasp the idea that he did not desire
+the weapon so as to injure, but to assist her.</p>
+
+<p>"Glory be!" ejaculated Lil Artha, who had been almost
+holding his breath with suspense while all this pantomime
+business was going on, "look at that, would you, fellows?
+A bright thought has managed to get a foothold in her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+brain. I bet you it needed a sledge hammer to pound it in.
+Say, she's beginning to smile at you, Elmer. You've won
+out. She believes you mean all right. Give him the toad-sticker,
+Mark, and let him get to work."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer knew that his actions would no longer be misconstrued.
+The Italian woman understood.</p>
+
+<p>So he held out his hand and received the knife from
+Mark. The woman moved uneasily, but the smile Elmer
+gave her was surely enough to disarm any lingering suspicion
+she may have entertained.</p>
+
+<p>Of course it was only a small job now to cut through the
+obstinate vine at a point where the greatest holding point
+lay.</p>
+
+<p>"There you are!" remarked Lil Artha, as the knife
+severed the last strand.</p>
+
+<p>The woman got slowly to her feet. She folded her arms
+across her bosom with what seemed to be an air of resignation.
+Yet Elmer knew that all the while those sparkling
+black eyes were watching him intently.</p>
+
+<p>The woman had guessed that Elmer must be the leader
+of the three strangers in uniform. Hence she looked to him
+for orders.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what're we going to do with this pretty thing,
+now that we've got it?" remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose, first of all, we ought to go back to the
+shack," said Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"You mean to hold her a prisoner, I take it?" asked
+Mark, who had the utmost faith in the acting scout master's
+ability to grasp the situation.</p>
+
+<p>"That's about the only thing open to us," Elmer replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+"Through the woman perhaps we can get in touch
+with the three men who are holding Nat Scott a prisoner,
+and bring about his release."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how," grumbled Lil Artha. "If you had
+all that trouble getting her to understand you only meant
+to cut the old vine, and not her foot off, how in the dickens
+d'ye expect to get her to know we don't mean to do her
+bunch any harm?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, there may be ways," smiled Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"But you don't speak Italiano, Elmer; that's dead sure,
+else you'd have used it right now to tell her you only
+wanted to cut the vine," Lil Artha went on.</p>
+
+<p>"How about George?" remarked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"What! George Robbins?" asked the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, you remember he told us his father employs
+a large number of these foreigners, and unless I'm mistaken
+I think I remember hearing George say he'd been picking
+up quite a lot of Italian words."</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds all to the good then," declared Lil Artha,
+with enthusiasm. "Bully for George! His knowledge
+may be the key that's going to unlock this old padlock for
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let's get back to the shack. Fall in around the
+woman. That ought to tell her what we want her to do."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer, as he spoke, took up his position alongside the
+prisoner, while Mark and the long-legged scout clapped
+their sticks to their right shoulders as though parading
+arms.</p>
+
+<p>Then Elmer pointed backward in the direction they had
+just come from.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Go!" he said, impressively.</p>
+
+<p>Whether the prisoner understood the word, or judged
+from their actions what was required, Elmer could not say.
+All he cared for was the fact that when he started off she
+accompanied him, limping a little as though she might
+have twisted her ankle somewhat in the violence of her
+struggles, looking sullen rather than fearful now, and apparently
+resigned to her fate, whatever that might prove
+to be.</p>
+
+<p>There was no difficulty about reaching the abandoned
+shack again. All Elmer had to do was to follow the broad
+trail they had made when chasing after the fleeing woman.</p>
+
+<p>They found no change when they presently drew up at
+the hidden retreat. Nor was there any sign of the other
+scouts, though once Elmer thought he did hear loud and
+excited voices up on the side of the mountain, as though
+Matty and his detachment might have found it necessary
+to leave the lowlands, and were having troubles of their
+own.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," remarked Lil Artha, as they arrived in front
+of the shack, "here we are, all to the good, and right
+side up with care. The question is, what d'ye expect to
+do with the signorina, now that you've got her?"</p>
+
+<p>"She must be kept a prisoner in the shanty until we
+can decide on our course, and get George here," replied
+Elmer, so readily that the others understood how he must
+have his plan of action fully mapped out in his own mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see you usher her in, then," chuckled the tall
+scout, just as though he anticipated enjoying a treat when
+Elmer tried to "shoo" the Italian woman into the place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But it proved the easiest thing possible. When Elmer
+took her by the arm and pointed to the open door the
+woman gave him one look, shook herself free from his
+grasp, and hastened to vanish within the shack.</p>
+
+<p>"Easy as falling off a log," declared Lil Artha, a shade
+of disappointment in his voice, for he had anticipated more
+or less of a struggle.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer quietly closed the door.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you going to fasten it?" asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish that was the hardest nut I had to crack,"
+laughed the scout master. "Fortunately the door opens
+outwardly."</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately, you mean," echoed Mark, as he touched
+the painful lump on his forehead.</p>
+
+<p>"I say yes to that," grinned Lil Artha, whose nose
+had stopped bleeding by this time, but whose face was a
+sight to behold, being smeared with all manner of strange
+red marks that made him resemble an Apache Indian on
+the warpath.</p>
+
+<p>"As it does open outwardly, however," Elmer went on
+saying, with a sympathetic smile for the woes of his chums,
+"it ought to be easy enough for us to barricade the door.
+Look around, boys, and see if you can find several good stout
+sticks about three or four feet long. Even a small tree
+trunk would be about what we want."</p>
+
+<p>"And I think I know where to find one," said Lil Artha,
+hastening away, "because I took a header over it
+when we were chasing the dago woman."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CALL OF THE WOLF.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"That's the ticket, Lil Artha," said Elmer, as the tall
+scout returned presently, bearing on his shoulder quite a
+good-sized log about five feet in length.</p>
+
+<p>"Reckon that ought to hold all right," panted the burden
+bearer, as he cast the small tree trunk at Elmer's feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine and dandy," commented Mark, beginning to
+get the barricade in position.</p>
+
+<p>Of course the log had to be planted in such a way that
+it might secure a grip on the door. This meant that it
+must incline at an angle of more than forty-five degrees.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer dug a little hole, first of all, at a certain distance
+from the door, after the length of the log had been tested.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with the help of his chums, he seated one end of
+the log firmly in this. When the other end was allowed
+to slip down the face of the door it rested about halfway.</p>
+
+<p>"No danger of that slipping loose if she tries to push
+out," remarked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>Mark gave several additional pulls downward at the
+upper end of the log, to make it still firmer.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll just wager," he said, finally, "that nobody, man
+or woman, could open that door now from the inside."</p>
+
+<p>"How about the window?" asked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"You might manage to crawl through that small opening,
+but that broad-beamed woman, never," declared the
+scout master, positively.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we've got our wild bird safely caged."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Looks like it, for the time being, anyhow," was the
+way Elmer replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, see here, you don't seem to go very strong on the
+jail business. What's on your mind now, Elmer?" and
+Lil Artha confronted the other as he spoke, lifting a reproachful
+finger at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, rats! Get down to business, Elmer. What might
+happen to upset our plans?" asked the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the men might return."</p>
+
+<p>"And of course throw down the log and liberate our
+prisoner. But between you and me and the lamp-post,
+Elmer, I don't believe that's going to happen. 'Cause why?
+Well, it's my honest belief that this Italiano woman's got
+all the nerve there is in that crowd. The men are cowards."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm rather of the same opinion, Artha," remarked
+Elmer. "And I've thought that same thing more than
+once when watching some of them in their settlement."</p>
+
+<p>"But how about your other reason, Elmer?" asked Lil
+Artha. "Suppose now the men don't come, what danger
+is there of her getting out? D'ye expect she could burrow
+under the walls like we did once up at that old lumber
+camp?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps. But I was thinking of another thing. Notice
+how poorly this shack is put together? Why, if that
+Amazon got on the rampage and just took a notion, I
+believe she could bring the whole business down in ruins
+about her head."</p>
+
+<p>"Wow, I guess she could, Elmer!" remarked the tall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+boy, nodding his head, "just like Samson did long ago
+when he yanked the temple down, and kicked the bucket
+himself, with all his enemies. But I don't think this dull-witted
+creature's got sense enough for that; do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not. I hope she won't, anyhow, because I
+mean to leave you and Mark here to guard our prisoner
+while I'm gone," said Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see, you want to join the rest of the troop. Perhaps
+you've got a hunch they might be needing you about
+now?" Lil Artha observed.</p>
+
+<p>"One thing I know, and that is they've left the low
+ground and gone up the side of the mountain."</p>
+
+<p>"I guessed that myself when I heard some of the fellers
+callin' up yonder. So it stands to reason they've lost
+the trail among the rocks," Lil Artha went on.</p>
+
+<p>"I expect as much," Elmer said, "and you know that
+since the men carried Nat Scott away with them we've
+just got to find them sooner or later."</p>
+
+<p>"But why d'ye suppose now they'd be so pesky mean
+as to climb the hill?" demanded the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, perhaps they guessed it would be harder for anyone
+to track them up there," Elmer answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's so," Mark put in; "or it might be they
+know of some fine cave up yonder where they can hide.
+You often run across caves, big and little, on stony hills."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer seemed to agree with this suggestion, for he nodded
+his head after Mark had advanced it.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you can manage?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'd be a pretty pair of scouts, wouldn't we
+now, if we failed to make good on a job like this?" scoffed
+Lil Artha.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He threw his staff over his shoulder, gun fashion, and
+began tramping up and down before the door of the hidden
+shack, just as though he were a military sentry on
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you'll do all right, Lil Artha," laughed Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Before you go, Elmer," said Mark, "please tell us just
+why you believe these Italians haven't meant to hurt our
+chum Nat."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I just seem to feel it in my bones, and that's
+about all I can say," returned the other. "I'm more
+convinced now than ever that it's going to turn out only
+a silly mistake on their part. Perhaps they've been doing
+something here that's against the law, and the sight of
+our uniforms threw them into a panic. They've carried
+Nat off with them just so he couldn't give the alarm, and
+bring the rest down on 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"Counterfeiting, perhaps," suggested Mark. "Seems to
+me I've heard that the Italians are pretty smart at that
+sort of thing."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't imagine it's anything as serious as that,"
+Elmer replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Then tell us what you <i>do</i> think," demanded Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"You <i>will</i> force my hand, will you?" laughed Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"It's only fair to tell us," pleaded the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, all right, seeing that I'm more than ever convinced
+I'm on the right track. Here, smell that, both of
+you and tell me what it reminds you of."</p>
+
+<p>He thrust the queer, sharp-pointed knife that had been
+taken from the woman into the hand of Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>That individual immediately raised it to his nose, took
+one good smell, and made a wry face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ugh! rank fishy odor, all right!" he declared.</p>
+
+<p>"Then look back a bit, Lil Artha," Elmer continued.
+"Don't you remember that in the mill and cottage we discovered
+a strong fishy smell when we tried to investigate
+that underground place?"</p>
+
+<p>"You're right, we did," assented the tall scout; "it
+made me feel a bit squeamish, too, for if there's one thing
+I can't stomach it's rank fish. Ugh!"</p>
+
+<p>"I see what you're leading up to, Elmer," announced
+Mark, briskly, "and I must say it looks as if there might
+be a whole lot of truth in it, too."</p>
+
+<p>"These Italians are often fishermen. A cousin of mine
+once told me that along the Gulf coast and around New
+Orleans the whole fishing industry lies in their hands,"
+Elmer went on.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you believe this bunch is getting fish out of
+Munsey mill pond, and selling them, perhaps over in Scarsdale?"
+said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"They are netting fish illegally, I imagine," Elmer answered.
+"That would explain their alarm. Perhaps the
+game warden has been around and threatened to have them
+hauled in if they didn't take warning. And ever since that
+time they've been on the nervous lookout."</p>
+
+<p>"Gee, I bet you now that's what it means, fellows!"
+declared Lil Artha, filled with new enthusiasm, as he
+grasped the startling idea advanced by the scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"And I never saw so many big frogs as there are around
+here," Elmer went on.</p>
+
+<p>"That's because even the boys keep away from the
+haunted mill," Mark added.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You know how frogs sell in the market, and how it
+would pay anybody to catch a few hundred such jumboes
+as there are here," Elmer remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it does take you to figure things out just, I must
+say," laughed Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"He's a wizard, that's what," declared Lil Artha, whose
+admiration for his leader was boundless.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all," smiled the other; "a little common sense
+was all that was needed. The strong odor of fish in that
+cellar put me on the track first. You know there's an
+old saying to the effect that where there's smoke there must
+be fire."</p>
+
+<p>"And then this knife, too&mdash;like as not the woman does
+all the cleaning of the fish. I thought she reminded me of
+black bass or pickerel, I wasn't sure which," Lil Artha
+stated, with a chuckle.</p>
+
+<p>"But we've been around more or less, Elmer," Mark
+put in, "and I don't remember seeing any signs of fish
+cleaning, scales or anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," came the quick reply. "If these people
+knew they were breaking the law, and expected the game
+warden to pop in on them any day, you can just believe
+they'd be mighty careful to hide all traces of this thing."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps they throw it all back in the pond for fish
+bait," suggested the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bad idea," commented Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"And the cellar under the mill cottage?" asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"They might use that as a cool place to keep the fish until
+they can get them to market," Elmer replied.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a fact, seeing they have no ice to pack them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+in," Lil Artha observed. "And the more I think of it
+all, the better it looks to me, fellows."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you believe my explanation may be the true
+answer to our chum's vanishing?"</p>
+
+<p>"I sure do."</p>
+
+<p>"That they came upon him by accident," Elmer went
+on, "and filled with a sudden panic, just captured him to
+keep Nat from calling out, and bringing the rest of us
+around?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what they did," Lil Artha affirmed. "And no
+matter how sorry they might be afterward because they
+did it, they just can't drop him now."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, since we've agreed on that point I don't see the
+need of my hanging around here any longer," Elmer observed,
+drawing his belt one notch tighter, as though preparing
+for new labors.</p>
+
+<p>"And your orders are just the same?" Mark asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you two keep guard over the shack, and don't
+let the prisoner get away, if you can prevent it."</p>
+
+<p>"Depend on us, Elmer. And say," Lil Artha remarked,
+"don't you think now it would be a good thing to send
+George down here?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's an idea worth while," Elmer quickly replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I get 'em once in a long time," grinned the other.</p>
+
+<p>"A good scheme, and I'll send George back as soon as
+I can. When he comes, take him in to see the woman.
+Have him try and get her to understand that we mean
+her men no harm, and only want them to set our chum free."</p>
+
+<p>"And then what? Supposing George is able to get
+that pounded into her head?" asked Lil Artha.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why, he must make her understand that we want to
+conduct an exchange of prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>"By that, Elmer," Mark broke in, "I suppose you
+mean well give the woman up if they let Nat go free?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it," returned the leader. "And as she is the
+only one who knows their new hiding place, she must lead
+us to them."</p>
+
+<p>"That puts me wise, all right," declared Lil Artha.
+"But get good old George here as soon as you can, Elmer.
+I'm just crazy to see if he knows how to tell the old woman
+all this."</p>
+
+<p>"That's all, boys; I'll be going now."</p>
+
+<p>But although Elmer said this he continued to stand
+there immovable. Neither of his comrades thought it
+strange, for they, too, had caught the same sound that had
+reached his ears.</p>
+
+<p>It was evidently a pretty good imitation of the howl of
+a wolf.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as this was the signal call of Elmer's own patrol
+they knew immediately that some scout belonging to that
+section of the Hickory Ridge troop must be approaching,
+and took this customary method of announcing his
+coming.</p>
+
+<p>All eyes were accordingly turned toward that quarter
+from whence the note of the wolf had seemed to come.</p>
+
+<p>This was a little up the side of the mountain. Elmer,
+thinking to give the other his location, sent out an answering
+signal.</p>
+
+<p>"You're scaring the old woman again with your howls,"
+remarked Lil Artha, pointing to the shack, at the small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+window of which they could see the face of the prisoner,
+filled with wonder and awe.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the Italian woman was beginning to suspect
+she had fallen into the hands of a pack of crazy people.</p>
+
+<p>"There he comes!" suddenly announced Mark, pointing
+as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like Dr. Ted," remarked Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"Just who it is," said Elmer. "I wish it had been
+George Robbins, now, because that would have saved time.
+No such luck, it seems, so we'll just have to make the best
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"But what d'ye suppose Ted's coming back after?"
+pursued the tall scout.</p>
+
+<p>"Help," declared Mark, decisively. "You heard what
+Elmer said when he turned the troop over to Matty? If
+they found themselves up a stump they were to let Elmer
+know, just so he could swing in somehow, and pull them
+out of the hole."</p>
+
+<p>"They're up against it, good and hard, bet you a cooky
+on it," declared Lil Artha, as the other scout drew near.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE NEED OF A PATHFINDER.</h3>
+
+
+<p>As Dr. Ted approached he made the scout salute in due
+regulation style.</p>
+
+<p>"You're wanted above, thir," he said to the acting
+scout master.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"By that I suppose you mean they've struck a snag?"
+questioned Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"The rockth bothered Matty. Tho long ath they left a
+trail in the earth he could follow it all right. But when
+it kept on athending it got tougher and tougher. Then
+he lotht it altogether, and thent me to fetch you along,
+thir."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, I'll go with you, Number Three. You'll be
+interested to know that we've got a prisoner here in the
+old cabin," remarked Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>Ted glanced that way, and caught sight of the face in
+the window.</p>
+
+<p>"The old Italian woman, eh?" he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," said Lil Artha, as proudly as though the honors
+of the capture belonged exclusively to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Then she did come back for her beadth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Tell you all about it on the way, for we must
+be moving now, Ted," the scout master remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"All right. I'm with you, Elmer. Come on, then," and,
+wheeling sharply around, Ted started to retrace his steps.</p>
+
+<p>So Mark and his long-legged comrade were left to guard
+the prison of the old Italian woman, while the other two
+scouts climbed the hill.</p>
+
+<p>"No uthe going over the trail we made," remarked Ted.
+"It wound around and then climbth the hill. We could
+thee about where the cabin lay, and I made a bee line downhill
+for the thame."</p>
+
+<p>As they toiled upward Elmer, keeping his promise, related
+all that had happened in the neighborhood of the
+hidden shack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Ted seemed to enjoy the narrative very much indeed.
+He was particularly pleased with the account of where the
+old woman in her panic had burst the door open, and upset
+both Mark and Lil Artha.</p>
+
+<p>"I wondered what happened to our friendth," said Ted.
+"And if you hadn't been in thuch a big hurry to cut out,
+I'd have tried fixing both the poor fellowth up. Lil
+Artha lookth like a pirate chief, and ath for Mark, you'd
+think hith brains might be breaking out."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer had no trouble at all in following the plain trail
+left by Ted when he came down from above. His practiced
+eye could easily see the marks on turf, leaf mold, or
+even where the other's heels with their steel nails had
+scraped along a slanting rock.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me thome more about that, pleath," said Ted,
+while they were still climbing.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing loath, for he really believed he had solved the
+secret of the whole business, Elmer gave him the story,
+from his first faint suspicion upon looking down into the
+strange-smelling cellar of the mill house, up to his detecting
+such a strong odor of fish about the Italian woman,
+and particularly the knife she carried.</p>
+
+<p>"That'th a bully good idea, all right," said Ted, when
+the story was finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think it sounds fishy?" laughed Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Yeth and no," answered the other, immediately.
+"While it theemth to be a fish yarn, yet it ith all to the
+good. I really believe you've gone and figured it out,
+Elmer. And if that ith tho, it ith going to be another big
+feather in your cap, don't you forget it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We ought to be close to where you left the rest of the
+boys, by now," suggested the scout master, desirous of
+changing the conversation, for, strange to say, Elmer never
+liked to hear himself praised.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we are," replied Ted. "Suppothe you try
+your whistle, and give 'em a call."</p>
+
+<p>So the patrol leader's whistle was brought into play
+again. Hardly had it sounded than there came an answer
+from a point not far distant.</p>
+
+<p>"There they are!" cried Ted, pointing, "I thee Red
+waving hith hat to uth right now. We'll join 'em in a jiffy,
+if the walking ith good."</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be decent enough for the two climbers to
+reach the spot where Matty and the rest of the troop awaited
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm all in, Elmer," admitted the leader of the Beaver
+Patrol, as he threw up both hands in disgust. "Just as
+I said, it was all hunk till I struck the rocks, and I've been
+up in the air ever since."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Matty has even hinted that he believes those Italians
+must have had wings somewhere around here, and just
+flown away," laughed Chatz.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that wouldn't be so very queer," declared Toby
+Jones, always thinking of things touching on aviation.
+"It's a bully good place to make a start, anyway, if a
+feller only had the wings."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and a gay old place to bring up on all the rocks
+down there. And how about our chum Nat; he never had
+any longing to soar through the air. But tell us what's
+doing, Elmer," said Red, impatiently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he's got lots to tell you," declared Ted, with the
+air of a highly favored one who had been already taken
+into the great secret.</p>
+
+<p>Of course his words stirred the scouts as nothing else
+could have done. They crowded around and began to beg
+for particulars.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Lil Artha?" one questioned.</p>
+
+<p>"And Mark?" exclaimed another.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Elmer, did she come back, and step into the nice
+little trap you were going to get ready?" asked a third
+scout, with intense interest aroused.</p>
+
+<p>When Elmer nodded his head they broke out into a rousing
+boyish cheer.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us all about it, Elmer," was flung at the scout
+master from all quarters.</p>
+
+<p>As this was Elmer's intention anyway he lost no time
+in briefly though forcibly describing all that had taken
+place down below.</p>
+
+<p>"And now I want George to go down with Ted, here,"
+Elmer went on, "and try to engage the woman in conversation.
+Tell her, if you can, who and what we are, and the
+reason for our coming here in uniform. Tell her we mean
+them no harm, but that we want our chum set free. Do you
+follow me, George?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do," came the ready answer.</p>
+
+<p>"You understand Italian, and talk it some, I've been
+told?" Elmer went on.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I can really converse with some Italian men.
+Don't know about a woman, though. But I'll do my best
+to make her see things straight."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I like to hear you talk that way, George," continued
+Elmer; "the true scout is always ready to do his best.
+And I think you're going to make a fine addition to our
+troop before long."</p>
+
+<p>"After I've told her, what then?" asked George, who
+looked pleased at hearing these words of praise from one
+he respected as highly as he did Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you must bring her along, and rejoin us. Lil
+Artha and Mark will accompany you, because all ought to
+be in at the finish. You understand, don't you, George?"</p>
+
+<p>"I sure do. Come on, Ted, show me the way down to
+the old shack. As we go along I'll be brushing up my
+Italian words so as to spring 'em on the old lady. This
+way, Ted."</p>
+
+<p>"And while you're jabbering with the woman, why, perhaps
+now I might be amuthing mythelf doctoring the
+noble woundth of our two chumth," declared the fellow who
+was never so happy as when engaged in the work of a
+doctor.</p>
+
+<p>Why, some of the boys often called Ted "Sawbones,"
+because he gave himself over, heart and soul, to his one
+great hobby.</p>
+
+<p>So the two of them vanished down the side of the hill.
+As their voices died away among the thickets Elmer turned
+his attention to the task of finding and following the trail
+of the Italians.</p>
+
+<p>"Show me where you saw it last, Matty," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Here you are, then," came the reply; "that footprint
+is as plain as anything."</p>
+
+<p>"So it is," remarked Elmer, after studying the mark
+briefly. "Our chum made that, I'm positive."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then he must have done it on purpose," said Matty,
+"because I've noticed that one footprint right along."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Good for Nat," he remarked. "If he don't dare use
+his voice and call out to us, he's doing everything in his
+power to show us the trail. That's what he's learned of
+scouting tactics. I'm glad he remembered. It shows how
+much a fellow can learn."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," remarked Matty; "I see it all plain
+enough right now; but d'ye know the suspicion never did
+break in on me that these tracks had been made purposely,
+and by Nat? Why, I just had an idea one of the bunch
+was a little careless, that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you'll know better after this, Matty. But stand
+back, and let's see what luck I'll have, if so be you fellows
+haven't killed the trail by running around."</p>
+
+<p>They watched his actions eagerly, each fellow bent on
+learning all he could of the science that was already proving
+to be so interesting.</p>
+
+<p>First of all Elmer took a comprehensive survey of the
+ground above; for everyone understood that those they
+were tracking must be aiming to reach some cave or crevice
+farther up the slope.</p>
+
+<p>Then, having settled in his mind about where the fugitives
+might be aiming for, the scout master began to look
+for marks on the rocks.</p>
+
+<p>For a little while he found it very hard work, indeed, but
+after reaching the limits of the search maintained by Matty
+and those with him, the task became considerably easier.</p>
+
+<p>And mindful of his position as acting scout master to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+troop during the temporary absence of Mr. Garrabrant,
+Elmer made it a point to explain more or less as he went
+along.</p>
+
+<p>"See, here is where one of the men slipped on this rock,
+and left a new scratch. And this shows where another
+broke a twig off this branch in passing. You can see it
+has been freshly done, because the green leaves do not show
+much sign of wilting."</p>
+
+<p>In this fashion, then, he not only intensely interested his
+followers, but continued to make progress all the while.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the boys were eager to get points on such an
+engaging subject as trail finding. These hung upon his
+every word, examined the marks to which Elmer drew their
+attention, commented upon the same among themselves, and
+several even went so far as to take out memorandum books
+in which they hastily scribbled such notes as would enable
+them to remember.</p>
+
+<p>All the while they were climbing higher, and by degrees
+found themselves in a wilder section than any of them had
+dreamed existed so near their home town of Hickory Ridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like there might be a few caves around such a
+place as this," remarked Red, as he wiped his face with
+the red bandana handkerchief which he had hung cowboy
+fashion around his neck, with the knot at the back.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's a dead-sure thing," replied Ty, who happened
+to be close at his elbow at the time. "Fact is, I've
+seen several myself. Anyhow, they were dark, ugly looking
+holes between big rocks, and if this was a game country
+I'd say they might be bear dens or the homes of wolves."</p>
+
+<p>All this sort of talk tended to key the anticipations of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+the boys up to a point where they were expecting almost
+anything to happen.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer paid no attention to side issues. There might be
+a dozen likely looking hiding places along the route, but
+they did not interest him an iota so long as that faintly
+marked trail continued.</p>
+
+<p>He had about all he cared to do, moving from one spot
+where a stone had been freshly dislodged to another point
+at which the moss and lichen had been torn from a sloping
+rock by a foot that accidentally or purposely slipped.</p>
+
+<p>There were possibly some little indications, which to his
+mind told that they might now be drawing near the place
+where the panic-stricken Italians were hiding. If so, Elmer
+did not confide this to his companions, perhaps because he
+might not himself be so very sure, but more probably on
+account of not wishing to waste more or less precious time
+in explaining on what vague grounds he founded his theory.</p>
+
+<p>The trees still grew around them, springing out of spaces
+between the rocks. They were more stunted than those
+in the great forest that covered the richer bottom lands,
+but as a rule they served as a canopy overhead, and only
+occasional glimpses could be obtained of the country beyond.</p>
+
+<p>By this time some of the scouts had begun to feel the
+effect of the climb, for there is nothing more fatiguing than
+ascending a steep hill.</p>
+
+<p>Still they proved their grit by keeping on, as if determined
+to stick it out.</p>
+
+<p>Even fat Landy Smith, while actually panting for breath,
+and mopping his forehead with a damp handkerchief, stubbornly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+declined to own himself in the "has been" class,
+as Red called it.</p>
+
+<p>They were moving along what seemed to be a little
+plateau, at the end of which arose a cliff seamed with numerous
+cracks and scars.</p>
+
+<p>Elmer had smiled when he cast a glance toward the rocky
+wall, just as if he could scent the end of the trail close
+at hand.</p>
+
+<p>But he was already halfway across the level territory,
+with the scouts scattered back of him, when without the
+least warning there suddenly sounded a shot that seemed
+to come from somewhere ahead; and the report gave each
+scout a strange chill in the region of his heart.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>RESCUED&mdash;CONCLUSION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Scatter, and hide!"</p>
+
+<p>It was Elmer who shouted this order. He had not heard
+any sound as of a bullet passing, and did not know but
+that the shot had been fired simply for the purpose of a
+warning.</p>
+
+<p>Still, there was no need of their taking chances. And
+as he gave the command, Elmer was one of the first to seek
+the shelter of a near-by rock.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the valiant scouts scurried around, each
+eagerly desirous of finding some sort of snug retreat.</p>
+
+<p>No further shots came, much to the satisfaction of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+boys, and inside of half a minute not a figure was to be
+seen upon the little plateau.</p>
+
+<p>It chanced that Red had selected the same rock as Elmer
+picked out, behind which to crouch.</p>
+
+<p>And of course Red could not long remain silent, since
+his overcharged feelings just had to find a vent.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew, this is what I call warm!" he said, puffing.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean the weather, or the fact that we have been
+under fire?" asked Elmer, who was looking out from
+his end of the rock, and trying to size the situation up.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I guess both of 'em would pass muster, all
+right," Red went on. "You don't think any fellow got
+hurt, do you, Elmer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not any. Fact is," continued the scout master, "I've
+a pretty good hunch the shot was not fired at us, but into
+the air, warning us to keep off or we might get hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"The ginnies fired it, of course, Elmer?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure of that."</p>
+
+<p>"And we've cornered the bunch at last, hey? You
+did the trick, Elmer. Trust you for following even half a
+trail blindfolded. But say, do you know where they're
+holding the fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've got something of an idea," replied Elmer. "If
+you look up the face of the cliff, Red, you'll notice a bunch
+of green stuff growing. I think there must be a shelf of
+rock there, and perhaps a cave back of it."</p>
+
+<p>"But what makes you think that, Elmer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I saw the powder smoke puff out from those
+little bushes when the report sounded," replied Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>"But my stars! that's all of fifty feet up. How d'ye<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+suppose those dagoes could get up there?" continued the
+one who sought information.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that would just as likely as not turn out to be
+easy enough, once you got started. Perhaps there's some
+sort of path leading up the face of the cliff, and which we
+just can't see from here."</p>
+
+<p>"What're we going to do, Elmer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing&mdash;just now, anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"Just sit on our haunches, and wait for our birds to
+drop into our hands, eh?" pursued Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, perhaps we may have to fight for it in the end, but
+I'm hoping for an easier wind up to the affair," Elmer continued,
+musingly.</p>
+
+<p>"You think the old woman may help out?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know she will, if George can only succeed in convincing
+her that we're friends, not enemies."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we're waiting till they arrive?" asked Red.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to give the signal for retiring as soon as
+the boys get their breath back," remarked the scout master.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they might be in better places, because the sun
+feels scorching to me right now," grumbled Red.</p>
+
+<p>"Then pick out your new roost, and be ready to migrate
+as soon as you hear the whistle. Pass the word along, too,
+Red."</p>
+
+<p>Presently it was understood that when the scout master
+gave the signal every fellow was expected to crawl or dart
+away, seeking through one way or another to get out of
+the fire zone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I hope George has succeeded in explaining everything
+to the woman by now," remarked Red.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure he has, and that the whole of them are even
+now on the way here to wind up this business," Elmer declared
+most confidently.</p>
+
+<p>When ten minutes had gone by, and he felt sure that
+all of the scouts knew what they were expected to do, Elmer
+took out his whistle.</p>
+
+<p>Then the shrill notes sounded, cutting the air as though
+charged with irresistible force.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately everybody got busy. Khaki-clad figures
+could be seen darting this way and that, but none of them
+made any attempt to advance. This sort of move might be
+expected to anger the Italians, without doing any good, and
+the scouts had been warned against it.</p>
+
+<p>There came no second discharge of firearms, and from
+this fact it seemed evident that the unseen enemy understood
+that there was nothing hostile connected with this
+action on the part of the scouts.</p>
+
+<p>Again did Red and Elmer find themselves good neighbors
+as they arrived at a pile of rocks, behind which they
+sought shelter.</p>
+
+<p>"All safe?" asked the former.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, as far as I know," came the answer. "Landy fell
+all over himself, and started to roll downhill, but one
+of the other fellows pulled him up. He was limping to
+beat the band, but I hope it's nothing serious."</p>
+
+<p>"No danger," chuckled Red. "Landy is too well padded
+to suffer much from a fall. Now do we just wait
+here till the others fetch the lady?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's a part of the contract," said Elmer; "so just
+make yourself as comfy as you can."</p>
+
+<p>"And watch the big rock there, eh, Elmer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if you want. We would feel pretty cheap if they
+took a sly sneak, and left us in the lurch."</p>
+
+<p>Elmer settled down as though he thought there was no
+use borrowing trouble. And seeing their leader take things
+in such a matter-of-fact way the balance of the scouts followed
+suit.</p>
+
+<p>Confidence thus begets confidence in others; and this in
+itself was one of Elmer's reasons for acting as he did.</p>
+
+<p>The minutes passed.</p>
+
+<p>Several times did impatient Red get up on his knees to
+take a look down the hill.</p>
+
+<p>"Shucks! but they're a long time coming," he mumbled.
+"Perhaps, after all, the old woman was too sharp for the
+bunch&mdash;perhaps she's tucked 'em away in the cabin&mdash;turning
+the tables on our four chums&mdash;perhaps, now&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Right there Red stopped in his predictions of evil.</p>
+
+<p>"There they come," said Elmer, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>One hasty look satisfied Red that his comrade spoke only
+the truth. Moving figures caught his eye just a little way
+down the slope.</p>
+
+<p>These presently developed into four boys, three of whom
+were clad in khaki. The other, who was, of course, George,
+the interpreter, kept close at the side of the Italian woman.</p>
+
+<p>Now and then she seemed to address some remark to
+George, which he doubtless answered to the best of his
+ability. When his vocabulary proved unequal to the task<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+he would finish with a series of gestures and shrugs as he
+had seen chattering Italians do.</p>
+
+<p>And presently they reached the spot where the balance
+of the scouts held forth.</p>
+
+<p>The woman surveyed them as she came up, but Elmer
+noticed that she did not seem afraid now.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you've done the business, George," he remarked
+to the new recruit.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the other, with a broad grin, "that's
+what I think myself, Elmer."</p>
+
+<p>"She understands now who we are, and that we haven't
+any intention of doing her men any harm&mdash;you explained
+all that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure. And you can see now that instead of looking
+scared, she's ready to grin if you give her any encouragement,"
+replied George.</p>
+
+<p>"And she knows that we want her to go out with us
+and have a talk with her old man, telling him what a fool
+he's been making of himself. She understands all that,
+does she?"</p>
+
+<p>"Like a book, and is ready to do the trick. We'll have
+our Nat back in short order, now," George continued, looking
+proud and happy because he had been able to prove
+of such valuable assistance to his fellow scouts, even before
+he got his uniform.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, then. The sooner we start the ball rolling
+the better. Come along, George."</p>
+
+<p>Presently the two of them were escorting the Italian
+woman toward the foot of the cliff.</p>
+
+<p>When two thirds of the way there an angry, excitable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+voice stopped them. On looking up they could see several
+heads topping the sparse vegetation that undoubtedly grew
+along a ledge.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, tell her to talk, George!" said Elmer.</p>
+
+<p>There was hardly any need, for the woman had broken
+loose on her own account. And such chattering as followed&mdash;Lil
+Artha afterward declared it reminded him of
+a monkey cage when one of the inmates had taken more
+than his share of the dinner provided.</p>
+
+<p>But the woman did most of the talking. She also scolded,
+stamped her foot, and even shook her fist up at those above.</p>
+
+<p>Evidently her arguments must have had a convincing
+ring about them, for suddenly she turned to George and
+smiled amiably as she said something, and made a suggestive
+movement of both shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all right, Elmer," declared George.</p>
+
+<p>"Are they going to do what we want?" asked the scout
+master, greatly pleased.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure. And I reckon there he comes now. One of the
+men seems to be helping Nat down the path that runs along
+the face of the rock. Bully! We win out!"</p>
+
+<p>A loud cheer from the scouts told how they were enjoying
+the situation.</p>
+
+<p>Nat Scott waved his hand to them in greeting, for, having
+lost his hat at the shack, he was bareheaded.</p>
+
+<p>The Italian was still a little suspicious, for he would come
+only two thirds of the way down. But Nat easily made the
+balance, and was soon shaking hands with everyone of
+his mates, just as though he had been separated from them
+for a week.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Leaving the woman to rejoin her people the scouts made
+their way down the side of the mountain until they reached
+the mill pond.</p>
+
+<p>Nat's story was brief, and just about what Elmer had
+guessed. In prowling around he had unexpectedly come
+upon the three men.</p>
+
+<p>They had seized upon him and threatened him with their
+knives if he so much as gave a yell. He had been kept for
+a short time in the shack. Then Landy's prowling around
+seemed to fill the Italians with a new alarm, and the three
+men, together with the woman, had hastily fled.</p>
+
+<p>On the way up the mountain the woman had discovered
+the loss of something, and gone back.</p>
+
+<p>Then the men forced him to hurry along, and finally
+landed him on that secret ledge where he believed there
+was some sort of cave.</p>
+
+<p>That was all Nat knew, and the whole thing smacked
+strongly of mystery until he heard what Elmer's theory was.</p>
+
+<p>"Anyhow," Nat said, with considerable satisfaction in
+his voice and manner, "they didn't scare me one little
+bit. And besides, Elmer, in lots of places I went and made
+plain marks that I just knew you could read any old time."</p>
+
+<p>"That stamps you a true-blue scout, Nat," declared
+Elmer, "and I think the troop has reason to be proud of
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Three cheers for Comrade Nat Scott," suggested impulsive
+Red; and they were given with such a vim that many
+of the big bullfrogs along the farther bank jumped into
+the mill pond in great alarm.</p>
+
+<p>As their main object had been carried out while on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+way to the haunted mill, and there was no further reason
+for lingering after they had eaten the "snack" carried
+along for this purpose, the Hickory Ridge troop of scouts
+took up the homeward march.</p>
+
+<p>After talking it all over among themselves it was decided
+that their duty compelled them to give the game and fish
+warden a hint as to what was probably going on up at
+Munsey's mill.</p>
+
+<p>He went there with a deputy two days later, but the
+Italians had taken warning and fled. However, the warden
+found and destroyed several nets with which the fish poachers
+had been illegally gathering the finny prizes in the
+long-deserted pond.</p>
+
+<p>There was one disappointed scout in the troop however,
+and this was Chatz Maxfield.</p>
+
+<p>He always would feel as though he had missed the opportunity
+of his life in spending some time at a haunted
+mill which was supposed to support a good lively ghost,
+and never once chancing to come upon the hobgoblin.</p>
+
+<p>However, Chatz would continue to live in hope.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, everyone was positive that he had learned
+a host of valuable things calculated to make him take
+higher rank as a woodsman, and a true scout. And no
+doubt in the annals of the Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts that
+little hike to Munsey's mill would always be read and re-read
+with the keenest interest, and take rank with the
+greatest of their achievements.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd4">THE END.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+<h2><big>ADDENDA</big><br /><br />
+BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE</h2>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p>
+<p class="hd4">BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE<br />
+HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES.</p>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+
+
+<tr><td class="td3"><span class="curly">}</span>Wild Animals of the United States<br />Tracking</td><td class="td3">in Number I.</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="td4" colspan="2">The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol.</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+
+<tr><td class="td3" colspan="2">Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="td4" colspan="2">Woodcraft, or How a Patrol Leader Made Good.</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td3" colspan="2">Reptiles of the United States in Number III.</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="td4" colspan="2">Pathfinder, or the Missing Tenderfoot.</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td3" colspan="2">Fishes of the United States in Number IV.</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="td4" colspan="2">Fast Nine, or a Challenge from Fairfield.</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td3" colspan="2">Insects of the United States in Number V.</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="td4" colspan="2">Great Hike, or the Pride of the Khaki Troop.</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td class="td3" colspan="2">Birds of the United States in Number VI.</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="td4" colspan="2">Endurance Test, or How Clear Grit Won the Day.</td></tr>
+<tr><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE REPTILES OF THE UNITED STATES.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The reptiles are a class of vertebrate animals. By vertebrate
+animals is meant those having a backbone. Reptiles
+are cold-blooded animals having scaly skins, and breathing
+by lungs and not by gills as do the fish. Strange as it may
+seem they are related to the birds. In prehistoric times they
+were of enormous size and many of them were capable of
+flying. Fossil forms of reptiles are very numerous and
+scientists have given these fossil forms such sonorous names
+as Dinosaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs and Pterosaurs.
+These names are made up of Greek words meaning terrible
+lizards, fish lizards, near lizards and winged lizards.</p>
+
+<p>The class of reptiles is made up of five orders:</p>
+
+<p class="outof">
+Sphenodons;<br />
+Lacertilia;<br />
+Ophidia;<br />
+Chelonia;<br />
+Crocodilia.</p>
+
+<p>Of the Sphenodons, there is but one living representative.
+Its home is in New Zealand. Zoologists tell us that
+this reptile is more closely related to its fossil cousins than
+any other now in existence. Since we are considering only
+those reptiles which an American boy may find living in
+their natural haunts in his home land, discussion of the
+Sphenodon is out of place in this article. We recommend,
+however, that you read up about this curious creature that
+links the gigantic prehistoric lizards with the little creatures
+of to-day's world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;">
+<img src="images/005.png" width="700" height="435" alt="" title="" />
+PTEROSAURS.</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p>
+<h2><big>THE LIZARDS</big></h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE LACERTILIA OR LIZARDS.</h2>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 504px;">
+<img src="images/006.png" width="504" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+LIZARDS.<br /><br />1. ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARD.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+2. PACIFIC SWIFT.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+3. COLLARED LIZARD.<br />
+4. WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+5. COMMON SWIFT OR FENCE LIZARD.</div>
+
+<p>Lizards differ from snakes in that the right and left
+halves of the lower jaw are joined together by bone instead
+of elastic ligament and in that they have legs and eyelids.
+They are found in the warmer climates. Most of them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+live on insects, but some types as, for instance, the Iguanas,
+live entirely on vegetable matter, while others prey on
+birds, mice, frogs, etc.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Geckos.</p>
+
+<p>The Geckos form a large sub-order of lizards. Their
+chief characteristic is their adhesive toes, which enable
+them to cling to and run on smoothest surfaces even when
+upside down. They do not like the hot sunlight and largely
+feed at twilight and at night. The Reef Gecko is found
+in Florida; the Warty Gecko, so called on account of the
+rows of large wart-like scales on its back and sides, inhabits
+Lower California; the Cape Gecko, Lower California;
+the Banded Gecko, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona
+and California. The latter is the most gaudily marked
+of the Geckos found in the United States and is likewise
+the most abundant. It may be seen at dusk coming out
+of rock crevices to feed on small insects. Many consider
+this lizard poisonous and its saliva is supposed to produce
+painful skin eruptions. Authorities, however, tell us
+that this is not so. The first three Geckos mentioned live
+largely in trees, but the Banded Gecko lives on or near
+the ground.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Chameleons.</p>
+
+<p>The American Chameleons are not true chameleons, but
+belong to the same family as the Iguana. They have come
+to be known as Chameleons because, like the rightful
+owners of that name, they change the color of their bodies.
+This change is occasioned by the differences of temperature
+and light. One species is found in the United States
+and is known under various names, such as the green
+lizard, the fence lizard and the alligator lizard. It is called
+alligator lizard from its resemblance to a young alligator.
+This lizard is found in the southeastern United States
+from North Carolina to Florida. The common colors of
+the American Chameleon or the Anolis, which is its scientific<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+name, are brown and green. These colors vary with
+conditions. When asleep, for instance, this little reptile
+is green above and white below, and when fighting or
+frightened it becomes green; at other times it is brown.
+Raymond L. Ditmars, Curator of Reptiles in the New
+York Zoological Park, says that in collecting these lizards
+and placing them in wire-covered boxes, he has "always
+noted their change from various hues, prior to capture,
+to a scrambling collection of several dozen emerald-green
+lizards. If the gauze cage be laid down for half an hour
+or so while the collector rests, the lizards soon take on a
+brownish tinge, but as soon as the box is again carried
+about and the occupants are shaken up and frightened,
+the brilliant color appears among them all." He further
+says that "there is no relation or influence between the
+lizard's colors and its surroundings. The change of color
+is brought about principally through temperature and light
+and their influences on the creature's activity; also by
+anger, fear and sleep."</p>
+
+<p>The Anolis stalks its prey like a cat does a mouse. It
+crouches and creeps forward for the final spring with
+motions that are exactly similar. It lives in trees and feeds
+upon insects. These little creatures make interesting pets
+and will soon learn to take their food from your hand. The
+proper quarters for it is a wire-covered fernery which
+should be placed in a warm but moist situation and the
+foliage daily sprinkled with water. The Anolis is a great
+water drinker and will find the drops adhering to the
+leaves of the plants.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Iguanas.</p>
+
+<p>There are but few species of Iguanas found in the United
+States and these only in the southwestern part. They are
+large in size and have a crest of spiny scales running along
+the neck and back. They use their tails as weapons of
+offense and defense. The Cape Iguana is a species found
+only in Lower California. The tail is ringed with large
+spines. The Black Iguana is found in southern Arizona.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+It is a great fighter when at bay and is then no mean
+antagonist. It does not invite a fight, however, but will
+run if there is any chance of escape. Both of these Iguanas
+reach about four feet in length. They have large appetites
+and eat both animal and vegetable matter&mdash;birds,
+small animals and tender vegetation. In central and southern
+America their flesh is prized as a food and it is said
+to have the flavor of chicken. They live part of the time
+in trees and part of the time on the ground. The Desert
+Iguana, however, is terrestrial. It is found in the desert
+parts of the southwestern United States&mdash;in Colorado, California,
+Arizona and Nevada. It is largely vegetarian. The
+tail is brittle, and to free itself when held by it, this creature
+will easily and readily snap it off.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;">
+<img src="images/007.png" width="700" height="284" alt="" title="" />
+IGUANA.</div>
+
+
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Chuckawalla.</p>
+
+<p>There is only one of these that is fairly common in the
+United States and that is found in the deserts of the
+southwest. It is the largest lizard found there except the
+Gila Monster which will be described later. The body of
+the Chuckawalla is broad and the legs short. Its length
+averages about a foot. It lives mostly among the rocks of
+the deserts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Collared Lizard.</p>
+
+<p>This lizard is so called on account of the markings of
+the neck, which have the appearance of a double black
+collar. The throat is an orange color. It is one of the
+most gayly colored of the small lizards. It is quite common
+in the dry and stony parts of the western states and
+in western Texas is very abundant. It is a great eater
+and is not afraid to fight for its dinner. One peculiarity
+of this lizard is its ability to run on its hind legs. It will
+gulp and bolt food as large as itself.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Leopard Lizard.</p>
+
+<p>In color it is yellow, spotted with dark spots and lined
+across the back with dull red lines. Its habitat includes
+Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and
+Texas.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Zebra-tailed Lizards.</p>
+
+<p>These are small ground lizards found from Texas to
+California, especially in the dry sections. They run with
+great rapidity with the tail curved upward, which exposes
+the markings of the lower surface. Frequently they run
+like the Collared Lizard, on the hind feet. The black-and-white
+tail markings account for their name.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Spotted Lizards.</p>
+
+<p>These are small ground lizards found in many states
+from Kansas to California and southward. They are very
+quick in their movements. Their food consists of insects
+of the more sluggish type. They do not stalk their prey
+like the chameleons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Swifts.</p>
+
+<p>There are a great many species of these small lizards in
+the United States. They live on the ground among rocks in
+dry places and are called swifts on account of the speed
+with which they are able to get over the ground. Some
+of them are covered with spiny scales. Clark's Swift is
+abundant in certain parts of the country. It is found in
+California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah. It is fond
+of the strongest sunlight. The Yellow Striped Swift is
+found from Texas to Nebraska on the north, into Mexico
+on the south and California on the west.</p>
+
+<p>The Common Swift is found abundantly both in the
+eastern and in the western United States. They like dry,
+sandy places among fallen trees, fences, old wood, etc. In
+color they are gray and are usually in harmony with their
+surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>The Collared Swift lives among rocks in Arizona, New
+Mexico and Texas. It has a black collar with very sharp
+spiny scales.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Horned Lizard.</p>
+
+<p>These lizards are commonly called Horned Toads, because
+of their resemblance in the shape of their bodies to that of a
+toad and of their spiny scales which have the appearance
+of small horns. Their habitat is in the hottest and driest
+parts of the country. They are fond of the hottest sunlight
+and bury themselves in sand at the approach of
+evening.</p>
+
+<p>The Regal Horned Lizard is found in Arizona and Colorado.</p>
+
+<p>The California Horned Lizard is found abundantly in
+sections of California.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 515px;">
+<img src="images/008.png" width="515" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+HORNED TOAD.</div>
+
+
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Snake-like Lizards.</p>
+
+<p>These lizards have elongated bodies with either small
+limbs or no external evidence of such. Some cannot be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+easily distinguished from snakes. On close examination it
+will be seen that there is a ridge along each side of the
+body.</p>
+
+<p>The Keeled Lizard has a habit of keeping its tongue protruded
+and will wipe its lips with it after feeding. Its
+tail is easily separated from its body and when so separated,
+the broken off portion wriggles violently. New tails
+grow on. It is found in California, Oregon, Washington
+and eastward from California to Texas.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The "Glass-Snake" has no limbs and to the eye of anyone
+but a naturalist would easily be mistaken for a snake.
+What distinguishes it from a snake is the presence of eyelids
+and ear holes. It occurs in many localities. It is
+common from the Carolinas to Florida and as far north
+as Illinois. Like the Keeled Lizard it has the ability to
+shed a very lively, wriggling tail. It feeds on worms and
+slugs that it finds by burrowing and will occasionally
+break and eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Beaded Lizards.</p>
+
+<p>This is a family of large lizards whose bodies look as
+if covered with beads. They are held to be poisonous by
+well-known authorities and are the only poisonous lizards
+found in the states.</p>
+
+<p>The Gila Monster (pronounced Hee-la) has a thick body
+with short limbs and a short tail. In color it is pink and
+black. Its length is about a foot and a half. It is found
+in New Mexico and Arizona and is named after the river
+Gila, the valley of which it inhabits. The creature will
+defend itself viciously and will hold on tenaciously with
+its strong jaws. The eggs are buried in the sand.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">Xanthus Lizards.</p>
+
+<p>Small lizards that are found where the tree yuccas grow.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Race Runners.</p>
+
+<p>These are easily distinguished by the yellow stripes on
+their bodies. They are to be found in the dry, sandy portions
+of the western states, burrowing in the sand and when
+pursued taking refuge in these burrows.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Worm Lizards.</p>
+
+<p>These are a low grade of lizards that live underground
+like worms. The Worm Lizard, found in Florida, is scarcely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+any larger around than an earthworm. It is able to move
+backward or forward in the earth, the end of the tail being
+shaped similar to the head.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Skinks.</p>
+
+<p>This is a large family. They are burrowing lizards. The
+Red Headed Lizard is widely distributed throughout the
+United States. It is very timid and extremely difficult to
+capture. Its color changes with its age. The Black Banded
+Skink is found in the central portions of the United States.
+The Florida Skink in southern Florida. The Black Skink
+from Pennsylvania southward to Texas.</p>
+
+<p>Here we reach the end of the order of reptiles known as
+lizards; the next order is that of the snakes.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p>
+<h2><big>THE SNAKES</big></h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE OPHIDIA OR SNAKES.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Snakes are closely related to lizards. Some lizards, as you
+have already seen, are very much like snakes in form. The
+main distinguishing features of the snake are the elastic tissue
+which connects the two halves of the lower jaw and the
+absence of eyelids. Snakes are carnivorous and are capable
+of moving with great ease and swiftness notwithstanding
+their lack of limbs. They cast their skins several times
+a year. Many of the snakes are poisonous, and authorities
+tell us that there is no external characteristic that indicates
+which are poisonous and which are not.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Blind Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>This is a low form of snake. They are worm-like and
+burrowing. The Texas Blind Snake is found in Texas and
+New Mexico. The California Blind Snake in California
+and Mexico.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Boas.</p>
+
+<p>The most common member of this family that comes
+within the range of this article is a snake that is found
+in the Pacific states and eastward as far as Nevada. It
+is over a foot in length and about half an inch in diameter.
+Various names have been given to it; in certain sections
+it is called the Rubber Boa, in others the Silver Snake,
+Two-headed Snake, Worm Snake. The name Two-headed
+Snake is given it evidently on account of the stubby appearance
+of the tail end.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Ribbon Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>These snakes have a yellow stripe along the back and the
+sides. They are long, slim snakes; specimens have been seen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+that measured nearly three feet long, although the average
+length is about two feet. It is found east of the Mississippi,
+but is not common. It frequents the banks of water
+to feed on young frogs and so forth. They swim well and
+are at home in the water. In the Western Ribbon Snake
+the back stripe is darker than those on the side, or in some
+instances a different color.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Garter Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>These are found all over the United States and are perfectly
+harmless. They are abundant. Burrowing in the
+ground in the late fall they remain there all winter. Even
+the boy living in the large cities may, without going out
+of the city limits, find these snakes. They are quite commonly
+found in large public parks. They like frogs and
+toads and bolt their food. There are many varieties of this
+snake. Both the Ribbon Snakes and the Garter Snakes belong
+to the genus Eut&aelig;nia, which is the most numerous
+of those of the United States. They are all striped snakes
+and are very much like the water snakes in structure.
+There is no easily distinguished characteristic that would
+enable a boy, at a glance, to tell a Garter Snake. They
+vary widely in color and marking.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Water Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>Here is another genus of snakes that is found commonly
+in many sections of our country. They frequent the vicinity
+of water and swim with ease, feeding on frogs, toads,
+fish. The Queen Snake is found generally east of the
+Mississippi Valley. It is brown above and has yellow
+stripes on the side. The Banded Water Snake is the water
+snake which is commonly found in the southern part of
+the United States east of Texas. It closely resembles the
+Moccasin, a poisonous snake, and is often mistaken for it.
+It attains an average length of over a yard. When alarmed,
+like all the water snakes, it takes to the water for refuge.
+This genus never preys on birds or mice. It is one of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+most common of the southern snakes. The Red-bellied
+Water Snake is found in the east, but not north of Virginia.
+The Common Water Snake is the northern representative
+of this genus. These snakes are popularly known
+as "Moccasins." The Diamond Back Water Snake is common
+along the lower Mississippi states. They average four
+feet in length. May be seen on low branches overhanging
+water. The Green Water Snake is similar in habit to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+the Diamond Back and is found in the Gulf and the Mississippi
+Valley states. One peculiarity of the water snakes
+is their love of their home. They pick out a particular
+sunning place and will return to it regularly.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 453px;">
+<img src="images/009.png" width="453" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+WATER SNAKE.</div>
+
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Ground Snake or Brown Snake.</p>
+
+<p>This is a common snake, found all over the United States
+east of the Rocky Mountains. It is small in size, about a
+foot long and slender, and hides under stones, where it
+probably feeds on the worms and forms of insect life that
+live in such places.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Racers.</p>
+
+<p>The serpents of this type are very active and nervous.
+The Gopher Snake, or Indigo Snake, is one of the largest
+found in the United States. It has been known to measure
+over eight feet in length. It is found from Texas eastward in
+the Gulf states. Its scales have a polished appearance and
+are blue black in color. It may be seen in sandy stretches.
+When feeding it holds its prey down with part of its body.
+It is not particular as to its diet and will eat birds with
+the same relish as cold-blooded frogs and toads. In the
+Central and South American countries this snake is highly
+valued as a "ratter" and frequents human habitations
+without fear. The Black Snake is abundant in the United
+States. It has a bad reputation. It is said to be a fearless
+fighter, not afraid to attack man even, and to be able to
+"charm" its prey within its reach. These attributes are
+popular beliefs without any basis of fact. It is fond of
+small birds and field mice and is what may be called a
+meadow snake. When frightened it speeds away at an
+incredible rate. The Coachwhip Snake, found in the southeast,
+is even more agile than the Black Snake, and like that
+serpent, will eat smaller snakes. It gets its name from
+its slender structure and similarity of the appearance of
+its scale distribution to a plaited whip. The Striped Racer
+of the southwestern states is very long and slender.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Rat Snakes or Colubers.</p>
+
+<p>These are large, strong snakes that squeeze and crush
+their prey by coiling themselves around it. They are useful
+to the farmer, as they inhabit grainfields and prey on
+the rats and mice. An easy way to tell these snakes is by
+their flat belly. The Fox Snake is quite common in the
+Central states. It averages about four feet long. It derives
+its name from an odor which it is able to eject,
+which smells not unlike that of the fox. Often it will kill
+and eat animals as large as rabbits. It deposits its eggs
+in some natural hollow and leaves them there to hatch. A
+snake that is abundant in the southeastern states is known
+by the various names of Corn Snake, Red Chicken Snake,
+Mouse Snake, Scarlet Racer and Red Coluber. It is red,
+black and white. It is not as much of a climber as the
+Racers are, nor is it as agile; but it is braver and will fight
+when cornered. It is frequently found in cornfields, hence
+its name. The Pilot Black Snake or Mountain Black Snake
+is often taken for the Common Black Snake. Its head is
+larger and it is spotted with white. It is a snake frequently
+found in the same locations as the rattlesnake and copperhead.
+The Chicken Snake is fond of eggs and young
+chickens. Like the Fox Snake it will emit an unpleasant
+odor when caught.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Bull Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>The Pine or Bull Snake is one of the largest snakes
+found in the east. It is found in the sandy pine woods
+of the coast. When disturbed it is vicious in appearance,
+hisses loudly and strikes vigorously. It feeds on small animals
+and birds. It is also called the Gopher Snake. "The
+Yellow Gopher" Snake is found in the middle and western
+states.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Green Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>The Green Whip Snake or Magnolia Snake is green above,
+yellow below. It feeds on insects and is a good climber.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+In color it so perfectly matches the leaves and grass that
+detection is difficult. The "Grass Snake" is a common
+snake of the northeastern states.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Ring-necked Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>The eastern Ring-necked Snake is found in the eastern
+portion of the United States. It has a yellow ring about
+the neck. This snake is not given to venturing abroad,
+but prefers to lie under stones and the loose bark of trees.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The King Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>These snakes are remarkable for their colors. They are
+banded around their bodies with rings of bright colors.
+They will eat rats and mice and other snakes. The Milk
+Snake or "Checkered Adder" is popularly supposed to
+be fond of milk. Scientists tell us that this is a fallacy.
+It feeds on mice, rats, other snakes and lizards. The Red
+Milk Snake is prettily colored&mdash;red and yellow&mdash;and is the
+type found in the south. All the King Snakes have pronounced
+patterns. More than in any other genus is the
+habit of feeding on its kind developed&mdash;attacking, and
+usually successfully, snakes larger than themselves. It
+is from this characteristic that they derive their name. It
+is bitten by the poisonous snakes which it attacks but without
+effect; the King Snake tightens its grip until its adversary
+is lifeless.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Rainbow Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>These are sometimes called the mud snakes, from the
+fact that they are abundant in swamps. They burrow in
+the mud. The Red-bellied Snake is also called the Rainbow
+Snake, Mud Snake, Horn Snake and Hoop Snake.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Hog-nosed Snakes.</p>
+
+<p>These snakes are fighters. The peculiar formation of the
+mouth makes them easily distinguishable. They hiss when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+disturbed and flatten their heads and necks. They are
+popularly known as "adders" and "vipers." They are
+found in dry and sandy situations.</p>
+
+<p>The common Hog-nosed Snake is found in dry, sandy
+locations practically all through the United States except
+on the Pacific slope. It has the peculiar habit of feigning
+death when cornered. Before it tries these tactics it will
+make a terrific show of ferocity. It is capable of flattening
+its head and neck in a formidable manner and while
+assuming this attitude it hisses sharply. If this show does
+not scare away its enemy it will suddenly be seized with
+a spasm, ending by turning on its back, limp and apparently
+lifeless. When it thinks danger is past it recovers
+its normal position and quickly gets away. This snake
+is known popularly as the "Flat-headed Adder," the
+"Puff Adder," "Viper" and "Blow Snake."</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Harlequin or Coral Snake.</p>
+
+<p>Is a strikingly marked serpent. Its colors are scarlet,
+black and yellow. This snake is found in the southeastern
+and central United States. It is a near relative to the deadly
+Cobra-de-Capello and is itself poisonous. A burrowing
+reptile.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Moccasins.</p>
+
+<p>These snakes are highly poisonous. The Water Moccasin
+is one of the largest venomous snakes found in the United
+States. Some have been caught that measured four feet
+in length and almost two and a half inches around. Certain
+kinds of harmless water snakes are popularly supposed
+to be and are called "moccasins." Unless you have
+a very close knowledge of which is which, you should be
+careful how near you approach them. The Water Moccasin
+is found quite abundantly in the east from the Carolinas
+southward and along the Mississippi states as far north as
+Illinois. It likes swamps and is found abundantly in many
+southern swampy sections. This snake is often known as
+the "Cotton Mouth" Snake. It is vicious and pugnacious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+and will fight snakes of any size. The prey of this serpent
+consists of birds, frogs, other snakes, fish and small animals.
+The Copperhead derives its name from the copperish
+tint on its head. It is not as large a snake as the
+Water Moccasin, nor does it like the swamps. It frequents
+rocky locations that are thickly wooded. It has a peculiar
+habit of backing away from danger by looping its body
+and then drawing it straight again.</p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>
+<img src="images/010.png" width="700" height="407" alt="" title="" />
+THE MOCCASIN.</div>
+
+<p class="hd5">The Rattlesnakes.</p>
+
+<p>The rattlesnake is the most interesting as well as the
+most deadly of the North American serpents. Its chief
+distinguishing characteristic is the rattle at the end of tail.
+Curator Ditmars, of the New York Zoological Park, says
+that although he has "studied living examples of many
+species of deadly snakes&mdash;the South American bushmaster
+and the fer-de-lance, the African puff adder and the berg
+adder, and such East Indian species as the king cobra, the
+spectacled cobra and Russell's viper, and although there
+is indelibly stamped upon his mind the bloated body, the
+glassy stare and the rhythmic hissing of the berg adder,
+the rearing, uncanny pose of an infuriated cobra&mdash;there is
+one image vivid above all, the rattlesnake. Thrown into
+a gracefully symmetrical coil, the body inflated, the neck
+arched in an oblique bow in support of the heart-shaped
+head, the slowly waving tongue with spread and tremulous
+tips, and above all, the incessant, monotonous whir of
+the rattle. One stroke&mdash;a flash&mdash;of that flat head would
+inject a virus bringing speedy death."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 502px;">
+<img src="images/011.png" width="502" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+RATTLESNAKE.</div>
+
+<p>The rattlesnake always warns its enemy of its presence
+by its rattle. Were it not for this habit there would probably
+be many more deaths from the bites of this snake.
+The snake does not add a new ring to its rattle each year,
+as it is popularly supposed to do. The Massasauga is one
+of the smaller rattlesnakes, averaging about two feet in
+length. It inhabits swampy places. The Timber Rattlesnake
+is found from Vermont to Florida and west to Kansas.
+It is abundant in the mountains of New York, Massachusetts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+and Pennsylvania. In the spring and fall the
+snakes congregate on ledges of rocks; such places are called
+"rattlesnake dens." They spend the winter in crevices
+in these rocky places. The Timber Rattler is more timid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+than many of its cousins, preferring flight to combat, but
+if cornered will fight as fiercely. It feeds on birds and
+small animals. The largest rattlesnake is the Diamond-back.
+Specimens have been caught that measured over
+six feet long and four inches around. This snake is one
+of the most deadly in the world. It is found most abundantly
+in Florida. It is never known to strike uncoiled and
+rarely retreats from danger. The food of this snake seems
+to consist mostly of small animals. It takes but a minute
+for the poison from the Diamond-back's fangs to kill a
+rabbit.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p>
+<h2><big>THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES</big></h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE CHELONIA OR TURTLES AND TORTOISES.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Turtles and tortoises belong to the order known as Chelonia.
+There are Fresh-water Turtles, Sea Turtles and
+Land Turtles.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Sea Turtles.</p>
+
+<p>These turtles are often carried by storm far north of
+their customary habitat, which is in the warmer waters of
+the southeastern coast. The Leatherback, or Trunk Turtle,
+is the largest of the sea turtles, sometimes reaching a weight
+of half a ton. It is not found in abundance. The Loggerhead
+Turtle has a very large head. Its eggs are buried
+in the sand about May or June and the young turtles hatch
+out in about two months' time. The Green Turtle often
+strays into northern waters. The flesh of this turtle is prized
+by epicures. It will die if not placed on its back, the under
+shell being pressed by the weight of the upper shell against
+its lungs, causing suffocation. The Hawksbill Turtle is
+distinguished by the hawk-like appearance of its head. It
+is the smallest of the sea turtles and the one from which
+is obtained the sought-after tortoise shells.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>
+<img src="images/012.png" width="700" height="492" alt="" title="" />
+SEA TURTLE.</div>
+
+<p class="hd5">The Snapping Turtles.</p>
+
+<p>These are the largest of the fresh-water turtles. Like
+the snakes they strike at their prey or their enemy, and their
+sharp mandibles make them a formidable antagonist. They
+will pull down their prey under the water where they always
+feed. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is found in
+the Gulf states. A peculiarity of this reptile is the fleshy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+filament, grub-like in appearance, which it has in its mouth
+and which acts as a bait, attracting fish within the reach of
+its powerful jaws.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Mud Turtles.</p>
+
+<p>The Musk Turtle is a common type of the Mud Turtle and
+is found in abundance in the muddy streams of the eastern,
+part of the United States. It will often be taken on a fish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
+hook. It derives its name from the odor it gives forth. Seldom
+is it found out of the water. It snaps when taken in a
+way which rivals the Snapping Turtle. The common Mud
+Turtle is not as abundant as the Musk Turtle to which it is
+similar in habit, crawling along the muddy bottoms of ponds
+and rivers. The under shell of the Mud Turtles is much
+broader than that of the Musk Turtles. The Banded Mud
+Turtle, found in Georgia and Florida, has three yellow
+stripes or "bands" on its shell. The Yellow-necked Mud
+Turtle gets its name from its bright yellow neck.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Terrapins.</p>
+
+<p>The Painted Terrapin or Pond Turtle is brightly colored.
+The under shell is yellow and the upper shell is bordered
+with mottled red. It is found in the eastern United States.
+You may frequently see it taking a sunning on a partially
+submerged log, diving into the water upon your approach.
+It feeds on insects, small fishes and water weeds. In your
+aquarium it will eat small pieces of beef, fish, worms or
+tender greens. The Chicken Turtle or Long-necked Terrapin
+is found in the southeastern states. The Yellow-bellied
+Terrapin is found from Virginia to Georgia. It is one of
+the terrapins that are sold in the markets. Many may be
+seen there, especially in Charleston. The Cumberland Terrapin
+may be known by the red marking on each side of its
+head. This, too, is sold in the markets; it is found in the
+middle western states. The Diamond Back Terrapin is the
+most highly prized by epicures&mdash;seven-inch-long turtles
+bringing as much as $5 or more apiece. It is found in the
+marshes of the eastern and southeastern coast states. As
+the size increases, the price advances. They are becoming
+scarce. It always feeds under water. Grows to larger size
+in the South. The Spotted Turtle is found in abundant
+quantities in the eastern states. It has round yellow spots
+scattered over its black upper shell and may be seen near
+ponds, streams and marshy places. It is fond of water that
+is grassy, hiding therein.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Box Turtles.</p>
+
+<p>This turtle is fitted with a complete suit of armor, into
+which it can withdraw and become practically immune from
+harm. It is not an aquatic reptile, its food consisting principally
+of vegetation. It is fond of berries and is found
+most abundantly in grassy thickets. It lives many years.
+At the approach of winter it burrows into the ground.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 486px;">
+<img src="images/013.png" width="486" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+BOX TURTLE.</div>
+
+<p class="hd5">The Tortoises.</p>
+
+<p>The Tortoises live only on the land. The Gopher Tortoise
+is found from South Carolina to Florida, and west as
+far as Texas. It feeds on vegetation. It inhabits principally
+the dry and sandy places and makes long burrows into which
+it retires from the hot midday sun. The eggs of this tortoise
+are buried in the sand and are hatched by the sun's
+rays Agassiz's Tortoise, or the Desert Tortoise, is distributed
+over the deserts of Arizona and southern California.</p>
+
+
+<p class="hd5">The Soft-shelled Turtles.</p>
+
+<p>The shells of these turtles are soft and the head has the
+distinguishing characteristic of a pointed nose. They are
+aquatic and are much like the snapping turtles in habit.
+Large specimens can do damage with their sharp jaws.
+They are popularly known as "flap jack turtles," and they
+do not look unlike large pancakes. They are vicious and
+can make severe wounds or injuries. Their food is the
+same as that of the snapping turtles; in fact, they have so
+many points in common that they are often called "soft-shelled
+snapping turtles."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p>
+<h2><big>THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS</big></h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE CROCODILIA OR THE CROCODILES AND
+ALLIGATORS.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The Crocodiles and Alligators belong to that order of
+reptiles known as Crocodilia. The Alligator's head is broad
+and blunt; the Crocodile's is narrow and sharp.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 584px;">
+<img src="images/014.png" width="584" height="550" alt="" title="" />
+1. ALLIGATOR.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. CROCODILE.</div>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>The Alligators are distributed over the low and swampy
+ground from North Carolina southward, but are becoming
+rare almost to the point of extinction. Their skin is valued
+and their eggs are sought as food so that they are annually
+becoming rarer. They are afraid of man, but if cornered
+will fight. Their jaws are large, powerful and provided
+with strong teeth, capable of inflicting serious injury.
+They feed on fish, animals and birds. Alligators make a
+"bellowing" sound. The Crocodile is livelier and more
+pugnacious than the Alligator, but there are no "man-eating"
+Crocodiles in the United States.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p>
+<h2>INDEX</h2>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Adder,<ul>
+<li> Berg, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Checkered, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Flat-headed, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+<li>Puff, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Agassiz's Tortoise, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+
+<li>Alligators, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li>
+
+<li>Alligator Snapping Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Anolis, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Banded<ul>
+<li>Gecko, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+<li>Mud Turtle, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Water Snake, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Beaded Lizards, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+
+<li>Berg Adder, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Black<ul>
+<li>-banded Skink, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li>
+<li>Iguana, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li>
+<li>Snake, <a href="#Page_166">166</a><ul>
+<li>Mountain, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Pilot, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li></ul></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Blind Snakes, <a href="#Page_163">163</a><ul>
+<li>California, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Texas, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Blow Snake, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Boas, <a href="#Page_163">163</a><ul>
+<li>Rubber, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Box Turtle, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li>
+
+<li>Brown Snake, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+
+<li>Bull Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Bushmaster, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>California<ul>
+<li>Blind Snake, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Horned Toad, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Cape<ul>
+<li>Gecko, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+<li>Iguana, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Chameleon, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Checkered Adder, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+
+<li>Chelonia, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Chicken<ul>
+<li>Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><ul>
+<li>Red, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li></ul></li>
+<li>Turtle, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Chuckawalla, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li>
+
+<li>Clark's Swift, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+
+<li>Coachwhip Snake, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+
+<li>Cobra,<ul>
+<li>King, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+<li>Spectacled, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Cobra-de-Capello, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Collared<ul>
+<li>Lizard, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li>
+<li>Swift, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Colubers, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><ul>
+<li>Red, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Common Swift, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+
+<li>Copperhead, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+
+<li>Coral Snake, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Corn Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Cotton Mouth Snake, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Crocodiles, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li>
+
+<li>Crocodilia, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li>
+
+<li>Cumberland Terrapin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Desert<ul>
+<li>Iguana, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li>
+<li>Tortoise, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Diamond-back<ul>
+<li>Rattlesnake <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li>
+<li>Terrapin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Water Snake, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Dinosaurs, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Eut&aelig;nia, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Fence Lizard, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+
+<li>Fer-de-lance, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+
+<li>Flapjack Turtle, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+
+<li>Flat-headed Adder, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Florida Skink, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li>
+
+<li>Fox Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Fresh-water Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Garter Snakes, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li>
+
+<li>Gecko, <a href="#Page_152">152</a><ul>
+<li>Banded, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+<li>Cape, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+<li>Reef, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+<li>Warty, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Gila Monster, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+
+<li>Glass Snake, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+
+<li>Gopher<ul>
+<li>Snake, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Tortoise, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Grass Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+
+<li>Green<ul>
+<li>Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Water Snake, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li>
+<li>Whip Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Ground Snake, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Harlequin Snake, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Hawksbill Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Hog-nosed Snakes, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+
+<li>Hoop Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+
+<li>Horn Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+
+<li>Horned<ul>
+<li>Lizard, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+<li>Toads, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><ul>
+<li>California, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+<li>Regal, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li></ul></li></ul></li>
+</ul>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Ichthyosaurs, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+
+<li>Iguana, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a><ul>
+<li>Black, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li>
+<li>Cape, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li>
+<li>Desert, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Indigo Snake, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Keeled Lizard, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li>
+
+<li>King<ul>
+<li>Cobra, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+<li>Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li></ul></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Lacertilia, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+
+<li>Land Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Leatherback Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Leopard Lizard, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li>
+
+<li>Lizards, <a href="#Page_149">149</a><ul>
+<li>Beaded, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+<li>Collared, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li>
+<li>Fence, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+<li>Horned, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+<li>Keeled, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li>
+<li>Leopard, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li>
+<li>Red-headed, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li>
+<li>Snake-like, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+<li>Spotted, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li>
+<li>Worm, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+<li>Xanthus, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+<li>Zebra-tailed, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Loggerhead Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Long-necked Terrapin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Magnolia Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Massasauga, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+
+<li>Milk Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a><ul>
+<li>Red, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Moccasin, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><ul>
+<li>Water, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Mountain, Black, Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Mouse Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Mud<ul>
+<li>Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Turtle, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Musk Turtle, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Ophidia, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Pacific Swift, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+
+<li>Painted Terrapin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+
+<li>Pilot Black Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Pine Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Plesiosaurs, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+
+<li>Pond Turtle, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+
+<li>Pterosaurs, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li>
+
+<li>Puff Adder, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Queen Snakes, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Racers, <a href="#Page_166">166</a><ul>
+<li>Scarlet, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Striped, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Race Runners, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+
+<li>Rainbow Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+
+<li>Rattlesnakes, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a><ul>
+<li>Diamond-back, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Rat Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Red<ul>
+<li>-bellied Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a><ul>
+<li>Water Snake, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul>
+<li>Chicken Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Coluber, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Headed Lizard, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li>
+<li>Milk Snake, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Reef Gecko, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Regal Horned Toad, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li>
+
+<li>Ribbon Snakes, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+
+<li>Ring-necked Snakes, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+
+<li>Rubber Boas, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+
+<li>Russell's Viper, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Scarlet Racer, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>Sea Turtles, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li>
+
+<li>Silver Snake, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+
+<li>Skink, <a href="#Page_159">159</a><ul>
+<li>Black-banded, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li>
+<li>Florida, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Snake-like Lizards, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+
+<li>Snakes, <a href="#Page_163">163</a><ul>
+<li>Banded Water, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li>
+<li>Black, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+<li>Blind, <a href="#Page_163">163</a><ul>
+<li>California, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Texas, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li></ul></li>
+<li>Blow, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+<li>Brown, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+<li>Bull, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>California Blind, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Chicken, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><ul>
+<li>Red, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li></ul></li>
+<li>Coachwhip, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+<li>Copperhead, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+<li>Coral, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+<li>Corn, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Cotton Mouth, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+<li>Diamond-back<ul>
+<li>Rattle, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li>
+<li>Water, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li></ul></li>
+<li>Fox, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Garter, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li>
+<li>Glass, <a href="#Page_158">158</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></li>
+<li>Gopher, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Grass, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Green, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><ul>
+<li>Water, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li>
+<li>Whip, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li></ul></li>
+<li>Ground, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+<li>Harlequin, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+<li>Hog-nosed, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Hoop, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Horn, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Indigo, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+<li>King, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Magnolia, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Milk, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Mountain, Black, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Mouse, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Mud, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Pilot Black, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Pine, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Queen, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li>
+<li>Rainbow, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Rat, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Red, <a href="#Page_168">168</a><ul>
+<li>-bellied, <a href="#Page_168">168</a><ul>
+<li>Water, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li></ul></li>
+<li>Milk, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li></ul></li>
+<li>Ribbon, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Ring-necked, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li>
+<li>Silver, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Texas Blind, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Two-headed, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Water, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li>
+<li>Worm, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+<li>Yellow Gopher, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Snapping Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Soft-shelled Turtle, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+
+<li>Spectacled Cobra, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+
+<li>Sphenodon, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+
+<li>Spotted<ul>
+<li>Lizard, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li>
+<li>Turtle, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Striped Racers, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li>
+
+<li>Swifts, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><ul>
+<li>Clark's, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+<li>Collared, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+<li>Common, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+<li>Pacific, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+<li>White-bellied, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+<li>Yellow-striped, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li></ul></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Terrapin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a><ul>
+<li>Cumberland, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Diamond-back, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Long-necked, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Painted, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Yellow-bellied, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Texas Blind Snake, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+
+<li>Timber Rattlesnake, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li>
+
+<li>Tortoises, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><ul>
+<li>Agassiz's, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+<li>Desert, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+<li>Gopher, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Trunk Turtle, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+
+<li>Turtles, <a href="#Page_175">175</a><ul>
+<li>Alligator Snapping, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Banded Mud, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Box, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+<li>Chicken, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Flapjack, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+<li>Fresh-water, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Green, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Hawksbill, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Land, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Leatherback, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Loggerhead, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Mud, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li>
+<li>Musk, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li>
+<li>Pond, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Sea, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li>
+<li>Snapping, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li>
+<li>Soft-shelled, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+<li>Spotted, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Trunk, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Two-headed Snake, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Viper, <a href="#Page_169">169</a><ul>
+<li>Russell's, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li></ul></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Warty Gecko, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Water Moccasin, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Water Snakes, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a><ul>
+<li>Diamond-back, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li>
+<li>Green, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li>
+<li>Red-bellied, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li></ul></li>
+
+<li>Whip Snake, Green, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+
+<li>White-bellied Swift, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+
+<li>Worm<ul>
+<li>Lizards, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+<li>Snakes, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li></ul></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Yellow<ul>
+<li>-bellied Terrapin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li>
+<li>Gopher Snake, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li>
+<li>Striped Swift, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li></ul></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Xanthus Lizards, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>Zebra-tailed Lizards, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class="smcap">The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts</span></h2>
+
+<h3>A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS</h3>
+
+<p class="hd3">Which, in addition to the interesting boy scout stories by CAPTAIN ALAN<br />
+DOUGLAS, Scoutmaster, contain articles on nature lore, native animals<br />
+and a fund of other information pertaining to out-of-door life,<br />
+that will appeal to the boy's love of the open</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%; margin: 0 auto;' />
+
+<p class="hd6">I. The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities to use
+their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer Chenowith, a lad
+from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his familiarity with camp
+life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should read.</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="hd6">II. Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>This tale presents many stirring situations in which some of the boys are called
+upon to exercise all their ingenuity and unselfishness. A story filled with
+healthful excitement.</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="hd6">III. Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the credit
+of our young friends. A variety of incidents follow fast, one after the other.</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="hd6">IV. Fast Nine; or, a Challenge From Fairfield</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of the
+final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof, form a
+stirring narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent years.</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="hd6">V. Great Hike; or, The Pride of The Khaki Troop</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest undertaking.
+Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the
+different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing situations.</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="hd6">VI. Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of apparent
+failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and surprise their most
+ardent admirers. One of the best stories Captain Douglas has written.</p></div>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%; margin: 0 auto;' />
+
+<p class="hd3">Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge
+Boy Scout Series</p>
+
+<p class="outof">Wild Animals of the United States&mdash;Tracking&mdash;in Number I.<br />
+Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.<br />
+Reptiles of the United States in Number III.<br />
+Fishes of the United States in Number IV.<br />
+Insects of the United States in Number V.<br />
+Birds of the United States in Number VI.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;' />
+
+<p class="center" style="margin: 0;"><i>Cloth Binding&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cover Illustrations in Four Colors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;40c. Per Volume</i></p>
+
+<hr style='width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;' />
+
+<p class="hd3"><big>THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</big><br />
+147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St) NEW YORK</p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="trans1"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b>
+Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
+Dialect spellings have been retained.</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pathfinder, by Alan Douglas
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATHFINDER ***
+
+***** This file should be named 22924-h.htm or 22924-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/9/2/22924/
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephen Blundell and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/22924-h/images/001.jpg b/22924-h/images/001.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f129434
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/001.jpg
diff --git a/22924-h/images/002.png b/22924-h/images/002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..451d7bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/002.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/003.png b/22924-h/images/003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ca43cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/003.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/004.png b/22924-h/images/004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2fce3f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/004.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/005.png b/22924-h/images/005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7384a91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/005.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/006.png b/22924-h/images/006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dbeb6be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/006.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/007.png b/22924-h/images/007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..513ede2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/007.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/008.png b/22924-h/images/008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95c79c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/008.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/009.png b/22924-h/images/009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47db1bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/009.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/010.png b/22924-h/images/010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acacdde
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/010.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/011.png b/22924-h/images/011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a20177a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/011.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/012.png b/22924-h/images/012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f64dbe7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/012.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/013.png b/22924-h/images/013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1165a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/013.png
diff --git a/22924-h/images/014.png b/22924-h/images/014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b8ead1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-h/images/014.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/c001.jpg b/22924-page-images/c001.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e77b28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/c001.jpg
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f001.png b/22924-page-images/f001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40b3694
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f001.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f002.png b/22924-page-images/f002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c02aea0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f002.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f003-image.jpg b/22924-page-images/f003-image.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37c2cd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f003-image.jpg
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f003.png b/22924-page-images/f003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf5ce43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f003.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f004.png b/22924-page-images/f004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a358629
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f004.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f005.png b/22924-page-images/f005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a9d0962
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f005.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f006.png b/22924-page-images/f006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e8192d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f006.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/f007.png b/22924-page-images/f007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..650411e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/f007.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p017.png b/22924-page-images/p017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2481a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p017.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p018.png b/22924-page-images/p018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f0b106
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p018.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p019.png b/22924-page-images/p019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a28ca5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p019.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p020.png b/22924-page-images/p020.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12566c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p020.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p021.png b/22924-page-images/p021.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ad0673
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p021.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p022.png b/22924-page-images/p022.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be7246b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p022.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p023.png b/22924-page-images/p023.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f8a750
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p023.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p024.png b/22924-page-images/p024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b4d206
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p024.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p025.png b/22924-page-images/p025.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c82a930
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p025.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p026.png b/22924-page-images/p026.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9831a6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p026.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p027.png b/22924-page-images/p027.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8a8ce7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p027.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p028.png b/22924-page-images/p028.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b987ddd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p028.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p029.png b/22924-page-images/p029.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0484f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p029.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p030.png b/22924-page-images/p030.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5973d44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p030.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p031.png b/22924-page-images/p031.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ac2137
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p031.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p032.png b/22924-page-images/p032.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66836f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p032.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p033.png b/22924-page-images/p033.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4104c1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p033.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p034.png b/22924-page-images/p034.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee72b4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p034.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p035.png b/22924-page-images/p035.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75ba457
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p035.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p036.png b/22924-page-images/p036.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4170a9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p036.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p037.png b/22924-page-images/p037.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d78fdd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p037.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p038.png b/22924-page-images/p038.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2093a4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p038.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p039.png b/22924-page-images/p039.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7ee4ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p039.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p040.png b/22924-page-images/p040.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fefce22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p040.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p041.png b/22924-page-images/p041.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8998a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p041.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p042.png b/22924-page-images/p042.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ab6860
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p042.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p043.png b/22924-page-images/p043.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8949b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p043.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p044.png b/22924-page-images/p044.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..429a692
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p044.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p045.png b/22924-page-images/p045.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b0adad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p045.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p046.png b/22924-page-images/p046.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..398599d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p046.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p047.png b/22924-page-images/p047.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3a23c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p047.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p048.png b/22924-page-images/p048.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eeaacac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p048.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p049.png b/22924-page-images/p049.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbaf1d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p049.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p050.png b/22924-page-images/p050.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2feccf4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p050.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p051.png b/22924-page-images/p051.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6de2586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p051.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p052.png b/22924-page-images/p052.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6d6210
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p052.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p053.png b/22924-page-images/p053.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6433fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p053.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p054.png b/22924-page-images/p054.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f168b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p054.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p055.png b/22924-page-images/p055.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8e0a67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p055.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p056.png b/22924-page-images/p056.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ebe281
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p056.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p057.png b/22924-page-images/p057.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb491b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p057.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p058.png b/22924-page-images/p058.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc43923
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p058.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p059.png b/22924-page-images/p059.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e876743
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p059.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p060.png b/22924-page-images/p060.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7953598
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p060.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p061.png b/22924-page-images/p061.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0113031
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p061.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p062.png b/22924-page-images/p062.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79bb1d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p062.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p063.png b/22924-page-images/p063.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..999d575
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p063.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p064.png b/22924-page-images/p064.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c07140d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p064.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p065.png b/22924-page-images/p065.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acc5de7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p065.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p066.png b/22924-page-images/p066.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d8c5b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p066.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p067.png b/22924-page-images/p067.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..15e91f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p067.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p068.png b/22924-page-images/p068.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3b953e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p068.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p069.png b/22924-page-images/p069.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..027fb91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p069.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p070.png b/22924-page-images/p070.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc7eb29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p070.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p071.png b/22924-page-images/p071.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be23131
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p071.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p072.png b/22924-page-images/p072.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d9ceb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p072.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p073.png b/22924-page-images/p073.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d301524
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p073.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p074.png b/22924-page-images/p074.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d0954b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p074.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p075.png b/22924-page-images/p075.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3183609
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p075.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p076.png b/22924-page-images/p076.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e90f151
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p076.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p077.png b/22924-page-images/p077.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b7bd5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p077.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p078.png b/22924-page-images/p078.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23985c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p078.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p079.png b/22924-page-images/p079.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bbd997
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p079.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p080.png b/22924-page-images/p080.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d0b137
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p080.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p081.png b/22924-page-images/p081.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e67c67d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p081.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p082.png b/22924-page-images/p082.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fda84bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p082.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p083.png b/22924-page-images/p083.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..224320d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p083.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p084.png b/22924-page-images/p084.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0edf058
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p084.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p085.png b/22924-page-images/p085.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..974f1f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p085.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p086.png b/22924-page-images/p086.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..278c9a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p086.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p087.png b/22924-page-images/p087.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..818e52a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p087.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p088.png b/22924-page-images/p088.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d2fd2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p088.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p089.png b/22924-page-images/p089.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f0851f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p089.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p090.png b/22924-page-images/p090.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f8eb71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p090.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p091.png b/22924-page-images/p091.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..984809a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p091.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p092.png b/22924-page-images/p092.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7841bf1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p092.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p093.png b/22924-page-images/p093.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a59b1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p093.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p094.png b/22924-page-images/p094.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1f5527
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p094.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p095.png b/22924-page-images/p095.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70c4821
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p095.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p096.png b/22924-page-images/p096.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04aafec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p096.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p097.png b/22924-page-images/p097.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91cc2f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p097.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p098.png b/22924-page-images/p098.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70092ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p098.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p099.png b/22924-page-images/p099.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42fc862
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p099.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p100.png b/22924-page-images/p100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6bff867
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p100.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p101.png b/22924-page-images/p101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed9d1f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p101.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p102.png b/22924-page-images/p102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d66c234
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p102.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p103.png b/22924-page-images/p103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62fd599
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p103.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p104.png b/22924-page-images/p104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e907db5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p104.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p105.png b/22924-page-images/p105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..99bc646
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p105.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p106.png b/22924-page-images/p106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..435ce1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p106.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p107.png b/22924-page-images/p107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..497ff31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p107.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p108.png b/22924-page-images/p108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..24dc13d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p108.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p109.png b/22924-page-images/p109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56226fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p109.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p110.png b/22924-page-images/p110.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7859606
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p110.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p111.png b/22924-page-images/p111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80d301b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p111.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p112.png b/22924-page-images/p112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35c7402
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p112.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p113.png b/22924-page-images/p113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9325a3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p113.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p114.png b/22924-page-images/p114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c87c8ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p114.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p115.png b/22924-page-images/p115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bbee89f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p115.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p116.png b/22924-page-images/p116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8763461
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p116.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p117.png b/22924-page-images/p117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..65576ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p117.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p118.png b/22924-page-images/p118.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c76e20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p118.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p119.png b/22924-page-images/p119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..221de1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p119.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p120.png b/22924-page-images/p120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb5112b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p120.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p121.png b/22924-page-images/p121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8fadfe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p121.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p122.png b/22924-page-images/p122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1032ca7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p122.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p123.png b/22924-page-images/p123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..427f22c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p123.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p124.png b/22924-page-images/p124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..20fd2ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p124.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p125.png b/22924-page-images/p125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87cae00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p125.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p126.png b/22924-page-images/p126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08bf097
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p126.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p127.png b/22924-page-images/p127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4fc8009
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p127.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p128.png b/22924-page-images/p128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a095780
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p128.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p129.png b/22924-page-images/p129.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8036c7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p129.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p130.png b/22924-page-images/p130.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ccd3e02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p130.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p131.png b/22924-page-images/p131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..349a07c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p131.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p132.png b/22924-page-images/p132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01751c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p132.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p133.png b/22924-page-images/p133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..906e870
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p133.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p134.png b/22924-page-images/p134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0116e2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p134.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p135.png b/22924-page-images/p135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0bacb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p135.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p136.png b/22924-page-images/p136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d996b89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p136.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p137.png b/22924-page-images/p137.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b77600
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p137.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p138.png b/22924-page-images/p138.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a64b159
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p138.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p139.png b/22924-page-images/p139.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af97038
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p139.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p140.png b/22924-page-images/p140.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..efc2f9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p140.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p141.png b/22924-page-images/p141.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aba9177
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p141.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p142.png b/22924-page-images/p142.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..417fbdc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p142.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p143.png b/22924-page-images/p143.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..732f5be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p143.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p144.png b/22924-page-images/p144.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ac2bed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p144.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p145.png b/22924-page-images/p145.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f15f2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p145.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p146.png b/22924-page-images/p146.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..58554ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p146.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p147.png b/22924-page-images/p147.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e16dec8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p147.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p148.png b/22924-page-images/p148.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..279ee55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p148.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p149.png b/22924-page-images/p149.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9ba1f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p149.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p150.png b/22924-page-images/p150.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dcd13d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p150.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p151.png b/22924-page-images/p151.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d32959
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p151.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p152.png b/22924-page-images/p152.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b58a1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p152.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p153.png b/22924-page-images/p153.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ecd864
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p153.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p154.png b/22924-page-images/p154.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7528ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p154.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p155.png b/22924-page-images/p155.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..218e2c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p155.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p156.png b/22924-page-images/p156.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73c3267
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p156.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p157.png b/22924-page-images/p157.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6916cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p157.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p158.png b/22924-page-images/p158.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3148aec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p158.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p159.png b/22924-page-images/p159.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90e2054
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p159.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p160.png b/22924-page-images/p160.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..afe1f2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p160.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p161.png b/22924-page-images/p161.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a48d594
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p161.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p162.png b/22924-page-images/p162.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f3ec18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p162.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p163.png b/22924-page-images/p163.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57c40dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p163.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p164.png b/22924-page-images/p164.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09f1b3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p164.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p165.png b/22924-page-images/p165.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..362a07c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p165.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p166.png b/22924-page-images/p166.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb71f1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p166.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p167.png b/22924-page-images/p167.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5400ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p167.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p168.png b/22924-page-images/p168.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..174994f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p168.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p169.png b/22924-page-images/p169.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36e3b4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p169.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p170.png b/22924-page-images/p170.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..316aae4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p170.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p171.png b/22924-page-images/p171.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..594d518
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p171.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p172.png b/22924-page-images/p172.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e4a9e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p172.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p173.png b/22924-page-images/p173.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0502ffe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p173.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p175.png b/22924-page-images/p175.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c631e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p175.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p176.png b/22924-page-images/p176.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09d9772
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p176.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p177.png b/22924-page-images/p177.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5691718
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p177.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p178.png b/22924-page-images/p178.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba878b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p178.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p179.png b/22924-page-images/p179.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9381874
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p179.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p180.png b/22924-page-images/p180.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0da79bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p180.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p181.png b/22924-page-images/p181.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..516a2d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p181.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p182.png b/22924-page-images/p182.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ad8130
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p182.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p183.png b/22924-page-images/p183.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56bc22e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p183.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p184.png b/22924-page-images/p184.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..21958da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p184.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p185.png b/22924-page-images/p185.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c5c08ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p185.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p186.png b/22924-page-images/p186.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd8c553
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p186.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p187.png b/22924-page-images/p187.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d796a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p187.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p188.png b/22924-page-images/p188.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a122521
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p188.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p189.png b/22924-page-images/p189.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fab9545
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p189.png
diff --git a/22924-page-images/p190.png b/22924-page-images/p190.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a397456
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924-page-images/p190.png
diff --git a/22924.txt b/22924.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..651816b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6364 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pathfinder, by Alan Douglas
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Pathfinder
+       or, The Missing Tenderfoot
+
+Author: Alan Douglas
+
+Release Date: October 8, 2007 [EBook #22924]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATHFINDER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephen Blundell and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ PATHFINDER
+ OR
+ THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+
+
+
+ +----------------------------------------------+
+ |                                              |
+ |          COMPLETE ROSTER, WHEN THE           |
+ |           PATROLS WERE FILLED, OF            |
+ |                                              |
+ |           THE HICKORY RIDGE TROOP            |
+ |                OF BOY SCOUTS                 |
+ |                                              |
+ |     MR. RODERIC GARRABRANT, SCOUT MASTER     |
+ |                                              |
+ |                                              |
+ |               THE WOLF PATROL                |
+ |                                              |
+ |   ELMER CHENOWITH, Patrol Leader, and also   |
+ |            Assistant Scout Master            |
+ |                                              |
+ | MARK CUMMINGS                                |
+ |   TED (THEODORE) BURGOYNE                    |
+ |     TOBY (TOBIAS) ELLSWORTH JONES            |
+ |       "LIL ARTHA" (ARTHUR) STANSBURY         |
+ |         CHATZ (CHARLES) MAXFIELD             |
+ |           PHIL (PHILIP) DALE                 |
+ |             GEORGE ROBBINS                   |
+ |                                              |
+ |                                              |
+ |              THE BEAVER PATROL               |
+ |                                              |
+ |   MATTY (MATTHEW) EGGLESTON, Patrol Leader   |
+ |                                              |
+ | "RED" (OSCAR) HUGGINS                        |
+ |   TY (TYRUS) COLLINS                         |
+ |     JASPER MERRIWEATHER                      |
+ |       TOM CROPSEY                            |
+ |         LARRY (LAWRENCE) BILLINGS            |
+ |           HEN (HENRY) CONDIT                 |
+ |             LANDY (PHILANDER) SMITH          |
+ |                                              |
+ |                                              |
+ |               THE EAGLE PATROL               |
+ |                                              |
+ |         JACK ARMITAGE, Patrol Leader         |
+ |                                              |
+ |              NAT (NATHAN) SCOTT              |
+ |                                              |
+ | (OTHERS TO BE ENLISTED UNTIL THIS PATROL HAS |
+ |        REACHED ITS LEGITIMATE NUMBER)        |
+ |                                              |
+ +----------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Elmer tries to tell us he is pursuing the two who headed
+northwest."]
+
+
+
+
+ THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
+
+
+          PATHFINDER
+              OR
+    THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+
+              BY
+
+     CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS
+         SCOUT MASTER
+
+
+   THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+           NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+ COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY
+ THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+ CHAPTER                                       PAGE
+
+    I.--THE BIRCH-BARK MESSAGE                   17
+
+   II.--AT THE HAUNTED MILL                      25
+
+  III.--THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF NAT         34
+
+   IV.--THE SEARCH FOR A CLEW                    42
+
+    V.--THE TRAIL GROWS WARMER                   50
+
+   VI.--HUNTING FOR THE MISSING SCOUT            58
+
+  VII.--THE AMBITION OF LANDY                    67
+
+ VIII.--READING THE SIGNS                        75
+
+   IX.--SETTING THE TRAP                         84
+
+    X.--HOW THE TRAP WORKED                      93
+
+   XI.--RUN DOWN                                101
+
+  XII.--THE LANGUAGE OF SIGNS                   110
+
+ XIII.--THE CALL OF THE WOLF                    119
+
+  XIV.--THE NEED OF A PATHFINDER                127
+
+   XV.--RESCUED--CONCLUSION                     136
+
+
+
+
+ PATHFINDER
+ OR
+ THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+
+
+
+THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
+
+PATHFINDER;
+
+OR,
+
+THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE BIRCH-BARK MESSAGE.
+
+
+"Hold on, boys; here's a stick standing upright in the trail. And look,
+fellows, there's a piece of nice new birch bark held fast in the cloven
+end, that grips it like the jaws of a vise."
+
+"Say, it's a message, all right."
+
+"And from our crack-a-jack pathfinder, Elmer Chenowith, too, I warrant
+you."
+
+"What do you say, Matty? Is Red Huggins right?"
+
+Seven boys had come to a halt in the heart of the big woods. They were a
+rather husky-looking set, all told, and evidently bent on getting all
+the benefit possible from being outdoors through the last few weeks of
+vacation time.
+
+The one appealed to, Matty Eggleston by name, was something of a leader
+among the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts.
+
+In fact, he was at the head of the Beaver Patrol, and studying
+constantly in order to attain the rank of a first-class scout.
+
+There are so very many things a boy must know in order to reach this
+ambition that comparatively few scouts ever attain it. But by
+concentrating all his energies upon one particular study he may earn a
+merit badge, which it will make him proud to wear.
+
+Matty took the piece of bark from the cloven stick. The other six boys
+clustered eagerly around, anxious to see what sort of message it could
+be that the assistant scout master had left in the trail.
+
+They were out to try a new experience, and one that appealed to every
+boy in the bunch.
+
+A party of the scouts, their identity and number unknown to Elmer and
+the balance, had started off for the woods early in the day.
+
+An hour later, Elmer, with one companion, had taken up the trail, and
+when a second hour had elapsed the balance of those who were bent upon
+playing the game left town in two detachments.
+
+It had been arranged that Elmer was to act as pathfinder and tracker. He
+would in turn leave a plain trail that a child could follow.
+
+Besides this, he had promised to transmit from time to time some sort of
+message. Thus those who came along in the rear, in two detachments,
+would be kept in touch with events, and also advised as to what they
+should do.
+
+The party bringing up the rear was headed by Mark Cummings, who was
+Elmer's particular chum. He was really the bugler of the troop; but for
+this occasion Elmer himself carried that instrument, with the idea of
+calling the scouts together at some time later on.
+
+"Hey, look at that, would you; it's all marked up with crow's feet
+tracks!" exclaimed Landy Smith, a rather fat boy who had only recently
+joined the Wolf Patrol, making the eighth and last member.
+
+"What's Elmer think we are, a lot of kids, to leave us an illustrated
+rebus to guess? Looks to me like a little boy's first try to draw cows
+and Noah's Ark people."
+
+Some of the others laughed when George Robbins gave expression to his
+disgust in this way. George was a cousin to Landy, and had also recently
+signed the muster roll of the scouts, although he belonged to Matty's
+patrol, the Beaver.
+
+"You've got a heap to learn yet, George," said Red Huggins, shaking his
+head at the offender.
+
+"In what way?" demanded the other.
+
+"Why, this is what they call Injun picture writing," replied Red,
+obligingly.
+
+"Oh! it is, eh? But what's that got to do with finding a trail, or
+following one that's already found?" asked the latest tenderfoot.
+
+"A heap, as you'll soon learn, my boy," replied Red, with a pitying
+look, as if he could not understand how anyone should be so green.
+"Matty, suppose you enlighten him a little, won't you--that is, if
+you've got through reading your letter?"
+
+"Letter!" ejaculated both Landy and George--"that thing a letter?"
+
+"A short and sweet one," remarked Matty. "You see, Elmer has signed it
+with what I make out to be the paw of a wolf. That's the totem of his
+patrol, while mine is a beaver tail, and the third one would be the claw
+of an eagle."
+
+"Say, that sounds kind of interesting like," observed Landy. "I rather
+expect I'll cotton to this same Injun picture writing letter business,
+once I get at the secret key of it."
+
+"That's where you're away off to start with, Landy," remarked Matty,
+laughing, "because you see there's nothing hidden about this business at
+all. In fact, the one particular idea with the one who writes a message
+in Indian picture writing is to make it so simple a child might
+understand."
+
+"Well, I declare," cried the fat scout, who was not in khaki uniform
+like four of his companions, simply because he and George were waiting
+until the town tailor, father to Jasper Merriweather, one of the members
+of the troop, could complete their suits--"then, if a baby could
+understand what our pathfinder has left for us, perhaps now there might
+be some chance for me."
+
+"Oh! it's as easy as falling off a log, once you get the hang of it,"
+declared Larry Billings.
+
+"Look here, and I'll show you, fellows," remarked Matty, holding the
+bark up so that everyone present could see the lead-pencil marks.
+
+"Looks like several men, to start with," interposed George.
+
+"Good enough, George," said the patrol leader, "and that's just what
+they are. Count them, will you?"
+
+"One, two, three."
+
+"That's right. So you see, to begin with, our pathfinder tells us the
+enemy ahead are three in number. Now, do you see anything close by those
+three figures of men?" and Matty held the bark directly in front of
+Landy and George.
+
+"Sure," replied George. "Under one is a mark--say, it looks like the
+same down at the bottom of the letter, and you said that was the sign or
+totem of the Wolf Patrol."
+
+"Just so; and this tells us the first fellow is a member of that patrol.
+Under the others you will see marks to indicate that they are members of
+the Beaver and the Eagle patrols."
+
+"That's so, Matty; I can see 'em," declared Landy, who evidently did not
+wish his cousin to get all the credit for smartness.
+
+"All right. Let's get on a little," said Matty. "First notice two have
+hats on, while the third wears none. Now, you may think that an accident
+in drawing, but it isn't at all. Elmer meant it for something."
+
+"And I can guess what it is," declared Chatz Maxfield, the Southern boy.
+
+"Then tell the rest of us," cried several.
+
+"Why, it's dead easy," was his reply. "Stop and think; who's always
+losing his hat every chance he gets?"
+
+"Nat Scott!" quickly exclaimed Landy.
+
+"All right. And don't we happen to know that Nat was one of those who
+went ahead of Elmer and Lil Artha by an hour or so," laughed Red.
+
+"Well, I declare!" cried Landy, "and do you mean to say Elmer has
+guessed that, or did he see the fellows before he wrote this letter?"
+
+"Neither one nor the other. He just figured it out from something he
+found. Perhaps he knows what the print of Nat's shoe looks like, for we
+all make different tracks, you know."
+
+"Yes," said Chatz, "that would be just like Elmer. He's the most
+observing, wide-awake fellow I ever knew since I came up from the South.
+I've seen him measuring some of our tracks, and making a copy in that
+wonderful little book of his."
+
+"Now, let's get on a little further. Do you see that the second figure,
+no matter how often he appears, always has his left leg bent a little?"
+and Matty pointed in several places to confirm his statement.
+
+Immediately Red laughed aloud, and then in one breath he and Larry
+exclaimed:
+
+"That's Ty Collins, as sure as anything!"
+
+"I guess you've hit the mark," said Matty, "and that was just what Elmer
+was trying to tell us. Ty's left leg has always been a little crooked
+since he fell out of that cherry tree three years ago. Now, the third
+fellow got me at first, but come to look at him he seems a little
+different from the others. See here, and here, and here."
+
+"That's a fact," declared Landy, scratching his nose in a way he had
+when puzzled.
+
+"He can't mean he's a dead one, and sprouting wings, can he?" asked
+George.
+
+"Wings! I've got it, fellows!" shouted Red.
+
+"Then pass it around to the rest, because I'm all up a stump," observed
+Larry.
+
+"Shucks! don't you know there's only one fellow in the whole troop who's
+always sighing because he can't fly, and wishes he had wings?" demanded
+Red, promptly.
+
+"Toby Jones, the boy who's bent on sailing through the clouds some day!"
+cried Chatz.
+
+"Exactly," remarked Matty. "And in this clever way our pathfinder has
+told us who the three scouts ahead are. Now he shows them coming to a
+fork in the trail. One goes to the north, and the others to the
+northwest. Which party can be carrying the wampum belt we expect to
+trace down?"
+
+All of them looked again, and while several shook their heads Red
+remarked:
+
+"Seems to me one of the two that kept together fell down just at the
+fork of the trail. Was that only an accident, Matty, or a part of the
+play?"
+
+"I believe it was done on purpose," the other replied. "Because, if you
+look closely, you'll find that the one who stretched out on the ground
+was Ty, and that from that time on he has a funny little wiggly line
+drawn around his waist."
+
+"Sure, he has. That must be the wampum belt," exclaimed Red.
+
+"Yes. No doubt he was instructed by our scout master, Mr. Garrabrant,
+that when they separated the fellow carrying the belt must do
+_something_ to show it. That was a clever dodge of Ty's to lie down, and
+make an impression in the earth."
+
+"Yes, and smarter yet for Elmer to discover the impression, and read
+it," declared Chatz.
+
+"What else does the letter say?" asked Landy, who seemed quite enthused
+now, after discovering how exceedingly interesting this communicating by
+means of Indian picture writing might become.
+
+"Elmer tries to tell us he is pursuing the two who headed northwest. You
+see he has made an arrow showing this fact," Matty continued.
+
+"But there are some other marks; can you make them out at all?" asked
+Landy.
+
+"This is certainly a fire. Before separating, the three enemies built a
+fire and pretended to feed. Here they are sitting around the blaze and
+eating; and if you look over yonder right now, you'll see the ashes
+where the fire has been."
+
+All of them hurried across to where Matty pointed.
+
+"By all that's wonderful, there has been a camp fire here," said Landy.
+
+"You're a little off there, Landy," corrected the leader of the Beaver
+Patrol; "this was only a little cooking blaze, not a camp fire."
+
+"But what's the difference?" demanded the new recruit; "I thought a fire
+must be a fire."
+
+"Well," said Matty, "when hunters are in a hostile country and want to
+prepare a meal they dig a hole and make a small blaze in it that will be
+hot enough for their purpose, but which might not be seen fifty feet
+away."
+
+"And a camp fire?" continued the novice.
+
+"Quite a different matter. That is generally a rousing blaze made for
+comfort, and at a time when no danger is feared. This was only a cooking
+fire," Matty went on to explain, as he again thrust the "message" into
+the jaws of the cloven stick.
+
+"Do you know how long ago this fire was made?" asked George.
+
+"The ashes are cold now, but they must have been warm when Elmer was
+here. He says so--anyhow, that's the way I read it. Here are four hands
+held up. Counting fingers and thumbs he wants us to know he has gained
+on the enemy, and was only twenty minutes behind when they separated at
+this fire."
+
+"Well, that takes the cake!" ejaculated Landy, whose whole appearance
+indicated amazement.
+
+"I wonder if it's going to turn out so?" remarked George, who was always
+unbelieving, and hence sometimes called by his friends "Doubting
+George."
+
+"Well, we'll prove it later," said Matty, "because I am putting all
+these things down in my record. When we come together Elmer will tell us
+what he meant, and read our answers out loud. Then well see how that
+second squad come out. But let's be on the move again, fellows. Plenty
+to do before we overhaul our pathfinder, and find out if he secured the
+wampum belt. Come along, everybody!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+AT THE HAUNTED MILL.
+
+
+Once more the little squad of scouts resumed their forward movement.
+
+Matty remained at their head, as before. This game was growing more
+delightful to him every minute, and some of the others were feeling the
+same way.
+
+Of course it was easy work for those who came after, and the second
+bunch, headed by Mark Cummings, would have, as Red expressed it, a
+"snap."
+
+The real work of following the trail was falling upon Elmer and his
+companion, the tall, angular fellow known among his mates as Lil Artha.
+
+In carrying out the purpose of the game they were to do all the reading
+of the signs, and leave a plain track for those who came after. But the
+two detachments of scouts were expected to pick up as much knowledge
+concerning the methods used as they could.
+
+Besides this, they must read the messages left occasionally by their
+pathfinder.
+
+For quite some time the boys scurried along. More than once they had to
+quicken their pace to what Matty called a "dog-trot." This happened
+especially when the "signs" were very plain.
+
+"Why all this haste?" asked Landy, who seemed to be puffing a little,
+because of his being rather a stout boy, and not very well up in
+athletics.
+
+"Because we want to gain on Elmer when we have the chance," replied the
+leader.
+
+"But look here, Matty," said Landy, "do you mean to tell me Elmer is
+getting along about as fast as we've been doing, when he has a blind
+trail to follow, and we have a plain one?"
+
+"Looks like it, don't it?" exclaimed Red.
+
+"But how under the sun does he do it?" pursued the doubting greenhorn.
+
+"Well," Matty went on, "Elmer lived in Canada, away up where our
+blizzards come from. He used to ride a wild broncho, throw a rope, hunt
+antelope and wolves, and was once in at the death of a big grizzly bear
+that had been playing hob with their cattle."
+
+"Yes, I've heard all that," admitted Landy.
+
+"So you see he learned a lot about following a trail that would never be
+seen by any fellows like us scouts. He knows a dozen signs that tell him
+the facts. And when greenhorns like Ty, Nat, and Toby try to fool him,
+why, he just eats the trail up."
+
+Matty, as he finished speaking, came to a sudden pause.
+
+"We might as well take a breathing spell," he remarked, "because we're
+getting pretty close to the meeting place anyhow. Besides, here's a
+chance for me to show you how Elmer manages."
+
+The others crowded around, eager to see for themselves what object
+lesson Matty expected to lay before them.
+
+"Now I want you to notice right here," he said, pointing to the ground,
+"that the footprints of the two boys ahead suddenly stop. Here are the
+plain marks left purposely by Elmer and Lil Artha. Do you notice how
+they run alongside this fallen tree?"
+
+"That's a fact," declared George, as all of them walked slowly along.
+
+"The two foxes in the lead thought to puzzle the hounds by jumping on
+this long log, and running its entire length," said Matty, with a grin,
+"but they had their trouble for nothing. Why, it was such an old trick
+that Elmer guessed it at a glance. He must have gained quite a lot on
+'em here."
+
+George and Landy exchanged glances.
+
+"Well, there's a heap more in this game than I ever thought of,"
+admitted the latter.
+
+"Don't see how he does it," remarked George, with a doubting shake of
+his head.
+
+"Oh, the more you study up on this thing," said Red, "the better you'll
+like it. No end of clever stunts that can be engineered. But see here,
+Matty, didn't you say we must be getting near the place where we
+expected to round up both foxes and hounds?"
+
+"Yes, I'm looking to hear the bugle any minute right now," replied the
+leader.
+
+"Where was it fixed for?" asked Landy.
+
+"Oh, I thought you knew," Matty replied, as they once more took up the
+broad trail, at the point beyond the end of the fallen tree.
+
+"I heard some talk about an old mill, but didn't pay much attention to
+it," remarked Landy, carelessly.
+
+"Then you've got to turn over a new leaf, old fellow, if you expect to
+ever succeed as a good scout," Red broke in with.
+
+"How's that?" demanded Landy.
+
+"Because," replied the red-headed lad, himself always wide-awake and on
+the alert, "a scout to succeed must forever keep his wits about him and
+observe things. In fact, Elmer says he should take as a motto, besides
+the words 'Be Prepared' the old sign you see at railroad crossings."
+
+"Stop! look! listen!" exclaimed Matty, Larry, and Chatz in chorus.
+
+"I suppose I _am_ somewhat sleepy," grumbled Landy, "but perhaps some
+day I'll surprise you wide-awake Slim Jims by doing something real
+smart. But tell me more about this mill."
+
+"You sure must have heard of Munsey's mill?" remarked Matty.
+
+"Oh, I believe it does sound kind of familiar, but then I must have
+forgotten all I ever heard about it," Landy confessed.
+
+Red and Matty exchanged glances, and shook their heads mournfully. It
+seemed a pretty tough proposition to ever expect to make a good and
+profitable scout out of such poor material.
+
+"Well," said the patrol leader, "there is a long story connected with
+the old ramshackle mill. No use of my going into all the details. It's
+been abandoned a good many years now. People have tried to live there
+three times since old Munsey was found dead there, but they had to give
+it up."
+
+"Yes, suh," Chatz broke in, his eyes shining brightly, for this was a
+subject that appealed very strongly to him, "they just couldn't hold
+out. Got cold feet after going through the experience and had to quit."
+
+"But why?" demanded Landy.
+
+"Because they declared the old mill was haunted!" replied Matty.
+
+"Yes, suh, it was haunted," echoed Chatz.
+
+The Southern boy had always confessed to a streak of superstition in his
+make-up. He admitted that he must have imbibed it from association with
+the ignorant little negro lads with whom he had been accustomed to play
+down on the plantation.
+
+He had even admitted once to carrying in his pocket, as a charm, the
+left hind foot of a rabbit, which animal had been killed by himself in a
+graveyard when the moon was full.
+
+The boys plagued Chatz so much that he had by degrees shown signs of
+considering most of his former beliefs as folly.
+
+Still, the mere mention of a haunted house set his nerves to quivering.
+Chatz might be a timid fellow when up against anything bordering upon
+the ghostly, but on all other occasions he had proven himself brave,
+almost to the point of rashness.
+
+It was "Doubting George" who burst out into a harsh laugh.
+
+"A haunted house!" he exclaimed. "Ghosts! Strange knockings! Thrilling
+whispers! Ice-cold hands! Oh, my, what a lark! I've always wanted to get
+up against a thing like that. Don't believe in 'em the least bit. You
+could talk to me till you was gray-headed, and I'd just laugh. There
+never was such things as ghosts, never!"
+
+Chatz looked at him rather queerly.
+
+"Oh, well, perhaps you're right, George," he said, holding himself in
+check, "but I've read of some people who had pretty rough experiences."
+
+"Rats! They fooled themselves every time," declared the boy who would
+not believe. "Bet you it was the wind whistling through a knot hole, or
+a parcel of rats squeaking and fighting between the walls. Ghosts! It
+makes me laugh."
+
+"Same here," declared Red.
+
+"Listen!" exclaimed Larry just then, making them all start. Through the
+timber ahead of them came the sweet clear notes of a bugle.
+
+"Told you so, fellows," declared Matty, smiling; "that's Elmer. He's
+learning to use the bugle nearly as well as Mark himself."
+
+"Then we're at the end of our trail following, are we?" asked Landy, not
+without a sigh of relief, for it had not been as easy work in his case
+as with his less stout comrades.
+
+"Well, pretty near," Matty replied. "We've got to keep it up till we
+come in sight of the mill."
+
+"But why?" asked George, who seemed to want to know every little thing,
+so that his natural tendency to object might have a chance to show
+itself.
+
+"Oh, well, there might be one more opening for a message, and our main
+business is to translate these, you know."
+
+"Do we stay long at the old mill?" asked Chatz.
+
+Red gave him a quick, suspicious look.
+
+"Aw, I reckon I know what's on our comrade's mind," he remarked, with a
+wink.
+
+"As what?" demanded Landy.
+
+"Chatz thinks he'd like to prowl around some, and see if that ghost has
+left any signs. 'Tain't often he's had a chance to meet up with a real
+haunted house, eh, Chatz?" and Red gave the Southern boy a sly dig in
+the ribs.
+
+"Never had that pleasure in all my life, fellows, I assure you," replied
+the Southern boy, with ill-concealed delight in his manner.
+
+"But say, no respectable ghost was ever known to walk except at
+midnight, and we don't intend camping out at the old mill, do we, just
+because of this silly talk?" asked George.
+
+"Oh, the rest of us don't, but Chatz might take a notion to stay over,"
+laughed Red. "When a fellow is set on investigating things he don't
+understand, and which were never meant for us to understand, there's
+just no telling how far he will carry the game."
+
+Chatz gave him a lofty look.
+
+"Thank you for the compliment, suh," he said.
+
+They continued to follow the "spoor" of the two hounds, left so plainly
+for their guidance.
+
+It was not long before another stick that held a bark "message" was
+discovered. And Landy felt immensely elated to think that by some chance
+he had been the first to see the "sign."
+
+"I'll surprise you fellows yet, just mark me," he chuckled, while Matty
+was trying to read the queer little characters Elmer had marked upon the
+brown inner side of the fresh bark torn from a convenient tree close by.
+
+"Wish you would, old top," remarked Red, with his customary enthusiasm.
+
+"You'll get to like all these things more and more, the farther you go,"
+said Larry.
+
+"I feel that way already," was Landy's quick reply; "only I'm that
+clumsy and slow-witted I just don't see how I'm ever going to keep up
+with the procession."
+
+"Elmer says it's only keeping everlastingly at it that makes a good
+scout," remarked Chatz.
+
+Evidently, from the way these boys continually quoted "Elmer," the
+assistant scout master must be a very popular fellow in Hickory Ridge,
+and those who have made a study of boy nature can understand what rare
+elements the said Elmer must have in his composition to make so many
+friends and so few enemies.
+
+"Come around and see what I've made out of this message," said Matty
+just then.
+
+It proved to be the concluding communication, and in plain picture
+language informed those for whom it was left that the two foxes had
+stopped here, made a dense smoke to attract their missing comrade, and
+when joined by him, the three had gone on together to the rendezvous at
+the old mill.
+
+"Fine," cried Landy, when he heard what a remarkable story those rude
+drawings told.
+
+"Very good--if true," admitted George.
+
+"Well, come along and we'll prove it," laughed Matty; "for unless I miss
+my guess the mill is close by."
+
+"Sure," declared Red. "I can hear the noise of water tumbling down some
+rocks, or over a mill dam."
+
+Five minutes later and Chatz called out:
+
+"There you are, suh!"
+
+The mill could be seen through the trees, and all of the boys felt the
+greatest eagerness to hurry along and reach this spot.
+
+It happened that none of this bunch had ever set eyes on Munsey's mill,
+or the pond just above it. There were plenty of places nearer Hickory
+Ridge for fishing purposes. And besides, the dear familiar old "swimming
+hole" was more convenient than this place, nearly seven miles away.
+
+"I see Elmer and Lil Artha," observed Larry.
+
+"Yes, and there's another fellow just beyond. I reckon it must be Ty
+Collins," said Chatz.
+
+Elmer waited for them to come up. He and his companions were standing on
+the edge of the dam which had long ago been built in order to hold up
+the water and form the big lonely looking pond beyond.
+
+"Ugh, what a spooky looking place this is!" exclaimed Larry, as soon as
+they drew up where they could look out on the big pond, its surface in
+places partly covered with lily plants, and the long trailing branches
+of weeping willows dipping down to the water.
+
+"It sure is, suh!" remarked Chatz, plainly interested, and not a little
+excited.
+
+"Here we are, Elmer," called out Matty; "and I guess the second bunch
+will be along soon. I see Ty and Toby, but where's Nat Scott?"
+
+Elmer gave him a serious look.
+
+"That's just what we're wondering," he said. "They all reached the old
+mill, you see, but Nat seems to have disappeared in a mighty queer way!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF NAT.
+
+
+"Oh!"
+
+Chatz was the only one who gave utterance to a sound after Elmer had
+made this surprising, as well as alarming, admission.
+
+The others were looking, first at Elmer, then at each of his three
+companions as well; and finally out upon the dismal pond that assumed
+much the appearance of a lake, it stretched so far up the valley, almost
+a quarter of a mile, in fact.
+
+Just then the only sound they heard was the noisy scolding of the water
+as it went over the spill or apron of the stout dam that had stood all
+these long years, defying floods and the ravages of time.
+
+And somehow, there was something chilling in the very lonesome character
+of their surroundings.
+
+Of the ten scouts present, Chatz seemed to be the only one who did not
+look solemn. There was an eager glow in the Southern boy's dark eyes, as
+though the situation appealed to that element of superstition in his
+nature.
+
+And Elmer, noting this expression, that was almost of glee, knew that
+when the companions of Chatz fondly believed they had cured him of his
+silly faith in ghosts and such things, they had made a mistake. The
+snake had only been "scotched," not killed. It was already awakening
+again, under the first favorable conditions.
+
+"Say, this ain't any part of the game, is it?" demanded Red.
+
+"Yes, you don't expect us to guess what's become of Nat, and then find
+him grinning at us, perhaps astraddle of a limb up in a big tree?"
+remarked Larry.
+
+"I asked these fellows," said Elmer, seriously, "and both Toby and Ty
+gave me their word of honor that no game or joke was set up between
+them. If Nat is playing a prank then he's doing it on his own account."
+
+"And Nat ain't generally the fellow to think of playing a joke on his
+chums," declared Larry.
+
+"Gee, this is getting wild and woolly now!" remarked Landy; "I'm all of
+a tremble. What if the poor fellow fell over this dam here, struck his
+head on a rock, and lies right now at the bottom of that black pool
+where the foam keeps on circling around and around. Ugh! It makes me
+shiver, fellows, honest and truly."
+
+George, as usual, scoffed at the idea of anything having happened to Nat
+Scott.
+
+"He'll show up as soon as he feels like it, make sure of that," he
+declared.
+
+"Have you called him!" asked Matty.
+
+"Yes, all of us did," replied Lil Artha, whose customary rollicking good
+nature seemed subdued in a measure for once.
+
+"And he didn't answer?" demanded Chatz.
+
+"We never heard a word, and that's a fact, boys," declared Toby Jones,
+uneasily.
+
+Then they all looked around again, their eyes naturally roving in the
+quarter where, near the farther end of the dam, the old mill stood.
+
+Its day was long since past. The great water wheel at the end of the
+sluice had partly fallen to pieces with the passage of time and the
+ravages of neglect. What was left seemed to be almost entirely covered
+with green moss, among which the clear little fingers of water trickled.
+
+Suddenly a discordant scream rang out. It was so fearful that several of
+the fellows turned pale, and all of them started violently.
+
+"There!" ejaculated Chatz.
+
+His manner was almost triumphant; just as though he would like to demand
+whether these chums of his could not find some reason to believe as he
+did, after such a manifestation.
+
+"Oh, glory, what was that!" quivered Landy, as he clutched the arm of
+Elmer Chenowith.
+
+"But it didn't come from the mill," declared Larry. "Sounded to me like
+it was out there on the pond."
+
+"Good for you, Larry," remarked Elmer.
+
+"Then I was right?" asked the other.
+
+"You certainly were, and if the whole of you turn your eyes aways up
+yonder, perhaps you'll notice a big black-and-white bird come to the
+surface. It dived just after scolding us for disturbing its fishing
+excursion."
+
+Following the direction indicated by Elmer's extended finger the scouts
+all watched eagerly.
+
+"I see something moving just behind that bunch of lily pads," exclaimed
+one with keen vision.
+
+"There it swims out now, and it's a big water bird, too. Looks like a
+goose to me," Landy remarked, earnestly.
+
+"That's a loon, fellows!" exclaimed Red.
+
+"Is it, Elmer?" they demanded in a breath.
+
+"Just what it is, and nothing else," replied the acting scout master.
+"They are very common up in the Great Northwest. And once you've heard
+their wild laugh you'll never forget it."
+
+"Huh, sounds just like the shout of a crazy man to me," ventured Lil
+Artha.
+
+"Everybody says that," Elmer declared. "And I never knew a single
+fellow who liked to hear a loon call. Some say it's a sign of ill luck
+to be scolded by a loon."
+
+"Ill luck!" echoed Chatz, once more looking in the direction of the
+ramshackle old mill.
+
+"But see here," remarked Matty, "tell us about Nat, won't you? When was
+his queer disappearance first noticed, Elmer?"
+
+"Well, when Lil Artha and myself arrived here we found Toby and Ty
+throwing stones out in the pond, scaring the little red-marked turtles
+that were sitting by dozens on every old log and rock, and great big
+bullfrogs as well."
+
+"Never saw so many whopping big frogs in all my life," declared Ty.
+
+"You see," explained Toby, "we missed Nat, but thought he had just
+wandered off to look around. Ty and me, why, we felt too tired to
+explore things till the rest came along."
+
+"Oh, but you could amuse yourselves throwing things into the water, eh?"
+Matty remarked, with such a vein of sarcasm in his voice that Toby
+immediately aroused to defend himself.
+
+"'Twa'n't that at all, Matty Eggleston; prove it by Ty here if either of
+us was afraid to go inside your old haunted mill, was we, Ty?" he
+exclaimed, with a fine show of righteous indignation.
+
+"Course we wasn't," Ty hastened to declare, with a decided shake of his
+tousled head. "We walked along the shore till we came to a nice shady
+place, and then squatted down, meanin' to wait till Elmer showed up.
+Then I popped a rock at a sassy little turkle, and pretty soon both of
+us were letting fly."
+
+"When did you miss Nat, and where was he the last you saw him?" asked
+Matty, who was expected some day to become a lawyer.
+
+"Oh!" answered Toby, "he said he'd hang around the dam here and look
+into things. You know Nat always did want to pry into everything he
+saw."
+
+"What then?" Matty went on asking.
+
+"Why, we saw Elmer and Lil Artha coming, and went to meet 'em, that's
+all," replied Ty.
+
+"Have any of you been inside the mill?"
+
+"Why, no," Toby spoke up. "Elmer and Lil Artha sat down to rest, and you
+see we expected Nat to pop out on us any minute, so we just didn't say
+anything about it till they asked."
+
+"And that was just about the time we first heard your voices close by,"
+said Elmer, "so we made up our minds to wait till you joined us, when we
+could scatter and search."
+
+"Search!" echoed Larry. "Good gracious! do you think Nat can be lost?"
+
+"It doesn't seem possible," admitted Elmer, "but I blew the bugle, and
+sounded the assembly. If Nat heard that he is scout enough to know it
+was a command for him to come in--if he could."
+
+"Whew! this is something we didn't expect to run up against--a mystery
+right in the start," remarked Matty, mopping his face with his big
+bandana handkerchief, which he wore about his neck, cowboy fashion, with
+the knot behind.
+
+"You never can tell, suh!" said Chatz, in a solemn manner; and somehow
+none of the boys seemed quite as ready to scoff at the Southerner's
+superstitious belief, as usual.
+
+"But hadn't we better be looking around?" remarked Matty. "Nat may have
+gone into the old mill, bent on investigating, and some accident have
+happened to him."
+
+"As what?" queried George, cautiously.
+
+"Oh, well, perhaps he tripped and fell, striking his head as he went
+down. Then again, a rotten plank might have given way under him, and let
+him get an ugly fall," Matty replied.
+
+"That sounds reasonable enough," said Elmer, "and now I want some of you
+to scatter around and see if you can discover any trace of our missing
+comrade. Red, you get a long pole and poke down in that deep pool,
+though I feel pretty sure you won't find any sign of him there, because
+there isn't a mark of blood on the rocks, as there would be if he had
+fallen from up here on the dam."
+
+The boys looked aghast.
+
+Up to this point perhaps Landy and several others may have indulged in a
+hope that after all perhaps this might only be a little finish to the
+remarkable game of fox and hounds which they had been playing.
+
+Indeed, Red and Larry had once or twice even exchanged sly winks. They
+actually suspected that Elmer had secretly ordered Nat to conceal
+himself, up among the branches of a tree, perhaps, so as to have the
+whole party guessing, and running around like a pack of dogs off the
+scent.
+
+Now the last vague hope in this particular seemed shattered by Elmer's
+thrilling suggestion.
+
+And more than Red's horrified eyes roved in the direction of the ugly
+black pool, across the surface of which the foamy white bubbles kept
+circling constantly, as the surplus water ran over the dam.
+
+"Where will the rest of us look, Elmer?" asked Matty, breaking the awful
+silence that had gripped them after hearing the scout master's
+suggestion.
+
+"Any old place," replied Elmer; "only I guess you needn't go far along
+that farther shore, because Toby and Ty were there where you see that
+big oak tree."
+
+"They couldn't see the dam from there, could they?" asked Red, quickly.
+
+"No, that's true," answered Toby.
+
+"And so they wouldn't know whether anybody knocked poor Nat over here;
+or if he went across to the old mill," Red continued.
+
+"Right you are, Red," replied Ty; "but neither did we hear any shout. An
+old bluejay was screechin' in the woods near us. Yep, a feller might 'a'
+called out and we not noticed it."
+
+"I want two of you to go with me to the mill," said Elmer.
+
+"Count me for one!" cried some one, instantly; and of course that was
+the eager Chatz, who would have started a new rebellion had he been
+debarred that privilege.
+
+"And I'm the second victim," declared Lil Artha, with a grin, but at the
+same time looking very determined.
+
+"All right," said Elmer; "fall in behind me, and we'll see what the
+inside of the mill looks like."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE SEARCH FOR A CLEW.
+
+
+Following the lead of Elmer, the tall lanky scout and the wiry Southern
+boy quickly found themselves at the other end of the mill dam.
+
+Lil Artha had cast his eyes about him as he cautiously made his way
+along. He seemed to be figuring on what chance there might be for an
+active chap like Nat Scott slipping on one of the wet and moss-covered
+stones, to go tumbling down toward that suspicious black pool.
+
+Not so Chatz Maxfield.
+
+Apparently he had made up his mind from the start that this strange
+vanishing of their comrade must have some connection with the mystery of
+the old mill.
+
+Did they not admit that three separate times people had tried to live
+there in the dwelling that was part and parcel of the mill; and on every
+occasion they had given it up as a bad job?
+
+Why?
+
+Well, it seemed to be understood that none of them could stand the
+sights and sounds which had come to them while under that roof.
+
+People might scoff at such things all they had a mind to, but surely it
+seemed as if there must be _something_ in it.
+
+At any rate, everyone of those three families believed the mill house
+haunted. And for many years now, no one had had the nerve to occupy the
+place.
+
+And yet it had once been a paying venture, for the main road was only a
+few hundred yards away from this lonely, forbidding-looking pond, where
+the frogs grew so large and the red-marked "turkles," as Ty Collins
+called them, were so saucy.
+
+"Careful here!" warned Elmer, as they arrived at the runway, where in
+times past the water was turned on when the mill was to be operated.
+
+The boards were rotting and slimy, and if one made a slip he might get a
+wet jacket in the sluice, where there was more or less running water.
+
+Elmer held up a hand to hold his comrades back. He seemed to be down on
+his hands and knees, as though examining something that had just caught
+his attention.
+
+"What is it?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"He came this way, all right, boys."
+
+"Do you mean Nat?" questioned Chatz.
+
+"Why, of course," replied the leader.
+
+"How do you know?" continued Chatz.
+
+"I've been following Nat's trail for miles," answered Elmer, "and sure I
+ought to know what his footprint looks like. Here it is on this clay
+just beside the sluice. Wait till I cross and see if he made the other
+side all right."
+
+"He must, because he ain't in the sluiceway," remarked the tall boy.
+
+A minute later and Elmer, who had carefully crossed over, testing each
+board before trusting his weight on it, called out:
+
+"The marks are here, all right, fellows. Nat did start to look into the
+old mill. Come over, but be careful. Go slow, Chatz," he warned again,
+as the impetuous Southern boy slipped, and might have landed in the
+slimy sluice only that Lil Artha threw out a hand and clutched him.
+
+They were now almost in the shadow of the deserted mill. It looked
+gloomy and forbidding to the eyes of at least Elmer and the tall lad,
+though Chatz may have considered it an object well worth coming a long
+distance to see.
+
+"Wow! I must get some pictures of this same old ruin while we're up
+here," said Lil Artha, who carried a little pocket camera along, and was
+a very clever artist indeed.
+
+"A fine idea," remarked Elmer; "but there are a lot of good people in
+Hickory Ridge who would think a picture of Munsey's mill very tame and
+incomplete without the ghost showing in it."
+
+"Ah!" said Chatz, his face aglow.
+
+"Oh, well," Lil Artha went on, "perhaps now I might be lucky enough to
+tempt that same ghost to pose for me. Anyhow I mean to ask him, if so be
+we happen to run across his trail."
+
+He looked at Chatz, and then winked one eye humorously at Elmer. But the
+Southern boy did not deign to take any notice.
+
+"Come, let's go in, fellows," he said, impatiently.
+
+With that the three started for the other side of the mill, where an
+entrance could most likely be much more easily effected.
+
+Elmer continued to watch the ground, and from the satisfied look on his
+face Lil Artha felt sure the scout master must be discovering further
+traces of the missing boy.
+
+Perhaps, after all, they would find Nat hiding inside the mill or the
+dwelling alongside. Perhaps he had been so busy investigating that he
+had not noticed their shouts, or the bugle call, for the falling water
+made quite a little noise.
+
+Or, on the other hand, possibly Nat may have been seized with a sudden
+desire to tease his comrades in return for many a practical joke of
+which he had been the victim.
+
+But one of the three was quite firm in his belief that neither of these
+explanations would turn out to be the true one.
+
+Of course this was Chatz Maxfield, through whose mind had run the
+conviction that poor Nat Scott must have paid dearly for his temerity in
+invading the haunted mill.
+
+Yes, Chatz feared that the ghost must have got Nat, though he was afraid
+to openly proclaim his belief. Fear of ridicule was a weakness of Chatz.
+It often causes boys to hide their real feelings, and even appear to be
+much bolder than they naturally are.
+
+Once around the end of the mill and they saw the dwelling attached to
+it.
+
+Here, too, was the old road, now overgrown with weeds and almost hidden
+from view. And yet, twenty years ago, in Miller Munsey's time, no doubt
+farmers daily drove up here with sacks of corn, wheat, or rye, to have
+the grain delivered to them again in the shape of flour.
+
+"Shall we try to go in by way of the house door?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"No," replied Elmer, "he went in through that opening where some boards
+are off the side of the mill. Perhaps we'd better do the same."
+
+"A good idea," remarked Chatz, with the air of one who could not get
+inside the walls of the mill too speedily to please him.
+
+"Just as you say, Elmer," the lanky scout observed; for having been in
+the company of the other when the latter was acting as pathfinder to the
+expedition, Lil Artha was more than ever filled with admiration for his
+wonderful talents in discovering things supposed to be lost.
+
+So Elmer without further hesitation ducked through the opening, with his
+two allies keeping close to his heels.
+
+At any rate it was somewhat more restful inside the mill.
+
+Those walls, even if now going rapidly into a condition of decay, shut
+out some of the noise caused by the falling water.
+
+Lil Artha and Chatz both looked about them eagerly, even anxiously, as
+soon as they found themselves within those walls which had once
+resounded to the clatter of the grinding.
+
+Their motives, however, were probably as far apart as the two poles;
+while the long-legged scout hoped, yet dreaded, to see the figure of Nat
+Scott lying somewhere about, Chatz, on the other hand, was anticipating
+discovering some token of ghostly visitors.
+
+Nothing rewarded either of them, however. The interior of the mill was
+of course in a generally dilapidated condition. What remnants of the
+crushing and milling machinery remained were rusty and broken, as though
+tramps may have made the place a refuge, and tried to destroy what they
+could not carry away to sell.
+
+The boards creaked dismally under their tread. More than that, they
+were loose in places, and Lil Artha, stepping upon the end of one, might
+have vanished through a gap in the floor only that his agility saved
+him.
+
+"Wow, would you see that, now, Elmer!" he exclaimed, his voice sounding
+strange amidst such singular surroundings.
+
+"You made a neat side step, old fellow," said the one addressed. "Some
+of us, more clumsy, would have slid down into the cellar."
+
+"Say, now, I wonder--" began Lil Artha, and then stopped to stare at the
+treacherous plank that formed such a trap.
+
+"You're wondering whether poor old Nat could have taken that tumble?"
+suggested Elmer.
+
+"That's what I was; what do you think?" asked the tall scout.
+
+"Here, lay hold and we'll soon find out," remarked Elmer, bending over
+the loose plank.
+
+It required considerable tugging to get it out of the bed it had
+occupied so long, even if it was fastened by no nails.
+
+Both of them lay down and thrust their faces into the gap.
+
+"Looks pretty dark down there, don't it?" asked Lil Artha, who was
+secretly shivering with the anticipation of making a grewsome discovery,
+but who would not have his comrades know the true condition of his
+nerves for a good deal.
+
+"It sure does that," was Elmer's reply.
+
+"I can just make out something or other lying down there; it might be
+an old log, you know, and again, p'raps it ain't."
+
+Lil Artha did not venture to say plainly that he more than half feared
+lest the object he could see might turn out to be poor Nat Scott. But
+that was a fact.
+
+"Well, let's find out for sure."
+
+Elmer, while speaking, was taking something from his pocket. It proved
+to be an old newspaper, from which he tore a sheet, crumpling it up into
+a ball.
+
+"I generally carry a newspaper along when I go into the woods," he said
+in explanation. "And it's wonderful what a help it sometimes turns out
+to be in case you want to start a quick fire. Now for a match."
+
+"I'm sorry now," remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"About what?" asked the scout leader.
+
+"That I didn't think to fetch it along--that new electric hand torch my
+father gave me on my birthday, you remember, Elmer?"
+
+"Oh," laughed Elmer, "well, who'd ever think we'd have any need of a
+torch on this hike! Why, it was an altogether daylight affair, and we
+expected to be back home long before supper time. I even promised Mark
+to practice battery work some this afternoon. There, now watch when it
+drops. I hope there's nothing down there to take fire."
+
+"If the old trap did go up in smoke I guess nobody would care much,"
+muttered Lil Artha, as he pressed his face still further into the
+opening, after Elmer released his fire ball.
+
+The burning paper seemed to alight upon the damp earthen floor of the
+cellar. Immediately both boys tried to secure a mental photograph of all
+there was below them.
+
+"It's only a log!" cried Lil Artha, in a relieved tone of voice, and at
+the same time betraying more or less disappointment, for perhaps he had
+made up his mind that they were to be treated to some species of horror.
+
+"You're right," added Elmer, "that's what it is--an old log that has
+lain there, goodness only knows how long. Nat doesn't seem to have
+slipped down into the cellar, then, does he?"
+
+"Not that you could notice," replied Lil Artha, and then he added: "but
+Elmer, didn't you notice something jump when that paper first went
+down?"
+
+"Well, yes, I did, for a fact, Arthur."
+
+"Any idea what it could be?" persisted the other.
+
+"I hope you're not thinking of that ghost we've heard so much about?"
+said Elmer.
+
+"Now, that's hardly fair, Elmer; you know I don't take any stock in
+fairy tales or hobgoblin yarns. But something sure moved."
+
+"A big rat I guess, perhaps a muskrat from the pond above. They
+sometimes find a burrow leads them to some old, unused cellar."
+
+"But look over there, and you'll see a lot of white bones, Elmer,"
+pursued Lil Artha.
+
+"That's a fact. Some animal must have fallen in here, starved to death,
+and been eaten up by the rats."
+
+"But, Elmer, are you sure they are animal bones?"
+
+"I noticed the skull, and I think it must have been a large dog,"
+replied Elmer.
+
+Then he and the tall scout scrambled hastily to their feet, for Chatz
+had suddenly given utterance to an exclamation that seemed to contain
+much of both surprise and mystification.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE TRAIL GROWS WARMER.
+
+
+"Say, just look up there, fellows!"
+
+Chatz pointed a quivering finger upward as he gave utterance to these
+words.
+
+Of course both Elmer and the lengthy scout followed his directions, and
+turned an inquiring gaze toward the dimly seen rafters of the old
+deserted mill.
+
+"Gee whittaker! what in the dickens are they?" exclaimed Lil Artha, as
+his startled eyes rested on what seemed to be countless numbers of queer
+little bunches of dusky gray or brown hair.
+
+They looked for all the world like some farmer's wife's winter
+collection of herbs, tied up in small packages, and fastened in regular
+order along the different beams.
+
+"Well, I declare," laughed Elmer.
+
+"You know what they are, Elmer; let us in on it, won't you?" demanded
+Chatz.
+
+"Nothing whatever to do with the ghost, but all the same often found in
+haunted houses, church belfries, and old towers. See here."
+
+He stooped and picked up quite a good-sized stone that happened to be
+lying on the floor.
+
+Elmer was a pitcher on the Hickory Ridge baseball nine, and could hurl a
+pretty swift ball.
+
+When he shot that stone upward it went like a young cyclone, struck the
+rafters with a loud bang, clattered around from one beam to another, and
+finally fell back to the floor with a thud.
+
+This latter sound was certainly not heard by any one of the three
+scouts, for it was utterly drowned in a tremendous rush as of sturdy
+wings, and several openings above were filled with some rapidly flying
+objects.
+
+"Wow, did you ever see the like of that now!" cried Lil Artha.
+
+"What were they, Elmer?" asked Chatz, who had really been too startled
+to think fairly.
+
+"Bats!" replied the scout leader, promptly.
+
+"I supposed as much," declared Chatz, "and as you remarked just now,
+they always seem to like a building said to be haunted."
+
+"Well," remarked the tall boy, "sometimes I've had the fellows hint to
+me that I had bats in _my_ belfry; but sure not that many. Why, I reckon
+there must have been well-nigh a thousand in that gay bunch, Elmer."
+
+"I guess there were, more or less," replied the other.
+
+"And now what?" asked Chatz.
+
+"Let's look further here before we go into the house itself," the scout
+master made reply.
+
+So they went from one end of the deserted mill to the other, peering
+into every place where it seemed there might be the slightest hope of
+discovering their missing comrade.
+
+Elmer even entered a small room off the main floor, and which had
+possibly been used as an office when the grist-mill was in business.
+
+"Nothing doing, Elmer?" announced Lil Artha, as the other came out
+again.
+
+Elmer shook his head in the negative.
+
+"Don't seem to be around here at all," he said.
+
+"Well, let's try the house," suggested Chatz; and it was easily seen
+from his manner that he was eager to make the change.
+
+After one more careful glance around, as if to make absolutely positive
+that nothing had been neglected, the scout leader nodded his head.
+
+"Come on, then, fellows," he said.
+
+So the others once more fell in his wake, like true scouts who knew
+their little lesson full well, and were ready to follow their leader
+wherever he might choose to go.
+
+Elmer had previously noticed a door leading, as he believed, from the
+main mill into the cottage that had once been the miller's home.
+
+Toward this he now pushed. He wondered if he would find the door
+fastened in any way. One touch told him it was not.
+
+And so, without hesitation, Elmer strode across the threshold into what
+had once been the happy home of a contented miller, until trouble came,
+and tragedy ended it all.
+
+Like the mill itself the house was fast falling into a state of decay.
+
+It was only a cottage of some four rooms, all on the one floor. The boys
+passed from one apartment to another until presently they had been over
+all the territory comprised within those four walls, so far as they
+could see.
+
+Both Chatz and Lil Artha uttered exclamations that breathed their
+disappointment.
+
+Because each of them had failed to discover that upon which he had set
+his mind he failed to see anything else.
+
+Not so Elmer, who carried out the principle which he was forever holding
+up before the others as a cardinal virtue which should govern a true
+scout always.
+
+He noted a number of things that the other two might have passed by,
+simply because they refused to let their minds work outside of a certain
+groove.
+
+A frown came upon Elmer's face also, as though he did not wholly like
+the looks of things.
+
+"Well, he ain't here, that's sure," remarked Lil Artha, shrugging his
+shoulders in disgust.
+
+"He certainly isn't," muttered Chatz, who, however, was thinking of an
+entirely different object than the one the tall boy referred to.
+
+"Suppose we give him a shout, and see if there's any result?" suggested
+Lil Artha.
+
+"Do so, if you like," replied Elmer, in a tone that did not seem to
+promise much faith in the outcome of this plan.
+
+So the tall boy raised his voice and shouted in his loudest key. A few
+stray bats that had taken up lodgings in various dark corners of the
+four rooms went flapping through a broken sash. But beyond that nothing
+came to pass.
+
+"This sure beats the Dutch," remarked Lil Artha, using his bandana again
+to wipe off the perspiration that had gathered in beads upon his
+forehead.
+
+Elmer was looking around again.
+
+"Wonder if there can be a cellar under here?" he remarked, presently.
+
+"I should say yes," replied the tall boy.
+
+"Then there ought to be a trapdoor in the floor somewhere about. Look
+around and see if you can find it, boys," Elmer continued, himself
+stepping into the kitchen.
+
+Chatz and the tall boy had hardly gotten well started in their search
+than they heard Elmer calling.
+
+"He's found it, sure!" observed the Southern lad.
+
+"The luckiest chap ever, take that from me," declared Lil Artha, and
+then adding hastily: "but then, he always deserves his luck, because he
+works for it."
+
+Although he did not exactly mean to do so, the one who said that
+expressed one of the greatest truths known. Deserve good luck, and it
+will many times knock at your door. Do things worth while, and obtain
+pleasing results.
+
+Of course they hastened into the kitchen. Here they found Elmer bending
+over and examining the floor.
+
+"It's a trapdoor, all right," declared Lil Artha, as he noted the
+dimensions of the cracks that formed an almost perfect square.
+
+"But how to get it up's the question," said Elmer; "for there seems to
+be no ring in sight. All the same, boys, I reckon this same trap has
+been used more than a few times lately, from the looks of things."
+
+"Whew! do you really mean it, Elmer?" remarked Chatz, deeply interested.
+
+"Why, you can see for yourself right here that some sort of tool has
+been used to pry up the thing," Elmer went on.
+
+"Say, I had a glimpse of an old broken kitchen knife lying over there by
+the sink. Wonder if that would do the trick? Shall I get it?" remarked
+Lil Artha.
+
+"If you will," replied Elmer.
+
+The article in question was speedily placed in the hands of the scout
+master.
+
+"Just the very thing to lift this trap with," he declared, as he started
+to insert the stout remnant of the blade in the crack.
+
+"Reckon it's been used to do the trick many a time," advanced Chatz.
+
+"I wouldn't wonder," Elmer added.
+
+Using the broken blade as a lever he soon pried the trap up far enough
+to allow the others a chance to insert their ready fingers. After that
+it was easily completed, and the square of wooden flooring removed.
+
+"Dark as Egypt," remarked Lil Artha, as he tried to pierce the gloom
+with his gaze.
+
+Elmer made a move, and Chatz, thinking he intended descending the ladder
+that led down into the unknown depths, caught his arm.
+
+"I wouldn't do it, Elmer," he said.
+
+"Do what?" asked the other.
+
+"Go down there," continued Chatz. "No telling how deep it may be or what
+lies there, either. If anybody must go, send me."
+
+"Well," laughed Elmer, "I like your nerve, Chatz. You think something
+might hurt _me_, but you don't care so much for yourself. That's like
+you Southern fellows, though. But make your mind easy, my boy, because
+just at present I don't think any of us need drop into this hole."
+
+"I'm glad of that," declared the other; "but when you made a move I
+thought you were going."
+
+"Oh, I only meant to get out my newspaper again, and make another little
+candle," said Elmer, with a chuckle.
+
+"Well, say what you will, boys," remarked Lil Artha, who had been
+thrusting his head below the level of the floor and sniffing at a great
+rate; "I'm glad, too, that we don't just have to drop down this ladder.
+It's cold and damp down there, and I tell you I don't like the smell."
+
+"There is a queer odor comes up, now that you mention it," admitted
+Elmer.
+
+At that the eyes of Chatz grew round with wonder and suspense.
+
+"Oh, I hope you don't think--" he began, when Elmer interrupted him.
+
+"Kind of fishy smell, don't you think?" he said.
+
+"Well, since you speak of it I rather guess it is something like that,"
+Lil Artha admitted.
+
+Then Chatz breathed easy again.
+
+"But how could fish ever get in here from the mill pond?" he demanded.
+
+"Give it up; I pass. Ask me something easy," the tall scout hastened to
+say.
+
+Meanwhile Elmer had, as before, taken a section of the newspaper,
+crumpled it into a ball, and after that drew out his match box.
+
+"Guess it's safe to drop this down," he remarked. "It seems so damp
+there can really be no danger of anything taking fire."
+
+"Sure there couldn't," asserted Lil Artha, sturdily. "Let her go, Elmer;
+and everybody look."
+
+The match crackled, and the resulting flame was instantly applied to the
+paper ball.
+
+Then Elmer let this drop, after he had made sure it would burn.
+
+Three pairs of very good eyes immediately started in to take a complete
+inventory of the contents of the little damp cellar under the deserted
+mill cottage.
+
+For perhaps a full minute the paper ball continued to burn, lighting up
+the cellar well enough for them to see from wall to wall.
+
+Then the flame dwindled, flickered, and finally went out altogether.
+Chatz gave a big sigh.
+
+"Well, I declare!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What did you see, Chatz?" asked Elmer.
+
+"Who, me?" exclaimed the Southern boy. "Nothing at all, Elmer," and his
+manner told plainly that he was both disappointed and disgusted.
+
+"How about you, Arthur?" continued the acting scout master.
+
+"What did I see?" Lil Artha replied, promptly; "four damp-looking stone
+walls, a hard earth floor, and a few old boxes lying around, but not
+another blessed thing."
+
+Something about Elmer's manner caught his attention and aroused his
+suspicions.
+
+"See here, did _you_ discover anything?" he demanded.
+
+"Well," replied Elmer, "I can't say that the evidence is so plain a
+fellow who runs may read; but from a number of things I've seen since
+coming here to the Munsey mill pond I've about made up my mind this
+place isn't quite as deserted as people seem to believe."
+
+"Do you mean, Elmer," cried Lil Artha, excitedly, "that tramps or some
+more yeggmen, like those fellows we met with up at McGraw's lumber camp,
+have squatted here in this haunted house?"
+
+"Something like that," replied the other, steadily, "though I don't
+believe they dare spend a night under this roof. There's no sign of
+that."
+
+"But what would they kidnap our chum for?" demanded the excited tall
+scout.
+
+"I don't know for certain, but we're going to find out pretty soon,"
+said Elmer, with a determined look.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+HUNTING FOR THE MISSING SCOUT.
+
+
+"Honest, now, Elmer, do you really believe that?" asked Chatz Maxfield,
+after staring at the scout master in a puzzled manner for half a dozen
+seconds.
+
+"It looks so, on the face of it," replied the other.
+
+"But plague take it," argued Chatz, "for the life of me I just can't
+understand, suh, what those fellows would want to make a prisoner of
+poor Nat for. In all our troop he's about the most harmless scout,
+except perhaps Jasper Merriweather. Nat is strong as an ox, but he
+wouldn't hurt a fly if he could help it."
+
+"That's so," echoed Lil Artha. "I've seen him walk around so as not to
+step on a harmless little snake on the road. And it wasn't because he
+was afraid of snakes, either. Remember he killed that fierce big
+copperhead last summer, after the other fellows had skipped out?"
+
+"There's one chance, though," Elmer went on, "that after all Nat may be
+hiding."
+
+"But he knows the sound of the bugle, and what penalty follows
+disobedience on the part of a scout," declared Lil Artha.
+
+"That's true enough, fellows," Elmer said, as if he himself might be
+trying to see through a haze; "but perhaps Nat finds himself in a
+position where he can't answer us without betraying himself to these
+unknown men."
+
+Again did Chatz and the tall scout look at each other helplessly. And
+judging from the way they shook their heads, the puzzle was evidently
+too deep for them.
+
+"Say, Elmer, you manage to get on to these things in a way to beat the
+band; could you give a guess now about how many men there are holding
+out around this old haunted mill?"
+
+Lil Artha asked this in good faith. He had come to believe, with most of
+his comrades, that Elmer Chenowith was next door to a wizard. Of course
+they realized that his knowledge was at all times founded on facts and
+common sense; yet this did not detract from the wonder of his
+accomplishments.
+
+"I think there are three at least, perhaps four or five in the lot,"
+Elmer replied.
+
+"Whew! that's a healthy crowd of toughs, now, to run up against!"
+remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"And what do you propose doing, suh, if I may make so bold as to ask?"
+
+Chatz was usually a very dignified fellow, especially when coming in
+contact with one who, according to recognized scout law, must be
+considered his superior officer, and as such entitled to respect.
+
+"First of all, perhaps we'd better go outside," the other replied.
+
+"And tell the rest of the boys what we've found--or rather what we
+didn't find," remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"Yes. There doesn't seem to be anything more to poke into here; for I'm
+dead certain those men, whoever they are, don't make their headquarters
+in either the mill or the cottage."
+
+"You mean they don't sleep here; is that it, suh?" inquired Chatz.
+
+"That covers the ground," Elmer answered.
+
+"But they _do_ come in here sometimes, while the sun is shining,"
+persisted Chatz.
+
+"I have seen the marks of many heavy hobnailed shoes in the dust of this
+place; and some of the prints were very fresh," came the answer.
+
+"Then if they're wanting in the nerve to sleep under this roof, when it
+would be so handy, in a thunderstorm like we had the other day, for
+instance, that looks as if they believed some in the ghost story, don't
+it, Elmer?"
+
+"Why, I suppose it does, Chatz."
+
+"All right. I'm not saying anything more," remarked the Southern boy,
+with a look of conviction on his dark face, "but I only hope we run
+across one or more of these mysterious unknowns while we're up at
+Munsey's mill."
+
+"Listen to that, would you, Elmer! I declare if he don't mean to
+interview these fellows, and find out what they've gone and seen here in
+the night time!" and Lil Artha chuckled as he said this.
+
+"All right," remarked Chatz. "There are a lot of things I've always
+wanted to know, and I'd be a silly to let the chance slip past me."
+
+"Hey, how about this bally old trapdoor, Elmer?" demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"We'd better put it back where it belongs," replied the scout leader.
+
+"I reckon you're right, suh," observed Chatz. "If some one came in here,
+walking in the dark, he might take a nasty header down this hole."
+
+"Say, supposing your ghost did that," remarked the tall scout, as he
+helped lift the wooden square back to where it belonged; "why, you could
+do better than asking questions of an outsider, because, Chatz, you
+might interview your old ghost himself."
+
+The other drew himself up.
+
+"Kindly omit calling it _my_ ghost, if you please, suh," he said,
+stiffly. "I don't pretend to have any claim on the object in
+question--if there really is such a thing. I'm only wanting to know; and
+I come from South Carolina, suh, not Missouri."
+
+Elmer, after one last glance around the kitchen, was heading for the
+other room where an exit could be made.
+
+And it was almost ludicrous to see with what haste the other two
+followed after; just as if neither of them cared to be left alone inside
+the walls of the haunted mill cottage.
+
+Once outside, they found several of their comrades clustered near by,
+evidently awaiting them. That curiosity was rapidly reaching fever heat
+it was easy to see from the anxious looks cast upon those who had been
+investigating the interior of the buildings.
+
+No doubt every fellow had meanwhile been industriously engaged in
+ransacking his brain to remember all he had ever heard concerning
+Munsey's mill, and the troublesome spirit that had frightened away three
+separate tenants in years gone by.
+
+They were rather a demoralized trio of boys who welcomed the coming of
+Elmer, Chatz, and Lil Artha.
+
+"Find any signs of Nat?" asked one.
+
+"Hope the plagued old ghost didn't get him," another ventured.
+
+"Tell us all about it, Elmer?" asked the third member of the little
+bunch.
+
+But the scout leader instead raised the bugle to his lips and sounded
+the assembly call.
+
+Voices were heard, and immediately the others came hurrying to the spot.
+Landy was the last to arrive, and he came up puffing and blowing as
+though he might have been at some little distance when he heard the
+summons for gathering.
+
+"Listen!" said Elmer, raising his hand, and immediately the confused
+chattering of many boyish tongues ceased.
+
+This enabled them to hear distant shouts from the southeast, as though
+newcomers might be approaching the mill over about the same course as
+that they had pursued.
+
+"Mark Cummings and the last detachment!" declared Matty.
+
+"Hurrah! six more good fellows to do battle with the outlaws of the
+haunted mill!" exclaimed Red; at which some of the others gasped in
+astonishment, and exchanged uneasy glances.
+
+"Better wait till they all get here, boys," said Elmer, "and then I'll
+tell you what we've found out, also what we suspect."
+
+Chatz and Lil Artha could not but notice how particular Elmer was to use
+the plural pronoun. But then, that was always his way. Whatever faults
+the boy may have had--and the best of fellows comes far from being
+perfect--selfishness was not one of them. Impatiently they waited for
+the coming of the six scouts forming the last detachment. This would
+increase their roll-call to sixteen, lacking only _one_ of the number
+that had started out.
+
+Presently a sight of khaki uniforms among the trees announced their near
+approach.
+
+As the two wings of the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts came together,
+there was a general exchange of badinage.
+
+The newcomers had an intense desire to learn whether their
+interpretation of the messages might excel that of the first detachment.
+
+But in the midst of the questioning, the startling news concerning Nat
+Scott's mysterious vanishing began to circulate among the newcomers.
+
+This put a quietus on all business, and the entire troop clustered
+around Elmer, begging to know what it could mean.
+
+So the scout master, understanding just how his comrades must feel,
+started in to explain, as far as lay in his power.
+
+First of all, for the benefit of the newcomers, he told of how Nat's
+disappearance was brought to his attention by Toby and Ty, just before
+the coming of Matty and his group of scouts.
+
+Then he quickly related what he and Chatz and Lil Artha had done in the
+deserted buildings close by.
+
+Presently the story was finished, and some of the boys, who had listened
+with hearts beating much faster than their wont, took the first decent
+breath in five minutes.
+
+Of course questions poured in on Elmer as thick as hail stones during a
+summer storm. Finding it utterly impossible to answer a quarter of these
+intelligently, and make any kind of progress, Elmer called for silence.
+
+"It stands to reason, fellows," he remarked, when the last whisper had
+died away, "that we've got to have system about this thing if we expect
+to do any business. Am I right?"
+
+"Yes, yes," came from every scout; for boys though they were, they
+recognized the wisdom of what he said.
+
+"All right, then," Elmer went on. "I'm going to divide the troop into
+three searching parties. We must scour the neighborhood and see if we
+can find any sign of where these unknown men sleep, for there isn't any
+trace of their staying in cottage or mill at night time."
+
+"We understand what you mean, Elmer. How shall we divide up?" asked
+Mark.
+
+"You keep your detachment as it was, intact, Mark," came the reply; "and
+Matty, you have your six to back you. Lil Artha, Toby, and Ty will fall
+in with me, and make the third party."
+
+"All right, suh, we understand," called out Chatz.
+
+But he, as well as many others of the boys, showed in their faces that
+they envied the good luck of the three fellows who had been picked out
+to form Elmer's smaller group.
+
+"What are our duties to be?" asked Mark, who, having only recently
+arrived, and being staggered by the sudden nature of the intelligence,
+had as yet not fully grasped the situation.
+
+"First of all, let every scout who has not already done so, pick up a
+stout club in the woods, as he passes along," said Elmer.
+
+"Like this, for instance," remarked Jack Armitage, flourishing a husky
+specimen that would pass muster for an Irishman's shillalah.
+
+"Or this!" cried Red, whose cudgel was as long as a walking stick, and
+almost as thick through as his wrist.
+
+"Suit yourselves about that, boys," continued the scout master, "only
+don't be in a hurry to use them as weapons until you have the order.
+Now, each detachment must keep close enough together so that the
+members may communicate by means of patrol calls--the cry of the wolf,
+the slap of a beaver's tail as he beats the water to call his mate, or
+the scream of the eagle."
+
+"We know, Elmer; what else?" asked Matty.
+
+"All the while you will keep on the lookout for some sign of the enemy.
+The scout who discovers anything that he thinks would have a bearing on
+the solving of the puzzle must immediately summon his leader. This he
+can do by the whistle which all of you know, as it has been used
+before."
+
+"Is that all, Elmer?" asked Mark.
+
+"If the matter seems very important to the mind of the leader, let him
+give the assembly call very loud on his whistle. Upon hearing that,
+every scout is expected to give up hunting on his own account, and head
+in toward the place the signal comes from. Is that plain to every
+fellow?"
+
+A chorus of assent answered him.
+
+"That's all, then, fellows," Elmer went on. "Do your duty, every scout.
+We've got to find our comrade, and we've got to get him out of the hands
+of these men, whoever they may turn out to be."
+
+"If they've hurt our Nat, it's going to be a bad day for them, that's
+all," blustered Red, as he pounded his club against an inoffensive
+stone.
+
+"Now, start out, fellows, and let's see who'll be the lucky one to
+discover this hidden shack where these men must stay nights," Elmer
+concluded.
+
+"Say, hold on here! Is _that_ what you're looking for--a hidden shack?
+Why, I can take you to one right now," called out a voice.
+
+The speaker was Landy Smith.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE AMBITION OF LANDY.
+
+
+Every boy became suddenly stationary when this surprising intelligence
+broke from the lips of the new member, who, like three others in the
+troop, did not wear a khaki uniform.
+
+Elmer had several times let his eye fall on the stout boy, as though
+trying to guess what his manner indicated.
+
+He had seen Landy come up last of all, panting so for breath that not
+one word had he spoken while the scout master was explaining things.
+
+Landy was not only a tenderfoot scout, but he had in a number of ways
+proven his right to the title of greenhorn.
+
+Imagine, then, the utter amazement of his comrades when he so coolly
+declared that he might be able to lead them to a hidden shack.
+
+Elmer, if surprised, did not allow this fact to interfere with his plain
+duty.
+
+"Come here, Landy," he said, and the stout new recruit hastened to do as
+he was ordered.
+
+Of course Landy would not have been human, and a boy, had he been able
+to repress the grin that forced itself upon his rosy countenance.
+
+Perhaps he remembered saying not so very long ago that the time might
+come when he would be able to prove his ability to carry the name of a
+scout.
+
+Of course at the time Landy could never have even dreamed the opening
+would arrive so soon. That made it all the more welcome. Perhaps now,
+some of the fellows who loved to tease him, and say that he was too fat
+and slow-witted to ever be a shining success in the Hickory Hill troop,
+would change their tune.
+
+Landy's hour had come. He was in the lime light, and occupied the center
+of the stage.
+
+Mindful of the respect due his superior officer, Landy saluted as he
+clicked his heels together, and stood at attention before the scout
+master.
+
+"You say you can show us where there is a hidden shack or cabin, do you,
+Number Eight?"
+
+Elmer frequently addressed the boys by the number they held in their
+patrol, and as Landy was the last one admitted into the Wolf Patrol he
+went as Number Eight.
+
+"Yes, sir," the tenderfoot replied, quite enjoying the fact that fifteen
+pairs of eager eyes were riveted upon him right then and there.
+
+Landy looked redder than usual, but for all that he seemed able to
+command his voice, for it did not tremble a particle.
+
+"You arrived later than the rest when I sounded the assembly on the
+bugle," went on Elmer; "was that because you were some little distance
+away?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I was just going to peek in through the window of that funny
+little cabin I found when I heard the call. But I didn't look, sir,
+because I knew _a scout's duty was to obey_!"
+
+"Hear, hear!" said Red, in a low voice.
+
+"That was well done, Number Eight," Elmer continued, "and I hope you
+will always keep your duty before your mind. Do you think you could lead
+us to where you saw that hidden shack?"
+
+"I expect I can, sir; anyhow, I'm ready to try," Landy promptly
+answered.
+
+Several of the scouts exchanged nods and glances. Why, they had never
+before dreamed that the fat boy had so much business about him. He acted
+just as might one who had been a member of the troop a whole month,
+instead of but a few days.
+
+It was plain to be seen that his becoming a scout was going to be the
+making of Philander Smith. Already there was a great change in his ways.
+He was throwing off his weaknesses, and beginning to think for himself.
+
+"All right," said Elmer; "suppose you come with me, then, Number Eight,
+and try to go back over your own trail. That might be the quickest way
+to get there."
+
+"But how about us, Mr. Scout Master; do we keep up the formation as
+arranged?" asked Mark.
+
+"No, for the present that is all off," Elmer replied, "the whole of you
+fall in behind; and don't forget to keep an eye out for your sticks. But
+no talking above a whisper, remember. This may turn out to be serious
+business."
+
+The scouts already realized this. Still his words of caution entailing
+silence were well placed, for boys as a rule do love to chatter.
+
+And so the whole troop started off, with Elmer and Landy in the lead,
+the latter hardly knowing whether to be tickled at the attention he was
+receiving, or worried because he presently began to doubt his ability to
+"deliver the goods."
+
+Strange how all sections of the woods look alike to a fellow who is a
+novice in the art of picking his way. Landy had imagined that he was
+just soaking in valuable information while following the lead of Matty
+or Elmer. But when the crisis arose, and he found himself placed upon
+his own responsibility, he lost confidence.
+
+Pretty soon Elmer guessed the truth, and that their guide was getting
+what Lil Artha would call "wabbly." This was when he took them twice to
+the same spot and then looked pained.
+
+"Up a stump, fellows," chuckled Larry, who had perhaps himself felt a
+little twinge of jealousy because a greenhorn had so suddenly leaped
+into the front when older and more experienced scouts had been unable to
+score.
+
+But Elmer was not at all dismayed. In fact, to tell the actual truth, he
+had rather expected that the new beginner might find more or less
+trouble in carrying out his orders.
+
+"Getting mixed up some, are you, Number Eight?" he demanded, as Landy
+scratched his head and then tenderly caressed quite a good-sized lump
+they now saw he had on his forehead.
+
+"Well, I'm sorry to say, sir, I seem to be a little confused," admitted
+the fat boy; "but then perhaps that ain't to be wondered at if you knew
+just how hard I bumped into that crooked tree yonder."
+
+"With your head?" asked Elmer.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Landy; "you see I was trying to hurry, when my foot
+caught in a vine and I went ker-slam right against that tree. Say, but I
+saw ten million stars right then! and that's no exaggeration, sir."
+
+"Why do you say it was this tree, Number Eight?" the young disciple of
+woodcraft continued.
+
+"Well, it was impressed pretty forcibly on my head, and my mind, too,
+sir," grinned Landy, "and perhaps, if you looked, you could find the
+dent I bet I made when I struck."
+
+Some of the boys snickered at this. Not so Elmer, who seemed to feel he
+had quite a serious proposition on his hands, and that the others had a
+right to look to him to untangle the knot.
+
+"I'll soon find out," he said, and then turning to the crowd he added:
+"keep back and give me a chance to see if Landy is right."
+
+"He's after the trail, that's what," said one of the scouts, as they saw
+Elmer advance to where the crooked tree pointed out by the fat recruit
+stood, and bend down at its base.
+
+Every eye remained glued on the young scout master. Not a word more was
+said, for they knew that explanation of Elmer's movements must be the
+right one.
+
+No sooner had Elmer dropped to his knees than he felt a thrill of
+pleasure.
+
+"It's here, sure enough!" he muttered, as his eye discovered the torn
+turf where Landy's toes must have dragged when he fell.
+
+And with the knowledge of trailing which he possessed, it must surely
+prove an easy task to follow those plain tracks. Landy knew nothing at
+all concerning the art of hiding a trail, and which the bearer of the
+wampum belt and his companion had tried their best to put into practice
+with the idea of deceiving the pathfinder who came behind.
+
+When Landy put his foot down it was with considerable emphasis.
+Consequently, any one of the more experienced scouts would have been
+equal to the task of following that trail backward.
+
+As Elmer moved away he made a swift, beckoning movement with his arm.
+This the boys interpreted as a command or invitation to "get a move on,"
+as Lil Artha put it, and follow after their leader.
+
+So the troop moved onward, and more than one fellow's teeth came
+together with a click as he grasped his cudgel tighter in his hand, and
+resolved to give a good account of himself should it become necessary to
+do something violent.
+
+True, the rules counseled peaceful victories; but there may be times
+when it becomes absolutely necessary for Boy Scouts to show that they
+have good red blood in their veins.
+
+And most of those present were of the opinion that the present occasion
+promised to be just such a crisis that called for strenuous treatment.
+
+Their companion, Nat Scott, had mysteriously disappeared, and they had
+good reason to believe that he had fallen into the hands of these
+unknown men who made the vicinity of Munsey's mill their secret
+headquarters.
+
+Why they should seize upon Nat, and what object they could have in
+holding him a prisoner, were questions no one could answer, as yet. But
+they meant to know, and that before long.
+
+Now and then some fellow would step aside without a word, and possess
+himself of some attractive club that had caught his eye while passing.
+
+Evidently none of them had forgotten the injunction of their leader to
+arm themselves. And really it was strange how much comfort even a stout
+walking stick could give a fellow on an occasion of this sort, when
+unseen and unknown perils hovered about them.
+
+Meanwhile Elmer stuck to his task. Indeed, it was an easy one for so
+experienced a tracker and pathfinder, and he did not hurry along faster
+simply because he wanted a little time to collect his own thoughts, and
+decide what ought to be done.
+
+When Landy so obediently gave up his investigation, and sought to rejoin
+the balance of the troop when the bugle sounded, he managed to make what
+proved to be a "bee line" through the woods. Even trees that were in the
+way could not stop him with impunity, as he had proven when he collided
+with that crooked one.
+
+This made Elmer's job still easier. And as he advanced farther into the
+woods he marveled first at the rashness of Landy in wandering so far
+away; and second at the ability he displayed in getting safely back to
+the shore of the pond.
+
+Elmer was keeping one eye out ahead as he moved along. Of course he
+anticipated coming upon the concealed shack at any moment now. When he
+saw an unusually large cluster of high bushes and undergrowth he felt
+positive that he must be almost in touch with the place.
+
+What kind of reception might they expect? If these men, whom none of
+them had as yet even seen, turned out to be rascals who were hiding from
+justice, and who suspected them of being a posse sent out to round up
+the tramp thieves, their manner of greeting might prove to be anything
+but friendly.
+
+Could they have one or more fierce dogs among them? Elmer had not seen
+the first trace of a dog anywhere around, but this could hardly be
+accepted as positive evidence that there were none.
+
+Frequently such men make it a point to possess canine companions. And
+these are invariably of some species fond of the spirit of battle.
+
+It was partly the expectation of running across such four-footed enemies
+that had influenced Elmer to have the boys arm themselves with clubs. He
+knew what a power for good a stout cudgel may prove under such
+conditions.
+
+Looking closely he had to confess that he could see no sign of life
+about that clump of bushes.
+
+And yet the trail led directly from it; and as if to sweep away his last
+remaining doubt he now discovered a second series of fresh tracks
+leading straight _toward_ the spot.
+
+Besides, here was a regular path, beaten down by many feet, and which
+headed in the quarter Elmer knew the big pond lay.
+
+That settled it.
+
+Elmer waited for the balance of the troop to come up. Everyone's gaze
+was fastened on him. Eyes flashed more brightly than usual, and some of
+the boys naturally showed their nervousness by the way they kept their
+cudgels moving.
+
+"Is that the place, Landy, where you saw the shack?" he demanded.
+
+Landy had known it was for more than a full minute past, but he
+remembered that a scout on duty must wait to be asked before
+volunteering any information.
+
+"Yes, sir," he replied, "that is the place."
+
+"Spread out a little, fellows," said Elmer, quietly, "and advance
+slowly. Everyone be ready to give a good account of himself if they rush
+any dogs on us. Forward now!"
+
+And silently the sixteen scouts, spread out somewhat like an open fan,
+started to advance upon the strange dense thicket in which Landy had
+seen a shack.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+READING THE SIGNS.
+
+
+"Halt!"
+
+At the command the scouts came to a stop. They had been gradually
+concentrating as they pushed forward, so that when this halt was made
+they formed half a circle, and each fellow was almost touching elbows
+with the next in line.
+
+Just before them, even though pretty well concealed by the foliage of
+the bushes, they could make out what appeared to be a rough shack.
+
+No other name would apply, for it was clumsily built out of odds and
+ends of boards, secured at the mill, no doubt, together with sods, a
+heap of stones, some mud that had hardened until it resembled mortar;
+and, finally, a roof thatched with straw, much after the style the boys
+had seen in pictures of foreign cottages in Switzerland, France, and
+Italy.
+
+"Say," observed Red, who found it unusually hard to keep from expressing
+his views, "I don't believe there are any kiyi dogs around here,
+fellows."
+
+"Don't seem like it," remarked another, doubtless breathing a sigh of
+relief at the improved prospect.
+
+"Sure we'd have heard them give tongue," observed Toby, advancing boldly
+to look in through the opening at the side of the shack, and which
+doubtless served the purpose of a window.
+
+"Careful, Toby; go slow," called out Elmer; for there could be no
+telling what sort of a storm the appearance of the boys in khaki might
+raise within the shanty.
+
+An intense silence followed. Every fellow could feel his heart pounding
+against his ribs like a trip hammer, and he wondered whether the sound
+were loud enough to betray his nervous frame of mind to his companions,
+never dreaming that they were all in the same box.
+
+A red squirrel in a tree overhead, that had been observing all these
+doings with round-eyed wonder, began to chatter and scold. A little
+striped chipmunk sat up on a neighboring stump and took note.
+
+"Nobody home, fellers," called out Toby, after he had apparently stared
+in through that opening for more than a full minute.
+
+Some of the scouts looked relieved; others frowned as if disgusted. This
+sort of thing might be all very well, but it did not seem to be taking
+them any closer to the rescue of their comrade, or clearing up any of
+the dark fog of mystery that hung like a wet blanket between themselves
+and the solution.
+
+Elmer immediately strode forward. By following the well-defined path he
+was able to find himself at what was plainly the rude door of the shack.
+
+Upon this he knocked sharply. There came no answer, and even the keenest
+ears among the scouts failed to catch the slightest sound following this
+summons.
+
+"Try it once more, Elmer," advised cautious Mark.
+
+Again the tattoo sounded, but as before it produced no results. So Elmer
+opened the door, which he saw had been fashioned in the rudest way from
+boards, and hung upon strap hinges.
+
+As he pushed the door aside, every scout held his breath and gripped his
+stick expectantly. But nothing happened. No string of rough men came
+bustling forth, demanding in coarse language what the boys meant by
+bothering them.
+
+It looked as though Toby must have struck the right key when he so
+confidently declared there was nobody at home.
+
+So Elmer entered, with some of the bolder among the scouts at his heels.
+The balance contented themselves in pressing around the door and window,
+and taking it out in looking.
+
+Just as he had expected, Elmer found the interior of the shack pretty
+gloomy. Under the best of conditions very little daylight could find a
+way through such small openings, and these were now almost filled by the
+bodies of the curious scouts. But this was a matter easily remedied.
+Elmer had his matchsafe ready in his hands, and his first act was to
+strike a light.
+
+As soon as the match flamed up he cast one quick look around the
+interior. This assured him that there were certainly no low-browed men
+crouching in the corners, and ready to hurl themselves upon the young
+invaders.
+
+The next thing Elmer did was also a very natural move. He saw a candle
+in a bottle, standing on an upturned box, and stepping forward he
+applied his match to the waiting wick.
+
+Then he looked around again.
+
+There could be no doubt about this shack having been recently used as
+sleeping quarters by a number of men.
+
+Several heaps of straw told where they lay, and Elmer counted four of
+these. Then there were a few bits of old clothing hanging from nails, a
+pair of heavy shoes, a frying pan, a kettle in which coffee might have
+been made, some broken bread, part of a ham, and some ears of corn; this
+last possibly stolen from the field of some farmer.
+
+It looked like a tramp's paradise, but the puzzle was, what would tramps
+be doing so far away from all customary sources of supply?
+
+Elmer sniffed the atmosphere, which was both heavy and far from
+pleasant. And Lil Artha, who had pressed into the shack, hot upon the
+heels of his chief, took note of his significant action.
+
+"I should say yes, it's rank as all get out," he remarked, holding his
+nose between a finger and thumb. "Even beats that fishy smell we struck
+when we looked down into the cellar at the cottage. Whew!"
+
+Others expressed themselves about as strongly, and little Jasper
+Merriweather, who had unwisely pushed into the shack, found it necessary
+to hurry out again, white of face and gasping.
+
+But Elmer had conceived an idea, even while suffering from the
+unpleasant odor of the place.
+
+"Howling cats!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "I don't see how you can stand it,
+Elmer. Talk to me about tramps, and the way they hate water, here's the
+rank evidence of it. Wow, ain't I sorry for poor Nat if he's got to
+associate with this hobo crowd for long!"
+
+"But how do we know they're hoboes?" asked Elmer, turning on the tall
+scout.
+
+"Hey? What's that?" exclaimed Lil Artha, actually so surprised that he
+neglected to hold that firm grip on his nose any longer.
+
+"What makes you so sure they're tramps?" pursued the scout master.
+
+"Why, goodness gracious alive, Elmer, you don't mean to say you doubt
+that now?" cried the tall boy, sweeping his hand around as though to
+draw attention to the various articles that seemed to stamp that theory
+a positive fact.
+
+"Seeing these things here is what makes me question that idea very
+much," began Elmer; and then he picked up one of the old shoes, to hold
+it at arm's length. "Look at that, fellows; never made in this country,
+and you know it. Hobnails such as no one but foreigners use on their
+shoes."
+
+"Well, I declare; I guess Elmer's right!" exclaimed Red.
+
+"He certainly is, suh, take my word foh it," was the way Chatz expressed
+himself.
+
+"Now look here, whoever saw a tramp's nest with anything like this in
+it?" and Elmer picked up a string of beads, evidently a rosary, that
+must have been overlooked in a hasty flight.
+
+"Whew, that's going some!" ejaculated Phil Dale who, with his cousin
+Landy, happened to be in the shack eager to see all that went on.
+
+"Perhaps he can even tell us what brand of foreigners these fellows
+are," remarked Landy, who was beginning to look upon Elmer pretty much
+in the light of a wizard.
+
+"Oh, that ought to be easy, fellows," said the young scout master, as he
+reached up and took down a worn letter his quick eye had noticed stuck
+in a crack.
+
+Every eye was immediately focused on the scout master. They knew his
+reasoning powers of old, and expected that Elmer would quickly put them
+on the right track now.
+
+Indeed, hardly had the latter glanced at the well-worn letter he held
+than he smiled.
+
+"What is it?" asked Red, impatiently.
+
+"Yes, tell us what you've found out, Elmer," said Lil Artha.
+
+"Why, look here at the name. As near as I can make out it's Giuseppi
+Caroni," replied the other.
+
+"Wow, that is plain enough!" exclaimed Red.
+
+"Sure Italiano," echoed the tall scout.
+
+"Just as I thought," replied Elmer.
+
+"But you can prove it," remarked Chatz.
+
+"That's easy enough," added Dr. Ted, "the thtamp ought to be enough, you
+thee."
+
+"And if it isn't, fellows, here's the postmark as plain as
+anything--Naples, Italy," continued Elmer.
+
+"Naples, hey?" remarked Lil Artha. "Say, I was just reading about Naples
+the other day, and it said that next to the island of Sicily we get more
+of our Black Hand crowd from there than any other part of Garibaldi's
+old land."
+
+A gasp seemed to go the complete rounds of all the khaki-clad warriors
+who thronged that mysterious little shack.
+
+"Black Hand, you say, Lil Artha?" exclaimed Red.
+
+"Yes, and anarchists, too; the kind that blow up the kings and queens of
+the Old World. The kind that abduct people so as to make their rich
+relatives whack up a big ransom."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+Some of the boys looked a little timid, and glanced around
+apprehensively, as though they anticipated seeing a whole bunch of
+fierce-looking dynamite users rise up around them.
+
+Others shut their teeth together harder than ever, and these more
+determined fellows, it might be noticed, tightened the grip they had
+upon their sticks.
+
+All eyes were turned again upon Elmer, who had listened to these remarks
+with an amused smile.
+
+"Hold on your horses, boys," he said, raising his hand just then to
+still the rising dispute.
+
+"Shut up, everybody; Elmer's got something more to tell us," Lil Artha
+cried.
+
+The hubbub died away, and an eagerness to listen took its place; for
+every one of them was anxious to pick up points concerning the clever
+way their leader figured things out.
+
+It was an important part of a scout's duty to learn how to read signs,
+not only when following a trail, but at all times.
+
+And especially valuable would this qualification become when confronted
+by a baffling mystery such as the Hickory Ridge troop was now up
+against.
+
+"Those who occupied this shack were four in number," Elmer began.
+
+"How did you find that out?" asked Red.
+
+"By the various tracks. So far as I could see there were just four
+separate kinds leading up to this place, and each one different."
+
+"Hurrah! I tell you, fellows, that's the way to learn things. Elmer
+knows how to do it," cried Lil Artha.
+
+Without even smiling at the implied compliment Elmer went on:
+
+"Two of them wore shoes with hobnails just as you see on this old
+cast-off shoe here. A third one had on American-made brogans, and I
+expect they hurt him some, too, because he was limping as he walked. He
+is undoubtedly the chap who used to own these old foreign-made
+gun-boats."
+
+"Hold on a minute, please, Elmer," pleaded Red.
+
+"All right. You want to ask me something, and I think I know what it
+is," remarked the other.
+
+"You say this fellow's new shoes hurt him, and made him limp; please
+tell us how in the wide world you ever found that out?" Red continued.
+
+"Well, it might be possible that the fellow was always lame, but his
+tracks show plainly that he limped. Something was wrong with his left
+leg or foot, because the toe dug deeply into the ground."
+
+"Well, I declare is that dead-sure evidence, Elmer?" demanded the
+astounded tenderfoot, Landy, who was listening with all his might to
+these intensely interesting facts as brought out by the scout master.
+
+"Try it yourself sometime, Landy," remarked Elmer. "Pick out a nice
+piece of ground where the marks will show plainly. Limp as naturally as
+you can with the left leg. Then go back and examine the trail. You will
+find that not only does the left foot dig deeper at the toe than the
+right one, but that same toe drags a little over the ground as you bring
+the left foot forward each time."
+
+"Just listen to that, will you!" remarked Red, "but I know Elmer is
+right. I can grab the principle of the thing."
+
+"But how about the fourth one, Elmer; seems to me you've been holding
+back something there, that you mean to spring on us," said Lil Artha.
+
+"Well, I have," remarked the other, quickly. "This fourth track was
+smaller than the others, and the person also wore American-made shoes."
+
+"Ah, a boy, eh?" asked Red.
+
+The scout master shook his head.
+
+"Wrong that time, my boy. You'll have to guess again, I reckon," he
+said.
+
+"Was it a woman, Elmer?" demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"Just what it was--an Italian woman, squatty like most of her race; and
+I should say between fifty-five and sixty years of age," Elmer replied,
+soberly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+SETTING A TRAP.
+
+
+At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
+
+"Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the
+respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in
+the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't
+expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
+
+"Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other,
+calmly.
+
+"Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive
+front of the other.
+
+"Stop and think, did you ever see any other than a short, squatty woman
+among the Italian laborers? And I reckon nobody else ever did. They
+carry heavy burdens on their heads, and people say that's one reason
+they're always dumpy," Elmer began.
+
+"He's right, fellows," broke out Landy; "why, I've seen a dago woman
+carrying a mattress, a stove and some chairs on her head all at the same
+time. Gee, looked like a two-legged moving van:"
+
+"But see here, you notice a shelf with a few things on it, some hairpins
+among the lot. It was built unusually low, so _she_ could reach it. And
+what's this you see here, fellows? A piece of broken looking glass
+fastened to the wall. Notice how low down it is? No man ever used that
+glass, you can depend on it; and the woman who did was surely small,
+wasn't she now?"
+
+"A regular sawed-off," assented Lil Artha, emphatically.
+
+"Elmer's sure proved his point there, fellows," declared Red Huggins,
+grinning.
+
+"But what makes you think the woman is old, Elmer?" asked Landy,
+curiously.
+
+"That's so; how in the wide world could you know such a thing without
+ever seeing her?" demanded Toby.
+
+"Nothing could be easier, fellows; see here!"
+
+As Elmer spoke he reached out his hand and took something off the low
+shelf.
+
+Those in the room crowded around, fairly wild to follow out the clever
+deduction of their young leader.
+
+"Why, it's a comb," cried one.
+
+"Only an old broken comb," echoed another, with a shade of uncertainty
+in his voice.
+
+"What is there about that to tell you, Elmer?" queried Red, staring
+first at the article in question, and then at the smiling scout master.
+
+"I know," burst out Matty just then.
+
+"Tell us," pleaded several.
+
+"Yes, throw some light on the dark mystery," added Lil Artha, "because
+to the untrained eye it's all as gloomy as the inside of my pocket. A
+comb, and how to tell a woman's age from that! Well, I own up beat."
+
+"Why, it's as easy as falling off a log, or coming down in a smash when
+you're first learning how to fly," Matty began.
+
+"Hey, don't you drag me into this thing," spoke up Toby, whose many
+experiments as a new beginner in the science of aviation had usually
+ended in his enjoying a disastrous tumble.
+
+"All you have to do is to examine the comb," Matty went on. "Then you'll
+find that it holds a few long hairs, and, fellows, just see how gray
+they are, will you?"
+
+"Well, what d'ye think of that!" burst out Red. "And I guess we're a lot
+of chumps, fellows, not to have seen through it before."
+
+"Would a woman be among anarchists, Elmer?" demanded Toby.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," came the reply. "Perhaps so, though not as a usual
+thing. But understand that I haven't said I agreed with you altogether,
+when you gave such a hard name to these people."
+
+"Then you don't count 'em as Black Hand kidnapers, who expect to raise a
+bully good sum by holding our pard, Nat Scott, for ransom?" demanded
+Red.
+
+"I've seen nothing to tell me that's the way matters stand," Elmer
+commenced saying, "and several things seem to say just the opposite. The
+presence of the woman, and her having such an article as this precious
+string of beads don't seem to go along with such a thing as a band of
+rascals."
+
+"Yes, yes, go on, Elmer," several called out.
+
+"We haven't found the slightest sign of a bomb factory here, or even a
+book teaching how to bring about a revolution. These things make me
+believe that these three men and a woman may not be such terribly hard
+cases after all."
+
+"But you believe they've got our chum, and are holding him a prisoner,
+don't you, Elmer?" asked Matty.
+
+"I do believe it," Elmer went on. "In fact I know it, because if you
+look back of that empty box yonder, which they use for a table, you'll
+find a hat--Nat's hat, if I'm not mistaken."
+
+A rush was made for the box in question, and there followed a confusion
+of tongues, as half a dozen fellows tried to talk at once.
+
+"You found a hat, didn't you?" demanded Elmer.
+
+"We sure did, and here she is," cried Red, holding up the article in
+question.
+
+"It looks like a scout's regulation hat?" Elmer remarked.
+
+"Which nobody could deny," sang Lil Artha.
+
+"And as every scout present has his own hat on his head right now, it
+stands to reason this couldn't belong to any of us, eh, fellows?"
+
+"To clinch the matter, Elmer," observed Matty, "if you look inside the
+hat you'll find two little silver letters fastened there. The N. S.
+stands for Nathaniel Scott."
+
+"Well, that point seems proved. Nat was here. Perhaps in wandering about
+he struck this place. But the indications are he was captured first, and
+brought to this shack."
+
+"But," said hasty Red, interrupting Elmer, "if you admit that these
+Italians have made our pard a prisoner, how can you say they are not bad
+men, thieves wanted by the officers of the law, even if not anarchists?"
+
+"Some things I can only guess at, without being able to explain my
+conviction. But, honestly, fellows, I hardly think these people are as
+bad as you make out. I know blackmail is practiced over in Italy a lot.
+And that one of the favorite ways to get money is to kidnap the son or
+daughter of a rich man, and demand a heavy ransom. But in this case they
+would hardly pick Nat Scott for a pigeon to be plucked. His father is
+only a schoolmaster. There are others here who would seem to be more
+attractive bait."
+
+"Hear, hear!" cried Lil Artha, casting a meaning look in the direction
+of Larry Billings, whose father, being a banker, was reckoned the
+richest man in all Hickory Ridge.
+
+"But ain't we wasting a heap of time here?" asked Red, impatient as
+always to be doing something.
+
+"That's just what I was saying to Ted here," declared Larry, whom the
+meaning glance of Lil Artha had plainly rendered uneasy.
+
+"You may think so," remarked Elmer, "but this is a case of the more
+haste the less speed. I reckon it's wise for us to make sure about the
+character of these Italians before we go to chasing after them. They're
+an excitable lot, you know, and we might bring on trouble that could
+just as well be avoided if we went slow."
+
+Matty looked at his leader sharply.
+
+"Say, see here, Elmer," he remarked, "you know, or anyhow you've got a
+pretty good hunch, who these people are?"
+
+"Why, yes, Italians," laughed the other.
+
+"Now, that ain't what I mean," Matty went on. "No dodging, but own up."
+
+"You're wrong there," Elmer said. "I don't know, and my suspicions so
+far are founded on such slight evidence that I don't care to commit
+myself before the whole of you--yet."
+
+"But from what you said just now," Matty continued, "you don't seem to
+agree with the rest of us when we call these Italians anarchists."
+
+"Because there hasn't been a solitary thing to prove it. We pathfinders
+must always discover some trace of the trail, or else we'd go astray.
+And I've owned up that I'm more than half inclined to believe these
+people are not the bad lot you'd make out."
+
+"But they've got our chum a prisoner," said Red.
+
+"Looks that way," assented Elmer, cheerfully.
+
+"And honest men would never do a thing like that," declared Red.
+
+"Oh, wouldn't they?" replied the other. "Perhaps now the shoe might be
+on the other foot."
+
+"Eh?"
+
+"And perhaps these honest people might suspect that you three fellows in
+uniform represented the great United States army about to surround
+them, and make them prisoners because they had been occupying private
+property here at Munsey's mill."
+
+The scouts looked at one another, astonished. Here was a theory then
+which had never appealed to them before.
+
+"Well, I declare!" gasped Red.
+
+"Don't it just beat the Dutch how he gets on to all these things?" said
+Lil Artha.
+
+"But, Elmer, why take poor Nat a prisoner, bottle him up so he couldn't
+call for help, fetch him to this old shack, and finally carry him off
+when they light out!"
+
+It was Matty who asked this question. Elmer smiled and shook his head.
+
+"I can figure out a lot of things," he said, "just as I can read Indian
+writing; but please don't expect me to tell you what people _think_. I
+only know that these Italians were surely frightened at the sudden
+appearance of three fellows in khaki, and that they probably took them
+for soldiers. They must have had some idea in view when they captured
+Nat, and hustled him to this shack. Perhaps they only meant to hide here
+until the rest of us had gone."
+
+"And they got more scared when you sounded that bugle, I reckon,"
+remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"Yes, and then the coming of another bunch of six scouts may have made
+them believe the worst was about to happen," Elmer continued.
+
+"Say, I thought I heard low voices when I was just going to peep in that
+window there, and the bugle called me back to duty," Landy spoke up.
+
+"Yes," Elmer added; "and it may be the coming of Landy just finished
+their panic. After he went away they must have vamosed the ranch in a
+hurry."
+
+"Well, all this is mighty interesting, sure," declared Red, with an
+appreciative nod, "but it ain't bringing us any closer to finding our
+chum Nat."
+
+"Yes, what's the programme, Elmer?" asked Chatz. "Do we take up the
+trail right away, and try to follow these heah rascals to their new
+camp? You can count on all of us, suh, to do the troop credit."
+
+"There may be another way," remarked Elmer, who seemed to be pondering
+over the matter.
+
+"Tell us about it, then, please."
+
+"Sometimes it's the best policy to hike after an enemy as fast as you
+can put. Then again, there are other times when a whole lot can be won
+just by waiting for the enemy _to come to you_."
+
+"That's so, fellows," declared Matty; "I see what Elmer means. He thinks
+that if we hid out here, we'd be able to bag the whole blooming crowd
+soon."
+
+"Sounds all right in theory," admitted Red, "but for one I'd like to
+know why Elmer believes that push will come back after a little."
+
+"I only feel pretty sure on one point," explained the acting scout
+master. "And that concerns the woman alone."
+
+"Meaning, I take it, that you think they'll send her back, the cowards,
+to find out whether the coast is clear," ventured Red.
+
+"No, they will never have to send her back, fellows," Elmer went on,
+positively.
+
+"Won't, eh?" remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"I firmly believe that once we withdraw from this same old shack the
+woman will steal back of her own free will."
+
+"To get her precious old comb, mebbe," sneered Red.
+
+"To recover something which I guess she values above ten thousand
+combs," and Elmer as he spoke held up the string of beads forming the
+rosary.
+
+"In her hurry to get away she must have forgotten all about this. But I
+warrant you, fellows, she's discovered the loss by now. What follows?
+She makes up her mind that she's just _got_ to return and find it, if so
+be we haven't taken it from that nail where it was hanging when we came
+in."
+
+"Good! You've got things down just pat, Elmer. And then what?" asked
+Matty.
+
+"I expect to hide near by while the rest of you go noisily away. She
+can't know how many came, and she'll think all have departed. Then, when
+she comes in I'll make her a prisoner. Perhaps they'll be glad to
+exchange Nat for their woman. Or else, if we can make her understand
+that we're only toy soldiers, and mean the men no harm, she will lead us
+to their hide-out."
+
+The scouts were listening attentively, as they always did when Elmer was
+talking. He possessed such a fund of interesting information that they
+knew full well they could learn many useful things by trying to grasp
+the ideas he advanced.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+HOW THE TRAP WORKED.
+
+
+"There's only one thing about it that I object to on general
+principles," remarked Mark.
+
+"What's that?" asked Elmer.
+
+"You shouldn't think to stay here alone," the other went on. "Perhaps
+one of the men might return with the woman--if she does come."
+
+"Yes, that's true; there is a chance," Elmer admitted.
+
+"Well, you see how you'd be up against it then," Mark went on,
+earnestly. "A savage Italian woman, who might have a knife along, would
+be bad enough for one fellow to handle."
+
+"That's so, Mark."
+
+"And should there be a dago man along, why, I guess you'd just have to
+sit sucking your thumb and not making a move," Mark continued.
+
+"I reckon I would," laughed Elmer. "All of which means that you think I
+ought to pick out a couple of husky fellows to keep me company."
+
+"That's what I'd do."
+
+"And that you wouldn't mind being one of the same guards, eh, Mark?"
+
+"I'd enjoy it all right, Elmer."
+
+"Well, I'm thinking that way myself now. You can hold over with me,
+then. I'll want another fellow, too. Let's see," and he glanced at the
+eager faces by which he was surrounded: "oh, well, Lil Artha will be the
+other."
+
+"Oh, shucks!" grumbled Red, bitterly disappointed, because he dearly
+loved action.
+
+"Matty," said the acting scout master.
+
+"On deck," replied the leader of the Beaver Patrol, saluting.
+
+"You might try and see how far you've gone in the art of following a
+trail. I don't believe these rough fellows know the first thing about
+trying to hide their tracks, so you oughtn't to have a great deal of
+trouble."
+
+"Oh, I guess I'd be equal to the job so long as they keep down on the
+low ground. But if they once start up the side of the hill, where it's
+all rocky, I reckon my cake will be dough, then, Elmer."
+
+"Do your best, anyhow, Matty," the scout master went on; "nobody can do
+more. But to tell you the truth, I believe the first chance lies here."
+
+"You really think, then, the woman will return?" queried Mark.
+
+"I am almost dead certain of it," Elmer replied. "I've been among the
+Italians some in the colony they have on the outskirts of our town. And
+I've studied them more or less. They seem a queer people to us, but
+their religion is a big part of their lives--at least that goes with the
+women part of the settlement."
+
+"I think you're right, Elmer," remarked George, who had not spoken up to
+now; "I happen to know a little about the Italians, too, because my
+father employs a lot of 'em, you see. Wouldn't be surprised one bit if
+she sneaks back here to recover those beads. They mean a heap to her,
+fellows."
+
+Everybody stared to hear George talk like that, for as a rule he was
+hard to convince; which fact, as has been stated before, had caused him
+to be known as "Doubting George."
+
+"Well, let's get busy," suggested Red, who, if he could not hold over to
+assist Elmer, at least felt that the sooner he and the rest started on
+the trail the better.
+
+"That's the stuff," added Toby, also anxious to be doing something, he
+cared little what.
+
+"All right," remarked Elmer, "and, as a first move, suppose you fellows
+begin to back out of here. Keep in a bunch outside. Mark, you and Lil
+Artha watch for a chance to drop down in the bushes, and lie as quiet as
+church mice till I give the signal, which will be a whistle.
+Understand?"
+
+"Sure," replied Lil Artha, pausing in the doorway to watch Elmer hang up
+the beads again on the nail where he had found them; "but why ought we
+be so particular about dropping out of sight, if you don't mind telling
+us?"
+
+"Well, it might be the woman has already returned, and is hiding
+somewhere close by, waiting for the crowd to move."
+
+"That's so," admitted Lil Artha.
+
+"And of course if she even suspected that any of us hung out she
+wouldn't try to enter the shack at all," Elmer pursued.
+
+"Then we'll have to be mighty careful, Mark, how we do the great
+vanishing act," the tall scout remarked.
+
+"Wait till the boys happen to bunch around you, then just drop, and let
+them go on. But Mark, as you will be the last one out, suppose you close
+the door after you, just as if the shack were empty."
+
+"Are you expecting to hide behind that box, Elmer?" demanded his chum,
+pointing to the affair that had evidently served as a rude table.
+
+"Just what I am," replied the other, promptly.
+
+"Oh, I see."
+
+And with one last look around, Mark advanced toward the exit, beyond
+which the scouts could be seen talking and gesturing as Matty looked for
+the trail left when the Italians fled in such haste.
+
+Evidently it was Mark's idea to take a good mental impression of the
+interior of the shack away with him. This would prove useful in case
+there arose a sudden necessity for his presence, and that of Lil Artha,
+on the scene of action.
+
+When the last of his companions had gone, and the rough door of the
+shack was swung shut, Elmer hastened to softly move the big box a
+little, so that it might suit his purpose better.
+
+He did not imagine that this would appear suspicious in the eyes of the
+woman, should she return for her rosary, because it was to be expected
+that in a search of the cabin such changes were apt to take place.
+
+He could still hear the chatter of many voices outside, but they were
+growing fainter. Evidently Matty must have found the trail he wanted,
+showing where the four Italians, together with their prisoner, had left
+the concealed shack.
+
+So, knowing the value of time in an affair like this, Elmer hastened to
+crawl behind the big box.
+
+Anyone entering the room could not see him, nor would his crouching form
+be visible from the hole in the shack wall, intended as a window.
+
+At the same time Elmer had so contrived things that, by making use of an
+old bunch of straw which he allowed to hang over the edge of the table,
+he was easily able to keep watch upon both openings, the window and the
+door.
+
+Then he waited patiently for something to happen.
+
+Some minutes passed.
+
+Outside all seemed as quiet as a Sunday in Hickory Ridge.
+
+The sound of boyish voices had utterly died away, proving that Matty
+must be showing considerable skill in leading his detachment along a
+trail.
+
+Indeed, once the presence of human beings no longer acted as a
+disturbing element, a little frisky red squirrel hopped up in the open
+window and peeped within the shack.
+
+Perhaps the little chap was more or less at home there. At any rate
+Elmer was pleased to see him sit up on his haunches and begin to gnaw at
+a stray nut he had evidently discovered.
+
+To his mind the red squirrel was apt to serve in place of a vidette.
+Should anyone approach the shack now the little nut-cracker would give
+warning by frisking away in sudden alarm.
+
+So the wide-awake scout finds opportunities to make use of the most
+ordinary and commonplace things to be met with in the woods.
+
+Everything may have a meaning, if only the scout possesses the key of
+knowledge so necessary for the unlocking of the door.
+
+Not moving a finger Elmer simply awaited the turn of events.
+
+And not once did he doubt the outcome, so positive was he that his
+reasoning must be correct.
+
+If the woman returned alone, he believed they ought to easily take her
+prisoner; but, on the other hand, should one or more of the men
+accompany her, he must expect the conditions to be changed, and alter
+his own plans in consequence.
+
+Two minutes must have gone by now.
+
+Elmer was not simply guessing this, or, as Lil Artha would say, "making
+a blind stab at it." He knew because, as he crouched there watching, he
+was continually marking the flight of time by counting to himself.
+
+In imagination his gaze followed the swinging pendulum of the big
+grandfather clock that stood in the hall of his home.
+
+"Tick, tick, tick!" he could see it go back and forth, each movement
+marking the passing of another second of precious time.
+
+Ah! the squirrel had ceased to work at his nut now. He even gave signs
+of sudden alarm, as though his keen little ratlike ears had caught a
+foreign sound indicating the coming of a human being.
+
+And yet Elmer knew positively that he himself had not moved in the
+slightest degree, so that the squirrel's panic could not be laid at his
+door.
+
+"I guess something's going to happen," he thought, "unless either Mark
+or Lil Artha showed themselves recklessly; and I don't believe they'd do
+it."
+
+He continued to watch his four-footed little sentinel perched up there
+in the apology for a window.
+
+Even as he looked the timid squirrel vanished as suddenly as it had
+appeared.
+
+Elmer only silently chuckled, quite satisfied with the way things were
+working.
+
+And he somehow still continued to keep his eyes glued on that hole in
+the wall, as though laboring under the impression that when the Italian
+woman did come she would first of all appear in that particular quarter.
+
+And he was right.
+
+Even as he looked he discovered a suspicious movement in the gap. This
+was brought about by the uplifting of a human hand, upon the fingers of
+which he could count at least five broad rings without settings.
+
+Perhaps the owner of that hand was on her knees, and in this manner
+sought to rise up.
+
+Elmer, still looking, saw a head presently fill part of the crude
+window.
+
+It was a woman who stared in, there could be no questioning that fact.
+And so far as he could tell she seemed to be alone, for he neither saw
+nor heard any sign of a second party.
+
+Once he knew her burning gaze was fastened upon the bunch of straw which
+he had arranged so as to serve as a veil, back of which he might
+continue to watch what was taking place.
+
+Elmer fairly held his breath, fearing that she might have discovered the
+lurker, or at least entertained suspicions regarding his presence there.
+
+But not so.
+
+Her eyes, having swept back and forth until they had fairly covered the
+whole interior of the dimly lighted shack, seemed to be attracted toward
+one particular spot.
+
+This was where the string of beads hung from the nail driven into a log.
+
+It was the lodestone which had served to draw this woman once more into
+the danger zone.
+
+And from that instant, if Elmer had allowed the slightest doubt to creep
+into his mind before, it no longer found lodgment there.
+
+The woman was bound to enter in order to obtain possession of that
+precious string of beads.
+
+Once she thrust her head and shoulders through the opening and attempted
+to clutch the rosary, but the effort was useless.
+
+"Now she is coming!"
+
+Elmer whispered this to himself as he saw that the woman no longer
+occupied the opening--she had undoubtedly started for the door.
+
+Yes, now he could see the closed door begin to quiver, as though eager
+hands had started to open it.
+
+Elmer held his breath with eagerness, and all the while watched the
+door.
+
+Between his strong teeth the scout master held a little German silver
+whistle, such as patrol leaders usually carry for signaling purposes.
+
+This he expected to sound when the time was ripe, and he had every
+reason to believe that his two comrades would rush into the shack the
+very instant they heard the call.
+
+Now the door was surely opening wider. Even in her hurry the Italian
+woman did not forget the need of due caution when all these enemies
+seemed to be hanging around.
+
+Her experiences across the ocean may have made her exceedingly ill
+disposed to trust anything that wore a uniform.
+
+Yes, the door had given way by now to admit a moving figure, and then it
+was drawn shut again.
+
+Elmer smiled to see how closely his guess had come to the actual truth.
+The Italian woman was not only squatty, and "broad of beam," as Lil
+Artha would have put it, but, as Elmer had said, might be close on sixty
+years of age, for she had many wrinkles, and her hair was certainly
+gray.
+
+She left the door unfastened behind her. Elmer chuckled to himself under
+his breath, for he saw that in doing this the woman had not only left a
+way of speedy escape open for herself in case of necessity, but also a
+free passage for the scouts when the signal whistle blew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+RUN DOWN.
+
+
+Straight across the floor of the shack glided the woman.
+
+She was making a bee line for the string of beads with the little silver
+cross at the double end.
+
+And the hidden scout could hear the low words of musical Italian flowing
+from her lips when she reached out an eager hand to seize upon the
+sacred article.
+
+Now was his time.
+
+The critical moment had arrived when he must proceed to spring his trap.
+
+As silently as he could, then, Elmer arose to his feet. He was behind
+the woman and could never bring himself to believe that he had made even
+the slightest sound when rising.
+
+Then the only explanation left was that the woman happened to be in
+front of the broken looking glass at the moment, bent on fastening the
+beads about her thick neck. And if so, she must have discovered him as
+he arose from behind the big box.
+
+At any rate she uttered a cry that to his mind was not unlike the snarl
+of a wild beast. He saw the almost savage look that came over her
+swarthy face, and knew that after all, such a woman was fully as much to
+be feared as the stoutest ladrone.
+
+And so Elmer did not think it was unworthy of a true scout to send out
+the call for help.
+
+The woman might be disposed to defy just one half-grown lad, whereas if
+she believed herself to be up against the whole troop she would submit
+with the best grace she could command.
+
+And so he blew a shrill blast that must bring both Mark and Lil Artha
+dashing to the spot.
+
+The effect upon the woman was rather surprising.
+
+Perhaps Elmer might have expected seeing her cower down, seized with a
+sudden overwhelming fear, but nothing of the kind occurred.
+
+To his surprise she snatched out a wicked-looking knife from the bosom
+of her dress. It looked to Elmer like a broken kitchen knife that had
+been ground down to a point. With such a blade he remembered seeing the
+Italian women from the settlement just outside Hickory Ridge wandering
+around in the early spring, digging dandelion plants for "greens."
+
+He could hear the rush of approaching footsteps even as the woman sprang
+for the door with a wild look on her face.
+
+The other two scouts had of course caught his shrill signal, and were
+hastening to join their leader.
+
+Undoubtedly both Mark and Lil Artha must have seen the woman, if not
+while she was looking in at the window, then when she turned the corner
+of the hidden shack to enter by the door.
+
+And hence they would surely understand that there was no man opposed to
+their combined force.
+
+The fact of the woman being armed with so terrible a weapon as a knife,
+and that look of grim determination on her dark face, alarmed Elmer.
+
+What if she attacked the two scouts--what if in her sudden panic she
+wounded either of his chums? There could be no telling what a
+fear-crazed, ignorant woman, strong as an ox, and almost as
+irresponsible, might do in an emergency like this.
+
+Of course he would have only been too well pleased could he have shown
+the woman that it was all a mistake, and that they meant her no ill.
+
+But with her brandishing that wicked-looking knife and leaping for the
+door, there was certainly no opportunity for argument.
+
+Elmer sprang forward.
+
+His main idea was to try and knock that blade from her grasp by striking
+sharply on her arm or her knuckles.
+
+At the same time he thought to warn the other scouts, so that they might
+take due precautions when suddenly brought face to face with the Italian
+woman who was running amuck.
+
+Perhaps when they heard him shout they would just naturally believe he
+was being hard pressed. And in that case, instead of deterring them, his
+cries would only further spur the others on.
+
+Nevertheless Elmer lifted his voice in warning:
+
+"Look out, boys! She's got a knife, and is coming out at you! Take care
+there!"
+
+Just then something happened.
+
+The woman had not turned her head as Elmer thus gave tongue, as might a
+hound on the warm trail of the fox.
+
+She kept straight on. The door was before her, and while she had drawn
+it shut after entering, it has been mentioned before that she made no
+attempt to fasten the same.
+
+So now, when she hurled her whole weight against the barrier it flew
+outward with a jump.
+
+As luck would have it, the two scouts had managed to reach the door at
+exactly the same time. And that second chanced to be the identical one
+when the frightened foreigner crashed into the door.
+
+There could only be one result, and that filled with bitterness and woe
+to both Lil Artha and Mark. As the uncouth door was thrown suddenly
+outward, as if forced by a battering ram from within, it struck the
+scouts a tremendous blow.
+
+They crumpled up and went over. A couple of ten-pins struck by a swiftly
+hurled ball could hardly have collapsed more ingloriously than did Lil
+Artha and his mate.
+
+Indeed, the long-legged scout seemed to perform a complete revolution in
+the air, landing on his knees among the bushes.
+
+Two seconds later, when Elmer dashed out of the shack, this was the
+astonishing spectacle he saw--the woman running away as best her bulk
+allowed, casting glances that were half frightened, half triumphant,
+behind her; while Mark was sitting up, rubbing a bump on his forehead
+ruefully, and Lil Artha had taken out a handkerchief to dab at his
+bleeding nose.
+
+Still, nothing short of an earthquake could ever bottle up the flow of
+animal spirits that usually possessed the lanky one.
+
+While he applied his handkerchief until it looked particularly gory, he
+was bent upon giving expression to his views.
+
+"Wow! and again I say, wow! What cyclone was that we ran up against,
+Elmer? Did you let fly with that club of yours, or did the old shack
+just take a notion to fall over on us? It felt like I was being kicked
+by an army mule."
+
+"Same here, Elmer," lamented Mark, as he succeeded in struggling to his
+feet.
+
+"Well, it wasn't anything like that at all," declared Elmer, hastily;
+"and if you take the trouble to look yonder, before your eyes begin to
+close up, you'll see what hit you, running away like a scared
+hippopotamus."
+
+"Glory be! Was it that dago woman?" yelled Lil Artha, now on his feet
+again.
+
+"Yes, she burst the door open when she saw me, and as you chanced to be
+in the way, why, you got the benefit, that's all," Elmer remarked.
+
+"Don't let her get away, fellows! Come on, who's afraid? We can cover
+three feet to her one. Let's make her a prisoner," shouted Lil Artha,
+whose usually even temper seemed to have been decidedly ruffled by his
+recent mishap.
+
+So the three scouts left the shack and began to rush after the fleeing
+Italian woman.
+
+Of course she knew immediately that she was being pursued. She tried to
+increase her pace, but evidently with little success. Short, dumpy
+people can never hope to compete with slim, long-legged greyhounds like
+Lil Artha.
+
+And so, almost from the start, the three scouts began to close in upon
+the fleeing Italian woman.
+
+"Say, she's got a bloody old knife," gasped Lil Artha, as they struggled
+on through the woods where the creeping vines and the underbrush, not to
+mention frequent logs and occasional woodchuck holes, made running a
+desperate business.
+
+"That's so, Elmer," piped up Mark, "I saw her shake it at us then."
+
+"I know it, fellows," said the scout master, "and that's what I was
+shouting about, to warn you."
+
+"Are we gaining any, Elmer? I can't see just as well as I'd like, with
+this thing up to my nose," the lanky runner asked.
+
+"Pulling up on her fast, my boy," came the reassuring answer.
+
+"And what're we goin' to do when she turns on us?" demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"First of all, surround her."
+
+"That sounds good as far as she goes. What next?"
+
+"We must try and knock that nasty thing out of her hand by a sharp blow
+on the arm," continued Elmer, who strangely enough seemed as cool as a
+cucumber, while both of his companions showed the effect of the mad
+pace.
+
+"I tumble to it, Elmer," gasped Lil Artha, "and I'm the fellow to give
+that lovely little tap. I made Red drop his stick seven times when we
+were having a bout with long sticks, and which we pretended were the
+old-style quarterstaves."
+
+Even the long-legged Lil Artha must see now that the distance separating
+the pursuers from the fugitive had been greatly shortened. Another five
+minutes would see them overhaul the woman, unless something not down on
+the bills came to pass.
+
+Five minutes--why there would surely be ample time to bring this result
+about, judging by the way they were covering two yards to her one.
+
+The woman knew it, too.
+
+She was becoming more and more anxious. This was shown by the way she
+kept turning her head from time to time as she ran.
+
+Elmer knew what was apt to happen. For himself he found that he had
+need of both his eyes with every step forward he took through that
+tangle, where trailing vines lay in wait to trip him up, and branches
+hung low as if seeking to catch in his hair, to make him another
+Absalom.
+
+Already had Lil Artha gone down with a thud, but as he said himself, his
+"dander" was aroused, and no little things like this could be allowed to
+interfere with his pursuit.
+
+So he had hastily scrambled to his feet and followed at the heels of his
+more fortunate chums, a sight calculated to excite wild laughter among
+the rest of the troop, with his blood-flecked face.
+
+At any rate Lil Artha was game to the backbone, and Elmer often
+remembered it afterward when "trying out" his scouts.
+
+The closer they drew to the fleeing woman the greater her fright seemed
+to become.
+
+Whenever he saw her looking backward over her shoulder Elmer would make
+pantomime gestures with his free hand.
+
+He was trying the best he knew how to tell her to give over this foolish
+flight, and that they had no hostile intentions.
+
+But the chances were she interpreted these movements just the other way,
+and believed he must be threatening her with all sorts of terrible
+things unless she yielded herself a prisoner to their prowess.
+
+Well, no matter, it could hardly last more than another minute or so. Do
+what she would the woman must find it utterly impossible to get away.
+
+Already the active mind of the young scout master was busy, weaving a
+clever scheme by means of which they could surround the woman, and by
+attacking her all at once, succeed in knocking the shining knife out of
+her hand.
+
+No doubt he would have succeeded in doing the job, too, had conditions
+continued to make such a move necessary.
+
+But they did not.
+
+The fickle hand of Fate came in between just in time to share in the
+matter.
+
+It seemed to Elmer that they were constantly getting into a more tangled
+mess of undergrowth. All around and ahead were traps calculated to slyly
+catch unwary feet and trip them up.
+
+Suddenly Elmer gave vent to a low gasping cry; but while Mark
+involuntarily turned his head to learn if his companion had gone lame,
+to his surprise and gratification he found the other running as smoothly
+and easily as ever, as though perfectly fresh.
+
+"The woman!" shrieked Lil Artha, who, apparently, from his position in
+the rear had been enabled to see just what had happened.
+
+"Where--is--she?" gasped Mark, once more allowing his eyes to travel
+ahead.
+
+For, apparently, the fleeing Italian had vanished at that instant, as
+completely as though the earth had opened and swallowed her up.
+
+"She's down--caught her foot in a root!" cried Elmer, not slackening his
+warm pace, for he wanted to make a quick job of the thing.
+
+Then Mark saw that some object was threshing the bushes furiously. Twice
+the woman tried to rise, but on each occasion she fell back again.
+
+Then presently he gave a shout as he guessed the true situation.
+
+"She's caught fast in a vine, Elmer. Even the woods work with us! I tell
+you she's a prisoner right now! All we've got to do is to tie her
+hands!"
+
+"But look out for that dandelion knife, boys," warned Elmer, as the
+three of them reached the spot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE LANGUAGE OF SIGNS.
+
+
+It happened just as the boys had expected. While turning her head so
+often to see how near these persistent pursuers were, the woman had
+caught her foot in a stout vine.
+
+She had been hurled to the ground with considerable force, but
+apparently received no serious injury. When she tried to regain her
+feet, however, on each occasion the clinging vine refused to release its
+hold. As a consequence she went down again.
+
+Finally, as though realizing the uselessness of further struggling
+against Fate, the woman stopped trying to get up.
+
+Having twisted around in some manner, she just sat there and stared at
+the three boys in khaki.
+
+"Now she's wondering what we're going to do," said Mark, as they stood
+with the woman between them.
+
+"Yes, she's frightened again, poor thing," remarked Elmer. "I'm afraid
+it's these uniforms that have done it. She surely takes us for soldiers,
+and thinks we've come here just to arrest the whole bunch."
+
+"I'm glad of one thing, though," said Lil Artha.
+
+"What might that be?" asked Elmer.
+
+"Looks like she must have dropped that fierce frog sticker when she
+fell, because you notice she hasn't got the old knife in her claws just
+now."
+
+"That's right," admitted Mark, cheerfully, for the fact naturally
+pleased him.
+
+"And here it is, right at my feet," said Elmer, as he stooped and took
+something from the ground.
+
+It was the knife which the Italian woman had flourished so recklessly.
+
+"My stars, what a savage-looking thing!" ejaculated Lil Artha, as he
+stared at the knife.
+
+"Well, it does look wicked for a fact," remarked Elmer; "but after all,
+I reckon she's never done anything with it but cut dandelion greens, or
+else prepared fish," and he took occasion to bring the blade close to
+his nose while speaking, only to make a face, as though the fishy odor
+that clung to the steel might be far from pleasant.
+
+"Well, we've overhauled the lady; now whatever are we going to do with
+her?" demanded the tall scout.
+
+"I wonder if she understands English?" remarked Elmer.
+
+"Try her and see," Mark suggested.
+
+The woman had been watching them keenly all this while. Her manner
+suggested that she might be trying to read her fate more from their
+actions than any words which they would let fall.
+
+Accordingly, Elmer stepped forward a pace.
+
+"No hurt," he said, in the gentlest tone he could muster;
+"friends--boys--no soldiers."
+
+"She don't savvy worth a cent, Elmer," said Lil Artha, in disgust.
+
+"And her eyes keep following your movements with the knife, as if she
+thought you meant to strike her," observed Mark.
+
+Elmer himself saw that this was a fact. Plainly, then, the woman could
+not understand English, and in her present state of fright she seemed
+incapable of reading his reassuring gestures. What he meant to be a sign
+of friendliness she interpreted as a symbol of hostility.
+
+"Seems to me we ought first of all to get her foot free from that nasty
+tangle," he remarked.
+
+"Sure, and I guess the only way to do it is to cut the plagued old
+vine," said Lil Artha. "But I guess I hadn't ought to run the thing
+down, because it served us a mighty good turn just now."
+
+"Step in and cut the vine, Elmer," suggested Mark.
+
+When, however, the young scout master had taken a step or two forward,
+knife in hand, the woman's fears were once more aroused.
+
+She threw herself forward, struggling violently to release her trapped
+foot. But the vine proved as strong as a new clothesline, and held
+tenaciously.
+
+"Good gracious, what a silly goose!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "when all we
+want to do is to set her free."
+
+"But you see she don't look at it that way. The poor creature thinks
+we're conspiring to turn the tables on her, just because she threatened
+us with this knife. Here, hold it, Mark."
+
+Elmer handed over the knife to his chum at a moment when he saw that the
+woman's eyes were fastened upon him.
+
+Then he held up both his hands as he smiled reassuringly. It was the
+universal "peace sign" known throughout the world. Hardly a savage tribe
+in the heart of Darkest Africa but would recognize the meaning it
+expressed.
+
+This time when he advanced the Italian woman did not struggle again. She
+watched him. Curiosity was overcoming fear. Perhaps she had even begun
+to realize that these dreadful soldiers did not present such a savage
+front after all.
+
+So Elmer dropped down on his knees, at a point where he could come in
+contact with her imprisoned foot, and the wiry vine that gripped it.
+
+A brief examination convinced him that since she had turned around
+several times during her violent struggle to break away, the only means
+of freeing the entrapped foot was to cut the vine.
+
+Of course that meant the knife again, and if he asked Mark to hand it to
+him, possibly the foolish foreigner would have another fit of terror.
+
+So Elmer commenced to use tact again.
+
+First of all he commenced to work at the vine, the woman watching him
+eagerly.
+
+"No use, pardner," remarked Lil Artha. "That thing is like steel bands,
+and the old woman has managed to tie herself up handsomely. Nothing but
+a knife, and a sharp one, too, will do the business."
+
+"I know it," replied Elmer, quietly. "I'm only pretending to try and get
+her foot out just to make her understand that we want to help her. Now
+just watch me, and see how I manage."
+
+Presently, as if despairing of success, he ceased his labor. Then he
+pointed to the vine, and made several slashes across it with his
+forefinger, after which he pointed to the knife Mark was holding out,
+and nodded his head.
+
+The woman was interested.
+
+"Go through it all again; she's beginning to understand," said Mark,
+himself deeply interested in the success of this deaf and dumb method of
+communication.
+
+"Well, of all the stupids going, give me one of these same dagoes,"
+grumbled Lil Artha. "Why, you make it plain enough for a Hottentot to
+grab, Elmer. But I'm beginning to hope she'll get on soon. Try her once
+more, pardner. You're the boss hand at wig-wagging. Give her the high
+sign, Elmer."
+
+Deliberately Elmer again pretended to cut the vine with his forefinger,
+then shook his head and afterward pointed to the knife.
+
+The woman's black eyes followed each movement, and evidently she began
+to grasp the idea that he did not desire the weapon so as to injure, but
+to assist her.
+
+"Glory be!" ejaculated Lil Artha, who had been almost holding his breath
+with suspense while all this pantomime business was going on, "look at
+that, would you, fellows? A bright thought has managed to get a foothold
+in her brain. I bet you it needed a sledge hammer to pound it in. Say,
+she's beginning to smile at you, Elmer. You've won out. She believes you
+mean all right. Give him the toad-sticker, Mark, and let him get to
+work."
+
+Elmer knew that his actions would no longer be misconstrued. The Italian
+woman understood.
+
+So he held out his hand and received the knife from Mark. The woman
+moved uneasily, but the smile Elmer gave her was surely enough to disarm
+any lingering suspicion she may have entertained.
+
+Of course it was only a small job now to cut through the obstinate vine
+at a point where the greatest holding point lay.
+
+"There you are!" remarked Lil Artha, as the knife severed the last
+strand.
+
+The woman got slowly to her feet. She folded her arms across her bosom
+with what seemed to be an air of resignation. Yet Elmer knew that all
+the while those sparkling black eyes were watching him intently.
+
+The woman had guessed that Elmer must be the leader of the three
+strangers in uniform. Hence she looked to him for orders.
+
+"Well, what're we going to do with this pretty thing, now that we've got
+it?" remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"I suppose, first of all, we ought to go back to the shack," said Elmer.
+
+"You mean to hold her a prisoner, I take it?" asked Mark, who had the
+utmost faith in the acting scout master's ability to grasp the
+situation.
+
+"That's about the only thing open to us," Elmer replied. "Through the
+woman perhaps we can get in touch with the three men who are holding Nat
+Scott a prisoner, and bring about his release."
+
+"I don't see how," grumbled Lil Artha. "If you had all that trouble
+getting her to understand you only meant to cut the old vine, and not
+her foot off, how in the dickens d'ye expect to get her to know we don't
+mean to do her bunch any harm?"
+
+"Oh, there may be ways," smiled Elmer.
+
+"But you don't speak Italiano, Elmer; that's dead sure, else you'd have
+used it right now to tell her you only wanted to cut the vine," Lil
+Artha went on.
+
+"How about George?" remarked Elmer.
+
+"What! George Robbins?" asked the tall scout.
+
+"Why, yes, you remember he told us his father employs a large number of
+these foreigners, and unless I'm mistaken I think I remember hearing
+George say he'd been picking up quite a lot of Italian words."
+
+"That sounds all to the good then," declared Lil Artha, with enthusiasm.
+"Bully for George! His knowledge may be the key that's going to unlock
+this old padlock for us."
+
+"Then let's get back to the shack. Fall in around the woman. That ought
+to tell her what we want her to do."
+
+Elmer, as he spoke, took up his position alongside the prisoner, while
+Mark and the long-legged scout clapped their sticks to their right
+shoulders as though parading arms.
+
+Then Elmer pointed backward in the direction they had just come from.
+
+"Go!" he said, impressively.
+
+Whether the prisoner understood the word, or judged from their actions
+what was required, Elmer could not say. All he cared for was the fact
+that when he started off she accompanied him, limping a little as though
+she might have twisted her ankle somewhat in the violence of her
+struggles, looking sullen rather than fearful now, and apparently
+resigned to her fate, whatever that might prove to be.
+
+There was no difficulty about reaching the abandoned shack again. All
+Elmer had to do was to follow the broad trail they had made when chasing
+after the fleeing woman.
+
+They found no change when they presently drew up at the hidden retreat.
+Nor was there any sign of the other scouts, though once Elmer thought he
+did hear loud and excited voices up on the side of the mountain, as
+though Matty and his detachment might have found it necessary to leave
+the lowlands, and were having troubles of their own.
+
+"Well," remarked Lil Artha, as they arrived in front of the shack, "here
+we are, all to the good, and right side up with care. The question is,
+what d'ye expect to do with the signorina, now that you've got her?"
+
+"She must be kept a prisoner in the shanty until we can decide on our
+course, and get George here," replied Elmer, so readily that the others
+understood how he must have his plan of action fully mapped out in his
+own mind.
+
+"Let's see you usher her in, then," chuckled the tall scout, just as
+though he anticipated enjoying a treat when Elmer tried to "shoo" the
+Italian woman into the place.
+
+But it proved the easiest thing possible. When Elmer took her by the arm
+and pointed to the open door the woman gave him one look, shook herself
+free from his grasp, and hastened to vanish within the shack.
+
+"Easy as falling off a log," declared Lil Artha, a shade of
+disappointment in his voice, for he had anticipated more or less of a
+struggle.
+
+Elmer quietly closed the door.
+
+"How are you going to fasten it?" asked Mark.
+
+"I wish that was the hardest nut I had to crack," laughed the scout
+master. "Fortunately the door opens outwardly."
+
+"Unfortunately, you mean," echoed Mark, as he touched the painful lump
+on his forehead.
+
+"I say yes to that," grinned Lil Artha, whose nose had stopped bleeding
+by this time, but whose face was a sight to behold, being smeared with
+all manner of strange red marks that made him resemble an Apache Indian
+on the warpath.
+
+"As it does open outwardly, however," Elmer went on saying, with a
+sympathetic smile for the woes of his chums, "it ought to be easy enough
+for us to barricade the door. Look around, boys, and see if you can find
+several good stout sticks about three or four feet long. Even a small
+tree trunk would be about what we want."
+
+"And I think I know where to find one," said Lil Artha, hastening away,
+"because I took a header over it when we were chasing the dago woman."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE CALL OF THE WOLF.
+
+
+"That's the ticket, Lil Artha," said Elmer, as the tall scout returned
+presently, bearing on his shoulder quite a good-sized log about five
+feet in length.
+
+"Reckon that ought to hold all right," panted the burden bearer, as he
+cast the small tree trunk at Elmer's feet.
+
+"Fine and dandy," commented Mark, beginning to get the barricade in
+position.
+
+Of course the log had to be planted in such a way that it might secure a
+grip on the door. This meant that it must incline at an angle of more
+than forty-five degrees.
+
+Elmer dug a little hole, first of all, at a certain distance from the
+door, after the length of the log had been tested.
+
+Then, with the help of his chums, he seated one end of the log firmly in
+this. When the other end was allowed to slip down the face of the door
+it rested about halfway.
+
+"No danger of that slipping loose if she tries to push out," remarked
+Elmer.
+
+Mark gave several additional pulls downward at the upper end of the log,
+to make it still firmer.
+
+"I'll just wager," he said, finally, "that nobody, man or woman, could
+open that door now from the inside."
+
+"How about the window?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"You might manage to crawl through that small opening, but that
+broad-beamed woman, never," declared the scout master, positively.
+
+"Then we've got our wild bird safely caged."
+
+"Looks like it, for the time being, anyhow," was the way Elmer replied.
+
+"Say, see here, you don't seem to go very strong on the jail business.
+What's on your mind now, Elmer?" and Lil Artha confronted the other as
+he spoke, lifting a reproachful finger at him.
+
+"Well, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip, you know."
+
+"Oh, rats! Get down to business, Elmer. What might happen to upset our
+plans?" asked the tall scout.
+
+"One of the men might return."
+
+"And of course throw down the log and liberate our prisoner. But between
+you and me and the lamp-post, Elmer, I don't believe that's going to
+happen. 'Cause why? Well, it's my honest belief that this Italiano
+woman's got all the nerve there is in that crowd. The men are cowards."
+
+"I'm rather of the same opinion, Artha," remarked Elmer. "And I've
+thought that same thing more than once when watching some of them in
+their settlement."
+
+"But how about your other reason, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha. "Suppose now
+the men don't come, what danger is there of her getting out? D'ye expect
+she could burrow under the walls like we did once up at that old lumber
+camp?"
+
+"Perhaps. But I was thinking of another thing. Notice how poorly this
+shack is put together? Why, if that Amazon got on the rampage and just
+took a notion, I believe she could bring the whole business down in
+ruins about her head."
+
+"Wow, I guess she could, Elmer!" remarked the tall boy, nodding his
+head, "just like Samson did long ago when he yanked the temple down, and
+kicked the bucket himself, with all his enemies. But I don't think this
+dull-witted creature's got sense enough for that; do you?"
+
+"Perhaps not. I hope she won't, anyhow, because I mean to leave you and
+Mark here to guard our prisoner while I'm gone," said Elmer.
+
+"Oh, I see, you want to join the rest of the troop. Perhaps you've got a
+hunch they might be needing you about now?" Lil Artha observed.
+
+"One thing I know, and that is they've left the low ground and gone up
+the side of the mountain."
+
+"I guessed that myself when I heard some of the fellers callin' up
+yonder. So it stands to reason they've lost the trail among the rocks,"
+Lil Artha went on.
+
+"I expect as much," Elmer said, "and you know that since the men carried
+Nat Scott away with them we've just got to find them sooner or later."
+
+"But why d'ye suppose now they'd be so pesky mean as to climb the hill?"
+demanded the tall scout.
+
+"Oh, perhaps they guessed it would be harder for anyone to track them up
+there," Elmer answered.
+
+"Yes, that's so," Mark put in; "or it might be they know of some fine
+cave up yonder where they can hide. You often run across caves, big and
+little, on stony hills."
+
+Elmer seemed to agree with this suggestion, for he nodded his head after
+Mark had advanced it.
+
+"Do you think you can manage?" he asked.
+
+"Well, we'd be a pretty pair of scouts, wouldn't we now, if we failed to
+make good on a job like this?" scoffed Lil Artha.
+
+He threw his staff over his shoulder, gun fashion, and began tramping up
+and down before the door of the hidden shack, just as though he were a
+military sentry on duty.
+
+"I guess you'll do all right, Lil Artha," laughed Elmer.
+
+"Before you go, Elmer," said Mark, "please tell us just why you believe
+these Italians haven't meant to hurt our chum Nat."
+
+"Well, I just seem to feel it in my bones, and that's about all I can
+say," returned the other. "I'm more convinced now than ever that it's
+going to turn out only a silly mistake on their part. Perhaps they've
+been doing something here that's against the law, and the sight of our
+uniforms threw them into a panic. They've carried Nat off with them just
+so he couldn't give the alarm, and bring the rest down on 'em."
+
+"Counterfeiting, perhaps," suggested Mark. "Seems to me I've heard that
+the Italians are pretty smart at that sort of thing."
+
+"Well, I don't imagine it's anything as serious as that," Elmer replied.
+
+"Then tell us what you _do_ think," demanded Lil Artha.
+
+"You _will_ force my hand, will you?" laughed Elmer.
+
+"It's only fair to tell us," pleaded the tall scout.
+
+"Well, all right, seeing that I'm more than ever convinced I'm on the
+right track. Here, smell that, both of you and tell me what it reminds
+you of."
+
+He thrust the queer, sharp-pointed knife that had been taken from the
+woman into the hand of Lil Artha.
+
+That individual immediately raised it to his nose, took one good smell,
+and made a wry face.
+
+"Ugh! rank fishy odor, all right!" he declared.
+
+"Then look back a bit, Lil Artha," Elmer continued. "Don't you remember
+that in the mill and cottage we discovered a strong fishy smell when we
+tried to investigate that underground place?"
+
+"You're right, we did," assented the tall scout; "it made me feel a bit
+squeamish, too, for if there's one thing I can't stomach it's rank fish.
+Ugh!"
+
+"I see what you're leading up to, Elmer," announced Mark, briskly, "and
+I must say it looks as if there might be a whole lot of truth in it,
+too."
+
+"These Italians are often fishermen. A cousin of mine once told me that
+along the Gulf coast and around New Orleans the whole fishing industry
+lies in their hands," Elmer went on.
+
+"Then you believe this bunch is getting fish out of Munsey mill pond,
+and selling them, perhaps over in Scarsdale?" said Mark.
+
+"They are netting fish illegally, I imagine," Elmer answered. "That
+would explain their alarm. Perhaps the game warden has been around and
+threatened to have them hauled in if they didn't take warning. And ever
+since that time they've been on the nervous lookout."
+
+"Gee, I bet you now that's what it means, fellows!" declared Lil Artha,
+filled with new enthusiasm, as he grasped the startling idea advanced by
+the scout master.
+
+"And I never saw so many big frogs as there are around here," Elmer went
+on.
+
+"That's because even the boys keep away from the haunted mill," Mark
+added.
+
+"You know how frogs sell in the market, and how it would pay anybody to
+catch a few hundred such jumboes as there are here," Elmer remarked.
+
+"Well, it does take you to figure things out just, I must say," laughed
+Mark.
+
+"He's a wizard, that's what," declared Lil Artha, whose admiration for
+his leader was boundless.
+
+"Not at all," smiled the other; "a little common sense was all that was
+needed. The strong odor of fish in that cellar put me on the track
+first. You know there's an old saying to the effect that where there's
+smoke there must be fire."
+
+"And then this knife, too--like as not the woman does all the cleaning
+of the fish. I thought she reminded me of black bass or pickerel, I
+wasn't sure which," Lil Artha stated, with a chuckle.
+
+"But we've been around more or less, Elmer," Mark put in, "and I don't
+remember seeing any signs of fish cleaning, scales or anything."
+
+"Of course not," came the quick reply. "If these people knew they were
+breaking the law, and expected the game warden to pop in on them any
+day, you can just believe they'd be mighty careful to hide all traces of
+this thing."
+
+"Perhaps they throw it all back in the pond for fish bait," suggested
+the tall scout.
+
+"Not a bad idea," commented Elmer.
+
+"And the cellar under the mill cottage?" asked Mark.
+
+"They might use that as a cool place to keep the fish until they can get
+them to market," Elmer replied.
+
+"That's a fact, seeing they have no ice to pack them in," Lil Artha
+observed. "And the more I think of it all, the better it looks to me,
+fellows."
+
+"Then you believe my explanation may be the true answer to our chum's
+vanishing?"
+
+"I sure do."
+
+"That they came upon him by accident," Elmer went on, "and filled with a
+sudden panic, just captured him to keep Nat from calling out, and
+bringing the rest of us around?"
+
+"That's what they did," Lil Artha affirmed. "And no matter how sorry
+they might be afterward because they did it, they just can't drop him
+now."
+
+"Then, since we've agreed on that point I don't see the need of my
+hanging around here any longer," Elmer observed, drawing his belt one
+notch tighter, as though preparing for new labors.
+
+"And your orders are just the same?" Mark asked.
+
+"Yes, you two keep guard over the shack, and don't let the prisoner get
+away, if you can prevent it."
+
+"Depend on us, Elmer. And say," Lil Artha remarked, "don't you think now
+it would be a good thing to send George down here?"
+
+"That's an idea worth while," Elmer quickly replied.
+
+"Oh, I get 'em once in a long time," grinned the other.
+
+"A good scheme, and I'll send George back as soon as I can. When he
+comes, take him in to see the woman. Have him try and get her to
+understand that we mean her men no harm, and only want them to set our
+chum free."
+
+"And then what? Supposing George is able to get that pounded into her
+head?" asked Lil Artha.
+
+"Why, he must make her understand that we want to conduct an exchange of
+prisoners."
+
+"By that, Elmer," Mark broke in, "I suppose you mean well give the woman
+up if they let Nat go free?"
+
+"That's it," returned the leader. "And as she is the only one who knows
+their new hiding place, she must lead us to them."
+
+"That puts me wise, all right," declared Lil Artha. "But get good old
+George here as soon as you can, Elmer. I'm just crazy to see if he knows
+how to tell the old woman all this."
+
+"That's all, boys; I'll be going now."
+
+But although Elmer said this he continued to stand there immovable.
+Neither of his comrades thought it strange, for they, too, had caught
+the same sound that had reached his ears.
+
+It was evidently a pretty good imitation of the howl of a wolf.
+
+Now, as this was the signal call of Elmer's own patrol they knew
+immediately that some scout belonging to that section of the Hickory
+Ridge troop must be approaching, and took this customary method of
+announcing his coming.
+
+All eyes were accordingly turned toward that quarter from whence the
+note of the wolf had seemed to come.
+
+This was a little up the side of the mountain. Elmer, thinking to give
+the other his location, sent out an answering signal.
+
+"You're scaring the old woman again with your howls," remarked Lil
+Artha, pointing to the shack, at the small window of which they could
+see the face of the prisoner, filled with wonder and awe.
+
+Perhaps the Italian woman was beginning to suspect she had fallen into
+the hands of a pack of crazy people.
+
+"There he comes!" suddenly announced Mark, pointing as he spoke.
+
+"Looks like Dr. Ted," remarked Lil Artha.
+
+"Just who it is," said Elmer. "I wish it had been George Robbins, now,
+because that would have saved time. No such luck, it seems, so we'll
+just have to make the best of it."
+
+"But what d'ye suppose Ted's coming back after?" pursued the tall scout.
+
+"Help," declared Mark, decisively. "You heard what Elmer said when he
+turned the troop over to Matty? If they found themselves up a stump they
+were to let Elmer know, just so he could swing in somehow, and pull them
+out of the hole."
+
+"They're up against it, good and hard, bet you a cooky on it," declared
+Lil Artha, as the other scout drew near.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE NEED OF A PATHFINDER.
+
+
+As Dr. Ted approached he made the scout salute in due regulation style.
+
+"You're wanted above, thir," he said to the acting scout master.
+
+"By that I suppose you mean they've struck a snag?" questioned Elmer.
+
+"The rockth bothered Matty. Tho long ath they left a trail in the earth
+he could follow it all right. But when it kept on athending it got
+tougher and tougher. Then he lotht it altogether, and thent me to fetch
+you along, thir."
+
+"All right, I'll go with you, Number Three. You'll be interested to know
+that we've got a prisoner here in the old cabin," remarked Elmer.
+
+Ted glanced that way, and caught sight of the face in the window.
+
+"The old Italian woman, eh?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Sure," said Lil Artha, as proudly as though the honors of the capture
+belonged exclusively to him.
+
+"Then she did come back for her beadth?"
+
+"Yes. Tell you all about it on the way, for we must be moving now, Ted,"
+the scout master remarked.
+
+"All right. I'm with you, Elmer. Come on, then," and, wheeling sharply
+around, Ted started to retrace his steps.
+
+So Mark and his long-legged comrade were left to guard the prison of the
+old Italian woman, while the other two scouts climbed the hill.
+
+"No uthe going over the trail we made," remarked Ted. "It wound around
+and then climbth the hill. We could thee about where the cabin lay, and
+I made a bee line downhill for the thame."
+
+As they toiled upward Elmer, keeping his promise, related all that had
+happened in the neighborhood of the hidden shack.
+
+Ted seemed to enjoy the narrative very much indeed. He was particularly
+pleased with the account of where the old woman in her panic had burst
+the door open, and upset both Mark and Lil Artha.
+
+"I wondered what happened to our friendth," said Ted. "And if you hadn't
+been in thuch a big hurry to cut out, I'd have tried fixing both the
+poor fellowth up. Lil Artha lookth like a pirate chief, and ath for
+Mark, you'd think hith brains might be breaking out."
+
+Elmer had no trouble at all in following the plain trail left by Ted
+when he came down from above. His practiced eye could easily see the
+marks on turf, leaf mold, or even where the other's heels with their
+steel nails had scraped along a slanting rock.
+
+"Tell me thome more about that, pleath," said Ted, while they were still
+climbing.
+
+Nothing loath, for he really believed he had solved the secret of the
+whole business, Elmer gave him the story, from his first faint suspicion
+upon looking down into the strange-smelling cellar of the mill house, up
+to his detecting such a strong odor of fish about the Italian woman, and
+particularly the knife she carried.
+
+"That'th a bully good idea, all right," said Ted, when the story was
+finished.
+
+"Do you think it sounds fishy?" laughed Elmer.
+
+"Yeth and no," answered the other, immediately. "While it theemth to be
+a fish yarn, yet it ith all to the good. I really believe you've gone
+and figured it out, Elmer. And if that ith tho, it ith going to be
+another big feather in your cap, don't you forget it."
+
+"We ought to be close to where you left the rest of the boys, by now,"
+suggested the scout master, desirous of changing the conversation, for,
+strange to say, Elmer never liked to hear himself praised.
+
+"I reckon we are," replied Ted. "Suppothe you try your whistle, and give
+'em a call."
+
+So the patrol leader's whistle was brought into play again. Hardly had
+it sounded than there came an answer from a point not far distant.
+
+"There they are!" cried Ted, pointing, "I thee Red waving hith hat to
+uth right now. We'll join 'em in a jiffy, if the walking ith good."
+
+It proved to be decent enough for the two climbers to reach the spot
+where Matty and the rest of the troop awaited them.
+
+"I'm all in, Elmer," admitted the leader of the Beaver Patrol, as he
+threw up both hands in disgust. "Just as I said, it was all hunk till I
+struck the rocks, and I've been up in the air ever since."
+
+"Yes, Matty has even hinted that he believes those Italians must have
+had wings somewhere around here, and just flown away," laughed Chatz.
+
+"Well, that wouldn't be so very queer," declared Toby Jones, always
+thinking of things touching on aviation. "It's a bully good place to
+make a start, anyway, if a feller only had the wings."
+
+"Yes, and a gay old place to bring up on all the rocks down there. And
+how about our chum Nat; he never had any longing to soar through the
+air. But tell us what's doing, Elmer," said Red, impatiently.
+
+"Oh, he's got lots to tell you," declared Ted, with the air of a highly
+favored one who had been already taken into the great secret.
+
+Of course his words stirred the scouts as nothing else could have done.
+They crowded around and began to beg for particulars.
+
+"Where's Lil Artha?" one questioned.
+
+"And Mark?" exclaimed another.
+
+"Say, Elmer, did she come back, and step into the nice little trap you
+were going to get ready?" asked a third scout, with intense interest
+aroused.
+
+When Elmer nodded his head they broke out into a rousing boyish cheer.
+
+"Tell us all about it, Elmer," was flung at the scout master from all
+quarters.
+
+As this was Elmer's intention anyway he lost no time in briefly though
+forcibly describing all that had taken place down below.
+
+"And now I want George to go down with Ted, here," Elmer went on, "and
+try to engage the woman in conversation. Tell her, if you can, who and
+what we are, and the reason for our coming here in uniform. Tell her we
+mean them no harm, but that we want our chum set free. Do you follow me,
+George?"
+
+"Of course I do," came the ready answer.
+
+"You understand Italian, and talk it some, I've been told?" Elmer went
+on.
+
+"Oh, yes, I can really converse with some Italian men. Don't know about
+a woman, though. But I'll do my best to make her see things straight."
+
+"I like to hear you talk that way, George," continued Elmer; "the true
+scout is always ready to do his best. And I think you're going to make a
+fine addition to our troop before long."
+
+"After I've told her, what then?" asked George, who looked pleased at
+hearing these words of praise from one he respected as highly as he did
+Elmer.
+
+"Why, you must bring her along, and rejoin us. Lil Artha and Mark will
+accompany you, because all ought to be in at the finish. You understand,
+don't you, George?"
+
+"I sure do. Come on, Ted, show me the way down to the old shack. As we
+go along I'll be brushing up my Italian words so as to spring 'em on the
+old lady. This way, Ted."
+
+"And while you're jabbering with the woman, why, perhaps now I might be
+amuthing mythelf doctoring the noble woundth of our two chumth,"
+declared the fellow who was never so happy as when engaged in the work
+of a doctor.
+
+Why, some of the boys often called Ted "Sawbones," because he gave
+himself over, heart and soul, to his one great hobby.
+
+So the two of them vanished down the side of the hill. As their voices
+died away among the thickets Elmer turned his attention to the task of
+finding and following the trail of the Italians.
+
+"Show me where you saw it last, Matty," he said.
+
+"Here you are, then," came the reply; "that footprint is as plain as
+anything."
+
+"So it is," remarked Elmer, after studying the mark briefly. "Our chum
+made that, I'm positive."
+
+"Then he must have done it on purpose," said Matty, "because I've
+noticed that one footprint right along."
+
+Elmer smiled.
+
+"Good for Nat," he remarked. "If he don't dare use his voice and call
+out to us, he's doing everything in his power to show us the trail.
+That's what he's learned of scouting tactics. I'm glad he remembered. It
+shows how much a fellow can learn."
+
+"That's right," remarked Matty; "I see it all plain enough right now;
+but d'ye know the suspicion never did break in on me that these tracks
+had been made purposely, and by Nat? Why, I just had an idea one of the
+bunch was a little careless, that's all."
+
+"Well, you'll know better after this, Matty. But stand back, and let's
+see what luck I'll have, if so be you fellows haven't killed the trail
+by running around."
+
+They watched his actions eagerly, each fellow bent on learning all he
+could of the science that was already proving to be so interesting.
+
+First of all Elmer took a comprehensive survey of the ground above; for
+everyone understood that those they were tracking must be aiming to
+reach some cave or crevice farther up the slope.
+
+Then, having settled in his mind about where the fugitives might be
+aiming for, the scout master began to look for marks on the rocks.
+
+For a little while he found it very hard work, indeed, but after
+reaching the limits of the search maintained by Matty and those with
+him, the task became considerably easier.
+
+And mindful of his position as acting scout master to the troop during
+the temporary absence of Mr. Garrabrant, Elmer made it a point to
+explain more or less as he went along.
+
+"See, here is where one of the men slipped on this rock, and left a new
+scratch. And this shows where another broke a twig off this branch in
+passing. You can see it has been freshly done, because the green leaves
+do not show much sign of wilting."
+
+In this fashion, then, he not only intensely interested his followers,
+but continued to make progress all the while.
+
+Most of the boys were eager to get points on such an engaging subject as
+trail finding. These hung upon his every word, examined the marks to
+which Elmer drew their attention, commented upon the same among
+themselves, and several even went so far as to take out memorandum books
+in which they hastily scribbled such notes as would enable them to
+remember.
+
+All the while they were climbing higher, and by degrees found themselves
+in a wilder section than any of them had dreamed existed so near their
+home town of Hickory Ridge.
+
+"Looks like there might be a few caves around such a place as this,"
+remarked Red, as he wiped his face with the red bandana handkerchief
+which he had hung cowboy fashion around his neck, with the knot at the
+back.
+
+"Oh, that's a dead-sure thing," replied Ty, who happened to be close at
+his elbow at the time. "Fact is, I've seen several myself. Anyhow, they
+were dark, ugly looking holes between big rocks, and if this was a game
+country I'd say they might be bear dens or the homes of wolves."
+
+All this sort of talk tended to key the anticipations of the boys up to
+a point where they were expecting almost anything to happen.
+
+Elmer paid no attention to side issues. There might be a dozen likely
+looking hiding places along the route, but they did not interest him an
+iota so long as that faintly marked trail continued.
+
+He had about all he cared to do, moving from one spot where a stone had
+been freshly dislodged to another point at which the moss and lichen had
+been torn from a sloping rock by a foot that accidentally or purposely
+slipped.
+
+There were possibly some little indications, which to his mind told that
+they might now be drawing near the place where the panic-stricken
+Italians were hiding. If so, Elmer did not confide this to his
+companions, perhaps because he might not himself be so very sure, but
+more probably on account of not wishing to waste more or less precious
+time in explaining on what vague grounds he founded his theory.
+
+The trees still grew around them, springing out of spaces between the
+rocks. They were more stunted than those in the great forest that
+covered the richer bottom lands, but as a rule they served as a canopy
+overhead, and only occasional glimpses could be obtained of the country
+beyond.
+
+By this time some of the scouts had begun to feel the effect of the
+climb, for there is nothing more fatiguing than ascending a steep hill.
+
+Still they proved their grit by keeping on, as if determined to stick it
+out.
+
+Even fat Landy Smith, while actually panting for breath, and mopping his
+forehead with a damp handkerchief, stubbornly declined to own himself
+in the "has been" class, as Red called it.
+
+They were moving along what seemed to be a little plateau, at the end of
+which arose a cliff seamed with numerous cracks and scars.
+
+Elmer had smiled when he cast a glance toward the rocky wall, just as if
+he could scent the end of the trail close at hand.
+
+But he was already halfway across the level territory, with the scouts
+scattered back of him, when without the least warning there suddenly
+sounded a shot that seemed to come from somewhere ahead; and the report
+gave each scout a strange chill in the region of his heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+RESCUED--CONCLUSION.
+
+
+"Scatter, and hide!"
+
+It was Elmer who shouted this order. He had not heard any sound as of a
+bullet passing, and did not know but that the shot had been fired simply
+for the purpose of a warning.
+
+Still, there was no need of their taking chances. And as he gave the
+command, Elmer was one of the first to seek the shelter of a near-by
+rock.
+
+Immediately the valiant scouts scurried around, each eagerly desirous of
+finding some sort of snug retreat.
+
+No further shots came, much to the satisfaction of the boys, and inside
+of half a minute not a figure was to be seen upon the little plateau.
+
+It chanced that Red had selected the same rock as Elmer picked out,
+behind which to crouch.
+
+And of course Red could not long remain silent, since his overcharged
+feelings just had to find a vent.
+
+"Whew, this is what I call warm!" he said, puffing.
+
+"Do you mean the weather, or the fact that we have been under fire?"
+asked Elmer, who was looking out from his end of the rock, and trying to
+size the situation up.
+
+"Oh, well, I guess both of 'em would pass muster, all right," Red went
+on. "You don't think any fellow got hurt, do you, Elmer?"
+
+"Not any. Fact is," continued the scout master, "I've a pretty good
+hunch the shot was not fired at us, but into the air, warning us to keep
+off or we might get hurt."
+
+"The ginnies fired it, of course, Elmer?"
+
+"I'm sure of that."
+
+"And we've cornered the bunch at last, hey? You did the trick, Elmer.
+Trust you for following even half a trail blindfolded. But say, do you
+know where they're holding the fort?"
+
+"I've got something of an idea," replied Elmer. "If you look up the face
+of the cliff, Red, you'll notice a bunch of green stuff growing. I think
+there must be a shelf of rock there, and perhaps a cave back of it."
+
+"But what makes you think that, Elmer?"
+
+"Because I saw the powder smoke puff out from those little bushes when
+the report sounded," replied Elmer.
+
+"But my stars! that's all of fifty feet up. How d'ye suppose those
+dagoes could get up there?" continued the one who sought information.
+
+"Oh, that would just as likely as not turn out to be easy enough, once
+you got started. Perhaps there's some sort of path leading up the face
+of the cliff, and which we just can't see from here."
+
+"What're we going to do, Elmer?"
+
+"Nothing--just now, anyway."
+
+"Just sit on our haunches, and wait for our birds to drop into our
+hands, eh?" pursued Red.
+
+"Oh, perhaps we may have to fight for it in the end, but I'm hoping for
+an easier wind up to the affair," Elmer continued, musingly.
+
+"You think the old woman may help out?"
+
+"I know she will, if George can only succeed in convincing her that
+we're friends, not enemies."
+
+"Then we're waiting till they arrive?" asked Red.
+
+"I'm going to give the signal for retiring as soon as the boys get their
+breath back," remarked the scout master.
+
+"Well, they might be in better places, because the sun feels scorching
+to me right now," grumbled Red.
+
+"Then pick out your new roost, and be ready to migrate as soon as you
+hear the whistle. Pass the word along, too, Red."
+
+Presently it was understood that when the scout master gave the signal
+every fellow was expected to crawl or dart away, seeking through one way
+or another to get out of the fire zone.
+
+"I hope George has succeeded in explaining everything to the woman by
+now," remarked Red.
+
+"I'm sure he has, and that the whole of them are even now on the way
+here to wind up this business," Elmer declared most confidently.
+
+When ten minutes had gone by, and he felt sure that all of the scouts
+knew what they were expected to do, Elmer took out his whistle.
+
+Then the shrill notes sounded, cutting the air as though charged with
+irresistible force.
+
+Immediately everybody got busy. Khaki-clad figures could be seen darting
+this way and that, but none of them made any attempt to advance. This
+sort of move might be expected to anger the Italians, without doing any
+good, and the scouts had been warned against it.
+
+There came no second discharge of firearms, and from this fact it seemed
+evident that the unseen enemy understood that there was nothing hostile
+connected with this action on the part of the scouts.
+
+Again did Red and Elmer find themselves good neighbors as they arrived
+at a pile of rocks, behind which they sought shelter.
+
+"All safe?" asked the former.
+
+"Yes, as far as I know," came the answer. "Landy fell all over himself,
+and started to roll downhill, but one of the other fellows pulled him
+up. He was limping to beat the band, but I hope it's nothing serious."
+
+"No danger," chuckled Red. "Landy is too well padded to suffer much from
+a fall. Now do we just wait here till the others fetch the lady?"
+
+"That's a part of the contract," said Elmer; "so just make yourself as
+comfy as you can."
+
+"And watch the big rock there, eh, Elmer?"
+
+"Oh, if you want. We would feel pretty cheap if they took a sly sneak,
+and left us in the lurch."
+
+Elmer settled down as though he thought there was no use borrowing
+trouble. And seeing their leader take things in such a matter-of-fact
+way the balance of the scouts followed suit.
+
+Confidence thus begets confidence in others; and this in itself was one
+of Elmer's reasons for acting as he did.
+
+The minutes passed.
+
+Several times did impatient Red get up on his knees to take a look down
+the hill.
+
+"Shucks! but they're a long time coming," he mumbled. "Perhaps, after
+all, the old woman was too sharp for the bunch--perhaps she's tucked 'em
+away in the cabin--turning the tables on our four chums--perhaps,
+now----"
+
+Right there Red stopped in his predictions of evil.
+
+"There they come," said Elmer, quietly.
+
+One hasty look satisfied Red that his comrade spoke only the truth.
+Moving figures caught his eye just a little way down the slope.
+
+These presently developed into four boys, three of whom were clad in
+khaki. The other, who was, of course, George, the interpreter, kept
+close at the side of the Italian woman.
+
+Now and then she seemed to address some remark to George, which he
+doubtless answered to the best of his ability. When his vocabulary
+proved unequal to the task he would finish with a series of gestures
+and shrugs as he had seen chattering Italians do.
+
+And presently they reached the spot where the balance of the scouts held
+forth.
+
+The woman surveyed them as she came up, but Elmer noticed that she did
+not seem afraid now.
+
+"I guess you've done the business, George," he remarked to the new
+recruit.
+
+"Well," replied the other, with a broad grin, "that's what I think
+myself, Elmer."
+
+"She understands now who we are, and that we haven't any intention of
+doing her men any harm--you explained all that?"
+
+"Sure. And you can see now that instead of looking scared, she's ready
+to grin if you give her any encouragement," replied George.
+
+"And she knows that we want her to go out with us and have a talk with
+her old man, telling him what a fool he's been making of himself. She
+understands all that, does she?"
+
+"Like a book, and is ready to do the trick. We'll have our Nat back in
+short order, now," George continued, looking proud and happy because he
+had been able to prove of such valuable assistance to his fellow scouts,
+even before he got his uniform.
+
+"All right, then. The sooner we start the ball rolling the better. Come
+along, George."
+
+Presently the two of them were escorting the Italian woman toward the
+foot of the cliff.
+
+When two thirds of the way there an angry, excitable voice stopped
+them. On looking up they could see several heads topping the sparse
+vegetation that undoubtedly grew along a ledge.
+
+"Now, tell her to talk, George!" said Elmer.
+
+There was hardly any need, for the woman had broken loose on her own
+account. And such chattering as followed--Lil Artha afterward declared
+it reminded him of a monkey cage when one of the inmates had taken more
+than his share of the dinner provided.
+
+But the woman did most of the talking. She also scolded, stamped her
+foot, and even shook her fist up at those above.
+
+Evidently her arguments must have had a convincing ring about them, for
+suddenly she turned to George and smiled amiably as she said something,
+and made a suggestive movement of both shoulders.
+
+"It's all right, Elmer," declared George.
+
+"Are they going to do what we want?" asked the scout master, greatly
+pleased.
+
+"Sure. And I reckon there he comes now. One of the men seems to be
+helping Nat down the path that runs along the face of the rock. Bully!
+We win out!"
+
+A loud cheer from the scouts told how they were enjoying the situation.
+
+Nat Scott waved his hand to them in greeting, for, having lost his hat
+at the shack, he was bareheaded.
+
+The Italian was still a little suspicious, for he would come only two
+thirds of the way down. But Nat easily made the balance, and was soon
+shaking hands with everyone of his mates, just as though he had been
+separated from them for a week.
+
+Leaving the woman to rejoin her people the scouts made their way down
+the side of the mountain until they reached the mill pond.
+
+Nat's story was brief, and just about what Elmer had guessed. In
+prowling around he had unexpectedly come upon the three men.
+
+They had seized upon him and threatened him with their knives if he so
+much as gave a yell. He had been kept for a short time in the shack.
+Then Landy's prowling around seemed to fill the Italians with a new
+alarm, and the three men, together with the woman, had hastily fled.
+
+On the way up the mountain the woman had discovered the loss of
+something, and gone back.
+
+Then the men forced him to hurry along, and finally landed him on that
+secret ledge where he believed there was some sort of cave.
+
+That was all Nat knew, and the whole thing smacked strongly of mystery
+until he heard what Elmer's theory was.
+
+"Anyhow," Nat said, with considerable satisfaction in his voice and
+manner, "they didn't scare me one little bit. And besides, Elmer, in
+lots of places I went and made plain marks that I just knew you could
+read any old time."
+
+"That stamps you a true-blue scout, Nat," declared Elmer, "and I think
+the troop has reason to be proud of you."
+
+"Three cheers for Comrade Nat Scott," suggested impulsive Red; and they
+were given with such a vim that many of the big bullfrogs along the
+farther bank jumped into the mill pond in great alarm.
+
+As their main object had been carried out while on the way to the
+haunted mill, and there was no further reason for lingering after they
+had eaten the "snack" carried along for this purpose, the Hickory Ridge
+troop of scouts took up the homeward march.
+
+After talking it all over among themselves it was decided that their
+duty compelled them to give the game and fish warden a hint as to what
+was probably going on up at Munsey's mill.
+
+He went there with a deputy two days later, but the Italians had taken
+warning and fled. However, the warden found and destroyed several nets
+with which the fish poachers had been illegally gathering the finny
+prizes in the long-deserted pond.
+
+There was one disappointed scout in the troop however, and this was
+Chatz Maxfield.
+
+He always would feel as though he had missed the opportunity of his life
+in spending some time at a haunted mill which was supposed to support a
+good lively ghost, and never once chancing to come upon the hobgoblin.
+
+However, Chatz would continue to live in hope.
+
+At any rate, everyone was positive that he had learned a host of
+valuable things calculated to make him take higher rank as a woodsman,
+and a true scout. And no doubt in the annals of the Hickory Ridge Boy
+Scouts that little hike to Munsey's mill would always be read and
+re-read with the keenest interest, and take rank with the greatest of
+their achievements.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+ADDENDA
+
+BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE
+
+
+
+ BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE
+ HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES.
+
+
+ Wild Animals of the United States }
+                          Tracking } in Number I.
+
+ THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL.
+
+
+ Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
+
+ WOODCRAFT, OR HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD.
+
+
+ Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
+
+ PATHFINDER, OR THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.
+
+
+ Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
+
+ FAST NINE, OR A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.
+
+
+ Insects of the United States in Number V.
+
+ GREAT HIKE, OR THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP.
+
+
+ Birds of the United States in Number VI.
+
+ ENDURANCE TEST, OR HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY.
+
+
+
+THE REPTILES OF THE UNITED STATES.
+
+
+The reptiles are a class of vertebrate animals. By vertebrate animals is
+meant those having a backbone. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals having
+scaly skins, and breathing by lungs and not by gills as do the fish.
+Strange as it may seem they are related to the birds. In prehistoric
+times they were of enormous size and many of them were capable of
+flying. Fossil forms of reptiles are very numerous and scientists have
+given these fossil forms such sonorous names as Dinosaurs, Ichthyosaurs,
+Plesiosaurs and Pterosaurs. These names are made up of Greek words
+meaning terrible lizards, fish lizards, near lizards and winged lizards.
+
+The class of reptiles is made up of five orders:
+
+    Sphenodons;
+    Lacertilia;
+    Ophidia;
+    Chelonia;
+    Crocodilia.
+
+Of the Sphenodons, there is but one living representative. Its home is
+in New Zealand. Zoologists tell us that this reptile is more closely
+related to its fossil cousins than any other now in existence. Since we
+are considering only those reptiles which an American boy may find
+living in their natural haunts in his home land, discussion of the
+Sphenodon is out of place in this article. We recommend, however, that
+you read up about this curious creature that links the gigantic
+prehistoric lizards with the little creatures of to-day's world.
+
+[Illustration: PTEROSAURS.]
+
+
+
+
+THE LIZARDS
+
+
+
+
+THE LACERTILIA OR LIZARDS.
+
+
+ [Illustration: LIZARDS.
+  1. ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARD.
+  2. PACIFIC SWIFT.
+  3. COLLARED LIZARD.
+  4. WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT.
+  5. COMMON SWIFT OR FENCE LIZARD.]
+
+Lizards differ from snakes in that the right and left halves of the
+lower jaw are joined together by bone instead of elastic ligament and in
+that they have legs and eyelids. They are found in the warmer climates.
+Most of them live on insects, but some types as, for instance, the
+Iguanas, live entirely on vegetable matter, while others prey on birds,
+mice, frogs, etc.
+
+
+THE GECKOS.
+
+The Geckos form a large sub-order of lizards. Their chief characteristic
+is their adhesive toes, which enable them to cling to and run on
+smoothest surfaces even when upside down. They do not like the hot
+sunlight and largely feed at twilight and at night. The Reef Gecko is
+found in Florida; the Warty Gecko, so called on account of the rows of
+large wart-like scales on its back and sides, inhabits Lower California;
+the Cape Gecko, Lower California; the Banded Gecko, Texas, New Mexico,
+Arizona and California. The latter is the most gaudily marked of the
+Geckos found in the United States and is likewise the most abundant. It
+may be seen at dusk coming out of rock crevices to feed on small
+insects. Many consider this lizard poisonous and its saliva is supposed
+to produce painful skin eruptions. Authorities, however, tell us that
+this is not so. The first three Geckos mentioned live largely in trees,
+but the Banded Gecko lives on or near the ground.
+
+
+THE CHAMELEONS.
+
+The American Chameleons are not true chameleons, but belong to the same
+family as the Iguana. They have come to be known as Chameleons because,
+like the rightful owners of that name, they change the color of their
+bodies. This change is occasioned by the differences of temperature and
+light. One species is found in the United States and is known under
+various names, such as the green lizard, the fence lizard and the
+alligator lizard. It is called alligator lizard from its resemblance to
+a young alligator. This lizard is found in the southeastern United
+States from North Carolina to Florida. The common colors of the American
+Chameleon or the Anolis, which is its scientific name, are brown and
+green. These colors vary with conditions. When asleep, for instance,
+this little reptile is green above and white below, and when fighting or
+frightened it becomes green; at other times it is brown. Raymond L.
+Ditmars, Curator of Reptiles in the New York Zoological Park, says that
+in collecting these lizards and placing them in wire-covered boxes, he
+has "always noted their change from various hues, prior to capture, to a
+scrambling collection of several dozen emerald-green lizards. If the
+gauze cage be laid down for half an hour or so while the collector
+rests, the lizards soon take on a brownish tinge, but as soon as the box
+is again carried about and the occupants are shaken up and frightened,
+the brilliant color appears among them all." He further says that "there
+is no relation or influence between the lizard's colors and its
+surroundings. The change of color is brought about principally through
+temperature and light and their influences on the creature's activity;
+also by anger, fear and sleep."
+
+The Anolis stalks its prey like a cat does a mouse. It crouches and
+creeps forward for the final spring with motions that are exactly
+similar. It lives in trees and feeds upon insects. These little
+creatures make interesting pets and will soon learn to take their food
+from your hand. The proper quarters for it is a wire-covered fernery
+which should be placed in a warm but moist situation and the foliage
+daily sprinkled with water. The Anolis is a great water drinker and will
+find the drops adhering to the leaves of the plants.
+
+
+THE IGUANAS.
+
+There are but few species of Iguanas found in the United States and
+these only in the southwestern part. They are large in size and have a
+crest of spiny scales running along the neck and back. They use their
+tails as weapons of offense and defense. The Cape Iguana is a species
+found only in Lower California. The tail is ringed with large spines.
+The Black Iguana is found in southern Arizona. It is a great fighter
+when at bay and is then no mean antagonist. It does not invite a fight,
+however, but will run if there is any chance of escape. Both of these
+Iguanas reach about four feet in length. They have large appetites and
+eat both animal and vegetable matter--birds, small animals and tender
+vegetation. In central and southern America their flesh is prized as a
+food and it is said to have the flavor of chicken. They live part of the
+time in trees and part of the time on the ground. The Desert Iguana,
+however, is terrestrial. It is found in the desert parts of the
+southwestern United States--in Colorado, California, Arizona and Nevada.
+It is largely vegetarian. The tail is brittle, and to free itself when
+held by it, this creature will easily and readily snap it off.
+
+[Illustration: IGUANA.]
+
+
+THE CHUCKAWALLA.
+
+There is only one of these that is fairly common in the United States
+and that is found in the deserts of the southwest. It is the largest
+lizard found there except the Gila Monster which will be described
+later. The body of the Chuckawalla is broad and the legs short. Its
+length averages about a foot. It lives mostly among the rocks of the
+deserts.
+
+
+THE COLLARED LIZARD.
+
+This lizard is so called on account of the markings of the neck, which
+have the appearance of a double black collar. The throat is an orange
+color. It is one of the most gayly colored of the small lizards. It is
+quite common in the dry and stony parts of the western states and in
+western Texas is very abundant. It is a great eater and is not afraid to
+fight for its dinner. One peculiarity of this lizard is its ability to
+run on its hind legs. It will gulp and bolt food as large as itself.
+
+
+THE LEOPARD LIZARD.
+
+In color it is yellow, spotted with dark spots and lined across the back
+with dull red lines. Its habitat includes Oregon, California, Nevada,
+Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
+
+
+THE ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARDS.
+
+These are small ground lizards found from Texas to California,
+especially in the dry sections. They run with great rapidity with the
+tail curved upward, which exposes the markings of the lower surface.
+Frequently they run like the Collared Lizard, on the hind feet. The
+black-and-white tail markings account for their name.
+
+
+THE SPOTTED LIZARDS.
+
+These are small ground lizards found in many states from Kansas to
+California and southward. They are very quick in their movements. Their
+food consists of insects of the more sluggish type. They do not stalk
+their prey like the chameleons.
+
+
+THE SWIFTS.
+
+There are a great many species of these small lizards in the United
+States. They live on the ground among rocks in dry places and are called
+swifts on account of the speed with which they are able to get over the
+ground. Some of them are covered with spiny scales. Clark's Swift is
+abundant in certain parts of the country. It is found in California,
+Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah. It is fond of the strongest sunlight.
+The Yellow Striped Swift is found from Texas to Nebraska on the north,
+into Mexico on the south and California on the west.
+
+The Common Swift is found abundantly both in the eastern and in the
+western United States. They like dry, sandy places among fallen trees,
+fences, old wood, etc. In color they are gray and are usually in harmony
+with their surroundings.
+
+The Collared Swift lives among rocks in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
+It has a black collar with very sharp spiny scales.
+
+
+THE HORNED LIZARD.
+
+These lizards are commonly called Horned Toads, because of their
+resemblance in the shape of their bodies to that of a toad and of their
+spiny scales which have the appearance of small horns. Their habitat is
+in the hottest and driest parts of the country. They are fond of the
+hottest sunlight and bury themselves in sand at the approach of evening.
+
+The Regal Horned Lizard is found in Arizona and Colorado.
+
+The California Horned Lizard is found abundantly in sections of
+California.
+
+[Illustration: HORNED TOAD.]
+
+
+THE SNAKE-LIKE LIZARDS.
+
+These lizards have elongated bodies with either small limbs or no
+external evidence of such. Some cannot be easily distinguished from
+snakes. On close examination it will be seen that there is a ridge along
+each side of the body.
+
+The Keeled Lizard has a habit of keeping its tongue protruded and will
+wipe its lips with it after feeding. Its tail is easily separated from
+its body and when so separated, the broken off portion wriggles
+violently. New tails grow on. It is found in California, Oregon,
+Washington and eastward from California to Texas.
+
+The "Glass-Snake" has no limbs and to the eye of anyone but a naturalist
+would easily be mistaken for a snake. What distinguishes it from a snake
+is the presence of eyelids and ear holes. It occurs in many localities.
+It is common from the Carolinas to Florida and as far north as Illinois.
+Like the Keeled Lizard it has the ability to shed a very lively,
+wriggling tail. It feeds on worms and slugs that it finds by burrowing
+and will occasionally break and eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds.
+
+
+THE BEADED LIZARDS.
+
+This is a family of large lizards whose bodies look as if covered with
+beads. They are held to be poisonous by well-known authorities and are
+the only poisonous lizards found in the states.
+
+The Gila Monster (pronounced Hee-la) has a thick body with short limbs
+and a short tail. In color it is pink and black. Its length is about a
+foot and a half. It is found in New Mexico and Arizona and is named
+after the river Gila, the valley of which it inhabits. The creature will
+defend itself viciously and will hold on tenaciously with its strong
+jaws. The eggs are buried in the sand.
+
+
+XANTHUS LIZARDS.
+
+Small lizards that are found where the tree yuccas grow.
+
+
+THE RACE RUNNERS.
+
+These are easily distinguished by the yellow stripes on their bodies.
+They are to be found in the dry, sandy portions of the western states,
+burrowing in the sand and when pursued taking refuge in these burrows.
+
+
+THE WORM LIZARDS.
+
+These are a low grade of lizards that live underground like worms. The
+Worm Lizard, found in Florida, is scarcely any larger around than an
+earthworm. It is able to move backward or forward in the earth, the end
+of the tail being shaped similar to the head.
+
+
+THE SKINKS.
+
+This is a large family. They are burrowing lizards. The Red Headed
+Lizard is widely distributed throughout the United States. It is very
+timid and extremely difficult to capture. Its color changes with its
+age. The Black Banded Skink is found in the central portions of the
+United States. The Florida Skink in southern Florida. The Black Skink
+from Pennsylvania southward to Texas.
+
+Here we reach the end of the order of reptiles known as lizards; the
+next order is that of the snakes.
+
+
+
+
+THE SNAKES
+
+
+
+
+THE OPHIDIA OR SNAKES.
+
+
+Snakes are closely related to lizards. Some lizards, as you have already
+seen, are very much like snakes in form. The main distinguishing
+features of the snake are the elastic tissue which connects the two
+halves of the lower jaw and the absence of eyelids. Snakes are
+carnivorous and are capable of moving with great ease and swiftness
+notwithstanding their lack of limbs. They cast their skins several times
+a year. Many of the snakes are poisonous, and authorities tell us that
+there is no external characteristic that indicates which are poisonous
+and which are not.
+
+
+THE BLIND SNAKES.
+
+This is a low form of snake. They are worm-like and burrowing. The Texas
+Blind Snake is found in Texas and New Mexico. The California Blind Snake
+in California and Mexico.
+
+
+THE BOAS.
+
+The most common member of this family that comes within the range of
+this article is a snake that is found in the Pacific states and eastward
+as far as Nevada. It is over a foot in length and about half an inch in
+diameter. Various names have been given to it; in certain sections it is
+called the Rubber Boa, in others the Silver Snake, Two-headed Snake,
+Worm Snake. The name Two-headed Snake is given it evidently on account
+of the stubby appearance of the tail end.
+
+
+THE RIBBON SNAKES.
+
+These snakes have a yellow stripe along the back and the sides. They are
+long, slim snakes; specimens have been seen that measured nearly three
+feet long, although the average length is about two feet. It is found
+east of the Mississippi, but is not common. It frequents the banks of
+water to feed on young frogs and so forth. They swim well and are at
+home in the water. In the Western Ribbon Snake the back stripe is darker
+than those on the side, or in some instances a different color.
+
+
+THE GARTER SNAKES.
+
+These are found all over the United States and are perfectly harmless.
+They are abundant. Burrowing in the ground in the late fall they remain
+there all winter. Even the boy living in the large cities may, without
+going out of the city limits, find these snakes. They are quite commonly
+found in large public parks. They like frogs and toads and bolt their
+food. There are many varieties of this snake. Both the Ribbon Snakes and
+the Garter Snakes belong to the genus Eutaenia, which is the most
+numerous of those of the United States. They are all striped snakes and
+are very much like the water snakes in structure. There is no easily
+distinguished characteristic that would enable a boy, at a glance, to
+tell a Garter Snake. They vary widely in color and marking.
+
+
+THE WATER SNAKES.
+
+Here is another genus of snakes that is found commonly in many sections
+of our country. They frequent the vicinity of water and swim with ease,
+feeding on frogs, toads, fish. The Queen Snake is found generally east
+of the Mississippi Valley. It is brown above and has yellow stripes on
+the side. The Banded Water Snake is the water snake which is commonly
+found in the southern part of the United States east of Texas. It
+closely resembles the Moccasin, a poisonous snake, and is often mistaken
+for it. It attains an average length of over a yard. When alarmed, like
+all the water snakes, it takes to the water for refuge. This genus never
+preys on birds or mice. It is one of the most common of the southern
+snakes. The Red-bellied Water Snake is found in the east, but not north
+of Virginia. The Common Water Snake is the northern representative of
+this genus. These snakes are popularly known as "Moccasins." The Diamond
+Back Water Snake is common along the lower Mississippi states. They
+average four feet in length. May be seen on low branches overhanging
+water. The Green Water Snake is similar in habit to the Diamond Back
+and is found in the Gulf and the Mississippi Valley states. One
+peculiarity of the water snakes is their love of their home. They pick
+out a particular sunning place and will return to it regularly.
+
+[Illustration: WATER SNAKE.]
+
+
+THE GROUND SNAKE OR BROWN SNAKE.
+
+This is a common snake, found all over the United States east of the
+Rocky Mountains. It is small in size, about a foot long and slender, and
+hides under stones, where it probably feeds on the worms and forms of
+insect life that live in such places.
+
+
+THE RACERS.
+
+The serpents of this type are very active and nervous. The Gopher Snake,
+or Indigo Snake, is one of the largest found in the United States. It
+has been known to measure over eight feet in length. It is found from
+Texas eastward in the Gulf states. Its scales have a polished appearance
+and are blue black in color. It may be seen in sandy stretches. When
+feeding it holds its prey down with part of its body. It is not
+particular as to its diet and will eat birds with the same relish as
+cold-blooded frogs and toads. In the Central and South American
+countries this snake is highly valued as a "ratter" and frequents human
+habitations without fear. The Black Snake is abundant in the United
+States. It has a bad reputation. It is said to be a fearless fighter,
+not afraid to attack man even, and to be able to "charm" its prey within
+its reach. These attributes are popular beliefs without any basis of
+fact. It is fond of small birds and field mice and is what may be called
+a meadow snake. When frightened it speeds away at an incredible rate.
+The Coachwhip Snake, found in the southeast, is even more agile than the
+Black Snake, and like that serpent, will eat smaller snakes. It gets its
+name from its slender structure and similarity of the appearance of its
+scale distribution to a plaited whip. The Striped Racer of the
+southwestern states is very long and slender.
+
+
+THE RAT SNAKES OR COLUBERS.
+
+These are large, strong snakes that squeeze and crush their prey by
+coiling themselves around it. They are useful to the farmer, as they
+inhabit grainfields and prey on the rats and mice. An easy way to tell
+these snakes is by their flat belly. The Fox Snake is quite common in
+the Central states. It averages about four feet long. It derives its
+name from an odor which it is able to eject, which smells not unlike
+that of the fox. Often it will kill and eat animals as large as rabbits.
+It deposits its eggs in some natural hollow and leaves them there to
+hatch. A snake that is abundant in the southeastern states is known by
+the various names of Corn Snake, Red Chicken Snake, Mouse Snake, Scarlet
+Racer and Red Coluber. It is red, black and white. It is not as much of
+a climber as the Racers are, nor is it as agile; but it is braver and
+will fight when cornered. It is frequently found in cornfields, hence
+its name. The Pilot Black Snake or Mountain Black Snake is often taken
+for the Common Black Snake. Its head is larger and it is spotted with
+white. It is a snake frequently found in the same locations as the
+rattlesnake and copperhead. The Chicken Snake is fond of eggs and young
+chickens. Like the Fox Snake it will emit an unpleasant odor when
+caught.
+
+
+THE BULL SNAKES.
+
+The Pine or Bull Snake is one of the largest snakes found in the east.
+It is found in the sandy pine woods of the coast. When disturbed it is
+vicious in appearance, hisses loudly and strikes vigorously. It feeds on
+small animals and birds. It is also called the Gopher Snake. "The Yellow
+Gopher" Snake is found in the middle and western states.
+
+
+THE GREEN SNAKES.
+
+The Green Whip Snake or Magnolia Snake is green above, yellow below. It
+feeds on insects and is a good climber. In color it so perfectly
+matches the leaves and grass that detection is difficult. The "Grass
+Snake" is a common snake of the northeastern states.
+
+
+THE RING-NECKED SNAKES.
+
+The eastern Ring-necked Snake is found in the eastern portion of the
+United States. It has a yellow ring about the neck. This snake is not
+given to venturing abroad, but prefers to lie under stones and the loose
+bark of trees.
+
+
+THE KING SNAKES.
+
+These snakes are remarkable for their colors. They are banded around
+their bodies with rings of bright colors. They will eat rats and mice
+and other snakes. The Milk Snake or "Checkered Adder" is popularly
+supposed to be fond of milk. Scientists tell us that this is a fallacy.
+It feeds on mice, rats, other snakes and lizards. The Red Milk Snake is
+prettily colored--red and yellow--and is the type found in the south.
+All the King Snakes have pronounced patterns. More than in any other
+genus is the habit of feeding on its kind developed--attacking, and
+usually successfully, snakes larger than themselves. It is from this
+characteristic that they derive their name. It is bitten by the
+poisonous snakes which it attacks but without effect; the King Snake
+tightens its grip until its adversary is lifeless.
+
+
+THE RAINBOW SNAKES.
+
+These are sometimes called the mud snakes, from the fact that they are
+abundant in swamps. They burrow in the mud. The Red-bellied Snake is
+also called the Rainbow Snake, Mud Snake, Horn Snake and Hoop Snake.
+
+
+THE HOG-NOSED SNAKES.
+
+These snakes are fighters. The peculiar formation of the mouth makes
+them easily distinguishable. They hiss when disturbed and flatten their
+heads and necks. They are popularly known as "adders" and "vipers." They
+are found in dry and sandy situations.
+
+The common Hog-nosed Snake is found in dry, sandy locations practically
+all through the United States except on the Pacific slope. It has the
+peculiar habit of feigning death when cornered. Before it tries these
+tactics it will make a terrific show of ferocity. It is capable of
+flattening its head and neck in a formidable manner and while assuming
+this attitude it hisses sharply. If this show does not scare away its
+enemy it will suddenly be seized with a spasm, ending by turning on its
+back, limp and apparently lifeless. When it thinks danger is past it
+recovers its normal position and quickly gets away. This snake is known
+popularly as the "Flat-headed Adder," the "Puff Adder," "Viper" and
+"Blow Snake."
+
+
+THE HARLEQUIN OR CORAL SNAKE.
+
+Is a strikingly marked serpent. Its colors are scarlet, black and
+yellow. This snake is found in the southeastern and central United
+States. It is a near relative to the deadly Cobra-de-Capello and is
+itself poisonous. A burrowing reptile.
+
+
+THE MOCCASINS.
+
+These snakes are highly poisonous. The Water Moccasin is one of the
+largest venomous snakes found in the United States. Some have been
+caught that measured four feet in length and almost two and a half
+inches around. Certain kinds of harmless water snakes are popularly
+supposed to be and are called "moccasins." Unless you have a very close
+knowledge of which is which, you should be careful how near you approach
+them. The Water Moccasin is found quite abundantly in the east from the
+Carolinas southward and along the Mississippi states as far north as
+Illinois. It likes swamps and is found abundantly in many southern
+swampy sections. This snake is often known as the "Cotton Mouth" Snake.
+It is vicious and pugnacious and will fight snakes of any size. The
+prey of this serpent consists of birds, frogs, other snakes, fish and
+small animals. The Copperhead derives its name from the copperish tint
+on its head. It is not as large a snake as the Water Moccasin, nor does
+it like the swamps. It frequents rocky locations that are thickly
+wooded. It has a peculiar habit of backing away from danger by looping
+its body and then drawing it straight again.
+
+[Illustration: THE MOCCASIN.]
+
+
+THE RATTLESNAKES.
+
+The rattlesnake is the most interesting as well as the most deadly of
+the North American serpents. Its chief distinguishing characteristic is
+the rattle at the end of tail. Curator Ditmars, of the New York
+Zoological Park, says that although he has "studied living examples of
+many species of deadly snakes--the South American bushmaster and the
+fer-de-lance, the African puff adder and the berg adder, and such East
+Indian species as the king cobra, the spectacled cobra and Russell's
+viper, and although there is indelibly stamped upon his mind the bloated
+body, the glassy stare and the rhythmic hissing of the berg adder, the
+rearing, uncanny pose of an infuriated cobra--there is one image vivid
+above all, the rattlesnake. Thrown into a gracefully symmetrical coil,
+the body inflated, the neck arched in an oblique bow in support of the
+heart-shaped head, the slowly waving tongue with spread and tremulous
+tips, and above all, the incessant, monotonous whir of the rattle. One
+stroke--a flash--of that flat head would inject a virus bringing speedy
+death."
+
+[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE.]
+
+The rattlesnake always warns its enemy of its presence by its rattle.
+Were it not for this habit there would probably be many more deaths from
+the bites of this snake. The snake does not add a new ring to its rattle
+each year, as it is popularly supposed to do. The Massasauga is one of
+the smaller rattlesnakes, averaging about two feet in length. It
+inhabits swampy places. The Timber Rattlesnake is found from Vermont to
+Florida and west to Kansas. It is abundant in the mountains of New York,
+Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In the spring and fall the snakes
+congregate on ledges of rocks; such places are called "rattlesnake
+dens." They spend the winter in crevices in these rocky places. The
+Timber Rattler is more timid than many of its cousins, preferring
+flight to combat, but if cornered will fight as fiercely. It feeds on
+birds and small animals. The largest rattlesnake is the Diamond-back.
+Specimens have been caught that measured over six feet long and four
+inches around. This snake is one of the most deadly in the world. It is
+found most abundantly in Florida. It is never known to strike uncoiled
+and rarely retreats from danger. The food of this snake seems to consist
+mostly of small animals. It takes but a minute for the poison from the
+Diamond-back's fangs to kill a rabbit.
+
+
+
+
+THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES
+
+
+
+
+THE CHELONIA OR TURTLES AND TORTOISES.
+
+
+Turtles and tortoises belong to the order known as Chelonia. There are
+Fresh-water Turtles, Sea Turtles and Land Turtles.
+
+
+THE SEA TURTLES.
+
+These turtles are often carried by storm far north of their customary
+habitat, which is in the warmer waters of the southeastern coast. The
+Leatherback, or Trunk Turtle, is the largest of the sea turtles,
+sometimes reaching a weight of half a ton. It is not found in abundance.
+The Loggerhead Turtle has a very large head. Its eggs are buried in the
+sand about May or June and the young turtles hatch out in about two
+months' time. The Green Turtle often strays into northern waters. The
+flesh of this turtle is prized by epicures. It will die if not placed on
+its back, the under shell being pressed by the weight of the upper shell
+against its lungs, causing suffocation. The Hawksbill Turtle is
+distinguished by the hawk-like appearance of its head. It is the
+smallest of the sea turtles and the one from which is obtained the
+sought-after tortoise shells.
+
+[Illustration: SEA TURTLE.]
+
+
+THE SNAPPING TURTLES.
+
+These are the largest of the fresh-water turtles. Like the snakes they
+strike at their prey or their enemy, and their sharp mandibles make them
+a formidable antagonist. They will pull down their prey under the water
+where they always feed. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is found in the
+Gulf states. A peculiarity of this reptile is the fleshy filament,
+grub-like in appearance, which it has in its mouth and which acts as a
+bait, attracting fish within the reach of its powerful jaws.
+
+
+THE MUD TURTLES.
+
+The Musk Turtle is a common type of the Mud Turtle and is found in
+abundance in the muddy streams of the eastern, part of the United
+States. It will often be taken on a fish hook. It derives its name from
+the odor it gives forth. Seldom is it found out of the water. It snaps
+when taken in a way which rivals the Snapping Turtle. The common Mud
+Turtle is not as abundant as the Musk turtle to which it is similar in
+habit, crawling along the muddy bottoms of ponds and rivers. The under
+shell of the Mud Turtles is much broader than that of the Musk turtles.
+The Banded Mud Turtle, found in Georgia and Florida, has three yellow
+stripes or "bands" on its shell. The Yellow-necked Mud Turtle gets its
+name from its bright yellow neck.
+
+
+THE TERRAPINS.
+
+The Painted Terrapin or Pond Turtle is brightly colored. The under shell
+is yellow and the upper shell is bordered with mottled red. It is found
+in the eastern United States. You may frequently see it taking a sunning
+on a partially submerged log, diving into the water upon your approach.
+It feeds on insects, small fishes and water weeds. In your aquarium it
+will eat small pieces of beef, fish, worms or tender greens. The Chicken
+Turtle or Long-necked Terrapin is found in the southeastern states. The
+Yellow-bellied Terrapin is found from Virginia to Georgia. It is one of
+the terrapins that are sold in the markets. Many may be seen there,
+especially in Charleston. The Cumberland Terrapin may be known by the
+red marking on each side of its head. This, too, is sold in the markets;
+it is found in the middle western states. The Diamond Back Terrapin is
+the most highly prized by epicures--seven-inch-long turtles bringing as
+much as $5 or more apiece. It is found in the marshes of the eastern and
+southeastern coast states. As the size increases, the price advances.
+They are becoming scarce. It always feeds under water. Grows to larger
+size in the South. The Spotted Turtle is found in abundant quantities in
+the eastern states. It has round yellow spots scattered over its black
+upper shell and may be seen near ponds, streams and marshy places. It is
+fond of water that is grassy, hiding therein.
+
+
+THE BOX TURTLES.
+
+This turtle is fitted with a complete suit of armor, into which it can
+withdraw and become practically immune from harm. It is not an aquatic
+reptile, its food consisting principally of vegetation. It is fond of
+berries and is found most abundantly in grassy thickets. It lives many
+years. At the approach of winter it burrows into the ground.
+
+[Illustration: BOX TURTLE.]
+
+
+THE TORTOISES.
+
+The Tortoises live only on the land. The Gopher Tortoise is found from
+South Carolina to Florida, and west as far as Texas. It feeds on
+vegetation. It inhabits principally the dry and sandy places and makes
+long burrows into which it retires from the hot midday sun. The eggs of
+this tortoise are buried in the sand and are hatched by the sun's rays
+Agassiz's Tortoise, or the Desert Tortoise, is distributed over the
+deserts of Arizona and southern California.
+
+
+THE SOFT-SHELLED TURTLES.
+
+The shells of these turtles are soft and the head has the distinguishing
+characteristic of a pointed nose. They are aquatic and are much like the
+snapping turtles in habit. Large specimens can do damage with their
+sharp jaws. They are popularly known as "flap jack turtles," and they do
+not look unlike large pancakes. They are vicious and can make severe
+wounds or injuries. Their food is the same as that of the snapping
+turtles; in fact, they have so many points in common that they are often
+called "soft-shelled snapping turtles."
+
+
+
+
+THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS
+
+
+
+
+THE CROCODILIA OR THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS.
+
+
+The Crocodiles and Alligators belong to that order of reptiles known as
+Crocodilia. The Alligator's head is broad and blunt; the Crocodile's is
+narrow and sharp.
+
+ [Illustration:
+  1. ALLIGATOR.
+  2. CROCODILE.]
+
+The Alligators are distributed over the low and swampy ground from North
+Carolina southward, but are becoming rare almost to the point of
+extinction. Their skin is valued and their eggs are sought as food so
+that they are annually becoming rarer. They are afraid of man, but if
+cornered will fight. Their jaws are large, powerful and provided with
+strong teeth, capable of inflicting serious injury. They feed on fish,
+animals and birds. Alligators make a "bellowing" sound. The Crocodile is
+livelier and more pugnacious than the Alligator, but there are no
+"man-eating" Crocodiles in the United States.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX
+
+
+ Adder,
+   Berg, 177
+   Checkered, 168
+   Flat-headed, 169
+   Puff, 169, 171
+
+ Agassiz's Tortoise, 181
+
+ Alligators, 183, 185
+
+ Alligator Snapping Turtle, 177
+
+ Anolis, 152
+
+
+ Banded
+   Gecko, 152
+   Mud Turtle, 180
+   Water Snake, 164
+
+ Beaded Lizards, 158
+
+ Berg Adder, 177
+
+ Black
+   -banded Skink, 159
+   Iguana, 153
+   Snake, 166
+     Mountain, 167
+     Pilot, 167
+
+ Blind Snakes, 163
+   California, 163
+   Texas, 163
+
+ Blow Snake, 169
+
+ Boas, 163
+   Rubber, 163
+
+ Box Turtle, 173
+
+ Brown Snake, 166
+
+ Bull Snake, 167
+
+ Bushmaster, 171
+
+
+ California
+   Blind Snake, 163
+   Horned Toad, 157
+
+ Cape
+   Gecko, 152
+   Iguana, 153
+
+ Chameleon, 152
+
+ Checkered Adder, 168
+
+ Chelonia, 147, 177
+
+ Chicken
+   Snake, 167
+     Red, 167
+   Turtle, 180
+
+ Chuckawalla, 154
+
+ Clark's Swift, 156
+
+ Coachwhip Snake, 166
+
+ Cobra,
+   King, 171
+   Spectacled, 171
+
+ Cobra-de-Capello, 169
+
+ Collared
+   Lizard, 151, 155
+   Swift, 156
+
+ Colubers, 167
+   Red, 167
+
+ Common Swift, 151, 156
+
+ Copperhead, 171
+
+ Coral Snake, 169
+
+ Corn Snake, 167
+
+ Cotton Mouth Snake, 169
+
+ Crocodiles, 183, 185
+
+ Crocodilia, 147, 185
+
+ Cumberland Terrapin, 180
+
+
+ Desert
+   Iguana, 154
+   Tortoise, 181
+
+ Diamond-back
+   Rattlesnake 173
+   Terrapin, 180
+   Water Snake, 165
+
+ Dinosaurs, 147
+
+
+ Eutaenia, 164
+
+
+ Fence Lizard, 151
+
+ Fer-de-lance, 171
+
+ Flapjack Turtle, 181
+
+ Flat-headed Adder, 169
+
+ Florida Skink, 159
+
+ Fox Snake, 167
+
+ Fresh-water Turtle, 177
+
+
+ Garter Snakes, 164
+
+ Gecko, 152
+   Banded, 152
+   Cape, 152
+   Reef, 152
+   Warty, 152
+
+ Gila Monster, 158
+
+ Glass Snake, 158
+
+ Gopher
+   Snake, 166, 167
+   Tortoise, 181
+
+ Grass Snake, 168
+
+ Green
+   Turtle, 177
+   Water Snake, 165
+   Whip Snake, 167
+
+ Ground Snake, 166
+
+
+ Harlequin Snake, 169
+
+ Hawksbill Turtle, 177
+
+ Hog-nosed Snakes, 168
+
+ Hoop Snake, 168
+
+ Horn Snake, 168
+
+ Horned
+   Lizard, 156
+   Toads, 156
+     California, 156
+     Regal, 156
+
+
+ Ichthyosaurs, 147
+
+ Iguana, 152, 153
+   Black, 153
+   Cape, 153
+   Desert, 154
+
+ Indigo Snake, 166
+
+
+ Keeled Lizard, 157
+
+ King
+   Cobra, 171
+   Snake, 168
+
+
+ Lacertilia, 147, 151
+
+ Land Turtle, 177
+
+ Leatherback Turtle, 177
+
+ Leopard Lizard, 155
+
+ Lizards, 149
+   Beaded, 158
+   Collared, 151, 155
+   Fence, 151
+   Horned, 156
+   Keeled, 157
+   Leopard, 155
+   Red-headed, 159
+   Snake-like, 156
+   Spotted, 155
+   Worm, 158
+   Xanthus, 158
+   Zebra-tailed, 151, 155
+
+ Loggerhead Turtle, 177
+
+ Long-necked Terrapin, 180
+
+
+ Magnolia Snake, 167
+
+ Massasauga, 171
+
+ Milk Snake, 168
+   Red, 168
+
+ Moccasin, 165, 169, 170
+   Water, 169
+
+ Mountain, Black, Snake, 167
+
+ Mouse Snake, 167
+
+ Mud
+   Snake, 168
+   Turtle, 179
+
+ Musk Turtle, 178
+
+
+ Ophidia, 147, 163
+
+
+ Pacific Swift, 151
+
+ Painted Terrapin, 180
+
+ Pilot Black Snake, 167
+
+ Pine Snake, 167
+
+ Plesiosaurs, 147
+
+ Pond Turtle, 180
+
+ Pterosaurs, 147, 148
+
+ Puff Adder, 169, 171
+
+
+ Queen Snakes, 164
+
+
+ Racers, 166
+   Scarlet, 167
+   Striped, 166
+
+ Race Runners, 158
+
+ Rainbow Snake, 168
+
+ Rattlesnakes, 171, 172, 173
+   Diamond-back, 173
+
+ Rat Snake, 167
+
+ Red
+   -bellied Snake, 168
+     Water Snake, 165
+   Chicken Snake, 167
+   Coluber, 167
+   Headed Lizard, 159
+   Milk Snake, 168
+
+ Reef Gecko, 152
+
+ Regal Horned Toad, 157
+
+ Ribbon Snakes, 163
+
+ Ring-necked Snakes, 168
+
+ Rubber Boas, 163
+
+ Russell's Viper, 171
+
+
+ Scarlet Racer, 167
+
+ Sea Turtles, 177, 178
+
+ Silver Snake, 163
+
+ Skink, 159
+   Black-banded, 159
+   Florida, 159
+
+ Snake-like Lizards, 156
+
+ Snakes, 163
+   Banded Water, 164
+   Black, 166
+   Blind, 163
+     California, 163
+     Texas, 163
+   Blow, 169
+   Brown, 166
+   Bull, 167
+   California Blind, 163
+   Chicken, 167
+     Red, 167
+   Coachwhip, 166
+   Copperhead, 171
+   Coral, 169
+   Corn, 167
+   Cotton Mouth, 169
+   Diamond-back
+     Rattle, 173
+     Water, 165
+   Fox, 167
+   Garter, 164
+   Glass, 158
+   Gopher, 166, 167
+   Grass, 168
+   Green, 167
+     Water, 165
+     Whip, 167
+   Ground, 166
+   Harlequin, 169
+   Hog-nosed, 168
+   Hoop, 168
+   Horn, 168
+   Indigo, 166
+   King, 168
+   Magnolia, 167
+   Milk, 168
+   Mountain, Black, 167
+   Mouse, 167
+   Mud, 168
+   Pilot Black, 167
+   Pine, 167
+   Queen, 164
+   Rainbow, 168
+   Rat, 167
+   Red
+     -bellied, 168
+       Water, 165
+     Milk, 168
+   Ribbon, 163
+   Ring-necked, 168
+   Silver, 163
+   Texas Blind, 163
+   Two-headed, 163
+   Water, 164, 165
+   Worm, 163
+   Yellow Gopher, 167
+
+ Snapping Turtle, 177
+
+ Soft-shelled Turtle, 181
+
+ Spectacled Cobra, 171
+
+ Sphenodon, 147
+
+ Spotted
+   Lizard, 155
+   Turtle, 180
+
+ Striped Racers, 166
+
+ Swifts, 156
+   Clark's, 156
+   Collared, 156
+   Common, 151, 156
+   Pacific, 151
+   White-bellied, 151
+   Yellow-striped, 156
+
+
+ Terrapin, 180
+   Cumberland, 180
+   Diamond-back, 180
+   Long-necked, 180
+   Painted, 180
+   Yellow-bellied, 180
+
+ Texas Blind Snake, 163
+
+ Timber Rattlesnake, 171
+
+ Tortoises, 181
+   Agassiz's, 181
+   Desert, 181
+   Gopher, 181
+
+ Trunk Turtle, 177
+
+ Turtles, 175
+   Alligator Snapping, 177
+   Banded Mud, 180
+   Box, 181
+   Chicken, 180
+   Flapjack, 181
+   Fresh-water, 177
+   Green, 177
+   Hawksbill, 177
+   Land, 177
+   Leatherback, 177
+   Loggerhead, 177
+   Mud, 179
+   Musk, 179
+   Pond, 180
+   Sea, 177, 178
+   Snapping, 177
+   Soft-shelled, 181
+   Spotted, 180
+   Trunk, 177
+
+ Two-headed Snake, 163
+
+
+ Viper, 169
+   Russell's, 171
+
+
+ Warty Gecko, 152
+
+ Water Moccasin, 169
+
+ Water Snakes, 164, 165
+     Diamond-back, 165
+     Green, 165
+     Red-bellied, 165
+
+ Whip Snake, Green, 167
+
+ White-bellied Swift, 151
+
+ Worm
+   Lizards, 158
+   Snakes, 163
+
+
+ Yellow
+   -bellied Terrapin, 180
+   Gopher Snake, 167
+   Striped Swift, 156
+
+
+ Xanthus Lizards, 158
+
+
+ Zebra-tailed Lizards, 151, 155
+
+
+
+
+THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
+
+A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+Which, in addition to the interesting boy scout stories by CAPTAIN ALAN
+DOUGLAS, Scoutmaster, contain articles on nature lore, native animals
+and a fund of other information pertaining to out-of-door life, that
+will appeal to the boy's love of the open
+
+
+I. THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL
+
+Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities
+to use their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer
+Chenowith, a lad from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his
+familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should
+read.
+
+
+II. WOODCRAFT; OR, HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD
+
+This tale presents many stirring situations in which some of the boys
+are called upon to exercise all their ingenuity and unselfishness. A
+story filled with healthful excitement.
+
+
+III. PATHFINDER; OR, THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
+
+Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the
+credit of our young friends. A variety of incidents follow fast, one
+after the other.
+
+
+IV. FAST NINE; OR, A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD
+
+They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of
+the final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof,
+form a stirring narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent
+years.
+
+
+V. GREAT HIKE; OR, THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP
+
+After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest
+undertaking. Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured
+rivalry of the different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing
+situations.
+
+
+VI. ENDURANCE TEST; OR, HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY
+
+Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of
+apparent failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and
+surprise their most ardent admirers. One of the best stories Captain
+Douglas has written.
+
+
+BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES
+
+ Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--in Number I.
+ Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
+ Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
+ Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
+ Insects of the United States in Number V.
+ Birds of the United States in Number VI.
+
+
+ _Cloth Binding    Cover Illustrations in Four Colors    40c. Per Volume_
+
+
+ THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+ 147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St) NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+    Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Dialect
+    spellings have been retained.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pathfinder, by Alan Douglas
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATHFINDER ***
+
+***** This file should be named 22924.txt or 22924.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/9/2/22924/
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Stephen Blundell and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/22924.zip b/22924.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7f4d8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22924.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c415c53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #22924 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22924)