diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:38:40 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:38:40 -0700 |
| commit | 031e14144b3812e6c5be77dc39b383d69a16904d (patch) | |
| tree | 8acb9c7669623df29c9da92cb050f7c7ba4a71f8 /28531-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '28531-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 28531-h/28531-h.htm | 7673 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28531-h/images/illus-emb.png | bin | 0 -> 1273 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28531-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg | bin | 0 -> 98612 bytes |
3 files changed, 7673 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/28531-h/28531-h.htm b/28531-h/28531-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ecd386c --- /dev/null +++ b/28531-h/28531-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7673 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound, by George A. Warren</title> +<style type="text/css"> + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + @media screen { + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none;border-top:thin dashed silver;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + } + @media print { + hr.pb {border:none;page-break-after: always;} + .pagenum { display:none; } + } + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.2em;} + h3.pg {text-align:center; font-weight:bold; font-size:110%;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + p.tp {font-size:1em; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; text-align:center;} + .caption {font-size:.8em;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.4em;} + + .center { text-align: center; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1 class="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound, by George +A. Warren</h1> +<pre> +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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound</p> +<p> A Tour on Skates and Iceboats</p> +<p>Author: George A. Warren</p> +<p>Release Date: April 7, 2009 [eBook #28531]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS SNOWBOUND***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 350px; height: 538px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 350px;'> +“LOOK OUT! THE SECOND CAT!” YELLED PAUL.<br /><i>The Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound Page 161</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<table style='margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; border-collapse:collapse; border: black 2px solid;' summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <table style='width:24em; margin: 1px 1px; border-collapse:collapse; border: black 1px solid;' summary=""> + + <tr> + <td colspan='2'> + <p class='tp' style='margin-top:15px;font-size:2.2em;margin-bottom:1em;'>The Banner Boy<br />Scouts Snowbound</p> + <p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:1em;'>OR</p> + <p class='tp' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-bottom:1.2em;'><i>A</i> Tour <i>on</i> Skates <i>and</i> Iceboats</p> + <p class='tp' style='font-size:1.2em;'>By GEORGE A. WARREN</p> + <p class='tp' style='font-variant:small-caps;margin-bottom:2em;font-size:0.8em;'>AUTHOR OF “THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS,” “THE<br /> + MUSKET BOYS OF OLD BOSTON,” ETC.</p> + <p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:15px;font-size:1.2em;'><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> + </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td align='center' colspan='2'> + <img alt='' style='margin:20px auto;' src='images/illus-emb.png' /> + </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td colspan='2'> + <p class='tp' style='font-size:1.1em; margin-top:2em;'>THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO.</p> + </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td align='left' style='padding-left:1em;'><span style='font-size:1em;'>AKRON, OHIO</span></td> + <td align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'><span style='font-size:1em;'>NEW YORK</span></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td colspan='2'> + <p class='tp' style='margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:15px;'>Made in U. S. A.</p> + </td> + </tr> + + </table> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p class='tp'>Copyright, 1916, by</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-variant:small-caps;'>Cupples & Leon Company</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em;'>CONTENTS</p> +<table border='0' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>I.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>On the Frozen Bushkill</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_I_ON_THE_FROZEN_BUSHKILL'>1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>II.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>When the Old Ice-House Fell</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_II_WHEN_THE_OLD_ICEHOUSE_FELL'>8</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>III.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Rescue</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_III_THE_RESCUE'>15</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Quick Return for Services Rendered</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IV_A_QUICK_RETURN_FOR_SERVICES_RENDERED'>23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>V.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Startling Interruption</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_V_A_STARTLING_INTERRUPTION'>30</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Gloomy Prospect for Jud</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VI_A_GLOOMY_PROSPECT_FOR_JUD'>38</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Paul Takes a Chance</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VII_PAUL_TAKES_A_CHANCE'>46</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bobolink and the Storekeeper</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VIII_BOBOLINK_AND_THE_STOREKEEPER'>54</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Fire!”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IX_FIRE'>62</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>X.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Accusation</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_X_THE_ACCUSATION'>69</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Friends of the Scouts</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XI_FRIENDS_OF_THE_SCOUTS'>76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Iceboat Squadron</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XII_THE_ICEBOAT_SQUADRON'>84</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>On the Way</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIII_ON_THE_WAY'>91</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Ring of Steel Runners</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIV_THE_RING_OF_STEEL_RUNNERS'>98</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Tolly Tip and the Forest Cabin</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XV_TOLLY_TIP_AND_THE_FOREST_CABIN'>105</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The First Night Out</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVI_THE_FIRST_NIGHT_OUT'>112</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Tip-Ups” for Pickerel</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVII_TIPUPS_FOR_PICKEREL'>119</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Helping Hand of a Scout</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_HELPING_HAND_OF_A_SCOUT'>126</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>News of Big Game</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_OF_BIG_GAME'>134</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>At the Beaver Pond</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XX_AT_THE_BEAVER_POND'>141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Setting the Flashlight Trap</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXI_SETTING_THE_FLASHLIGHT_TRAP'>149</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Waylaid in the Timber</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXII_WAYLAID_IN_THE_TIMBER'>157</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Blizzard</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_BLIZZARD'>165</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Duty of the Scout</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV_THE_DUTY_OF_THE_SCOUT'>172</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Among the Snowdrifts</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXV_AMONG_THE_SNOWDRIFTS'>180</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Dug Out</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI_DUG_OUT'>187</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“First Aid”</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVII_FIRST_AID'>194</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>More Startling News</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVIII_MORE_STARTLING_NEWS'>202</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Wild Dog Pack</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIX_THE_WILD_DOG_PACK'>211</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Change of Plans</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXX_A_CHANGE_OF_PLANS'>219</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXXI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Good-Bye to Deer Head Lodge</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXXI_GOODBYE_TO_DEER_HEAD_LODGE'>227</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXXII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Capture of the Hobo Yeggmen</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXXII_THE_CAPTURE_OF_THE_HOBO_YEGGMEN'>235</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXXIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Conclusion</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXXIII_CONCLUSION'>243</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em;'>PREFACE</p> +<p><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Dear Boys</span>:—</p> +<p>Once more it is my privilege to offer you a new +volume wherein I have endeavored to relate further +interesting adventures in which the members +of Stanhope Troop of Boy Scouts take part. Most +of my readers, I feel sure, remember Paul, Jud, +Bobolink, Jack and many of the other characters, +and will gladly greet them as old friends.</p> +<p>To such of you who may be making the acquaintance +of these manly young chaps for the first time +I can only say this. I trust your interest in their +various doings along the line of scoutcraft will be +strong enough to induce you to secure the previous +volumes in this series in order to learn at first hand +of the numerous achievements they have placed +to their credit.</p> +<p>The boys comprising the original Red Fox +Patrol won the beautiful banner they own in open +competition with other rival organizations. From +that day, now far in the past, Stanhope Troop has +been known as the Banner Boy Scouts. Its possession +.gn +1 +has always served as an inspiration to Paul +and his many staunch comrades. Every time they +see its silken folds unfurled at the head of their +growing marching line they feel like renewing the +vows to which they so willingly subscribed on first +joining the organization.</p> +<p>Many of their number, too, are this day proudly +wearing on their chests the medals they have won +through study, observation, service, thrift, or acts +of heroism, such as saving human life at the risk +of their own.</p> +<p>I trust that all my many young readers will enjoy +the present volume fully as much as they did +those that have appeared before now. Hoping, +then, to meet you all again before a great while in +the pages of another book; and with best wishes +for every lad who aspires to climb the ladder of +leadership in his home troop, believe me,</p> +<p style='margin-left:0.0em; margin-right:0.0em; text-align:right'><span style='margin-right: 5.46875em;'>Cordially yours,</span><br /> +<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>George A. Warren</span>.<br /></p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2>THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS SNOWBOUND</h2> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_I_ON_THE_FROZEN_BUSHKILL' id='CHAPTER_I_ON_THE_FROZEN_BUSHKILL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>ON THE FROZEN BUSHKILL</h3> +</div> +<p>“Watch Jack cut his name in the ice, fellows!”</p> +<p>“I wish I could do the fancy stunts on skates +he manages to pull off. It makes me green with +envy to watch Jack Stormways do that trick.”</p> +<p>“Oh, shucks! what’s the use of saying that, Wallace +Carberry, when everybody knows your strong +suit is long-distance skating? The fact is both the +Carberry twins are as much at home on the ice as +I am when I get my knees under the supper table.”</p> +<p>“That’s kind of you to throw bouquets my way, +Bobolink. But, boys, stop and think. Here it +is—only four days now to Christmas, and the +scouts haven’t made up their minds yet where to +spend the glorious holidays.”</p> +<p>“Y-y-yes, and b-b-by the same token, this year +we’re g-g-going to g-g-get a full three-weeks’ vacation +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span> +in the b-b-bargain, b-b-because they have +t-t-to overhaul the f-f-furnaces.”</p> +<p>“Hold on there, Bluff Shipley! If you keep on +falling all over yourself like that you’ll have to +take a whole week to rest up.”</p> +<p>“All the same,” remarked the boy who answered +to the odd name of Bobolink, “it’s high +time we scouts settled that important matter for +good.”</p> +<p>“The assistant scout-master, Paul Morrison, +has called a meeting at headquarters for to-night, +you understand, boys,” said the fancy skater, who +had just cut the name of Paul Morrison in the +smooth, new ice of the Bushkill river.</p> +<p>“We must arrange the programme then,” observed +Bobolink, “because it will take a couple of +days to get everything ready for the trip, no matter +where we go.”</p> +<p>“Huh!” grunted another skater, “I can certainly +see warm times ahead for the cook at <i>your</i> +house, Bobolink, provided you’ve still got that +ferocious appetite to satisfy.”</p> +<p>“Oh! well, Tom Betts,” laughed the other, “I +notice that you seldom take a back seat when the +grub is being passed around. As for me I’m proud +of my stowage ability. A good appetite is one +of the greatest blessings a growing boy can have.”</p> +<p>“Pity the poor father though,” chuckled Wallace +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span> +Carberry, “because he has to pay the freight.”</p> +<p>“Just to go back to the important subject,” said +Bluff Shipley, who could speak as clearly as any +one when not excited, “where do you think the +scouts will hike to for their Christmas holidays?”</p> +<p>“Well, now, a winter camp on Rattlesnake +Mountain wouldn’t be such a bad stunt,” suggested +Tom Betts, quickly.</p> +<p>“For my part,” remarked Bobolink, “I’d rather +like to visit Lake Tokala again, and see what +Cedar Island looks like in the grip of Jack Frost. +The skating on that sheet of water must be great.”</p> +<p>“We certainly did have a royal good time there +last summer,” admitted Jack, reflectively.</p> +<p>“All the same,” ventured Tom, “I think I know +one scout who couldn’t be coaxed or hired to camp +on Cedar Island again.”</p> +<p>“Meaning Curly Baxter,” Bobolink went on to +say scornfully, “who brazenly admits he believes +in ghosts, and couldn’t be convinced that the place +wasn’t haunted.”</p> +<p>“Curly won’t be the only fellow to back out,” +suggested Jack. “While we have a membership +of over thirty on the muster roll of Stanhope +Troop, it isn’t to be expected that more than half +of them will agree to make the outing with us.”</p> +<p>“Too much like hard work for some of the +boys,” asserted Tom. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span></p> +<p>“I know a number who say they’d like to be +with us, but their folks object to a winter camp,” +Wallace announced. “So if we muster a baker’s +dozen we can call ourselves lucky.”</p> +<p>“Of course it must be a real snow and ice hike +this time,” suggested Bluff.</p> +<p>“To be sure—and on skates at that!” cried +Wallace, enthusiastically.</p> +<p>“Oh! I hope there’s a chance to use our iceboats +too!” sighed Tom Betts, who late that fall +had built a new flier, and never seemed weary of +sounding the praises of his as yet untried “Speedaway.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps we may—who knows?” remarked +Jack, mysteriously.</p> +<p>The others, knowing that the speaker was the +nearest and dearest chum of Paul Morrison, assistant +scout-master of Stanhope Troop of Boy +Scouts, turned upon him eagerly on hearing this +suggestive remark.</p> +<p>“You know something about the plans, Jack!”</p> +<p>“Sure he does, and he ought to give us a hint +in the bargain!”</p> +<p>“Come, take pity on us, won’t you, Jack?”</p> +<p>But the object of all this pleading only shook +his head and smiled as he went on to say:</p> +<p>“I’m bound to secrecy, fellows, and you +wouldn’t have me break my word to our patrol +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span> +leader. Just hold your horses a little while longer +and you’ll hear everything. We’re going to talk +it over to-night and settle the matter once for all. +Now let’s drop the subject. Here’s a new wrinkle +I’m trying out.”</p> +<p>With that Jack started to spin around on his +skates, and fairly dazzled his mates with the wonderful +ability he displayed as a fancy skater.</p> +<p>While they are thus engaged a few words of +explanation may not come in amiss.</p> +<p>Stanhope Troop consisted of three full patrols, +with another almost completed. Though in the +flood tide of success at the time we make the +acquaintance of the boys in this volume there were +episodes in the past history of the troop to which +the older scouts often referred with mingled +emotions of pride and wonder.</p> +<p>The present status of the troop had not been +maintained without many struggles. Envious +rivals had tried to make the undertaking a failure, +while doubting parents had in many cases to be +shown that association with the scouts would be +a thing of unequalled advantage to their boys.</p> +<p>Those who have read the previous books of +this series have doubtless already formed a warm +attachment for the members of the Red Fox +Patrol and their friends, and will be greatly +pleased to follow their fortunes again. For the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span> +benefit of those who are making their acquaintance +for the first time it may be stated that besides +Jack Stormways and the four boys who were with +him on the frozen Bushkill this December afternoon, +the roster of the Red Fox Patrol counted +three other names.</p> +<p>These were Paul Morrison, the leader, the +other Carberry twin, William by name, and a boy +whom they called “Nuthin,” possibly because his +name chanced to be Albert Cypher.</p> +<p>As hinted at in the remarks that flew between +the skaters circling around, many of the members +of the troop had spent a rollicking vacation +the previous summer while aboard a couple of +motor boats loaned to them by influential citizens +of their home town. The strange adventures that +had befallen the scouts on this cruise through +winding creeks and across several lakes have been +given in the pages of the volume preceding this +book, called “The Banner Boy Scouts Afloat; Or, +The Secret of Cedar Island.”</p> +<p>Ever since their return from that cruise the +boys had talked of little else; and upon learning +that the Christmas holidays would be lengthened +this season the desire to take another tour had +seized upon them.</p> +<p>After Jack so summarily shut down upon the +subject no one ventured to plead with him any +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span> +longer. All knew that he felt bound in honor to +keep any secret he had been entrusted with by the +assistant scout-master—for Paul often had to act +in place of Mr. Gordon, a young traveling salesman, +who could not be with the boys as much as +he would have liked.</p> +<p>Jack had just finished cutting the new figure, +and his admirers were starting to give vent to +their delight over his cleverness when suddenly +there came a strange roaring sound that thrilled +every one of them through and through. It was +as if the frozen river were breaking up in a spring +thaw. Some of the boys even suspected that there +was danger of being swallowed up in such a catastrophe, +and had started to skate in a frenzy of +alarm for the shore when the voice of Bobolink +arose above the clamor.</p> +<p>“Oh! look there, will you, fellows?” he shouted, +pointing a trembling finger up the river. “The old +ice-house has caved in, just as they feared it would. +See the ice cakes sliding everywhere! And I saw +men and girls near there just five minutes ago. +They may be caught under all that wreckage for +all we know! Jack, what shall we do about it?”</p> +<p>“Come on, every one of you!” roared Jack +Stormways, as he set off at full speed. “This +means work for the scouts! To the rescue, boys! +Hurry! hurry!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_II_WHEN_THE_OLD_ICEHOUSE_FELL' id='CHAPTER_II_WHEN_THE_OLD_ICEHOUSE_FELL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>WHEN THE OLD ICE-HOUSE FELL</h3> +</div> +<p>Never before in the recollection of any Stanhope +boy had winter settled in so early as it had +this year. They seldom counted on having their +first skate on the new ice before Christmas, and +yet for two weeks now some of the most daring +had been tempting Providence by venturing on +the surface of the frozen Bushkill.</p> +<p>The ice company had built a new house the +preceding summer, though the old one was still +fairly well filled with a part of the previous season’s +great crop. Its sides had bulged out in a +suspicious manner, so that many had predicted +some sort of catastrophe, but somehow the old +building had weathered every gale, though it +leaned to the south sadly. The company apparently +hoped it would hold good until they had it +emptied during the next summer, when they intended +to build another new structure on the spot.</p> +<p>As the five boys started to skate at utmost +speed up the river they heard a medley of sounds. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span> +A panic had evidently struck such boys and girls +as were skimming over the smooth ice in protected +bayous near the ice-houses. Instead of +hurrying to the assistance of those who may have +been caught in the fallen timbers of the wrecked +building they were for the most part fleeing from +the scene, some of them shrieking with terror.</p> +<p>Several men who had been employed near by +could be seen standing and staring. It looked as +though they hardly knew what to do.</p> +<p>If ever there was an occasion where sound +common sense and a readiness to grasp a situation +were needed it seemed to be just then. And, fortunately, +Jack Stormways was just the boy to meet +the conditions.</p> +<p>He sped up the river like an arrow from the +bow, followed by the four other scouts. The +frightened girls who witnessed their passage always +declared that never had they seen Stanhope +boys make faster speed, even in a race where a +valuable prize was held out as a lure to the victor.</p> +<p>As he bore down upon the scene of confusion +Jack took it all in. Those who were floundering +amidst the numerous heavy cakes of ice must engage +their attention without delay. He paid little +heed to the fortunate ones who were able to be +on their feet, since this fact alone proved that they +could not have been seriously injured. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p> +<p>Several, however, were not so fortunate, and +Jack’s heart seemed to be almost in his throat +when he saw that two of the skaters lay in the +midst of the scattered cakes of ice as though painfully +injured.</p> +<p>“This way, boys!” shouted the boy in the van +as they drew near the scene of the accident. “Bluff, +you and Wallace turn and head for that one yonder. +Bobolink, come with me—and Tom Betts.”</p> +<p>Five seconds later he was bending over a small +girl who lay there groaning and looking almost +as white as the snow upon the hills around Stanhope.</p> +<p>“It’s little Lucy Stackpole!” gasped Tom, as +he also arrived. “Chances are she was hit by one +of these big ice cakes when they flew around!”</p> +<p>Jack looked up.</p> +<p>“Yes, I’m afraid she’s been badly hurt, fellows. +It looks to me like a compound fracture of her +right leg. She ought to be taken home in a hurry. +See if you can round up a sled somewhere, and +we’ll put her on it.”</p> +<p>“Here’s Sandy Griggs and Lub Ketcham with +just the sort of big sled we need!” cried Tom +Betts, as he turned and beckoned to a couple of +stout lads who evidently belonged to one of the +other patrols, since they wore the customary campaign +hats of the scouts. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></p> +<p>These boys had by now managed to recover +from their great alarm, and in response to the +summons came hurrying up, anxious to be of service, +as true scouts always are.</p> +<p>Jack, who had been speaking to the terrified +girl, trying to soothe her as best he could, proceeded +in a business-like fashion to accomplish the +duty he had in hand.</p> +<p>“Two of you help me lift Lucy on to the sled,” +he said. “We will have to fasten her in some +way so there’ll be no danger of her slipping. Then +Sandy and Lub will drag her to her home. On the +way try to get Doctor Morrison over the ’phone +so he can meet you there. The sooner this fracture +is attended to the better.”</p> +<p>“You could do it yourself, Jack, if it wasn’t so +bitter cold out here,” suggested Tom Betts, +proudly, for next to Paul Morrison himself, whose +father was the leading physician of Stanhope, +Jack was known to be well up in all matters connected +with first aid to the injured.</p> +<p>They lifted the suffering child tenderly, and +placed her on the comfortable sled. Both the newcomers +were only too willing to do all they could +to carry out the mission of mercy that had been +entrusted to their charge.</p> +<p>“We’ll get her home in short order, Jack, never +fear,” said Sandy Griggs, as he helped fasten an +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +extra piece of rope around the injured girl, so that +she might not slip off the sled.</p> +<p>“Yes, and have the doctor there in a jiffy, too,” +added Lub, who, while a clumsy chap, in his way +had a very tender heart and was as good as gold.</p> +<p>“Then get a move on you fellows,” advised +Jack. “And while speed is all very good, safety +comes first every time, remember.”</p> +<p>“Trust us, Jack!” came the ready and confident +reply, as the two scouts immediately began +to seek a passage among the far-flung ice-cakes +that had been so suddenly released from their +year’s confinement between the walls of the dilapidated +ice-house.</p> +<p>Only waiting to see them well off, Jack and +the other two once more turned toward the scene +of ruin.</p> +<p>“See, the boys have managed to get the other +girl on her feet!” exclaimed Bobolink, with a relieved +air; “so I reckon she must have been more +scared than hurt, for which I’m right glad. What +next, Jack? Say the word and we’ll back you to +the limit.”</p> +<p>“We must take a look around the wreck of the +ice-house,” replied the other, “though I hardly +believe any one could have been inside at the time +it fell.”</p> +<p>“Whew, I should surely hope not!” cried Tom; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +“for the chances are ten to one he’d be crushed +as flat as a pancake before now, with all that +timber falling on him. I wouldn’t give a snap +of my fingers for his life, Jack.”</p> +<p>“Let’s hope then there’s no other victim,” said +Jack. “If there is none, it will let the ice company +off easier than they really deserve for allowing +so ramshackle a building to stand, overhanging +the river just where we like to do most of our +skating every winter.”</p> +<p>“Suppose we climb around the timbers and see +if we can hear any sound of groaning,” suggested +Bobolink, suiting the action to his words.</p> +<p>Several men from the other ice-house reached +the spot just then.</p> +<p>Jack turned to them as a measure of saving +time. If there were no men working in +the wrecked building at the time it fell there did +not seem any necessity for attempting to move any +of the twisted timbers that lay in such a confused +mass.</p> +<p>“Hello! Jan,” he called out as the panting laborers +arrived. “It was a big piece of luck that none +of you were inside the old ice-house when it collapsed +just now.”</p> +<p>The man whom he addressed looked blankly +at the boy. Jack could see that he was laboring +under renewed excitement. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p> +<p>“Look here! was there any one in the old building, +do you know, Jan?” he demanded.</p> +<p>“I ban see Maister Garrity go inside yoost afore +she smash down,” was the startling reply.</p> +<p>The boys stared at each other. Mr. Thomas +Garrity was a very rich and singular citizen of +Stanhope.</p> +<p>Finally Bobolink burst out with:</p> +<p>“Say, you know Mr. Garrity is one of the owners +of these ice-houses, fellows. I guess he must +have come up here to-day to see for himself if the +old building was as rickety as people said.”</p> +<p>“Huh! then I guess he found out all right,” +growled Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“Never mind that now,” said Jack, hastily. +“Mr. Garrity never had much use for the scouts, +but all the same he’s a human being. We’ve got +our duty cut out for us plainly enough.”</p> +<p>“Guess you mean we must clear away this trash +with the help of these men here, Jack,” suggested +Wallace, eagerly.</p> +<p>“Just what I had in mind,” confessed Jack. +“But before we start in let’s all listen and see if +we can hear anything like a groan.”</p> +<p>All of them stood in an expectant attitude, +straining their hearing to the utmost.</p> +<p>Presently the listeners plainly caught the sound +of a groan.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_III_THE_RESCUE' id='CHAPTER_III_THE_RESCUE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>THE RESCUE</h3> +</div> +<p>“Jack, he’s here under all this stuff!” called +out Bobolink, excitedly.</p> +<p>“Poor old chap,” said Wallace. “I wouldn’t +like to give much for his chance of getting out of +the scrape with his life.”</p> +<p>“And to think,” added Bluff, soberly, “that +after all the protestations made by the company +that the old house couldn’t fall, it trapped one of +the big owners when it smashed down. It’s mighty +queer, it strikes me.”</p> +<p>“Keep still again,” warned Jack. “I want to +call out and see if Mr. Garrity can hear me.”</p> +<p>“A bully good scheme, Jack!” asserted Bobolink. +“If we can locate him in that way it may +save us a heap of hard work dragging these timbers +around.”</p> +<p>Jack dropped flat on his face, and, placing his +mouth close to the wreckage where it seemed +worst, called aloud:</p> +<p>“Hello! Mr. Garrity, can you hear me?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span></p> +<p>“Yes! Oh, yes!” came the faint response from +somewhere below.</p> +<p>“Are you badly hurt, sir?” continued the scout.</p> +<p>“I don’t know—I believe not, but a beam is +keeping tons and tons from falling on me. I am +pinned down here, and can hardly move. Hurry +and get some of these timbers off before they fall +and crush me!”</p> +<p>Every word came plainly to their ears now. +Evidently, Mr. Garrity, understanding that relief +was at hand, began to feel new courage. Jack +waited for no more.</p> +<p>“I reckon I’ve located him, boys,” he told the +others, “and now we’ve got to get busy.”</p> +<p>“Only tell us what to do, Jack,” urged Wallace, +“and there are plenty of willing hands here +for the work, what with these strong men and +the rest of the boys.”</p> +<p>Indeed, already newcomers were arriving, some +of them being people who had been passing along +the turnpike near by in wagons or sleighs at the +time the accident happened, and who hastened to +the spot in order to render what assistance they +could.</p> +<p>Jack seemed to know just how to go about the +work. If he had been in the house-wrecking business +for years he could hardly have improved upon +his system. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span></p> +<p>“We’ve got to be careful, you understand, fellows,” +he told the others as they labored strenuously +to remove the upper timbers from the pile, +“because that one timber he mentioned is the key +log of the jam. As long as it holds he’s safe from +being crushed. Here, don’t try that beam yet, +men. Take hold of the other one. And Bobolink +and Wallace, help me lift this section of shingles +from the roof!”</p> +<p>So Jack went on to give clear directions. He +did not intend that any new accident should be +laid at their door on account of too much haste. +Better that the man who was imprisoned under all +this wreckage should remain there a longer period +than that he lose his life through carelessness. +Jack believed in making thorough work of anything +he undertook; and this trait marked him as +a clever scout.</p> +<p>As others came to add to the number of willing +workers the business of delving into the wreck of +the ice-house proceeded in a satisfactory manner. +Once in a while Jack would call a temporary halt +while he got into communication with the unfortunate +man they were seeking to assist.</p> +<p>“He seems to be all right so far, fellows,” was +the cheering report he gave after this had happened +for the third time; “and I think we’ll be +able to reach him in a short time now.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></p> +<p>“As sure as you’re born we will, Jack!” announced +Bobolink, triumphantly; “for I can see +the big timber he said was acting as a buffer above +him. Hey! we’ve got to be extra careful now, +because one end of that beam is balanced ever so +delicately, and if it gets shoved off its anchorage—good-bye +to Mr. Garrity!”</p> +<p>“Yes,” came from below the wreckage, “be very +careful, please, for it’s just as you say.”</p> +<p>Jack was more than ever on the alert as the +work continued. He watched every move that +was made, and often warned those who strained +and labored to be more cautious.</p> +<p>“In five minutes or so we ought to be able to +get something under that loose end of the big timber, +Jack,” suggested Bobolink, presently.</p> +<p>“In less time than that,” he was told. “And +here’s the very prop to slip down through that +opening. I think I can reach it right now, if you +stop the work for a bit.”</p> +<p>He pushed the stout post carefully downward, +endeavoring to adjust it so that it was bound to +catch and hold the timber should the latter break +away from its frail support at that end. When +Bobolink saw him get up from his knees a minute +later he did not need to be told that Jack’s endeavor +had been a success, for the satisfied smile +on the other’s face told as much. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span></p> +<p>“Now let the good work go on with a rush!” +called out Jack. “Not so much danger now, because +I’ve put a crimp in that timber’s threat to +fall. It’s securely wedged. Everybody get busy.”</p> +<p>Jack led in the work himself, and the way they +removed the heavy beams, many of them splintered +or broken in the downward rush of the building, +was surely a sight worth seeing. At least +some of the town people who came up just then +felt they had good reason to be proud of the Banner +Boy Scouts, who on other notable occasions +had brought credit to the community.</p> +<p>“I can see him now!” exclaimed Bobolink; and +indeed, only a few more weighty fragments remained +to be lifted off before Jack would be able +to drop down into the cavity and assist the prisoner +at close quarters.</p> +<p>Five minutes later the workers managed to +release Mr. Garrity, and Jack helped him out of +his prison. The old gentleman looked considerably +the worse for his remarkable experience. +There was blood upon his cheek, and he kept caressing +one arm as though it pained him considerably.</p> +<p>Still his heart was filled with thanksgiving as +he stared around at the pile of torn timbers, and +considered what a marvelous escape his had been.</p> +<p>“Let me take a look at your arm, sir,” said +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +Jack, who feared that it had been broken, because +a beam had pinned the gentleman by his arm to the +ground.</p> +<p>Mr. Garrity, who up to that time had paid very +little attention to the Boy Scout movement that +had swept over that region of the eastern country +like wildfire, looked at the eager, boyish faces of +his rescuers. It could be seen that he was genuinely +affected on noticing that most of them wore +the badges that distinguish scouts the world over.</p> +<p>“I hope my wrist is not broken, though even +that would be a little price to pay for my temerity +in entering that shaky old building,” he ventured +to say as he allowed Jack to examine his arm.</p> +<p>“I’m glad to tell you, sir,” said the boy, quickly, +“that it is only a bad sprain. At the worst you +will be without the use of that hand for a month +or two.”</p> +<p>“Then I have great reason to be thankful,” declared +Mr. Garrity, solemnly. “Perhaps this may +be intended for a lesson to me. And, to begin +with, I want to say that I believe I owe my very +life to you boys. I can never forget it. Others, +of course, might have done all they could to dig +me out, but only a long-headed boy, like Jack +Stormways here, would have thought to keep that +timber from falling and crushing me just when +escape seemed certain.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></p> +<p>He went around shaking hands with each one +of the boys, of course using his left arm, since +the right was disabled for the time being. Jack +deftly made a sling out of a red bandana handkerchief, +which he fastened around the neck of +Mr. Garrity, and then gently placed the bruised +hand in this.</p> +<p>“Was any other person injured when the ice-house +collapsed?” asked Mr. Garrity, anxiously.</p> +<p>“A couple of girls were struck by some of the +big cakes flung far and wide,” explained Bobolink. +“Little Lucy Stackpole has a broken leg. +We sent her home on a sled, and the doctor will +soon be at her house, sir.”</p> +<p>“That is too bad!” declared the part owner of +the building, frowning. “I hoped that the brunt +of the accident had fallen on my shoulders alone. +Of course, the company will be liable for damages, +as well as the doctor’s bill; and I suppose we deserve +to be hit pretty hard to pay for our stupidity. +But I am glad it is no worse.”</p> +<p>“Excuse me, Mr. Garrity, but perhaps you had +better have that swelling wrist attended to as soon +as possible,” remarked Jack. “You have some +bruises, too, that are apt to be painful for several +days. There is a carriage on the road that might +be called on to take you home.”</p> +<p>“Thank you, Jack, I will do as you say,” replied +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +the one addressed. “But depend on it I mean to +meet you boys again, and that at a very early +date.”</p> +<p>“We’re going to be away somewhere on a midwinter +hike immediately after Christmas, sir,” +Bobolink thought it best to explain. Somehow +deep down in his heart he was already wondering +whether this remarkable rescue of Mr. Garrity +might not develop into some sort of connection +with their partly formed plans.</p> +<p>“Yes,” added Bluff, eagerly, suddenly possessed +by the same hope, “and it’s all going to be settled +to-night when we have our monthly meeting in +the big room under the church. We’d be pleased +to have you drop in and see us, sir. Lots of the +leading citizens of Stanhope have visited our +rooms from time to time, but I don’t remember +ever having seen you there, Mr. Garrity.”</p> +<p>“Thank you for the invitation, my lad,” said the +other, smiling grimly. “Perhaps I shall avail myself +of it, and I might possibly have something of +interest to communicate to you and your fellow +scouts,” and waving his hand to them he walked +away.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV_A_QUICK_RETURN_FOR_SERVICES_RENDERED' id='CHAPTER_IV_A_QUICK_RETURN_FOR_SERVICES_RENDERED'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>A QUICK RETURN FOR SERVICES RENDERED</h3> +</div> +<p>That night turned out clear and frosty. Winter +having set in so early seemed bent on keeping +up its unusual record. The snow on the ground +crackled underfoot in the fashion dear to the heart +of every boy who loves outdoor sports.</p> +<p>Overhead, the bright moon, pretty well advanced, +hung in space. It was clearly evident +that no one need think of carrying a lantern with +him to the meeting place on such a glorious night.</p> +<p>The Boy Scouts of Stanhope had been fortunate +enough to be given the use of a large room under +the church with the clock tower. On cold nights +this was always heated for them, so that they +found it a most comfortable place in which to +hold their animated meetings.</p> +<p>There was a large attendance on this occasion, +for while possibly few among the members of the +troop could take advantage of this midwinter trip +into the wilds, every boy was curious to know all +the details. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></p> +<p>In this same spacious room there was fitted up +a gymnasium for the use of the boys one night a +week, and many of them availed themselves of the +privilege. As this was to be a regular business +meeting, however, the apparatus had been drawn +aside so as not to be in the way.</p> +<p>As the roster was being called it might be just +as well to give the full membership of the troop +so that the reader may be made acquainted with +the chosen comrades of Jack and Paul.</p> +<p>The Red Fox Patrol, which contained the “veterans” +of the organization, was made up of the +following members:</p> +<p>Paul Morrison; Jack Stormways; Bobolink, the +official bugler; Bluff Shipley, the drummer of the +troop; “Nuthin” Cypher; William Carberry; Wallace, +his twin brother; and Tom Betts. Paul, as +has been said, was patrol leader, and served also +as assistant scout-master when Mr. Gordon was +absent from town.</p> +<p>In the second division known as the Gray Fox +Patrol were the following:</p> +<p>Jud Elderkin, patrol leader; Joe Clausin, Andy +Flinn, Phil Towns, Horace Poole, Bob Tice, Curly +Baxter, and Cliff Jones.</p> +<p>The Black Fox Patrol had several absentees, +but when all were present they answered to their +names as below: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span></p> +<p>Frank Savage, leader; Billie Little, Nat Smith, +Sandy Griggs, “Old” Dan Tucker, “Red” Collins, +“Spider” Sexton, and last but not least in +volume of voice, “Gusty” Bellows.</p> +<p>A fourth patrol that was to be called the Silver +Fox was almost complete, lacking just three members; +and those who made up this were:</p> +<p>George Hurst, leader; “Lub” Ketcham, Barry +Nichols, Malcolm Steele and a new boy in town +by the name of Archie Fletcher.</p> +<p>Apparently, the only business of importance before +the meeting was in connection with the scheme +to take a midwinter outing, something that was +looked upon as unique in the annals of the association.</p> +<p>The usual order of the meeting was hurried +through, for every one felt anxious to hear what +sort of proposition the assistant scout-master intended +to spread before the meeting for approval.</p> +<p>“I move we suspend the rules for to-night, and +have an informal talk for a change!” said Bobolink, +when he had been recognized by the chair.</p> +<p>A buzz of voices announced that the idea was +favorably received by many of those present; +and, accordingly, the chairman, no other than Paul +himself, felt constrained to put the motion after +it had been duly seconded. He did so with a smile, +well knowing what Bobolink’s object was. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span></p> +<p>“You have all heard the motion that the rules +be suspended for the remainder of the evening,” +he went on to say, “so that we can have a heart-to-heart +talk on matters that concern us just now. +All in favor say aye!”</p> +<p>A rousing chorus of ayes followed.</p> +<p>“Contrary, no!” continued Paul, and as complete +silence followed he added hastily: “The +motion is carried, and the regular business meeting +will now stand adjourned until next month.”</p> +<p>“Now let’s hear what you’ve been hatching up +for us, Paul?” called out Bobolink.</p> +<p>“So say we all, Paul!” cried half a dozen eager +voices, and the boys left their seats to crowd +around their leader.</p> +<p>“I only hope it’s Rattlesnake Mountain we’re +headed for!” exclaimed Tom Betts, who had a +warm feeling in his boyish heart for that particular +section of country, where once upon a time the +troop had pitched camp, and had met with some +amusing and thrilling adventures, as described +in a previous volume, called “The Banner Boy +Scouts on a Tour.”</p> +<p>“On my part I wish it would turn out to be good +old Lake Tokala, where my heart has often been +centered as I think of the happy days we spent +there.”</p> +<p>It was, of course, Bobolink who gave utterance +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +to this sentiment. Perhaps there were others who +really echoed his desire, for they had certainly had +a glorious time of it when cruising in the motor +boats so kindly loaned to them.</p> +<p>Paul held up his hand for silence, and immediately +every voice became still. Discipline was enforced +at these meetings, for the noisy boys and +those inclined to play practical pranks had learned +long ago they would have to smother their feelings +at such times or be strongly repressed by the +chair.</p> +<p>“Listen,” said the leader, in his clear voice, +“you kindly asked me to try to plan a trip for the +holidays that would be of the greatest benefit to +us as an organization of scouts. I seriously considered +half a dozen plans, among them Rattlesnake +Mountain, and Cedar Island in Lake Tokala. +In fact, I was on the point of suggesting +that we take the last mentioned trip when something +came up that entirely changed my plan for +the outing.”</p> +<p>He stopped to see what effect his words were +having. Evidently, he had aroused the curiosity +of the assembled scouts to fever heat, for several +voices immediately called out:</p> +<p>“Hear! hear! please go on, Paul! We’re dying +to know what the game is!”</p> +<p>Paul smiled, as he went on to say: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span></p> +<p>“I guess you have all been so deeply interested +in what was going on to-night, that few of you +noticed that we have a friend present who slipped +into the room just as the roll call began. All of +you must know the gentleman, so it’s hardly necessary +for me to introduce Mr. Thomas Garrity to +you.”</p> +<p>Of course, every one turned quickly on hearing +this. A figure that had been seated in a dim corner +of the assembly room arose, and Bobolink +gasped with a delicious sense of pleasure when he +recognized the man whom he and his fellow scouts +had assisted that very afternoon.</p> +<p>“Please come forward, Mr. Garrity,” said Paul, +“and tell the boys what you suggested to me late +this afternoon. I’m sure they’d appreciate it more +coming directly from you than getting it secondhand.”</p> +<p>While a hum of eager anticipation arose all +around, Mr. Garrity made his way to the side of +the patrol leader and president of the meeting.</p> +<p>“I have no doubt,” he said, “that those of you +who were not present to-day when our old ice-house +fell and caught me in the ruins, have heard +all about the accident, so I need not refer to the +incident except to say that I shall never cease to +be grateful to the scouts for the clever way in +which they dug me out of the wreck.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span></p> +<p>“Hear! hear!” several excited scouts shouted.</p> +<p>“I happened to learn that you were contemplating +a trip during the holidays, and when an +idea slipped into my mind I lost no time in calling +upon Paul Morrison, your efficient leader, in order +to interest him in my plan.”</p> +<p>“Hear! hear!”</p> +<p>“It happens that I own a forest cabin up in the +wilderness where I often go to rest myself and get +away from all excitement. It is in charge of a +faithful woodsman by the name of Tolly Tip. +You can reach it by skating a number of miles up +a stream that empties into Lake Tokala. The +hunting is said to be very good around there, and +you will find excellent pickerel fishing through the +ice in Lake Tokala. If you care to do me the +favor of accepting my offer, the services of my +man and the use of the cabin are at your disposal. +Even then I shall feel that this is only a beginning +of the deep interest I am taking in the scouts’ organization; +for I have had my eyes opened at +last in a wonderful manner.”</p> +<p>As Mr. Garrity sat down, rosy-red from the +exertion of speaking to a party of boys, Paul immediately +rapped for order, and put the question.</p> +<p>“All who are in favor of accepting this generous +offer say yes!” and every boy joined in the vociferous +shout that arose.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_V_A_STARTLING_INTERRUPTION' id='CHAPTER_V_A_STARTLING_INTERRUPTION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>A STARTLING INTERRUPTION</h3> +</div> +<p>“Mr. Garrity, your kind offer is accepted with +thanks,” announced Paul. “And as you suggested +to me, several of us will take great pleasure in +calling on you to-morrow to go into details and +to get full directions from you.”</p> +<p>“Then perhaps I may as well go home now, +boys,” said the old gentleman; “as my wrist is +paining me considerably. I only want to add that +this has been a red day in my calendar. The collapse +of the old ice-house is going to prove one of +those blessings that sometimes come to us in +disguise. I only regret that two little girls were +injured. As for myself, I am thoroughly pleased +it happened.”</p> +<p>“Before you leave us, sir,” said Bobolink, +boldly, “please let us show in some slight way how +much we appreciate your kind offer. Boys, three +cheers for Mr. Thomas Garrity, our latest convert, +and already one of our best friends!”</p> +<p>Possibly Bobolink’s method of expressing his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +feelings might not ordinarily appeal to a man of +Mr. Garrity’s character, but just now the delighted +old gentleman was in no mood for fault finding.</p> +<p>As the boyish cheers rang through the room +there were actually tears in Mr. Garrity’s eyes. +Truly that had been a great day for him, and perhaps +it might prove a joyous occasion to many of +his poor tenants, some of whom had occasion to +look upon him as a just, though severe, landlord, +exacting his rent to the last penny.</p> +<p>After he had left the room the hum of voices +became furious. One would have been inclined to +suspect the presence of a great bee-hive in the near +vicinity.</p> +<p>“Paul, you know all about this woods cabin he +owns,” said Tom Betts, “so suppose you enlighten +the rest of us.”</p> +<p>“One thing tickles me about the venture!” exclaimed +Bobolink; “That is that we pass across +Lake Tokala in getting there. I’ve been hankering +to see that place in winter time for ever so +long.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” added Tom, eagerly, “that’s true. And +what’s to hinder some of us from using our iceboats +part of the way?”</p> +<p>“Nothing at all,” Paul assured him. “I went +into that with Mr. Garrity, and came to the conclusion +that it could be done. Of course, a whole +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +lot depends on how many of us can go on the +trip.”</p> +<p>“How many could sleep in his cabin do you +think, Paul?” demanded Jack.</p> +<p>“Yes. For one, I’d hate to have to bunk out +in the snow these cold nights,” said Bluff, shaking +his head seriously, for Bluff dearly liked the comforts +of a cheery fire inside stout walls of logs, +while the bitter wintry wind howled without, and +the snow drifted badly.</p> +<p>“He told me it was unusually large,” explained +Paul. “In fact, it has two big rooms and could +in a pinch accommodate ten fellows. Of course, +every boy would be compelled to tote his blankets +along with him, because Mr. Garrity never +dreamed he would have an army occupy his log +shanty.”</p> +<p>“The more I think of it the better it sounds!” +declared Jack.</p> +<p>“Then first of all we must try to find out just +who can go,” suggested Bobolink.</p> +<p>“What if there are too many to be accommodated +either on the iceboats we own or in the +cabin?” remarked Tom Betts, uneasily.</p> +<p>“Shucks! that ought to be easy,” suggested another. +“All we have to do is to pull straws, and +see who the lucky ten are.”</p> +<p>“Then let those who are <i>positive</i> they can go +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +step aside here,” Paul ordered; and at this there +was a shuffling of feet and considerable moving +about.</p> +<p>“Remember, you must be sure you can go,” +warned Paul. “Afterwards we’ll single out those +who believe they can get permission, but feel some +doubts. If there is room they will come in for +next choice.”</p> +<p>Several who had started forward held back at +this. Those who took their stand as the leader +requested consisted of Jack, Bobolink, Bluff, Tom +Betts, Jud Elderkin, Sandy Griggs, Phil Towns +and “Spider” Sexton.</p> +<p>“Counting myself in the list that makes nine for +certain,” Paul observed. It was noticed that Tom +Betts as well as Bobolink looked exceedingly relieved +on discovering that, after all, there need be +no drawing of lots.</p> +<p>“Now let those who have strong hopes of being +able to go stand up to be counted,” continued Paul. +“I’ll keep a list of the names, and the first who +comes to say he has received full permission will +be the one to make up the full count of ten members, +which is all the cabin can accommodate.”</p> +<p>The Carberry twins, as well as several others, +stood over in line to have their names taken down.</p> +<p>“If one of us can go, Paul,” explained Wallace +Carberry, “we’ll fix it up between us which it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +shall be. But I’m sorry to say our folks don’t +take to this idea of a winter camp very strongly.”</p> +<p>“Same over at my house,” complained Bob +Tice. “Mother is afraid something terrible might +happen to us in such a hard spell of winter. As if +scouts couldn’t take care of themselves anywhere, +and under all conditions!”</p> +<p>There were many gloomy faces seen in the gathering, +showing that other boys knew their parents +did not look on the delightful scheme with favor. +Some of them could not accompany the party on +account of other plans which had been arranged +by their parents.</p> +<p>“If the ice stays as fine as it is now,” remarked +Tom Betts, “we can spin down the river on our +iceboats, and maybe make our way through that +old canal to Lake Tokala as well. But how about +the creek leading up to the cabin, Paul? Did you +ask Mr. Garrity about it?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I asked him everything I could think of,” +came the ready reply. “I’m sorry to say it will +be necessary to leave our iceboats somewhere on +the lake, for the creek winds around in such a +way, and is so narrow in places, that none of us +could work the boats up there.”</p> +<p>“But wouldn’t it be dangerous to leave them on +the lake so long?” asked Tom, anxiously. “I’ve +put in some pretty hard licks on my new craft, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +and I’d sure hate to have any one steal it from +me.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” added Bobolink, quickly, “and we all +know that Lawson crowd have been showing themselves +as mean as dirt lately. We thought we had +got rid of our enemies some time ago, and here +this new lot of rivals seems bent on making life +miserable for all scouts. They are a tough crowd, +and pretend to look down on us as weaklings. +Hank Lawson is now playing the part of the bully +in Stanhope, you know.”</p> +<p>“I even considered that,” continued Paul, who +seldom omitted anything when laying plans. “Mr. +Garrity told me there was a man living on the +shore of Lake Tokala, who would look after our +iceboats for a consideration.”</p> +<p>“Bully for that!” exclaimed Tom, apparently +much relieved. “All the same I think it would be +as well for us to try to keep our camping place +a secret if it can be done. Let folks understand +that we’re going somewhere around Lake Tokala; +and perhaps the Lawson crowd will miss us.”</p> +<p>“That isn’t a bad idea,” Paul agreed, “and I’d +like every one to remember it. Of course, we feel +well able to look after ourselves, but that’s no +reason why we should openly invite Hank and his +cronies to come and bother us. Are you all agreed +to that part of the scheme?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></p> +<p>In turn every scout present answered in the +affirmative. Those who could not possibly accompany +the party took almost as much interest in +the affair as those intending to go; and there would +be heart burnings among the members of Stanhope +Troop from now on.</p> +<p>“How about the grub question, Paul?” demanded +Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Every fellow who is going will have to provide +a certain amount of food to be carried along with +his blanket, gun, clothes bag, and camera. All that +can be arranged when we meet to-morrow afternoon. +In the meantime, I’m going to appoint +Bobolink and Jack as a committee of two to spend +what money we can spare in purchasing certain +groceries such as coffee, sugar, hams, potatoes, and +other things to be listed later.”</p> +<p>Bobolink grinned happily on hearing that.</p> +<p>“See how pleased it makes him,” jeered Tom +Betts. “When you put Bobolink on the committee +that looks after the grub, Paul, you hit him close +to where he lives. One thing sure, we’ll have +plenty to eat along with us, for Bobolink never +underrates the eating capacity of himself or his +chums.”</p> +<p>“You can trust me for that,” remarked the one +referred to, “because I was really hungry once in +my life, and I’ve never gotten over the terrible +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +feeling. Yes, there is going to be a full dinner +pail in Camp Garrity, let me tell you!”</p> +<p>“Camp Garrity sounds good to me!” exclaimed +Sandy Griggs.</p> +<p>“Let it go down in the annals of Stanhope +Troop at that!” cried another scout.</p> +<p>“We could hardly call it by any other name, +after the owner has been so good as to place it +at our disposal,” said Paul, himself well pleased +at the idea.</p> +<p>Bobolink was about to say something more +when, without warning, there came a sudden crash +accompanied by the jingling of broken glass. One +of the windows fell in as though some hard object +had struck it. The startled scouts, looking up, +saw the arm and face of a boy thrust part way +through the aperture, showing that he must have +slipped and broken the window while trying to +spy upon the meeting.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI_A_GLOOMY_PROSPECT_FOR_JUD' id='CHAPTER_VI_A_GLOOMY_PROSPECT_FOR_JUD'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>A GLOOMY PROSPECT FOR JUD</h3> +</div> +<p>“It’s Jud Mabley!” exclaimed one of the scouts, +instantly recognizing the face of the unlucky youth +who had fallen part way through the window.</p> +<p>Jud was a boy of bad habits. He had applied +to the scouts for membership, but had not been +admitted on account of his unsavory reputation. +Smarting under this sting Jud had turned to Hank +Lawson and his crowd for sympathy, and was +known to be hand-in-glove with those young rowdies.</p> +<p>“He’s been spying on us, that’s what!” cried +Bobolink, indignantly.</p> +<p>“And learning our plans, like as not!” added +Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“He ought to be caught and ridden on a rail!” +exclaimed a third member of the troop, filled +with anger.</p> +<p>“I’d say duck him in the river after cutting +a hole in the ice!” called out another boy, furiously. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></p> +<p>“Huh! first ketch your rabbit before you start +cookin’ him!” laughed Jud in a jeering fashion, as +he waved them a mocking adieu through the +broken window, and then vanished from view.</p> +<p>“After him, fellows!” shouted the impetuous +Bobolink, and there was a hasty rush for the door, +the boys snatching up their hats as they ran.</p> +<p>Paul was with the rest, not that he cared particularly +about catching the eavesdropper, but he +wanted to be on hand in case the rest of the scouts +overtook Jud; for Paul held the reputation of the +troop dear, and would not have the scouts sully +their honor by a mean act.</p> +<p>The boys poured out of the meeting-place in +a stream. The bright moon showed them a running +figure which they judged must of course be +Jud; so away they sprang in hot pursuit.</p> +<p>Somehow, it struck them that Jud was not running +as swiftly as might be expected, for he had +often proved himself a speedy contestant on the +cinder path. He seemed to wabble more or less, +and looked back over his shoulder many times.</p> +<p>Bobolink suspected there might be some sort of +trick connected with this action on the part of +the other, for Jud was known to be a schemer.</p> +<p>“Jack, he may be drawing us into a trap of +some sort, don’t you think?” he managed to gasp +as he ran at the side of the other. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span></p> +<p>Apparently Jack, too, had noticed the queer actions +of the fugitive. He had seen a mother +rabbit pretend to be lame when seeking to draw +enemies away from the place where her young +ones lay hidden; yes, and a partridge often did the +same thing, as he well knew.</p> +<p>“I was noticing that, Bobolink,” he told the +other, “but it strikes me Jud must have been hurt +somehow when he crashed through that window.”</p> +<p>“You mean he feels more or less weak, do +you?”</p> +<p>“Something like that,” came the reply.</p> +<p>“Well, we’re coming up on him like fun, anyway, +no matter what the cause may be!” Bobolink +declared, and then found it necessary to stop talking +if he wanted to keep in the van with several +of the swiftest runners among the scouts.</p> +<p>It was true that they were rapidly overtaking +Jud, who ran in a strange zigzag fashion like one +who was dizzy. He kept up until the leaders +among his pursuers came alongside; then he stopped +short, and, panting for breath, squared off, +striking viciously at them.</p> +<p>Jack and two other scouts closed in on him, regardless +of blows, and Jud was made a prisoner. +He ceased struggling when he found it could avail +him nothing, but glared at his captors as an Indian +warrior might have done. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span></p> +<p>“Huh! think you’re smart, don’t you, overhaulin’ +me so easy,” he told them disdainfully. +“But if I hadn’t been knocked dizzy when I fell +you never would a got me. Now what’re you +meanin’ to do about it? Ain’t a feller got a right +to walk the public streets of this here town without +bein’ grabbed by a pack of cowards in soldier +suits, and treated rough-house way?”</p> +<p>“That doesn’t go with us, Jud Mabley,” said +Bobolink, indignantly. “You were playing the +spy on us, you know it, trying to listen to all we +were saying.”</p> +<p>“So as to tell that Lawson crowd, and get them +to start some mean trick on us in the bargain,” +added Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“O-ho! ain’t a feller a right to stop alongside of +a church to strike a match for his pipe?” jeered +the prisoner, defiantly. “How was I to know your +crowd was inside there? The streets are free to +any one, man, woman or boy, I take it.”</p> +<p>“How about the broken window, Jud?” demanded +Bobolink, triumphantly.</p> +<p>“Yes! did you smash that pane of glass when +you threw your match away, Jud,” asked another +boy, with a laugh.</p> +<p>“He was caught in the act, fellows,” asserted +Frank Savage, “and the next question with us is +what ought we to do to punish a sneak and a spy?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span></p> +<p>“I said it before—ride him on a rail around +town so people can see how scouts stand up for +their own rights!” came a voice from the group +of excited boys.</p> +<p>“Oh! that would be letting him off too easy,” +Tom Betts affirmed. “’Twould serve him just +about right if we ducked him a few times in the +river.”</p> +<p>“All we need is an axe to cut a hole through the +ice,” another lad went on to say, showing that the +suggestion rather caught his fancy as the appropriate +thing to do—making the punishment fit the +crime, as it were.</p> +<p>“Keep it goin’,” sneered the defiant Jud, not +showing any signs of quailing under this bombardment. +“Try and think up a few more pleasant +things to do to me. If you reckon you c’n make +me show the white feather you’ve got another +guess comin’, I want you to know. I’m true +grit, I am!”</p> +<p>“You may be singing out of the other side of +your mouth, Jud Mabley, before we’re through +with you,” threatened Curly Baxter.</p> +<p>“Mebbe now you might think to get a hemp +rope and try hangin’ me,” laughed the prisoner in +an offensive manner. “That’s what they do to +spies, you know, in the army. Yes, and I know +of a beauty of a limb that stands straight out from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +the body of the tree ’bout ten feet from the +ground. Shall I tell you where it lies?”</p> +<p>This sort of defiant talk was causing more of +the scouts to become angry. It seemed to them +like adding insult to injury. Here this fellow had +spied upon their meeting, possibly learned all +about the plans they were forming for the midwinter +holidays, and then finally had the misfortune +to fall and smash one of the window panes, +which would, of course, have to be made good by +the scouts, as they were under heavy obligations +to the trustees of the church for favors received.</p> +<p>“A mean fellow like you, Jud Mabley,” asserted +Joe Clausin, “deserves the worst sort of punishment +that could be managed. Why, it would about +serve you right if you got a lovely coat of tar and +feathers to-night.”</p> +<p>Jud seemed to shrink a little at hearing that.</p> +<p>“You wouldn’t dare try such a game as that,” +he told them, with a faint note of fear in his voice. +“Every one of you’d have to pay for it before the +law. Some things might pass, but that’s goin’ it +too strong. My dad’d have you locked up in the +town cooler if I came home lookin’ like a bird, +sure he would.”</p> +<p>Jud’s father was something of a local power in +politics, so that the boy’s boast was not without +more or less force. Some of the scouts may have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +considered this; at any rate, one of them now +broke out with:</p> +<p>“A ducking ought to be a good enough punishment +for this chap, I should say; so, fellows, let’s +start in to give it to him.”</p> +<p>“I know where I can lay hands on an axe all +right, to chop a hole through the ice,” asserted +Bobolink, eagerly.</p> +<p>“Then we appoint you a committee of one to +supply the necessary tools for the joyous occasion,” +Red Collins cried out, gleefully falling in +with the scheme.</p> +<p>“Hold on, boys, don’t you think it would be +enough if Jud made an apology to us, and promised +not to breathe a word of what he chanced to +hear?”</p> +<p>It was Horace Poole who said this, for he often +proved to be the possessor of a tender heart and +a forgiving spirit. His mild proposition was +laughed down on the spot.</p> +<p>“Much he’d care what he promised us, if only +we let him go scot free,” jeered one scout. “I’ve +known him to give his solemn word before now, +and break it when he felt like it. I wouldn’t trust +him out of my sight. Promises count for nothing +with one of Jud Mabley’s stamp.”</p> +<p>“How about that, Jud?” demanded another +boy. “Would you agree to keep your lips buttoned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +up, and not tell a word of what you have +heard?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t promisin’ nothin’, I want you to know,” +replied the prisoner, boldly; “so go on with your +funny business. You won’t ketch me squealing +worth a cent. Honest to goodness now I half +b’lieve it’s all a big bluff. Let’s see you do your +worst.”</p> +<p>“Drag him along to the river bank, fellows, and +I’ll join you there with the axe,” roared Bobolink, +now fully aroused by the obstinate manner of the +captive.</p> +<p>“Wait a bit, fellows.”</p> +<p>It was Jack Stormways who said this, and even +the impetuous Bobolink came to a halt.</p> +<p>“Go on Jack. What’s your plan?” demanded +one of the group.</p> +<p>“I was only going to remind you that in the absence +of Mr. Gordon, Paul is acting as scout-master, +and before you do anything that may reflect +upon the good name of Stanhope Troop you’d +better listen to what he’s got to say on the subject.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII_PAUL_TAKES_A_CHANCE' id='CHAPTER_VII_PAUL_TAKES_A_CHANCE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>PAUL TAKES A CHANCE</h3> +</div> +<p>These sensible words spoken by Jack Stormways +had an immediate effect upon the angry +scouts, some of whom realized that they had been +taking matters too much in their own hands. Paul +had remained silent all this while, waiting to see +just how far the hotheads would go.</p> +<p>“First of all,” he went on to say in that calm +tone which always carried conviction with it, “let’s +go back to the meeting-room, and take Jud along. +I have a reason for wanting you to do that, which +you shall hear right away.”</p> +<p>No one offered an objection, although doubtless +it was understood that Paul did not like such +radical measures as ducking the spy who had +fallen into their hands. They were by this time +fully accustomed to obeying orders given by a +superior officer, which is one of the best things +learned by scouts.</p> +<p>Jud, for some reason, did not attempt to hold +back when urged to accompany them, though for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +that matter it would have availed him nothing to +have struggled and strained, for at least four +sturdy scouts had their grip on his person.</p> +<p>In this manner they retraced their steps. Fortunately +the last boy out had been careful enough +to close the door after making his hurried exit, so +that they found the room still warm and comfortable.</p> +<p>They crowded inside, and a number of them +frowned as they glanced toward the broken window, +through which a draught was blowing. They +hoped Paul would not be too easy with the rascal +who had been responsible for that smash.</p> +<p>“First of all,” the scout-master began as they +crowded around the spot where he and Jud stood, +the latter staring defiantly at the frowning scouts, +“I want to remark that it needn’t bother us very +much even if Jud tells all he may have heard us +saying. We shall always be at least two to one, +and can take care of ourselves if attacked. Those +fellows understand that, I guess.”</p> +<p>“We’ve proved it to them in the past times +without number, for a fact,” observed Jack, diplomatically.</p> +<p>“If they care to spend a week in the snow woods, +let them try it,” continued the other. “Good luck +to them, say I; and here’s hoping they may learn +some lessons there that will make them turn over +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +a new leaf. The forest is plenty big enough for +all who want to breathe the fresh air and have +a good time. But there’s another thing I had in +mind when I asked you to bring Jud back here. +Some of you may have noticed that he lets his +arm hang down in a queer way. Look closer at +his hand and you’ll discover the reason.”</p> +<p>Almost immediately several of the scouts cried +out.</p> +<p>“Why, there’s blood dripping from his fingers, +as sure as anything!”</p> +<p>“He must have cut his arm pretty bad when he +fell through that window!”</p> +<p>“Whew! I’d hate to have that slash. See how +the broken glass cut his coat sleeve—just as if +you’d taken a sharp knife and gashed it!”</p> +<p>“Take off your coat, Jud, please!” said Paul.</p> +<p>Had Paul used a less kindly voice or omitted +that last word in his request, the obstinate and +defiant Jud might have flatly declined to oblige +him. As it was he looked keenly at Paul, then +grinned, and with something of an effort started +to doff his coat, Jack assisting him in the effort.</p> +<p>Then the boys saw that his shirt sleeve was +stained red. Several of the weaker scouts uttered +low exclamations of concern, not being accustomed +to such sights; but the stouter hearted veterans +had seen too many cuts to wince now. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span></p> +<p>Paul gently but firmly rolled the shirt sleeve up +until the gash made by the broken glass was revealed. +It was a bad cut, and still bled quite +freely. No wonder Jud had run in such an unwonted +fashion. No person wounded as badly as +that could be expected to run with his customary +zeal, for the shock and the loss of blood was +sure to make him feel weak.</p> +<p>Jud stared at his injury now with what was +almost an expression of pride. When he saw some +of the scouts shrink back his lip curled with disdain.</p> +<p>“Get a tin basin and fill it with warm water back +in the other room, Jack!” said Paul, steadily.</p> +<p>“What’re you goin’ to do to me, Paul?” demanded +Jud, curiously, for he could not bring himself +to believe that any one who was his enemy +would stretch out a hand toward him save in anger +and violence.</p> +<p>“Oh! I’m only going to wash that cut so as to +take out any foreign matter that might poison you +if left there, and then bind it up the best way possible,” +remarked the young scout-master.</p> +<p>There was some low whispering among the +boys. Much as they marveled at such a way of +returning evil with good they could not take exception +to Paul’s action. Every one of them knew +deep down in his inmost heart that scout law +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +always insisted on treating a fallen enemy with +consideration, and even forgiving him many times +if he professed sorrow for his evil ways.</p> +<p>Jack came back presently. He not only bore +the basin of warm water but a towel as well. Jud +watched operations curiously. He was seeing what +was a strange thing according to his ideas. He +could not quite bring himself to believe that there +was not some cruel hoax hidden in this act of +apparent friendliness, and that accounted for the +way he kept his teeth tightly closed. He did not +wish to be taken unawares and forced to cry out.</p> +<p>Paul washed gently the ugly, jagged cut. Then, +taking out a little zinc box containing some soothing +and healing salve, which he always carried +with him, he used fully half of it upon the wound.</p> +<p>Afterwards he produced a small inch wide roll +of surgical linen, and began winding the tape +methodically around the injured arm of Jud Mabley. +Jack amused himself by watching the play +of emotions upon the hard face of Jud. Evidently, +he was beginning to comprehend the meaning +of Paul’s actions, though he could not understand +why any one should act so.</p> +<p>When the last of the tape had been used and +fastened with a small safety pin, Paul drew down +the shirt sleeve, buttoned it, and then helped Jud +on with his coat. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span></p> +<p>“Now you can go free when you take a notion, +Jud,” he told the other.</p> +<p>“Huh! then you ain’t meanin’ to gimme that +duckin’ after all?” remarked the other, with a +sneering look of triumph at Bobolink.</p> +<p>“You have to thank Paul for getting you off,” +asserted one scout, warmly. “Had it been left to +the rest of us you’d have been in soak long before +this.”</p> +<p>“For my part,” said Paul, “I feel that so far +as punishment goes Jud has got all that is coming +to him, for that arm will give him a lot of trouble +before it fully heals. I hope every time it pains +him he’ll remember that scouts as a rule are taught +to heap coals of fire on the heads of their enemies +when the chance comes, by showing them a favor.”</p> +<p>“But, Paul, you’re forgetting something,” urged +Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“That’s a fact, how about the broken window, +Paul?” cried Joe Clausin, with more or less indignation. +For while it might be very well to forgive +Jud his spying tricks some one would have to pay +for a new pane of glass in the basement window, +and it was hard luck if the burden fell on the +innocent parties, while the guilty one escaped scot +free.</p> +<p>It was noticed that Jud shut his lips tight together +as though making up his mind on the spot +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +to decline absolutely to pay a cent for what had +been a sheer accident, and which had already cost +him a severe wound.</p> +<p>“I haven’t forgotten that, fellows,” said Paul, +quietly. “Of course it’s only fair Jud should pay +the dollar it will cost to have a new pane put in +there to-morrow. I shall order Mr. Nickerson to +attend to it myself. And I shall also insist on +paying the bill out of my own pocket, unless Jud +here thinks it right and square to send me the +money some time to-morrow. That’s all I’ve got +to say, Jud. There’s the door, and no one will +put out a hand to stop you. I hope you won’t +have serious trouble with that arm of yours.”</p> +<p>Jud stared dumbly at the speaker as though +almost stunned. Perhaps he might have said +something under the spur of such strange emotions +as were chasing through his brain, but just then +Bobolink chanced to sneer. The sound acted on +Jud like magic, for he drew himself up, turned to +look boldly into the face of each and every boy +present, then thrust his right hand into his buttoned +coat and with head thrown back walked out +of the room, noisily closing the door after him.</p> +<p>Several of the scouts shook their heads.</p> +<p>“Pretty fine game you played with him, Paul,” +remarked George Hurst, “but it strikes me it was +like throwing pearls before swine. Jud has a hide +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +as thick as a rhinoceros and nothing can pierce it. +Kind words are thrown away with fellows of his +stripe, I’m afraid. A kick and a punch are all they +can understand.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” added Red Collins, “when you try the +soft pedal on them they think you’re only afraid. +I’m half sorry now you didn’t let us carry out +that ducking scheme. Jud deserved it right well, +for a fact.”</p> +<p>“It would have been cruel to drop him into ice +water with such a wound freshly made,” remarked +Jack. “Wait and see whether Paul’s plan was +worth the candle.”</p> +<p>“Mark my words,” commented Tom Betts, +“we’ll have lots of trouble with him yet.”</p> +<p>“Shucks! who cares?” laughed Bobolink, “it’s +all in the game, you know. There’s Paul getting +ready to go home, so let’s forget it till we meet +to-morrow.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII_BOBOLINK_AND_THE_STOREKEEPER' id='CHAPTER_VIII_BOBOLINK_AND_THE_STOREKEEPER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>BOBOLINK AND THE STOREKEEPER</h3> +</div> +<p>According to their agreement, Jack and Bobolink +met on a certain corner on the following +morning. Their purpose was to purchase the +staple articles of food that half a score of hungry +lads would require to see them through a couple +of weeks’ stay in the snow forest.</p> +<p>“It’s a lucky thing, too,” Bobolink remarked, +after the other had displayed the necessary funds +taken from his pocket, “that our treasury happens +to be fairly able to stand the strain just now.”</p> +<p>“Oh, well! except for that we’d have had to take +up subscriptions,” laughed Jack. “I know several +people who would willingly help us out. The +scouts of Stanhope have made good in the past, +and a host of good friends are ready to back +them.”</p> +<p>“Yes, and for that matter I guess Mr. Thomas +Garrity would have been only too glad to put his +hand deep down in his pocket,” suggested Bobolink. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></p> +<p>“He’s an old widower, and with plenty of ready +cash, too,” commented the other boy. “But, after +all, it’s much better for us to stand our own expense +as long as we can.”</p> +<p>“Have you got the list that Paul promised to +make out with you, Jack? I’d like to take a +squint at it, if you don’t mind. There may be a +few things we could add to it.”</p> +<p>As Bobolink was looked on as something of an +authority in this line, Jack hastened to produce the +list, so they could run it over and exchange suggestions.</p> +<p>“Where shall we start in to buy the stuff?” +asked Bobolink, presently.</p> +<p>“Oh! I don’t know that it matters very much,” +replied his companion. “Mr. Briggs has had +some pretty fine hams in lately I heard at the +house this morning, and if he treats us half-way +decent we might do all our trading with him.”</p> +<p>“I never took much stock in old Levi Briggs,” +said Bobolink. “He hates boys for all that’s out. +I guess some of them do nag him more or less. +I saw that Lawson crowd giving him a peck of +trouble a week ago. He threatened to call the police +if they didn’t go away.”</p> +<p>“Well, we happen to be close to the Briggs’ +store,” observed Jack, “so we might as well drop +in and see how he acts toward us.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span></p> +<p>“Huh! speaking of the Lawson bunch, there +they are right now!” exclaimed Bobolink.</p> +<p>Loud jeering shouts close by told that Hank +and his cronies were engaged in their favorite +practice of having “fun.” This generally partook +of the nature of the old fable concerning boys +who were stoning frogs, which was “great fun for +the boys, but death to the frogs.”</p> +<p>“It’s a couple of ragged hoboes they’re nagging +now,” burst out Bobolink.</p> +<p>“The pair just came out of Briggs’ store,” +added Jack, “where I expect they met a cold reception +if they hoped to coax a bite to eat from +the old man.”</p> +<p>“Still, they couldn’t have done anything to Hank +and his crowd, so why should they be pushed off +the walk in that way?” Bobolink went on to say.</p> +<p>As a rule the boy had no use for tramps. He +looked on the vagrants as a nuisance and a menace +to the community. At the same time, no self-respecting +scout would think of casting the first +stone at a wandering hobo, though, if attacked, +he would always defend himself, and strike hard.</p> +<p>“The tramps don’t like the idea of engaging in +a fight with a pack of tough boys right here in +town,” remarked Jack, “because they know the +police would grab them first, no matter if they +were only defending themselves. That’s why they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +don’t hit back, but only dodge the stones the boys +are flinging.”</p> +<p>“Oh! that’s a mean sort of game!” cried Bobolink, +as he saw the two tramps start to run wildly +away. “There! that shorter chap was hit in the +head with one of the rocks thrown after them. I +bet you it raised a fine lump. What a lot of cowards +those Lawsons are, to be sure.”</p> +<p>“Well, the row is all over now,” observed Jack. +“And as the tramps have disappeared around the +corner we don’t want to break into the game, so +come along to the store, and let’s see what we can +do there.”</p> +<p>Bobolink continued to shake his head pugnaciously +as he walked along the pavement. Hank +and his followers were laughing at a great rate +as they exchanged humorous remarks concerning +the recent “fight” which had been all one-sided.</p> +<p>“Believe me!” muttered Bobolink, “if a couple +more scouts had been along just now I’d have +taken a savage delight in pitching in and giving +that crowd the licking they deserved. Course a +tramp isn’t worth much, but then he’s <i>human</i>, and +I hate to see anybody bullied.”</p> +<p>“It wasn’t Hank’s business to chase the hoboes +out of town,” said Jack. “We have the police +force to manage such things. Fact is, I reckon +Hank’s bunch has done more to hurt the good +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +name of Stanhope than all the hoboes we ever had +come around here.”</p> +<p>“If I had my way, Jack, there’d be a public +woodpile, and every tramp caught coming to town +would have to work his passage. I bet there’d +be a sign on every cross-roads warning the brotherhood +to beware of Stanhope as they might of +the smallpox. But here’s Briggs’ store.”</p> +<p>As they entered the place they could see that +the proprietor was alone, his clerk being off on +the delivery wagon.</p> +<p>“Whew! he certainly looks pretty huffy this +morning,” muttered the observing Bobolink. +“Those tramps must have bothered him more or +less before he could get them to move on.”</p> +<p>“It might be he had some trouble with Hank +before we came up,” Jack suggested; but further +talk was prevented by the coming up of the storekeeper.</p> +<p>Mr. Briggs was a small man with white hair, +and keen, rat-like eyes. He possessed good business +abilities, and had managed to accumulate +a small fortune in the many years he purveyed to +the people of Stanhope.</p> +<p>Latterly, however, the little, old man had been +growing very nervous and irritable, perhaps with +the coming of age and its infirmities. He detested +boys, and since that feeling soon becomes mutual +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +there was open war between Mr. Briggs and many +of the juveniles of Stanhope.</p> +<p>Suspicious by nature, he always watched when +boys came into his store as though he weighed them +all in the same balance with Hank Lawson, and +considered that none of Stanhope’s rising generation +could be trusted out of sight.</p> +<p>Long ago he had taken to covering every apple +and sugar barrel with wire screens to prevent +pilfering. Neither Jack nor Bobolink had ever +had hot words with the storekeeper, but for all +that they felt that his manner was openly aggressive +at the time they entered the door.</p> +<p>“If you want to buy anything, boys,” said Mr. +Briggs curtly, “I’ll wait on you; but if you’ve only +come in here to stand around my store and get +warm I’ll have to ask you to move on. My time +is too valuable to waste just now.”</p> +<p>Jack laughed on hearing that.</p> +<p>“Oh! we mean business this morning, Mr. +Briggs,” he remarked pleasantly, while Bobolink +scowled, and muttered something under his +breath. “The fact is a party of us scouts are +planning to spend a couple of weeks up in the +snow woods,” continued Jack. “We have a list +here of some things we want to take along, and +will pay cash for them. We want them delivered +to-day at our meeting room under the church.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span></p> +<p>“Let Mr. Briggs have the list, Jack,” suggested +Bobolink. “He can mark the prices he’ll let us +have the articles for. Of course, sir, we mean to +buy where we can get the best terms for cash.”</p> +<p>Bobolink knew the grasping nature of the old +storekeeper, and perhaps this was intended for a +little trap to trip him up. Mr. Briggs glanced over +the list and promptly did some figuring, after +which he handed the paper back.</p> +<p>“Seems to me your prices are pretty steep, sir!” +remarked Jack.</p> +<p>“I should say they were,” added Bobolink, with +a gleam in his eyes. “Why, you are two cents a +pound on hams above the other stores. Yes, and +even on coffee and rice you are asking more than +we can get the same article for somewhere else.”</p> +<p>“Those are my regular prices,” said the old +man, shortly. “If they are not satisfactory to you, +of course, you are at liberty to trade elsewhere. In +fact, I do not believe you meant to buy these goods +of me, but have only come in to annoy me as those +other good-for-nothing boys always do.”</p> +<p>“Indeed, you are mistaken, Mr. Briggs,” expostulated +Jack, who did not like to be falsely +accused when innocent. “We are starting out to +see where we can get our provisions at the most +reasonable rates. Some of the storekeepers are +only too glad to give the scouts a reduction.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span></p> +<p>“Well, you’ll get nothing of the sort here, let +me tell you,” snapped the unreasonable old man. +“I can’t afford to do business at cost just to please +a lot of harum-scarum boys, who want to spend +days loafing in the woods when they ought to be +earning an honest penny at work.”</p> +<p>“Come on, Jack, let’s get out of here before +I say something I’ll be sorry for,” remarked Bobolink, +who was fiery red with suppressed anger.</p> +<p>“There’s the door, and your room will be better +appreciated than your company,” Mr. Briggs told +them. “And as for your trade, take it where you +please. Your people have left me for other stores +long ago, so why should I care?”</p> +<p>“Oh! that’s where the shoe pinches, is it?” +chuckled Bobolink; and after that he and Jack +left the place, to do their shopping in more congenial +quarters, while Mr. Briggs stood on his +doorsteps and glared angrily after them.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX_FIRE' id='CHAPTER_IX_FIRE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>“FIRE!”</h3> +</div> +<p>“Saturday, eleven-thirty P.M., the night before +Christmas, and all’s well!”</p> +<p>It was Frank Savage who made this remark, +as with eight other scouts he trudged along, after +having left the house of the scout-master, Paul +Morrison. Frank had been the lucky one to be +counted among those who were going on the midwinter +tour, his parents having been coaxed into +giving their consent.</p> +<p>“And on Monday morning we make the start, +wind and weather permitting,” observed Bobolink, +with an eagerness he did not attempt to conceal.</p> +<p>“So far as we know everything is in complete +readiness,” said Bluff Shipley.</p> +<p>“Five iceboats are tugging at their halters, +anxious to be off,” laughed Jack. “And there’ll +be a lot of restless sleepers in certain Stanhope +homes I happen to know.”</p> +<p>“Huh! there always are just before Christmas,” +chuckled Tom Betts. “But this year we have a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +double reason for lying awake and counting the +dragging minutes. Course you committee of two +looked after the grub supplies as you were directed?”</p> +<p>“We certainly did!” affirmed Bobolink, “and +came near getting into a row with old Briggs at +his store. He wanted to ask us top-notch prices +for everything, and when we kicked he acted so +ugly we packed out.”</p> +<p>“Just like the old curmudgeon,” declared Phil +Towns. “The last time I was in his place he kept +following me around as if he thought I meant to +steal him out of house and home. I just up and +told my folks I never wanted to trade with Mr. +Briggs again, and so they changed to the other +store.”</p> +<p>“Oh, well, he’s getting old and peevish,” said +Jack. “You see he lives a lonely life, and has a +narrow vision. Besides, some boys have given +him a lot of trouble, and he doesn’t know the difference +between decent fellows and scamps. We’d +better let him alone, and talk of something else.”</p> +<p>“I suppose all of you notice that it’s grown +cloudy late to-day,” suggested Spider Sexton.</p> +<p>“Oh! I hope that doesn’t mean a heavy snowfall +before we get started,” exclaimed Bluff. “If +a foot of snow comes down on us, good-bye to our +using the iceboats as we’ve been planning.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span></p> +<p>“The weather reports at the post office say fair +and cold ahead for this section,” announced Jack +Stormways, at which there arose many faint +cheers.</p> +<p>“Good boy, Jack!” cried Bobolink, patting the +other’s back. “It was just like the thoughtful +fellow you are to go down and read the prospect +the weather sharps in Washington hold out for +us.”</p> +<p>“You must thank Paul for that, then,” admitted +the other, “for he told me about it. I rather expect +Paul had the laugh on the rest of us to-night, +boys.”</p> +<p>“Now you’re referring to that Jud Mabley business, +Jack,” said Phil Towne.</p> +<p>“Well, when Paul let him off so easy every one +of us believed he was wrong, and that the chances +were ten to one Paul would have to fork over the +dollar to pay for having that window pane put in,” +continued Jack. “But you heard what happened?”</p> +<p>“Yes, seems that the age of miracles hasn’t +passed yet,” admitted Bobolink. “I thought I was +dreaming when Paul told me that Jud’s little +brother came this morning with an envelope addressed +to him, and handed it in without a word.”</p> +<p>“And when Paul opened it,” continued Jack, +taking up the story in his turn, “he found a nice, +new dollar bill enclosed, with a scrap of paper on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +which Jud had scrawled these words: ‘Never +would have paid only I couldn’t let <i>you</i> stand for +my accident, and after you treated me so white, +too. But this wipes it all out, remember. I’m +no crawler!’”</p> +<p>“It tickled Paul a whole lot, let me remark,” +Jud Elderkin explained. “I do half believe he +thinks he can see a rift in the cloud, and that some +of these days hopes to get a chance to drag Jud +Mabley out of that ugly crowd.”</p> +<p>“It would be just like Paul to lay plans that +way,” acknowledged Jack. “I know him like a +book, and believe me, he gets more pleasure out +of making his enemies feel cheap than the rest of +us would if we gave them a good licking.”</p> +<p>“Paul’s a sure-enough trump!” admitted Bluff. +“Do you know what he said when he was showing +that scrawl to us fellows? I was close enough to +get part of it, and I’m dead sure the words ‘entering +wedge’ formed the backbone of his remark.”</p> +<p>“Do we go, snow or sunshine, then?” asked +Bluff, as they came to a halt on a corner where +several of the boys had to leave the rest, as their +homes lay in different directions.</p> +<p>“That’s for Paul to decide,” Jack told him. +“But we know our leader well enough to feel sure +it’s got to be a fierce storm to make him call a trip +off, once all preparations have been made.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span></p> +<p>“Oh! don’t borrow trouble,” sang out Bobolink. +“Everything is lovely, and the goose hangs +high. Just keep on remembering that to-morrow +will be Christmas, and all of us expect to find +something in our stockings, so to speak.”</p> +<p>“There’s one word of warning I ought to speak +before we separate,” said Jack, pretending to look +solemn as they stood under a corner street lamp.</p> +<p>“Now the chances are you’re referring to that +Lawson crowd again, Jack,” suggested Bobolink.</p> +<p>“This time it comes nearer home than the Lawsons,” +said Jack, seriously.</p> +<p>“Then for goodness sake tell us what you have +on your mind,” urged Tom Betts, impulsively.</p> +<p>“As the second in command in our patrol,” Jack +went on gravely, “since Paul failed to say anything +about it, I feel it my solemn duty to warn several +of our number to be extra careful how they gorge +at Christmas dinner to-morrow. Too much turkey +and plum pudding have stretched out many a brave +scout before now. If there are several vacancies +in our ranks Monday morning we’ll know what +to lay it all to. I beg of you to abstain, if you +want to feel fresh and hearty at the start.”</p> +<p>A general laugh greeted the warning, and +every one looked particularly at Bobolink, much +to his confusion.</p> +<p>“If the shoe fits, put it on, everybody,” Bobolink +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +remarked stoutly. “As for me, I’d already +made up my mind to be satisfied with one helping +all around. And when a Link says a thing he +always keeps his word.”</p> +<p>“Well,” remarked Phil Towns, wickedly, “we +hope that this time we won’t have to refer to our +chum as the ‘Missing Link,’ that’s all.”</p> +<p>That caused another mild eruption of boyish +laughter, and before Bobolink could make a caustic +reply a sudden loud metallic clang startled +them.</p> +<p>“Listen, it’s the fire alarm!” exclaimed Tom +Betts.</p> +<p>Again the sound came with startling distinctness.</p> +<p>Boylike, Jack and his friends forgot everything +else just then in this new excitement. Stanhope +had a volunteer fire department, like most small +towns in that section of the country. Stanhope +was proud of its fire laddies, who had, on numerous +previous occasions, proved their skill at fighting +the flames. Already loud shouts could be +heard in various quarters, as men threw up windows +and called to neighbors.</p> +<p>“Where can it be, do you think?” demanded +Jud Elderkin, as the group of lads stood ready for +flight, only waiting to catch some definite clue, so +that they might not start on a wild-goose chase. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span></p> +<p>“Seems to me I c’n see a flickering light over +yonder!” cried Spider Sexton, as he pointed toward +the heart of the town.</p> +<p>“You’re right, Spider!” echoed Tom Betts. +“That’s where the fire lies. See how it keeps on +getting brighter right along, showing that the blaze +has got a firm grip. Hey! wait for me, can’t you, +fellows?”</p> +<p>“Wait your granny!” shouted Bobolink over +his shoulder as he fled wildly down the street. +“Run for all your worth, old ice-wagon. Whoop! +here we come, Stanhope’s fire-fighters!”</p> +<p>There was excitement on every side of them +now. Doors opened to emit men hastily donning +rubber coats and firemen’s hats. Women and +children had commenced to scream at each other +across dividing fences. Dogs began to join in the +general confusion by barking madly. And above +all the increasing clamor, the brazen notes of the +fire bell continued to clang furiously.</p> +<p>The nine scouts, being already on the street at +the time the alarm was turned in, had a big advantage +over others, since they were dressed in the +beginning. As they ran on they were joined by +a number of men and women who had chanced to +be up at this late hour, possibly decorating Christmas +trees for the benefit of the children on the +coming morning.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_X_THE_ACCUSATION' id='CHAPTER_X_THE_ACCUSATION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>THE ACCUSATION</h3> +</div> +<p>“Can you guess where it is, Jack?” gasped +Frank Savage as he strove to keep alongside the +other while running to the fire.</p> +<p>Just then they reached a corner, and as they +dashed around it they came in plain sight of the +conflagration.</p> +<p>“It’s Briggs’ store, fellows!” shouted Frank +over his shoulder.</p> +<p>Ten seconds later all of them were on the spot +where already a little cluster of men and boys +were gathered, some of them near neighbors, others +having come up ahead of the scouts.</p> +<p>“Hey! what’s this I see?” Bobolink said to his +chum nearest him; “two of the Lawson crowd +here, dodging about and grinning as if they +thought it a picnic?”</p> +<p>“Look at old Briggs, will you?” cried Sandy +Griggs. “He’s dancing around like a chicken +after you’ve chopped its head off.”</p> +<p>“Did you ever see anybody so excited?” demanded +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +Bobolink. “Hold on! what’s that he’s +saying now about somebody setting his store afire +on purpose?”</p> +<p>“It’s a black scheme to get me out of competition!” +the little, old storekeeper was crying as he +wrung his hands wildly. “Somebody must have +known that my insurance ran out three weeks ago, +and for once I neglected to renew it! I shall be +ruined if it all goes! Why don’t some of you try +to save my property?”</p> +<p>“Boys, it seems that it’s up to us to get busy +and do something!” exclaimed Frank Savage, immediately.</p> +<p>“It comes hard to work for the old skinflint,” +declared Bobolink, “but I s’pose we’re bound to +forget everything but that some one’s stuff is in +danger, and that we belong to the scouts!”</p> +<p>“Come on then, everybody, and let’s sling +things around!” cried Jud Elderkin.</p> +<p>No matter how the fire started it was burning +fiercely, and promised to give the volunteer firemen +a good fight when they arrived, as they were +likely to do at any moment now. Indeed, loud +cries not far away, accompanied by the rush of +many heavily booted feet and the trampling of +horses’ hoofs announced that the engine, hook +and ladder, and chemical companies were close +at hand. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span></p> +<p>The nine scouts dashed straight at the store +front. The door stood conveniently open, though +they could only hazard a guess as to how it came +so—possibly when brought to the spot with the +first alarm of fire the owner had used his key to +gain an entrance.</p> +<p>Into the store tumbled the boys. The interior +was already pretty well filled with an acrid smoke +that made their eyes run; but through it they +could manage to see the barrels and boxes so well +remembered.</p> +<p>These some of the scouts started to get out as +best they could. Jack, realizing that in all probability +the rolls of cloth and silks on the shelves +would suffer worst from the water soon to be applied, +led several of his companions to that +quarter.</p> +<p>They were as busy as the proverbial beaver, +rushing goods outdoors where they could be taken +in hand by others, and placed in temporary security. +A couple of the local police force had by +this time reached the scene, and they could be +depended on to guard Mr. Briggs’ property as it +was gathered in the street.</p> +<p>The owner of the store seemed half beside +himself, rushing this way and that, and saying all +manner of bitter things. Even at that moment, +when the boys of Stanhope were making such +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +heroic efforts to save his property, he seemed to +entertain suspicions regarding them, for he often +called out vague threats as to what would happen +if they dared take anything belonging to him.</p> +<p>Now came the volunteer fire-fighters, with loud +hurrahs. There seemed no need of the ladders, +but the fire engine was quickly taken to the nearest +cistern and the suction pipe lowered. When +that reservoir was emptied others in the near vicinity +would be tapped, and if the water supply +held out the fire could possibly be gotten under +control.</p> +<p>That was likely to be the last time the citizens +of Stanhope would have to cope with a fire in their +midst, armed with such old-fashioned weapons. A +new waterworks system was being installed, and in +the course of a couple of weeks Stanhope hoped +to be supplied with an abundance of clear spring +water through the network of pipes laid under the +town streets during the preceding summer and +fall.</p> +<p>Mr. Forbes, the efficient foreman of the fire +company, was the right sort of man for the work. +He was one of the town blacksmiths, a fine citizen, +and highly respected by every one.</p> +<p>As his heavy voice roared out orders the men +under him trailed the hose out, the engine began +to work furiously, sending out black smoke from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +its funnel, and the men who handled the chemical +engine brought it into play.</p> +<p>Even in that time, when dozens of things +pressed hard upon the foreman demanding his +attention, he found occasion to speak words of +encouragement to the busy scouts as they trooped +back and forth, carrying all sorts of bulky articles +out of the reach of the flames.</p> +<p>“Good boys, every one of you!” he called out +to them as Jack and Bobolink came staggering +along with their arms filled with bolts of Mr. +Briggs’ most cherished silks, “you’ve got the making +of prize firemen in you I can see. Don’t +overdo it, though, lads; and make way for the +men with the hose!”</p> +<p>By the time the first stream of water was turned +on the fire the flames were leaping upward, and +the entire back part of the store seemed to be +doomed. Being a frame building and very old it +had been like matchwood in the path of the flames.</p> +<p>“Now watch how they slam things down on +the old fire!” exclaimed Bobolink as he stood +aside unable to enter the store again since the +firemen had taken possession of the premises. +“The water will do more damage than the fire +ever had a chance to accomplish.”</p> +<p>“Wow! see them smash those windows in, will +you!” shouted Jud Elderkin, as a man with a fire +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +axe made a fresh opening in one side of the store +in order to put a second line of hose to work.</p> +<p>Everybody was calling out, and what with the +crackling of the hungry flames, the neighing of the +horses that had drawn the fire-engine to the spot, +the whooping of gangs of delighted boys, and a +lot of other miscellaneous sounds, Bedlam seemed +to have broken loose in Stanhope on this night before +Christmas.</p> +<p>“They’ve got the bulge on it already, seems +like,” announced Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“But even that doesn’t seem to give Mr. Briggs +much satisfaction,” remarked Frank. “There he +is running back and forth between the store and +the stack of goods we piled up in the street.”</p> +<p>“I reckon he is afraid the police will steal some +of the silks,” chuckled Bobolink.</p> +<p>“The fire is going down right fast now,” Tom +Betts affirmed. “What’s left of the Briggs’ store +may be saved. But Mr. Briggs is bound to lose a +heap, and it cuts the old man to the bone to let a +dollar slip away from him.”</p> +<p>“To think of such a smart business man allowing +his insurance policy to lapse, and to lie unrenewed +for a whole month!” exclaimed Bluff.</p> +<p>“Got tired paying premiums for so many years +and never having a fire,” explained Jack.</p> +<p>As the crowd stood there the last of the blaze +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +yielded to the efforts of the firemen. Most of the +building was saved, though the business was bound +to be crippled for some time, and Mr. Briggs’ loss +would run into the hundreds, perhaps thousands, +for all any one knew.</p> +<p>“Listen to him scolding the foreman of the fire +company, will you?” demanded Bobolink. “He +seems to think a whole hour elapsed after the +alarm before the boys got here. Why, it was +the quickest run on record, I should say.”</p> +<p>“Here they come this way,” observed Tom +Betts, “and the foreman is trying to convince Mr. +Briggs he is mistaken. He knows how excited +Mr. Briggs is, and excuses anything he may say. +Mr. Forbes is a big man in more ways than bulk.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps Mr. Briggs may want to scold us for +not getting more stuff out before the water was +turned on,” chuckled Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Don’t answer him back if he does,” Jack +warned them, “because we know he’s nearly out +of his mind just now.”</p> +<p>Still, even practical Jack was shocked when the +old storekeeper, coming face to face with the +group of scouts, suddenly pointed a trembling +finger at Bobolink and exclaimed in a vindictive +voice:</p> +<p>“I knew this fire was started in revenge, and +there’s the boy who did it!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI_FRIENDS_OF_THE_SCOUTS' id='CHAPTER_XI_FRIENDS_OF_THE_SCOUTS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>FRIENDS OF THE SCOUTS</h3> +</div> +<p>Everybody came crowding around at hearing +Mr. Briggs make such a startling accusation. +Bobolink seemed to have had his very breath taken +away, for all he could do was to stare helplessly +at the angry, little, old storekeeper. The magnitude +of the crime with which he was accused +stunned him.</p> +<p>Some of the other scouts managed to find their +tongues readily enough. Flushed with indignation +they proceeded to express their feelings as +boys might be expected to do under strong resentment.</p> +<p>“Well, I like that, now!” exclaimed Tom +Betts. “When Bobolink here has been working +like a beaver to save Mr. Briggs’ stuff from the +maw of the flames.”</p> +<p>“That was only meant to be a blind to hide the +truth!” cried Mr. Briggs. “After he set the fire +he must have become frightened at what he had +done, and tried to cover up his tracks. Oh! I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +know what boys are capable of; but I’ll have the +law on this miscreant who tried to get revenge on +me this way, see if I don’t.”</p> +<p>“Shame on you, Mr. Briggs,” said a stout +woman close by. “And the boy nearly killing himself +to carry out big loads of your silks! It’s many +dollars he saved you, and little credit he’ll ever +get.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you know Bobolink has the best kind +of alibi, Mr. Briggs?” said Frank. “He was +over at Doctor Morrison’s house along with the +rest of us until just before the alarm sounded. +We were on our way home when the bell struck +first.”</p> +<p>“The doctor himself will tell you that, if you +ask him,” added Jack, indignant now because of +what had passed after all they had done for the +old man. “Mr. Forbes, I wish you would warn +him not to make such a reckless accusation again, +because he might have to prove it in court. Boys +have rights as well as storekeepers, he must know.”</p> +<p>“It’s just as you say, Jack, my lad,” asserted +the big foreman of the truck company, warmly. +“I stood all your abuse, Mr. Briggs, when it was +directed against myself, but I advise you to go +slow about charging any of these young chaps with +setting fire to your store. All of us have seen +how they worked trying to save your property, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +sir. It is a poor return you are making for their +efforts.”</p> +<p>Others shared this opinion, and realizing that +he did not have a single friend in the crowd, Mr. +Briggs had the good sense to keep his further +suspicions to himself. But that he was still far +from convinced of Bobolink’s innocence could be +seen by the malevolent glances he shot toward the +boy from time to time, while the scouts stood and +watched the final work of the fire-fighters.</p> +<p>The last spark had been extinguished, and all +danger was past. Many of the townspeople began +to leave for their comfortable homes, because +it was bitterly cold at that hour of the night, with +a coating of snow on the ground.</p> +<p>Paul had come up during the excitement, but +somehow had failed to join the rest of the scouts +until later on. The other scouts thought that +doubtless he had found something to claim his attention +elsewhere; but he came up to them about +the time they were thinking of taking their departure.</p> +<p>His indignation was strong when he heard what +a foolish accusation the almost distracted storekeeper +had made against Bobolink. Still Paul +was a sensible lad, and he realized that Mr. Briggs +could hardly be held responsible for what he said +at such a time. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span></p> +<p>“Better forget all about it, Bobolink,” he told +the other, who was still fretting under the unmerited +charge. “Perhaps when he cools off and +realizes what a serious thing he has said, Mr. +Briggs will publicly take his words back, and will +thank you fellows in the bargain.”</p> +<p>“But how came it you were so slow in getting +to the fire, Paul?” asked Tom Betts; for, as a +rule, the patrol leader could be counted on to +arrive with the first.</p> +<p>Paul laughed at that.</p> +<p>“I knew you’d be wondering,” he said, and then +went on to explain. “For once I was caught in +a trap, and, much as I wanted to get out and run, +I just had to hold my horses for a spell. You see, +after you had gone father asked me to hold something +for him while he was attending to it, and I +couldn’t very well drop it until he was through.”</p> +<p>“Whew! it sure must have been something +pretty important to keep Paul Morrison from +running to a fire,” chuckled Frank.</p> +<p>“It was important,” came the ready reply. “In +fact, it was a man’s broken arm I was holding. +Ben Holliday was brought in just after you boys +left. He had fallen in some way and sustained +a compound fracture of his left arm. Neither of +the men who were along with him could be counted +on to assist, so father called on me to lend a hand. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +And that’s why I was late at the Briggs’ store fire.”</p> +<p>“You missed a great sight, Paul, let me tell +you,” affirmed Bluff.</p> +<p>“Yes, and you missed hearing a friend of yours +called a fire-bug, too, in the bargain,” grunted +Bobolink. “And after I’d sweated and toiled like +fun to drag a lot of his old junk out of reach of +fire and flood! That’s what makes me sore. Now, +if I’d just stood around and laughed, like a lot +of the fellows did, it wouldn’t have been so bad.”</p> +<p>“Listen!” said Jud Elderkin, lowering his +voice, “when old Briggs got the notion that some +bad boy set his store on fire in a spirit of revenge, +maybe he wasn’t so far wrong after all.”</p> +<p>“Say, what are you hinting at now, Jud?” +gasped Bobolink, suspiciously. “You know as well +as anything I was along with the crowd every minute +of the time.”</p> +<p>“Sure I do, Bobolink,” asserted the other, +blandly. “I wasn’t referring to you at all when +I said that. There are others in the swim. You’re +not the only pebble on the beach, you understand.”</p> +<p>“Now I get you, Jud!” Tom Betts exclaimed. +“And let me say, I’ve been having little suspicions +of my own leading in that same direction.”</p> +<p>“We found Hank, Jud Mabley and Sim Jeffreys +on the spot when we got here, you all remember, +and they seemed tickled to death because it was the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +Briggs’ place that was on fire,” continued Jud.</p> +<p>Even Paul and Jack seemed impressed, though +too cautious to accept the fact until there was more +proof. Already the foolishness of making an unsupported +accusation had been brought home to +them, and the scout-master felt that it was his duty +to warn Jud and Tom against talking too recklessly +of their suspicion.</p> +<p>“Better go slow about it, fellows, no matter +what you think,” he told them. “The law does +not recognize suspicion as counting for anything, +unless you have some sort of proof to back it up. +It may be those fellows are guilty, for they have +been going from bad to worse of late; but until +you can show evidence leading that way, button +up your lips.”</p> +<p>“Guess you’re right there, Paul,” admitted Jud. +“Some of us are apt to be too previous when we +get a notion in our heads. But Mr. Briggs is dead +sure it was no accident, whether the fire was +started by the Lawson crowd or some one else.”</p> +<p>“I heard him say he suspected that his safe had +been broken open,” declared Tom Betts just then, +“and that the fire might have been an after thought +meant to hide a robbery.”</p> +<p>“Whew! that’s going some, I must say, if that +Lawson gang has come down to burglary, as well +as arson,” observed Spider Sexton, seriously. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span></p> +<p>“You’ll have to get Jud Mabley away from +his cronies mighty quick then, Paul, if you hope +to pull him out of the fire,” commented Frank.</p> +<p>“Well, for one I’ve yet to be convinced that they +had anything to do with the fire,” Paul told them.</p> +<p>“But we know they’ve had trouble with Mr. +Briggs plenty of times,” urged another of the +scouts.</p> +<p>“And you must remember they were here when +we arrived, which looks suspicious,” added Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Appearances are often deceitful, Bobolink, as +you yourself know to your cost,” the scout-master +remarked. “If forced to explain their being on +the spot so early perhaps they could prove an alibi +as well as you. But come, since the fire is all over, +and it’s pretty shivery out here now, suppose we +get back home.”</p> +<p>No one offered any objection to this proposal. +Indeed, several of the scouts who had worked hard +enough to get into a perspiration, were moving +about uneasily as though afraid of taking cold.</p> +<p>When the boys left the scene the crowd had +thinned out very much, for the wintry night made +standing around unpleasant. Besides, most of +the people were disgusted with the actions of old +Mr. Briggs, and cared very little what his loss +might prove to be. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span></p> +<p>At the time the scouts turned away and headed +for another section of the town, the old storekeeper +was entering the still smoking building, desirous +of examining his safe to ascertain whether +it showed signs of having been tampered with.</p> +<p>Once again the boys stood on the corner ready +to separate into several factions as their homes +chanced to lie.</p> +<p>“There, the fire is out; that’s back-taps!” said +Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“You’re off your base, Tom,” Bluff disagreed, +“for that’s the town clock striking the hour of +midnight.”</p> +<p>“Sure enough,” agreed Tom, when four and five +had sounded.</p> +<p>They counted aloud until the whole twelve had +struck.</p> +<p>“That means it’s Sunday morning. Merry +Christmas, Paul, and the rest!” cried Frank.</p> +<p>“The same to you, and good-night, fellows!” +called out Paul, as with Jack he strode away.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII_THE_ICEBOAT_SQUADRON' id='CHAPTER_XII_THE_ICEBOAT_SQUADRON'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>THE ICEBOAT SQUADRON</h3> +</div> +<p>At exactly ten o’clock, on Monday morning, +December 26th, Bobolink sounded the “Assembly” +on his bugle. A great crowd had gathered on the +bank of the frozen Bushkill. For the most part +this was made up of boys and girls, but there were +in addition a few parents who wanted to see the +start of the scouts for their midwinter camp.</p> +<p>Up to this time their outings had taken place +in a more genial period of the year, and not a +few witnessed their departure with feelings of +uneasiness. This winter had already proved its +title to the stormiest known in a quarter of a century, +and at the last hour more than one parent +questioned the wisdom of allowing the boys to +take the bold tour.</p> +<p>However, there were no “recalls,” and as for +the ten lads themselves, to look at their eager +faces it could be seen that they entertained no +doubts regarding their ability to cope with whatever +situations arose. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span></p> +<p>The five iceboats were in line, and could be compared +with so many fleet race horses fretting to +make a speedy start. Each had various mysterious +packages fastened securely, leaving scanty room +for the pair of “trippers.”</p> +<p>“After all we’re going to have a fine day of it,” +remarked Tom Betts, as he gave a last look to the +running gear of his new ice craft, and impatiently +waited for Paul to give the word to be off.</p> +<p>“Luck seems to be with us in the start,” admitted +Bobolink, who was next in line. “I only hope it +won’t change and slap us too hard after we get +up there in the woods.”</p> +<p>“I heard this morning that the Lawson crowd +had started overland, with packs on their backs,” +Phil Towns stated.</p> +<p>“Oh! we’re bound to rub up against that lot before +we’re done with it,” prophesied Bobolink. +“But if they give us any trouble I miss my guess if +they won’t be sorry for it.”</p> +<p>“Scouts can take a heap,” said Tom, “but there +is a limit to their forbearance; and once they set +out to inflict proper punishment they know how +to rub it in good and hard.”</p> +<p>“Do you really believe there’s any truth in that +report we heard about Mr. Briggs’ safe being +found broken open and cleaned out?” asked Phil.</p> +<p>“There’s no question about it,” replied Bobolink. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +“Though between you and me I don’t think +the robbers got much of a haul, for the old man +is too wise to keep much money around.”</p> +<p>“I heard that Hank Lawson and his crowd were +spending money pretty freely when they got ready +early this morning to start,” suggested Tom.</p> +<p>Jack, who had listened to all this talk, took occasion +to warn his fellow-scouts, just as Paul had +done on the other occasion.</p> +<p>“Better not say that again, Tom, because we +have no means of knowing how they got the +money. Some of them are often supplied with +larger amounts than seem to be good for them. +Unless you know positively, don’t start the snowball +rolling downhill, because it keeps on growing +larger every time some one tells the story.”</p> +<p>“All right, Jack,” remarked Tom, cheerfully; +“what you say goes. Besides, as we expect to be +away a couple of weeks there isn’t going to be +much chance to tell tales in Stanhope.”</p> +<p>They waited impatiently for the word to go. +Paul was making a last round in order to be sure +that nothing had been overlooked, for caution was +strongly developed in his character, as well as +boldness.</p> +<p>There were many long faces among the other +boys belonging to Stanhope Troop, for they would +have liked above all things to be able to accompany +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +their lucky comrades. The lure of the open +woods had a great attraction for them, and on +previous outings every one had enjoyed such +glorious times that now all felt as though they +were missing a grand treat.</p> +<p>At last Paul felt that nothing else remained to +be done, and that he could get his expedition under +way without any scruple. There were many skaters +on the river, but a clear passage down-stream +had been made for the start of the iceboat +squadron.</p> +<p>A few of the strongest skaters had gone on +ahead half an hour back, intending to accompany +the adventurous ten a portion of the way. They +hoped to reach the point where the old canal connected +the Bushkill river with the Radway, and +a long time back known as Jackson’s Creek.</p> +<p>Here they would await the coming of the fleet +iceboats, and lend what assistance was required +in making the passage of this crooked waterway.</p> +<p>When once again the bugle sounded the cheering +became more violent than ever, for it was +known that the moment of departure had arrived.</p> +<p>Tom Betts had been given the honor of being +the first in the procession. His fellow passenger +was Jack Stormways. As the new <i>Speedaway</i> shot +from its mooring place and started down the river +it seemed as though the old football days had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +come again, such a roar arose from human lungs, +fish-horns, and every conceivable means for making +a racket.</p> +<p>A second craft quickly followed in the wake of +the leader, then a third, the two others trailing +after, until all of them were heading down-stream, +rapidly leaving Stanhope behind.</p> +<p>The cheering of the throng grew fainter as the +speedy craft glided over the ice, urged on by a fair +wind. There could be little doubt that the ten +scouts who were undertaking the expedition were +fully alive to the good fortune that had come their +way.</p> +<p>Tom Betts was acknowledged to be the most +skilful skipper, possibly barring Paul, along the +Bushkill. He seemed to know how to get the +best speed out of an iceboat, and at the same time +avoid serious accidents, such as are likely to follow +the reckless use of such frail craft.</p> +<p>It was thoughtful of Paul to let Tom lead the +procession, when by all rights, as the scout-master, +Paul might properly have assumed that position. +Tom must have been considering this fact, for as +he and Jack flew along, crouching under the big +new sail that was drawing splendidly, he called out +to his comrade:</p> +<p>“Let me tell you it was mighty white in Paul +to assign me to this berth, Jack, when by rights +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +everybody expected him to lead off. I appreciate +it, too, I want you to understand.”</p> +<p>“Oh! that’s just like Paul,” he was told. “He +always likes to make other fellows feel good. And +for a chap who unites so many rare qualities in his +make-up Paul is the most unassuming fellow I ever +knew. Why, you can see that he intentionally put +himself in last place, and picked out Spider Sexton’s +boat to go on, because he knew it was the +poorest of the lot.”</p> +<p>“But all the same the old <i>Glider</i> is doing her +prettiest to-day and keeping up with the procession +all right,” asserted Tom, glancing back.</p> +<p>“That’s because Paul’s serving as skipper,” asserted +Jack, proudly. “He could get speed out +of any old tub you ever saw. But then we’re +not trying to do any racing on this trip, you remember, +Tom.”</p> +<p>“Not much,” assented the other, quickly. “Paul +impressed it on us that to-day we must keep it in +mind that ‘safety first’ is to be our motto. Besides, +with all these bundles of grub and blankets +and clothes-bags strapped and roped to our boats +a fellow couldn’t do himself justice, I reckon.”</p> +<p>“No more he could, Tom. But we’re making +good time for all that, and it isn’t going to be long +before we pass Manchester, and reach the place +where that old abandoned canal creeps across two +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +miles of country, more or less, to the Radway.”</p> +<p>“I can see the fellows who skated down ahead +of us!” announced Tom, presently.</p> +<p>“Yes, they’re waiting to go through the canal +with us,” assented Jack. “Wallace Carberry said +they feared we might have a bad time of it getting +the iceboats over to the Radway, and he corralled +a few fellows with the idea of lending a hand.”</p> +<p>“They hate the worst kind to be left out of this +camping game,” remarked Tom, “and want to +see the last they can of us.”</p> +<p>A few minutes later and the skipper of the leading +iceboat brought his speedy craft to a halt close +to the shore, where several scouts awaited them. +The other four craft soon drew up near by, thus +finishing what they were pleased to call the “first +leg” of the novel cruise.</p> +<p>It was decided to work their way through the +winding creek the best way possible. In places it +would be found advisable to push the boats, while +now and then as an open stretch came along they +might take advantage of a favorable wind to do a +little sailing.</p> +<p>Two miles of this sort of thing would not be +so bad. As Bobolink sang out, the worst was yet +to come when they made the Radway, and had to +ascend against a head wind that would necessitate +skilful tacking to avoid an overturn.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII_ON_THE_WAY' id='CHAPTER_XIII_ON_THE_WAY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>ON THE WAY</h3> +</div> +<p>“It all comes back to me again, when I see that +frozen mud bank over there, fellows,” called out +Frank Savage, after they had been pushing their +way along the rough canal for some time.</p> +<p>“How many times we did get stuck on just such +a mud bank,” laughed Paul. “I can shut my eyes +even now, and imagine I see some of us wading +alongside, and helping to get our motor boats out +of the pickle. I think Bobolink must dream of it +every once in a while, for he had more than his +share of the fun.”</p> +<p>“It was bully fun all right, say what you will!” +declared the boy mentioned, “though like a good +many other things that are past and gone, distance +lends enchantment to the view.”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” echoed Tom Betts, “you always +seem to forget the discomforts when you look +back to that kind of thing, and remember only the +jolly good times. I’ve come home from hunting +as tired as a dog, and vowed it would be a long +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +while before I ever allowed myself to be tempted +to go again. But, fellows, if a chum came along +the next day and asked me I’d fall to the bait.”</p> +<p>A chance to do a little sailing interrupted this +pleasant exchange of reminders. But it was for +a very short distance only that they were able to +take advantage of a favoring breeze; then the boys +found it necessary to push the boats again.</p> +<p>Some of them strapped on their skates and set +out to draw the laden iceboats as the most logical +way of making steady progress.</p> +<p>“What are two measly miles, when such a glorious +prospect looms up ahead of us?” cried Sandy. +“We ought to be at the old Radway by noon.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” added Bobolink, quickly. “And I heard +Paul saying just now that as we were in no great +hurry he meant to call a halt there for an hour +or more. We can start a fire and have a bully +little warm lunch, just to keep us from starving +between now and nightfall, when a regular dinner +will be in order.”</p> +<p>Of course, this set some of the boys to making +fun of Bobolink’s well known weakness. The accused +scout took it all as good natured joking. +Besides, who could get angry when engaged in such +a glorious outing as that upon which they were +now fully embarked? Certainly not the even-tempered +Bobolink. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span></p> +<p>From time to time the boys recognized various +spots where certain incidents had happened to +them when on their never-to-be-forgotten motor +boat cruise of the preceding summer.</p> +<p>It was well on towards noon when they finally +reached the place where the old connecting canal +joined the Radway river. It happened, fortunately +for the plans of the scouts, that both +streams were rather high at the setting in of winter, +which accounted for an abundance of ice along +the connecting link.</p> +<p>“Looky there, Paul. Could you find a better +place for a fire than in that cove back of the +point?” demanded Bobolink, evidently bent on +reminding the commander-in-chief of his promise.</p> +<p>“You’re right about that,” admitted Paul, “for +the trees and bushes on the point act as a wind +break. Head over that way, boys, and let’s make +a stop for refreshments.”</p> +<p>“Good for you, Paul!” cried Spider Sexton, +jubilantly. “I skipped the best part of my usual +feed this morning, I was so excited and afraid I +might get left; and I want to warn you all I’m as +empty right now as a drum. So cook enough for +an extra man or two when you’re about it.”</p> +<p>“Huh! you’ll take a hand in that job yourself, +Spider,” asserted Bobolink, pretending to look +very stern, though he knew there would be no lack +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +of volunteers for preparing that first camp meal. +Enthusiasm always runs high when boys first go +into the woods, but later on it gets to be an old +story, and some of the campers have to be drummed +into harness.</p> +<p>A fire was soon started, for every one of the +scouts knew all about the coaxing of a blaze, no +matter how damp the wood might seem. The +scouts had learned their lesson in woodcraft, and +took pride in excelling one another on occasion.</p> +<p>Then a bustling ensued as several cooks busied +themselves in frying ham, as well as some potatoes +that had already been boiled at home. When +several onions had been mixed with these, after +being first fried in a separate pan, the odors that +arose were exceedingly palatable to the hungry +groups that stood around awaiting the call to +lunch.</p> +<p>Coffee had been made in the two capacious tin +pots, for on such a bracing day as this they felt +they needed something to warm their systems. +Plenty of condensed milk had been brought along, +and a can of this was opened by puncturing the +top in two places. Thus, if not emptied at a sitting, +a can can be sealed up again, and kept over +for another occasion.</p> +<p>“As good a feed as I ever want to enjoy!” was +the way Bobolink bubbled over as he reached for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +his second helping, meanwhile keeping a wary eye +on the boy who had warned them as to his enormous +capacity for food.</p> +<p>“It is mighty fine,” agreed Wallace Carberry, +“but somehow, fellows, it seems like a funeral +feast to me, because it’s the last time I’ll be able +to join you. Never felt so bad in my life before. +Shed a few tears for me once in a while, won’t +you?”</p> +<p>The others laughingly promised to accommodate +him. Truth to tell, most of them did feel +very sorry for Wallace and the other boys whose +parents had debarred them from all this pleasure +before them.</p> +<p>When the hour was up another start was made. +This time they headed up the erratic Radway. +The skaters still clung to them, bent on seeing all +they could of those whom they envied so much.</p> +<p>Progress was sometimes very tedious, because +the wind persisted in meeting them head on, and +it is not the easiest task in the world to force +an iceboat against a negative breeze. Tacking had +to be resorted to many times, and each mile they +gained was well won.</p> +<p>The boys enjoyed the exhilarating exercise, however, +and while there were a few minor accidents +nothing serious interfered with their progress.</p> +<p>It was two o’clock when they sighted Lake +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +Tokala ahead of them. Shouts of joy from those +in advance told the glad story to the toilers in the +rear. This quickened their pulses, and made them +all feel that the worst was now over.</p> +<p>When the broad reaches of the lake had been +gained they were able to make speed once more. +It was the best part of the entire trip—the run +across the wide lake. And how the sight of Cedar +Island brought back most vividly recollections of +the happy and exciting days spent there not many +months before!</p> +<p>Wallace and his three chums still held on. They +declared they were bound to stick like “leeches” +until they had seen the expedition safely across +the lake. What if night did overtake them before +they got back to the Bushkill again? There would +be a moon, and skating would be a pleasure under +such favorable conditions.</p> +<p>“Don’t see any signs of another wild man on +the island, do you, Jack?” asked Tom Betts, as +the <i>Speedaway</i> fairly flew past the oasis in the +field of ice that was crowned by a thick growth of +cedars, which had given the island its name.</p> +<p>“Nothing doing in that line, Tom,” replied the +other with a laugh. “Such an adventure happens +to ordinary fellows only once in a life-time. But +then something just as queer may be sprung on us +in the place we’re heading for.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span></p> +<p>The crossing of Tokala Lake did not consume +a great deal of time, for the wind had shifted +just enough to make it favor them more or less +much of the way over.</p> +<p>“I c’n see smoke creeping up at the point Paul’s +heading for,” announced Tom Betts. “That must +come from the cabin we heard had been built here +since we had our outing on the lake.”</p> +<p>“We were told that it stood close to the mouth +of the creek which we have to ascend some miles,” +remarked Jack. “And this man is the one we +think to leave our boats in charge of while away +in the woods.”</p> +<p>“I only hope then that he’ll be a reliable +keeper,” observed Tom, seriously, “for it would +nearly break my heart if anything happened to +the <i>Speedaway</i> now. I’ve only tried her out a +few times, but she gives promise of beating anything +ever built in this section of the country. I +don’t believe I could duplicate her lines again if +I tried.”</p> +<p>“Don’t borrow trouble,” Jack told him. “We’ll +dismantle the boats all we can before we leave +them, and the chances are ten to one we’ll find +them O.K. when we come out of the woods two +weeks from now. But here we are at the place, +and the boys who mean to return home will have +to say good-bye.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV_THE_RING_OF_STEEL_RUNNERS' id='CHAPTER_XIV_THE_RING_OF_STEEL_RUNNERS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>THE RING OF STEEL RUNNERS</h3> +</div> +<p>As the little flotilla of ice yachts drew up close +to the shore, the sound of boyish laughter must +have been heard, for a man was seen approaching. +He came from the direction of the cabin which +they had sighted among the trees, and from the +mud and stone chimney of which smoke was ascending +straight into the air—a promise of continued +good weather.</p> +<p>The boys were climbing up the bank when he +reached them. So far as they could see he appeared +to be a rough but genial man, and Paul +believed they could easily trust him to take care +of the boats while away.</p> +<p>“I suppose you are Abe Turner, spoken of by +Mr. Garrity?” was the way Paul addressed the +man, holding out his hand in friendly greeting.</p> +<p>The other’s face relaxed into a smile. Evidently +he liked this manly looking young chap immediately, +as most people did, for Paul had a +peculiarly winning way about him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span></p> +<p>“That’s my name, and I reckon now you must +be Paul,” said the other.</p> +<p>“Why, how did you know that?” demanded +Bobolink, in surprise.</p> +<p>“Oh! I had a letter from Mr. Thomas Garrity +telling me all about you boys, and ordering me to +do anything you might want. You see he owns +all the country around here, an’ I’m holding the +fort until spring, when there’s going to be some +big timber cutting done. We expect to get it to +market down the Radway.”</p> +<p>The scouts exchanged pleased looks.</p> +<p>“Bully for Mr. Thomas Garrity!” shouted Tom +Betts, “he’s all to the good, if his conversion to +liking boys did come late in life. He’s bound to +make up for all the lost time now. Three cheers, +fellows, for our good friend!”</p> +<p>They were given with a rousing will, and the +echoes must have alarmed some of the shy +denizens of the snow forest, for a fox was seen to +scurry across an open spot, and a bevy of crows +in some not far distant oak trees started to caw +and call.</p> +<p>“All we want you to do for us, Abe,” explained +Paul, “is to take good care of our five iceboats, +which we will have to leave with you.”</p> +<p>“And we might as well tell you in the beginning,” +added Bobolink, “that several tough chaps +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +from our town have come up here to spend some +time, just from learning of our plans.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” went on Tom Betts, the anxious one, +“and nothing would tickle that Hank Lawson and +his gang so much as to be able to sneak some of +our boats away, or, failing that, to smash them +into kindling wood with an axe.”</p> +<p>Abe nodded his shaggy head and smiled.</p> +<p>“I’ve heard some things about Hank Lawson,” +he observed. “But take it from me that if he +comes around my shanty trying any of his tricks +he’ll get a lesson he’ll never forget. I’ll see to it +that your boats are kept safe. I’ve two dogs off +hunting in the woods just now, but I’ll fasten ’em +nigh where you store the boats. I’m sorry for the +boy who gets within the grip of Towser’s teeth, +yes, or Clinch’s either.”</p> +<p>That was good news to Tom, who smiled as +though finally satisfied that there was really nothing +to be feared.</p> +<p>“Sorry to say we’ll have to be leaving you, +boys,” announced Wallace just then, as he started +to go the rounds with a mournful face, shaking +hands with each lucky scout whom he envied so +much.</p> +<p>“Hope you have the time of your lives,” called +out another of those who were debarred from +enjoying the outing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span></p> +<p>These boys started away, looking back from +time to time as they crossed wide Lake Tokala. +Finally, with a last parting salute, they darted +into the mouth of the canal and were lost to view.</p> +<p>There was an immediate bustle, for time was +flitting, and much remained to be done. The five +owners of the iceboats proceeded to dismantle +them, which was not a tedious proceeding. The +masts were unstepped and hidden in a place by +themselves. The sails were taken into the cabin +of Abe, where they would be safe.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, the other boys had been engaged +in making up the various packs which from now +on must be shouldered by each member of the expedition. +Experience in such things allowed them +to accomplish more in a given time than novices +would have been able to do.</p> +<p>“Everything seems to be ready, Paul,” announced +Jack after a while, as they gathered +around, each boy striving to fix his individual pack +upon his back, and getting some other fellow to +adjust the straps.</p> +<p>Bobolink seemed to have half again as much as +any of the others, though this was really all his +own doing. Besides his usual share of the luggage +he had pots and pans and skillets sticking out +in all directions, so that he presented the appearance +of a traveling tinker. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span></p> +<p>“It’s a great pity, Bobolink,” said Tom Betts, +with a grin, as he surveyed his comrade after helping +the other load up, “that you were born about +seventy-five years too late.”</p> +<p>“Tell me why,” urged the other.</p> +<p>“Think what a peddler you would have made! +You’d have been a howling success hawking your +goods around the country.”</p> +<p>Of course they had all adjusted their skates +before taking up their packs; for bending down +would really have been next to a physical impossibility +after those weighty burdens had been assumed.</p> +<p>“Hope you have a right good time, boys,” said +Abe Turner in parting. “And don’t any of you +worry about these boats. When you come back +this way you’ll find everything slick and neat here.”</p> +<p>“Good for you, Abe,” cried Tom Betts. “And +make up your mind to it the Banner Boy Scouts +never forget their friends. You’re on the list, +Abe. Good-bye!”</p> +<p>They were off at last, and it was high time, for +the short December day was already getting well +along toward its close. Night would come almost +before they knew it, though they had no reason +to expect anything like darkness, with that moon +now much more than half full up there in the +heavens. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span></p> +<p>Some of the boys had noticed the mouth of +this creek when camping on Cedar Island the previous +summer. They had been so much occupied +with fishing, taking flashlight pictures of little wild +animals in their native haunts, and in solving certain +mysteries that came their way that none of +them had had time to explore the stream.</p> +<p>On this account then it would prove to be a +new bit of country for them, and this fact rather +pleased most of the boys, as they dearly loved +to prowl around in a section they had never visited +before.</p> +<p>Strung out in a straggling procession they skated +along. The creek was about as crooked as anything +could well be, a fact that influenced Bobolink +to shout out:</p> +<p>“In the absence of a better name, fellows, I +hereby christen this waterway Snake Creek; any +objections?”</p> +<p>“It deserves the name, all right,” commented +Spider Sexton, “for I never saw such a wiggly +stream in all my born days.”</p> +<p>“Seems as if we had already come all of five +miles, and nary a sign of a cabin ahead yet that +I can see,” observed Phil Towns, presently, for +Phil was really beginning to feel pretty well used +up, not being quite so sturdy as some others among +the ten scouts. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></p> +<p>“That’s the joke,” laughed Paul; “and it’s on +me I guess more than any one else. I thought of +nearly a thousand things, seems to me, but forgot +to ask any one just how far it was up to the cabin +from the lake by way of this scrambling creek.”</p> +<p>“Why, I’m sure Mr. Garrity said something like +six miles!” exclaimed Jack.</p> +<p>“Yes, but that may have meant as the crow +flies, straightaway,” returned the scout-master.</p> +<p>“At the worst then, Paul,” Bobolink ventured +to say, “we can camp, and spend a night in the +open under the hemlocks. Veteran scouts have no +need to be afraid to tackle such a little game as +that, with plenty of grub and blankets along.”</p> +<p>“Hear! hear!” said Phil Towns. “And as the +sun has set already I for one wouldn’t care how +soon you decided to do that stunt.”</p> +<p>“Oh! we ought to be good for another hour +or so anyway, Phil,” Tom told him, at which the +other only grunted and struck manfully out again.</p> +<p>As evening closed in about them, the shadows +began to creep out of the heavy growth of timber +by which the skaters were surrounded.</p> +<p>“Look! look! a deer!” shrieked Sandy Griggs, +suddenly. Thrilled by the cry the others looked +ahead just in time to see a flitting form disappear +in the thick fringe of shrubbery that lined one +side of the creek.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV_TOLLY_TIP_AND_THE_FOREST_CABIN' id='CHAPTER_XV_TOLLY_TIP_AND_THE_FOREST_CABIN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>TOLLY TIP AND THE FOREST CABIN</h3> +</div> +<p>“Oh! that’s too bad!” exclaimed Spider Sexton, +“I’ve been telling everybody we’d taste venison +of our own killing while off on this trip, and +there the first deer we’ve glimpsed gives us the +merry ha-ha!”</p> +<p>“Rotten luck!” grumbled Jud Elderkin. “And +me with a rifle gripped in my fist all the time. +But I only had a glimpse of a brown object disappearing +in the brush, and I never want to just +<i>wound</i> a deer so it will suffer. That’s why I +didn’t fire when I threw my gun up.”</p> +<p>“With me,” explained Jack Stormways, “it +happened that Bluff here was just in my way when +I had the chance to aim.”</p> +<p>“Well,” laughed Bobolink, “you might have +shot straight through his head, because it’s a +vacuum. I once heard a teacher tell him so when +he failed in his lessons every day for a week.”</p> +<p>“Oh! there’s bound to be plenty of deer where +you can see one so easily,” Paul told them, “so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +cheer up. Unless I miss my guess we’ll have all +sorts of game to eat while up here in the snow +woods. Abe said it was a big season for fur and +feather this year.”</p> +<p>They kept plodding along and put more miles +behind them. The moon now had to be relied on +to afford them light, because the last of the sunset +glow had departed from the western heavens.</p> +<p>Phil was beginning to feel very tired, and feared +he would have to give up unless inside of another +mile or two they arrived at their intended destination. +Being a proud boy he detested showing any +signs of weakness, and clinched his teeth more +tightly together as he pressed on, keeping a little +behind the rest, so that no one should hear his +occasional groan.</p> +<p>All at once a glad cry broke out ahead, coming +from Sandy Griggs, who at the moment chanced +to be in the van.</p> +<p>“I reckon that’s a jolly big fire yonder, fellows, +unless I miss my guess!” he told them.</p> +<p>“It is a fire, sure thing,” agreed Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Tolly Tip has been looking for us, it seems, +and has built a roaring blaze out of doors to serve +as a guide to our faltering steps!” announced Jud, +pompously, although he could hardly have been +referring to himself, for his pace seemed to be just +as swift and bold as when he first set out. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p> +<p>“It’s less than half a mile away I should say, +even with this crooked stream to navigate,” announced +Bobolink, more to comfort Phil than +anything else.</p> +<p>“Keep going right along, and don’t bother about +me, I’m all right,” called the latter, cheerfully, +from the rear.</p> +<p>In a short time the scouts drew near what +proved to be a roaring fire built on the bank +of the creek. They could see a man moving about, +and he must have already heard their voices in +the near distance for he was shading his eyes with +his hand, and looking earnestly their way.</p> +<p>“Hello, Tolly Tip!” cried out the boisterous +Bobolink. “Here we come, right-side up with care! +How’s Mrs. Tip, and all the little Tips?”</p> +<p>This was only a boyish joke, for they had +already been told by Mr. Garrity that the keeper +of the hunting lodge was a jolly old bachelor. +But Bobolink must have his say regardless of +everything. They heard the trapper laugh as +though he immediately fell in with the spirit of +fun that these boys carried with them.</p> +<p>“He’s all right!” exclaimed Bobolink, on catching +that boisterous laugh. “Who’s all right? +Tolly Tip, the keeper of Deer Head Lodge, situated +in Garrity Camp! For he’s a jolly good +fellow, which none can deny!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span></p> +<p>Amidst all this laughter and chatter the ten +scouts arrived at the spot where the welcoming +blaze awaited them, to receive a warm welcome +from the queer, old fellow who took care of Mr. +Garrity whenever the latter chose to hide away +from his business vexations up here in the woods.</p> +<p>The boys could see immediately that Tolly Tip +was about as queer as his name would indicate. +At the same time they believed they would like +him. His blue eyes twinkled with good humor, +and he had a droll Irish brogue that was bound to +add to the flavor of the stories they felt sure he +had on the end of his tongue.</p> +<p>“Sure, it’s delighted I am to say the lot av yees +this night,” he said as they came crowding around, +each wanting to shake his hand fiercely. “Mr. Garrity +towld me in the letther he was after sindin’ +up with the tame that ye war a foine bunch av lads, +that would be afther kapin’ me awake all right. +And sure I do belave ’twill be so.”</p> +<p>“I hope we won’t bother you too much while +we’re here,” said Paul, understanding what an +energetic crowd he was piloting on this excursion.</p> +<p>“Ye couldn’t do the same if ye tried,” Tolly +Tip declared, heartily. “I have to be alone most +all the long winther, an’ it do be a great trate to +hav’ some lively lads visit me for a s’ason. Fetch +the packs along wid ye into the cabin. I want +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +to make ye sorry for carrying all this stuff wid +ye up here.”</p> +<p>His words mystified them until, having entered +the capacious cabin built of hewn logs, with the +chinks well filled with hard mortar, they were +shown a wagonload of groceries which Mr. Garrity +had actually taken secret pleasure in purchasing +without letting the boys know anything about +it.</p> +<p>A team had found its way across the miles of +intervening woods, and delivered this magnificent +present at the forest lodge. It was intended to +be a surprise to the boys, and Mr. Garrity certainly +overwhelmed them with his generosity.</p> +<p>Bobolink alone was seen to stand and gaze regretfully +at the small edition of a grocery store, +meanwhile shaking his head sorrowfully.</p> +<p>“What ails you, Bobolink?” demanded one of +his chums.</p> +<p>“It can’t be done, no matter how many meals +a day we try to make way with,” the other solemnly +announced. “I’ve been calculating, and +there’s enough stuff there to feed us a month. +Then, besides, think of what we toted along. +Shucks! why didn’t Nature make boys with India +rubber stomachs.”</p> +<p>“Some fellows I happen to know have already +been favored in that line,” hinted Tom Betts, maliciously; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +“but as for the rest of us, we have to +get along with just the old-fashioned kind.”</p> +<p>“Cheer up, Bobolink,” laughed Paul; “what we +can’t devour we’ll be only too glad to leave to +our good friend Tolly Tip here. The chances +are he’ll know what to do with everything so none +of it will be wasted.”</p> +<p>“When a man who all his life has been as tightfisted +as Mr. Garrity does wake up,” said Phil +Towns, “he goes to the other extreme, and shames +a lot of people who’ve been calling themselves +charitable.”</p> +<p>“Oh! that’s because he has so much to make +up, I guess,” explained Jud.</p> +<p>While some of the boys started in to get a good +supper ready the others went around taking a look +at the cabin in the snowy woods that was to be +their home for the next twelve days.</p> +<p>It had been strongly built to resist the cold, +though as a rule the owner did not come up here +after the leaves were off the forest trees. A stove +in one room could be used to keep it as warm as +toast when foot-long lengths of wood were fed +to its capacious maw. The fire in the big open +hearth served to heat the other room, and over +this the cooking was also done.</p> +<p>Several bunks gave promise of snug sleeping +quarters. As these would accommodate only four +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +it was evident that lots must be cast to see who +the lucky quartette would prove to be.</p> +<p>“To-morrow,” said Paul, when speaking of this +lack of accommodations, “one of the very first +things we do will be to fix other bunks, because +every scout should have a decent place for his bed. +There’s plenty of room in here to make a regular +scout dormitory of it.”</p> +<p>“Fine!” commented Tom Betts; “and those +of us who draw the short straws can manage +somehow with our blankets on the floor for one +night, I guess.”</p> +<p>“We’ve all slept soundly on harder beds than +that, let me tell you,” asserted Bobolink, “and +for one I decline to draw a straw. Me for the +soft side of a plank to-night, you hear.”</p> +<p>The other boys knew that Bobolink, in his generosity, +really had in mind Phil and one or two +more of the boys, not quite so accustomed to +roughing it as others of the campers.</p> +<p>That supper, eaten under such novel surroundings, +would long be remembered; for while these +boys were old hands at camping, up to now they +had never spent any time in the open while Jack +Frost had his stamp on all nature, and the earth +was covered with snow.</p> +<p>It was, all things considered, one of the greatest +evenings in their lives.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI_THE_FIRST_NIGHT_OUT' id='CHAPTER_XVI_THE_FIRST_NIGHT_OUT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>THE FIRST NIGHT OUT</h3> +</div> +<p>“Well, it’s started in to snow!”</p> +<p>Jud Elderkin made this surprising statement +after he had gone to the door to take a peep at +the weather.</p> +<p>“You must be fooling, Jud,” expostulated Tom, +“because when I looked out not more’n fifteen +minutes ago the moon was shining like everything.”</p> +<p>“All right, that may be, but she’s blanketed behind +the clouds right now, and the snow’s coming +down like fun,” asserted Jud.</p> +<p>“Seems that we didn’t get here any too soon, +then,” chuckled Bluff.</p> +<p>“Oh! a little snow wouldn’t have bothered us +any,” laughed Jack. “We’d never think of minding +a heavy fall at home, and why should we +worry now?”</p> +<p>“That’s a fact,” Bobolink went on to remark, +with a look of solid satisfaction on his beaming +face. “Plenty of wood under the shed near by, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +and enough grub to feed an army. We’re all +right.”</p> +<p>After several of them had gone to verify Jud’s +statement, and had brought back positive evidence +in the shape of snowballs, the boys again clustered +around the jolly fire and continued to talk on various +subjects that chanced to interest them.</p> +<p>“I wonder now,” remarked Bobolink, finally, +“if Hank took Mr. Briggs’ money as well as set +fire to his store.”</p> +<p>As this was the first mention that had been +made concerning this subject Tolly Tip showed +considerable interest.</p> +<p>“Is it the ould storekeeper in Stanhope ye +mane?” he asked. “Because I did me tradin’ with +the same the short time I was in town, and sorry +a bargain did I ever sacure from Misther Briggs.”</p> +<p>“Plenty of other people are in the same boat +with you there, Tolly Tip,” Sandy told him with +a chuckle. “But his run of good luck has met with +a snag. Somebody set fire to his store, which was +partly burned down the other night.”</p> +<p>“Yes, and the worst part of it,” added Bobolink, +“was that Mr. Briggs accidentally, or on purpose, +let his insurance policy lapse, so that he can +get no damages on account of this fire.”</p> +<p>“And the last thing we heard before coming +away,” Phil Towns went on to say, “was that the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +safe had been broken open and robbed. Poor +old Levi Briggs’ cup is full to overflowing I guess. +Everything seems to be coming his way in a +bunch.”</p> +<p>“I suspect that this Hank ye’re tillin’ me about +must be a wild harum-scarum broth av a boy +thin?” remarked the old woodsman, puffing at his +pipe contentedly.</p> +<p>“He is the toughest boy in town,” said Phil.</p> +<p>“And several others train with him who aim +to beat his record if they can,” Spider Sexton +hastened to add as his contribution.</p> +<p>“There’s absolutely nothing they wouldn’t try +if they thought they could get some fun or gain +out of it,” declared Jud emphatically.</p> +<p>“Do till!” exclaimed their host, shaking his +head dolefully as though he disliked knowing that +any boys could sink to such a low level.</p> +<p>“Why, only the other day,” said Bobolink, +“Jack and I saw the gang pick on a couple of +tramps who had just come out of Briggs’ store. +So far as we knew the hoboes hadn’t offered to +say a word to Hank and his crowd, but the fellows +ran them out of town with a shower of +stones. Didn’t they, Jack?”</p> +<p>“Yes. And we saw one tramp get a hard blow +on the head from a rock, in the bargain,” assented +Jack. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span></p> +<p>“Wow! but they were a mad pair, let me tell +you,” concluded Bobolink.</p> +<p>“By the same token,” observed Tolly Tip, “till +me av one of the tramps had on an ould blue army +coat wid rid linin’ to the same?”</p> +<p>Bobolink uttered an exclamation of surprise.</p> +<p>“Just what he did, I give you my word!” he +replied hastily.</p> +<p>“And was the other chap a long-legged hobo, +wid a face that made ye think av the sharp idge +av a hatchet?” the old trapper questioned.</p> +<p>“I reckon you must have seen the pair yourself, +Tolly Tip!” observed Bobolink. “Were you +in Stanhope, or did they happen to pass this +way?”</p> +<p>At that the taker of furs touched his cheek +just below his eye with the tip of his finger, and +smiled humorously.</p> +<p>“’Tis the black eye they were afther giving me +early this day, sure it was,” he explained. “Not +two miles away from here it happened, where the +road cuts through the woods like a knife blade. +I’d been out to look at a few traps set in that section +whin I kim on the spalpeens. We had words, +and the shorter chap wid the army coat ran, but +the other engaged me. Before he cut stick he managed +to lave the imprission av his fists on me +face, bad luck to the same.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></p> +<p>“I guess after all, Jack,” remarked Bobolink, +“they must be a couple of hard cases, and Hank +did the town a service when he chased them off.”</p> +<p>“It would be the first time on record then that +the Lawson crowd was of any benefit to the community,” +Jack commented; “but accidents will +happen, you know. They didn’t mean to do a +good turn, only have what they call fun.”</p> +<p>“So the shorter rascal didn’t have any fight in +him, it seems, Tolly Tip?” Bobolink observed, as +though the subject interested him considerably.</p> +<p>“Oh! as for that,” replied the trapper, “mebbe +he do be afther thinkin’ discretion was the better +part av valor. Ye say, he had one av his hands +wrapped up in a rag, and I suspect he must have +been hurt.”</p> +<p>“That’s interesting, at any rate!” declared +Bobolink. “When we saw him he had the use +of both hands. Something must have happened +after that. I wonder what.”</p> +<p>“You’re the greatest fellow to <i>wonder</i> I ever +knew,” laughed Sandy Griggs.</p> +<p>“Bobolink likes to grapple with mysteries,” said +Jud, “and from now on he’ll keep bothering his +head about that tramp’s injured hand, wanting +to know whether he cut himself with a broken +bottle, or burned his fingers when cooking his +coffee in an old tomato can over the campfire.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span></p> +<p>“Let Bobolink alone, boys,” said Paul. “If he +chooses to amuse himself in that way what’s the +odds? Who knows but what he may surprise us +with a wonderful discovery some day.”</p> +<p>“Thank you, Paul,” the other remarked drily.</p> +<p>After that the subject was dropped. It did +not offer much of interest to the other scouts, but +Paul, glancing towards Bobolink several times, +could easily see that he was pondering over something.</p> +<p>After all, the snow did not last long. Before +they finally went to bed they found that the moon +had once more appeared through a rift in the +clouds, and not more than two inches of fresh +snow had covered the ground.</p> +<p>There was considerable skirmishing around +done when the boys commenced to make their final +preparations for spending the first night in their +winter camp. No one would think of taking Tolly +Tip’s bunk when he generously offered it, and so +straws were drawn for the remaining three, as +well as the cot upon which Mr. Garrity slept when +up at his Deer Head Lodge.</p> +<p>The fortunate ones turned out to be Paul, Bluff, +Frank and Bobolink, though the last mentioned +declared positively that he preferred sleeping on +the floor as a novelty, and insisted that Phil Towns +occupy his bunk. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span></p> +<p>They managed to make themselves comfortable +after a fashion, though the appearance of the +“dormitory” excited considerable laughter, with +the boys sprawled out in every direction.</p> +<p>All of the boys were up early, and they were +eager to take up the many plans they had laid out +for the day. Breakfast was the first thing on the +calendar; and while it was being prepared and +dispatched the tongues of that half score of boys +ran on like the water over the wheel of the old +mill, with a constant clatter.</p> +<p>There was no necessity for all of them to remain +at home to work on the new bunks, so Paul +picked out several to assist him in that work. The +others were at liberty to carry out such scout +activities as most appealed to their fancy. Some +planned to go off with the woodsman to see how +he managed with his steel traps, by means of +which, during the winter, he expected to lay by +quite a good-sized bundle of valuable fur. Then +there was wood to chop, pictures to be taken, +favorable places to be found for setting the camera +during a coming night so as to get a flashlight +view of a fox or a mink in the act of stealing the +bait, as well as numerous other pleasant duties and +diversions, all of which had been eagerly planned +for the preceding night as the boys sat before +the crackling fire.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII_TIPUPS_FOR_PICKEREL' id='CHAPTER_XVII_TIPUPS_FOR_PICKEREL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>“TIP-UPS” FOR PICKEREL</h3> +</div> +<p>Tom Betts came up from the frozen creek.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe that little snow ought to keep +us from trying the scheme we laid out between us, +Jack,” he said, looking entreatingly at the other.</p> +<p>“Why, no, there wasn’t enough to hurt the +skating,” replied the other, readily, much to +Tom’s evident satisfaction.</p> +<p>“Bully for you, Jack!” he exclaimed. “There +was more or less wind blowing at the time, and +the snow was pretty dry, so it blew off the ice. +We can easily make the lake in an hour I reckon, +with daylight to help us. Besides, we know the +way by this time, you see.”</p> +<p>“All right!” called out Frank, who had been +detailed to assist Paul in the making of the extra +bunks out of some spare boards that lay near by, +having been brought into the woods for some purpose, +though never used.</p> +<p>“Remember, you two fishermen,” warned Paul, +“we’ll all have our mouths set for pickerel to-night, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +so don’t dare disappoint us, or there will +be a riot in the camp.”</p> +<p>“We’ve just got to get those fish, Jack,” said +Tom, with mock solemnity, “even if we have to +go in ourselves after them. Our lives wouldn’t +be worth a pinch of salt in this crowd if they had +to go pickerelless to-night.”</p> +<p>“Oh! that’ll do! Be off with you!” roared Jud +Elderkin, making out to throw a frying-pan at +Tom’s head.</p> +<p>When at the lake talking to the man who had +agreed to look after their iceboats during their +absence, the boys had learned that there was fine +fishing through the ice to be had at this season +of the year.</p> +<p>Abe Turner had also informed them that +should they care to indulge in the sport at any +time, and should skate down to his cabin, he would +show them just how it was done. What was more +to the point, he had a store of live minnows in a +spring-hole that never froze up, even in the hardest +winter, he had been told.</p> +<p>This then was the object that drew the two +scouts, both of them exceedingly fond of fishing +in every way. None of the boys had ever fished +through the ice, it happened, though they knew +how it was done.</p> +<p>Accordingly, Tom and Jack set off down the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +creek, their skate runners sending back that clear +ringing sound that is music in the ears of every +lad who loves the outdoor sports of winter.</p> +<p>Jack carried his gun along. Not that he had +any particular intention of hunting, for others +had taken that upon themselves as a part of the +day’s routine, but then a deer might happen to +cross their path, and such a chance if it came would +be too good to lose.</p> +<p>“You see,” commented Tom, after a mile or +so had been placed to their credit, “the snow isn’t +going to bother us the least bit. And I never +enjoyed skating any better than right now.”</p> +<p>“Same here,” Jack told him. “And we certainly +couldn’t find ourselves surrounded by a prettier +scene, with every twig covered with snow.”</p> +<p>“Listen!”</p> +<p>Both of them stopped when Tom called in this +fashion, and strained their ears to catch a repetition +of the sound Tom had heard.</p> +<p>“Oh! that’s only a fox barking,” said Jack. +“I’ve heard them do it many a time. You know +they belong to the dog family, just as the wolf +and jackal and hyena do. Tolly Tip has a couple +of fox pelts already, and he says they are very +numerous this year. Come on, let’s be moving +again.”</p> +<p>So they pursued their winding way down the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +straggling creek, first turning to the right and +then to the left.</p> +<p>“It’s been just an hour since we left camp,” +remarked Jack at length, “and there you can catch +a glimpse of the lake through the trees yonder.”</p> +<p>Abe Turner was surprised as well as pleased +to find two of the boys at his door that morning.</p> +<p>“Didn’t expect us back so soon, did you, Abe?” +laughed Tom. “But in laying out the plans for +to-day we found that some of the boys were fish +hungry, so we decided to run down and take you +up on your proposition.”</p> +<p>“Nothing would please me better,” Abe told +them. “And it is about as good a day for ice +fishing as anybody’d want to set eyes on. I’ll go +right away and get my lines. Then we’ll pick up +a pail, and put some of my minnows in it.”</p> +<p>Before long they were out upon the ice of Lake +Tokala, Tom carrying an axe, Jack the various +lines and “tip-ups” that were to signal when a +fish had been hooked, and Abe with the live bait +in a tin bucket.</p> +<p>The day was not a bitterly cold one, and this +promised to make fishing agreeable work.</p> +<p>“On the big lakes where they do a heap of this +kind of work,” explained their guide as they went +toward Cedar Island, “the men build little shanties +out on the ice, where they can keep fairly warm. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span> +You see sometimes the weather is terribly cold. +But a day like this makes it a pleasure to be out.”</p> +<p>Coming to a place where Abe knew from previous +experience that a good haul could be made, +the first hole was cut in the ice. As winter was +still young this did not prove to be a hard task.</p> +<p>Abe had marked a dozen places where these +holes were to be chopped, but the boys chose to +watch him set his first line. After the novelty had +worn off they would be ready to take a hand themselves.</p> +<p>There are many sorts of “tip-ups” used in this +species of sport, but Abe’s kind answered all purposes +and was very simple, being possibly the +original “tip-up.”</p> +<p>He would take a branch that had a certain kind +of fork as thick around as his little finger. In +cutting this he left two short “feet” and one long +one. To Tom’s mind it looked something like an +old-fashioned cannon, with the line securely tied +to the short projecting muzzle.</p> +<p>When the fish took hold this point was pulled +down, with the result that the longer “tail” shot +up into the air, the outstretched legs preventing +the fork from being drawn into the hole.</p> +<p>At the end of the long “tail” Abe had fastened +a small piece of red flannel. When a dozen lines +were out it often kept a man busy running this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +way and that to attend to the numerous calls as +signaled by the upraised red flags.</p> +<p>“Now that we know just how it’s done,” said +Tom, after they had seen the bait fastened to the +hook and dropped into the lake, “we’ll get busy +cutting all those other holes. My turn next, Jack, +you remember. Watch my smoke.”</p> +<p>They had hardly finished the second hole before +they heard Abe laughing, and glancing toward +him discovered that he was holding up a two-pound, +struggling pickerel.</p> +<p>“First blood for Abe!” cried Tom. “But if +they keep on biting it’ll be our chance soon, Jack. +My stars! but that is a beaut, though. A dozen +like that would make the boys stare, I tell you.”</p> +<p>When Abe had arranged four lines he would +not hear of the boys cutting any more holes.</p> +<p>“I’ll dig out a couple to make an even half +dozen,” he told them. “And the way the pike are +biting to-day I reckon we’ll get a good mess.”</p> +<p>“All right, then,” agreed Tom, much relieved, +for he wanted to be pulling in the fish rather than +doing the drudgery. “I’ll look after these two +holes, Jack, and you skirmish around the others. +And by jinks! if I haven’t got one right now!”</p> +<p>“The same here,” shouted the equally excited +Jack. “Whew! how he does pull though! Must +be a whopper this time. I hope I don’t lose him!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span></p> +<p>Fortune favored the ice fishermen, for both captives +were saved, and they proved to be even +larger than the first one taken.</p> +<p>So the fun went on. At times it slackened more +or less, only to begin again with new momentum. +The pile of fish on the ice, rapidly freezing, once +they were exposed to the air, increased until at +noon they had all they could think of carrying +home.</p> +<p>“The rest of the day we’ll take things easy, and +lay in a stock for Abe here,” suggested Tom; for +the guide had told them he meant to cure as many +of the fish as he could secure, since later on in the +winter they would be much more difficult to catch, +and it would be a long time until April came with +its break-up of the ice.</p> +<p>The boys certainly enjoyed every minute of +their stay at the lake. Jack was wise enough to +know that they had better start for camp about +three o’clock. It might not be quite so easy going +back, as they would be tired, and the wind was +against them.</p> +<p>They had skated for over half an hour, with +their heavy packs on their backs, when again Tom +called to his comrade to listen.</p> +<p>“And believe me it wasn’t a fox that time, +Jack!” he declared, “but, as sure as you live, it +sounded like somebody calling weakly for help!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_HELPING_HAND_OF_A_SCOUT' id='CHAPTER_XVIII_THE_HELPING_HAND_OF_A_SCOUT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>THE HELPING HAND OF A SCOUT</h3> +</div> +<p>When Jack, listening, caught the same sound, +he turned upon his companion with a serious expression +on his face.</p> +<p>“Let’s kick off our skates and hang our packs +up in the crotch of this tree, Tom,” he said.</p> +<p>“Then you expect to investigate, and find out +what it means, do you?”</p> +<p>“We’d feel pretty mean if we went on our way +like the Levite in the old story of the Good Samaritan,” +remarked Jack, busily disengaging his +bundle of fish which Abe had done up in a piece +of old bagging.</p> +<p>“I’m the last one to do such a thing,” asserted +Tom, “only I chanced to remember that there are +some tough boys up here somewhere—Hank and +his crowd—and I was wondering if this could be +a trick to get us to put our fingers in a trap.”</p> +<p>Jack chuckled, and held up his gun.</p> +<p>“We ought to be able to take care of ourselves +with this,” he told his chum. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></p> +<p>“Right you are, Jack! So let’s be on the +jump. There! that sounded like a big groan, +didn’t it? Somebody’s in a peck of trouble. +Maybe a wood-chopper has had a tree fall on him +or cut his foot with his axe, and is bleeding badly.”</p> +<p>“Just what I had in mind,” remarked the other, +as they started into the shrubbery.</p> +<p>The groans continued; therefore, the two scouts +had no difficulty in going directly to the spot. In +a few minutes Tom clutched his chum’s sleeve and +pointed directly ahead.</p> +<p>“Ginger! it looks like Sim Jeffreys,” he whispered.</p> +<p>“No other,” added Jack.</p> +<p>“But what’s the matter with the fellow?” continued +Tom. “See how he keeps tugging away at +his right leg. I bet you he’s gone and got it caught +in a root, and can’t work it free. I’ve been through +just such an experience.”</p> +<p>“We’ll soon find out,” remarked Jack, pushing +forward.</p> +<p>“Be mighty careful, Jack,” urged the other, not +yet wholly convinced that the groans were really +genuine, for he knew how tricky Sim Jeffreys had +always been.</p> +<p>By this time the other had become aware of +their presence. He turned an agonized face toward +them, upon which broke a gleam of wild +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +hope. If Sim Jeffreys were playing a part then, +Jack thought, he must be a clever actor.</p> +<p>“Oh, say! ain’t I glad to see you boys,” he +called, holding both his hands out toward them. +“Come, help me get free from this pesky old trap +here!”</p> +<p>“Trap!” echoed Tom. “Just what do you mean +by that, Sim?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t tryin’ to fool you, boys. Sure I ain’t!” +exclaimed the other, anxiously. “Seems to me like +an old bear trap, though I never saw one before. +I was out with my gun, lookin’ for partridges, +when all of a sudden it jumped up and grabbed +me right by the leg.”</p> +<p>Neither of the boys could believe this strange +story until they had taken a look. Then they saw +that it was just as Sim had declared. The trap was +old and very rusty. Jack saw that it had lost +much of its former fierce grip, which was lucky +for poor Sim, for otherwise he might have had +his leg badly injured.</p> +<p>Still the jaws retained enough force to hold +the boy securely; though had Sim retained his +presence of mind, instead of tugging wildly to +break away, he might have found it possible to +bear down on the weakened springs and set himself +free.</p> +<p>Tom and Jack quickly did this service for the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +other, who was profuse in his expressions of gratitude, +though neither of the scouts believed in his +sincerity, for Sim had a reputation for being slippery +and double-faced.</p> +<p>“Why, I might have frozen to death here to-night,” +he told them. “Even if I had lived till +to-morrow I’d have starved sure. The bears +would have got me too, or the wildcats.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you call when you first got caught?” +asked Tom.</p> +<p>“I should say I did, till I could hardly whisper, +but nobody seemed to hear me shout,” came the +reply, as Sim rubbed his swollen and painful leg. +“Guess I’ll have to limp all the way back to the +hole in the rocks where the rest of the boys are +campin’.”</p> +<p>“How far away from here is it?” asked Jack, +wondering whether they ought to do anything +more for Sim or let him shift for himself.</p> +<p>“Oh, a mile and more, due west,” the boy told +them. “Where that hill starts up, see? We +haven’t got much grub along with us, b’cause, you +see, we depended on shooting heaps of game. +But so far I’ve knocked down only one bird.”</p> +<p>“Do you think you can make it, Sim?” persisted +Jack.</p> +<p>The fellow limped around a little before replying. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span></p> +<p>“I reckon I kin. Though I’ll be pretty sore to-morrow +like as not, after this silly thing grabbin’ +me the way it did. I know my way home, boys, +never fear, and I’ll turn up there sooner or later. +Much obliged for your help.”</p> +<p>With that Sim started off as though eager to +get his hard work over with. And as there was +nothing more to be done, the two chums returned +to the creek, shouldered their heavy packs after +resuming their skates, and went on their way.</p> +<p>It was just about dusk when they made the cabin +on the bank of Snake Creek; and as the others +discovered their burdens a shout of joy went up.</p> +<p>“The country’s safe,” said Jud, “since you’ve +brought home a stack of fine pickerel. Let’s see +what they look like, fellows.”</p> +<p>At sight of the big fish the boys were loud in +their congratulations.</p> +<p>“Wouldn’t mind having a try at that fun myself +one of these days,” asserted Jud, enviously. “Paul, +jot it down that I’m to be your side partner when +you take a notion to go down to the lake.”</p> +<p>“Some of you get busy here fixing the fish, if +we mean to have them to-night,” remarked Jack, +who was too tired to think of doing it himself.</p> +<p>“Too late for that this evening. We’ve got +supper all ready for you. The fish will have to +keep till to-morrow,” announced Bobolink. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span></p> +<p>“What’s this I smell in the air?” demanded +Tom. “Don’t tell me you’ve bagged a deer +already?”</p> +<p>“Just what we have!” said Bobolink, his eyes +glistening so, that it required little effort to decide +who the lucky hunter was.</p> +<p>“Why, he wasn’t away from camp an hour,” +asserted Phil Towns, “when we heard him whooping, +and in he came with a young buck on his +back. I never thought Bobolink was strong +enough to tote that load a mile and more.”</p> +<p>“Huh! I’d have carried in an elephant if it had +dropped to my gun, I felt that good!” declared +the happy hunter.</p> +<p>“But all the adventures haven’t fallen to you +fellows who stayed here in camp or wandered +about in the adjacent woods,” announced Tom, +mysteriously.</p> +<p>“What else have you been doing besides catching +that dandy mess of fish?” asked the scout-master, +voicing the curiosity of the entire crowd.</p> +<p>“Say! did you shoot some game, too—a deer, +a wildcat, or maybe a big black bear?” demanded +Bobolink, eagerly.</p> +<p>“No, the gun was never fired,” continued Tom. +“But we’ve got a right to turn our badges over +for this day, because we performed a Good Samaritan +act.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span></p> +<p>“Go on and tell us about it!” urged Sandy +Griggs.</p> +<p>“We heard groans, and weak calls for help,” +said Tom, unable to keep back his news any +longer, though he would have liked very much to +continue tantalizing the others, “and after we had +kicked off our skates and hung our packs in a tree, +we went over into the woods and found––”</p> +<p>“What?” roared several of the curious scouts +in unison.</p> +<p>“Who but our fellow townsman, Sim Jeffreys, +whining and groaning to beat the band,” continued +the narrator. “It seems that he had got caught +in a trap, and expected to be frozen to death to-night, +or starve there to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“A trap, did ye say?” asked Tolly Tip. And +Paul noticed a sudden look of enlightenment come +into his face.</p> +<p>“Tell us what sort of a trap, Tom?” urged +Bobolink.</p> +<p>“A regular bear trap!” replied the one addressed.</p> +<p>“Oh, come now! you’re trying to play some sort +of trick on us, fellows,” cried Spider Sexton. +“How ever would a real bear trap come there?”</p> +<p>“Ask Tolly Tip,” suggested Paul.</p> +<p>“That’s right, lads, I know all about that trap,” +admitted the old woodsman, as he grinned at +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +them. “I had an ole bear trap that had lost its +grip and wasn’t wuth much. I sot the same in the +woods, but nothin’ iver kim nigh it, and so I jest +forgets all about the same. But bless me sowl I +niver dramed it’d be afther grippin’ a lad by the +leg. All he had to do was to push down on the +springs, and he’d been loose.”</p> +<p>“I could see that plainly enough,” admitted +Jack. “The trouble was Sim fell into a panic as +soon as he found himself caught, and all he could +do was to squirm and pull and shout and groan. +It shows the foolishness of letting a thing scare +you out of your seven senses.”</p> +<p>“But do you mean to say there are real, live +bears around here, Tolly Tip?” demanded Bobolink, +his eyes nearly round with excitement.</p> +<p>“There’s one rogue av a bear that I’ve tried to +git for this two year, but by the same token he’s +been too smart for the likes av me.”</p> +<p>“That interests me a whole lot,” remarked +Paul; “and I mean to devote much of my spare +time to trying to shoot that same bear with my +camera in order to get a flashlight picture of him +in his native haunts!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_OF_BIG_GAME' id='CHAPTER_XIX_NEWS_OF_BIG_GAME'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>NEWS OF BIG GAME</h3> +</div> +<p>“Faith and would ye mind tillin’ me how that +same might be done?” asked Tolly Tip, showing +considerable interest. “I niver knowed that ye +could shoot a bear with a shmall contraption like +that black box.”</p> +<p>Some of the boys snickered, but Paul frowned +on them.</p> +<p>“When we speak that way,” he went on to explain, +“we mean getting an object in the proper +focus, and then clicking the trigger of the camera. +We are really just taking a picture.”</p> +<p>“Oh! now I say what ye mane,” admitted the +woodsman; “but I niver owned a camera in all +me life, so I’m what ye’d call grane at it. Sure +’tis a harmless way av shootin’ anything I should +say.”</p> +<p>“But it gives a fellow just as much pleasure to +get a cracking good picture of a wild animal at +home as it does a hunter to kill,” Phil Towns +hastened to remark. Tolly Tip, however, shook +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +his head in the negative, as though to declare that +for the life of him he could not see it that way.</p> +<p>“If you can show me a place that the black bear +is using,” Paul continued, “I’ll fix my camera in +such a way that when Bruin pulls at a bait attached +to a cord he’ll ignite the flashlight cartridge, +and take his own photograph.”</p> +<p>At that the woodsman laughed aloud, so novel +did the scheme strike him.</p> +<p>“I’ll do that same and without delay, me lad,” +he declared. “I’ve got a notion this very minute +that I know where I might find my bear; and +after nightfall I’ll bait the ground wid some ould +combs av wild honey.”</p> +<p>“Wild honey did you say?” asked Jud, licking +his lips in anticipation, for if there was one thing +to eat in all the wide world Jud liked better than +another it was the sweets from the hive.</p> +<p>“Och! ’tis mesilf that has stacks av the same +laid away, and I promise ye all ye kin eat while ye +stay here,” the woodsman told them, at which Jud +executed a pigeon-wing to express his satisfaction.</p> +<p>“And did you gather it yourself around here, +Tolly Tip?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Nawthin’ else,” acknowledged the old trapper. +“Ye say, whin Mister Garrity do be staying down +in town it’s small work I have to do; and to locate +a bee tree is a rale pleasure. Some time I’ll till +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +ye how we go about the thrick. Av course there’s +no use tryin’ it afther winter sets in, for the bees +stick in the hive.”</p> +<p>“And bears just dote on honey, do they, the +same as Jud here does?” asked Frank.</p> +<p>“A bear kin smell honey a mile away,” the +woodsman declared. “In fact, the very last time +I glimpsed the ould varmint we’ve been spakin’ +about ’twas at the bee tree I’d chopped down. I +wint home to sacure some pails, and whin I got +back to the spot there the ould beast was a lickin’ +up the stuff in big gobs. Sure I could have shot +him aisy enough, but I had made up me mind to +take him in a trap or not at all, so I lit him go.”</p> +<p>“So he got his share of the honey, did he?” +asked Jud.</p> +<p>“Oh! I lift him all I didn’t want, and set a trap +to nab him, but by me word he was too smart for +Tolly Tip.”</p> +<p>“Then I hope you salt the ground to-night,” +remarked Paul, “and that I can set my camera +to-morrow evening and see what comes of it.”</p> +<p>It was not long before they were sitting down +to the first real game supper of the excursion. +Everybody spoke of it as “Bobolink’s venison +treat,” and that individual’s boyish heart swelled +with pride from time to time until Spider Sexton +called out: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span></p> +<p>“Next thing you know we’ll have a real tragedy +hereabouts.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” demanded Phil Towns.</p> +<p>“Why,” explained Spider, “Bobolink keeps on +swelling out his chest like a pouter pigeon every +time somebody happens to mention his deer, and +I’m afraid he’ll burst with vanity soon.”</p> +<p>“And when the day’s doings are written up,” +Bluff put in, “be sure and put in that another of +our gallant band came within an ace of being terribly +bitten by a savage wild beast.”</p> +<p>“Please explain what it’s all about,” begged +Tom. “You see Jack and I were away pretty +much all day. You and Sandy went off with Tolly +Tip, didn’t you, to see how he managed his traps? +Was it then the terrible thing happened?”</p> +<p>“It was,” said Bluff, with a chuckle. “You see +Tolly Tip kept on explaining everything as we +went from trap to trap, and both of us learned +heaps this morning. Finally, we came to the +marsh and there a muskrat trap held a big, ferocious +animal by the hind leg.”</p> +<p>“You see,” Sandy broke in, as though anxious +to show off his knowledge of the art of trapping, +“as a rule the rat is drowned, which saves the skin +from being mangled. But this one stayed up on +the bank instead of jumping off when caught in +the trap. Now go on, Bluff.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span></p> +<p>“Sandy accidentally got a mite too close to the +beast,” continued the other. “First thing I knew I +heard a snarl, and then Sandy jumped back, with +the teeth of the muskrat clinging to the elbow of +his coat sleeve. An inch further and our chum’d +have been badly bitten. It was a mighty narrow +escape, let me tell you.”</p> +<p>“Another thing that would interest you, Paul,” +Bluff went on to say, “was the beaver house we +saw in the pond the animals had made when they +built a dam across the creek, a mile above here.”</p> +<p>“Beavers around this section too!” exclaimed +Jud, as though it almost took his breath away.</p> +<p>“Only wan little colony,” explained Tolly Tip.</p> +<p>“I’d give something to get a picture of real, +live beavers, at their work,” Paul remarked.</p> +<p>“Thin ye’ll have till come up this way nixt +spring time, whin they do be friskin’ around like +young lambs,” the woodsman told him. “Jist now +they do be snug in their winter quarters, and ye’ll +not see a speck av thim. If it’s the house ye want +to take a picture av, the chance is yours any day +ye see fit.”</p> +<p>After supper was over Jack and Tom took a +look at the new bunks.</p> +<p>“A bully job, fellows!” declared the latter, +“and one that does you credit. Why, every one +of us is now fitted with a coffin. And I see we can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +sleep without danger of rolling out, since you’ve +fixed a slat across the front of each bunk.”</p> +<p>“Taken as a whole,” Frank announced, “I think +the scouts have done pretty well for their first day +at Camp Garrity. Don’t you, fellows? Plenty of +fish and venison in the locker, all these bunks built, +lots of valuable information picked up, and last +but not least, coals of fire poured on the head of +the enemy.”</p> +<p>They sat around again and talked as the evening +advanced, for there was an endless list of +interesting things to be considered. Later Paul +accompanied the old woodsman on his walk +to the place where he believed the bear would pass. +Here they set out the honey comb that had been +carried along, to serve as an attractive bait.</p> +<p>“Ye understand,” explained Tolly Tip, as they +wended their way homeward again in the silvery +moonlight that made the scene look like fairyland, +“that once the ould rascal finds a trate like +that he’ll come a sniffin’ around ivery night for a +week av Sundays, hopin’ fortune wull be kind till +him ag’in.”</p> +<p>As the boys were very tired after such a strenuous +day, they did not sit up very late.</p> +<p>Every lad slept soundly on this, the second night +in camp. In fact, most of them knew not a single +thing five minutes after they lay down until the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +odor of coffee brought them to their senses to find +that it was broad daylight, and that breakfast was +well under way.</p> +<p>Paul and Jud left the camp immediately after +breakfast intending to go to the place where +the honey comb had been left as bait. Tolly Tip, +before they went, explained further.</p> +<p>“Most times, ye say, bears go into their winter +quarters with the first hard cold spell, and hibernate +till spring comes. This s’ason it has been so +queer I don’t know but what the bear is still at +large, because I saw his tracks just the day before +ye arrived in camp.”</p> +<p>When the pair came back the others met them +with eager questions.</p> +<p>“How about it, Paul?”</p> +<p>“Any chance of getting that flashlight?”</p> +<p>“Did you find the honey gone?”</p> +<p>“See any tracks around?”</p> +<p>Paul held up his hand.</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you everything in a jiffy, fellows, if +you give me half a chance,” he said. “Yes, we +found that the honeycomb had been carried off; +and there in the snow were some pretty big tracks +left by Bruin, the bear!”</p> +<p>“Good!” exclaimed Frank Savage, “then he’ll +be back to-night. It’s already settled that you’ll +coax him to snap off his own picture.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX_AT_THE_BEAVER_POND' id='CHAPTER_XX_AT_THE_BEAVER_POND'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>AT THE BEAVER POND</h3> +</div> +<p>The second day in camp promised to be very +nearly as full of action as that lively first one had +been. Every scout had half a dozen things he +wanted to do; so, acting on the advice of Paul, +each made out a list, and thus followed a regular +programme.</p> +<p>Jud, having learned that there were partridges +about, set off with his shotgun to see if he could +bag a few of the plump birds.</p> +<p>“Don’t forget there are ten of us here, Jud!” +called Spider Sexton, “and that each one of us +can get away with a bird.”</p> +<p>“Have a heart, can’t you?” remonstrated the +Nimrod, laughingly. “Cut it down to half all +around, and I might try to oblige you. Think of +me, staggering along under such a load of game +as that. Guess you never hefted a fat partridge, +Spider.”</p> +<p>“I admit that I never <i>ate</i> one, if that suits you, +Jud,” replied the other, frankly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span></p> +<p>Paul on his part had told Tolly Tip he would +like to accompany him on his round of the traps +on that particular morning.</p> +<p>“Of course, I’ve got an object in view when I +say that,” he explained. “It is to take a look at +the beaver house you’ve been telling me about. I +want to take my camera along, and snap off a few +views of it. That will be better than nothing +when we tell the story.”</p> +<p>“Count me in on that trip, Paul,” said Spider +Sexton. “I always did want to see a regular +beaver colony, and learn how they make the dam +where their houses are built. I hope you don’t +object to my joining you?”</p> +<p>“Not a bit. Only too glad to have you for +company, Spider,” answered the scout-master. +“Only both of us are under Tolly Tip’s orders, +you understand. He has his rules when visiting +the traps, which we mustn’t break, as that might +ruin his chances of taking more pelts.”</p> +<p>“How can that be, Paul?” demanded the other.</p> +<p>“Oh! you’ll understand better as you go along,” +called out Bluff, who was close by and heard this +talk. “Sandy Griggs and I learned a heap yesterday +while helping him gather his harvest of +skins. And for one, I’ll never forget what he +explained to me, it was all so interesting.”</p> +<p>“The main thing is this,” Paul went on to say, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +in order to relieve Spider’s intense curiosity to +some extent. “You must know all these wild animals +are gifted with a marvelous sense of smell, +and can readily detect the fact that a human being +has been near their haunts.”</p> +<p>“Why, I never thought about that before, +Paul,” admitted Spider; “but I can see how it +must be so. I’ve hunted with a good setter, and +know what a dog’s scent is.”</p> +<p>“Well, a mink or an otter or a fox is gifted +even more than the best dog you ever saw,” Paul +continued, “and on that account it’s always up to +the trapper to conceal the fact that a human being +has been around, because these animals seem to +know by instinct that man is their mortal enemy.”</p> +<p>“How does he do it then?” asked Spider.</p> +<p>“You’ll see by watching Tolly Tip,” the scout-master +told him. “Sometimes trappers set their +snares by means of a skiff, so as not to leave a +trace of their presence, for water carries no scent. +Then again they will wade to and from the place +where the trap is set.”</p> +<p>“But in the winter-time they couldn’t do that, +could they?” protested Spider.</p> +<p>“Of course not, and to overcome that obstacle +they sometimes use a scent that overpowers their +own, as well as serves to draw the animal to the +fatal trap.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span></p> +<p>“Oh! I remember now seeing some such thing +advertised in a sporting magazine as worth its +weight in gold to all trappers. And the more I +hear about this the stronger my desire grows to +see into it. Are we going to start soon, Paul?”</p> +<p>“There’s Tolly Tip almost ready to move along, +so get your gun, and I’ll look after my camera, +Spider.”</p> +<p>At the time they left Camp Garrity it presented +quite a bustling picture. There was Bobolink lustily +swinging the axe and cutting some wood close +by the shed where a winter’s supply of fuel had +been piled up. Tom Betts was busying himself +cleaning some of the fish taken on the preceding +day. Jack was hanging out all the blankets on +several lines for an airing, as they still smelled +of camphor to a disagreeable extent. Several others +were moving to and fro engaged in various +duties.</p> +<p>As the two scouts trotted along at the heels +of the old woodsman they found many things to +chat about, for there was no need of keeping silent +at this early stage of the hike. Later on when in +the vicinity of the trap line it would be necessary +to bridle their tongues, or at least to talk in whispers, +for the wary little animals would be apt to +shun a neighborhood where they heard the sound +of human voices. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span></p> +<p>“One reason I wanted to come out this morning,” +explained Paul, “was that there seems to +be a feeling in the air that spells storm to me. If +we had a heavy fall of snow the beaver house +might be hidden from view.”</p> +<p>“What’s that you say, Paul—a storm, when the +sun’s shining as bright as ever it could? Have +you had a wireless from Washington?” demanded +Spider, grinning.</p> +<p>“Oh! I seem to <i>feel</i> it in my bones,” laughed +Paul. “Always did affect me that way, somehow +or other. And nine times out of ten my barometer +tells me truly. How about that, Tolly Tip? Is +this fine weather apt to last much longer?”</p> +<p>The guide seemed to be amused at what they +were saying.</p> +<p>“Sure and I’m tickled to death to hear ye say +that same, Paul,” he replied. “By the powers I’m +blissed wid the same kind av a barometer in me +bones. Yis, and the signs do be tilling me that +inside of forty-eight hours, mebbe a deal less nor +that, we’re due for a screecher. It has been +savin’ up a long while now, and whin she breaks +loose—howly smoke, but we’ll git it!”</p> +<p>“Meaning a big storm, eh, Tolly Tip?” asked +Spider, looking a bit incredulous.</p> +<p>“Take me worrd for the same, lads,” the woodsman +told them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></p> +<p>“Well, if your prediction comes true,” said +Spider, “I must try to find out how to know what +sort of weather is coming. I often watch the predictions +of the Weather Bureau tacked up at the +post office, but lots of times it’s away off the track. +Bobolink was saying only this morning that he +expected we’d skip all the bad weather on this +trip.”</p> +<p>At mention of Bobolink’s name, the trapper +chuckled.</p> +<p>“’Tis a quare chap that same Bobolink sames +to be,” he observed. “He says such amusin’ things +at times. Only this same mornin’ do ye know he +asks me whether I could till him if that short +tramp’s hand had been hurted by a cut or a burrn. +Just as if that mattered to us at all, at all.”</p> +<p>Paul did not say anything, but his eyebrows went +up as though a sudden thought had struck him. +Whatever was in his mind he kept to himself.</p> +<p>When they arrived at the marsh where Tolly +Tip had several of his traps set he told his companions +what he wanted them to do. Under +certain conditions they could approach with him +and witness the process of taking out the victim, +if fortune had been kind to the trapper. Afterwards +they would see how he reset the trap, and +then backed away, removing every possible evidence +of his presence. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span></p> +<p>Both scouts were deeply interested, though +Spider rather pitied the poor rats they took from +the cruel jaws of the Newhouse traps, and inwardly +decided that after all he would never +like to be a gatherer of pelts.</p> +<p>Later on Tolly Tip led them to the frozen creek, +where they picked up a splendid mink and an +otter as well. Shrewd and sly though these little +wearers of fur coats were, they had not been able +to withstand the temptation of the bait the trapper +had placed in their haunts, with the result that +they paid the penalty of their greed with their +lives.</p> +<p>Finally the trio reached the pond where the +beaver lived. It was, of course, ice covered, but +the conical mound in the middle interested the boys +very much. Paul took several pictures of it, with +his two companions standing in the foreground, +as positive evidence that the scouts had been on +the spot.</p> +<p>They also examined the strong dam which the +cunning animals had constructed across the creek, +so as to hold a certain depth of water. When the +boys saw the girth of the trees the sharp teeth of +the beavers had cut into lengths in order to form +the dam, the scouts were amazed.</p> +<p>“I’d give a lot to see them at work,” declared +Paul. “If I get half a chance, Tolly Tip, I’m +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +going to come up here next spring if you’ll send +me word when they’re on the job. It would be +well worth the trip on horseback from Stanhope.”</p> +<p>Upon arriving at the camp toward noon the +boys and their guide found everything running +smoothly, and a great deal accomplished. Jud had +not come back as yet, but several times distant +shots had been heard, and the boys were indulging +in high hopes of what Jud would bring back.</p> +<p>“You musn’t forget though,” Paul warned these +optimists, “that we’re not the only pebbles on the +beach. There are others in these woods, some +of them with guns, and no mean hunters at that.”</p> +<p>“Meaning the Lawson crowd,” remarked Bobolink. +“Your statement is quite true, for I’ve seen +Hank do some mighty fine shooting in times past. +He likes nothing so much as to wander around +day after day in the fall, with a gun in his hands, +just as old Rip Van Winkle used to do.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” remarked Jack, drily, “a gun in hand +has served as an excuse for a <i>loaf</i> in more ways +than getting the family bread.”</p> +<p>“Hey!” cried Bluff, “there comes Jud right +now. And look what he’s got, will you?”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI_SETTING_THE_FLASHLIGHT_TRAP' id='CHAPTER_XXI_SETTING_THE_FLASHLIGHT_TRAP'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>SETTING THE FLASHLIGHT TRAP</h3> +</div> +<p>“Jud’s holding up one measly rabbit, as sure +as anything!” exclaimed Bobolink, with a vein +of scorn in his voice, as became the lord of the +hunt, who on the preceding day had actually +brought down a young buck, and thus provided the +camp with a feast for supper.</p> +<p>“We’d soon starve to death if we had to depend +on poor old Jud for our grub!” remarked +Tom Betts, with a sad shake of his head.</p> +<p>“All that waste of ammunition, and just a lone +rabbit to show for it! They say successful hunters +must be born, not made!” Sandy Griggs went +on to say.</p> +<p>Other sarcastic remarks went the rounds, while +Jud just stood meekly, seeming to be very much +downcast.</p> +<p>“Are you all through?” he finally asked, looking +up with a grin. “Because before you condemn +me entirely as a poor stick of a hunter I want to +ask Bobolink here, and Spider Sexton to walk +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +over to that low oak tree you can see back yonder, +and fetch in what they find in the fork. I caved +on the home stretch and dropped my load there.”</p> +<p>“Good for you, Jud!” exclaimed Paul. “I suspected +something of the kind when I saw the soiled +condition of the game pockets in your hunting-coat, +and noticed that a partridge feather was +sticking to your hair. Skip along, you two, and +make amends for joshing Jud so.”</p> +<p>Of course Bobolink and Spider fairly ran, and +soon came back carrying seven plump partridges +between them, at sight of which a great cheer +arose. Like all fickle crowds, the boys now applauded +Jud just as strongly as they had previously +sought to poke fun at him.</p> +<p>“Oh! I don’t deserve much credit, boys,” he +told them. “These birds just tree after you scare +them up, and make easy shots. If they flew off +like bullets, as they do in some parts of the country, +that would be a bag worth boasting of. But +they’ll taste mighty fine, all the same, let me tell +you!”</p> +<p>During the afternoon the scouts found many +things to interest them. Tolly Tip, of course, had +to take care of the pelts he had secured that day, +and his manner of doing this interested some of +the boys considerably.</p> +<p>He had a great many thin boards of peculiar +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +pattern to which the skins were to be attached +after stretching, so that they would dry in this +shape.</p> +<p>“Most skins ye notice are cut open an’ cured +that way,” the old woodsman explained to his +audience, as he worked deftly with his knife; “but +some kinds are cased, bein’ taken off whole, and +turned inside out to dry.”</p> +<p>“I suppose you lay them near the fire, or out +in the sun, to cure,” remarked Tom Betts. “I +know that’s the way the Indians dry the pemmican +that they use in the winter for food.”</p> +<p>“Pelts are niver cured that way,” explained the +trapper, “because it’d make thim shrink. We +kape the stretcher boards wid the skins out in the +open air, but in the shade where the sun don’t +come. Whin they git to a certain stage it’s proper +to stack the same away in the cabin, kapin’ a wary +eye on ’em right along to prevint mould.”</p> +<p>All such things proved of considerable interest +to the scouts, most of whom had very little practical +knowledge along these lines. They were +eager to pick up useful information wherever it +could be found, and on that account asked numerous +questions, all of which Tolly Tip seemed delighted +to answer.</p> +<p>So another nightfall found them, with everything +moving along nicely. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p> +<p>“Guess your old barometer didn’t hit it far +wrong after all, Paul,” remarked Sandy Griggs, +about the time supper was nearly ready, and the +boys were going in and out of the cabin on different +errands.</p> +<p>“It has clouded up to be sure,” said the scout-master, +“and may snow at any time, though I hope +it will hold off until to-morrow. I mean to set my +camera trap to-night, you remember, with another +comb of wild bee honey for a bear lure.”</p> +<p>“I heard Tolly Tip saying a bit ago,” continued +Sandy, “that he didn’t believe the storm would +reach us for twelve hours or more. That would +give you plenty of time to get your chance with +old Bruin, who loves honey so.”</p> +<p>“Jud’s promised to go out with me and help +set the trap,” Paul remarked. “You know it’s a +walk of nearly a mile to the place, and these +snowy woods are pretty lonely after the dark sets +in.”</p> +<p>“If Jud backs out because he’s tired from his +tramp this morning, Paul, call on me, will you?”</p> +<p>“Bobolink said the same thing,” laughed the +scout-master, “so I’m sure not to be left in the +lurch. No need of more than one going with me +though, and I guess I can count on Jud. It’s hard +to tire him.”</p> +<p>“Wow! but those birds do smell good!” exclaimed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +Sandy, as he sniffed the air. “And that +oven of Tolly Tip’s, in which he says he often +bakes bread, seems to do the work all right. +Looks to me like one of the kind you get with a +blue flame kerosene stove.”</p> +<p>“Just what it is,” Paul told him. “But it works +splendidly on a red coal fire, too. We’re going +to try some baking-powder biscuits to-morrow, +Bobolink says. He’s tickled over finding the oven +here.”</p> +<p>The partridges were done to a turn, and never +had those hungry boys sat down to a better feast +than several of their number had prepared for +them that night. The old woodsman complimented +Bobolink, who was the chief cook.</p> +<p>“I ralely thought I could cook,” Tolly Tip said, +“but ’tis mesilf as takes a back sate whin such a +connysure is around. And biscuits is it ye mane to +thry in the mornin’? I’ll make it a pint to hang +around long enough to take lissons, for I confiss +that up till now I niver did have much success with +thim things.”</p> +<p>Again some of the scouts had to warn Bobolink +that he was in jeopardy of his life if he allowed +his chest to swell up, as it seemed to be +doing under such compliments.</p> +<p>After that wonderful supper had been disposed +of, Paul busied himself with his camera, for he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +had several things to fix before it would be ready +to serve as a trap to catch the picture of Bruin in +the act of stealing the honey bait.</p> +<p>Jud fondled his shotgun, having thoughtfully +replaced the bird shells with a couple of shells +containing buckshot that he had brought along in +the hope of getting a deer.</p> +<p>“No telling what we may run across when +trapsing through the woods with a lantern after +nightfall,” he explained to Phil Towns, who was +watching his operation with mild interest, not being +a hunter himself.</p> +<p>“What would you do if you came face to face +with the bear, or perhaps a panther?” asked Phil. +“Tolly Tip said he saw one of the big cats last +winter.”</p> +<p>“Well, now, that’s hardly a fair question,” +laughed Jud. “I’m too modest a fellow to go +around blowing my own horn; but the chances are +I wouldn’t <i>run</i>. And if both barrels of my gun +went off the plagued beast might stand in the way +of getting hurt. Figure that out if you can, Phil.”</p> +<p>After a little while Paul arose to his feet and +proceeded to light the lantern they had provided +for the outing.</p> +<p>“I’m ready if you are, Jud,” he remarked, and +shortly afterwards the two left the cabin, Tolly +Tip once more repeating the plain directions, so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +that there need be no fear that the boys would +get lost in the snowy woods.</p> +<p>Paul was too wise a woodsman to be careless, +and he took Jud directly to the spot which the bear +had visited the preceding night.</p> +<p>“Don’t see anything of the creature around, +do you?” asked Jud, nervously handling his gun +as he spoke.</p> +<p>“Not a sign as yet,” replied Paul. “But the +chances are he’ll remember the treat he found here +last night, and come trotting along before many +hours. That’s what Tolly Tip told me, and he +ought to know.”</p> +<p>“Strikes me a bear is a pretty simple sort of an +animal after all,” chuckled Jud. “He must think +that honey rains down somehow, and never questions +but that he’ll find more where the first comb +lay. Tell me what to do, Paul, and I’ll be only +too glad to help you.”</p> +<p>The camera was presently fixed just where Paul +had decided on his previous visit would be the best +place. Long experience had taught the lad just +how to arrange it so that the animal of which he +wished to get a flashlight picture would be compelled +to approach along a certain avenue.</p> +<p>When it attempted to take the bait the cord +would be pulled, and the cartridge exploded, producing +the flash required to take the picture. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span></p> +<p>“There!” he said finally, after working for at +least fifteen minutes, “everything is arranged to +a dot, and we can start back home. If Mr. Bear +comes nosing around here to-night, and starts to +get that honeycomb, I reckon he’ll hand me over +something in return in the shape of a photograph.”</p> +<p>“Here’s hoping you’ll get the best picture ever, +Paul!” said Jud, earnestly, for he had been deeply +impressed with the clever manner in which the +photographer went about his duties.</p> +<p>They had gone almost a third of the way over +the back trail when a thrilling sound came to their +ears almost directly in the path they were following. +Both boys came to a sudden halt, and as +Jud started to raise his gun he exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Unless I miss my guess, Paul, that was one of +the bobcats Tolly Tip told us about.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII_WAYLAID_IN_THE_TIMBER' id='CHAPTER_XXII_WAYLAID_IN_THE_TIMBER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>WAYLAID IN THE TIMBER</h3> +</div> +<p>“Stand perfectly still, Jud,” cried Paul, hastily, +fearful that his impulsive companion might be +tempted to do something careless.</p> +<p>“But if he starts to jump at us I ought to try +to riddle him, Paul, don’t you think?” pleaded the +other, as he drew both hammers of his gun back.</p> +<p>Paul carried a camp hatchet, which he had +made use of to fashion the approach to the trap. +This he drew back menacingly, while gripping the +lantern in his left hand.</p> +<p>“Of course, you can, if it comes to a fight, Jud,” +he answered, “but the cat may not mean to attack +us after all. They’re most vicious when they have +young kits near by, and this isn’t the time of year +for that.”</p> +<p>“Huh! Tolly Tip told me there was an unusual +lot of these fellows around here this season, and +mighty bold at that,” Jud remarked, drily, as he +searched the vicinity for some sign of a creeping +form at which he could fire. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span></p> +<p>“Yes, I suppose the early coming of winter has +made them extra hungry,” admitted the scout-master; +“though there seems to be plenty of game +for them to catch in the way of rabbits, partridges +and gray squirrels.”</p> +<p>“Well, do we go on again, Paul, or are you +thinking of camping here for the rest of the +night?” demanded Jud, impatiently.</p> +<p>“Oh! we’ll keep moving toward the home +camp,” Jud was informed. “But watch out every +second of the time. That chap may be lying in +a crotch of a tree, meaning to drop down on us.”</p> +<p>A minute later, as they were moving slowly and +cautiously along, Jud gave utterance to a low hiss.</p> +<p>“I see the rascal, Paul!” he said excitedly.</p> +<p>“Wait a bit, Jud,” urged the other. “Don’t +shoot without being dead sure. A wounded bobcat +is nothing to be laughed at, and we may get +some beauty scratches before we can finish him. +Tell me where you’ve glimpsed the beast.”</p> +<p>“Look up to where I’m pointing with my gun, +Paul, and you can see two yellow balls shining like +phosphorus. Those are his eyes and if I aim right +between them I’m bound to finish him.”</p> +<p>Jud had hardly said this when there came a loud +hoot, and the sound of winnowing wings reached +them. At the same time the glowing, yellow spots +suddenly vanished. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p> +<p>“Wow! what do you think of that for a fake?” +growled Jud in disgust. “It was only an old owl +after all, staring down at us. But say, Paul! that +screech didn’t come from him let me tell you; +there’s a cat around here somewhere.”</p> +<p>As if to prove Jud spoke the truth there came +just then another vicious snarl.</p> +<p>“Holy smoke! Paul, did you hear that?” ejaculated +Jud, half turning. “Comes from behind us +now, and I really believe there must be a pair of +the creatures stalking us on the way home!”</p> +<p>“They usually hunt in couples,” affirmed Paul, +not showing any signs of alarm, though he clutched +the hatchet a little more firmly in his right hand, +and turned his head quickly from side to side, as +though desirous of covering all the territory possible.</p> +<p>“Would it pay us to move around in a half +circle, and let them keep the old path?” asked +Jud, who could stand for one wildcat, but drew the +line at a wholesale supply.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe it would make any difference,” +returned the scout-master. “If they’re bent on +giving us trouble any sign of weakness on our part +would only encourage them.”</p> +<p>“What shall we do then?”</p> +<p>“Move right along and pay attention to our +business,” replied Paul. “If we find that we’ve +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +got to fight, try to make sure of one cat when you +fire. The second rascal we may have to tackle +with hatchet and clubbed gun. Now walk ahead +of me, so the light won’t dazzle your eyes when I +swing the lantern.”</p> +<p>The two scouts moved along slowly, always on +the alert. Paul kept the light going back and +forth constantly, hoping that it might impress the +bold bobcats with a sense of caution. Most wild +animals are afraid of fire, and as a rule there is no +better protection for the pedestrian when passing +through the lonely woods than to have a blazing +torch in his hand, with lusty lungs to shout occasionally.</p> +<p>“Hold on!” exclaimed Jud, after a short time +had elapsed.</p> +<p>“What do you see now, another owl?” asked +Paul, trying to make light of the situation, though +truth to tell he felt a bit nervous.</p> +<p>“This isn’t any old owl, Paul,” asserted the boy +with the gun. “Besides the glaring eyes, I can see +his body on that limb we must pass under. Look +yourself and tell me if that isn’t his tail twitching +back and forth?”</p> +<p>“Just what it is, Jud. I’ve seen our tabby cat +do that when crouching to spring on a sparrow. +The beast is ready to jump as soon as we come +within range. Are you covering him, Jud?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span></p> +<p>“Dead center. Trust me to damage his hide +for him. Shall I shoot?”</p> +<p>“Use only one barrel, mind, Jud. You may +need the other later on. Now, if you’re all ready, +let go!”</p> +<p>There was a loud bang as Jud pulled the trigger. +Mingled with the report was a shrill scream of +agony. Then something came flying through the +air from an entirely different quarter.</p> +<p>“Look out! The second cat!” yelled Paul, striking +savagely with his hatchet, which struck against +a flying body, and hurled it backward in a heap.</p> +<p>The furious wildcat instantly recovered, and +again assailed the two boys standing on the defensive. +Jud had clubbed his gun, for at such close +quarters he did not think he could shoot with any +degree of accuracy.</p> +<p>Indeed, for some little time that beast kept both +of them on the alert, and more than once sharp +claws came in contact with the tough khaki garments +worn by the scouts.</p> +<p>After a third furious onslaught which ended in +the cat’s being knocked over by a lucky stroke from +Jud’s gunstock, the animal seemed to conclude that +the combat was too unequal. That last blow must +have partly tamed its fiery spirit, for it jumped +back out of sight, though they could still hear its +savage snarling from some point near by. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></p> +<p>Both lads were panting for breath. At the same +time they felt flushed with victory. It was not +every scout who could meet with such an adventure +as this when in the snowy forest, and come out of +it with credit.</p> +<p>“If he only lets me get a glimpse of his old +hide,” ventured Jud, grimly, “I’ll riddle it for him, +let me tell you! But say! I hope you don’t mean +to evacuate this gory battle-ground without taking +a look to see whether I dropped that other beast +or not?”</p> +<p>“Of course not, Jud! I’m a little curious myself +to see whether your aim was as good as you believe. +Let’s move over that way, always keeping +ready to repel boarders, remember. That second +cat may get his wind, and come for us again.”</p> +<p>“I hope he will, that’s what!” said Jud, whose +fighting blood was now up. “I dare him to tackle +us again. Nothing would please me better, Paul.”</p> +<p>A dozen paces took them to the vicinity of the +tree in which Jud had sighted the crouching beast +at which he had fired.</p> +<p>“Got him, all right, Paul!” he hastened to call +out, with a vein of triumph in his excited voice. +“He fell in a heap, and considering that there were +twelve buckshot in that shell, and every one hit +him, it isn’t to be wondered at.”</p> +<p>“A pretty big bobcat in the bargain, Jud, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +well worth boasting over. Look at his long claws, +and the sharp teeth back of those short lips. An +ugly customer let me tell you. I’m glad we didn’t +have him on our shoulders, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“I’m bound to drag the creature all the way to +the cabin, to show the boys,” announced the successful +marksman. “Now don’t say anything +against it, Paul. You see I’ll hold my gun under +my arm ready, and at the first sign of trouble I’ll +let go of the game and be ready to shoot.”</p> +<p>“That’s all right, Jud, you’re entitled to your +trophy, though the skin is pretty well riddled with +that big hole through it. Still, Tolly Tip may be +able to cure it so as to make a mat for your den +at home. Let’s be moving.”</p> +<p>They could still hear that low and ominous +growling and snarling. Sometimes it came from +one side, and then again switched around to the +other, as the angry cat tried to find an avenue that +would appear to be undefended.</p> +<p>Every step of the way home they felt they were +being watched by a pair of fiery eyes. Not for a +second did either of the boys dream of abating +their vigilance, for the sagacity of the wildcat +would enable him to know when to make the attack.</p> +<p>Indeed, several times Jud dropped his trailing +burden and half raised his gun, as he imagined he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +detected a suspicious movement somewhere close +by. They proved to be false alarms, however, +and nothing occurred on the way home to disturb +them.</p> +<p>When not far from the cabin they heard loud +voices, and caught the flicker of several blazing +torches amidst the trees.</p> +<p>“It’s Tolly Tip and the boys,” announced Paul, +as soon as he caught the sounds and saw the moving +lights. “They must have heard the gunshot +and our shouts, and are coming this way to find +out what’s the trouble.”</p> +<p>A few minutes later they saw half a dozen hurrying +figures approaching, several carrying guns. +As the anxious ones discovered Paul and Jud they +sent out a series of whoops which the returning +scouts answered. And when those who had come +from the cabin saw the dead bobcat, as well as listened +to the story of the attack, they were loud in +their praises of the valor of the adventurous pair.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_BLIZZARD' id='CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_BLIZZARD'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>THE BLIZZARD</h3> +</div> +<p>“Whew! but it’s bitter cold this morning!” +shouted Sandy Griggs, as he opened the cabin +door and thrust his head out.</p> +<p>“Looks like a few flakes of snow shooting past, +in the bargain,” added Bobolink. “That means +that the long expected storm is upon us.”</p> +<p>Paul turned to Jack at hearing this, for both of +them were hurriedly dressing after crawling out +of their comfortable bunks.</p> +<p>“A little snow isn’t going to make us hedge on +that arrangement we made the last thing before +turning in, I hope, Jack?” he asked, smilingly.</p> +<p>“I should say not!” came the prompt reply. +“Besides, if it’s going to put a foot or two of the +feathery on the ground, it strikes me you’ve just +got to get that expensive camera of yours again. +I’m with you, Paul, right after breakfast.”</p> +<p>Tolly Tip was also in somewhat of a hurry, +wishing to make the round of his line of traps +before the storm fully set in. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></p> +<p>So it came about that Paul and his closest chum, +after a cup of hot coffee and a meagre breakfast, +hurried away from the cabin.</p> +<p>“We can get another batch when we come back, +if they save any for us, you know,” the scout-master +remarked, as they opened the door and passed +out.</p> +<p>“Kape your bearin’s, lads,” called the old +woodsman. “If so be the storm comes along with +a boom it’ll puzzle ye to be sure av yer way. And +by the same token, to be adrift in thim woods with +a howler blowin’ for thray days isn’t any fun.”</p> +<p>When the scouts once got started they +found that the air was particularly keen. Both of +them were glad they had taken the precaution to +cover up their ears, and wear their warmest mittens.</p> +<p>“Something seems to tell me we’re in for a regular +blizzard this time,” Jack remarked as they +trudged manfully along, at times bowing their +heads to the bitter wind that seemed to cut like a +knife.</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if that turned +out to be true,” Paul contented himself with saying.</p> +<p>They did not exchange many words while +breasting the gale, for it was the part of wisdom +to keep their mouths closed as much as possible. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +Paul had taken note of the way to the spot where +the camera trap had been set in the hope of catching +Bruin in the act of taking the sweet bait.</p> +<p>A number of times he turned around and looked +back. This was because he had accustomed himself +to viewing his surroundings at various angles, +which is a wise thing for a scout to do. Then +when he tries to retrace his steps he will not find +himself looking at a reverse picture that seems +unfamiliar in his eyes.</p> +<p>In the course of time the boys arrived at their +destination.</p> +<p>“Don’t see anything upset around here,” observed +Paul, with a shade of growing disappointment +in his voice; and then almost instantly adding +in excitement: “But the bait’s gone, all right—and +yes! the cartridge has been fired. Good +enough!”</p> +<p>“Here you can see faint signs of the tracks of +the bear under this new coating of snow!” declared +Jack, pointing down at his feet.</p> +<p>Paul, knowing that he would not go for his +camera until after broad daylight, had managed +to so arrange it, with a clever attachment of his +own construction, that an exposure was made just +at the second the cord firing the flashlight was +drawn taut.</p> +<p>It was a time exposure—the shutter remaining +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +open for a score of seconds before automatically +closing again. This was arranged so that pictures +could be taken on moonlight nights as well as dark +ones. He had tried it on several previous occasions, +and with very good results.</p> +<p>Brushing the accumulated snow from his camera, +he quickly had the precious article in his possession.</p> +<p>“Nothing else to keep us here, is there, Paul?” +asked Jud.</p> +<p>“No, and the sooner we strike a warm gait for +the cabin the better,” said the scout-master. “You +notice, if anything, that wind is getting sharper +right along, and the snow strikes you on the cheek +like shot pellets, stinging furiously. So far as +I’m concerned we can’t make the camp any too +soon.”</p> +<p>Nevertheless, it might have been noticed that +Paul did not hurry, in the sense that he forgot to +keep his wits about him. The warning given by +Tolly Tip was still fresh in his ears, and even +without it Paul would hardly have allowed himself +to become indiscreet or careless.</p> +<p>Jack, too, saw that they were following the exact +line they had taken in coming out. As a scout he +knew that the other did not get his bearings from +any marks on the ground, such as might easily be +obliterated by falling snow. Trees formed the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +basis of Paul’s calculations. He particularly noticed +every peculiarly shaped tree or growth upon +the right side while going out, which would bring +them on his left in returning.</p> +<p>In this fashion the scout-master virtually blazed +a path as he went; for those trees gave him his +points just as well as though they represented so +many gashes made with a hatchet.</p> +<p>“I’m fairly wild to develop this film, and see +whether the bear paid for his treat with a good +picture,” Paul ventured to say when they were +about half way to the camp.</p> +<p>“Do you know what I was thinking about just +then?” asked Jack.</p> +<p>“Something that had to do with other fellows, +I’ll be bound,” replied the scout-master. “You +were looking mighty serious, and I’d wager a +cookey that you just remembered there were other +fellows up here to be caught in the blizzard besides +our crowd.”</p> +<p>Jack laughed at hearing this.</p> +<p>“You certainly seem to be a wizard, Paul, to +guess what was in my mind,” he told his chum. +“But it’s just as you say. Sim Jeffreys told us the +other day that they had come up with only a small +amount of food along. If they’ve stayed around +up to now they’re apt to find themselves in a pretty +bad pickle.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></p> +<p>“That’s a fact, Jack, if this storm keeps on for +several days, and the snow happens to block all +the paths out of the woods. Let’s hope they gave +it up, and went back home again. We haven’t +seen a thing of them since then, you remember.”</p> +<p>Jack shook his head.</p> +<p>“You know how pig-headed Hank Lawson +always is,” he told his chum. “Once he gets +started in a thing, he hates everlastingly to give +up. He came here to bother us, I feel sure, and +a little thing like a shortage of provisions wouldn’t +force him to call the game off.”</p> +<p>“Then it’s your opinion, is it, Jack, they’re still +in that hole among the rocks Sim spoke of?”</p> +<p>“Chances are three to one it’s that way,” quickly +replied Jack. “They have guns, and could get +some game that way, for they know how to hunt. +Then if it came to the worst perhaps Hank would +try to sneak around our cabin, hoping to find a +chance to steal some of our supplies.”</p> +<p>A short time later they sighted the cabin +through the now thickly falling snow, and both +boys felt very glad to be able to get under shelter.</p> +<p>Tolly Tip did not return until some hours had +passed. By that time the snow carried by a furious +wind that howled madly around the corners, +was sweeping past the windows of the cabin like +a cloud of dust. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span></p> +<p>Everybody was glad when the old woodsman arrived. +He flung several prizes down on the floor, +not having taken the time to detach the pelts.</p> +<p>“’Tis a screecher av a blizzard we’re after +havin’ drop in on us, by the same token,” he said, +with quivering lips, as he stretched out his hands +toward the cheerful blaze of the fire.</p> +<p>Being very eager to ascertain what measure of +success had fallen to him with regard to the bear +episode, Paul proceeded to develop the film.</p> +<p>When he rejoined the other boys in the front +room some time later he was holding up the developed +film, still dripping with water.</p> +<p>“The best flashlight I ever got, let me tell you!” +Paul exclaimed. At this there was a cheer and a +rush to see the film.</p> +<p>There was the bear, looking very much astonished +at the sudden brilliant illumination which +must have seemed like a flash of lightning to him.</p> +<p>All day long the storm howled, the snow drifted +and scurried around the cabin. Whenever the +boys went for wood they had to be very careful +lest they lose their way even in such a short distance, +for it was impossible to see five feet ahead. +When they went to bed that night the same conditions +held good, and every one felt that they were +in the grip of the greatest blizzard known for +ten years.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV_THE_DUTY_OF_THE_SCOUT' id='CHAPTER_XXIV_THE_DUTY_OF_THE_SCOUT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>THE DUTY OF THE SCOUT</h3> +</div> +<p>When two days had passed and the storm still +raged, the scouts began to feel more anxious than +ever. The snow continued to sweep past the cabin +in blinding sheets. It was difficult to know whether +all this came from above, or if some was snatched +up from the ground and whirled about afresh.</p> +<p>In some places enormous drifts abounded, while +other more exposed spots had been actually swept +bare by the wind.</p> +<p>The scouts had not suffered in the least, save +mentally. The cabin proved to be fairly warm, +thanks to the great fire they kept going day and +night; and they certainly had no reason to fear for +any lack of provisions with which to satisfy their +ever present appetites.</p> +<p>Still, from time to time, murmurs could be +heard.</p> +<p>“One thing sure!” Sandy Griggs was saying toward +noon on this third day of the blizzard, “this +storm is going to upset a whole lot of our plans.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span></p> +<p>“Knock ’em into a jiffy!” added Bluff.</p> +<p>“We’ll never be able to skate down the creek +to the lake, if it’s covered with two feet of snow,” +Sandy growled.</p> +<p>“Oh! for all we know,” laughed Paul, “this +wind has been a good friend to us, and may keep +the smooth ice clear of snow. We’d better not +cry until we know the milk has really been spilled.”</p> +<p>“But any way,” Bluff continued, bound to find +some cause for the gloomy feelings that clung like +a wet blanket, “we’ll never be able to run our iceboats +back home. Chances are we’ll have to drag +them most of the way.”</p> +<p>“All right, then,” Paul told him, “we’ll make +the best of a bad bargain. If you only look hard +enough, Bluff and Sandy, you’ll find the silver lining +to every cloud. And no matter how the storm +upsets some of our plans we ought to be thankful +we’ve got such a snug shelter, and plenty of good +things to eat—thanks to Mr. Garrity.”</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s what I just had in mind, Paul,” +spoke up Bobolink. “Now, you all needn’t begin +to grin at me when I say that. I was thinking +more about the fellows who may be shivering and +hungry, than of our own well-fed crowd.”</p> +<p>“Oh! The Lawsons!” exclaimed Bluff. “That’s +a fact. While we’re having such a royal time of it +here they may be up against it good and hard.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span></p> +<p>Perhaps all of the boys had from time to time +allowed their thoughts to stray away, and mental +pictures of the Lawson crowd suffering from hunger +and cold intruded upon their minds. They forgot +whatever they chanced to be doing at that +moment, and came around Paul.</p> +<p>“In one way it would serve them right if they +did get a little rough experience,” observed Spider +Sexton, who perhaps had suffered more at the +hands of the Stanhope bully and his set than any +of the other scouts.</p> +<p>“Oh, that sort of remark hardly becomes you, +Spider,” Paul reminded him. “If you remember +some of the rules and regulations to which you +subscribed when joining the organization you’ll +find that scouts have no business to feel bitter +toward any one, especially when the fellows they +look on as enemies may be suffering.”</p> +<p>“Excuse me, Paul, I guess I spoke without thinking,” +said Spider, with due humility. “And to +prove it I’m going to suggest that we figure out +some way we might be of help to Hank and his +lot.”</p> +<p>“That’s more like it, Spider!” the scout-master +exclaimed, as though pleased. “None of us fancy +those fellows, because so far we’ve failed to make +any impression on them. Several times we’ve tried +to make an advance, but they jeered at us, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +seemed to think it was only fear on our part that +made us try to throw a bridge across the chasm +separating us. It’s going to be different if, as we +half believe, they’re in serious trouble.”</p> +<p>“But Paul, what could we do to help them?” +demanded Bluff.</p> +<p>“With this storm raging to beat the band,” +added Tom Betts, “it would be as much as our +lives were worth to venture out. Why, you can’t +see ten feet away; and we’d be going around in a +circle until the cold got us in the end.”</p> +<p>“Hold on, fellows, don’t jump at conclusions so +fast,” Paul warned them. “I’d be the last one to +advise going out into the woods with the storm +keeping up. But Tolly Tip told me the snow +stopped hours ago. What we see whirling around +is only swept by the wind, for it’s as dry as powder +you know. And even the wind seems to be dying +down now, and is blowing in spasms.”</p> +<p>“Paul, you’re right, as you nearly always are,” +Jack affirmed, after he had pressed his nose against +the cold glass of the little window. “And say! +will you believe me when I say that I can see a +small patch of blue sky up yonder—big enough +to make a Dutchmen’s pair of breeches?”</p> +<p>“Hurrah! that settles the old blizzard then!” +cried Sandy Griggs. “You all remember, don’t +you, the old saying, ‘between eleven and two it’ll +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +tell you what it’s going to do?’ I’ve seen it work +out lots of times.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” retorted Jud, “and fail as often in the +bargain. That’s one of the exploded signs. When +they come out right you believe in ’em, and when +they miss, why you just forget all about it, and go +on hoping. But in this case I reckon the old storm +must have blown itself about out, and we can look +for a week of cold, clear weather now.”</p> +<p>“We’ll wait until after lunch,” said Paul, in his +decided fashion that the boys knew so well; “then, +if things brighten up, we’ll see what we can do. +Those fellows must be suffering, more or less, and +it’s our duty to help them, no matter whether they +bother to thank us or not.”</p> +<p>“Scouts don’t want thanks when they do their +duty,” said Phil Towns, grandly. “But I suppose +you’ll hardly pick me out as one of the rescue +party, Paul?”</p> +<p>“I’d rather have the hardiest fellows along with +me, Phil,” replied the scout-master, kindly; +“though I’m glad to know you feel willing to serve. +It counts just as much to <i>want</i> to go, as to be allowed +to be one of the number.”</p> +<p>Bobolink especially showed great delight over +the possibility of their setting out to relieve the +enemy in distress. A dozen times he went to the +door and passed out, under the plea that they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +might as well have plenty of wood in the cabin; +but on every occasion upon his return he would report +the progress of the clearing skies.</p> +<p>“Have the sun shining right away now, boys,” +he finally announced, with a beaming face. “And +the wind’s letting up, more or less. Times are +when you can see as far as a hundred feet. And +say! it’s a wonderful sight let me tell you.”</p> +<p>Noon came and they sat down to the lunch that +had been prepared for them, this time by Frank +and Spider, Bobolink having begged off. The sun +was shining in a dazzling way upon the white-coated +ground. It looked like fairyland the boys +declared, though but little of the snow had remained +on the oaks, beeches and other forest trees, +owing to the furious and persistent wind.</p> +<p>The hemlocks, however, were bending low with +the weight that pressed upon their branches. Some +of the smaller ones looked like snow pyramids, +and it was plain to be seen that during the remainder +of the winter most of this snow was bound +to hang on.</p> +<p>“If we only had a few pairs of snow-shoes like +Tolly Tip’s here,” suggested Bobolink, enthusiastically, +“we might skim along over ten-foot drifts, +and never bother about things.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” Jud told him, a bit sarcastically, “if we +knew just how to manage the bally things, we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span> +might. But it isn’t so easy as you think. Most of +us would soon be taking headers, and finding ourselves +upside down. It’s a trick that has to be +learned; and some fellows never can get the hang, +I’ve been told.”</p> +<p>“Well, there’s no need of our talking about it,” +interposed Paul, “because there’s only one pair of +snow-shoes in the cabin, and all of us can’t wear +those. But Tolly Tip says we’re apt to find avenues +swept in the snow by the wind, where we can +walk for the most part on clear ground, with but +few drifts to wade through.”</p> +<p>“It may make a longer journey av the same,” +the old woodsman explained; “but if luck favors +us we’ll git there in due time, I belave, if so be ye +settle on goin’.”</p> +<p>Nothing could hold the scouts back, it seemed. +This idea of setting forth to succor an enemy in +distress had taken a firm hold upon their imaginations.</p> +<p>Besides, those days when they were shut up in +the storm-besieged cabin had been fearfully long +to their active spirits, and on this account, too, they +welcomed the chance to do something.</p> +<p>There could no longer be any doubt that the +storm had blown itself out, for the sky was rapidly +clearing. The air remained bitter cold, and +Paul advised those whom he selected to accompany +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +him to wrap themselves up with additional care, +for he did not wish to have them take the chance +of frosting their toes and their noses.</p> +<p>Those who were fortunate enough to be drafted +for the trip were Jack, Jud, Bobolink and Tom +Betts. Some of the others felt slighted, but tried +to be as cheerful over their disappointment as possible.</p> +<p>Of course, Tolly Tip was to accompany them, +for he would not have allowed the boys to set out +without his guidance, under such changed and +really hazardous conditions. A trained woodsman +would be necessary in order to insure the boys +against possible disaster in the storm-bound forest.</p> +<p>Well bundled up, and bearing packs on their +backs consisting in the main of provisions, the six +started off, followed by the cheers and good wishes +of their comrades, and were soon lost to view +amidst the white aisles of the forest.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV_AMONG_THE_SNOWDRIFTS' id='CHAPTER_XXV_AMONG_THE_SNOWDRIFTS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>AMONG THE SNOWDRIFTS</h3> +</div> +<p>“This is hard work after all, let me own up!” +announced Jud Elderkin, after they had been pushing +on for nearly half an hour.</p> +<p>“To tell you the truth,” admitted Tom Betts, +“we’ve turned this way and that so often now I +don’t know whether we’re heading straight.”</p> +<p>“Trust Tolly Tip for that,” urged Paul. “And +besides, if you’d taken your bearings as you should +have done when starting, you could tell from the +position of the sun that right now we’re going +straight toward that far-off hill.”</p> +<p>“Good for ye, Paul!” commented the guide, +who was deeply interested in finding out just how +much woods lore these scouts had picked up during +their many camp experiences.</p> +<p>“Well, here’s where we’re up against it good +and hard,” observed Bobolink.</p> +<p>The clear space they had been following came +to an abrupt end, and before them lay a great +drift of snow, at least five or six feet deep. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span></p> +<p>“Do we try to flounder through this, or turn +around and try another way?” asked Jud, looking +as though, if the decision rested with him, he +would only too gladly attack the heap of snow.</p> +<p>Before deciding, Tolly Tip climbed into the +fork of a tree. From this point of vantage he +was able to see beyond the drift. He dropped +down presently with a grin on his face.</p> +<p>“It’s clear ag’in beyant the hape av snow; so +we’d better try to butt through the same,” he told +them. “Let me go first, and start a path. Whin +I play out one av the rist av ye may take the lead. +Come along, boys.”</p> +<p>The relief party plunged into the great drift +with merry shouts, being filled with the enthusiasm +of abounding youth. The big woodsman kept on +until even he began to tire of the work; or else +guessed that Jud was eager to take his place.</p> +<p>In time they had passed beyond the obstacle, +and again found themselves traversing a windswept +avenue that led in the general direction they +wished to go.</p> +<p>A short time afterwards Jud uttered a shout.</p> +<p>“Hold on a minute, fellows!” he called out.</p> +<p>“What ails you now, Jud—got a cramp in your +leg, or do you think it’s time we stopped for a bite +of lunch?” demanded Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Here’s the plain track of a deer,” answered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +Jud, pointing down as he spoke. “And it was +made only a short time ago you can see, because +while the wind blows the snow some every little +while, it hasn’t filled the track.”</p> +<p>“That’s good scout logic, Jud,” affirmed Paul; +and even the old woodsman nodded his head as +though he liked to hear the boy think things out +so cleverly.</p> +<p>“Here it turns into this blind path,” continued +Jud, “which I’d like to wager ends before long +in a big drift. Like as not if we chose to follow, +we’d find Mr. Stag wallowing in the deepest kind +of snow, and making an easy mark.”</p> +<p>“Well, we can’t turn aside just now, to hunt a +poor deer that is having a hard enough time of +it keeping life in his body,” said Tom Betts, aggressively.</p> +<p>“No, we’ll let the poor beast have his chance +to get away,” said the scout-master. “We’ve +started out on a definite errand, and mustn’t allow +ourselves to be drawn aside. So put your best +foot forward again, Jud.”</p> +<p>Jud looked a little loth to give up the chance +to get the deer, a thing he had really set his mind +on. However, there would still be plenty of time +to accomplish this, and equal Bobolink’s feat, +whereby the other had been able to procure fresh +venison for the camp. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span></p> +<p>“How far along do you think we are, Tolly +Tip?” asked Tom Betts, after more time had +passed, and they began to feel the result of their +struggle.</p> +<p>“More’n half way there, I’d be sayin’,” the +other replied. “Though it do same as if the drifts +might be gittin’ heavier the closer we draw to the +hill. Av ye fale tired mebbe we’d better rist up +a bit.”</p> +<p>“What, me tired!” exclaimed Tom, disdainfully, +at the same time putting new life in his +movements. “Why, I’ve hardly begun to get +started so far. Huh! I’m good for all day at this +sort of work, I’m so fond of ploughing through +the snow.”</p> +<p>The forest seemed very solemn and silent. +Doubtless nearly all of the little woods folk found +themselves buried under the heavy fall of snow, +and it would take time for them to tunnel out.</p> +<p>“Listen to the crows cawing as they fly overhead,” +said Jud, presently.</p> +<p>“They’re gathering in a big flock over there +somewhere,” remarked Paul.</p> +<p>“They’re having what they call a crow caucus,” +explained Jack. “They do say that the birds +carry on in the queerest way, just as if they were +holding court to try one of their number that had +done something criminal.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span></p> +<p>“More likely they’re getting together to figure +it out where they can find the next meal,” suggested +Bobolink, sensibly. “This snow must have +covered up pretty nearly everything. But at the +worst they can emigrate to the South—can get to +Virginia, where the climate isn’t so severe.”</p> +<p>As they pushed their way onward the boys +indulged in other discussions along such lines as +this. They were wideawake, and observed every +little thing that occurred around them, and as these +often pertained to the science of woodcraft which +they delighted to study, they found many opportunities +to give forth their opinions.</p> +<p>“We ought to be getting pretty near that old +hill, seems to me,” observed Tom, when another +hour had dragged by. Then he quickly added: +“Not that I care much, you know, only the sooner +we see if Hank and his cronies are in want the +better it’ll be.”</p> +<p>“There it is right now, dead ahead of us!” exclaimed +Jud, who had a pair of wonderfully keen +eyes.</p> +<p>Through an opening among the trees they could +all see the hill beyond, although it was so covered +with snow that its outlines seemed shadowy, and +it was little wonder none of them had noticed it +before.</p> +<p>“Not more’n a quarter of a mile off, I should +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +say,” declared Tom Betts, unable to hide fully the +sense of pleasure the discovery gave him.</p> +<p>“But all the same we’ll have a pretty tough +time making it,” remarked Jud. “It strikes me +the snow is deeper right here than in any place +yet, and the paths fewer in number.”</p> +<p>“How is that, Tolly Tip?” asked Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Ye say, the hill shunted off some av the wind,” +explained the other without any hesitation; “and +so the snow could drop to the ground without +bein’ blown about so wild like. ’Tis a fine blanket +lies ahead av us, and we’ll have to do some harrd +wadin’ to make our way through the same.”</p> +<p>“Hit her up!” cried Tom, valiantly. “Who +cares for such a little thing as snow piles?”</p> +<p>They floundered along as best they could. It +turned out to be anything but child’s play, and +tested their muscular abilities from time to time.</p> +<p>In vain they looked about them as they drew +near the hill; there was not a single trace of any +one moving around. Some of the scouts began to +feel very queerly as they stared furtively at the +snow covered elevation. It reminded them of a +white tomb, for somewhere underneath it they +feared the four boys from Stanhope might be buried, +too weak to dig their way out.</p> +<p>Tolly Tip led them on with unerring fidelity.</p> +<p>“How does it come, Tolly Tip,” asked the curious +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +Jud as they toiled onward, “that you remember +this hole in the rocks so well?”</p> +<p>“That’s an aisy question to answer,” replied the +other, with one of his smiles. “Sure ’twas some +years ago that I do be having a nate little ruction +with the only bear I iver kilt in this section. He +was a rouser in the bargain, I’d be after tillin’ ye. +I had crawled into the rift in the rocks to say +where it lid whin I found mesilf up aginst it.”</p> +<p>“Oh! in that case I can see that you would be +apt to remember the hole in the rocks always,” +commented Jud. “A fellow is apt to see that kind +of thing many a time in his dreams. So those +fellows happened on the old bear den, did they?”</p> +<p>“We’re clost up to the same now, I’m plazed +to till ye,” announced the guide. “If ye cast an +eye beyont ye’ll mebbe notice that spur av rock +that stands out like a ploughshare. Jist behind the +same we’ll strike the crack in the rocks, and like +as not find it filled to the brim wid the snow.”</p> +<p>When the five scouts and their guide stood +alongside the spur of rock, looking down into the +cavity now hidden by ten feet of snow, they were +somehow forced to turn uneasy faces toward one +another. It was deathly still there, and not a sign +could they see to indicate that under the shroud +of snow the four Stanhope boys might be imprisoned, +almost dead with cold and hunger.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI_DUG_OUT' id='CHAPTER_XXVI_DUG_OUT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3>DUG OUT</h3> +</div> +<p>The boys realized that they had heavy work +before them if they hoped to dig a way down +through that mass of snow and reach the cleft +in the rocks.</p> +<p>“Just mark out where we have to get busy, +Tolly Tip,” called out Bobolink, after they had +put aside their packs, and primed themselves for +work, “and see how we can dig.”</p> +<p>“I speak for first turn with the snow shovel!” +cried Jud. “It’ll bring a new set of muscles into +play, for one thing, and that means relief. I own +up that my legs feel pretty well tuckered out.”</p> +<p>The woodsman, however, chose to begin the +work himself. After taking his bearings carefully, +he began to dig the snow shovel deep down, and +cast the loosely packed stuff aside.</p> +<p>In order to reach the cleft in the rocks they +would have to cut a tunnel through possibly twenty +feet or more of snow.</p> +<p>So impatient was Jud to take a hand that he soon +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span> +begged the guide to let him have a turn at the +work. Tolly Tip prowled around, and some of +the boys wondered what he could be doing until +he came back presently with great news.</p> +<p>“’Tis smoke I do be after smellin’ beyant +there!” he told them.</p> +<p>“Smoke!” exclaimed Bobolink, staring up the +side of the white hill. “How can that be when +there isn’t the first sign of a fire?”</p> +<p>“You don’t catch on to the idea, Bobolink,” explained +Paul. “He means that those in the cave +must have some sort of fire going, and the smoke +finds its way out through some small crevices that +lie under a thin blanket of snow. Am I right +there, Tolly Tip?”</p> +<p>“Ye sure hit the nail on the head, Paul,” he was +told by the guide.</p> +<p>“Well, that’s good news,” admitted Bobolink, +with a look of relief on his face. “If they’ve got +enough wood to keep even a small fire going, they +won’t be found frozen to death anyhow.”</p> +<p>“And,” continued Jud, who had given the shovel +over to Jack, “it takes some days to really starve +a fellow, I understand. You see I’ve been reading +lately about the adventures of the Dr. Kane exploring +company up in the frozen Arctic regions. +When it got to the worst they staved off starvation +by making soup of their boots.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span></p> +<p>“But you mustn’t forget,” interposed Bobolink, +“that their boots were made of skins, and not of +the tough leather we use these days. I’d like to +see Hank Lawson gnawing on one of <i>his</i> old hide +shoes, that’s what! It couldn’t be done, any way +you fix it.”</p> +<p>The hole grew by degrees, but very slowly. It +seemed as though tons and tons of snow must +have been swept over the crest of the hill, to settle +down in every cavity it could find.</p> +<p>“We’re getting there, all right!” declared Bobolink, +after he had taken his turn, and in turn +handed over the shovel to Paul.</p> +<p>“Oh! the Fourth of July is coming too, never +fear!” jeered Jud, who was in a grumbling mood.</p> +<p>“Why, Tolly Tip here says we’ve made good +progress already,” Tom Betts declared, merely to +combat the spirit manifested by Jud, “and that +we’ll soon be half-way through the pile. If it were +three times as big we’d get there in the end, because +this is a never-say-die bunch of scouts, you +bet!”</p> +<p>“Oh! I was only fooling,” chuckled Jud, feeling +ashamed of his grumbling. “Of course, we’ll manage +it, by hook or by crook. Show me the time +the Banner Boy Scouts ever failed, will you, when +they’d set their minds on doing anything worth +while? We’re bound to get there.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span></p> +<p>The work went on. By turns the members of +the relief party applied themselves to the task of +cutting a way through the snow heap, and when +each had come up for the third time it became +apparent that they were near the end of their +labor, for signs of the rock began to appear.</p> +<p>Inspired by this fact they took on additional +energy, and the way the snow flew under the vigorous +attack of Jud was pretty good evidence that +he still believed in their ultimate success.</p> +<p>“Now watch my smoke!” remarked Tom Betts, +as he took the shovel in his turn and proceeded to +show them what he could do. “I’ve made up my +mind to keep everlastingly at it till I strike solid +rock. And I’ll do it, or burst the boiler.”</p> +<p>He had hardly spoken when they heard the +plunging metal shovel strike something that gave +out a positive “chink,” and somehow that sound +seemed to spell success.</p> +<p>“Guess you’ve gone and done it, Tom!” declared +Jud, with something like a touch of chagrin +in his voice, for Jud had been hoping he would +be the lucky one to show the first results.</p> +<p>There was no slackening of their ardor, and the +boys continued to shovel the snow out of the hole +at a prodigious rate until every one could easily +see the crevice in the rocks.</p> +<p>“Listen!” exclaimed Jud just then. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span></p> +<p>“Oh! what do you think you heard?” asked +Bobolink.</p> +<p>“I don’t know whether it was the shovel scraping +over the rock or a human groan,” Jud continued, +looking unusually serious.</p> +<p>They all listened, but could hear nothing except +the cold wind sighing through some of the trees +not far away.</p> +<p>“Let me finish the work for you, Tom,” suggested +Paul, seeing that Tom Betts was pretty well +exhausted from his labors.</p> +<p>“I guess I will, Paul, because I’m nearly tuckered +out,” admitted the persistent worker, as he +handed the implement over, and pushed back, +though still remaining in the hole.</p> +<p>Paul was not very long in clearing away the +last of the snow that clogged the entrance to the +old bears’ den. They could then mark the line +of the gaping hole that cleft the rock, and which +served as an antechamber to the cavity that lay +beyond.</p> +<p>“That does it, Paul,” said Jack, softly; though +just why he spoke half under his breath he could +not have explained if he had been asked, except +that, somehow, it seemed as though they were +very close to some sort of tragedy.</p> +<p>The shovel was put aside. It had done its part +of the work, and could rest. And everybody prepared +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +to follow Paul as he pushed after the guide +into the crevice leading to the cave.</p> +<p>The smell of wood smoke was now very strong, +and all of them could catch it.</p> +<p>So long as the entrapped boys had a fire there +was no fear that they would perish from the cold. +Moreover, down under the rocks and the snow the +atmosphere could hardly be anything as severe as +in the open. Indeed Paul had been in many caves +where the temperature remained about the same +day in and day out, through the whole year.</p> +<p>Coming from the bewildering and dazzling +snow fields it was little wonder that none of them +could see plainly at the moment they started into +the bears’ den. By degrees, as their eyes became +accustomed to the semi-darkness that held sway +below, they would be able to distinguish objects, +and make discoveries.</p> +<p>Stronger grew the pungent odor of smoke. It +was not unpleasant at all, and to some of the scouts +most welcome, bearing as it did a message of hope, +and the assurance that things had not yet come to +the last stretch.</p> +<p>Half turning as he groped his way onward, the +guide pointed to something ahead—at least Paul +who came next in line fancied that Tolly Tip was +trying to draw his attention to that quarter.</p> +<p>In turn he performed the same office for the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +next boy, and thus the intelligence was passed +along the line, from hand to hand.</p> +<p>They could, by straining their eyes, discover +some half huddled figures just beyond. A faint +light showed where the dying fire lay; and even +as they looked one of the partly seen figures was +seen to stir, and after this they noticed that a little +flame had started up.</p> +<p>Paul believed that the very last stick of wood +was on the fire and nearing the end.</p> +<p>Bobolink could not help giving a low cry of +commiseration. The sound must have been heard +by those who were huddled around the miserable +fire, for they scrambled to their knees. As the +tiny blaze sprang up just then, it showed the scouts +the four Stanhope boys looking pinched and wan, +with their eyes staring the wonder they must have +felt at sight of the newcomers.</p> +<p>Hank was seen to jab his knuckles into his eyes +as though unable fully to believe what he beheld. +Then he held out both hands beseechingly toward +the newcomers. They would never be able to forget +the genuine pain contained in his voice as he +half groaned:</p> +<p>“Oh! have you come to save us? Give us somethin’ +to eat, won’t you? We’re starvin’, starvin’, +I tell you!”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII_FIRST_AID' id='CHAPTER_XXVII_FIRST_AID'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3>“FIRST AID”</h3> +</div> +<p>Possibly the case was not quite as bad as Hank +declared, but for all that those four lads were certainly +in a bad way.</p> +<p>Paul took charge of affairs at once, as became +the acting scout-master of the troop.</p> +<p>“It’s a good thing we thought to pick up some +wood as we came along,” he remarked. “Fetch +it in, boys, and get this fire going the first thing. +Then we’ll make a pot of coffee to begin with.”</p> +<p>“Coffee!” echoed the four late prisoners of the +cave. “Oh, my stars! why! we went and forgot +to bring any along with us. Coffee! that sounds +good to us!”</p> +<p>“That’s only a beginning,” said Bobolink, as he +came back with his arms filled with sticks, which +he began to lay upon the almost dead fire. “We’ve +got ham and biscuits, Boston baked beans, potatoes, +corn, grits, and lots of other things. Just +give us a little time to do some cooking, and you’ll +get all you can cram down.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span></p> +<p>Paul knew the hungry boys would suffer all +sorts of tortures while waiting for the meal to be +cooked. On this account he saw that they were +given some crackers and cheese, to take the keen +edge of their voracious appetites off.</p> +<p>It was a strange spectacle in that hole amidst +the rocks, with the fire leaping up, Bobolink bending +over it doing the cooking with his customary +vim, the rest of the scouts gathered around, and +those four wretched fellows munching away for +dear life, as they sniffed the coffee beginning to +scent the air with its fragrance.</p> +<p>As soon as this was ready Paul poured out +some, added condensed milk, and handed the tin +cup to Hank.</p> +<p>He was really surprised to see the rough fellow +turn immediately and give it to Sid Jeffreys and +hear him say:</p> +<p>“I reckon you need it the wust, Sid; git the stuff +inside in a hurry.”</p> +<p>Then Paul remembered that Sid had recently +been injured. And somehow he began to understand +that even such a hardened case as Hank +Lawson, in whom no one seemed ready to place +any trust, might have a small, tender spot in his +heart. He could not be <i>all</i> bad, Paul decided.</p> +<p>Hank, however, did not refuse to accept the +second cup, and hastily drain it. Apparently, he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +believed the leader should have first choice, and +meant to impress this fact upon his satellites.</p> +<p>What to do about the four boys had puzzled +Paul a little. To allow them to accompany him +and his chums back to Deer Head Lodge would +make the remainder of their outing a very disagreeable +affair. Besides, there was really no +room for any more guests under that hospitable +roof; and certainly Tolly Tip would not feel in +the humor to invite them.</p> +<p>So Paul had to figure it out in some other way. +While Hank and his three cronies were eating +savagely, Bobolink having finished preparing the +odd meal for them, Paul took occasion to sound +the one who occupied the position of chief.</p> +<p>“We’ve brought over enough grub to last you +four a week,” he started in to say, when Hank interrupted +him.</p> +<p>“We sure think you’re white this time, Paul +Morrison, an’ I ain’t a-goin’ to hold back in sayin’ +so either, just ’cause we’ve been scrappin’ with +your crowd right along. Guess you know that we +come up here partly to bother you fellers. I’m +right glad we ain’t had a chance to play any tricks +on you up to now. An’ b’lieve me! it’s goin’ to +be a long time ’fore we’ll forgit this thing.”</p> +<p>Paul was, of course, well pleased to hear this. +He feared, however, that in a month from that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +time Hank was apt to forget the obligations he +owed the scouts, and likely enough would commence +to annoy them again.</p> +<p>“The question that bothers me just now,” Paul +continued, “is what you ought to do. I don’t suppose +any of you care to stay up here much longer, +now that this blizzard has spoiled all of the fun +of camping out?”</p> +<p>“I’ve had about all I want of the game,” admitted +Jud Mabley, promptly.</p> +<p>“Count me in too,” added Sim Jeffreys. “I feel +pretty sick of the whole business, and we can’t get +back home any too soon to suit me.”</p> +<p>“Same here,” muttered Bud Phillips, who had +kept looking at Paul for some time in a furtive +way, as though he had something on his mind that +he was strongly tempted to communicate to the +scout leader.</p> +<p>“So you see that settles it,” grinned Hank. +“Even if I wanted to hang out here all the rest +o’ the holidays, three agin one is most too much. +We’d be havin’ all sorts o’ rows every day. Yep, +we’ll start fur home the fust chance we git.”</p> +<p>That pleased Paul, and was what he had hoped +to hear.</p> +<p>“Of course,” he went on to say to Hank, “it’s +a whole lot shorter cutting across country to Stanhope +than going around by way of Lake Tokala +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +and the old canal that leads from the Radway into +the Bushkill river; but you want to be mighty careful +of your compass points, or you might get lost.”</p> +<p>“Sure thing, Paul,” remarked the other, confidently; +“but that’s my long suit, you ought to +know. Never yet did git lost, an’ I reckon I ain’t +a-goin’ to do it now. I’ll lay it all out and make +the riffle, don’t you worry about that same.”</p> +<p>“We came over that way, you know,” interrupted +Jud Mabley, “and left blazes on the trees +in places where we thought we might take the +wrong trail goin’ back.”</p> +<p>“That was a wise thing to do,” said Paul, “and +shows that some of you ought to be in the scout +movement, for you’ve got it in you to make good.”</p> +<p>“Tried it once you ’member, Paul, but your +crowd didn’t want anything to do wi’ me, so I +cut it out,” grumbled Jud, though he could not help +looking pleased at being complimented on the +woodcraft of their crowd by such an authority as +the scout-master.</p> +<p>Paul turned from Jud and looked straight into +the face of the leader.</p> +<p>“Hank,” he said earnestly, “you know just as +well as I do that Jud was blackballed not because +we didn’t believe he had it in him to make an excellent +scout, but for another reason. Excuse me +if I’m blunt about it, but I mean it just as much +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +for your good as I did bringing this food all the +way over here to help you out. Every one of you +has it in him to make a good scout, if only he +would change certain ways he now has.”</p> +<p>Hank looked down at his feet, and remained +silent for a brief time, during which he doubtless +was having something of an inward fight.</p> +<p>“All right, Paul,” he suddenly remarked, looking +up again grimly. “I ain’t a-goin’ to git mad +’cause you speak so plain. If you fellers’d go to +all the trouble to fight your way over here, and +fetch us this food, I reckon as how I’ve been +readin’ you the wrong way.”</p> +<p>“You have, Hank! You certainly have!” affirmed +Bobolink, who was greatly interested in +this effort on the part of Paul to bring about a +change in the boys who had taken such malicious +delight in annoying the scouts whenever the opportunity +arose.</p> +<p>“Believe this, Hank,” said Paul earnestly; “if +you only chose to change your ways, none of you +would be blackballed the next time you tried to +join the organization. There’s no earthly reason +why all of you shouldn’t be accepted as candidates +if only you can subscribe to the iron-bound rules +we work under, and which every one of us has to +obey. Think it over, won’t you, boys? It might +pay you.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span></p> +<p>“Reckon we will, Paul,” muttered Hank, though +he shook his head at the same time a little doubtfully, +as though deep down in his heart he feared +they could never overcome the feeling of prejudice +that had grown up against them in Stanhope.</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t be in too big a hurry to start back +home,” continued Paul, thinking he had already +said enough to fulfill his duty as a scout. “In another +day or so it’s likely to warm up a bit, and +you’ll find it more comfortable on the way.”</p> +<p>“Just what I was thinkin’ myself, Paul,” agreed +Hank. “We’ve got stacks of grub now, thanks +to you and your crowd, and we c’n git enough +wood in places, now you’ve opened our dooryard +fur us. Yep, we’ll hang out till it feels some +warmer, and then cut sticks fur home.”</p> +<p>“Here’s a rough map I made out that may be +useful to you, Hank,” continued the scout-master, +“if you happen to lose your blazed trail. Tolly +Tip helped me get it up, and as he’s been across +to Stanhope many times he ought to know every +foot of the way.”</p> +<p>“It might come in handy, an’ I’ll take the same +with thanks, Paul,” Hank observed, with all his +customary aggressive ways lacking. There is +nothing so well calculated to take the spirit out +of a boy as acute hunger.</p> +<p>When they had talked for some little time +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +longer, Paul decided that it was time for him and +his chums to start back to the cabin. Those afternoons +in late December were very short, and night +would be down upon them almost before they +knew it.</p> +<p>It was just then that Bud Phillips seemed to +have made up his mind to say something that had +been on the tip of his tongue ever since he realized +under what great obligations the scouts had +placed him and his partners.</p> +<p>“Seems like I oughtn’t to let you get away from +here, Paul, without tellin’ somethin’ that I reckon +might be interestin’ to you all,” he went on to say.</p> +<p>“All right, Bud, we’ll be glad to hear it,” the +scout-master observed, with a smile, “though for +the life of me I can’t guess what it’s all about.”</p> +<p>“Go ahead Bud, and dish it out!” urged Bobolink, +impatiently.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII_MORE_STARTLING_NEWS' id='CHAPTER_XXVIII_MORE_STARTLING_NEWS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +<h3>MORE STARTLING NEWS</h3> +</div> +<p>Bud Phillips looked somewhat confused. Apparently, +he did not figure any too well in what he +felt it his duty to confess to Paul and his chums.</p> +<p>“I’m ashamed that I kept mum about it when +the old man accused some of you fellers of startin’ +the fire, an’ gettin’ at his tight wad,” he went on +to say; and it can be easily understood that this +beginning gave Paul a start.</p> +<p>“Oh! it’s about that ugly business, is it?” the +scout-master remarked, frowning a little, for, naturally, +he instantly conceived the idea that Hank +and his three reckless cronies must have had a +hand in that outrage.</p> +<p>That Hank guessed what was flitting through +the other’s mind was plainly indicated by the haste +with which he cried out:</p> +<p>“Don’t git it in your head we had anything to +do with that fire, Paul, nor yet with tappin’ the +old man’s safe. I know we ain’t got any too good +reputations ’round Stanhope, but it’s to be hoped +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +we ain’t dropped so low as that. Skip along, Bud, +an’ tell what you saw.”</p> +<p>“Why, it’s this way,” continued the narrator, +eagerly. “I chanced to be Johnny-on-the-spot that +night, being ’mong the first to arrive when old +Briggs started to scream that his store was afire. +Never mind how it came that way. And Paul, I +saw two figures a-runnin’ away right when I came +up, runnin’ like they might be afraid o’ bein’ seen +an’ grabbed.”</p> +<p>“Were they close enough for you to notice who +they were?” asked Paul, taking a deep interest in +the narration, since he and his chums had been +accused of doing the deed in the presence of many +of Stanhope’s good people.</p> +<p>“Oh! I saw ’em lookin’ back as they hurried +away,” admitted Bud. “And, Paul, they were +those same two tramps we had the trouble with +that day. You remember we ran the pair out o’ +town, bombardin’ ’em with rocks.”</p> +<p>Paul could plainly see the happening in his +memory, with the two hoboes turning when at a +safe distance to shake their fists at the boys. Evidently +their rough reception all around had caused +them to have a bitter feeling toward the citizens +of Stanhope, and they had come back later on to +have their revenge.</p> +<p>“Now that I think of it,” Paul went on to say, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +“they had just come out of the store when you ran +afoul of the pair. The chances are that Mr. +Briggs treated them as sourly as he does all their +class, and they were furiously mad at him.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” added Bobolink, “and while in there they +must have noticed where he had his safe. Maybe +they saw him putting money in it.”</p> +<p>“I’m glad you told me this, Bud,” the scout-master +confessed, “because it goes part way to +clear up the mystery of that fire and robbery.”</p> +<p>“Bud was meanin’ to tell all about it when we +got back,” said Hank. “He kept still because he +heard Briggs accuse you scouts of the fire racket, +and Bud just then thought it too good a joke to +spoil. But we’ve been talkin’ it over, and come +to the conclusion we owed it to the community to +set ’em right.”</p> +<p>This sounded rather lofty, but Paul guessed +that there must be another reason back of the determination +to tell. These fellows had decided +that possibly suspicion might be directed toward +them, and, as they had had enough trouble already +without taking more on their shoulders, it would +be the part of wisdom to start the ball rolling in +the right quarter.</p> +<p>“Well, we must be going,” said Paul.</p> +<p>“Do you reckon on stayin’ out your time up +here?” queried Hank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span></p> +<p>“We haven’t decided that yet,” replied the +scout-master; “but the chances are we shall conclude +to cut the trip short and get back home. +This heavy snow has spoiled a good many plans +we’d laid out; and we might be having a better +time of it with the rest of the fellows at home. +We’re going to talk it over and by to-morrow settle +on our plans.”</p> +<p>“Here’s where we get busy and start on the return +hike,” announced Tom Betts, just as cheerily +as though he were not already feeling the effects +of that stiff plunge through the deep snowdrifts, +and secretly faced the return trip with more or less +apprehension.</p> +<p>Hank and his followers came out of their den +to wave a hearty farewell after their late rescuers. +Just then all animosities had died in their hearts, +and they could look upon the scouts without the +least bitterness.</p> +<p>“Sounds all mighty fine, I must say,” remarked +Bobolink, as they pushed along, after losing sight +of the quartette standing at the foot of the snowy +hill, “but somehow I don’t seem to feel it’s going +to last. That Hank’s got it in him to be a tough +character, and it’d be next door to a miracle if he +ever changed his ways.”</p> +<p>“Do <i>you</i> think he will, Paul?” demanded Jud, +flatly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span></p> +<p>“Ask me something easy,” laughed the scout-master. +“It all depends on Hank himself. If he +once took a notion to make a man of himself, I +believe he could do it no matter what happened. +He’s got the grit, but without the real desire that +isn’t going to count for much. Time alone will +tell.”</p> +<p>“Well, we’ve seen something like that happen +right in our town, you know,” Bobolink went on to +say, reflectively, as he trudged along close to the +heels of the one in front of him, for they were +going “Indian-file,” following the sinuous trail +made during their preceding trip.</p> +<p>“I was talking with the other Jud,” remarked +Jud Elderkin just then, “and he gave me a pointer +that might be worth something. I don’t know just +why he chose to confide it to me, instead of speaking +out, but he did.”</p> +<p>“Was it, too, about the fire and the robbery?” +asked Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“It amounted to the same thing, I should say,” +replied Jud, “because it was connected with the +hoboes.”</p> +<p>“Go on and tell us then,” urged Bobolink.</p> +<p>“He says they’re up in this part of the country,” +asserted the other.</p> +<p>“Wow! that begins to look as if we might be +running across the ugly pair after all!” exclaimed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span> +Tom Betts, his face lighting up with eagerness. +“Now wouldn’t it be queer if we managed to capture +the yeggs and turn ’em over to the authorities? +Paul, how about that now?”</p> +<p>“Oh! you’re getting too far ahead of the game, +Tom,” he was told. “We must know a good deal +more about this business before we could decide +to take such desperate chances.”</p> +<p>“But if the opportunity came along, wouldn’t it +be our duty to cage the rascals?” the persistent +Tom demanded.</p> +<p>“Perhaps it might,” Paul told him. “But Jud, +did he explain to you how he came to know the +tramps were up here in the woods above Lake +Tokala?”</p> +<p>“Just what he did,” replied the other, promptly. +“It seems that Jud, while he was out hunting, had +a glimpse of one of the ugly pair the day before +this storm hit us. It gave him a chance to trail +the man in order to see what he was worth in that +line. And, Paul, he did his work so well that he +followed the fellow all the way to where the two +of them had put up.”</p> +<p>“And that was where, Jud?” demanded the +leader of the troop.</p> +<p>“There’s an old dilapidated cabin half-way +between here and the lake,” explained Jud. +“Maybe Tolly Tip knows about it.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span></p> +<p>“Sure that I do!” responded the woodsman. +“’Twas used years ago by some charcoal burners, +but has been goin’ to decay this long time. Mebbe +now they’ve patched up the broken roof, and mane +to stay there awhile. It’s in a snug spot, and +mighty well protected from the wind in winters.”</p> +<p>“That’s the place,” Jud assured them. “The +hoboes are hanging out there, and seem to have +plenty to eat, so Jud Mabley told me. If we concluded +to take a look in at ’em on our way home +it could be done easy enough, I’d think.”</p> +<p>“We’ll talk it over,” decided Paul. “We must +remember that in all likelihood they’re a desperate +pair, and well armed. As a rule scouts have no +business to constitute themselves criminal catchers, +though in this case it’s a bit different.”</p> +<p>“Because we’ve been publicly accused by Mr. +Briggs of being the persons who set his old store +on fire, just in spite!” declared Bobolink, briskly +enough. “And say! wouldn’t it be a bully trick +if we could take those two tramps back with us, +having the goods on them? Then we’d say to Mr. +Briggs: ‘There you are, sir! These are the men +you want! And we’d trouble you to make your +apology just as public as your hasty accusation +was.’”</p> +<p>“Hurrah!” cried Tom Betts. “That’s the +ticket.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span></p> +<p>But Paul was not to be hurried into giving a +decision. He wanted more time to consider matters, +and settle his plan of campaign. The other +scouts, however, found little reason to doubt that +in the end he would conclude to look favorably on +the bold proposition Jud had advanced.</p> +<p>Just as they had anticipated, the return journey +was not anywhere nearly so strenuous an undertaking +as the outward tramp had been. Even +where they had to cross great drifts a passage had +been broken for them, and the wind, not being +high, had failed to fill up the gaps thus far.</p> +<p>The rescue party arrived in the vicinity of the +cabin long before sundown, and could catch whiffs +of the wood smoke that blew their way, which +gave promise of the delightful warmth they would +find once inside the forest retreat. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span></p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX_THE_WILD_DOG_PACK' id='CHAPTER_XXIX_THE_WILD_DOG_PACK'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<h3>THE WILD DOG PACK</h3> +</div> +<p>“Well! well! what under the sun’s been going +on here while we’ve been away?”</p> +<p>Bobolink burst out with this exclamation the +very minute he passed hastily in at the cabin door. +A jolly fire blazed on the hearth, and the interior +of the cabin was well lighted by the flames.</p> +<p>Paul, as well as all the other arrivals, stared. +And well they might, for Sandy Griggs and Bluff +were swathed in seemingly innumerable bandages. +They looked a bit sheepish too, even while grinning +amiably.</p> +<p>“Oh! ’tisn’t as bad as it seems, fellows!” sang +out Spider Sexton, cheerfully. “Phil thought it +best to wash every scratch with that stuff we keep +for such things, so as to avoid any danger of blood +poisoning. But shucks! they got off pretty easy, +let me tell you.”</p> +<p>“What happened?” demanded Jud Elderkin, +curiously. “Did they run across that old bear +after all, and get scratched or bitten?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p> +<p>“Or was it the other bobcat that came around +to smell the pelt of his mate, and gave you something +of a tussle?” asked Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Both away off your base,” said Bluff, with a +fresh grin. “It was dogs, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“Dogs!” echoed Jud, unbelievingly. “You +must mean wolves, don’t you? They look a heap +like some kinds of mongrel dogs.”</p> +<p>“’Tis the lad as knows what he is talkin’ about, +I guess,” remarked Tolly Tip just then. “Sure, +for these many moons now there’s been a pack av +thim wild dogs a-runnin’ through the woods. +Many a night have I listened to the same bayin’ +and yappin’ as they trailed after a deer.”</p> +<p>A flash of understanding came into Jud’s face.</p> +<p>“Oh! now I see what you mean,” he went on +to say. “Wild dogs they were, that for some reason +have abandoned their homes with people, and +gone back to the old free hunting ways of their +ancestors. I’ve heard about such things. But +say! how did it happen they tackled you two?”</p> +<p>Bluff and his guilty companion exchanged +looks, and as he scratched his head the former +went on to confess.</p> +<p>“Why, you see, it was this way,” he began. +“Sandy and I began to get awful tired of staying +indoors after you fellows went away. Three days +of it was just too much for our active natures to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +stand. So we made up a plan to take a little walk +around, and see if we could run across any game.”</p> +<p>At that Sandy held up a couple of partridges.</p> +<p>“All we got, and all we saw,” he remarked, +“but they were enough to set that savage bunch +of wild dogs on us. Whew! but they were hungry +and reckless. But you go on and tell the story, +Bluff.”</p> +<p>“When we saw them heading our way,” continued +the other, “we thought they were just ordinary +dogs running loose. But as they came closer +both of us began to see that they were a savage +looking lot. In the lead was a big mastiff that +looked like a lion to us.”</p> +<p>“But you had your guns with you, didn’t you?” +asked Jud.</p> +<p>“That’s right, we did,” replied Bluff. “But +you see before we made up our minds the kiyi +crowd was dangerous they were nearly on us, yelping +and snapping like everything. That big chap +in the lead gave me a shiver just to look at him; +and there were three others coming full-tilt close +behind him.”</p> +<p>“We’ve since made up our minds,” again interrupted +Sandy, “that they must have scented our +birds, and were crazy to get them. Though even +if we’d thrown the partridges away I believe the +pack would have attacked us like so many tigers.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span></p> +<p>“At the very last,” Bluff went on, “I knew we +ought to be doing something. So I yelled out to +Sandy who had the shotgun to pepper that big +mastiff before he could jump us, and that I’d take +care of the next creature.”</p> +<p>“Well, I tried to do it,” Sandy affirmed, “but +my first shot went wild, because Bluff here knocked +my elbow just when I pulled the trigger. But I +had better luck with the second barrel, for I +brought one of the other dogs down flat on his +back, kicking his last.”</p> +<p>“I’d shot a second creature meanwhile,” said +Bluff; “and then the other two were on us. Whew! +but we did have a warm session of it about that +time, let me tell you, fellows! It was at close +quarters, so I couldn’t use my gun again to shoot; +but we swung the weapons around our heads as +though they were clubs.”</p> +<p>“I made a lucky crack,” declared Sandy, “and +bowled the smaller cur over, but he was up like a +flash and at me again, scratching and biting like +a mad wolf. I never would have believed family +pets could go back to the wild state again like +that if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”</p> +<p>“I suppose the big beast tackled you then, did +he, Bluff?” asked Jack.</p> +<p>“You just b-b-bet he did!” exclaimed the other, +excitedly. “And s-s-say, I had all I could do to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +k-k-keep him from knocking me over in a h-h-heap. +Lots of t-t-times I cracked him with the b-b-butt +of my rifle, and staggered him, but he only c-came +at me again full tilt. Oh! but we had a g-g-glorious +time of it I tell you!”</p> +<p>“And how did it end?” queried Jud. “Since +we find you two here right-side-up-with-care we +must believe that in the final wind-up you got the +better of your canine enemies.”</p> +<p>“C-c-canine d-d-don’t seem to fit the c-c-crime +this time, Jud,” expostulated Bluff. “It sounds so +mild. Well, we lathered ’em right and left, and +took quite a number of s-s-scratches in return. +B-b-both of us were getting pretty well winded, +and I was b-b-beginning to be afraid of the outcome, +when all at once I remembered that I had +other b-b-bullets in my gun.”</p> +<p>“Wise old head, that of yours, Bluff,” commented +Jud, with a touch of satire in his voice. +“Better late than never I should say. Well, what +did you do then?”</p> +<p>“Next chance I got I managed to turn my gun +around and grip the stock,” and as he said this +Bluff reached over to pick up his repeating rifle to +exhibit the dents, as well as the half dried blood +spots on the walnut shoulder piece, all of which +went to prove the truth of his story as words +never could have done. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p> +<p>“That was the end of Mr. Mastiff then, eh?” +continued Jud.</p> +<p>“Oh, well! I hated to do it,” Bluff told them, +“for he was a beaut of a beast, so strong and +handsome; but then those shining teeth looked +pretty ugly to me, and he was wild to get them +at my throat, so there wasn’t really any choice.”</p> +<p>“I should say not!” declared Phil Towns, shuddering +at the picture Bluff was drawing of the +spirited encounter.</p> +<p>“So I shot him,” said Bluff, simply. “And at +that the remaining beast lit out as fast as he could, +because with the fall of the leader of the pack he +lost his grit. Course after that Sandy’n I couldn’t +think of hunting any longer. We figured that we +ought to get back home and have our cuts looked +after. And Paul, Phil has done a dandy job with +that potash stuff.”</p> +<p>“Glad to hear it,” said the scout-master, quickly, +“though I’ll take a look myself to make sure. +Scratches from carnivorous animals are very dangerous +on account of the poison that may cling to +their claws. It’s always best to be on the safe +side, and neutralize the danger.”</p> +<p>“And Paul,” continued Bluff, “will you accept +one of these fat birds from us?”</p> +<p>“Not much I will!” declared the other immediately. +“Why should I be favored over the rest +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span> +of the crowd? You and Sandy earned the right to +enjoy a feast, and we’ll see to it that you have it +to-morrow. Let them hang until then; game is +always better for lying a few days before being +eaten, you know.”</p> +<p>Of course, those who had remained at home +were curious to know whether the rescue expedition +had been successful or not.</p> +<p>“We needn’t ask if you found Hank and his +crowd,” declared Spider Sexton, wisely, “for as +scouts we are educated to observe things, and first +of all we notice that none of you has come back +with the pack he took away. That tells us the +story. But please go on and give the particulars, +Paul.”</p> +<p>“We managed to find them just when they had +their last stick on the fire,” the scout-master commenced +to relate. “We had to dig a way in to +them, for there was an enormous drift banked +up against their exit that they hadn’t even begun +to cut through.”</p> +<p>“How lucky you got there on time!” cried +Frank Savage. “Once more scouts have proved +themselves masters of circumstances. Bully for +Stanhope Troop! I bet you they were glad to +see you! Yes, and like as not told you they were +sorry for ever having done anything to annoy our +crowd.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span></p> +<p>“You’ve hit it to a dot, Frank,” admitted Jud. +“Hank shows some signs of meaning to turn over +a new leaf, and Paul even believes there’s a hope; +but somehow the rest of us reckon its the old story +over again. Once they get on their own stamping +grounds, by degrees they’ll forget all we’ve done +for them, and be back at their old tricks again. +What’s bred in the bone can’t easily be beaten out +of the flesh, my father says.”</p> +<p>“But it does happen once in a while,” admonished +Paul; “so we’ll drop the subject for the +present. If Hank starts in to do the right thing, +though, remember that it’s our duty as scouts to +give him all the help we can. And now let’s +settle on the menu for supper, because we’re all +of us as hungry as wolves.”</p> +<p>While some of the boys were busying themselves +around the fire, Paul took a look at the +slight injuries of the two aspiring hunters, and +complimented the pleased Philip on the clever way +he had attended to their necessities.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXX_A_CHANGE_OF_PLANS' id='CHAPTER_XXX_A_CHANGE_OF_PLANS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> +<h3>A CHANGE OF PLANS</h3> +</div> +<p>That night, as the lads sat before the fire, +those who had gone on the expedition of succor +had to tell further particulars, for the others were +curious to know about everything.</p> +<p>When they heard how Bud Phillips had seen the +two tramps running away from the vicinity of the +fire before hardly any one else was around, of +course Bluff and the four other scouts were fully +agreed that the mystery of the blaze had been as +good as explained.</p> +<p>“All the same,” Jud remarked, “unless we can +show some clinching evidence our theory won’t +hold water with a lot of people who always have +to be given solid proof. That brings up the +subject, we talked about on the way home—should +we pay a visit to that charcoal burners’ cabin, and +try to make prisoners of the yeggs?”</p> +<p>“Great scheme, I’d say!” burst out Frank Savage +without any hesitation.</p> +<p>“B-b-bully idea, let me tell you!” added Bluff. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></p> +<p>“Whee!” exclaimed Sandy. “Nearly takes my +breath away just to hear you mention such a bold +thing; but I’m game to try it if the rest are.”</p> +<p>Paul smiled. Truth to tell he had discounted +all this, knowing what an impetuous lot his followers +were, and how prone to push aside all +thought of personal danger when tempted to perform +some act that might redound to their credit.</p> +<p>“Plenty of time yet to talk that over,” he told +them. “We needn’t decide too hastily, and will +let the subject rest for the present, though I don’t +mind saying that the chances are we’ll conclude to +do something along those lines when on our way +home.”</p> +<p>“Is the charcoal burners’ shack far away from +the creek, Tolly Tip?” questioned Bobolink, +anxiously.</p> +<p>“By the same token I do belave it lies not +more’n a quarrter av a mile off from the strame. +I c’n lade ye to the same with me eyes shut,” announced +the woodsman, evidently just as eager to +take part in the rounding up of the vagrants as +any of the enthusiastic scouts; for his eye was still +a little discolored from the blow he had received +in the fight with the desperate tramps.</p> +<p>As their time was limited, Paul knew that they +should plan carefully if they were to accomplish +all the things they were most desirous of carrying +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +through. On that account he had each one make +up his mind just what was dearest to him, and set +about accomplishing that one thing without any +unnecessary delay.</p> +<p>As for Paul himself, he most of all regretted +the fact that on account of the deep snowdrifts +and the bitter cold he would probably be unable +to get any more flashlight pictures.</p> +<p>“You see,” he explained to some of the others +when they were asking why he felt so disappointed, +“most of the smaller animals are buried out of +sight by the snow. Like the squirrels, they take +time by the forelock, and have laid in a supply of +food, enough to last over this severe spell, so none +of them will be anxious to show up in a hurry.”</p> +<p>“But I heard Tolly Tip giving you a real tip +about the sly mink along the bank of the creek. +How about it, Paul?” asked Jud.</p> +<p>“Well, that’s really my only chance,” admitted +the scout-master. “It seems that minks have a +perfect scorn for wintry weather around here, +Tolly says, and are on the job right along, no matter +how it storms. He knows of one big chap +who has a regular route over which he travels +nearly every night, going in and out of holes in +the banks as if going visiting.”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe you’ve ever had a good snapshot +of a live mink, have you, Paul?” inquired +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +Bluff, showing more or less interest, though still +somewhat stiff with the painful scratches he had +received on the previous day.</p> +<p>“I’ve always wanted to get such a flashlight,” +admitted Paul, “because the mink is said to be one +of the shyest of all small, fur-bearing animals, +even more so than Br’er Fox, and considerably +more timid than Br’er ’Coon.”</p> +<p>“You’ll have to set the trap to-night then, won’t +you?” asked Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“We’ve made all arrangements looking to such +a thing,” Tom was assured. “I’m glad that it +still stays clear and cold. We may only have a +couple more nights in Camp Garrity.”</p> +<p>“But it’s getting a little milder, don’t you +think?” inquired Bobolink.</p> +<p>“It’s a big improvement on yesterday, and I +imagine to-morrow will see a further change,” the +scout-master remarked.</p> +<p>“Then if those fellows in the cave mean to +strike out for home they’ll like as not find their +chance by to-morrow,” observed Jud. “Course +they’ve got enough grub to keep them for a week. +But it isn’t much fun staying cooped up in a cave, +and I reckon they’ve had enough of it. Sim and +Jud acted that way, not to mention Bud Phillips.”</p> +<p>“Before we make our start I’d like to take a +last turn over that way,” Paul observed, as though +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +he had been thinking the matter over. “I’d just +like to see if they did strike out across the timber. +Their trail would tell the story, and we’d know +what to expect.”</p> +<p>“I speak to go with you then,” flashed back +Jud, even as Bluff opened his mouth to give utterance +to the same desire.</p> +<p>“T-t-that’s what a fellow gets for being a stutterer,” +grumbled Bluff. “I meant to say just those +words, but Jud—hang the l-l-luck—was too speedy +for me. Huh!”</p> +<p>“Oh! as for that,” laughed Paul, “both of you +can go along if you care to.”</p> +<p>As the day dragged along the scouts busied +themselves in a dozen different ways according +to their liking. Some preferred to swing the axe +and chop wood, though doubtless if they had been +compelled to do this at home, loud and bitter +would have been their lamentations.</p> +<p>During the afternoon several went out for a +walk, carrying guns along so as to be prepared +for either game, or another pack of hungry wild +dogs, though Tolly Tip assured them that, so +far as he knew, there had existed only the one +pack, with that enormous mastiff as leader.</p> +<p>“If ye follow the directions I’ve been after +givin’ yees, it may be ye’ll come on a bevy av +pa’tridges,” the woodsman told them as they were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span> +setting out. “For by the same token whin we’ve +had a heavy snowfall I’ve always been able to +knock down a lot av the birrds among the berry +bushes. ’Tis there they must go to git food or +be starved entirely. Good luck to ye, boys, an’ +kape yer weather eye open so ye won’t git lost!”</p> +<p>“Remember,” added Paul, “if you do lose your +bearings stop right still and fire three shots in +rapid succession. Later on try it again, and we’ll +come to you. But with such clever woodsmen +along as Jack and Bobolink we don’t expect anything +of that kind to happen, of course.”</p> +<p>Paul himself went with the keeper of the woods +lodge to follow the frozen creek up to a certain +place where there were numerous holes in the +bank. Here Tolly Tip pointed out little footprints +made he said by the minks on the preceding +night.</p> +<p>“Av course,” the woodsman went on to say, “ye +do be knowin’ a hape better nor me jist where the +best place to set the trap might be. All I c’n do is +to show ye the p’int where the minks is most like +to travel to-night.”</p> +<p>“That is just what I want you to do!” exclaimed +Paul. “But you can help me out in fixing things, +so when the mink takes the bait and pulls the +string he’ll be sure to crouch directly in front of +my camera trap.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span></p> +<p>Between them they eventually arranged matters, +and then the trapper removed all traces of their +presence possible, after which they returned to the +cabin.</p> +<p>“If the trap isn’t sprung to-night I’ll have another +try-out,” Paul affirmed, “for it may be a +long while before I’ll get another such chance to +snap off Mr. Sly Mink in his own preserves.”</p> +<p>“Oh! make your mind aisy on that score,” said +Tolly Tip, reassuringly. “I do be knowing the +ways av the crature so well I c’n promise ye there’ll +be no hitch. That bait I set is sure to fetch him +ivery time. I’ve sildom known it to fail.”</p> +<p>The afternoon came to an end, and the glow of +sunset filled the heavens over in the west. The +hunters came trooping in, much to the satisfaction +of some of the stay-at-homes, who were beginning +to fear something might have happened to them.</p> +<p>“We heard a whole lot of shots away off somewhere,” +asserted Phil Towns, “so show us what +you’ve got in the game pockets of your hunting +coats to make them bulge out that way.”</p> +<p>“I’ve got three fat partridges,” said Jack.</p> +<p>“Two for me—one in each pocket!” laughed +Bobolink.</p> +<p>Then Jack and Bobolink looked expectantly toward +Jud as though expecting him to make a still +better showing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span></p> +<p>At that Jud began to unload, and before he +stopped he had laid six birds on the rough deal +table. At that there was much rejoicing.</p> +<p>“Just enough to go around!” exclaimed Sandy +Griggs. “I was beginning to be sorry Bluff and +I had gone and cooked our birds, but now it’s all +right. Here’s for a bully mess to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“We’ve certainly made a big hole in your partridge +supply since coming up here, Tolly Tip,” +announced Bobolink, proudly. “And there’s one +deer less, too.”</p> +<p>“Only one,” said Jud, regretfully; and Paul +knew he must be thinking of the stag responsible +for the tracks seen on that day when they were +on duty bent, and could not turn aside to do any +hunting.</p> +<p>“Well, to-morrow may be our last day here,” +remarked the scout-master, “so every one of you +had better wind up your affairs, to be ready to +start home.”</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXI_GOODBYE_TO_DEER_HEAD_LODGE' id='CHAPTER_XXXI_GOODBYE_TO_DEER_HEAD_LODGE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> +<h3>GOOD-BYE TO DEER HEAD LODGE</h3> +</div> +<p>“I think I’ll sleep a whole lot better to-night,” +announced Bobolink, as he gave a huge yawn, and +stretched his arms high above his head.</p> +<p>“What’s the reason?” demanded Jud, quickly. +“Are you happy because we’re going to break +camp so much sooner than we expected, owing to +everything being snowed under up here in the +woods?”</p> +<p>“Bobolink doesn’t get enough to eat, I reckon,” +suggested Tom Betts.</p> +<p>“If he doesn’t it’s his own fault then,” Jack +went on to say, “because he has more to do with +the cooking end of the game than any of us.”</p> +<p>“I guess I know what he means,” hinted Spider +Sexton, mysteriously.</p> +<p>“Then get a move on you, Spider, and enlighten +the rest of us,” coaxed Sandy, as he cuddled a bit +closer to the crackling fire, for the wind had arisen +again, and parts of the cabin were chilly, despite +the roaring blaze. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span></p> +<p>“Why, the fact of the matter is, Bobolink has +a new girl to take to barn dances and all that this +winter,” said Spider, boldly. “It’s that pretty +Rose Dexter belonging to the new family in town. +Oh! you needn’t grin at me that way, Bobolink. +I own up I was doing my best to cut in on you +there, but you seemed to have the inside track of +me and I quit. But she is a peach if ever there +was one!”</p> +<p>“Well, do you blame me then for feeling satisfied +when we talk of going home?” demanded the +accused scout. “All the same you’re all away off +in your guesses. I’m hoping to sleep soundly to-night +just because my mind is free from wondering +who set that incendiary fire and tapped Mr. +Briggs’ safe.”</p> +<p>“Oh! so that’s the reason, is it?” laughed Paul. +“I’ve been watching you more or less since we came +up here, and I wondered if you hadn’t been trying +to figure that mystery out. I’m glad for your +sake, as well as for some others’ sakes, that we’ve +been able to clear that thing up.”</p> +<p>“All I hope now is that on our way back home +we can stop off and pay the hoboes a little friendly +visit,” continued Bobolink.</p> +<p>“Same here,” Jud added, quickly. “Even if our +outing hasn’t been everything we hoped for, it +would even things up some if we could march into +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span> +Stanhope and hand the guilty men over to the +police.”</p> +<p>Indeed, Bobolink was not the only scout who +slept “like a rock” on that night. Most of the +boys were very tired after the exertions of the +day, and, besides, now that it had been decided +to return home, they really had a load removed +from their minds.</p> +<p>Of course, all of them could have enjoyed a +much longer stay at Deer Head Lodge had the +conditions been normal. That tremendous fall of +snow, something like two feet on the level, Paul +felt, had utterly prostrated many of their best +plans, and facing a protracted siege of it did not +offer a great deal of attraction.</p> +<p>With the coming of morning they were once +more astir, and were soon as busy as a hive of +bees. Each scout seemed intent on getting as much +done as possible while the day lasted.</p> +<p>Tolly Tip alone looked sober. The quaint and +honest fellow had taken a great liking to his +guests, and looked forward to their speedy departure +with something akin to dismay.</p> +<p>“Sure the rist av the winter will same a dreary +time with not a hearty young voice to give me +gratin’ av a mornin’,” he told Paul. “Indade, I +don’t know how I’m goin’ to stand for the same +at all, at all.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span></p> +<p>“I’ll tell you this, Tolly Tip,” replied the scout +leader emphatically. “If we get off during the +Easter holidays some of us may take a run up +here to visit you again. And perhaps you’ll find +occasion to come to Stanhope in some business +dealings with Mr. Garrity. In that case you must +let us know. I’ll call a special meeting of the +scouts, and you’ll be our honored guest.”</p> +<p>The old woodsman was visibly affected by these +hearty words. He led a lonely life of it, although +until the coming of these merry boys it had not +seemed especially so. They had aroused long +buried memories of his own boyhood, and given +him a “new lease of life,” as he declared.</p> +<p>Nothing remarkable happened on this last day +in camp, though numerous things took place. +Paul saw to it that in the afternoon the boys got +everything ready to pack so there would be little +delay in the morning, and they could get an early +start if the weather conditions were at all favorable.</p> +<p>The weather remained good. The great storm +must have covered a considerable stretch of territory +east of the Mississippi and the Great Lakes +and cleared the atmosphere wonderfully, for again +the morning dawned without a threatening cloud +to give cause for anxiety.</p> +<p>There was considerable bustle inside the cabin +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span> +and out of it about that time. Packs were being +done up, though in much smaller compass than +when the boys arrived at the camp, since only +enough food was being taken along to serve for +a couple of meals.</p> +<p>All the rest they only too gladly bequeathed to +their genial host. Many were the silent resolves +on the part of the boys as to what they would +send up to Deer Head Lodge if ever the chance +arrived, tobacco for Tolly Tip’s pipe being of +course the main idea, since he seemed to lack nothing +else.</p> +<p>On Tolly Tip’s part, he forced each of the lads +to pack away a particular pelt which they were +to have made into some sort of small article, just +to remember the glorious outing in the snowy +woods by.</p> +<p>At last the time came to say good-bye to the +camp, and it was with unanimous agreement that +the scouts clustered in a bunch, swung their hats, +and gave three parting cheers for the lodge in the +wilderness.</p> +<p>Tolly Tip had laid out their course, and on the +way the main body halted while he and Paul +tramped over to the foot of the hill where the +cave among the rocks lay.</p> +<p>Paul was pleased to find the cave empty and the +ashes cold where the fire had burned, thus proving +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +that Hank and his three companions had started +overland for home on the previous day.</p> +<p>Once more joining the others, they continued +on their way.</p> +<p>“Next in line come our friends, the hobo yeggmen!” +remarked Jud, with a grim closing of his +lips.</p> +<p>“Listen,” said Paul, impressively, “for the last +time I want to caution you all to follow the directions +I’ve given. We must try to creep up on +that old shack, and find out what the tramps are +doing before we show our hand.”</p> +<p>“Well, what have scouts been learning woodcraft +for if they can’t do a bit of spy work?” asked +Jud, boldly. “All you have to do, Paul, is to pick +those you want to keep you company when you +make the grand creep; while the rest hang out +close by, ready to jump in at the signal and make +it unanimous.”</p> +<p>It might have been noticed, were one watching +closely, that Jud said this with a complacent +smile hovering about his lips. The reason was +easily guessed, because Jud really had no peer +among the members of Stanhope Troop of Boy +Scouts when it came to creeping up on game or +some pretended enemy.</p> +<p>He had often proved his superiority in this +respect, and could therefore take it for granted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +that the scout-master would pick him out to accompany +him on an occasion like this.</p> +<p>“All right, Jud,” said Paul, smilingly, for he +understood very well how the other felt, “I’ll take +Jack with me, Bobolink, and Tom Betts as well—yes, +and you may come along too, I guess.”</p> +<p>Some of them snickered at this, while Jud glared +haughtily around and shrugged his shoulders, looking +aggrieved, until Paul took occasion to whisper +in his ear:</p> +<p>“That was meant for a joke you understand, +Jud. Of course, I couldn’t think of doing this +thing without your help.”</p> +<p>Later on Tolly Tip announced that they would +now leave the creek and head in the direction of +the abandoned charcoal burners’ shack. All the +scouts felt more or less of a thrill in anticipation +of what was to come.</p> +<p>“I only hope,” Jud was heard to mutter, aggressively, +“that they haven’t gone and skedaddled +since Bud Phillips saw ’em in the place. That’d +make me feel pretty sore, let me tell you!”</p> +<p>“Not much chance of that happening, Jud,” +Jack assured the grumbler, “unless by some accident +their supplies got low. And Bud said they +seemed to have enough on hand to last for weeks. +Everything’s going to turn out as we want it, make +up your mind to that.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span></p> +<p>The old woodsman knew every rod of territory +around that section, and could have led his charges +in a bee-line to the shack except for the snowdrifts. +Of course, these caused more or less +meandering, but in the end they came to a place +where Tolly Tip raised a warning finger.</p> +<p>Every boy knew by that they must be close +upon the shack. Indeed, a whiff of wood smoke +floated their way just then, announcing that the +goal was at hand.</p> +<p>They moved on for a couple of minutes. Then +all could glimpse the dilapidated cabin amidst the +snow piles, with smoke oozing from its disabled +mud and slab chimney. Paul made a gesture that +they recognized, whereupon part of the company +came to a halt and hid, while the others crept on +with the leader.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXII_THE_CAPTURE_OF_THE_HOBO_YEGGMEN' id='CHAPTER_XXXII_THE_CAPTURE_OF_THE_HOBO_YEGGMEN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2> +<h3>THE CAPTURE OF THE HOBO YEGGMEN</h3> +</div> +<p>Long practice had made the scouts adepts at +this sort of work. They could creep up on an +unsuspecting sentry almost as cleverly as those +copper-colored natives of the American woods +whom all Boy Scouts copy when studying woodcraft.</p> +<p>Then again the piles of snow helped, as well +as hindered, them more or less. But except for +that column of blue wood smoke drifting lazily +upward over the cabin there was really no sign +of life about the place.</p> +<p>Paul, Tolly Tip and the others of the scouting +party soon reached the rear of the shack. They +could easily see where the two tramps had actually +worked to close up most of the chinks between the +logs, to keep the bitter cold air and the driving +snow out of their refuge.</p> +<p>Men of their sort would never think of staying +for a week or two amidst such barren surroundings +so long as there remained a warm county jail +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +ready to accommodate them with free lodging—that +is, unless they had a good reason for wanting +to avoid civilization.</p> +<p>Paul, believing that they had set that fire and +robbed Mr. Briggs’ safe, could understand just +why they remained here in seclusion. They doubtless +feared suspicion may have been pointed in +their direction, and that something of a search was +being indulged in looking to their ultimate capture.</p> +<p>As soon as they arrived close to the walls of +the shack the boys searched for some crevice +through which they might gain a view of the interior.</p> +<p>Several managed to dig peep-holes by detaching +the frozen mud that the tramps had plastered over +open chinks. They applied their eyes to such crevices, +and first of all discovered a blazing fire. Then +a movement on one side drew their attention to +the taller vagrant sitting quietly smoking his black +pipe as though quite contented with his lot of idleness, +so long as his wants were fairly well supplied.</p> +<p>It happened that the wind had gone down, and +there brooded over the snowy forest a deep silence. +This fact allowed the listeners without to +catch the sound of voices inside the hut, for one +of the tramps talked heavily, and the other had a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +high-pitched voice that carried like a squeaking +fife.</p> +<p>What they were saying just then instantly riveted +the attention of the listeners, for as though +by some strange freak it had an intimate connection +with the object of the scouts’ coming to the +spot.</p> +<p>The shorter man seemed to have been doing +some work on his injured hand, for he was now +carefully wrapping a fresh rag around it. At the +same time he was grumbling because of the pain +his injury gave him.</p> +<p>“I never knowed how bad a burn was till now, +Billy,” was the burden of his complaint. “I’ve +been shot and hurted in every other way, but this +here’s the fust time I ever got licked by fire. It’s +a-goin’ to be the last time too, if I knows it.”</p> +<p>“Any fool had ought to know better’n to play +with fire,” the other told him between his teeth as +he sucked at his pipe. “I reckons that ye’d been +wuss hurt nor that if I hadn’t slapped a pail o’ +water over ye, and put ye out. Gotter stand fur +it, Shorty, till the new skin comes along. A burn +is wuss nor a cut any day.”</p> +<p>“I on’y hopes as how it’s well afore we skip +outen this hole,” the sufferer went on to say, still +unappeased. “If we git in a tight hole I’d need +both my fins to do business with. A one-handed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +man ain’t got much chance to slip away when the +cornfield cops make a raid.”</p> +<p>“They ain’t goin’ to bother us any! Make up +yer mind to that same, boy,” continued the tall +vagrant, complacently. “When the time comes, +an’ the weather lets up on us a bit, why, we’ll jest +flit outen this region by the back door. I’m only +mad as hops ’bout one thing.”</p> +<p>“Yep, an’ I know what it be, ’cause ye been +harpin’ on that subject right along, Billy. Yer +disapp’inted ’cause the old man didn’t have a bigger +haul in his cracked safe.”</p> +<p>“Well, that’s what ails me,” admitted the other +in a grumbling way. “We’d a been fixed fur a +year to come if only he’d had a good wad lyin’ +low, ’stead of a measly bunch of the long green.”</p> +<p>“Better luck next time, Billy, say I,” continued +the shorter tramp, as he finished fastening the +soiled rag about his left hand and wrist.</p> +<p>It can be easily understood that Paul had heard +quite enough by this time. There was not the +slightest doubt in the world that Billy and his partner +had been guilty of setting fire to Mr. Briggs’ +store, and had also broken open his ancient safe +to extract whatever amount of money happened +to be in it at the time.</p> +<p>Paul drew back and touched each one of his +companions in turn. They knew just what the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +gesture he made signified. The time for action +had come, and they were thus invited to take part +with him in the holding up of the desperate pair.</p> +<p>That the tramps belonged to this class of wandering +criminals there could not be the least doubt +after hearing snatches of their conversation. This +affair of Mr. Briggs’ store was apparently but one +of many similar episodes in their careers.</p> +<p>The little party now proceeded to creep around +to the front of the shack. They knew, of course, +that the door had been repaired and that it was +also closed tightly, but Paul hardly believed they +would find any difficulty in pushing it open.</p> +<p>Arriving at the point that was to witness their +sudden attack, Paul marshaled his followers in +a compact mass. He meant to imitate in some degree +the flying wedge used upon the football field +with such good effect.</p> +<p>Tolly Tip was given the post of honor in the +van. This was done partly because of the fact +that he was a man, and the boys felt the tramps +would be likely to feel more respect for a company +of invaders led by a grown-up.</p> +<p>After the woodsman came Paul and Jud. Jack, +Bobolink and Tom Betts formed the base of the +triangle which was to push through the opening +with all possible speed, once the door had been +thrown open. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span></p> +<p>Even though they found it fastened by some sort +of bar or wooden pin, Paul had arranged in his +mind just how such fastenings could be broken +without trouble. He had noted quite a good-sized +log lying near by, used by the vagrants in their +seclusion to chop their firewood on. And Paul +had decided that this log would make an admirable +battering ram. The door was old and feeble, so +that one good slam would doubtless hurl it back, +and give them free ingress.</p> +<p>There was no need of all this display of energy, +however, for upon investigation Paul discovered +that he could easily move the door, once he got his +hand on the wooden latch.</p> +<p>He only waited to make sure that the others +were ready, and then fell back into his pre-arranged +place, leaving to Tolly Tip the honor of +opening the way.</p> +<p>When the woodsman felt a hand jab him in the +short ribs he recognized this as the signal from +Paul for which he had been waiting. He immediately +threw the door back with such violence that +it crashed to the floor, its weak hinges giving way +under the strain.</p> +<p>In through the opening the whole six of them +poured. The boys’ hunting guns were instantly +leveled in the direction of the astounded tramps, +who started to scramble to their feet, but, cowed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span> +by the display of force, sank back again in dire +dismay.</p> +<p>“Hold up your arrms!” roared Tolly Tip, just +as he had been instructed to do by the scout-master.</p> +<p>Both hoboes made ludicrous haste to elevate +their hands as far as they could. In the excitement +of the moment, having only caught glimpses of +khaki uniforms, they imagined that a detachment +of the State militia had been called out to search +the woods for the firebugs guilty of trying to destroy +Mr. Briggs’ establishment in Stanhope.</p> +<p>By the time they realized that five of the invaders +were only boys it was too late to attempt anything +like defiance. Besides, those shotguns and +rifles, even when held in boyish hands, had just as +grim a look as though gripped by grown-up warriors.</p> +<p>“Jud, you’ve got the thongs I supplied!” called +out Paul, “so get busy, with Jack to help you, and +tie their hands behind them. Slip those mitts on +before you do it, because we’ve got a long way +to go, and it would be cruel to have their fingers +frost-bitten on the road to Stanhope.”</p> +<p>The men dared not offer any objections, though +they kept using strong language, much to the disgust +of some of the scouts.</p> +<p>“Paul, tell them that unless they close their +mouths and quit that swearing we’ll gag them +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +both,” said Jack, unable to endure it any longer.</p> +<p>“I was just about to say that when you took +the words out of my mouth!” declared the scout-master, +indignantly. “I’ve got a couple of gags +ready here, made for the occasion. If you know +when you’re well off, you fellows, keep still, and +accept your fate like men. You’re only going to +get what you deserve after all.”</p> +<p>“It was a bad day for you both when you struck +Stanhope,” said Jud, with one of his tantalizing +grins. “I only wish I knew the tramp signs, so I +could write a warning on every fence outside the +town so’s to keep other hobo yeggs away.”</p> +<p>Having accomplished the object of their mission +without any trouble they now went back to +join their comrades, who were anxiously waiting +for the signal Paul was to give in case their help +was needed. And great was the disappointment +of Bluff, Sandy, Frank, Spider and Phil when they +found that they had been left out of the game.</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIII_CONCLUSION' id='CHAPTER_XXXIII_CONCLUSION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2> +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> +</div> +<p>Once more striking the frozen creek the boys, +accompanied by Tolly Tip still, headed down the +stream, bent upon reaching Lake Tokala early in +the afternoon. The two prisoners were well +looked after, though there was little danger of +their giving any trouble.</p> +<p>Upon searching them the boys had found some +money and several small articles of more or less +value that they suspected had been taken from +the storekeeper’s safe at the time of the robbery. +These would perhaps assist materially to convict +“Billy” and “Shorty” when the time for their trial +came.</p> +<p>The men, stolid, after their kind, seemed to +have become reconciled to their fate. Nevertheless, +Paul did not mean to relax his vigilance in +the least degree. He knew very well that such +cunning characters would be ready to take advantage +of the least opportunity to break away.</p> +<p>In fact all of the scouts had resolved to be constantly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +on the watch. They were in imagination +already receiving the hearty congratulations from +some of the leading townspeople for capturing the +guilty rogues, and did not mean to be cheated out +of their pleasure through careless handling of the +case.</p> +<p>“There’s the lake!” announced Jud Elderkin, +presently.</p> +<p>“Yes, and I can see smoke coming from the +cabin of Abe Turner!” Bobolink hastily added, +for he knew just where to look for the humble +domicile of the man Mr. Garrity had stationed at +the lake to make preliminary preparations for the +extensive logging operations he meant to start on +the following spring.</p> +<p>Abe heard their shouts and greeted them +warmly. Of course, he was interested on discovering +that they had captured the two tramps, and +admitted that there could be no reasonable doubt +of their guilt, once he heard the story, and saw +Shorty’s scorched hand.</p> +<p>But the boys did not mean to stay over night +at the lake. That would make their next day’s +journey too long, for they hoped to get into Stanhope +before the setting of another sun.</p> +<p>Tolly Tip said good-bye sorrowfully. He concluded +that he might as well stay with Abe that +night for company. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span></p> +<p>“’Tis harrd to say ye go away, lads,” the old +woodsman told them, as he wrung each scout’s +hand with a vim that made him wince. “Depind +on it, I’ll often think av ivery one av ye as the +days crape along. Here’s a good luck to the whole +bunch! And be sure to remimber me to Mr. Garrity.”</p> +<p>“We will, Tolly Tip, and here’s three cheers +for you!” cried Bobolink; and no doubt the vigorous +shouts that arose would ring pleasantly in +the ears of the old woodsman for many a day.</p> +<p>The boys managed to cross the lake and use +their iceboats in the bargain, for the violence of +the wind had kept most of the surface clear of +snow. It was a new experience to the two vagrants, +and one they hardly fancied; though the +boats they were placed on did not make any remarkable +time, the breeze being very light.</p> +<p>Once on the Radway river, the boys found it +necessary to drag the boats pretty much all the +way. They kept on, however, until the sun was +setting, and then concluded to camp for the night.</p> +<p>Paul knew that this would be the time when the +most danger would arise concerning the possible +escape of the prisoners. He was more than ever +determined that such a catastrophe should not +occur, even if he himself had to sit up and keep +watch all through the night. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></p> +<p>The boys chose a very good spot for a camp, in +that there was an abundance of loose wood at +hand that could be used for fuel. Jud also suggested +that they build two fires, so that they would +have a certain amount of warmth on either side.</p> +<p>“That’s a good idea,” said Paul, falling in with +it immediately, for he saw how it would simplify +matters in connection with their prisoners.</p> +<p>He did not dare allow these men to have the +freedom of their arms, for there could be no telling +what they might not attempt in the desire to +gain their freedom. And with their hands tied +the lack of circulation might cause their extremities +to freeze unless looked after.</p> +<p>Supper was cooked, and things made as cheerful +as the conditions allowed. Indeed, most of +the boys thought that it was rather in the nature +of a novel experience to be forced to sleep amidst +the snow banks, and with only a scanty brush shelter +between themselves and the clear, cold sky.</p> +<p>Few of them secured much sleep, it may as well +be admitted. Paul himself was on the alert most +of the night. Dozens of times his head bobbed +up, and his suspicious eyes covered the cowering +forms of the two prisoners, who had been placed +where they would get the full benefit of the twin +fires.</p> +<p>Then again the fires needed frequent attention, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +and Paul took it upon himself to see that they +did not die down too low; for the night was still +bitter cold. As an abundant supply of wood had +been gathered by willing hands it was not very +hard to toss a few armfuls on each fire from time +to time.</p> +<p>Morning came at last, and the scouts were up +with the break of day. The fires were again attended +to, and breakfast started, for the lads knew +they would have a hard day’s journey before them.</p> +<p>There was a strong possibility that they would +encounter some huge drifts which might block their +passage; and it was this that gave Paul the most +concern.</p> +<p>It was nearly eleven when they finally sighted +the place where the one-time canal merged its +waters with the Radway river, forming the connecting +link between that waterway and the home +stream.</p> +<p>“Looks like an old friend,” asserted Jud, when +they had turned off the wider stretch and started +to follow the canal.</p> +<p>“But see the snow piles ahead of us, will you?” +cried Bobolink in dismay. “We’re going to have +some jolly work climbing through those!”</p> +<p>“If you only look,” remarked Paul, “in most +cases you’ll find you’re able to go around the hills +that bar your way.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span></p> +<p>It was very much as Paul said, for, as a rule, +they were able to find a passage around the huge +drifts. Still progress was very tedious, and when +the scouts finally reached the river the afternoon +was well along.</p> +<p>“Look! will you?” called out Sandy Griggs, exultantly. +“The dear old Bushkill is swept as clear +as a barn floor, and the ice is gilt-edged!”</p> +<p>“Why!” echoed Bobolink, equally pleased, “our +troubles have vanished just like smoke wreaths. +We can run all the way home with this nice breeze +that’s coming up the river as fair as anything. +Whoop! we’re in great luck, fellows!”</p> +<p>Stanhope was reached half an hour before sundown. +There were a good many people on the +ice, mostly boys and girls, and the coming of the +iceboat flotilla created something of a stir. This +was considerably augmented when it was learned +that the scouts who had gone off on a trip to the +snow woods had brought back two vagrants, +who were responsible for the fire and the robbery +that had recently occurred in the town.</p> +<p>Of course, the men were easily convicted with +so much evidence against them. Mr. Briggs publicly +declared that he was very sorry for saying +what he had in connection with the scouts, and +that from that time on they could count on him +as a friend of the organization. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span></p> +<p>Some of the boys believed they would never +again have the opportunity of engaging in such +interesting events as had come their way during +the midwinter outing. There were others, however, +who declared that such an enterprising group +of scouts would surely meet with new adventures +while pursuing the study of Nature’s mysteries. +That these latter were good prophets the reader +may learn from the succeeding volume of this +series.</p> +<p>At the very next meeting of the Banner Boy +Scouts Mr. Thomas Garrity was an honored guest, +and had the privilege of hearing an account read +that covered all the doings of the ten lads during +their midwinter outing.</p> +<p>At the conclusion of the meeting it was only +proper that a vote of thanks should be given to +their benefactor for his kindness. This was done +and was followed by three cheers that made Mr. +Garrity’s ears ring, and a smile of sympathy for +these boyish hearts linger on his lips.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS SNOWBOUND***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 28531-h.txt or 28531-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/5/3/28531">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/5/3/28531</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** 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 +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +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 are 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.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +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. 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://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +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://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +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://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/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. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +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. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/28531-h/images/illus-emb.png b/28531-h/images/illus-emb.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ab1e027 --- /dev/null +++ b/28531-h/images/illus-emb.png diff --git a/28531-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg b/28531-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9311eb5 --- /dev/null +++ b/28531-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg |
