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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Scouts in the Maine Woods, by Herbert Carter
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Scouts in the Maine Woods
+       The New Test for the Silver Fox Patrol
+
+Author: Herbert Carter
+
+Release Date: February 25, 2010 [EBook #31389]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Can we make the pond, Jim?" asked Thad. "Not the big
+pond," Jim called back; "but there's a little one about half way."
+_The Boy Scouts in the Maine Woods_ _Page 241_]
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS
+
+OR
+
+THE NEW TEST FOR THE SILVER FOX PATROL
+
+By HERBERT CARTER
+
+Author of "The Boy Scouts First Camp Fire," "The Boy Scouts in the
+Blue Ridge," "The Boy Scouts on the Trail," "The Boy Scouts Through
+the Big Timber," "The Boy Scouts In the Rockies"
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+
+NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1913
+
+By A. L. Burt Company
+
+THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS.
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+AFLOAT ON THE WINDING AROOSTOOK.
+
+
+"I tell you, Bumpus Hawtree, I can do it as easy as turn my hand over,
+once I get the hang of the thing!"
+
+"Oh! you don't say so, Giraffe? Here you've been trying for these three
+days past, with your silly old bow and stick, twirling away like an
+organ grinder; and never so much as struck a single spark of fire yet."
+
+"Well, you see, there are a whole lot of things about the thing I don't
+know."
+
+"Sure there are. You can do everything but the right thing. You spin
+that stick with the point that fits in the hole you made in that block
+of wood, like fun; but your fine tinder don't even smoke, as far as I
+can see."
+
+"Huh! you'll see it do more than that, and before the end of this Maine
+trip, I'll give you to understand, Bumpus."
+
+"Oh! will I? How kind of you, Giraffe."
+
+"You needn't say that like you didn't believe I'd ever beat it out. I've
+made fires ten different ways, and you know that. And listen to me--I'm
+just bound to get one going in that South Sea Island method we've read
+about, 'or give up trying!' You hear me, Bumpus?"
+
+"No trouble about that, Giraffe. Tell you what I'll do, though, in the
+generosity of my heart--make a wager with you about that fire business;
+and it's a treat of ice-cream for the crowd, for the loser."
+
+"I take you on that," quickly snapped back the long-legged Boy Scout who
+was curled up in the stern of the canvas canoe that was being pushed
+along by the energetic arms of a sturdy guide, as straight as his name
+was the opposite, it being Eli Crooks.
+
+"Then let's have a clear understanding," observed the fat lad, squatting
+rather awkwardly in the bow of the same craft; "say, you other fellows,
+d'ye hear what we're talking about?" and he raised his voice a trifle,
+so that the occupants of the two other boats that were close by, might
+listen; just as if they had not been keeping their ears wide open; for
+when Bumpus and Giraffe got into a hot argument, there was generally
+plenty of fun in the air.
+
+One of the other canoes contained three scouts, as could be told from
+various parts of their khaki uniforms that they wore, even when off on a
+hunting trip. The clear-eyed fellow who seemed to be in charge of the
+party was Thad Brewster; one of his companions was known as Step Hen
+Bingham, because, as a little chap he had insisted at school that was
+the way his name should be spelled, while the third was an exceedingly
+wiry boy, Davy Jones by name, and who had always been a human monkey
+when it came to athletics, climbing trees, and doing all sorts of queer
+stunts.
+
+In the third boat was a shorter Maine guide, a sort of slow chap who
+came by the name of Jim Hasty just as the other did that of Crooks; and
+the scout with him was Allan Hollister, a lad born in the very State
+they were now exploring; and who assisted the scoutmaster in his duties.
+
+All these six boys belonged to the Silver Fox Patrol connected with a
+troop of scouts located in a New York town called Cranford. Two more had
+been unable to take the Maine trip, which had already carried the bunch
+through some adventurous times in another part of the State, whither
+they had first gone in order to overtake a gentleman just then moose
+hunting, and with whom Thad had to get in touch for certain business
+reasons.
+
+Now they were on the Aroostook River, the three boats, as well as the
+party, having been transported from Grindstone by rail, and launched at
+the junction of the Masardis with the first mentioned stream.
+
+One of the guides having been brought up in this region, had promised
+the boys rare sport, if only they would trust to his judgment in the
+matter. The trip was of indefinite length, the only stipulation being
+that they should not go outside the United States, when approaching the
+New Brunswick border along the great St. Johns River.
+
+All of them seemed to be just bubbling over with enthusiasm and spirits.
+With a new voyage before them, plenty to eat aboard the canoes, guns
+with which to secure game, tents provided by Jim Hasty at his home town;
+and "everything lovely, while the goose hung high," as Bumpus had put
+it, really there was no excuse for any of the scouts to feel downcast.
+
+In their former trip around the Penobscot region the boys had had the
+good fortune to be chiefly instrumental in causing the arrest of a
+couple of fleeing yeggmen, who had broken into several banks, and for
+whose arrest quite a decent reward was offered. Not only that, but they
+had recovered valuable bonds and papers, that would undoubtedly cause
+the bank officials to back up the offer they had made, which was to the
+effect that two thousand dollars would be paid to the parties returning
+the said bonds, and no questions asked.
+
+Bumpus had been the one who seemed chiefly concerned over this money
+matter; for it happened that the fat scout wanted dearly to visit the
+Far West, and was always talking of California, together with the game
+to be met with in the famous Rock Mountains. And with this windfall
+coming to their almost exhausted treasure box, it now seemed as though
+the Silver Fox Patrol might get away when the next vacation came around.
+
+Giraffe, the boy with the long neck, which he could twist around in a
+way his comrades despaired of ever imitating, had one particular
+weakness. He was a regular fire worshipper. They depended on Giraffe to
+start the fires, whether a cooking blaze or the big camp-fire around
+which they loved to sit or lie, after supper was over.
+
+Many times did Thad have to caution him about his recklessness in this
+regard; and his vigilance increased, now that they were in a State where
+forest preservation was of such moment that a special fire warden, with
+many assistants, was employed, to see that the laws were strictly
+enforced; and intending hunters were not allowed to go forth without
+being accompanied by a licensed guide, to make sure that all fires were
+utterly extinguished before breaking camp.
+
+Of course, when Giraffe took it upon himself to find out if he could not
+make a fire after every known method, there was more or less fun for the
+crowd. But he had proved that his studies in this direction were worth
+while; for he had used flint and steel, matches, a burning glass for the
+sun to do the business, and various other methods with stunning success.
+
+But he had thus far been "stumped" as he himself expressed it, when it
+came to starting a blaze after the formula of the South Sea Islanders.
+His little bow was made according to directions, and would whirl the
+pointed stick with tremendous force in the basin that had the hole in
+the bottom; but thus far, just as Bumpus so exultantly declared, the
+aspiring Giraffe had failed to accomplish the object he had in view.
+
+"Well, now," remarked Giraffe, "since you've got all the bears and moose
+in the Aroostook country to listen, suppose you go and explain what
+we're driving at, Bumpus," when the other boys had declared that they
+heard the whole argument.
+
+"The wager is cream for the crowd at the first chance," the fat boy went
+on, with pointed emphasis. "Giraffe says he can start a fire with that
+bunty little bow of his, and the twirling stick that heats things up,
+and makes the fine tinder take fire--when you've got the hang of things.
+He's got to do it before we wind up this particular trip; and at a time
+when one or more of us are on deck to act as witnesses. Hear that,
+fellows?"
+
+"What he says are the exact conditions," added the confident Giraffe.
+"And just make up your minds I'm going to do that same stunt yet. Why,
+half a dozen times already I've been pretty close to getting fire; but
+something always seemed to happen just at the last minute. Once my
+bowstring sawed through. Another time the plaguey stick burst. Then
+Bumpus had to fall all over me just when I felt sure the spark was going
+to come in the tinder. And the last time, you may remember, when I sang
+out that I had it, why, down came that heavy rain, and put me out of
+business."
+
+A general laugh followed these complaining remarks from the tall scout.
+
+"Looks like you might be hoodooed, Giraffe," said Davy Jones.
+
+"All right, no matter what's the matter, if grit and perseverance can
+accomplish the business, you'll see it done in great style sooner or
+later!" cried Giraffe, who could be quite determined when he chose.
+
+"Then let's hope it will be sooner," remarked Step Hen; "because you
+know him well enough to understand that we'll have no peace of our lives
+till he either gets his little fire started, or else makes a failure of
+the game."
+
+"Anyhow," broke in Allan from the rear, "no matter how it comes out, the
+rest of us stand to have a free feast later on. It's 'heads I win, tails
+you lose,' for the balance of the Silver Fox Patrol. And in advance, we
+hand our united thanks to Bumpus; or will it be Giraffe?"
+
+"And," Bumpus went on, calmly; "while Giraffe is worrying his poor old
+head over that puzzle every time we get settled in camp, I'll be
+improving each shining hour like the busy little bee, trying out my new
+gun. Told you fellows, I was going to invest the first chance I got; and
+here's my brand new double barrel; that's guaranteed, the man said, to
+knock the spots out of any big game that I hold it on."
+
+"Huh!" grunted Giraffe, who seemed a trifle grumpy on account of having
+his fire-making abilities made fun of, for he was quite touchy on that
+score; "chances are, it'll knock spots out of you, first of all, or give
+you a few to remember it by, if you go and get excited, and pull both
+triggers at once, as you're likely to do, if I know you at all, Bumpus."
+
+"What in the wide world did you go and get a big ten bore for, when
+you're such a short fellow?" asked Thad, who had often wanted to find
+out about this particular subject.
+
+Bumpus, who was fondling his new possession, grinned rather sheepishly.
+
+"Well," he remarked, "you see, Thad's Marlin, and Davy's gun are both
+twelve guage, and I thought we ought to have variety in the crowd, so I
+got a ducking gun. Besides, I knew it would be better when I came to
+shoot buckshot in it, just like I've got in the chambers right now,
+ready for any old moose bull that chooses to show up. And in fact,
+fellows, it was the only sort of shotgun I could buy, unless I took one
+of them pump guns; and I just couldn't think of working all that
+machinery when I get so rattled, you know."
+
+"Please keep that blunderbuss pointed the other way, Bumpus," said Step
+Hen.
+
+"Yes, for goodness' sake don't you turn it around here!" called out
+Giraffe. "If ever you blew a hole in the bottom of this canvas canoe,
+we'd go down like a stone."
+
+"I'd be sorry for that," remarked Bumpus, still fondling his new
+purchase lovingly, although he kept it pointed ahead, as directed;
+"because, you see, we've got a lot of good grub aboard this canoe, and
+it might get soaked."
+
+"Huh! thinking of the grub before you take me into consideration, are
+you?" grunted Giraffe; and perhaps he might have said more, only just at
+that instant Eli turned his head and made a remark to him which caused
+the long-necked boy to lift his head, and then shout out excitedly:
+
+"A bear! A bear! over there on the bank ahead!"
+
+"Oh! where did I put my gun?" almost shrieked Step Hen, who was forever
+misplacing things, and then finding them again in the most unexpected
+places.
+
+"Bumpus, knock him over! There's the best chance to try your new gun you
+ever saw! Let him have it, you silly!" roared Giraffe.
+
+The fat boy heard all the clamor. He also sighted the lumbering bear,
+which, after taking one good look at the approaching canoes, turned to
+shuffle back again into the shelter of the protecting brush, as though
+he did not much fancy any closer acquaintance with the two-legged
+occupants.
+
+Bumpus scrambled to his knees. He was trembling like a leaf shaken in
+the gale; but nevertheless managed to clumsily throw the double-barrel
+to his shoulder, after pulling back both hammers.
+
+They saw him bend his chubby neck, as though to sight along the barrels.
+Then a tremendous explosion occurred, as though a young cannon had been
+fired; and the next instant Bumpus went over flat on his back, among the
+duffle with which the canoe was loaded, his feet coming into view as he
+landed among the blankets, and the packages of food, secured in the
+rubber ponchos to keep them from getting wet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A WARNING FROM A GAME POACHER.
+
+
+"Did I g-g-get him?"
+
+Bumpus, as he spoke these eager words, managed to gain a sitting
+position, though his first act was to rub his shoulder as though it
+pained him.
+
+There was a roar from all the boys at this remark, and indeed, even the
+two Maine guides grinned more or less.
+
+"Listen to the innocent, would you?" shouted Giraffe; "when his buckshot
+tore up the water half way between the boat and the shore, till it
+looked just like one of those spouting geysers we read about, out in
+Yellowstone Park. Did he get him, boys?"
+
+Step Hen put his hands to his mouth, megaphone fashion, and bawled out:
+
+"Hey, answer that, Mr. Bear, please; let the poor boy know whether he
+tickled your tough old hide with one of his buckshot. Because, who
+knows, fellows, but what it might a glanced off the top of the water,
+and landed," and he winked at Allan, who was in the canoe with Jim Hasty
+close by.
+
+"I don't hear any answer floating back," remarked Thad; "and so we'll
+have to believe that either the bear is lying there, stone dead, or else
+has skipped out to safe quarters. Bears never can stand being fired at
+by cannon, they tell me."
+
+"Cannon!" burst out Giraffe at this moment, for he had managed to
+possess himself of the new gun by pointing to it, and having Eli Crooks
+pass it along. "Cannon! well, I should smile! What d'ye think he did,
+fellers? Just exactly what I warned him to beware of, when he saw game,
+and got excited; pulled both triggers at the same time! Gee! no wonder
+it knocked him over! I'd hate to have been behind that charge myself;
+and I've stood a good many heavy ones."
+
+"Ain't we going ashore to see if I did just happen to bowl that old bear
+over?" whined Bumpus, looking appealingly at Thad. "I'd never forgive
+myself, you see, if I found out that he _had_ died, and no one even
+got a steak off him. A scout never wants to waste the good things of
+life like that, does he, Thad?"
+
+But the scoutmaster shook his head.
+
+"I guess there's no chance of that happening, Bumpus," he remarked. "By
+now your bear is a quarter of a mile away from here, and running yet."
+
+"Don't blame him," said Step Hen. "That new gun makes enough noise to
+burst your ear drums, Bumpus. And let's hope you won't ever pull both
+triggers again. Just practice putting one finger at a time in action.
+After you've shot the first barrel, let it just slip back to catch the
+second trigger. It's as easy as tumbling off a log."
+
+"Or going over backward, when you do bang away with both barrels at
+once," added Davy Jones, wisely.
+
+As they were descending the river the work was comparatively easy for
+the two guides. They would have their business cut out for them later
+on, when their plan of campaign, looking toward reaching the Eagle chain
+of lakes, was more fully developed.
+
+In the beginning there had been three of the paddlers in the party; but
+a telegram had caught them as they left the train, calling the Oldtown
+Indian, Sebattis, home, on account of the serious sickness of his wife.
+
+Thad was capable of assuming charge of one canoe, with the assistance of
+Step Hen and Davy, both lusty fellows. And so they had not bothered
+trying to fill the gap at the last hour. The chances were that they
+might have had to take some fellow along who would turn out to be
+sullen, or else a shirk; thus spoiling much of their pleasure on the
+trip.
+
+These members of the Silver Fox Patrol had reason to feel proud, because
+each one of them was at that time wearing a trifling little badge that
+proved their right to call themselves assistant fire wardens, employed
+by the great State of Maine to forever keep an eye out for dangerous
+conflagrations, and labor to extinguish the same before they could do
+much damage.
+
+It had come about in this manner:
+
+On the train they had formed the acquaintance of a gentleman, who turned
+out to be the chief fire warden, on his way right then to patrol a
+certain district that nearly every year boasted of one or more severe
+fires.
+
+He was greatly interested in Thad's account of the numerous things a Boy
+Scout aspired to do each day; and as it was his privilege to take on as
+many unpaid assistants as he chose, just as a sheriff may do in an
+emergency, the gentleman had with his own hands pinned a little badge on
+the lapel of each boy's coat.
+
+They were very proud of the honor, and expressed their intention of
+serving as fire-wardens to the best of their ability--all but Giraffe.
+He used to shake his head every time he glanced down at his badge, and
+look solemn. The fact of the matter was, Giraffe had all his life been
+so wrapped up in _starting_ fires, that the very idea of spending
+his precious time in helping to _put one out_ did not appeal to him
+very strongly.
+
+"Jim is telling me that we can expect to see the mouth of the Little
+Machias River any old time from now on," remarked Allan; "and while I
+haven't come up this way exactly, to the Eagle waters, I guess he's
+about right."
+
+"Sure he is," ventured Giraffe, "for we passed the place where the Big
+Machias joins forces with the Aroostook some time back; and unless my
+eagle eye fails me, away up ahead I can see the junction right now,
+where we turn to the left, and leave this dandy old stream. Then the fun
+begins with the paddles."
+
+"What was that the fire-warden was saying to you, Thad, about some sort
+of bad man up in this region, that gave the game wardens more trouble
+than all the rest of the poachers combined?" Step Hen asked.
+
+Jim Hasty was seen to squirm a little; and Thad noticed this as he
+answered the question.
+
+"Oh! yes, he was warning me to steer clear of one Caleb Martin, a
+strapping big fellow who used to be, first a logger, and then one of
+those men who get boats' knees out of the swamps and marshes up here;
+but who for some years has made up his mind to loaf, and take toll of
+other peoples' traps, or shoot game out of season."
+
+"Caleb Martin, eh?" Step Hen went on; "seems to me it was another name
+from that?"
+
+"Well," Thad continued, "he did mention two others who were said to be
+cronies of the big poacher. Let's see, I believe their names were Si
+Kedge and Ed Harkness; wasn't that it, Jim?" and he turned suddenly on
+the smaller guide.
+
+"That's right," answered the other, promptly; "though to be fair and
+squar' with you, I didn't hear him speakin' o' 'em atall. But I lived up
+hyar, yuh knows, an' Cale, he's been akeepin' the hull kentry kinder
+riled a long time now. I'm hopin' we won't run a crost him any, an'
+that's a fact."
+
+"Sounds like there wasn't much love lost between you and this same Cale
+Martin?" ventured Thad.
+
+"They hain't," was the only thing Jim would say; and Thad knew there
+must be a story back of it, which he hoped later on to hear.
+
+"But why should the wardens be afraid of just three men, when they have
+the law on their side; that's what I'd like to know?" Bumpus demanded.
+
+Giraffe gave a scornful laugh.
+
+"The law don't count for a great deal away up in the wilderness,
+Bumpus," he remarked, in a condescending way. "All sorts of things are
+done when men get away off in the Maine woods. They laugh at the law,
+till they feel its hand on their shoulder, and see the face of a warden
+close to theirs. Then p'raps they wilt. But this bully of the big woods
+has had a free hand up yonder so long, that he just thinks he's the boss
+of all creation. He needs takin' down, I reckon. And p'raps, if we
+happen to run across him, it might be the mission of the Silver Fox
+Patrol to teach him a lesson. Queerer things have happened, as we all
+know, looking back a little at our own experiences."
+
+"We don't want to brag," remarked Thad. "Perhaps the shoe would be on
+the other foot, and he might kick the lot of us out of his territory.
+But all the same, let's hope our trail won't cross that of Cale Martin."
+
+They were presently turning in to the left, and starting to ascend the
+Little Machias; a pretty stream, which some years back used to fairly
+teem with game-fish, but which, like many another river in Maine, has
+felt the effect of the continual work of thousands of fishermen, and
+worse than that, the sly netting at the hands of lawless poachers.
+
+Step Hen was interested in many things that opened to their view as they
+went on, and his two companions did the paddling; for he had been
+working quite some time himself, and was entitled to a resting spell.
+
+This was a new trait in Step Hen. Time had been when he would hardly
+notice a single thing when out in the woods, unless his attention was
+especially directed to it by a comrade. But it was so no longer; and the
+way his awakening came about, as mentioned in a previous story, is
+worthy of being recorded again, as showing what a trifling thing may
+start a boy to thinking, and observing the myriad of interesting events
+that are constantly occurring around him, no matter where he may happen
+to be at the time, in a crowded city, or alone in a vast solitude.
+
+Step Hen had once come upon a humble little tumble-bug, striving to push
+a ball four times as big as himself up a forlorn road, at a point where
+there was a "thank-you-mum," intended to throw the water aside during a
+heavy rain, and save the road from being guttered.
+
+He had grown so deeply interested in seeing the little creature try
+again and again to overcome the stupendous difficulties that faced it,
+that he lay there for half an hour, watching; clapping his hands when he
+thought success had come, and feeling deeply sorry when a slip caused
+the ball to roll back again, often upsetting the bug, and passing over
+its body.
+
+The astonishing pluck of the humble little bug had aroused the
+admiration of the boy; and in the end he had picked up both ball and
+bug, and placed them safely above the baffling ascent in the road. And
+after that hour Step Hen awoke to the fact that an observing boy need
+never lack for something intensely interesting to chain his attention,
+no matter where he might be. All he had to do was to keep his eyes open,
+and look. Nature had ten thousand deeply interesting and curious things
+that appeal to the one who knows how to enjoy them.
+
+And so from that day Step Hen was noticed to be eagerly on the watch for
+new sights. He asked many questions that proved his mind had awakened;
+and Thad knew that that half hour when the scout had lain alongside the
+mountain road down in North Carolina, had possibly been the turning
+point in his career; for he would never again be the same old careless,
+indifferent Step Hen of the past.
+
+"There comes another canoe down the river!" suddenly cried Bumpus, who
+was still squatting in the bow of the leading canoe, industriously
+rubbing his right shoulder as though it pained him considerably; a fact
+Thad noticed, and which had caused him to promise that he would take a
+look at the lame part when they stopped for their midday meal, very soon
+now.
+
+There was only one man in the canoe that was approaching, and presently
+Jim Hasty remarked that he knew him.
+
+"It's sure Hen Parry, from up where I used to hold out," he went on to
+say; and then called out to the approaching Maine guide, as his make-up
+pronounced the other to be; "hullo, Hen, howd'ye? Glad tuh see yuh. Come
+closer, and shake hands. How's everybody up to the old place?"
+
+The other dark-faced fellow seemed pleased to his old friend, and
+immediately gripped the extended hand.
+
+"Guess ther putty well up thar, Jim; an' no need o' my askin' how ye
+be'n, 'cause yer lookin' prime," he remarked; and then suddenly an
+expression akin to dismay flashed across his weather-beaten face, as he
+continued: "By the same token I got er message fur ye, Jim, in case I
+run up agin ye on my way down to Squawpan, where I gotter meet a party
+that's bound up huntin'. Ye won't like to hear it, neither, I kinder
+guess, 'cause it's from a feller ye got no use for."
+
+"Cale Martin?" burst involuntarily from the lips of Jim Hasty, while his
+face turned a shade whiter under its coat of tan.
+
+"Ther same critter," Hen went on. "He's still runnin' things to suit
+hisself up thar around the Eagle chain, an' larfin' at all ther game
+wardens in Aroostook county ter stop him ahavin' his way."
+
+"Why should he tell yuh anything tuh say tuh me; an' how'd he know I was
+acomin' up this aways?" asked Jim, firmly.
+
+"He sez as how he heerd thet you was agoin' to bring a pack o' boys
+along up to the Eagles; p'raps it kim in a letter he hed from somebody,
+I don't know jest how thet mout be; but he seemed to know it, all right,
+Jim. Sez he to me, 'Hen, ef ye happens to run acrost thet thar measly
+little skunk what sails by the name o' Jim Hasty, jest you tell him fur
+me thet if he dares to put his foot up hyar in _my_ deestrick, I'm
+bound to pin his ears to a tree, and leave 'em thar to give him a
+lesson.' An' Jim, I guess from the look he had on thet black face ob
+his'n when he says thet, Cale meant it, every blessed word. And if 'twas
+me, I'd feel like turnin' back, to take my people another way."
+
+Thad fixed his eyes on Jim's face to see how the shorter guide took it.
+He realized that Jim was at least no coward, even though he might fear
+the wrath of such a forest bully as the ex-logger, and present lawless
+poacher Cale Martin; for he had shut his teeth hard together, and there
+was a grim expression on his face, as if he did not mean to knuckle
+under to any such base threat as that.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE MAKER OF FIRES.
+
+
+"How about that, Jim; must we turn around, and go back, just because
+this feller that thinks he owns the whole north of Maine, says so?"
+asked Giraffe; who was really a fearless sort of lad, and could not bear
+to be ordered around by a bully.
+
+Jim was looking a little "peaked," nor could Thad blame him, after
+hearing what a terror this Caleb Martin had been in the community for
+years; and how even the officers of the law had never as yet dared
+arrest him, even though there were rewards out for each one of the three
+men.
+
+"Naw, we don't turn back, if I knows it," said Jim, doggedly.
+
+"Bully for you, Jim!" exclaimed Step Hen, eagerly. "There's eight of us,
+all told, in the party, and I think for my part that it's a pretty
+howd'yedo now if we can't stand up for our rights against just three
+cowards. I call them that because all bullies are, when you come right
+down to it. My father says so; and I've seen it among the boys in
+school."
+
+"Yes, Jim," remarked Bumpus, with a grand air, though he immediately
+made a grimace, as a quick movement gave his sore shoulder a wrench;
+"we're going to stand by you, through thick and thin, ain't we,
+fellers?"
+
+"Eight guns in the crowd!" remarked Davy Jones with an air of
+confidence. "Sure we ought to hold the fort, and then some, if deadly
+weapons count for anything up here, and I'm told they do. P'raps,
+instead of pinning your ears to a tree, Jim, this same Mister Cale'll
+consent to walk back with us, and give himself up to a game warden of
+the great and glorious State of Maine. We mustn't forget that we're all
+sworn-in officers of the said State, and bound to assist any game warden
+who is trying to do his duty, and earn his salary."
+
+Presently the other guide said good-bye, and turning his canoe
+down-stream, shot away with the current; while the scouts headed up
+further toward the wilderness that lay around the country of the Eagle
+chain of lakes, close to the northern border of the State.
+
+They landed presently to have a bite at noon. Thad took advantage of the
+opportunity to look at Bumpus' shoulder. As he anticipated, he found
+that there was quite an ugly black-and-blue bruise there, which would
+cause the boy considerable pain for several days; though he declared
+that nothing was going to keep him from practicing with his new gun,
+which seemed like a toy in the hands of a child.
+
+"I'm sure you could not have held the butt close against your shoulder
+when you fired," Thad ventured, as his opinion.
+
+"That's just what," admitted the other, with a sigh. "Know better next
+time, though, Thad; and thank you for making it feel easier. But I wish
+I'd got that bear. How fine it would be to eat steak from a big bear I'd
+killed with the first shot from my new gun."
+
+"Make that plural, Bumpus, for you fired _both_ barrels, remember,"
+laughed Thad.
+
+They were soon on the move again, and pushing steadily up against the
+current of the Little Machias. An hour or two passed. The air was not
+nipping cold at this time of the day; but as the season was now
+considerably advanced they expected to meet with considerable frost, and
+even some ice, before coming back once more to the home town.
+
+Lest the reader who has not made the acquaintance of the Boy Scouts in
+the previous volume, should think it strange that these six lads were
+able to be away from their school duties for such a length of time at
+this season of the year, it may be best to enter a little explanation
+right here.
+
+An unfortunate epidemic of contagious sickness had broken out in
+Cranford, and as a number of the scholars of the school were affected,
+the trustees had reluctantly decided that the session between early Fall
+and New Years must be abandoned. If all were well at the later date,
+after the usual holidays, school would be resumed. But the health of the
+community demanded that the boys and girls be separated for the time
+being.
+
+Just then Thad's guardian, a genial old man who was known far and wide
+as "Daddy," Brewster, found that he had urgent need of communicating
+with a gentleman by the name of Carson, who had recently gone up into
+Maine on his annual moose hunt in the big game country. As he might not
+come out before January, and the necessity of giving him certain
+documents was great, Thad had been asked to make the trip.
+
+They had long been counting on a chance to visit the home country of
+their Maine fellow scout, Allan Hollister; and most of the scouts
+eagerly seized on this opportunity to carry out the project, though two
+of the patrol were unable to be along.
+
+And so they were now in a condition to thoroughly enjoy the outing,
+since Thad had carried out his mission, and given the papers into the
+keeping of Mr. Carson; receiving a message in return which he had wired
+to the old gentleman when in touch with a telegraph station.
+
+Thad himself had believed that there was not the slightest cloud along
+the horizon; and now that this Cale Martin business had cropped up, he
+began to realize that after all it might not be such clear sailing as
+they had figured on.
+
+Still, Thad was not the one to borrow trouble, though ready to grapple
+with it in any shape or manner, once it found them out.
+
+They camped early on that night, because all of them were a little
+tired; and the location on the shore looked especially fine.
+
+"Hey, look at what Giraffe's going to do!" exclaimed Bumpus, after they
+had carried part of their things ashore, and were busily engaged in
+putting up the two big tents supplied by Jim Hasty from his camp stores,
+such as all Maine guides delight to possess.
+
+"Why, ain't it a part of my business to start the fire every time?"
+demanded the party in question, who was on his knees; "didn't Thad
+promise me that job if I'd keep on being careful about startin' fires
+every-which-way? I ain't had a blessed match on my person since I gave
+that promise, have I, Thad? And what's wrong about my getting the blaze
+in my own way, tell me that, Bumpus?"
+
+"But we want supper, and we don't mean to sit around here an hour or
+two, just watchin' you tinker with that silly old bow and stick,
+twirling away like you had to saw through to China. How about that,
+Thad?" and Bumpus turned appealingly toward the patrol leader, well
+knowing that whatever he said would go.
+
+"Bumpus is right, Giraffe," the other said, kindly but firmly. "You're
+welcome to spend all the time you want with that contraption, after
+you've started our cooking fire; but it wouldn't be fair to hold up the
+whole bunch just to please yourself. Your own good sense tells you that,
+Giraffe."
+
+Giraffe, of course, had to appear to be convinced.
+
+"Just when I had a new scheme in my head, too, that I just know would
+have made the fire come," he grumbled, as he hung the little bow on a
+twig of a tree near by, and produced flint and steel, and a little bag
+in which he kept tinder, in the shape of tiny shavings which he was
+always preparing at odd moments; "and before I get another chance to try
+it, I'll have forgotten the combination, sure. But that's always the way
+it goes; though don't you dare think Bumpus Hawtree, that I'm going to
+give up so easy. I'll fight it out this way if it takes all winter."
+
+Being an adept with the flint and steel, Giraffe quickly had his fire
+started.
+
+"And that's the way it'll be after I've just got that one little snag
+passed," he took occasion to remark, for the benefit of the fat scout,
+who was hovering near by. "Everything's easy as tumbling off a log, once
+you know how. P'raps you remember what a time you had learnin' to ride a
+bike; and yet now you can cut around corners, and even stand on the
+saddle while she's going. Well, you wait and see my smoke."
+
+"Huh! that's all I ever will see, I'm afraid," chuckled Bumpus.
+
+But presently Giraffe managed to drift into a more amiable humor. That
+was when the coffee pot was bubbling on the fire, sending out its cheery
+aroma; and the last of the eggs they had managed to buy from a potato
+grower on the bank of the Aroostook were sizzling in the two large
+frying-pans.
+
+Most boys possess hearty appetites, and Giraffe was no exception to the
+rule. Indeed, like most lean fellows, he had an enormous stowage
+capacity somewhere about him, and could dispose of more food on occasion
+than any two of his mates. Bumpus always declared he had hollow legs,
+and used them for receptacles, when other places were filled to
+overflowing. But not one of the scouts could remember the time when
+Giraffe complained of having eaten too much. Like the crowded street
+car, there was always room for more.
+
+"Wish we'd struck this section of country an hour or two before dark,"
+Bumpus ventured to remark, complacently, as he sat there with his fat
+legs doubled under him, tailor-fashion and munching at the crackers and
+cheese he had made a sandwich out of.
+
+"For why?" asked Giraffe, looking up.
+
+"Oh! a feller might have just taken a little turn around here, and
+knocked over a deer, or something of the sort," Bumpus replied, with the
+utmost assurance in the world; just as though such a thing were of
+common occurrence in his life. "Looks right gamey around here; how's
+that, Thad?"
+
+"Oh! Jim Hasty told us that much!" declared Step Hen, before the
+scoutmaster could find a chance to say anything. "Didn't you hear him
+tell how every season there's been a moose or two killed within ten
+miles of where we've got our camp right now. But we can't hold up yet to
+do any hunting; so you'll just have to put a crimp in that sporting
+spirit you've developed so suddenly, Bumpus."
+
+"Listen to him talk, would you?" exclaimed Giraffe; "and only a little
+while back you couldn't get Bumpus to even touch a gun. Say, you're a
+marvel, all right, Bumpus. They'll have you set up as the eighth wonder
+of the world soon, ahead of the telephone, wireless, moving pictures,
+and even the talking machine. Edison and all the rest of those old
+wizards had better take a back seat when you come around."
+
+Joking and chatting, they made the time pass very happily. If Jim Hasty
+were in reality much concerned over the prospect of his meeting with the
+ugly poacher who had a bone to pick with him, he at least did not show
+it outwardly any longer. But then Jim was a man of few words as a rule;
+and it was hardly to be expected that so hardy a fellow would tremble,
+just at the mention of a name.
+
+There was room for them all under the shelter of the tents, though as a
+rule, so long as the weather kept on being fairly pleasant, the two
+hardy guides declared that they much preferred to wrap up in their
+blankets and sleep under the stars. Such men become used to what would
+seem hardships to the city bred person, and in truth think very little
+of enduring them. And it was by no means cold enough as yet, to drive
+them into taking shelter under the canvas.
+
+Giraffe had been working away at his fire-making business pretty much
+all of the evening, and Bumpus had watched him for a while; but growing
+tired of seeing the other sawing away as if for dear life, he had
+finally laughed, and turned away.
+
+If Giraffe came near making things "go" that evening, at least once more
+the glory of a full success slipped away from his eager hands,
+outstretched to clutch it; for when it came time for them to "shut up
+shop," as Thad said, and crawl into the two tents, he had not brought
+about his expected blaze, though his face looked more determined than
+ever.
+
+Bumpus, Giraffe and Allan occupied one tent; while the other three
+scouts were assigned to the second. The guides promised to share their
+shelter only in case of a storm, or very severe weather.
+
+The fire was allowed to die down. If any strong wind came up in the
+night it would be the duty of the guides to see that burning brands were
+not carried into the adjacent woods, to set fire to the brown pine
+needles that covered the ground; and were so full of resinous matter
+that once ignited they would send a wall of flame down the wind that
+would do incalculable damage.
+
+Soon quiet rested over the camp. The frosty night breeze sighed among
+the branches overhead; the owl hooted to its mate deep in the wood; and
+the hour of midnight, when Thad peeped forth, (and which he knew to have
+arrived from the position of certain stars overhead), saw the last of
+the fire vanishing in dead embers.
+
+Thad sought the warmth of his blanket again in a hurry, for the air was
+now nipping cold, especially after the snug nest had been temporarily
+abandoned. And he must have gone right to sleep, for he did not seem to
+remember anything after again creeping under the double folds of the
+warm woolen covering.
+
+Now, when one sleeps like most boys do, soundly, it is impossible to
+figure how time passes when awakened in a hurry. So that Thad could not
+tell what the hour might be when he found himself starting up hurriedly,
+under the conviction that strange as it might seem at that season of the
+year, and with the air frosty, there was a storm bearing down upon them,
+for he thought it was thunder he heard.
+
+Then came a tremendous crash, and the tent swayed, but did not fall;
+though from the wild shouts that arose close at hand the young patrol
+leader reckoned the same good fortune could not have befallen the other
+shelter, because he could plainly catch the howls of Step Hen, Bumpus
+and Giraffe.
+
+Quick as thought Thad whirled over to the exit, and crawled out. And
+what his eyes beheld was enough to startle anybody, let alone a boy. If
+a genuine cyclone had not struck the camp on the Little Machias, then
+something almost as bad must have dropped down upon them, Thad thought,
+as he stared, hardly able to believe his eyes, or understand what it all
+meant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A TERROR THAT CAME IN THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Why, the second tent had utterly left the place where Thad remembered
+they had erected it. He had just a fleeting glimpse of something dingy
+white careering along over the ground among the trees, and then it
+vanished.
+
+But there was a high time going on near by, where the contents of the
+interior of the late tent were scattered around. Blankets heaved, and
+legs were thrust out, while the owners of the same were screaming at the
+top of their voices.
+
+"Oh! what is this?" bellowed Bumpus, who seemed to be almost smothered
+under the folds of his blanket, which he must have had up over his head
+at the time the catastrophe came upon them.
+
+"It's a hurricane, that's what, and our bally old tent has been carried
+away!" shouted Giraffe. "Hang on to anything you can grab, fellers, or
+you may be taken next! Whoop! let her come! I've got hold of a tree
+now!"
+
+"Not much you have," remarked Thad, "that's my leg you're hanging on to.
+Let go, and we'll soon find out what happened."
+
+"Ain't it a storm after all then?" demanded Step Hen, as he came
+creeping out under the canvas of the back of the one tent that had been
+left standing, with most of his clothes hugged tightly in his grip, as
+though he did not mean to be utterly left without something to keep him
+warm, if the worst had befallen them.
+
+Thad had by now gleaned an inkling of the truth. And it was so utterly
+ridiculous that he felt as though he must soon burst into peals of
+laughter.
+
+"First tell me if anybody was hurt?" he demanded, feeling that it would
+be wrong to show any merriment if such should prove to be the case.
+
+"I don't know," remarked Giraffe; "seemed to me something heavy came
+squash down on top of me like a thousand of bricks. Mebbe it was only
+the tent pole falling. Guess I ain't hurt much."
+
+"How about you, Allan?" asked Thad, hardly thinking it worth while to
+ask Bumpus, who seemed to be all right; though he was already beginning
+to dance around, as the nipping fingers of Jack Frost got busy with his
+thinly covered shanks, about which he had only his flimsy pajamas over
+his underclothes.
+
+"Never happened to step on me, though he came within three inches of my
+back!" replied the Maine boy; and there was something about his words to
+tell that Allan must already have guessed what had been the cause for
+all this commotion, and the stealing of their tent.
+
+Bumpus caught at the words.
+
+"What's all that?" he demanded quickly; "was it the work of some mean
+feller, after all? Hey, is that the way your old Cale Martin gets in his
+work, sneakin' up in the dead of night, when we're all sleepin' as
+innocent as the babes in the woods, and snatchin' off our covers before
+you could wink an eye, or say Jack Robinson? Well, I like his nerve,
+that's what; and he'd better look out how he keeps on tryin' tricks on
+travelers. Say, he switched our tent, too!" and Bumpus gave a whistle,
+as well as his trembling lips would allow, to emphasize his disgust.
+
+"You can thank your lucky stars old fellow," said Allan, "that he didn't
+plant one of his hoofs square on your stomach."
+
+"Hoofs!" echoed Bumpus, aghast; "say, then it wasn't that old poacher
+after all, was it? Hoofs? That must mean it was an animal. Looky here,
+somebody get the fire started again, so we won't shake to pieces while
+we're hunting our clothes, and listening to the explanation of this
+latest outrage."
+
+"Oh! let Davy do it," said Giraffe; "I'm nearly frozen stiff myself
+right now; and besides," he added as a brilliant after-thought, "you
+know I don't carry matches with me any more. And of course you wouldn't
+want to wait while I swung my little bow."
+
+"Where's my left shoe?" shouted Step Hen just then; for there never was
+a time when he could find _all_ his belongings; and in a case of
+excitement like this it was a certainty that his customary complaint
+would soon be heard in the land. "Who's gone and took my left shoe? I'm
+dead certain I had both of 'em when I started to crawl under the canvas.
+Somebody thinks it smart to keep playin' jokes on _me_ all the
+time. Why can't they let _my_ things be, Thad?"
+
+"What's that sticking out of the pocket of your coat?" asked Allan, as
+Davy managed to strike a match, and apply the fire to the only lantern
+they carried with them on the trip.
+
+"Why, whoever stuck that in there?" Step Hen went on, unblushingly.
+"Thinks it smart to do such silly things, and have me guessing all the
+time. Just switch off, and try it on one of the others, won't you?"
+
+Knowing that he must have undoubtedly placed the shoe in that pocket
+himself in the haste of his departure from the tent that remained, Step
+Hen did not dare accuse any one in particular; but glared around at
+vacancy when thus addressing his supposed-to-be enemy.
+
+But they were so accustomed to his failings by now that no one paid much
+attention to what he was saying. In fact, it would have been a cause for
+astonishment if twenty-four hours ever slipped past without an outburst
+from Step Hen in connection with some of his personal belongings, that
+seemed to have taken wings in the most mysterious fashion, and vanished,
+although they always turned up again.
+
+"But what sort of an animal was it, Thad?" asked Bumpus, still dancing
+about, and slapping himself in every conceivable place in order to keep
+his blood in circulation.
+
+"Ask Jim, or Eli," replied the patrol leader, who was really too busy
+just then getting some of his own clothes, to bother answering.
+
+So the others turned to the two guides, who, not having removed any of
+their ordinary garments, did not feel the chilly night air as much as
+the lads.
+
+"What was it banged us over, Eli?" asked Bumpus.
+
+"Moose bull on the rampage!" replied the Maine woodsman, readily enough.
+
+"A great big moose like that one we shot a while ago!" echoed Bumpus,
+showing great excitement. "Just my luck. Why, if he'd heard that I had a
+new gun, and was waiting to see what it could do, he couldn't have been
+kinder. Just knocked at our door; and when nobody answered him he went
+away again, and by jinks! carried the door and the rest of the house
+with him. However in the wide world do you suppose that happened, Eli? I
+guess you ought to know, because you're acquainted with the queer ways
+of these woods' critters."
+
+"Never knew such a thing before in all my experience in woods," asserted
+the older guide, shaking his head. "Fire was out, wind blowing wrong way
+for moose to smell human critters; and he must a thought he heard
+'nother bull on the edge o' ther water, wantin' to fight him. Anyhow he
+jest natchrally tore right through that tent. It got fast to his horns,
+and he's been an' kerried it off."
+
+"Oh! what tough luck. If I'd only been on the watch I'd have the honor
+of shooting the first moose that took to wearin' clothes human way,"
+groaned Bumpus.
+
+"D'ye suppose, then, he's keepin' our bally tent; and won't we ever set
+eyes on the same again?" asked Giraffe, holding his chilled hands out
+toward the fire that in Davy's charge had been revived again until it
+sent out a genial warmth.
+
+"Soon know," remarked Jim, who had a personal interest in the matter,
+seeing that the purloined canvas belonged to him; though of course he
+knew that his employers would stand for any loss he incurred while
+working in their service.
+
+He took the lantern, and started away. Thad had managed to get some of
+his clothes on by this time, and he hurried after the shorter guide, who
+seemed to know exactly in which direction to pursue his investigations.
+
+"I can see something ahead there," Thad remarked, presently.
+
+"That's the tent, all right," remarked Jim. "I only hopes as how she
+ain't too bad cut up now. 'Twas nearly new, and good, and stout; so I
+guess the ole chap he had some trouble gettin' loose from the same."
+
+They found the tent where it had caught on a sprout, and torn free from
+the branching antlers of the moose, commonly called his horns.
+
+"Not so bad after all," remarked Jim, when he had examined the extent of
+the damage made by the tent's being so forcibly carried off. "I kin
+patch it up easy, when I gits a chance in the boat, to-morry. Guess as
+haow we gut off right smart, all things considerin', Thad."
+
+And the young scoutmaster was ready to echo these words, when he got to
+thinking how one of a dozen things might have accompanied the mad rush
+of the moose through the camp.
+
+They never did know what had really caused his charge; whether some
+vindictive spirit of rage provoked the huge beast; or that he fancied a
+rival bull were challenging him to mortal combat, just as in the case of
+the fellow, whom Sebattis had previously lured within gunshot, with his
+seductive moose call.
+
+The balance of the night gave them only broken sleep; because of the
+sudden and rude shock of this awakening. Bumpus hugged his new gun close
+to his side; and raised his head so often to listen, that both Giraffe
+and Allan vowed they would be compelled to chase him outside if he
+didn't get busy, and capture some sleep right away.
+
+Morning came in due time, and they found that little damage had been
+done by the rush of the moose, beyond some rents in the canvas of the
+tent.
+
+Once more they started forth, and all that day plodded on, making many
+miles, and by evening reaching the spot where Jim said they could have
+their canoes and luggage carried over to Portage Lake by a man he knew,
+who owned a team and a wagon.
+
+"How far is it across from here?" asked Thad, seeking information.
+
+"Depends on what way yuh go thar," replied Jim, "but I guesses as Nick
+he likes the three mile carry best. Start fresh in the mornin' sure."
+
+After they had partaken of an early supper Jim went off to find his
+friend who owned the team, while the others busied themselves getting
+their belongings in as small a compass as possible, looking forward to
+what was expected to happen on the following morning.
+
+Later, when Jim came back, he reported that he had interviewed Nick, and
+made all necessary arrangements with him to take the three canoes, and
+the stuff that went with them, across the carry in the morning. The boys
+were expected to walk and if necessary push at the wheels of the wagon,
+should it get stuck in a creek bed of soft quicksand.
+
+The night passed quietly, and all hands managed to put in plenty of time
+sleeping, to make up for the loss of the previous one. In the morning
+the loud "whoa" of a stentorian voice announced the arrival of the
+expected team. They proved to be oxen instead of horses, and once the
+canoes, and other stuff, had been loaded on the big low wagon, the
+journey commenced.
+
+Slow progress was the order of the day. Giraffe grumbled, but it did no
+good. And it was really noon when they finally came in sight of the
+lake.
+
+The canoes were gladly launched, a light lunch eaten, the teamster paid
+off, and then again the voyage was resumed under a favoring sky; for the
+air was bracing, and so far not a sign of the first snow storm had made
+its appearance, though the guides warned their charges to be prepared
+for the worst, as a downfall was nearly due.
+
+A cold wind was blowing from the northwest so that the wise guides
+hugged the sheltered shore of Portage Lake, since the waves were of
+pretty good size, and the flying spray would be far from pleasant in
+such weather.
+
+Finally they reached the place where the lake had its outlet into a
+small stream, that, after flowing for a number of miles, emptied into
+the Lower Lake of the great and famous Eagle chain.
+
+On the shore of this lake then, they made their next camp. From the
+grave manner of Jim, the scoutmaster easily guessed that they must by
+now have entered the territory where Cale Martin, the slippery old
+poacher, held forth. Jim seemed to look about him more than before. He
+also started at the least unusual sound, showing that while he might try
+to disguise the fact, he was really nervous. Still, he did not give the
+slightest indication of showing the white feather, or backing down,
+before a dozen like Cale Martin.
+
+Davy had purchased a little snapshot camera at the town below, and also
+some flashlight cartridges with which he wished to get some views of the
+group around the camp-fire at night. No one had made any effort to
+perpetuate such scenes which Davy declared were the very best part of
+the whole trip. And now that they had become fairly launched upon the
+journey he was aching to start into business with his new outfit.
+
+Davy knew a little about taking pictures, although far from being an
+expert. He had never used flashlight powders, or cartridges before; and
+after reading all the directions carefully, he declared he felt prepared
+to take a picture that would be viewed with the greatest satisfaction in
+the world by all his chums, when this great Maine vacation were only a
+memory of the past.
+
+So Davy warned his campmates not to be alarmed if there suddenly flashed
+upon them a great light.
+
+"I'd like to get you all in characteristic attitudes, if I could--that
+was the way the feller who sold me the camera called it; and he said the
+best pictures were the natural ones. What I mean is, that if I could
+grab Step Hen here, for instance, with that silly look of his on his
+face, saying: 'Anybody seen my camp hatchet around? Funny how it's
+always _my_ things that get carried off! The jinx never hides
+anything belonging to _you_ fellers!' I'd have something worth
+while."
+
+"Oh! come off, will you, Davy; if I thought I looked like you say, I'd
+let all my traps disappear every day but what I'd kick up a row," and
+Step Hen assumed an air of indignation with these words that caused a
+general laugh to go around.
+
+Of course it had to be explained to the two guides, for they were to be
+in the picture, smoking their pipes contentedly; and apparently Eli
+telling a story, to which the rest of the scouts were listening eagerly,
+possibly laughing.
+
+Having fixed things to his satisfaction, Davy disappeared, slipping away
+from the camp-fire on the side he had decided upon as offering the best
+natural advantages for a flashlight view.
+
+They could not see him, but guessed that he was working his way toward
+them as slily as he could; since he had announced that he meant to play
+the part of an enemy, stealing up to spy upon the camp.
+
+Presently they did manage to get Eli started telling a story; for Thad
+knew it would be better for the picture if the guides seemed natural,
+and not on parade.
+
+Meanwhile Davy was creeping forward, intent on reaching the place he had
+picked out beforehand, and where, without exposing himself, he could set
+his camera, and then fire the cartridge.
+
+When to his uneducated mind--in the line of photography--Davy had things
+just about to his liking, he held himself in readiness for what he
+deemed an extra fine view, when the boys were laughing heartily at the
+climax of Eli's queer story of a scrape he once found himself in that
+was really humorous, though at the time it may have appeared anything
+but that to the actor.
+
+"Now!" said Davy, partly to himself, as he fired his cartridge.
+
+There was a sudden brilliant and dazzling flash, that must have been as
+fierce as the display of lightning when the bolt hits close at hand. And
+while those at the fire were schooled to repress their natural alarm,
+evidently the same could not be said of a looker-on not counted in the
+bill; for there was a hoarse cry of alarm from the bushes across the
+way, and the sound of crashing seemed to tell of a precipitate flight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+JIM'S SECRET.
+
+
+"What was that?" exclaimed Bumpus.
+
+"Oh! Davy just had to let out a whoop!" commented Step Hen.
+
+"Think again, would you," spoke up Giraffe, who sat there twisting his
+long neck this way and that, in a comical way, as though seeking to
+discover the object of the strange outcry; "it came from the other side
+of the camp from where Davy is."
+
+"Well," said the indifferent Step Hen, as if not wanting to be bothered,
+"then it must have been some animal that was curious enough to prowl
+around our camp, and got a good scare, free, gratis, for nothing."
+
+"It was no animal that made that sound, and I leave it to Thad or Allan
+here," Bumpus insisted.
+
+Indeed, even the sleepy Step Hen sat up and took notice that the two
+mentioned, as well as Jim and Eli, were already on their feet,
+exchanging significant looks. Words were hardly needed to proclaim that
+they deemed the circumstance as one worthy of investigation.
+
+Just then Davy came in, bearing his little camera, and with a grin on
+his face.
+
+"Got a fine picture that time, I reckon, fellers," he announced, after
+the manner of satisfied camera fiends the world over.
+
+"Did you give a shout, Davy?" asked Thad, thinking it best to settle
+that point in the start, before going any further.
+
+"Not that I know of, I didn't," immediately replied the other.
+
+"Did you hear one?" continued the patrol leader.
+
+"Sure I did, and took it for granted that Step Hen or Giraffe had been
+scared by the fireworks display, in spite of my warning, and squealed,"
+Davy replied.
+
+"That settles it, then," Thad went on, turning to Eli and Jim; "get a
+torch, or the lantern, and we'll see what it was."
+
+"Wow! this looks some interesting!" exclaimed Giraffe, beginning to show
+signs of excitement himself.
+
+Eli picked up the lantern, and lighted it. Then he led the way into the
+bushes at the exact spot where, according to his educated ear, the snort
+and the crash had come from.
+
+"Keep back, the rest of you," said Thad, "and let Eli do the looking. If
+he finds anything worth while, be sure you'll all know about it."
+
+A minute later the old guide called to them to come on.
+
+"Bully for Eli; he's lost no time in making good!" exclaimed Giraffe.
+
+The whole party crowded around the old guide, who was on his knees on
+the ground, apparently examining some tracks he had found. He waved a
+hand to keep them from crowding too close to him, so as to interfere
+with his work.
+
+Bending low, Thad could easily see the marks. Some one had been
+crouching there in the bushes, and spying on the camp. That he could not
+be an honest woodsman it was easy to guess, for as such he would have
+stalked straight into camp, sure of the warm welcome that is always
+extended to a stranger who looks good.
+
+Eli pointed to the impression close to the footprints.
+
+"Thar's whar he rested the butt o' his rifle," he said, positively, and
+Thad knew it was exactly as Eli declared, just as though he could
+himself see the actions of the hidden man. "Got on his knees and crawled
+up to whar he c'ud poke his nose outen the scrub hyar, an' watch us. And
+hyar's whar he was arestin' on jest wun knee; cause ye kin see the mark
+o' his foot beyond."
+
+"What was he doing that for?" asked Thad, though deep down in his heart
+he seemed to instinctively know.
+
+"Wall, I kinder guess naow thet he mout a be'n a tryin' to see how he
+cud kiver wun o' us with his _gun!_" replied Eli.
+
+He beckoned to Jim, and that worthy approached. There was a troubled
+look on the face of the younger guide that Thad could not but notice;
+and he realized that the affair might not be so great a mystery to Jim
+as it seemed to the rest of them.
+
+"Take a squint at them hood tracks hyar, Jim; p'raps ye mout sorter
+reckernize the same," Eli remarked drily.
+
+Jim only needed that one glance, and then he gritted his teeth as he
+observed:
+
+"Oh! twar _him_, all right, Eli; I knowed it."
+
+"Wow! and again I say, wow! this here is sure getting mighty
+interesting!" muttered Giraffe, shuffling uneasily from one foot to the
+other; while Bumpus, filled with a sudden alarm, started back into the
+camp, to arm himself with his new gun.
+
+"Do you mean Old Cale Martin?" demanded Thad.
+
+"None other," answered Jim, moodily.
+
+"Then he must have seen you, Jim, sitting here?" the patrol leader went
+on.
+
+"He shore did," replied the short guide.
+
+"And amused himself covering you with his gun, just as if to say that he
+could put a bullet in you, if so be he wanted; but he didn't want to,
+did he Jim?
+
+"Reckon he didn't, sir," the other ventured. "Yuh see, he ain't jest
+_thet_ mad at me, so's tuh wanter kill me; jest sez as haow I
+gotter keep away from whar he camps, yuh know."
+
+"Sill, he said he meant to pin your ears to a tree, if he caught you up
+here; those were about the words your guide friend, Hen Parry, used,
+weren't they, Jim?"
+
+"Thet's what they was; an' he meant it, too," Jim replied. "Thet's one
+o' his good points, thet he allers keeps his word. If them game wardens
+cud ever git Ole Dad Martin tuh say as he never wud kill game outen
+season agin, they'd know nawthin' under the sun'd tempt him tuh do hit,
+not even if he was a dyin' fuh a bite o' meat. He ain't all bad, this
+here Cale Martin."
+
+"But what about you, Jim; seems to me this is taking big chances in your
+coming up here, when such a lawless character has a grudge against you,
+and is waiting to put his stamp on you that way. And strikes me, Jim,
+that you must have had a motive in coming, that was more than just
+bluff. How about that?"
+
+The young guide glanced at Thad when he said this, and evidently
+realized that the patrol leader could read his mind better than most
+people; he looked a little confused; then gave a short nervous laugh,
+and said:
+
+"Wall, naow, sense yuh sized me up thet away, I'll jest hev tuh admit
+thet I did hev a notion in comin' up here, 'sides takin' ye through the
+Eagle Lakes. I hed my orders tuh come, an' from one as I hes tuh mind."
+
+He turned away while speaking, as though not inclined to say more just
+then in the presence of so many; but Thad made up his mind there was a
+story back of the strange actions of Jim; and that a few point-blank
+questions might bring it out. Before he slept he hoped he would find a
+chance to get Jim to one side and ask him about it; for he had reason to
+believe the other was ready to confide in him.
+
+"Do you think he'll come back again to-night?" asked Davy Jones.
+
+"Who cares?" remarked a voice at the elbow of the speaker; and turning,
+they beheld Bumpus flourishing his new double-barrel gun, as though only
+too anxious for a chance to hold somebody up at its muzzle.
+
+"Here, you keep that cannon aimed the other way, if you please!" cried
+Giraffe, dodging behind a convenient tree. "You ought to be marked with
+a red flag 'dangerous--dynamite!' that's what I think!"
+
+"Come, let's get back to camp," remarked Thad. "There's little chance of
+Old Cale coming back here to-night. He got the scare of his life when
+that flashlight burst on him so sudden like. I wouldn't be surprised if
+he thought a rapid-fire machine gun was opening on him; or else that
+lightning had taken to camping on his trail."
+
+"Anyhow," remarked Allan, "he just couldn't help turning and running as
+if the Old Nick were after him. And from that we can guess that Cale
+never heard tell of flashlight pictures."
+
+"Well, can you blame him?" asked Thad. "Makes me think of the old fable,
+when the lion and the donkey went hunting together. The lion took up his
+station at the mouth of the cave where some goats had hidden, while the
+donkey went in; and made all sorts of terrible noises, braying. So the
+goats ran out, and the lion killed as many as he wanted. When the donkey
+came out he asked his partner if he had done the job in good shape.
+'Fine,' said the lion, 'and you would have frightened me too, if I
+hadn't known that you were only a donkey.' And that's the way with us,
+fellows; we were on to the game in advance, or some of us might have
+taken to our heels too."
+
+"Here, that sounds mighty much like you were calling me a donkey,"
+remarked Davy, trying to display a certain amount of offended dignity.
+
+"Oh! not in the least," laughed Thad.
+
+"If the shoe fits, put it on," jeered Giraffe. "You know they say that
+wherever you see smoke, there's sure to be fire."
+
+"Not much there ain't," burst out Bumpus, with a grin. "I've seen
+_heaps_ of smoke started, without a sign of a blaze," and Giraffe
+subsided into silence knowing what was meant.
+
+"Did you get a good picture, Davy?" asked Thad, as they once more
+settled down around the fire.
+
+"Seemed like it to me," was the reply. "It was just when you were all
+laughing at what Eli here was saying. He had his hand up, like he was
+going to smack it down in the palm of the other, to emphasize a telling
+point in his story. Say, wouldn't it be a great stunt now, if, when I
+developed that plate, I found a face sticking out of the bushes across
+yonder; and Jim here recognized it as belonging to that big terror of
+the pine woods, Cale Martin!"
+
+"Say, that would be just great!" ejaculated Step Hen; and all eyes were
+turned toward Jim; but that worthy made no remark, though he must have
+surely heard what was said.
+
+As the evening grew on apace Thad was watching for the chance he wanted,
+to get a few words in private with the younger guide. Jim somehow had
+interested Thad from the start. He never said anything about himself or
+his folks; but somehow the young patrol leader had been drawn toward
+Jim. He believed the fellow to be a sturdy chap, clean and honest as any
+guide ever employed by big game hunters in the Maine woods. And now that
+it began to appear that there was a little mystery attached to his past,
+of course Thad felt a deeper interest in Jim than ever.
+
+Perhaps it was accident that took Jim off after a while; he may have
+just wanted to smoke his pipe alone, and ponder on the strange fate that
+seemed to throw him once more in contact with the man who had crossed
+his life trail in the past, and apparently not in a pleasant way either.
+But somehow Thad conceived an idea that Jim just knew he wanted to have
+a quiet little chat with him; and was thus making an opening.
+
+Just as he had expected he found the guide leaning against a tree near
+by. The light from the flickering blaze of the camp-fire reached the
+spot, but faintly; and Jim did not even show any signs of nervousness
+when Thad drew near, which was one indication that he had half expected
+his coming.
+
+Perhaps Jim even invited a chance to bestow his confidence on the young
+scoutmaster. He must have seen before now that Thad Brewster was no
+ordinary boy; and when a man has been brooding over _something_ a
+long time, he often feels like having a friend to whom he may pour out
+the troubles of his soul, and from whom perhaps he may look for advice.
+
+"Not thinking of changing your mind, are you Jim?" asked Thad, as he
+joined the other by the tree.
+
+"If yuh mean 'bout goin' back, an' feelin' like a whipped houn' dog,
+sir, 'taint in Jim Hasty tuh do thet aways. Fact is," the guide went on,
+with a stubborn ring in his voice, "meetin' up with Ole Cale jest kinder
+makes me more sot in my mind than ever. I stays with yuh right through,
+yuh kin bank on thet."
+
+"Well, I only hope he'll conclude to give us a wide berth, and make up
+his mind that he'd better keep his hands off," Thad went on. "Seems like
+he doesn't fancy you any too much, Jim?"
+
+This was a plain invitation, and the other so regarded it, for he
+immediately answered:
+
+"I kinder guess Ole Cale does hate me wuss nor pizen, sir. P'raps he's
+gut reason fut hit; an' agin, mebbe he hain't. 'Tall depends on the way
+yuh look at hit. I on'y done what any man o' speerit'd adone, if so be
+he found himself up agin a stone wall like Cale Martin's 'no, not on yuh
+life!' meant."
+
+"Then you asked him for something, did you, Jim?"
+
+"Jest what I done, sir; which something war what he happened to keer
+more fur than anything else on the yarth," Jim replied; and Thad could
+detect something soft and tender underneath the words, that gave him a
+clue.
+
+"And that something, Jim?" he went on, invitingly.
+
+"War his darter, Little Lina, ther purtiest an' sweetest gal in all the
+Maine woods," the guide made answer. "When he sez as haow I never cud
+hev her with all her carin' fur me so much, I jest up an' run away with
+her; an' thet's why Ole Cale, he hates me wuss nor cold pizen!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+TAKING A RISK FOR THE SAKE OF LITTLE LINA.
+
+
+Thad understood it all now, and the knowledge gave him a thrill. He
+thrust out his hand to the young guide, with boyish enthusiasm.
+
+"Shake, Jim!" he exclaimed. "I just know you did what any decent man
+would have done. And so you managed to run away with the old man's
+daughter, did you? Was she all he had?"
+
+"On'y Little Lina; an' he believed the sun rose an' set in her, like.
+They cud all say as Cale Martin war a bad man, an' he _war_ rough
+as they make 'em, sumtimes; but he'd a laid down his life fur thet gal,
+any day. I was dead sorry tuh hev tuh do hit; but I knowed he'd never
+give in, an' I jest cudn't live without her. We gut outen this deestrict
+while Cale war off on a hunt, an' I hain't never seen hide nor hair o'
+him sense. But he sent me word thet ef so be I ever kim back tuh the old
+stampin' grounds, he hed it in fuh me, all right."
+
+"How long ago was that, Jim?"
+
+"Nigh a yeah an' er half now," the other replied.
+
+"And of course your wife has often wished she could see her father
+again, Jim?"
+
+The guide groaned.
+
+"Cried her putty eyes out, awantin' tuh see her dad," he admitted; "but
+what cud a man do 'bout hit, if Cale, he wudn't forgive me? He sent word
+as haow Lina cud kim back, but me, never; an' in course she wudn't quit
+me."
+
+"But now, Jim; tell me about who gave you the orders you were saying
+something about a while ago?" pursued Thad.
+
+"She done hit, in course," answered the other, heaving a sigh. "I knowed
+the risk I war takin', but I'd do a right smart more fur my Lina."
+
+"Then as I take it, Jim, you don't really want to avoid Old Cale, this
+fiery father-in-law of yours; in fact, you mean to see him face to
+face?"
+
+"Got ter," replied the other, laconically; "'cause she sez so. Hit may
+be I kin do hit on the way up to the lakes; but if not then I'm acomin'
+back with Eli an' the canoes thisaways, arter yuh gits aboard ther
+train; an' I'll hang around this deestrict till we meets. Never'd dar'
+show myself tuh her, 'less I done everything agoin' tuh kerry it out."
+
+"And don't you feel a little uneasy about your ears, Jim?"
+
+"Wall, it wudn't be jest the nicest thing agoin' tuh lose 'em; but she
+sez as haow Ole Cale, he's bound tuh cave when he hears what I gotter
+tuh tell him."
+
+Evidently Jim had said all he meant to, and Thad took the hint.
+
+"Well, all I want to say is that I admire your nerve, Jim; and the lot
+of us will stand back of you if you get in any trouble," he remarked,
+earnestly.
+
+"Hit's right nice in yuh tuh say thet, sir, an' sure I 'predate hit,"
+the guide went on to say, with a tremor in his voice; "but arter all, I
+guess thar hain't goin' tuh be any row, if me'n Cale, we kims tergether.
+I'm willin' tuh resk it. But I must say as haow I don't like the ijee o'
+him asettin' thar in them bushes, aimin' his gun at me. But Cale
+Martin's a squar man, as wudn't shoot daown another without givin' him a
+show. An' I guess he jest done it fur fun."
+
+So Thad went back to the fire, and sat down. But he did not join in the
+merry talk that was going around. His thoughts were wholly given up to
+Jim and his story. He liked the short guide more than ever; and in the
+same proportion detested the big Maine backwoodsman whose daughter Jim
+had run away with.
+
+Presently some of the boys complained of feeling sleepy, and
+arrangements were made for passing the night.
+
+Both Jim and Eli declared that it would be only the part of wisdom to
+keep watch. There could be no telling what deviltry Cale Martin,
+assisted by his two congenial spirits, Si Kedge and Ed Harkness, might
+attempt to do. Perhaps, thinking that it would reflect on the guides if
+they annoyed the party whom Eli and Jim were convoying into the Maine
+woods, they might even try to set fire to the camp, and thus spoil the
+entire trip.
+
+When morning came Thad and Allan had taken their turn at standing
+sentry; but none of the other scouts were called upon, because the
+leader did not have the greatest of confidence in their ability to
+remain awake, not to mention hearing, and comprehending, any sounds that
+might arise, and which spelled danger.
+
+A consultation in the morning showed that only once had there been heard
+suspicious sounds. It was while Allan held the fort; and he declared
+that to the best of his knowledge they were far distant voices on the
+river. But although he listened carefully, and was prepared to give the
+alarm if necessary, nothing further developed that might be considered a
+peril to the camp.
+
+The boys were feeling pretty good that morning. They had most of them
+enjoyed a fine sleep, and were as active as young colts.
+
+Davy in particular seemed to be full of animal spirits; and when he felt
+like it, there was no end of the capers the athletic gymnast could do.
+One minute he was hanging from his toes from a high limb, looking like a
+monkey; and the next he had let go, whirled over three times in the air,
+and landed lightly on his feet on the soft ground; after which he would
+make his little bow, just like the celebrated performer in the great and
+only Barnum's Circus, after he has thrilled the audience with one of his
+marvelous acts.
+
+Bumpus sat and watched all these performances with open mouth. Secretly
+the fat boy aspired to imitate Davy in some of his antics; though
+Giraffe always scoffed loudly at the absurd idea of a heavy weight like
+Bumpus trying to play the part of a nimble ape.
+
+Several times had the ambition of Bumpus got the better of his judgment,
+and he had endeavored to follow in the wake of the active member of the
+party; but always with disastrous results; so that for some time now he
+had taken it out in gaping, and wishing, and longing for the time to
+come when he could get rid of his surplus fat, so that he might be
+nimble like Davy.
+
+Giraffe during breakfast was unusually silent and sober. Thad guessed
+where his thoughts were straying, and consequently it did not surprise
+him in the least to overhear the tall boy muttering to himself, while he
+shook his head stubbornly:
+
+"I c'n do it all right; I just _know_ I can!"
+
+Step Hen amused himself watching a sharp-eyed little striped chipmunk
+stealing some bits thrown aside from the camp meal. Time was when Step
+Hen might have been guilty of trying to hit such a fair mark with a club
+or a stone; but that was in the past. He would not have lifted a finger
+now to injure that innocent little creature for worlds; but sat there,
+deeply interested in observing every movement it made, just as if it
+were a pet.
+
+Jim seemed to be himself again; at least when Thad looked toward him
+inquiringly, the guide nodded his head, and smiled. Evidently Jim had
+slept over his trouble, and decided that he was doing the right thing.
+For the sake of Little Lina he was ready to go right along, taking big
+chances of losing his precious ears; for only too well did he know that
+Old Cale was a man of his word; and that he must have meant everything
+he said to the messenger who bore the threat to Jim.
+
+Davy was wild to develop the film upon which he had taken that snapshot
+picture on the preceding night; but there were a number of obstacles in
+the way of doing that. First of all, there were five other exposures on
+that roll, as yet untouched; and as a clinching argument, Davy had not
+bothered bringing a developing tank, or printing outfit along with him,
+fearing that they would take up too much room.
+
+And so he would have to be content to wait until they reached some place
+where a photographer held forth, who would undertake to do the job, for
+a consideration.
+
+Of course the picture of that breakfast would hardly be complete without
+Step Hen suddenly breaking forth in his customary strain:
+
+"Where's my--oh, here it is, on my head, of course! How queer that I
+should forget I put it there," and he had to actually take his hat off,
+and look at it, as if hardly able to believe his eyes, and that for once
+his anticipated difficulty had been smoothed over so easily.
+
+Davy joined in the general laugh that greeted this outbreak; then he
+walked gravely over, and insisted on feeling of Step Hen's neck.
+
+"Hey! what you up to, now, you Jones boy? Keep your paws off me!"
+exclaimed the object of this solicitude, suspiciously dodging.
+
+"I only wanted to make sure that the connection was sound still,"
+retorted the other; "because some fine day, all of us expect you to lose
+your head."
+
+"Well, I've seen you lose yours more'n a few times, when you got
+flustrated and excited; and it didn't seem to hurt much," Step Hen
+retorted.
+
+"There's a big difference in heads," remarked Davy.
+
+"I should say there was," replied the other, meaningly; "and the gray
+stuff that's in 'em, too. Some are hollow, like a punkin; while others,
+mine for instance, are just crammed full of thinks."
+
+"Well, I'd advise you to use a few of the thinks trying to remember
+where you put your belongings; and quit accusing the rest of us of
+playing tricks on you; or a silly little jinx of stealing things." Davy
+went on, shaking his finger at the careless scout.
+
+"If all you fellows are done eating, perhaps we'd better get a move on
+us," suggested the scoutmaster; of course Thad was really only the
+assistant, for according to the regulations governing all troops of Boy
+Scouts connected with the parent organization, there had to be a
+grown-up acting in the capacity of scoutmaster; though Thad had passed
+an examination that entitled him to receive his commission as assistant,
+from the headquarters in New York City.
+
+As this gentleman, a Dr. Philander Hobbs, had been unable to get away
+with them on this trip to Maine, he had relegated his authority to the
+shoulders of Thad; a proceeding that was greatly relished by the other
+five scouts, because they liked to feel that they were depending on
+themselves, with no grown-up along.
+
+Accordingly there was a movement among the campers. Tents had to come
+down, and be stowed away; and all the material connected with the
+cooking department made into as small a compass as possible.
+
+All of them worked but Giraffe, who was on his knees near by, doing
+something that Thad could easily guess the nature of. Knowing the
+stubborn qualities in the angular scout Thad felt sure that none of them
+would know any peace until Giraffe had finally managed to strike a clue,
+and effect the end he had in view, of making an actual boni-fide fire
+after the way known to the South Sea Islanders, with his little bow, his
+sharp-pointed stick set in a hole made in a block of wood, and his
+inflammable tinder, backed by indomitable energy, and "get there"
+spirit.
+
+And for the sake of harmony in the camp, Thad really wished Giraffe
+would hurry up, and solve the knotty problem.
+
+Inside of half an hour they were all packed, and ready to make another
+start in the direction of the Eagle chain of lakes to the north.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE LONG-DRAWN HOWL OF A CANADA WOLF.
+
+
+"All ready!" sang out Thad.
+
+Some of them were already settled in the canoes; but Giraffe still
+remained, kneeling on the shore.
+
+"Come, we've waited long enough for you, old Slow-poke!" called out
+Bumpus, who was the partner of the tall scout in the canoe paddled by
+Eli.
+
+Very slowly did Giraffe approach, his eyes turned beseechingly on Thad.
+
+"Say, that's the way it always goes," he declared. "I was just getting
+on to it the best ever, and if I only had half an hour more, I'd made my
+fire as sure as I'm Conrad Stedman. I've got her all figgered out; and
+by noon I'll be twisted in my mind again, and the whole combination
+lost."
+
+But Thad only shook his head.
+
+"Couldn't think of it, Number Six," he declared. "It was one part of the
+agreement made with you that on no occasion were you to delay the
+balance of the party. All ready; Bumpus, give the signal."
+
+Bumpus was a natural musician. He could play "any old instrument," and
+extract very good music from banjo, guitar, violin, or even an
+accordion; he also had a fine voice that often aroused the enthusiastic
+acclaim of his comrades while sitting around the fire of evenings.
+
+Of course, then, he had been made the bugler of the troop as soon as the
+organization was commenced. It had not been deemed just the right thing
+for him to fetch his musical instrument along while the Silver Fox
+Patrol chanced to be in the Maine woods on a hunt; but then that was no
+bar to Bumpus, who could put his hands to his mouth, and give a splendid
+imitation of the reveille, assembly, taps, or any other military call.
+
+So Giraffe had to climb into Eli's canoe, looking very much discouraged.
+Really, it did seem as though an evil spirit took especial delight in
+baffling him, just when he seemed in a fair way to reach the goal of his
+present ambition. As he had once before complained, he had even had his
+tinder soaked by a sudden shower, and just at the critical moment when
+he felt sure it was about to burst into a successful blaze.
+
+But one thing was sure, these successive defeats only served to make him
+shut his teeth harder together, and resolve that nothing would ever
+prevent him from getting that fire, if it took him a year. He might be
+beaten once, twice, or fifty times; but there would come a day to the
+patient plodder when the door of opportunity would open for him. And
+surely success would stand for a great deal more if he had to work like
+this for it, than if easily attained.
+
+Before noon came they had arrived at the place where the stream ran into
+the Lower Lake of the Eagle Chain; and when they stopped for lunch, it
+was upon the shore of this beautiful sheet of water.
+
+Thad had been secretly keeping an eye on Jim. He knew that the guide
+must feel more or less anxiety, despite his brave outward showing. And
+when Jim thought no one was observing he would look out of the tail of
+his eye at every clump of bushes that seemed any way suspicious, as long
+as they were upon the river.
+
+And hence, it was doubtless a positive relief when they started out on
+the broader water of the lake; for after that he would only have to
+watch one shore.
+
+About one o'clock they again started. The air continued cold, but
+bracing, and this made paddling a pleasure, up to a certain point.
+
+All of the scouts took a hand at it, even Bumpus, and received more or
+less valuable instruction from the two guides, as to how the paddle
+should be worked in order to have as little "lost motion" as possible;
+and at the same time secure the greatest amount of benefit. But when
+after half an hour of labor, they found their muscles beginning to tire
+from the unaccustomed motion, the boys considered themselves lucky to be
+able to turn the paddles over once more to the canoe men, who were used
+to the job, and could keep it up steadily all day, if need be.
+
+When they drew near the outlet where the waters of the Lower Lake flowed
+into Lake Winthrop, Thad, happening to look back, managed to discover a
+canoe skirting the shore some miles distant. From the actions of those
+in it, they seemed desirous of remaining unnoticed; for they took
+advantage of every headland that jutted out; and when they had to make
+across the open, it was done with all possible speed.
+
+Thad did not need to be told who was in that craft. And glancing toward
+Jim, he understood that the Maine guide had doubtless been aware of the
+pursuing canoe for some time; because he nodded at the scoutmaster when
+he caught his eye.
+
+"It's him, is it, Jim?" called out Thad; for the canoes were some thirty
+feet apart at the time.
+
+"Yep," came the answer, accompanied by an affirmative nod of Jim's head.
+
+"You know him, even at that distance, then?" continued the patrol
+leader.
+
+"He's workin' the paddle right now," replied the other. "Yuh cain't
+mistake his way o' swingin' ther spruce blade. Ole Cale hain't gut his
+ekal at thet in all the State o' Maine."
+
+It was plain to be seen, then, that the giant poacher was on the trail
+of his detested son-in-law, possibly bent on carrying out his terrible
+threat; though Thad hoped such might not prove to be the case.
+
+He knew that often these rough men of the woods could appreciate true
+bravery; and that there _might_ be a chance, however slight, that
+Old Cale was lost in admiration for the recklessnes that could induce
+Jim to brave his wrath. What if he had been consumed by a sudden deep
+curiosity to know what really caused the other to take the risk and come
+up here? Could he suspect that Little Lina had sent a message to him?
+
+All these things gave Thad occasion for considerable thinking. At the
+same time he did not mean to lose sight of the main reason for their
+having come so far from their homes, in order to get some hunting, and
+camping experience, that would prove valuable to his fellow scouts,
+anxious to learn all that they could at first hands, of wood-craft.
+
+"I'm glad we were as particular as we were about putting out the very
+last spark of fire this morning," Thad remarked, as the canoes moved
+along close to one another.
+
+"Why?" demanded Giraffe, a little suspiciously; for every time that
+magical word was used he chose to think all eyes must be turned in his
+direction; just as though he should be placed in the same class with
+fire.
+
+"Oh! because the wind came up like great guns shortly after we left
+camp," Thad went on, always ready to point a lesson to those under him;
+"and from the river, too. Now, if we'd left any fire there, the chances
+are it would have been picked up, and thrown into the woods. As there
+was a lot of dry stuff around, you can see how easy a fire starts up
+here. And when it once gets going, I reckon it can burn some, eh,
+Allan?"
+
+"If you ever have the good or bad luck to run across a forest afire,
+while we're up in this section, you'll see a sight that none of you'll
+soon forget," and he had to cast a meaning glance as he spoke in the
+direction of the fire worshipper.
+
+But Giraffe only smiled in a satisfied way.
+
+"Talk all you want," he remarked; "but I think I've got that business
+down fine, now; and to-night, _to-night_ I'm just bound to prove to
+Bumpus here that the cream is on him. I knew I'd get it sometime."
+
+"Well, don't crow till you're out of the woods," remarked Bumpus, from
+the bow end of the canoe. "I'm willing to be convinced; and it'll be
+worth all it costs me just to see you work that puzzle out."
+
+"But you just know I c'n do it, don't you?" persisted Giraffe.
+
+"Won't say," answered the fat boy, obstinately.
+
+"Well, you might as well be counting up your spare cash, because I'm
+bound to show you at the first chance. It just _can't_ slip away
+from me much longer; and I reckon I've got it clinched this time," and
+after that Giraffe would not talk, but seemed to be muttering to himself
+from time to time, as though he might be repeating a certain formula
+that he believed to be the winning combination.
+
+They were not trying to make fast time now, because there was really no
+necessity for doing so. Having arrived on the chain of lakes that, with
+the St. Johns river, almost makes a great island of the northern portion
+of Maine, they were bent on enjoying themselves. That meant going into
+camp at some point where the guides were agreed they might have the best
+hunting; and from that time on taking toll of the woods' folks as their
+larder required, wasting nothing, and refraining from hunting when food
+was not needed.
+
+They were true scouts, and believed in following the uplifting
+principles that govern the actions of the better class of sportsmen. As
+Step Hen so often declared, they did not want to be called "game hogs,"
+a term often used to describe the man who flings his catch of bass or
+trout up on the shore to die, no matter if he is taking ten times what
+he can use; or who shoots his deer in or out of season, and allows it to
+lie there, wasted, on the ground, food for the foxes or wolves.
+
+"This country seems to be rather sparsely settled up here?" remarked
+Thad, after they had been moving along the shore of Lake Winthrop for
+some time, looking up a desirable camp site.
+
+"In the summer you kin see a tent now an' then, it bein' sum party as
+wants ter enjy the fishin', which is prime," Eli replied; "but they
+ain't many folks as keer 'bout stickin' out ther winters hyar. Ye'll
+admit they must be sum cold, this far up, nigh the Canady border."
+
+"But there must be plenty of game hereabouts, I should guess," Thad went
+on. "Because, in the first place it has a gamey look to me; and then
+again, you wouldn't have agreed to come along with Jim here, unless
+you'd heard good accounts of the region around the Eagle Lakes."
+
+"Jest what I has, though I hain't never be'n all over 'em myself,"
+returned Eli. "But Jim hyar, he was bawn an' fetched up in this kentry;
+so what he doan't know 'baout hit hain't wuth knowin', I guess, sir."
+
+It was about the middle of the afternoon that Jim declared they had
+reached the point where their tents should be pitched. Thad noticed that
+the guide made not the least attempt at trying to hide the camp; indeed,
+the tents could surely be seen in any direction out on the lake.
+
+This gave him to understand that Jim was not "taking water;" he had come
+here to this danger ground with the main idea of meeting his irate
+father-in-law face to face, be the consequences what they might, because
+his wife had begged him to; and there was as yet no sign of Jim turning
+out to be what Giraffe called a "quitter."
+
+Everybody soon found plenty to do. The rest had enough pity for Giraffe
+not to enter any complaint because he seemed to shirk his share of the
+ordinary labor attending the starting of the camp. They knew he had his
+hands full in solving what promised to be one of the greatest puzzles he
+had ever tackled.
+
+And so he was allowed to go off himself, and work his little saw
+monotonously right along. Now it was the cord that failed to hold; again
+something else went back on poor Giraffe. But he kept patiently at it,
+grimly determined; and even the most interested of the lot, Bumpus, with
+whom the fire builder had laid his little wager, could not but feel a
+touch of admiration and sympathy when he saw how the tall scout kept at
+his task as the afternoon slipped away.
+
+When supper was announced Giraffe came in smiling.
+
+"Got it?" demanded Bumpus, eagerly.
+
+"Well, just as good as done," was the cautious reply. "I've mastered a
+heap of little irritating troubles; and just now the coast seems to be
+clear. Next time, now, and you'll see something doing."
+
+"One more ribber to cross!" cooed Step Hen. "It's always 'next time,'
+with Giraffe, you notice, fellows."
+
+But Giraffe was either too tired to argue, or else so confident of a
+speedy success that he felt he could afford to bide his time. Revenge
+would be very sweet, after all the chaff the fellows had poured upon his
+head. He would wait.
+
+The supper tasted unusually fine that night, they all declared. Several
+of the scouts assisted in its preparation, wishing to show the guides
+just what knowledge of camp cookery they had picked up in their numerous
+outings. Even Bumpus superintended the heating of the "canoeist's
+delight," which turned out to be a hodge-podge, consisting of some
+left-over corned beef taken from a tin, some corn, and beans with
+several cold potatoes sliced in the same. And the hungry boys declared
+the only fault they could find with it was that it disappeared too soon.
+
+But they had an abundance for all hands, even Giraffe admitting that he
+was satisfied when the meal was over. Then came the several delightful
+hours of lying around, as close to the cheery blaze as they dared, and
+having a "good old fashioned powwow," as Step Hen called it.
+
+Jim was quiet; but then he had never been a noisy fellow; and knowing
+what was on his mind right then, Thad felt that he had plenty of excuse
+for deep thought.
+
+During a lull in the conversation later on, Bumpus sat upright, and
+exclaimed:
+
+"There, did any of you hear it again; sure as you live it was the same
+long-drawn howl we caught on our other trip up the Penobscot region; and
+Sebattis, as well as all the rest, told us it was a wolf come down
+across the border from Canada. How about it Eli; was that one just then
+giving tongue?"
+
+The old guide had not moved an inch; indeed, he seemed to be very little
+concerned over the strange sound; but he nodded his shaggy head, and
+made reply:
+
+"Yep, thet war a Canady wolf all right; an' as they hunt in packs thar
+must be more on 'em raound these diggin's I spect."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE UPLIFT OF A BOY SCOUT.
+
+
+They all listened, and heard the far-away howl several more times. Eli
+even declared that it was not the same beast that gave tongue, but a
+different one; and this seemed to bear out his statement that the
+animals usually hunted in packs. If a bunch of them had crossed the St.
+Johns river, and taken to chasing deer in the forbidden territory of
+Maine, the tidings would soon spread, and every guide be on the lookout.
+
+"If so be ye run acrost ary wolves, knock 'em over like vermin," Eli
+remarked, during the discussion of the subject that followed.
+
+"I guess everybody's got his hand raised against the poor old wolf,
+ain't they?" asked Bumpus; who often felt sorry for the underdog in a
+fight, no matter if it happened to be a strange cur he had never set
+eyes on before.
+
+"Why not?" asked Thad, immediately; "when the wolf is no respecter of
+persons, and will pull down anything that can be used for food? The
+world over, they are hunted, because they do so much harm. It has always
+been so from the time the shepherds of Bible times tended their flocks
+on the hills of Galilee. And as long as living things stay on this old
+globe, man and wolf will never agree."
+
+"And in every State where they used to run, there has always been
+declared a fat bounty on wolves," Allan observed. "Why, right now, Maine
+is paying large sums of money to get rid of her vermin, such as wolves,
+wildcats, panthers and snakes. I've read that as much as four hundred
+thousand dollars has been paid out in bounties since nineteen-three."
+
+"Yes," laughed Thad, "and that's where the joke comes in. I read that
+same article, which was mighty interesting too. It went on to state that
+some smarties are not content with getting the regular bounty. They grow
+a gray cat that looks on the order of the wild article--shorten the
+tail, draw out the claws, and then send in the skin, claiming the six
+dollars that is paid for each bobcat actually slain within the borders
+of the State."
+
+It was the turn of old Eli to laugh now.
+
+"I heard tell o' a sharper as cut off the rattles from a lot o' tame
+snakes he kept shut up, and send 'em in for the bounties each rattle
+brings; and then he expects his pets ter grow new rattles, which
+howsumever, I don't guess they kin; but thet air story goes ter show
+what some men will try an' do ter beat the pore old government people."
+
+"Whew! and I just can't stand for snakes at all," remarked Step Hen. "If
+ever I felt one touch me, I believe I'd nearly take a fit."
+
+"Ha! let Davy do that!" cried Giraffe, quickly; at which there was a
+shout that must have made the two guides stare, until the joke was
+explained to them.
+
+It seemed that once upon a time Davy had been subject to sudden severe
+cramps in his stomach, that used to double him up like a hinge, and
+render him incapable of action. His teachers at school had been duly
+warned, and many an afternoon had Davy been granted leave to go home
+because of a sudden attack; though it must have departed as suddenly as
+it came; since he was generally seen flying his kite on that same
+afternoon. And the cramps never attacked him on a dull, rainy day.
+
+When he joined the scouts Davy, wishing to shirk hard work, had
+commenced to have these queer cramps; but wise Thad, believing that the
+other must long ago have outgrown the disorder, and was only shamming,
+laid down a course of treatment so severe that, singular to relate, Davy
+had ever since been utterly free from the infliction; which the rest of
+the boys considered simply wonderful.
+
+And that was why there was a shout, with all eyes turned toward Davy
+Jones, when by mere accident Step Hen mentioned the word "fit."
+
+But Davy only colored up a bit, and grinned amiably.
+
+"That's a dead issue, fellers, so you needn't stare at me that way," he
+remarked, composedly. "Never again. Thad cured me right off the reel.
+'Nothing like heroic treatment, when all else fails,' he said; and it
+did the job, clean as a whistle. I never can have a fit again, if I
+tried."
+
+"You'd better not," remarked Bumpus, solemnly winking his left eye at
+Step Hen, and significantly touching a good-sized club he had at his
+side.
+
+But that howling of the wolves, hunting their supper far away, did not
+keep the boys from enjoying a good night's sleep. Of course there was
+some sort of watch kept; but those who were not entrusted with the vigil
+had no reason to bother their heads over it. All night long they slept
+in absolute safety. If Eli, Jim, Allan and the scoutmaster took turns
+being on deck, to make sure the camp was not raided, that fact did not
+keep the other four from slumbering as peacefully as though tucked in
+their beds at home, and under the parental roof.
+
+Another dawn found them awake, and only too anxious to get a good warm
+fire started; for the frost was surely around them, and at that early
+hour it bit severely, too. But they could always depend on Giraffe to
+coax the wood to do its best in dispelling the cold atmosphere; and soon
+they were no longer shivering, but fully dressed, and assisted in
+getting breakfast.
+
+Thad cast his eye upward several times during the progress of the meal.
+
+"You seem to be anxious about something Mr. Scout Master?" remarked Step
+Hen, who had been highly favored that morning, being chosen to accompany
+the leader on a hunt for fresh meat; and Step Hen was therefore more
+interested than the others in what seemed to have aroused the attention
+of Thad.
+
+"I was wondering whether we mightn't get our first snow-storm before
+another sundown, that's all," replied the other, with a smile.
+
+"Now, however could you tell that, when everything looks bright, and
+oh-be-joyful to me up yonder?" burst out the wondering Bumpus.
+
+"Well, there are some things one can know, partly by instinct, and find
+it pretty hard to explain," Thad went on to say. "I seem to feel a
+something in the air that says 'snow' as plain as words. It may be just
+a sort of dampness; but that's the way about it. Then I notice the
+direction of the wind, which is northwest; and the cut of those few
+cirrus clouds lying low near the horizon. I can't exactly explain so
+that you could understand, but if I was asked my opinion, I'd say we'll
+see the snow flakes flying before many hours."
+
+"How about that?" demanded Step Hen, turning on Eli and Jim.
+
+"He's right, 'cause thar's agoin' ter be summat o' a fall. P'raps
+'twon't amount ter much, nobody kin tell that; but it sez snow, all
+right," the first guide observed, after taking a look all around.
+
+"Me tew," was all Jim said; but he accompanied the words with a vigorous
+nod in the affirmative, that stood for a lot.
+
+"That settles it," Step Hen declared. "I'm going out prepared for
+business. Never did like to be snowed under, any way you take it."
+
+"Too bad we ain't got a snow shovel along," remarked Giraffe,
+sarcastically.
+
+"Oh! you can joke all you want to," snapped back the other; "you're so
+lofty you needn't mind an ordinary snowfall. If it got up to your chin,
+you could still manage to stretch that rubber neck of yours around, and
+feel comfortable. But I ain't in the same class, you see, with my
+ordinary figure, and short neck. But all I meant to say was, that I'd
+keep my sweater on under my coat, and stick my woolen gloves in my
+pockets."
+
+"Loan you my earmuffs if you say the word, Step Hen," spoke up Bumpus.
+
+"Well, now, that's decent of you, Bumpus," the other scout remarked;
+"but you see, this old corduroy cap of mine has earflaps that can be
+turned down. It's just a bully thing for a cold, windy day. But after
+such a generous offer, Bumpus, why, I give you my full permission to
+turn over your badge. You've begun the day bright and early, by trying
+to do a generous deed for a comrade."
+
+Of course, what Step Hen referred to was the well-known rule by which
+the great body of members composing the Boy Scouts' organization of
+America has been governed, in order to teach the units of each patrol
+and troop the benefits to be derived from making themselves useful to
+others.
+
+In the morning every scout is supposed to pin his badge upside-down, on
+the lapel of his coat; and is not allowed to change its position until
+he has found an opportunity for helping some one, either by act, or
+advice that is really useful. It may only be a very simple thing; but it
+teaches the lad, first of all, the useful attribute of observation; and
+after that the still more precious one of service. Even though he but
+assist an old man across a street where vehicles are numerous; or take a
+market basket from the hands of a housewife, who is staggering homeward
+under the heavy burden, the effect is the same.
+
+It makes his boyish heart thrill with a satisfaction that develops the
+trait of generosity; and gives every lad a more manly sensation; for he
+realizes that small though he may seem, he is of some value to the
+world.
+
+"Oh!" said Bumpus, blushing, "I guess I hadn't ought to take advantage
+of such a little thing as that, so's to get my badge turned. I'll find a
+chance to do something that's more worth while, before the morning's an
+hour old. And Step Hen, if you bring home the bacon in the shape of a
+noble six-pronged buck, you must let me take your picture, with your
+foot on the prize. Why, it will be the most valuable heirloom in your
+family, years from now. Your great grandchildren will point to it in
+pride, and tell how you slew the Jabberwock in the woods of Maine."
+
+"Well," grinned Step Hen, "wait till I get the buck. I don't count my
+chickens before they're hatched. And I hope for one thing--that when we
+do come back, there's going to be a little peace in the camp; and that
+our friend Giraffe here, will have solved the riddle that's been
+worrying him so long. Them's my sentiments."
+
+Giraffe made a mock bow, as he remarked in his most amiable way:
+
+"Much obliged for making that wish, Step Hen; and from present
+indications I've got a sort of hunch that something is going to happen
+along them lines. Woke up in the night after having a dream, and it all
+came to me like a flash, where I'd been making a mistake. And as soon as
+I get through eating, I'm going to work trying to start things just like
+I saw in my dream. Oh! I'll get there, sooner or later, by hook or by
+crook. You never saw me give a thing up yet."
+
+"Hey! what's that?" remarked Davy Jones, quickly. "How about that time
+you got in old farmer Collins' watermelon patch one night, and hooked a
+nice big melon he had doctored, so as to teach the boys a lesson. Oh! I
+know, because I was along with the crowd; and seems to me you gave up
+everything you owned, during that never-to-be-forgotten hour. I know I
+did; and I've never eaten a melon since without shivering."
+
+"Say, quit that melancholy subject, won't you?" demanded Bumpus. "I
+don't like to be reminded of my wicked past, because I've turned over a
+new leaf since I joined the scouts. Why, you couldn't tempt me now with
+the biggest grandfather watermelon ever grown. B-r-r! It makes me shake,
+just to remember some things that happened in those old days, when I
+went with Giraffe, and Davy Jones, and the rest of that lark-loving
+crowd."
+
+Half an hour afterwards Thad and Step Hen started out, guns in hand.
+Knowing that the patrol leader was perfectly at home in the woods, no
+one bothered about giving them advice; or predicting all manner of
+direful calamities ahead. Let it snow and blow as it pleased, Thad was
+enough of a woodsman to know how to make himself comfortable, and get
+back to the camp on the lake shore in due season.
+
+Of course Bumpus had been more or less disappointed because he did not
+have an early chance to prove the merits of his new gun, since he had
+been taking private lessons from one of the guides in the way of
+handling firearms. But Thad had promised that the fat boy and Giraffe
+should have the next chance for a hunt; they were canoemates, and seemed
+often thrown together, perhaps because they represented the "fat and the
+lean of it," and as Bumpus was fond of saying, "extremes meet."
+
+Half an hour later, and the two young Nimrods had managed to get a
+couple of miles from the camp. But as yet they had not sighted that
+wonderful six-pronged buck which Step Hen was to lay low. They walked
+along about fifty feet apart, Thad generously allowing his companion to
+be a little in advance of him. This he did really because he wished Step
+Hen to have the advantage of the first shot; being confident that if the
+other failed to bring down the game he would still have some show before
+the deer could vanish from sight.
+
+Then again, it was just as well to have Step Hen in front. He was
+inclined to be nervous; and some sudden whirr of wings, as a partridge
+flew out of a nearby thicket, might cause his finger to press on the
+trigger of his gun a little harder than he intended. Thad believed in
+being on the safe side, every time.
+
+Step Hen carried a lovely little repeating rifle of the thirty-thirty
+type; and his ammunition was of the soft-nosed kind, which, as it
+"mushrooms" on striking, is just as serviceable as a ball three times as
+large; while Thad had his double-barrel Marlin shotgun, a twelve bore,
+with buckshot shells meant for big game.
+
+As they were passing through what seemed to be a tangle such as is
+seldom met with in the pine woods of Maine, where they had to dodge
+trailing vines, Step Hen, in trying to avoid one that threatened to
+catch him by the neck, managed to stumble over a log, and go sprawling
+forward, his gun flying from his grip, but fortunately not going off.
+But immediately Step Hen commenced to thresh around, as he shouted out:
+
+"Thad! Oh! Thad, hurry up, and help me out of this! My legs are twisted
+in the vine; and something bit me! I know it must a been a rattlesnake,
+and I'm a goner!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+STEP HEN'S GREAT LUCK.
+
+
+"Snakes! well, Step Hen, you're away off, if you think they're ever
+found out, with the weather as biting as it is right now!" laughed Thad;
+who sized up the situation instantly, and knew full well there was
+nothing of the sort the matter with his hunting companion.
+
+"Well, anyway, _something_ gave me a bite, and you can see the
+blood on my hand right now, Thad," whined Step Hen, crawling once more
+into view, and looking as though he could not be convinced to the
+contrary of his statement, just because of a little frost.
+
+He held up his left hand as he spoke. Thad took hold of it, and with
+those keen eyes of his, managed to grapple with the facts immediately.
+
+"You only managed to strike up against a sliver of wood, and got a
+splinter in your hand," he declared; "see here, I can show you," saying
+which he used the nails of his finger and thumb for a forceps, and drew
+out a little splinter that had pushed under the skin, just far enough to
+bring a drop or two of blood, and give Step Hen a sharp pain.
+
+"Oh! thank you, Thad!" exclaimed the other, as though vastly relieved.
+"You see, I just detest all kinds of crawlers the worst kind; and that
+talk about rattlers, and the bounty paid for their tails, must have been
+hanging on my mind. When I felt that sudden sharp jab, of course the
+first thing that flashed into my brain was that I'd tumbled on the nest
+of a rattlesnake, and he took me for one of the bounty jumpers. But only
+a sliver of wood--huh, I can stand that easy enough."
+
+"Suck it good and plenty," advised the far seeing Thad. "I always do as
+soon as I get a cut of any kind, and especially if it's a splinter.
+Sometimes it keeps you from getting poison in your system, that makes a
+bad sore."
+
+Step Hen obediently did as he was told. At least he had implicit
+confidence in the patrol leader, and was ready to follow his advice
+under the slightest provocation. That was a feather in the cap of Thad
+Brewster, in that he possessed the full confidence of his comrades. They
+believed in him, and were never in a state of mutiny concerning the
+orders he gave, as leader of the Silver Fox Patrol.
+
+Once more the two boys tramped on. Thad thought it might be as well to
+impart a little useful information concerning the dormant condition of
+all snakes during winter time; and how many a bunch of the wrigglers he
+had found, while the cold season was on, looking as though they were
+frozen stiff.
+
+This information he imparted in almost a whisper as they moved along.
+When out looking for deer, a muffler on speech is of paramount
+importance; and knowing all about this, Thad soon relapsed into silence.
+
+"Tell you more some other time, Step Hen," he remarked as a wind-up;
+"that is, if you care to hear more about snakes. No matter how you
+dislike the breed, you really ought to know more than you seem to, about
+their habits. It might be the means of saving you from trouble some fine
+day, when, by accident, you happen to run across some reptile in the
+woods. And now we'll forget all that. I'm not going to say another word,
+unless I have to."
+
+They kept pushing on; and Step Hen began to believe they must be many
+miles from their starting point; at any rate he began to feel a little
+heavy-footed, though too proud to mention the fact to Thad. Besides,
+Step Hen had walked pretty good distances before, and believed that he
+must soon get what he called his "second wind." After that he would be
+good for hours, he fancied.
+
+It must have been well on to eleven o'clock when Thad felt his companion
+nudge him in the back. As he turned to look, Step Hen made a suggestive
+gesture with his head, and pointed upwards.
+
+There was a dead gray sky above them, and already a few scattered flakes
+of snow, really the first of the season, were drifting downward, looking
+like tiny feathers plucked from the downy breast of a snow goose.
+
+Thad simply nodded his head to indicate that he too had observed them;
+and at the same time he shook his finger toward Step Hen, afraid lest
+the other might be itching to start a conversation. In fact, this was
+just what the other scout was hoping to do. This grim silence had begun
+to work upon his nerves--just walking on and on, with not a blessed sign
+of the fine buck they expected to get, commenced to pall upon Step Hen,
+in whom the instincts of a hunter had never been born; although of late
+he had begun to develop a taste for roaming the woods with a gun over
+his shoulder. But he had much to learn concerning the secrets that
+Nature hides from most eyes, but which are as the page of an open book
+to the favored few.
+
+Step Hen began to twist his head around frequently. At first Thad
+thought he was developing a new eagerness to discover signs of game; but
+then he soon saw that the wistful expression on the other's face was
+brought about by quite a different cause.
+
+To tell the honest truth about it, Step Hen was trying to figure out in
+his benighted brain just what the cardinal points of the compass might
+be. It was not that he possessed any alarming interest in proving
+certain facts Thad and Allan had explained, concerning the fascinating
+game of learning where the north lay by marks on the trees; the general
+direction in which they slanted; signs of moss on the north or northwest
+side of the tree, and various other well proven methods of locating
+one's self. Oh! nothing of the kind. Step Hen wanted to find out one
+particular fact. They had started _north_ when leaving camp; and
+now, if he could only learn that they were heading due south, it would
+tell him that Thad had swung around, and was facing back home again; and
+thus he would not be under the painful necessity of informing his
+companion that he was tired of the useless hunt, when nothing worth
+while showed up.
+
+And then it happened!
+
+Step Hen happened to have his eyes in the right quarter when suddenly a
+fine big buck sprang to its feet, and stared at them a second or two,
+before starting to spring away. They had been heading up into the wind
+all the time, which was a part of Thad's principle as a true still
+hunter; and the deer had not known of their presence until the greenhorn
+happened to step on a small branch, which snapped under his weight.
+
+Possibly Step Hen never really knew just how he did it. Indeed, he
+afterwards confessed to himself that his ready little rifle just seemed
+to swing upward to his shoulder by some instinct, which was probably the
+exact truth; for hunters seldom have time to do any thinking.
+
+He saw that splendid deer standing there before him. Now, Step Hen had
+often fired a target rifle at just such a picture of a deer as this in
+the shooting gallery in Cranford. And when he took a hasty aim just
+behind the shoulder of the startled buck, he was really following out
+his usual custom of covering the bull's-eye on the artificial deer, so
+familiar to his boyish eyes.
+
+Bang! went the rifle, as he pressed the trigger.
+
+Thad had his double-barreled gun in readiness, and could have
+supplemented the shot of Step Hen by pouring in a broadside of small
+bullets that must have dropped the animal in his tracks. But he
+refrained, for his instinct seemed to tell him that the missile from
+Step Hen's little rifle had struck home, as the buck gave a convulsive
+leap, and pitched over; and Thad knew how much a new beginner in the
+game delights in the knowledge that he has accomplished the work of
+bringing down a deer unassisted.
+
+True, the buck managed to scramble to its feet again, and run; but even
+then the patrol leader held his fire, for he knew that the animal could
+not go more than a hundred or two feet before it must drop.
+
+"I rung the bell then, Thad; didn't you hear me?" almost shrieked Step
+Hen, so excited that he never once thought of pumping the exploded
+cartridge from the firing chamber of his repeating rifle, and sending a
+fresh one in after it; and then, as the stricken buck scrambled to his
+feet again, and went off at a wobbling gait the astonished and dismayed
+Step Hen, who should have been prepared to send in another shot on his
+own account, actually forgot that he held a rifle calculated to repeat,
+and wildly besought his chum to fire.
+
+"Oh! there he's going to get away after all, Thad!" he cried, jumping up
+and down in his excitement; "why don't you blaze away, and knock my buck
+over? Thad, oh, do let him have it good and hard! There, now he's gone,
+and we've lost him! It's a shame, that's what it is, when I so nearly
+got him. And he had six prongs too! Oh, me! oh, my! what tough luck!"
+
+"Don't worry, Step Hen," said Thad, quickly; "that deer can't get away.
+You shot him to pieces, and he's just bound to drop before five minutes.
+We'll just follow him up, and find him lying as dead as----"
+
+Just what Thad had in mind as a comparison Step Hen never knew. Perhaps
+he was going to say "as dead as a door nail," that being a favorite
+expression among the scouts; or it might be Thad meant to take a little
+flight into ancient history, and compare the condition of that buck
+inside of five minutes with the Julius Caesar of olden Roman times. It
+did not matter.
+
+He was interrupted by a sudden loud explosion. The sound came from the
+quarter in which the buck had just gone, and could not have been far
+distant. And even the tenderfoot understood what it meant.
+
+"Oh! listen to that, would you, Thad?" he burst forth with. "There's
+somebody else hunting up in this neck of the woods, and they've got my
+fine buck! Now, ain't that the worst thing ever; and just when it began
+to look as if he ought to belong to me, too; for you said he was hard
+hit; and I just know I rung the bell with that bullet. And now I reckon
+it's all off. Oh! why _didn't_ you knock him over when you had the
+chance, Thad?"
+
+"I sure would if I'd had the least suspicion that there was any other
+hunter around these diggings," declared Thad, with a frown on his
+usually smooth brow; for he instantly began to scent trouble. "But come
+on, let's start along, and see what it all means. Perhaps now old Eli,
+or Jim may have wandered out to take a little side hunt."
+
+"But anyway, it's _my_ buck, Thad; you said I got him!" grumbled
+Step Hen, as he started after his leader.
+
+They had no trouble in following in the direction taken by the stricken
+deer; even Step Hen, upon having his attention directed to the ground by
+Thad, could readily discern the trail of blood spots that told how the
+buck had been badly hurt by the shot back of the shoulder.
+
+And less than three minutes later the two scouts came upon a scene that
+caused Thad to frown; while Step Hen's mouth opened with surprise, even
+as his eyes were unduly dilated in his intense excitement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+BARE-FACED ROBBERY IN THE MAINE WOODS.
+
+
+Three men were bending over the dead deer, and all of them carried
+rifles. They were a rough-looking set, all told; and any one would know
+at a glance that they could not be city sportsmen, up here in the Maine
+woods on a hunt; but must belong to the native class of guides, loggers,
+or possibly something worse.
+
+One of them was in truth a giant; and as soon as Thad set eyes on this
+individual he knew that his worst fears were about to be realized. This
+could be no other than the big poacher, Old Cale Martin, the man whom
+the game wardens seemed to dread like poison, and had never yet dared
+arrest, though his breaking of the laws had become notorious all through
+that section where he roamed.
+
+Despite his sensation of acute alarm, Thad surveyed the man with more or
+less interest and curiosity. He had heard so much about his doings that
+he would have actually felt a certain degree of disappointment had he
+gone away from Maine and never met Cale Martin.
+
+Then, what Jim Hasty had told him, added to his desire to look upon the
+face of Little Lina's awful father.
+
+No doubt Step Hen must also have jumped at some sort of right conclusion
+with regard to the identity of the three men. The unusual size of the
+leader was quite enough in itself to tell who they must be.
+
+Thad did not halt long upon sighting the others, but walked forward.
+Even though poachers, this did not mean that the three men were
+desperate outlaws by any means. No doubt they walked in and out of the
+villages in this extreme northern section of the State, and were greeted
+by those who knew them as fellow guides, though seldom were any of them
+employed in such a capacity nowadays.
+
+Step Hen tagged at the heels of his chum. He did not know what Thad
+might be going to do; but although white of face just then, with a
+sudden fear of trouble, at least Step Hen showed no sign of running
+away.
+
+The three men looked up as the boys approached. All of them seemed to be
+grinning, as though amused. But while the big man really looked somewhat
+as a mastiff might appear to a little terrier, his two companions had a
+sneer on their dark, evil faces that gave Thad more or less uneasiness.
+
+He knew that while Step Hen was entitled to that fine buck, the chances
+were his claim would never be considered for a single minute. Might made
+right in the Maine woods, with men of this stamp.
+
+"Hullo! younkers, lookin' arter yer deer, hey?" remarked the giant, as
+the boys boldly approached. "Wall, they hain't any, d'ye see? We got a
+fine leetle buck here as Si fetched down with his big bore cannon; only
+fur him the deer's been in ther next county afore now, eh, Si?" and the
+giant as he said this, turned on the man who wore the greasy suit of
+buckskin, and sported a coonskin cap, after the style of the old-time
+hunters, now so nearly extinct.
+
+"That's right, Cale, he'd a ben agoin' like two-forty yet, on'y for the
+ounce of lead I throwed into him on the jump. I guess as haow that
+leetle pepper box jest tickled him a mite, an' made him feel frisky.
+Step right up, an' take a look at _my_ buck, ef so be yeou wanter,
+strangers; I hain't begrudgin' yeou that much conserlation; but doan't
+yeou be sayin' yeou had any hand in knockin' him over, 'cause I don't
+stand fur any foolishness, see?"
+
+He looked particularly ugly when saying this last, and Thad knew there
+was not the slightest shadow of a chance that they would get justice
+from these fellows. Seeing the sadly wounded deer plunging blindly
+toward them, Si had fired at the animal, and now they claimed to own the
+prize!
+
+Well, there was no use trying to make a fuss over it; two boys could
+hardly expect to overawe three such hardened woods' rangers as these.
+Nevertheless, for his own satisfaction Thad accepted the rude invitation
+of Si Kedge to advance closer, so that he could stand over the deer.
+
+Something caught his eye as he looked, and bending down he deftly took
+the object from the motionless body of the deer, just back of the
+shoulder, where a patch of blood appeared.
+
+Thad held the object up so that all could see. Even Step Hen recognized
+it as the mushroomed bullet that had been fired from his rifle. The
+evidence was as positive and clear as noonday; for that bullet, after
+spreading out, had bored completely through the body of the buck, and
+was ready to drop from the other side when it caught the sharp eye of
+Thad. And that other wound in the neck must have been where the boasted
+large calibre bullet from Si's big gun had gone, producing only a
+superficial hurt that would not have seriously inconvenienced the sturdy
+buck.
+
+"Oh! that's my bullet!" exclaimed Step Hen, hardly comprehending what a
+storm his words might bring about their ears; "and just as you said,
+Thad, I hit him in the side where his heart lies. That would have killed
+him in a short time, I just guess, don't you, Thad?"
+
+But Thad did not make any answer. He was keeping his eyes on the three
+men, even while dropping the spread-out bullet into his pocket to show
+it to Eli and Jim and Allan when they returned to camp, as proof that
+the glory of killing the fine six-pronged buck really belonged to Step
+Hen.
+
+The giant actually gave a little chuckle. Evidently he admired the nerve
+shown by this half-grown lad; for like most big men Cale Martin could on
+occasion, exhibit a sense of generosity toward those smaller than
+himself.
+
+With just that brief chance to see what the three poachers looked like,
+Thad was able to size them up along different lines. He believed that Si
+and Ed were both shallow brained bullies, with revengeful natures; but
+that Cale Martin, while known as a desperate man, was really more so
+through his association with such rascals as these, than for any other
+cause. And Thad chanced to know just why he had doubly earned this
+reputation for ugliness during the last year or so; Jim Hasty's running
+away with his little girl, Lina, had been the last straw that broke the
+camel's back; since it had made Old Cale feel reckless, and as though he
+cared no longer for anything in this world.
+
+"What d'ye think of that, Si," burst out the other fellow, who had not
+spoken, up to now; "the pesky critter is aclaimin' as how his friend
+sent that bullet through ther buck's ribs, w'en we all know 'twar from
+yer gun."
+
+The shorter poacher gritted his teeth, and looked daggers at Thad. He
+even made a significant movement with his heavy rifle, which the boy saw
+was of the repeating pattern, and had the hammer raised at that moment.
+
+"I doan't stand for any sech talk ez that," he declared, with savage
+energy; "an' ef ther cubs knows what is good fur 'em, they'll turn tail,
+an' mosey outen this here region some quick. Scat naow! an' be mighty
+keerful haow yeou start tew claimin' a deer agin, what another man shot.
+It's sumpin that ain't goin' ter be allowed up here in the woods. I
+gives yeou fair warnin' tew change base, an' clar out."
+
+"Come on, Thad, let's move along!" exclaimed Step Hen, who was white in
+the face, and trembling more or less.
+
+Of course, the patrol leader was far too smart to think of trying to
+defy that ugly lot. At the same time Thad showed no sign of fear as he
+turned and gave the bully of the woods one sneering look, as though
+plainly telling him what he thought. Indeed, it seemed to stir the ire
+of the man who claimed to have killed the deer, for with a snort, he
+started to throw up his gun, as if bent on threatening mischief, unless
+the boys ran in a hurry.
+
+But it was the hand of the giant that grasped the gun, and turned it
+aside.
+
+"Don't ye try it, Si," roared Old Cale. "We done enuff as 'tis, atakin'
+ther game away from 'em, without layin' a hand on ther hides. But ye'd
+better skip out, as Si sez, younkers. An' say, wile I think o' it, jest
+tell thet sneak, Jim Hasty, fur me, thet I'm agoin' ter keep my word
+'bout them ears o' his'n. I'll larn him what it means ter defy Old Cale
+Martin."
+
+For the life of him Thad could not help making some sort of reply to
+this.
+
+"I'll carry your message, just as you say," he went on; "but let me tell
+you right here and now, you never made a bigger mistake in your life
+when you call Jim Hasty a sneak or a coward. Would a coward dare come up
+here, when he knew how you hated him, and had it in for him? I guess not
+much. Fact is, Jim's got a message for you; somebody's sent him up here!
+And he meant to hunt you up, and see you face to face. A coward! Well, I
+guess not."
+
+And without giving the giant a chance to say another word Thad wheeled,
+striding away, with the nervous Step Hen at his side, casting many an
+anxious glance back over his shoulder, as though not quite convinced
+that the warlike Si might not think it best after all to shoot after
+them.
+
+But ten minutes later, and the two boys were well away from the spot
+which had come very near looking upon a tragedy.
+
+"How do you feel about it now?" asked Thad.
+
+"What do you mean?" inquired the other. "I'm as sore as can be about
+losing my lovely six-pronged buck, and knocked over all by myself, too.
+Wouldn't I just like to give it to that low-down liar of a Si Kedge,
+though, for saying that was his bullet, when anybody could see that it
+came from my rifle? Why, he only pinked the deer in the neck, because I
+could see the mark. Oh! the thieves, the miserable skunks, to cheat me
+out of my prize! I'll never, never get over this, Thad!"
+
+"Oh! yes you will, Step Hen," remarked the other, soothingly, for he
+felt that the bare-faced robbery had been a terrible shock to his
+companion. "But what I meant when I asked that, was, do you want to head
+toward camp now; have you had enough hunting for to-day?"
+
+"Now, I know you're saying that, Thad, just to let me down easy,"
+declared the other. "I acknowledge that I was beginning to get tired, up
+to the time I killed that deer; but it's all passed away now. The
+excitement did it for me; and I've got my second wind."
+
+"Then you want to keep on hunting?" asked the scoutmaster, feeling that
+Step Hen was exhibiting considerable grit under the circumstances, and
+delighted to see this same brought out by the ill turn fortune had given
+him.
+
+"Sure I do," instantly replied the other. "I'm just wild to get another
+chance to knock over a six-pronged buck; and now that I know the ropes,
+it's easy as falling off a log. Looks like this snow ain't agoing to
+amount to much, after all; and we've got pretty nearly half a day ahead
+of us yet. So let's keep on for a while. When I get a little tired,
+we'll stop to eat our snack of grub, when I can rest up, and be ready
+for another hour or two. But I'm afraid my luck has turned, and we won't
+sight another deer this blessed day; do you, Thad?"
+
+"We'll hope to, at any rate," replied the other, as he started off
+again; "and it's that constant expectation of starting up game that
+makes hunting all it's cracked up to be. So come along, Step Hen; and if
+we fail to bring in our share of venison it won't be because we lay down
+too easy. Now for quiet again, remember, and keep a constant lookout
+ahead."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS.
+
+
+It must have been a long time after the noon hour when Step Hen did as
+he had promised, called a halt in order that they might eat their lunch,
+and take a rest.
+
+As the cold was still with them, though the snow had thus far amounted
+to but little, Step Hen insisted on starting a small fire, at which they
+could sit, and be comfortable, while they devoured the food provided for
+the midday meal.
+
+"You make a fire as quick as the next one, Step Hen," admitted Thad,
+really meaning what he said, and at the same time wishing to raise the
+drooping spirits of his hunting mate, who was feeling very sore over the
+loss of his game.
+
+"Oh! I don't pretend to know much about starting a blaze in half a dozen
+styles, the way Giraffe's got it down pat," observed the other, smiling
+a little; "but if you pin me down to going at it the easiest way, with
+matches, and dead pine cones, why I'm there every time. And say, it does
+feel some handy, don't it, Thad?"
+
+They sat there, and chatted for quite a long time after they had
+consumed the last morsel of food. And during that resting spell Step Hen
+picked up many a crumb of useful knowledge concerning the ways of the
+woods. Thad did not know all that Allan Hollister had learned through
+practical experience; but he had made the most of his opportunities when
+belonging to that other troop of scouts; and never forgot what he
+learned.
+
+"Let's be agoin' on again," remarked Step Hen, finally, scrambling to
+his feet, and picking up his little rifle with a new eagerness.
+
+"Feel like another spell of it, eh?" asked the patrol leader, following
+suit.
+
+"That's what I do," replied the other. "Nothing like a rest, and a bite,
+when you're pretty near played out. I'm feeling fine and dandy again,
+and ready for several hours' hard tramping. But something just seems to
+tell me we'll never again have such a chance to get a six-pronged buck
+as that. And to think how it should a been just what the boys were
+telling me to knock over. I wonder now----"
+
+"What?" asked Thad, as his chum came to a sudden stop.
+
+"P'raps you'll say I'm silly if I tell you; but anyhow, here goes, Thad.
+It just struck me all of a sudden that we might go back to where we lost
+our deer, and do a little trailing on our own account. Them three
+fellers wouldn't bother trying to hide their tracks, and chances are
+they've gone into camp to eat some of that venison by this time, if not
+sooner."
+
+Thad smiled; he could not help it, upon hearing Step Hen talk in this
+strain; for only too plainly did he remember how white the other had
+been, and how even his voice trembled when he spoke, while facing those
+three poachers.
+
+"And after we've managed to track them to their camp, what then?" he
+demanded.
+
+Step Hen looked wonderfully brave as he instantly replied:
+
+"Why, we might catch 'em off their guard, and hold 'em up. That deer
+belongs to _me_, and I'd just like to have it the worst kind,
+especially that head, with the six-pronged antlers on it. But if you
+thought that proposition a little too risky, Thad, why we might conclude
+to wait around, keeping under cover, till it got plumb dark. Then we
+could carry off as much of the buck as we could tote, including the
+head; and them fellers not be any the wiser for it, till it was too late
+to follow us! How's that?"
+
+Thad nearly had his breath taken away by the boldness of Step Hen's
+astonishing proposals. He looked at the other, and a smile spread
+completely across his face. Then he puckered up his lips, and gave a
+little whistle, that somehow caused Step Hen to turn a bit red in the
+face.
+
+"Whew!" ejaculated Thad, "I never before suspected what a fire-eater you
+could be, Step Hen. Why, nothing fazes you, nowadays. I believe you'd be
+ready to snap your fingers in the faces of a dozen of the worst rascals
+that ever hid up here in the piney woods of Maine. But I'm afraid that's
+too risky a job for me to back up, as the leader of the patrol. I feel
+the burden of responsibility too much to allow it. What could I say to
+your father and mother if there was no Step Hen to answer to the
+roll-call, when we mustered out after this Maine hunt? So, on the whole,
+Step Hen, much as I hate to disappoint you, I'm afraid I'll have to put
+a damper on your scheme."
+
+"Oh! all right, Thad," quickly remarked the other, with an evident vein
+of relief in his voice; "I was only telling you what came into my head.
+You see, that's the way with me; I'm always having these brilliant
+plans, though my own good sense won't let me try to carry them out. So
+we'll just continue our old hunt; and hope another buck may heave in
+sight. But if one does, please let fly the same time I shoot, Thad;
+because we hadn't ought to take any chances of his getting away. You
+will, won't you, Thad?"
+
+"Why, yes, I think I'm entitled to a shot by now, Step Hen," replied the
+other; "seeing that I held back purposely, so as to let you have all the
+glory of getting that first prize. But as you say, we need venison; and
+the next time we'll shoot together so's to make sure."
+
+"Good! Then let's be moving, Thad."
+
+Since Step Hen was so set upon doing everything in their power to
+retrieve the misfortune that had come upon them earlier in the day, by
+means of which they had lost the first deer, Thad meant to try his level
+best in order to run across another like prize.
+
+Whenever he saw a piece of ground that looked more than ordinarily
+promising he would head that way, regardless of distance or direction.
+Little Thad cared as to whether they were able to return to camp that
+night or not. He had spent too many nights in the open, not to feel
+certain that he could manage to be at least fairly comfortable. And
+then, too, Thad had the hunter's instinct pretty fully developed, and
+thought little of fatigue when pursuing his favorite sport.
+
+They kept moving in this way until the afternoon began to be pretty well
+spent. Thad would not think of offering again to head toward the camp on
+the shore of the lake, so long as Step Hen made no complaint. He could
+not afford to be outdone by a tenderfoot, and he the patrol leader at
+that.
+
+Indeed, the gray of evening had commenced to spread around them when,
+with no more warning than before, they came upon a second buck that had
+possibly been lying down in the bushes.
+
+The deer sprang away like lightning, and perhaps it was just as well
+that Step Hen had asked his companion to shoot with him; for the
+flitting buck made rather a difficult target to hit in that poor light.
+
+So close together did the two lads fire that the reports blended, though
+the louder bang of the smooth-bore partly drowned the sharper report of
+the little repeating rifle.
+
+Thad started to run forward, holding his gun in readiness for a second
+discharge, if such were needed. Step Hen trailed along after him,
+working desperately with his pump-gun; and like most excitable
+greenhorns, trying every which way to work the simple mechanism but the
+right way, in his eagerness to get the weapon in serviceable condition
+again.
+
+"Oh! _did_ we get him, Thad?" he cried; for possibly the smoke of
+the double discharge had interfered with his vision, and he did not know
+whether the deer had dropped, or sped unharmed out of sight, even before
+the alert Thad could give him the contents of his second barrel.
+
+"Looks like we'll have venison for supper to-night, anyway," laughed
+Thad.
+
+And then, Step Hen, looking more closely ahead, saw a slight movement on
+the ground, which he realized must be the last expiring kick of their
+quarry.
+
+His spirits arose at once, and he gave a wild whoop of joy.
+
+"Bully! bully!" he exclaimed, as he still ran forward after his chum;
+"we did get him all right, didn't we, Thad? And I'd just like to see any
+woods' thief try to hook _this_ deer away from us. Don't you let
+'em do it, Thad, will you, even if we have to fight for it?"
+
+"Don't worry," said Thad, as they came to a halt over the fallen buck;
+"we're not going to have any trouble--not from that source, anyway."
+
+If Step Hen had been less excited he might have noticed that the words
+of his companion seemed to admit of their having trouble of another
+kind; but just then the tenderfoot was too much wrapped up in other
+things.
+
+"Oh! that's too bad, Thad!" he remarked.
+
+"What is?" asked the other; "both of us hit him, all right; for there's
+the place your bullet went in; and these smaller holes show where my
+buckshot struck."
+
+"But look at his antlers, would you, Thad?" the other went on; "why,
+this is only a two-year-old, I sure reckon, because he's got only two
+prongs on his horns."
+
+"Well so much the better for us, when we start to eat him," chuckled
+Thad; "because the meat'll be just that much more tender, you see."
+
+"Then let's get busy, and cut him up, Thad," Step Hen went on. "Seems to
+me night's coming right along down on us; and the chances are we'll be
+awful late getting back to camp."
+
+What Thad really thought he did not take the trouble to mention; but no
+doubt he had long before then made up his mind that they would never
+make camp that evening, for he felt that Step Hen must be nearly all in.
+
+He did start to work, however, and with the other to assist in various
+ways, managed to get the deer cut up, after a fashion. The meat they
+expected to carry with them, together with the head, which Step Hen
+would not think of leaving behind, was made up into two packs, so that
+each of them might carry a fair portion.
+
+By that time it was pitch dark. Indeed, Step Hen had to kindle another
+little fire of dry pine cones in order that the operation of getting the
+meat secured might be brought to a finish.
+
+"Wow! just look how dark it is!" exclaimed Step Hen, when finally Thad
+announced that he was ready to go on, after getting his bearings, which
+he did easily by sighting the North star, the clouds having very
+conveniently disappeared, and all present danger of a heavy snowfall
+vanishing with their going.
+
+Step Hen was rather slow and clumsy about getting his load fastened, and
+Thad had to assist him. He knew full well what was the matter. The other
+was really dead tired, and could hardly put one foot before the other
+without a great effort. He had been artificially kept up by the
+excitement until the game was secured, and now the reaction was setting
+in.
+
+They had been slowly moving along for about ten minutes, when from a
+little distance away there broke out a strange sound that, heard under
+those peculiar conditions, struck Step Hen as more blood-curdling than
+he had ever thought it before, when sitting safely in a camp beside a
+cozy fire, and surrounded by comrades.
+
+It was that same long-drawn howl of the Canada gray wolf; and as he
+listened to a second answering cry from another quarter, somehow Step
+Hen found himself shuddering.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+BROUGHT TO BAY BY WOLVES.
+
+
+"Ooh! how awfully queer them howls seem, Thad!" remarked Step Hen,
+presently, just as the patrol leader expected he would; for he had a
+pretty good idea as to what was just passing in the mind of the
+tenderfoot.
+
+"Well, they do sound different somehow, from what they did when we were
+sitting around the cheery camp-fire, listening to stories told by the
+guides," Thad admitted. "But then, wolves as a rule are cowardly brutes.
+They may do a heap of howling, but they seldom show any bravery. Only
+when in packs are they feared by hunters, away up in the frozen-up parts
+of Canada, I'm told."
+
+"But, say, don't you think there's a pack around here, right now?"
+demanded Step Hen, apprehensively.
+
+"What makes you ask that?" the other questioned.
+
+"Why, in the first place, old Eli told us they never came away down here
+unless in numbers; and then again, Thad, didn't you notice that when one
+gave tongue over yonder to the right, a second answered him back from
+the left; and by jinks! listen to that, would you, a third and a fourth,
+as sure as you live! Say, they're all around us, Thad; they've got us
+surrounded!"
+
+"Let 'em surround, if it does 'em any good," laughed the other; and if
+he felt the slightest bit of uneasiness himself on account of those
+wolfish howls, Thad at least managed to conceal it; because he knew Step
+Hen was feeling "creepy" enough as it was, without having his alarm
+augmented by seeing his companion concerned.
+
+"But don't you think they might be able to pull us down just by force of
+numbers, Thad?" the other went on.
+
+"Oh! there can't be any such bunch of the cowardly brutes around, as all
+that, I guess, Step Hen. And don't forget, please, that we're armed with
+weapons calculated to knock the spots out of any gray sneak that ever
+tried to steal venison won by two husky hunters. Think how you have six
+bullets in that little gun of yours; and each one ought to count for a
+wolf, if it came to the worst."
+
+"Oh! there's where I was a fool!" said Step Hen, in a disgusted tone.
+
+"What's that?" demanded his chum, stopping short.
+
+"Why, I never stuck a blessed cartridge in my pocket, you see. Thought
+the six I had in the magazine of the gun would be good and plenty for
+all the needs I'd run up against. Now I wish I had the whole hundred
+along. Just my luck. I'm always losing things, and if it ain't anything
+else, it must be chances. Think of a hundred dead wolves, and all killed
+with this great little gun while I sat perched up in the crotch of a
+nice tree! It makes me sick to think of it, that's what, Thad."
+
+"Are you sure you did put six cartridges in the magazine before we
+left?" asked the other.
+
+"Well, that's what I meant to do, and I reckon I did, all right; though
+Giraffe was joking me at the time, and he might have upset my
+calculations," Step Hen admitted.
+
+"Well, then, suppose you drop your bundle of meat, and take a look,"
+advised Thad. "If it gets to warm quarters it's just as well that you
+know how many wolves you can account for. Throw them out in one, two,
+three order, now."
+
+So Step Hen began working the mechanism of his little gun. Not being
+excited, he was able to do this excellently. With the first cast a
+cartridge flew out of the rejecting opening; but when he tried to
+repeat, nothing happened. He looked at the gun blankly, and tried twice
+more; but with the same result.
+
+"No use," remarked Thad, grimly; "nothing doing, it seems. When you
+_thought_ you put six cartridges in the magazine, you stopped at
+three. And just such little mistakes have cost many a hunter his life
+before now, let me tell you, Step Hen."
+
+"Oh! mercy, what do you mean, Thad?" asked the other, alarmed.
+
+"Why, suppose now, several wolves were rushing at you with open mouths;
+and when you stood there, feeling able to take care of them all, your
+gun missed fire, not because it went back on you, but through your silly
+fault in not making sure it was fed to the limit when you started;
+things would look kind of gloomy just then, wouldn't they?"
+
+"I'll never go out without being dead sure my magazine is plumb full;
+and a handful in my pocket besides, catch me again," said Step Hen,
+solemnly.
+
+"That's a good resolution to make, and see to it that you remember it.
+But all the same, my boy, it isn't helping us any just now. You've got
+one bullet, and I advise you to hang on to that to the bitter end. Let
+me do most of the shooting, if it ever comes to it, which I hope it
+won't; because I've got a belt full of all sorts of shells, from
+buckshot to Number Sevens. Now, shall we go on again?"
+
+"Sure," replied Step Hen, cheerfully.
+
+But when he had managed to get his arms through the loops of his bundle,
+and began to heave it up on his back, he groaned audibly, so that Thad
+knew full well they would hardly make camp that night, at least not
+without several rests by the way.
+
+"How far d'ye think it is, Thad?" asked Step Hen a few minutes later, as
+he dragged along behind the other.
+
+"Well, I can't just tell," replied Thad. "It may be only three miles,
+and then again perhaps it would tally up twice that. We're going to
+strike the lake shore by keeping on as we are; but just how far away
+from camp, gets me. Like as not we can sight their fire, and give the
+boys a hail that will fetch a canoe for us."
+
+"Whee! wish that blessed canoe was here right now," murmured poor Step
+Hen.
+
+"You're pretty near at the end of your rope, ain't you?" asked Thad.
+
+"That's right, I acknowledge the corn, Thad. I never was so dead tired
+in all my life. But I've still got the grit to keep along as far as I
+c'n put one foot in front of the other."
+
+"Good for you; we'll try it a little further, and see," Thad went on.
+
+He was chuckling to himself even while he spoke; for he knew full well
+that, although it pleased the tenderfoot to call it "grit," in truth it
+was fear of those lurking, howling wolves that was driving Step Hen to
+making these astonishing efforts. After all there is absolutely nothing
+like fear to make a laggard run like a Marathon sprinter. It has even
+effected cures in people supposed to be paralyzed, as Thad remembered
+reading not a great while before.
+
+They continued on for some time longer; but from the increasing puffing
+and grunting that came from the region where Step Hen was staggering
+along, it was evident that he was about ready to give up.
+
+"Thad!" he gasped, presently.
+
+"Yes, what is it, Step Hen?"
+
+"Here's a tree," remarked the other; "I mean one that's got limbs near
+the ground, and not like these other tall ghostly pines that I'd need a
+lineman's spurs to shin up."
+
+Thad stopped for a minute.
+
+"Well, if you can't walk on any further, Step Hen, say so, and I'll get
+up something that ought to keep the wolves away; but of course, if
+you're ready to call quits, why I suppose we'll have to climb up here,
+and squat like a couple of owls all night."
+
+The prospect evidently did not please Step Hen any too well; besides, he
+still retained a shred of his former pride. So he bristled up as he made
+answer, saying:
+
+"Why, of course I c'n go on for quite a distance yet, if you think
+there's any use of it, Thad. Now, what was you agoin' to do, you said?"
+
+"Under this pine tree, you see, that's been badly used in some storm,
+there are a lot of branches lying. We can knock off a couple of the ones
+that look like they might burn pretty well, and use 'em for torches.
+Let's get busy and see if it'll work."
+
+At any rate it gave Step Hen another chance to rest up, and get his
+breath. He still clung to that heavy deer's head with its antlers. Step
+Hen could be a most obstinate fellow when he chose; and having once made
+up his mind, it was like trying to move the rock of Gibraltar to change
+it.
+
+After considerable effort, and the wasting of many matches, so as to get
+the pine cones and needles started into a blaze, on account of the night
+wind that kept blowing them out as fast as Step Hen lighted them, the
+torches were finally made an accomplished fact.
+
+"Wave it around some more, and the wind is going to keep it going,"
+advised Thad; "besides, the swinging motion will warn the wolves to keep
+away, if they don't want to get their old hides singed. Now, if you're
+feeling fit, we'll make another stab at getting over the ground."
+
+Still Thad knew they would not go far before something else would
+happen; and he really expected that sooner or later they would have to
+do battle with the hungry four-footed denizens of the pine woods that
+had scented their fresh meat, and gave signs of meaning to possess some
+of it, no matter at what cost.
+
+So Thad bent his mind on figuring out what they had better do if it came
+down to a halt. He knew that once they went into camp they could build
+several fires, so as to virtually surround themselves with a circle of
+flames, across which no wolf that ever lived would have the daring to
+jump. And consequently Thad did not feel so deeply concerned about how
+things would come out as his comrade did.
+
+"Did you hear that and wasn't it a nasty snarl, though?" demanded Step
+Hen after possibly five minutes more had passed.
+
+"Yes, I heard it, and I suppose the beasts are closing in now," Thad
+replied.
+
+"Closing in! Oh! my gracious! Thad, we had ought to be finding a good
+tree like that Jim dandy one I wanted to climb, when you said no. These
+torches ain't agoin' to last much longer; and I don't believe the
+critters care about 'em anyway. Hadn't we better change the programme,
+Thad?"
+
+"Well, one thing I object to," the other answered; "after going to all
+this trouble to get venison, and losing our first deer to those woods'
+pirates, I don't feel like letting these measly wolves share in this
+second lot."
+
+"Them's my sentiments exactly, Thad; but tell me how we're agoin' to
+prevent 'em, won't you? If it comes right down to brass tacks we've just
+got to think of saving our own lives, first of all, and let the precious
+meat go. But then, if we found a tree, we might hang it up before
+climbing among the branches ourselves. Then, while they were jumping,
+and trying to snatch it down, we could be peppering the bunch like fun."
+
+"Leave it to me, Step Hen; I've got a plan worth two of that; though we
+might as well stop under this tree to try out; and if it comes to the
+worst we can climb up. But I don't think it's going to be necessary.
+Throw down your bundle, now, and get busy. We're going to have a fire,
+two, three of 'em; and squatting in the middle of the string, we'll just
+cook us some of this tender young buck, and snap our fingers at Mr.
+Wolf. If he gets too brash, why, we'll give him a card with our
+compliments. Hurry up, and get a fire going, while I stand guard over
+you, Step Hen."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE FIRE CIRCLE.
+
+
+"That's me, all right, Thad; I'll have a spark going the quickest ever,
+if that old wind only holds up a bit. Here's aplenty of loose stuff, to
+begin with, that I can kick together. Wait till I stick my torch in this
+crotch of the tree. Just as well to have some light to work by," and as
+he kept up this running fire of talk, Step Hen was busying himself right
+swiftly.
+
+For the moment he forgot all his aches and pains, and worked like a
+Trojan; indeed, no defender of ancient Troy ever had more urgent reason
+for getting things going than Step Hen thought he did just at that
+minute.
+
+He used his feet and hands to gather the loose pine needles in a heap;
+and when he thought he had things fixed to suit him, the next business
+that engaged his attention was getting the pile to take fire. After that
+Step Hen said he would be "on Easy Street."
+
+All this while the night wind had been moaning and whistling through the
+tops of the tall pines, making a mournful kind of music, calculated to
+add to the uneasiness caused by the savage howls of the hungry wolves
+from the north. But Step Hen had learned a lesson while lighting his
+torch, and knew that the wind came in gusts, with short intervals
+between. By waiting a few seconds after it had started to blow at quite
+a lively rate, he was able to find a lull; and making the most of his
+opportunity, he hastily struck his match, and applied it to the dry
+stuff he had made sure to keep underneath.
+
+But after all he came very near spoiling it; for just at that very
+second there was a loud howl, so close at hand that Step Hen was
+impelled to look over his shoulder, under the impression that the wolf
+pack was even then about to overwhelm him while he bent down, almost
+defenseless, above the pile of dry stuff.
+
+"It's all right; don't worry!" exclaimed Thad, who was standing guard,
+with his faithful Marlin gripped tight in his hands; and any wolf that
+attempted to try conclusions with that reliable little gun would surely
+regret his temerity.
+
+The flame managed to catch before the wind could come back again to blow
+it out; and once the connection had been made, the draught only served
+to make the fire burn the better.
+
+"There, that's done; and now what?" asked Step Hen, whirling around to
+pick up his own weapon, under the belief that he would feel easier in
+his mind if in a position to defend himself.
+
+"We've got to extend the fire belt, and make several more like the one
+you've got going," replied Thad, laying his gun down, so that he might
+busy himself. "Here are plenty of branches, and all sorts of good
+burning stuff. If only Giraffe were with us now, wouldn't he be in his
+glory, though?"
+
+"Well," said Step Hen, slowly; "he might; and again, perhaps Giraffe
+don't like wolves any better than I do. And he gets so rattled too,
+whenever he's nervous. I try to take things as cool as anything. What's
+the use getting excited, when it ain't agoin' to help a single bit. And
+I know you'll say the same, eh, Thad?"
+
+"You never spoke truer words, Step Hen," replied the scoutmaster,
+gravely; and yet secretly he was shaking with laughter, because
+everybody knew that Step Hen was the worst offender in that line the
+patrol boasted; so that it seemed almost as "good as a circus," Thad
+afterwards declared, to hear him talk in this way.
+
+They worked diligently, and soon managed to not only extend the fire so
+as to take in three more points, and thus completely surround the spot
+where they had dumped the packs of venison; but to secure quite a supply
+of fuel besides, with which to feed the flames from time to time.
+
+"Now what?" again demanded Step Hen, when he saw that his companion
+meant to call a halt upon these proceedings.
+
+"Supper is the next thing on the programme," observed Thad. "I feel just
+like enjoying some of that same venison. It will not only make us feel
+stronger, but considerably lighten our loads when we take a notion to go
+on again."
+
+"Count me in on that deal; because, honest Injun now, I'm that empty my
+stomach feels like it wanted to shake hands with my backbone. Say, this
+must be a real hunter's feast, Thad. I never went through such an
+experience as this before. And just listen to the nerve of them rascals,
+ahowlin' themselves hoarse, just because we object to sharing our grub
+pile with 'em. D'ye suppose, now, we'll have to knock over a few of the
+pesky varmints, as old Eli calls 'em."
+
+"I wouldn't be one bit surprised," replied Thad; and the other noticed
+that he did not move in the least without making sure that his gun was
+within reach; from which it was evident that Thad had no intention of
+being caught unprepared, should the hungry wolves make a sudden dash.
+
+Of course Step Hen was next to totally ignorant as to how to cook meat
+without the frying-pan to which he had been accustomed. And he watched
+just how Thad did it, closely imitating him.
+
+Taking a stout and fairly long sliver of wood, a small piece of the meat
+was secured to one end, after which the other point was thrust into the
+ground in such a position that the meat came pretty near a place where
+the embers burned red, and glowed invitingly. Presently the heat began
+to make the meat sizzle, and then it slowly cooked, turning a delightful
+brown color, and sending out odors that made the boys fairly shiver with
+eagerness to start eating.
+
+When one piece was considered done, it was quickly eaten by a hungry
+hunter, and its place taken with a fresh supply.
+
+So the good work went on. Both boys were ravenously hungry, and only
+small bits could be cooked this way at a time, so that it was pretty
+much a whole hour before they had fully satisfied their clamorous
+appetites. And although the meal had been eaten under the strangest
+conditions of any which he could remember, Step Hen was ready to declare
+he had enjoyed it immensely.
+
+"But they're gettin' madder and madder all the while, just because we
+didn't send 'em an invite to our little feast!" declared Step Hen. "Just
+listen to the critters yawp, would you, Thad? They're buttin' in closer
+and closer, a foot at a time. And honest now, I reckon there must be all
+the way from half a dozen to ten thousand of 'em around us."
+
+"That's a pretty good and safe range," laughed the patrol leader; "and I
+guess you've covered the ground, all right. There are surely half a
+dozen of 'em, and how many more I wouldn't like to say, because I don't
+know just how much noise one old wolf can kick up. But don't they sing
+sweetly, though? Shall we be generous, and throw them out the balance of
+the venison, to show them how we like their song?"
+
+"Well, I should say, not any," returned Step Hen, after giving his
+companion a quick glance, as if to see whether he really meant it, or
+was only joking. "We had too much hard work getting our supply to throw
+it to the dogs. Let the lazy curs run along, and find some for
+themselves. Besides, it's too good to think of wasting it. I want the
+rest of the fellers to taste _our_ venison. Mine went glimmering,
+and I hope it half choked that villainous crowd. Anyway you vowed it was
+a whole lot tougher than this haunch; and there's that comfort."
+
+But it was evident that if the hungry animals around heard this decision
+they refused to pay any attention to it; for instead of decreasing, the
+howls actually became louder and more insistent, until finally Thad
+picked up his gun.
+
+"I begin to see that we're going to have a little target practice after
+all, Step Hen," he remarked, quietly. "When things get so bad that you
+can see the skulking beasts creeping about your camp, and even catch the
+glitter of their yellow eyes, it's nearly time to begin to bowl a few of
+them over, so as to inform the rest that we've got a dead line marked
+around here."
+
+"You don't say?" answered Step Hen, in an awed tone; "show me one, Thad,
+please. I'd just like to say I'd seen a wolf, really and truly, for once
+in my life, outside of a menagerie or a circus."
+
+"All right, then," replied the other; "just follow the line of my
+finger, and I give you my word that skulking thing in the shadows is a
+real genuine, Canada wolf. I'm going to prove it to you in a minute or
+two, by taking a crack at him."
+
+"Oh! now there's two of 'em, Thad, crossing each other's trail. And see
+there, if that ain't a third, and even a fourth. Why, I believe the
+woods are full of 'em!"
+
+"You're about right," replied the patrol leader, more seriously than
+before, the alarmed Step Hen thought. "Here, let's throw a few blazing
+brands around, to scare 'em off some, while we lift the bundles up among
+the branches of this tree. Then, if anything should force us to take
+refuge there, at any rate we wouldn't have to listen to the plaguey
+things chewing at our grub."
+
+This was accordingly done. When the burning bits of wood were hurled out
+toward them, the wolves temporarily retreated; but Thad knew full well
+they would soon crowd back, drawn by the scent of the fresh meat; and
+besides, he did not like to take the chances of setting the woods afire;
+just after he, and the balance of the Silver Fox Patrol, had accepted
+this new test of their abilities in the line of doing a good act as fire
+wardens.
+
+The two packages of venison were easily hoisted into the tree, Step Hen
+readily climbing up himself in order to lift them still higher; so that
+by no possibility could a leaping wolf manage to get his teeth in either
+bundle.
+
+Step Hen came down again a little unwillingly, Thad saw. It must have
+seemed good and safe up there, so far removed from the fangs of the
+encircling wolves; but after the fires had burned completely out, it
+would prove a pretty cold perch; and for one the young scoutmaster did
+not yearn to try it, unless every other resort failed them.
+
+"Now watch what happens!" remarked Thad, as the other joined him again,
+gun in hand; "and remember, only shoot if you have to. I'll hold one
+barrel in reserve all the time. After I shoot you'll see me get a new
+shell in the chamber as quick as I can work it. Be ready, now; and watch
+sharp!"
+
+No need to tell Step Hen that. He was already keyed up to top-notch
+condition by the excitement that caused his nerves to quiver, and his
+breath to come in gasps. And yet, if any one had accused the boy of
+being afraid, he would have at once indignantly denied the imputation.
+Perhaps he was holding himself sternly in hand; Thad hoped as much; but
+then some persons have a queer way of showing that they are cool and
+collected. Step Hen was one, for instance; but if all of us could
+realize just how we look to our neighbors, we might not feel quite so
+proud.
+
+Thad had his gun ready for quick work. He only waited until he could
+glimpse one of those skulking, shadowy forms on the outside border of
+the light cast by the fire circle. Then he glanced along the barrels of
+his gun, though instinct enabled him to cover the target better than all
+this aiming; after which his finger pressed the trigger.
+
+The boom of the gun was instantly succeeded by a series of alarming
+howls; and then Step Hen was heard shouting exultantly:
+
+"You got him then, Thad! I saw him turn a back somersault. He's a dead
+one, all right, I tell you, whoop!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+STEP HEN HAS VISIONS OF A FUR COAT.
+
+
+Thad was already hastily inserting a fresh shell in the left chamber of
+his little shotgun. He felt fully satisfied that he had done just what
+Step Hen so vociferously proclaimed, knocked over one of the skulking
+wolves; but there were more of the same breed around, and presently they
+would get over the temporary fright caused by the flash of fire,
+together with the heavy crash, when possibly they might show themselves
+bolder than ever.
+
+And like a true Boy Scout, Thad Brewster believed in always being
+prepared. He had really taken that for his motto long before he thought
+of joining a troop of the scouts; so that much of what he agreed to do
+when signing the muster roll, lay directly in a line with his own ideas
+of what a wide-awake boy should be.
+
+"They backed off after that hot reception, Thad," Step Hen went on. "Oh!
+I hope I'll get a chance to pop over just one of the sneaky beasts. I'd
+like to say I'd shot a real wolf. Think of me, Step Hen Bingham, who up
+to a year ago had never gone off camping or hunting, with a bear to my
+credit, a buck actually knocked over, even if it was stole away from me;
+and now, as the crowning event of all, I want to get a savage wolf, a
+real Canada wolf."
+
+"Oh!" said Thad, laughingly; "I don't know that they're different from
+any other kind they have out on the plains; though perhaps they may be a
+little larger, and ready to attack a man quicker. But perhaps you'd
+better take the next good chance then, Step Hen."
+
+"May I, Thad? That's kind of you. Suppose you give me pointers, then,
+and tell me just when to blaze away. I want to make a dead sure thing of
+it."
+
+"Of the wolf, you mean, I guess," Thad went on, keeping a bright lookout
+while he talked. "Well, watch that place where I got my fellow, and I
+think you'll soon see something moving."
+
+"You must mean the rest will be wanting to make a supper off the critter
+you killed; is that it, Thad? Are they such cannibals as all that?"
+asked Step Hen.
+
+"Always said to be," the patrol leader returned, and then quickly added.
+"Keep on the lookout, and if you see anything moving, tell me. Above all
+don't waste ammunition by firing recklessly. We're not trying to scare
+'em off by noise; every shot ought to count for a wolf."
+
+They lapsed into silence for some little time, during which both boys
+used their eyes to the best advantage. Several times Step Hen's
+eagerness caused him to imagine he had caught a glimpse of a moving
+object; but upon calling the attention of his more experienced comrade
+to the spot, in every instance Thad had pronounced it a false alarm.
+
+But in the end there came a time when Thad himself saw something move,
+and as he watched more closely he made positive that it was another wolf
+creeping up in the direction of the spot where his first victim probably
+lay.
+
+"Are you all ready, Step Hen?" he asked, quietly.
+
+"Just try me, that's all," came the whispered reply, as the other scout
+clutched his rifle nervously, and strained his eyes to see what had
+caught the attention of his chum.
+
+"Then watch that spot where my game kicked the bucket; one of his mates
+is right now coming to drag the body away, to give it a wolf burial. See
+him, Step Hen?"
+
+"Yes, yes, and be sure and tell me just when to let him have it, Thad,"
+replied the other, beginning to cover the indistinct moving figure with
+his ready gun.
+
+"Now, hold on for a bit," Thad cautioned. "I'm going to give the fire
+here a kick that will make it spring up. Then, when you can be sure
+you're getting a bead on the slinker, give him Hail Columbia. Watch out,
+now, old fellow. It's going to be your only chance to bag a genuine wolf
+from the Canada bush."
+
+Just as Thad had said, the fire burned briskly after he had used the toe
+of his boot to give it new life; and sure enough, Step Hen could see the
+outlines of a long, dim figure that seemed to be hugging the ground. He
+could even catch the odd gleam of the wicked yellow eyes that were
+doubtless watching their every movement.
+
+With the sharp report of his rifle there was another howl, this time of
+pain.
+
+"Did I get him, Thad?" cried the marksman, eagerly.
+
+"You hit him, that's certain, because I saw him flop over," replied the
+other; "and that yelp meant sudden pain, as sure as it stood for
+anything. But he managed to get off, though possibly he will fall within
+twenty feet."
+
+"Oh! that's too bad, because his chums'll chew him all up, and I'll
+never have my nice wolf-skin to get a coat made out of for winter,"
+exclaimed Step Hen; and then, as he was seized by a new thought, he went
+on: "But Thad, suppose I took a torch and went out there, d'ye think I'd
+be apt to find him lying on his back? I'd like the worst kind to get
+hold of him before the rest of the bunch muster up courage enough to
+come back."
+
+"Well, since you haven't even a load in your gun, that would be too
+risky a game for you to play, Step Hen, and just for an old wolf-skin at
+that. Perhaps we've given 'em such a bad scare now that the rest of the
+pack may skip out, and leave us in peace. Then in the morning you'd find
+your chap, all right."
+
+"Listen! there's something crashing through the bushes right back of us,
+Thad!" exclaimed Step Hen, a minute later, though his companion knew it
+before he spoke. "Sounds like an elephant might be coming down on us;
+but they don't have such animals up here in the Maine woods, do they?
+Just hear the racket he keeps making Thad; whatever do you suppose we're
+up against now?"
+
+Thad laughed.
+
+"That's a two-legged elephant, then, Step Hen," he remarked. "Fact is,
+we're going to have company, for that's a man pushing through the brush,
+and making all the noise he can, so as to scare the wolves away, and at
+the same time keep us from firing on him." Then raising his voice, Thad
+called out: "Hello, there!"
+
+"Thet you, Thad?" came an answering call.
+
+"Hurrah! it's Old Eli!" exclaimed Step Hen, readily recognizing the
+voice of the guide. "This way, Eli; we're having a healthy old time
+knocking over some of your Canada wolves. Each got one so far, but I
+reckon the rest of the pack must a lit out when they heard you coming. I
+see you now, Eli; and mighty glad you dropped in on us. Where did you
+spring from anyway; don't tell me we're as near the camp as that."
+
+Eli came up, with a wide grin on his face.
+
+"Oh! camp about mile and a half down lake," he remarked, as he gravely
+shook hands with each hunter in turn. "We saw light of fire over point,
+and think it might be you boys; so I paddled canoe across here. It ain't
+jest five minits walk 'cross this strip ter the lake. So ye got sum o'
+the critters, did ye?"
+
+"Thad, can't we look up that one I shot now; I'd just hate to lose him,
+you know?" begged Step Hen.
+
+"Why, I suppose it would be safe for all of us to go out," returned the
+patrol leader. "Here, pick up something that will burn, and come along."
+
+They found Thad's victim without any trouble, but the second one was not
+within range of the light from their torches. But poor anxious Step Hen
+begged so piteously to be allowed to extend the search "just a little
+further," that Thad did not have the heart to say no. And a minute
+later, after they had gone forward twice as far as Thad had at first
+intended, Step Hen gave a gurgling cry.
+
+"Looky there, Thad, what's that thing lying over yonder? Seems to me
+mighty like a dead one. Yes, sir, that's what it is, as sure as I'm Step
+Hen Bingham. Oh! how terrible he looks, even when stretched out there,
+and gone up the flue. _My_ wolf, too. What a fine coat he's got,
+and as gray as they make 'em. Say, won't I just cut a swell when I wear
+that out in a sleigh with Sue Baker; and every time she rubs the sleeve
+she'll say: 'And just to think that _you_ shot this savage old wolf
+all by yourself, Step Hen; oh! what a brave fellow you are!'"
+
+It was a second dead wolf, sure enough. The little repeating rifle had,
+as usual, given a good account of itself, and the stricken beast had
+only been able to drag himself a little distance away, before giving up.
+
+Both animals were dragged over to the fires, and then Eli set to work
+taking off the skins with a rapidity that told of long experience along
+the trapping line.
+
+"No use aluggin' these critters over ter the canoe, and then ter camp,"
+Eli had announced. "Ther two skins'll make a purty good coat, I guess
+naow. An' so ye gut a pack o' prime venison to tote home as well, hev
+ye? Thet's good. My mouth's jes' made up fur a steak; an' the boys'll
+feel tickled ter death when they sees yer."
+
+Step Hen was a little nervous at leaving the fire zone, especially since
+Eli and Thad insisted on putting out every spark before departing,
+according to the law of the State; but then he managed to carry one
+torch, and with that to serve them, they took up their line of march.
+
+It was not so very far to the edge of the lake. Thad laughed, and said
+the joke was on him; because, when they halted he really believed they
+were a couple of miles away from water. If he had known the shore was so
+near by he would have managed to coax the tired Step Hen to trudge on
+just a little further, so as to camp with the water covering one side,
+and bringing that much security; not to speak of the chances for
+signaling to the home camp by means of the code which he and Allan, as
+Boy Scouts, understood.
+
+But it was all right now, and Step Hen felt quite merry over the chance
+of being taken comfortably to the camp by means of the canoe.
+
+Eli did the paddling, and the two weary lads just snuggled down in the
+boat, feeling that they had had a great day of it, all told. The
+presence of the venison, as well as the wolf-skins, would be positive
+proof as to the reliability of their astonishing story; should there be
+any skeptic around. And then Thad had the wonderful mushroomed bullet
+that had killed that six-pronged buck; so that as they narrated the
+first adventure that had come their way, they could produce evidence to
+back up the story.
+
+Their coming was greeted by more or less enthusiasm, although the boys
+had evidently been coached by Allan not to be too vociferous, as they
+were in a country where timid game abounded, and it was poor policy to
+frighten away the quarry they had come so far to secure.
+
+Step Hen forgot all his weariness as he found himself being shaken by
+the hand again and again, while he and Thad told the tale of their day's
+outing. It was nice to play the hero part once in a while, and more than
+ever did Step Hen feel that life had become more worth living than ever,
+since he joined the Cranford troop of Boy Scouts. But for that he would
+never have discovered what splendid things there were to be met with in
+the great forests; and the spirit of the hunter and the fisherman, which
+had lain dormant in his nature, might never have been awakened.
+
+And while the hour was rather late, all of the boys insisted on tasting
+a small piece of the deer meat brought in by the two successful Nimrods.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE FOX FARMER.
+
+
+"Say, this is the greatest venison I ever tasted!" declared Bumpus,
+after he had disposed of his share, and sighed to think that the rules
+of the game debarred him from having a second piece; because they had
+had a bumper supper only a few hours before.
+
+"Just dandy!" added Giraffe, who was in the same class as his fat
+campmate, and would have been only too glad for an invitation to "cut,
+and come again."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Step Hen, suddenly, "I reckon we've got to congratulate
+you, Giraffe."
+
+"Me? Er, what d'ye mean, Step Hen?" replied the tall scout, at the same
+time beginning to look a trifle confused.
+
+"Why, you know you told us we'd be _surprised_ when we got back,"
+the other went on to say, a little maliciously; "and I reckon you've
+gone and done it at last; and now you're ready to show us just how easy
+it works."
+
+Bumpus could not refrain for the life of him from giving a sarcastic
+chuckle, which of course added to the evident embarrassment of Giraffe;
+who, however assumed a serious air upon making his reply.
+
+"Well,--er--not exactly, Step Hen. I've got her figgered out all right,
+in my mind, so that in the morning I c'n go ahead, and work out the
+details. I calculate a short half hour ought to see me wind up in just a
+blaze of glory. But just yet it's a toss-up who the ice-cream's going to
+be on, Bumpus or me."
+
+"Oh! I ain't worrying even a little mite," asserted the confident
+Bumpus.
+
+"Well, you wait and see!" declared Giraffe, defiantly. "You don't all
+know what I've got up my sleeve. The feller that laughs last laughs
+loudest, they say. And I give you all fair warning that's going to be
+me."
+
+Meanwhile Thad managed to get in close touch with Jim Hasty. When the
+others were joking, and having a merry time, he was wondering how the
+guide's little affair had been working out.
+
+Many hours had passed since he had seen Jim, and he wondered whether the
+latter could have had any further communication from Old Cale, or even
+run across the father of his wife in the pine woods.
+
+Jim was looking a little more serious than ever; but so far as Thad
+could discover there was nothing about him to indicate that he had been
+in violent collision with an enemy. And there were both his ears in
+their proper places; which fact might be taken as positive proof that
+the giant poacher had at least so far not attempted to carry out his
+terrible threat.
+
+Jim seemed to know what was passing through the boy's mind; for he
+smiled faintly, and shook his head in the negative.
+
+"Nothing new happened, then, Jim?" questioned the patrol leader.
+
+"Naw. I hain't been far from camp the hull blessed day; an' consequently
+never had no chanct tew run up against Pa Martin," replied the other.
+"But I'm more sot than ever tew see him face tew face, afore I quits
+this here region. It's jest _gut_ tew be done, else I wudn't hev
+ther nerve tew face Little Lina agin. She made me promise; an' by
+thunder! nawthin' hain't agoin' tew skeer me off. If he doan't hunt me
+out, by ding! I'll take a turn at hit, an' find Cale Martin myself, ef
+so be I gotter tramp all the way tew his shack, wich I knows on'y tew
+well."
+
+"Good for you, Jim!" said Thad, admiringly; "but I suppose you
+understand what risk you're taking in trying that game? From all I've
+heard about Cale Martin, he's surely a terror; and then the threat he
+made about your ears would be enough to scare most men away."
+
+Jim drew a long breath as he answered this.
+
+"Lot's o' people doan't know Ole Cale like I does. He hain't so black
+nor they jes' paints him. Them game wardens is afeerd o' him, and they
+piles all kinds o' things on his shoulders thet he hain't no business to
+kerry."
+
+"Yes, I've heard before about giving a dog a bad name, and then he has
+to bear the sins of the whole neighborhood," remarked Thad. "There is
+never a sheep killed but that Dog Tray is the guilty one. And so you
+think Cale isn't altogether so bad as we've heard?"
+
+"He's a big man, and he's gut an' _orful_ temper; but it's them tew
+critters he goes with thet's the wust cases. They jest draw him inter
+slick games, Cale, he'd never think o' tryin', left by hisself. But we
+heerd as haow he's struck a new thing, if so be he on'y knows enuff ter
+keep it agoin', an' shakes them other fellers. An' if anybody kin make a
+success o' fox raisin', I jest guess Cale is ther man, 'cause he knows
+all erbout the slick little varmints from A ter Z."
+
+"Fox raising?" exclaimed Thad, at once deeply interested. "Tell me about
+that, Jim. Seems like it ought to be worth while listening to."
+
+"Why," said Jim, apparently only too well pleased to say something in
+favor of the big and reckless parent of his little wife; "yer see,
+thar's a company as hes been formed away daown in Bosting, tew raise
+foxes o' all kinds, jest tew git the pelts. I s'pose yew knows as haow
+them skins air agittin' more valerable every blessed year. More people
+tew wear furs, an' less animals tew give 'em. Why, thar was twelve
+hundred dollars paid fur a black fox pelt jest last Spring; an' I seen
+the check with my own eyes."
+
+"Yes," Thad went on, deeply interested. "I've understood that tremendous
+prices were being paid out for that scarce skin; but is Cale meaning to
+try and raise black or silver foxes for the market? I was told by
+several people that they considered the silver fox only a freak, and
+that they would never breed true to species. How about that, Jim?"
+
+"I've allers hed an ijee thet way myself," returned the short guide,
+scratching his head in a reflective manner; "but Cale, he thinks the
+other way; an' Cale, he sure knows more about foxes in a day than I wud
+in a year. Wall, we done heard as haow he hed made a contrack with this
+company fur a number o' years, tew act as manager o' ther farm. It's in
+another part o' ther State; an' when Cale, he leaves here arter a leetle
+while, he never 'spects tew come back again. Wouldn't be surprised naow
+if he hed a few foxes over tew ther old shack as he means tew kerry away
+with him when he quits up here."
+
+"But do you suppose he'll stick to those two tough characters, and keep
+them with him in his new job? Won' they queer his game with the company,
+Jim?"
+
+"Wall, I doan't know, of course, what his plans be, but Cale, he's a
+great feller tew keep his word; an' if so be he's told this company as
+he'll run things straight jest believe me they ain't agoin' tew be no
+place for them two poachers around _his_ fox farm. He'd run 'em off
+with his gun mighty quick. Yes, Cale keeps his word; an' thet's what
+makes me a leetle bit shy 'bout bein' able tew convince him tew leave my
+ears whar they belongs. But Lina, bless her, sez as haow he jest cain't
+hold aout, when he hears what I gotter tell him; an' Lina, she orter
+know."
+
+Thad admired the man more than ever. Just because of his faith in Lina,
+here was Jim ready to put his head in the lion's mouth, so to speak.
+Thad suspected that he might be carrying some very important
+intelligence to the bearded giant of the pine woods; but whatever it
+was, Jim did not take the trouble to enlighten him; and Thad did not
+really think he had any business to ask.
+
+After that Jim seemed to lapse into silence, and seeing that he did not
+appear anxious to continue the talk along lines that concerned his
+personal matters, the scoutmaster turned to the others again.
+
+The hour was now getting rather late, and while those who had remained
+in camp during much of the day might not be unusually tired, Step Hen
+gave signs of falling asleep by the fire. Several times his head gave a
+lurch to one side, so that presently Giraffe caught him roughly by the
+arm.
+
+"See here, d'ye want to take a header square into the blaze, Step Hen?"
+he demanded, as the other opened his eyes, and looked sleepily at him.
+"I like fires as well as anybody, but excuse me from getting roasted in
+one. Don't you think he ought to be sent to bed, Mr. Scoutmaster? He's
+so logy right now, that the chances are ten to one he'll climb in, and
+wrap the blanket around his head instead of his feet. Seems like you'll
+have to appoint a dry-nurse to look after the poor baby, or else he may
+freeze to death in the night."
+
+But Step Hen did not wait for any permission to retire. He just crept
+away, and vanished under the folds of the second tent, which he shared
+with Thad and Davy Jones.
+
+Indeed, the others were that sleepy they declared they would not be long
+in following his example. Thad himself was the first to get up and
+stretch.
+
+"It's late, fellows, and we ought to be turning in, if we want to be
+good for anything to-morrow. And remember, that if this sort of thing
+keeps up, we're going to change the programme, and let every scout have
+a share in keeping sentry duty, working in couples. It doesn't seem
+exactly fair that when Eli and Jim have to work all day with the
+paddles, or in any other way, they ought to spend half the night
+standing guard. Hello! there's Eli right now, coming in on the trot, as
+if he had some news for us. What's up, Eli?"
+
+The old guide had been down to the shore of the lake to take a look at
+the canoes; and he was plainly bringing some sort of news, if they could
+judge from his hasty steps; and the look of concern on his dark face.
+
+"Canoe comin' along daown yonder; mout be Cale's agoin' ter pay us a
+visit," he remarked; and his words aroused the sleepy boys as thoroughly
+as though they had been ducked with a bucket of ice-water.
+
+They all hastened to step off toward the shore. Bumpus even picked up
+his gun, possibly under the belief that there might be a speck of war on
+the horizon. Jim looked a trifle uneasy, but there was a grimness in the
+way he shut his jaws together that told of his set purpose to face the
+music somehow or other, before leaving this country of the Eagle Lakes.
+
+"There it comes!" announced Giraffe, in a half whisper, as he pointed to
+the left.
+
+They could soon all make out the dim, shadowy canoe that was stealing
+along, some little distance from the shore, and evidently bent on
+passing the camp.
+
+"I kin jest make out two fellers in her," said Eli, who had sharp eyes.
+
+"I reckon one of them must be Old Cale, then; he seems to be shadin' his
+eyes with his hand, alookin' toward our fire, and us astandin' here,"
+Giraffe went on to say, though no one could be really positive, because
+the light was so poor.
+
+The canoe passed by in this spectral fashion. There was no hail from
+those who sat in the boat, one using the paddle with the usual dexterity
+of a Maine guide; and of course none of the scouts thought of calling
+out, knowing who and what the voyagers were.
+
+"I suppose that was Old Cale in the bow?" remarked Thad, after the canoe
+had faded away.
+
+"An' he was alookin' fur me, I kinder guess," said Jim, mournfully; at
+the same time, as if mechanically raising a hand to feel of his ears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+A STARTLING AWAKENING.
+
+
+It was about four o'clock on the following afternoon when the three
+canoes containing the boys of the Silver Fox Patrol, accompanied by
+their two guides, drew up once more on the lake shore, and preparations
+for going into camp were hastily commenced, since night would soon be
+upon them.
+
+Jim had selected this site for their last camp on this lake. When they
+left it, they intended going through the rest of the chain, and then
+seeking the railroad, with the idea of starting homeward again.
+
+And Thad wondered whether, in picking out this camp, Jim might not have
+had an eye to his own affairs. Perhaps it was not many miles away from
+the shack of Cale Martin, the man who had been logger, trapper, guide,
+and was now about to turn his superior knowledge concerning foxes into a
+profitable channel, and raise them for their valuable furs.
+
+Thad hoped that for the sake of Jim's peace of mind he might carry out
+his plan before they broke camp here. And secretly he was determined
+that, should the guide decide to take a chance at finding Old Cale at
+home, he would not be averse to accompanying Jim across country to the
+place where Little Lina used to live, before she ran away with Jim.
+
+Despite his positive conviction that he was really on the eve of
+succeeding with his fire-making, by the aid of his little bow, and the
+twirling stick, Giraffe had failed to accomplish what he expected that
+morning. Why, he hardly ate any breakfast, so engrossed had he been in
+his "fiddling" as Bumpus contemptuously called it, whenever he saw the
+tall scout working that clumsy little bow. But as usual, some little
+thing went wrong that spoiled the whole combination; and of course fire
+did not reward the hard labor Giraffe put in.
+
+He looked so bitterly disappointed that even Bumpus did not have the
+heart to taunt him; though as a rule the fat boy could be depended on to
+do his share of such.
+
+But then, it had been arranged that Giraffe and Bumpus were to go out on
+a hunt on the following day, all by themselves, and without even a guide
+along. Giraffe had boasted so often now, that he felt himself fully
+competent to look after himself when adrift in the woods, that Thad
+thought it might be a good thing to give him the chance. And there was
+Bumpus, eager to make use of his new gun; nothing would please him
+better than to accompany the tall scout.
+
+Of course neither Thad, nor any one else for that matter, ever suspected
+that they would bag any game, unless it might be a few half-tame
+partridges, that would sit on a limb, and wait to be knocked over.
+Indeed, Thad was of the opinion that in the end the two bold Nimrods
+might even get lost, and have to be searched for.
+
+But then, they would unquestionably leave a plain trail that the guides
+could pick up without great trouble; and the experience would be worth
+much to both Giraffe and Bumpus. They were really getting too "scrappy"
+in their dealings with each other; and a little spice, such as must
+accompany losing themselves in the woods, and being dependent on each
+other entirely, might draw them together, Thad thought, and make them
+appreciate each other more.
+
+As they sat around the blaze that night, after they had partaken of a
+generous supper, Thad purposely led the conversation to the subject of
+fires in the woods. Allan had told of some experiences he met with some
+years back, and of course both guides were able to supplement this with
+stirring yarns that thrilled the blood of the young listeners.
+
+"And I reckon, now, Eli?" Thad went on, after the guide had finished
+what he had to tell; "that you never saw the pine woods in better
+condition for a fire than they are right now?"
+
+"Thet air a fact," replied the other, emphatically. "Dry as tinder, an'
+ef we doan't git sum snow mighty soon, I guess as haow ther'll be
+thousands o' acres o' vallerable land burned over afore Thanksgivin'
+time."
+
+"Yeou must a seen sum lands thet hed be'n burned, on ther way up on ther
+train," interjected Jim, breaking his long silence; "an' yeou kin
+understan' jest how lonesum they 'pears like, with ther tall pines
+astandin' thar like flagpoles, black, and withaout ary limb; er else
+alayin' in windrows on ther ground. Allers makes me feel bad tew see
+sech things."
+
+"And the game deserts a burned tract, too," declared Allan.
+
+"It sure dew," Jim went on, with a shake of the head. "Yew never seen a
+more desolate region than sech a burned territory. Everybody moves aout
+quick as they can; fact is, most on 'em hes gut ther houses burned, an'
+doan't hev ter kerry much away with 'em. I hopes as haow it'll snow er
+rain right soon, so's tew save miles an' miles o' woodland."
+
+"And the fire wardens have their work cut out for them at this season of
+the year, you can easily believe," observed Allan.
+
+"Wonder now if we'll see a real genuine forest fire while we're up
+here," remarked Giraffe, with considerable interest. "My! but she must
+look great to see them pines aflamin' up like big torches. Now, you
+needn't give me that look, Thad, because I haven't forgot my promise,
+an' I ain't acarryin' a single match along with me day after day. But if
+_somebody else_ sets fire to the woods, I have as good a right to
+look as the next one, ain't I?"
+
+"Of course you have, Giraffe," replied the scoutmaster, relieved,
+because this overpowering passion on the part of the tall boy had given
+him many anxious minutes since coming into Maine.
+
+"Lots of these fires come after the loggers have done their work," Allan
+volunteered. "You see, they leave a tremendous amount of stuff behind;
+all the limbs and branches of the trees they have cut down, as they are
+only after the main stem; so when this gets nice and dry, after a year
+or so, and a fire starts, with a brisk wind to whip it, what follows is
+more than I can describe. I saw one such fire, and we only escaped with
+our lives by the quick wit of a logger along with the party."
+
+"What did you do, Allan?" asked Bumpus, eagerly. "You know, I'm goin'
+out with Giraffe to-morrow, and if we did meet up with a forest on fire,
+I couldn't run like he can, with his long legs; so I'd like to know
+another way to give the old fire the go-by. Please explain how you
+cheated it. Why, Allan, it might save my life too, for all you know."
+
+"Glad to hear that you're interested, Bumpus," answered the other
+readily. "And I think every one of you ought to know about it. When
+you're out hunting, try and keep the location of any stream you happen
+to pass, in your mind. Then in case of being beset by fire, make your
+way there, and get in, up to your neck. You're going to be safe there,
+every time. If it gets hot, duck under, and cool off. I'll sure never
+forget the time I had; but then I hope none of you will ever have to
+hunt for a stream, or that you'll even see a forest fire when up here,
+no matter how much Giraffe wants to look on one."
+
+Giraffe had dropped out of the circle, and apparently some idea had just
+flashed into his mind connected with his pursuit of that slippery
+contract, whereby he expected sooner or later to make fire come, after
+the fashion of the far away islanders of the Pacific.
+
+No one paid much attention, for they were heartily sick of seeing him
+sawing away with his little bow, wasting so much time, most of them
+thought; though Thad for his part was secretly pleased to see that the
+tall scout stuck at his apparently hopeless job; with a persistence that
+must win out in the end.
+
+Thad had been explaining just what the new system of standing sentry was
+to be. Each of the scouts would have his turn, even Bumpus being called
+on, though his partner was to be old Eli. There being eight of them,
+their fixed posts would not run much over an hour and a half each; and
+it was to be expected that the boys might receive more or less benefit
+from having to assume some of the responsibility of the camp's security.
+
+Bumpus had been yawning for some time; and presently, taking advantage
+of a lull in the conversation the fat boy clumsily gained his feet, and
+made a lunge for the nearest tent, in which he was supposed to sleep.
+
+No one was really surprised to see Bumpus trip, and go floundering to
+the earth, for he frequently got his legs twisted, and did that; but
+when there was a shout of consternation, and the tall form of Giraffe
+bounded erect they realized that Bumpus had actually fallen over his
+chum, not noticing him, because his eyes were so heavy with sleep.
+
+"Oh! Giraffe, excuse me, please!" he remarked, as he rolled over, and
+sat up. "I give you my word I didn't know you were there. I was rubbing
+my eyes, because they felt so hot and tired, lookin' into the fire so
+long. Hope I didn't hurt you any?"
+
+"Hurt me," grumbled Giraffe; "I wouldn't care for that so much, even if
+you'd broken a rib or two in my side; but to think that you'd upset me
+just when I was agoin' to make it burst out into a nice little flame!
+Why, she was smokin' to beat the band when you knocked it all into a
+cocked hat by bustin' my bow; an' now I'll have to sit up another hour
+makin' a new one. It's always the way. I'm havin' the toughest luck ever
+was, about that business; but I can hang on, like a bulldog to the seat
+of your trousers when you're gettin' over the fence. I'm game, all
+right. I'm agoin' to get that, if it takes a leg."
+
+But his bow, he found, could be easily repaired, as it was only the cord
+that had been broken. And half an hour later everybody in camp was sound
+asleep, saving Thad and Allan, who had taken the first watch, so as to
+sit there, and talk in whispers; for the patrol leader wanted to tell
+his chum all about Jim's case, because he felt so great an admiration
+for the short guide.
+
+When their turn had expired, according to the little nickel watch Thad
+carried, they woke up Eli, who, with Bumpus was to take the next spell;
+in turn they were expected to arouse Step Hen and Davy Jones, to be
+followed by Jim and Giraffe; and this would finish the night, as
+daylight must arrive while the last named were on duty.
+
+Thad was a good sleeper, although as a rule the slightest thing of an
+unusual nature aroused him. He believed that the camp would be well
+watched, and when he lay down did not allow himself to get to thinking
+of anything to the contrary, for fear that if his brain once got to
+working, he might lie awake for a long time.
+
+He had a dim recollection of the two boys who occupied the tent with
+him, Step Hen and Davy, creeping out, when Eli summoned them. Then came
+an uncertain length of time, which Thad could never measure; for he was
+sound asleep when it seemed to him some one was shouting something in
+his dreams. He sat up, and bumped his head on some object that had
+fallen out of place; but he was now fully awake, and felt a thrill when
+he heard real shouts outside, in the voices of Step Hen and Davy Jones:
+
+"Hey, everybody get busy here! The whole camp's on fire, and the wind
+driving it into the woods like hot-cakes! Hurry up! Hurry up,
+everybody!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+FIGHTING THE FLAMES.
+
+
+Out of the tent crawled Thad, utterly regardless of the fact that he was
+not altogether warmly clad for a cold night. And what met his eyes when
+he reached the open was enough to excite him still further.
+
+The wind was blowing pretty stiffly, and the fire had already jumped
+into the brush surrounding the camp. If given its head for even a short
+time it seemed bound to get started in the dead pine needles; and once
+it spread there, all the desperate efforts of a dozen fire-fighters
+would be wasted.
+
+Several figures could be seen, bounding here and there, and slashing at
+the red flames with anything they could get hold of that would answer to
+bring about a halt in their spread.
+
+Of course these must be the late guardians of the sleeping camp, who
+were now shouting so strenuously, and begging the rest of the campers to
+come to their aid--Step Hen and Davy Jones; besides, there were the
+guides, hard at work, having been aroused with the first cries; for they
+still persisted in sleeping under a rude shelter they had made out of
+branches and weeds.
+
+Thad rushed into the fray, and began to do his very utmost to keep the
+dreaded fire in check. He saw that the others were also crawling forth,
+Bumpus, Giraffe and Allan, all occupants of the first tent. And
+realizing the importance of concerted action, they lost not a second in
+getting busy.
+
+Bumpus, in particular, was a sight to behold, and had he been less busy
+Thad felt that he must have doubled up with laughter to see him. He
+persisted in donning a most stunning red-checked suit of pajamas; for
+being so stout he did not suffer from the cold as much as some of the
+others. And as his simple heart was wrapped up in the business that just
+then engaged his full attention, Bumpus was prancing around, looking
+more like a clown from the circus than anything Thad could think of. But
+all the same the fat boy fought, tooth and nail, at the spreading fire.
+He had on his shoes, as had the others, so that he could jump on the
+creeping flames when all else failed; and using an extra piece of canvas
+that sometimes had done duty as a tent floor, Bumpus sailed into the
+fray like a hurricane.
+
+Indeed, they were all as busy as beavers for a short time. Every scout
+seemed to feel that it would be a lasting disgrace on the name of the
+Silver Fox Patrol if that fire got away into the woods. They had assumed
+the responsibilities of assistant fire wardens; and it would be a sorry
+joke indeed if, instead of putting out a conflagration they themselves
+were the cause of one that swept the whole adjacent territory.
+
+"Give it thunder!" shouted Giraffe, as he threshed wildly at every head
+of fire he could see near his boundary of action.
+
+"Hit him again, boys!" shrilled Bumpus, as he continued to do his great
+act of working with both hands and feet at the same time, all serving to
+quench the threatening flames.
+
+But Step Hen and Davy were strangely silent, though they worked as hard
+as any one. They knew that they were to blame for all the trouble; for
+they had slept on their post, and with this sad result.
+
+Finally success came to the hard working scouts, and their allies, the
+two guides. The fire was completely routed, bag and baggage, before it
+managed to get a good foothold in the dry woods. And perspiring as
+though it were the good old summer time, the boys hastened to get more
+clothes on them, for fear of catching cold.
+
+The fire was resurrected, and they sat down to have a powwow.
+
+"Oh! you needn't all look at us that way," grunted Step Hen. "We're
+guilty, all right. Knock us all you want to, because I just guess now we
+deserve it. But we never meant to go to sleep there by the fire, did we,
+Davy?"
+
+"Well, I should say not," replied the other culprit, looking quite
+dejected. "We kept atellin' each other that we mustn't sleep right
+along; and then to think that after all we did drop off, and both
+together."
+
+"First thing I remember," said Step Hen, as if resolved, after pleading
+guilty, to open up, and throw himself on the mercy of the court; "I
+heard a queer crackling noise, and openin' my eyes, my stars! the whole
+world seemed like it was afire. I gave Davy a punch in the side, and
+then jumped for it. We thought at first we could get her under control;
+then I saw it was no go, for the old fire kept extendin' all the while.
+So I started to wake you all, and Davy, he joined in. After that Eli and
+Jim joined us, and then the rest of you came. And believe me, fellers,
+Davy and me'll never forget it. You did handsome by us, and we've been
+saved from disgrace that would have sent us into an early grave, hey,
+Davy?"
+
+"Just so," grunted the other, who was licking several burns he had
+received on his bare hands during the fierce little engagement just
+ended, though he made no complaint, seeming to think he had gotten off
+pretty easily, considering the serious offense of which he had been
+guilty, that of sleeping on his post, and which might have cost him his
+life in war times, had he been a soldier.
+
+Thad noticed this fact, and quietly getting out some salve he carried
+for just such occasions forced Davy to let him attend to his hurts,
+though the other insisted that they "did not amount to much, anyway."
+
+"How do you think it started?" Giraffe asked, and in so doing he really
+voiced the thoughts of everybody.
+
+"Huh! I reckon that's an easy one to answer," replied Step Hen,
+promptly. "Anybody c'n see at just a single look that the wind must have
+picked up a live coal from the fire, and carried it into a bunch of
+stuff to leeward. After that it was fanned, till it spread wider and
+wider. That was going on while Davy and me snoozed away like a pair of
+sillies. No use talking, boys, I'm ashamed of myself; and let me tell
+you, it'll be a long time before I ever go to sleep on duty again--not
+if I have to keep jabbing a pin into my leg every minute or so, to make
+me jump."
+
+"Does that explanation go, Thad?" asked Bumpus, still breathing hard
+after his recent violent exertions.
+
+"Well, it looks that way, for the fire was actually to leeward of the
+camp when I first saw it," answered the patrol leader; but there must
+have been something in his manner rather than his speech that caught the
+attention of Giraffe.
+
+"But you ain't _quite_ satisfied, are you, Thad?" he remarked,
+pointedly. "You just keep athinkin' that perhaps it _wasn't_ an
+accident after all? Am I right, now?"
+
+"Wow! what does that kind of talk stand for?" burst out Bumpus. "Are you
+hinting that it was all a part of a dark scheme to burn us out of camp?"
+
+"Wait till Eli and Jim come back," Thad went on. "You've noticed that
+they're not with us right now. Fact is, they took the lantern, and went
+off about the time we were finishing our dressing. But before they went,
+Jim gave me to understand what they had some reason to suspect."
+
+"The work of big Cale Martin and his crowd? Is that what you're aiming
+to tell us, Thad?" demanded Giraffe.
+
+"Here they come!" was all Thad said.
+
+"Oh! my, I thought you meant the game poachers!" exclaimed Bumpus, who
+had made a half movement in the direction of his gun, standing
+conveniently near.
+
+The two guides joined the circle around the fire. Eli held his hands out
+to the blaze, as though they felt cold in that nipping night air. Jim
+simply caught the inquiring eye of the scoutmaster, and immediately
+nodded his head in the affirmative. And Thad knew from that they had
+surely made some sort of important discovery.
+
+"What is it, Jim?" he asked.
+
+"They've been around here; we found ther tracks lots o' places," came
+the reply.
+
+"Do you mean Cale and Si and Ed?" asked the other.
+
+"On'y Si and Ed," answered Jim. "Cale he wa'n't thar 'tall. We'd sized
+up his big tracks ef he'd be'n. They was two men in thet canoe larst
+night, ye seen; wall them must a be'n ther lot as fired the brush. I
+guess as haow Cale, he muster gone back tew his shack by naow."
+
+"But what on earth could they expect to get by burning us out?" demanded
+Bumpus.
+
+"Fust place they never oxpected tew burn ther camp," observed Jim; "ef
+they hed, doan't yew believe they'd agone tew windward tew start thet
+blaze? Wall, they hed a game wuth tew o' thet up ther sleeve."
+
+"Tell us what it was, Jim," urged Thad, though he himself had already
+jumped to a conclusion in the matter.
+
+"I guess as haow they thort we'd hev tew make off a long distance away
+frum the camp tew fight the fire; an' then they'd hev plenty o' time tew
+clean her aout; but yeou see, we didn't get fur away 'tall, so they hed
+all ther work fur nawthin'. But them tracks was as plain as anything,
+wa'n't they, Eli?" Jim went on.
+
+"They be," was the conclusive testimony of the older guide; and every
+one of the scouts understood that Eli had set the seal of his approval
+on all that Jim had said.
+
+It was certainly very unpleasant to realize that they were objects of
+desire on the part of even a pair of unscrupulous scamps, granting that
+big Cale Martin had retired from the combination. The boys seemed to get
+more indignant the longer they discussed the situation.
+
+There was Bumpus, usually so mild and peaceful, fairly palpitating with
+a desire to draw a bead upon those two unprincipled rascals.
+
+"We don't stand for much nonsense from outsiders, do we fellers?" he
+appealed to the other five. "Once before on this trip some bad men
+thought to get fresh with the Silver Fox Patrol. You all know what
+happened to Charley Barnes, the leader of that bunch of yeggs that broke
+into the bank. Didn't we make the capture though, and astonish Sheriff
+Green? And ain't we going to get ever so much money for recovering the
+stolen stuff? Well, that's what's going to happen to those husky chaps
+if they get too gay with us. They'd better go slow. If they can read,
+they'll see we're marked 'dangerous, handle with care!'"
+
+"Yes," said Giraffe, "we'll just have to get busy, and hand these
+sillies over to the head game warden. They're trying to interfere with
+our having the time of our lives up here in Maine; and we don't stand
+for anything like that."
+
+None of them felt like getting back to their blankets in a hurry, after
+all that scare; so they just sat there around the fire, some of them
+with the blankets thrown over their shoulders, and compared notes all
+along the line; for what the guides had just told concerning the scheme
+of the unprincipled poachers filled the scouts with both indignation and
+anger.
+
+And more than one of them resolved that when his time came to watch, he
+would make sure to keep a loaded gun close to his hand, to be used to
+give the prowlers the fright of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+WHEN EVEN A COMPASS FAILED THEM.
+
+
+"What would you do, Bumpus," said Step Hen, after a while, "if you
+couldn't find a creek to wade in, with the fire all around you?"
+
+"Well, d'ye know, I was just athinkin' about that same thing," replied
+the fat scout, who had thrown a blanket around him, and not bothered
+dressing; and as he sat there on a log he looked somewhat like a lazy
+Indian.
+
+"I hope you came to some conclusion," observed Giraffe; "because, if we
+happen to run across a conflagration to-morrow, when we're out hunting,
+it'll be some comfort to me to know, when I'm spinning along, that
+you're snug and safe behind, and not being devoured by the flames."
+
+"Well, the only thing I could think of," Bumpus went on, soberly;
+"seeing that a feller can't sprout wings right away when he needs the
+same; nor hatch up an aeroplane to carry him out of the danger zone--the
+only thing for me to do would be to hunt around for a woodchuck's hole,
+and push in, feet first."
+
+There was a laugh at that remark, which seemed to surprise Bumpus, for
+he looked with elevated eyebrows at each of the others in turn.
+
+"You seem to think I'm joking," he remarked, as if offended by the
+levity.
+
+"Well," continued Giraffe, "in the first place you'd possibly find a
+heap of trouble discovering a woodchuck's hole in these Maine woods,
+especially when you were in a big hurry; and then again, fancy the kind
+of woodchuck that had a hole of a size to accommodate _you_, Bumpus
+Hawtree!"
+
+The fat boy sighed.
+
+"That's what I get all along the line," he declared. "There ain't no
+place in all this world for a feller that's nearly as round as he is
+tall. I tell you I'm goin' to find _some_ way of getting rid of all
+this superabundance of flesh, if I have to walk it off by taking
+tremendous tramps. Some people tell me it c'n be done by going hungry a
+week or two at a time; but what's the use of living if you can't eat,
+that's what? So I'm in a peck of trouble. Won't somebody tell me what to
+do?"
+
+Of course, with such an open invitation, they hastened to accomodate
+him; and if poor Bumpus tried even a part of the numerous joking plans
+offered for his consideration, he would soon have no need for either
+food or energy, since they would, as he declared, be "putting his wooden
+overcoat on him."
+
+Finally, however, the boys began to slip back once more into the tents,
+all but Giraffe, who was to finish the night with Jim; although there
+was hardly another hour now before daylight.
+
+"Just suits me, boys!" declared the tall scout, as he prepared to sit
+out his turn as sentry; "you see, I can be thinking over that knotty
+problem I've just _got_ to figure out before we leave this part of
+the country. And I've an idea that I'm getting mighty warm on that
+proposition now. Would sure had it dead to rights, only for clumsy
+Bumpus tumbling over me."
+
+But no one paid much attention to what Giraffe was saying; they had by
+now grown so accustomed to hearing him always promising great things by
+"to-morrow" that it "went in one ear, and came out of the other," Davy
+Jones said.
+
+When the morning came, the camp became a scene of activity. While some
+of the party were busily engaged cooking a good breakfast--and it needed
+a lot to satisfy the healthy appetites of six growing boys, not to
+mention two husky guides,--others were examining the tracks that had
+been found after the fire.
+
+And it was the universal opinion that two prowlers had indeed started
+the fire with the idea that the inmates of the camp, rushing out to
+fight its spread, might get so far away that it would leave the way open
+for the thieves to make a sweep of any valuables left unguarded in that
+exciting hour.
+
+Bumpus and Giraffe were making all their preparations looking to their
+"sallying forth," as the latter termed it, "like Don Quixote and Sancho
+Panza of old, determined to do wonderful things." Thad saw that they
+felt as if they knew it all; and he realized that in such a case advice
+was not desired, so he said nothing about what they ought to take. If
+they forgot anything, they must do without, and next time think again.
+
+Presently the two waved their hands merrily to their chums, and started
+forth. Bumpus looked like a well-laden, led animal as he trotted along
+at the heels of the tall scout, who was to do the piloting of the
+expedition.
+
+"Don't keep supper for us if we're late," airily called back Bumpus. "We
+may get further away than we can manage in one day, and have to camp
+alone, like Thad and Step Hen did. And if some of them old wolves pay us
+a visit, they'll wish they hadn't. Giraffe is toting his old heavy
+weight rifle; and here I am with my new double-barreled gun, and fifty
+shells. Ketch me gettin' caught like Step Hen did, with a few charges
+for my trusty weapon. Good-bye, fellers! See you later!"
+
+"Good-bye, and good luck!" called out Davy Jones, waving his cap three
+times to represent his idea as to the right kind of a send-off.
+
+The hunters got along very well for several miles, though Giraffe was
+forever forging protests from Bumpus.
+
+"What d'ye take me for, Giraffe?" he would exclaim, as he caught up with
+the waiting leader, and wiped the perspiration from his brow, despite
+the fact that the day was pretty cold. "You know I ain't built on the
+same lines as you; and in a case of this kind, the one that c'n go
+faster just has to accommodate himself to the pace of the slow one.
+You're the hare, and I'm like the poor old tortoise; but please remember
+that the turtle came in winner after all in the race. Not always to the
+swift, you know, does the race go. I may beat you out in the long run,
+with the endurance test. If I've got anything at all, it's grit."
+
+"Yes, you will," sneered Giraffe; but after the third stop he did
+moderate his speed considerably; perhaps he was beginning to get a
+little tired himself, and did not feel unwilling to draw in a peg or
+two.
+
+At noon they ate a cold lunch, for they had come upon certain tracks
+that told Giraffe there had been an animal of some kind there--he wished
+he knew how to tell what species it belonged to, and just how long ago
+the tracks had been made.
+
+"And mark me, Bumpus," he said impressively, "I'm going to learn all
+those kind of things right away, as soon as I can take my mind off this
+pesky fire puzzle. I c'n see how handy it is to be able to read signs
+when you're off huntin'. Why, when we start to follerin' these here
+tracks, after we've eaten our grub, how on earth do we know whether they
+were made a week ago; or if some cow broke loose from a backwoods home
+up here, and wandered this way. A nice pair of chumps we'd be, wouldn't
+we, if we went and shot up a pet cow, and had to pay damages? I reckon
+the boys'd never got over the joke."
+
+"That's just what I was thinking myself, Giraffe," agreed the other, as
+he sat down beside the tall scout on a fallen tree, and took out the
+lunch from his haversack, for he had carried it all morning, and Giraffe
+had let him, too; "if we're going in for this scouting business, we
+ought to swallow the whole business. Now, as for learning things
+connected with the woods, where could you find any fellers better
+qualified to put us straight than we've got in Thad and Allan? What one
+don't know, the other sure does. I'm bound to learn the game. Owning
+this dandy gun has given me a new idea. I used to say 'oh! what's the
+use of bothering, when you've got somebody else to do your thinking for
+you?' But now I begin to see that you can't always depend on others.
+Right here is a case in point."
+
+As their minds ran about in the same channel the two boys managed to get
+along splendidly. Their little differences of the past were, for the
+time being at least, quite forgotten; and they seemed drawn toward each
+other as two comrades should be.
+
+But both began to complain because thus far neither of them had had
+occasion to make use of their gun. If this was a game country, why was
+it two such industrious hunters did not get a crack at something,
+whether a deer, a moose, or even a fox--anything would have been welcome
+as a change from the monotony.
+
+Perhaps Giraffe would have been surprised if told that he and the
+puffing Bumpus made quite too much noise to prevent any wary and timid
+deer from staying within a quarter of a mile of them. And also that
+often they were doing their hunting "down the wind," so that their scent
+at such times was carried to the nostrils of the suspicious game long
+before the hunters came in sight.
+
+Finally they came across some partridges, and Bumpus managed to bag a
+couple with two shots from his new gun. He was greatly elated by the
+success attending his efforts, even though Giraffe did mention something
+about the birds insisting on remaining on the branch of that tree so
+long that they must either have been frozen there, or else wanted to
+commit suicide.
+
+"Well, they came to the right place, then," said Bumpus, sturdily, as he
+crammed new shells in his gun; "I'm the feller to help every partridge
+and deer pass over the divide, that feels like going. Bring on your
+game; now we're going some!"
+
+But as the afternoon began to wane they had a shot at nothing else,
+though once Giraffe became excited, and declared he had caught a glimpse
+of a deer making off in the distance.
+
+"Now, ain't it a shame," he went on to say, "how that deer just knew we
+were coming? Seems like somebody went ahead with a trumpet, and
+announced that two hunters were on the trail. After that they all hike
+out. But seems to me it's getting some cold right now, Bumpus. My
+fingers begin to tingle."
+
+"Told you to wear the old mitts Step Hen offered you, but you sneered at
+the idea. I'm feeling pretty cold myself, considerin' that I'm on the
+move all the time. Say, where are we anyhow, and how far from the camp?"
+
+Giraffe looked blankly at Bumpus.
+
+"Here's the compass, and we c'n see which way is north, all right. Then
+east is off that way on the right, south around yonder, and west here.
+But where in the dickens is that camp, south, north or east? Honest,
+Bumpus, I don't know!"
+
+"No more do I, Giraffe," replied the other. "And d'ye know, this makes
+me think of that Injun that got lost, and was found, half starved, by
+some white men; but he was too proud to admit his little shortcoming; so
+when they asked him if he hadn't kinder managed to get twisted in his
+bearings, he slaps his breast with his hand, take a pose like this, and
+says he: 'Injun not lost; wigwam lost; Injun _here_!' And we're
+like that Injun, Giraffe; oh! no, we're not lost one little bit, because
+we know we're here. But I just can't amble on any longer. Suppose we
+stop and camp. These partridges will taste prime. Yum! yum, can't get at
+'em too soon to please me. Get busy, and light a fire, Giraffe; that's
+your part of the contract always."
+
+"I sure will, if you give me a few matches, Bumpus," replied the other,
+wearily dropping his heavy rifle, that began to feel like a ton of lead.
+
+"Matches! Why, you're the fire-maker; and I thought you'd take care of
+that part of the business!" exclaimed Bumpus, looking a little alarmed.
+
+"Why, what a silly you can be, Bumpus; don't you know I promised Thad
+never to carry a single match around with me? And now, look what a fix
+we're in, lost in the Maine woods, with night coming on, and gettin'
+colder every minute; and not a single match to start a fire with. I see
+our finish all right. When they find us some days from now, we'll be
+just frozen stiff, that's what!"
+
+The two tenderfeet looked at each other, but there was no smile on
+either face now; for affairs had assumed too serious a phase to admit of
+merriment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+GIRAFFE TRIES FOR THE FOURTEENTH TIME.
+
+
+"Whatever can we do, Giraffe?" asked Bumpus, presently, after he had
+sighed several times, in a most forlorn way.
+
+"Oh!" remarked the other, making out to be little concerned about the
+matter, although his manner did not deceive the fat boy in the least,
+for he knew Giraffe was worried greatly; "there are lots of things we
+can do, all right; but you see the trouble is, Bumpus, they ain't agoin'
+to help out much."
+
+"We're in a tough hole, all right," grunted the other, disconsolately.
+
+"Talk about Thad and Step Hen camping out;" Giraffe went on to say, "why
+their troubles couldn't be mentioned in the same breath with ours, and
+you know it. They had aplenty of matches along, and could get all the
+blaze they wanted."
+
+"And say, think of having the best part of a fine young buck to cook!"
+burst out Bumpus, with another groan. "As for us, we've got the game all
+right; but however can we get down to eating partridges that ain't ever
+even been near a fire."
+
+"Quit talkin' of eating, Bumpus; you fairly set me wild," declared the
+tall boy, rubbing his empty stomach, as though its calls were growing
+more insistent with a knowledge that they must pass unheeded now.
+
+"Then you must be hungry?" suggested Bumpus.
+
+"Hungry ain't no name for it," Giraffe replied. "That's always the way,
+I've been told. When there ain't no water, a feller feels as if his
+tongue was stickin' to the roof of his mouth. And Bumpus, bein' hungry
+ain't the very worst of it, either!"
+
+The fat boy sat up, and looked at his companion in misery as though
+startled.
+
+"What you mean, Giraffe, by slingin' that scare into me; I'd like to
+know what's worse than starvin' to death in a single night?" he
+demanded.
+
+"Oh! shucks! don't you worry about that," the other went on, with a
+sneer. "Not so much chance of our comin' to such an end in so short a
+time. But there is real danger around us, Bumpus."
+
+"Say, do you mean about them wolves?" exclaimed Bumpus, with a tremble
+in his voice.
+
+"That's just what I do mean," came the reply "When they tackled our
+comrades, why they were bold as anything, even if the boys did have a
+fire burning all the time. Think of how we're up against it, without a
+single match to start a blaze."
+
+"Then there's only one thing for us to do, Giraffe."
+
+"Suppose you tell me what that is?" demanded the tall scout.
+
+"Climb a tree," replied Bumpus, promptly.
+
+Giraffe made an impatient gesture.
+
+"Of course we could do that, as a last resort, Bumpus; but the chances
+are, if we did, we'd freeze before morning!" he declared. "I've heard
+old hunters say that of all the agony they ever endured, being kept in a
+tree all night was the worst. Feel in your pockets again, Bumpus; try
+everywhere, and see if you can only scare up _one_ single match. If
+you did, we'd be mighty careful not to waste it, I tell you. This is a
+case of 'my kingdom for a match!'"
+
+So the fat scout commenced a systematic search, Every single pocket did
+he feel in with trembling fingers, while his comrade watched his face
+anxiously, knowing that it was likely to indicate the success or failure
+of the search.
+
+When he saw a sudden grin come upon that broad countenance Giraffe felt
+like bursting out into a yell of joy.
+
+"Got one, haven't you Bumpus?" he exclaimed, eagerly. "That was a bully
+good idea of mine after all, you see, having you look again. Say, won't
+we be careful of that one precious match, though? And won't we have the
+fine dry stuff all ready to kindle, as soon as I strike it. You must let
+me handle things, Bumpus, because, you know, I'm more used to--what's
+the matter with you? Don't tell me it _ain't_ a match after all?
+Oh! thunder!"
+
+Bumpus had slowly drawn his hand out of his pocket, and held some object
+up between his forefinger and his thumb. It was about the length of a
+match, but had a sharpened point, instead of a blunt head.
+
+"A--a miserable toothpick that I just dropped into my pocket when we ate
+that dinner at the restaurant!" groaned the wretched Bumpus, staring
+first at the offending object, and then turning a piteous face toward
+his comrade.
+
+Giraffe managed to rise to the occasion. Perhaps he remembered that Thad
+had really committed the other into his charge; and that it was to him
+the scoutmaster would look to give a good account of the expedition. And
+then again, Bumpus was so shocked by the series of calamities which had
+befallen them that he looked almost ready to collapse.
+
+So Giraffe drew himself up, and assumed a confidence that he was far
+from feeling.
+
+"Don't take on so, Bumpus," he went on to say, almost cheerily. "It may
+not be so very bad, after all. Don't let's forget that we're scouts; and
+must keep a stiff upper lip whenever things turn out wrong. We'll just
+do the best we can; and I reckon it'll all come out right in the end. It
+nearly always does, you know."
+
+At least his words and manner had some effect on the almost exhausted
+fat boy, who brightened up more or less.
+
+"Now, that's nice of you talking that way, Giraffe," he said. "You're
+the right kind of a chum to have in time of trouble. But say, ain't it
+gettin' cold though? Is that why you're slapping your arms around so?"
+
+"Try it, and see how quick you feel warmer, Bumpus," replied the other,
+with the patronizing air of one who is superior in knowledge, and
+willing to impart all he knows; "you see, the violent action starts the
+heart to beating nearly twice as fast as it does ordinarily; and that
+pumps the blood harder, so it gets to the very end of your extremities.
+That's what Thad says, anyhow; and it sure enough works."
+
+So, for a minute or two both lads kept up a strenuous exercise, though
+it was too much for poor Bumpus, who presently stopped.
+
+"Feel better, don't you?" demanded Giraffe imperiously.
+
+"A whole lot; but doin' that has one bad point, I find," said Bumpus.
+
+"As how?" asked his companion.
+
+"Why, it keeps on making you all the hungrier; exercise always has that
+effect on me. Why, Giraffe, I feel like I could eat a whole ham right
+now."
+
+"Didn't I tell you to let up on that style of talk; you're just making
+me groan inside every time you speak of eatin'. We ought to be tryin'
+our level best to better our condition."
+
+"But I don't know anything that would help us, Giraffe; so it's up to
+you to get us out of this ugly hole. Perhaps we might use a shell from
+my gun, and by taking out most of the powder, snap it off, and start a
+fire going."
+
+Strange to say, Giraffe did not seem to take to the idea, simple though
+it was; and later on commended by Thad and Allan, when they heard about
+the trouble. The fact was, Giraffe had suddenly remembered something.
+
+"You leave it to me, and see if I don't pull out a trick worth while,"
+he remarked mysteriously; and Bumpus saw him turn aside to get down on
+his knees.
+
+For some time the fat boy sat there, apparently lost in bitter
+reflections. Now and then he would give a start, and look around him
+hastily, after which he would heave a great sigh, or else groan
+dismally. From this it might be assumed that Bumpus was allowing himself
+to dwell upon many a glorious supper he had devoured in the company of
+his Boy Scout chums; and just then he was enjoying things the best he
+knew how, he would remember the desolation that confronted himself and
+Giraffe.
+
+Then he would pick up one of the two partridges that had fallen to his
+new Marlin ten bore, look critically at it, feel the meat on the plump
+breast; and then shake his head, as though the idea of having to turn
+cannibal, and devour the game raw did not appeal at all to him.
+
+On one occasion, when he aroused himself from this abstraction he became
+conscious of a strange humming sound.
+
+"What you doin' there, Giraffe?" he demanded, as the noise certainly
+proceeded from the spot where his chum was down on his hands and knees.
+
+"Why, you see," replied the other, slowly, "I fetched my little bow and
+fire-makin' outfit along with me, thinkin' I might have a chance to try
+a scheme I got in my head. I'm gettin' right into it now, because I want
+to start business before it's real plumb dark!"
+
+But far from reassuring the dejected Bumpus, these words only made him
+grunt. Had he not watched Giraffe working away for dear life with that
+miserable little outfit a dozen times, and always with the same
+result--getting perilously near success, but always missing it by a
+hair's breadth?
+
+What chance did they have of securing the much desired fire, if all
+depended on Giraffe succeeding in inducing that twirling stick to
+generate enough heat to throw off a spark that would catch in the dry
+tinder? None at all. It was only a hollow mockery. Some smart scouts
+might be able to do the little trick; but up to now it had baffled the
+skill of Giraffe. Why, even Thad had lost pretty much all hope of his
+ever succeeding, Bumpus suspected; and believed that the only good thing
+about the tall scout's labors was his persistence.
+
+So, shaking his head again dolefully, Bumpus allowed himself to once
+more figure out a bill of fare that he would like to commence on, if he
+only had the good fortune to sit down at a table in a first-class
+restaurant. It seemed to give him untold satisfaction just to imagine
+the heaping platters that were being brought before him in rapid
+succession. Why, in his vivid imagination he could almost get the
+delicious odors of the various dishes that had long been favorites with
+him; particularly the liver and bacon and fried onions. Oh! how
+tantalizing to suddenly arouse himself with a start, to look around at
+the rapidly darkening scene of those lonely pine woods, and hear,
+instead of the waiter's cheery voice, only that continual grinding
+sound, as the boy with the never-give-up nature kept sawing away with
+his miserable little bow; and the poor stick kept whirling back and
+forwards with a violent motion, in the socket that held one end.
+
+In the estimation of Bumpus, that was coming down from the sublime to
+the ridiculous. He had little confidence in all this labor of Giraffe;
+though goodness knows, that if ever success would prove a boon to a
+couple of stranded hunters caught in the darkness of a wintry night,
+with not a match in their possession, it was then.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE LONG VIGIL OF A SCOUT.
+
+
+It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to
+climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch. And
+as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he
+wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the
+proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
+
+But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to
+ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus
+did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
+
+"Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose
+clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff
+after resting so long.
+
+The other gave a grunt as he replied:
+
+"Oh! don't bother me with such silly questions, Bumpus. You make me
+think of that story of Blue Beard, where the old feller's a waitin' for
+his last wife to come down, and get her head taken off; and she keeps
+callin' to her sister, who's in the lookout tower: 'Sister Ann, Sister
+Ann, don't you see anything comin'?'"
+
+"But I want to know before I--" began Bumpus, when the other interrupted
+him.
+
+"You _will_ know all right, if I get it. But you keep away from me,
+Bumpus. Once before, you fell all over me, just when I was on the point
+of grabbing a spark. If you know what's good for you, keep clear of me
+now. I'm desperately in earnest, I tell you. So be warned, Bumpus!"
+
+The fat scout realized that if he knew what was good for him he had
+better give Giraffe a wide berth while he was strumming away with his
+"old fiddle," as some of the boys sneeringly described the fire outfit
+that continually refused to "fire" even a little bit.
+
+"I'm going to look for a good tree," he said.
+
+"All right, go, and climb up in it, good and hard," Giraffe answered
+pettishly; "but unless you want to get lost, don't you dare go out of
+sight of this place. Call if you lose sight of me, Bumpus, d'ye hear? I
+don't want Thad to say I didn't keep an eye on you; but this is a
+business that must be attended to."
+
+All the while he was sawing away as if his very life depended upon
+bringing the ordeal to a successful termination; and possibly Giraffe
+thought it did.
+
+So Bumpus began to look around him.
+
+He realized that the tall pines were rather out of the question so far
+as affording them a chance to climb up; and that he must find some tree
+of a different type, with low branches.
+
+It was not hard to find such a retreat in the shape of a thick hemlock,
+with its glossy green foliage that had such a delightful scent. Bumpus
+knew it well, because on numerous occasions the scouts had plucked
+masses of similar "browse," to make the ground feel easier where they
+slept.
+
+If they had to climb a tree as a last resort, this hemlock would offer
+all the advantages they wished. Why, Bumpus could even remember how Eli
+had told of an adventure that had befallen him along somewhat similar
+lines; and how in order not to fall from his perch in the crotch of a
+tree, he tied himself there by means of some stout cord he happened to
+have along.
+
+Bumpus felt all through his pockets again, and was grievously
+disappointed not to discover a hank of fishing cord.
+
+"Seems like I'm just out of everything that a feller's apt to want when
+he gets in a bad pickle like this," he grumbled. "Ketch me bein' in such
+a hole again. Why, I'm goin' to make it the point of my life to always
+carry a plenty of matches along; and a line that would be strong enough
+to hold a feller, if I had to use it. How would Jim fished up his gun,
+and shot them wolves, like he told us, if so be he didn't tear his shirt
+into strips, an' made a rope, with a loop at the end, to slip over the
+end of his rifle lyin' on the ground. Next time I get the chance I'm
+goin' to fix a nice clothes line, and wrap it around me every time I go
+out in the woods. Never know how handy such things might come in. Wonder
+how Giraffe's gettin' along with his sawin'? But I don't dare say
+another word, or he'll be so mad he might break his silly old bow on my
+back."
+
+He walked toward the spot where he could see the dim figure of the
+industrious fire worshipper bending low over at his labor.
+
+Again Bumpus sank down to the ground; although he was shivering with the
+cold, he did not dare swing his arms around as before, lest it make him
+remember how hungry he was.
+
+Sitting there, he listened to the breeze sighing among the branches of
+the pines; and to his excited mind it was actually laughing at the
+predicament of the wretched chums.
+
+Something else came stealing to his hearing, something that made Bumpus
+suddenly sit up, hold his breath, and strain his senses trying to locate
+the direction from which it seemed to spring, and at the same time guess
+the nature of the sound.
+
+"I wonder now, was that a wildcat growling?" he asked himself.
+
+The thought was so disquieting, owing to the gathering gloom, that he
+could not help reaching out his hand toward the heavy Marlin that he had
+temporarily laid on the ground near by.
+
+While the sound, whatever it may have been, was not repeated, so far as
+Bumpus could tell, still he felt far from satisfied about it. What if
+the sly old cat was at that very moment creeping up on them? For all
+they knew, it might be close by just then, "inching" its way along, just
+as he had watched a tame Tabby do at home, when trying to steal upon a
+sparrow it wanted for its dinner.
+
+Bumpus became quite nervous over the thought. He drew back the hammers
+of his double-barrel, and began to look around him. All sorts of stories
+that he had heard told from time to time about these bobtailed cats of
+the pine woods, with their cousin, the lynx, that had tassels on its
+ears, now floated before his mind. Naturally they did not tend to ease
+the strain under which he was laboring; for where he had before only
+imagined he could see one pair of yellow eyes staring at him from out
+the gloom, he now began to see them everywhere.
+
+Why, the woods must be full of the creatures, and they were going to set
+upon the unfortunate scouts, to make a meal for that cold night. And
+another thing gave Bumpus great uneasiness; there was no use of trying
+to get away from this army of "yellow-eyes" by climbing that hemlock;
+since cats were as much at home in any kind of tree as on the ground.
+
+No wonder Bumpus shivered now, with something more than the cold air.
+They were certainly up against it, good and hard; and if ever they saw
+Thad and the rest of the scouts again, how happy they should be.
+
+Why didn't Giraffe quit his fooling with that silly old bow, and take to
+thinking up some scheme that was worth while? It seemed the height of
+foolishness for him to be wasting all his time with that ridiculous
+fire-making dodge, that never could be done anyway. Bumpus was almost
+tempted to stumble forward, and pretend to fall over his kneeling
+figure, just to upset things, and make Giraffe come to his proper
+senses. He would, only he was a little afraid that the tall scout might
+be so furious that he would do something violent; for he was getting
+"awful touchy" on the subject of making a fire in that way.
+
+"If I could only make dead sure of one of them yellow eyes, I'd like to
+knock the beast over," Bumpus was muttering to himself; and then he
+rubbed his eyes with his knuckles, as if trying to see better, after
+which he said disconsolately: "It ain't no use, they just keep dancin'
+all around me. P'raps there ain't any cats there at all. P'raps I'm just
+imaginin' things, like my dad used to say I did, when they put me to bed
+in the dark, tellin' me the angels was all around me, an' wouldn't let
+anything hurt me; but pretty soon, when the skeeters got busy, I let out
+a whoop, and told 'em the angels was bitin' me something awful. P'raps
+if I shut my eyes I'd feel better."
+
+But when he started to try this, Bumpus found that it would not work.
+The agony of not being able to see created new fancies in his mind, much
+more dreadful than those that had gone before.
+
+And so the anxious scout crouched there, not far from his industrious
+chum, gripping his gun tightly in both hands, and breathing stertorously
+as he twisted his fat neck around from side to side. He was trying to
+figure out a line of action to be followed in case the worst came to
+pass; and be it said to his credit that Bumpus was resolved to die game,
+as became a true scout.
+
+At any rate, Giraffe could not keep up that silly business much longer.
+Either he would just have to give over through complete exhaustion; or
+else his "bally bow," as Bumpus liked to call it, would break, as it had
+a faculty for doing when the cord became weakened from constant
+friction.
+
+Bumpus only wished that time would hurry along, for he wanted Giraffe to
+forget about his fad, and turn his attention to a more sensible way of
+getting fire. Now, there must be a way of snapping an emptied shell into
+a little pile of tinder, and catching the spark in some manner.
+
+He tried to figure out how it could be done; but Bumpus never was very
+bright with regard to details, for they confused him; so that he was
+soon floundering about like a fish out of water; or a boy who did not
+know how to swim, when he gets beyond his depth.
+
+Why, it was real dark, and he could just barely make out the crouching
+figure of Giraffe; but that everlasting humming sound still kept up,
+until Bumpus thought it would set him crazy.
+
+Now Bumpus started on a new tack. He tried to imagine the delight of his
+companion if only he could suddenly remember having thrust a little box
+of safety matches into his haversack before starting out; but he knew it
+was useless to look, for he had certainly done nothing of the sort.
+
+Then, all of a sudden, Bumpus was given an electric shock, when Giraffe
+let out a shrill whoop; for with his mind so filled by visions of armies
+of wildcats all ready to pounce upon them by and by, Bumpus was in a
+condition to be startled.
+
+He scrambled to his knees, and half raised his gun to his shoulder,
+under the full belief that the crisis so long dreaded was at last upon
+them, and they would have to fight desperately for their very lives.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+THE LITTLE FIRE BOW DOES ITS WORK AT LAST.
+
+
+"Oh! what is it, Giraffe?" exclaimed Bumpus, in a quavering voice.
+
+"I _told_ you I c'd do it! On'y gimme time, and I'll figger the old
+thing out, I said; _and I have_!" cried the exultant Giraffe.
+
+"Why, it's burnin'!" gasped the other, staring at the tiny flame that
+was playing hide-and-seek in the midst of the dry tinder that had so
+long awaited its coming.
+
+"Sure it is; anybody with one eye could see that!" Giraffe sent back,
+about as happy a fellow as the sun ever shone on, because his long
+endurance test had in the end met with such grand success. "Hey! what's
+the matter, Bumpus? Get a move on, and collect some stuff to add to
+this, before the thing goes out on me. Lively, boy, lively with you,
+while I shield it with my hands!"
+
+He hugged the little blaze with his body and hands while Bumpus,
+dropping the now useless gun, eagerly gathered a lot of dry pine
+needles, and made a pile of them close to his chum.
+
+"Oh! glory! Bully for you, Giraffe! You're the scout who can stick to a
+thing like a plaster. Don't it look good, though?" cried the shorter
+lad; but the fire-maker would not let him loiter.
+
+Presently there was no longer any dread of the fire burning out; and
+both of the scouts could get busy collecting fuel. Dead branches were in
+demand, and fortunately enough, there happened to be plenty of the same
+close by, so that without much effort they were able to get quite a heap
+near the fire.
+
+"Now let's sit down, and warm up a bit," suggested Bumpus; although
+truth to tell, he was at that moment perspiring from his recent
+exertions.
+
+"And if you want to talk about eating _now_, Bumpus, you're quite
+welcome," the taller scout went on to say, with a grin; "because there's
+something to it. We've got the birds, and we've got the fire to cook 'em
+by. Who said I couldn't start a fire by sawin' at my fiddle till I burst
+a blood vessel? Wasn't it Davy Jones? Well, you c'n just tell him for
+me, next time you see him, Bumpus, that he was all wrong. Why, it's just
+as easy as fallin' off a log; er, that is, after you know how."
+
+"Shall we start in plucking the feathers off these birds, Giraffe?"
+
+"Might as well, if we mean to eat 'em; and speakin' for my own feelings
+I want to say that a partridge'd go mighty well about now. Yum! yum! get
+busy with one, and I'll tackle the other."
+
+Both boys knew how to do the job of plucking the birds, and soon had the
+feathers flying.
+
+Both of them were feeling a thousand per cent better than before; and
+Bumpus even hummed as he worked. Giraffe's thoughts very naturally kept
+along the line of his recent triumph. He had labored so long, and
+against such a handicap, that he might well be excused for feeling proud
+of his success.
+
+"Good little bow!" he muttered; "you did the business, all right, didn't
+you? The trouble was, I didn't just know how to handle you; but I've got
+it down pat now, and I'll never forget again, never. Wonder what the
+boys'll say when they hear about it? And Bumpus, it came in right pat,
+didn't it?"
+
+"I should say it did, Giraffe," replied the other, enthusiastically;
+"when we didn't have a single match, night here, cold as the dickens,
+wolves howling pretty soon, and no way of cooking these plump
+partridges. Why, if you'd gone and arranged all the particulars, I don't
+believe you could a had it hit us at a better time. It's just great,
+that's what."
+
+"And the cream is on you, Bumpus."
+
+"Shucks! who cares for that? Why, a little while ago I'd given all the
+spending money I expect to get as my share of the rewards for returnin'
+those lost bank papers, for just one little penny box of matches. Why,
+I'll be only too happy to treat the whole crowd six times over, after
+this. There, my bird's done, Giraffe."
+
+"Same here; and now how are we agoin' to cook 'em?" the other scout
+remarked.
+
+Bumpus looked at him rather blankly.
+
+"That's so," he observed, "we ain't got a sign of a frying-pan, have
+we?"
+
+"But there must be a way of cooking 'em by keeping the birds close to
+the fire. All old hunters cook their game that way. And don't you
+remember, Bumpus, Thad and Step Hen took sticks, and stuck 'em in the
+ground, with chunks of venison on the other end. Step said it was just
+prime. Well, what's to hinder our trying that same old game?"
+
+"But the partridges are too big and heavy; they won't ever cook
+through?" objected the fat scout, doubtfully.
+
+"All right; I guess now we can manage to slice the same in half,"
+Giraffe continued, hopefully. "I've done the job for my folks at home,
+more'n a few times, when they wanted to broil a Spring chicken for some
+sick person. We'll have our game broiled, Bumpus, see?"
+
+"Sure we will; and while you're about it, with that big-bladed knife of
+yours, Giraffe, give mine a rip down the back, so I c'n split it open.
+It's easy to see you know how. Thad and Allan ain't got so very much on
+you, when it comes to doin' things."
+
+By this artful flattery did Bumpus manage to get his bird divided. He
+spread it out carefully, and then started a hunt for the long sticks, by
+means of which the bird was to be held in a proper position before the
+hot fire.
+
+After considerable waste of energy, they finally managed, after a
+fashion, to get the birds placed so that they received a fair portion of
+the heat that came out of the fire. Several times the sticks either
+broke, or else failed to hold properly, so that the game fell into the
+ashes, to be hastily rescued, and wiped off before again being put over
+the fire.
+
+The minutes dragged, and to the hungry scouts it seemed as though the
+two partridges had tantalized them long enough. They gave forth an odor
+that was positively appetizing; and finally Giraffe just could not stand
+it another minute.
+
+"Say, they must be done by now," he remarked, eying his bird ravenously.
+
+"They look pretty brown," remarked Bumpus, "though that may come from
+the scorching they got each time they dipped in the red-hot ashes. But I
+feel just like you do, Giraffe; and if you say the word, it's a go."
+
+At that the tall scout started to savagely tear at one-half of his bird;
+and not to be outdone the other boy copied his example. Perhaps at home
+they would have complained long and loudly because the cook had sent
+food to the table only half done; but then circumstances alter cases;
+and sitting there by their lonely camp-fire under the pines and
+hemlocks, those two boys munched away, and nodded toward each other in a
+suggestive way, that told how much they were enjoying it.
+
+What if the meat was far from being well cooked, did not those who knew
+say that game should never be browned; and as for the gray ash that
+still clung to the outside of each bird, why, the wood was sweet and
+clean that it came from; and every fellow has to eat his peck of dirt
+sometime or other, they understood.
+
+And so they kept persistently at it until nothing but the bones remained
+of the two partridges; and each boy was sighing because, like Alexander
+of old, there were no more worlds to conquer.
+
+"That was just prime!" declared Bumpus; "and to think that I shot the
+dandy birds too; so you owe your fine supper to me, Giraffe."
+
+"I do, eh?" chuckled the other. "How about the fire, tell me that? How'd
+them same birds tasted raw? You wouldn't have liked 'em as much, I
+reckon. So, you see, after all, Bumpus, honors are about even; you
+supplied the game, and I fixed up the fire. Better call it a drawn
+battle, and end it."
+
+"All right, just as you say; but the only trouble I can see is they
+wasn't near big enough to fit in with my capacity. There's a vacuum
+still under my belt; even if I don't feel faint any longer."
+
+"Oh! I guess we can hold out now till morning," said Giraffe. "Then
+we'll take our bearings again, and make another start for the camp. And
+p'raps some of them might just be out looking for us right now; and
+seeing this bright fire, they'll head this way. So we'll act like we're
+havin' the time of our lives; and don't you ever go and let on that we
+felt scared even a little bit, hear now?"
+
+Bumpus, having a little pride of his own, readily promised. Besides, now
+that they had partaken of a very good supper, and had that bright and
+cheery fire to keep them company during the remainder of the cold night,
+things looked vastly different; so that it was hard to believe he had
+ever shivered and groaned as he contemplated their forlorn condition.
+
+They sat there, talking about various things, for quite a little time.
+Once or twice Bumpus fancied he heard some sort of sound in the woods
+that caused him to send a quick glance toward where he had laid his
+"trusty Marlin" down; but then, as Giraffe did not seem to pay any
+attention to the noise, he soon forgot it.
+
+But there came a time when both of them plainly heard a cough.
+
+Giraffe grinned, and nodded his head.
+
+"The boys are comin' all right," he said, as if pleased; "just like I
+said they'd be apt to do. Now, just sit where you are, Bumpus, and make
+out to be as happy as a king. We'll make 'em believe we're quite at home
+at this sort of thing; and the only thing we're sorry for is that we
+can't offer 'em a nice hot bird apiece. Look pleasant, now."
+
+Presently they caught what sounded like the low murmur of voices, and
+they seemed to be approaching too. It did not occur to the two scouts
+that the parties were coming from a direction opposite to the camp where
+their chums had been left; partly because they had not the remotest idea
+where that same camp lay.
+
+Now they could hear the swishing of bushes, as though the newcomers were
+not very particular about how they walked. Then it must be Step Hen or
+Davy Jones who made all the noise, because they were greenhorns, and did
+not know how to walk noiselessly.
+
+"I c'n see 'em comin'," remarked Bumpus, who happened to be sitting in a
+position that allowed of his using his eyes.
+
+"Remember, now, what I told you; just be feelin' as fine as silk, as if
+this camp business was an old story with us," and to further the
+deception Giraffe started to stretch his arms, and yawn at a tremendous
+rate.
+
+Bumpus did not answer; and thinking this a little strange the tall scout
+turned his eyes that way. He discovered that Bumpus was staring as
+though his eyes would almost pop out of his head. That, of course, made
+Giraffe twist his long neck half way around, so that he might share in
+what had aroused his companion to such a state of excitement.
+
+And Giraffe also experienced a decided thrill when he saw two men come
+half staggering into camp, who from their looks he knew must be Si Kedge
+and Ed Harkness, the rough and lawless game poachers and bullies of the
+pine woods.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+"BE PREPARED!"
+
+
+The two poachers were undoubtedly partly under the influence of liquor;
+for the boys could see that they did not walk as straight as they should
+have done. Besides, their eyes looked red, and there were other
+evidences of drunkeness, familiar to Giraffe and Bumpus, who had often
+seen drunken men.
+
+This made the situation the more critical, because in this condition men
+often do things that they might hesitate to attempt if not under the
+influence of strong drink.
+
+They halted not far from the fire, and looked at the two scouts sitting
+there.
+
+"On'y two boys arter all, Si," remarked the one they supposed was Ed
+Harkness, as he swayed slightly to and fro, while coming to a halt. "I
+guessed as haow yuh must a be'n mistook w'en yuh said it mout be ther
+hull outfit. Les sit down, Si, an' make us tuh hum."
+
+Fitting the action with his words he dropped on the ground, and held out
+a pair of red and trembling hands to the fire. His companion still stood
+there, glaring at the two boys, just as though they had done something
+to offend him. Plainly Si Kedge was something of a pine wood's bully;
+and he thought it good policy to cow Giraffe and Bumpus right at the
+start, so as to take the spirit out of them.
+
+Indeed, Bumpus looked so white and frightened that it encouraged the man
+to follow up his half-conceived idea.
+
+"Say, whaz yuh doin' here? Where's the rest o' the bunch? Know me? I'm
+Si Kedge, an' I'm a bad man to rile; so don't get gay now. Got anythin'
+to eat 'raound here?"
+
+Bumpus cast a quick, apprehensive glance toward his companion. His one
+prevailing idea just then was that they ought to get up, and skip out as
+lively as they could, leaving their nice fire for the two rough woodmen
+to enjoy. As far as he could see, neither of the men seemed to possess
+any firearm; at least they certainly did not carry guns, as might be
+expected.
+
+But Bumpus saw something in the face of his chum that told him Giraffe
+was not thinking of giving up that hard earned fire. He had worked too
+long to get it, to desert the comfortable camp, just because two half
+drunken fellows chanced to wander that way.
+
+Bumpus saw more than that. Giraffe had his big old rifle across his
+knees. He must have reached out his hand and secured it, while his chum
+was still staring at the unpleasant couple who had invaded their camp.
+
+That gave the fat boy an idea, following which he too reached for his
+gun, though not making any show of it, for fear of arousing a storm.
+
+"We've been hunting, and got twisted in our bearings; so we thought it
+best to go into camp," Giraffe started to say, trying to keep his voice
+from wabbling, as it seemed to be trying its best to do. "And as for
+grub, we haven't got a single bite along with us."
+
+"They lies, Si!" burst out the second man; "'case I kin see a heap o'
+bones clost ter whar they is settin', like they'd be'n eatin' some
+game."
+
+"We have," replied Giraffe; "we knocked over a couple of birds, but they
+wasn't half enough to satisfy us."
+
+"Huh! got any licker?" went on Si, still eying the boys steadily with
+that half threat in his bloodshot eyes, that Giraffe knew meant trouble,
+sooner or later, so that he almost instinctively allowed his thumb to
+draw back the hammer of his big bore rifle.
+
+"We never use it; and on that account don't carry a drop along with us,"
+he answered.
+
+"I guess naow, ther foolin' yuh, Si!" broke in the fellow who was
+sitting down. "And looky thar, d'ye see they gut guns? Them's w'at we
+needs ther wust kind, sense Cale Martin took ours away, w'en he sez as
+haow we're that drunk we'd git inter trouble with 'em. Bring me thet
+double-barrel. Allers did say as haow I'd like tuh own a scattergun, tuh
+use on pa'tridge. D'ye hear me?"
+
+Bumpus looked to Giraffe. He was unable to grapple with the situation
+himself; but perfectly willing to do whatever his chum directed. Had the
+tall boy told him to step over, and present the poacher with his nice
+new Marlin ten-bore, Bumpus no doubt would have done it without a
+murmur.
+
+"Get the hammers raised," was what Giraffe said instead.
+
+"Gee! are you agoin' to fight?" muttered Bumpus; but obeying instantly.
+
+The poacher who had made the demand made a move as though half tempted
+to get up and enforce his words; but seemed to think better of it.
+
+"I'll step over, an' tackle yuh arter I got my hands warm, see ef I
+don't," he remarked.
+
+Bumpus breathed again, for he had thought that the crisis was upon them.
+He saw that Si Kedge had also stepped closer to the fire, and thrust out
+his hands, as if not averse to taking some of the cold tingle out of
+them by the application of warmth.
+
+"What we goin' to do, Giraffe?" whispered Bumpus.
+
+"Stand up for our rights, that's what," replied the other, in about the
+same style of voice. "They ain't going to chase me out of this camp, not
+if I know it."
+
+"But they're ugly, and mean to give us trouble," urged the alarmed
+Bumpus.
+
+"You mean they think they are," returned Giraffe, grinding his teeth, as
+if by that method he could infuse his soul with more of the fighting
+spirit that was required to grapple with the situation. "When they start
+to making a rough house here somebody's liable to get hurt. And as we
+hold guns, and they ain't got any, you c'n easy see who it's apt to be."
+
+"All right, Giraffe; tell me what to do, that's all; because you see,
+I'm that rattled I just can't think for myself."
+
+"Keep as cool as you can, Bumpus, and it'll all come out right. If we
+can't handle a pair of fellers as unsteady as they are, it'll be some
+queer."
+
+"But if they keep right along comin' at us?" queried the other,
+anxiously.
+
+"Then shoot!" replied Giraffe, savagely, between his teeth.
+
+"Right at 'em?" gasped the shorter scout.
+
+"Oh! aim at their legs, like I'll do," returned Giraffe. "We'd hadn't
+ought to do anything worse than that. But mark me, Bumpus, when they see
+we mean business, they won't dare come far."
+
+Giraffe was still very white, but his eyes shone with resolution. He had
+made up his mind just how he ought to act under the circumstances; and
+being exceedingly stubborn by nature it would require something little
+short of an earthquake to make him change now.
+
+Meanwhile the two men had been muttering between themselves on the other
+side of the fire. What they were talking about the boys did not know;
+but doubtless it must have had something to do with the nice guns which
+they expected were so soon to fall into their possession; for neither of
+them could imagine that these two city boys, as they deemed the scouts,
+would dare defy them, once they ordered them to lay the guns on the
+ground.
+
+"Be ready!" whispered Giraffe again, and thus unconsciously repeating
+the motto of the organization to which both of them belonged, for
+preparedness is the cardinal virtue in every Boy Scout.
+
+The two poachers had evidently managed to map out some scheme by means
+of which they expected to overawe the lads, and secure everything they
+chanced to have about them, which was worth taking.
+
+Bumpus could see that they were about to get upon their feet, and this
+must mean they intended to force conclusions. He shot one last look at
+Giraffe, to imbibe some artificial courage, if such a thing were
+possible; and he saw that while the thin face of his chum looked ghastly
+white, it at the same time showed a pair of set jaws, and back of it
+gleaming eyes that told of a resolute spirit. And somehow the very
+realization that Giraffe could be brave gave the fat scout the
+consolation he sought.
+
+He had followed out the injunction of the other, and both hammers of his
+Marlin ducking gun were drawn back, while his forefinger toyed with the
+trigger of the right barrel.
+
+Yes, the two men were about to start trouble, for already had the one
+they knew to be Si Kedge gained his feet, as he seemed a little more
+spry than his partner in wickedness.
+
+Bumpus saw that he was starting to go around the fire in such a way that
+it must be Giraffe who would have to look after him; while the second
+scoundrel, Ed Harkness, fell to his lot.
+
+He elevated his gun a little, so that he could throw it to his shoulder
+in the wink of an eyelid, if necessary. Then he waited for the turn of
+events.
+
+"We're acomin' 'raound tuh see yuh, kids," called out Si Kedge, in a
+thick and meant to be threatening tone; "an' see tuh it yuh don't give
+us any trouble; er it'll be the wuss fur ye. Stand up, an' make us a
+present o' them fine traps yer holdin'. It ain't right thet boys shud be
+kerryin' guns, w'ile men goes without. Go on, Ed; what yuh standin' back
+fur?"
+
+Ed knew. He did not like the way that double-barreled gun was aiming in
+his direction. The two boys had hastily climbed to their feet at the
+proper instant; and both of them were now standing there, presenting
+their guns, but not in the fashion Si had intended when he gave the
+order, for they were "muzzle to the front."
+
+"Just stand where you are, both of you!" said Giraffe, in a low but
+threatening voice. "I've got a bead on you, Si Kedge, and if you want to
+see how well I can shoot this big-bore gun, just take two more steps
+forward. Bumpus, got that other coward covered, have you?"
+
+"You're right, I have!" sang out the fat scout, trying to appear as bold
+as if the whole thing might be only a little comedy that he was enjoying
+immensely; when, to tell the honest truth, Bumpus could feel his fat
+knees striking each other just like he had seen the telegraph operator
+pound the key of his instrument; but if his gun wabbled, the fact was
+hardly apparent to the man he was trying to keep covered.
+
+It was certainly a fine tableau, that would often come back to the
+memories of those two lads in future days. But while they seemed to be
+holding the fort, so to speak, Giraffe knew only too well that they were
+up against two desperate characters, and that if they slipped just one
+cog, it might have a different ending than the one they wished to see.
+
+What to do with the two men, now that they had thrown down the gage of
+battle, and virtually made them prisoner, was a puzzle that Giraffe had
+to solve. But his success thus far gave him courage to go at the new
+difficulty with resolution. And Bumpus, content to bask in the glory of
+his chum's more aggressive nature, gave promise of proving himself a
+good scout, obedient to the one in authority over him and capable of
+doing his little part in the game.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+CAPTURING THE GAME POACHERS.
+
+
+"Don't yuh shoot, younker!" called out Si Kedge, when, on advancing just
+one more step, he found himself confronted by the rifle held by Giraffe,
+who had his cheek laid down on the stock, as though he were taking aim.
+
+"I won't, if you do just what I tell you!" said the scout, growing
+bolder when he saw that a sudden spasm of alarm had taken possession of
+the poacher, as he realized the conditions confronting him.
+
+"Wat yuh want us tuh do?" asked Si.
+
+"Throw up your hands, in the first place, and be quick about it!"
+commanded the scout, thinking that was the proper thing to demand;
+because, in every account he had ever read of such events, the one who
+held the gun always gave that order.
+
+Si Kedge did as he was told, but only after a vast amount of hard
+language.
+
+"You too!" Bumpus managed to call out; for since his comrade had shown
+the way, he did not find it quite so difficult to follow.
+
+"Ther up, doan't yuh see, ez far ez I kin git 'em!" complained Ed
+Harkness; and then seeing the fat boy elevating his gun, he made out to
+duck, under the evident impression that Bumpus might be tempted to pull
+trigger, and fill him full of bird shot. "Keep thet gun daown thar, kid;
+I don't like ther way yuh handles ther same. Yuh got us fur keeps; an'
+we ain't squealin', is we, Si?"
+
+Giraffe thought fast. If they allowed these two men to go free, the
+chances were they would hang around, and try to give them all the
+trouble they could during the night that was now well upon them. And the
+idea of letting them remain there by the fire without being put under
+bonds, never occurred to the boy. He knew neither of them could be
+trusted further than they could be seen; that was stamped on their ugly
+faces, and the shifty look in their evil eyes.
+
+There was really only one thing to do, and that was to make them
+prisoners. Once that had been accomplished, at least they might pass a
+peaceful night; and then in the morning, if the humor seized them, it
+would be just as easy to let the men go as to keep them.
+
+But how on earth were they to tie the two men up? It looked like a hard
+proposition, and Giraffe had to cudgel his brains with considerable
+gusto before he was able to produce any result. But it dawned upon him
+finally that if the men were compelled to lie flat on their faces on the
+ground, and place their hands behind them, Bumpus might straddle each in
+turn, and fasten their wrists, while he, Giraffe threatened with the
+guns.
+
+"Listen to me," he said, with the air of a commander giving his final
+orders on the field of battle; "Both of you have got to lie down on your
+faces, and put your hands behind your back; do you understand?"
+
+"Be yuh agoin' tuh tie us up?" asked Si, his face as black as a
+thundercloud.
+
+"Just that, and nothing more," replied Giraffe, resolutely. "You think
+that because we're only two boys that we'll stand for a heap; but that's
+where you're away off your base. Get busy now, and down on your
+marrowbones, both of you!"
+
+"Air yuh agoin' tuh let us go free in the mornin'?" asked Ed Harkness,
+already on his knees, for he wished to placate that uneasy fat boy, who
+kept raising his gun again and again, as though anxious to press the
+trigger just a little harder all the time.
+
+"If you don't give us any trouble, we might; because so far as we're
+concerned we're not up here to help the game warden arrest you fellows.
+Lie down now, or else we'll have to help you!"
+
+This was a ferocious threat for Giraffe to make; and doubtless he would
+have been exceedingly loth to put it into operation; but then the case
+was a desperate one, and required a remedy of like nature.
+
+Even such a fire-eater as Si Kedge "threw up the sponge," as Bumpus put
+it, and knuckled down to the half grown tyrant. Perhaps he realized that
+in his half boozy condition he was in no shape to grapple with the
+dilemma by which he and his companion found themselves faced. What with
+their hands tied by the fact of their guns having been taken by Cale
+Martin, they were perfectly helpless. And two firearms held in the hands
+of a couple of determined boys can be just as dangerous as if grown men
+had them.
+
+So, still uttering more or less protestations, coupled with hard
+language, both Si and Ed sprawled out flat on their faces.
+
+"Now, Bumpus, it's going to be your job to secure them both, while I
+cover you with the guns; and if either of them tries any funny business,
+he'll wish he hadn't right speedy, believe me," said Giraffe, loud
+enough for the others to hear, for he wished them to wholly understand
+the situation.
+
+Bumpus placed his shotgun close to the feet of his chum. Then he looked
+blankly around.
+
+"That's easy to say, Giraffe," he remarked in a stage whisper; "I'm
+willing enough to do it, tell you that; but where in Sam Hill am I
+agoin' to get the rope? We didn't bring any with us, you know; though
+I'm resolved never to go off again without a whole clothes line along.
+How c'n a feller tie 'em up when he ain't got even a top string with
+him?"
+
+If Bumpus thought to get his chum in a corner with that question, he
+figured too soon, for the other had discounted it already.
+
+"Here, take this," he said, throwing his red bandana handkerchief on the
+ground; "and I reckon you've got the mate to it in your pocket. Use one
+to wrap around the wrists of each feller. And see to it that you tie it
+in half a dozen of the hardest knots you know how. Understand, Bumpus?"
+
+"That's right, and I c'n do it too. You watch me."
+
+As the fat boy spoke he picked up the large bandana handkerchief, and
+stepped gingerly forward, Giraffe accompanying him part way. Evidently
+Bumpus had recovered somewhat from his fright. Possibly this new
+boldness sprang from confidence in the ability of his comrade to handle
+the situation.
+
+At any rate, he threw a leg over the prostrate figure of Ed Harkness,
+and seizing both his wrists, jerked them together. The man might have
+raised some protest, or even attempted to show resistance; but once that
+plump form of Bumpus came down on him he had the breath partly pressed
+out of his body, and must have experienced a sudden weakness.
+
+At any rate, he lay still, while the other wound the crude rope around
+his wrists, and knotted it good and hard.
+
+"Fine!" declared Giraffe, who had been watching the operation with one
+eye, all the while he kept the other on Si Kedge; "now take your own
+handkerchief, and use it on Si. And put in three extra knots, Bumpus,
+because he's that much more a slick one than the other feller. Lie
+still, now, I warn you, Si; we ain't going to stand for any fooling, I
+tell you!"
+
+Si also relapsed into silence as soon as Bumpus dropped on his back; he
+was pinned to the ground almost as effectually as though secured there
+by ropes.
+
+Bumpus finished his part of the job, and arose, perspiring, but
+triumphant.
+
+"She's done, Giraffe, and as good as I know how," he said, exultantly.
+"I just warrant you that neither of them game stealers is agoin' to
+break loose in a hurry now. What's next on the little programme? This is
+sure turning out to be a warm night for us, Giraffe. Tell me, won't the
+fellers stare when we walk into camp drivin' these jail birds before us?
+Oh! my! Oh! me, I can see Davy and Step Hen give us the royal salute.
+And I'll whistle 'Lo, the Conquering Heroes Come,' see if I don't."
+
+"Well, we ain't in camp yet awhile," retorted Giraffe; "and give me a
+hand to assist old Si here over to that there tree. We c'n lean him up
+against the trunk, so he can keep warm, and look around him. Then Ed, he
+might have a place against this other pine, here. But Bumpus, there
+ain't going to be any sleep much for us this blessed night, with two
+toughs to watch like these fellers."
+
+Bumpus sighed, for he was very tired after a whole day's tramp.
+
+"I suppose not, Giraffe;" he remarked, but stiffening up to add; "you'll
+find me ready to back you up in anything you start goin'. I'm game for
+it, I reckon; and if you see me agoin' to sleep in spite of everything,
+why, Giraffe, just give me a kick or a punch in the ribs. I want to do
+my duty every time."
+
+"Good for you, Bumpus; I ain't goin' to make fun of you any more,
+because of your size. Even fat fellers c'n come in mighty handy
+sometimes, especially when you've got a game poacher to hold down."
+
+They managed to get the two men against the trees, and as they still had
+their legs free this was not so difficult a task. Then the watch began.
+Giraffe kept his gun close to his hand. He spoke to his chum
+occasionally, more to see if Bumpus were awake, than because of any
+desire to engage in conversation.
+
+The two men mumbled for a while, but finally their heads dropped on
+their chest and they seemed to slumber, though Giraffe was suspicious,
+and would never slacken in his watchfulness on this account.
+
+He had made up his mind, however, that if Bumpus did fall asleep, he
+would not arouse him, when there was no necessity for more than one
+guard at a time.
+
+An hour passed thus. Then Bumpus, who was just losing himself, in spite
+of his determination to remain on duty, felt his chum give him a shake.
+
+"Oh! I'm awake, all right, Giraffe; no need to scare me that way!"
+grumbled the fat scout, stirring himself, and looking around.
+
+"They're coming, just like I said," said Giraffe. "Looky over yonder,
+and you c'n see the lantern; and I reckon now, it's old Eli that's
+followerin' our trail. But we don't want to be fooled a second time,
+Bumpus, so get your gun ready for boarders."
+
+"Boarders!" muttered the fat boy; "now I like that, when they ain't a
+blessed bit of grub in the pantry. Better skip this boarding-house, and
+go on further. But Giraffe, that sure _is_ Eli; I c'n tell the way
+he swings along from here. Whoever is it with him, d'ye think; why, see,
+there are two of 'em, and men, not boys of the Silver Fox Patrol?"
+
+Three minutes later, and Old Eli, grinning his pleasure, stalked into
+camp, to say:
+
+"Huh! glad tuh find ye so well taken keer of, boys. An' so yeou hed a
+wisit frum Si an' Ed, did yeou; an' wall, what d'ye think o' thet,
+gents, here's yer birds all triced up, ready tew be transported to jail.
+This here is the game warden o' this deestrict, boys, lookin' for them
+critters. Say as heow he don't calkerlate ter bother with Old Cale yet
+awhile; but hearin' as he's be'n an' contracted with a fox breedin'
+company, they'll wait an' see heow it pans eout. Kinder guess they will.
+An' we'll jest stay by this fire till mornin', when we kin start back
+tew camp. Thad knowed as heow yeou'd come out all right, Giraffe; but he
+thort along abeout noon I'd better take up the trail; and I met these
+gents a few miles back, wonderin' if ther birds had made this here fire,
+so we stalked it!"
+
+And Bumpus felt like venting his delight in one long loud yell of
+thanksgiving as he realized that their troubles were now at an end.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+TO BEARD THE TIGER IN HIS DEN.
+
+
+"Sure you can go, Jim; and what's more, I'd like to take the tramp with
+you, if it's agreeable to you!"
+
+Jim Hasty, the guide, swallowed something in his throat, when he heard
+Thad say these words, for he was plainly much affected.
+
+He had come in a hesitating way to ask as a favor that, since the scouts
+were now settled for a few days in camp on the lake shore, could he be
+spared to make the run through the pine forests to where the well
+remembered cabin of Old Cale Martin stood, from which he had carried
+Little Lina away, after her father had positively refused to even hear
+of their marriage.
+
+"It's mighty kind o' yeou tew say thet, an' I feel it, I swan," he
+finally stammered, as he managed to thrust out his brown hand, and take
+that of the boy which had been so impulsively offered to him.
+
+"Why," Thad went on, heartily, "you know, Jim, I'm as much interested in
+this matter between you and Cale Martin as can be. And I'm just bound to
+see you through. I heard what one of those men told you about Cale going
+off to his cabin, so's to try and keep away from temptation, while Jim
+Hasty was around the neighborhood. He'd sworn to pin your ears to a
+tree, and feared that he'd up and do it, if he had the chance. Something
+better inside Old Cale was a tuggin' away at his hard old heart; and
+Jim; you and I know what it is."
+
+The short guide nodded his head violently, while his eyes glittered.
+
+"Pore ole dad, he wants tew see his leetle gal ther wust kind, an' it's
+jest his consarned pride as keeps him frum knucklin' right down, an'
+ownin' he war wrong. Thet's what I sez in ther fust place. I jest knowed
+he dassen't raise a hand tew hurt me, as he threatened, 'cause Lina
+keers fur even ther leetle finger o' my hand; an' she war ther apple o'
+his eye. An' shore I feels as it's agoin' tew be awl right, ef so be I
+kin on'y git a few words wid ther ole man, face tew face."
+
+"And you shall, if I can help you out, Jim," declared the boy, with
+emphasis. "Perhaps some day, I might even see the Little Lina that all
+this fuss has been about. I'd sure like to, the worst kind. But about
+when do you think we'd better hike out across country for the Martin
+cabin, Jim?"
+
+"I'd like tew start inside o' an hour," returned the other, quickly, as
+his eye instinctively turned upwards toward the heavens, with the idea
+of gauging what the weather might have in store for the State of Maine
+during the next twenty-four hours.
+
+"I see, you're afraid of a heavy snowfall, that would make the going and
+coming a hard job; is that it, Jim?"
+
+"It shore is, Thad," replied the guide, promptly. "Yew see, it's long
+past due. The woods is as dry as tinder, and we need a big fall o' snow
+er rain ther wust kind. D'ye think we mout git away by thet time?"
+
+"I don't see why not," answered the young scoutmaster "I'm feeling in
+apple pie condition this morning, myself; and you're just wild to make
+the venture. So we'll call it a go in an hour, Jim. By that time
+breakfast will be done with, and the boys have their plans arranged for
+the day. Eli will take charge with Allan; and there ought to be no
+trouble. Both Bumpus and Giraffe are too tired after what they went
+through with the day before yesterday, to want to wander; the game
+warden is well on his way with his two prisoners; and everything looks
+just fixed to carry out your little plan."
+
+"It does thet," returned the other, eagerly. "Seems like things happened
+jest tew suit me. I calls it 'Little Lina luck,' fur they nigh allers
+turn thetaways when I'm tryin' tew please her. I worried a heap over
+them tew critters, Si Kedge an' Ed Harkness; thinkin' thet w'ile I mout
+convince dad, they was apt tew give me a lot o' trouble. An' see haow
+they was kerried off tew jail tew clar ther field fur me! Oh! sumpin'
+tells me hit's goin' tew be awl rite yit."
+
+"Is there anything we ought to take along with us besides our guns, and
+some grub, enough for several meals, because we won't have any time for
+hunting?" asked Thad.
+
+"Nawthin' as I knows on; I'm makin' sure to kerry ther life preserver,"
+and as he said these mysterious words, Jim pressed his hand against his
+breast, where in an inner pocket _something_ undoubtedly snuggled
+unseen; but somehow Thad never once dreamed that the guide could refer
+to a pocket flask, because he happened to know Jim did not drink.
+
+However, Thad did not bother about trying to fathom Jim's little secret.
+He fancied that it would all be made plain shortly; certainly when they
+happened upon the stern old man who was day after day cheating himself
+out of happiness, by refusing to let bygones be bygones, and accept
+things as they were.
+
+Of course the balance of the Silver Fox Patrol showed great interest
+when they heard what was the plan. Thad could read a trace of
+disappointment on more faces than one when he announced that he meant to
+go alone with Jim. A larger detachment would do more harm than good,
+since Old Cale might be angry at having his solitude invaded by a party
+that Jim was piloting through the piney woods. And besides, Allan was
+needed to take charge of the camp while the leader was away, Step Hen
+had had his outing in the company of Thad, himself; Bumpus and Giraffe
+were fairly saturated with adventure, and still feeling the effects of
+their experience; while Davy was needed in camp, and complaining of a
+lame foot besides.
+
+So within the hour that had been set for the start, Thad and Jim left
+camp, with many hearty wishes for their success.
+
+"Be sure and tell us all about it when you get back!" called Bumpus; for
+some of the boys scented a little romance back of Jim's queer actions,
+and knew more or less about his relations with the giant father of his
+little wife.
+
+"And look sharp for forest fires, because, seems to me I smelled smoke
+in the air a little while ago!" were the last words from Allan, who,
+being a Maine boy, knew what such a thing meant.
+
+Thad glanced sharply at Jim.
+
+"Do you imagine we'll stack up against anything like that, Jim?" he
+asked.
+
+"Thet's hard tew say," replied the guide. "At this time o' year, an'
+with ther woods as dry as they be, anything is possible, I'd say. I
+don't smell smoke right naow, but then ther wind mout a changed sense
+Allan sez he did."
+
+"Well, I hardly know whether I want to run up against a real woods'
+fire, or not," Thad declared. "Of course, I've always wanted to see what
+one looked like, because I've heard so much about them; we're on a new
+test now, for the Silver Fox Patrol; being assistant fire wardens of the
+state of Maine; and as such none of us should wish a fire to occur. So
+I'll just forget all about it. If one happens to come along, I guess
+there's no harm in my looking at it."
+
+Jim laughed at this quaint philosophy.
+
+"I jest reckons naow, yeou'll be doin' a heap more'n jest lookin' at
+hit," he took occasion to remark, with a sage shake of his head.
+
+Thad laughed outright.
+
+"I can guess what you mean, Jim," he remarked. "You think that about
+that time the fire will take to chasing after me, and I'll have all I
+want to do in skipping out. Well, let's forget all about that, now, and
+talk of something else. For one thing, this is a splendid crisp fall
+morning. I saw pretty good ice on the edge of the lake. And say, I'd
+like to be up here a month or two from now. I warrant you there's some
+mighty fine skating on that sheet of water."
+
+"Thet they be, sumtimes," replied the other, with a nod. "I've seen hit
+jest as slick as a big pane o' glass fur miles an' miles. With ther wind
+ablowin' great guns I've jest opened my coat, an' been blown like a
+thistle-down from one end tew t'other, in less time than yew cud think.
+My dad, which is long gone, onct had an adventure with a pack o' wolves
+on thet same smooth ice, I kin remember him tellin' 'bout."
+
+"I'd like to hear it, Jim," said the scout, eagerly.
+
+"Wall, I'm a pore hand at tellin' a story," the guide admitted. "Seems
+like he war askatin' home, arter killin' a deer, an' hed sum o' ther
+meat on his back, when ther wolves took arter him. They chased him right
+fast, and ther on'y way dad he cud 'scape ther fangs war by making a
+sharp turn every time they gut too clost. Yer see ther critters cudn't
+swerve fast enuff, an'd slide a long ways on ther ice 'cause it war so
+smooth. An' in that way he kept goin' till he gut nigh home; when sum o'
+ther neighbors, they kim out, an' knocked spots outen ther wolves."
+
+"Whew! I can just imagine it," declared Thad, "and I wager, now, it must
+have been some exciting while it lasted."
+
+Chatting in this way they tramped on through the pine woods, heading in
+a direct line for the distant cabin of Cale Martin, whose wife had long
+since been dead, so that with Little Lina also gone, the old woodsman
+had lived alone for more than a year, always nursing his grievance
+against Jim Hasty.
+
+When noon came, and they stopped a little while to refresh themselves
+with some of the food carried along in Thad's haversack, Jim announced
+that they must be more than half way to their destination.
+
+Thad looked into the face of the guide frequently, wondering if Jim's
+heart was beginning to fail him the closer he drew to the implacable
+giant who had uttered such ferocious threats against his new son-in-law;
+but the only thing he did notice was a smile of supreme confidence
+whenever Jim happened to put up his hand to touch the breast of his
+coat, about the place where an inner pocket would be. And from this Thad
+understood that the other had the fullest confidence that the message he
+was bearing to Lina's father, the olive branch he meant to extend to Old
+Cale, was sure to work as she had intended it should.
+
+It was about an hour and more, possibly two, after the noon halt, that
+Thad saw Jim come to a stop, and start to sniff the air suspiciously.
+
+"What it it, Jim?" he asked, though he could give a pretty good guess
+even before the woods' pilot uttered a word.
+
+"I smells smoke, sure enuff, naow," replied Jim.
+
+"Then the wind's changed, hasn't it?" inquired Thad, bristling up, as a
+vision of more or less excitement to vary the monotony of this rather
+dreary tramp through the piney forest flashed before his mind.
+
+"It sure hes, Thad; and I kinder guess afore a great while yeou might be
+havin' thet wish o' yeourn kim true; 'cause ther's a fire sumwhar not
+far away right naow; which, with ther change o' wind, is liable tew
+sweep daown on us like a whirlwind. Mebbe so be yeou mout see more'n
+yeou bargained fur, Thad!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+CAUGHT IN THE FOREST FIRE.
+
+
+"What's to be done about it, Jim?" demanded the scoutmaster.
+
+"Nawthin' as I kin see," came the guide's philosophical reply. "We
+hain't knowin' which way ther ole wind'll turn next, so it's as safe fur
+us tew keep right along like we was aheadin', as tew turn back fur
+camp."
+
+"Then let's go on; an' perhaps after all, the fire'll give us the
+go-by," and as he said this Thad put his best foot forward.
+
+"Anyway," Jim pursued, presently, "we cudn't know haow tew shape our
+plans till we cotched sight o' ther fire, an' knowed jest what she be.
+By naow p'raps ther hull woods ahind us mout be aflame; so by turnin'
+back, we'd jest be puttin' aour noses tew ther grindstone."
+
+They walked on a little faster than before. The talk was of course all
+about forest fires now, since it began to seem likely that Thad was
+about to witness the first real big one of his experience.
+
+Thad had a way of asking leading questions, and Jim was no way averse to
+giving all the information in his power; so that before long the Boy
+Scout had learned a great many interesting facts connected with these
+terrors of the piney woods, by means of which thousands of acres of
+valuable timber used to be wiped out of existence every year, and often
+many lives lost as well.
+
+Things are not the same as they used to be. The State of Maine has a
+well equipped fire warden department; and during the fall season when
+the danger is greatest, extreme care is taken to call out these seasoned
+fire-fighters whenever their services are needed. Besides, every
+licensed guide is expected to work in conjunction with the authorities
+in seeing that no party which he pilots into the woods becomes reckless
+about leaving fires burning after breaking camp.
+
+When another half hour had passed Thad could no longer doubt that there
+was a fire burning somewhere not far away, and that they were now much
+closer than before to the scene of the conflagration.
+
+The smoke had become a thing that could be easily seen as well as
+smelled, and felt in the way of burning eyes and tickled nostrils.
+
+Jim was on the alert. Well did he know that it was no child's play,
+matching one's wits against a forest fire that was apt to encircle the
+unwary woodsman, and cut off his retreat, finally roasting him in a
+trap.
+
+"Do you think it's already swept down on the Martin cabin?" Thad asked,
+somewhat anxiously.
+
+"Thet I kain't tell," replied Jim, as he looked up at the smoke that was
+sweeping above the tops of the tallest pines. "Time was when it wudn't
+amattered any, 'cause yer see, Dad Martin, he kept a good clearin' all
+'raound his shack; but I guess as haow he's been an' neglected it sense
+I took Lina away, an' it's all growed up with brush, thet'd burn like
+tinder."
+
+"How far away are we now from the cabin?" continued Thad, presently.
+
+"It mout be a matter o' two mile er so," grunted Jim; for they were
+pushing on at a lively pace, and there was not much breath to waste in
+long sentences.
+
+"That smoke keeps on getting heavier all the while," remarked Thad.
+
+"She dew thet," admitted Jim.
+
+"And my stars, how it stings a fellow's eyes," continued the
+scoutmaster, who from time to time felt the tears running down his
+cheeks.
+
+Jim shook his head as he answered:
+
+"'Tain't a circumstance tew what we'll run up aginst right soon, ef
+things keeps on a gettin' wusser all ther while."
+
+"Look! there goes a moose, upon my word; and he's making tracks as if he
+didn't fear human beings one half as much as he did that crackling fire
+he left behind!" Thad cried out, about five minutes later.
+
+Shortly afterwards he discovered a huge lumbering animal rushing through
+the woods to one side of them.
+
+"Why, isn't that a black bear, Jim?" he asked, pointing as he spoke.
+
+"It sure is," replied the guide, grinning; "an' 'baout as skeered a
+black as ye cud see in a week o' Sundays. Like as not he smelled ther
+smoke while he was boxed up in sum holler tree, whar he 'spected tew
+stay till Spring kim along. But say, he knowed what'd happen tew him;
+an' forgettin' as haow he orter be sleepin' ther winter aout, alivin' on
+his fat, he jest climbs aout, an' scoots fur sum hole in ther ground he
+knows is awaitin' fur him. He'll git thar, awl rite, too; 'cause I never
+seed a bar cort in a forest fire, an' burned tew a crisp."
+
+"The deer can easily escape, I suppose, being so fleet of foot?" Thad
+went on.
+
+"Gin'rally speakin' they kin," Jim replied; "an' thar goes wun rite
+naow. Look at ther way he jumps over thet fallen tree like it was
+nawthin'. Ef yeou an' me hed ther gift o' leapin' like thet, Thad, we
+cud larf at forest fires tew."
+
+They lapsed into silence again. The smoke began to enter their lungs
+when they talked too much, and half choked them. It was getting darker,
+Thad saw; and looking up, he realized that clouds had covered the
+heavens; though at first he rather fancied this might be another strata
+of smoke further up.
+
+"Oh! if that snow-storm Jim believes is due would only hurry, and come
+along," he was saying to himself, "it might do some good in putting out
+this fire. While I'd like right well to see what it all looks like,
+still, as a fire warden, I ought to want it to be smothered as quick as
+possible. And between the two why, I'll just have to take what comes,
+and be thankful it's no worse."
+
+Then he thought of the other scouts. Were any of them in danger from the
+fire? He did not believe this could be the case, for, so far as he knew,
+there had been no plan on foot for a hunt that day, the boys being
+satisfied to hang around camp, and do things they had in mind.
+
+And as they were right on the edge of the lake, if the worst came, and
+fire happened to sweep down upon them, the tents could be thrown into
+the canoes, and all hands put out upon the surface of the lake where
+they would be safe.
+
+So Thad, as the one in charge of the patrol in the absence of Dr.
+Philander Hobbs, the regular authorized scoutmaster, made up his mind
+that he need not worry about his chums any more. Indeed, as the
+situation grew worse and worse around himself and Jim, it began to look
+as though he had need of all his anxiety in connection with his own
+condition.
+
+Of course he relied entirely on Jim. The guide had had long experience
+with the fires in the pines. He had served as one of the fire wardens,
+and so long as he was in charge of the expedition there was no need of
+Thad trying to figure out any plan of campaign. Had he been alone, or
+with some of his companions, Thad would have striven to meet the
+necessities of the situation manfully, and done all in his power to
+outwit the flames. Now he was in Jim's charge, and depended on the
+astute Maine guide to pilot him through.
+
+"I can hear the flames roaring, I think, Jim!" the scout remarked,
+presently.
+
+"Thet's rite," returned the other; and from his manner Thad knew Jim had
+known of the circumstance longer than he dreamed possible.
+
+"It lies over there on our right, don't it?" Thad persisted in asking.
+
+"Yep," the guide answered, shortly.
+
+Gauging the direction of the wind, Thad saw that they would in a measure
+be running a race with the fire, to see which could get to the cabin of
+Old Cale first. He knew Jim was figuring things out closely. A mistake
+in calculations might cost them dear. Even a change in wind, which was
+liable to occur at any time now, would bring them face to face with new
+difficulties, and make them grapple with problems of a serious
+character.
+
+Thad asked no more questions, for he saw that Jim did not want to have
+his mind distracted from his duty. He would do the right thing, of that
+the boy felt assured.
+
+One thing was plain enough, and this seemed apt to have more or less
+bearing on the final outcome of their race to the cabin.
+
+The wind was gradually increasing in force all the while. It had been
+gentle at first, but was now blowing at the rate of ten miles an hour,
+and Thad could notice how rapidly even this was changing.
+
+Should it reach hurricane force ere long, the fire must be driven ahead
+at a speed that would be simply frightful. Thad already began to
+experience some of the thrill he had been told was connected with one of
+these woods' fires; even though as yet he had to see the first flash of
+flame. What must it be when surrounded on all sides by the leaping
+tongues that, they said, looked like great red snakes coiling up the
+pine trees, licking the resinous foliage with greedy breath, so that it
+seemed as though the whole world must be ablaze?
+
+Well, the boy had wanted to look upon just such a sight, so that he
+could say he had been caught in a forest fire; and from the way things
+were turning out, his wish was in a fair way to be gratified.
+
+They must surely have come about a mile since he last asked Jim how far
+away the cabin might be; that would indicate half of the distance had
+been passed over. He wondered why Jim did not start running, so as to
+beat the fire, that was apparently aiming for the same place; but on
+second thought Thad believed he could guess the reason for this. Jim was
+saving their wind for an emergency. If that came upon them, they might
+have to change their own course, and head for the pond Jim had spoken of
+as offering a fair haven of refuge in a case of this kind.
+
+The roaring sound had grown more audible. It sounded now very much like
+a freight train on the railroad, Thad thought; and drawing closer all
+the while! This would seem to indicate that the fire was catching up
+with them, and shortening the gap between at the same time.
+
+Thad began to cast curious glances in the direction of the ominous
+sound; nor could it be said that anxiety was not unmixed with his other
+feelings. He was but a boy, after all; and even by now the dark masses
+of smoke that were sweeping over the pine tops, as well as the other
+indications of a great conflagration around him, had begun to affect
+Thad.
+
+And as they pushed along it chanced that they came to a little break in
+the wall of pines that rose around them. For the first time the Boy
+Scout saw, when he turned his head toward the right, and the rear,
+something that seemed to leap madly upwards, as though endeavoring to
+lick the overhanging clouds.
+
+There was no need of Thad to ask the guide what that was, for he knew
+only too well. Those leaping, tossing billows were flames; and they
+sealed the death warrant of many a noble pine that for years and years
+had seen the lovely summer come and go, to give place to the furious
+gales of the Maine winter season.
+
+And Thad Brewster experienced a real genuine thrill, that might be
+tinged with alarm, as he viewed this fiery panorama over the tops of the
+trees.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+TRUSTING TO THE WOODS' PILOT.
+
+
+It was by this time getting about as exciting as anything Thad had ever
+dreamed of. The noise made by the sweeping flames began to din in his
+ears as he had never expected to hear the roar of fire.
+
+Still, he noticed that Jim had not changed his course much. Plainly
+then, he was heading for the cabin of Cale Martin, and had not yet given
+up hopes of being able to make it.
+
+Only for the intense desire of the guide to please his Lina, doubtless
+he would ere now have changed his flight, and headed for that pond,
+where they could be certain of finding security. Thad only hoped Jim
+would not be tempted to take too many chances, in his endeavor to
+accomplish the reconciliation.
+
+So the boy began to strain his eyes, looking ahead, hoping that any
+minute they would sight the lonely home of the late poacher, who had
+turned fox farmer.
+
+The fire could now be seen more plainly than ever, and Thad noted how
+the wind seemed to carry all manner of whirling sparks far ahead, to set
+the dead pine needles ablaze in turn; so that there was an ever marching
+procession, as fresh patches of woods fell into the grip of the flames.
+
+Something went squealing past them, almost upsetting Thad.
+
+"Good gracious, wasn't that a pig?" he exclaimed, startled by the sight.
+
+Jim nodded his head, as he replied:
+
+"Cale's pig. Let's 'em hev ther run o' ther woods sumtimes. But he'll
+never see that porker agin. It'll sure be roasted ter a turn, I guess
+naow."
+
+"What next, I wonder?" thought Thad, as he heard, rather than saw,
+several frightened partridges go sweeping past.
+
+All these things served to add a certain element of spice to the
+situation, although Thad really believed it hardly needed anything to
+make it seem the most exciting in all his experience.
+
+Well, at any rate, Jim had certainly thought it wise to increase his
+speed now, so that he was running fairly fast, considering the
+difficulties that lay in the way of making good time.
+
+When Thad came upon a broken-down rail fence, he knew they must be close
+in the neighborhood of the cabin; and at the same time he thought that
+it was well this was the case, because contact with the fire could not
+long have been delayed.
+
+A minute later, and he sighted the side of the cabin. As Jim had said,
+it stood in comparatively open ground; but the brush had grown up again,
+owing to lack of care when the owner lost interest in the home that no
+longer knew the presence of Little Lina.
+
+A couple of low sheds could also be seen near by; but even to Thad's
+uneducated eye it was plainly apparent that if the fire worked this way,
+everything was bound to go. Cale Martin may have escaped by reason of
+his energy before, on other occasions, but this would wind his place up.
+
+There was no sign of any human being around. Jim seemed to look to the
+right and to the left with more or less eagerness. Plainly he was
+disappointed because he did not see the giant poacher somewhere. He
+hurried over to one of the low sheds, and as Thad followed close after
+him, he saw that there was an enclosure made of chicken wire, in which
+several red foxes were running furiously back and forth, as though
+conscious of their peril, and wild to get out and escape.
+
+"He cain't be here!" Jim called out, for the fire was really so noisy
+now that it required more or less of an effort to make one's self heard.
+
+"Why not?" asked Thad.
+
+"'Cause he'd never let them foxes stay in thar. Cale, he's human, ef he
+used ter be a hard case; an' knowin' ther fire'd like as not git 'em if
+they stayed cooped up, he'd sure broke the wire fence daown so's ter let
+'em run."
+
+Saying which Jim deliberately did this himself, tearing up a stake, and
+in almost the twinkling of an eye making a big hole, through which the
+four red foxes shot like lightning. The last seen of them, the shrewd
+little animals were flying away into the woods that as yet had not felt
+the scorching breath of the fire.
+
+"Will they escape, Jim?" asked Thad, unable to repress his desire for
+knowledge, even while facing such a scene of havoc as this.
+
+"Sure they will," grunted the guide, who was already turning hastily in
+the direction of the cabin.
+
+The thought struck Thad just then that perhaps something had happened to
+the big owner of the place. He might be found there, sick, and unable to
+move hand or foot. In that case a new problem would have to be faced,
+and a solution worked out.
+
+But no matter what happened, they could not remain here long. The fire
+was edging around, and working in toward Cale's cabin. In ten minutes,
+perhaps not so long a time as that, it would have swept over this
+territory, and gone roaring and leaping into the woods beyond.
+
+Now they were at the door of the cabin. It was shut, and there was no
+evidence that Cale was within. Jim did not hesitate a second. He knew
+this was a time for action rather than thinking; and so he immediately
+started to push open the door.
+
+Fortunately this did not seem to be fastened in any way, so the guide
+had no trouble to speak of in doing what he desired.
+
+Then Jim rushed inside, and Thad followed closely after him.
+
+One glance around seemed to tell them that the cabin was empty. It was a
+cheerless looking place, according to the mind of the boy, accustomed as
+he was to the comforts of a good home in a civilized community. But no
+doubt it had been "home" to Cale Martin, up to the time the light of it
+was taken away by young Jim Hasty.
+
+The guide pointed to a small photograph that was fastened to the wall.
+It was not a work of art by any means, and evidently represented the
+labor of some aspiring village photographer; but as Thad bent hastily
+over to examine it, in a couple of seconds, he saw that it was the face
+of a very sweet looking girl.
+
+And he did not need to be told that he was looking on the face of Little
+Lina, Jim's wife, and the only child of the lonely poacher, Old Cale
+Martin.
+
+"He isn't here, Jim. What will we do now? Do you have any idea where
+he's gone?" the boy demanded, in his excitement clutching at the sleeve
+of the guide's coat.
+
+"I kin give a guess, 'baout it," replied Jim. "Seems like he keeps a
+litter o' foxes sumwhar off in ther woods; an' chances air the ole man,
+he's risked his life tew git out thar, an' set 'em free so's they cud
+'scape. 'Twud be jest like him tew dew thet same thing."
+
+"Hark! I thought I heard a shout!" exclaimed Thad.
+
+Both of them listened anxiously; Jim even hurrying toward the open door;
+but before he could reach it, a huge form darkened the opening, and a
+man came staggering in.
+
+Thad knew that he was looking upon Cale Martin, long feared by every man
+in the pine woods of Northern Maine. But to tell the truth he did not
+look very formidable now; for his beard was singed, his face blackened,
+and his clothes smouldering in patches, as though he might have been
+compelled to run the gauntlet of fire in returning from his self-imposed
+errand of mercy in connection with the impounded fox whelps.
+
+He stared hard at them as though he could not just believe his senses.
+Thad saw he was very nearly overcome with the smoke that had entered his
+lungs, as well as the burns he must have received. And just then the boy
+realized something of the real horror of a terrible forest fire. At a
+distance it might seem a glorious spectacle; but close at hand its
+dreadful nature was revealed.
+
+Jim knew that this was neither the time nor place to waste a second in
+trying to enter into explanations. Those could all keep until a more
+convenient season. Cale Martin was all but played out. He swayed as he
+stood there, and Thad could see that the wonderful strength that had
+many years before made him the marvel of the lumbering camps, as Jim had
+told him, was very nearly utterly exhausted.
+
+And yet so great a hold had his dislike for Jim Hasty taken upon his
+nature, that at sight of the man in his home he frowned blackly.
+
+"We gotter mosey outen this right smart, Cale," said Jim, boldly. "Keep
+ther talkin' till we is safe from ther fire. Plenty o' time then tew
+tell me what yew wants tew say. I kim hyar tew see yew 'cause Lina, she
+made me. Naow, let's be headin' fur ther pond, 'less we wants tew be
+roasted an' stewed an' b'iled."
+
+The giant did not seem inclined to make the first move to save himself;
+and it burst upon Thad's mind that he was really in some sort of a daze.
+Perhaps the heat of the fire had affected his head, and he could not
+gather his wits. He may have headed straight back to the cabin, through
+the border of the fire, simply because of that intuition which will
+carry a man, walking in his sleep, past dangers and difficulties.
+
+Jim must have guessed something of the same thing. That would account
+for his daring to leap forward, and catch hold of Cale's sleeve, though
+he had to beat out a small conflagration at the same time.
+
+"Help me get him away!"
+
+Jim did not say this, but his look did, as he turned toward Thad; and
+the boy instantly sprang forward to take hold of Cale's other arm. The
+giant, strangely enough, did not seem to offer any objection. Perhaps he
+realized that he was in a bad way, and that if left to his own devices
+must surely perish there. And life may even have been sweet enough to
+accept it at the hands of the man whom he believed had so terribly
+wronged him in stealing away his girl.
+
+The instant they stepped out of the cabin Thad was appalled at the
+change that had taken place. Surely they could not have been inside for
+more than three minutes at the most; and yet so rapidly had the smoke
+and fire headed in toward the cabin of Old Cale that it was a fearful
+spectacle which burst upon their vision now.
+
+The crackling of the flames, the crash of falling trees, the howl of the
+wind,--all these made a combination that was deafening. Added to it was
+the fierce glow of the fire itself, rising and falling as new patches of
+woods fell into its never satisfied maw.
+
+Thad began to wonder how it would all end, and whether that wish of his
+to look on a real forest fire was not going to end in a tragedy. But he
+shut his teeth hard together, and determined to play his part, as a true
+scout should.
+
+Jim was still there, and Jim would know what to do. The fire warden of
+the past had learned many ways of outwitting the red-tongued enemy; and
+there was hope of escape so long as he could remain on deck.
+
+And so Thad drew in a long breath, half choked as he was, and waited to
+see what course the woods' pilot would take.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+JIM DELIVERS HIS MESSAGE.
+
+
+"Can we make the pond, Jim?" asked Thad.
+
+He knew from what little the guide had said before, that it was a
+considerable distance to the body of water to which Jim had intended
+heading; and with the almost exhausted giant on their hands, it did not
+not seem likely they could get there before being overtaken by the
+flames.
+
+"Not ther big pond," Jim called back; "it's tew late naow fur thet; but
+they's a littler un 'baout half way. Thet'll hev tew dew fur us, I
+guess."
+
+Cale seemed able to walk, after being thus supported, and they started
+off. One thing Thad noticed; and this gave him more or less
+satisfaction. They were heading now directly away from the fire, and not
+keeping alongside, as before.
+
+This gave them a new chance to escape, unless that change of wind came,
+which was liable to occur at any moment.
+
+Hardly had they been moving for a minute than Thad thought he felt
+something wet fall on his nose. He could hardly believe it, but when a
+second and a third followed, he became positive.
+
+"It's raining, Jim!" he shouted, partly because of his new excitement,
+and also on account of the racket the fire caused.
+
+"Thet snow storm's gut 'raound et larst," called back Jim; and Thad knew
+from that the heat of the atmosphere had melted the flakes ere they
+fell, causing them to turn back into water.
+
+It was all the same though, since both were bitter enemies to fire; and
+presently the merry war of the elements, that has gone on since the
+world began, would be in full play.
+
+He wished that it would come down as never before; indeed, it would need
+to be a record fall, to extinguish those monster flames that were rising
+like a red wall over the treetops now. But since the woods beyond would
+be undergoing a gradual soaking, possibly the fire might find it more
+and more difficult to get a foothold, and finally die out from lack of
+fuel.
+
+Thad was astonished at the meekness of the giant. Why, he seemed to have
+lost his grip on things, and let them carry him along just as though he
+were a big baby. That would seem to indicate he must have been severely
+hurt while escaping from the burning forest. For aught they knew he may
+have been struck on the head by a falling limb from a tree, which would
+account for his dazed condition.
+
+At any rate, it was fortunate for the entire party that this proved to
+be so; because any delay at this stage of the game must have proven
+fatal.
+
+All of them were panting, but it was more from the intense heat than
+weariness. Thad hoped the pond would show up soon. He was half choked
+with the smoke, and coughed with nearly every breath. A drink of cool
+refreshing water, he believed, would make him feel a thousand per cent
+better.
+
+There could no longer be any doubt about the anticipated change in the
+wind having taken place; for the fire was certainly coming after them,
+full tilt. Jim, too, was beginning to cast glances over his shoulder;
+and when a runner does this Thad knew it was a good sign that he is
+anxious about something. It may be the presence of a rival sprinter back
+of him; in this case that racer was the fire.
+
+"Will we make it, Jim?" Thad found himself just forced to ask, in order
+to relieve the terrible sensation of suspense that gripped him.
+
+"Dead sartin!" came the reassuring reply; "thar she be, right naow!"
+
+And looking ahead Thad saw the sheen of a body of water in the dull glow
+of the forest fire. It was not a large pond, but would offer them an
+asylum, where in all possibility they might laugh at the efforts of the
+fire to get them.
+
+When they gained the shore Jim kept pushing on until a point had been
+reached that was opposite to the course over which they had just come.
+This threw the water of the little pond between them and the source of
+danger.
+
+Thad drew a long breath of relief as he realized that their race with
+the flames was over, and safety assured. The giant sank down upon the
+ground, and scooping up the water in the cup of his hand, drank
+savagely, showing that he must be almost parched with thirst.
+
+Feeling a little the same way himself, Thad followed suit; and never in
+all his life had water tasted as refreshing as then. After that, he just
+stood and watched the terrible panorama that was being gradually
+unfolded before his eyes; listening to the roar of the devouring element
+as it seized whole rows of pines in its grip, and enveloped them with a
+mantle of flames.
+
+Thad was fairly awed by the sight. He had never dreamed it could be so
+terrible, even when his imagination played at its liveliest clip. He saw
+the leaping billows toss higher and higher; he watched them play tag
+with one another; and all the while realized what havoc was being made
+with that splendid forest. When the fire had passed on, or been finally
+extinguished by the downpour from above, it would leave blackened and
+smouldering trunks where just a brief while before the glorious pines
+stood in all their robes of green.
+
+The heat was rather fierce, too, and often they would bend forward to
+lave their faces in the cooling waters of the pond. Long since had the
+rim of ice around the edge of the pool vanished, as though by magic;
+this was on account of the warmth that had taken possession of the
+atmosphere while the conflagration lasted.
+
+But Thad was satisfied that they were going to escape, for the main body
+of fire had already gone rushing away before the wind. Only straggling
+trailers worked in behind the pond, and they were already feeling the
+effect of the rain that was now falling heavily, though at other places
+it must have taken the form of snow.
+
+Jim was apparently more or less anxious about Cale. He feared the old
+man might have received serious injuries that needed attention; and
+taking advantage of the first opportunity that presented itself, he
+confided his fears to Thad, knowing full well that the boy was something
+of a doctor, in his way.
+
+So the scoutmaster sat down beside Cale. He saw that the other was
+getting back to something like his normal self, now that he had in a
+measure recovered from the exhaustion resulting from his fight for life
+with the flames.
+
+"Did you get badly hurt anywhere, in the fire?" Thad asked, trying to
+put on a professional look, so as to inspire some confidence in the old
+man.
+
+The giant for the first time, seemed to wake up. He felt of his head,
+and winced a little as though it pained him.
+
+"Ther burns they don't amount ter much," he said, in his heavy voice;
+"but thar be a bad bump on my head as hurts sum."
+
+"Let me look at it," asked the boy. "I've picked up some knowledge of
+medicine, and perhaps I can do something to make it seem better; if
+nothing else, cold water may reduce the feverish feeling some."
+
+And Cale allowed him to examine his big head, with its mass of hair that
+was like a lion's mane in thickness, having been protected from the fire
+by the skin cap he wore. Perhaps it was the presence of that same cap,
+as also the shock of hair, that had saved Cale from having a broken
+skull; he certainly did have a lump there as large as an egg, that must
+have been very painful; and it was no wonder he had seemed dazed at the
+time he rushed into his cabin, hardly knowing why he came there, unless
+he had been laboring under the impression that Little Lina was still
+waiting to be saved from the fire.
+
+Fortunately Thad happened to be carrying a little bottle of witch hazel
+in his haversack, which he often found exceedingly useful. This he got
+out, and after warning the other that it might sting a little at first,
+he poured some of the extract on the lump; and then wetting a piece of
+rag with it, he laid this over the wound, Cale's cap holding it in
+place.
+
+"That's all I can do for you," Thad said. "But it's not a serious thing,
+and in a few days you'll be all over it. But you must have had a fearful
+knock. Was it a limb that fell on you?"
+
+"Just what it war, younker," replied Cale; "an' it's a feelin' better
+some, already."
+
+Thad moved back. He seemed to know that Jim was just itching to have a
+few words with his father-in-law; and that the opportunity seemed ripe.
+Besides, Thad was more or less curious to know just what that clinching
+argument might be, which Jim meant to advance, and which he seemed so
+positive would bring the determined old man around.
+
+When Jim took his place, Cale gave him one look, and then turned his
+head away. "I wisht yew wudn't feel like yew does agin me, Dad Martin,"
+Jim started to say.
+
+"Stop right thar!" burst out the other, as his old temper began to sway
+him again. "I don't want anything ter do wid yer, Jim Hasty. Time was
+when I vowed ter pin yer ears ter a tree, if ever ye showed up hyar
+agin; an' I meant it, I shore did. Then sumhow, thinkin' o' that leetle
+gal, an' how she sot sum store by ye, kinder flabbergasted me, an' I
+dassent stay around whar ye was, lest I do all I'd threatened, an' it'd
+break her heart. So I kim hyar ter my lonely home, thet ain't hed a
+single ray o' sunshine in it sense ye stole her away. But I don't forgit
+it, Jim Hasty, an' I ain't never agoin' ter forgive ye, er make up. So
+don't waste yer breath atryin'."
+
+But when Thad saw the grin on Jim's face he knew the guide felt
+encouraged. His reception had been far less stormy than he had had
+reason to expect from all he knew of the violent temper of his respected
+father-in-law. And knowing that Jim was getting ready to spring his
+surprise, Thad almost held his breath while listening and watching.
+
+"I tole yeou I kim here 'cause she sent me," Jim went on, in a pleading
+tone. "It grieved her gentle heart all this while 'cause she cudn't see
+yeou, Dad Martin. She sez as haow it's jest gut tew stop! She wants
+yeou, and wants yeou bad. An' so be they's another as ort tew see yeou.
+Here's ther message Little Lina sends tew yeou by me, her husband. Sez
+she, 'take this tew him, an' when he sees the face o' my baby and knows
+thet we calls him Leetle Caleb, p'raps then he'll forgive yeou, Jim, fur
+takin' me away; an' come back tew us all. Tell him we want him the wust
+kind, Leetle Caleb an' Lina!'"
+
+He had thrust something into the hand of the old poacher as he spoke.
+Thad felt almost like giving vent into his overwrought feelings in a
+yell. Why, all the excitement attending the race with the forest fire
+had not been a circumstance to the thrill that swept over him when he
+saw that hard-hearted old man staring at the pictured faces of mother
+and child on that bit of cardboard, and then, filled with a return of
+the old love, pressing it wildly to his bearded lips.
+
+And Thad knew, just as Jim had said, that the message which Lina had
+sent in the form of her baby's picture, had broken down the barrier of
+the old man's pride and obstinacy; for in another moment he was
+squeezing Jim's hand convulsively.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+"HOME, SWEET HOME!"
+
+
+"Yes, I'll go home with yer, Jim! I shore I'm sick fur a sight o' my
+leetle gal. Lina's baby too--I'd be ther biggest fool in all Maine, not
+ter give in, arter yer kim up hyar, riskin' yer ears ter tell me
+_thet_! We'll jest try an' furgit what's gone by, Jim, an' start
+fresh. An' yer kin help me raise my foxes fur ther company thet's hired
+me fur five years ter run ther farm."
+
+That was what Old Cale was saying as he pumped the hand of the delighted
+and grinning Jim. And Thad was glad he was there to witness this joyous
+reconciliation.
+
+The fire had passed, and left them safe. Jim, when he could do so, made
+his way back to the cabin; and on his return announced that it was only
+a blackened ruin. Whereupon Old Cale sighed, and then seemed to look
+forward to a new home, in which there would be an abundance of sunshine,
+because Little Lina, and Caleb, the boy who was named after him, would
+reign there.
+
+They managed to spend the night somehow, and in the morning started back
+to the camp on the border of the lake; though after leaving the region
+where the fire had swept, they found the snow quite deep, and the going
+bad. But apparently the coming of the storm had extinguished the last
+lingering flames, so that the saving to the state of Maine was beyond
+computation.
+
+Arriving at the camp, Thad found the boys getting uneasy about him, and
+Eli about to start out to see if he could get trace of the absent ones.
+They understood that the distant fire, which had not come near them,
+must have been in the neighborhood of Old Cale's cabin, as described by
+Jim; and it was this that made them worry. But it was all right now, and
+they received the wanderers with hearty shouts.
+
+The story, upon being told by Thad, evoked renewed cheering, especially
+for the old poacher who had reformed, and was now going to show what he
+could do in a line that appealed to him especially, since he knew all
+about the woods' animals.
+
+Just as Thad had said while Cale was feeling his burns, and the bump on
+his head, he declared that nothing serious was the matter with him; and
+that even if there had been, the glorious news that Jim had brought, at
+such risk to himself, would have cured him effectually.
+
+"Well," said Giraffe, as they gathered around the supper that evening;
+"This is our last camp in Maine, seems like; for to-morrow Thad says we
+start for the railroad station at Eagle Lake, through Lake Winthrop; and
+soon we'll be booming along for home."
+
+"That sounds good to me, fellers," spoke up Bumpus. "Always did like my
+home pretty well, and it never seems half so nice as when you're away,
+trying to make out you're having a bunkum time sleeping on the hard
+ground, with roots diggin' holes in your sides; and all sorts of
+creepers crawlin' over your face. Home, sweet, sweet home for me, just
+now!"
+
+"But just remember that you owe us all a treat, Bumpus," spoke up Davy
+Jones.
+
+"Yes, we know Giraffe can make a fire that way now, because he showed us
+yesterday, as easy as anything; but when I tried it, never a spark could
+I get," and Step Hen looked disgusted because of his lack of knowledge.
+
+"Huh! you needn't feel bad," declared Giraffe. "If it took _me_ all
+that time to get on to the proper wrinkle, and me a regular fire fiend,
+how could you have the nerve to think you could hit her up the very
+first thing? But Bumpus ain't never going to question that I won that
+wager, fair and square. Only because if I hadn't, we'd a gone without a
+supper that night, and been near frozen in the bargain. Lots of things
+hinged on that fire, I'm telling you, fellers."
+
+"I should say they did," observed Bumpus, frankly. "Why, on'y for its
+cheery twinkle them two poachers, Si and Ed, wouldn't have known we were
+around; and you see how we'd have missed doin' that great stunt which
+will go down in the history of the Silver Fox Patrol as one of the
+shining examples----"
+
+"Oh! let up on that stuff, Bumpus, and help me to some more stew,"
+Giraffe broke in, as he passed his platter along.
+
+"Well," remarked Allan, "we've had a pretty good time of it up here, all
+told, counting the two separate trips we took. And it'll be a long time
+before we beat the record for big game we've made in Maine."
+
+But Allan did not know what was before the Silver Fox Patrol before many
+moons had passed, or he would not have uttered this rash prediction.
+When the summer holidays came along, they had another long journey in
+prospect, provided the money was received from the bank, that had been
+offered for the restoration of the securities carried off by the bold
+yeggmen captured by the scouts, and as related in the preceding volume
+of this series. This trip would take them many hundreds of miles from
+home, into a country toward which a number of the boys had long looked
+with yearning eyes. And that Thad and his chums were fated to meet with
+new and thrilling adventures that really exceeded any they had
+encountered before, the reader will doubtless admit if he but secures
+the succeeding volume to the present story, and which has been issued
+under the name of "The Boy Scouts Through the Big Timber; or, The Search
+for the Lost Tenderfoot."
+
+There is not a great deal more to add. Jim must have managed to send
+some sort of message home, for at a certain station further down the
+road, (after the boats had been shipped through as freight, the two
+guides and Old Cale accompanying the scouts on the regular train,) Jim
+said they would have to spend half an hour there, and that they might as
+well get out to stretch. And lo and behold, there came a girlish cry,
+and they saw a small figure flying straight toward Old Cale, bearing a
+small bundle, which she immediately pressed into the clumsy arms of the
+giant, who immediately wrapped mother and baby in a warm embrace.
+
+Of course it was Little Lina, and Caleb Jr.; and the boys all had to be
+introduced to Jim's wife. They parted from them there; but upon arriving
+home, one of the first things Thad and his chums did was to subscribe a
+round sum apiece, and send up the nicest baby's crib they could find in
+Cranford; for somehow they felt a personal interest in Little Caleb.
+
+Giraffe was feeling very proud those days. He had accomplished what
+looked like the impossible when he finally managed to make his "silly
+fire bow" work, and saved himself and Bumpus from going hungry and cold
+that night they were adrift in the Maine pine woods.
+
+Indeed, all of the boys had considerable to be proud of; and from that
+day until school finally began, after the trustees had declared the
+quarantine broken, each member of the Silver Fox Patrol was always the
+center of an admiring crowd of listeners whenever he went abroad.
+
+And the consequence was that a new patrol was quickly organized, eight
+fellows subscribing to the rules and regulations of the organization of
+Boy Scouts, and being mustered in during the winter as the Eagle Patrol
+of the Cranford Troop.
+
+"That's one of the best things that came out of our Maine trip," said
+Thad to his chum Allan, as they were on the way home from the meeting
+when those eight new members had been sworn in, and promised to live up
+to the rules laid down for the guidance of all scouts by the heads of
+the organization.
+
+"Well," replied the other, "I was looking back the other day, at the
+diary I kept while we were gone; and I find that a heap of things came
+out of that same hunt up among the pines of Maine. All of us felt better
+for the outing; more than one learned a lesson in perseverance that will
+follow him all his life; we did a good thing in capturing those hobo
+thieves, Charley Barnes and his crowd; then we made something of a
+record in hunting, you with your first moose, and Bumpus with that honey
+thief of a black bear; after that we helped wind up the poaching careers
+of Si Kedge and Ed Harkness; and last but not least, had a hand in
+bringing about that splendid family reunion that we saw on the platform,
+when we stepped off the train. On the whole, Thad, all of us ought to be
+mighty well satisfied with the way things have gone. I know I am."
+
+"And you can say the same for me," added the young scoutmaster. "But
+after all is said, I think the most wonderful thing to happen was how
+Giraffe, after missing fire a dozen times with his little bow and stick,
+should strike it _just right_ when it meant so much for him and
+Bumpus. And then Bumpus paid for that treat like a little man, saying it
+was worth it, ten times over, just to hear Giraffe _yell_ when he'd
+succeeded in making his tinder flame up without using a single match."
+
+And here we will leave the boys of the Silver Fox Patrol, to take up
+their further adventures in the succeeding volume.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Scouts in the Maine Woods, by 
+Herbert Carter
+
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