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diff --git a/37486-h/37486-h.htm b/37486-h/37486-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b12d5d6 --- /dev/null +++ b/37486-h/37486-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10465 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" > +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> + <meta content="The Outdoor Chums on the Lake" name="DC.Title"/> + <meta content="Quincy Allen" name="DC.Creator"/> + <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/> + <meta content="1911" name="DC.Created"/> + <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.23) generated Sep 19, 2011 07:59 PM" /> + <title>The Outdoor Chums on the Lake</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + p {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + position:absolute; right:2%; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; + font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none; + background-color:inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color:silver;} + h1 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.4em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h2 {text-align:left; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.2em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:bold; + font-size:0.9em; margin-top:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em;} + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none; border-top:thin dashed silver; clear:both;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + .center {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;} + .larger {font-size:larger;} + .smaller {font-size:smaller;} + table.c {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + .caption {font-size: 80%;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + div.center>:first-child {margin: .5em auto 0 auto;text-align:center;} + div.center p {margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Chums on the Lake, by Quincy Allen + +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 Outdoor Chums on the Lake + Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island + +Author: Quincy Allen + +Release Date: September 20, 2011 [EBook #37486] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i001' id='i001'></a> +<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt="THERE WERE A FEW SHOUTS FROM THE SHORE." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>THERE WERE A FEW SHOUTS FROM THE SHORE.</span> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>ON THE LAKE</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>OR</p> +<p> </p> +<p>Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.2em;'>By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>AUTHOR OF “THE OUTDOOR CHUMS,” “THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>FOREST,” “THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF,” ETC.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><em>ILLUSTRATED</em></p> +<p> </p> +<p>NEW YORK</p> +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p>PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-weight:bold;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN</p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'><em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, per volume, 40 cents postpaid.</em></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p>PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</p> +<p> </p> +<p>COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p> </p> +<p><em>The Outdoor Chums on the Lake</em></p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='table of contents'> +<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Burning Steamboat</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Two Clever Rogues</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>the Tell-tale Picture</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>19</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Paddle To Wildcat Island</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Strange Happening</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Frank Makes a Guess</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>49</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Exploring the Island</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Old Enemies Appear</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>69</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Guardians of the Camp</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Frank Tries To Figure It Out</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Recovering a Stolen Boat</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>98</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Down the Slope</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>106</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Wild Man Develops an Appetite</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bluff Takes Chances</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>122</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Playing the Game</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>131</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Signs That Spelled Trouble</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>142</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Deeper Into the Jungle</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>151</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Under the Cabin Wall</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Holding Bluff In</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Escape Of Jerry</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXX'>177</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Last Straw</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXI'>186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Holding the Fort</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXII'>194</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>the White Flag</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIII'>203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A New Alarm</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIV'>212</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Rescue—Conclusion</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXV'>221</a></td></tr> +</table> +<h1>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE</h1> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I—THE BURNING STEAMBOAT</h2> +<p> +“Hurry up, and give the signal, Frank!” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, let’s get the agony over with—either +Bluff is a better all-round paddler than I am, or +else he has to take water, that’s all!” +</p> +<p> +“Please hold your horses till I get a good focus +on you, fellows!” called Will Milton, the official +photographer of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. +</p> +<p> +He stood on a little private dock, overlooking +Lake Camalot, and manipulated his camera with +the air of a professional. +</p> +<p> +“Sorry, but you’ll have to wait a bit now, +boys,” replied Frank Langdon, the judge, who +was also seated in a cedar canoe very like those +of the contestants, only it was built for two, his +mate being Will. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span> +</p> +<p> +“What’s gone wrong now, Frank?” demanded +Jerry Wallington, with his double-bladed paddle +poised for the first dip. +</p> +<p> +“Why, look at the <em>Eastern Star</em>—she’s making +her first Spring trip around the lake, and +heads in a line to cut you off your course,” declared +the referee. +</p> +<p> +“So much the worse for the poor old boat; +we’ll just have to run her down,” calmly observed +the youth called Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“I was only thinking of your being swamped +in the rough water she leaves in her wake. Better +relax your muscles for a few minutes, you impatient +braves.” +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your hard luck, what d’ye +think of that? Why, the plagued old boat’s just +gone and stopped where she blocks us off in +our little spin,” grumbled Jerry, in plain disgust. +</p> +<p> +“That settles it, then; we’ll surely have to sink +her,” remarked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Hold on before you think of that. I’m afraid +there’s something wrong aboard, for Captain +Amos would never stop out there on the lake—at +least I never knew him to do such a thing +before,” said Frank, standing up in the canoe +to see better. +</p> +<p> +“Say, fellows, isn’t that smoke coming out of +the cabin?” demanded Will. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span> +</p> +<p> +“Smoke—why, perhaps the old tinderbox is +afire!” ejaculated Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Let’s paddle out and see; perhaps we can be +of some help!” cried Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Come on, then!” +</p> +<p> +“Hey! you fellers hold on; where do I come +in?” shouted Will. +</p> +<p> +“You stay on the dock and get a snapshot of +the whole circus!” answered the unfeeling Jerry, +as he spurted away, urging his dainty craft along +with rapid strokes of his spruce blade. +</p> +<p> +“Marooned, I declare,” muttered Will; “but +perhaps I can improve the opportunity and get a +picture that will go down in the history of steamboating +on Lake Camalot.” +</p> +<p> +The three lads fairly flew over the intervening +water, which was almost smooth, as the breeze +hardly created a ripple on the surface. +</p> +<p> +Frank, having a larger boat to manage, fell +behind a trifle; but his arms were seasoned in +all manner of work, and he kept tagging along +close in the rear. +</p> +<p> +Apparently there was need for alarm, as the +smoke had rapidly increased in volume, and was +now pouring out of the little steamer. +</p> +<p> +At the same time they could plainly hear the +shouts of excited men; while the shriller voices +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span> +that arose told that there were women passengers +aboard. +</p> +<p> +Dashing up to the side of the boat the boys +scrambled aboard, hastily securing their canoes +to any object that promised temporary anchorage. +</p> +<p> +Then they hurried to the cabin. +</p> +<p> +Here they found a scene of the utmost confusion. +Men were trying to dash buckets of water +upon the fire, which seemed to have gotten quite +a foothold. It even looked as though the first +trip of the little <em>Eastern Star</em> this season would +prove to be her last. +</p> +<p> +Captain Amos was plainly badly rattled by this +sudden emergency, though he was working like +a trooper to extinguish the flames, and leading +his two assistants, the engineer and deckhand, in +gallant rushes almost into the fire, where the contents +of the buckets they carried seemed to do +little or no good. +</p> +<p> +Frank Langdon was possessed of a cool head +in emergencies that called for tact. He made +an astonishing discovery as soon as he arrived +upon the scene of action. This consisted of the +fact that in the tremendous excitement, with the +passengers shrieking in his ears, the captain had +entirely forgotten the fact that the boat was +equipped with fire extinguishers. +</p> +<p> +“Here, fellows, get busy, strap this on my back, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span> +and then get another. We’ve got to put out this +fire or some one will be burned to death, or +drowned. Don’t let any woman jump overboard!” +he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +Jerry and Bluff seemed to catch some of the +spirit that animated their leader. They succeeded +in fastening the extinguisher to his back, even +though their hands trembled while so doing. +</p> +<p> +No sooner had this been done before Frank +was off, rushing directly toward the spot where +the flames seemed to have taken hold most +fiercely. +</p> +<p> +It was rather appalling, but somehow or +other the sight of the brave boy, equipped for +mastering the mounting flames, caused a little +cheer to arise from the excited passengers. +</p> +<p> +As soon as the prepared liquid from the little +apparatus began to spread over the fire, its ardor +was immediately checked. By the time Jerry +rushed alongside, similarly equipped, Frank was +getting the better of the conflagration. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t stop with the water, Captain Amos!” +shouted Frank, knowing that if their extinguishers +gave out before the fire was fully under control +it might spring up again into new life. +</p> +<p> +“Away, boys! Hand up the buckets!” cried +the captain. +</p> +<p> +Several of the male passengers, having by now +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span> +partly recovered from their panic, started in to +assist. Between the whole lot the water came +faster, and in less than ten minutes the fire was +practically out. +</p> +<p> +There had been some damage done, but nothing +to seriously injure the steamboat; and a carpenter +could make repairs while the vessel was +covering a few daily runs in this balmy April +weather. +</p> +<p> +Captain Amos now found a chance to rush up +to Frank, and shake his hand vigorously. +</p> +<p> +He was a bluff chap, not much older than +Frank, a very good steamboatman, only that he +seemed apt to lose his head in a crisis, which +after all, must be a grave fault. +</p> +<p> +“Bully for you, Frank! Your coming saved +the boat, I believe. I’ll never forget it, I tell +you. Was just about to lay hold of those fire +extinguishers when your crowd forestalled me. +It was a rough deal all around. With those +women shrieking, and holding on to me, begging +me to save them, a fellow might be excused for +being a little slow to do the right thing. And +you, too, Jerry and Bluff—shake hands!” +</p> +<p> +“What set the boat afire?” asked the curious +Bluff, immediately. +</p> +<p> +The captain shook his head. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t believe it was an accident. We have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span> +always been mighty careful about leaving any +waste around where it could start into a flame. +Besides, if you notice, boys, you can see that it +started close to the cabin, and not near the boiler.” +</p> +<p> +Captain Amos involuntarily lowered his voice +and glanced suspiciously around while speaking. +His manner thrilled the boys as they had seldom +been before. +</p> +<p> +“Not an accident! Tell me about that, will +you? Do you mean that you believe some one +set the boat afire?” exclaimed Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t speak so loud, please. That is what +I think. Unless it was intentional, I can’t imagine +how the thing started,” answered the young +captain, who was still much excited after his +recent experience. +</p> +<p> +“But it seems monstrous. Who would be +guilty of such a terrible thing?” asked Frank, +possibly dimly suspecting that the other might +be seeking to cover up some lack of proper caution +on his part, though that was not like Amos +Short. +</p> +<p> +“Say, did your crew mutiny?” gasped Bluff, +whose eyes were wide open with wonder over +this new development of the affair, and who had +lately been doing considerable reading of sea +tales. +</p> +<p> +“Well, hardly. I only have the engineer, an +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> +old faithful fellow; the pilot, who stuck to his +post through it all, and would have run us +ashore if the worst came; and one deck hand, +a darky,” he replied warmly. +</p> +<p> +“Then it was a passenger, you think?” demanded +Frank, determined to get at the bottom +of this new mystery. +</p> +<p> +“Well, none of my pay passengers. Listen +and I’ll tell you. This being the first trip this +year we were not so particular about taking pay. +At Newtonport a couple of tramps got aboard. +When I went to collect their fares they said they +had no money, but wanted to get across the lake +to Centerville. Rather than have a disturbance +on board I allowed them to remain, cautioning +them to stay below near the engine.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps you are right, Captain; but what +could be their object in firing your boat?” asked +Frank. +</p> +<p> +One of the passengers hurriedly approached +at this moment. He was plainly much excited, +and as the fire was completely out it could not +have been from that cause. +</p> +<p> +“Captain, before you get into Centerville I +demand that you have every person on board this +boat searched!” he exclaimed vigorously. +</p> +<p> +“Searched, Mr. Pemberton—what do you +mean?” exclaimed the captain, in dismay. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span> +</p> +<p> +“Because, sir, my luggage has been opened +while we were all excited about the fire, and my +property scattered about. I have been robbed +of something that was worth considerable money +to me, sir. And I intend to hold you and your +steamboat company liable for damages!” he cried +indignantly. +</p> +<p> +The captain looked at Frank—here then was +an explanation of the sudden fire! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II—TWO CLEVER ROGUES</h2> +<p> +“This is a serious charge, Mr. Pemberton!” +said the captain, in a low voice. +</p> +<p> +“But I mean it, every word, sir. I tell you +I have lost certain articles that represent a large +amount of money to me. And I shall proceed +against your company unless they are recovered,” +declared the passenger, angrily. +</p> +<p> +Frank believed he recognized in this party a +traveling agent who visited the jewelers in the +lake towns several times a year. This being the +case it was easy to understand that the packet +which he complained was stolen, might have +contained precious stones, or something along +that line. +</p> +<p> +“Stop and make sure before you say that, Mr. +Pemberton,” remarked the captain, turning pale +at the threat; for under the circumstances such +an action against the company might lose him his +comfortable berth. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span> +</p> +<p> +For once his good-heartedness seemed to have +placed him in a predicament. According to the +plain rules of the company it should have been +his business, upon being refused the proper fare +by the two ugly tramps, to have called upon his +crew to assist him in putting them ashore, or getting +rid of them somehow, even if he had to +throw them overboard. +</p> +<p> +“I know just what I am saying, sir; the packet +is gone, and I am ready to swear that I left it +in my bag,” replied the other, firmly. +</p> +<p> +“But consider, sir, that in all this excitement +a man might lose his head. Just as likely as not +you may have done something with the packet +yourself. It would seem to be the first thing a +man might think of.” +</p> +<p> +Captain Amos was arguing with a view to +shifting the blame; but he had a positive customer +to deal with in Mr. Pemberton. The other +shook his head and frowned. +</p> +<p> +“I insist upon every one being searched before +they leave the boat,” he said. “No honest person +will object to such a course, I feel sure; and it +is the only safe way. And you yourself should +be the one to do the job, Captain, in the interest +of your company—of course with the assent of +the passengers and crew.” +</p> +<p> +The commander of the boat somehow at this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span> +juncture looked at Frank, just as if he sought +advice from this source. +</p> +<p> +“It is the right thing to do, Captain,” that +party hastened to say, “and as for my two chums +and myself we would like you to begin right +now with us.” +</p> +<p> +“There is no necessity in your case, my boy; +for you have been under my eye all the time you +were aboard, and we owe you much,” the gentleman +hastened to exclaim. +</p> +<p> +“Nevertheless, if any are to be searched all +should be without a single exception, to make it +fair. But it strikes me, Mr. Pemberton, that +the captain already has a pretty good idea as to +who took your valuables, if they have been stolen, +and not lost overboard in the confusion,” remarked +Frank, calmly. +</p> +<p> +The traveling jeweler whirled upon the officer. +</p> +<p> +“How is this, Captain?” he demanded, anxiously. +</p> +<p> +“We were just wondering how the fire +started,” the other explained, “and I declared it +could not have come from any carelessness of +my crew, and that there was no chance of an +accident. In a word, sir, I vowed the fire must +be of incendiary origin. Frank, here, and his +friends were asking what reason any one would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +have for setting this boat on fire, when you +rushed up stating your loss.” +</p> +<p> +“I begin to grasp your meaning. It implies +that in order to cover up their robbery the thieves +started this fire, thinking that if the boat burned +no one might be the wiser. That looks very +plausible. Did I understand this boy to say you +had an idea concerning the identity of the criminal?” +Mr. Pemberton asked eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I believe I have,” said Captain Amos, +sturdily. +</p> +<p> +“Then I demand that you place him under +arrest immediately, before he can escape with +my property. Is there more than one concerned, +do you think? Ah! I have an idea I know whom +you mean—the two tramps who came aboard at +Newtonport?” +</p> +<p> +“Exactly. They are the ones I suspect. It +would be easy to start such a blaze undetected, +for no one would be dreaming of such rascality,” +replied the officer. +</p> +<p> +“And taking advantage of the sudden confusion,” +went on the passenger, “when men and +women were shouting, and rushing frantically +about, they must have searched my luggage purposely, +knowing that I was carrying a valuable +packet in my bag.” +</p> +<p> +“That would appear to cover the case, sir. In +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span> +the light of this explanation do you still insist +upon every one being searched?” demanded Captain +Amos. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Pemberton also looked toward Frank, although, +perhaps, unconsciously. The latter +smiled and hastened to remark: +</p> +<p> +“I really believe that what the captain says +may be the true explanation of both the fire and +the robbery, Mr. Pemberton. And in that case +the arrest of the tramps will bring your valuables +to light.” +</p> +<p> +“Provided they have not gone overboard by +accident,” the captain could not resist saying, +with pointed emphasis. +</p> +<p> +The passenger shook his head doggedly, and +said: +</p> +<p> +“There is not the slightest chance of that, sir. +I vow I was not once near the spot where my +luggage was piled up from the first cry of fire +until just now, when I went to see that my things +were safe. Surely I would know it if I had gone +there.” +</p> +<p> +“Besides, Captain, unless I’m mistaken this +gentleman was the only one among the passengers +who seemed to have his senses; I am sure +I saw him helping to pass the buckets of water +along,” remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Right you are, son,” said the gentleman, with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span> +a faint smile; “for that is a fact. I forgot that +I even had any luggage aboard, and the cries +of those poor frightened women got on my nerves +so that I was bound to do all I could to assist +in saving the boat. Now, Captain Amos, I am +disposed to go as easy with you as possible, but +something must be done before you order the +boat into Centerville!” +</p> +<p> +“I’m willing to do anything that seems right, +only tell me what you wish,” replied the officer, +promptly. +</p> +<p> +“If those ugly-looking customers are guilty, +they must be apprehended before they have a +chance to secrete the goods,” vouchsafed Mr. +Pemberton. +</p> +<p> +“I agree with you. The only question is, ought +we try and do it here, or wait until we reach +the wharf, where we will find the constable waiting, +as he always is when the <em>Eastern Star</em> +arrives?” +</p> +<p> +“It might be safer to wait,” admitted the passenger, +“but in that event the rogues will be given +a chance to hide the packet, perhaps, about the +boat, trusting to getting it another time. Then, +as we would have no evidence that they were +guilty, we could not hold them.” +</p> +<p> +“What do you say, Frank?” asked the captain, +turning to the leader of the chums, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +by that action admitting that he entertained great +respect for the opinion of the boy who had done +so much to save the steamboat. +</p> +<p> +“I think the gentleman is right,” came the +quick response. +</p> +<p> +“That we ought to search the tramps now,” +queried the captain, anxiously; for he felt certain +that this move would bring on a fight, which +might add still further to the excitement of the +already terrified women aboard. +</p> +<p> +“Undoubtedly. Just as he says, they might +think it good policy to conceal their plunder somewhere +about the boat, hoping to get it later on, +after the excitement had died out. And if you +want any help in doing that same thing, Captain, +count on myself and two chums.” +</p> +<p> +The answer came so readily from the lips of +the canoeist that Captain Amos was almost overcome. +He thrust out his hand impulsively, exclaiming: +</p> +<p> +“Say, that’s awful kind of you, Frank. We +may need your assistance, for, to tell the truth, +those hoboes looked mighty tough, and I reckon +they’ll put up some sort of a fight before giving +in. I only hope they don’t happen to have any +sort of guns about them. Wait till I call up +Simmons the engineer, Codding the pilot, and +Adolphus the coon deckhand. If Mr. Pemberton gives +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span> +us a hand we will have eight to cow +the rascals.” +</p> +<p> +“We will need the whole bunch if they are +half as tough as you say, Captain,” declared +Jerry, anxious to be heard. +</p> +<p> +The captain beckoned, and a negro boy came +running up. +</p> +<p> +“Go and tell the pilot and engineer to come +here at once, and you accompany them,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“Yas, sah!” replied the willing worker, shooting +away with a look of curiosity toward the +others, as if wondering what new trouble had +arisen. +</p> +<p> +“That boy was working all the time, I believe,” +said Mr. Pemberton, thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> +“Who, Adolphus?” asked the captain; “every +minute at my side; and I’d trust him with every +penny I owned. But here he comes, and both +men are with him. Now we can get ready to +look for those ragged tramps, and corner them.” +</p> +<p> +“H’m! when did you see them last?” asked +Frank, starting suddenly, as if he had made an +unpleasant discovery. +</p> +<p> +“Certainly not since the cry of fire first broke +out. But what makes you ask such a question, +Frank?” demanded the captain, showing new +alarm. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I have an idea that it may be some little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span> +time before you get a chance to round those +scamps up, and proceed with your search. They +are the busy boys all right, and while we’ve been +talking matters over here the hobo couple have +been <em>doing</em> things. Look there, Captain, half +way to the other shore, and tell me what you +see!” and Frank pointed as he spoke. +</p> +<p> +Immediately a chorus of exclamations arose. +</p> +<p> +“As sure as you live, there they go like hot +cakes!” cried Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about nerve, if they haven’t +‘cribbed’ Frank and Will’s double canoe!” came +from Jerry’s lips, as he stared at the retreating +object. +</p> +<p> +“And just notice, fellows, that both of them +paddle as if they knew all about canoes. Those +hoboes have done some camping in their day, as +sure as you live!” observed Frank, always on the +lookout for these telling points. +</p> +<p> +“Say, do we stand here and let them get clean +away without lifting a hand?” exclaimed Bluff, +piteously. +</p> +<p> +“Hardly. Into your canoes, boys, and after +the thieves at full speed!” cried Frank. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III—THE TELL-TALE PICTURE</h2> +<p> +Once again all was excitement aboard the +steamboat. +</p> +<p> +Jerry and Bluff dropped into their frail craft +with the practiced balance of experienced canoeists. +Frank did not mean to be left behind in +the wild race, managed to occupy a place +in the craft of Jerry. He seized upon the single +paddle, intending to work his passage, and make +up for the additional burden. +</p> +<p> +As they started off they could hear the captain +giving orders to the crew. +</p> +<p> +“He means to turn the boat around, and start +after the thieves himself!” cried Jerry, as he +dipped his double-blade swiftly on one side and +then the other. +</p> +<p> +Both little mosquito craft were by this time +fairly flying through the water. As those who +wielded the paddles faced forward they were able +to see what progress they made all the time +toward overhauling the escaping hoboes. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span> +</p> +<p> +“Not much hope,” declared Frank, finally. +</p> +<p> +“They’re two-thirds of the way in to shore. +We are gaining, but not enough by half to overhaul +them,” announced Bluff, making valiant +progress. +</p> +<p> +“Tell me about this, but I hope Will sees his +opportunity to snap off a good view. This has +your race beat to a frazzle, Bluff!” shouted Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“There comes the steamboat! The captain is +heading to cut them off,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“But he’s too far away. Besides, it’s too shallow +in there, and if he knows his business he’ll +never try to go much closer. A fire is bad +enough, not to speak of a stranded boat,” observed +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +The two men in the double canoe were working +like steam-engines to make progress. They +handled the paddles fairly well in unison, and as +Frank had said, showed a familiarity with the +blades that spoke of former experiences. +</p> +<p> +As the three boys paddled on they saw the +leading canoe shoot up on the shelving beach. +Then the tramps scrambled ashore. +</p> +<p> +“Hold on there, you!” bellowed Bluff, in his +excitement; “we want to talk with you!” +</p> +<p> +For answer the two men only made derisive +motions. Then they vanished in the thick +timber. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> +</p> +<p> +“They’re gone, all right, boys. I reckon it will +take some hunting to find such slippery rascals +again,” remarked Frank, with a laugh; for it +was not his packet that had been stolen, and he +had no reason to be deeply concerned. +</p> +<p> +“What will we do now?” demanded Bluff, +looking as disappointed as though he had just +lost a race. +</p> +<p> +“Recover our canoe, and put across the lake to +where Will stands on that dock.” +</p> +<p> +“But see here, Frank, do you mean to let those +fellows get away?” asked Jerry. +</p> +<p> +Jerry was always the impulsive one of the +four chums. His characteristic temperament +often got him into hot water. Only the preceding +Fall when the boys had taken a trip into the +woods, owing to a storm unroofing the Academy +at Centerville, as narrated in the preceding volume +of this series, entitled “The Outdoor Chums; +or, First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera +Club,” he had found himself precipitated into +numerous difficulties because of this failing. +Frank was frequently compelled to restrain this +impulsiveness on the part of his chum. On this +camping trip they had met with many strange +adventures, including an invasion of the camp +by a wildcat, a bear and also some enemies who +wished to do them harm by setting fire to their +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +tents; Jerry had lost himself in the forest and +encountered numerous exciting adventures, and +there had followed a series of mishaps that had +all winter long given the chums a subject for +entertainment and discussion. +</p> +<p> +Frank was pleased to find that the tramps had +not been vindictive enough to try and do any +harm to the frail craft in which they had made +their escape from the steamboat. +</p> +<p> +For this he was disposed to feel a little kindly +toward them. It also made him more convinced +than ever that they must have a tender spot in +their evil hearts for a canoe, and could not bear +to smash up such a delicate little craft. +</p> +<p> +The steamboat was lying off-shore, and our +boys headed in such a direction that they could +talk back in answer to any questions asked by +the captain. +</p> +<p> +“Did they get clean away?” called the commander +of the boat, using his hands in lieu of +a megaphone. +</p> +<p> +“I reckon they did, Captain. They skipped +into the timber, and that was the last thing we +saw of them,” replied Frank, pausing for a +minute in his labor. +</p> +<p> +“That’s bad. We were in hopes you could +capture them,” said the other, looking plainly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +worried over what future troubles were in store +for his company. +</p> +<p> +“Boys, I thank you for the trouble you took, +and hope to see you again,” shouted Mr. Pemberton. +“I’m going to get off at Centerville, and +engage the sheriff to hunt high and low for those +rascals. If you hear of anything, please look me +up. It is mighty important that I recover possession +of that missing packet.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, we’ll be glad to do so, sir. We +expect to spend the Easter holidays in the woods +somewhere along the lake, and it’s just possible +we may run across those two hoboes again,” answered +Frank, dipping his paddle in deeply again, +and sending his boat after those of his companions +that were flying on ahead. +</p> +<p> +They allowed him to catch up, for Jerry wanted +to ask a question or two. +</p> +<p> +“Say, do you really suppose we could meet +with those scamps again?” he said, eagerness +showing in his eyes; for Jerry loved excitement, +though fond of calling himself a square sportsman, +always giving the game every possible +chance. +</p> +<p> +“About one chance in ten; still, it’s there. If +they hang around here for any reason, and we’re +in the woods, you can see we might run across +the couple,” replied the other, quietly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span> +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your volunteer fire companies, +I reckon we’ve got a cinch on the prize +for rapid work,” cried Jerry. “Only for you, +Frank, that blessed old <em>Eastern Star</em> was sure +bound to go up in smoke. The company ought to +vote you a medal.” +</p> +<p> +“And there’s poor Will standing on the deck +waiting for us to come in and tell him what all +this fuss is about,” remarked Bluff, as they drew +near the shore. +</p> +<p> +“Hello! you runaways, what in the wide world +was all that row out there?” demanded the +stranded canoeist, as the others glided in close to +the little wharf upon which he was sitting with +his legs dangling over, and the precious camera +gripped tight in his hands. +</p> +<p> +“All sorts of things happening. The boat was +on fire, and Frank here settled that by grabbing +up an extinguisher and turning the hose on the +flames, while the crew was handling the buckets. +The whole thing would have gone up if we hadn’t +arrived just in time. Then there was a robbery +aboard,” said Bluff, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“What! a robbery? Do you really mean it?” +gasped Will. +</p> +<p> +“Certainly. A jewelry salesman had a valuable +packet stolen from his stateroom. It is believed +that the fire was started just to cover the robbery. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> +While we were talking over matters, trying to +get the facts straight, and decided on arresting +a couple of hoboes aboard who were suspected +of doing the job, they ran away with the double +canoe, and escaped into the woods across +yonder,” went on Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Two hoboes! Why, I saw them standing at +the side of the steamboat looking down at the +canoes. They’ll appear in the picture I took +just then, for the smoke was rolling up, and the +view was magnificent,” declared Will. +</p> +<p> +Frank started and looked hastily out upon the +lake. +</p> +<p> +“I’m afraid it would be too far to recognize +the features of any one, even if you caught a +first-class view,” he remarked. +</p> +<p> +“Still there’s a little chance. A magnifier or +reading-glass might bring it out strong enough. +Anyhow, I’m going right home and make the try, +fellows. My roll is finished, and I might as well +develop it now as later.” +</p> +<p> +“Bring it around to-night when we meet at my +house to talk over our camping trip for the +Easter holidays,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Where do you think we’ll go, boys?” asked +Bluff, anxiously. +</p> +<p> +“For myself I’m in favor of Wildcat Island +at the southern end of the lake. Somehow, nobody +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span> +ever goes there, and we could have a great +time, I imagine,” remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, especially with the wild man that they +say has his den somewhere on that same old +island,” remarked Bluff, shrugging his shoulders, +as if the idea did not strike him favorably. +</p> +<p> +“Talk about your circus, a wild man appeals +to me every time!” said Jerry. “I’m in favor +of going there, particularly because it offers a +chance for excitement. Suppose we captured this +<em>thing</em> and found that it was a big monkey or +orang-outang that had escaped from some menagerie +long ago, wouldn’t that be something to +shout over? Me for Wildcat Island. How about +you, Will?” +</p> +<p> +“To tell the truth I’ve always wanted to get +some good views of that lonely place, and I’ll +vote in favor of going there,” returned the young +photographer. +</p> +<p> +Bluff turned anxiously toward Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Are you backing these desperate schemers up +in this madness, Frank?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’d like to explore that place very +much. No one has ever done it, so far as I can +learn. Some say the island is haunted; others +that there are rattlers in plenty there, besides +furious wildcats; and then there’s this story told +about a wild man who has been seen several times +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +on the shore of the island. Why, yes, I’m in +favor of going there to-morrow, when we start +out.” +</p> +<p> +Bluff threw up both hands. +</p> +<p> +“I give in. Three against one settles the matter +for keeps. Wildcat Island it is then for the +Easter camp. But I refuse to accept any of the +responsibility for whatever may happen,” declared +Bluff, firmly. +</p> +<p> +“Speak to me about a quitter, will you? +Listen to him knuckling down before we even +make a start. He claims to have bigger lungs +than me, does he? I’ll have to admit that he +can make a lot more noise when it comes to +squealing.” +</p> +<p> +Bluff Masters turned upon the other indignantly, +as he exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“Wait and see who turns white first when that +wild man bobs up. My lungs are in better shape +than yours, and I can prove it any old day. There +goes Will off, and I’m for following him. Bring +a print of each picture around to-night, old chap.” +</p> +<p> +“Sure. And let’s hope they turn out decent,” +answered the other, waving a hand as he moved +away in the direction of town, leaving it to Frank +to paddle the big canoe to the landing where they +kept the cedar craft when not in the boathouse +of the club. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank was a busy fellow during the remainder +of the day. He had the job of laying in the +stores that were to see them through a whole +week in camp; and when four boys get out in +the open for that length of time it is simply +astonishing what an amount of food they can +dispose of. +</p> +<p> +But Frank had spent many a night under canvas +and bark covers in Maine, and, in fact, there +was little about camping he did not know. At +the same time he always made it a point to ask +questions whenever he ran across any one who +had also been through the mill; for in this way +even veterans may learn new wrinkles by exchanging +ideas. +</p> +<p> +About eight o’clock, Jerry and Will came in +together, as they lived close to one another. Bluff +was not a minute behind them, anxious for a view +of the pictures that had been taken that day. +</p> +<p> +“Say, how did they turn out?” he demanded, +as soon as he entered the room where Will was +opening an envelope, and Frank handling a large +reading-glass. +</p> +<p> +“Just bully, that’s what. Never got better results. +The water was in a beautiful ripple, you +see, and that always adds to a picture. Here, +take a look, fellows,” with which remark Will +scattered a lot of prints on the table. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span> +</p> +<p> +He had certainly become quite a clever hand +at both developing his films and printing his +pictures, for the results were as clear as a bell. +</p> +<p> +“They do look fine,” commented Frank, as he +commenced to shuffle them over; “and the smoke +is pouring out of that old steamboat at a great +rate. I’m looking for the one you spoke about, +where those hoboes are standing in the sunlight +on the edge of the burning boat. Here it is. +Jerry, you would be apt to know better than I +could if either of these fellows has a familiar +face. Take a look.” +</p> +<p> +“If he don’t, perhaps I may. I’ve lived around +here three days longer than he ever did,” +grumbled Bluff. +</p> +<p> +Jerry bent down closer and continued to stare +through the reading-glass. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your luck, boys, this beats +the band!” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“Do you recognize one of them, then?” asked +Frank, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Sure I do, and I’m surprised Captain Amos +didn’t. The dumpy one is Waddy Walsh, the +bad egg, who was sent to the reform school three +years ago. He must have escaped somehow, +and joined the army of tramps on the road,” +declared Jerry, positively. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV—THE PADDLE TO WILDCAT ISLAND</h2> +<p> +“Waddy Walsh!” exclaimed Bluff, showing +sudden interest. “Let me look, Jerry!” +</p> +<p> +“Will you give an honest opinion, regardless +of any bias, one way or the other?” demanded the +other, whose father was a leading lawyer in +Centerville. +</p> +<p> +“Of course I will. What do you take me for, +anyway?” replied Bluff, aggrieved. +</p> +<p> +“Then look, and tell the truth, the whole truth, +and nothing but the truth,” and Jerry handed him +the reading-glass. +</p> +<p> +“Well, what’s the verdict?” asked Frank, after +Bluff had studied the picture for a full minute. +</p> +<p> +“I won’t be as positive as our friend here, but +I’m inclined to think that it may be Waddy, all +right; anyhow, he’s about his size, and there’s +something in his way of standing that reminds +me of the fellow,” announced Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your hedging, what d’ye +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +think of that? Of course it’s Waddy, as big as +life, grown somewhat, and with torn clothes and +dirty face; but I’d know his attitude among a +dozen. Consider that point settled, Frank.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, it doesn’t matter much to us at all. If +the sheriff, Mr. Dodd, manages to catch up with +the runaways, Mr. Waddy will have a chance to +go back to where he came from—the reform +school. Now, let’s drop those two, and talk over +our proposed visit to Wildcat Island,” remarked +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Have you got all the supplies?” asked Will. +</p> +<p> +“Here’s the list. Look it over, and if anybody +wants to suggest other things all they have +to do is to put them down. We’re willing to lug +stuff there to the limit of our canoes,” answered +Frank. +</p> +<p> +When they had made all arrangements the +meeting was adjourned to the time when they expected +to start from the boathouse just after +noon on the following day. +</p> +<p> +“How about the weather—do we go, regardless?” +asked Will, again. +</p> +<p> +“True canoeists laugh at the weather. Come +rain, come storm, they buck up against whatever +the day brings forth. At one, then, every fellow +be on hand. I’ll have the supplies there before +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +that. I’ve got a surprise in store for you boys, +too,” remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Tell me about that, will you; he’s going to +let us lie awake all night trying to guess the +great conundrum. Say, it hasn’t anything to +do with the girls coming over some day to take +dinner with us, has it?” asked Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! say, that would be immense, only too +good to be true,” cried Bluff, who, be it known, +was rather inclined to be sweet on Frank’s only +sister, Nellie. +</p> +<p> +“They’ve promised to come, all right; but this +has nothing to do with that. You just wait and +see, that’s all I’ll say. Now come into the front +room, fellows. Nellie has had several friends +over, and we’re going to make a delightful +evening of it.” +</p> +<p> +Frank would not listen to any protest, but +ushered his three chums into the parlor where +they found four lively girls enjoying themselves +with music, and waiting for the meeting of the +club to come to an end. +</p> +<p> +For the next hour they romped as only a lot of +young people may, for whom the morrow has no +terrors. Will’s twin sister, Violet, was, of course, +there, as were Mame Crosby and Susie Prescott, +the former of whom was never so happy as when +teasing Jerry, and getting him to “spout” after +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> +the fashion of his learned father when pleading +for a prisoner before the bar. +</p> +<p> +It was about half-past ten that they separated, +after enjoying some simple refreshments in the +way of cake and lemonade. +</p> +<p> +The boys saw the girls home, Will taking his +sister; while Bluff, secretly informing Nellie +Langdon that he only did it out of pure courtesy, +saw that Susie was properly escorted through +the quiet streets of Centerville, and reached her +father’s house in safety. +</p> +<p> +When Frank reached the boathouse, just at +half-past twelve on the following day, he found +all of his companions there ahead of him. +</p> +<p> +“You slow coach, think we’ve got the whole +afternoon to get started?” demanded Bluff, who +was bustling around as usual, yet accomplishing +very little. +</p> +<p> +“Well, if you examine closer you’ll find that +I’ve been here most of the morning, and packed +the things in several bundles. These go in the +big canoe; those yonder you must stow away, +Bluff, while Jerry will take care of the rest,” +replied Frank, paying little attention to the way +in which he was addressed, because he knew it +was mere talk, and no slur intended. +</p> +<p> +“Sure you didn’t miss anything?” asked Jerry, +smiling grimly; for he pretended to scorn this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> +wholesale carrying of stuff into the woods, and +always declared he could exist happily with a +blanket, a coffee-pot, a frying-pan, some salt and +pepper, coffee and ship biscuit, depending on rod +and gun to supply all else. +</p> +<p> +Nevertheless, when the “duffle” was lugged +into the woods he considered it a sacred duty to +do his utmost to lessen the supplies, possibly for +fear they would have to “tote” them out again, +as Bluff used to sarcastically remark. +</p> +<p> +“Not that I know of. If you are afraid, why +we might go over the list again, and see what +else we can use,” said Frank, with a wink toward +Will. +</p> +<p> +“I beg of you don’t. My poor canoe would +sink of fright or freight. Besides, I want you to +notice that it’s kind of rough out on the lake, +and as it stands we’re taking big chances of being +swamped. Come on, fellows, load your cargo!” +called Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“What’s this funny bundle in our boat?” demanded +Will, suddenly. +</p> +<p> +“Ask no questions and I’ll give you no yarns. +Just possess your souls in patience, and you’ll see +after a while,” came Frank’s answer, as he went +on loading systematically, taking heed of the fact +that they would need to buck up against some +rather heavy seas from the south while on the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> +way, and that everything must be protected from +the wet by covers. +</p> +<p> +“I bet it’s a new patent stove he’s got along,” +suggested Will. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! that’s in my boat already. It burns +kerosene, and makes a blue gas. Frank says it’s +the boss in rainy weather, with those aluminum +camp kettles for cooking. I reckon it must be +a box of cake and pies the girls have supplied,” +ventured Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“You’re away off, for they’re going to bring +those things when they come. Besides, this isn’t +in the shape of a box at all,” laughed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“That’s a fact, and it looks more like a spare +blanket or two,” came from Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Well, give it up, boys. I don’t believe you’d +guess in a month of Sundays. Now, are you all +ready?” queried the leader of the club, as he +took up his paddle and prepared to look after the +port side while Will worked the starboard. +</p> +<p> +Frank, being the more experienced of the +twain, had the stern seat, as that is usually considered +the post of greater responsibility in clearing +rocks while running rapids, and generally +guiding the craft. +</p> +<p> +“Say when!” called Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“The <em>Red Rover</em> is ready to meet the storm!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span> +announced Bluff, whose little craft had a narrow +band of red around its gunwale. +</p> +<p> +“Go!” +</p> +<p> +The four paddles dipped deeply into the +water, and simultaneously the little canoes +started into the teeth of the wind. There were +a few shouts from the shore, and considerable +waving of snowy ’kerchiefs from a group of girls +standing before Frank’s house, which latter +brought a series of salutes from the paddlers until +the commodore of the flotilla sternly warned +them that unless they paid more attention to what +they were doing an upset would mark the beginning +of their Spring outing. +</p> +<p> +After that they kept their eyes straight ahead. +And, indeed, there was really need for all attention, +since the waves were running quite high +for such small vessels to meet. Still, a canoe, if +properly handled, can live in a sea that will sink +a much larger boat; since the tiny cedar craft +mounts to the crests of the waves with the buoyancy +of a cork. +</p> +<p> +They paddled strenuously for an hour toward +the south, and by that time were beginning to feel +their muscles growing somewhat sore. The season +was young, and they had not as yet become +wholly accustomed to hard manual labor, though +all of them used the school gymnasium through +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +the winter months in the endeavor to keep in +condition. +</p> +<p> +“Talk about your combers, these are the real +thing,” grunted Jerry, as he shot up on the crest +of a wave, from which exalted position he had +a fleeting view of the island dead ahead; and +was then swept down into what seemed to be +a valley. +</p> +<p> +The fact that each boat was so heavily laden +added to the danger of their swamping if once +they turned sideways to the seas, or broached +to; but the boys were conscious of this ever-impending +peril, and fought tooth and nail to prevent +it. +</p> +<p> +Wildcat Island was quite a large piece of +ground, standing in the lake at some little distance +from either shore, but much nearer the +western one, that upon which the town of Newtonport +was situated, with its distant range of +hills, called the Sunset Mountains by the natives. +</p> +<p> +This island lay not far from the foot of the +lake, while another, going by the name of Snake +Island, was situated close to the lumber camp +at the head of the body of water, which was some +ten miles long by between one and two wide. +</p> +<p> +With a strong south wind blowing, a heavy sea +could be kicked up, though naturally this would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span> +be found much worse the farther up the lake one +went. +</p> +<p> +“Ten minutes more will see us there, boys!” +shouted Frank. +</p> +<p> +He feared that one of the other paddlers might +be getting pretty near his last effort, and wished +to encourage the balance of his chums to renewed +efforts. +</p> +<p> +“We’re all right; don’t worry about us,” called +back Bluff, who happened to be a little bit ahead. +</p> +<p> +He had hardly spoken than he came close to +the verge of disaster. To make his voice carry +the better, Bluff had half turned his head, and in +doing this lost his advantage just a trifle. So +it came that the next sea struck the <em>Red Rover</em> +on the forward port side, instead of head on. +This caused the frail canoe to sheer out of her +course, amid frantic efforts of her wearied skipper +to regain a straightaway heading; and only +for the fact that a second sea did not follow +closely on the heels of the first, he might have +met with an upset. +</p> +<p> +Presently they ran into the lee of the island, +where the water was smoother. +</p> +<p> +This revived the flagging energies of Bluff and +Jerry, always rivaling each other in whatever +they attempted; so they set up a little race for +the shore. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +</p> +<p> +“Who won, Frank?” demanded Bluff between +gasps, as all of them landed. +</p> +<p> +“Well,” remarked the other, with a sly wink +at Will, which at the time the latter did not fully +understand, though its import was made plain +later, “I’d declare it a dead heat! You two fellows +are so evenly matched it’s hard to decide +which is the better.” +</p> +<p> +“All but our lung capacity; there I’ve got him +beaten every time,” insisted Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“You have, eh? Wait until the opportunity +comes, and you’ll just see how easy I put you on +the mat. Ashore it is, my hearties! We’re castaway +sailors for a week!” exclaimed Jerry, suiting +the action to the word, and dragging his +canoe up on the little shelving beach, beyond +which lay the bristling thickets, hiding all the +mysteries of Wildcat Island. +</p> +<p> +“Monarch of all we survey. Here we hide +from the world, and forget dull care,” sang Will, +prancing about to ease up his strained muscles. +</p> +<p> +“Here, lend a helping hand, you shirk!” called +Frank, who was dragging the big canoe ashore +alone. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly there was a shriek from Will that +made the others spring up. Frank’s hand involuntarily +reached out for the double-barreled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span> +shotgun that lay in its waterproof case on top +of the stuff in his canoe. +</p> +<p> +“Look! look! the wild man!” shouted Jerry. +</p> +<p> +They all saw a hideous face framed among the +branches and twigs of the thicket close by. One +second only was it in view, hardly long enough +for them to make out that it was human rather +than that of an immense ape. Then the ugly +face vanished from their sight, leaving the four +canoeists gaping at each other as though unable +to positively decide whether they had really seen +the mysterious wild man of the island, or something +which their imaginations had conjured up +instead. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V—A STRANGE HAPPENING</h2> +<p> +“Did you see him, boys?” exclaimed Will, who +was shivering as if he had just run across a +ghost. +</p> +<p> +“Why, to be sure,” replied Frank, laughing a +little forcedly; for the sight of that hideous face +had given him a shock. +</p> +<p> +“Then it was so, after all. I began to believe +I was just imagining things. Oh! what a magnificent +opportunity I missed. How can I ever +forgive myself?” groaned Will, showing signs of +disgust. +</p> +<p> +“Opportunity for what—capturing the terrible +wild man?” cried Bluff, aghast at what seemed +the audacity of his ordinarily peaceable chum. +</p> +<p> +“Certainly not. But if I had only been ready +I could have taken his picture to show the folks +at home. My stars! what a great feat that would +have been,” sighed the disappointed photographer, +shaking his head. +</p> +<p> +“Tell me about that, will you? There was my +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span> +uncle laughing at me when I mentioned about +this same wild man of the island. He declared +it was only some innocent animal, or else an old +woman’s tale. But every one of us saw him, and +we’ve not been ashore five minutes, either,” declared +Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“I foresee some stirring times for us here, what +with the snakes, if they are to be found, the +ferocious wildcats they tell about, and now this +mysterious wild man,” remarked Frank, soberly, +as he began to take the bundles out of his canoe +and place them high and dry up on the shore. +</p> +<p> +“Are we going to stay?” asked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Why, to be sure we are. Talk to me about +your brave men, I like to hear a fellow speak +about being scared away by the first sight of some +poor, harmless chap. Perhaps it’s another of +Mr. Smithson’s crazy people, escaped from the +asylum over at Merrick, and hiding out here.” +</p> +<p> +On their camping-out trip of the preceding +autumn they had met with a remarkable personage +who persisted in declaring that he was the +famous Prince Bismarck, and who eventually +turned out to be an escaped inmate of the asylum +at Merrick, some miles away. +</p> +<p> +A keeper named Smithson had engaged them +to help him capture the demented one, and this +was what Jerry was referring to when he spoke. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t wonder but what that may be +true,” remarked Frank, seriously; “but no matter, +we are not the kind to run at a shadow. We +laid out this trip to spend our Easter holidays on +Wildcat Island, and it’s got to be something +pretty threatening that will frighten us off.” +</p> +<p> +“Hear! hear!” exclaimed Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“That’s the stuff!” declared Bluff, thinking that +he could not afford to let his rival take all the +credit for valor. +</p> +<p> +“But I’ll never get another opportunity to +take his picture,” complained Will. +</p> +<p> +“How do you know? Man alive, there may +be no end of stirring times coming, with that +same old hermit figuring in the circus. Perhaps +the scent of our coffee and bacon will bring him +back into touch with civilization; why, he may +even walk into our camp, and try to make friends, +when he gets a whiff of onions frying,” and +Frank slapped his chum on the back as he spoke +along this line. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! well, if you think that way I’ll keep up +my hopes. And you just remember that if I +seem to be hugging this little snapshot contrivance +closer than usual, why, I’m only keeping in +readiness for instantaneous work. A fellow has +to be pretty quick on the trigger to get a picture +of a wild man, you know.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +</p> +<p> +They soon had the boats unloaded. +</p> +<p> +“Pull them out, fellows. I’ve brought along +the chains and padlocks belonging to each boat. +Having a canoe stolen isn’t such fun, even on +a ten-mile lake like Camalot,” ventured Frank, +as he produced the articles in question, and proceeded +to fasten the canoes together, at the same +time making sure they were chained to the sturdy +root of a nearby tree. +</p> +<p> +“He thinks of everything,” admitted Will, in +admiration. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you believe it for one second. I forget +many things; but as they said a wild man inhabited +this bit of island, I wanted to make sure +he did not run off with any of our boats, and +perhaps our supplies.” +</p> +<p> +“All the same, it took your long head to think +of such a thing, old chap. Now, I defy any one +to hook our boats. Besides, we don’t mean to +ever leave the camp unguarded; and I guess you +expect to put up the tents close by here?” said +Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“It looks good to me,” replied Frank, casting +another glance at the little open spot close +to the beach, which seemed an ideal place for a +canoeist’s camp, having a splendid view of the +lake, stretching almost ten miles away to the +north. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> +</p> +<p> +The four were soon as busy as beavers. +</p> +<p> +They already knew how to erect the tents, +which had a fly that could be lowered in front in +severe weather, and a ground cloth of waterproof +material, quite an addition to the comfort +of the interior. +</p> +<p> +Jerry worked just as hard as the rest, although +every now and then pretending to laugh at all +this fuss, when a humble shack of branches +ought to serve any fellow who called himself a +true sportsman. +</p> +<p> +By the time the fireplace had been built of +stones, over which several stout steel bars rested, +upon which the cooking utensils would set, the +Spring afternoon was drawing to a close. +</p> +<p> +“What will we have for our first supper?” +Bluff asked; for he did not mean to let Jerry +carry off all the honors in the cooking line this +trip. +</p> +<p> +Secretly Bluff had been getting the hired girl +at his home to teach him some of the kitchen lore, +and he had a few surprises up his sleeve which +he intended to spring upon his unsuspecting +chums when the occasion came around that he +was left alone in charge of the camp. +</p> +<p> +“Nobody thought to bring a steak this time,” +ventured Frank; “so if you’re all agreeable, I +say that we begin our cooking with a little canoeist’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +menu something along this order: Tea, succotash, +a can of corned beef, fresh bread and +butter, and finish with a jar of preserves and +cake from home. How does that strike you?” +</p> +<p> +“It suits me. And as the sun is sinking low, +the sooner we get to work the better,” declared +Bluff, readily enough; for he was fairly ravenous, +and kept wetting his lips like a hungry dog +that scents a rich, juicy bone. +</p> +<p> +“Talk about your feasts, what could equal that +programme? Me for the corned beef every time. +Why, it’s my best hold, and I just worship it—hot, +cold or medium. How do you stand, Will? +Any further suggestions?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I brought some imported Switzer cheese +along, and you know, fellows, I’m particularly +fond of it; so if it’s just the same to you, I’ll +add that to the list,” replied the one addressed. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, my! that’s what I get for speaking too +hastily. Now I shall certainly be punished. I +suppose as long as that cheese lasts my appetite +will vanish at every meal. I only hope that gay +old wild man takes a fancy to it, and elopes with +the whole blessed bunch. Why didn’t you fetch +limburger and kill us outright, instead of our +dying by inches? But it will help draw the wildcats +around, that’s one comfort,” groaned Jerry. +</p> +<p> +Preparations for supper went on apace. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +</p> +<p> +They had set the tents at the base of a little +bluff; for Wildcat Island was a singular formation, +being quite hilly in parts. Indeed, some +people were fond of comparing it to the volcanic +islands that suddenly rise up out of the sea in +regions like the Alaska coast; and as frequently +vanish in a night. It was moreover heavily +wooded, and the rank vegetation made it anything +but an easy task to do any exploring. +</p> +<p> +Frank had calculated that this steep bluff overhanging +the camp would be of considerable benefit +to the expedition should a severe storm set in +from the west. +</p> +<p> +As the boys busied themselves with various +tasks they chatted and joked after their custom. +</p> +<p> +The stew of succotash and corned beef, which +Frank had called the Canoeist’s Delight, was now +ready. He set it aside on a stone to cool a trifle +while the table was being prepared. +</p> +<p> +“How’s the coffee getting on, Jerry?” asked +the chief cook of the evening; for they usually +changed around, and gave each fellow a chance +to show what he knew along the line of preparing +appetizing dishes, or of exposing his ignorance, +which method of procedure naturally created +some rivalry. +</p> +<p> +“Just about ready. I’ve allowed it to boil furiously +three times, and settled it with a dash of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span> +cold water on each and every occasion. Talk to +me about the nectar of the gods, this suits me all +right.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh! please hurry up. I’m almost trembling +with eagerness, after sitting here and sniffing +those delicious odors for so long a time,” pleaded +Will, who happened to have nothing to do with +the supper on this occasion, his time coming on +the morrow. +</p> +<p> +But they gave him no heed, those unfeeling +wretches. +</p> +<p> +The one who camps out must expect to prove +himself a hero daily by conquering his appetite +and holding it in check with a firm hand until the +head chef declares that all is ready for the feast +to begin. +</p> +<p> +Frank had just finished placing the aluminum +plates and cups, and was about to reach out for +the kettle of steaming stew, when to his astonishment +he found the stone, where he had laid it, +empty. +</p> +<p> +Thinking that one of the others might be playing +some trick, he opened his mouth to remonstrate, +when a cry from Will caused him to turn +his eyes upward. +</p> +<p> +There he saw the little kettle swinging in mid-air, +and being drawn hastily upwards by some +unseen mysterious agency! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI—FRANK MAKES A GUESS</h2> +<p> +No one seemed able to say a single word. +</p> +<p> +Standing or crouching there, with staring eyes +those four lads watched the marvelous ascent of +their supper. It was as though an unseen hand +had reached down and plucked the kettle from the +rock to carry it heavenward. +</p> +<p> +Now it had reached the level of the top of +the bluff, and as they continued to gape, an arm +was thrust hastily out from the rank vegetation +that grew there; they saw eager fingers clutch +the kettle, and then it was drawn from their sight. +</p> +<p> +“Tell me about that!” gasped Jerry, as soon as +he could catch his breath. +</p> +<p> +Bluff made a dive for Frank’s gun. His own +repeating shotgun was at home, out of commission, +for which Jerry, who hated the modern arm +as the devil is said to hate holy water, never ceased +to give thanks. +</p> +<p> +But Frank caught his arm. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +</p> +<p> +“No, I wouldn’t do that, Bluff. We can afford +to lose our stew, for we’ve got plenty more +behind it. We can even let the little kettle go, +if necessary; but we should hate to have any +man’s life on our hands, no matter if he is a +crazy being.” +</p> +<p> +“Did you see him, Frank?” exclaimed Will, in +great excitement. +</p> +<p> +“No more than the rest of you. An arm came +into view, and the kettle was drawn in. Somebody +is going to enjoy a fine supper to-night. +Perhaps the poor fellow has not tasted decent +food for ages. Much good may it do him,” +said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“What are you going to do about it, then?” +demanded the warlike Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Well, the best thing is to open another can +of succotash and one of the corned beef, since +we seem to have set our minds on that stew,” +smiled Frank. +</p> +<p> +He immediately started operations. +</p> +<p> +“But are we going to sit here like a lot of +babies while that scamp runs off with our supper?” +demanded Bluff, indignantly. +</p> +<p> +“And he’s stolen one of your charming little +aluminum kettles, too, Frank,” put in Will, in +added horror. +</p> +<p> +“Well, there are plenty more where that came +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> +from, and an indulgent dad will, I am sure, +supply me with all I want; but I should hate to +have to tell him that I had filled a poor demented +being with bird-shot just because the tantalizing +odor of my favorite canoeist stew had tempted +him beyond endurance.” +</p> +<p> +“How do you think the beggar ever did it?” +asked Jerry at this juncture, as he craned his +neck to look straight upward. +</p> +<p> +“I think I can see how. I noticed a cord of +some sort. Evidently he had a hook attached. +This he passed over that branch of a tree sticking +out from the top of the bluff, so that the kettle +might be kept away from the face of the cliff +as it rose, and in that way prevented from spilling +its coveted contents,” replied the one addressed. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your aeroplanes, that was +an ascension to beat the band! Wow! I had a +chill run up and down my spinal column, for I +give you my word, fellows, at first I really +thought of ghosts, and that some invisible agency +had reached down and gobbled our supper.” +</p> +<p> +“And I thought I was dreaming—that I’d +fallen asleep by the fire, and you had eaten up +all the stew, while Bluff was throwing up the +empty kettle to practice shooting at, like he did +our wash-basin that other time,” admitted Will. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +</p> +<p> +“And that chap was angling for the bale of +our kettle while we sat here and never once suspected +what was going on. Say, we’re a husky +lot of tenderfeet. Why, some night a thief will +come and steal the blankets off us, and no one +be the wiser until morning,” declared Bluff, in +disgust. +</p> +<p> +After a while the second kettle of stew was +pronounced ready. It was laughable to see how +those four crowded around to protect it against an +invading force; and what suspicious looks they +cast upward at the brow of the innocent little +bluff. +</p> +<p> +But there was no further manifestation of the +Presence near them. Jerry kept an eye on the +coffee-pot, and was ready with a keen-edged +knife to immediately proceed against any dangling +cord and hook that might come in sight. +</p> +<p> +They enjoyed the supper in spite of the uncanny +feeling that this unprovoked and early +attack had produced. +</p> +<p> +“Who was it predicted that the odors of our +cooking would stir up the old hermit, and awaken +his appetite for the things of the civilized world? +Frank, it was you. And sure enough that’s what +came to pass. He’s got tired of feeding on roots +and birds’ eggs and fish,” remarked Will, feeling better +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span> +after he had quieted the gnawings of +his appetite. +</p> +<p> +“Provided that it was the so-called wild man,” +said Frank, quietly. +</p> +<p> +At which remark there was a chorus of cries. +</p> +<p> +“It certainly must have been a human being +and not an animal. Even an educated ape or +chimpanzee could never have had that cord and +hook and managed it as this chap did. What +do you mean by doubting it, Frank?” demanded +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, tell us what you’ve been thinking?” +asked Will. +</p> +<p> +“Say, that gives me an idea. I wager I can +guess what he’s got in mind,” ventured Jerry, +looking exceedingly wise. +</p> +<p> +“Well, go on then,” from Frank. +</p> +<p> +“The two runaway tramps!” +</p> +<p> +“Jerry, that head of yours will get you into +trouble some day. You are too good a guesser,” +laughed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Then that was it? You think the tramps +have come over here to Wildcat Island to hide +while the sheriff is hunting the woods high and +low for them? I declare, if that’s so it means +warm times in store for us,” exclaimed Will. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your war scares, what could +equal that? Why, we’ll capture the blooming +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span> +hoboes, and let Mr. Dodd know there are others +besides himself who can do things.” +</p> +<p> +“What makes you think that?” pursued Bluff, +who always wanted to know the why and wherefore +of everything, he being the Doubting +Thomas of the quartet. +</p> +<p> +“I may be mistaken, remember; for I’m just +speculating, you see. In the first place, I doubt +if our wild man would be provided with such +a convenient cord and hook. Then again I saw +that arm, and it was covered with a sleeve that +looked wonderfully like that of the taller tramp’s +coat, a dun-colored affair.” +</p> +<p> +“Bravo! Frank’s logic carries the day. I’m +going to take it for granted that we are entertaining +angels unawares on this blessed old +island,” cried Will. +</p> +<p> +“Angels?” snorted Jerry. “Talk to me about +that, will you? They must have had their wings +singed, then, or else they’d have flown down and +scooped our grub instead of using a measly old +string. Angels! Wow! Will’s turning poet as +well as artist.” +</p> +<p> +“I know one thing, boys, and that is we’ll have +to keep watch and watch every night from now +on. If the tramps are here they’ll steal everything +we own, given half a chance,” from Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“That’s a good idea, and we’ll arrange that one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span> +must be on guard for two hours at a stretch. +Besides, it will make the camp seem more military,” +said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I rather like the idea, and ask to be appointed +the first keeper of the watch,” spoke up Will. +</p> +<p> +An arrangement was soon completed. By +means of a system each of the boys would be on +duty as a guard two hours of the night. This +would cover the time from ten to six, which +allowed the sleepers ample time to recuperate. +</p> +<p> +They passed a pleasant evening despite the +many suspicious glances cast aloft from time to +time. Finally Jerry began to yawn. +</p> +<p> +“Say, fellows, as I’m the last to go on duty, +I guess I’ll turn in. To-morrow I mean to collect +a lot of hemlock browse for a bed; but +to-night it’s me on the cold, hard ground, with +only my good blanket under and above.” +</p> +<p> +“Not a bit of it, old chap. Here’s where my +surprise comes in. Now, you and our good +friend Bluff here have been sighing for a chance +to prove which one possesses the biggest lungs. +I’m going to give you a chance to make good,” +announced Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Hurrah! count me in, whatever it is,” exclaimed +Bluff, jumping up, as Frank began to +undo the mysterious bundle that had excited their +curiosity earlier. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +</p> +<p> +“Here you see a couple of the finest rubber +air-cushion mattresses ever made for the use of +campers. Each can be extended so that two can +sleep on it. Now, I’m going to spread these out +here ready. You two will lie down on your +chests, and wait till I give the signal, and then +blow for all you’re worth. The first one whose +mattress is filled with air will be proclaimed the +victor,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +Jerry and Bluff threw themselves prostrate instantly, +eager for the trial, and each filled with a +determination to settle the matter for all time. +They did not see the sly wink Frank gave Will, +nor hear the chuckling sound of amusement that +escaped from the lips of that camper as he half +turned his head away. +</p> +<p> +“Go!” +</p> +<p> +Frank stood there as referee and timed the +contestants, who puffed and blew with all the +vigor of their young lungs, until both mattresses +stood out just as full as they could stand. +</p> +<p> +“How is it?” wheezed Bluff, looking up, red +in the face. +</p> +<p> +“Do I win?” gasped Jerry, too exhausted to +do more than roll over. +</p> +<p> +“Gentlemen, it has been a remarkable contest +all around. I am forced to call it a draw for +to-night, as you both came under the wire at +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span> +the same time. It is simply wonderful!” announced +the judge, gravely. +</p> +<p> +Will mutely held up his hands, but whether +to express his admiration for the capacity of the +contestants’ lungs or for the astonishing ingenuity +of Frank, could not be told. He knew that they +would never have any trouble about getting those +two air mattresses filled each night, for the eager +rivals could hardly wait for turning-in time to +come, so anxious were they for a new trial of +lung capacity. +</p> +<p> +Frank had not camped in Maine for nothing. +He afterwards admitted in secret to Will that +he had witnessed a similar trick being played +upon a couple of guides, and had never forgotten +it. +</p> +<p> +“Just you wait until to-morrow night, and I’ll +show you,” grunted Jerry, as he rolled over to +woo the goddess of slumber. +</p> +<p> +“Then you’ll have to go a notch better than +you did just now, that’s what,” was the pugnacious +reply of his rival. +</p> +<p> +“How does it go, Jerry?” asked Will, whose +watch came first, and who was handling Frank’s +gun a bit nervously, for he was a poor shot. +</p> +<p> +“Fine. Frank, you deserve the united thanks +of the club for thinking of such things as these. +Talk to me about your bed of hemlock browse, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span> +it’s all good enough to read about, but this is +solid comfort!” said Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“That settles it. They must be great when +such a simple-minded sportsman as you would +praise them. Here goes, fellows,” and Frank +lay down. +</p> +<p> +Ere long the camp was quiet, save for the +strenuous breathing of Bluff, who persisted in +lying on his back, and gently snoring. Will sat +out his watch and then awoke Frank, whose +turn came after him. +</p> +<p> +It was just about midnight when he took up +his station where he could see all that went on +in the camp. He meant to keep a good watch, +because, if those rascally tramps were really on +the island it was more than possible that they +would sooner or later try to make another raid +on the larder of the boys in order to satisfy +their hunger. +</p> +<p> +The moon had risen long before, but was hidden +behind a bank of heavy clouds. +</p> +<p> +Frank was trying to figure out how he ought +to act under such conditions. He had said that +he did not want to do the tramps bodily injury +if it could be prevented, but at the same time +there might arise conditions that would necessitate +prompt and severe measures of reprisal. +</p> +<p> +He would not like to shoot unless the object of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> +his anger were at a good distance so that the +bird-shot would not severely injure the object +of his attentions. +</p> +<p> +Frank had his back against a tree, and could +observe the entire camp as he sat there with the +minutes passing. Strange noises came from the +interior of the island, but this lad had spent so +many nights under canvas that most of them +were familiar to him as the cries of owls or nighthawks, +perhaps quarreling raccoons or an opossum +objecting to a rival’s attentions to his mate. +</p> +<p> +But when he had been sitting there fully an +hour Frank’s attention was called to a slight +movement in the bushes on one side of the camp. +</p> +<p> +Thrilled with expectancy he watched the leaves, +and kept his fingers upon the triggers of the +gun that lay across his knees, ready for an +emergency. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII—EXPLORING THE ISLAND</h2> +<p> +Again the bushes moved. Undoubtedly there +was some person or animal advancing in the +direction of the twin tents, with the intention +of securing a coveted article of food. +</p> +<p> +Frank never moved, only watched, and presently +he chuckled softly to himself, for he had +caught a glimpse of two yellow, glowing balls +of light that shone in the semi-darkness under +the trees like globes of phosphorus. +</p> +<p> +“Our first wildcat, come to see what sort of +fellows have invaded its territory. Well, I believe +in giving all strangers a warm reception, +and here’s to you, old chap.” +</p> +<p> +As he thought thus he gently began to elevate +his gun. The invader meanwhile had continued +to advance until its whole crouching figure was +plainly outlined. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i002' id='i002'></a> +<img src="images/illus-060.jpg" alt="HE DODGED JUST IN TIME TO ESCAPE THE FURIOUS LEAP OF A WILDCAT." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>HE DODGED JUST IN TIME TO ESCAPE THE FURIOUS LEAP OF A WILDCAT.</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span></div> +<p> +The crash of the gun brought the other three +out of the tents in a mad scramble, under the +impression that either the wild man or the two +hoboes had invaded the camp. +</p> +<p> +“Where are they? Let me get a crack at the +scamps!” shouted Jerry. +</p> +<p> +There was an angry snarl, and he dodged just +in time to escape the furious leap of a wildcat +that had been crouching on some part of the +lower bluff, entirely unseen by the sentinel. +</p> +<p> +Jerry was as quick as lightning with his gun. +He whirled around and let go almost before any +of the others had discovered what object it was +he had dodged. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about that, will you,” exclaimed +the marksman, as the riddled “varmint” tried to +leap again, and fell back to breathe its last; +“where was Frank all the while—what did he +fire at, tell me?” +</p> +<p> +“This,” remarked the other, quietly, stepping +forward and picking up a monster of a bobcat +that had lain, unnoticed by Jerry, amid the leaves +still covering the ground from the previous Fall. +</p> +<p> +“Two of the critters! What do you know +about that—a pair the very first night! Well, +I reckon this old island was well named, after +all. No wonder the boys never wanted to land +here, even in the daytime. But I’d rather it was +cats than wild men, or thieving hoboes.” +</p> +<p> +After a search had failed to reveal any more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span> +of the “pestiferous cats,” as Jerry delighted in +calling them, the three boys crawled back under +their blankets again, for the night air felt chilly, +after being snuggled down so warmly. +</p> +<p> +No more alarms came that night, and later +on the sky cleared, allowing the moon full sway. +</p> +<p> +As daylight advanced long before Jerry’s +watch was over, it became a part of his duty to +resuscitate the fire, and begin to get ready for +breakfast. +</p> +<p> +They had laid out numerous things to be done +on this day. First of all it was decided that two +of them must hunt in company; and even those +left in camp were not to separate more than they +could help. Of course it might be necessary for +one of the stay-at-homes to launch a canoe and +try the fishing, if they expected to extend the +variety of food in the larder; but there must be +no solitary wandering about the strange island. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Jerry were chosen to make an exploration +that day. They could start in and +easily go around the island, exploring every part +of it, and learning considerable about its secrets. +</p> +<p> +If the tramps were really hiding here, possibly +some evidence of their presence would be found, +the embers of a fire it might be. +</p> +<p> +Frank was somewhat provoked about the happening +of the preceding night, and even thought +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> +it might be advisable to move the camp away +from that bluff. The others convinced him, however, +that they were just as safe there as in any +other locality, and so he did not persist in this +idea. +</p> +<p> +He did climb to the top of the bluff to examine +the ground. Here Jerry joined him after a little. +</p> +<p> +“Any signs?” asked the latter, swinging over +to where Frank knelt. +</p> +<p> +“Plenty. Here they crouched and watched +us.” +</p> +<p> +“Then there were more than one?” asked +Jerry, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“You can see the marks of two separate pair +of shoes; and one of them small enough to belong +to your Waddy Walsh. I think you said he was +a squatty chap, and used to boast of his delicate +hands and feet,” continued Frank, pointing. +</p> +<p> +“You’re right. And that settles one thing. +The hoboes stole our kettle, and not any wild +man. I reckon they’re a little afraid of us, seeing +we’re armed, and they may not be. Wonder +what they thought we were shooting in the +night?” +</p> +<p> +“All I hope is they’ll give us a wide berth +after this. If they keep on trying to make us +feed them, it’s going to spoil our outing some, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> +I fear,” remarked Frank, as he started to descend +the bluff again. +</p> +<p> +After a serious consultation the party separated. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Jerry started off along the shore, +heading to the west. +</p> +<p> +“If all goes well look for us some time before +sunset. We’ve got a lunch along and want to do +the job up brown while we’re at it, you know,” +said Frank, as he turned to wave his two comrades +farewell. +</p> +<p> +“Good luck!” called Bluff, who was washing +the dishes. +</p> +<p> +Snap! +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got you as you appear starting off on the +great exploring expedition, fellows. If by any +evil chance you never show up again, that picture +will be cherished by your relatives,” called +Will. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your croakers, will you? +That’s a pleasant send-off, now,” said Jerry, as +he fell in beside his chum, and lost sight of the +cheery camp. +</p> +<p> +They found the going rather rough at times, +and what with climbing over obstacles and cutting +a passage through creepers that trailed down +from the trees at such times as they pushed in +from the shore, progress was rather slow. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span> +</p> +<p> +At noon they had not gone more than a third +of the way around the island. +</p> +<p> +“Here’s a good place to rest. I move we sit +down, eat our grub, and take a few winks. I +didn’t get much sleep last night, and feel dopy,” +remarked Jerry. +</p> +<p> +Truth to tell, Frank was not unwilling to comply. +He was sleepy himself, and the April sun +seemed unusually warm at this time of day. +</p> +<p> +“Just as you say. That snack of crackers and +cheese and cold tongue would strike me about +right. Down it is, then,” he replied, dropping +on the green grass. +</p> +<p> +They drank from the lake when thirsty, for +the water was pure and cold. After finishing +their frugal meal the two lay back to rest. Frank +watched the clouds passing over for a time, but +finally his eyes closed and he slept. +</p> +<p> +“Here, get up!” he heard some one say close +to his ear. +</p> +<p> +Jerry was yawning and stretching. The sun +seemed to be pretty well down the first half of +the western heavens. +</p> +<p> +“How long have we been asleep here?” demanded +Jerry, curiously. +</p> +<p> +“I’m ashamed to say several hours. It’s now +three,” laughed his comrade. +</p> +<p> +“Then we’d better be on the jump if we expect +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span> +to get around the blessed old island to-day. I +won’t hear of going back after starting out with +such a grand hurrah.” +</p> +<p> +Frank was quite of the same opinion. Accordingly +the two pedestrians began to move along +their way, following the shore line save in certain +places where something out of the usual run +attracted their attention. +</p> +<p> +All the while they were on the keen watch for +any signs that would indicate the presence of +human beings on the island. +</p> +<p> +Being able to keep track of their progress by +watching the shore of the mainland, they knew +when they had reached a point half way around. +</p> +<p> +“Now we’re on the home stretch,” announced +Jerry, as he looked over the lake in the direction +of its southern terminus, not more than a quarter +of a mile off. +</p> +<p> +“But the worst is yet to come,” laughed Frank, +simply to hear Jerry groan, and not because he +really believed it to be the case. +</p> +<p> +A short time later they were tempted to enter +the depths of the timber again to investigate some +curious formation that Frank believed might be +an Indian mound. +</p> +<p> +“I’d like to dig into it some time, and satisfy +my curiosity,” he declared. +</p> +<p> +“It makes a bully support for a fellow’s tired +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span> +back, I know,” said Jerry, as he spread himself +upon the ground. +</p> +<p> +“Well, take a little rest, then, while I examine +that other rise over there. It looks larger than +this one, and if my suspicions prove true there +ought to be a jolly lot of relics dug out of these +mounds.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, Frank, I’m agreeable. Don’t forget +me, and go back to camp alone, you know,” +said Jerry, laughing, as he stretched himself out. +</p> +<p> +“I declare if the fellow isn’t thinking of taking +another nap. Well, we may see fit to keep you +on duty the whole of to-night, so prepare yourself.” +</p> +<p> +With which warning Frank walked away. He +arrived at the larger mound, and was so deeply +interested in examining the same that the minutes +crept along unheeded. He heard the cries +of hawks quarreling in some nearby tree; then +again sounds as of small animals snarling came +from the brush beyond; but Frank paid little +heed to any of these things. +</p> +<p> +Finally he aroused himself. +</p> +<p> +“Come, this won’t do. I must get back to +Jerry, and we’ll have to do some hustling to +reach the camp by dusk,” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +When he arrived at the other mound he was +surprised not to find his chum lying there sleeping. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> +Jerry had vanished in a most incomprehensible +manner! +</p> +<p> +At first, Frank thought the other might be +trying to play one of his practical jokes upon +him. He called, but there came back no answer. +</p> +<p> +Then he dropped down to examine the ground, +having been tutored by the Penobscot Indians +of the northern woods; and, finding tracks, he +knew that the worst had happened. Jerry had +undoubtedly fallen into the hands of their foes! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII—OLD ENEMIES APPEAR</h2> +<p> +“Bend your head a little. Now, look pleasant, +as a fellow should after slaying a couple of +ferocious wildcats. Ready? Then here she +goes!” +</p> +<p> +Snap! +</p> +<p> +Bluff had been posing, with Jerry’s gun in +his hands. At his feet, artistically stretched out, +were the two defunct invaders of the night camp. +Will had his camera in position, and was taking +a snapshot of the mighty Nimrod. +</p> +<p> +“After all it’s only a big fake, for I never had +a hand in the killing at all,” declared Bluff, with +a laugh. +</p> +<p> +“Fake? No more than most of the pictures +you see, where some well-known person is photographed +with a big bear at his feet, or perhaps +it’s a moose. I guess I know. But it gives me +a picture, and neither Jerry nor Frank would +bother posing. You’re really the only accommodating +pard in camp, Bluff,” remarked Will. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, rats! you only say that because you can +smooth me over, and get me to consent to helping +you out in these dreadful frauds of pictures. +I reckon I’ll never hear the last of it if Mame +Crosby ever learns how I stood for this, when +others claimed the game,” grunted Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“But I thank you ever so much, old fellow; +you’re so obliging,” said Will. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’d like to get one of the boats out, +and try the fish. What are you going to do, +now?” asked the other. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll tell you. I’ve got some flashlight contrivances +here that have been used successfully, +they tell me, in making wild game photograph +themselves. Just think how great that would be. +The thing is set with a sort of trigger, you see. +As the ’coon or other beast creeps up along the +log to get the piece of meat, he crosses a string +that sets the flash afire. It’s all over in a second, +and there’s your nice picture of Mr. Coon sitting +up and looking startled.” +</p> +<p> +“Huh! you believe you can do all that, do +you?” asked Bluff, the skeptic. +</p> +<p> +“Why not, when others have met with great +success. I’ve read up on the subject, and think +I’ve got it all down pat. Anyhow, no harm done +in trying.” +</p> +<p> +“Of course not. Well, I’m going to leave +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span> +this gun of Jerry’s in your charge, as I’ll hardly +need it out on the lake. First I expect to dig +some worms, and then try for the perch, just +to see if they’ve wakened up from their winter’s +nap.” +</p> +<p> +“You won’t go far away, I hope?” remarked +Will, a little nervously. +</p> +<p> +“See that point yonder? Well, off that I believe +the perch are waiting for me. I remember +catching a bully mess there last Spring when +several of us came down here fishing. If you +want me at any time just give a call and I’ll be +with you in a jiffy.” +</p> +<p> +So Bluff went off to dig his worms in a promising +spot, while Will began to get things in readiness +for the clever little trick he intended to play +upon B’rer ’Coon or Mr. ’Possum. +</p> +<p> +Half an hour later Bluff was anchored off the +point. He found the perch ravenous, as they +usually are after a winter’s sojourn under the +ice; and it kept him busy right along pulling in +the wriggling, barred poachers, or baiting the +hooks they denuded. +</p> +<p> +It was getting along toward noon when he +fancied he detected the odor of cooking in the +air. +</p> +<p> +“Let him have a try at it; I guess it’s up to +Will to show how much he has learned in the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span> +cooking line since last Fall. He’s a green hand, +and it’s about time he took hold. I’m comfortable +here. When grub’s ready he’ll call me,” +was what the sly Bluff was saying to himself, as +he kept his back turned toward the camp, and +continued to tempt the perch. +</p> +<p> +“Hey! you, Bluff!” came a shout just then. +</p> +<p> +“What d’ye want, bothering me in that way?” +demanded the fisherman. +</p> +<p> +“For goodness’ sake come ashore and give me +a hand. I can’t find any more dishes, and the +pesky thing still keeps bubbling over. Come +quick, or we’ll be smothered under a mountain +of it!” shouted the one on shore. +</p> +<p> +“Now what under the sun has the fellow been +up to?” said Bluff to himself, as he pulled in his +anchor, and used the paddle to urge the canoe +ashore. +</p> +<p> +When he strode into the camp a minute or so +later he stared, and then burst into a shout of +laughter as he dropped upon the ground and +rolled about. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I don’t see anything so funny about it,” +declared Will, in an aggrieved tone as he looked +at the various kettles and dishes heaped high +with boiled rice, and the kettle on the fire still +pouring up its white contents like a miniature +volcano in action. “I never knew rice would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +expand like that. Why, it’s dreadful the way +it keeps boiling over. What can we do to hold +the stuff?” +</p> +<p> +“Say, how much did you put in the kettle?” +gasped Bluff, when he could speak. +</p> +<p> +“All there was, and even then I wondered if +there would be any left for the rest.” +</p> +<p> +Bluff acted as though he would have a fit. +</p> +<p> +“All there was,” he shouted, “that beats anything +I ever heard. And Frank said the grocery-man +had doubled his order, and put up <em>four +pounds</em>! Say, we’ll have rice every way under +the sun up to the day we pull up stakes and get +out of here. Still she boils! If you don’t take +care the blooming thing’ll put the fire out.” +</p> +<p> +Finally he condescended to help poor Will, +and some of the rice was scooped out of the kettle, +relieving the congestion. Still, what to do with +the vast quantity of half-cooked rice was a question +calculated to appall Will during the balance +of the day. +</p> +<p> +He finally compromised by secretly burying a +large portion where he calculated none of his +chums would find it again. +</p> +<p> +Bluff assisted in getting some lunch ready, and +Will was very meek after that experience. He +grimly determined that he would pay more attention +to what the others were doing when preparing meals, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span> +and by degrees learn the secret of +cooking. +</p> +<p> +“Did you get your little game trap set?” asked +Bluff after they had eaten, and lay around taking +it easy. +</p> +<p> +“Everything is ready for the coming of the +night. I’ll expect to find the cheap little camera +which I brought along for that especial purpose, +doing its work. No matter, it’s worth a trial, +anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” +remarked Will. +</p> +<p> +“Rice, for instance,” ventured Bluff, turning +his head to look at the great snow-white heap +that covered a spread-out newspaper nearby, since +they had to empty the cooking utensils which +Will had filled one after the other. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I admit that was a fine joke on me, all +right, and I suppose I’ll have to just stand the +digs of the boys for a while. But it’s spurred +me on, and sooner or later I’m bound to be a +<em>chef</em> worth mentioning. I guess they haven’t +found any sort of game on their trip around the +island, do you?” +</p> +<p> +“I heard no shot to tell of it,” admitted Bluff. +He was lying on his back and apparently ready +for a nap. +</p> +<p> +“It was some hot out there on the water, son, +and I’m inclined to be dopy. Please keep on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span> +guard while I take a dozen winks,” he said, pulling +his hat over his face. +</p> +<p> +His dozen winks stretched out for some two +hours. During this time Will busied himself in +reading a little book on camp cookery which he +had brought along. It looked as though he were +about to study up on the subject in earnest. +</p> +<p> +Finally Bluff gave a grunt, began to move +and stretch himself, and then sat up. +</p> +<p> +“Hello! I guess I must have been asleep,” +he remarked. +</p> +<p> +Will drew out his little nickel watch and surveyed +it. +</p> +<p> +“Two hours and thirteen minutes to the dot. +A few winks, eh? When am I going to get my +chance to indulge?” he demanded, sternly. +</p> +<p> +“Now, if the spirit moves. But I see you have +been busy ‘conning’ that volume of camp recipes. +Any dishes that call for rice there, because we’ve +got it and to spare. I always liked boiled rice, +with sugar and milk, even the condensed kind; +but there can be too much of a good thing. I’ll +be like the old dominie soon whose people fed +him on rabbit every place he went.” +</p> +<p> +“How was that?” asked Will. +</p> +<p> +“Never heard that story? Well, you see, they +knew he liked rabbit, so every place he ate, his +host made sure to have his favorite dish. Of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +course the good man hated to tell them that he +was getting sick of the taste of rabbit; so what +d’ye think he finally hit on as a delicate way of +getting a change?” +</p> +<p> +“I give it up; now tell me,” declared Will. +</p> +<p> +“When he found it before him the next time +he bowed his head and this was the grace he +said: ‘Of rabbits young, of rabbits old; of rabbits +hot, of rabbits cold; of rabbits tender and +rabbits tough, I thank the Lord we’ve had +enough!’” +</p> +<p> +“That must have fetched them, all right. Now, +if any one puts up a howl here about rice, I’m +going to bury the balance of it, mark my words. +What ails you, Bluff?” demanded Will, as his +companion started half to his knees, and crouching +there stared through the leaves of the low-growing +trees that concealed the camp from the +lake. +</p> +<p> +“Look yonder, and see! H’sh! not another +word!” he murmured. +</p> +<p> +Will crept to a place beside him, and, finding +an opening, also used his eyes to advantage. +What he saw would have annoyed any of the +boys, considering the fact that they had hoped +for a period of peace while camping on Wildcat +Island. +</p> +<p> +A large rowboat was just passing that side of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span> +the island. It had come from up the lake somewhere, +and was filled with a crowd of rough-looking +boys. +</p> +<p> +“Pet Peters and his crowd again. They gave +us all the trouble they could last Fall when we +were in camp above the lumber docks, and now +they’ve hunted us up again to annoy us,” breathed +Will, as soon as he saw who occupied the rowboat. +“But Andy Lasher isn’t with them—he’s +away on a visit, somebody told me.” +</p> +<p> +Bluff had reached out and picked up Jerry’s +shotgun. +</p> +<p> +“They seem to be looking in here pretty hard,” +continued Will. +</p> +<p> +“I guess they know we’re here, and they’ve +got some mean trick up their sleeve; but possession’s +nine points of the law, and we don’t get +out to please those rowdies,” said Bluff between +set teeth. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX—GUARDIANS OF THE CAMP</h2> +<p> +“Do you believe they mean to land here?” +asked Will, his voice trembling a bit. +</p> +<p> +“I did; but it looks as if they’ve thought better +of it, for now the old boat’s moving on. They’ll +land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, +likely,” answered the other, who had pushed the +gun forward as if meaning to make use of it +should the necessity arise. +</p> +<p> +Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined +to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, +his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily +became repentant. +</p> +<p> +“But perhaps they’re only down here for a +row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a +mess of those fine perch,” suggested Will. +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps, but all the same, I saw that old tent +of theirs sticking up in the bow of the boat,” declared +Bluff, positively. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! then that settles it. Well, it looks as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span> +though we might have a lively enough time of it, +after all. What with the wild man, those two +thievish tramps, the wildcats that live on the +island, and now, last but not least, the Pet Peters +crowd that used to train with Andy Lasher. +Can we ever go anywhere and be let alone?” +complained Will, who loved peace above all +things. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I don’t mind it much. We came out +for some excitement, and it looks as if we were +going to get our fill,” said Bluff, who was built +more upon the adventurous model than his companion. +</p> +<p> +They watched the boat as long as it remained +in sight. +</p> +<p> +“Seemed to me they were heading in for the +shore just before they disappeared,” suggested +Bluff, finally, as he turned and looked at his mate. +</p> +<p> +“I admit that it looked that way to me. Then +we might as well take it for granted that +they’re going to make camp on the island. I +wonder——” mused Will, fingering his pet +camera reflectively. +</p> +<p> +“What now?” demanded the other suspiciously. +</p> +<p> +“The idea struck me that perhaps I might creep +close enough to their camp to get a snapshot. +You know those I have of that crowd are in +sections, either running away, or doing some sort +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +of stunt. I’d like to have one that showed them +up seated around their fire, and planning mischief.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll do nothing of the sort, my lad, at +least not while I’m left in charge of the camp. +What sort of fellow are you, anyway? You +profess to be afraid of the crazy man that is +said to be on this island, and you know those +brutes yonder would be only too glad to beat +you up if you fell into their hands; yet you propose +spying on them without a thought of the +danger.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh! but that was to get a picture, you see,” +explained Will, as though such a laudable motive +might be sufficient to make any one valiant. +</p> +<p> +Bluff looked at him, and shook his head. +</p> +<p> +“They’ll sure have you over in that sanitarium +at Merrick, before long, for you show all the +signs of getting looney. I tell you what I’m going +to do,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“Well, go on. You’re hardly complimentary, +you know; but I consider the source.” +</p> +<p> +“While you remain here, I’m going to climb up +to the top of this bluff. Perhaps I can get a sight +of their landing-place. It may even be that I +shall discover signs of our two pards making +their weary way around the end of the island, +yonder.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +</p> +<p> +“And if there is a good chance for a view, +call me up with my camera, will you?” +</p> +<p> +“Sure. You settle down here. I’ll take the +gun along. I can defend the camp just as well +up there as below. Don’t worry about that, my +boy.” +</p> +<p> +And Bluff started off. +</p> +<p> +When he reached the top of the abrupt rise +he did have a splendid view of the lake and the +distant shore, but could see little of the island. +</p> +<p> +“No good for taking pictures, pard. Just you +stay down there, and I’ll join you after I’ve +looked through my marine glasses a little,” he +called down. +</p> +<p> +Frank had brought along a good pair of +glasses belonging to his father; and with these +Bluff now scanned the shore line as far as he +could see it. He was in hopes of discovering +some sign of the two explorers around the point; +or possibly locating the camp of the Peters +crowd. +</p> +<p> +The big rowboat he did see on the beach, and +there were signs of smoke among the trees close +by, so that he decided where the town bully and +his followers had taken up their temporary +quarters. +</p> +<p> +“Wonder if they dare attack us in the night?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span> +was what Bluff was saying to himself as he once +more commenced to descend the bluff. +</p> +<p> +His mind went back to their previous experiences +with these same boys. The rowdies had +tried to burn their camp; they had stolen whatever +they could lay hands on, and made themselves +disagreeable until the conversion of their +leader, at that time Andy Lasher, by Jerry, who +had saved his life when he was caught under a +fallen tree, had changed the complexion of +things. +</p> +<p> +Under the rule of the new leader, Pet Peters, +these fellows would be equal to any deed of misconduct +just so far as they dared. The fact that +the four chums never went into camp without +guns of some sort might make them cautious; +but that would be the only thing. +</p> +<p> +Will bombarded him with questions when he +came down. +</p> +<p> +“Did you see Frank and Jerry?—was the camp +of those fellows in sight?—could I get any sort +of picture, if I climbed up?” so he went on until +Bluff called a halt. +</p> +<p> +“Nothing doing at all. Just stay here where +you’re well off. We’ve got our hands full to +guard this camp. I’m wondering what keeps +the boys so long, that’s all,” he said. +</p> +<p> +But the minutes lengthened into hours and still +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +there were no signs of the explorers. Bluff and +Will started to get supper ready. Neither of +them felt very gay, for a shadow seemed to be +resting upon the camp. +</p> +<p> +The sun had set behind the mountains in the +west, and with the gathering of the dusk their +fears increased. +</p> +<p> +“Something dreadful must have happened to +them,” said Will, looking alarmed. +</p> +<p> +Bluff tried to laugh it off, saying: +</p> +<p> +“Humbug! What could happen to those two +chaps? They’re up in all that pertains to the +forest, and they’ve got a gun along, too. It’s +you and I that may well be called the babes in +the woods. We know precious little between us; +but you just bet nobody can give us points on +how to cook rice.” +</p> +<p> +But Will was too much worried to even show +signs of anger or reproach. +</p> +<p> +“What if they don’t come at all? What if +both fellows disappear mysteriously as if they +were swallowed up in the earth? We’ll feel +pretty tough telling their parents the sad news. +I kind of wish now we hadn’t come,” he remarked +dolefully. +</p> +<p> +“Just let up on that tune, will you? Think of +the pictures you have already secured, and the +others coming. Why, the boys might have been +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span> +delayed by a dozen things. Make up your mind +they’re all right and will pop in on us at any +minute.” +</p> +<p> +But despite Bluff’s attempt to cheer his mate +up, Will kept watching the bushes in the light of +the rousing fire they kept going, as if hoping +against hope that his prediction of evil might +not be fulfilled. +</p> +<p> +They waited until the supper began to get cold. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll have to eat by ourselves, I reckon, partner. +Those other chaps have given us the cold +shake for just now. But they’ll be along after +awhile, never fear,” said Bluff, putting on a bold +face, even while his heart was troubled. +</p> +<p> +Will was seriously alarmed, but he tried not +to show it, out of pride. So there the two poor +fellows sat as the time passed, trying to assume +a nonchalance that neither of them really felt. +</p> +<p> +Twice they started up as some sound arose +to startle them. Once it was a shrill cry from the +neighboring woods, and Bluff laughed to recognize +the solemn “whoo-whoo” of an owl; the +other time it was some equally harmless source +from which the alarming sound sprung. +</p> +<p> +The idea of spending the night by themselves +was far from pleasant. Neither of them wanted +to sit up, and yet they dared not lie down and +try to sleep. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span> +</p> +<p> +“This isn’t so very much fun,” grumbled Bluff, +as he held on to the gun and continued to stare +about him at the changing shadows that seemed +to flutter around the outskirts of the camp. +</p> +<p> +It had been a question of dispute between them +as to whether they should keep up a good fire or +allow it to dwindle down. Will was for having +a roaring blaze that would serve to warn all evildoers +and trespassers that they were awake and +on the watch. On his part Bluff declared it would +draw trouble; so they compromised by allowing +the fire to die partly down. +</p> +<p> +“Say, it must be getting awful late,” remarked +Will, stifling a yawn. +</p> +<p> +“Why don’t you lie down and get some sleep, +then?” expostulated the other; “I’ll stand guard, +and nothing is going to happen.” +</p> +<p> +“Of course not, but you see I know I couldn’t +sleep a wink thinking about those two poor fellows, +and wondering what has happened. Do +you suppose they could be drowned, Bluff?” +asked Will, in an awe-struck voice. +</p> +<p> +“Aw, get out with your gloomy ideas. +Drowned—those fellows drowned—not on your +life. They have some good reason for not showing +up. I don’t know what it is, but you’ll see +when they do come. Don’t get timid, Will.” +</p> +<p> +“Timid! Who’s showing the white feather, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> +I’d like to know. Why, I’m not afraid of anything +that could happen here. You never saw +me shake unless it was with the cold. What is +there to fear, after all? Just lie down if you feel +like it, and—— What’s that?” +</p> +<p> +Will gave vent to a half-muffled yell when a +sudden vivid flash dispelled the darkness around +them, as if lightning had cut the gloom of night. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X—FRANK TRIES TO FIGURE IT OUT</h2> +<p> +Frank was sorely perplexed. He felt sure +that Jerry must have fallen into the hands of +some enemies while he was busily engaged in +examining the second Indian mound. Perhaps +it might be that he had even heard the low cry +of his chum when the others seized upon him, but +in his ignorance had supposed it to be the call of +a bird in the brush. +</p> +<p> +He tried to read the signs the best he could. +</p> +<p> +“There’s that same small footprint, showing +that the two tramps have been here. Were they +watching for us, or did we just happen to drop +in upon some favorite hiding-place of theirs? +They saw a chance to get my pard while I was +away with the gun. And now what will they do +with him?” +</p> +<p> +So he pondered as he stood there looking +around at the dense foliage that gave no hint +as to where these lawless characters could have +taken poor Jerry. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank searched high and low as the minutes +passed, but without any success. He saw the +coming of night with uneasiness. +</p> +<p> +“This is a nice pickle for me. Trying to warn +the others, and I fall into the pit myself the first +one. But they wouldn’t dare hurt Jerry. We +haven’t done them any harm. What they really +want, I imagine, consists of our guns and food. +Then they could hold out for a long campaign +in the woods, and snap their fingers at the sheriff +and his posse. Like as not, in the morning they’ll +try to open communications with us and offer +Jerry in exchange for our things.” +</p> +<p> +The thought gave him pain. Never before had +he known just how much he thought of the missing +boy. +</p> +<p> +Then he remembered that he had two other +chums. +</p> +<p> +“They’ll be worried too. Perhaps I’d better be +getting back to camp to relieve their distress of +mind. It will be all right in the morning, no +doubt. And there’s always a chance that Jerry +may be able to give the rascals the slip. He can +duck first-class when he wants to, whether it’s +playing hockey or prisoner’s base.” +</p> +<p> +Getting what small consolation he could out +of this, Frank now set about heading for the +camp. He had ventured far into the interior +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +of the island, and only for the fact that the stars +were shining brightly above, he might have +further mixed matters up by getting thoroughly +lost himself. +</p> +<p> +There were times when he found it all he could +do to push his way through the dense vegetation +which obstructed his passage on every side. +</p> +<p> +But having taken his bearings, he knew he +was slowly but surely drawing nearer the point +where their camp lay. The bluff stood up against +the star-bedecked sky at such times as he found +a clear spot and could catch a view. +</p> +<p> +Frank happened to have an unusually large +supply of matches with him. He always carried +some when in the woods, but that morning he had +taken up quite a bunch from the receptacle Jerry +had made to hold them near the entrance to their +tent. +</p> +<p> +Consequently he was able to strike one every +little while when some peculiarly knotty problem +presented itself for solution. +</p> +<p> +It was while standing in a little glade that he +ignited one of the matches in order to glance +at his watch, more than anything else. His attention +was immediately attracted toward something +on the ground. +</p> +<p> +“The ashes of a fire, without a doubt. That +proves the presence of human beings on the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> +island; and I guess an escaped lunatic would +never be guilty of making a fire. Oh! those two +hoboes are here, all right. If I could only get +word to Mr. Dodd now, he would surround the +island, and capture them easily. But if they +hurt my chum they’ll pay dear for it,” he +muttered. +</p> +<p> +The ashes were stone cold, as he discovered +upon placing his hand upon them, Indian style. +Perhaps a red native of the North Woods could +have even told just how long it had been since +fire lingered among the dead embers; but it was +more than the boy was able to do. +</p> +<p> +Again he pushed forward. Rounding the +bluff, he now headed straight for the camp. +</p> +<p> +Perhaps he found himself entertaining a desolate +hope that, after all, Jerry might have played +a little trick on him, running off, and making +camp while he lingered. Frank knew about the +old game of “holding the bag,” where boys coax +a green comrade to go out into the dark woods +far from home, and leave him holding a sack over +the end of a hollow log while they pretend to +scare up the rabbits or other game, but in reality +go home; but he did not think Jerry would play +such a lark when things looked so serious around +them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +</p> +<p> +He wondered why he did not see something of +the fire. +</p> +<p> +Surely nothing could have happened to the two +in camp? That would be worse and worse, for +it was bad enough to think of Jerry in the hands +of those rascally hoboes, without adding to the +horror. +</p> +<p> +Now he was crawling up near the place under +the shelter of the bluff, craning his neck eagerly +for some sign of the boys. At first he could not +see them. The fire was burning low, and that +was a sign he did not like. +</p> +<p> +Frank began to feel a cold sensation creep over +him. It was beginning to seem so sinister and +awe-inspiring that he was deeply impressed. +</p> +<p> +Then he caught the low buzz of voices, and, +listening, was cheered to recognize the tones of +Will as he made his boast. +</p> +<p> +When that sudden amazing flash came, Frank +crouched there as if transformed into a pillar of +salt, like Lot’s wife. For the life of him he could +not understand what had happened. He thought +he heard a scuffling sound on the other side of the +camp, but was not sure. Then Will spoke up, +his voice quivering with alarm: +</p> +<p> +“Oh! what was that, Bluff? Did any one +shoot, or was it lightning? I didn’t hear the +thunder, did you?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> +</p> +<p> +“Hang the luck, that gave me a bad start, as +sure as you live. And to think, after all, it was +only that beastly old flash you arranged to make +some animal take a photograph of himself! +A few times like that and we’ll both be fit to go +over to the Merrick Asylum, that’s what.” +</p> +<p> +“My camera set for a flashlight picture? Why, +of course! How silly for me to be startled! But +I should have remembered it in a few seconds, +anyhow. Thank you for reminding me of it. +And it worked, you notice, Bluff. You laughed +at the idea, but I guess I’ve got the ’coon’s picture, +all right,” laughed Will, hysterically. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that over on the other side, yonder? +I would swear I saw something moving there. +Listen, and tell me if you can hear him breathing +before I let go!” exclaimed Bluff, excitedly. +</p> +<p> +“Hold on there, Bluff, don’t you dare fire! +It’s me, and I’m hiding behind this tree for fear +of being punctured by a load of shot!” called a +voice. +</p> +<p> +Will gave vent to a gurgle of delight, and +seemed to try to hug himself. +</p> +<p> +“Thank goodness, it’s Frank. They’ve returned +at last to a cold supper. Welcome home, +boys. We’ve been looking for you this long +while,” he said. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why, he’s alone!” exclaimed Bluff, in surprise. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and I’ve got some bad news for you, +fellows,” said Frank, coming up. +</p> +<p> +“About Jerry?” demanded Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, he’s gone!” continued the newcomer, +dejectedly. +</p> +<p> +“Gone!” echoed Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Goodness gracious! what’s happened?” ejaculated +Will, clutching hold of the newcomer’s +sleeve, as though his knees suddenly grew weak. +</p> +<p> +“Disappeared, and I’m seriously afraid that +those miserable hoboes have caught him,” declared +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Caught him—but they’re not cannibals—they +couldn’t eat poor Jerry!” came from the bewildered +Will, at which Bluff gave a contemptuous +laugh. +</p> +<p> +“Why, of course not, silly. Frank means +they’ve caught Jerry, intending to make him +valuable some way; ain’t that it, Frank?” he +said. +</p> +<p> +“Just what I mean. They may try to dicker +with us for some provisions. I rather guess +they’re some shy in that line. Or, it may be they +want us to clear out. Any way you fix it the +thing has a bad look, and promises to break up +our pleasant little outing.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +</p> +<p> +“It’s a beastly shame. I’d just like to get hold +of those tramps. Wouldn’t they be headed for +the lock-up in Centerville in a hurry!” growled +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +Frank looked at him seriously as if contemplating +some move. +</p> +<p> +“Well,” said he presently, “I don’t know but +what it will come to it that you can have a hand +in their removal.” +</p> +<p> +“What d’ye mean?” demanded the other, instantly. +</p> +<p> +“It may be that between now and morning I’ll +ask you to make a little journey.” +</p> +<p> +“Looking up the hoboes?” asked Will, aghast. +</p> +<p> +“Well, hardly. This trip would be by water, +and in a canoe,” replied Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I catch on, all right. You think some +one ought to go back to town and let the sheriff +know that his game can be found here on Wildcat +Island?” said Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Just so, but please lower your voice; there’s +no telling who may be hiding in the bushes +around here. Those hoboes want something +we’ve got, and they mean to have it if possible. +Perhaps it may be food, and, again, I’ve thought, +they may envy us the possession of guns.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I think the idea is a good one; somebody +ought to go,” pursued Bluff. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span> +</p> +<p> +“Then it ought to be you. Who can paddle a +canoe better than you, Bluff? Besides, Frank +is needed here on the island. Something might +come up that neither you nor I could settle,” +remarked Will. +</p> +<p> +“I suppose so. Let me know what you decide, +Frank, and you’ll find me willing,” continued +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +For answer the other simply squeezed his hand. +He was considerably worried over the mysterious +absence of Jerry, and realized that the game they +were playing was a much more serious one than +any that had as yet claimed their attention. These +disreputable rascals were desperate; they had +done something calculated to send them to the +penitentiary for a term of years, and would try +their best to avoid punishment. +</p> +<p> +“There’s one thing good, Bluff, if you do go: +you won’t have to paddle along in the dark,” +said Will, presently. +</p> +<p> +The others glanced toward the east, where the +light of the moon was just beginning to appear +along the horizon. +</p> +<p> +Even as they stood there and talked in low +tones the silvery face of the moon pushed up +into view. Being some days past her full, she +was shorn of a portion of her circuit; but still +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span> +promised a flood of light during the balance of +the night. +</p> +<p> +Somehow even this circumstance seemed to +give the boys new encouragement. +</p> +<p> +“Things never look quite so bad when you +can see what’s what,” was Will’s way of mentioning +this circumstance. +</p> +<p> +“Suppose you come and sit down, Frank. Both +of us are just dying to hear all about what happened +to you and Jerry,” said Bluff, presently. +</p> +<p> +“There’s precious little to tell, but what there +is you shall hear, boys. I’m ashamed to say that +it was while I was a little ways off, examining +some curious mounds, made perhaps by the old +Indians, that this thing happened to our chum. +But let’s sit down here, and I’ll tell you all about +it.” +</p> +<p> +In a low tone he started to detail the few +things that had marked the circuitous journey of +himself and Jerry, while the others hung upon +every word, anxious to hear the thrilling dénouement +where he found the comrade who had +shared his adventures, missing. +</p> +<p> +Just as he reached this point, and they were +all worked up over it, Bluff gave a sudden jump. +On the spur of the moment Frank supposed he +had become so nervous over the description that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> +he could no longer sit still. He was therefore +astounded to hear his chum cry out: +</p> +<p> +“Looky there, boys! As sure as you live, some +miserable reptile is getting away with the canoe +I used in fishing, and left pulled up on the beach!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI—RECOVERING A STOLEN BOAT</h2> +<p> +“After him!” exclaimed Frank, as he also +sprang to his feet. +</p> +<p> +“Stop the scoundrel!” echoed Will, a bit slower +at getting in motion. +</p> +<p> +Of course Frank never once dreamed that it +could be any other than one of the two hoboes. +They needed various things, and a boat might +be among the number, although evidently they +must have had a craft of some sort in order to +reach the island in the beginning. +</p> +<p> +The moon was half hidden among a few floating +clouds that hung close to the horizon, but +gave plenty of light for them to see what was +going on. The bold thief must have been prowling +around in the vicinity of the camp, trying to +get a chance to make way with something. +</p> +<p> +Even as they looked he was shoving the canoe +in the water. Then he tumbled into it rather +awkwardly, which was a pretty good sign that he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span> +knew little about balancing in one of the cranky +little craft. +</p> +<p> +“Where are the other boats—get the key to +unlock them!” exclaimed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got it right here—this way, fellows!” +echoed Bluff. +</p> +<p> +He was already bending over the bunch of +boats consisting of the mate to the stolen craft +and the big double canoe. +</p> +<p> +Frank snatched up a paddle and bounded over +to where his comrades knelt. As soon as Bluff +threw the chain aside the other snatched up the +single canoe, rushed straight to the water’s edge +and launched it. All this had taken but a comparatively +few seconds to transpire. Indeed, the +thief was not fifty feet away at the time Frank +threw himself into the other craft. +</p> +<p> +Bluff and Will drew up on the edge of the +water. +</p> +<p> +“Mind the camp! Get the guns secure! This +may be a clever trick to draw attention away +from the tents! I’ll take care of the thief, +fellows!” +</p> +<p> +Frank’s voice boomed over the lake. Already +he was sending his paddle deep into the water, +and urging his frail craft onward with constantly +increasing speed. +</p> +<p> +“He’s right. We must guard the camp! This +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span> +way, Will—pick up Frank’s gun, and keep watch. +We can have one eye on the lake and the other +here!” called Bluff, who was quick to catch on +to a thing once he heard it. +</p> +<p> +So they stood there on the border, each making +quick turns of the head in order to see all that +went on. +</p> +<p> +If any thief entered that camp just then, calculating +on having a clear field for his operations, +he was likely to soon regret his temerity, for the +boys were tremendously aroused, and Bluff had +an impetuous nature. +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile Frank was pushing onward with +furious zeal. +</p> +<p> +He could see that he was gaining with every +stroke. The occupant of the other canoe seemed +to be paddling desperately, but he evidently did +not know just how to get the best results from +his labor. His craft wobbled considerably; that +is, it headed from one side to the other. +</p> +<p> +As a result Frank was rapidly overcoming the +distance that had in the start separated him from +the unknown. +</p> +<p> +He anticipated that at the last the other would +try and turn to the shore with the idea of making +a hurried landing. In order to cut him off +from such safety Frank kept in-shore, where he +could interpose should the enemy try that game. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got him!” was what he was saying to +himself, over and over. +</p> +<p> +The thought gave the boy a fierce satisfaction. +He now began to wonder just how he was +going to recover the boat. Would the rascal +dive overboard at the last, or put up a desperate +fight to retain possession of his prize? +</p> +<p> +Frank held to the belief that it was one of the +hoboes. That meant he would find himself opposed +to a man accustomed to defying the law and +ready to commit even a crime in order to retain +his liberty. +</p> +<p> +“He’s a coward, anyhow, or he wouldn’t run +that way,” he assured himself, as he worked +harder than ever at the paddle. +</p> +<p> +Now he was close upon the other. Too late +the thief tried to head shoreward, and escape in +that way. Frank saw his opportunity to cut +him off; and again the race started straightaway +over the moonlit lake. +</p> +<p> +Those on the shore at the camp could no +longer see the rival canoes. The moonlight was +deceptive; and, besides, the fiercely paddling +twain had turned the point. +</p> +<p> +But a new light of a fire had dawned upon +the vision of Frank, which he knew came from +the camp of the Peters crowd; for the boys had, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span> +of course, told him about the arrival of these +rough customers on the island. +</p> +<p> +“I declare, I believe it must be one of that lot, +and not the tramp after all,” he muttered, as he +again cut the other off from heading ashore. +</p> +<p> +This put a new face on matters. +</p> +<p> +He no longer hesitated about coming to conclusions +with the thief. If, after all, it was but +a boy like himself, he could not meet him any too +soon to satisfy his desires. +</p> +<p> +Observing the fellow’s manner more closely +now, he was not long in determining upon his +identity. +</p> +<p> +“It’s Pet Peters himself. And he’s getting +worried to know just what he’s going to do to +save himself and the stolen canoe, too. I’d better +end this agony with a rush, and here goes!” +</p> +<p> +So saying, he now headed directly for the +other craft, rushing forward with furious speed +that gave the finishing touch to the alarm of the +pursued one. +</p> +<p> +In vain had Pet tried to outwit him; he had +been caught every time, and forced to keep in +the open. Even when he attempted to hold his +own straight ahead it was to see the distance +cut down steadily. +</p> +<p> +Before now he had tried conclusions with +Frank Langdon, nor was he hankering after a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span> +repetition of his previous experiences. The +memory of sundry bruises had never entirely left +him; and it looked as though the other might +be more angry on this occasion than ever before. +</p> +<p> +“Hold up there, you thief! I’ve got you +cornered!” called Frank, as he pushed still nearer. +</p> +<p> +Pet ceased paddling. After all it was just as +well, for he had lost hope of evading this persistent +pursuer in the race. +</p> +<p> +He clutched his spruce paddle fiercely in his +hands. If it came to the worst he could perhaps +use the same as a weapon of defense. It had +failed him in its legitimate channels, but could +he give the other one smart blow on the head with +its edge, no doubt Frank must be put out of the +running. +</p> +<p> +And Pet Peters had no scruples on the score of +delicacy. He was accustomed to rough methods +of carrying his point. A blow on the head usually +concluded any argument in which he might be +engaged. +</p> +<p> +“Keep back, you!” he yelled. +</p> +<p> +Frank saw that he was now standing rather +unsteadily in the canoe. He smiled grimly, for +he knew that the game was in his hands. Any +fellow who is so foolish as to stand upright in +so frail a vessel places himself in a position where +he is apt to receive a sudden and unexpected bath. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank was still advancing in a line as though +he calculated to come alongside the other boat. +That was evidently just what the bully expected +him to do, and to meet which anticipated emergency +he was now, as he thought, fully prepared. +</p> +<p> +“Get out of that boat, and in a hurry, you!” +cried Frank. +</p> +<p> +He was speaking more to hold the attention +of Pet than because he expected the other to +obey him. +</p> +<p> +“Keep back, I tell yuh, Langdon, er it’ll be the +worse for yuh!” bellowed the other, at the same +time making several vicious sweeps through the +air with his poised paddle, as if to emphasize his +pugnacious intentions. +</p> +<p> +The act came very nearly being his undoing, +for he staggered and had to even make a quick +clutch at the gunwale of the canoe to keep his +balance. +</p> +<p> +Frank saw his chance. He was by this time +close enough to put his little scheme into practice. +That canoe had to be recovered one way +or another. If Pet refused to surrender his ill-gotten +plunder peaceably, then it was high time +other measures were brought into play. +</p> +<p> +With a sudden turn Frank headed his boat +straight at the side of the other. He meant at +the last instant to turn far enough to give but a +slanting blow, not desiring to injure the second +canoe by smashing in the delicate ribs. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i003' id='i003'></a> +<img src="images/illus-104.jpg" alt="PET PETERS TOOK A HEADLONG PLUNGE OVER THE SIDE." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>PET PETERS TOOK A HEADLONG PLUNGE OVER THE SIDE.</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span></div> +<p> +Too late did Pet realize how completely he +had placed himself in the power of his more expert +adversary, who had handled canoes so long +that he was perfectly at home in one. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you, keep away!” +</p> +<p> +It was the despairing wail of a quitter. Even +before the prow of Frank’s craft was in collision +with the side of his own, Pet knew that he was +about to experience a tremendous shock against +which he would be given no chance to prepare +himself. +</p> +<p> +In his sudden terror his first act was to let +fall the paddle which he had intended to use in +knocking Frank out. Then he tried to get hold +of both gunwales, so as to brace himself against +the shock. +</p> +<p> +It was too late, however. A second more and +he might have done something, but by that little +space of time he lost. +</p> +<p> +Bang! came the stem of Frank’s canoe against +the second boat, which was tilted half way over +under the impact. Pet Peters took a headlong +plunge over the side and disappeared under the +moonlit waters of the lake with a tremendous +splash! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII—DOWN THE SLOPE</h2> +<p> +Frank laughed. He really could not help it, +the sight of Pet going overboard with such a +great tossing of arms and legs was so comical. +But at the same time he did not forget to reach +over and reclaim the floating paddle. +</p> +<p> +He was already holding on to the recovered +boat, when, with a great splurge and splashing, +Pet appeared on the surface of the water, swimming +as well as his clothes would permit. Fortunately +the fellow was a regular water-dog, and +able to easily sustain himself under any circumstances +when in the lake; though doubtless he +found his bath rather cold at this early season of +the year. +</p> +<p> +“Think yuh done sumpin smart, I reckon, +Langdon! I’ll get even with yuh for it, see if I +don’t!” he snorted, sustaining himself by vigorous +strokes. +</p> +<p> +“Better get ashore before your clothes drag you +down. Do your blowing afterwards, Peters. +You’re a thief, that’s all, and ought to be landed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span> +behind the bars for such work as this. Go on, +now, before I get real mad and chase you ashore.” +</p> +<p> +Possibly the fellow feared that Frank might +take a notion to do as he threatened, for he had +a healthy respect concerning the other’s prowess. +At any rate he started to swim away with lusty +strokes. One might have thought a bear was +in the water, such was the noise he made. +</p> +<p> +Frank found the painter of the recovered +canoe. This he fastened to a cleat, and then, +making a turn, headed back to the camp. +</p> +<p> +Those who were anxiously listening caught a +glimpse of the two boats as they turned the point. +</p> +<p> +“He’s got it back all right!” cried Will, in +excitement. +</p> +<p> +“Bully for Frank! He’s equal to the whole +Peters crowd!” called Bluff; from which it could +easily be understood that neither of these boys +had been in any doubt as to whom they had to +thank for the stealing of the boat. +</p> +<p> +Frank landed in a few minutes. Beyond +breathing a little harder than usual he showed no +signs of his recent chase. +</p> +<p> +“This time we’ll make sure that all the boats +are fast. It was a bad break for you to leave +that one loose. But we have had so many strange +things happen since we landed on Wildcat Island +that a fellow can hardly be blamed for letting a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> +cog slip occasionally. Lend a hand, Bluff,” said +Frank. +</p> +<p> +That was his way. He realized that no one +could be perfect, that he sometimes made mistakes +himself, and others should be forgiven if +they occasionally neglected to do the things that +were expected of them. +</p> +<p> +And that was the secret of why the other fellows +all admired Frank above any of their companions: +he could forgive another’s fault, but +was very severe with himself when he happened +to fall short. +</p> +<p> +They secured the boats and carried the paddles +into camp. +</p> +<p> +Will seemed inconsolable. He had heard that +tremendous splash, and already understood what +had caused it. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! if I could only have caught that fellow +just in the act of taking that header, what a +beaut it would have been. Too bad that such +glorious chances escape me all the time,” he +moaned. +</p> +<p> +But the others had too serious a problem to +consider to pay much attention to the complaints +of the amateur photographer. +</p> +<p> +“How about going to Centerville?” asked +Bluff, as they sat there near the revived camp +fire to talk it over. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span> +</p> +<p> +“That can wait a while. Plenty of time between +now and morning, Bluff,” answered the +one addressed, as he poked the fire reflectively. +</p> +<p> +“But you’ve got something on your mind,” +argued Bluff, shrewdly. +</p> +<p> +“What makes you think that?” demanded +Frank, smiling. +</p> +<p> +“I can see it in your eyes; they give you away. +So let’s hear what it is, for you see we’re all +equally interested,” replied his chum, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Well, of course it’s about Jerry,” began +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“That goes without saying. You’re not thinking +of starting out in the night to make another +hunt for him, are you?” demanded Will, arousing +to the fact that perhaps he might be left alone +in camp, and under the circumstances he would +not enjoy that very much. +</p> +<p> +“Somehow a new idea has flashed into my +head. I don’t know that there is anything to it, +but somehow I’m unable to dismiss it. The fact +of Pet Peters being bold enough to sneak up +here and try to make way with one of our canoes +gave me this thought,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Go on, please,” urged Will, while Bluff +awaited the disclosure with equal anxiety. +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps those fellows are responsible for +Jerry’s disappearance!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span> +</p> +<p> +“What! the Peters crowd? Strange that none +of us thought of that before,” declared Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Then you agree with me that there is a chance +that way?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t put it past them a minute,” replied +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“But what would they want with him? They’re +not so desperate as the hoboes, and, besides, +you remember that Mr. Dodd warned them he +meant to run the lot in if they kept pestering +us,” ventured Will. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! that was away last Fall. Those fellows +have forgotten all about that by this time. Frank, +I’m inclined to agree with you. In that case, +what had we better do? Take the guns and make +a sudden attack on their camp?” +</p> +<p> +Bluff, always ready for trouble, reached out +his hand toward Jerry’s gun as he spoke, showing +his willingness to follow up his suggestion by +immediate action. +</p> +<p> +“Not so fast, my hearty. If we attacked their +camp and then found that they had nothing to +do with Jerry’s kidnapping we’d be in a nice +pickle, wouldn’t we? After that they could say +we were a lot of savages, as well as they.” +</p> +<p> +“But something should be done!” expostulated +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“And I propose to do it. In other words I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span> +mean to take a little stroll around the point, and +see what their camp looks like,” remarked Frank, +rising. +</p> +<p> +“If you find they’ve got our chum, promise to +come back for us. We want to have a hand in +bringing about his release. You will, won’t you, +Frank?” asked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“I promise you, boys. Keep Jerry’s gun with +you, and stay on guard. Don’t shoot in a hurry, +because you might pepper me, and that’s something +I object to. Now I’m off.” +</p> +<p> +“Good luck to you, Frank, and take care of +yourself,” said Will. +</p> +<p> +Frank made his way into the brush. He could +have approached the other camp with far less +trouble had he chosen to keep along the edge of +the water. It struck him, however, that the +enemy might anticipate a raid of some sort after +their recent miserable attempt to cripple the members +of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club in their +resources, and be on the watch for stragglers +along the beach. +</p> +<p> +They would possibly not dream that any one +would take all the trouble to push through the +dense brush, and climb the hill, at the base of +which they had squatted upon landing. +</p> +<p> +Frank was in no hurry. He knew that Pet’s +companions would be all excited over his bedraggled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> +condition when he reached shore. Still, +it was hardly probable that they would venture +to take up the cudgels, and attempt any more +mischief, that night at least. +</p> +<p> +He remembered what a healthy respect these +fellows entertained for the guns in the possession +of the club members. They were more apt to +take it out in making all manner of tremendous +plans against the peace of the campers which they +would hardly be likely to carry out when their +anger had had a chance to cool. +</p> +<p> +As he drew near the place, Frank found that +a little hill interposed, just as the abrupt bluff +did in the case of their own camp. This he would +have to climb ere he could look down upon those +he had come to observe. +</p> +<p> +There was more or less difficulty in reaching +the top of this little elevation. +</p> +<p> +“They must go around here when entering +the woods,” Frank concluded, after he had finally +gained the top of the rise. +</p> +<p> +He hardly liked the idea of returning along the +same difficult lines; but when he felt this disinclination +he was really worrying over something +that was fated never to come about. +</p> +<p> +By degrees he pushed forward until he found +himself on the edge of a little declivity. Down +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span> +below he could see the old dingy tent which he +knew so well, also the fire of the Peters crowd. +</p> +<p> +The boys were gathered around, watching Pet, +partly disrobed, trying to warm himself near the +blaze; but if he was shivering outwardly with the +cold, he seemed to be burning within, to judge +from the motions he made while talking. +</p> +<p> +“Evidently Pet is making a vow to settle my +hash the first time we meet. But I don’t seem +to be trembling, that I can discover. I know Pet +of old, and how easy he can change his mind,” +Frank told himself, as he watched. +</p> +<p> +Unable to see just as well as he wished from +where he first knelt, he moved a little to the left, +as that seemed to promise a better view. +</p> +<p> +It was the last straw upon the camel’s back. +Already, though Frank did not know it, the +treacherous soil was giving way under his weight, +and this move on his part aggravated the trouble. +</p> +<p> +He felt himself slipping, tried to catch hold of +a nearby bush, which gave way in his frenzied +grasp, and down the steep incline he plunged! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII—THE WILD MAN DEVELOPS AN APPETITE</h2> +<p> +“Great smoke! what’s that?” +</p> +<p> +“It’s the wild man, fellers!” +</p> +<p> +“Run, afore he gits yuh!” +</p> +<p> +There was an immediate scramble among the +adherents of Pet Peters. What they had heard +about the wild man of the island had kept them +on edge throughout the entire length of their +short sojourn; and now, when this sudden object +came rolling down the incline into their very +camp they were panic stricken. +</p> +<p> +Pet himself was just as frightened as any of +his mates. He had been sitting by the fire, drying +his back, having removed his coat and trousers +meanwhile. As the alarm sounded he tried to get +to his feet so as to join in the hasty flight, but, +as might be expected, his legs became twisted, +and consequently he fell in a heap. +</p> +<p> +“Wow! keep off’n me, you! I ain’t done +nuthin’!” he yelled. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span> +</p> +<p> +It was his customary plea when caught doing +something wrong. +</p> +<p> +Frank had by this time reached the bottom +of the incline, for which he was not at all sorry. +He had not been seriously hurt by his rough +tumble, and, thinking only of keeping himself +aloof from these ugly spirits, he managed to +scramble to his feet after some fashion. +</p> +<p> +Through it all he had kept a firm grip on his +gun, as though he knew what protection he could +count on from that source. +</p> +<p> +There was another grand picture that escaped +Will, and which he would never cease to lament +the loss of—Frank regaining his feet, those +fellows scampering away in several directions, +and Pet on his knees, holding one arm up as if +to ward off some evil blow which he expected to +descend. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, it’s only Langdon! Kim back here, yuh +cowards!” bellowed Pet, as soon as his startled +eyes could tell him the truth. +</p> +<p> +And the others, halted in the midst of their +mad flight, looking back, saw that instead of the +terrible hairy wild man of their dreams it was +indeed only a boy who stood there, and he the +one they hated most of all. +</p> +<p> +So they came straggling back, some looking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +sheepish over their recent scare, while others +scowled as if in an ugly temper. +</p> +<p> +“Wot yuh want here, Langdon?” demanded +Pet, bridling up as he saw that much was expected +of him by his followers. +</p> +<p> +It was unfortunate that this should happen +so soon after he had been making such enormous +threats about what he was going to do to Frank +when next they met. +</p> +<p> +What could a fellow do anyway when he was +minus his coat and trousers, as well as shoes? +</p> +<p> +Frank had recovered his lost breath by now. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I might have strolled over here just +to ask whether you had arrived safely after your +swim; and to express a hope that you might not +take cold. It’s pretty early in the season to go in, +you know,” he said smoothly. +</p> +<p> +The others looked at each other as if they +hardly knew what to make of it. Somehow this +Langdon always did seem to have the advantage +whenever they came face to face. In the canoe +he was Pet’s master, because he felt quite at home +there, while the other did not. Now, here ashore, +he held something in his hands which none of +them liked the looks of—a double-barreled shotgun. +</p> +<p> +“Aw, go chase yerself! ’Twan’t that as +fetched yuh here. Think we scooped sumpin, an’ +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +yuh come sneakin’ round tryin’ tuh see,” snarled +the shivering Pet. +</p> +<p> +“Come up to the fire and keep warm. It’s your +fire; I don’t lay any claim to it. Perhaps you +fellows think I slid down that toboggan track +on purpose? Well, you’ve got another guess +coming, then. I have more respect for my clothes +than to try such things, as a rule.” +</p> +<p> +Frank was talking for a purpose. He did not +expect to enter the camp of the enemy when he +parted from Will and Bluff; but now that circumstances +beyond his control had caused such +a move on his part, he meant to take full advantage +of it. +</p> +<p> +Before he left, he expected to know positively +what they had in that tent. If Jerry was found +there, a prisoner, he must be set free, no matter +what happened after such a move. +</p> +<p> +So, as he talked he kept moving a little at a +time in the direction of the said tent. If the +others noticed his action they could not give any +sort of guess as to what he was after. Besides, +he kept that gun always half raised, and moving +back and forth, from side to side, so that it +covered the entire bunch. +</p> +<p> +“Jest yuh make tracks outen here, Langdon. +Yuh ain’t wanted, see? This here’s our camp, +an’ yer intrudin’,” chattered Pet, who was compelled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +to creep closer to the fire, for he was shivering +as though he had the ague. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I’m going right away, boys. I assure +you I haven’t the least intention of staying and +putting you to any inconvenience. Just a little +social call, you understand, Pet. I couldn’t bear +the thought that possibly you were still floundering +around out there on the lake. Glad to know +you arrived,” Frank continued, now close to the +flap of the tent. +</p> +<p> +The others had unconsciously followed him, so +that with the exception of Pet the whole of the +camp’s inmates were clustered just in front of +the intruder. +</p> +<p> +As he uttered the last word, Frank suddenly +stooped. He had seen his chance, and meant to +investigate the interior of that tent. +</p> +<p> +To his dismay it was far from light inside. He +could just make out objects dimly. There might +be a prostrate figure on some of the dirty blankets +strewing the ground, for all he could say. +</p> +<p> +Determined to make sure, he immediately +darted inside the tent. A chorus of excited exclamations +arose from the half circle of roughs +outside. +</p> +<p> +“He’s a-goin’ ter steal our blankets, that’s +what!” shouted one. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t let him, fellers!” whooped Pet, dancing from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span> +one bare foot to the other in his excitement, +but not offering to lend a hand in corralling +the intruder. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you, wot yer want in there?” howled +another, looking around for a cudgel that might +come in handy. +</p> +<p> +Then Frank emerged. He still kept his handy +gun in evidence, seeing which the others backed +away again, not being quite so eager as they +imagined to come to hand-grips with this determined +boy. +</p> +<p> +Frank was disappointed. He had failed to +find the slightest trace of his missing chum in the +tent of the Peters crowd. This seemed to prove +that they knew nothing about the kidnapping of +Jerry. +</p> +<p> +Under the circumstances he thought it might +be just as well to explain his queer move a little. +The knowledge might hasten the departure of +these rowdy fellows, and purge the island of their +presence. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll tell you what I was looking for. One +of my chums has strangely disappeared, and we +thought that perhaps you had him here. That’s +all. But I find you haven’t; which makes me +believe he’s fallen into the hands of that wild +man, or else the two hobo thieves who robbed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span> +the man on the steamboat; because we happen +to know they’re here on this island.” +</p> +<p> +“Wot’s that?” demanded Pet, anxiously. +</p> +<p> +“Why, you heard about the two tramps on +the <em>Eastern Star</em>, didn’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“Yuh mean the fellers as collared the roll o’ +Mister Pemberton?” asked Pet, forgetting to +even shiver, in his new excitement. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and they’re here on this island right +now, hungry and desperate,” continued Frank, +thinking it good policy to rub it in good and +hard while he was about it. +</p> +<p> +“Here on this yer island—them desperadoes +are?” gasped one. +</p> +<p> +“That’s easy to say, Langdon; but how d’ye +know?” demanded Pet. +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ve seen them, for one thing. Then +they robbed us of a kettle with our supper last +night. Let a cord down from the top of the +cliff, and caught the bale of the kettle with a hook. +First thing we knew, our supper was sailing up, +and that was the last we ever saw of it,” replied +Frank, now beginning to edge toward the beach, +as he had suddenly decided to return by an easier +path than the one he had taken in coming. +</p> +<p> +Then the boys looked at each other uneasily. +</p> +<p> +“A wild man loose here; an’ now them two +desperate critters huntin’ round fur anythin’ +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> +loose. Say, fellers, it’s up ter us ter git outen +this in the mornin’,” said Pet, shaking his head +with determination. +</p> +<p> +And not one of his mates lifted his voice, even +in a whisper, contrarywise. Indeed, to tell the truth, +they looked as though the hours that must elapse +ere they departed hence would fairly drag along. +</p> +<p> +Frank, believing that he had reached a point +where he could boldly make his exit from the +hostile camp, was just in the act of backing away +when he saw something that gave him a shock. +</p> +<p> +“Say, look yonder, you fellows, what’s happening +to your provision basket!” he exclaimed, +pointing with his gun. +</p> +<p> +Every boy whirled around, and as he did so +a concerted howl went up, partly of rage, though +terror could be plainly detected in the chorus. +There was a swiftly moving figure carrying off +the big basket in which all the balance of their +supplies happened to be gathered. And such a +figure—whether a wild man or a gigantic ape—it +would be impossible to say, for in the quick +glimpse which Frank had of it ere the Thing +vanished among the bushes he could only positively +say that it seemed to be covered with hair, +and when its face was turned it looked a cross +between that of a demented human being and a +great ape! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV—BLUFF TAKES CHANCES</h2> +<p> +There never was such a frightened group of +fellows as that crowd when they saw their basket +of provisions vanish in the grip of this awful-looking +object. +</p> +<p> +For a few seconds they seemed too astonished +to even move, and the thief had actually gone +out of sight in the brush before the first boy +made a jump after him. +</p> +<p> +Whether it was a touch of valor that actuated +him, or the desire to get back the precious basket +that held their food, it would be hard to say. +</p> +<p> +“Look out!” shouted Frank, who had seen +something descending along the face of the little +rise. +</p> +<p> +Even as he spoke a shower of stones, together +with lumps of earth, fell with a great clatter. +Somebody was bombarding the camp from above! +It looked as though the wild man must have had +wings to reach that spot, if the missiles came +from him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span> +</p> +<p> +By this time Pet himself was in full flight. +He had snatched up his loose garments from the +sticks on which they were drying at the fire, and +made for the shelter of the bushes on the other +side of the camp. +</p> +<p> +The rest scampered this way and that, one +even hiding inside the tent, while a couple of +others tried to budge the heavy boat that had +been drawn up high and dry on the shore, as if +seriously considering the chances of flight. +</p> +<p> +Frank saw his opportunity to get away, and +was not slow to avail himself of it. +</p> +<p> +“Thanks, awfully, Mr. Wild Man; I’m indebted +to you,” he laughed, as he started along +the little beach, headed for his own camp. +</p> +<p> +He knew his chums would be dreadfully anxious +by this time. They must have surely heard +the excited cries from the other camp, and would +be alarmed lest something had happened to him. +</p> +<p> +As he drew near he whistled. This was a +signal that Bluff should recognize, and which +would tell him who approached, so that he would +not be tempted to fire, or make any threatening +demonstration. +</p> +<p> +“Welcome back, Frank!” exclaimed Bluff, as +he appeared in sight. +</p> +<p> +“Sure, we’re glad to see you safe and sound. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span> +From the racket we began to be afraid that you’d +got into trouble,” observed Will. +</p> +<p> +“The trouble seemed to be on the other side, +boys. They’ve fared worse than we did. In +our case it was only a kettle full of stew; but +they lost everything!” +</p> +<p> +“What’s that? Do you mean somebody +cribbed their grub?” demanded Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Just what happened, and right under my +eyes, too. I saw it done. Oh! what you missed +then, Will! If you could only have snapped off +that picture, there wouldn’t be a single soul in +Centerville doubt the story about the wild man,” +said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Wild man! Do you mean to say he entered +their camp while you were there?” +</p> +<p> +“And actually grabbed up their stuff under +your eyes? Then you can tell us what he looked +like. Was it really a man, or an animal, Frank?” +questioned Bluff, excitedly. +</p> +<p> +Frank shook his head, as he replied: +</p> +<p> +“There you’ve got me, for just on the spur +of the moment I couldn’t say positively. He +walked on two legs, and seemed like a man; but +looked like a great big chimpanzee, or an ape, +I’ve seen do tricks at the circus. Anyway, he +was a terrible object, and sent a shiver over me.” +</p> +<p> +“Gracious goodness! and he stole their provisions, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span> +you said?” exclaimed Will, involuntarily +looking around as if he half expected the dreadful +wild man to rush into view right then and +there. +</p> +<p> +“Everything they had, I imagine. One good +thing, it will make them get out in the morning, +and for that we’re obliged to the wild man. If +only Jerry were here, now, I’d be feeling first-class,” +resumed Frank, with a sigh. +</p> +<p> +“But I don’t understand why he’d enter their +camp when he could have gotten a lot of much +better grub right here in ours,” said Bluff, shaking +his head. +</p> +<p> +“Well, you see, he’s evidently afraid of our +guns; and, perhaps, he happened to know that +they had none over yonder,” explained Frank. +</p> +<p> +“But is that reasonable? Would a crazy man +stop for such a little thing as that? It strikes +me this raid on their eating department looks like +a set-up job.” +</p> +<p> +“There now, Bluff, you’ve set me to thinking +again. I neglected to tell you all that happened. +When the hairy monster was making off with +the basket, one of the boys started after him; +and then and there a shower of stones and dirt +came down from above, and fell all around him. +After that there was a quick scattering,” remarked +Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span> +</p> +<p> +“Evidently the wild man had a friend close +by; he wasn’t alone then. Say, perhaps he’s +formed a league with those ugly hoboes. They’re +all a hungry lot, and ready to steal anything that +comes along in the way of grub.” +</p> +<p> +“Again you may be right, Bluff. If you keep +on guessing I’m sure we’ll know all about the +whole business soon,” laughed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“But how about that other scheme of yours?” +asked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that—the trip to town?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes. Haven’t changed your mind about it, +eh, Frank?” asked the other. +</p> +<p> +“Are you willing to make the attempt?” +queried Frank, promptly. +</p> +<p> +“Try me, that’s all. Now that the old moon’s +up it will be just fun. I can make it in a little +time, and hunt up the sheriff. Why, the lot of +us may even be back here by morning, boys,” +replied Bluff, enthusiastically. +</p> +<p> +He always went into anything with his whole +soul, though perhaps his ardor might cool sooner +than the grim determination of Frank, or even +Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“That would be fine. Well, since you don’t +object, suppose you get the canoe ready. Will and +I will remain to watch the camp, because we seem +to be surrounded by a raft of enemies, all eager +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span> +to do us a bad turn if they can. With Jerry +missing, the case looks serious, and something +must be done to round these bad men up.” +</p> +<p> +Bluff immediately jumped up and hurried over +to where the three canoes were fastened together +with the chain and padlocks. He proceeded to +get his own boat free from all entanglements, +and presently had it launched upon the water. +</p> +<p> +Then he came back for the paddle and to receive +any parting instructions Frank might see +fit to give him. +</p> +<p> +“Make reasonably good time, Bluff, but don’t +push yourself, mind. There’s no such great hurry +as all that. When you get to town go right +away to police headquarters and see if you can +find Mr. Dodd.” +</p> +<p> +“What if he happens to be away?” asked +Bluff, wishing to be prepared for any emergency +that might chance to arise. +</p> +<p> +“Then wait as long as you can for him. Should +you get tired in the end, leave a letter to be delivered +as soon as he shows up; then return to +us here. It may be possible, even as you hint, +that the sheriff is away hunting the woods to +the south for those two rascally, thievish hoboes. +That’s all, Bluff. Good-by, and good luck!” +</p> +<p> +Bluff shook hands with each of his chums. +Then he gave his canoe a push that started it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span> +going out, sprang in over the stern with the +accurate balance of an expert, picked up his +paddle and commenced his moonlight cruise back +to town. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Will stood there watching him as +long as they could see the dark object upon the +moonlit water of the lake; then they turned and +silently entered the camp once more. +</p> +<p> +From somewhere out upon the great stretch +of water came the strange cry of a loon that had +lingered ere going to its northern summer home. +The sound was particularly mournful, it seemed +to Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Can he make it, do you think?” asked Will, +who seemed unusually worried to-night; for all +these stories about wonderful chances which he +had lost had begun to work upon his mind. +</p> +<p> +“Without the slightest doubt. Why not? +There’s no sea running, the wind has died away +to a whisper, and the moon is bright. Why, +Bluff would like nothing better than a circuit +of the entire lake at such a time,” replied Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I was just wondering whether anything +might get after him on the water, that’s all,” +remarked the other. +</p> +<p> +“Chuck that sort of talk. Don’t be a pessimist, +Will. Of course he can make it, and, perhaps, +as he says, they may all be here by morning, ready +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +to gather in those clever rascals,” declared Frank, +stoutly. +</p> +<p> +“But why do you suppose they ever came here +to Wildcat Island to hide?” +</p> +<p> +“I’ve been thinking about that. There’s that +Waddy Walsh you speak about—since he has +lived here he possibly knows something about +this place. Then again they may have heard +about the wild man, and how the island is +shunned by every one in the neighborhood. In +that case, you see, it would offer a splendid +hiding-place for a couple of men trying to escape +the sheriff.” +</p> +<p> +“Frank, you just seem to hit on the right thing. +That must be the fact. And our coming here +rather upset their plans,” said Will. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, but it gave them a supper last night. +They must have been too hurried in their flight +to lay in any stock of food. Perhaps they intended +going across to the mainland from time +to time, and stealing chickens from the farmers.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll be jiggered if I can see how there could +be any connection between those scamps and that +wild man with the hairy hide. Perhaps it was +an ape, and he has a mate on the island. Would +you shoot him if you saw him, Frank?” +</p> +<p> +“H’m, that depends. Certainly not unless I +thought my life was in danger. I say that, because +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +I really believe myself that it is a human +being. And I have a little suspicion that is hardly +strong enough as yet to mention, but which +I intend to think over. But let us settle down +and take things as comfortable as we can. I’ll +stand watch for a while, and then let you take +my place. Lie down and rest, Will.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV—PLAYING THE GAME</h2> +<p> +“Hello! Frank!” +</p> +<p> +“What now?” and the one addressed sat up +suddenly, wide awake it seemed. +</p> +<p> +“It’s morning,” said Will, “and I’m tired of +keeping watch, that’s all.” +</p> +<p> +Frank laughed good-naturedly. +</p> +<p> +“That’s quite enough, old fellow. Time I was +up and about, for this promises to be a day that +we may mark with a white stone in the log of +our outing. The sun is going to get in sight +presently. No signs of Bluff coming back?” +</p> +<p> +“He hasn’t arrived. I didn’t look out over +the lake yet. Seems to be something of a haze, +or morning fog on the water, so you can’t see +very far,” replied Will. +</p> +<p> +Frank stepped to where he could have a clear, +unobstructed view up the lake. As his chum had +said, there were patches of fog rising off the +water, but this was vanishing rapidly. Already +one could see for quite some distance. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> +</p> +<p> +“See anything, brother?” called out Will, who +was already beginning to put the coffee in the +pot. +</p> +<p> +He had been on duty for several hours, and +felt a bit hungry. Boys can eat six times a day +when in the woods, for the open air seems to +develop most tremendous appetites. +</p> +<p> +“Nothing except the solitary old loon that +kept up such a screeching last night,” replied the +lookout, shading his eyes with his hand, the +better to look. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t like that. Hope nothing has happened +to poor old Bluff.” +</p> +<p> +“There you go again. What could happen +to him? He’s a cracking good swimmer, and +even if he had an upset, which is most unlikely, +he would hang to his canoe. The boat couldn’t +sink with metallic air-chambers at both ends,” +answered Frank. +</p> +<p> +“But surely he’s had plenty of time to get +there and back?” +</p> +<p> +“Granted; but you heard what I told him—to +wait for a reasonable time if he found the sheriff +away. No doubt Mr. Dodd is out searching +high and low for the very fellows we know to +be here on Wildcat Island. Give Bluff more +time. Take my word for it, he will show up +when he gets good and ready, if not with the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> +posse, then alone. Bluff doesn’t like to be left +out in the cold when there’s anything of a rumpus +going on. Want some help getting breakfast, +Will?” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps so, unless you are contented to eat +cold boiled rice; we’ve got plenty and to spare +of that dish,” answered the novice cook, with a +grin. +</p> +<p> +“I rather think that would be a poor breakfast +dish. The stomach wants something warm +about this time. Are all the eggs that we brought +gone?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I saw several in the coffee can just now. +Somebody stuck them in there to keep from +breaking them, I guess. How will you have +yours?” answered Will. +</p> +<p> +“Leave it to me, and I’ll see that we have an +appetizing mess. An omelet for mine, I think. +But after all, I don’t seem so very hungry. +Worrying about Jerry has somehow affected my +spirits, and a fellow can’t eat much when he feels +downcast.” +</p> +<p> +In spite of all drawbacks both boys did full +justice to the breakfast that was spread on the +table after a little while. Will kept tabs on +whatever his companion did. +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to learn how to cook everything +that one would be apt to want in a camp; and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +if you don’t mind explaining I’ll begin right +now to take a few lessons,” he said as Frank +started to break the eggs into a pannikin, preparatory +to beating them up, and adding the shredded +bits of ham they had left over from the previous +day. +</p> +<p> +When the meal was finished and the dishes and +cooking utensils properly washed up, Frank sat +down to wait for Bluff to appear up the lake, +while Will vanished inside the tent to bother with +his films. +</p> +<p> +He had brought along an apparatus whereby +he could develop these, no matter as to the time +or conditions—daylight being just the same as +darkness. +</p> +<p> +Frank heard him talking to himself inside the +tent, but paid no attention to what he was saying, +for at that moment he noticed a moving object +up the lake, which he really believed might +be the canoe of his chum, Bluff, returning alone. +</p> +<p> +If this proved to be the case another disappointment +awaited the campers, and the rescue +of poor Jerry might again be postponed to an +unknown time. The sheriff being away, no one +could tell when he would receive the letter Bluff +was to leave for his perusal, and hence it might +be many hours ere a move was made. +</p> +<p> +By that time the hoboes could have quitted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +the island and lost themselves in the dense woods +of the mainland, while Jerry’s hiding-place would +remain unknown, so that he might even die of +neglect. +</p> +<p> +The coming of Will broke in upon Frank’s +gloomy communion. +</p> +<p> +Apparently Will had some reason for excitement. +He was holding a developed film in his +hand as he rushed up to Frank. +</p> +<p> +“What do you think it was set my flashlight +trap off last night?” he demanded. +</p> +<p> +“A ’coon, doubtless—that seems most likely,” +answered the other, carelessly. +</p> +<p> +“Guess again,” +</p> +<p> +“’Possum—wildcat—surely not a bear, though +I did hear quite a scramble over in that quarter +at the time? Go on and tell me,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +For answer Will held the film up so that it was +between the light and the eyes of his companion. +</p> +<p> +“It’s been in the hypo, and is fixed, but not +thoroughly washed; but you can see for yourself,” +he exclaimed triumphantly. +</p> +<p> +Frank gave an exclamation. +</p> +<p> +“Why, you caught a man!” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and his face is turned exactly toward +the camera. The snap made him look, and with +the flash he was indelibly impressed on the film. +What is more, if you look at it on the other side +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +and partly turned away, you can see the positive +of his face as plain as day. It’s Waddy, all +right. I got him!” laughed the photographer, in +glee. +</p> +<p> +“Well, that’s worth something. I’m beginning +to realize the tremendous possibilities of a +camera at times. That evidence would be accepted +in court as conclusive. Go, and wash the +film carefully, Will. If you fail to get a few +great scenes, you don’t lose everything, it seems.” +</p> +<p> +“Isn’t that the Peters tribe setting sail, Frank?” +</p> +<p> +“Why it is, as sure as you live. I wonder +they stayed so late. They must be pretty hungry +by this time if that educated ape got away with +all they had. Perhaps we might have made a +master stroke if we’d gone over this morning +with an offering of some bacon, coffee and such +things. Too bad neither of us thought of it +before.” +</p> +<p> +Will looked strangely at his companion. He +could not wholly understand the impulses that +guided the actions of the other. His experience +in the world had not been as varied as that of +the boy from Maine, or he might have realized +what was meant; though possibly the act of kindness +might, after all, have been wasted on those +tough young citizens. +</p> +<p> +“They’re going home, all right, and good +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span> +riddance. If we could only get rid of the balance +of undesirable people on this same island, +there might be a chance for us to finish up our +outing in peace,” he remarked bitterly. +</p> +<p> +“I hope they don’t give Bluff any trouble,” +said Frank, as if musing. +</p> +<p> +“Bluff—is he in sight, then?” demanded his +comrade, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, over there, and coming,” replied Frank, +pointing to the advancing canoe. +</p> +<p> +“Here are your glasses. Suppose you take +a look and see.” +</p> +<p> +Will handed over the marine glasses as he +spoke. As he adjusted them to his eyes, Frank +swept one glance at the coming Bluff. Then he +turned his attention to the departing disgusted +campers. +</p> +<p> +“Something has been going on among those +fellows, I declare,” he announced. +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” asked his companion, +in surprise. +</p> +<p> +“They seem to have been up against it, or +else having a fight among themselves. I can +see a couple who have bandages about their +heads, and one seems to be holding his arm +mighty tenderly. I believe it is broken.” +</p> +<p> +“You don’t say? Well, come to think of it, +I do remember hearing something of a commotion a while +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span> +back, but thought they were only +having their usual rough-house time. Please let +me look, Frank.” +</p> +<p> +A minute later he uttered an exclamation. +</p> +<p> +“What now?” it was Frank’s turn to ask. +</p> +<p> +“Seems strange to me. I think there must +be one of them lying down in the bottom of the +boat,” returned Will. +</p> +<p> +“That would indicate something pretty serious. +Perhaps they’ve had a fight with those +hoboes, or it may have been our wild man. But +what makes you think such a thing, Will?” +</p> +<p> +“I counted seven of them when they came, +and so did Bluff. Now there are only six in +sight, and as you say, three of them are fit for +the hospital. Where can the seventh be?” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps the hoboes got him, just as they did +Jerry. If so, what under the sun can their scheme +be? Why load down with a variety of Centerville’s +leading citizens when they find it so hard +to provide food for themselves?” +</p> +<p> +“I give it up. The conundrum is too much +for me. But I think my idea is more apt to +cover the truth, and that the seventh boy is laid +out in the boat, wounded, or perhaps dead,” +continued Will, in an awe-struck tone. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I hope not the latter. They’re a rough +bunch, but they’ve had little opportunity to learn +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> +better, and we mustn’t be too hard on them. Such +fellows can do things that would be little short +of a crime for those of us who have decent homes +and indulgent parents. Bluff seems to be coming +along rather slowly, don’t you think?” +</p> +<p> +As Frank said this his companion turned the +glasses upon the canoe. +</p> +<p> +“Something has happened to him. Perhaps his +paddle has broken; I remember it gave way while +we were coming here, and he spliced it yesterday. +Yes, that must be what ails him,” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“That’s too bad,” observed Frank, looking at +the other boats, as though wondering whether +it might be worth while to launch one, and speed +out on the lake to the assistance of the chum who +was coming. +</p> +<p> +But the distance was too great, and he could +not hope to reach the scene before whatever was +fated to happen had occurred. +</p> +<p> +“Why do you say that Bluff could get here +with only a piece of his paddle?” remarked Will. +</p> +<p> +“If those ugly chaps let him. See, they have +already changed their course several points. They +mean to intercept him.” +</p> +<p> +“You don’t think they’d bother with him, do +you?” cried Will. +</p> +<p> +“I’m afraid they’re in a bad humor, and ready +to tackle anything that offers a chance to work +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +off old scores. If Bluff only had his paddle in +decent order he could laugh at them. How foolish +of him to take only his single blade along.” +</p> +<p> +Frank now clapped the glasses to his eyes +again. +</p> +<p> +“Look at that, will you? Why, the breezy +chap doesn’t even think it worth while to turn +and run, or even try to slip past. He’s coming +directly on, and in another minute will run +slap into that rowboat, loaded with toughs. I’m +afraid there’s going to be a bad spill for our +headstrong chum,” he sighed. +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps he is only holding himself in reserve, +and means to make a spurt for it at the very last +second. Bluff is smart, I tell you. He knows +what those boys are up to, and is far from being +asleep. Tell me what he is doing, Frank. I can +hear them shouting angrily at him now. Oh! +I wish we were out there to help him.” +</p> +<p> +Will even forgot his natural timidity, and had +the chance been given him, would doubtless have +proven a hero in defense of his chum. +</p> +<p> +“He seems to have stopped paddling altogether. +Now he reaches down into the bottom +of his canoe after something. He is aiming it +at them—it’s his paddle—no it isn’t either—as +sure as you live, he’s got that repeating-gun of +his!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> +</p> +<p> +Even as the excited Frank spoke, over the +water they heard a distant voice shout: +</p> +<p> +“Hands up! you sharks, or I’ll pepper you +good and hard. Six shots I’ve got here, as fast +as I can pump the lever. Hands up! I say, every +one of you!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI—SIGNS THAT SPELLED TROUBLE</h2> +<p> +“Look! they’re doing it, too, Frank! Oh! what +luck! Good for Bluff!” ejaculated Will, hardly +able to control himself in his excitement. +</p> +<p> +“Just as sure as you live, they are. They +knew Bluff meant business when he said that. +Why, even the wounded fellow has his one well +arm raised. It’s great!” +</p> +<p> +Frank generously handed the glasses to his +comrade, whose hands trembled so that he could +hardly hold them to his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“What’s he doing now, Will?” +</p> +<p> +“Seems to be holding that blessed gun with +one hand, and paddling softly with the other. +Ain’t he the real thing, though? And once we +doubted whether he would be just the right sort +of fellow to be a member of the club. I’m proud +of good old Bluff, and that’s a fact!” cried Will. +</p> +<p> +“So say we all of us. He must be past the +other boat by now; isn’t he?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and has laid the gun down, but where +he can grab it up in a hurry if necessary. Pet +and his crowd have resumed rowing, too, as if +going ashore. They don’t seem anxious to call +out at Bluff just now. Jerry used to say that +terrible gun would frighten game to death; but +even Jerry would have to admit that it’s worth +while, if he could only be here, to see this lovely +sight. Oh! why didn’t I have my camera ready? +What a good picture that would have been,” +sighed the official photographer of the club. +</p> +<p> +“Too far away to make out what was going +on, my boy. But I only wish Jerry could have +been here to see it. That would relieve me of +my anxiety,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +The canoe kept moving straight toward them, +while the heavily laden boat continued over the +lake toward the western shore. +</p> +<p> +Not even a derisive howl was sent after Bluff. +He seemed to have effectually cowed the rowdies. +Perhaps it was the last straw that broke the +camel’s back, and they had really gone through +so much lately that the limit had been reached. +</p> +<p> +Bluff presently landed directly beside his +chums. +</p> +<p> +“Well done, old fellow!” said Will, hastening +to pat him on the back. +</p> +<p> +“It was as fine a piece of bluff as I ever put +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> +up,” grinned the paddler as he stepped ashore, +holding the redoubtable gun in his hand. +</p> +<p> +“How so?” demanded Will, curious to know. +</p> +<p> +“Why, the gun isn’t in a condition to use. I +had it at a locksmith’s, and thought I’d bring it +along if he had mended it. Said he had, but +didn’t have time to finish putting all the parts +together again. I said I could do that easily +enough in camp, and fetched it along,” replied +the other, chuckling. +</p> +<p> +“Then it wasn’t loaded at all?” asked Will. +</p> +<p> +“Of course not; but then they didn’t know that, +you see. It was a case of where ignorance was +bliss. Answered the purpose all right. You +noticed they let me alone.” +</p> +<p> +“Now I see where you got your name; but +that was a time when bluffing was worth while. +Come and sit down here and have some breakfast,” +remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +He was looking closely at the returned wanderer, +as if trying to decide whether he brought +good news or bad. +</p> +<p> +“Tell me first, have you heard anything from +Jerry?” demanded the other. +</p> +<p> +“Not the least thing. But I’ve been making +up a plan that it seems we will have to follow, +since you come back alone,” observed Frank. +</p> +<p> +Of course this was an invitation for Bluff to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span> +unload, and tell what he had accomplished besides +getting his gun just before starting back. +</p> +<p> +“Sheriff out hunting the hobo thieves, just +as you feared. No one could say as to when he +would return. Might be in an hour, and again, +perhaps, it would not be for the balance of the +day,” he began. +</p> +<p> +“You waited until you got tired and then +left a note for him?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Just what I did, fellows. The whole community +is aroused. Seems like these two hoboes +must be yeggmen for keeps. At any rate several +robberies occurred on the night following the +affair on the steamer. A farmer reported that +his place was entered and some money and other +things taken. Then the thieves broke open the +storage warehouse over in Newtonport, and rummaged +through a lot of stuff. No one knows +what they took there, but they left everything in +a great upset. The local militia company in our +town is out helping the sheriff hunt!” +</p> +<p> +“Say, things seem to be stewing at a great +rate,” gasped Will. +</p> +<p> +“And to think that the nervy chaps responsible +for it all are here on this very island near us. +Yes, more than that, we’ve had experiences with +them, and even now they undoubtedly are holding our +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +poor chum for ransom, or some other +purpose,” declared Frank, shaking his head. +</p> +<p> +“Do you think Mr. Dodd will come?” asked +Will. +</p> +<p> +“He certainly will, as soon as he knows. Why +wouldn’t he when the men he’s on the lookout +for are here waiting for him?” replied Bluff, +beginning to eat. +</p> +<p> +“You said you were thinking up a plan, +Frank?” suggested Will, turning eagerly to the +chum upon whom the rest were accustomed to +rely in emergencies. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I leave it to the rest of you whether +we do it or not. The conditions are peculiar. +We want to search for poor Jerry, and yet if +we leave our camp unguarded, those savages may +steal the whole outfit. Then again, Will naturally +doesn’t want to stay here alone while Bluff +and myself do the hunting. I can see only one +way of fixing it.” +</p> +<p> +“All right. I’m willing to do anything you +say,” remarked the one who had a cup of coffee +up to his lips, and was drinking the contents with +supreme pleasure. +</p> +<p> +“Ditto here, Frank,” from Will. +</p> +<p> +“This idea I had was to break up our camp, +stow all the stuff in the canoes, and then have +Will paddle far out on the lake with the whole +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +outfit, where he could wait to see what happened. +Nothing could reach him there, and we would +be free to follow up our plan. How about that, +fellows?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +Will glanced out on the lake. +</p> +<p> +“All right. It looks like it would be quiet +enough, and if a big wind does come up, I can +paddle the string over to the shore and get under +the lee,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“Call it settled, then. And now, while Bluff +is finishing his breakfast, you and I can be taking +down the tents and stowing them away,” observed +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I’m about through now, but give me a +little time to get my gun together, boys. It may +come in handy, who knows,” remarked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“This is kind of tough, taking down tents +when our little outing is hardly half through +with,” complained Will, as he labored pulling up +tent pegs. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! it may be only temporary. If Mr. Dodd +comes and rounds up those hoboes as we expect, +there’s nothing to prevent our pitching camp +again right on the old spot, and enjoying another +two days or so of this business,” came from +Frank, who was under the falling canvas, working +like a beaver. +</p> +<p> +Things were quickly accomplished. The more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span> +one camps the easier it is to stow things away +in their proper places; and Frank was always +particular about doing this, as a labor-saving +device. +</p> +<p> +Hardly an hour after the coming of Bluff and +the space was bare. All the “dunnage” had been +snugly packed in two of the canoes, while Will +was ready to enter the other and convoy the +string out on the bosom of Lake Camalot. +</p> +<p> +They made him take Jerry’s gun as a means +of protection. On his part, Will entrusted his +precious camera to the tender mercies of Bluff, +in hopes that the other might find some chance to +snap off a few striking pictures while engaged in +his search for Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“And it isn’t like your gun, remember, for it’s +loaded,” he remarked. +</p> +<p> +“Well, my repeater is now. And perhaps +when Jerry learns what a part it has had in his +rescue he may stop sneering at it as a modern +joke,” said Bluff. +</p> +<p> +After Will had started, and gone some little +distance out on the lake, the two others left the +deserted camping-ground. +</p> +<p> +“Where away first?” asked Bluff, willing to +leave these matters to his friend, whose experience +up in Maine was apt to prove valuable now. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span> +</p> +<p> +“Let’s make along the beach for the place +where those chaps were,” replied Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I see. You think we may find the trail +of the wild man there?” +</p> +<p> +“I’m curious to see what it looks like, that’s +all. After that, I think of making for the place +where I lost Jerry. We’ve had no rain since, +and it seems to me we ought to take up the trail +at the place I lost it. I’ve since figured out how +I came to go wrong that time, and if we have +good luck, we ought to be able to follow it +straight to the place they’re staying at.” +</p> +<p> +It took them but a short time to reach the late +camp of Pet Peters and his cronies, which was +full of signs of a hasty departure. +</p> +<p> +“I wonder what could have happened here?” +mused Frank, as he looked around. +</p> +<p> +“Seems like they must have been having a +high old time. There’s a remnant of a hat, and +I declare if this isn’t piece of a coat sleeve. It +was a fight, Frank, I tell you!” exclaimed Bluff, +convincingly. +</p> +<p> +“Just as I suspected, but, of course, we may +never know what caused it, and whether they +were just indulging in a little racket among +themselves or with the two hoboes. They had +little left that would induce those rascals to attack +them, seems to me,” remarked Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +</p> +<p> +“Listen! what was that?” suddenly asked +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +Both boys stood motionless, with heads cocked +on one side, straining their ears to catch a repetition +of the sound that had come to them. +</p> +<p> +Quickly they heard it again. +</p> +<p> +“Say, it seems like a groan to me,” whispered +Bluff, with eyes aglow. +</p> +<p> +“Just what I thought. There! that time I +located it, Bluff. Come over here. Good gracious! +what do you think of that?” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII—DEEPER INTO THE JUNGLE</h2> +<p> +“Why, it’s a boy!” exclaimed the horrified +Bluff, as he stared at the object from which the +sounds proceeded. +</p> +<p> +“And tied to a tree, too! You know him, +Bluff; look again!” remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Say, it’s sure Tom Somers, one of Pet Peters’ +crowd. What under the sun does it mean, +Frank?” exclaimed the other, startled and +mystified. +</p> +<p> +“Just what I said. They must have had a +monkey-and-parrot time among themselves, and +the Tom Somers’ section got the worst of it. +You see the result—they’ve gone off and left this +fellow fastened here as a punishment for his +rebellion.” +</p> +<p> +“But—this ain’t out West, or in the Cannibal +Islands. Wake me up and tell me if I’m seeing +things. What! do you mean to say those savages +would leave Tom here to starve to death?” gasped +Bluff. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh! no, some of them would come back by +to-night or to-morrow to let him off. I imagine +this is only some of Pet’s miserable work. He’s +a cruel monster. I thought Andy Lasher bad +enough, but it turned out that he had a speck +of good in him, and Jerry touched it when he +saved his life that stormy night. But Pet is +mean and revengeful, a sneak, and a coward at +heart.” +</p> +<p> +“There. I believe he has just discovered us,” +said Bluff. +</p> +<p> +The boy who was fastened to the tree gave a +groan, and then called out: +</p> +<p> +“Say, fellers, you wouldn’t go and leave me +here like this would you? Set me free anyway, +and I kin shift for myself somehow; but it’s +tough to be tied up like a dog, an’ all because I +knocked Pet down when he called me a name I +won’t take off any man or boy. Jest slice a knife +over these ropes, won’t you, please?” +</p> +<p> +He did not whine, but asked the favor in a +fairly decent way. +</p> +<p> +“Of course we will, Tom Somers. You’ve +always been an enemy of mine, but that’s no reason +we should leave you like this. There you +are!” +</p> +<p> +Frank purposely allowed his chum to do the +cutting. He knew that there had in the past +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span> +been more or less bad blood between these two +lads, and he had in mind a possible repetition +of the singular friendship that had sprung up +between Jerry and Andy Lasher after the time +when the former saved the life of the town bully. +</p> +<p> +“That’s ‘white’ of you, Bluff, and I ain’t the +feller to forget it, neither,” was what the late +prisoner said as his bonds fell away. +</p> +<p> +“You look bruised more or less, so I take it +there must have been quite a fight here before +they went away?” remarked Frank, questioningly. +</p> +<p> +The other grinned, though the effort must +have pained him not a little, on account of the +many scratches and gouges on his face. +</p> +<p> +“Did they? Well, I should smile, pardner. +I only had one husky chap to stand by me, against +five; but we pretty nigh cinched things. Pet +Peters said he’d get even with me by leavin’ me +here a spell, to tempt that wild man. But I had +hopes some of you fellers might top the rise and +give me a helpin’ hand.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I remember now, you’re the chap who +was out West for a year herding cattle. I notice +it in your speech,” said Frank, smiling. +</p> +<p> +“It gets in the blood, when you mingle some +with them gents. I try to break off when the +fellers kid me, but it crops out when I ain’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span> +thinkin’. But say, it was ‘white’ of you to do +this, an’ I ain’t got any call to ask favors of +your crowd either.” +</p> +<p> +A sudden thought struck Frank. +</p> +<p> +“See here, you say you’re grateful; will you +prove it?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +Tom Somers thrust out his chest as he immediately +replied: +</p> +<p> +“I’m a maverick if I don’t; try me!” +</p> +<p> +“Then listen. You heard me say that our +chum Jerry had strangely vanished yesterday +while we were in the woods. I have good reason +to believe those two hoboes laid hold of him, for +some reason or other,” Frank started. +</p> +<p> +“Ransom—the old, old game, perhaps?” suggested +the other, quickly. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I hardly think it is quite so bad as that; +but they wanted to hold him as a sort of hostage, +perhaps, threatening us if we didn’t get off this +island. No matter what their reason, they’ve +got our chum, and now we mean to try and +release him. That’s why we’re here.” +</p> +<p> +“And you want me to help? ’Course I will, +and only too glad to have the chance. If it’s a +trail to foller, why I picked up lots of points out +there on the Texas plains, and just you set me +on the track,” said Tom, pulling on a tattered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +coat that had been taken from him ere he was +fastened to the tree. +</p> +<p> +“Then let’s begin right here and see if there is +any trail where your grub basket went off last +night!” remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +At that Tom started and turned a little pale. +</p> +<p> +“You said the hoboes, pard, and not that man-monkey,” +he stammered. +</p> +<p> +Plainly he had conceived a great fear regarding +the mysterious object that had appeared in the +camp, and vanished with their provisions. +</p> +<p> +Frank laughed. +</p> +<p> +“Make your mind easy, I’m not intending to +follow him. We expect to go to the place where +my pard vanished yesterday, and take up the trail +there. I followed it a while, but night was coming +on and I lost it. You may do better, Tom,” +he said. +</p> +<p> +“But you mentioned that hairy monster, didn’t +you?” queried the other, uneasily. +</p> +<p> +“I only want to examine the track he left, so +as to settle in my mind whether it was really a +crazy human being or a big ape. Come over here +and let’s see.” +</p> +<p> +“Huh! none of our fellers ever thought of +lookin’ around. A snake-whip couldn’t a-coaxed +’em over this way. Like as not they expected +the varmint was lyin’ in the bushes, waitin’ to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> +jump out again. But I don’t pull leather when +I give my word.” +</p> +<p> +He threw himself prostrate on the ground. In +less than three minutes an exclamation announced +that he had found what he sought. Frank +dropped beside him. +</p> +<p> +“There she is, and a jim-dandy of a track, too, +plain as the hoof marks of a cayuse around a +snubbing post!” he exclaimed, pointing. +</p> +<p> +“Just as I thought, a man’s shoe, and an unusually +big one. That settles one thing in my +mind. It is no escaped ape that runs wild on +this island. It may be a lunatic that has got +away from the asylum over at Merrick, or——” +</p> +<p> +Frank did not finish his sentence, but nodded +his head as though the thought that had flashed +into his mind pleased him. +</p> +<p> +“That all here?” asked the other, a little nervously, +although apparently relieved to learn that +it was not a wild animal he had seen on the +preceding night. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I’m entirely satisfied. Now let us find +the place where those Indian mounds are, and +we can get on the trail without delay,” answered +Frank, leading the way. +</p> +<p> +It took him fully an hour to accomplish this. +First they had to return to the spot at the foot +of the bluff where the canoeists’ camp had lately +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span> +stood. Here his own trail was taken up, and +Tom Somers proved to the satisfaction of the +others that he did know considerable about following +tracks through thickets and woods, for +he led them unerringly until finally Frank saw +the two mounds. +</p> +<p> +“There they are,” he said, in a low voice. +</p> +<p> +Bluff pushed his gun forward menacingly. +</p> +<p> +“Where?” he demanded in a hoarse whisper. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I mean the two Indian mounds, not the +hoboes. Come over here and see the trail made +as they went away,” replied his chum, quickly. +</p> +<p> +When the boy who had spent a year on a +Texas ranch punching cattle saw the marks, he +announced it as his opinion that they had been +made by two parties besides Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“I reckon your chum was snoozing some when +they jumped his claim. He kicked and put up +a right husky fight, but they was too much for +him, and choked him off. I reckon one of them +must a-been a boy, and the other a big man, +judgin’ from the marks. Then, when they had +reduced him to quiet they just snaked him off.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what I thought—the big brute carried +Jerry on his back, for there are no signs of my +chum’s footprints around. Now, let’s start off. +I’m anxious to know the worst, no matter what +it is!” cried Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +</p> +<p> +Bluff brought up the rear. It was anything +but light under the dense growth of trees and +clinging vines. At times the tracker had to get +down close to the ground in order to see what he +wanted. +</p> +<p> +Bluff had slung his gun over his shoulder by +the strap, and was holding Will’s camera in his +hands, wondering if he had not been foolish to +bring such a silly thing along with him on so +serious an errand. +</p> +<p> +The deeper they penetrated into the interior +of the island the denser the undergrowth seemed +to become, until at times it was only with the +utmost difficulty they pushed their way through. +Others having gone ahead of them made it a +trifle easier, perhaps; at least Tom Somers said +so in a whisper. +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps we’re gettin’ clost to the place, now, +pardners; so we’d better take our time an’ not +hustle too much. Don’t speak above a whisper, +either,” he said, as he parted the bushes in front. +</p> +<p> +Even as he did so Frank heard him utter a +low exclamation, not of fear so much as of disgust. +One look told the other what it meant, and +he, too, feared that their plans would all be disarranged +through an accidental meeting with a +resident of the jungle, who seemed disposed to +dispute their further progress. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +</p> +<p> +There was the biggest wildcat Bluff had ever +seen in all his life squatted on the low limb of a +tree, growling angrily, and with it claws digging +into the bark after the manner of a cat that is +getting ready to jump, and will not be stopped! +</p> +<p> +True, Frank could easily have raised his gun +and shot the ferocious creature dead in its tracks; +but such an explosion must warn the enemy of +their presence in the vicinity, and effectually +prevent any surprise. +</p> +<p> +It looked like a serious problem, and yet it +must be solved immediately unless they wanted +to experience an encounter at close quarters with +that fury. +</p> +<p> +“Hold up! give me a chance. Duck your +heads, fellows; I’m going to flashlight the +critter!” exclaimed Bluff. And even as he spoke, +there was a sudden startling illumination that lit +up the immediate vicinity like day. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII—UNDER THE CABIN WALL</h2> +<p> +“So-long!” exclaimed the ex-cowboy, as he +dropped to the ground. +</p> +<p> +Frank did not know just then whether Tom +Somers was trying to evade an expected attack +from the big cat, or had been startled and alarmed +by the suspicious “click” behind him, instantly +followed by that electric flash. +</p> +<p> +“He’s gone!” whispered Bluff, excitedly. +</p> +<p> +Frank breathed a sigh of relief. The day had +been saved by Will’s inoffensive camera after all, +for there was no alarm, and they had escaped an +encounter with the poisonous claws of that beast +of prey. +</p> +<p> +“And I bet I got a dandy picture of him, too, +for Will. Say, this isn’t so bad, after all. Perhaps +there can be some fun hunting with a +camera,” pursued Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Silence, Bluff. Let’s lie here a bit and listen. +I hope we didn’t happen to be so close to their +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> +camp as to let them see that flash through the +trees,” whispered Frank, dropping down. +</p> +<p> +Five minutes later they once more began to +creep forward. At the suggestion of Tom +Somers, all of them were now on their knees, +Bluff, as before, bringing up the rear. +</p> +<p> +It was very thrilling work, and Bluff found +himself trembling with excitement as he trailed +after his companions. +</p> +<p> +“Sure he’s a peach at this sort of business, +and it was a bully streak of luck when we ran +across the poor wretch tied up to a tree,” he was +saying to himself, as he watched Tom Somers +gliding along, keeping an eye on the ground, and +sometimes almost poking his nose against the +earth in order to solve a knotty problem. +</p> +<p> +He hoped they would run up against no more +bobcats. While fortune had smiled upon them +on that last occasion, perhaps the same good luck +might not always be their portion; and Bluff +found no desire in his heart for a tussle at close +quarters with the owner of a set of claws such +as these beasts sported. +</p> +<p> +Frank and the other fellow seemed to be conferring +in low whispers, and hence he crept up +to learn what was in the wind. +</p> +<p> +“See anything, Frank?” he asked eagerly, as +he pushed in beside his chum. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +</p> +<p> +“Softly, Bluff. Yes, if you look through this +little opening you can see it, too.” +</p> +<p> +“Why, it’s a house—a sort of old cabin, more +like,” said Bluff, as he peeped. +</p> +<p> +“That’s just what it is. Now, search your +memory, both of you—do you ever recollect hearing +about any one living on Wildcat Island?” +asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Sure I do, now that you ask. There was +a queer man once who used to live like a hermit +here. That was years ago. They found his +skeleton in his cabin. Nobody ever knew what +he died of, but it was alone, excepting for his +dog, that ran wild till he was shot by a duck-shooter,” +whispered Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Glory! this here place is some on thrills,” +grumbled Tom Somers. +</p> +<p> +“Never mind the things that are dead and +gone. We have more to fear from those that +are living. It looks as though the tramps have +taken up their quarters in the deserted shack of +the old hermit, doesn’t it, Tom?” asked Frank, +in the ear of the other. +</p> +<p> +“It sure does, for a fact. Like as not the +whole outfit is quartered there right now. And +somehow I got a suspicion that our grub meandered +this way, too. Seems like I see a familiar +Boston baked-bean can lying there by the door, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +where they hustled it out after eating the +contents.” +</p> +<p> +Frank made no reply to this insinuation. +Whatever he thought he kept to himself. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I wonder is Jerry there?” said Bluff, +longingly, but managing to keep his tones +lowered. +</p> +<p> +“That is something we mean to discover before +a great while. I leave the manner of our +approach entirely to Tom here,” declared Frank. +</p> +<p> +The outcast from Pet’s camp had proven his +ability to be of great assistance to them, and +Frank believed in encouraging a fellow. His +words doubtless gave the other more or less +satisfaction. When a boy feels that he is wholly +trusted, he is very apt to do his level best. +</p> +<p> +“First of all I reckon there’s a better way to +crawl up close to the shack than this one we’re +on. So let’s trail around to the other side, +fellers,” he said. +</p> +<p> +They succeeded in reaching the point he had +in view. Even Bluff could see the wisdom of +the move. The undergrowth was much more +dense here, and extended quite up to the wall +of the dilapidated cabin. +</p> +<p> +They could see that the new occupants had +done some little rough tinkering in order to make +a roof that would shed water reasonably well. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +From this it was easy to conclude that Waddy +Walsh and his partner did not know just how +long they might have to utilize this place as a +hide-out, and thought it best to be ready to stand +a rainy siege such as the Spring was apt to +produce at any day. +</p> +<p> +Frank felt Bluff clawing at his legs. There +was something in the act to tell him his chum +was desirous of speaking to him, and he allowed +the other to pull up alongside so they could put +their heads together. +</p> +<p> +“What is it?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Didn’t you hear it?” queried Bluff, as if surprised. +</p> +<p> +“What? I heard nothing.” +</p> +<p> +“All that whistling on the lake. Sounded to +me like that little tug, <em>Rainy Day</em>, that tows the +lumber down to the outlet. She was close by, +too,” replied Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“It must have been away off, for I didn’t hear +a bit of it. Perhaps it was the tug, too; but she +belongs up at the other end of the lake. What +could bring her down here?” +</p> +<p> +“I had an idea that perhaps the sheriff and +his posse might be aboard her,” ventured Bluff, +and he was instantly seized by his comrade. +</p> +<p> +“That’s just what it meant. I hope Will’s +met them and told how the land lies here. If +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span> +that is true it means the beginning of the end?” +whispered Frank. +</p> +<p> +“And perhaps we may be back in our good +old camp by night time, who knows?” answered +the other, joyfully. +</p> +<p> +Still, neither of them had the slightest thought +of relaxing their efforts with regard to investigating +the interior of that cabin, and ascertaining +whether their comrade was being detained there +against his will, perhaps in bonds, that cut his +flesh cruelly. +</p> +<p> +Tom had noted the fact that the others were +holding a little powwow, and hence he did not +push on so as to leave them. In fact, Tom was +not at all particular about quitting the society +of these stout-hearted fellows even for a minute, +while in such a ghostly neighborhood. Tom believed +in spirits, and the story Bluff had told +about that skeleton was ever before him. +</p> +<p> +When they began to advance once more, he +also started off. +</p> +<p> +They were now so close to the cabin that if any +one had been talking aloud inside those old +moss-grown walls the boys could not have failed +to hear the sounds. +</p> +<p> +There had been a window, but it was closed +with a bunch of dead grass, and, of course, none +of the boys thought of trying to remove this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span> +obstacle in connection with their obtaining a view +of the interior. The only other opening, no +doubt, was the door, which was allowed to remain +wide open all the time for air and light. +</p> +<p> +Dare one of them crawl around the corner of +the cabin and try to look in at that entrance? +The risk seemed almost too much. Still, Frank +remembered that they had two guns among them, +while, so far as they knew, the hoboes possessed +none; at least they had shown nothing of the +sort thus far. +</p> +<p> +He had been thinking this over, however, and +concluded that it hardly stood to reason that such +desperate characters as these two, one an escaped +reform school inmate and the other a yeggman +tramp, would be entirely without some means +of defence. Perhaps one of them might have a +revolver which he had up to now kept out of +sight for some reason. +</p> +<p> +Tom was pulling at Frank’s trousers entreatingly. +Catching his attention, he made a gesture +with his hand, as talking was now out of the +question. +</p> +<p> +Following the line of his pointing finger, Frank +saw what had attracted the eye of the boy who +had been West. Some animal had for a time +used the hut as a lodging-place, and as the door +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +at the time may have been closed, had dug a +tunnel under the wall at the back of the place. +</p> +<p> +Possibly the men inside had filled the hole up +beyond the wall, but they had paid no attention +to that which lay beyond. +</p> +<p> +Frank caught the idea instantly. It was to +begin to tunnel under the wall, drawing away +the earth piecemeal until an opening was made, +when one of them might crawl through and make +discoveries. +</p> +<p> +The idea appealed to him somehow or other, +and, handing his gun silently to Tom, he set to +work lifting handfuls of loose dirt, and gradually +scooping out quite a hole. It was easy work +because the place had only recently been filled in. +As he worked he wondered what sort of an +animal had made the tunnel under the wall; +perhaps a wildcat, or it might have been a ’coon, +hardly a bear, though such big game could be +occasionally met with around Lake Camalot, +especially along the headquarters of Lumber Run +up at the other end of the body of water. +</p> +<p> +The minutes passed in this way. Several times +Frank caught some sound beyond the wall, but +could not make out what it might mean. He felt +positive, however, that it was the home of the +hoboes he had reached, and not a hiding-place +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +of that strange creature so like a gigantic ape, +but which wore shoes like a man. +</p> +<p> +Now he felt the earth growing lighter, as +though he might be coming close to an end of +his strange task. He was still digging away, +eager to learn whether his plan could be carried +out, when without the slightest warning something +that moved came in contact with his flesh, +and he felt his fingers seized by a human hand! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX—HOLDING BLUFF IN</h2> +<p> +Frank involuntarily tried to draw his hand +back. +</p> +<p> +The grasp of the unknown, however, was too +strenuous, and he could not do so unless he +created such a disturbance as must have aroused +any sleeper nearby. Besides, a wild suspicion +had flashed through his mind. Perhaps this was +his chum Jerry, trying to escape from his place +of confinement. +</p> +<p> +He squeezed the fingers that clutched his. It +was a sign manual used in the secret society to +which both of them belonged in the Academy +at Centerville. To his great delight the secret +grip was returned immediately. +</p> +<p> +Then it <em>was</em> Jerry! He was alive, and even +at that moment endeavoring to get away from +those who were holding him against his will! +</p> +<p> +Frank felt like shouting aloud, so great a sense +of gratitude swept over him; but fortunately he +did not give way to such foolishness. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> +</p> +<p> +He put his head deep down into the hole he +had made and whispered, making just the faintest +sound possible: +</p> +<p> +“Jerry!” +</p> +<p> +“Frank!” came back like the sighing of the +wind up in some of those lofty trees that overhung +the lonely cabin with such a bad name. +</p> +<p> +Then the last doubt vanished. It only remained +to get Jerry out of that place as soon as +possible. Why, left to himself he seemed able +to force his way to freedom, and with what aid +they could extend surely only a few minutes +would be needed to accomplish it. +</p> +<p> +Even as he thought thus, he felt his hand violently +thrust back. At the same moment there +was the sound of heavy voices in the cabin. +Evidently one or both of the tramps must have +entered the second room and discovered Jerry +on his knees engaged in tunneling out. +</p> +<p> +There was no sound of a blow struck. Had +there been, Frank could never have contained +himself, but regardless of consequences must +have rushed around to where the door lay, and +burst into the place. +</p> +<p> +As it was, he backed away and joined his +comrades, who, it can easily be understood, were +more than curious to know what all this meant. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +</p> +<p> +“Is he in there?” demanded Bluff, close to the +ear of his chum. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I whispered his name and he answered +by saying mine,” came the thrilling reply. +</p> +<p> +“Good! good! let’s storm the measly old +rookery, and hold up those hoboes at the muzzle +of our guns. We’ve got the men, and we’ve got +the guns!” said Bluff; but his comrade drew him +down again ere he could rush forth. +</p> +<p> +“Wait! Be cool. This is no time to make +mistakes. I thought of that, but they’ve shut +the cabin door. Perhaps they begin to suspect +some of us are around. It may be they even +heard Jerry whisper my name. All we want to +do is to see that they do him no injury. After +a while the sheriff will be along to take care of +these jail-birds, all right,” Frank went on. +</p> +<p> +He said no more, because they once again +began to move farther away from the cabin walls. +There was a chance, however, that one of the +ferocious inmates might come out to investigate +the conditions, so Frank did not want to go so +far that he could not hold the fellow up and +cause a surrender. +</p> +<p> +“What can we do now?” asked Bluff, as they +crouched in a thick jungle, with the cabin lying +on their left, and only some twenty paces off. +</p> +<p> +“Watch and wait. If one of them comes out +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> +we’ll make him a prisoner. The door is there, +and no one is likely to escape us. Keep ready +for a quick move, both of you,” whispered Frank +in return. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I saw something moving up in that big +tree—the one that is half dead,” came from Tom +just then. +</p> +<p> +“Where at in the tree?” demanded Frank, +ready to examine into anything that happened to +come before their attention, no matter how odd. +</p> +<p> +“Say just where that gaping hole lies—about +ten feet up. The blame thing’s hollow, that’s +a cinch, and some critter’s got a nest in it. Maybe +an owl, but I’d rather believe ’twas a cat, or +perhaps a real b’ar. Looky, there she is again!” +</p> +<p> +Each of them had his eyes glued upon the +spot indicated in his low-toned communication +by the ex-cowboy. There certainly was something +moving, for while the light was not very +strong at that particular place, still they could see +an object projected from the gap. +</p> +<p> +Quickly it pushed farther out, and there +dawned upon their startled vision the same ape-like +creature that had terrorized the camp of +Pet Peters’ crowd on the previous night. It +seemed, as near as they could judge in that uncertain +light, to be covered with hair, just as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +a chimpanzee would be, and its face was in keeping +with the remainder of its hideous form. +</p> +<p> +Bluff and Tom crouched there and shivered +as they watched this awesome figure scramble +down from its perch by the aid of the broken +dead limbs. It dropped lightly on the ground +with a grunt, and then scurried off through the +undergrowth. +</p> +<p> +Tom gave a sigh of relief. +</p> +<p> +“It’s gone, and I’m mighty near the stampedin’ +point myself,” he admitted. +</p> +<p> +“Why, it was that wild man, as sure as fate. +Oh! how Will must carry on when he knows I +had such a <em>glorious</em> chance to get him, and lacked +the nerve,” whispered Bluff, still shaking with +excitement, or something else. +</p> +<p> +“It’s just as good you didn’t,” snickered +Frank; “for the sound would have betrayed us +to the chaps in the cabin.” +</p> +<p> +“You seem to be tickled about something—suppose +you tell a fellow what you see funny +about that awful monster? I’d like to laugh too, +but I declare if my lips ain’t frozen stiff. Is it a +wild man, or a beast? Why, I tell you his body +is covered with reddish hair, and his face, will I +ever get it out of my mind?” +</p> +<p> +Bluff was plainly much excited, but Frank +seemed quite cool. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span> +</p> +<p> +“Never mind. Later on I may tell you something +I’ve thought of. But he’s gone, I suppose, +and we can consider the cabin again,” replied +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Why not rush it? Given a log, and I vow +Tom and I can knock in that old door just like +you’d smash an egg,” pleaded the impatient Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“That would be poor policy. In the first +place those are desperate men, who are wanted +for robbery, and they know the jail is fairly itching +to hold them. Consequently they’re ready +to take all sorts of chances before giving up. I +wouldn’t put it past them to fire on us, to wound, +at least, if not worse.” +</p> +<p> +“But look here, they haven’t got any guns, +have they?” demanded Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“We only guessed that they hadn’t, but we +can’t be sure. Such ugly customers are hardly +likely to go without some means of defense, and +Tom here will back me up in that. Besides, +they’ve certainly got our chum,” declared Frank, +seriously. +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps you’re right, Frank, but I’d be willing +myself to take all the chances in a mix-up +with that crowd,” grumbled poor Bluff, who +always seemed to be close upon the border of +an opportunity to do something, only to have the +glorious prize snatched from his hands. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span> +</p> +<p> +He looked longingly toward the lonely cabin, +as though he yearned to have a shy at that +ricketty door. According to his mind, once +it was down those tramps would be only too glad +to throw up their hands, just as Pet Peters and +his crowd had done when he covered them on +the lake. +</p> +<p> +Frank himself hardly knew what action to +take. +</p> +<p> +“If I only thought they wouldn’t take it out +on poor Jerry, I’d be tempted to let Bluff work +his bold little trick. But I’m afraid. I know +what such men can do, with a long prison term +staring them in the face. Some of them would +just as soon he hung for a sheep as a lamb,” he +muttered. +</p> +<p> +“Do you really think they’d hurt Jerry?” asked +Bluff, solicitously. +</p> +<p> +“What do you know of that Waddy Walsh?” +</p> +<p> +“He was always a cruel chap, that’s a fact. +I’ve known him to torture a dog in a terrible +way. That was really why he was sent away. +Nobody could do anything with him; even the +town authorities had to give up the job,” replied +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“There you are, then. Now, he’s hitched up +with a rascal much worse than himself, from all +accounts. Think of those bold robberies all +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span> +around. I tell you that pair make a desperate +team, and I shiver to think of what they could +do to Jerry if hard pushed. Perhaps, after all, +we’d better——” +</p> +<p> +What Frank was about to suggest was never +spoken. Tom Somers jerked his arm to signify +that he had better cease whispering; and as +Frank twisted his head around to see what had +happened to alarm their new comrade, he discovered +moving figures approaching from the +same quarter they had themselves come out of. +</p> +<p> +His first thought was that Sheriff Dodd had +arrived with his posse. Indeed, it was only with +a supreme effort that he refrained from leaping +to his feet and wildly beckoning. Then he was +glad he had been guilty of no such foolish act, for +he learned that this was far from being the truth. +</p> +<p> +“They’ve come back!” exclaimed Tom, in a +low tone, yet plainly disturbed; “looks like they +wanted to make sure of me, and had follered +us here so as to corral me!” +</p> +<p> +Then Frank understood. The flight of Pet +Peters and his followers had been, after all, something +of a bluff, for they had again left the +western shore and landed on Wildcat Island; +more than that, they were even now creeping +toward the cabin, as if bent upon some desperate +undertaking! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span><a name='chXX' id='chXX'></a>CHAPTER XX—THE ESCAPE OF JERRY</h2> +<p> +“One, two, three, four!” +</p> +<p> +Frank was counting the shadowy figures that +came flitting closer, stooping over as they advanced, +some carrying cudgels, and others different +kinds of weapons as if they expected trouble +presently. +</p> +<p> +“Five, six—what, seven, yes, and eight! +Where did they pick up the other two members +of the crowd?” he was saying to himself as he +gazed from his snug retreat. +</p> +<p> +Then he noticed that a couple were armed with +guns. This gave him a clue which he easily followed +to a logical conclusion. On the western +shore of the lake Pet and his disgruntled followers +must have run across a couple of their cronies, +who were apparently out hunting, though the +law allowed of no shooting of game at this time +of year. +</p> +<p> +These fellows may even have been acting with +the sheriff, who had offered a certain reward for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +the apprehension of the hobo thieves. Upon exchanging +stories it may have been decided to +return to the island in a bunch, and make a bold +attempt to round up the tramps, who were believed +to be without any guns. That reward +would look big in the eyes of these fellows. +</p> +<p> +No doubt the presence of the old cabin was +known to these boys, and they had guessed that +their quarry might be found hiding there in the +heart of the jungle. +</p> +<p> +Frank laughed to himself at this new complication. +It began to look as if Waddy and his pal +would soon be between a lot of fires that must +scorch them, whichever way they turned. +</p> +<p> +He put a hand cautiously on Bluff. That individual +was so impulsive there could be no telling +just how he might act, and this touch would +serve to calm him down. +</p> +<p> +The flitting figures had now all passed the hiding +boys, avoiding the dense thicket in which +they were crouching, as there were easier passages +around. Looking out, Frank could see +them moving around the cabin, as if trying to +ascertain some weak place where an entrance +could be effected. +</p> +<p> +“Huh!” grunted Bluff, a little incautiously it +seemed, “they’re going to do what I wanted to +try—make an entrance. Some of them have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span> +gone to pick up that log, and others are peeking +in at the window, where the hay sticks out. If +it was bigger they’d just like to crawl through. +And we sit here like a set of babies. Huh!” +</p> +<p> +“Hold up, now, and consider. What’s to +hinder our letting them do the work, and then +when they go to reap the results we can just +step up and take the plum away,” cautioned his +comrade. +</p> +<p> +“I see. Like the monkey that got the cat to +pull his hot chestnuts out of the fire, eh? Talk +about Jerry being a lawyer, he ain’t in the same +class with you, Frank.” +</p> +<p> +“Watch!” was all the other replied to this +shower of bouquets. +</p> +<p> +“Something’s going to happen to them fellers +around there before they know it,” remarked +Tom Somers, grimly, though, of course, he followed +the example of the others and kept his +voice down to the lowest possible notch. +</p> +<p> +“What makes you say that?” asked Bluff, +always eager for information. +</p> +<p> +“I seen something poking up along the roof. +I reckon one of them hoboes is going to come out +up thar, and drop something down on Pet and +the fellers. Gee! but don’t I hope he slams it +in hard. It’d make my cuts sting a heap less if +I see them guys have to take to the tall timber.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +</p> +<p> +Tom was feeling vindictive, and really, after +having seen his bruises, and remembering how +shabbily he had been treated by his pards, Frank +could hardly blame him for such a desire. Tom +was only human, after all. +</p> +<p> +Still, what he had said aroused the curiosity +of both Frank and Bluff. They riveted their +attention upon the roof of the cabin. As stated +before, this being badly dilapidated, the hoboes +had spent some time patching the same the best +they knew how. +</p> +<p> +It was even now in a shaky condition, and apt +to give way if any daring soul ventured to put +his weight upon it. +</p> +<p> +At least Tom was right, for they quickly discovered +that a certain portion of this roof was +actually moving, and even as they looked what +seemed to be a human arm was thrust through. +Some one was evidently making an opening, removing +the pieces one by one at a place where +they had been fastened across a former hole. +</p> +<p> +Frank felt that there was something more +about this than appeared on the surface. He +also noted that the fellows on the ground had +by now become aware that they were apparently +about to be menaced from above; for he saw +them crouching down under the spot from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +whence the pieces were falling, their eyes turned +upward. +</p> +<p> +Then a head was finally thrust up through the +opening. Bluff gasped again. It seemed as +though he were bound to get shock after shock. +</p> +<p> +“Get next to that, will you?” he whispered +in Frank’s ear, as he clutched his sleeve and +jerked hard; “why, it’s our chum Jerry! Oh! +ain’t he the candy kid, though?” +</p> +<p> +“Hush!” said the other, giving him a push, to +keep him from rising in his excitement. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I take off my lid to him, anyway,” +whimpered Bluff, unable to give proper expression +to his feelings. +</p> +<p> +The boy whose actions they were watching +seemed to have made up his mind that he must +get out of that cabin some way or other. He +had been halted in his tunneling operations, and +perhaps there was some reason why he might +not resume them, or try and open the door; but +Jerry evidently could not be held in restraint. +</p> +<p> +It was possible that his captors were dozing, +and, taking advantage of the opportunity, he was +about to quit their company by means of the hole +he had made in the roof. +</p> +<p> +Now his body had appeared. He was testing +the rotten timbers first to make positive that +they would hold him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +</p> +<p> +Bluff hardly breathed as he stared as well as +he could, for it was half dark here, even in the +daytime. He knew that a mutual surprise +awaited all the persons taking part in that little +drama, when Jerry reached the edge and looked +over. Those crouching below expected to see +one of the tattered hoboes, while possibly Jerry +hoped he might find his chums awaiting him. +</p> +<p> +“It’s coming!” Frank heard him say, as he +fumbled around for something; but he was so +much interested himself that he did not give +Bluff a second thought. +</p> +<p> +Then the creeping boy on the low roof of the +cabin reached the edge. They saw him stretch +his neck so that his head projected over; and +there he remained, as if frozen stiff by the +strange sight that greeted him. +</p> +<p> +It was not so gloomy there alongside the +shack but that his keen eyes could see, under the +heavy growth of rank trees, the many faces up-turned +toward him. At the same time, Pet and +his mates made the astounding discovery that +it was Jerry Wallington, after all, who had been +about to descend in this peculiar way. +</p> +<p> +Too late, Frank realized what was coming. +He heard the old familiar “click” close to his +ear, and a thrill of alarm shot through his frame; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span> +but ere he could even wink, much less make the +slightest movement, the thing was done. +</p> +<p> +Bluff had fired another cartridge connected +with that camera of Will’s. Recognizing the +proper elements for a powerful flashlight picture +in the remarkable combination before him, he +had proceeded to carry out Will’s instructions, +regardless of consequences. +</p> +<p> +Some of the clustering boys seemed ready to +scamper off, but the voice of Pet recalled them +to a sense of their duty. Besides, the prospect +of becoming lost in those gloomy woods was not +very flattering, and they huddled together. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, don’t yuh let that skeer yuh, fellers. +It’s on’y some of that crazy Will Milton’s photergraphy +business. Stick to it, and get that reward. +Don’t a single one of yuh dar’ to run!” was what +he shouted. +</p> +<p> +The situation was rather embarrassing for +Jerry. He seemed to be between two fires as it +were. If he came down, these angry boys stood +ready to attack him; while to stay where he was +meant that the hoboes would be able to reach +him. +</p> +<p> +Frank began to wonder whether the time had +not come for them to enter the game and stand +by their chum. He had even arisen to his feet +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +to make a forward movement when he saw that +as usual, Jerry had his wits about him. +</p> +<p> +The boy on the quivering roof of the old +shack was edging his way along. He appeared +to be aiming for a certain spot where a big tree +swept its branches down so as to brush the roof. +</p> +<p> +It offered a refuge for any one who could +neither come down nor remain where he was, +and Jerry knew he could make it. Now he +reached the nearest limb, and like a monkey +scrambled upward. The one who caught him +after that would have to be nimble indeed. +</p> +<p> +“Hurrah!” shouted Bluff, unable to restrain +his admiration for the presence of mind on the +part of his chum. +</p> +<p> +Perhaps, given time, and the Peters crowd +might have attempted some further hostile move, +looking to the capture of the boy who had just +gained his freedom from a prison. Frank was +grimly making up his mind that, no matter what +happened, he did not mean to stand idly by and +see Jerry fall into the hands of these fellows. +</p> +<p> +“Say, are you going to rush ’em?” demanded +Bluff, fairly wild to make a charge. +</p> +<p> +“Not unless they start after Jerry. Just now +they seem to be bent on capturing our friends, +the hoboes, and we can afford to let them fight it +out until both sides are exhausted, when our time +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span> +will come. There they go at the door with the +log as a battering ram! Whoop! what do you +think of that?” +</p> +<p> +Frank’s last exclamation was caused by a sudden +movement on the part of the besieged; for +the door had suddenly opened, and a pan of hot +water was thrown out on the huddled holders +of the log. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span><a name='chXXI' id='chXXI'></a>CHAPTER XXI—THE LAST STRAW</h2> +<p> +“Ouch! I’m scalded!” +</p> +<p> +“Skidoo, boys! there’s more a-comin’!” +</p> +<p> +“Why didn’t ye shoot, Bill, when ye had the +chance? Gee! the skin’s a-peelin’ off me nose +a’ready!” +</p> +<p> +No sooner had Waddy Walsh thrown the pan +of hot water upon the advancing group that +carried the log than he bolted inside again, and +the bar was heard falling back of the door. +</p> +<p> +Then they heard the young savage laugh loud +and long. It was this sound that aroused the +passions of the crowd. They no longer thought +of flight. With the burning sensation that came +with the hot water application, each fellow ached +to be revenged. The worst of it was, most of +them knew Waddy well, and indeed he had once +been a member of this same crowd. +</p> +<p> +Down went the log to the ground. All thought +of using it as a battering ram had left them now. +</p> +<p> +“Git behind the trees, fellers. It’s us to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +foolish house if we let that Waddy Walsh ketch +us ag’in,” shouted Pet, who was rubbing his face +quite as vigorously as his comrades in misery. +</p> +<p> +Upon this they hustled for shelter. Each boy +took to a tree that happened to come handy, and +feeling safe from a further bombardment they +gave vent to their feelings in all sorts of characteristic +shouts. +</p> +<p> +Frank was feeling a bit anxious about Jerry. +What if these reckless spirits, aggravated by +their hot reception, should try to take it out on +the person of the boy they hated? Two of them +carried some manner of shotguns, and there was +no telling what they might not be tempted to do. +</p> +<p> +When, however, he looked anxiously up into +the tree where he had last seen Jerry, to his +delight he found that the other had vanished +completely from sight. +</p> +<p> +“Where’s he gone?” asked Bluff, at this moment, +he having apparently likewise just discovered +the absence of the other chum. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know. Perhaps he’s only hiding behind +the trunk of the tree, or he may have found +it hollow, like that other one, and slipped in. +Watch what those fellows are up to. If they +make a move to shoot at Jerry, we’ll have to put +in our oar,” Frank answered with considerable +feeling. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +</p> +<p> +Pet Peters’ crowd was plainly at a loss to know +how they ought to proceed. They saw that hundred +dollars reward dangling temptingly before +their eyes, and could not bear the thought of +letting it pass without straining themselves to +the utmost to win it. All sorts of things they +had wanted so long could be bought with that +easy money, and they were not yet ready to give +up their chances. +</p> +<p> +“Hi! Bill, you an’ Sim git over here. I wanter +have a spiel with yuh. Them guns orter fetch +our game out on ther knees, if yuh on’y use ’em +steady. Kim over, an’ you, too, Miser Lee. +P’raps I kin use yuh!” +</p> +<p> +It was Pet bawling out, and that his word +carried weight was manifest by the way in which +the three fellows addressed hastened to cross over +to where he stood back of the big tree that had the +gaping hole in its trunk ten feet from the ground. +</p> +<p> +Frank could see them talking earnestly, and +gesticulating as if to emphasize their words. +Finally Pet seized the gun that one of the others +carried, and taking a quick aim at the cabin he +pulled the trigger. +</p> +<p> +“Bang! bang!” went both barrels. +</p> +<p> +The dead grass vanished from the little +window under the charges of shot at such close +quarters. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span> +</p> +<p> +“Kim out o’ that, an’ surrender to the law!” +bellowed Pet. +</p> +<p> +Frank laughed to himself at the words; it was +more than comical to hear this boy, whose contempt +for law and order had made him a marked +character in Centerville, so loudly proclaim his +sudden conversion. +</p> +<p> +Silence followed this peremptory command. +Those within the cabin either did not care to +answer, or else could not. +</p> +<p> +“Say, Pet, p’raps ye did for ’em that time?” +suggested one of the others. +</p> +<p> +“Git out! Thar wa’nt no chance of that happenin’. +Waddy just wants tuh fool us. He allers +was that ways, yuh know,” answered Pet; but +it was plain that the awful suggestion rather +awed him. +</p> +<p> +“Shall I shoot, Pet?” asked the other owner of +a gun, dubiously. +</p> +<p> +“’Course yuh must. Think I’m goin’ tuh do +all the work. Blaze away both of ye, so long as +ye got a shell left. Anyhow, p’raps we kin put +in a claim fur part o’ the reward, fur holdin’ ’em +here. Go on, Sim, I tell yuh!” +</p> +<p> +So Sim began to bombard the wall of the cabin. +He made mighty sure not to fire in at that little +gaping hole where the dead grass had hung until +Pet knocked it through with his shot. If so be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +any damage was done to the inmates Sim did not +mean to be accused as the guilty one. +</p> +<p> +Things seemed pretty lively for a time, with +those two guns rattling away as fast as the +owners could reload. From behind their trees +the balance of the attacking crowd watched to see +if there came any white flag of surrender. Beyond +the boom of the guns, however, not a +sound was heard, unless the excited voices of +the eager boys were taken into consideration. +</p> +<p> +Bluff was plainly nervous. He tried to get +up several times, and as often Frank pulled him +down again. +</p> +<p> +“I just can’t stand it, with all that racket going +on. Why don’t we have a share in it?” he +begged, piteously. +</p> +<p> +“Because we don’t want to expose our hand. +Give those silly chumps time and they will play +the game to suit us. Wait till their last shell +has been fired; then we control the situation. +See?” whispered his comrade, soothingly. +</p> +<p> +“Frank, you hit me again that time. What +a goose I am. Why, of course that’s the racket +for us. Let ’em go on and roll their hoop!” +answered Bluff, who at least was always ready +to admit the error of his ways when convinced. +</p> +<p> +The shooting soon came to an end, for neither +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span> +Sim nor Bill seemed to have any great amount of +ammunition with them. +</p> +<p> +“That’s my last shell!” declared the former, +presently. +</p> +<p> +“An’ I got my last in the gun. Shall I use +’em, Pet?” demanded the other. +</p> +<p> +“’Course, an’ send it in the windy this time,” +growled the one addressed. +</p> +<p> +But Bill was too shrewd for that, and proceeded +to sprinkle his bird shot over the surface +of the ancient logs. +</p> +<p> +“Now we control the situation. Our guns are +not useless, if theirs are!” exclaimed Frank, with +a chuckle. +</p> +<p> +Still he did not seem in any hurry to open hostilities. +Perhaps he hoped these eight followers +of Pet might find a way to capture the hoboes, +upon which they could appear on the scene and +menace the enemy until they were glad to run +away, leaving the fruits of their victory in the +hands of Frank and his friends. +</p> +<p> +“Pet’s up to something tricky. I bet it’s the +old game of firing the shanty. You remember, +Frank, how he tried to burn us out last Fall +when we were in camp. There goes some of the +lot creeping up with armfuls of leaves. Say, are +we going to stand by and see it done?” queried +Bluff, warmly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +</p> +<p> +“At the last minute we can stop it. When +Pet starts up to strike a match, then we’ll take +a hand. No hurry. The chaps inside won’t +thank us, remember. It’s out of the frying-pan +into the fire with them,” came from his companion, +who was observing all that went on +with a critical eye. +</p> +<p> +“Looks like they meant to have a big enough +pile of leaves there,” said Bluff, as the line of +creeping forms kept depositing more and more +fuel close to the wall of the cabin. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and I reckon she’d burn like tinder if +once started. Suppose those two hoboes rushed +out suddenly, do you suppose Pet and his crowd +have got sand enough to tackle them?” asked +Frank of the recruit on his other side. +</p> +<p> +“They want that reward bad, I reckon, and +would do some tall fightin’ to get it. Fightin’ is +ther main suit, ye know,” answered Tom Somers, +as he caressed the cut on his face tenderly. +</p> +<p> +“Now they’ve stopped piling up the leaves. +Looks like they expected Pet to go in and put +a match to the bunch. He don’t appear to hanker +after the job, but to back out would put him on +the blink with the crowd. There, Frank, he’s +going to make the riffle, you see. Now, what?” +panted Bluff, again seeking to rise, as he fumbled +his gun nervously. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span> +</p> +<p> +“There’s no need of our doing anything, after +all,” remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Then you mean to let ’em set the cabin on +fire, and perhaps roast the poor hoboes before +our very eyes?” exclaimed Bluff, in dismay. +</p> +<p> +“Not at all. I only mean that the job of +frightening the bunch off is going to be taken +out of our hands, for that wild man is coming +back!” +</p> +<p> +“You don’t say? Where—point him out to +me, Frank. Oh! if I could only get a chance +to snap him off; but, just like the luck, the last +flashlight cartridge is gone. Ginger! I see him +now. Ain’t he a terror though? And won’t they +go into fits when he rushes ’em? There he comes, +as sure as you live! Wow! watch the circus, +boys. My! my! ain’t I glad I’m here to see this!” +</p> +<p> +Tom Somers had said that his former teammates +loved nothing better than a fight, but there +were evidently times when such a condition of +affairs was far from their thoughts. Such +seemed to be the case now, for as they heard +the shrill whoops of the outlandish hairy figure +that came prancing headlong toward them, every +boy took to his heels in a mad flight, heedless +alike of direction or obstacles in the way, so long +as he could escape a close encounter with that +terrible creature. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span><a name='chXXII' id='chXXII'></a>CHAPTER XXII—HOLDING THE FORT</h2> +<p> +“Look at them run, Frank! Such a scared +crowd of singed cats! Did you ever see such a +sight? But where is that old wild man gone?” +exclaimed Bluff, who had arisen fearlessly to +his feet the better to watch the mad flight of +Pet Peters and his cronies through the dense +thickets. +</p> +<p> +“I couldn’t say, Bluff. I was too much taken +up with the way some of those boys banged headlong +into the trunks of trees to notice anything +else. Did you see, Tom?” +</p> +<p> +“He climbed the same old tree, and popped +into that hole like a jack-in-the-box,” declared +the one addressed, quickly. +</p> +<p> +At that Frank laughed again and again, though +Bluff looked at him as if hardly understanding +what there was about the manner of the wild +man’s disappearance to amuse his chum so. +</p> +<p> +“Jerry!” he called presently. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span> +</p> +<p> +“Tell me about that, will you?” a familiar +voice said, and they saw the object of their solicitude +clambering down from a tree not far away +from the house. +</p> +<p> +In another minute the three chums were shaking +hands with a vim. It was certainly good to +see Jerry again, and Bluff could hardly keep from +embracing him. +</p> +<p> +“Did they treat you mean, old pard?” he asked, +looking darkly toward the cabin, as if meditating +an immediate assault if Jerry complained. +</p> +<p> +“Well, it wasn’t a nice experience, I tell you; +but on the whole they didn’t kick me more than +a dozen times, and I reckon I sassed ’em enough +to expect that. Glad to see you again, fellows, +I tell you. Who’s this? Hello! what’s Tom +Somers doing with chums of mine, I’d like to +know?” demanded the escaped captive, curiously. +</p> +<p> +“He had a fight with the rest, and they left +him on the island, tied to a tree?” explained +Bluff, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Oh; yes, I see, and you rescued him, so that +out of gratitude he joined forces to storm the +stronghold of the common enemy. Say, this +beats anything we ever met up with. That wild +man is sure the greatest thing that ever came +over the pike,” and to Bluff’s surprise Jerry also +had a fit of laughing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +</p> +<p> +“You fellows seem to be tickled over something +that I don’t just grab. I didn’t think you +were the kind to laugh at a poor, silly fool that +has escaped from the asylum, and imagines, perhaps, +he’s Father Adam in the woods,” he complained. +</p> +<p> +At which remark the others had another burst +of laughter. Frank looked at Jerry, made a +gesture with his head, and placed his finger on +his lips to indicate silence, upon seeing which, +Jerry nodded and grinned. +</p> +<p> +“Tell us about your experiences, will you?” +asked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Only a few words. The rest will have to +keep until we’re settled around the fire in camp,” +returned Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“But we have no camp, now,” retorted Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“What’s happened? Did those criminals burn +you out, boys?” asked the other, with clenched +hands; for he had a few things he prized among +the traps they had carried along with them, and +the loss of which would be deeply regretted. +</p> +<p> +“No, but we decided that while off hunting +for you we couldn’t leave Will there alone; so +we dug up stakes, piled the ‘duffle’ in the canoes, +and he’s off somewhere on the lake waiting a +signal to land again,” remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Great scheme. I can guess in whose brain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +it originated. But you don’t know how bully it +is to see you again, fellows. Hang it, if it doesn’t +seem like a month since I saw you last. And as +to feed, I’ve just had a few things pushed into +my mouth as if I were a bird in a nest. I’m +just longing for a decent meal again.” +</p> +<p> +“What happened while I was examining that +Indian mound?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I was dozing when something landed like a +thousand of brick on my chest. For the life of +me I couldn’t say a single word. I guess I must +have fainted, though perhaps I ought to be +ashamed to admit it. Next thing I knew I was +being toted off on the shoulders of the big tramp, +a fellow called Biffins, who, I expect must be +a yeggman, because he seemed to know all about +blowing open safes in country stores, and such +things,” went on Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Just to think of it, and carrying you on his +shoulders like a log!” palpitated Bluff, listening +with eagerness to these disclosures. +</p> +<p> +“They fetched me here to this cabin, and kept +me tied up part of the time. That night was a +long horror to me. Sometimes they were in +with me, and again off somewhere. In the morning +I saw that they had made a raise of some +provisions, and it was then they fed me like a +baby.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span> +</p> +<p> +“But you got your hands free after a while, +didn’t you?” asked Bluff, too anxious to wait +until the other reached this point. +</p> +<p> +“To be sure, and commenced that tunnel. +You see, the hole in the wall was too small to +crawl through, and they were in the other room +where the door lay. When I caught hold of a +hand I seemed to guess instantly that it must +belong to one of you fellows, and then the signal +squeeze told me so. Biffins caught me just then, +and threw me aside. They filled up the hole and +drove some stakes down alongside so I couldn’t +tunnel any more. After that I thought of the +old roof, for it was full of holes. So I climbed +up and got out that way.” +</p> +<p> +Jerry showed by his actions that he did not +wish to talk any longer on the score of his adventures. +He kept looking toward the cabin +suggestively. +</p> +<p> +“What do we do now, fellows? Want to trek +back to the shore and leave these two in peace?” +he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Not for me,” answered Bluff, readily enough; +“I say that after the way they held you a prisoner +it’s our duty to turn the tables on the rascals. +We’ve got ’em in a hole, and all we have to do +is to wait until Mr. Dodd comes.” +</p> +<p> +Jerry glanced inquiringly toward Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, we heard whistles a bit ago, and imagine +the posse must have landed. If we could +only communicate with them in some way now, +and get them to come here, we might hold the +fort meanwhile.” +</p> +<p> +Frank looked at Tom Somers as he spoke. +The other could not mistake his meaning. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! I’ll go, all right, if so be you write a +little note to the sheriff. Him an’ me ain’t on +the best terms, I reckon,” grinned that worthy. +</p> +<p> +“Done. Got a pencil with you, Bluff—mine +seems to have disappeared.” +</p> +<p> +The pencil being forthcoming, Frank dashed +off a few lines to Mr. Dodd, and signed his name. +</p> +<p> +“Sure you can get to the beach, Tom?” he +asked. +</p> +<p> +“Easy as fallin’ off a log. I’m off, then, +fellers.” +</p> +<p> +Saying which, Tom entered the bush, and disappeared +from view. +</p> +<p> +“Now, what is the programme?” asked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Wasn’t that a boat whistle again? It seemed +to come from another quarter, too?” remarked +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I heard it, all right. Perhaps the tug is +circling the island so as to make sure the thieves +get no chance to make off,” suggested Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“You’re right, that is just what their programme must +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> +be. Meanwhile they’ve landed the +posse to search the whole place over. I hope +Tom meets up with them in good time,” continued +Frank, earnestly. +</p> +<p> +“There’s somebody shouting in the woods,” +remarked Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! that’s the Peters tribe trying to get together +again. Reminds me of a covey of quail +that has been flushed and scattered, calling to +each other from the brush,” laughed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Will they come back here again?” Bluff continued. +</p> +<p> +The others exchanged looks, and chuckles +followed. +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your sprinters, I don’t think +you could hire any one of those same chaps to +come within fifty yards of this place after the +scare they got!” exclaimed Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“And the dose of hot water in the bargain. +My! but they must feel sore! I saw several +bang headlong into trees as they galloped away. +There will be some lumps as big as goose-eggs +among that crowd to-night. And, after all, they +don’t get even a look-in on that prize money,” +chuckled Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got a proposition, fellows. If the reward +should happen to come our way I move we turn +it over to Tom Somers. His family is poor, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span> +perhaps this may be the turning point in Tom’s +life, who knows?” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Hear! hear! Them’s my sentiments!” cried +the impulsive Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Ditto,” echoed Jerry; for since they all belonged +to families of wealth the promise of a +reward held no attraction for Frank and his +chums. +</p> +<p> +“But perhaps if we simply hold these chaps +where they are the sheriff may claim he did the +bagging of the game; how about that?” asked +Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“You mean we ought to try and make them +surrender to us?” +</p> +<p> +“If it could be done. I’ve got an idea in my +head. You’ll say it isn’t original, and perhaps +the trick they were going to play may have had +something to do with it. But suppose they made +a sneak while we talked here and left us to hold +the bag?” +</p> +<p> +“No danger of that, Bluff, while we keep a +watch on the door. Presently we can circle +around the old rookery and make sure that they +don’t take up your plan of tunneling out. Jerry, +I’m going to keep an eye on this tree with the +hole in it. If our friend, the wild man, ventures +forth, it shall be my pleasant task to hold him +up. What do you say?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span> +</p> +<p> +Bluff looked at Frank as he made this remark, +with uneasiness in his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“Seems to me you ain’t afraid of anything, +Frank. That crazy man gets on my nerves, and +I don’t think I could stand for a tussle with +him at close quarters. Better be careful how +you let him get hold of you. They say these +lunatics are just as strong as grizzly bears, and +this one must be, to see the way he swung about +in that tree like a big ape. Ugh! Excuse me!” +</p> +<p> +Bluff shuddered as he spoke, and consequently +did not see the look that passed between his two +chums, and which was more of amusement than +concern. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span><a name='chXXIII' id='chXXIII'></a>CHAPTER XXIII—THE WHITE FLAG</h2> +<p> +“What time of day is it?” asked Jerry presently. +</p> +<p> +He had evidently lost all track of time while +a prisoner in the cabin. +</p> +<p> +“Just ten o’clock,” replied Frank. “What’s +become of your watch, pard?” +</p> +<p> +“Decorating the vest of Waddy, just now, +though I have hopes of wearing it again after +he’s tired of it,” grinned Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Hope we get fixed up again before night. I’m +thinking all the while of a bully camp dinner. +Say, wasn’t this the day the girls promised to +come over and bring us some home grub?” asked +Bluff suddenly. +</p> +<p> +“Just as you say, and they’ll be along this +afternoon on schedule time. Too bad if they have +that long row for nothing. I expected to have +dinner waiting for them when they got here, and +then we could take them home in the canoes. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span> +This rumpus has upset all our plans,” remarked +Frank dismally; for secretly, Violet Milton had +promised to cook a dish that was an especial +favorite of his and bring it over, to prove her +accomplishments in the culinary line. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I hope it may all turn out right yet. Now, +that reminds me of my plan. If we could only +force these two rascals to surrender it would +shorten our stay out in the bush, and we could +make for the beach, call Will ashore, and have +our tents up again in a jiffy.” +</p> +<p> +“Talk to me about your persistent youngsters, +ain’t he all to the good, though? What is this +jim-dandy plan of yours, Bluff? Suppose you +give us a look-in, so we can cheer you on, or +condemn it as altogether too ridiculous?” suggested +Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Smoke!” +</p> +<p> +“You mean, make it so uncomfortable for the +hoboes that they’ll be glad to come out and hold +up their little hands for us—is that the programme?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, don’t you think it would work, Jerry?” +demanded the originator. +</p> +<p> +“Who’s going to do the smoking act? Tell +me that.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s easy. Count on me, if you don’t mind +holding my gun while I chase around and gather +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span> +some stuff that will smolder and not blaze up. +Some green weeds make a bitter smoke that +smarts the eyes dreadfully. I’ll try that on. +Those tramps may be able to stand for a good +deal, but if they stay in that place long they’ll +feel like a couple of smoked hams,” declared the +energetic Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, so far as that goes, I’m only too willing +to grab a good old gun again. I reckon you let +Will have mine,” observed Jerry as he relieved +the other of the repeating shotgun. +</p> +<p> +“And you won’t feel disgraced because it happens +to be one of those pump-guns?” Bluff took +occasion to remark, maliciously. +</p> +<p> +“Circumstances alter cases. This is one. I’ve +no doubt that a gun like this can be very useful +at times. Anyhow, I’m open to a trial. Just +let those hoboes show up and try to attack us, +and if I don’t fill their miserable bodies full of +bird shot, then it’s twenty-three for mine. Now, +watch him begin his new job, Frank.” +</p> +<p> +“You saw what happened to those other boys +when they started to rush the door with that +log battering-ram, didn’t you, Bluff? Perhaps +they’ve got more hot water handy. Look out +for it, my son,” warned Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’m onto that racket. I can dodge any +Niagara that comes. Besides, I don’t mean to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span> +give ’em more of a chance at me than I can help. +One of you keep watch on the door, and if they +start to open just bang away in the air to tell +that we mean business. Here goes, boys.” +</p> +<p> +So Bluff commenced moving hither and thither +under the trees, searching for just the kind of +wood he wanted. It was his intention to start +his fire alongside the tree that grew nearest to +the cabin wall. Then, after he had it smoking at +a furious rate he could push the whole mass +under the structure with a long stick. +</p> +<p> +For some time he worked. Not a sound or a +sign of life came from the cabin. If Waddy +Walsh and his pal, Biffins, were still inside, they +knew how to keep quiet. +</p> +<p> +By this time our friends had become convinced +that the hobo couple could not be in possession +of any kind of firearm, for they would surely +have made some use of the same at the time +Pet Peters and his crowd pushed them so warmly. +</p> +<p> +Feeling sure of this, Bluff worked openly, only +keeping behind the trees whenever he approached +close to the hut, for fear lest a sudden shower of +scalding fluid should greet him. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Jerry had separated, each watching +a side of the cabin. Frank also kept close to the +tree which had sheltered the singular being whose +coming on the scene had completed the fright +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span> +of Pet Peters and his cronies. From the way +he cast frequent looks up at that yawning cavity +it would seem as though he half anticipated a +reappearance of the remarkable creature that had +vanished inside the tree. +</p> +<p> +Finally Bluff seemed to have arranged the little +pile of material to suit. +</p> +<p> +“Here she goes, fellows! Look out, now! +There may be something doing. Hold ’em up +if they rush me!” he called, as he applied a +match. +</p> +<p> +The stuff burned briskly at first. When he had +allowed it to gain what headway he deemed sufficient, +Bluff began to cover the fire with the +green weeds brought for the purpose. +</p> +<p> +“Wow!” shouted Jerry, as a wavering breeze +carried some of the dense smoke over to his +station. “That’s the limit! Ought to be a State’s +prison offense for any one to make such a smudge +as that. You’ll suffocate the poor guys—that’s +what!” +</p> +<p> +But Bluff only grinned, and labored on. He +had a long pole in his hands, with which he +was shoving the smoldering mass over so that +it would pass under a certain part of the cabin. +Here there was a friendly opening ready to receive +it. +</p> +<p> +Bang! went a gun. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span> +</p> +<p> +The cabin door, which had started to open, +was hastily shut, although, of course, Jerry had +fired above the roof. +</p> +<p> +“How does it work?” shouted Bluff, thinking +more of his gun in the hands of the one who had +always detested it than his own danger from hot +water. +</p> +<p> +“Great!” answered Jerry as he let another shot +loose, having, as he thought, detected a movement +of the door again. +</p> +<p> +Thinking they had drawn his fangs, those in +the cabin now really opened the door, to get a +chance to deluge Bluff, when, to their amazement +and alarm, Jerry turned loose a third shot. +The door shut, this time to open no more for +that purpose. +</p> +<p> +“Now what do you say?” roared Bluff. “What +could you have done with one of your old measly +two-shot guns, eh? Tell me that.” +</p> +<p> +“I take back all I ever said against the bully +thing. Three more shots waiting for you, Mister +Hobo. Just show your nose, and see!” exclaimed +the marksman. +</p> +<p> +“Mark the window, Bluff!” called Frank just +then. +</p> +<p> +Thus warned in time, Bluff was able to scurry +around the protecting trunk of the tree as an +arm was projected from the small opening, and, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span> +as before, a pan of steaming water dashed all +around him. +</p> +<p> +“Tell me about that, will you?” jeered Jerry, +who guessed what had happened, though it took +place on the other side of the cabin. +</p> +<p> +Bluff started pushing his mass of smoking +weeds forward again. +</p> +<p> +“Never touched me!” he shouted in his excitement. +</p> +<p> +By this time the rank smoke had begun to +ooze up through the floor of the old cabin. Doubtless +there were plenty of gaping cracks between +the puncheon boards to allow of a draught. Just +how long the inmates could stand this sickening +cloud was a question. +</p> +<p> +“Say! ain’t this the real thing? Perhaps the +sheriff would like to take a few lessons from +our chum Bluff on how to smoke hams. Listen, +will you! The poor guys are sneezing to beat +the band. Keep up the good work, pard, and +you’ll force their hand. Get ready to cover +’em, Frank. I reckon something’s bound to happen +soon.” +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you Waddy! Show up with the white +flag, and we quit!” called Bluff from behind his +refuge. +</p> +<p> +He was rubbing the back of his neck as he +spoke, for while he had claimed to have escaped +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span> +entirely, some of the splashing water had dropped +on his skin and left an impression in the shape +of a red mark. +</p> +<p> +“A white flag—that’s the game! Might as +well do it right while we’re at it, boys. Come +out, Waddy! We want you, and we mean to get +you! Three more charges in this elegant pump-gun, +and all for you. Do you surrender?” shouted +Jerry. +</p> +<p> +It was happiness to Bluff to hear this scoffing +sportsman chum of his thus praise the hitherto +detested repeating gun, and he danced around +almost recklessly, such was his delight. +</p> +<p> +But no more charges of scalding water belched +out of that small window. Perhaps the two unfortunates +within had all they could attend to +trying to breathe in that sickening, smoke-laden +atmosphere. +</p> +<p> +“Keep up the good work, Bluff. It’s immense,” +encouraged Frank, who really believed that, after +all, the other had hit upon a clever way to force +a surrender on the part of the defiant hoboes. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly the energetic fireman gave a loud +cheer. +</p> +<p> +“They shove out the white flag! They surrender! +What d’ye think of my plan, now, fellows? +There’s Waddy waving it out of the window! +Don’t shoot the poor duck—he’s pretty +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span> +near all in, and blind with the smoke!” he +whooped. +</p> +<p> +It was so. +</p> +<p> +Perhaps the article that the boy tramp was +waving wildly out of the small opening may have +hardly deserved the name of white flag, but his +intentions could not be doubted. +</p> +<p> +Smoke had won against stubborn grit, and the +hoboes were ready to throw up their hands! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span><a name='chXXIV' id='chXXIV'></a>CHAPTER XXIV—A NEW ALARM</h2> +<p> +“Do you give up, Waddy?” demanded Frank, +menacingly holding his gun leveled. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, we’ll hands up, all right. Both of us are +on the blink with the smoke, and nigh blind. Call +it off, fellers,” whined the owner of the dirty +face in the opening, while he coughed several +times to emphasize his words. +</p> +<p> +“All right, then. Now, tell Biffins that we +want him out first, and if he tries to run, it’s a +charge of bird shot for him in the rear. Get +that?” +</p> +<p> +“Sure. No danger of us doin’ anythin’. We’re +so near blind we couldn’t run if we wanted to.” +</p> +<p> +The head vanished. Ten seconds later the door +was thrown open and a big man staggered into +sight, reeling as if he were intoxicated. The +two fugitives had stubbornly stuck to the cabin +through all, until nearly dead for fresh air. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i004' id='i004'></a> +<img src="images/illus-212.jpg" alt="AS HE CAME, THE MAN HELD BOTH ARMS ALOFT." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>AS HE CAME, THE MAN HELD BOTH ARMS ALOFT.</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span></div> +<p> +As he came, the man held both arms aloft. +Apparently he knew what was wanted, and did +not mean to encourage these young hunters to +try a shot at his person. +</p> +<p> +“Lie down on the ground, on your face!” shouted +Frank. “Now keep your hands stretched out +that way. Don’t dare move, or it will be bad +for you, Biffins. Now, Waddy, your turn!” +called Frank again. +</p> +<p> +A second figure came into view, groping, as if +utterly blind. He, too, was compelled to drop +on the cool earth, where he could gulp in great +breaths of the fresh air, of which they were in +such dire need. +</p> +<p> +From three directions the boys approached. +</p> +<p> +“Hurrah! We bagged ’em!” shouted Bluff. +</p> +<p> +Frank said nothing. It was not in his nature +to exult over a fallen foe, though he did not +blame the more impulsive Bluff for his evident +delight. +</p> +<p> +From one of his pockets he produced some +stout cord. He certainly had never dreamed +what a singular use he would find for this when +placing it there. +</p> +<p> +“Watch them both, Jerry. Now, Biffins, put +your hands behind you, crossed. I’m going to +tie them so. It’s no use thinking of doing anything. +You couldn’t escape, even if you got away +from us, for the sheriff has this island surrounded, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span> +and he is on the way here, right now, with his +posse. Perhaps you might be shot down in the +woods. There, you won’t break that, I reckon, +in a hurry.” +</p> +<p> +He turned his attention to the second rascal. +Waddy Walsh had reached a point in his reckless +career where he did not care much what happened +to him. Having in a measure recovered +from the suffocating fumes of the smoking weeds, +he even twisted his head half way around to jeer +at Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Helpin’ to arrest your old pard, hey, Jerry? +That’s kind of you, now. I’ll be likely to remember +it, old feller, when I get out again,” he +said. +</p> +<p> +“I reckon you won’t have a chance to get out +in a hurry, Waddy. I’m ashamed to admit that +I did once go out with you, till you took to stealing, +and I had to cut you off my visiting list. +Hear that shooting, boys? The sheriff’s posse +must be in the woods nearby, right now, and +coming this way. I reckon Tom found ’em, all +right.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, let ’em come. We’re ready to hand +the prisoners over to the lawful officers. Say, +but this has been a fierce time all around. We +never thought, when we started out to camp on +Wildcat Island, that we’d pass through such a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span> +string of adventures. Where are you going, +Frank?” said Bluff, as the other started to enter +the cabin, the smoke having settled somewhat, +after the smoldering weeds were dragged away +from under the wall. +</p> +<p> +“Just to look around a little, that’s all. Please +stay with Jerry,” came the answer, as Frank vanished +within. +</p> +<p> +Presently he came out again. He had a bundle +under his arm, wrapped in a newspaper, and +of which he seemed especially careful. Jerry +looked at him, and received a nod in return, which +he seemed to understand full well, for he asked +no questions. +</p> +<p> +“Here’s the packet Mr. Pemberton lost, and +I suppose the valuables are all safe inside, eh, +Waddy?” he said, holding up something small +he carried. +</p> +<p> +“Never touched a thing in it. Them other +pieces of silver we swiped out of the farmhouse, +and anything else you find come from that storage +house over in Newtonport. We was after +something big there, but missed it,” admitted +the boy from the reform school, with unblushing +effrontery. +</p> +<p> +Loud calls were now heard close by. Bluff +lifted his tuneful voice and shouted: +</p> +<p> +“This way, Mr. Dodd. Everything lovely, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span> +the goose hangs high. We’ve got ’em safe and +sound. Here’s your men, sir. Step right up and +put the irons on ’em!” +</p> +<p> +Biffins had not said a word up to now. The +smoke had taken all desire to talk away from +him; but he proved that he could swear like a +pirate. No doubt what galled him most of all +was the fact that his capture had been brought +about through the instrumentality of a parcel +of boys. +</p> +<p> +The crashing of the undergrowth became plainer. +Then a party of men could be seen hurrying +forward as fast as the tangled thickets would +allow. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Dodd, the sheriff, was at their head. As +he saw the two tramp thieves lying on the ground, +helpless, he gave a roar. Rushing up to the boys, +he shook the hand of each one in turn. +</p> +<p> +“Bully work, boys! I’m proud to know you, +proud to say you live in the same town as I do! +Hello, Biffins! So it’s you, eh? Well, this time +we’ve got you dead to rights, and you don’t get +off. And here’s Waddy Walsh, broke loose from +the school he was sent to to learn to become a +decent man. Back you go, my fine lad, this time +to stay.” +</p> +<p> +So he rattled on, as he proceeded to clap a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span> +pair of neat steel bracelets on the wrists of each +of the prisoners. +</p> +<p> +After that he went into the cabin and thoroughly +searched it. +</p> +<p> +“I reckon we’ve got all the plunder they had, +and now it might be a good thing if we burned +this old rat trap of a nest to the ground. It’s +got a bad name, and if tramp thieves have taken +to lodging here, the sooner it goes, the better.” +</p> +<p> +Under the orders of the sheriff, some of the +posse started things moving. In a short time +the old cabin was a mass of flames. They made +sure that the fire could not extend to the surrounding +forest, which was just beginning to be +covered with an early crop of new leaves. Then +the whole company started through the thickets, +headed for the shore. +</p> +<p> +“Hang the luck! We forget one thing, after +all!” said Bluff suddenly. +</p> +<p> +He had been so busy getting several pictures +of the burning cabin that for the time being all +other things had escaped him. +</p> +<p> +“What was that?” asked Frank, winking at +Jerry knowingly. +</p> +<p> +“The wild man! We forgot to get him out +of that hollow tree!” exclaimed Bluff. +</p> +<p> +“Well, it’s too late now. For one, I object +to walking back there. Besides, we must hustle +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218'></a>218</span> +in order to make camp again against the coming +of the girls,” observed Frank seriously. +</p> +<p> +“But ain’t we ever going to know what the +mystery of that queer creature must be? Perhaps +we’d better write to that keeper we met +before, Mr. Smithson, and let him know. Then +if he’s shy a member of his happy family of lunatics, +he’ll know where to hunt for him,” Bluff +went on innocently. +</p> +<p> +“A bully good idea, and you can do the writing +when we get home, if you feel that way,” +said Frank, with a face that was as sober as that +of a judge, while Jerry had to turn his head away +to keep from laughing outright. +</p> +<p> +“But about the girls, fellows! Do you know +they may not come, after all. Perhaps the folks +have heard about the lively times down here on +Wildcat Island, and put a veto on the outing. +Then, again, you can hear the wind in the tops +of these tall trees, so there must be whitecaps on +the lake. It would be risky for a lot of girls to +embark on so long a trip,” observed Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Well, boys, we’re going to turn aside here, +and make for a point where the tug is to meet us. +I want to thank you again. Don’t forget there’s +a nice little hundred waiting for you when you +want to claim it,” said Mr. Dodd, after a bit. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve decided that you are to turn that reward over +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span> +to Tom Somers here. He was a great +help to us, and we’d like his family to get the +hundred, Mr. Dodd,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +Tom started to say something, then broke +down, and could only look at each of the three +boys with his heart in his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“Now for the place again. It’s tenting once +more on the old campground for us, fellows. I +hope Will has had the sense to cross over after +he saw the tug come, and the posse come ashore,” +remarked Frank. +</p> +<p> +They pushed through the dense growth stubbornly, +and in the course of time realized that +they were drawing near the open. +</p> +<p> +“One more rush, and we can pass around that +big bluff and see our place. There’s the lake, +and whitecaps, too. Too bad the girls can’t be +with us. What a yarn we’d have to tell ’em, eh, +fellows?” said Frank, laughing. +</p> +<p> +“Thunder!” exclaimed Bluff just then. +</p> +<p> +“What’s happened to you, old sport?” asked +Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Look here, through this opening! Ain’t that +the boat with the girls, out there in that jumping +sea? And side on, part of the time. Something’s +happened to ’em, that’s what, as sure as +you’re born!” ejaculated Bluff. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span> +</p> +<p> +The others looked, and also uttered exclamations +of dismay, while Frank called out: +</p> +<p> +“They seem to have only one oar, and Nellie’s +trying to steer with that. Much she knows about +sculling! Oh! They were nearly over that time! +My heart’s in my mouth. Run for the shore, +boys! If only Will has come in with our canoes!” +</p> +<p> +And plunging like mad through the remaining +brush, the three lads broke out upon the little +beach, just where they had first landed when coming +to Wildcat Island to camp. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span><a name='chXXV' id='chXXV'></a>CHAPTER XXV—THE RESCUE—CONCLUSION</h2> +<p> +“Will’s here!” shouted Jerry, as they broke +cover. +</p> +<p> +“Into the canoes, then, as fast as you can!” +exclaimed Frank. +</p> +<p> +He had given one frantic look out on the lake. +This had shown him that as yet the helpless boat +containing the four girls had not capsized, though +with every wave it seemed liable to turn over, +having broached to in the heavy running seas. +</p> +<p> +The way they threw out the contents of the +canoes was a caution. Packages fairly covered +the little beach, to the bewilderment of Will, who +just then came out of the bushes, where he had +been placing his first load, and who must have +believed at first that his three chums had gone +stark mad. +</p> +<p> +Then the canoes were launched. This in itself +was no easy task, but Frank and his chums were +experts at handling the small craft, and had often +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222'></a>222</span> +practised all manner of tricks with the boats while +in swimming. +</p> +<p> +Through the breaking surf that rushed up on +the shore they ran with the canoes. Then jumping +in, they seized the paddles, and started to +work furiously. +</p> +<p> +Success attended their efforts, and presently +they were moving swiftly toward the rolling rowboat, +in which crouched the four frightened girls. +</p> +<p> +“Sit down, and keep still! We’ll get you all +right!” bawled Frank, as he saw one of the girls +make an effort to use the remaining oar. +</p> +<p> +So they came alongside. Frank breathed a +prayer of thanksgiving when his hand caught the +gunwale of the skiff. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got the boat to hold two of you. Nellie, +can you climb over, if I hold on tight?” he asked +his sister; “and you, too, Violet, will you dare?” +</p> +<p> +Nellie made the change easily enough, and then +came Will’s sister. Meanwhile, the other boys +had decided to convoy the rowboat in with its +remaining passengers, rather than attempt the +risky task of transferring them out there on the +rough lake. +</p> +<p> +They made fast, one on either side, and began +to paddle with the waves. In this way the entire +number finally found themselves safely ashore. +</p> +<p> +“We hardly expected you’d try it in this wind,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span> +said Frank, as he helped Violet up the beach to +the deserted camp. +</p> +<p> +“But the wind came up after we started, and +we couldn’t go back to save our lives, you see,” +she explained, laughing a little hysterically. +</p> +<p> +“But what does this mean? Where is your +camp, boys? It looks as though everything is +done up just as you left home,” said Mame Crosby, +as she eyed the many packages which the others +were now busily gathering together. +</p> +<p> +At that they all looked at each other and burst +into roars of laughter. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a long story, girls, and we’ll spin it while +we sit around the fire having dinner. As it’s now +long past noon, and there’s a heap to do getting +the camp fixed again, you must excuse us. Bluff, +start the fire going, and the girls can help us +out by taking charge of dinner while we build +our camp,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +Things began to assume the old-time air in +less than half an hour. Of course, the girls chattered +like magpies as they worked, but all their +appeals for information fell on deaf ears until +they were sitting around, in picnic style, enjoying +the splendid dinner, which was helped out by the +delicious things brought from home. +</p> +<p> +“And to think how near we came to feeding +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224'></a>224</span> +the fishes with these, too,” said Susie Prescott, +as she helped Will to a second portion. +</p> +<p> +“Now please take pity on us, and explain what +has happened. We’re just dying by inches to +know. What was that tug doing down here, with +all those men? And unless I’m mistaken, I saw +Mr. Dodd, the sheriff, aboard. He was out hunting +those two bad tramps who robbed the steamboat. +Oh, boys! Do you mean to say you have +had anything to do with them?” +</p> +<p> +Nellie had brought it to the point where explanations +must be in order. So the story was +told in detail. Sometimes one of the campers related +a certain part, and then another took it up +from where he left off. +</p> +<p> +“And with what views Bluff took for me, I’ll +have enough to illustrate the whole performance. +A few I’ve missed, and they will always haunt +me. Altogether it’s been a remarkable series of +adventures,” declared Will enthusiastically. +</p> +<p> +“The most astonishing that will ever come our +way, I reckon,” said Jerry with emphasis. +</p> +<p> +But though they did not dream of it at that +time, there were still stranger things fated to befall +the four chums ere many months had passed. +These happenings of vacation time will appear +in the next volume of this series, to be entitled +“The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span> +the Ghost of Oak Ridge,” which will tell of the +weird experiences our friends met with while investigating +the greatest mystery that ever troubled +the neighborhood of Centerville. +</p> +<p> +The merry party had just about finished their +dinner when Bluff once again began to take his +comrades to task for not thinking to rout the +wild man out of his hole in the tree while they +had the help of the sheriff’s posse. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a chance we’ll never have again, and no +doubt the poor old fellow would be better off if +turned over to Mr. Smithers, at the asylum. Have +any of you girls heard of a lunatic at large since +winter?” he kept on, until both Frank and Jerry +could stand it no longer. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a shame to keep you in the dark any +longer, Bluff. To tell you the truth, we captured +that wild man,” said Frank as soon as he could +control his face. +</p> +<p> +“Captured him? When? How? Where? +You’ve been having a joke all to yourselves. It’s +time you let me in, boys,” he said positively. +</p> +<p> +Frank ripped open the newspaper package he +had carried all the way from the lone cabin in +the jungle. Then he held something up that first +provoked exclamations of wonder and then +shrieks of laughter from the girls. Bluff turned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span> +red in the face, but being good-natured, he finally +joined in the mirth. +</p> +<p> +“So that’s what it was, eh? That big tramp +dressed himself up in that monkey skin they stole +from Dr. Aiken’s collection, over in the store-house, +when they entered. Waddy knew about +the story of the wild man said to be on this island, +and meant to have Biffins play the part to frighten +off any posse that might land. A clever idea, yes; +and I guess he did have considerable fun with +it,” Bluff went on. +</p> +<p> +“Jerry knew, of course, for he was a prisoner, +and saw the fellow dressing to carry out the part; +but I gave him the wink, and he kept quiet,” said +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“But how did you know?” demanded Will. +</p> +<p> +“I just guessed it. Sort of put two and two +together, you see. The footprints gave me a clue. +Then I watched the fellow carefully when he was +coming out of the tree, and going in later. I +believed it was a man, and he seemed to know +too much to be a lunatic; but I thought I’d have +a little fun with you and Bluff.” +</p> +<p> +“Into the tree, yes, but how do you explain +that? We saw him go in that hole in the hollow +stump, and he didn’t come out again, yet Biffins +was in the cabin when my stinging smoke made +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span> +them surrender. There’s something queer about +that.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re right there is, Bluff. I saw how the +thing was done when I went inside the cabin, +after they had been made prisoners. In the front +room was a hole in the floor. I jumped in that, +and found, just as I expected, that it was a nice +little underground tunnel leading to that hollow +tree. Years ago, the man who lived there must +have constructed that as a means of escape from +some imaginary danger. When Biffins entered +that tree he simply kept along until he reached +the cabin; but neither of them dared try to escape +that way, because they saw me standing guard,” +remarked Frank calmly. +</p> +<p> +“Well! Talk about your mysteries, this one +beats the band! But that fellow who died in the +cabin did have a reason to be afraid, Frank. I +understand he turned out to be a man who was +wanted for a capital crime down in New York +City. Perhaps he dreamed of the time when he +should be tracked to his hiding-place, and meant +to have a chance for escape,” observed Jerry. +</p> +<p> +They passed the hairy disguise around. Bluff +even stood up to show how it had fitted the big +man, at which Will uttered a cry of delight. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! now I know how I can get a picture of +the wild man for our collection. Bluff, some day +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span> +won’t you just put that thing on, and let me +snap you off? It will be a real kindness, and I +think you will be pleased with the result,” he +exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +At which poor Bluff glared at him, and subsided, +while the girls went into new spasms of +laughter. +</p> +<p> +Dinner was made as elaborate as possible, and +in spite of what had happened the girls and the +boys did full justice to all that was set before +them. As they ate they talked the happenings +over again. They all had fun with the disguise, +and when one of the girls tried it on, everybody +screamed with laughter. +</p> +<p> +“The wild girl from Peru,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“The Wildcat Island belle,” came from Jerry. +</p> +<p> +And then another shout of laughter arose. +</p> +<p> +Dinner over, the boys gallantly ferried the girls +over to a dock at which the steamboat would stop +on her round of the lake. Here they laughed +and joked until the <em>Eastern Star</em> came along, when +the four girls started home. +</p> +<p> +Captain Amos leaned over the rail and heard +the news with delight, saying: +</p> +<p> +“Glad to hear it, fellows. Knew those hoboes +would regret it if ever they ran across the tracks +of you four. So they’re in the lock-up by this +time, and Mr. Pemberton’s packet of jewelry is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span> +recovered. Hurrah for the Rod, Gun and Camera +Club!” +</p> +<p> +So the little steamboat sheered off, the paddles +began to beat the water, and our boys waved their +hats in farewell as the girls returned the salute +with their dainty handkerchiefs. After which, +Frank and his chums headed once more for Wildcat +Island to finish their Easter outing, so strangely +interrupted. +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p>THE END</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By VICTOR APPLETON +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +These spirited tales convey in a realistic way the wonderful advances +in land and sea locomotion. Stories like these are impressed +upon the youthful memory and their reading is productive only of +good. +</p> +<p> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE<br /> + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT<br /> + Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<br /> + Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<br /> + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<br /> + Or The Speediest Car on the Road<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE<br /> + Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS<br /> + Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE<br /> + Or The Wreck of the Airship<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER<br /> + Or The Quickest Flight on Record<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE<br /> + Or Daring Adventures in Elephant Land<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD<br /> + Or Marvelous Adventures Underground<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER<br /> + Or Seeking the Platinum Treasure<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY<br /> + Or A Daring Escape by Airship<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA<br /> + Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT<br /> + Or On the Border for Uncle Sam<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON<br /> + Or The Longest Shots on Record<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE<br /> + Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune<br /> +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St. New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By VICTOR APPLETON +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, +who, after purchasing at auction the patents of a moving +picture house, open a theatre of their own. Their many +trials and tribulations, leading up to the final success of +their venture, make very entertaining stories. +</p> +<p> + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS’ FIRST VENTURE<br /> + Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion Picture show. +They had trials and tribulations but finally succeed. +</p> +<p> + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK<br /> + Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their show at +Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures—also a profitable season. +</p> +<p> + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY<br /> + Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await them. +</p> +<p> + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS’ OUTDOOR EXHIBITION<br /> + Or The Film that Solved a Mystery.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery is interestingly related. +</p> +<p> + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS’ NEW IDEA<br /> + Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of educational value. +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By VICTOR APPLETON +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +Moving pictures and photo plays are famous the +world over, and in this line of books the reader is given +a full description of how the films are made—the scenes +of little dramas, indoors and out, trick pictures to satisfy +the curious, soul-stirring pictures of city affairs, life in the +Wild West, among the cowboys and Indians, thrilling +rescues along the seacoast, the daring of picture hunters +in the jungle among savage beasts, and the great risks run +in picturing conditions in a land of earthquakes. The +volumes teem with adventures and will be found interesting +from first chapter to last. +</p> +<p> + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS<br /> + Or Perils of a Great City Depicted.<br /> + <br/> + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE WEST<br /> + Or Taking Scenes Among the Cowboys and Indians.<br /> + <br/> + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON THE COAST<br /> + Or Showing the Perils of the Deep.<br /> + <br/> + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE<br /> + Or Stirring Times Among the Wild Animals.<br /> + <br/> + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN EARTHQUAKE LAND<br /> + Or Working Amid Many Perils.<br /> + <br/> + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AND THE FLOOD<br /> + Or Perilous Days on the Mississippi.<br /> +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By GRAHAM B. FORBES +</p> +<p> +Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy +than Frank Allen, the hero of this series of boys’ tales, +and never was there a better crowd of lads to associate +with than the students of the School. All boys will read +these stories with deep interest. The rivalry between the +towns along the river was of the keenest, and plots and +counterplots to win the championships, at baseball, at +football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice +hockey, were without number. Any lad reading one +volume of this series will surely want the others. +</p> +<p> + The Boys of Columbia High;<br /> + Or The All Around Rivals of the School.<br /> + <br/> + The Boys of Columbia High on the Diamond;<br /> + Or Winning Out by Pluck.<br /> + <br/> + The Boys of Columbia High on the River;<br /> + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed.<br /> + <br/> + The Boys of Columbia High on the Gridiron;<br /> + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup.<br /> + <br/> + The Boys of Columbia High on the Ice;<br /> + Or Out for the Hockey Championship.<br /> +</p> +<p> +12mo. Illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design and wrappers in colors. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 cents per volume. +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Outdoor Chums Series</span> +</p> +<p> +By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN +</p> +<p> +The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, sons of +wealthy men of a small city located on a lake. The boys +love outdoor life, and are greatly interested in hunting, +fishing, and picture taking. They have motor cycles, +motor boats, canoes, etc., and during their vacations go +everywhere and have all sorts of thrilling adventures. +The stories give full directions for camping out, how to +fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare the skins for +stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. Full +of the very spirit of outdoor life. +</p> +<p> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS<br /> + Or, The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE<br /> + Or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST<br /> + Or, Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF<br /> + Or, Rescuing the Lost Balloonists.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME<br /> + Or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness.<br /> +</p> +<p> +12mo. Averaging 240 pages. +</p> +<p> +Illustrated. Handsomely bound in Cloth. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 Cents per Volume +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Young Reporter Series</span> +</p> +<p> +BY HOWARD R. GARIS +</p> +<p> +The author is a practiced journalist, and these stories +convey a true picture of the workings of a great newspaper. +The incidents are taken from life. +</p> +<p> +12mo. Bound in Cloth. Illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 Cents per Volume. Postpaid. +</p> +<p> + FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER<br /> + Or The First Step in Journalism.<br /> + <br/> + LARRY DEXTER, THE YOUNG REPORTER<br /> + Or Strange Adventures in a Great City.<br /> + <br/> + LARRY DEXTER’S GREAT SEARCH<br /> + Or The Hunt for a Missing Millionaire.<br /> + <br/> + LARRY DEXTER AND THE BANK MYSTERY<br /> + Or A Young Reporter in Wall Street.<br /> + <br/> + LARRY DEXTER AND THE STOLEN BOY<br /> + Or A Young Reporter on the Lakes.<br /> +</p> +<p> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Sea Treasure Series</span> +</p> +<p> +By ROY ROCKWOOD +</p> +<p> +No manly boy ever grew tired of sea stories—there is a +fascination about them, and they are a recreation to the +mind. These books are especially interesting and are +full of adventure, clever dialogue and plenty of fun. +</p> +<p> +12mo. Bound in Cloth. Illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 Cents per Volume. Postpaid. +</p> +<p> + ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC<br /> + Or The Secret of the Island Cave.<br /> + <br/> + THE CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP<br /> + Or The Castaways of Floating Island.<br /> + <br/> + THE RIVAL OCEAN DIVERS<br /> + Or The Search for a Sunken Treasure.<br /> + <br/> + JACK NORTH’S TREASURE HUNT<br /> + Or Daring Adventures in South America.<br /> +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS</span> +</p> +<p> +For Little Men and Women +</p> +<p> +By LAURA LEE HOPE +</p> +<p> +AUTHOR OF “THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES” +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. +Books that charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they +never tire. Many of the adventures are comical in the extreme, and +all the accidents that ordinarily happen to youthful personages happened +to these many-sided little mortals. Their haps and mishaps +make decidedly entertaining reading. +</p> +<p> +THE BOBBSEY TWINS. +</p> +<p> +THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY. +</p> +<p> +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE. +</p> +<p> +The demand for this series has been so great that the author has +yielded to many requests and has added two volumes as follows: +</p> +<p> +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Telling how they got home from the seashore; went to school and +were promoted, and of their many trials and tribulations. +</p> +<p> +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Telling of the winter holidays, and of the many fine times and +adventures the twins had at a winter lodge in the big woods. +</p> +<p> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE DOROTHY CHESTER SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By EVELYN RAYMOND +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 60 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +Two companion stories for American girls, by one of the most +popular writers of fiction for girls’ reading. They are bright, winsome +and thoroughly wholesome stories. +</p> +<p> +DOROTHY CHESTER. The Haps and Mishaps of a Foundling. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The first volume tells how Dorothy was found on the doorstep, +taken in, and how she grew to be a lovable girl of twelve; and was +then carried off by a person who held her for ransom. She made a +warm friend of Jim, the nobody; and the adventures of the pair are +as interesting as they are surprising. +</p> +<p> +DOROTHY CHESTER AT SKYRIE. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Shows Dorothy at her country home near the Highlands of the +Hudson. Here astonishing adventures befell her, and once again +Jim, the nobody, comes to her assistance. +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE RISE IN LIFE SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By Horatio Alger, Jr. +</p> +<p> +These are Copyrighted Stories which cannot be obtained elsewhere. +They are the stories last written by this famous author. +</p> +<p> +12mo. Illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Bound in cloth, stamped in colored inks. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid. +</p> +<p> + THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT<br /> + Or Frank Hardy’s Road to Success<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A plain but uncommonly interesting tale of everyday life, describing +the ups and downs of a boy book-agent. +</p> +<p> + FROM FARM TO FORTUNE<br /> + Or Nat Nason’s Strange Experience<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Nat was a poor country lad. Work on the farm was hard, and after a +quarrel with his uncle, with whom he resided, he struck out for himself. +</p> +<p> + OUT FOR BUSINESS<br /> + Or Robert Frost’s Strange Career<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Relates the adventures of a country boy who is compelled to leave home +and seek his fortune in the great world at large. +</p> +<p> + FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE<br /> + Or The Experiences of a Young Secretary<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +This is a companion tale to “Out for Business,” but complete in itself, +and tells of the further doings of Robert Frost as private secretary. +</p> +<p> + YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK<br /> + Or The Son of a Soldier<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The scene is laid in the South during the Civil War, and the hero is a +waif who was cast up by the sea and adopted by a rich Southern planter. +</p> +<p> + NELSON THE NEWSBOY<br /> + Or Afloat in New York<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Mr. Alger is always at his best in the portrayal of life in New York +City, and this story is among the best he has given our young readers. +</p> +<p> + LOST AT SEA<br /> + Or Robert Roscoe’s Strange Cruise<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A sea story of uncommon interest. The hero falls in with a strange +derelict—a ship given over to the wild animals of a menagerie. +</p> +<p> + JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY<br /> + Or the Parkhurst Treasure<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Depicts life on a farm of New York State. The mystery of the treasure +will fascinate every boy. Jerry is a character well worth knowing. +</p> +<p> + RANDY OF THE RIVER<br /> + Or the adventures of a Young Deckhand<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people may +imagine, but Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was offered. +</p> +<p> + JOE, THE HOTEL BOY<br /> + Or Winning Out by Pluck.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A graphic account of the adventures of a country boy in the city. +</p> +<p> + BEN LOGAN’S TRIUMPH<br /> + Or The Boys of Boxwood Academy<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The trials and triumphs of a city newsboy in the country. +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Enterprise Books</span> +</p> +<p> +Captivating Stories for Boys by Justly Popular Writers +</p> +<p> +The episodes are graphic, exciting, realistic—the tendency of the tales +is to the formation of an honorable and manly character. They are unusually +interesting, and convey lessons of pluck, perseverance and manly +independence, 12mo. Illustrated. Attractively bound in cloth. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 Cents per Volume. Postpaid. +</p> +<p> + Moffat, William D.<br /> + THE CRIMSON BANNER. A Story of College Baseball<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A tale that grips one from start to finish. The students are almost flesh +and blood, and the contests become real as we read about them. The +best all-around college and baseball tale yet presented. +</p> +<p> + Graydon, William Murray<br /> + CANOE BOYS AND CAMP FIRES.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +In this book we have the doings of several bright and lively boys, who +go on a canoeing trip and meet with many exciting happenings. +</p> +<p> + Harkness, Peter T.<br /> + ANDY, THE ACROBAT. Or, With the Greatest Show on Earth<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Andy is as bright as a silver dollar. In the book we can smell the sawdust, +hear the flapping of the big white canvas and the roaring of the +lions, and listen to the merry “hoop la!” of the clown. +</p> +<p> + Foster, W. Bert<br /> + THE QUEST OF THE SILVER SWAN. A Tale of Ocean Adventure<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A Youth’s story of the deep blue sea—of the search for a derelict carrying +a fortune. Brandon Tarr is a manly lad, and all lads will be eager to +learn whether he failed or succeeded in his mission. +</p> +<p> + White, Matthew, Jr.<br /> + TWO BOYS AND A FORTUNE. Or, The Tyler Will<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +If you had been poor and were suddenly left a half-million dollars, +what would you do with it? That was the problem that confronted the +Pell family, and especially the twin brothers, Rex and Roy. A strong, +helpful story, that should be read by every boy in our land. +</p> +<p> + Winfield, Arthur M.<br /> + BOB, THE PHOTOGRAPHER. Or, A Hero in Spite of Himself<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Relates the experiences of a poor boy who falls in with a “camera +fiend,” and develops a liking for photography. After a number of +stirring adventures Bob becomes photographer for a railroad; thwarts +the plan of those who would injure the railroad corporation and incidently +clears a mystery surrounding his parentage. +</p> +<p> + Bonehill, Captain Ralph<br /> + LOST IN THE LAND OF ICE. Or, Daring Adventure Round the South Pole<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +An expedition is fitted out by a rich young man and with him goes the +hero of the tale, a lad who has some knowledge of a treasure ship said to +be cast away in the land of ice. The heroes land among the wild Indians +of Patagonia and have many exciting adventures. +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By LAURA LEE HOPE +</p> +<p> +AUTHOR OF “THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES.” +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID. +</p> +<p> +The adventures of Ruth and Alice DeVere. Their father, +a widower, is an actor who has taken up work for the “movies.” +Both girls wish to aid him in his work. At first, they do work +in “parlor dramas” only, but later on, visit various localities to +act in all sorts of pictures. +</p> +<p> + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS<br /> + Or First Appearance in Photo Dramas.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes into the movies +and the girls follow. Tells how many “parlor dramas” are filmed. +</p> +<p> + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM<br /> + Or Queer Happenings While Taking Rural Plays.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of taking film +plays, and giving an account of two unusual discoveries. +</p> +<p> + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND<br /> + Or The Proof on the Film.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A tale of winter adventures in the wilderness, showing how the +photo-play actors sometimes suffer. The proof on the film was most +convincing. +</p> +<p> + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS<br /> + Or Lost in the Wilds of Florida.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +How they went to the land of palms, played many parts in dramas +before the clicking machine, and were lost and aided others who were +also lost. +</p> +<p> + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH<br /> + Or Great Days Among the Cowboys.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +All who have ever seen moving pictures of the great West will +want to know just how they are made. This volume gives every detail +and is full of clean fun and excitement. +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By GERTRUDE W. MORRISON +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +Here is a series full of the spirit of high school life of +to-day. The girls are real flesh-and-blood characters, and we +follow them with interest in school and out. There are many +contested matches on track and field, and on the water, as well as +doings in the classroom and on the school stage. There is +plenty of fun and excitement, all clean, pure and wholesome. +</p> +<p> + THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH<br /> + Or Rivals for all Honors.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A stirring tale of high school life, full of fan, with a touch of +mystery and a strange initiation. +</p> +<p> + THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON LAKE LUNA<br /> + Or The Crew That Won.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Telling of water sports and fun galore, and of fine times in camp. +</p> +<p> + THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH AT BASKETBALL<br /> + Or The Great Gymnasium Mystery.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Here we have a number of thrilling contests at basketball and in +addition, the solving of a mystery which had bothered the high school +authorities for a long while. +</p> +<p> + THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON THE STAGE<br /> + Or The Play That Took the Prize.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +How the girls went in for theatricals and how one of them wrote +a play which afterward was made over for the professional stage and +brought in some much-needed money. +</p> +<p> + THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON TRACK AND FIELD<br /> + Or The Girl Champions of the School League.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +This story takes in high school athletics in their most approved +and up-to-date fashion. Full of fun and excitement. +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By LAURA LEE HOPE +</p> +<p> +AUTHOR OF THE EVER POPULAR “BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS” +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. +</p> +<p> +PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +These tales take in the various adventures participated in +by several bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life. They +are clean and wholesome, free from sensationalism, absorbing +from the first chapter to the last. +</p> +<p> + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE<br /> + Or Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Telling how the girls organized their Camping and Tramping Club, +how they went on a tour, and of various adventures which befell them. +</p> +<p> + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE<br /> + Or Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +One of the girls becomes the proud possessor of a motor boat and +at once invites her club members to take a trip with her down the +river to Rainbow Lake, a beautiful sheet of water lying between the +mountains. +</p> +<p> + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR<br /> + Or The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +One of the girls has learned to run a big motor car, and she invites +the club to go on a tour with her, to visit some distant relatives. On +the way they stop at a deserted mansion, said to be haunted and make +a most surprising discovery. +</p> +<p> + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP<br /> + Or Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +In this story, the scene is shifted to a winter season. The girls +have some jolly times skating and ice boating, and visit a hunters’ +camp in the big woods. +</p> +<p> + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA<br /> + Or Wintering in the Sunny South.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The parents of one of the girls have bought an orange grove in +Florida, and her companions are invited to visit the place. They do +so, and take a trip into the wilds of the interior, where several unusual +things happen. +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE DICK HAMILTON SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By HOWARD R. GARIS +</p> +<p> +A SERIES THAT HAS BECOME VERY POPULAR +</p> +<p> + DICK HAMILTON’S FORTUNE<br /> + Or The Stirring Doings of a Millionaire’s Son.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Dick, the son of a millionaire, has a fortune left to him by his +mother. But before he can touch the bulk of this money it is stipulated +in his mother’s will that he must do certain things, in order to prove +that he is worthy of possessing such a fortune. The doings of Dick +and his chums make the liveliest kind of reading. +</p> +<p> + DICK HAMILTON’S CADET DAYS<br /> + Or The Handicap of a Millionaire’s Son.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The hero is sent to a military academy to make his way without +the use of money. Life at an up-to-date military academy is described, +with target shooting, broadsword exercise, trick riding, sham battles +etc. Dick proves himself a hero in the best sense of the word. +</p> +<p> + DICK HAMILTON’S STEAM YACHT<br /> + Or A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A series of adventures while yachting in which our hero’s wealth +plays a part. Dick is marooned on an island, recovers his yacht and +foils the kidnappers. The wrong young man is spirited away, Dick +gives chase and there is a surprising rescue at sea. +</p> +<p> + DICK HAMILTON’S FOOTBALL TEAM<br /> + Or A Young Millionaire on the Gridiron.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +A very interesting account of how Dick developed a champion +team and of the lively contests with other teams. There is also related +a number of thrilling incidents in which Dick is the central figure. +</p> +<p> + DICK HAMILTON’S AIRSHIP<br /> + Or A Young Millionaire in the Clouds.<br /> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Tells how Dick built an airship to compete in a twenty thousand +dollar prize contest, and of many adventures he experiences. +</p> +<p> +12mo. Handsomely printed and illustrated, and bound in cloth +stamped in colors. Printed wrappers. +</p> +<p> +Price, 60 Cents per volume, postpaid +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By ARTHUR W. WINFIELD +</p> +<p> +American Stories of American Boys and Girls +</p> +<p> +A MILLION AND A HALF COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES +</p> +<p> +12mo. Cloth. Handsomely printed and illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Price per vol. 60c., postpaid +</p> +<p> + THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL<br /> + Or The Cadets of Putnam Hall<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN<br /> + Or A Chase for a Fortune<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE<br /> + Or Stirring Adventures in Africa<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST<br /> + Or The Search for a Lost Mine<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES<br /> + Or The Secret of the Island Cave<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS<br /> + Or A Hunt for Fame and Fortune<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA<br /> + Or The Crusoes of Seven Islands<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP<br /> + Or The Rivals of Pine Island<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER<br /> + Or The Search for the Missing Houseboat<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS<br /> + Or The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS<br /> + Or The Deserted Steam Yacht<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM<br /> + Or The Last Days at Putnam Hall<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE<br /> + Or The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE<br /> + Or The Right Road and the Wrong<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST<br /> + Or The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR<br /> + Or From College Campus to the Clouds<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK<br /> + Or Saving Their Father’s Honor<br /> + <br/> + THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA<br /> + Or Lost in the Fields of Ice<br /> +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums on the Lake, by Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE *** + +***** This file should be named 37486-h.htm or 37486-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/4/8/37486/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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