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diff --git a/38254-h/38254-h.htm b/38254-h/38254-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff1d3c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/38254-h/38254-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8566 @@ +<!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" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Bart Keene's Hunting Days, by Allen Chapman. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + + +/* ===================== */ +/* DACSoft custom styles */ +/* ===================== */ + +/* Indented paragraph - replacement. */ +p { + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +/* Unindented paragraph style */ +.noi{ + text-indent: 0em; +} + +/* Title page borders and content. */ +.tp1 { + border: 2px solid black; + padding: 2px; + text-align: center; + margin: auto; + width: 448px; +} + +.tp2 { + border: 1px solid black; + padding: 2px; + text-align: center; + margin: auto; + width: 440px; +} + +.subtitle { + font-size: 1.25em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +.author { + font-size: 1.5em; + margin-top: 0em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +.works { + font-size: .75em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +/* Smaller page numbers - replacement */ +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: x-small; + text-align: right; + color: gray; +} /* page numbers */ + +/* Transcriber's Notes. */ +.tnote { + background-color: #DDE; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; +} + +.tntitle { + font-size: 1.25em; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bart Keene's Hunting Days, by Allen Chapman + +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: Bart Keene's Hunting Days + or, The Darewell Chums in a Winter Camp + +Author: Allen Chapman + +Release Date: December 9, 2011 [EBook #38254] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BART KEENE'S HUNTING DAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 487px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="487" height="600" alt="cover" title="cover" /> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<div class="tp1"> +<div class="tp2"> +<h1>BART KEENE’S<br /> +HUNTING DAYS</h1> + +<p class="noi center">Or</p> + +<p class="noi subtitle">The Darewell Chums<br /> +in a Winter Camp</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="noi center">BY</p> + +<p class="noi author">ALLEN CHAPMAN</p> + +<p class="noi works">AUTHOR OF “BART STIRLING’S ROAD TO SUCCESS,” “WORKING<br /> +HARD TO WIN,” “BOUND TO SUCCEED,” “THE YOUNG<br /> +STOREKEEPER,” “NAT BORDEN’S FIND,” ETC.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="100%" +alt="The GOLDSMITH Publishing Co., CLEVELAND, OHIO, MADE IN U.S.A." +title="The GOLDSMITH Publishing Co., CLEVELAND, OHIO, MADE IN U.S.A." /> +</div> +</div> +</div> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1911, by<br /> +Cupples & Leon Company</span> +</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<col style="width: 20%;" /> +<col style="width: 70%;" /> +<col style="width: 10%;" /> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">CHAPTER</td> + <td class="tdl"></td> + <td class="tdr">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">I.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">A Midnight Expedition</a></td> + <td class="tdr">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">II.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">The Missing Diamond Bracelet</a></td> + <td class="tdr">8</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">III.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">A Fruitless Search</a></td> + <td class="tdr">24</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">IV.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">In the Shooting Gallery</a></td> + <td class="tdr">35</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">V.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">An Initiation</a></td> + <td class="tdr">49</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">VI.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">An Unexpected Meeting</a></td> + <td class="tdr">57</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">VII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Getting Ready for Camp</a></td> + <td class="tdr">67</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">VIII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">An Odd Letter</a></td> + <td class="tdr">77</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">IX.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Off to Camp</a></td> + <td class="tdr">84</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">X.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">A Railroad Accident</a></td> + <td class="tdr">91</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XI.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Putting up the Tents</a></td> + <td class="tdr">97</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">The Place of the Turtles</a></td> + <td class="tdr">106</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XIII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">The Mud Volcano</a></td> + <td class="tdr">111</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XIV.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Bart’s First Shot</a></td> + <td class="tdr">119</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XV.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Fenn Falls in</a></td> + <td class="tdr">125</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XVI.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Frank Makes Pancakes</a></td> + <td class="tdr">132</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XVII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Treed by a Wildcat</a></td> + <td class="tdr">141</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">The Mysterious Man Again</a></td> + <td class="tdr">153</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XIX.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Lost in the Woods</a></td> + <td class="tdr">160</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XX.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">A Night of Misery</a></td> + <td class="tdr">167</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXI.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">Unexpected Help</a></td> + <td class="tdr">173</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">Christmas in Camp</a></td> + <td class="tdr">179</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXIII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Footprints in the Snow</a></td> + <td class="tdr">187</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXIV.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">A Shot in Time</a></td> + <td class="tdr">193</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXV.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Ned’s Rabbit Trap</a></td> + <td class="tdr">200</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXVI.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">A Visit to Town</a></td> + <td class="tdr">206</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXVII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">The Man with the Turtle</a></td> + <td class="tdr">212</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">The Pursuit</a></td> + <td class="tdr">217</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXIX.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Bart’s Best Shot</a></td> + <td class="tdr">227</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdr">XXX.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">The Diamond Bracelet—Conclusion</a></td> + <td class="tdr">232</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h1>BART KEENE’S HUNTING<br /> +DAYS</h1> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>A MIDNIGHT EXPEDITION</h3> + + +<p>“Hold on there! Go easy, now, fellows,” cautioned +Bart Keene to his two chums, as they stole +softly along in the darkness. “What are you making +all that racket for, Ned?”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t me; it was Frank.”</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t help it,” came from Frank Roscoe in +a whisper. “I stumbled on a stone.”</p> + +<p>“Well, don’t do it again,” retorted Bart. “First +thing you know some one will hear us, and the jig +will be up.”</p> + +<p>“And then we can’t play the joke on Stumpy,” +added Ned Wilding.</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” went on Bart. “Easy now. +Come on. Keep behind me in a line, and walk in the +shadows as much as possible. We’re almost there.”</p> + +<p>The three lads bent upon playing a peculiar trick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +on their chum, Fenn, or “Stumpy” Masterson, kept +on toward the Darewell High School, at which they +were students. The building set well back from the +street, and the campus in front was now flooded +with brilliant moonlight. It was close to midnight, +and to approach the institution unobserved, to take +from it certain objects, and to steal away without +having been noticed, was the object of the three +conspirators.</p> + +<p>“Are you coming?” asked Bart, as he turned +around to observe what progress his companions +were making. He saw Ned and Frank standing +still, crouched in the shadow of a leafless tree. +“What’s the matter?” he continued, somewhat anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Thought I heard a noise in the building,” +whispered Frank, hoarsely.</p> + +<p>“You’re dreaming,” retorted Bart. “Come on. +It’s getting late, and we want to finish.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and it’s as cold as Greenland,” added Ned. +The boys had on light overcoats, for winter was +near at hand.</p> + +<p>Once more the two advanced, and joined Bart. +The three were now in the shadow of one of the +wings of the school, and, as far as they knew, had +not been seen.</p> + +<p>“Which way are you going in?” asked Ned, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +Bart, who was leading this midnight expedition.</p> + +<p>“Through the side court, and in at the girls’ door. +That’s most always open, as Riggs, the janitor, lives +on that side of the school, and he doesn’t take the +trouble to lock the door, as his house is so near.”</p> + +<p>“Good idea,” commented Frank. “Lead on, Falstaff, +an’ may he who——”</p> + +<p>“Cut it out,” advised Bart sharply. “This is no +time to spout Shakespeare stuff.”</p> + +<p>Once more the three advanced. Suddenly Bart +stopped, and Ned, who was close behind, collided +with him.</p> + +<p>“What’s wrong now?” whispered Ned, as soon as +he caught his breath.</p> + +<p>“Hush!” cautioned Bart. “I saw a man just +then! He was right by the front door of the +school.” Bart had come to a halt in the shadow of a +buttress, just before stepping across an open space +that led to the court.</p> + +<p>“A man,” murmured Ned. “Probably it was +Riggs, the janitor.”</p> + +<p>“No, he was too tall for Riggs,” answered Bart. +“Besides, he didn’t limp, as Riggs does, from a leg +that was once broken. No, this man wasn’t Riggs.”</p> + +<p>“What was he doing?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Standing near the front door, as if he was going +in. Then he seemed to change his mind. I think—There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +he is again!” exclaimed Bart, suddenly, and +he shrank farther back into the dense shadows, his +chums following his example.</p> + +<p>At the same instant Ned and Frank caught sight +of the man. The stranger approached the front +door as if afraid of being seen, and, every now and +then, he turned about, as the boys could notice to +take an observation. As they looked on they saw +him suddenly open the front door, after fumbling +about the lock, and enter the school, closing the +portal behind him.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you think of that?” gasped Bart, +after a moment’s pause.</p> + +<p>“He’s a burglar!” declared Frank.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go tell the police,” suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>“No, wait a minute,” advised Bart, putting restraining +hands on his two chums. “Don’t tell the +police.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?” Ned wanted to know.</p> + +<p>“Because they might ask what we were doing +around the school at night, and we don’t want to +tell—do we?”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” agreed Frank. “Maybe that chap +isn’t a burglar, after all.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right,” came from Ned. “What could +a burglar steal in the school?”</p> + +<p>“Books, and instruments from the laboratory,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +was Bart’s contribution to the opinions. “But I, +myself, don’t believe he is a burglar. Possibly he is +some one whom Riggs hired to help out with the +sweeping and dusting.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s wait and see,” suggested Frank, and this +was agreed to. Silently the chums, from their +place of hiding, kept their eyes on the school. Presently +there was a flicker of light in the windows of +one of the upper rooms.</p> + +<p>“There!” exclaimed Ned, “what did I tell you! +He’s a new janitor, sweeping out,” for the light +moved to and fro.</p> + +<p>“What room is that?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Professor Long’s—the place where we’re bound +for,” answered Frank.</p> + +<p>“Hush! Not so loud,” pleaded Bart. “Some one +may hear you, and get on to our trick. I guess +you’re right. We’ll wait until he gets out of the +way.”</p> + +<p>“It may be a long time, and Fenn may come +looking for us,” ventured Ned.</p> + +<p>“Can’t help it,” decided Bart. “We can’t go +in while the man is there.”</p> + +<p>There seemed no way out of it, and the three +chums crouched in the shadows, waiting. It was +cold, and more than once they wished they had not +started to play the joke on Fenn, but they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +not going to give up now. They saw the light, +moving to and fro, but it did not leave the room +where they had first observed it—the classroom of +Professor Long, the science teacher.</p> + +<p>“He must be giving that a good cleaning,” remarked +Bart. Hardly had he spoken than the light +disappeared. A few minutes later it was visible +on the floor below, and then it could be traced, as +the person carrying it, descended.</p> + +<p>“He’s coming out,” declared Ned.</p> + +<p>“So much the better,” commented Frank.</p> + +<p>An instant later the front door opened and +the man who had gone in, hurried out. He seemed +in great haste for, giving a quick look around, he +darted away from the school, down the front walk, +and up the street.</p> + +<p>“Fellows, that was no janitor!” declared Bart. +“I believe he was a burglar!”</p> + +<p>“But he didn’t have any bundles,” declared +Frank. “If he had stolen anything, he’d have to +pack it up, as anything of value in the school is quite +bulky. I don’t believe he took anything.”</p> + +<p>“Then why did he run?” demanded Bart.</p> + +<p>This was a poser for his chums, until Frank said:</p> + +<p>“It may have been one of the teachers who went +back after some papers he forgot.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t look like any of the teachers,” said Bart.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +“Besides the teachers wouldn’t run, as if the police +were after them, and they wouldn’t act as frightened +as that man did.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what are we going to do about it?” asked +Ned. “If we’re going to play that joke, let’s get +busy. We won’t say anything about seeing the +man unless something developes, and I don’t believe +it will. Come on in. The front door seems to be +open. We can go in that way, instead of around +through the court; less chance of Riggs seeing us.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” agreed Bart, “only I wish I knew +who that man was.” The time was to come when +the boys would have given a great deal to have been +able to penetrate the identity of the mysterious +stranger. But the three chums gave little heed to +that now, for they were intent on playing a joke +that Bart had evolved. A little later, finding the +front door unlocked, they were inside the school, +just as the distant town clock boomed out the hour +of midnight.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE MISSING DIAMOND BRACELET</h3> + + +<p>There were three lads who had entered the +Darewell High School so mysteriously at midnight, +and, had any one seen them, who was acquainted +with them, he would have at once asked:</p> + +<p>“Where is the fourth member of the quartette? +Where is Stumpy Masterson?” For there were +four lads in the town of Darewell who were so inseparable +that they had come to be known as “The +Darewell Chums.” Their names you are already +familiar with, and some of my readers have met +them before in the previous books of this series.</p> + +<p>In the first volume, entitled, “The Heroes of the +School,” there was related how the four friends took +part in a strange mystery, and how they got at +the bottom of it. At one time they went up in +a balloon, and were captured by some men who were +their enemies, so that, for a time, it looked dubious +for the lads. But our heroes were wide-awake, +and resourceful, and managed to take care of +themselves.</p> + +<p>Their home, as I have said, was in the town of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +Darewell, which was located on the Still River, a +stream that flowed into Lake Erie. Living not far +from that great body of water, the four chums often +made trips to it, though more frequently they went +swimming in or sailing on the river, in summer, and +skated on it in winter.</p> + +<p>In the second volume of the series, called “Ned +Wilding’s Disappearance,” a story was told of how +Ned tried to become a millionaire on his own account. +He speculated in stocks, and to do this he +had to go to New York. There he became mixed +up in some peculiar transactions, and he thought it +was necessary for him to disappear to avoid arrest. +His chums, who followed him to the city, tried for +some time in vain to find him, and poor Ned suffered +many hardships before the affair was finally +straightened out.</p> + +<p>“Frank Roscoe’s Secret” was the title of the third +volume. There always seemed to be a mystery about +Frank Roscoe, and his chums could never penetrate +it. At times he was moody and distraught, and he +seemed to have some secret that worried him. He +made no confidant of any one and succeeded in +avoiding all inquiries.</p> + +<p>The four lads went camping, and it was hoped +that Frank would forget his troubles, but, instead, +he seemed to get right into the thick of them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +Frank, for some years, had believed his father dead, +but it transpired that he was not. Mr. Roscoe was +kept in a private insane asylum, though he had full +possession of his reason, only he was made ill by +drugs constantly administered to him by men who +had an interest in keeping him out of the way. +How he was rescued, and the perils the boys ran in +saving him after they had released him from the +institution, you will find set down in the third book.</p> + +<p>In the fourth book, called “Fenn Masterson’s +Discovery,” there was related the details of a +long trip the chums took on the Great Lakes. +They were aboard a vessel commanded by Captain +Wiggs, and almost from the start the boys +were involved in a mystery. They were pursued +by strange men, when they landed to witness a +large grain elevator on fire, and eventually they +succeeded in causing the breaking up of a gang +of Chinese smugglers, and a band of scoundrels who +were secretly taking valuable minerals from a cave, +under land owned by a man whom the boys had once +befriended. It was not until after some strenuous +happenings that these events had come to pass, and, +more than once, our friends were in danger. But +Fenn Masterson succeeded in getting on the trail +of the mystery, through an odd discovery he had +made, and, though he was captured by the enemy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +he used his eyes and ears to good advantage, so that +when his friends came he could lead them to the +secret cave.</p> + +<p>Following the exciting events of their cruise on +the Great Lakes, the boys had returned to Darewell, +and had resumed their studies at the High +School, where they were great favorites with the +other pupils. At the time this story opens the fall +term was well under way, and football was the +chief sport, our heroes playing on the first team of +the school.</p> + +<p>The reason for the midnight visit of Bart, Frank +and Ned to the school was this: Stumpy, the missing +member of the quartette, was an odd sort of lad, +always making collections of one thing or another. +Sometimes it was postage stamps, or postmarks, and +again minerals, or jackknives, or butterflies.</p> + +<p>The day of the midnight visit, when the Darewell +Chums, together with Bart’s sister Alice (who wanted +to be a trained nurse) and her chum, Jennie +Smith, were in a drug store getting soda and cream, +Fenn had pulled from his pocket, together with his +handkerchief, a small mud turtle. There had been +a wild scramble on the part of the girls, and some +ladies in the store, before Fenn recaptured the reptile.</p> + +<p>“What’s that for?” Bart had asked.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Oh, nothing,” Fenn had answered, as casually +as possible.</p> + +<p>“It certainly <i>is</i> something,” Ned had insisted, +and they had badgered Fenn until he finally admitted +that he was now collecting mud turtles, and +had a number of them in a pen at home.</p> + +<p>This had at once given Bart his cue for playing a +joke, and it might be mentioned that the fun-loving +youth never let go by a chance to play a trick. A +little later, that same afternoon, after Fenn had +been sufficiently “rigged” over his new fad, Bart +Keene might have been seen whispering cautiously +to Ned and Frank.</p> + +<p>His proposal was that the three of them should +pay a surreptitious visit to the school that Friday +night, and, from the room of Professor Long, the +science teacher, take a number of turtles, snakes +and small alligators which the instructor kept for +the use of his class in biology. The three conspirators +planned to remove the reptiles, take them to +Fenn’s house, slyly put them in with his collection +of turtles, and then see what their chum would say +when he found his number of reptiles so unexpectedly +increased.</p> + +<p>The plan found favor on the part of Ned and +Frank. They had met at Bart’s home after supper, +and started off, leaving word with Alice, that if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +Fenn accidentally came, he was to be detained, entertained, +or something done to him, to prevent him +from becoming suspicious over the absence of the +three lads.</p> + +<p>But Fenn, or Stumpy, which he was more frequently +called, had no suspicions, and did not leave +his house that night. Meanwhile, as told in the +first chapter, Bart and the others had gone to the +school, had suffered a momentary alarm at the sight +of the mysterious man, and had finally gained an +entrance through the front door, unexpectedly +found open.</p> + +<p>“Well, we’re in here, what’s next on the program?” +asked Ned, of Bart.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead up stairs, and don’t make any more +noise than you have to.”</p> + +<p>Long familiarity with the interior arrangements +of the High School enabled the three lads to ascend +the stairs without the aid of a light. Bart, as a +precaution, however, had brought along a pocket +electric flash lamp, to use when they reached the +case of live reptiles.</p> + +<p>They got to the room where Professor Long gave +instruction, and when Bart sent out little flashes of +light, all gazed quickly around.</p> + +<p>“No traces of any burglar here,” observed Frank.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Guess you’re right,” admitted Bart. “But we +surely saw some one up here with a light.”</p> + +<p>“Might have been one of Riggs’ friends,” commented +Ned. “Anyhow he isn’t here now. Come +on, and let’s finish. It’s getting late. The cabinet +of turtles, alligators and snakes is over here,” and +he led the way across the almost dark room, for the +electric lamp only gave light in a small circle.</p> + +<p>Professor Long was more enthusiastic over +science than are most teachers, and he used live animals +to illustrate points in biology, evolution and +kindred studies. Hence he had quite a collection +of reptiles, which were kept in a case especially constructed +for them, where they could be fed and +watched, and live under conditions as nearly approaching +those of nature as possible.</p> + +<p>The three conspirators proposed “borrowing” a +few specimens, smuggling them into Stumpy’s collection, +which was kept in a shack in his back yard, +and, after witnessing his surprise, they would take +Professor Long’s reptiles back to the school. The +interval between the closing of the school Friday +night and the Monday morning opening gave them +time for this.</p> + +<p>“Get some of the toads, lizards, alligators and +snakes, besides the mud turtles,” advised Bart, “and +take care that the beggars don’t bite you. I don’t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +want to get blood poison, even if my sister is studying +to be a trained nurse. Here, I’ll hold the light, +and you fellows can put the creatures in the bags.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you will!” exclaimed Frank, somewhat indignantly. +“You want us to run all the risks! No, +sir, you put the lamp down and pitch in yourself. +If we get bit, so do you.”</p> + +<p>“But the lamp won’t give any light unless I press +the spring,” explained Bart, for the electric switch +was thus operated.</p> + +<p>“I’ll show you how to make it,” volunteered Ned. +“I can fasten the spring with a match,” which he +proceeded to do, the light glowing without any one +touching the spring. Bart had no further excuse, +and assisted his chums in transferring to the bags +he had brought a large part of Professor Long’s collection. +The reptiles made little resistance, though +one of the large turtles did nip Frank slightly.</p> + +<p>“Never mind, Alice will put on some carbolic +salve or peroxide,” said Bart, cheerfully. “I guess +we’ve got enough now. Look out, there’s a snake +going to get away!” He grabbed the lively reptile +just in time, and stuffed it into his bag.</p> + +<p>The three conspirators hurried away from the +school, and made their way to the back yard of +Fenn’s house. The shack was fastened with a +simple catch, which Bart had no difficulty in loosening.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +Then, working quickly and silently, the three +chums made a large addition to Fenn’s collection. +The snakes, turtles, lizards and frogs from the +school cabinet were put in the boxes with Fenn’s +pets, and the small doors fastened. Then the hut +was closed.</p> + +<p>“Now we must be on hand here early to-morrow +morning,” said Bart, as they sneaked away.</p> + +<p>“Sure. We’ll pretend to Fenn that we are anxious +to see his collection,” said Ned. “He’ll be only +too glad to take us out here, and then we can see +his expression, when he catches sight of the visitors. +Oh, we’ll be on hand all right!” and then the trio +went to their homes.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning, Bart, Ned and Frank +called on Fenn. He had not been in evidence the +night before, so they felt sure their trick had not +been discovered. He came to the door in response +to their whistles.</p> + +<p>“Say, you fellows are on the job early, aren’t +you?” inquired Stumpy, with just a shade of suspicion +in his tones.</p> + +<p>“We want to have a little football practice,” answered +Bart. “And we came to see if you’d show +us your collection of turtles.”</p> + +<p>“Hey? What’s that?” asked Fenn, quickly.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>“That’s straight, Stumpy,” added Ned. “We +won’t hurt ’em, will we, fellows?”</p> + +<p>“Sure not,” agreed Frank.</p> + +<p>His suspicions lulled to rest, Fenn led the way to +the shack in the back yard.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t fed ’em yet,” he remarked. “I was +just going to when you chaps came along. I haven’t +had my breakfast yet.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s awful to have to pay these social calls +on young ladies!” mocked Bart, pretending to yawn. +“It keeps you up so late, and morning comes too +soon.”</p> + +<p>“Aw, cut it out,” advised Fenn, with an injured +air, but he blushed. “Now, no poking the turtles,” +he stipulated, as he opened the shack door.</p> + +<p>“Visitors are politely requested not to feed or +annoy the animals,” quoted Bart, from some menagerie +sign. “Do they eat much?” he asked of +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Oh, not much, especially in cool weather. +They’re sort of sluggish then. I haven’t got many +yet, but I expect to—”</p> + +<p>By this time Fenn had the door open, and the +sight that met his eyes almost bereft him of speech.</p> + +<p>For, to his small collection had been added nearly +all the reptiles from the High School. Snakes +reared up their heads and hissed at him. From the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +corner of one cage a large mud turtle stuck out its +leathery neck. A fat toad, one of many, squatted on +the box of worms Fenn kept for his “pets,” and +two alligators, like twins, waved their long tails to +and fro.</p> + +<p>“For the love of Mike, what have you here?” +cried Bart, pretending to be frightened.</p> + +<p>“Good land! You never said you had so many!” +added Ned.</p> + +<p>“Is it safe to go in? Let me hide behind you, +Stumpy. You’re so fat and juicy that they’d grab +you first,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>For a moment Fenn did not speak. Then he +understood the joke that had been played.</p> + +<p>“You fellows think you’re awful smart; don’t +you?” he demanded. “Well, all I’ve got to say +is——”</p> + +<p>“That you’re stung! Eh, Stumpy, my lad?” cried +Bart good naturedly, clapping his chum on the back. +“Take your medicine like a man. You’re stung +good and proper. We thought your animals would +be lonesome, so we added a few for luck. Pretty, +aren’t they?” and, at the sight of Fenn’s bewildered +face, Bart went off in a paroxysm of mirth, finally +lying down on the ground outside the shack, and +rolling over and over.</p> + +<p>Frank and Ned joined him, and their howls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +brought Mrs. Masterson to the back door to see +what was the matter. As soon as she saw the four +chums she knew, without being told, that it was +some joke.</p> + +<p>“It wouldn’t be them, if they weren’t up to something,” +she observed, as she went on getting breakfast.</p> + +<p>Fenn was not long proof against the infectious +laughter of his chums. The frown faded from his +face, and a smile replaced it. Soon, he too, was +laughing heartily at the joke played on him.</p> + +<p>“All I’ve got to say,” he remarked, “is that you +fellows went to a lot of work to get a laugh. You +must have brought nearly all the school collection,” +for he recognized the professor’s specimens.</p> + +<p>“We did,” admitted Bart, “but it was worth it +all; eh, fellows?”</p> + +<p>The boys paused to admire Fenn’s “pets” as well +as to take a more careful view of the reptiles they +had “borrowed” from the school. Then Bart and +his two chums put back into the bags the snakes, +lizards, turtles, toads and alligators belonging to +the professor, and hurried back with them to the +school. They were lucky in escaping observation +by the janitor, and soon the science-cabinet cages +held their former tenants.</p> + +<p>There was a football game that afternoon, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +which the four chums took part, playing hard and +well, their team winning the contest by a narrow +margin. They took a short walk, Sunday, discussing +the game, and talking rather vaguely of the +possibility of going to a winter camp that year.</p> + +<p>“I think it would be just the cheese, fellows,” observed +Bart.</p> + +<p>“It would, and the crackers, too,” conceded Ned. +“But I don’t see how we can manage it.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we can,” declared Frank indefinitely.</p> + +<p>When the four chums went to school the following +Monday morning they were made aware that +something unusual had taken place. It was not so +much in what was said, as in an indefinable air of +expectancy on the part of several members of the +faculty. After the usual opening morning services, +Principal McCloud advanced to the edge of the platform +in the assembly hall, and remarked:</p> + +<p>“Young gentlemen, I have something to say to +you. After I have finished, Mr. Long, the science +teacher, has a few words to add.”</p> + +<p>At once Bart cast apprehensive looks at his chums. +Had the “borrowing” of the specimens been discovered? +It looked so.</p> + +<p>“Some time between Friday night and this morning,” +went on the principal, “this school was entered,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +and some objects were taken from the science +cabinets.”</p> + +<p>There was no doubt about it. The blow had fallen. +Bart, Ned and Frank prepared to “take their medicine.”</p> + +<p>“It has been discovered,” continued Mr. McCloud, +“that several specimens of snakes, lizards, +toads and alligators were surreptitiously removed +from Professor Long’s cabinet. This would not have +been so serious, for, whoever took them, brought +them all back again—that is all save one. I regret +to report that one of the finest and largest specimens +of mud turtles is missing. Now Professor Long +has a word to say.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Long, who was a small man, with a bustling, +nervous manner, came briskly to the edge of the +platform.</p> + +<p>“I can only confirm what Professor McCloud has +said,” he began. “While I regret exceedingly that +any persons, least of all pupils of this school, whom +I may say we suspect, could so far forget themselves +as to run the risk of damaging my collection +of reptiles, that is not the worst I have to speak +about. The loss of the mud turtle is serious, for it +was a rare kind, but there is something else missing. +It is a valuable diamond bracelet, belonging to my +wife. She gave it to me, as she was going away on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +a little trip, to take to the jewelers to have the setting +of some of the stones tightened, and I placed it in +the cabinet with the reptiles for safe keeping, until +school should be closed, Friday. I forgot all about +it until this morning, and when I went to look for +it, I discovered that my collection had been disturbed.</p> + +<p>“It was easy to see,” went on Mr. Long, “that +some one had taken the reptiles out, and placed +them back, for they were not in their proper cages. +It was also easy to see that my wife’s diamond bracelet +was missing. It is valued at over a thousand +dollars, and I presume was taken by accident, or, +perhaps, for a joke. In either case I shall be glad to +have it back.</p> + +<p>“I might add that I have certain clews as to +who were the midnight visitors to the school, for one +of them dropped his knife, and it has his name on +it.”</p> + +<p>Bart frantically felt in his pocket, and then, conscious +that many eyes were on him, sat still, but a +guilty flush suffused his face.</p> + +<p>“If the bracelet is returned to me,” went on Mr. +Long, “all will be well. If not, I must take—” he +hesitated a moment—“strenuous measures,” he added. +“I will await in the principal’s office, any one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +who may wish to see me,” he concluded significantly, +after a pause.</p> + +<p>“You are dismissed to your classes,” said Principal +McCloud. “Any one who wishes to see Professor +Long has permission to do so.”</p> + +<p>The boys arose, and filed from the assembly hall; +the girls were on the floor below. Bart looked at +Frank and Ned. Then Fenn whispered:</p> + +<p>“Maybe the missing turtle is in with mine.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe,” Bart whispered back. “But what of +the diamond bracelet? We never took it!”</p> + +<p>“The man—the stranger—who was in the school +just before us?” replied Ned. “Fellows, I guess +we’d better make a clean breast of it to Mr. Long!”</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>A FRUITLESS SEARCH</h3> + + +<p>There was much buzzing and whispering among +the pupils as they marched to their classrooms—whispering +which the teachers and principal thought +best to ignore under the circumstances, for the +morning announcement had been an unusual one.</p> + +<p>Bart, Fenn, Ned and Frank were in the same +grade, and their first morning period was taken up +with a Latin recitation. All four were doing some +hard thinking as they got out their books in Mr. +Kenton’s room. Bart Keene was the first of the four +chums to make up his mind. He felt a certain responsibility, +since he had proposed the joke.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Kenton,” he asked, “may I be excused for +a moment?”</p> + +<p>“What for, Keene?” inquired the Latin instructor.</p> + +<p>“I wish to—to speak to Professor Long.”</p> + +<p>There was an audible gasp of astonishment from +Bart’s classmates at this. Ned and Frank started +to their feet, to utter a protest. They saw Bart’s +motive, but they were not going to let him bear the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +brunt of the punishment alone. There was a curious +look on the face of Fenn.</p> + +<p>“You may go, Keene,” went on the instructor.</p> + +<p>“May I also?” exclaimed Frank, and again there +was a buzz of excited whispers. The other lads +knew what Bart’s request meant.</p> + +<p>“Silence!” called Mr. Kenton, sharply. “One at +a time is enough,” he added grimly. “We will proceed +with the lesson. Ned Wilding, you may begin +to translate.”</p> + +<p>Discipline held sway once more, and the boys +settled back into their seats. Bart, conscious that +the eyes of every lad in the room were on him, +walked out. He found Professor Long in the chemical +laboratory, preparing for some class work.</p> + +<p>“Ah, Keene,” remarked the science instructor, +as he mixed some unpleasant-smelling liquids in a +test tube. “Did you wish to see me?”</p> + +<p>“Yes—yes, sir,” stammered Bart. “You said—that +is—I—er—I was the one who took the collection +of reptiles,” blurted out the uneasy lad. “But +I didn’t take the diamond bracelet! We didn’t see +anything of it! I hope you’ll believe me! You +don’t know how unpleasant it is to be accused. At +one time I—that is my chums and I—were accused +of blowing up the school tower with dynamite, +and——”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Yes, I remember that happening,” went on Mr. +Long, gravely. “You were innocent on that occasion.”</p> + +<p>“And we are innocent now!” burst out Bart. +“We—that is I—took the turtles and the alligators, +but we—that is I—never saw the bracelet. Are you +sure it was in the cabinet, Mr. Long?”</p> + +<p>“Very sure, Bart. But you might save yourself some +embarrassment by telling me all the details. I’m +glad to see you willing to bear all the blame, but, +if you were alone in the escapade, how is it that I +found Ned Wilding’s knife, and this handkerchief +with Frank Roscoe’s name on it,” and the instructor, +with a smile, held up the articles he mentioned.</p> + +<p>“I—I dropped Ned’s knife,” replied Bart. “I +had borrowed it.”</p> + +<p>“And Frank’s handkerchief?”</p> + +<p>“I—I didn’t have that,” and Bart looked confused.</p> + +<p>“I think I can guess how it was,” said Mr. Long +at length. “You were all four after my collection, +and——”</p> + +<p>“Not all four!” interrupted Bart. “Fenn wasn’t +there. You see we were playing a joke on him,” the +lad went on, in a burst of confidence, realizing that +it was useless to try to shoulder all the blame.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +“Ned, Frank and I came in here Friday night and +got the things. I knew I had lost Ned’s knife, but +I didn’t think I’d dropped it here. But Fenn wasn’t +along. We took the things to his house, and put +them in the pen with his reptiles. He is making a +collection.”</p> + +<p>“So I understand,” remarked Mr. Long. “Therefor +I have a proposal to make. It is barely possible +that in gathering up the toads, alligators and turtles +from my cabinet that you boys picked up the bracelet +with them. You may have dropped it in the +place where Fenn keeps his collection. Perhaps if +you go there and look you will find it, and also +the missing turtle, which I value highly. But, of +course, the bracelet is more valuable, and as it was +a birthday present to Mrs. Long she will feel the +loss very much. Will you kindly go and look? I +am sure Mr. McCloud will excuse you.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be glad to make a search!” exclaimed Bart, +eagerly. “Perhaps if Ned and Frank——”</p> + +<p>“Just what I was about to propose,” interrupted +the instructor. “I’ll request the principal to let you +four boys leave your classes this morning, to make +a hunt for the missing bracelet—and the turtle. +Don’t forget that.”</p> + +<p>“I’m—I’m very sorry—sorry we disturbed your +collection, Professor Long,” stammered Bart, “but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +I know we never touched, or saw, the diamond +bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“I know you didn’t mean to take the bracelet,” +went on Mr. Long, a bit stiffly. “Of course it was +a foolish, and, at the same time, a risky trick to play, +and, while I believe you had no intention of keeping +the bracelet, I cannot but believe that in some way +you removed it from the cabinet, either in catching +up one of the reptiles hurriedly, or otherwise. I +shall be glad to talk with Ned and Frank. But now +I suggest that you go to Fenn’s house and make a +search.”</p> + +<p>“We never took or saw the bracelet, Professor!” +declared Bart, with great earnestness. He felt, +somehow, just as he did the time the unjust accusation +of blowing up the school tower was made +against him and his chums, as related in a former +volume of this series.</p> + +<p>“Well,” remarked the teacher, “I can only say +that you boys were the only ones in the school +after the closing hours Friday. Some time between +then and this morning, the reptiles were taken and +returned—that is all but one large turtle—and the +diamond bracelet belonging to my wife. There can +be but one conclusion, and I——”</p> + +<p>“We were not the only ones in the school between +Friday night and this morning!” exclaimed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +Bart, and instantly his thoughts reverted to the +stranger who had acted so mysteriously.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?” asked the instructor, +quickly.</p> + +<p>“I mean—the janitor,” replied Bart, with a sudden +change in his tone. He had started to mention +the man, but concluded not to. He had several +reasons for this, as will develop presently.</p> + +<p>“There is where you are mistaken,” declared Professor +Long. “The janitor, and two assistants +whom he hired, cleaned out the school late Friday +afternoon. I know, for I remained here to go over +some of my class records. It was late when I left, +and the janitor had finished before I was ready to +go. I know this because Riggs asked me to be sure +and close the front door and put the spring lock on +when I came out. I was the last person to leave +the school Friday night, and I locked the door. +Riggs had gone. The reason why he did his cleaning +work Friday night, and not Saturday, as is +usual, was because he wanted to go away over Sunday. +He did go, I understand, so you see you boys +were the only ones in the school.”</p> + +<p>“And did you lock the front door after you?” +asked Bart with a sudden suspicion in his mind, as +he thought of the mysterious man.</p> + +<p>“I did, certainly. Why do you ask?”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Oh—nothing—only I thought—I—” Again +Bart was about to speak of the midnight visitor to +the school, and again he refrained.</p> + +<p>“By the way, how did you boys get in the +school?” asked Professor Long, suddenly.</p> + +<p>“I—er—we—that is——”</p> + +<p>“Never mind,” hastily interrupted the instructor, +“I should not have asked that. I have no wish to +pry further into this matter than is necessary. Believe +me, I appreciate your motive in making a clean +breast of it. I do not care to know all the details. +Boys will be boys, I suppose. Only get me back the +diamond bracelet and the turtle. I will see Mr. McCloud +at once, and I’m sure he will let you make +a search at Fenn’s house.”</p> + +<p>Bart’s opportunity had passed. If he only had +mentioned the fact that he and his chums found +the front door open, and had seen a mysterious man +enter the school, things might have turned out +differently, and much trouble have been averted. +But now it was too late. Mr. Long hurried to the +office of the principal, and returned shortly with +permission for the four chums to go and make a +search.</p> + +<p>“But why didn’t you tell him about the man we +saw?” asked Ned, as they were on their way to +Fenn’s house.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Because,” answered Bart.</p> + +<p>“That’s a regular girl’s reason,” objected Frank.</p> + +<p>“Well,” answered Bart desperately, somewhat +weary and nervous over the ordeal through which +he had gone, “the chief reason was that if I told +that, I’d have to tell why we didn’t notify the police. +That’s where we made a mistake. If that fellow +was a thief, and took the bracelet, we should have +called the police.”</p> + +<p>“We didn’t know he was a thief—we don’t know +it yet,” declared Frank.</p> + +<p>“No, but when we saw a stranger sneaking into +the school, we should have had gumption enough to +notify the authorities,” insisted Bart. “That’s +where we were slow. I didn’t want to make it any +worse. If we find the bracelet, all right; we won’t +have to tell how silly we were.”</p> + +<p>“And if we don’t find it—which is very likely to +be the case—what then?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Well, we didn’t take it, that’s certain,” decided +Frank. “Neither by accident nor intentionally—did +we take that bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“Then the man we saw, did,” said Ned.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and he’s far enough off by now,” observed +Frank. “Fellows, I’ll bet he was the thief!”</p> + +<p>“How could he be?” asked Bart. “He didn’t +know the bracelet was in the cabinet. Besides, no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +ordinary person would think of looking among a lot +of reptiles for anything valuable.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if we don’t find it I think we’d better tell +about the man,” was Fenn’s opinion.</p> + +<p>“It will be too late then,” insisted Bart.</p> + +<p>“Too late? Why?” Frank wanted to know.</p> + +<p>“Because if we come back without the missing +turtle and bracelet, and tell about having seen a +mysterious man enter the school just before we did, +on Friday night, every one will say we made up the +story to shield ourselves. No, the best way, if we +can’t find that diamond ornament, is to keep mum +about the man.”</p> + +<p>“And let them accuse us?” cried Frank, indignantly.</p> + +<p>“For a while—yes,” replied Bart. “It won’t be +the first time, and probably not the last. But I don’t +mean by that for us to sit still under the accusation.”</p> + +<p>“What <i>do</i> you mean?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“I mean to find the missing bracelet, Stumpy!” +was the emphatic answer. “That’s what we’ve got +to do! It’s up to us! We didn’t take it, but perhaps +that man did. If so we’ve got to find him as well +as the bracelet. Come on, now, not so much talking. +Let’s get busy, but, remember, if we don’t find the +bracelet now, we must keep mum about the man, if +we don’t want to be laughed at, as well as accused.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was a momentary discussion, but Bart’s +chums agreed with him, as they usually did. They +hastened on to Fenn’s house, and at once began a +frantic search about the yard and in the shack +where the lad kept his reptiles.</p> + +<p>But there was no sign of the bracelet. Fenn +lifted out every one of his turtles, toads and kindred +specimens, and the place was gone over carefully. +So was the route the boys had taken to and from +the school. But it was a fruitless search.</p> + +<p>“Fellows, let’s look for the mud turtle, anyhow,” +suggested Ned. “Maybe we can find that for Professor +Long, if we can’t get the bracelet.”</p> + +<p>They looked in every likely and unlikely place for +the missing turtle, but it had vanished as completely +as had the bracelet. They were loath to give up the +hunt, but concluded that there was nothing else to +do. As they were about to return to the school +much cast down and dispirited, to report no progress, +Fenn exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Fellows, I have just thought of something.”</p> + +<p>“Out with it,” ordered Bart.</p> + +<p>“I believe the mud turtle has the bracelet!” exclaimed +the stout youth.</p> + +<p>“The mud turtle? Are you crazy?” demanded +Ned.</p> + +<p>“No, I’m not,” answered Fenn, with a show of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +indignation. “Listen! The missing mud turtle was a +large one, and a species that has a very long neck. +Now it would be the easiest thing in the world for +the turtle to get the diamond bracelet over his neck, +and walk off with it. One of mine once got his neck +in an iron ring, and I didn’t know it for quite a +while, as the folds of skin on the reptile’s neck hid +the iron. I’ll wager that’s what’s happened in this +case. We’ll find that the turtle is wearing Mrs. +Long’s diamond bracelet on its neck!”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense!” exclaimed Bart.</p> + +<p>“Well, there might be something in it,” admitted +Ned. “Let’s have another look for that turtle, +fellows.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll look for the turtle all right,” agreed Bart, +“but as for expecting to find Mrs. Long’s diamond +bracelet on its neck—why you fellows are crazy to +think of such a thing. You might as well expect to +find hickory nuts growing on a peach tree. You’re +loony! Off your trolley! You’ve got bats in your +belfry, as the poet says,” and, when Frank and Ned +thought it over, they were inclined to agree with +their chum.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>IN THE SHOOTING GALLERY</h3> + + +<p>Fenn’s suggestion gave a new impetus to the +hunt, which was renewed with energy. Mrs. Masterson, +who heard from the boys what had taken +place, joined them in searching through the long +grass of the back yard for the turtle. But it was +not to be found.</p> + +<p>“It’s very likely a good distance from here,” said +Fenn, who was well versed in the habits of the reptiles. +“They go slow, but they keep it up, and this +one has had two days’ start. We’ll have to hunt +farther off than this for him.”</p> + +<p>“Then that’s what we’ll do!” declared Frank. +“We’ll organize ourselves into a hunting party for +a diamond-studded turtle,” and he laughed.</p> + +<p>“It’s no laughing matter, though,” declared Bart. +“If we go back and tell that kind of a yarn we’ll +look ridiculous.”</p> + +<p>“Then why tell it?” inquired Ned. “Let’s keep +mum about that part of it, too. We’ll simply report +to Professor Long that we can’t find his wife’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +bracelet, or the turtle, either, but every spare minute +we get we’ll be on the lookout for the reptile.”</p> + +<p>“And the man, too,” added Fenn. “We want to +find out who he was.”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” agreed Bart. “We should have +given the alarm when we saw him going in the +school, but it’s too late now. Come on back, and +take our medicine.”</p> + +<p>It was not a very happy quartette of lads who +made their way back to the Darewell High School. +They went directly to Professor Long, who turned +his physics class over to another instructor, and conducted +the chums to his private room.</p> + +<p>“Well?” he asked suggestively.</p> + +<p>“We couldn’t find the bracelet or the turtle,” said +Bart.</p> + +<p>“I was afraid not,” was Mr. Long’s quiet comment. +“I have notified the detectives.”</p> + +<p>“You—you’re not going to have us arrested—are +you?” blurted out Frank. “My father——”</p> + +<p>“Have no fears on that score,” answered the professor. +“I have not the slightest grounds for thinking +you boys <i>stole</i> the bracelet,” and, perhaps unconsciously, +he emphasized the word.</p> + +<p>“We never took the bracelet!” declared Ned +stoutly.</p> + +<p>“Of that I am not so sure,” was the retort. “I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +do not accuse you—that would not be right. You +have accused yourselves, after a fashion. What I +think is this: I believe the bracelet was accidentally +taken out of the cabinet in the confusion, and, +perhaps, dropped on the way to Fenn’s house. That +is why I am sending for the police. Some person +may have picked it up, and may be keeping it. I +believe that is all now. You may return to your +classes,” and though he tried to speak calmly, there +was a note of disappointment, not to say displeasure, +in Mr. Long’s voice.</p> + +<p>Naturally the story was all over the school by +the noon recess, and Bart and his chums were besieged +with questions. They had held a brief consultation, +and resolved to make only certain statements. +These were to the effect that though they +had played the trick with the reptiles, they knew +nothing of the bracelet, and their search for that +and the turtle, had been without avail.</p> + +<p>Needless to say, that few, if any, of the students +had the least suspicion against the chums. Nor, for +that matter, did any of the faculty entertain any unjust +thoughts. It was regarded more as an accident. +Mr. Long being the party who suffered, could, perhaps, +be excused for thinking that perhaps the boys +had taken the bracelet in a joke, and were now +afraid to return it. In fact he hardly knew what to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +believe. In due time the police came to the school, +made an investigation and questioned our heroes. +They went away as wise as they came. But, as several +days passed, and there was no trace of the +bracelet, there was an undefined air of suspicion +directed against the chums. It was not in so many +words, but nevertheless they felt it.</p> + +<p>Two weeks passed, during which, in all of their +spare time, Bart and his chums made a search for +the turtle in such places as the reptiles were wont +to be found. But, of course, they discovered none +wearing a diamond bracelet on its neck, though +they did find a few specimens which Fenn added to +his collection. It was not the time of year when +turtles abounded.</p> + +<p>Several football games were played, and there +seemed to be no ill spirit manifested against the four +lads, until one Saturday about three weeks after the +disappearance of the diamond ornament. Then, +during a hotly-contested game with the Fernwood +High School, one of the opposing players remarked +to Bart, after a hard scrimmage:</p> + +<p>“We’re not used to playing against diamond robbers, +and maybe that’s why we can’t break through +your line.”</p> + +<p>Bart’s answer was a blow that knocked the sneering +lad down, and resulted in Bart being ruled out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +of the game. From then on the Darewell eleven +seemed to go to pieces, and they lost the game.</p> + +<p>There were many sore hearts among the students +that night, and accusing glances were cast at Bart. +His chums felt his position deeply.</p> + +<p>“I know it was a hasty thing to do,” said Bart, +contritely, “but I couldn’t help it.”</p> + +<p>From then on there seemed to be a spirit manifested +against the four chums, and, naturally, they +resented it. The others would not desert Bart, and +when he refused to apologize to the lad he had +struck, and was permanently ruled off the eleven, +Ned, Frank and Fenn resigned. They resisted the +pleading of the manager to remain, so that the +school eleven would not be crippled.</p> + +<p>“It’s the school’s place to stick by us, as much as +it is ours to stick by the eleven,” declared Frank. +“The fellows are beginning to think we took that +bracelet. We’ll show them that we didn’t, and, in +the meanwhile, it’s better that we don’t take part in +any games.”</p> + +<p>His chums agreed with him, and for a time it +seemed as if they would be sent to Coventry. But +a calmer spirit prevailed, and when some of the +school societies took up the matter it was agreed +that the four had a right to do as they pleased, and +that the lad who had made the offensive remark<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +was in the wrong; and so matters quieted down.</p> + +<p>But the football season ended anything but brilliantly +for Darewell, and the four chums felt this +bitterly in their hearts, though they could do no +differently than they had done.</p> + +<p>“I should think you boys would hire a detective +on your own account,” said Alice Keene to her +brother, one November evening, when the four +chums were at Bart’s house. “You could get one +easily, and perhaps he could locate the bracelet for +you.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll do it ourselves,” remarked Bart firmly.</p> + +<p>“If we could only find the turtle we’d have it, I’m +sure,” declared Fenn, who had not lost faith in his +odd theory.</p> + +<p>“We’ve looked in every likely place where turtles +are around here,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“Yes; and now we ought to go farther off,” +came from Ned. “I say fellows, what’s the matter +with going on a little hunting expedition soon? +The weather is just right, we all have guns, and I +think the trip would do us good.”</p> + +<p>“Why not make it a big hunting expedition while +we’re at it?” suggested Frank.</p> + +<p>“A big one? What do you mean?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Why, I mean go camping, as we did not long +ago. We don’t mind the cold, or ice and snow. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +could make a winter camp, around the Christmas +holidays, and have lots of sport.”</p> + +<p>“And a Christmas tree in the woods!” cried Alice. +“That would be lovely! Jennie Smith and I would +come out and see you—if it wasn’t too far.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Jennie’d recite poetry, and you’d insist on +making us drink hot ginger tea, so as not to catch +cold,” observed Bart.</p> + +<p>Alice looked a little hurt, until Ned added:</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m sure ginger tea would be all right in +a snow storm, such as we had the last time we +camped in the winter.”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” agreed Alice, gratefully.</p> + +<p>“It would be a good thing to get away from +school and the town of Darewell for a while, at +least,” was Bart’s opinion. “People are beginning +to think we really stole that bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Bart!” remonstrated Alice, reproachfully.</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s the truth,” he went on doggedly. “I’d +as soon have ’em say it as look it. I’d like to get +away for that reason, and, of course, it would be +sport to have a winter camp again.”</p> + +<p>“Then let’s do it,” proposed Ned. “At the same +time we can look for mud turtles.”</p> + +<p>“You won’t see many, unless there’s a thaw,” was +Fenn’s opinion. “But you can count on me going.”</p> + +<p>“And me,” added Frank and Ned.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Hasn’t anything been learned of the missing +bracelet yet?” asked Mrs. Keene, coming into the +room, in time to hear some of the conversation.</p> + +<p>“No,” answered her son, “and it’s my opinion +that it never will be found, until—” He paused in +some confusion.</p> + +<p>“Until when?” asked his mother.</p> + +<p>“Until we locate it,” finished Bart. “Well, fellows, +let’s talk of a winter camp. Maybe we can +manage it around the holidays. We don’t get +much of a vacation, but I guess we could afford to +take an extra week.”</p> + +<p>“Is your gun in shape again, since you broke it?” +asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Sure. I fixed that spring,” replied Bart. “I’ll +show you. Come on up to my den. I’m not allowed +to have firearms in the dining-room,” and he led +the way, his chums following. From then on, until +the three left, the talk was a conglomeration of +powder, shot, shells, guns, game and camp-life.</p> + +<p>The weeks passed. Little mention was made of +the bracelet now, but Mr. Long showed by his manner +that he had not forgotten the loss of it. He was +not exactly distrustful of the boys, but his bearing +was, to say the least, a bit suspicious.</p> + +<p>One evening, following an examination in school,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +Bart remarked to his chums, as they gathered at +his house:</p> + +<p>“Come on down to the shooting gallery. They’ve +got some new guns there, and I want to try them. +It’s good practice if we’re going camping. Besides, +I’m full of Latin verbs and Greek roots, and I +want to clear my mind.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t need any practice,” remarked Ned. +“You can beat us all to pieces shooting.”</p> + +<p>“I have to keep in practice, though,” asserted +Bart, who, to give him credit, was quite expert with +the rifle.</p> + +<p>A little later the four were in the gallery, trying +their skill with the new rifles which the proprietor +had purchased.</p> + +<p>“Here’s one that ought to suit you, Bart,” remarked +the man in charge, who was well known to +the boys. “It’s well balanced. Try that small +target.”</p> + +<p>“No, I want something moving, Clayton,” replied +Bart. “Start off the birds and beasts.”</p> + +<p>These were small images of birds and squirrels +that moved around on a sort of endless chain arrangement. +Clayton, the man in charge of the gallery, +set the machinery in motion, and the painted +effigies began to go around. Bart raised the rifle—a +repeater—to his shoulder, took quick aim, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +fired. A bird was knocked over, then a squirrel +went down, and, in rapid succession he repeated this +until he had fifteen hits to his credit, out of a possible +sixteen.</p> + +<p>“Fine!” cried Ned, enviously.</p> + +<p>“I should have had ’em all,” announced Bart +with a shake of his head. “Here, some of you fellows +try.”</p> + +<p>They did, but could not do nearly as good as had +Bart. Then Bart contented himself with making +bullseyes at a stationary target, though Frank and +Ned made another effort to equal Bart’s record with +the moving objects. Frank came the nearest with +ten.</p> + +<p>“Now I’ll try for sixteen out of sixteen,” announced +Bart, as Clayton reloaded the weapon for +him.</p> + +<p>By this time a crowd had gathered in the gallery, +which, being a new amusement resort in town, was +quite an attraction. Bart paid no attention to the +spectators grouped back of him, but, with the coolness +a veteran shot might envy, he began.</p> + +<p>Report after report rang out, and at each burst +of flame and puff of smoke a bird or a squirrel +toppled over, until fifteen straight had gone down.</p> + +<p>“That’s the stuff!” cried one man, enthusiastically, +as Bart was about to make his last shot.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Hush!” cautioned Clayton, but Bart did not +mind. He fired his last bullet, and knocked over his +sixteenth target, only he did not hit it as squarely as +he had the others.</p> + +<p>“That’s very good shooting, my lad,” remarked a +man who had stood near Bart’s elbow. “Very good +indeed. Would you like to try your skill with me; +on a little wager?”</p> + +<p>“I never bet,” answered Bart, coolly, as he tried to +get a glimpse of the man’s face. But the latter wore +a slouch hat, which was pulled well down over his +eyes, shading his features.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mean a bet,” was the quick answer. +“I only meant that the loser would pay the bill for +cartridges,” and he laughed, not unpleasantly. As +Bart had often done this with his chums, and other +lads in town, he had no objection to it, and the arrangement +was made.</p> + +<p>“What shall it be, sixteen straight?” asked the +stranger, as he carefully selected a gun.</p> + +<p>“Double it if you like,” replied Bart, who was +just warming up to his work.</p> + +<p>“Ah, you’re game, I see,” was the laughing comment. +“Well, I’m willing. Will you go first?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll shoot sixteen shots, then you can do the same, +then I’ll take sixteen more, and you can finish,” answered +Bart, and this arrangement was made.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>By this time word had gotten around that some +remarkable shooting was going on in the gallery, +and it was packed almost to the doors. Bart and the +stranger had difficulty in getting room to aim properly.</p> + +<p>Bart started off, and in rapid succession made +sixteen straight targets of the moving objects. +There was a cheer, and it was repeated when his +rival duplicated the lad’s performance. Bart was +not exactly annoyed, but he felt that his reputation +was at stake. He was easily accounted the best shot +in Darewell, but now it seemed likely that he would +have to share the honors with this stranger. Bart +felt himself wishing that the man would show his +face, but the soft hat remained pulled down well +over the fellow’s eyes.</p> + +<p>Bart began on his second round, and all went well +until the last shot. Then, in some unaccountable +manner, he missed it clean. Still, his performance +was a fine one.</p> + +<p>The stranger said nothing as he took his place. +Slowly and confidently he pulled the trigger, and +worked the lever that ejected the discharged shell, +and pumped a new bullet into place. For fourteen +shots he never made a miss. Then, on the fifteenth +of the second round he made a blank by a narrow +margin. A start of annoyance betrayed itself. At<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +best he could but tie Bart. Once more the gun sent +out flame and smoke.</p> + +<p>“Missed!” called out Clayton, quickly, as he +looked at the target.</p> + +<p>Bart had won. The stranger paused a moment, as +if to make sure that he had lost, and then, throwing +down on the counter the price for his shots and +Bart’s, he turned to leave the place. Several stared +at him, for it seemed as if he should have said something, +or congratulated his rival, but he did not. He +pushed his way through the press of men and boys, +and reached the outer door.</p> + +<p>Then, by some accident, a man brushed against +him, and the stranger’s hat came off. Bart, who +was looking at him, could not repress an exclamation +of astonishment.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Clayton.</p> + +<p>“Nothing—nothing,” murmured Bart, quickly.</p> + +<p>“Come on, show us some fancy shooting,” urged +Sandy Merton, who at one time had been an enemy +of the chums, but who was now on friendly terms +with them.</p> + +<p>“No—I can’t—now,” answered Bart, a bit shortly. +“Come on, fellows,” he called to Ned, Frank +and Fenn. They followed him, wondering at his +haste. Bart was making his way rapidly to the +door. Once outside he gazed up and down the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +street. It was deserted, and lay cold and silent under +the moon.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone!” exclaimed Bart, in disappointed +tones.</p> + +<p>“Who?” inquired Ned.</p> + +<p>“That man—the man I shot against.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what difference does that make? Did you +want another contest? You beat him.”</p> + +<p>“I know it,” spoke Bart quietly. “But do you +know who he was?”</p> + +<p>“No,” answered Frank and Fenn together.</p> + +<p>“He was the man we saw getting into the school +the night Mrs. Long’s diamond bracelet was taken!” +answered Bart. “That’s the man who can prove +that we are innocent—that’s the thief! Come on, +let’s see if we can catch him!” and Bart started off +on a run.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>AN INITIATION</h3> + + +<p>Hardly appreciating Bart’s explanation, his +chums set off after him. Down the moonlit street +they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty +night. But though they could not have been far +behind the man who had engaged in the shooting +contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.</p> + +<p>“I guess it’s no use,” remarked the leader, pulling +up as he peered down a deserted alley. “He’s given +us the slip.”</p> + +<p>“Do you really think it was the same man?” +asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Sure. Didn’t I have a good look at his face?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know you did this time, but we didn’t +have at the school the night we were hiding in the +shadow. Are you sure it’s the same man?”</p> + +<p>“Of course. I had a good look at him just as he +was entering the front door of the school. The +moon was as bright as it is to-night, and he had his +hat pushed back. Oh, it’s the same fellow all right. +Besides, didn’t he run when he found out his face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +had been seen? I thought there was something +suspicious about him when I was shooting against +him, but I couldn’t tell what it was. However, he +realized that we were after him.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how that can be,” spoke Frank. “He +doesn’t know we’re the fellows who are accused of +taking the bracelet, for he is a stranger in town. +And, anyway, he doesn’t know that we saw him entering +the school—that is providing it’s the same +man, Bart.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s the same man all right, and I wouldn’t +be surprised but that he was suspicious of us. Else +why did he hurry away so quickly? I wish we could +have caught him.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we’d better notify the police,” suggested +Ned.</p> + +<p>“No,” declared Bart. “We’ve gotten along so far +without their help, and we’ll work this out alone. +Besides, the minute we notify the police we’ll have +to explain why we didn’t tell about the man before, +and that won’t do. No, we’ll keep mum. Let’s look +a little farther.”</p> + +<p>They continued on down the main street, with +short excursions into alleys and side thoroughfares, +but all to no purpose. No trace of the man was to +be seen, and they returned home tired from their +run, and somewhat discouraged.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>The chums said nothing to their folks of their +experience at the gallery, though Bart’s fame as a +shot spread among his school companions, and there +was some speculation as to who the stranger might +have been.</p> + +<p>“Whoever he was, he’s almost as good a shot as +you are, Bart,” remarked Sandy Merton. “You +ought to arrange for a return match with him.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I would—if I could find him,” agreed +Bart.</p> + +<p>“That’s so he did go out rather suddenly,” went +on Sandy. “Do you know who he was?”</p> + +<p>“No, I wish I did,” murmured Bart, and then he +changed the subject, fearing Sandy might ask leading +questions.</p> + +<p>The police had practically given up looking for +the diamond bracelet, and Professor Long made no +further references to it, though it was easy to see by +his manner that he had not forgotten it. An undefinable +air of suspicion hung over the four chums, +though Fenn, from the fact that he had not entered +the school, was, more or less, exempt. But he +would not have it so.</p> + +<p>“No,” Stumpy said, “if one of us is guilty we all +are—only, as a matter of fact, none of us is. We’ll +find that bracelet yet, and the missing turtle, too. +If not this fall or winter, we will this spring. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +know a new swamp where lots of turtles are, and +we’ll have a try at that some day,” he told his chums.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile matters at school continued to fill most +of the time of the chums. The Darewell institution +was a large one, and, of late, a number of secret +societies had been formed among the junior and +senior students. Sandy Merton was president of +one of the junior organizations, known as the +“Shamma Shig,” in comic reference to some of the +college Greek letter fraternities.</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you fellows join our society?” Sandy +asked Bart and his chums, one day.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid we’d be ballotted against, and it +would spoil our good records,” answered Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Get out!” exclaimed Sandy, good-naturedly. +“Come on, let me propose your names. We want a +bigger membership, and I can guarantee that you’ll +get through all right.”</p> + +<p>“What about the initiation?” asked Frank. +“Some we’ve been through have been pretty stiff.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we don’t claim to have the easiest rites in +the school, but they’re not so fierce,” replied the +president proudly. “I can tip the fellows off, and +we can make an exception in your cases, if you like, +only——”</p> + +<p>“No, you don’t!” exclaimed Bart, quickly. “We’ll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +take all that’s coming to us—that is if we join. +We’ll think about it.”</p> + +<p>The chums talked matters over among themselves +that night, and came to the conclusion that it would +be a good plan to join the “Shamma Shigs.”</p> + +<p>“All right, then, we’ll do it,” concluded Bart. +“I’ll let Sandy know, and he can get the goat ready +for us to ride.”</p> + +<p>The initiation took place three days later, in the +afternoon, and was held before a “crowded house” +in the barn owned by Sandy’s uncle.</p> + +<p>“Here are four worthy and gentle knights, who +seek admission to our ranks,” announced Sandy, +who was disguised with a sheet, all splashed over +with red paint, to represent blood. He had a hickory +nut in his mouth, to make his voice sound deep and +hoarse, and was supported on either side by one +lad in a purple sheet, and another one in yellow, the +trio forming the “Mystic Three.”</p> + +<p>Bart, Fenn and the others were put through some +strenuous exercises, including the riding of a “goat” +which was a saw-horse, with knots and bumps of +wood nailed here and there on it, to represent bones. +They were dipped into the rain-water barrel by +means of a rope and pulley, and they were cast from +“the terrible height into the awful chasm,” which +ordeal consisted merely in being pushed down a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +space of about three feet, upon some hay, but being +blindfolded was supposed to make up for the difference.</p> + +<p>Then they had to climb a steep “mountain” which +was an old horse tread-mill, geared up unusually +high, and finally had to “drink the terrible cup,” +which was supposed to be some horrible mixture, +but which was really only molasses, ginger and +water.</p> + +<p>“Now for the final test,” proposed Sandy, to the +four. “Are ye ready for the last act, or are ye +timid and do ye shrink back from the terrible danger +that confronts ye? If so, speak, an’ ye shall be allowed +to depart in peace. But, if ye would brave +the awful dangers and gloom of the bottomless pit, +say the word, an’ then shall ye be true knights of +the Shamma Shigs.”</p> + +<p>“Go ahead, we’re ready,” replied Bart, irreverently.</p> + +<p>“Let her flicker,” added Ned.</p> + +<p>“’Tis well—blindfold them,” ordered Sandy, giving +his red-spotted robe a shake.</p> + +<p>“What, again?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>Sandy did not answer, but thick bandages were +put over the eyes of the candidates. Then from +sounds that took place in the barn they knew that a +horse was being hitched up.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>“We’re going to have a ride,” observed Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Quiet, Stumpy,” cautioned Bart, in a whisper. +“Keep still, and let’s see if we can catch on to what +they’re doing.”</p> + +<p>A little later their hands and feet were bound, +and the candidates were put into a large wagon, and +the drive began. It lasted for some time, and, try +as they did, Bart and his chums could not imagine in +which direction they were being taken. But, as they +were familiar with the country for several miles in +any point of the compass from Darewell, they were +not worried.</p> + +<p>“Halt!” Sandy finally ordered, and the creaking, +jolting wagon came to a stop.</p> + +<p>“Ye have one more chance, candidates,” went on +the president, as he touched the foreheads of the +four with something cold and clammy—a hand, from +the feel of it, but it was only a rubber glove, filled +with cracked ice. “One more chance ere ye dare +the dangers of the bottomless pit,” went on Sandy. +“Wilt withdraw?”</p> + +<p>“Naw, let her go,” replied Fenn nonchalantly.</p> + +<p>“’Tis well. The bottomless pit awaits ye,” +threatened Sandy, and then, one at a time, the four +were carefully lowered over the side of the wagon, +down into some depths, as they supposed, but in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +reality only a short distance, so strangely are distances +rendered when one is blindfolded.</p> + +<p>“Ye are now in the pit, whence there is no escape,” +went on Sandy, “but, if ye are true knights, +and no craven cowards ye will come to no harm. In +one hour’s time we shall release ye. Bide here +until we return.”</p> + +<p>His voice sounded faint and far away, but it was +only because he was speaking into a pasteboard box +he had brought along for that purpose. Then the +sound of the wagon departing was heard, and the +four chums were left, sitting they knew not where, +with their hands and feet tied, and their eyes bandaged.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED MEETING</h3> + + +<p>“Well,” remarked Fenn, after a somewhat long +pause, “I don’t know how you fellows feel about it, +but I think they’ve rather put it all over us; eh +Bart?”</p> + +<p>“Somewhat,” admitted the leader of the Darewell +Chums. “But it isn’t so bad as I expected. I +wonder where we are, anyhow?”</p> + +<p>“Might be ten miles away,” observed Frank.</p> + +<p>“I’ll wager we’re not more than half a mile from +home,” came from Ned. “They drove roundabout +to fool us.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I think,” remarked Bart. “Anyhow +we’ve got to stay here an hour, and I don’t +much fancy it, either. But since we’ve gone this +far we might as well go the whole distance, I suppose. +It’s a good thing it’s comparatively warm, or +it wouldn’t be any fun staying here. Where are we, +anyhow.”</p> + +<p>“I’m going to find out!” declared Fenn suddenly.</p> + +<p>“How, Stumpy?” asked Frank.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>“I’ve almost got one hand loose. I’ll soon have +it out, and then I’m going to take off this bandage. +There’s no use of us staying here like a lot of chickens +tied up, when we can just as well get away.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the trouble—we can’t get away,” came +from Frank. “I’ve been trying for the last ten minutes +to loosen these cords, but I can’t slip a single +knot. They knew how to tie ’em all right.”</p> + +<p>“You just watch me,” called Fenn, who was +squirming about on a bed of leaves.</p> + +<p>“Watch you—yes, with our eyes bandaged,” said +Ned, sarcastically. “That’s a hot one.”</p> + +<p>“Patience, noble knight,” mocked the stout lad, +“and I’ll soon release ye.”</p> + +<p>“Stumpy is so fat that they didn’t have rope +enough to tie him,” remarked Bart. “That’s the reason +he thinks he can get loose.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think it, I know it!” cried Fenn in triumph +a few seconds afterward. “I’ve got both +hands out, and now here comes off my bandage.”</p> + +<p>A moment later Fenn uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Bart, making an unsuccessful +attempt to get rid of the ropes binding +his arms and legs.</p> + +<p>“Why we’re in Oak Swamp, or, right on the edge +of it,” replied Fenn. “They brought us farther than +I thought they did. But we’ll fool ’em all right.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +We’ll get loose, skip out, and when they come back +they won’t find us. Wait until I get these ropes off +my legs, and I’ll help you fellows.”</p> + +<p>Fenn was as good as his word. A few seconds +later he was free from his bonds, and, in turn, he +released Bart, Frank and Ned. They all looked +around in some surprise, for they had no idea that +they had been brought so far from home. The +wagon had traveled faster than they had suspected.</p> + +<p>“Oak Swamp,” mused Bart. “It’s a good thing +it’s coming on winter instead of summer, or we’d be +eaten up with mosquitoes. Well, let’s get out of +here. I don’t like the place.”</p> + +<p>Indeed it was gloomy and dismal enough at any +time, but now, on a late fall evening, with darkness +fast approaching, it was anything but an inviting +place. The swamp derived its name from a number +of scrub oak trees that grew in it. During the summer +it was a treacherous place to visit, for there were +deep muck holes scattered through it, and more than +one cow, and several horses, had broken out of the +pastures, and wandered into the wet place, only to +sink down to their deaths. It was said that several +years before a man had endeavored to cross the +swamp, had been caught in a bog hole, and sucked +down into its depths, his body never having been +recovered.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>So it was with a feeling of no little satisfaction +that Bart and his chums found themselves able to +leave the gloomy place sooner than they had expected.</p> + +<p>“It’ll be a good joke on the others,” remarked +Ned, as he gathered into a heap, the rope fetters +that had bound him. “We’ll sneak away, and when +those fellows come back for us they’ll think we’ve +rolled into the swamp, and sunk, and they may make +a search for us. Let’s hide the cords and bandages.”</p> + +<p>“Sure,” agreed Frank. “We’ll turn the tables +on them.”</p> + +<p>“Well, whatever we do, let’s get away from here,” +suggested Fenn. “It’s too gloomy for my notion. +Look, there’s the ledge they lowered us from. It +isn’t two feet high, but it seemed like a hundred,” +and he pointed to a small ledge of rock, where +Sandy Merton and his mates had stood as they lowered +from the wagon the lads who were being initiated. +Had it not been that Sandy stood on the end +of the vehicle, he would not have been high enough +to bring about the delusion of the boys going down +into some bottomless pit.</p> + +<p>The four chums had gathered up the severed +ropes, and, folding the bandages up in them, hid +them all under a big stone. Then they started for +home.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>Oak Swamp was several miles from the town of +Darewell, but there was a fairly good road between +the places, since the swamp was but slightly off +to one side of the main thoroughfare. As the four +started off, with Fenn in the lead, they chuckled to +think of the blank looks of the initiating team, +when the members should return for the candidates, +to find them missing.</p> + +<p>“I almost wish we could stay, and hide, and hear +what they’ll say,” observed Ned, laughing at the +prospect.</p> + +<p>“I don’t. I want to get home,” came from Frank. +“Ugh! This is a gloomy place after dark.”</p> + +<p>Suddenly Fenn, who was some distance in the +lead, jumped to one side.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter; see a snake?” called Bart.</p> + +<p>“A snake, this time of year? Not much, but it’s +a whopping big mud turtle,” cried the fleshy lad. +“I’m going to catch it, fellows. Maybe it’s the one +that got away from Professor Long’s collection. +That’s the only way I can account for a turtle being +out of doors at this season of the year.”</p> + +<p>“And while you’re at it look and see if it hasn’t +got a diamond bracelet on its neck, and a wedding +ring on its toes, Stumpy,” advised Bart, mockingly. +“If it has, it’ll be all to the mustard, and we’ll be +cleared of suspicion. Look and see if it has its teeth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +filled with gold, while you’re about it, but, above all, +don’t forget the diamond bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“Aw, let up, can’t you?” begged Stumpy. +“What’s the use of poking fun at a fellow all the +while, just because I made one break. Besides a +turtle <i>might</i> get its neck through the bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“Oh rats!” was Bart’s reply. “But catch the +turtle, if you’re going to.”</p> + +<p>Fenn made a grab for the slow moving reptile, +and caught it. He examined it carefully in the fast-fading +light.</p> + +<p>“Well, pick off the diamond bracelet; why don’t +you?” asked Bart, chuckling at his joke.</p> + +<p>“Dry up!” advised Fenn, still looking at the +turtle.</p> + +<p>“Chuck it away, and come on,” suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>“Chuck it away? I will not!” retorted Fenn indignantly. +“This is a rare kind of turtle, it must +have been dug up out of its winter hole by some one. +I’m going to keep it for my collection.”</p> + +<p>“What? Haven’t you given that up by this +time?” asked Bart. “I supposed that you’d be gathering +specimens of snowflakes, or samples of dog +biscuit by this time,” for he knew Fenn’s failing, +and a month, at most, was the period devoted to any +new fad. But this time Fenn seemed more in +earnest.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<p>“No, I’m going to keep this,” went on the amateur +collector. “It’s a good one. I shouldn’t be surprised +but what Professor Long would be glad to get it for +his collection,” and Fenn gazed admiringly at the +turtle.</p> + +<p>“Here’s another,” announced Frank suddenly. +“And there is a third one,” and he pointed to two +more of the reptiles crawling sluggishly along.</p> + +<p>Fenn ran over and examined them, but he took +care not to lose his first specimen.</p> + +<p>“They’re a common variety,” he declared. “I +don’t want ’em for my collection, and Professor +Long has several like them.”</p> + +<p>“And neither one wears a diamond bracelet—how +sad,” chimed in Bart, laughingly.</p> + +<p>“That’s all right—make fun if you want to,” said +Fenn, a bit sharply, “but it’s no joke to be under the +disgrace of the implied accusation that we stole the +bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“I know it,” agreed Bart soberly, “but looking for +mud turtles that might possibly have it on their +necks isn’t going to help matters any. We might +much better look for the man who was in the school +just before we were. If any one took it, he did—not +some turtle.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s possible that a turtle did poke its head +and neck through the bracelet when it was in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +cabinet,” said Ned, “but, of course, it’s out of the +question to think that we can find that turtle, or, for +that matter, that the bracelet would remain on the +turtle’s neck.”</p> + +<p>“Guess you’re right,” admitted Stumpy. “Well, +I’ve got a good turtle for my collection, anyhow.”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it funny so many of ’em are out to-day?” +asked Ned, as the four walked on, Fenn carefully +carrying his prize. “It’s so near winter I should +think they’d be going to sleep, like a bear, in a hollow +log, if they do sleep in logs.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, they curl up and go to sleep in some warm +place for the winter,” declared Fenn, who considered +himself a sort of authority on the reptiles. +“But the reason so many are out to-day is because +it has suddenly turned warmer. They’ll soon be going +into permanent winter quarters though. But +come on, it’s getting dark. Let’s get a move on.”</p> + +<p>“I shouldn’t wonder but what we’d have snow,” +observed Bart, casting a look at the clouds. “It’s +about time.”</p> + +<p>“I wish it would,” said Ned, “or else that we’d +have skating. But what about going camping, Bart? +Have you thought any more about it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and I think I can arrange so we can go. I +feel just like going off in the woods with our guns.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>“To hunt mud turtles with diamond bracelets,” +put in Frank, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>“Yes, mud turtles or anything else that comes our +way,” went on Bart. “Yes, I think we’ll have a +winter camp this season, and if we do—” He +stopped suddenly, and appeared to be looking at +some object just ahead in the woods, for the boys +were now out of the swamp proper. Bart’s chums +followed his gaze.</p> + +<p>“There’s a man,” observed Fenn, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and he seems to be looking for something,” +remarked Bart, guardedly. “He’s poking away the +leaves with a stick. Look at him.”</p> + +<p>The man was, as yet, not aware of the presence of +the boys. He was walking slowly along, with his +head bent over, as if eagerly scanning the ground. +Now and then he poked away the dead leaves with +his stick. A moment later, as the four chums could +see in the little light that lingered after an early sunset, +the man stooped over, and picked up something.</p> + +<p>“A turtle! He’s looking for mud turtles!” gasped +Fenn, for it could be seen that the man had picked +up one of the reptiles that seemed to be unusually +numerous that day. Unconsciously Fenn had spoken +louder than he intended, and the man heard him. +He turned quickly, gave one startled look at the +boys, appearing ill at ease at the unexpected meeting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +and then, wheeling around, he made off through the +woods, soon being lost to sight amid the trees.</p> + +<p>“He took the turtle with him!” exclaimed Fenn. +“He must be collecting them, too!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and did you notice who he was?” asked +Bart, who appeared to be laboring under some excitement.</p> + +<p>“No. Who?” gasped Ned.</p> + +<p>“The mysterious stranger who entered the school +just before we did—the man who shot against me at +the gallery! Fellows, it’s the same man—we must +catch him!” and, as he had done that night in the +shooting gallery, Bart darted after the stranger, followed +by his chums, Fenn still carrying the turtle.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>GETTING READY FOR CAMP</h3> + + +<p>“Come on, fellows!” exclaimed Bart, as he +stumbled on ahead. “We mustn’t lose sight of him +again! There’s some mystery about that man. I +believe he stole the diamond bracelet.”</p> + +<p>Slipping, and almost tripping over sticks, fallen +trees, stumps and stones, the chums hurried on. But +the man had a number of advantages. He had a +start of several hundred feet, darkness was coming +on, and he evidently knew the paths through the +woods better than did the boys, for when they +caught occasional glimpses of him he appeared to be +running at full speed, whereas they had to go slowly, +and pick their way.</p> + +<p>At last they could see him no more, and, as it +seemed to grow rapidly darker, the boys were forced +to give up the chase.</p> + +<p>“Well, wouldn’t that get on your nerves?” Bart +demanded of his chums, as they stopped for breath. +“That’s the third time we’ve seen that man, and the +second time he’s gotten away.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>“The next time he sees us he’ll know enough to +run without waiting to take a second look at us,” +observed Frank, grimly.</p> + +<p>There was little use lingering longer in the woods, +the chums decided, so, after a last look about, hoping +for a sight of the mysterious stranger, they once +more started for home. It was quite dark as they got +out on the main highway, and to their great delight +they saw approaching Jed Sneed, a teamster whom +they knew. He readily consented to give them a +ride back to town.</p> + +<p>As they were nearing the centre of Darewell Ned +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“By jove, I believe it’s snowing! I felt a flake on +my face.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right,” added Bart, a moment later. “It +<i>is</i> snowing,” and a little flurry of white flakes confirmed +his words.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and I don’t like to see it,” remarked Jed, +the teamster, as he cracked his whip, to hasten the +pace of his horses.</p> + +<p>“Why not?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Because it’s a sign we’re going to have a long, +hard winter,” went on the man, who was rather an +odd character, and a great believer in signs of various +kinds. “It’s a sure sign of a hard winter when +it snows just before the new moon,” Jed went on.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +“It’ll be new moon to-night, and we’re going to have +quite a storm. Besides it’s down in my almanack +that we’re going to have a bad spell of weather about +now. I shouldn’t wonder but what we’d have quite +a fall before morning,” and certainly it seemed so, +for the flurry was increasing.</p> + +<p>“Sandy and those fellows will have lots of fun +hunting for us,” remarked Ned with a chuckle. +“They’ll think we’ve been snowed under.”</p> + +<p>“I see Sandy Merton, and two or three lads in a +wagon, just before I met you chaps,” observed Jed. +“They asked me if I’d met you, but I hadn’t—up to +then. What’s up? Been playing jokes on each +other?”</p> + +<p>“They tried one on us, but I think it’s on them,” +said Bart. “Well, here’s where I get off, fellows. +Come over to-night, and we’ll have a talk,” and Bart +was about to descend from the wagon, as his street +was reached first.</p> + +<p>“Hold on! Wait a minute! Don’t get down on +that side!” cried Jed, earnestly.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter; is the step on this side +broken?” asked Bart, in some alarm, as he hastily +checked himself.</p> + +<p>“No, but you started to get down with your left +foot first,” explained the teamster. “That’s sure to +bring the worst kind of bad luck on a fellow. My<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +team might run away before I get two blocks +further. It’s a bad sign to get out with your left +foot first. Don’t do it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Jed, you’re a regular old woman!” exclaimed +Bart good-naturedly, for he and his chums +were on familiar terms with the teamster. Nevertheless +the lad did as requested, and changed his +position, so as to leave the wagon in accordance +with the superstitious notions of Jed.</p> + +<p>“That’s better,” remarked the man, with an air of +relief, as Bart descended. “Yes,” he added, as he +drove on, “we’re going to have quite a storm.”</p> + +<p>He was right, for that night the ground was +covered with the white flakes, but the thermometer +did not get down very low.</p> + +<p>After supper Bart’s three chums called on him, +and, a little later they received an unexpected visit +from Sandy Merton and some of his friends. The +latter were much worried when they had gone back +to Oak Swamp, and had failed to find a sign of the +candidates whom they had initiated into the “Shamma +Shig” society.</p> + +<p>“Say, that’s a nice trick to play on a fellow,” declared +Sandy, indignantly, when he found that Bart +and his friends were safe and snug at home. “We’ve +been hunting all around that swamp in the dark for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +you, and we’re all wet and muddy. Why didn’t +you stay there?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t think it was healthy,” observed Bart, with +a chuckle. “You told us you wouldn’t be back for an +hour, so we concluded to leave. You should tie +your ropes better, Sandy.”</p> + +<p>“We weren’t going to leave you there an hour,” +went on the president of the secret society. “That +was only a joke on you.”</p> + +<p>“Well, our coming away was only a joke on you,” +declared Ned with a grin. “Are we full-fledged +members now, Sandy?”</p> + +<p>“I suppose so,” was the somewhat ungracious answer. +Then as Sandy’s chums declared that the +manner in which they had been outwitted by the +four chums was perfectly fair, it was agreed to call +the incident closed, and consider the initiation +finished.</p> + +<p>“You’re now regular members,” declared Sandy, +“and you can come to the meeting to-night, if you +want to.”</p> + +<p>The chums went to a “hall” that had been fitted +up over the barn of Sandy’s uncle. It had all the +features of a regular secret society meeting room, +with inner and outer sentinels, a hole cut in the +door, through which doubtful visitors could be +scrutinized; and once inside a more or less blood-curdling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +ritual was gone through with. But the +boys enjoyed it, and, his good nature restored by +presiding at the function, Sandy told how he and +his friends had been much alarmed at finding Bart +and his companions missing, and how they had +searched in vain for them.</p> + +<p>A thaw, a few days after the storm, removed +most of the snow, but it remained long enough for +some coasting, in which our heroes took part. Meanwhile +they had made some guarded inquiries regarding +the mysterious man, but had learned nothing. +No one else seemed to have observed him, or, if they +had, they thought nothing of it.</p> + +<p>Nor was any trace found of the missing diamond +bracelet. The police had practically given up work +on the case, but the boys had not. They felt the +stigma that still attached to them, and they resolved, +if it was at all possible, to remove it. The parents +of the lads were somewhat indignant that there +should be even a suspicion against them, but there +seemed to be no help for it, and Mr. Long, thinking +to better matters, offered a reward for the return of +the property. But he had no answers.</p> + +<p>“Well, Bart, what about camp?” asked Ned, one +cold morning in December, when an overcast sky +gave promise of more snow.</p> + +<p>“I was just thinking it was time we got down to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +business about it,” was the reply. “I’m ready to +go, if you fellows are. I’ve spoken to my folks, and +they’re willing I should take two weeks out of +school, besides the regular Christmas holidays. +There’s not much doing the week before that vacation, +and not much the one after. That will give +us nearly a month—the last half of December and +the first half of January.”</p> + +<p>“Good idea,” commented Frank. “I’m sure I can +go. Dad is going west to visit some relatives, and, +as I don’t care about making the trip, I’m sure he’ll +let me go to a winter camp.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t asked yet, but I’m sure I can go,” said +Fenn, and Ned was also hopeful.</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose we go down to my house after +school, and look over our camping stuff,” suggested +Bart, for the tents, stoves and other paraphernalia +was kept in his barn. The boys had gone camping +several times before, both winter and summer, and +had a very complete outfit, as is known to those who +have perused the other volumes of this series.</p> + +<p>Bart’s idea met with favor and, when lessons +for the day were over, the four chums were overhauling +cots, inspecting the big tent and seeing if the +portable stove was in good condition. It was a +dark, lowering afternoon, and, since morning, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +promise of more snow had been added to by several +flurries of the white flakes.</p> + +<p>“Well, everything seems to be in good shape,” observed +Bart at length. “We’ve got about two more +weeks of school, and then we’ll cut it, and hike for +the woods. We must look up a good place, and you +and Stumpy had better find out for sure if you can +go, Ned.”</p> + +<p>“We will,” they promised.</p> + +<p>“All right, then come on out, and let’s try a few +shots,” went on Bart. “I’ve got some new cartridges, +with smokeless powder, and I want to see +how they work.”</p> + +<p>A little later the four chums were ready to take +turns with two rifles Bart owned. The target was +set up in the deserted orchard, and the fun began.</p> + +<p>Bart was easily the best shot of the four, and this +was so soon demonstrated that he consented to take +his aim in difficult positions, such as firing with his +back to the target, using a mirror to sight with. He +did other “stunts” which, I have no doubt, some of +my readers have seen done in “Wild West” shows, +or on the stage.</p> + +<p>“There’s no use talking, Bart,” observed Ned, +“you can put it all over us when it comes to handling +a rifle.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ve had more practice,” said Bart modestly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +“You fellows will do as good when you’ve +had more experience.”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid not,” spoke Fenn, with a sigh. +“Here, see if I can hit that tin can on the fence +post.”</p> + +<p>He raised the weapon, sighted it carefully, and +pulled the trigger. There was no smoke, for the +powder was of the self-consuming type, but a bright +sliver of flame shot from the muzzle of the gun, +plainly visible in the fast-gathering darkness. The +can was not touched, but, an instant after Fenn fired, +some one beyond the fence set up a great shouting.</p> + +<p>“Great Caesar, Stumpy, you’ve shot some one!” +gasped Bart.</p> + +<p>Poor Fenn turned a sickly color, and the rifle fell +from his nerveless hands. The shouts continued, +and there was a commotion in the bushes.</p> + +<p>A little later Alice Keene, with her hands full of +bandages, and carrying a small medicine chest, +rushed from the house and past the group of terror-stricken +lads toward the fence, whence the yells continued +to come.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” cried the girl. “I was afraid some one +would get hurt when you boys used those horrid +guns! You had better telephone for a doctor, Bart, +while I go see if I can stop the bleeding! Who is +hurt?”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>“We—we don’t know,” faltered Fenn. “I was +shooting at a can, but I missed it. I didn’t know +anybody was in the bushes.”</p> + +<p>Bart hurried into the house to telephone for a +physician, while Alice in the rôle of a red-cross +nurse, hurried on toward the fence. The shouts +were growing fainter now. The boys, with white +faces, followed her.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>AN ODD LETTER</h3> + + +<p>“Suppose he is dead?” faltered Fenn, as he +stumbled along. “Will—will I be arrested.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry until you see who it is, and how +badly he is hurt,” advised Frank. They were soon +at the fence. Ned and Frank parted the bushes that +grew higher than the topmost rail, and plunged on +through. Fenn followed, but Alice was going +farther up, where she knew there was a gate.</p> + +<p>The sight that met the eyes of the boys was most +reassuring. Standing up on his big wagon was +Jed Sneed, calmly pitching off cord wood into a +pile. The fuel was evidently for Bart’s house.</p> + +<p>“Were you—are you—that is—you aren’t dead; +are you?” gasped Fenn. “Is—is anybody?”</p> + +<p>“Not that I know of,” answered Jed, as he +straightened up. “But I come pretty nigh bein’. As +nigh as I want to. I just heard a bullet sing over my +head, as I was stooping down to get hold of a stick. +Who was shooting, anyhow?”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>“I—I was,” faltered Stumpy. “I missed the tin +can I aimed at. Did I come very close to you?”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t take time to measure the distance,” announced +Jed dryly, “but it was close enough.”</p> + +<p>“We heard you yell,” said Frank, “and we +thought some one was killed. We didn’t know it +was you.”</p> + +<p>“I was hollering at the horses, partly,” explained +the man. “The pesky critters won’t stand still when +they hear shootin’. So it was you fellows; eh? +Well, I ought to have knowed better than to come +out with this load of wood to-day. Jest as I was +startin’ a black cat run right across the road in +front of the horses, and that’s one of the very worst +kind of bad signs. I should have turned back, but +Mr. Keene wanted this wood to-day, so I kept on. +Then, as if one warnin’ wasn’t enough, I had another. +Jest as I was turnin’ in this back way, +thinkin’ it would be a little shorter, three crows flew +over my head, goin’ South. They must have stayed +up pretty late, but there’s no worse sign than three +crows, unless it’s to meet a snake with his tail +toward you. But, as Mr. Keene wanted the wood, +I come on, and look what was the result—I was +nearly killed.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess the bullet didn’t come so near you +as you thought,” suggested Ned, partly for Fenn’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +benefit. “Fenn usually fires high, and he missed the +can clean. Then, you’re down in a sort of hollow +here, and I guess it was well over your head.”</p> + +<p>“I hope so,” remarked Jed. “A miss is as good +as a mile, I guess. Still, it was partly my own fault, +for not payin’ attention to them signs. You can +make up your minds I won’t tempt fate that way +again. I’ll turn back next time when a black cat +crosses in front of me. And then, too, I ought to +have give you chaps warnin’. I heard you shootin’ +as I drove up, and then, when it stopped, I s’posed +you was done. Then when that one shot came, and +whizzed over my head, I thought it was all up with +me. I hollered some, to let you know I was here, +and to quiet the team. Then I went on tossin’ off +the wood.”</p> + +<p>Fenn breathed easier. Some color was beginning +to come back into his cheeks. A moment later Alice +came hurrying along, having found the gate.</p> + +<p>“Is he badly hurt?” she asked. “Have they got +him in the wagon? Perhaps you’d better drive right +to the hospital Mr. Sneed,” for she knew the +teamster, who did odd jobs around town.</p> + +<p>“Wa’al, I don’t mind drivin’ to the hospital for +ye,” announced Jed with a grin, “but there ain’t no +need for it.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t tell me he’s—” but Alice paused, not willing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +to utter the fatal word. Several rolls of bandages +fell from her hands.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m all right,” went on Jed. “I’ll live to be +an old man if I wait to be shot, I guess. Whoa, +there, ponies,” this last to his team.</p> + +<p>“Then isn’t any one hurt?” asked Alice, and +though she was undoubtedly glad of it, there was a +distinct note of disappointment in her voice.</p> + +<p>“No one,” explained Ned, as he told how it had +happened. Jed took part of the blame, for not announcing +his presence, but, nevertheless, Fenn was +a bit shaky for some time after the incident, and +Ned and the others were nervous.</p> + +<p>“The doctor will be right over!” suddenly cried +Bart, bursting through the bushes. “Who is it, and +is he badly hurt?” Then he had to be told how it +was, and he hurried back into the house to countermand +the order for the physician. Alice gathered +up her bandages, and with her box of remedies +retraced her steps. She had missed a chance to +practice for her chosen profession, but she was glad +of it.</p> + +<p>A more careful investigation of how Fenn had +stood when he shot, and a calculation of the angle +at which he held the rifle, showed that the bullet +must have gone well over Jed’s head, so it was not +so bad as at first thought.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<p>“But it was mostly my own fault,” concluded the +odd man, as he drove away. “Never again will I +keep on when I see a black cat—” He stopped suddenly, +checked his team, and got out of the empty +wagon.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter now?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“There’s a horseshoe in the field there, and it’s +turned the wrong way for luck,” explained Jed, as +he picked it up. “I was drivin’ right toward it—must +have come off one of my horses when I was +comin’ around to get a good place to toss off the +wood.”</p> + +<p>“Anyway it had the curved, or open side, toward +me, and if you go toward a horseshoe that way it’s +a sure sign that you’ll have no luck in a year. A +mighty sure sign, too.”</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” asked Bart, as he +saw Jed put the shoe back on the ground again.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I just turned it around again. Now I can +drive toward it right, and I’ll have good luck—you +see,” which he proceeded to do, and, after his wagon +had passed the shoe, he got out again, picked it up, +and then went on, well satisfied with himself.</p> + +<p>As the days went on the weather grew colder. +There were frequent snow storms, and the snow did +not melt. The Christmas holidays were approaching, +and the boys were preparing for camp life, each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +lad having secured permission to take some time out +of school.</p> + +<p>One night, when the four chums were at Fenn’s +house, getting ready some things, and talking of the +fun they expected to have, there came a knock on +the front door. As the boys were the only ones +downstairs, Fenn volunteered to answer it.</p> + +<p>“Though I don’t know who can be calling at this +hour,” he remarked, for it was nearly ten o’clock. +He opened the door, and his startled exclamation +brought his chums to his side.</p> + +<p>“There’s no one here!” cried the stout lad, “but +I was sure I heard a knock—didn’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Sure,” replied Bart, and the others nodded. +“There has been some one here,” went on Bart. +“See the footprints in the snow. It’s snowed since +we came. Some one ran up, knocked, and ran away +again.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder what for?” murmured Fenn, looking +up and down the deserted street. “Probably a joke. +Maybe it was Sandy Merton.”</p> + +<p>“Whoever it was, he left something,” said Frank, +suddenly.</p> + +<p>“What?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“This letter,” answered Frank, picking up a missive +from the doorstep. The white envelope, so +much like the snow, had not at first been noticed.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Bring it in and see what it says,” proposed Bart, +and soon, under the light of the gas in the dining-room, +the boys were perusing the strange missive.</p> + +<p>“It’s to me,” said Fenn, as he rapidly scanned it. +“But what in the world does it mean? And it has +no signature. Listen to this fellows,” and he read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="noi">“‘<span class="smcap">Mr. Fenn Masterson</span>,</p> + +<p>“‘Dear Sir:—I understand you have quite a collection +of mud turtles. Would you be willing to part +with them? I mean for a consideration, of course. +If you would kindly communicate with me. I will +pay you a good price for all the turtles you have. +But I must make this stipulation, which, at first may +seem odd to you. But I have a reason for it. I can +not meet you personally. If you are willing to sell +your turtles will you write a note to that effect, and +leave it in the dead sycamore tree on the edge of +Oak Swamp? That is the only way in which you +can communicate with me. Kindly let me hear from +you soon.’”</p></div> + +<p>As Fenn had said, there was no signature. He +turned the strange letter over and looked at the back. +It was blank.</p> + +<p>“Well, wouldn’t that jar you!” exclaimed Bart, +as he took the note from Fenn’s hand.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>OFF TO CAMP</h3> + + +<p>“This must be a joke,” remarked Fenn, at length, +after he had once more read the note. “Sandy Merton, +or some of the other fellows, who want to have +some fun with us, wrote that.”</p> + +<p>“I think not,” said Frank, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>“Why?” inquired Ned.</p> + +<p>“Some man wrote that,” went on Frank. “That’s +no boy’s handwriting. There’s too much character +to it. What are you going to do about it, Fenn?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing, I guess. Of course, I’d sell my turtles +and things, if I got a chance, for I think I’m going +to collect different kinds of wood now, and——”</p> + +<p>“What did I tell you?” interrupted Ned triumphantly. +“I knew Fenn’s fad wouldn’t last much +longer.”</p> + +<p>“It would, if we weren’t going camping,” declared +the stout youth, with vigor. “Only when I’m +away there’ll be nobody to look after the things. +Mother is afraid to feed ’em, and dad won’t, so if +I had a good chance to get rid of ’em I’d do it. Only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +I wouldn’t do business with a fellow like this, who +doesn’t sign his name, and who wants me to act as +if I was leaving money in response to a black-hand +note. I’ll not pay any attention to it.”</p> + +<p>“I would, if I were you,” said Frank, quietly, but +with some determination.</p> + +<p>“You would?” asked Bart, in some surprise.</p> + +<p>“Sure. I think there’s something back of this,” +went on Frank. “If I were Fenn I’d enter into a correspondence +with him, and try to find out what was +at the bottom of it.”</p> + +<p>“What do you think it is?” asked Ned. “Let’s +make another examination of the letter, detective +style, and see what we can deduce from it.”</p> + +<p>“I think the man who wrote that letter is the same +man we have met several times—the mysterious +stranger who entered the school—the man who stole +the diamond bracelet,” spoke Frank, quickly.</p> + +<p>“Then if you’ve got it all figured out, we don’t +need to puzzle over this letter,” decided Ned.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t say I’m altogether right,” came from +Frank quickly. “That’s only one theory.”</p> + +<p>“And I think it a good one,” added Bart. “Fenn, +suppose you answer this letter, and leave your +reply in the dead sycamore tree.”</p> + +<p>“What shall I say?” asked the heavy-weight +chum.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Oh, you don’t need to be specific. Say you don’t +like to do business this way, that you prefer to meet +the writer. Then we’ll leave the letter in the tree, +hide, and nab him when he comes for it.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” cried Ned. “That’s the stuff. Regular +detective business, fellows. Come on, Fenn, write +the letter.”</p> + +<p>“I think that would be a good plan,” commented +Frank, who, being more sober-minded than his +chums usually were, often said the final word when +some scheme was afoot. “If the writer wants to resort +to such tactics as leaving an anonymous letter +on the doorstep, we can retaliate by playing the spy +on him. Get busy, Fenn.”</p> + +<p>“When shall we leave it in the tree?” asked the +stout lad.</p> + +<p>“To-morrow,” answered Bart promptly. “We +haven’t any too much time before going to camp. +We’ll try to catch him to-morrow, and maybe we can +solve the mystery of the diamond bracelet.”</p> + +<p>It took some time to compose a letter to the satisfaction +of all four lads, as each one had some suggestion +to make, but it was finally done, and enclosed +in a strong, manilla envelope, ready to be left in the +dead sycamore tree. Then the chums planned to go +to Oak Swamp the next afternoon, early.</p> + +<p>The appointed time found them at the place, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +as they came in sight of the tree, they adopted precautionary +tactics previously agreed upon.</p> + +<p>“For,” Bart explained, “we want to catch that +man, and we’ve got to go about it right. He’s given +us the slip a number of times. Now, naturally, he’ll +expect us to-day, and he’ll be in hiding somewhere +near the tree. Look around carefully, and see if we +can’t spot him before we deposit the letter.”</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the lads made a cautious approach, +but there was no sign of a man, or any one else near +the big tree. The approach to the swamp appeared +deserted, and on that afternoon, with a dull, leaden +sky overhead, and a mournful wind sighing through +the trees, Oak Swamp was anything but a cheerful +place.</p> + +<p>“It’s going to snow,” observed Ned, as they +walked slowly on toward the tree.</p> + +<p>“Keep quiet,” advised Bart, in a sharp whisper. +“The man may be in hiding.”</p> + +<p>There were patches of snow on the ground about +the sycamore, but an examination of them did not +disclose any human footprints, though there were +squirrel and rabbit tracks which gave the boys hope +that they would get plenty of game when they went +to their winter camp.</p> + +<p>“He hasn’t been here,” was Fenn’s opinion, as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +took his letter and stuck it in a conspicuous place in a +crack in the bark.</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll hide and wait for him,” decided Bart.</p> + +<p>The four lads hid themselves in the thick underbrush +not far from the tree, where each one could +command a good view of it, and the path leading to +it. They agreed, on a signal from Bart, to rush out, +and, if possible, grab the mysterious man in case he +should appear.</p> + +<p>Then began a period of waiting, and it was made +all the more tiresome from the fact that the boys +could not be together and talk. They had to crouch +down, in uncomfortable positions, not moving, for +fear of betraying themselves, and, of course, it was +out of the question to talk. The hours dragged. It +seemed to grow dark suddenly, but it was due to the +thickening of the storm clouds overhead. Then +came some flurries of snow, which ceased from time +to time, and then, with a suddenness that was startling, +the storm broke.</p> + +<p>“No use waiting any longer,” called Fenn, rising +up from behind his bush, and peering through the +swirling flakes. “He won’t come now.”</p> + +<p>“Keep quiet, he may,” ordered Bart, and though +the storm raged, they kept up their vigil half an hour +longer. By this time it was so dark that the sycamore +tree could scarcely be distinguished, and even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +Bart declared it was useless to remain longer. They +started for home, the storm increasing every minute, +and they left the letter in the tree, in case the man +might arrive.</p> + +<p>“This will be fine weather for camping,” cried +Ned exultantly, as he plowed through a small drift.</p> + +<p>They began their preparations for camping the +next day. It did not take them long to get their +things in readiness, for they had spent several days +overhauling their outfits. The tents, one for sleeping +and the other for cooking and eating in, were +rolled up, cots were folded, the stove, cooking pots +and pans, were placed in boxes, provisions were purchased, +and the bedding examined. Of course, the +lads did not forget their guns, and they had a good +supply of ammunition.</p> + +<p>As to the location of their camp, they had settled +on it only after a strenuous debate. Fenn and +Frank were for going to the one where they had previously +had such good luck hunting wild turkeys, +but Bart and Ned wanted to go to a less frequented +part of the State, where larger game, such as an +occasional bear or deer, could be had, and, in the +end they carried their point, though it meant a longer +trip, and necessitated going by railroad.</p> + +<p>Finally all was in readiness, the last of the packing +had been done, good-byes had been said, Alice had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +made up a little medicine chest for her brother, and +Jennie Smith had even composed an “original poem” +in honor of the occasion.</p> + +<p>Jed Sneed had taken the camp stuff to the express +office in his big sled, and was to come back for the +four chums, who carried their guns with them. The +storm had hardly ceased, and there was plenty of +snow on the ground.</p> + +<p>“What’ll you boys do if you get snowed in?” +asked Mr. Keene as he watched his son and the +others getting in Jed’s sled, for the start was made +from Bart’s house.</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’ll wait until it thaws,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>“Take care of yourselves,” admonished Mrs. +Keene.</p> + +<p>“And drink hot ginger tea in case you get wet,” +ordered Alice, with her most professional air.</p> + +<p>“All right,” chorused the boys.</p> + +<p>“All ready?” asked Jed, as he looked around.</p> + +<p>“All ready!” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“Gid-dap!” called Jed, cracking the whip, and the +horses plunged forward into a drift, the bells jingling +a merry tune. The start for camp had been made.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>A RAILROAD ACCIDENT</h3> + + +<p>Jogging along the road to the depot, the four +chums asked each other all sorts of questions, as to +whether this or that article had been included in the +camping outfit. For so much remained to be done +at the last minute, in spite of preparations some time +ahead, that they were afraid something would be +forgotten. But, fortunately, everything necessary +seemed to have been put in the packages, which had +been shipped on ahead, so they would be there when +the campers arrived. They were to get out at the +railroad station of Cannistota, and drive ten miles +into the woods.</p> + +<p>“Say, what did you do about your mud turtles, +Fenn?” asked Bart, as the sled bumped along, for the +road was rough.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I arranged with Sandy Merton to feed them. +I’m going to pay him for it. He promised to look +after them. I hope he doesn’t forget. Hello! there +he comes now. Hello, Sandy!” called Fenn, as he +saw the president of the Shamma Shig secret society +plodding along through the snow.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Hello,” responded Sandy, transferring his bundle +of books from one arm to the other. “Say, but +you fellows are lucky chaps! Cutting out several +weeks of school, and going off hunting. I wish I +was you!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t forget my turtles,” pleaded Fenn.</p> + +<p>“I’ll attend to ’em, Stumpy,” promised Sandy. +“Bring me back a bear skin; will you?”</p> + +<p>“If we get enough for ourselves we will,” agreed +Bart, and Sandy went on to school, looking back at +the chums with envious eyes, for, as has been explained, +the campers left about a week before the +Christmas holidays began.</p> + +<p>“Well, maybe we’ll have a good time—I mean of +<i>course</i> we will,” said Frank, “but, all the same, +Sandy is better off than we are—in one respect.”</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“He isn’t under suspicion of having stolen a valuable +diamond bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right. Hang it all! I wish we could clear +that thing up,” remarked Bart, with energy. +“Never mind, maybe it will clear itself up before we +get back.”</p> + +<p>“Whoa!” called Jed, suddenly, pulling up his +team.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“The nigh horse jest stumbled with its left fore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +foot,” explained the driver, as he got out of the sled.</p> + +<p>“Hurt?” inquired Bart.</p> + +<p>“No, but it’s a sign of bad luck, and I don’t like +it, especially when you fellows are going off on a +pleasure trip.”</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” Frank wanted to +know, for Jed was kicking away the snow in front +of the horses.</p> + +<p>“I’m looking for a black stone,” he explained. +“If you can find a black stone, after a horse stumbles +like that, it’s all right.”</p> + +<p>The boys wanted to laugh at the almost childish +superstition exhibited by Jed, but did not want to +make him feel bad, so they managed to keep sober +faces, as he kicked about in the small drifts. Finally +he uttered a triumphant cry.</p> + +<p>“I’ve found it!” he announced, as he pocketed a +small black stone. “Now it will be all right. Gid-dap, +ponies,” and the horses started off again, utterly +indifferent to signs of all kinds.</p> + +<p>The four chums talked of nothing but camp on the +way to the station, and, as for Jed, he was so occupied +in watching for signs and omens, good and +bad, that he was not a brilliant conversationalist. +Just as they approached the depot the driver pulled +sharply to the right, turned out of the main road, +and urged his horses in a circle around the standpipe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +of the water tank that supplied the locomotive +tenders. Then he swung the team up to the platform.</p> + +<p>“Why did you do that?” asked Ned, in curiosity.</p> + +<p>“For good luck,” replied Jed. “Nothing better +for good luck than going around in a circle just before +you start off on a journey. It’s sure to bring +you back safe, and I want to see you lads again.”</p> + +<p>“How do you make it out that a circle will bring +any one back safe?” inquired Frank.</p> + +<p>“Because, it stands to reason, don’t it?” asked +Jed, with conviction. “A circle’s round, ain’t it? +Very well, bein’ round it hasn’t got any end, nor +yet any beginnin’. That means you’ve got to come +back to the place where you started. I know a circle +always brings good luck when you’re goin’ on a +journey. I know it for sure. Once I went over to +Hampton Junction without goin’ around in a circle +before I started. What was the result? A feller +stole my pocketbook that had a dollar an’ nineteen +cents in it. Don’t tell me there’s nothing in signs.”</p> + +<p>The boys laughed, and Jed did not seem to mind. +They leaped out on the station platform, and paid +the teamster, who wished them all sorts of good +luck, in addition to having worked the “circle degree” +on them, as Ned expressed it.</p> + +<p>“Here!” exclaimed Jed suddenly, as the chums<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +were about to go and purchase their tickets, and he +held out a black object to Bart.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” inquired the lad.</p> + +<p>“That black, lucky stone I picked up when the +horse stumbled. Take it along. It will keep you +from having an accident, Bart.” The youth was +about to refuse, but not wishing to hurt Jed’s feelings +he put the rock in his pocket.</p> + +<p>A little later the train pulled in, and, getting +aboard, the four chums waved a farewell to Jed, who +could be observed standing up in his sled, making +some queer signs, evidently with the idea of bringing +more good luck.</p> + +<p>“Well, we’re off at last,” remarked Ned, as the +train gathered speed, “and some of Jed’s signs seem +to be coming true.”</p> + +<p>“How do you make that out?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“It’s going to clear,” replied Ned, with a look at +the sky. “I shan’t mind snow, after we’ve got our +camp established, but it’s no fun to set up tents in a +storm, so I’m glad it’s going to clear. Jed’s signs +are all right.”</p> + +<p>It was a ride of several hours to Cannistota, and +the boys beguiled the time as best they could. About +noon, when the train was passing through a lonely +mountainous region, where the woods were as dense +as if they had never been cut, Frank remarked:</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Well, what do you say to lunch? It’s about +time,” for they had brought along a goodly supply +of food, as they could get no meals on the train.</p> + +<p>“I’m with you,” announced Bart, as he reached up +to the rack over the seats for the baskets. He was +standing on his tip-toes, for the rack was high, and +was just taking down one of the small hampers, +when there came a sudden crash, followed by a ripping, +tearing sound, and before Bart knew what had +happened he was deposited in a heap on top of Fenn, +who, in turn, was mixed up with Frank and Ned.</p> + +<p>Bart lay stunned for a few seconds and then, as he +picked himself up, and the other lads regained their +feet, they saw that every passenger in the car had +been hurled from his or her seat.</p> + +<p>“What happened?” cried Bart.</p> + +<p>At the same moment from the car in which were +the four chums, as well as from the other coaches, +there arose the shrill screams of women, and the +crying of children. The train had rolled on for a +few feet, after the crash, but had come to a sudden +stop.</p> + +<p>“An accident!” cried Fenn. “The train’s wrecked! +Come on, let’s get out,” and he scrambled to his feet +and started for the door as the conductor and a +brakeman ran through the car toward the engine.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>PUTTING UP THE TENTS</h3> + + +<p>After the first paralyzing shock of the crash the +passengers seemed to come to their senses. Women +who had been screaming ceased, and children +stopped their frightened crying. Men began to +gather themselves together, to crawl out from under +seats where the sudden stop had thrown them, and +prepared to leave the car.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, conductor?” called Bart to +that official, as he was hurrying out of the car.</p> + +<p>“Don’t know—yet,” was the answer flung back +over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“We’ll go see,” spoke Ned. “Anyhow, our car’s +not smashed; that’s one good thing.”</p> + +<p>“No, and it doesn’t seem to have left the track,” +observed Frank. “Maybe we only hit an obstruction.”</p> + +<p>By this time the four chums were out of their +car, and they were followed by a number of men +passengers. From other cars a like stream was +pouring.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>One glance sufficed to show that whatever the +wreck was, it was not a terrible one, for there were +no telescoped coaches, and, in fact, none seemed to +have left the rails, while as for the engine that, too, +seemed to be in its usual place at the head of the +coaches. The crowd was moving toward the forward +end, and thither Bart and his companions went. +Matters were becoming quiet, and it was evident that +no one was seriously hurt.</p> + +<p>The boys found quite a throng around the engine, +and they could now see that the cab, on one side, was +splintered, and that the forward end of the coach +next to the engine, which was the baggage car, was +also damaged.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter? What happened?” scores of +voices asked the railroad men, who, including the +fireman and engineer, were examining the locomotive.</p> + +<p>“Driving rod broke,” explained the conductor. +“It threshed around like a flail, and smashed the +cab, on the fireman’s side of the engine. Luckily he +was putting on coal, or he’d been killed. Then the +engineer threw on the emergency brake, and the +front end of the baggage car crumpled up. Luckily +it’s no worse. Has any one heard of any persons being +hurt?” the conductor asked the crowd.</p> + +<p>“I guess bruises and cuts from broken windows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +will be about the extent of the injuries, conductor,” +replied a fat man. “But how long are we likely to +be delayed here? I have an important engagement +in Vailton to-day.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to wait until we can telegraph for another +engine,” replied the railroad man. “It will +take several hours, I’m afraid.”</p> + +<p>There were some expressions of dismay, but, in +general, the crowd was thankful that it was no +worse. The engineer and fireman were busy trying +to get the bent driving rod loose from where it had +jammed up somewhere in the interior of the locomotive.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go back in our car, and look after our +things,” proposed Bart. “We can’t do any good +here, and it’s cold,” for they had rushed out without +their overcoats. The other passengers were returning +to their coaches by this time, leaving the +problem of moving the train with the railroad men.</p> + +<p>The four chums had been in their seats but a +short time, having found their possessions somewhat +scattered, but safe, when a brakeman came hurrying +in. He hastened to the glass-fronted toolbox, +fastened near the ceiling in the center of the car.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got to get out that sledge-hammer, axe and +saw,” he explained to a woman, who was sitting in +the seat under the case. “May I ask you to move,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +madam?” She did so, and then the brakeman was +in a quandary, for it was necessary to break the +glass in order to get at the tools. The trainman +looked about helplessly, for he had not been on the +road long. Bart saw his difficulty.</p> + +<p>“Here, I’ll break the glass,” volunteered the lad. +“Stand back,” Bart produced the black, lucky stone +which Jed had given him, and threw it through the +glass front.</p> + +<p>There was a crashing, splintering sound, and the +glass was in fragments. The brakeman could get +at the tools, which he quickly did, hurrying out with +them.</p> + +<p>“Well, that lucky stone came in handy, after all,” +remarked Ned.</p> + +<p>“It sure did,” agreed Bart, “though he could have +used the end of a flag stick just as well, if he had +thought of it.”</p> + +<p>While the engineer, firemen, and some of the +brakemen worked over the disabled engine, another +trainman walked back to the nearest telegraph office +to summon a relief engine. Meanwhile the passengers +waited with what patience they could.</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose we eat now,” proposed Bart.</p> + +<p>“Good!” exclaimed Frank. “Pass out the sandwiches,” +which Bart proceeded to do.</p> + +<p>In the seat across the aisle from the boys was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +little girl. Hungrily she eyed the food as it came +out of the baskets, and, in a voice that could be +heard from one end of the car to the other, she piped +out:</p> + +<p>“Mamma, I’m hungry. Why didn’t we bring +some lunch?”</p> + +<p>“Hush, dear,” said the child’s mother. “We will +soon be at our station, and we can get something to +eat.”</p> + +<p>“Not very likely to be there soon, ma’am,” observed +the fat man, who was in a hurry. “By Jove, +I wish I’d thought to bring a snack. I will, next +time I travel on this road.”</p> + +<p>“But, mamma, I’m awful hungry,” insisted the +child, as she gazed eagerly at the chums who were +munching away in great enjoyment.</p> + +<p>“Hush!” begged the mother, but the child repeated +her request for something to eat.</p> + +<p>“Here,” spoke Bart, suddenly, and passed over a +chicken sandwich to the little girl. “Will you let +her take it?” he asked the mother.</p> + +<p>“Certainly, but I’m afraid it will be robbing you.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all, we have plenty. Perhaps you’d like +one too?” and Bart handed the woman one, which +she received with thanks.</p> + +<p>“I’ll give you a dollar for two sandwiches, young +man,” said the fat man, eagerly.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bart hesitated. At the same time several other +children in the car, seeing the girl eating, began to +demand food.</p> + +<p>“I say, fellows,” said Bart, quickly. “I’ll tell you +what’s let’s do! We’ll distribute our lunch among +the youngsters on the train. There must be several +of them, and they’re all hungry. It will be some +time before they can get to where there’s lunch.”</p> + +<p>To the credit of the Darewell Chums be it said +that they did not hesitate a moment.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead,” exclaimed Ned, and the others +nodded assent.</p> + +<p>“I wish you’d accept my offer before you came +to that conclusion,” sighed the fat man. “But go +ahead. The kids will be glad to get it. I’ll have to +dine off chocolate caramels, I guess.”</p> + +<p>Bart’s plan was soon in operation, to the delight +of a number of boys and girls, no less than their +distracted mothers. As for the chums, they had +each eaten a sandwich before giving away their +lunch, and they thought they could stand it until +they got to Cannistota. They were given an informal +vote of thanks by the grateful parents.</p> + +<p>Then ensued tedious waiting until the relief engine +came. There were many murmurs, and much +fault-finding, but there was no help for it. The +candy boy sold out his stock of sweet stuff in record<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +time, even down to the chewing gum. At length a +welcome whistle was heard, and soon the train was +under way again.</p> + +<p>“Well,” remarked Ned, as he settled back in his +seat, “we will enjoy our supper, anyhow.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” remarked Bart. “I don’t altogether believe +in Jed’s good luck signs. I’d just as soon he +would have omitted some of ’em.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, well, we’ll be in camp to-morrow,” announced +Frank. “Then we can eat whenever we feel +like it.”</p> + +<p>The chums were late in arriving in Cannistota, and +they went at once to a hotel. They had arranged +to do this anyhow, as they knew there would not +be time to put up tents the same day that they started +off on their camping trip. After a substantial meal, +to make up for their light dinner, they inquired at +the express office, and learned that their camp stuff +had arrived safely. They arranged for a teamster +to take it to the woods where they had decided to +pitch their tents, and early the next morning they +were under way.</p> + +<p>“It’s a dandy day,” observed Fenn, as he looked +at the cloudless sky overhead, and saw the piles of +snow on every side.</p> + +<p>“A little too warm,” was Bart’s opinion. “Still, +it may not be thawing so much in the woods. I’m<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +anxious to get a shot at something. We can’t hunt +deer, you know, when there’s tracking snow, but I +hear there are bears where we are going.”</p> + +<p>“A feller I know killed a big one last week, not +a great ways from where you’re going,” observed +the teamster.</p> + +<p>“That’s the stuff!” cried Bart, as he looked to +make sure he had his favorite rifle.</p> + +<p>In due time the camping site was reached, the +teamster helped them unload, and then drove back, +leaving the four chums alone in quite a lonely stretch +of wilderness. But they were used to depending on +themselves, they knew they had plenty of food, and +they hoped to procure more with their guns.</p> + +<p>“First thing on the programme is to make the +camp-fire, and then set up the tents,” declared Bart, +who constituted himself a sort of leader.</p> + +<p>Previous experience stood the boys in good stead, +and in a short time a roaring fire was blazing, and +a kettle of soup in the making was suspended over +it. Then the canvas shelters were put up.</p> + +<p>It was not easy work, and the boys labored hard, +but at last the white tent stood among the trees, making +a picturesque spot in the wilderness. Then the +cooking shelter was put up, and the stove set, after +which Fenn, who constituted himself cook on this +occasion, served dinner.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rest of the day was spent in cutting firewood, +seeing to the fastenings of the tents, putting up cots, +arranging their baggage and food supplies, and in +putting together their shot guns and rifles, for each +lad had two weapons.</p> + +<p>By this time it was nearly night-fall, and some +lanterns were lighted, and hung within and without +the tent, giving the place a cheerful look.</p> + +<p>As Fenn was walking about, getting ready for a +late supper, he stumbled over something, and nearly +fell.</p> + +<p>“What’s that, a tree root?” asked Bart. “If it is, +chop it out, or we’ll all be doing the same thing.”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t a tree root,” observed Fenn, as he +turned to examine the object. “By cracky, boys!” +he exclaimed. “Look here! It’s a whopping big +mud turtle!”</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE PLACE OF THE TURTLES</h3> + + +<p>Fenn’s chums hurried over to where, in the +gleam of a lantern, he was contemplating the slow-moving +reptile. The turtle was a large one, of a +common species, and was ambling along as if it did +not at all mind the attention it had attracted.</p> + +<p>“Grab it, Fenn!” exclaimed Ned. “It’ll be a +dandy for your collection.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what it will,” agreed the stout youth, and +he grabbed up the turtle, which at once drew in its +tail, head and claws, presenting no vantage spot to +an enemy.</p> + +<p>“By Caesar, here’s another!” exclaimed Bart, a +moment later. “Another turtle, Fenn!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and here’s a third one!” added Frank. “It’s +a big one, too, Fenn. Shall I catch it for you?”</p> + +<p>“Wait a minute, fellows,” replied Fenn, earnestly. +“Don’t touch those turtles!”</p> + +<p>“Why not?” asked Ned. “Are they poisonous?”</p> + +<p>“No, but there’s something queer about so many +being out in the woods in the middle of winter. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +isn’t natural. There is something out of the ordinary, +and we must see what it is.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe they’re hunting for the one of their number +who wears the diamond bracelet,” suggested +Bart, with a laugh, for, in spite of the gravity of +the loss, he could not forbear an occasional joke at +Fenn’s rather odd theory.</p> + +<p>“No, it isn’t that,” went on Fenn earnestly. “But +I did have a notion that perhaps the turtles might +have escaped from the queer man who wrote and +offered to buy my collection—the man we suspect of +stealing the bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“Why he isn’t in this vicinity,” remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>“You don’t know whether he is or not,” was +Fenn’s answer. “This seems to be a good place for +turtles, though I can’t understand why they should +be out in cold weather. But perhaps there is some +reason for it.”</p> + +<p>There was, and a strange one, as the boys soon +discovered.</p> + +<p>“Anyhow, they’re here,” observed Ned, “and +what are we going to do about it?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t touch ’em, I want to see in what direction +they are traveling,” called Fenn, who, as soon as +he had placed in a safe place the turtle he had +caught, came over to where his chums were contemplating +the other two.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>“They’re both heading for the same place, wherever +that is, if that’s any help to you,” remarked +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” spoke Fenn, “it may indicate something,” +and he looked at the big reptiles, who were crawling +along.</p> + +<p>“They’re going in the same way as the one was +you got,” declared Frank, and the others confirmed +this.</p> + +<p>For some minutes Fenn observed the movements +of the turtles, until they disappeared under some +bushes. Then he straightened up and said:</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t believe that mysterious man is in +this vicinity, and certainly none of these turtles is +wearing a diamond bracelet. I admit I’m away off +on that, fellows. But there’s something queer here, +and I’m going to get at the bottom of it. It isn’t +natural for turtles to be out so plentiful this time of +year, and there must be some cause for it.”</p> + +<p>“Fenn, you can theorize about turtles all you like, +but I want my supper,” called Ned.</p> + +<p>“Same here,” came from Frank. “Dish it up, +cook!”</p> + +<p>Thereupon Fenn gave over watching the turtles, +and, a little later, seated cozily in the tent, the chums +partook of a supper of canned baked beans, with +hard-tack or pilot biscuit, and coffee. Then they sat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +around, discussing various matters, from the railroad +accident to their arrival in camp.</p> + +<p>Cots were provided, with plenty of blankets, so +they would not suffer from cold, and as an additional +precaution a small fire was kept going in the +small, sheet-iron, wood-burning stove, which they +had brought along to warm the sleeping tent.</p> + +<p>“Ah, fellows, this is something like life,” remarked +Bart, as he arranged himself on his cot. +“Listen to the wind howling outside. We’ll have +more snow, I expect, before morning.”</p> + +<p>“Let it snow!” exclaimed Frank. “We’re all +right now. We’ll have to have our Christmas tree +here, fellows. Did you bring anything along to put +on it?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’ll hang up our stockings instead of having +a tree,” suggested Ned with a laugh. “But +what’s the matter with you, Fenn? Why are you so +quiet?”</p> + +<p>“He’s thinking of some of the girls he left behind +him,” mocked Bart. “Aren’t you, Stumpy? Which +particular one last gave you a lock of her hair?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, cut it out!” begged Fenn. “I wasn’t thinking +of such nonsense at all. I was wondering where +those turtles came from. This is a regular stamping +place for them, and in the morning I’m going to go +on a search.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Do you really think so many of them around +here means anything?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“It means something, certainly,” replied Fenn. +“This part of the State is noted for turtles, however, +there being a number of different species, but I never +knew before that they came out in winter. That’s +what puzzles me.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we’re over a hidden volcano, and it’s +warmer than anywhere else in the neighborhood,” +suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>“Maybe,” assented Fenn, “only it doesn’t seem +very warm just now. There’s a draught somewhere. +Bur-r-r-r! No wonder!” he exclaimed. +“The tent flap has come open. Who fastened it?”</p> + +<p>“I did,” confessed Frank. “I’ll fix it.” The canvas +was soon made secure, and then, while the wind +whipped itself into a gale outside, the boys fell +asleep in their warm tent, Fenn’s last thoughts being +about a place where he had seen the three turtles.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE MUD VOLCANO</h3> + + +<p>Bart’s first act, on awakening in the morning, +was to go to the tent flap, and look out. Then he +called to his companions, who were still asleep:</p> + +<p>“Say fellows, it’s a fine day; only it’s snowing.”</p> + +<p>“Did you wake us up to tell us that?” demanded +Ned, as he turned over for another nap.</p> + +<p>“Well, you don’t want to sleep all day, do you?” +asked Bart, looking at his watch. “It’s eight o’clock. +If we’re going to do any hunting we’d better get a +move on.”</p> + +<p>There was much yawning and stretching, but +finally the chums were up and dressed, and breakfast +was served.</p> + +<p>“Now for a nice lot of game,” exclaimed Bart, as +he got out his rifle, and looked over his supply of ammunition. +“I think I’ll load for bear to-day.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say you expect to go shooting +in this storm?” asked Frank, for it was still snowing. +The white flakes were of a considerable depth +on the ground, but the two tents, standing as they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +did under some gigantic pine trees, were much protected.</p> + +<p>“Of course we’re going hunting to-day,” declared +Bart. “That’s what we came for. Some bear steak +wouldn’t go at all bad, especially as we can’t get +fresh meat here.”</p> + +<p>“No, nor fresh bread, either,” added Ned. “I +miss my rolls with my coffee.”</p> + +<p>“I’m going to bake some biscuits for dinner,” declared +Fenn. “I brought along some self-raising +flour.”</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Stumpy!” cried Ned. “Pity, +though, you didn’t bring along some self-baking +bread, and some washless dishes.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if we’re going, let’s go,” proposed Frank. +“Will it be safe to leave our stuff in camp, unprotected?”</p> + +<p>“We can’t take it with us,” said Bart. “Besides, +there isn’t any one within ten miles of this place. +That’s why I wanted to camp here. It will be all +right. Well, I’m ready if you are.”</p> + +<p>“I’m going to take my shot-gun,” decided Frank. +“Maybe I’ll see some wild turkeys or some partridge. +They’ll do if Bart doesn’t get his bear.”</p> + +<p>Fenn, instead of getting ready his gun, as the +others were going, had gone to the box where he had +placed the large turtle, captured the night previous.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>“For cats’ sake!” exclaimed Ned, “aren’t you +done playing with that yet, Fenn?”</p> + +<p>“I’m not playing,” was the retort. “I’m going to +try an experiment.”</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you going hunting with us?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Not this morning. I’m going to solve this mystery +of the turtles, if I can. Besides you fellows will +shoot all that’s necessary. I’ll stay around here, +and get ready for a partridge pot-pie or a bear roast, +just as you prefer.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, come on hunting,” pleaded Bart. “What’s +the fun in staying here?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t know as I shall stay right in camp,” +went on Fenn. “I’m going to make this turtle lead +me to where the other ones went. In other words, +I’m going to use this one as a guide.”</p> + +<p>“You’re crazy!” scoffed Ned.</p> + +<p>“Maybe,” admitted Fenn, calmly. “You fellows +go on with your hunting, and when you come back +maybe I’ll have something to show you.”</p> + +<p>They tried to induce Fenn to accompany them, but +he was firm in his determination to solve the “turtle +mystery,” as he called it, and, in the end, Bart, Ned +and Frank tramped off through the storm, for it +was still snowing, while the stout lad remained behind, +watching the turtle, which he had placed on +a cleared place on the ground in front of the tent.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Now go ahead, my fine fellow,” spoke Fenn to +the reptile. “Which way do you want to head?”</p> + +<p>The turtle seemed undecided about it, for some +time after Fenn had placed it on the ground it did +not move, but remained with head, legs and tail withdrawn +into the protecting shell. But Fenn was patient, +and knew better than to poke the reptile to +make it move. Presently a long, snake-like neck +was thrust out, and black, beady eyes glanced cautiously +around, while the parrot jaws were slightly +parted, as if to ward off any attack.</p> + +<p>Fenn kept behind the turtle, which, in a few +minutes, finding that it was not disturbed, stuck out +its legs, and began to raise itself up, as if taking an +observation. Then it turned partly around, and, to +Fenn’s delight, started to crawl in the same direction +as that taken by the other two reptiles the previous +evening.</p> + +<p>“That’s the stuff!” cried Fenn. “That confirms +my theory. There’s some place where these turtles +hang out, and I’m going to find it. The three we +found must have wandered away from the common +camping ground of the turtles of this vicinity, but +they all head back toward it. Now I’m going to +find it.”</p> + +<p>He did not wait for the reptile he had captured +to lead him to the place. That would have taken too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +long, but, after quickly scratching his initials on the +back of the turtle’s shell, together with the date, so +he would know the reptile again, Fenn replaced it +on the ground, and started off through the woods +in the indicated direction. He had his gun with him, +but he did not expect to do any shooting, and he +carried a pocket compass, for the woods were unfamiliar +to him.</p> + +<p>For a long distance Fenn tramped on, plowing +through the woods, making turns now and then to +avoid streams, partly frozen over, leaping them +when he could, fording them at other times, for he +had on high, water-proof hunting boots, but keeping +as nearly as he could in the proper course.</p> + +<p>“Maybe I’ll find a well-protected cave, where the +turtles live during winter,” thought the stout lad, as +he made his way under some low hemlock trees, +well laden with a blanket of snow. “If I do, I can get +some new specimens, anyhow, and perhaps enough +to sell to that man who wrote me the letter. Mighty +queer about him. I wonder who he was? I wonder +if, by any possibility, he could be up here in these +woods?”</p> + +<p>This idea caused Fenn to look around somewhat +apprehensively, but there was no one in sight. He +did see something, however, that caused his heart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +to beat faster, and this was a brace of plump partridges +on a tree, not far away.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if I can shoot straight enough to bag +them?” murmured the lad, as he quickly raised his +gun, and banged away, first with the left, and then +with the right barrel. Somewhat to his surprise +when the smoke cleared away, Fenn saw the two +birds lying in the snow. He had made a good shot.</p> + +<p>“Well, we won’t go hungry to-night, anyway,” +was his comment, as he picked them up and put them +in the pockets of his hunting coat. “But I’m going +to keep on,” he added.</p> + +<p>He had gone perhaps half a mile farther, when he +suddenly stopped and sniffed the air suspiciously.</p> + +<p>“Sulphur spring,” he remarked, half aloud. +“Guess I’ll go take a look at it. Whew! It’s strong +enough. I don’t need any other guide than my +nose.”</p> + +<p>Making sure of the direction in which the strong +odor of sulphur was wafted to him, Fenn temporarily +abandoned his quest for the place of the turtles. +The odor grew more pronounced, for some sulphur +springs are so strongly impregnated with that chemical +in solution that the smell carries for miles, especially +on a windy day. The region where the chums +had gone camping, as they learned later, was well +supplied with these freaks of nature.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>A few minutes later Fenn had come upon the object +of his search. The spring gushed out from the +side of a hill, and so strong was the sulphur that the +stones, over which the spring, and the stream resulting +from it, flowed were a yellowish white.</p> + +<p>“Whew!” exclaimed Fenn again. “This ought +to be good for whatever ails you, but I don’t like +it.”</p> + +<p>He remained looking at the spring for a few +minutes, and, as he was about to move away he +was startled by a deep, booming sound in the woods, +off to his left. Fenn started.</p> + +<p>“Blasting?” he exclaimed aloud, in a questioning +tone. “No, it can’t be that, either,” he added. +“They wouldn’t be blasting around here!”</p> + +<p>The next moment he heard a pattering around +him, and several large globules of mud came down, +seemingly from the sky. Some struck on his hands, +and others dotted the white snow about him.</p> + +<p>“That’s queer,” murmured the lad. “It’s raining +mud—or else—” he paused a moment, as the remembrance +of the booming sound returned to him. +“No,” he added, “there must be a spouting, boiling +spring around here. That’s what it is! I’m on the +track of it now.”</p> + +<p>Fenn dashed off to the left, through the forest. +He was eager to see what had caused the curious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +shower of mud. In a few minutes he came to a +little clearing in the woods—a clearing remarkable, +among other things, from the fact that the ground +there was devoid of snow. There was a warm, +damp look about it, too, as when, in a snow storm, +the sidewalk over a bakery oven is devoid of the +white flakes.</p> + +<p>But that was not the most curious thing that met +Fenn’s eyes. He made out numerous mud turtles +crawling about over the patch of ground that was +free from snow. There must have been a score of +the reptiles.</p> + +<p>Then, as Fenn looked, a curious thing happened. +He had just noted that, in the centre of the clearing, +there was a large patch of water, and, a moment +later the middle of this spring seemed to lift itself +bodily up. Up and up the water spouted, and in an +instant its comparative purity was changed to a deep +mud color, as a miniature geyser of earth and liquid +shot upward.</p> + +<p>“A mud volcano!” exclaimed Fenn, as he understood +what the phenomenon was. “A mud volcano! +This explains the mystery of the turtles!”</p> + +<p>An instant later he was under a shower of mud +from the boiling spring.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>BART’S FIRST SHOT</h3> + + +<p>Fenn made a dash for the shelter of a spruce tree, +and watched the descending shower of mud and +water. It was soon over, and he stepped out again, +to view the curious volcano. He crossed the open +space, free from snow, and a number of turtles +scurried away at his advance.</p> + +<p>“That’s how it is,” remarked the lad, “that the +turtles are so numerous around here. It’s as warm +as toast around that mud volcano, and they don’t +have to hibernate. The ones we found near our +camp must have wandered away in search of food, +and were on their way back here. I’ve solved part +of the mystery, anyhow. Now to examine this curious +place.”</p> + +<p>The boiling spring, or mud volcano, as such phenomenons +are variously called, consisted, in the +main, of a large pool of muddy colored water, lying +at the foot of a hill. All around it were dead trees, +and the smell of sulphur, though not so strong as at +the first spring Fenn had visited, was plainly noticeable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +The water had a dead, stagnant look, after the +eruption, and Fenn was careful not to approach too +close, for he could not tell when the spring would +spout up again. He saw a number of turtles on logs +and bits of wood that extended out into the pool, and +others plunged from the bank into the water at his +approach.</p> + +<p>“They don’t seem to mind the sulphur and the +mud,” said Fenn to himself. The lad had read in +his school books of the mud volcanoes. They are +of a type similar to the hot geysers of Yellowstone +Park, though not so large or numerous. Though +called boiling springs in some parts of the country +they do not boil or bubble on the surface, as a rule, +though there is a constant supply of warm water +from some subterranean source, so, that, as in the +case with the spring Fenn was viewing, the water +ran over from the pool, and trickled off through the +woods.</p> + +<p>Mud volcanoes or boiling springs, while not common, +are to be met with in New York and Pennsylvania. +The writer recently visited a large one in +New York State, near Lake Ontario. It was around +Christmas, and a cold blustering day, yet the water +from the spring was quite warm, and had melted +the snow for quite a distance in all directions. The +water was impregnated with sulphur and salt, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +though there was not an eruption when the writer +was present, there were marks on surrounding trees +showing where mud had been hurled to a height of +thirty or forty feet.</p> + +<p>There are various theories to account for the action +of the mud volcanoes. One is that steam is +formed away below the surface, and, seeking an +outlet, throws the mud and water with it. Another +is that the force of water, flowing from some mountain +lake, by an underground passage, spouts up +through the boiling spring, being heated in some +manner in its passage.</p> + +<p>But Fenn did not trouble himself much about +these theories as he looked at the curious spring. It +was a gloomy, lonesome place, and the presence of +so many turtles, some of them very large, added to +the uncanny aspect.</p> + +<p>“Well, there are turtles enough here to stock several +collections,” murmured Fenn. “Lots of different +kinds, too. I will take some home I guess. +Now if I had that mysterious man’s address I’d +send him word. This mud volcano will be a curious +thing to show the other fellows. I wonder how +warm the water is?”</p> + +<p>He approached, to thrust his hand into the edge +of the spring, when an ominous rumbling beneath +his feet warned him. He jumped away just in time,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +and, as he ran for the shelter of the trees, there was +another upheaval of mud, and he received a share +of it. He remained in the shelter until the spring +subsided, and then made his way back to camp.</p> + +<p>His chums were there when he arrived, and something +in their looks prompted Fenn to ask:</p> + +<p>“Well, where’s the bear steak, and the partridges +for roasting.”</p> + +<p>“No luck,” declared Bart in disgust. “Never saw +a bit of game! I guess we camped in the wrong +place.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no we didn’t!” exclaimed Fenn in triumph, +as he produced the two plump birds from his pockets. +“Here’s what I got, besides bagging a boiling spring +for my morning’s work.”</p> + +<p>“Say, where’d you get those?” asked Bart eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Come on, show us?” begged Ned.</p> + +<p>“Time enough,” responded the stout lad. “I’m +going to have dinner now, and then we’ll have these +birds, roasted, for supper. There’s more where they +came from. Now I’ll tell you about the mud volcano,” +which he did, graphically, so that his chums +were eager to go and see it. But they decided to +wait until the next day, and to have a good supper +of roast partridge that night. Fenn cooked his +game to perfection, and was given a hearty vote of +thanks.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>A visit to the mud volcano was made the next +day, and there were found to be more turtles than +on Fenn’s visit. The volcano was observed in action, +much to the wonderment of the three lads, who +had never seen anything like it, and once Ned, who +was too venturesome, was caught under an unusually +large shower of mud.</p> + +<p>“Well, let’s go hunting now,” proposed Bart, after +a pause. “I haven’t had a decent shot since we came +to camp. I’ve got to get that bear before I go back.”</p> + +<p>They tramped off through the woods, their eyes +eager for a sight of game, large or small. Each one +had a compass, so that if they became separated they +could make their way back to camp, for the forest +was dense. The snow had ceased, and the weather +was clear and cold.</p> + +<p>Fenn and Frank had shotguns, and elected to try +to bag some wild turkeys or partridges, so they went +off to one side, while Bart and Ned, with their rifles, +kept together.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Bart, after an hour’s tramping in the +woods, with never a sight of anything larger than +a rabbit, which he would not fire at, came to an +abrupt stop. Ned, who was right behind him, halted +also.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” he whispered.</p> + +<p>“What is that over there?” asked Bart, also in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +whisper, and he pointed to a black object near some +bushes.</p> + +<p>“A stump,” replied Ned promptly.</p> + +<p>“Do stumps move?” inquired Bart.</p> + +<p>“Of course not.”</p> + +<p>“Well that one did, so it isn’t a stump. I think +it’s a bear.”</p> + +<p>Bart’s opinion was unexpectedly confirmed the +next moment, for the animal turned and uttered a +loud “woof!” as it sniffed at the snow at the foot of +the bush, evidently in search of something to eat.</p> + +<p>Bart dropped to one knee, and took quick aim. It +was his first shot since arriving at camp, and it was +one worthy of much care, for bears were none too +common to risk missing one.</p> + +<p>The rifle cracked, but there was no cloud of +smoke, for Bart was using his new smokeless cartridges. +The lad pumped another bullet into the barrel, +and fired again, for the bear had not moved after +the first report.</p> + +<p>Then, as the echoes of the rifle died away, the two +lads saw the animal quickly rear itself upon its hind +legs, and swing around in their direction.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>FENN FALLS IN</h3> + + +<p>“Shoot again, Bart!” cried Ned. “You missed +him!”</p> + +<p>Bart had pumped another cartridge into place, but +before he could pull the trigger the bear staggered +a few paces toward him, and then fell in a convulsive +heap. There was no need to fire again.</p> + +<p>“He’s dead!” cried Bart, exultantly, as he leaped +forward. “My first bear, though it did take two +shots to settle him.” But as he saw a few minutes +later, when he examined his prize, the first bullet +would have done the work, had he waited long +enough, for it was in a vital spot.</p> + +<p>“Now to get him to camp,” proposed Ned, when +he and his chum had sufficiently admired the dead +bear. “We’ll have enough fresh meat for a week.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” assented Bart. “Let’s see how we’re going +to get him back.” He raised the fore end of the +bear, by his paws, and grunted.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter—heavy?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Try it and see,” advised Bart. Ned did so, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +grunted in his turn. The truth of the matter was +that the bear, though not of full size, was fat and +plump, and of greater weight than the boys expected. +Then, too, the weight was “dead,” which made it all +the more awkward to carry. Bart and Ned tried +again, by turns, and both together, but the bear was +too much for them.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to get Fenn and Frank to help us,” +said Bart and he fired his rifle three times, in quick +succession, and then, after a pause, twice, more +slowly—the prearranged call for assistance. Fenn +and Frank came running up a little later, fearing +that some accident had happened, and they were +much relieved when they found that their help was +wanted in transporting the bear.</p> + +<p>At Fenn’s suggestion a long pole was cut, the +bear’s paws were tied together and the pole thrust +through them, and then, with two lads on either end +of the shaft, and Bruin swinging between, the journey +back to camp was safely made.</p> + +<p>Bart insisted on skinning his prize, saying he was +going to make a rug of the hide, and the best portions +of the meat were cut off for future use. As it +was desired to allow the flesh to cool a bit before +using it, the campers prepared a meal of the food +they had in stock, reserving the bear steaks for +supper.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rest of the day was spent around camp, several +improvements being made, with a view of +rendering life more comfortable during their stay. +The bear steak, broiled with pieces of bacon stuck +on it, was voted most delicious, and Fenn ate so +much that he said it made him sleepy.</p> + +<p>It grew much colder in the night, and before +morning there was a demand for more blankets on +the part of Frank and Ned. As there were no more, +Bart volunteered to get up and replenish the fire in +the stove, for it had died down.</p> + +<p>As he was putting on more wood he suddenly +paused, and seemed to be listening. Then he quietly +went to the tent flap and peered out into the darkness, +illuminated by a lantern hanging from the +ridge pole.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Ned. “Did you see +another bear, Bart?”</p> + +<p>“I thought I heard some one walking around,” +was the answer. “It’s snowing again. I don’t see +any one.”</p> + +<p>He went back to bed, every one sleeping more in +comfort now that the tent was warmer. In the +morning, Bart was the first one up, and he opened +the tent flap. As he looked out, noting that the sun +was shining, though the weather was cold, the lad +uttered a cry of astonishment.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Fenn, pausing in his +dressing operations.</p> + +<p>“Some one <i>was</i> sneaking around last night!” declared +Bart. “See the footprints!”</p> + +<p>The campers rushed from the tent in various +stages of negligee, and stared at a track of human +footprints, clearly visible in the new-fallen snow.</p> + +<p>“Whoever it was he came close to our tent, and +was evidently going to look in, when I must have +frightened him off by getting up to put wood on the +fire,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“Who was it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know,” responded Bart, “only +it was some one who evidently wanted to get away +unobserved. Look, you can trace where he came +out of the woods, approached our tent very cautiously, +and then, when I frightened him, he took +it on the run.” This was easy to confirm by the +spaces between the footprints, for when the midnight +visitor had approached slowly and stealthily +the marks were comparatively close together, but +where he had run they were far apart.</p> + +<p>“Let’s get dressed, and have a look around,” said +Fenn. But though they searched for some time +they could not find the intruder, even if his footsteps +were plainly visible, leading off into the forest.</p> + +<p>“We’ll get breakfast and trace him up,” suggested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +Frank. “Might as well do that as anything +else.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s look and see if he’s taken anything,” suggested +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“No need to do that, Stumpy,” was Bart’s opinion. +“You can tell by his tracks that he wasn’t near +enough to our camp to have stolen anything. Even +the bear meat is safe,” and he looked to where it +was suspended on a tree limb, by means of a long +rope, a precaution taken to keep it out of the way +of prowling animals.</p> + +<p>With their guns in readiness for any game, the +four chums set out after breakfast on the trail of +the unknown, midnight visitor. The marks were +easy to follow, for very little snow had fallen after +Bart had replenished the wood in the stove.</p> + +<p>“Say, do you notice which way he’s heading?” +asked Fenn, excitedly, when they had gone on about +a mile.</p> + +<p>“Not particularly,” said Frank. “Why?”</p> + +<p>“He’s gone to the mud volcano—that’s where he’s +gone, fellows!” declared the stout youth. “I wonder +what he wants there? Maybe he’s after mud +turtles. Maybe he’s the same man who wrote to +me.”</p> + +<p>“He might be almost anybody, Stumpy,” was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +Ned’s opinion. “We can’t tell until we see him. +Get a move on.”</p> + +<p>The footsteps were becoming fainter now, for the +wind had drifted the snow across them in a number +of places, but they were sufficiently visible to indicate +that the man had kept on in the direction of the +boiling spring.</p> + +<p>Just before the boys reached that phenomenon, +the marks vanished altogether, coming to an abrupt +stop in the snow, but it was evident that this was +due to the wind covering the tracks with white crystals +from the drifts, and not because the man had +mysteriously vanished.</p> + +<p>“Well, we may as well go on to the spring,” +spoke Fenn. “Maybe we’ll find him there.”</p> + +<p>But the vicinity of the mud volcano was deserted, +though numerous mud turtles were crawling +about over the warm ground, which was devoid of +snow.</p> + +<p>“I’m going closer and have a look,” decided +Fenn, as he started away from his chums.</p> + +<p>“Better be careful, Stumpy,” warned Bart. “It +doesn’t look as if there had been an eruption lately, +and you may catch it all of a sudden.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’ll chance it,” said the heavy-weight lad.</p> + +<p>He walked close to the edge of the spring, which +was motionless save for the water that ran from it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +Fenn was looking for footprints in the soft ground, +but he and his chums had made so many on their +own account, on their previous visits to the place, +and, as they were still visible (for the ground had +not frozen), the amateur detective was at a loss.</p> + +<p>“There doesn’t seem to be anything here,” announced +Fenn, as he turned to come away. Hardly +had he spoken than he was seen to jump back. That +is, he tried to do so, but he was too late. An instant +later he was observed to throw up his hands and +slowly sink into the marshy ground on the edge +of the warm spring.</p> + +<p>“Help! Help!” cried poor Fenn, as he felt himself +going down. “Help, fellows!”</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>FRANK MAKES PANCAKES</h3> + + +<p>“Fellows, he’s fallen in a quicksand!” yelled +Bart. “Come on, help him out!”</p> + +<p>“Look out we don’t get in it ourselves,” cautioned +Frank, but it was from no desire to shirk any danger +in rescuing his chum that he was thus thoughtful. +Rather he wanted to be on the safe side. “Go +ahead, Bart and Ned. I’ll get some tree branches, +in case you can’t reach him,” he added.</p> + +<p>Ned and Bart started on a run toward their unfortunate +chum. Poor Fenn was engulfed almost +to his shoulders, and was struggling ineffectually to +get out.</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry, we’ll save you!” called Bart encouragingly. +“Hold on, Stumpy.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the trouble—there’s nothing to hold on +to,” panted Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Is the water hot?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“No, only warm; but I’m in as much mud as I +am water. Give me a hand, and pull me out.”</p> + +<p>Bart and Ned advanced to do so, but, to their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +dismay they found that they were themselves sinking +in. As they had approached on this side of the +boiling spring on a previous occasion, much closer +to the water than they now were, it was evident +that there had been a shifting of the earth underneath +the surface.</p> + +<p>“We can’t come any closer, Stumpy,” announced +Bart. “We’ll sink in ourselves.” He was about +to go back.</p> + +<p>“Don’t—don’t leave me!” begged the unfortunate +lad, making another attempt to lift himself out of +the slough. “Don’t go back on me, Bart!”</p> + +<p>“We won’t. We were only trying to think of +a way to get you out,” answered Bart, as he held +Ned back from going too close.</p> + +<p>“Here, this will do it,” cried Frank, running up +at that moment with a long, tree branch. “Take +hold of this, Stumpy, and we’ll haul you out.”</p> + +<p>Standing where the ground was firm, Frank +thrust forward the branch, Bart and Ned assisting +their chum. Fenn grasped desperately at the other +end, and his three companions braced themselves.</p> + +<p>There was a straining, a long, steady pull and +Fenn slowly began to emerge from the hole. Once +he was started it was an easy matter to pull him out +completely, and in a few seconds he was out of danger,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +and standing beside his chums on solid earth. +But such a sight!</p> + +<p>He was covered with mud almost from his head +to his feet. It dripped from his clothes, and his +hands were thick with it, while some had even +splashed on his face. He had not been rescued +more than a minute before there came a rumbling +sound, and a spray of mud and water shot up into +the air. The volcano was in eruption, and Fenn had +been saved in the nick of time, for the place where +he had been sucked down was right on the edge of +the disturbance.</p> + +<p>“How did it happen?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“It was so quick I can’t tell,” answered the muddy +lad. “All I know is that I went down and seemed +to keep on going.”</p> + +<p>“Better come over to where the water flows out +of the spring, and wash off,” suggested Ned, and +Fenn agreed with him. The water with which he +removed the worst of the mud from his clothes was +unpleasant smelling, impregnated as it was with +salt and sulphur, but there was no help for it. As +the three labored to get Fenn into some sort of presentable +shape, numerous turtles crawled around +them, evidently disturbed by the unaccustomed visits.</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ll do, I guess,” remarked Fenn, at +length, trying to catch a glimpse of himself in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +little stream of water. “Wow, but that’s dirty mud, +though!”</p> + +<p>“Next time don’t go so near,” cautioned Bart.</p> + +<p>“You should have told me that first,” answered +Fenn, with a grim smile.</p> + +<p>With a final look at the place of the mud volcano +the boys turned back toward camp. They had not +learned much, save that the mysterious visitor had +come in the direction of the boiling spring—why, +they could not fathom. Fenn spoke of getting +some of the less common turtles to add to his collection, +but his chums persuaded him to wait until +they were ready to go home.</p> + +<p>Fenn’s first work, when he reached the tent, was +to change his clothes, and then, making a good fire +in the wood stove he took a bath, with water melted +from snow. He felt better after this, and was about +to proceed with the getting ready of supper, for +they had taken their lunch with them on their tramp +to the spring, and had made coffee on the way.</p> + +<p>“Fenn, you sit down and rest, and I’ll get the +meal,” suggested Frank, good-naturedly. “I think +I’ll give you fellows a treat.”</p> + +<p>“What’ll it be?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“How would pancakes go?” inquired Frank with +a triumphant air.</p> + +<p>“Can you make ’em?” asked Bart, doubtfully.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Sure. I did it at home once; for dad and me. +We have some prepared flour here, and the directions +are on the package. You fellows go outside, +and when the cakes are ready I’ll call you in to +supper.”</p> + +<p>“That suits me,” observed Bart, and the others +assented joyfully. Leaving Frank in the cook-tent, +they busied themselves about various things, awaiting +the call for supper, and with no great amount +of patience, for they were hungry.</p> + +<p>“Do you fellows smell anything,” asked Bart, +after a long wait, and he sniffed the air strongly.</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean to say Frank’s burning those +cakes, do you?” inquired Ned anxiously.</p> + +<p>“No, I don’t smell him cooking them at all,” answered +Bart. “They ought to be pretty nearly done +by this time, for it doesn’t take long. Maybe he’s +in trouble. I’m going to take a look.”</p> + +<p>He advanced cautiously to peer into the cook tent, +whence came a series of rather queer sounds. Bart +took one look through the flap, and then beckoned +to his chums.</p> + +<p>“Look, but don’t laugh,” he cautioned them.</p> + +<p>It was well he did, for the sight that met their +eyes made them want to howl. Frank was in the +midst of the tent, surrounded by several pots, pans, +pails, dishes and other receptacles, filled with pancake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +batter. He was industriously stirring more in +the bread-pan, and there was a puzzled look on +his face.</p> + +<p>“Hang it all,” Frank’s chums heard him mutter, +“I can’t seem to get this stuff right. Guess it needs +more flour.” He put some into the batter he was +mixing, and then stirred it. “Now it’s too thick,” +he remarked. “It needs more water.” He poured +the fluid in with a too lavish hand, it seemed, +for he murmured: “Gee whiz! Can’t I get this +right? Now I’ve got it too thin. I’ll have to empty +part of it out.”</p> + +<p>He looked around for something into which to +pour part of the batter, but every available dish in +the tent seemed to be filled.</p> + +<p>“No use saving it,” Frank went on. “I’ll just throw +some of it away. I’ve got lots left.” He emptied +part of the batter into a refuse pail, and his face +wore such a worried expression as he came back to +his task, that Bart and his two chums could not +hold back their laughter any longer. As they burst +into peals of mirth, Frank glanced up, and saw them +spying on him from the tent flap.</p> + +<p>“Hu! you fellows think you’re mighty smart, I +guess!” he muttered.</p> + +<p>“How are you coming on?” asked Bart “Are +you stocking up for fear of a blizzard, Frank?”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then the comical side of the situation struck the +volunteer cook, and he, too, joined in the fun.</p> + +<p>“It’s funny how this thing came out,” said Frank, +with a dubious air. “First the batter was too thick, +and then, when I put more water in, it was too thin. +Then I had too much, and I had to empty some of it +out. Then I did the same thing over again, and had +to keep on emptying. I never could seem to get it +right, and I’ve used up nearly a sack of flour. I +put the flavoring in, too.”</p> + +<p>“Flavoring? What flavoring?” asked Fenn +quickly.</p> + +<p>“Cocoanut, I guess it was. I found it in a cocoanut +box, anyhow.”</p> + +<p>“I never heard of cocoanut flavoring in pancakes,” +said Fenn dubiously, “but maybe it’s all +right. But I’ll show you how to mix ’em, Frank. +We’ll just put two or three dishes of this batter +together in the pan, add a little more flour, and some +salt, and it’ll be ready to bake,” and, as he talked +Fenn soon beat up the batter to the right consistency, +for he had a knack of cooking. Then a frying +pan was put on the stove, for they had brought +along no regular griddle, it was greased, and Frank, +who insisted on doing the rest, was allowed to pour +out the batter, and do the turning. This part he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +managed fairly well, and soon he had a big plate +full of nicely-browned cakes.</p> + +<p>“Seems to me they smell sort of funny,” remarked +Ned, as he sat down to the table, and helped himself +liberally.</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s only your imagination,” declared +Frank. “They’re all right. Eat hearty, fellows, +there’s lots of ’em.” There was—enough for a +squad.</p> + +<p>Fenn poured out a liberal amount of maple syrup +on his pile of cakes. He put a generous piece of the +top brown one in his mouth. The next minute he +uttered a yell, and made rush for the outside of +the tent.</p> + +<p>“Wow! Oh!” he cried on his way.</p> + +<p>“Why, what’s the matter?” asked Frank, as Fenn +hastily drank several glasses of water on his return.</p> + +<p>“What did you say you flavored those cakes +with?” demanded the stout youth, while Bart and +Ned paused, with their forks half raised to their +mouths.</p> + +<p>“Cocoanut,” answered Frank.</p> + +<p>“Soap powder, you mean!” exclaimed Fenn, as +he made a dash for the box that served as a cupboard, +and took out a pasteboard package that had +contained cocoanut. “I put soap powder in this to +have handy when I washed the dishes,” explained the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +fleshy youth, “and you flavored the cakes with it, +Frank. Wow! Wow!”</p> + +<p>“Oh punk!” groaned Bart, as he pushed his plate +away from him, “and I was counting on griddle +cakes!”</p> + +<p>Frank cautiously smelled of the pile of cakes on +his plate.</p> + +<p>“Guess you’re right,” he admitted dubiously. +“I’m sorry fellows, but my pancakes are a failure.”</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>TREED BY A WILDCAT</h3> + + +<p>They made the best of it, laughing and joking, +and the meal was finished on some victuals that remained +from the day before. Frank was inclined to +blame himself, and, after that, Fenn, because the +latter had put the soap powder into the cocoanut +box, but the amateur cook’s chums were good-natured +over his failure, and comforted him with +the proverb “accidents will happen in the best of +regulated camps.”</p> + +<p>The weather the following day turned out unexpectedly +warm, and, as Bart, Fenn and Ned elected +to remain in camp, and straighten it out somewhat, +besides cleaning their guns, and mending some torn +clothes, Frank said:</p> + +<p>“Guess I’ll go off, and try my luck, if you fellows +don’t mind. Maybe I can bag something.”</p> + +<p>“Going alone?” asked Bart, looking up from his +rifle, which he had taken apart. “If you wait until +after dinner I’ll go along.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t mind going alone,” was Frank’s rejoinder,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +and this was true, for, however good a +chum he might be to the other lads, he was rather an +odd chap, and frequently went off on solitary strolls. +His friends were used to this, and did not mind.</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you going to take a rifle?” asked Ned. +“You might see some big game.”</p> + +<p>“Guess not. I’m after birds. You fellows have +scared off all the deers and bears,” and, with a light +shotgun over his shoulder Frank set out.</p> + +<p>It was lonesome enough in the woods, after leaving +the winter camp, to suit almost any one who was +fond of solitude, and Frank really rejoiced in the +calm and quietness all about him. The only sound +was the occasional flutter of a bird in the branches, +or the soft, slushing noise made by snow toppling +from the trees to the ground.</p> + +<p>Frank walked on, his eyes alert for a sign of any +game that would restock the camp larder, but, for a +long time he saw nothing. He had covered about +three miles, and was beginning to think that he +would have his trip in vain, when, as he went down +into a little gully, where the snow lay rather deeper +than on the level, he heard a noise, and saw a movement +in the underbrush.</p> + +<p>“There’s something!” he exclaimed half aloud, +and he swung his gun around. “Now let’s see what +sort of a shot I am.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>He advanced cautiously, thinking he might flush +a covey of birds. But the sound was not repeated, +and, look as he did, Frank could see nothing. With +ready gun, and eyes that gazed eagerly forward, he +kept on, making as little noise as possible.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he heard a yelping bark, followed by a +shrill cry of agony, and there was a great commotion +in a clump of bushes about a hundred feet directly +in front of him. Some animal or animals +were evidently threshing about in the underbrush.</p> + +<p>“A dog! It’s a dog, and something has caught +it!” exclaimed Frank. “Maybe it’s a bear! I wish +I had my rifle!”</p> + +<p>He had no thought of turning back, even though +he had but a light shotgun. The commotion increased, +the yelping and barking finally dying out, +to be succeeded by a low moan, and then there was a +silence, and Frank could hear the crunching of +bones.</p> + +<p>“Poor dead beast,” he murmured. “Maybe I can +get a pop at the other creature; and if I get close +enough, and put two charges of shot into it at short +range, and in the right spot, I may kill it. I’m going +to try, anyhow.” He little knew the danger he was +running, for he had had, as yet, no view of the +creature upon which he was creeping.</p> + +<p>As he walked forward he stepped on a dead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +branch, concealed by the snow, and it broke with his +weight, a sharp snap sounding in the still forest. +Instantly the crunching of bones ceased, there was a +slight movement where the fight had taken place, +and a savage growl resounded.</p> + +<p>“I’m in for it now,” mused Frank. “I’ve got to +see it through. I can’t run, but I don’t like that +growl.”</p> + +<p>He stood still for a moment, hoping the beast +would show itself. Then he advanced a few more +steps.</p> + +<p>As he got to one side of the concealing bushes he +saw a curious sight. A big, lithe, tawny creature, +with ears laid back, and with flashing eyes, was +crouched down over some smaller animal, savagely +regarding the boy. It had been rending and tearing +the smaller creature, and, at a glance Frank saw that +it was a fox. It had been the whines and barking of +the fox that he had heard, and the groans had come +when death followed the stroke of the sharp claws +of the wildcat, for it was that savage and tawny +beast that now glared at Frank—a wildcat disturbed +at its meal.</p> + +<p>Frank saw before him one of the tragedies of the +forest. The fox had been preying on a wild turkey, +as was evidenced by the half-consumed carcass, and +the feathers scattered all about. Then along had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +come the wildcat, intent on a meal, had crept upon +the feasting fox, had leaped down from a tree, and, +with the quickness of light, had given the death +stroke. Now Frank had come, the fourth factor in +the woodland tragedy.</p> + +<p>For a moment the lad stood regarding the savage +creature, whose blazing eyes never left his face. +Then, as cautiously as he could, Frank brought his +gun to bear. Oh, how he wished he had his rifle +now, for well he knew that more than a charge of +small shot was needed to kill the big cat.</p> + +<p>“But if I can give her both barrels at once, right +in the eyes, maybe it will do for her,” he mused +quickly.</p> + +<p>Once more came the menacing growl, and the cat +crouched for a spring. From her jaws dripped +foam and blood. Frank raised his gun, and took +quick aim. He pulled both triggers together, and +the recoil nearly sent him over backwards. But he +recovered his balance with an effort, and gazed +through the smoke at the crouching creature.</p> + +<p>To his horror, instead of seeing her stretched out +dead, or writhing in the final struggle, the lad saw +the big, tawny body bounding over the snow toward +him. On she came, growling and snarling, and +Frank saw that he had fired too high, and that with +the small shot he had only succeeded in slightly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +wounding the wildcat on top of the head. The +creature’s eyes had escaped, and, now with the yellow +orbs blazing with deadly hate and anger, she leaped +forward as though to serve the lad as she had served +the fox.</p> + +<p>“Can I get in another shot?” thought Frank. He +“broke” his breach-loader, the empty shells flew out, +and his hand sought his belt, to slip in two fresh +cartridges.</p> + +<p>To his horror he found that they would not fit! +He had brought out his smaller gauge shotgun, and +the cartridges in it were the only ones available. +They had been fired. Those in his belt were too +large. And the wildcat was bounding toward him!</p> + +<p>There was but one thing to do, and Frank did it. +Wheeling quickly he raced for the nearest tree which +would sustain him. Fortunately there was one not +far away. He managed to reach it well ahead of +the wildcat, and began scrambling up. He dropped +his gun, since it was useless, and only hindered him +in his ascent. And he needed to make all the haste +he could, for he was hardly well up out of reach of +the cruel claws, before the enraged brute bounded +against the foot of the tree with a snarl.</p> + +<p>“She’ll come up after me, as sure as fate!” +thought Frank desperately. “I’ve got to stop her in +some way.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>The cat began climbing, an easy task with her +long, sharp claws. Frank reached up, and saw, over +his head a dead branch, that was big and sufficiently +strong for his purpose. Working with feverish +energy he broke it off, and, when the big cat’s head +was close enough the young hunter brought the +large end of the stick down on the skull with all his +might.</p> + +<p>With a howl of rage the big beast loosed its hold, +and dropped back to the earth. Then it looked upward, +glaring at Frank as if wondering what kind +of a foe he was. But not daunted by the reception +she met, the animal once more began climbing up. +Once more Frank raised the club, and dealt her +another severe blow.</p> + +<p>“I hope I crack your skull!” he murmured.</p> + +<p>But alas for his hopes! The blow was well delivered, +and sent the cat back snarling and growling, +but the force of it broke the branch off close to the +lad’s hand, and the best part of his weapon fell to +the ground.</p> + +<p>“I’m done for, if she comes back at me!” he +thought, but the cat had no such intentions, at +present at least. The two blows on the head had +stunned her.</p> + +<p>Down at the foot of the tree crouched the brute,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +as if to announce that she would wait there until +after dark, when she would have the advantage.</p> + +<p>“I’m in for it now,” mused the lad. “Treed by a +wildcat, and nothing with which to shoot her. I <i>am</i> +in a pickle. The fellows won’t know where to look +for me, and I can’t fire any shots to call them. I <i>am</i> +up against it.”</p> + +<p>He made himself as comfortable as possible on +his small perch. At his first movement the cat +started up from her crouching position, as if to be +on the alert, but, seeing that her prey did not attempt +to descend, she again stretched out, and began +moving her paw over the place where the shot had +torn her scalp.</p> + +<p>For half an hour Frank sat there, turning over +the situation in his mind. He hoped the cat might +tire of waiting, or go back to the fox she had killed, +but the animal showed no such intentions. Noon +came, and there was no change. Frank was tired +and cramped, and he began to feel the pangs of +hunger. He moved about, seeking to be comfortable, +and every time he shifted his position the wildcat +would growl, as if resenting it.</p> + +<p>“Maybe when I don’t come home to dinner the +fellows will come looking for me,” thought the +treed lad. “They may be able to trace my footsteps.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the afternoon began to wane, and no relief +came. Frank was desperately weary, and was beginning +to be alarmed. Not only was the prospect +of a night in the tree most unpleasant, but he feared +that after dark he could not watch to ward off the +approach of the beast, whose ability to see after +nightfall was better than was his. Then, too, he +feared that his muscles might get numb, and that he +would fall.</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ll cut another club, and have it in readiness,” +Frank thought, and, as there were no more +suitable dead limbs that would serve, he whittled off +with his knife, a tough green branch, that would +answer as a club.</p> + +<p>This movement on his part was resented by the +cat, who raised up and tried her fore paws on the +tree trunk, tearing off bits of bark. But she did not +venture to climb. The memory of the blows on the +head probably deterred her.</p> + +<p>It began to get dusk. The cat seemed to know +this, and began prowling about the foot of the tree, +as if waiting until the veil of night had completely +fallen before making another attack. Now and +then she growled and once howled dismally.</p> + +<p>“Maybe she’s got a mate,” thought Frank. “If +two of them come at me——” He didn’t like to +dwell on that.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>The big cat curled herself at the foot of the tree, +and looked up at the boy, not far above her head. +Then, as Frank carefully shifted his position, to get +rid of a cramp in his left leg, his fingers came in contact +with his belt filled with cartridges.</p> + +<p>“Oh, if I had only brought the right size, or else +had my other gun,” he mused regretfully. “There’d +soon be a different story to tell. As it is——”</p> + +<p>He paused, struck by a sudden thought.</p> + +<p>“By Jove! I’ll try it!” he cried. “Wonder why I +didn’t think of it before.”</p> + +<p>Taking out a cartridge, and bracing himself in the +crotch of a limb so as to have both hands free, he +dug out, with his knife, the wad that held the shot +in place. He let the leaden pellets fall to the ground. +At this the cat growled, but the lad paid no attention +to her.</p> + +<p>Next he removed the wad over the powder, and +poured the black grains out into his hand. From his +pocket he took a piece of paper, and, emptying the +powder into this he laid it in his cap, which he managed +to balance on a limb in front of him. Working +rapidly in the fast-gathering darkness he emptied +several cartridges, until he had a sufficient quantity +of powder in the paper.</p> + +<p>This he wadded up tightly, leaving one end<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +twisted into a sort of fuse. Next he tied a string to +his improvised bomb.</p> + +<p>With trembling fingers he lighted the fuse, and +then, when it was burning well, he began to lower +the paper of powder toward the wildcat. The beast +snarled as she saw the tiny flame approaching, but +she did not withdraw. Rather she reared on her +hind feet, and was about to strike at the little tongue +of fire.</p> + +<p>This was better than Frank hoped for. An instant +later there was a big puff of flame, and a dull +report. The powder in the paper had exploded almost +in the face of the wildcat.</p> + +<p>With a scream of rage and pain the creature +dropped to all fours, and began clawing the dirt and +snow. The fire had burned her severely, and she +was wild with pain.</p> + +<p>“Good!” exulted Frank. “I wish I had another!” +He peered down at the snarling cat, and began to +open more cartridges. But it was too dark to see to +work, and he had to stop, for he spilled the powder.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, above the yelps and growls of the +brute, the lad in the tree heard a hail far off in the +woods. He listened a moment, and then shouted:</p> + +<p>“Here I am, fellows. Over here! I’m treed by a +wildcat! Look out!”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>“We’re coming,” shouted Bart’s voice. “Where +are you?”</p> + +<p>Frank rapidly twisted some paper together, +lighted it, and waved the improvised torch above his +head. He hardly dared descend yet. A shout told +him that his light had been seen. Then, off through +the woods, he saw the flicker of a lantern.</p> + +<p>“Come up easy,” he cautioned. “The brute is +still here, though I burned her some.”</p> + +<p>He dropped the blazing paper to the ground. It +flared up, and the cat, with a snarl, sprang away.</p> + +<p>An instant later a shot rang out, and the beast +turned a somersault, falling over backward—dead. +Bart had seen the tawny body in the gleam from the +burning paper, and had fired in the nick of time.</p> + +<p>“You can come down now, Frank,” he cried, as he +and the other chums rushed up to where the wildcat +was still twitching in death.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERIOUS MAN AGAIN</h3> + + +<p>Frank’s story was soon told, and he was helped +back toward camp by his comrades, for he was stiff +from his long position in the tree.</p> + +<p>“You want to be more careful of your gun, next +time,” cautioned Bart, “and take the right one.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and you want to take some grub with you,” +added Fenn. “You never can tell what will happen +in the woods. Hungry, aren’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t mention it,” begged Frank, earnestly. “I +could even eat pancakes flavored with soap powder.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we’ll soon be in camp,” remarked Ned. +“We’ve got plenty to eat there. We would have +started searching for you long before this, but we +supposed you had taken some grub, and would stay +all day. But when it got dark, and you didn’t show +up, we feared something had happened.”</p> + +<p>“Something had,” observed Frank earnestly.</p> + +<p>“We had tramped about for some time before we +saw the puff of the explosion,” went on Bart. “You +had a great head on you, Frank, to think of that.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>“I had to think of something,” was the response. +“Wow! but that beast was a savage one!”</p> + +<p>They reached camp in due time, and Frank was +provided with a good meal, and plenty of hot coffee.</p> + +<p>The warm weather continued for the next two +days, and the air was almost like spring. The boys +thoroughly enjoyed it, and went on long tramps +through the woods. They were on the lookout for +the mate of the wildcat, but saw no further traces +of the ugly beasts.</p> + +<p>There was a stream, not far from camp, and +there the chums went one day, cut a hole through +the ice, which was too thick to melt much, and fished +for pickerel, with such good luck that they had a fish +dinner that day. Then on several succeeding days +they went hunting, getting some wild turkeys, and +some wild ducks, which gave them a variety of food +for their larder.</p> + +<p>For a week they lived this way, and Bart was in +hopes of bagging a deer, since the snow had disappeared, +and it was lawful to shoot them. But, +though he tramped far and near he did not see any. +Once he descried one on top of a distant hill, but it +was too far off for a successful shot, and when he +started on the trail the animal dashed into a thick +forest, and was soon lost. Bart returned to camp, +somewhat dispirited.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>He practiced at a target occasionally, as did his +chums, but they could not begin to equal Bart in +making bullseyes, though Ned ran his friend a close +second.</p> + +<p>The boys tramped about, did the work necessary +in camp, hunted and fished and thoroughly enjoyed +life during the mild weather of the unexpected +thaw. Not that they did not enjoy it when it was +cold and snapping, or even snowing, but they could +do much more when the weather was milder.</p> + +<p>“But we’ll pay for this,” declared Bart one day, +when they had started on their second week of camp +life. “We’ll have a storm soon, I’m thinking.”</p> + +<p>“Let it come,” declared Fenn. “We’re ready for +it, and the folks know we’re all right,” for they had +walked to a cross-roads rural free delivery box that +day, and deposited some letters to go to Darewell, +as they knew the mail carrier would collect the +missives.</p> + +<p>“You won’t get your deer if the snow comes,” +spoke Frank, “and, by the looks of the sky, we’ll +have a flurry before night.”</p> + +<p>“I know it, and that’s the reason I’m going out +this afternoon, and have another try for it. Are +you fellows coming?”</p> + +<p>“I’m not,” announced Fenn. “Too tired. I’m +going to stay here and chop wood. You fellows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +won’t do it, and we’ve got to have some for the +fires.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll help,” agreed Frank.</p> + +<p>“Will you come, Ned?” went on Bart.</p> + +<p>“Nope, I’m going to clean my gun. There’ll be +some good shooting after the storm, and I want to +be ready for it.”</p> + +<p>“All right, then I’ll go alone,” decided Bart. “I +want a deer,” and putting a supply of cartridges in +his belt, and seeing that his gun magazine was filled, +he started off.</p> + +<p>For some time Bart tramped on without a sight of +anything. Then, when he was going through a lonely +part of the forest, if one part of that uninhabited +place was more lonely than another, he was startled +by a crashing sound in the underbrush. He started, +and threw up his gun in anticipation, but he could +not help laughing when a big rabbit, as startled as +the lad was himself, stood up and looked at him.</p> + +<p>“Skip away, bunny,” remarked Bart with a laugh, +“I’m looking for bigger game than you,” and he +kept on, while the hare scurried for cover.</p> + +<p>Bart covered several miles, and, almost unconsciously, +he found that he was traveling in the direction +of the mud volcano, or boiling spring, having +swung around in a half-circle since leaving camp.</p> + +<p>“By Jinks!” exclaimed the youth, as he came to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +a halt in the midst of a little clearing, “I believe I’ve +got an idea. That mud volcano water is partly salty. +Now, why shouldn’t deer go there to get the salt? +They love it and I may catch one there. I never +thought of that before. I’ve read of ‘salt licks,’ +where deer congregate, but I never figured out that +our boiling spring might be one. I’ll keep on to +there, and maybe I’ll get a shot.”</p> + +<p>This gave a new direction to his chase, and he +turned to make his way to the spring. He had not +taken ten steps before he was again startled by a +crashing in the underbrush. He thought it was another +rabbit, and he was about to pass on when he +looked up, and saw, through the leafless trees, a big +buck gazing full at him. It was only for an instant, +and before Bart could bring his rifle to bear the deer +had bounded off.</p> + +<p>“He’s headed for the boiling spring!” cried Bart +in his excitement. “Now I’ll get him! I hope I get +a shot before it begins to snow, and it’s likely to do it +any minute now.”</p> + +<p>Bart started off rapidly in the direction taken by +the buck, with his gun in readiness for a quick shot, +though he hardly hoped to get one until he had continued +the chase for some time longer. The crashing +in the bushes encouraged him, and told him that +his quarry was ahead of him, and on he rushed.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> + +<p>Almost before he knew it he was within sight of +the boiling spring, and he checked his pace, hoping +to come upon the buck licking the salty deposit from +the rocks in the little stream that flowed from the +place where the mud volcano was. He thought the +animal might even stop for a drink in a fresh spring, +that was not far from the salty one.</p> + +<p>As Bart peered through the bushes, with his rifle +ready to throw up to his shoulder, he was conscious +of some movement in the underbrush on the other +side of the spring.</p> + +<p>“He’s made a circle, and he’s here ahead of me—on +the other side,” thought the lad. “I think I’ve +got him!”</p> + +<p>With eager eyes he watched. The bushes continued +to move and vibrate. Something seemed to +be coming down to the edge of the spring. Bart’s +nerves were on edge. His hands were almost +trembling, but he controlled himself by an effort, +and he raised his gun slowly to take aim.</p> + +<p>He saw something brown moving amid the +brambles. It looked like the head of a deer. Bart +slowly and cautiously raised his gun to his shoulder. +He drew a bead on the brown object.</p> + +<p>A moment later, and just as the lad was about to +press the trigger, there stepped into view a man! +It was a man and not a deer that Bart had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +about to fire at, and a cold chill came over him. He +had paused just in time.</p> + +<p>But as he looked at the individual whom he had +mistaken for a deer he felt a second tremor of excitement, +for, as he had a glimpse of his face Bart +was made aware that the man was none other than +the one about whom there was such a mystery—the +man who had sneaked into the schoolhouse the night +the diamond bracelet was stolen—the midnight +visitor at the camp, perhaps.</p> + +<p>At the same instant that Bart was aware of this +the man saw him. He hesitated—made a gesture +as if of despair, and turned to dive into the bushes. +A moment later there came a sudden snow squall, +shutting off from Bart’s view the man he had so +nearly shot.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>LOST IN THE WOODS</h3> + + +<p>Pausing for an instant to get his bearings, Bart +dashed forward, circled around the edge of the mud +volcano, and ran on in the direction he had seen the +man take.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to catch him,” thought the lad, fiercely. +“I’m going to get at the bottom of this. Why does +he seem to be following us—hanging around our +camp? What’s he doing here? Did he take the +diamond bracelet? I’m going to find out some of +those things—when I catch him.” He added the +last with a grim smile, for, as he went on, and the +snow storm increased in fury, Bart was aware that +he had no easy task before him.</p> + +<p>The swirling white flakes were now so thick that +he could hardly see five feet in advance, and he was +soon made unpleasantly aware of this, for he collided, +with no little force, into a tree. The shock +threw him backward, and he nearly dropped his +gun, but it had one good effect, for it made him +pause to consider what he was doing.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>“I wonder if there’s any use in me going on like +this?” Bart reflected. “He’s got a good start of me, +and he evidently knows these roads as well as I do. +Guess I’d better go back to camp, get the fellows, +and then see if I can trail him. Though if it keeps +on snowing it’s not going to be easy to see his footprints. +I wonder if I can hear anything of him?”</p> + +<p>He paused in a listening attitude, but the only +sounds that came to him were those of the wind +howling through the leafless branches of the trees, +and the swish of the snowflakes as they swirled +downward. Once Bart heard a crashing amid the +underbrush to one side. He darted in that direction, +thinking it was the fugitive.</p> + +<p>There came, at that instant, a lull in the storm, and, +peering at the lad from under the shelter of a pine +tree was the big buck, the chase of which had led to +such unexpected results. Bart fired, point blank, +but he saw the deer bound away, and he knew he +had only wounded it slightly, if at all. He started +after it, but a moment later the snow began again, +more thickly than before, and everything was blotted +out.</p> + +<p>“That settles it,” murmured Bart, grimly, “back +to camp for mine. No use keeping up the chase +to-day.”</p> + +<p>It was not without considerable regret that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +lad retraced his steps. He wanted, very much, to +get the buck, and he wanted still more to capture +the mysterious man who seemed to be playing such +an important part in the lives of himself and his +chums.</p> + +<p>“I’ll get the other fellows, and then we’ll see if +we can’t trail him,” mused Bart, as he neared the +camp.</p> + +<p>To his delight, just before he reached it, the snow +ceased falling, and he felt that now there was a +chance to trace the man by means of his footsteps, +for they would not be covered by the white crystals. +But there was the promise of more snow, and Bart +knew they had little time to spare.</p> + +<p>“Come on, boys!” cried Bart, when he came in +sight of the tents, and saw Ned and the others +sweeping away the snow from the front entrances. +“Come on. I’m after him!”</p> + +<p>“Who?” demanded Frank.</p> + +<p>“The mysterious man! Come—no time to lose!” +and Bart rapidly told what he had seen.</p> + +<p>“Wait until I get my gun, and I’ll be with you!” +cried Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Aren’t we going to have dinner first?” asked +Ned.</p> + +<p>“We’ll eat a light lunch, and take a snack with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +us,” proposed Frank. “We don’t want to waste too +much time.”</p> + +<p>In a little while they were ready to start, each one +with a few sandwiches, while Bart, in addition, carried +a small coffee pot, and a supply of the ground +material for making the beverage in the woods; +water could be had by melting snow over a fire they +would build.</p> + +<p>Bart led the way toward the mud volcano, the +location of which was now well fixed in the minds of +the boys.</p> + +<p>“Here’s where I first sighted the deer,” Bart explained +when he reached the place. “By Jinks! I +wish I could have potted him, though! He was a +beaut!”</p> + +<p>“And where did you see our mysterious friend?” +asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Not until I got to the spring. We’ll soon be up +to it.”</p> + +<p>But when they reached the spot, which, because +of the warmth of the water, contained no trace of +snow, though elsewhere the ground was white, there +was, of course, no evidences of the man, save for +blurred footprints.</p> + +<p>“That’s right where he stood,” declared Bart, +“and he went off in this direction.”</p> + +<p>“Then it’s up to us to follow,” asserted Ned. “We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +can see his tracks. They’re pretty plain now, but +they won’t be in a little while, for it’s going to snow +more.”</p> + +<p>They hurried on, trailing the man like officers of +the law after a criminal. The footprints were plainly +visible in the snow, being blurred occasionally by +little drifts that had blown over them. They showed +that the man had run a good part of the way, for the +marks were far apart and irregular.</p> + +<p>They had gone on for perhaps a mile, seeing no +sign of their quarry, but loath to give up, when +there was a sudden darkening of the atmosphere, the +wind increased in violence, and then the air was +again filled with flying flakes, so thick that the lads +could not see ten feet ahead.</p> + +<p>“Might as well give up now,” called Bart. “His +tracks will be covered in five minutes.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s wait a bit, and see if it stops snowing,” +proposed Frank, and they did, standing in the +shelter of some trees. But the white flakes showed +no inclination to stop, and with something like +despair in their hearts the four chums prepared to +return to camp.</p> + +<p>“And it’s about time, too,” remarked Ned, looking +at his watch. “It’s after five, and it will soon be +dark. Let’s eat. I’m hungry.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, wait a while,” advised Bart. “We’ll soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +be back at camp. I think I know a short cut, and +then we can have a hot supper.”</p> + +<p>“Well, go ahead,” agreed Frank. “A short cut +will be just the thing. I’m tired.”</p> + +<p>Bart started off with an air of confidence, hesitated +a moment, and then plunged his hand in his +pocket.</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ll be hanged!” he burst out.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“My compass—I haven’t got it. Let me take one +of you fellow’s.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t any,” said Fenn. “Left it in camp.”</p> + +<p>“So did I,” added Frank and Ned.</p> + +<p>“You did?” asked Bart, blankly.</p> + +<p>There was a pause—the boys knew what it meant +to be out in the woods in a snowstorm, without the +little swinging needle to guide them.</p> + +<p>“What did you do with the one you had, Bart?” +asked Frank. “You had one, didn’t you, when you +were out after the deer, and saw the man?”</p> + +<p>“Sure I did, but I took it out of my pocket when I +stuffed this lunch in, and must have forgotten to put +it back. I remember now, I left it on the box in the +tent. But I thought you fellows would sure have +one.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we haven’t,” said Frank, with an uneasy +laugh. “What’s to be done?”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Oh, I dare say we can get back—somehow,” +went on Bart. “Come on, fellows. I think I know +the way.”</p> + +<p>They started off, with no light hearts, and +tramped through the blinding snow, but it was with +little confidence. Several times Bart stopped to get +his bearings. Once he and Fenn disputed about a +certain turn, and Bart so insisted that he was right, +that the other two lads agreed with him. It grew +darker, and they wandered into drifts, stumbled +into unexpected hollows, and brought up against +trees, sometimes falling over stumps. At last Bart +said:</p> + +<p>“Fellows, there’s no use going on this way any +farther. I’m off the track. I shouldn’t have started +out. The fact of the matter is that we’re lost in the +woods, and we’ve got to make the best of it!”</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT OF MISERY</h3> + + +<p>Bart’s announcement brought looks of blank +astonishment and dismay to the faces of his chums. +They had so depended on him, that, to have him go +back on them in this fashion, was a shock.</p> + +<p>“Are you sure we’re lost?” asked Ned, slowly.</p> + +<p>“No doubt of it, in my mind,” answered Bart, and +he laughed a little. The strain of keeping up the +pace on a route he was not at all sure of, was +harder than admitting the fact of being lost in the +wilderness.</p> + +<p>“What are we going to do?” asked Fenn, rather +helplessly.</p> + +<p>“The first thing to do will be to gather wood for a +fire before it’s too dark to see,” announced Bart, +with assumed if not real cheerfulness. “Then we’ll +make a blaze, and eat.”</p> + +<p>The mention of food was cheering in itself, to say +nothing of the prospect of a fire, and then, too, the +act of being busy took from the minds of the lads +the thoughts that they were lost.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>In a short time they had gathered quite a pile of +wood. Some of it was dry, for it was under the +low-lying branches of spruce and hemlock trees, and +the snow had been kept from it. From the interior +of hollow logs some “punk” was obtained, and this, +together with some dead branches, that had lodged +in a hollow under a big rock, made enough fuel to +get a blaze started.</p> + +<p>“But where are we going to stay to-night?” asked +Frank, when the flickering flames had dispelled some +of the darkness.</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry about that,” advised Bart. “Some +of these fir trees are as good as a tent, and nearly as +dry. We can stay under them until morning.”</p> + +<p>“Will we be any better off by morning?” asked +Ned, dubiously.</p> + +<p>“Lots better,” replied Bart, cheerfully. “But let’s +get ready for some hot coffee. Lucky we brought +the pot along. Ned, you gather some snow in it, +and we’ll put it on to melt. Fenn, you get some flat +stones, to make a sort of fireplace. Frank, you cut +some branches from that hemlock, and make cots +under that big tree over there. I’ll help. That will +be our tent to-night. Everybody get busy, now.”</p> + +<p>Ordering his chums about in this way was the best +thing Bart could have done, and, in a short time, +everyone was so occupied that he had no time to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +think of the unpleasant situation. Soon the coffee +was boiling away, and Bart had arranged an old +log, under the shelter of a tree, for a table. Thereon +their frugal meal was spread out.</p> + +<p>Luckily each lad carried a drinking cup with him, +and this served in which to dispense the coffee. +They had no milk, of course, but Bart had been +thoughtful enough to bring along some sugar, so +the beverage was not at all unpalatable. Then, by +the light of the campfire, they sat about, munched +their sandwiches, drank the strong coffee, and talked +of their afternoon’s adventure.</p> + +<p>“Why, that isn’t a half bad place to sleep,” remarked +Fenn, as he looked at the “bunk” Bart and +Frank had made.</p> + +<p>“Sure, it’s great,” added Ned, but it was probably +the cheerfulness engendered by a hot drink and food +that made them see things with more hopeful eyes.</p> + +<p>They had no blankets, but they wore thick clothing, +and had on heavy coats, so their situation was +not so bad. Besides, the weather was not cold, +though it was growing more so, and the snow still +fell thickly. The heavy branches of the tree under +which the boys crawled, served to protect them.</p> + +<p>They stretched out, and hoped to be able to sleep, +in order that morning might come the more quickly, +but either the strong coffee, or the unusual situation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +kept them wide awake. They lay close together, for +the sake of warmth, but first Bart would turn over, +restlessly, and then, in sequence, Fenn, Ned and +Frank would do the same thing.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter; can’t you fellows sleep?” +asked Ned, at length.</p> + +<p>“No; can you?” inquired Bart.</p> + +<p>“Nope. Let’s talk.”</p> + +<p>“All right. Say, what do you suppose that man +was doing around the mud volcano?” ventured +Frank.</p> + +<p>They had discussed this, in all its bearings, several +times that afternoon, but it was a subject full of new +possibilities, and they eagerly welcomed another +chance to talk about it.</p> + +<p>“I think he was after mud turtles,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“Say,” asked Fenn, suddenly, “did it ever strike +you fellows that this fellow might be a detective?”</p> + +<p>“A detective?” gasped the other three.</p> + +<p>“Yes; after us,” went on Stumpy. “You know +we’re suspected of taking that bracelet. It hasn’t +been found, and what would be more natural than +for Professor Long to hire a private detective, and +have him shadow us. I didn’t think of that until +just now, but I’ll wager I’m right. You’ll find that +man is a detective, and he’s watching us; trying to +get a trace of the bracelet. Maybe he thinks we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +have it, and are going to hide it off in the woods +here.”</p> + +<p>“Say!” cried Bart, “that’s not a bad ‘think’ of +yours, Stumpy. I wouldn’t be surprised but what +you are right,” and then they fell to discussing that +aspect of the case. It was quite a reversal of the +former situation. Instead of them being after the +mysterious man, he might be after the chums.</p> + +<p>“But how do you account for him entering the +school that night, before the bracelet was stolen?” +asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Maybe he was shadowing us—or, rather, you +fellows—” said Fenn, who, as will be remembered, +was not present on that occasion. “Or, maybe we’re +mistaken, and the man Bart saw to-day may not +have been the one who entered the school.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he’s the same one,” declared Bart, with conviction.</p> + +<p>There was more discussion, and, if it did nothing +more, it served a good turn, for it shunted the +thoughts of the lads into new channels, and they began +to feel sleepy.</p> + +<p>But, just as they were about to doze off, there +came an exclamation of dismay from Bart.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Stream of water trickling down my neck,” was +the answer. “I believe it’s raining!”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was no doubt of it. Instead of turning +colder it had grown warmer, and the snow had +changed to rain. The tree, thick as were the +branches, was little protection against the rain, and, +as it increased to a regular downpour, the plight of +our heroes was miserable in the extreme. There +was nothing to be done but make the best of it. +They huddled together, turned up the collars of their +coats, and tried to crawl to spots more or less protected. +But they were soon pretty wet, and, to add +to their misery, they saw their fire die down, and go +out.</p> + +<p>“Wow! This is fierce!” exclaimed Ned, as a +stream of water trickled down his neck. “I wish it +was morning. It wouldn’t be so bad if we could +travel.” But there was no help for it, and they +had to sit there in the storm and darkness, waiting +for daylight.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>UNEXPECTED HELP</h3> + + +<p>Never had hours seemed to drag so slowly. +There was nothing to be heard save the drip, drip of +the rain in the forest, and the mournful sound of the +wind in the trees. Once Bart went out, and tried to +coax into a blaze the few, faint, remaining embers +of the fire, but it was out of the question. He did +have it started, but a swaying of the trees overhead +sent down a shower of drops, and the blaze was +completely extinguished.</p> + +<p>“Hang the luck!” exclaimed Bart, as he hurried +back into the partial shelter of the tree under which +were his chums. “It’s all my fault, for not keeping +my compass.”</p> + +<p>“No, we should have kept ours,” declared Fenn. +“It’s up to us, too.”</p> + +<p>“Well, then, I shouldn’t have seen that mysterious +man,” went on Bart, determined to blame himself +in some fashion, “and we wouldn’t have come on +this wild-goose chase.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>“No, it’s a good thing you did see him,” said +Frank. “We want to know what he’s up to.”</p> + +<p>“I only hope he’s as badly off as we are,” put in +Ned, with a shiver. “But say, fellows,” he went on, +in a few minutes, “don’t you think it’s slacking up +some?”</p> + +<p>They all listened. There was no doubt about it, +the rain was less in violence, but the wind was +rising.</p> + +<p>“Maybe it’s going to clear,” suggested Fenn.</p> + +<p>“If it does, it’ll be colder,” was Bart’s opinion. It +did clear, shortly after that, and there was a decided +drop in temperature. Through the boughs of their +shelter the boys could see the stars coming out. +Miserable, and feeling chilled to the bone, the chums +crowded close together.</p> + +<p>It soon grew so cold that they had to come out of +their shelter to move about and get their blood in +circulation. But this served a good purpose, for it +gave them something to do. At last a faint streak +of light appeared in the east—the herald of the rising +sun—and, a little later, the red rim of Old Sol +appeared. Never was the big luminary more welcome.</p> + +<p>“Now for a fire!” cried Ned, “that is, if we can +find any dry wood.” They did manage to pick up a +few sticks from inside a hollow log where they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +placed them the night before, in anticipation of some +emergency, and soon they were warming themselves +in front of the flames. But there was nothing to +eat, and no coffee left, though Bart did manage to +make a potful of what passed for it out of the +grounds of what they had used the night before.</p> + +<p>“Well, let’s start for camp,” proposed Frank, +when they had drunk the hot, if not palatable beverage. +“Think you can find the way, Bart?”</p> + +<p>“I guess so—I’ll try, anyhow.”</p> + +<p>They started off, getting the direction as best they +could by the sun, and for an hour tramped forward, +feeling, on the whole, rather miserable, but hoping +to soon be in camp.</p> + +<p>Several hours passed, and they seemed to be no +nearer the place where their tents were. Bart’s face +wore a puzzled look. He stared around at the trees, +as if they would help him solve the problem. Then +he said:</p> + +<p>“Fellows, I’m sorry, but I don’t know where we +are.”</p> + +<p>“Lost again, do you mean?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe we’ve been un-lost, if that’s the +proper term,” went on Bart. “I guess we haven’t +been on the right path since last night.”</p> + +<p>“What are we going to do?” asked Frank, helplessly. +“I’m as hungry as a bear.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>“And I’m almost frozen,” added Bart, with a +shiver, “so you’re no worse off than the rest of us,” +and there was a note of impatience in his voice.</p> + +<p>The chums looked at each other. Their plight +was disagreeable, not to say desperate. They knew +that the forest in which they had encamped was +large in extent, and was seldom visited. If they had +to spend another night and day in it the consequences +might be serious.</p> + +<p>“Well,” began Bart, “I suppose the only thing to +do is to keep on. We may strike the right path. +There are several trails around here.”</p> + +<p>He was about to start off again, when they were +all startled by hearing a crackling in the underbrush. +It seemed to come from their left.</p> + +<p>“Get your gun ready, Bart,” whispered Fenn. +“Maybe it’s a deer.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe it’s that mysterious man,” came from +Ned.</p> + +<p>Bart had raised his rifle, and, a moment later +some one emerged from the thick trees, and stood +on the edge of a little clearing, confronting the boys. +The newcomer was a youth of about their own age, +and on his back was evidently a camping pack. He +carried a gun, and at the sight of Bart, with half-raised +rifle, the other slowly brought his weapon +around for quick use.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Fenn, who had been staring at the latest arrival +with eager eyes, suddenly cried out:</p> + +<p>“It’s William Perry! Don’t you know him, fellows? +The lad whose mother took us in at the time +of the blizzard—William Perry—whom we found +in a snowbank in New York!”</p> + +<p>“William Perry?” faltered Bart, lowering his +rifle.</p> + +<p>“William Perry?” came from Ned and Frank, in +a sort of a chorus.</p> + +<p>“The Darewell Chums!” exclaimed the other lad, +while wonder spread over his face. “The Darewell +Chums here?”</p> + +<p>Fenn started toward William on the run. He +was soon shaking hands with him, and leading him +over to where Ned, Frank and Bart stood.</p> + +<p>“However in the world did you get here?” asked +Bart. “Are you lost, too?”</p> + +<p>“No,” replied William Perry, “I’m working for a +lumber company, and I’m on my way from one +camp to another. I had to spend last night in the +woods. But what are you doing here?”</p> + +<p>“We’ve been out in the woods all night, too,” +said Frank. “We’re camping, but we lost our way,” +and he quickly explained the circumstances.</p> + +<p>“Where’s your camp?” asked William, who, as +my readers will remember, was the son of the widow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +in whose house the chums found shelter during a +blizzard that overtook them when they were on a +hunting trip, as told in the second volume of this +series entitled “The Darewell Chums in the City.” +Later they found William in New York. He had +gone to become a sailor, but had deserted because of +a brutal captain, and went into hiding. He was +found half frozen in a snowbank, from which the +chums rescued him, and sent him back home.</p> + +<p>“Our camp?” repeated Bart, in answer to William’s +questions, “I only wish we knew where it +was.”</p> + +<p>“I mean what’s it near?” went on William.</p> + +<p>“Oh, the mud volcano,” replied Frank, “if you +know where that is.”</p> + +<p>William did, and quickly said so.</p> + +<p>“I’ve been working for this lumber concern for +about six months,” he went on, “and I know these +woods pretty well. But I always go prepared to +spend a night in them, as I had to last night.”</p> + +<p>“And can you show us the way to our camp?” +asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Sure. You’re not more than five miles from it. +I guess you’ve been going around in a circle. Come +on, I’ll show you,” and with the confidence of experience +William Perry led the way through the +woods. He had appeared in the nick of time.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS IN CAMP</h3> + + +<p>With new hope in their hearts the chums followed +William. They did not mind the cold or hunger +now, but hurried on, intent on reaching their +tents, donning dry clothing, and starting a roaring +fire. Then they would have something to eat.</p> + +<p>On the way William told them of his new position. +Following his experience in New York, after +he had run away from the cruel sea captain, he had +worked at odd jobs. Then, on his return to his +home, near Darewell, the chums’ fathers had gotten +a good position for him.</p> + +<p>Some time previous to his opportune meeting with +the lost lads, William explained, he had taken service +with the lumber company, which owned most of +the woods where the winter camp was. It was part +of the youth’s duties to go from camp to camp with +documents and messages.</p> + +<p>“It’s fine, too,” he said, “when the weather is +good. When it’s too bad, I stay in camp with the +men, but I must have made a miscalculation this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +time, for I was caught in the storm. But it happened +for the best, after all.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what,” agreed Bart. “If it hadn’t been +for you I don’t know what we’d have done. Can +you stay in camp with us for a while?”</p> + +<p>“Well, long enough to have dinner, if you’ve got +enough to eat.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’ve got plenty,” Ned assured him. +“Bart’s a good shot, you know,” and the chums took +turns in explaining how they had come to make a +winter camp in the woods. They said nothing about +the missing diamond bracelet, however, nor about +the mysterious man.</p> + +<p>Camp was reached none too soon for the comfort +of our heroes. They found nothing disturbed, +and from their stock of dry wood, under one tent, +a roaring fire was made. The lads changed to dry +clothes, had a hot meal, which William Perry shared +with them, and then he said he must be on his way.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you spend a week with us?” invited Frank, +as the lumber lad was about to go.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid not. This is my busy season, you +know.”</p> + +<p>“I have it!” cried Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Let’s hear it, Stumpy,” suggested Bart. “Out +with it.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” went on the fleshy lad, “next Tuesday is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +Christmas. You don’t have to work Christmas, do +you, William?”</p> + +<p>“No, I guess not.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll tell you what to do. Spend Christmas +here with us. We’re going to have a good time. +Not much in the way of presents, for we didn’t +bring any out in the woods, but we’ll have a Christmas +tree, even if Bart does want to hang up his +stockings,” and Fenn winked at his chums.</p> + +<p>“It sounds good,” spoke William, wistfully. “I +don’t believe I can get home for Christmas, or I +would go see my folks.”</p> + +<p>“And we’ll have roast wild turkey, rabbit stew, +partridge potpie and bear steak, also some venison, if +Bart has any luck,” went on Fenn.</p> + +<p>“It sounds better and better.”</p> + +<p>“And then there’s going to be a plum pudding,” +added Fenn proudly.</p> + +<p>“A plum pudding!” they all cried.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I brought all the materials along. We’re +going to have a regular plum pudding for Christmas!”</p> + +<p>“Then I’m coming,” promised William. “I’ll get +along now, and hurry on to the lumber camp. I’ll +ask the boss for a few days off, so I can get here +Saturday, and stay over until the next Wednesday, +which will be the day after Christmas.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>They voted that plan a good one, and soon afterward +William was tramping back through the +woods, having promised to be on hand at the time +specified.</p> + +<p>The chums felt no ill effects from their night in +the woods, for they followed Bart’s advice and took +plenty of hot ginger tea, made from the materials +Alice had supplied.</p> + +<p>The next few days were busy ones for the campers. +They made some improvements about the +tents, arranged an extra bed for William, and +brought in a good supply of wood, which was put +under shelter. Bart went hunting several times, and +did manage to get a buck, but it was smaller than +the one he had chased. Several rabbits, a number +of partridges, and some wild turkeys were shot, +which, together with the supplies already on hand, +promised an abundance for Christmas.</p> + +<p>Fenn, meanwhile, true to his promise, was busy +over the plum pudding, which, he said, would take +several days to make.</p> + +<p>“I should think it would,” remarked Ned, one +afternoon, when Fenn was occupied with chopping +bowl and knife in the cook tent. “It’s a wonder you +didn’t start last Fourth of July, Stumpy.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all right, I know how to make this pudding,” +asserted Fenn, with a superior air.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>“He’s mighty proud of it,” whispered Frank to +Ned, as they moved away. “I wish we could play +some joke on him.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we can.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll think of one,” went on Frank, who had not +yet gotten over his failure with the pancakes, for +which he partly blamed Fenn.</p> + +<p>William arrived that Saturday afternoon, and was +soon made to feel at home in the camp. He was +given a spare gun, and on the Monday before Christmas, +all five went for a hunt, though they did not +expect to go far from camp.</p> + +<p>They bagged some small game, and Bart made a +remarkable kill of a brace of partridges, getting one +each with his left and right barrels, when it seemed +that both birds would escape.</p> + +<p>“That’s fine shooting, Bart,” remarked William.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Bart’s a good shot,” answered Ned proudly, +and not at all jealous. But before long Bart was +destined to make a more remarkable shot than that.</p> + +<p>As the boys had said there was to be practically +nothing in the way of giving each other presents +while in camp. Fenn, for the joke of the thing, +rigged up a small Christmas tree, on which were +hung pretended gifts.</p> + +<p>“Well, let’s get to bed early to-night,” suggested +Frank on Christmas eve.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>“And get up a good appetite for my plum pudding,” +suggested Fenn. “It’s a dandy! I’ve got it +all made, and all I have to do is to warm it, and make +the sauce. It’s in that box,” and he pointed proudly +to one in the cook tent.</p> + +<p>Christmas was ushered in with a snow storm, +which made the woods a place of beauty. It was not +very cold, and the boys, jumping from their beds, +wished each other the joys of the season.</p> + +<p>Most of the work of getting ready the dinner had +been done the day previous, so there was little work +Christmas morning. They went hunting, but did +not see anything to shoot, and, in fact they did not +need anything, as the larder was well stocked.</p> + +<p>“Now,” ordered Fenn, on their return, “get a +move on, fellows. Get the table set, and I’ll look +after the other things,” for the turkey and some +partridges had been partly cooked the day previous, +and needed only a final turn in the oven. Several +dainties had been brought from home, in anticipation +of this feast, and they were now set out.</p> + +<p>Such a dinner as it was! Eaten in the midst of +a silent wilderness, with the keen sharp air of winter +all about, the boys had appetites that would have +been the envy and despair of a person troubled with +dyspepsia.</p> + +<p>“Well, have you had enough, fellows?” asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +Fenn, as he stood over the platters of turkey and +partridge.</p> + +<p>“Too much,” groaned Bart.</p> + +<p>“I hope you have room for the pudding,” spoke +Fenn, anxiously. “Don’t say you can’t eat some of +my plum pudding! Why I have a regular sauce, +made from a recipe in a book, to eat on it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess we can tackle a slice,” remarked +William, and Fenn went proudly to the stove, where +the pudding was being kept hot, and soon had it on +the table, flanked by two bowls of savory sauce.</p> + +<p>“Let me carve it,” begged Ned, with a look at +Frank and Bart. “I’ll serve it, Fenn. You’ve done +enough.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” agreed the manufacturer of the pudding.</p> + +<p>Ned carefully inserted a knife in the smoking +heap on the plate. Fenn looked proudly on, as a generous +piece was passed to William, as the guest of +the day. Then Bart and Frank were served. The +latter gave a sudden outcry.</p> + +<p>“I say, Fenn!” he demanded. “Is this a joke, or +what? I thought you were going to give us plum +pudding!”</p> + +<p>“So I am. What’s that on your plate?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what it is,” declared Frank, indignantly, +“only I know it isn’t plum pudding. It looks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +like dough, but it’s got the queerest collection of +plums in it that I ever saw. Look, here’s a piece +of rubber boot, part of a shoe, some pine cones, some +sticks of wood, stones, part of a rope, some brass +cartridges and some flannel bandages. Plum pudding! +Take a look,” and Frank passed to the astonished +Fenn, the plate of the dubious looking +mess.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW</h3> + + +<p>For several seconds Fenn said nothing. He sat +and gazed in blank dismay at the odd conglomeration +on the plate that Frank had passed to him. At +last he asked faintly:</p> + +<p>“Is it—is it all this—this way?”</p> + +<p>“Mine is,” declared Bart.</p> + +<p>“And mine,” added Ned, while William simply +passed up his plate for inspection.</p> + +<p>“It’s a trick! A mean trick!” burst out Fenn indignantly. +“And I know who did it! Frank Roscoe, +you did this to get even with us for my mistake about +putting soap powder in the cocoanut box, so that it +got into the pancakes! But that wasn’t my fault.”</p> + +<p>“You had no right to take the cocoanut out of a +box, and put soap powder in without telling a fellow,” +replied Frank. “If it hadn’t been for that my +cakes would have been a success, and I suppose if +you’d been more careful your plum pudding wouldn’t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +have so much trash in. As it is I don’t see how we +can eat it,” and he poked gingerly at the mess on his +plate.</p> + +<p>“Well, you fellows may call this a joke, but I +don’t!” burst out Fenn, now angry in earnest, and he +started to leave the table.</p> + +<p>“Hold on, old chap. Wait a minute,” advised +Bart, soothingly. “I guess it’s gone far enough. +William, just hand out the other pudding, will you?”</p> + +<p>The visitor, with a grin, took a covered dish from +behind the stove, where it had been set to keep warm. +He lifted off the cover, and displayed to the astonished +Fenn the original plum pudding, smelling +most delicious, and smoking hot.</p> + +<p>“Try some of this,” said Ned. “Maybe it will be +better.”</p> + +<p>“But I—what—where—what makes—is it——” +stammered Fenn, and then his chums burst into a +laugh.</p> + +<p>“Yes, it’s the original pudding,” explained Frank. +“We just wanted to have a little fun with you, that’s +all. We hid away the pudding you made, and, at +the last minute, substituted one of our own that contained +all the odds and ends we could pick up in +camp, held together with a lot of dough. I guess we +can throw it away now, and eat the real thing,” and +he emptied his plate, and those of his companions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +of the dubious mess, and dished out some of the +real plum pudding.</p> + +<p>“Ah! Um! This is something like!” murmured +Ned, with his mouth full. “Great stuff, Stumpy!”</p> + +<p>“Do you like it?” asked the now delighted Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Sure!” came in an enthusiastic chorus, and the +Christmas dinner was well rounded off by the pudding +that Fenn had made with such care.</p> + +<p>William spent the remainder of the day in camp +with his friends. They went for a walk in the afternoon, +did some shooting at targets, for Bart decreed +that the game must have a holiday as well as the +hunters, and at night, inside the snug tent, with the +fire blazing brightly in the stove, and the cold wind +blowing outside, they spent a jolly evening, singing +songs and telling stories.</p> + +<p>William bade his friends good-bye the next morning, +and started off through the woods, with his pack +upon his back. The chums felt a little lonesome after +his departure, but it soon wore off, for there was +much to do, to get in wood and water, straighten up +the camp, and prepare for a storm, which, according +to all the evidences, was soon to break.</p> + +<p>It did that night. All the next day, the following +night, and part of the next day the wind blew with +unabated violence, and the snow was heaped in big +drifts.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fortunately the camp was in a sheltered position, +and the drifts were not high immediately around it, +but when the boys ventured out they found it hard +traveling, for the snow was deep. All around, the +woods were covered with a mantle of white, which +had sifted down through the trees, while the firs, +spruces, hemlocks and pines, which had heavy foliage +that caught the white crystals, were mounds of +white.</p> + +<p>“It’s a good thing we had plenty to eat,” observed +Bart, as he and his chums looked around the camp, +“for we never could have gotten it during the +storm.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” agreed Fenn, “but, as it is, we’ll +have to get something soon, unless we want to live on +canned stuff. The fresh meat is nearly gone.” For, +while practically prisoners in their tents during the +storm, they had eaten considerable, and the cupboard +was somewhat depleted.</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’ll soon stock up again,” declared Bart. +“It will be good hunting now, and, though we can’t +shoot any deer, I may get a chance at another bear, +and there will be plenty of rabbits and game birds. +We’ll take a chance at it after breakfast.”</p> + +<p>They started out, taking care to have their compasses +with them, though they did not expect to go +far. No bears were to be seen, but partridge, pheasants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +and wild turkeys were plentiful, and, in addition +to getting a supply of these, they shot several rabbits.</p> + +<p>In the tent that evening, before going to bed, the +boys were cleaning their guns, in anticipation of a +hunt the following day. Suddenly Fenn, who was +nearest the flap, uttered a word of caution.</p> + +<p>“Listen,” he said in a whisper. “I think I hear +something.”</p> + +<p>The others became silent at once, but they heard +nothing.</p> + +<p>“Guess it was the wind, Stumpy,” observed Bart, +as he put an oiled rag down the barrel of his rifle.</p> + +<p>“Maybe,” assented the stout lad, as he arose and +peered out. He came back, remarking: “I didn’t +see anything, but I thought I heard some one prowling +around.”</p> + +<p>It was not until the next morning that the boys +recalled the incident of the night previous. Then +Frank, who was walking about the cleared space in +front of the tents, to get up an appetite, as he expressed +it, uttered a cry of wonder.</p> + +<p>“Look here!” he shouted.</p> + +<p>“What?” cried Fenn, running up to him.</p> + +<p>“A turtle!” went on Frank, picking up one of the +reptiles that was slowly crawling along, made sluggish +by the cold. “Here’s a mud turtle, and see,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +some one has been walking around here,” and he +pointed to footprints in the snow.</p> + +<p>“I was sure I heard some one last night,” declared +Fenn, triumphantly.</p> + +<p>“That mysterious man again, I’ll wager a cookie!” +exclaimed Bart. “But what is the turtle doing here? +Is it the same one you had, Stumpy?”</p> + +<p>“No, it’s a different kind. Maybe that mysterious +man dropped it, and was hunting around for it.”</p> + +<p>“Hard to tell,” remarked Frank. “Anyhow, isn’t +it rather queer, Stumpy, to see mud turtles out this +time of year?”</p> + +<p>“Sure it is. They don’t come out by themselves +to play around in the snow. Either some one dug +this one up, or some one had it and dropped it. Well, +I guess the best thing we can say is that it’s part of +the mystery. If we could only meet with that man +who seems so afraid of meeting us, matters might +be explained. As it is——” Fenn could only finish +by a shrug of his shoulders.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>A SHOT IN TIME</h3> + + +<p>For some time the young hunters discussed the +curious happening, but they could arrive at no solution +of the mystery. Fenn took the turtle, and put +it in a box back of the stove, hardly knowing why +he did so, except that he had some notion of adding +it to his collection, or of giving it to Professor Long.</p> + +<p>“Well, there’s no use talking about it any more,” +decided Bart. “Let’s get ready and go off on another +hunting trip. We haven’t got much longer to +stay here—not more than two weeks.”</p> + +<p>This suited his companions, and soon they were +cleaning their guns, sorting cartridges and fitting +them in their belts, taking care not to make the mistake +Frank did, when he was treed by the wildcat; +and looking to their clothing and hunting boots.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Fenn was seen to be busy in the +cook tent. He looked out now and then, disclosing +a face on which were many spots of flour.</p> + +<p>“What you up to now, Stumpy?” asked Bart,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +who had finished his hunting preparations. “Making +something good for grub?”</p> + +<p>“Sure,” answered Fenn. “How does meat pie +strike you?”</p> + +<p>“All right, as long as it isn’t made of rubber boots +and flannel bandages,” answered Frank.</p> + +<p>“Not this time,” declared Stumpy. “There’ll be +no monkey-shines with this pie. We’ll have it hot +for breakfast before we start off hunting.”</p> + +<p>He was busy all the rest of that afternoon, and, +judging by the time he spent over it, the pie was going +to be an elaborate affair.</p> + +<p>Fenn was the first one up the next morning. He +tumbled out of his blankets, made a hurried toilette, +and, a few minutes later was heard to excitedly cry +out:</p> + +<p>“Here! That’ll do you fellows! A joke’s a joke, +but this is too much! Where did you put it, you +lobsters?”</p> + +<p>“Where did we put what?” asked Bart, sticking +his head out of the tent flap. “Why this unseemly +noise, Stumpy, my son?”</p> + +<p>“You know well enough. Where’s the meat pie?”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean to tell us you’ve gone and walked +in your sleep, and eaten that meat pie we were to +have for breakfast; have you?” cried Ned.</p> + +<p>“No, I haven’t; but some of you fellows have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +hidden it,” declared Fenn. “Come on, now. This is +enough of that joke. Tell me where it is, Bart, and +I’ll warm it up for breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“Why, I haven’t seen it, Stumpy.” Bart’s voice +had the ring of innocence.</p> + +<p>“Then you hid it, Frank.”</p> + +<p>“Not on your life. I’ve got too good an appetite.”</p> + +<p>“Then Ned must have put it somewhere. Tell us, +Ned.”</p> + +<p>“Search me!” cried Ned, earnestly. “I never +touched it, Stumpy. Where did you put it when you +went to bed?”</p> + +<p>“In the cook tent, high up on a box. Some of +you fellows must have taken it, for snow fell in the +night, and there wasn’t a track going into the tent +when I came out here. You fellows took it before +you came in to bed. Own up, now!”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t!” declared Bart, and the others asserted +their innocence.</p> + +<p>“Well, somebody has it!” insisted Stumpy, earnestly. +“The meat pie is gone, and it was a dandy, +too!”</p> + +<p>His distress was evident. The other lads, likewise, +felt the loss of their chief breakfast dish. +Stumpy looked at them with an eye of suspicion, but +they gazed frankly back at him.</p> + +<p>“That mysterious man——” began Frank.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Wait a minute,” suggested Bart, who had finished +dressing. “I’ll take a look.”</p> + +<p>He went carefully out to the cook tent, and made +several observations. Then he stooped down and +carefully brushed off the light layer of snow that had +fallen during the night. When the undercrust was +exposed he uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>“There’s the tracks of the thief who stole the meat +pie, Stumpy,” he said, pointing to some marks in the +snow.</p> + +<p>“Who was it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“A fox,” answered Bart. “He sneaked into the +tent after we had gone to bed, and took the pie off +the top of the box where Fenn had set it. Then he +carried it off, and the snow obligingly came and covered +up his tracks. I guess if we look far enough +we can find the basin that held the pie, where the fox +dropped it.”</p> + +<p>They made a circle about the camp, and soon Fenn +uttered a cry of triumph.</p> + +<p>“Here’s the pan!” he called. “It’s empty. No +meat pie for breakfast this morning,” he added regretfully.</p> + +<p>“I wish we could shoot that fox!” exclaimed Ned +vindictively. “As it is you’ll have to give us pancakes, +Fenn.”</p> + +<p>There was no help for it. The pie dish had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +licked clean, though how the fox had managed to +carry it from the tent was something of a mystery. +However, Fenn soon stirred up a mess of cakes from +self-raising flour, and a hot breakfast was partaken +of, while hunting plans for that day were discussed.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to look for the thieving fox,” declared +Fenn. “The idea of that dandy pie going to waste!”</p> + +<p>“No foxes,” insisted Bart. “Nothing less than +bear to-day, fellows. We don’t want to bother with +small game,” and they started out.</p> + +<p>But the bears seemed to have warning of the approach +of the young Nimrods, for none was in evidence, +though there were tracks in the snow, which +Bart, enthusiastic sportsman that he was, followed +hopefully for some distance, until they disappeared +down in a deep gulch, where even he did not think it +wise to follow.</p> + +<p>“Let’s separate a bit,” suggested Frank, after another +mile or two had been covered. “I think there +are too many of us here. Ned and I will go off together, +and you and Stumpy do the same, Bart.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” agreed the stout lad, and Bart nodded +assent.</p> + +<p>“Come on over this way, Stumpy,” called Bart +to his partner. “We’ll get all the bears, and leave the +rabbits for those fellows.”</p> + +<p>It was about an hour after this that Bart, who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +gone on a little in advance of Fenn, whose wind was +not of the best, heard a grunt of surprise from his +stout comrade. Mingled with it was an expression +of fear. The lads had just passed through a little +clearing, and Fenn had stopped to look back. In an +instant Bart saw what Fenn was gazing at.</p> + +<p>It was a noble buck, with wide, branching antlers, +and he stood on the edge of the little glade, glaring, +as if in defiance, at those who had invaded his home. +As Bart looked he saw Fenn raise his rifle.</p> + +<p>“Don’t! Don’t shoot, Stumpy!” called Bart. “It’s +against the law. There’s tracking snow!”</p> + +<p>But it was too late. The stout lad’s rifle cracked, +and by the start the buck gave Bart knew his chum +had wounded the animal.</p> + +<p>The next instant, after a savage shake of his big +head, with the spreading horns, and a stamping of +his sharp hoofs, the angry animal sprang forward, +straight at Fenn. The lad was excited, and was trying +to pump another cartridge into the chamber, but +the mechanism of his gun had jammed.</p> + +<p>“Jump, Fenn! Jump to one side!” shouted Bart, +bringing his rifle around. There was no time to +think of the game laws. His chum was in danger, +and he would be justified in shooting.</p> + +<p>But before he could fire the buck was upon poor +Fenn. With one sweep of his sharp horns the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +beast swept the lad aside, knocking him down. +Then, with lowered head, the animal tried to gore +the prostrate lad.</p> + +<p>Fenn saw his one chance for safety, and took it. +He scrambled up, grabbed the horns, and held on +like grim death. The buck reared, swung around +and tried to strike Fenn with the knife-like hoofs. +Then a curious thing happened. One of the hoofs +went through Fenn’s loose belt, and this so tangled +up animal and boy that they both went down in the +snow, and rolled over.</p> + +<p>“Fenn will be killed,” gasped Bart, and his heart +almost stopped beating. But the buck struggled to +his feet again, and succeeded in getting his leg free +from the belt. Fenn had again grabbed hold of the +horns of the infuriated animal, which, at that instant +swung around, presenting a good shot to Bart. +Should he fire? Could he hit the buck and not injure +his chum? It was ticklish work, but the need +was great. Bart decided in an instant, took quick +aim and fired.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>NED’S RABBIT TRAP</h3> + + +<p>Bart was using a new kind of powder, and there +was no need to wait for the cloud of smoke to clear +away to see the result of his shot. He beheld, an instant +after the report of his rifle, the big buck swaying +unsteadily. The lad was about to fire again, but +there was no need, for the animal slowly sank to the +snow-covered earth, and fell with a thud.</p> + +<p>“Jump back, Stumpy! Jump back!” yelled Bart, +fearing that the heavy animal would crash on top +of Fenn. But, though the stout lad was incapable +of leaping back, he managed to push himself out of +danger, from the hold he had on the horns. Then +he rolled over the snow, now red from the blood of +the buck.</p> + +<p>Bart rushed up, with rifle ready for another shot, +but there was no need. His one bullet had struck a +vital spot, and the big animal was breathing his last. +Then Bart turned his attention to his chum.</p> + +<p>Fenn was lying curiously white and still upon the +snow, and, as Bart looked, he saw a stream of blood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +coming from under where the lad was stretched out.</p> + +<p>“Fenn! Stumpy! Are you hurt?” he cried, laying +down his gun, and endeavoring to raise Fenn’s head. +As he did so he saw that the lad’s wound was in his +arm, where the sharp prongs of the deer had cut a +gash. It was bleeding freely, and Bart knew this +must be stopped.</p> + +<p>Not in vain had he listened to his sister’s almost +constant talks about first aid to the injured. Bart +recollected some of Alice’s instructions, and, a +moment later he was binding up the cut with some +bandages which he had stuck in his pocket with the +idea of using to clean his gun, but which now served +a more useful purpose.</p> + +<p>Bart was glad to see that, as he wound the linen +rags around Fenn’s arm, the flow of blood ceased. +Then, rubbing the unconscious lad’s face with snow, +Bart noted a wave of returning color, and, a moment +later, Fenn opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Is anybody hurt?” he asked, slowly.</p> + +<p>“You’re the only one—except the buck,” answered +Bart, with a sigh of relief, “and you’re not +so badly off, I guess, that is, unless you’re wounded +some other place besides the arm.”</p> + +<p>“No, I think that’s all. But what happened to +the buck?” and Fenn looked around.</p> + +<p>“There he is,” replied Bart, pointing to the dead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +animal. “You certainly had nerve to tackle him +by the horns, Stumpy.”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t,” was the simple answer. “It was +all I could do. It was either that or let him gouge +me, and I didn’t want to do that. Did you shoot +him?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and it was close work, too, for your head +was almost in the way.”</p> + +<p>“But you did it!” exclaimed Fenn, enthusiastically. +“You saved my life, Bart, and—” but Fenn +could say no more. The nervous shock was too +much for him, and he put out his hand and silently +clasped that of his friend.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it was easy once I made up my mind to fire,” +went on Bart. “I drew a bead on him, and I thought +of the game laws, but I knew I was justified.”</p> + +<p>“It was a corking good shot,” exclaimed Fenn, +admiringly. “You’re a wonder with the rifle, Bart.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, not so much, I guess. But how about you? +Can you walk?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I’m all right. I got scared there for a +while, especially when that brute got his leg down +inside my belt. I thought it was all up with me.”</p> + +<p>“So did I. You shouldn’t have fired at him.”</p> + +<p>“I know it, but I let her go before I thought. I’m +done with hunting for a while.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense, you’ll be at it again in a few days.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +But, if you can walk, let’s get back to camp, and get +the other fellows. Then we’ll come after our meat. +We’ll have enough venison for a month.”</p> + +<p>Fenn was rapidly recovering from the effects of +his encounter with the buck, though he was still a +trifle shaky. He managed to march along, however, +and it was found that the cut on his arm was +his only injury, except for some bruises and a severe +shaking up.</p> + +<p>The boys managed to get the buck on some tree +branches, after Fenn and Bart had returned to camp, +where they found Ned and Frank waiting for them, +and they dragged the carcass over the snow to the +tents. There it was cut up, and hung in trees, out +of the way of foxes, or other prowling beasts.</p> + +<p>With enough food in camp for the rest of their +stay, the four chums now took things a little easier, +only going out for occasional game birds. Fenn’s +injury seemed to be healing from the effects of the +medical salve put on from the box Alice had provided.</p> + +<p>It was one afternoon, three days later, that Ned +was observed to be busy with an empty box, some +big rubber bands, and string.</p> + +<p>“What are you up to now?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“You’ll see,” was the answer. “I don’t know +whether it will work or not, so I’m not going to say<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +what it is.” A little later Ned started off through +the woods, carrying his contrivance.</p> + +<p>His chums were busy about camp, cleaning their +guns, bringing in wood or water, and “slicking up” +generally, and so paid little attention to Ned. It +wasn’t until half an hour afterward that, hearing +startled cries in the woods, from the direction of a +little clearing where rabbits were numerous, that +Bart exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Something’s happened to Ned! Hurry up!”</p> + +<p>They ran to the place, and saw a curious sight. +Ned was lying on the snow-covered ground, his +hands stretched toward a sapling while his feet +seemed encased in the box at which he had been +working a short time previous.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” panted Bart.</p> + +<p>“Get me loose first, and I’ll tell you,” cried Ned.</p> + +<p>“Are you fast?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Fast? Of course I am! Can’t you see for yourself. +I’m caught by my hands and feet in some +rabbit traps I was setting.”</p> + +<p>“Serves you right,” commented Bart, trying not +to laugh. “You ought to be a sportsman, and shoot +your game.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t want to shoot ’em,” explained Ned. “I +wanted to catch ’em alive and tame ’em. Hurry up +and get me out; will you, fellows?”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>They soon released him. His feet were caught +under a box, which was weighted down with rocks, +while his hands were held in a slip-noose of heavy +cord that was fast to the tree, which had been bent +over to act as a spring. Ned was stretched out like +a prisoner “pegged-out” in the army. He was soon +released, and explained that as he was setting the +noose trap, his feet had unexpectedly gotten under +the box trap, which was sprung, and then the noose +slipped, holding him fast at both ends.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>A VISIT TO TOWN</h3> + + +<p>“Well,” remarked Bart, as they walked back to +camp with Ned, “there’s no use setting any traps +now, Ned. The rabbits were watching you, and they +saw just how they worked, so you couldn’t catch the +simplest bunny in these woods.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll make another kind of trap,” declared Ned. +“I want a rabbit to keep Fenn’s turtle company.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t bother about it,” said Fenn, dryly.</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“Because my turtle got away in the night. He +went back to the boiling spring, to join the others +for a New Year’s celebration, I guess.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so, to-morrow is the last day of this year,” +observed Frank. “We ought to celebrate it in some +way.”</p> + +<p>“We will,” said Bart. “We’ll sit up, and watch +the old year out and the new one in, and fire our +guns off at twelve o’clock. But what’s the matter, +Stumpy?” for Fenn was holding the arm injured by +the buck, and on his face was an expression of pain.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<p>“It’s been hurting considerable since morning,” +explained the stout youth.</p> + +<p>“Let me look at it,” demanded Bart, and, when +the bandages were taken off, there was disclosed a +red and angry sore. The arm was much inflamed.</p> + +<p>“I was afraid of this,” said Bart. “We’ve got to +go to town and let a doctor look at this. You may +get blood poisoning, Stumpy.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess not. Can’t you put some of the +stuff on from the box Alice gave us?”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid to take any chances. Besides, I don’t +think there is anything strong enough for blood +poison in the box. No, fellows, we’ll go to Cannistota. +It’s only ten miles. We can easily walk there +and back in a day, and, if the doctor thinks it better +for Stumpy to stay in town over night, so he can +treat him, why we can arrange for that, too. We’ll +start in the morning, early.”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll see some of the celebration,” put in +Frank.</p> + +<p>“What celebration?”</p> + +<p>“Why the New Year’s doings that William Perry +said were always held in Cannistota. Don’t you +remember?”</p> + +<p>“Sure, that’s right,” agreed Bart. “It will do us +good to make the trip. Game is getting rather scarce +around here now, and we must begin to think of getting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +back. We certainly have had a swell time, and +I don’t want anything to happen to Fenn’s arm.</p> + +<p>“So get ready, fellows, and we’ll make a trip to +town, and see what civilization looks like. It seems +as if we’d been away six months, instead of three +weeks.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we take our guns?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Might as well. No telling what game we’ll see +on our way back, and going in. We’ll fix up the +camp so if we have to stay away over night it will be +all right, though I don’t imagine any one will bother +it.”</p> + +<p>“Unless it’s that mysterious man,” said Ned, +significantly. “He may come snooping around.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if he does we can’t help it,” replied Bart, +“only I’d like to catch him.”</p> + +<p>“And I’d like to get back Mrs. Long’s diamond +bracelet!” exclaimed Frank, with a flash of his dark +eyes. “It’s not pleasant to be considered a thief!”</p> + +<p>“Nobody really believes we took it,” declared +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Well, don’t let’s talk about it,” declared Bart. +“We will try to have a good time in town—that is, +if Fenn’s arm doesn’t get any worse.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t believe it will,” answered the injured +lad, pluckily. But the sore was very painful.</p> + +<p>Preparations for leaving camp were soon under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +way. The chums had an early breakfast the next +morning—their last breakfast of the year, as Ned +laughingly remarked—and then, with Fenn’s arm +well wrapped up, so he would not take cold in it, and +each of the other lads carrying a gun, they started +off for the town of Cannistota.</p> + +<p>The weather was pleasant, though a bit cold, and +the sun was shining brightly on the snow which still +covered the ground. The going at first was heavy, +for it was through the woods, over a trail hard to +discern, but when they struck the lumber road, leading +into Cannistota, the traveling was easier.</p> + +<p>They saw no game, save some rabbits, and a few +squirrels, but they would not shoot at these. They +could not make very good time, and it was nearly +noon when they came in sight of the town, which lay +in a valley, surrounded on all sides by hills.</p> + +<p>“Now for the doctor,” decided Bart, “and then +we’ll see what’s going on.”</p> + +<p>“And get dinner,” added Ned, who was fond of +his meals.</p> + +<p>“Sure,” added Frank, who was no less a good +handler of knife and fork.</p> + +<p>As the lads entered the main street of the town +they were struck by the festive appearances on every +side. Stores and houses were draped with flags and +bunting, while from several electric-light poles men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +were stringing long wires, with small incandescent +bulbs of various colors fastened on at intervals. +This was in the centre of the place, where the two +main streets crossed, and, on inquiring, the lads +learned that it was planned to hold a sort of procession, +with the Old Year, typified by Father Time, +going out, while the New Year came in. This +formality would occur in the centre of the town, +under a canopy of colored electric lights. In addition +there were to be bands of music, songs, and +other numbers on a festive program.</p> + +<p>“Say, we ought to stay and take this in,” suggested +Ned, as he saw the carnival spirit manifested on +every side.</p> + +<p>“Maybe we will,” assented Bart, “after we hear +what the doctor says about Fenn’s arm.”</p> + +<p>The medical man looked grave when he saw the injury +caused by the buck’s horn.</p> + +<p>“There is nothing to be unduly alarmed about,” +he said, “but it is well that you came in time. It +needs attention, and while fresh cool air, such as +you get in camp, is good, I shall have to treat the +wound with antiseptics. You must remain in town +at least three days.”</p> + +<p>The boys were a little dismayed to hear this, but +as they had made tentative plans to be away from +camp if necessary, it did not altogether upset their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +calculations. The doctor gave Fenn some medicine, +dressed the sore, and recommended the lads to a +quiet hotel, to stay while the wound was being looked +after.</p> + +<p>“You’ll enjoy your visit to Cannistota,” the doctor +said with a smile, “for we always have a good +time here on New Years. There is plenty of excitement.”</p> + +<p>The boys were soon to find that this was true in +an unusual sense, for they took part in a most exciting +scene.</p> + +<p>“Well,” remarked Fenn, as they came away from +the office of the medical man, “it might be worse. +What’ll we do now?”</p> + +<p>“Let’s eat,” suggested Ned, and they all fell in +with this proposal.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>THE MAN WITH THE TURTLE</h3> + + +<p>The chums took their meal at one of the two +hotels in Cannistota, and, liking the appearance of +the place, which the doctor had recommended, they +made arrangements to stay there for a few days, +during which time Fenn’s arm was to receive treatment. +They had adjoining rooms, and, once they +had visited them, and left the few belongings they +had brought from camp, they were ready to go out +into the street again, and watch the preparations being +made to celebrate the advent of the New Year +that night.</p> + +<p>“I know one thing we’d better do,” remarked +Frank, as they strolled along.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” inquired Bart.</p> + +<p>“Send telegrams to the folks at home, telling +them where we are, and wishing them good luck for +the New Year.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” exclaimed Fenn, “but don’t say anything +about my sore arm. My folks might worry.”</p> + +<p>This was agreed to, and then each lad wrote his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +own telegram, explaining briefly why he was not in +the woods, the carnival forming a good reason for +the change.</p> + +<p>“This will be a good plan in case they have any +word to send us,” remarked Ned. “A telegram will +reach us at the hotel, but it never would at camp.”</p> + +<p>Bart had taken his rifle with him when they left +the hotel, and when his companions joked him about +it, asking him if he expected to see a bear or a deer +in the town, Bart replied:</p> + +<p>“I want to take it to a gunmaker’s and get a screw +set in a little deeper,” referring to one on the lock +mechanism. “It works loose every once in a while, +and now’s a good time to have it fixed, when I’m not +likely to have a use for the rifle. I intend to do a +lot of hunting when we get back to camp.”</p> + +<p>As the chums strolled on, they saw, on every side, +more evidences of the carnival spirit. On several +side streets, as well as on the main ones, flags and +bunting were in evidence, and colored electric lights +were being strung. Linemen were high up on poles +arranging extra wires, and others, below, were passing +up the colored bulbs, or pliers, and other tools +needed by their mates on the high poles. The boys +watched this for some time, and then, at Bart’s suggestion, +they strolled toward the centre of the village.</p> + +<p>There a still busier scene was observed. There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +were a number of linemen on the tall poles, and, as +the boys looked on, the current was turned into the +hundreds of various-hued bulbs, to test them. It +was early afternoon, and much yet remained to be +done in order to get the decorations completed.</p> + +<p>The lads found a gunsmith in his shop, not far +from the intersection of the main streets, and he was +soon at work on Bart’s rifle, talking as he worked. +The boys told him of their experience in camp, and +the necessity for their visit to town.</p> + +<p>“Got scratched by a buck; eh?” remarked the old +gunsmith as he gazed from under his bushy white +eyebrows at the lads. “That happened to me once. +Their horns seem to sort of poison a wound. I guess +it’s because the critters rub their antlers up against +all sorts of trees and bushes. They get poisonous +juices on ’em.”</p> + +<p>Soon the lads were again strolling along the street. +The afternoon was passing, and presently the town, +which was now thronged with visitors, would be in +the full sway of the carnival.</p> + +<p>Fenn was walking ahead of his chums, looking in +the store windows, and taking care that he did not +collide with persons in the crowd, and so injure his +sore arm. The stout youth saw, just ahead of him, +an establishment devoted to the sale of pets of various +kinds. There were pigeons, white rats, puppies,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +gold fish, some monkeys and parrots, and scores of +canary birds. As several specimens were on exhibition +in the windows quite a crowd was gathered +about watching the antics of a pair of monkeys. +Fenn, always interested in such things, drew closer, +motioning to his chums, who were walking slowly, +to join him.</p> + +<p>As he turned back toward the store he saw a man +entering—a man, at the sight of whom, the stout lad +started, and looked at him again, more sharply.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if it can be—yes, it’s the same man—the +mysterious man we’ve been after so long!” murmured +Fenn. “He’s going in that store! I hope he +didn’t see me.” He got behind a couple of men who +were close to the window, and watched until he had +seen the person he had observed close the door, after +entering the store. Then Fenn turned to address his +chums who were now at his side.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Bart, laughing. “You +look as if you had seen a ghost, Stumpy.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve seen something more substantial than a +ghost,” replied the lad, “I’ve seen the man who stole +the diamond bracelet, fellows!”</p> + +<p>“Where?” gasped Ned and Frank.</p> + +<p>“Hush! Not so loud,” cautioned Fenn, for several +persons were curiously observing the four lads. +“He’s in that store,” went on the stout youth.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>They could hardly believe him, but Fenn soon told +them the circumstances, and repeated his belief in +the positiveness of his identification. “I’m sure it +was the same man,” he said.</p> + +<p>“Well, we’ll soon see,” declared Bart. “He’ll have +to come out, some time or other, and then we can +tell. We’ll just wait here a while.”</p> + +<p>A little later they were all startled to see the man, +about whom there seemed to be such a mystery, come +hurriedly from the store.</p> + +<p>“There he is!” exclaimed Fenn.</p> + +<p>“It’s him, all right,” assented Bart, in low tones. +“Now what shall we do; follow him?”</p> + +<p>The man turned south on the main street, and began +walking rapidly away. At that instant Fenn +caught sight of a package in his hand. It was a +paper bundle, but, as the stout lad looked, he saw +projecting from it the long, snake-like neck of a mud +turtle.</p> + +<p>“He’s got a turtle!” cried Fenn, excitedly. “Let’s +chase after him! We must solve this mystery now +or never!”</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE PURSUIT</h3> + + +<p>Fenn darted forward, and would have taken after +the man on the run, only Bart put forth a restraining +hand. Fenn looked at his chum in surprise.</p> + +<p>“Easy, Stumpy,” murmured the tall lad, as he +drew his fleshier companion out of hearing of the +crowd in front of the animal store. “Do you want +to give the whole thing away? Several times we’ve +lost trace of this man because we were in such a rush, +and I don’t want it to happen again. You nearly +spoiled everything, Stumpy.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry,” faltered Fenn, “but I want to get at +him, and have him explain.”</p> + +<p>“So do we all,” went on Bart, “but we can do it +better by going slow and easy. He hasn’t seen us, +and we can trail him and see where he goes.”</p> + +<p>“Did you notice what he had in the paper?” asked +the fat lad excitedly.</p> + +<p>“What was it?” asked Frank, who had not caught +Fenn’s first exclamation.</p> + +<p>“A mud turtle. That’s what he got in the store.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Say, you had better talk lower,” cautioned Frank, +for Fenn had spoken loudly. “People in the crowd +are beginning to notice us.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess there’s no danger,” decided Bart. +“There are lots of strangers in town to-day, and we +won’t attract much attention. But we must take +after this fellow. We’ll trail him carefully now. +He’s still on this side of the street, and he’s going +slowly,” Bart announced, after taking an observation +over the heads of the crowd still in front of the store +window. “Fenn and I will take this side of the +street, and you and Ned can take the other side, +Frank. If either of us miss our man we’ll meet later +at the hotel. Go ahead now, and keep out of his +sight. Go slow, as if you were only looking at the +sights, but keep your eye on the man. We’ll try and +find where he belongs, who he is, and why he collects +turtles.”</p> + +<p>Through the crowds that were constantly increasing +in size the four lads threaded their ways, two on +one side of the street, and two on the other. Ahead +of them was the mysterious man. He seemed to +have no idea that he was being followed, and appeared +only to be looking at the sights. At times the +boys found difficulty in keeping within the proper +distance of him, and once Ned and Frank lost him, +but they soon picked him up again, and kept on. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +wore a light-colored cap, which made him conspicuous +in the press of people.</p> + +<p>The man seemed to be in no hurry to get anywhere. +He strolled leisurely along, looking in store +windows, or pausing to observe the linemen stringing +the wires. The boys were after him, and their +experience in the woods, trailing game, now served +them in good stead. Though they looked carefully, +they could not see any package in the man’s hand +now, and they wondered what he had done with the +turtle.</p> + +<p>The pursuit led to the outskirts of the town, and, +as the streets became less congested there was danger +of the boys being detected in their chase, but fortunately +for them the man took a notion to swing +down through a side street and retrace his steps, +back toward the centre. Then the pursuit was rendered +less likely to be observed.</p> + +<p>Reaching the middle of the town the man paused +to look at a lineman who was on top of a particularly +tall pole, making some final adjustments to the wires +and lamps. As the boys halted, not to come too close +to their quarry, they saw the lineman signal to have +the current turned on. The lamps glowed, but something +seemed to be wrong, for he called for the +power to be turned off while he adjusted a switch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +There seemed to be some delay over cutting off the +current, and the lineman waited.</p> + +<p>The crowd was thicker near the pole, and, not +wishing to let the mysterious man escape, Bart and +Fenn, who were on the same side of the street as +he was, drew nearer to him in the throng. Frank +and Ned were on the other side of the street. The +former chums could observe the object of their +pursuit more closely now. He did not seem to be a +hardened character, but on the contrary, his face +was refined, and his manner seemed gentle, though +there was a curious, cunning air about him.</p> + +<p>While the lineman on the tall pole was waiting for +some of his fellow workmen to change the switch, +he looked down into the press of people. He seemed +to recognize some one, and waved his hand. To the +surprise of Bart and Fenn the mysterious man waved +back to the man on the pole.</p> + +<p>“Did you see that?” exclaimed Fenn, and in his +excitement he had spoken aloud. The next instant +he regretted it, for the man, turning, saw him. He +gave a start of surprise, and then a look of fear +seemed to come over his face. He gave one glance +up at the lineman on his tall perch, waved what +seemed to be a farewell, and darted away through +the crowd.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + +<p>“After him, Stumpy!” whispered Bart, excitedly. +“He’ll get away, I’m afraid!”</p> + +<p>The lads started to make their way out of the +throng of people who were all about them. The +mysterious man, too, was at this same disadvantage.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, amid the stillness that seemed to settle +over the crowd, as they watched the lineman reach +far over to make a distant connection, there sounded +a cry of fear and pain. High up in the air there +was a flash of bluish fire, a sizzling, as of red-hot iron +plunged into water, and then a shower of sparks.</p> + +<p>“The lineman! The lineman!” screamed several. +“He’s on a live wire!”</p> + +<p>Pausing in their efforts to get out of the crowd, +and take up the pursuit, Bart and Fenn saw the lineman +leaning over in a dangerous position. He was +in a net-work of wires, and all about him seemed to +be long, forked tongues of blue flame, while vicious +sparks shot from one wire to the other. The unfortunate +man had caught hold of the outer end of a +cross-arm on the pole, and, while his feet were on +one lower down, he was thus held in this strained +position. Around his waist was a leather belt, passed +about the pole, and this also retained him in position.</p> + +<p>His cry of alarm had brought several other linemen +to the foot of the pole.</p> + +<p>“Are you shocked, George?” called one, anxiously.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>“No,” came the faint reply, “not yet, but something +has gone wrong. One of the wires has broken, +and has charged all the others. I’m safe as long as I +lean over this way, but I can’t get back, and I can’t +get down.”</p> + +<p>“Unhook your belt and slide down,” suggested +one.</p> + +<p>“I can’t. If I let go with my hands I’ll come up +against the wires carrying the main current, and, if +I do——” he did not finish, but they all knew what +he meant.</p> + +<p>The crowd was horror-struck. The man was in +the midst of death. He could not move to come +down, for fear of coming in contact with wires, +which, though previously harmless, were now dangerous +because the broken conductor, carrying a +heavy charge, had fallen over them, making them +deadly.</p> + +<p>“Hold on, and I’ll come up to you!” shouted a +lineman, preparing to ascend the pole.</p> + +<p>“No, don’t,” cried the unfortunate man.</p> + +<p>“Have the current cut off at the power house!” +yelled a voice in the crowd below.</p> + +<p>“Yes! That’s the thing to do!” echoed a score of +others.</p> + +<p>A man ran out of the crowd to the telephone—the +same telephone over which word had been sent to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +the power station to turn the power on for the preliminary +test. In a few seconds central had given +the frantic man the main electrical station.</p> + +<p>“Cut off the power—cut off the power!” he cried. +“One of the linemen on the pole is in danger of being +shocked to death.”</p> + +<p>Anxiously he waited for the reply. None came.</p> + +<p>“Ring again, central!” he called frantically. Over +the wire he heard the distant ringing of the bell in +the power station. The delay seemed like an hour, +though it was only a few seconds.</p> + +<p>“Why don’t they answer? Why don’t they answer?” +cried the man desperately. “Ring ’em again, +central. Ring hard!”</p> + +<p>“I am ringing hard,” responded central. “There +doesn’t seem to be any one there.”</p> + +<p>“There must be!” insisted the man. “It’s a matter +of life and death! The current must be shut +off!”</p> + +<p>He waited, moving about nervously, while holding +the receiver to his ear. Those near him could +not imagine what was the trouble. Then came a +click in the receiver that showed that some one was +at the other end of the wire.</p> + +<p>“Hello! Hello!” cried the man who was trying +to have the power cut off. “Why didn’t you answer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +before. Why don’t you shut off the current? +There’s a man being killed—what’s that?”</p> + +<p>He fairly yelled the last words, and those near +him saw a look of horror spread over his face.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” he shouted. “The electrician has +stepped out you say? What? He thought the power +was to be left on? Oh! He’ll be back in five +minutes? But that will be too late. Can’t you—hold +on there—don’t go away—what’s that—yes, I +hear you but—don’t go away—do something—pull +out the switch—do something—never mind the electrician—you +do it—don’t go away—don’t go away—Ah—it’s +too late!”</p> + +<p>He turned to those standing near him at the telephone.</p> + +<p>“The only electrician now at the power station +stepped out after turning on the current,” the man +explained dully, as he hung up the receiver. “There +was some mistake. He thought the wiring was finished, +and that the power was to remain turned on. +So he went out, and he left a green man in charge, +who doesn’t know anything about the engines, or +dynamos. This man said he’d run out and get the +electrician. I tried to stop him—tried to make him +understand that he, himself, must do something—must +shut off the current—but I couldn’t get it +through his head. He dropped the telephone, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +ran out after the electrician. Now there’s no way of +shutting off the power until the engineer gets back, +and, by that time——” He paused significantly, and +rushed out. Nothing more could be done at the telephone. +It was as if the wire was broken.</p> + +<p>Up on his high perch the lineman was becoming +weaker from the strain, and the fear of death. He +looked down at the crowd below. Bart and Fenn +gazed upward. How they wished they could help!</p> + +<p>“Is that man—that mysterious man gone?” asked +Bart, in low tones.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” replied Fenn, “he’s hurrying down the +street. We’d better take after him, if we want to +catch him. He’s getting to be very suspicious of us. +We ought to catch him.”</p> + +<p>“I know it. If we could only signal Ned or Frank +we might run some chance——”</p> + +<p>At that moment another lineman, standing near +Bart, turned to him, and asked excitedly, as he saw +the rifle in the lad’s hand:</p> + +<p>“Are you a good shot? A man’s life may depend +on it! Can you shoot straight?”</p> + +<p>“Pretty straight,” answered Bart, wondering what +was coming next. The lineman was excited, he approached +nearer to Bart, and motioned to his friend +high up on the pole—the man from whom death +seemed but a short distance away.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Is your rifle loaded? Then, if it is, for mercy +sakes fire and see if you can sever that main feed +wire,” and the lineman pointed to a thick conductor, +which was shooting out blue sparks, and which had +charged all the other wires with the deadly current. +“See if you can cut that wire,” went on the lineman +eagerly. “It’s the only chance to save his life!”</p> + +<p>Bart hesitated. He turned to see the man whom +they had pursued, making his escape. If he got away +it might mean that they would never see him again—never +have the theft of the diamond bracelet solved. +It was a choice between the honor of the Darewell +Chums and the life of a man. Which would Bart +choose?</p> + +<p>There could be but one answer to this question.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>BART’S BEST SHOT</h3> + + +<p>Bart turned to Fenn. He was just about to +whisper to his chum to take up the pursuit of the +mysterious man, leaving him to attempt a difficult +shot to save the life of the lineman, but at that instant +there was a swaying in the crowd, and a boy +stumbled up against Fenn’s sore arm. The injured +lad uttered a cry of pain. His face turned white, +and he was struggling to stay on his feet.</p> + +<p>“Catch him! He’s going to faint!” cried some +one, and faint poor Fenn did, being caught in the +arms of two men.</p> + +<p>Bart felt his brain reeling, but, by a strong effort +he held himself together.</p> + +<p>There was now no chance of continuing the pursuit +of the mysterious man. Fenn was being carried +to a place where he could be cared for. It was impossible +to communicate with Ned and Frank, who +were on the other side of the street, and Bart could +not go away and leave the man on the pole to die. +There was no help for it. He must stay and try, by +a most difficult shot, to sever the dangerous wire.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Will you do it? Can you do it?” asked the lineman +who had proposed the extreme measure to the +lad. “It’s the only chance. Can you cut that wire?”</p> + +<p>“I think so,” was the quiet answer. No one in +that crowd knew under what a strain Bart Keene +was at that moment. No one associated the now unconscious +Fenn with him, and no one dreamed that +Bart was anxious to continue after a man who he +believed to be a criminal, and who was fast making +his escape.</p> + +<p>“Can you hold on a minute longer, George?” +called a workman on the ground, up to the lineman +on the pole.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” came back the faint answer, “but it’s hard +work. Can’t you shut off the current? If I make a +move I’m a goner. Can’t you turn off the current?”</p> + +<p>“We’re going to try to cut the wire,” went on the +man who had thought of the plan. “We can’t get +the current shut off right away. Listen carefully, +George. Hold as still as you can. There’s a lad +here with a rifle. He’s a good shot, he says, and he’s +going to fire at the live wire until he cuts it. It’s +going to be a close shave for you, as the wire is +pretty near to your head. Have you nerve enough +to stand it?”</p> + +<p>“I—I guess so,” came the hesitating answer. “Go +ahead!”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>The crowd below was scarcely breathing. The +man on the pole could be seen straining himself to +maintain his perilous position. He looked down. +Death was below him, and on every side, and none +dare climb the pole to help him. The rifle seemed +the only chance, unless some one could go five miles +to the power house, and have the current turned off, +or unless the electrician returned, and this would take +so long that the man’s hold would loosen, and he +would either fall, or be shocked to death. It all depended +on Bart, and the lad knew that he must now +shoot true, if he never shot straight again. It was +to be his best shot—a well-nigh tragic shot.</p> + +<p>“Clear a space for the lad!” ordered the lineman, +as he and his fellows began making a circle about +Bart. “Give him room. Have you got plenty of cartridges, +young man?”</p> + +<p>Bart nodded. He felt that he could not speak, and +he knew that the chamber of his rifle was filled. Yet +he hoped to do the trick with only one bullet.</p> + +<p>The shot was a hard one. He must cut a wire +within four inches of the shoulder of the man whose +life he was trying to save, and he had to fire upward, +and at a slightly swaying target—a target +small enough at best, hardly more than half an inch +wide. Yet Bart did not hesitate.</p> + +<p>He took his position under the wires, and close to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +the pole. The crowd was looking eagerly on, and the +man on the pole was like a statue. Well he knew +how much depended on his remaining motionless.</p> + +<p>Bart raised his rifle. A mist seemed to come before +his eyes, but with a gritting of his teeth he got +more control of himself, and then he saw clear. He +took careful aim, and then he saw that he could shoot +to more advantage from the other side of the pole. +He would have to fire closer to the man, but the +bullet would take an outward slant in cutting the +wire, and there was less danger of it glancing off +and wounding the lineman.</p> + +<p>The lad changed his position, and once more took +careful aim. He took a long breath, and his finger +began to tighten on the trigger. At that instant there +came a puff of wind, and the wire at which he was +aiming swayed toward the unfortunate man. There +was a cry of horror, and several persons in the crowd +started toward Bart, as if to stop the firing of the +gun. But the lad was on the alert, and waited until +the wire was still again.</p> + +<p>One, two, three seconds passed. Would he never +fire? Suddenly those watching him saw his figure +stiffen. He braced the rifle more firmly against his +shoulder. There was a further tightening of the +tension of his trigger finger, and a report that seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +to the nervous crowd to be as loud as a cannon +vibrated on the wintry air.</p> + +<p>An instant later there came tumbling from aloft +a long wire, that writhed about like some snake, +spitting blue flames and sparks. It wiggled about on +the ground as a thing alive.</p> + +<p>“Keep back! Keep back from that wire!” shouted +a lineman. “Good shot, my lad! Great! You cut +the wire with one bullet!”</p> + +<p>Bart lowered his gun. Once more the mist seemed +to come before his eyes, but it did not matter now, +for he had saved the man. Yet no one ever knew +how narrow was the margin, for, as Bart was pulling +the trigger, the wire was once more swayed by the +wind, and the bullet from the rifle had sped past the +man’s head less than two inches away. So close had +he been to death! But Bart had shot true, and, ever, +in after years, he called that his best shot.</p> + +<p>A cheer went up from the crowd at the plucky act +of the lad, but it was quickly hushed as one of the +linemen began to climb the pole, to assist down his +comrade who had had such a narrow escape. He +was too unnerved to descend alone, but there was +no more danger, for the live wire was out of the +way, and other linemen, with insulated gloves, soon +had it in its proper place.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>THE DIAMOND BRACELET—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Bart turned to make his way out of the crowd, +for he was anxious about Fenn. He had given up all +hope of capturing the mysterious man, who had +started to hasten away before the accident to the +lineman on the pole, and who, doubtless, was far +enough off by this time. But Bart’s progress was arrested +by a voice.</p> + +<p>“Hold on, young fellow!” exclaimed the workman +whose life Bart had saved. “I want to shake +hands with you. That was a corking good shot. I +heard the bullet whistle past me, and then I knew I +was safe. Shake!” and he extended his hand that +did not tremble as much as did Bart’s, such nerve +did the electrician have. He had fully recovered +from his thrilling experience.</p> + +<p>Bart received modestly the almost extravagant +praise accorded him, and once more began to make +his way toward where Fenn had been carried.</p> + +<p>“Where is my chum?” he asked. “The lad who +fainted.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Oh, he’s coming around all right,” answered a +man. At that moment Fenn himself came through +the press of people around Bart. He had recovered +from the shock caused by the sudden pressure on his +sore arm.</p> + +<p>“Are you all right?” asked Bart, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Sure. How about you?” inquired Stumpy. “I +hear you made a great shot.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t talk about it,” pleaded Bart, who was now +almost as nervous as a girl. “Where are Ned and +Frank?”</p> + +<p>“Following that man, I suppose,” began Fenn, and +then he stopped suddenly, for people looked curiously +at him.</p> + +<p>“Yes, we must look them up,” went on Bart, but +he felt that a further chase would be useless.</p> + +<p>“Say, you fellows aren’t going to disappear until +you do me a favor,” began the rescued lineman, good +naturedly. “I want you to come to my house, and +meet my wife. She’ll want to know the boy who +saved me from a horrible death. It isn’t far,” he +added, as he saw Bart was about to decline. “Please +come. I’m not going to work any more to-day. I’m +too shaky.”</p> + +<p>They saw that it would not be kind to refuse, and +the electrician led the way for Bart and Fenn through +the crowd, who parted with murmurs of admiration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +for the lad who had made such a plucky shot. There +was no sign of Ned or Frank.</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t know how to begin to thank you,” +said the man, feelingly, when they were in a somewhat +secluded place on the main street. The work +of preparing for the ushering in of the New Year +was almost completed. “I never <i>can</i> properly thank +you,” he went on. “My name’s George Lang, and if +ever you boys want a friend, or if you want anything +done in the line business, you call for George,” and +he meant what he said.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad I was able to fire, and sever the wire,” +said Bart, as he walked along with Mr. Lang, “but +I wish it had happened a few minutes earlier—or +later,” he added.</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry it happened at all,” declared Mr. Lang. +“I never had an accident like that, and I don’t want +another. But what difference did the time make?”</p> + +<p>“Because we were on the trail of a thief,” explained +Bart, “and he skipped out just before you +got caught on top of the pole. He was a chap who +had stolen a diamond bracelet, and we boys are accused +of the crime. We wanted to capture him to +prove our innocence. My two chums are after +him, but I don’t believe they’ll catch him. He saw +us and skipped out. By the way,” the lad added, as +he recollected the incident, “he waved his hand to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +you, and you waved back to him from the top of +the pole, just before the wire broke loose.”</p> + +<p>“Me?” exclaimed Mr. Lang in great astonishment. +“I waved to a diamond-bracelet thief?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t say you knew him,” declared Bart, fearing +he had been misunderstood, “but you certainly +greeted him. He had on a light cap, and he stood at +the foot of the pole, and——”</p> + +<p>“Him? Oh, you mean him—that—why——” the +lineman seemed to be choking—“a thief—stole a +diamond bracelet——” He had to stop to catch his +breath, but whether it was from laughter, or because +he choked, the lads could not decide. “Him a thief?” +asked Mr. Lang.</p> + +<p>“Or, if he didn’t take the bracelet, he took the +professor’s mud turtle,” put in Fenn, who had by +this time recovered from his indisposition.</p> + +<p>“Mud turtle! Oh, dear! Mud turtles, you say? +Oh, I—excuse me,” and again the lineman choked +up. “I understand,” he said at length. “I know +who you mean. Would you like to meet him?”</p> + +<p>“Would we?” gasped Bart and Fenn, together.</p> + +<p>“That’s enough. I’ll guarantee to introduce you +to him, if he’s at home,” went on Mr. Lang. “He +lives next door to me. I know him well. A diamond +thief! Oh, dear! Mud turtles!” and again the lineman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +seemed overcome. “Don’t say another word, +but come on.”</p> + +<p>Much mystified, Bart and Fenn followed their +friend. He led them up a quiet street, and into a +neat cottage.</p> + +<p>“Mary,” he said to his wife, when he had introduced +the lads, “one of these boys saved my life this +afternoon, but I’ll tell you more about that later. +Just now I’ve something else on hand. Do you +know if William is home?” and he nodded at the +house next door.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Mrs. Lang, wonderingly, “he just +came in. I think he brought home another turtle.”</p> + +<p>The hearts of Fenn and Bart gave jumps! At +last they were on the trail!</p> + +<p>Without a word the lineman led the way to the +adjoining house. He seemed to be laboring under +some emotion, as if he was trying hard not to laugh. +He knocked at the door, and a man answered the +summons. Bart and Fenn started back. There +stood the mysterious person who had eluded them +so often—the man they believed had taken the diamond +bracelet belonging to the professor’s wife! +On his part the mysterious individual seemed anxious +to run away at the sight of Bart and Fenn.</p> + +<p>“William,” began the lineman, “one of these lads +saved my life a while ago. Now don’t get excited—take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +things calmly. No one is going to hurt you, or +your turtles,” and he spoke almost as he might to a +child, or to a sick person. “I just want to introduce +you to these boys. They are looking for a diamond +bracelet, and they think maybe you could help them +find it. Boys, this is my cousin, William Lang,” and +Bart thought the lineman winked significantly at +him. Was there more to the mystery?</p> + +<p>“Your cousin?” echoed Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” answered the man whose life Bart had +saved. “He is one of the greatest collectors of +turtles in the world,” and again he winked.</p> + +<p>“That’s what I am!” exclaimed William Lang, +proudly, and he seemed to lose some of his fear. +Still Bart could not help thinking that his manner +was very strange. “But I haven’t any diamond +bracelet,” went on the odd individual. “I know you +boys think I have it, and you’ve been chasing me +for it, and trying to have me arrested, but I haven’t +got it. I tried to keep out of your way, but I +couldn’t seem to. You were always after me, even +when I was only collecting turtles. I know about +the bracelet, though.”</p> + +<p>“What do you know about it?” asked Bart, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Why, I read in the papers that it was stolen,” +said William Lang, simply. “It was taken the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +night I went to the school to look at Professor +Long’s turtles. He didn’t want me to see ’em, but +I did all right. I got in when he wasn’t there, and +fooled him. He was so mysterious about ’em, that +I thought he had a rare kind. But he didn’t have at +all. Anyway I saw ’em, and he doesn’t know it, +even to this day. I got in at the dead of night,” and +the man’s voice sunk to a whisper, and his face took +on a cunning look.</p> + +<p>“Then <i>you</i> were the man we saw enter the school +that night!” exclaimed Bart.</p> + +<p>“Did you see me? Did you see me?” gasped the +lineman’s cousin, in great alarm. “Oh, yes, I remember +now, I ran!”</p> + +<p>“Sure we saw you,” answered Fenn. “We +were——”</p> + +<p>Bart gave his chum a warning look.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t mean any harm,” cried William Lang. +“I only went in to see the turtles. I’m a great collector +of them,” he added. “I heard about Professor +Long’s collection, and once I called on him at the +school. I wanted to see his reptiles, but for some +reason he wouldn’t let me. But I made up my mind +I <i>would</i> see ’em. I knew he was trying to deceive +me—Professor Long was—so one night I took a +false key I had, and I got in the school. I had a +dark lantern and I saw the turtles. I got ahead of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +Professor Long that time,” and the man laughed excitedly. +“But come in, and I’ll show you my collection,” +he added.</p> + +<p>He turned into the house, and the two boys, after +a moment of hesitation, followed. They did not yet +quite understand. The lineman whispered to them, +when out of earshot of his cousin.</p> + +<p>“You must humor poor William,” he said. “He +is all right except on the subject of mud turtles. He +thinks he has the greatest collection of them in the +world. I don’t in the least doubt that he went in the +school by stealth to look at some. In fact, I heard +from Professor Long about a visit he paid to him +one day, when he wanted to see the school collection. +Professor Long had heard of my cousin, and knew +him to be harmless, but William got so excited on +the subject of turtles that the professor concluded +it would not be best to exhibit the school collection, +so he refused. This made William suspicious, and +very likely he made up his mind to sneak in, and get +a night-view of the reptiles. I have no doubt but +that he did so.”</p> + +<p>“He certainly did,” answered Bart. “We saw him +come out. Then, when the diamond bracelet was +missed, we naturally concluded that he was the +person who had taken it.”</p> + +<p>The lineman shook his head.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p>“William would not do such a thing,” he said. +“There must be some other explanation. But humor +him now by looking at his turtles. You may get a +clew.”</p> + +<p>The boys did so. The eccentric man, who was +somewhat insane on the subject of turtles, had quite +a collection of the queer reptiles—larger even than +Fenn’s, or the one in the High School. He talked +of them interestedly. By degrees Bart led to the +subject of his visit to the school, and touched on the +diamond bracelet, but the man’s replies showed that +he knew nothing of it.</p> + +<p>“I remember you boys,” William Lang went on. +“I recollect now that I saw you as I hurried away +from the school, and I thought you would chase me, +but you didn’t. Then I saw you in the shooting +gallery, but I didn’t know you at first. I’m a fine +shot, you know, but I couldn’t shoot well that night, +after I recognized you,” and he nodded at Bart. +“By this time I had learned of the missing bracelet, +and I was afraid you might have me arrested for +taking it, so I hurried away. But I never saw it.”</p> + +<p>He paused to replace in the cage a turtle that was +crawling out, and the lineman took occasion to say in +a whisper:</p> + +<p>“That’s another of William’s odd notions. He +thinks he is a crack rifle shot.”</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<p>“Well, he did shoot pretty well,” said Bart. “But +I am wondering where on earth the bracelet can be. +We are all at sea again, over it.”</p> + +<p>“I would have more turtles if a certain Fenn +Masterson had sold me his collection,” went on the +queer man. “I got his name from a naturalist’s +magazine, for he collects turtles, it seems. I wrote +to Mr. Masterson, asking him if he’d sell me his +turtles. But I had to proceed very cautiously, for he +lived in the same town where the bracelet was +stolen, and I didn’t want to show myself there. So +I told him to leave his answer in an old sycamore +tree. Then, after I did that I became alarmed, and +I didn’t dare go back to see if he had replied. Oh, +you can’t be too careful in this business,” concluded +the man, with a cunning look.</p> + +<p>“Why, <i>I’m</i> that Fenn Masterson!” exclaimed the +owner of the name.</p> + +<p>“Are you?” demanded William Lang. “Will you +sell me your turtles?”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” replied Fenn, who had rather lost +interest in his collection, of late. “You can have +them. We hid and waited to see if you would call +for an answer to your letter.”</p> + +<p>“I guess that’s some more of poor William’s +imagination,” remarked the lineman in a low voice.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +“Leaving a letter in a sycamore tree, and all that sort +of thing.”</p> + +<p>“No, that part’s true enough,” declared Bart. +“We waited for some time in a storm for him to +show up, but he never did. Oh, it’s true enough. I +am beginning to understand some things now. The +reason why your cousin ran away from us so often +was because of the notion he had that we wanted to +arrest him. We would never have harmed him had +we known.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” agreed the lineman, he and Bart +having talked in whispers while the turtle collector +was exhibiting some odd specimens to Fenn. William +Lang told of his visit to Oak Swamp, and how +he had fled at the sight of the boys, fearing they +wanted to cause his arrest, and he also mentioned his +trips to the mud volcano, and how he had run away +at the sound of some one stirring in the campers’ +tent, likewise how he had led the boys a chase about +the town, just prior to the accident on the pole.</p> + +<p>“But about the bracelet, I don’t know a thing,” +concluded William Lang.</p> + +<p>“No, and I think he tells the truth,” added the +lineman, in a low voice. “I’m sorry, but you boys +will have to keep on with your search.”</p> + +<p>It needed but a glance at the simple face of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +turtle collector to show that he was not a thief, even +if he was a decidedly peculiar individual.</p> + +<p>“Well,” remarked Bart, after a pause, “I guess all +Fenn and I can do is to go back to the hotel, and +wait for Ned and Frank to show up.” The two +turned to leave the turtle collector’s house. William +Lang was busy inspecting his queer pets, and seemed +to pay no further attention to his visitors.</p> + +<p>“William was always a little queer,” remarked +the lineman, as he accompanied the boys outside. +“Harmless, but odd. Just daffy on the mud turtle +question. I don’t wonder he gave you lots to think +about, or that you didn’t quite know how to take +him. He is all right except on turtles. He’d walk +fifty miles to get a new one. But he’s well off, and +can afford to indulge in his fancy.”</p> + +<p>As Bart and Fenn turned into the street they saw, +coming toward them, Ned and Frank. Ned was +frantically waving a paper in the air.</p> + +<p>“How’d you find your way here?” called Bart.</p> + +<p>“People in the crowd told us you’d come here,” +replied Frank. “But have you heard the good +news?”</p> + +<p>“What good news?”</p> + +<p>“The diamond bracelet wasn’t stolen at all!” burst +out Ned. “We just got telegrams from home. They +were at the hotel waiting for us. We went there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +after missing you in the crowd, when something happened +on the top of the pole. We tried to follow +that mysterious man, but we missed him. There are +also telegrams for you two fellows. I thought you +had them, or——”</p> + +<p>“For gracious sake tell us the good news! What +about the diamond bracelet?” yelled Bart.</p> + +<p>“It’s been found!” exploded Ned. “It wasn’t +stolen at all. It had fallen down a crack in the +cabinet, in Professor Long’s room, and a snake was +taking his winter sleep over the crack. Yesterday +the snake died, Mr. Long took it out—and found +the bracelet.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ll be jiggered!” exclaimed Bart.</p> + +<p>“I should say it was good news,” declared Fenn. +“This takes suspicion from the Darewell Chums.”</p> + +<p>Two days later the boys returned to their winter +camp, and, after nearly a month spent in the forest, +they packed up, walked in to Cannistota, sent a teamster +back for their goods, and took a train for home.</p> + +<p>The lads arrived at their home-town at dusk. Jed +Sneed was at the station to meet them.</p> + +<p>A little later the four chums were in their respective +houses, telling of their adventures to their +eager parents—there was considerable to tell.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="noi center">THE END</p> + + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<div class="tnote"> +<p class="noi tntitle">Transcriber’s Notes:</p> + +<p>Printing, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently +corrected.</p> + +<p>Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.</p> + +<p>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Bart Keene's Hunting Days, by Allen Chapman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BART KEENE'S HUNTING DAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 38254-h.htm or 38254-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/2/5/38254/ + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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