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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/38314-8.txt b/38314-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee642df --- /dev/null +++ b/38314-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5284 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Storm-Bound, by Alan Douglas + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Storm-Bound + or, A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + + +Author: Alan Douglas + + + +Release Date: December 15, 2011 [eBook #38314] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORM-BOUND*** + + +E-text prepared by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan, Emmy, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 38314-h.htm or 38314-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38314/38314-h/38314-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38314/38314-h.zip) + + + + + +STORM-BOUND + +Or + +A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + + * * * * * + +THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS + +A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS + +By Capt. Alan Douglas, Scout-master + + +The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol + + Their first camping experience affords the scouts + splendid opportunities to use their recently acquired + knowledge in a practical way. Elmer Chenowith, a lad + from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his + familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story + every boy should read. + + +Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good + + This tale presents many stirring situations in which + the boys are called upon to exercise ingenuity and + unselfishness. A story filled with healthful + excitement. + + +Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot + + Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected + way, greatly to the credit of our young friends. A + variety of incidents follow fast, one after the other. + + +Fast Nine; or, a Challenge from Fairfield + + They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The + description of the final game with the team of a rival + town, and the outcome thereof, form a stirring + narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent + years. + + +Great Hike; or, The Pride of The Khaki Troop + + After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on + their greatest undertaking. Their march takes them far + from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the + different patrols furnishes many interesting and + amusing situations. + + +Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day + + Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck + in the face of apparent failure. Our heroes show the + stuff they are made of and surprise their most ardent + admirers. One of the best stories Captain Douglas has + written. + + +Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost + + It was hard to disbelieve the evidence of their eyes + but the boys by the exercise of common-sense solved a + mystery which had long puzzled older heads. + + +Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + + The boys start out on the wrong track, but their scout + training comes to the rescue and their experience + proves beneficial to all concerned. + + Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy + Scout Series, all illustrated:-- + + Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--Trees and + Wild Flowers of the United States--Reptiles of the + United States--Fishes of the United States--Insects of + the United States and Birds of the United States. + + _Cloth Binding_ _Cover Illustrations in Four Colors_ + _40c. Per Volume_ + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St.) NEW YORK + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: IT SEEMED AN IDEAL SNUG RETREAT] + + +The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts + +STORM-BOUND + +Or + +A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + +by + +CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS + +Scout Master + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +The New York Book Company +New York + +Copyright, 1915, by +The New York Book Company + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I ON THE WRONG TRACK 13 + II A STRANGE PLACE TO CAMP 23 + III THE LONG NIGHT 34 + IV SNOW-BOUND 45 + V WANDERING THROUGH THE DRIFTS 58 + VI IN THE FROZEN MARSH 67 + VII LIL ARTHA SAVES THE DAY 78 + VIII A PRIZE IN THE TRAP 89 + IX THE COMING OF UNCLE CALEB 102 + X POSSESSION NINE POINTS OF THE LAW 111 + XI THE CHIMNEY JUMPER 122 + XII SCOUTS IN CLOVER 133 + XIII THE OBJECT LESSON 146 + XIV THE QUEER ACTIONS OF ZACK ARNOLD 154 + XV A SCOUT'S EDUCATION 165 + XVI GOOD-BY TO THE SNOW FOREST 176 + + + + +STORM-BOUND + +OR A VACATION AMONG THE SNOW DRIFTS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +ON THE WRONG TRACK + + +"ELMER, do you believe we're really on the right track, or have we lost +our bearings in this everlasting snow forest?" + +"Ask me something easy, please, Lil Artha!" + +"Well, I didn't like the looks of that sassy kid who was so eager to +have you make a map from what he told us." + +"Struck me he grinned too much, boys, as sure as my name's George +Robbins. I'm beginning to smell a rat, and think he played a low-down +trick on us." + +"That is, George, you mean he purposely gave us the wrong directions, +and that instead of heading straight for the winter cabin of Toby's +jolly Uncle Caleb we're away off our base?" + +"Looks like it to me, that's all I've got to say," muttered the boy who +had called himself George, at the same time glancing apprehensively at +the snow-clad woods surrounding them on all sides. + +"Me too!" added the fourth member of the little heavily-laden party, and +whose good-natured face usually screwed itself up in an odd series of +wrinkles whenever he spoke with such an effort. + +"Well," remarked the boy called Elmer, whose last name was Chenowith, +and upon whose decisions the others seemed to depend considerably, as +though he might be a leader among them; "let's rest up a bit here, and +look the matter squarely in the face. Perhaps we can figure out where +we've gone wrong, and start on a new course." + +These four well-grown lads were all dressed in the well-known khaki +suits that designate Boy Scouts the wide world over. Of course they wore +heavy woolen sweaters in addition, for the time was just after +Christmas, and Old Winter had taken a notion to set in unusually early +that year. + +They belonged to the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts, which lively +town was situated many miles to the south of the place where we discover +the quartette up against a puzzling question. + +Toby Jones had an old uncle who was not only a scientific man, but who +loved the Great Outdoors so much that of late he had come to spend most +of his time at his lonely cabin in the forest. Here in the summer he +studied, and experimented to his heart's content; while during the +winter he set traps, and took wonderful photographs of the snowbound +woods, as well as of the fur-bearing little animals that made their +homes there. + +The idea had struck Toby that with some of his best chums he surprise +this jolly Uncle Caleb, who was a well-known professor among +scientists. Many times the boy had received a warm invitation to run up +and visit the old gentleman, as well as fetch a friend or two along, but +until this winter Toby had somehow never entertained the idea of doing +so. + +Once it took hold of him, and he became wildly enthusiastic over it. +When he mentioned the scheme to Elmer, as well as two other scouts, they +fell in with it so quickly that the plans were soon arranged. + +Accordingly, immediately after Christmas the four lads had taken a train +for the north, and about noon dropped off at a lonely station, where the +operator was a new hand, and had never even heard of Uncle Caleb, so +that the boys hardly knew which way to turn. Just then they happened to +run across a lanky boy with a grinning face, whom Elmer "pumped," with +the result that they were directed to follow certain landmarks, turn +ever so many times until they came to a frozen creek, up which if they +headed a mile they would discover the cabin they sought. + +They had been following that same frozen stream more than two hours, and +there was not the slightest sign of anything in the way of a shack or +cabin. In fact, it looked as though they had managed to tramp into the +very heart of what seemed to be a trackless forest. In every direction +stretched that never ending array of tall and little trees, each snow +splashed; for there were several inches of the white feathery covering +on the ground, what Elmer called fine "tracking snow;" if only they had +been hunting game instead of a shelter. + +Though all of the scouts kept constantly on the alert they had failed to +detect the first sign of human presence. Not a shout or a gunshot had +they heard; in vain had they searched the snowy ground for the welcome +trail of a trapper going to or coming home after visiting his line of +snares. + +No wonder then that some of the boys had begun to believe they were +tricked by that glib-tongued native lad, who had chuckled so +disagreeably as he accepted the silver quarter Elmer thrust in his grimy +palm. + +All of them bore heavy loads. For the most part these consisted of extra +clothes of course for use in case of extreme cold weather; but two of +them also carried guns; and Toby had strapped on his pack a pair of +snow-shoes his uncle had once presented to him, but which the boy had +never found a good chance to use, though he hoped the time had now +arrived for putting them to some service. + +"I've been trying to figure things out," Elmer told them, as they sat +down on a log to rest, while trying to decide which way they should +turn; "and while I'm liable to be mistaken just as much as anybody else, +I really think we'd have a better chance to find that cabin, or run +across some sign of Toby's uncle, if we quit following this creek bed, +and turned sharply to the right." + +Now Elmer was not only the leader of the Wolf Patrol when at home, but +had long ago qualified for the position of assistant scout master of the +troop. When the regular scout master, a young man named Mr. Roderic +Garrabrant, chanced to be absent, which frequently happened, the boys +looked to Elmer to guide and direct them. + +Consequently the three who were now in his company had come to look for +great things from their chum; and Elmer often found it a difficult task +to satisfy their expectations. And so it was he had in the start given +them to understand that he could make mistakes as well as the next one, +and they must not think him infallible. + +As usual everybody seemed ready to fall in with his suggestion but +George, who had a contrary streak in his make-up, and was always ready +with objections and questions and serious shakings of the head. They +called him "Doubting George," but grown people would long ago have +dubbed him a pessimist, because he was always seeing the gloomy side of +things, and wanting to be doubly convinced. + +"But it seems to me," he started to say, "that we may be jumping out of +the fryingpan into the fire if we do that. How do we know the cabin lies +to the right?" + +"We don't," replied Elmer, without manifesting any feeling over his +opinion being questioned, for he knew George of old, and in fact would +have been considerably surprised if the other had not put up what Toby +called a "kick." + +"Would you like to direct us, George?" asked the tall scout, whose name +was Arthur Stansbury, but whom his schoolmates had in a spirit of fun +long ago dubbed "Lil Artha," which ridiculous nick-name clung to him +like a leech to this day, although he was fully a head above any of the +other fellows. + +"Oh! excuse me from taking that responsibility on my shoulders," George +hastened to say, looking almost alarmed; "if I did, and happened to +guess wrong, I'd never hear the end of it." + +"So you admit that it'd have to be a _guess_, do you?" pursued Lil Artha +mercilessly; "well, on the part of Elmer he's tried to reason the old +thing out, and both Toby'n me feel that we can't do better than try what +he says. I only hope the walking's better than it's been along this +frozen creek, where the ice is too slippery for us to make use of the +same. Why didn't we think to fetch our skates along?" + +"I did think of it," Toby told him; "but it meant more weight to our +packs; and then from what Uncle Caleb's told me about the lay of the +country up here, I couldn't figure out how we'd find any use for skates +where there was only swamp, marsh, and mebbe a few little crooked creeks +nearly always covered with a foot of snow. So I fetched these bully +snow-shoes instead. Don't I hope I'll have a chance to skim over the +snow on the same, if we're lucky enough to get a heavy fall while up +here." + +"Perhaps we may get a storm before we're ready for it," observed Elmer +drily, as he shot a dubious glance up at the gray sky that had such an +ominous look. + +Lil Artha jumped to his feet, showing signs of some excitement. + +"Hey! let's be on the hike, fellows!" he exclaimed; "if a storm dropped +on top of us right now it wouldn't do a thing to us, p'raps. We haven't +got only enough grub for a single day. I guess matches are about the +only thing we're heavy on, because we expected to eat our meals in Uncle +Caleb's cabin most of the time." + +"Well, matches are good things to have up here in the snow woods," +remarked Elmer, who was an exact contrast to George in that he always +saw the silver lining of the cloud, whereas the other scout could not +get beyond the pall. + +"You bet they are," Lil Artha went on to say, as he shouldered his pack, +which he had arranged in regular Adirondack fashion, with a band across +his forehead to assist in sustaining the weight; "though for that +matter, if we went shy of the same I reckon you could depend on me to +get fire by making a little bow, and sawing the same on a pointed stick, +South Sea Islander way. I've done it more'n once, though I never seem +able to depend on my cunning. Something goes wrong so often; or else I'm +in too big a hurry, and spoil everything. But if you're ready lead off, +Elmer. We'll trip along in your tracks, and keep it up for another hour +anyway. That rest did us all a heap of good." + +The four scouts kept pushing on steadily. Elmer in the van continued to +maintain a bright lookout for any sign of footprints in the snow that +would give them encouragement, though as time passed, and he failed to +find any such, the rosy hopes with which they had started began to +gradually fade away. + +Of course the others also kept their eyes about them, in hopes of +sighting a lone cabin, or discovering smoke rising amidst the trees. +Hope died hard, and only George grumbled when more than half an hour had +crept on without their running upon the first sign that would mean +success. + +Once Elmer had pointed out to them the tracks of a fox, and of course +being true scouts, they were all greatly interested in examining the +trail, and speculating on whether it had been of the ordinary red +variety, or a gray animal, perhaps one of those silver-black foxes, the +pelt of which is often valued at as much as fifteen hundred dollars. + +Elmer had settled this question by picking up a hair he found caught on +the split end of a branch that grew low down, and which the body of the +fox, as well as his brushy tail, must have scraped as he slipped past. +It was plainly a red hair, and even George could not find any cause for +disputing that evidence, though he was far from happy, and in a fit mood +for argument if the occasion arose. + +Several other times Elmer pointed to the unmistakable track of a +bounding rabbit, and had they had more time at their disposal the boys +would have liked nothing better than to follow these, so as to figure +out what was chasing bunny to induce him to take such enormous jumps. +But the fact of their being astray in that unknown forest, with night +not far away, and a heavy snow-storm brooding over them, rather +discouraged them from turning aside from the main thing that engaged +their attention, which of course was the finding of the trapper's cabin. + +Nobody paid the least attention to George when they heard him grunting +away in the rear, because George would not have been happy unless he was +miserable, strange though that may sound. There is generally a boy built +after that fashion in every crowd of scouts. As a rule he has some good +qualities that make his friends forgive his bad ones, and finally they +get so accustomed to his grumblings that they pay little attention to +them. In fact George's complainings had little more effect on his boon +companions than so much water poured on a duck's back would. It amused +him to grunt and object, and hurt them very little, so what was the +sense of making any trouble? + +Another fifteen minutes crept along. There did not seem to be any +particular change in things, except that the light was showing signs of +failing, and perhaps George stumbled more frequently, for he was not as +spry on his feet when carrying a pack as the other fellows. + +"Don't seem to be over this way either, Elmer," suggested Lil Artha, +finally. + +"That's right, Uncle Caleb's cabin appears to be as hard to locate as a +needle in a haystack," admitted the leader of the Wolf Patrol, cheerily; +as though it would have to be something more than this to discourage +him, because he had made it his business in life to always look at the +bright side of things; and knew that no matter how gloomy the prospect +might be it could seem much worse. + +"That settles it!" came abruptly from George in the rear. + +"What's the matter with you back there; stubbed your toe again? We'll +have to make a scout litter and carry you the rest of the way, if you +keep on falling over every old log there is," Lil Artha told him, +severely. + +"'Tain't that this time, mind you," the delinquent one answered back, +with a triumphant grin; "but what's the use trying to poke along any +further? Might as well be killed for a sheep as a lamb, any day. This +place looks like it'd make a good camp for to-night." + +"Camp?" echoed Toby. + +"Sure thing!" snapped George. "We're all tuckered out, and as hungry as +wolves in the dead of winter; night's comin' on right fast; and then if +you take a look you'll see that it's begun to snow!" and as the others +did glance hastily up they discovered the first few big flakes commence +to sail lazily down! + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A STRANGE PLACE TO CAMP + + +"I'M surprised at you saying it's going to snow, George," Lil Artha +remarked, as he turned on the doubting scout; "because it'd be more like +you to tell us ten flakes didn't make a storm, and that anyway there was +always a chance of it giving us the go-by. Guess you're tired, and want +to snuggle down close to a warm fire, which would explain why you give +in so easy-like." + +"Just as you please, so long as we do camp," replied the other, as he +began to undo the straps that secured his hamper to his back. + +"Keep still, fellows!" said Elmer, in a husky whisper; "I honestly +believe I saw a bevy of partridges fly up in a tree over yonder," and as +he dropped his pack lightly to the ground, he gripped the trusty little +twelve-bore Marlin double-barreled shot-gun which he had owned for a +number of years, and occasionally found a use for. + +"Oh! partridges, fat partridges, and me as hungry as a bear!" gasped +Toby; but Elmer had already quitted his chums, and was making his way +toward the point he had indicated with his hand. + +They watched him with considerable eagerness, and waited to see what +luck attended his stalking action. + +"Since it looks like we'd have to spend a night here, like the Babes in +the Wood," Lil Artha was saying in a whisper, "it'd be real nice if +Elmer could only bag four plump birds for our supper! Let's hope he gets +a string of the same in range, and makes a double with each shot." + +"Honest Injun! I think I could devour four myself, without half trying," +Toby assured them, rubbing the pit of his stomach as though to call +their attention to the fact that it was an aching void. + +"Huh! you mightn't even get the smell of a single one cooking," George +warned him; "because I've been told partridges are wary old birds, even +up here, where they light in the trees after being flushed, instead of +going off with a whirr of their wings, like they do down our way." + +"There, he's going to let drive!" said Lil Artha, who, being something +of a hunter himself, had been closely observing the progress of Elmer +all this time. + +"Good luck to his pot-shot!" muttered Toby. + +Two reports were heard in quick succession. Then Elmer was seen to +hastily run forward, at the same time managing to reload his gun. + +"He got one, anyhow!" cried Toby, exultantly; "that fixes _me_ all +right. There, he has grabbed another up off the ground. Bully for Elmer! +He knows how to work the game, all right. What! another bird? Oh! +George, if only he had killed four you might have had one, the same as +the rest of us!" + +"Well, I like your nerve," said George, indignantly; "why should I be +singled out to get left, tell me that, Toby?" + +"Keep quiet, George, and don't get riled so easy," Lil Artha told him, +"because, as sure as you live he's hurrying over to pick a fourth bird +up. What d'ye think of that for great luck, now? Four hungry scouts, and +a fat partridge for each. I think it's a splendid introduction to Uncle +Caleb's pet game preserve, don't you all?" + +"He must have knocked over three with that right barrel," ventured Toby; +"like as not they were all sitting along a limb when he fired, and then +he picked that last one when they were on the wing, remembering that +George would have to go hungry, or only suck the racks, if he didn't get +another." + +When Elmer rejoined them he was wearing a smile of contentment such as +usually adorns the face of a successful sportsman. + +"Couldn't have been better any way you fixed it, fellows," he told them. +"There they sat, in a row, and you never saw a prettier sight. I just +hated to do such a thing, but even scouts can be forgiven for shooting +game when they're adrift in an unknown snow forest, and hungry in the +bargain." + +"I should say they could," Lil Artha added, forcibly, "and lots of other +times in the bargain. But these birds are as plump as any I've ever +seen. Just feel of the fat breasts, will you? Makes my mouth water, +thinking how fine they'll go with our coffee and crackers. How fortunate +we thought to bring a few things along in case Uncle Caleb might run +short on rations. Plenty of coffee, a little tea, some sugar, a can of +condensed milk, crackers, cheese, a pound of bacon, and a package of +self-raising flour for flapjacks. We ought to subsist for a whole day on +that bill of fare, don't you think?" + +"And as we've got our guns along," interposed Lil Artha, "with more or +less of game around us, what's the use of worrying? For one I'm meaning +to take things as they come, and squeeze what fun I can out of the +same." + +"That's the stuff!" said Toby, and Elmer nodded his approval; only +skeptical George remained silent, for he was feeling of his partridge +and with a frown on his brow that made Toby hasten to assure him the +bird was a real one, and not such as he may have seen in his dreams. + +Already Elmer was casting about to see where they had better locate +their camp. It was easy to say this would be for only one night, but how +did they know? The threatening storm might swoop down with such force +that it would virtually imprison them for a much longer stay. And so he +considered it worth while to do the best possible while they had any +choice of situation. + +Elmer had had considerable experience, having spent a year up on a +Canadian cattle ranch and wheat farm owned by an uncle, Elmer's father +having been given charge of the property. There the boy had learned +dozens of things that were apt to prove valuable to any one in the +woods. Besides, he had made it a practice to pick up information +wherever he went by asking questions, investigating for himself, and +constantly increasing his stock of knowledge. + +Looking in every quarter he presently decided that since they carried no +tent, and it would be no easy task to make a brush shelter, their best +move was to settle down in the lee of one of those cavities formed when +a hurricane had toppled a number of giant trees over, with their roots, +and the earth attached to the same, standing fully eight feet in the +air. + +There was a little choice about the matter, and Elmer picked out the one +best suited to screen them from the northwest wind. The snow would +surely come from that direction, and having a windbreak might mean +considerable. + +"Drop everything here, boys, and let's hustle to collect all the wood we +can find. Don't stop short of darkness, because maybe we'll have to keep +a fire going for several days. Just drag it handy, so we'll know where +to find it, even if the snow comes two feet deep!" + +"Whew! I sure hope it don't get us that way to start with," said Toby; +"and us not knowing whether Uncle Caleb's shack is to the north, east or +west. Don't I wish we'd run across him in the woods, and were toasting +our shins alongside a fire in his comfy little place right now! Um! But +the snow's coming faster than she was, fellows!" + +"The more reason we should get busy," Elmer told him. + +At that they started energetically to "make hay while the sun shone," as +Lil Artha said, though he must himself have been convinced that the +comparison was hardly a good one, judging from the grimace he gave when +casting his eyes upward toward the leaden sky that frowned down upon +them like a dome. + +Fortunately there was no lack of wood handy. This had doubtless been one +reason why Elmer had decided on pitching the camp where he did. Those +fallen trees had in crashing to the ground broken many large limbs off, +and all that was necessary for the campers to do was to drag these, one +after another, to a convenient striking distance from the hole in which +they intended spending the night. + +All around it they banked up the loose wood, until Toby declared they +had fully enough to do an army. + +"Don't you believe it," said Lil Artha, an authority on fires among his +fellow scouts; "you'd be s'prised to see what an enormous amount of wood +a fire eats up in a single night; and like as not we may have to hold +the fort a week, just as Elmer said. Keep on fetching it a little while +longer, boys." + +"You're on the safe side there, Lil Artha," the cautious scout master +decided; "we can't have too much burning wood, with that sky threatening +us. And to run out, with the snow piled up hip-high over everything +wouldn't be the nicest job in the world. Let's work at it for another +ten minutes. By then it will be so near dark that we can lay off, and +get our camp fixed." + +So they labored on industriously until Elmer called a halt. George was a +good enough worker, and usually did his share when the necessity arose. +His grumbling really sprang more from force of habit than a desire to +make himself disagreeable. Sometimes Elmer seriously considered whether +it would pay them to try and cure George of his fault-finding, and then +as often decided that, given time, it must surely die out. Things of +that sort generally thrive on opposition. + +To Lil Artha was given over the task of making the fire. It was lucky +indeed in this pinch that Elmer had thought to bring his pet camp +hatchet along. Though its weight had added to his weariness on the +march, he had had what he called a "hunch" that it might come in handy, +though hardly expecting to be compelled to fall back on the little tool +the first thing in order to supply fuel for a camp. + +So the tall scout began to hack at a couple of promising fragments of +thick limbs which would make good sides for the cooking fire, and upon +which their coffeepot could rest; for they had such a thing along, as +well as a skillet, both made of aluminum, and weighing next to nothing. + +Elmer, assisted by George and Toby, meanwhile started to see how some +sort of shelter could be arranged with the four rubber ponchos which +they carried. He knew how soldiers on the march are in the habit of +fastening two of these together by means of the grummet holes along the +edges, forming a little shelter called a "dog-tent," under which the +pair can at least keep the upper halves of their bodies from the rain. + +By skillful work they managed to cover the cavity behind the upturned +roots of the fallen forest monarch in such a fashion that it would shed +most of the snow, even though some might drift through the cracks. + +"A pretty good job!" Lil Artha told them, as he suspended operations in +connection with his fire, which was by now sending out a grateful +warmth, and much good cheer in addition. + +"Next thing is to get the birds plucked, and ready for the spit," +announced Toby, as he took up the one that had been apportioned to him. + +George followed suit, but was evidently a poor hand at stripping the +feathers off, to judge by the gingerly way he went at it. Lil Artha had +to show him just how to grip hold, and make things fly; but even then +George looked anything but happy. + +"And I'd feel safe in wagering," said Toby, with a laugh, as he held up +his partridge, beautifully cleaned, and ready to be broiled before the +fire, after he had split it down the back, "that if we were anywhere +near home George would be willing to spend his last dime in bribing +some boy to finish his job; but that don't go here; no work no pay. +Those who expect to dine on partridge must prepare the same. You hear me +speaking, George. But I don't mind showing you again how I do it, which +according to my notion is a better way than Lil Artha has." + +And as George, seeing his opportunity, commenced to compliment Toby, and +engage his attention, the result was that he got his partridge not only +completely denuded down to the last pinfeather, but split along the back +in the bargain. + +After that a busy scene that glowing, snapping fire saw, with the +coffeepot sending out a delightful aroma, and the four hungry boys each +holding out his game near the flames, turning it often in order to allow +every part to receive an equal share of the intense heat that was +browning the outside so beautifully. + +Finally Toby gave a groan. + +"Can't stand for it any longer, and that's a fact, fellows!" he +announced; "please fill my cup with coffee, Elmer, and let me get +started or I'll cave in. George, pass that package of crackers, will +you; and, Lil Artha, I'd like to sample that cheese if you don't mind!" + +"For goodness' sake everybody wait on Toby, and get him shut off, or +he'll give us no peace!" exclaimed Lil Artha, though he had already put +his own teeth into one half of his sizzling partridge, to find that it +was as tender as could be, and perfectly delicious. + +In another minute or two all of them were busily engaged. It was such a +pleasant duty, partaking of this forest meal, and amidst such romantic +surroundings, that for the time being they forgot all the dismal +prospects ahead of them, and were quite merry. Toby joked, and Lil Artha +laughed aloud, while Elmer joined them, and even George, placated by +having his gnawing pains satisfied, for the time being looked contented +with the world. He would not have made any objection had he been offered +a second edition of that game supper; for when his bird had been reduced +to a mere lot of well-picked bones his taste for broiled partridge +seemed as keen as ever. + +Possessed of hearty boyish appetites it can readily be understood that +they had made a pretty good hole in their limited supplies by the time +all of them admitted that they were satisfied. Toby professed to be +greatly concerned because of this growing scarcity of rations, and as +for George, his gloom had returned, since he was already talking of the +time, near at hand most likely, when the cupboard would be as bare as it +was when Old Mother Hubbard went to get her dog a bone. + +"Gee! whiz! look at it coming down, would you!" burst out Lil Artha, as +having finished attending to that clamorous appetite, he thought it +worth while to take an observation, in order to learn what the weather +might be. + +"Never saw it snow harder," admitted Toby. + +"Be over our heads by morning, see if 'tain't," George prophesied. + +"Well, p'raps you may have a chance to use those snow-shoes sooner'n you +thought you would, Toby," ventured Lil Artha, as they all crouched +there, staring out at the dark forest, and watching the myriads of big +flakes steadily falling, as though a storm of the greatest magnitude had +come down from the far northwest, where the weather man keeps this brand +of thing in tap for scouts who are incautious enough to be caught +napping, away off in a strange woods, and with only rations for one day +in their haversacks. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE LONG NIGHT + + +"LET me tell you this is going to be the queerest old camp any of us +ever found ourselves stuck in," Toby ventured to remark, some time +later. + +"I should say it was," grumbled George, as he rubbed his ears, and then +held both hands out toward the fire to warm them again. + +"I know one thing we ought to do right away," said Elmer, "and that's +get out those warm skating tuques; they'll keep the air off our heads, +and can be drawn down to protect our ears." + +"That's a good idea, Elmer," Lil Artha told him, "because I don't want +to have one of my wigwags frozen off. You see, I'm so much taller than +the rest of you it takes harder work for my poor heart to pump warm +blood all the way up; and so I'm likely to suffer from cold extremities. +Seems like that off ear is frosted right now." + +"If it is," cried George, hurriedly, as though he thought Lil Artha +meant all he said, "take my advice, and rub it hard with a lot of snow. +That'll take the frost out, and start circulation again. Brr! but this +is going to be a tough night, when you think of it." + +"I don't know," Elmer told him; "seems to me we've got a whole lot to +be thankful for, with this fine fire, and a protection against the +storm. Perhaps we may run up against something harder than this before +we're done." + +"But we haven't got a tent, and our grub is pretty skimpy, say what you +will," the grumbler went on to protest. + +"Yes, that's all very true," continued Elmer, "but how wise we were to +fetch our blankets along, for fear that Toby's uncle mightn't have +enough in stock to go around. They felt pretty heavy when we carried +them, soldier fashion, around one shoulder, and tied them under the +other arm; but here's where they come in dandy." + +"Well, believe me, it was the smartest trick we ever did," Lil Artha +hastened to comment, "and if we'd only glimpsed this sort of box ahead, +so as to lay in three times as much grub, it'd be all right." + +"It is all right as it stands," the leader went on to say, "and we'll +show how scouts can take things as they come, without making mouths. So +let's see how we're going to fix ourselves for the night." + +"Guess none of us care much to sit up late, and gabble over the fire," +suggested Toby; "though it seems a fellow can't get enough of that heat +in him." + +"I want to shut out the whole business," affirmed George, in sheer +disgust, "and I hope that after my eyes close I won't know a blooming +thing till morning." + +George was a good sleeper as a rule, and his troubles seldom kept him +from getting a fair share of rest. Nor was he like his cousin, Philander +Smith, also a member of the Wolf Patrol, and who had been known to walk +in his sleep; George, once he snuggled down, with his blanket tucked all +around him, was like a regular Indian mummy. The others, knowing this +from past experiences, paid little attention to his complaints +concerning a disturbed night, because they knew it never had any real +basis of fact. + +For some little time the four boys busied themselves getting "fixed." +George was as hard to suit as any old maid. He found something wrong +with every corner of the depression that he tried; here it was a root +that jabbed him in the ribs; in another place the point of a big stone +made it impossible for him to curl up, and maintain a comfortable +attitude. + +After he had made the complete round, the others allowing him his +choice, he was finally compelled to accept the first position he had +tested. + +"Now let's hope we've heard the last kick from you, George," Lil Artha +told him, severely, after submitting to all this fussing; "I don't see +what you've got to complain about after all. Your bones are well covered +with a pad, while mine stick out like the joints of a scarecrow. And +say, don't you think I'm going to have a tough time of it stowing these +long legs of mine away? Chances are they'll push out in the night, and +when I wake up again I'll find the lower part of poor Lil Artha as +stiff as a board. Subside, George! Give the rest of us a chance to get +settled down. If we all took as long as you did it'd be near morning +before we fixed things." + +Finally, however, they seemed to have made the best of a bad bargain. +Taking Elmer's advice they all kept as close together as possible. In +this way perhaps they might not secure a great abundance of decent +sleep, but the fact of their being in touch with each other would add to +their comfort in the way of warmth. + +Elmer, with characteristic generosity, had chosen last, and hence he lay +nearer the outside of the shelter than any of his mates. But having +known what it was to be exposed to the rigors of a cold storm, since he +had braved a Canadian winter while up on that ranch, the young scout +master also knew how to make use of his blanket as though it were a +sleeping bag. + +The hours dragged slowly along. + +Afterwards they would always look back, and shudder as they remembered +how terribly long that night did seem. And yet none of them really +suffered, save that it was impossible to sleep, only in snatches. + +This was on account of several things. In the first place, they were +jammed together in a way to which they were wholly unaccustomed; and +when one stirred on becoming cramped it aroused all the others in turn. +Then their strange surroundings had more or less influence upon them. +Not that there was any furious noise, such as would have accompanied a +summer gale; but the weird moaning of the wintry wind through the +leafless branches of the oaks, and the bending tops of the pines, made a +music that kept them thinking they heard human voices calling for help. + +Another reason why Elmer had chosen the outside place when lying down +was his desire to keep watch upon the fire. + +It was his intention to keep this going as long as possible, though a +fellow built on the order of George would have complained bitterly had +he been compelled to crawl out of his snug nest several times in order +to face that pitiless storm, and pile more fuel on the smouldering logs. + +Elmer was one of those boys who, knowing his duty, always went about it +without any brag or bluster, and could be depended on to sacrifice his +own comfort in order that his chums might benefit. In other words Elmer +was what you might call an ideal scout. He seldom had any trouble about +practicing those twelve cardinal principles that govern the working day +of a scout--to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, +kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. They came +naturally to him. + +Three times did he perform this fire-building act. The last occasion +must have been well on toward the hour of three in the morning, as he +judged from certain conditions, though he could not bother looking at +his little silver watch. + +At that time the storm was keeping it up just as wildly as ever, and +there was much more than a foot of snow on the ground, where it had not +drifted; with any quantity still to come down. + +After that Elmer must have secured better sleep, for he did not wake up +again until a movement accompanied by a voice aroused him. + +"Great Scott! let me tell you the bottom's dropped out of the mercury +tube this time, boys!" the voice went on to bellow, and he recognized +the tones as belonging to George, who had not been heard from ever since +he first curled up in the folds of his warm blanket. + +He was raising his head now, and observing his breath as it congealed in +the frosty air. Elmer knew that the time to sleep had passed, because it +was daylight. + +"How about that snow, has it stopped?" asked another voice, as Toby sat +up, and began to stretch his arms upon which he may have been lying so +that they felt more or less numb. + +"Still coming down as hard as ever," Elmer told him, shaking quite a lot +of the feathery stuff out of the folds of his blanket; and then +struggling to his feet. + +There was no lounging around that morning. It was so cold that every +fellow was glad to get into action immediately he came out of his +blanket. George begged to be allowed to lie there until the fire got +good and warm. He urged every plea he could think of, saying they would +only get in each others' way by crowding; and that too many cooks always +spoiled the broth, anyway; but Toby and Lil Artha declared they had no +use for a shirker; and if he did nothing else he could stand up and +serve as a windbreak for the "willing workers." + +The fire had gone completely out, and several inches of snow covered the +spot; but wise, long-headed Elmer had provided against such a +contingency on the evening before, for he had a handful of fine wood, +light and dry, handy, with which to make a fresh start. + +After things got to moving it was not so bad. The scouts soon felt even +a little cheerful over the situation, because a crackling fire is one of +the greatest inducements to raising one's spirits ever discovered. When +shivering with the cold, and hungry as well, the world looks pretty blue +to any one; but let that same person come in close contact with a fire +that warms him up, and things quickly take on quite a different hue. + +Then there was that fragrant odor of coffee and bacon cooking on the +fire that tickled the noses of the boys; nothing could beat that for +good cheer--"if only they had more of the same," as George constantly +reminded them, even when enjoying his share. + +"Strikes me this is a mighty slim breakfast," he remarked, as he found +that he had already caused more than half that was on his pannikin to +vanish, and yet his appetite seemed as sharp as ever. + +"You never spoke truer words, George," said Toby, soberly, "but when you +stop to think what a small amount of stuff we've got along with us, and +the bad fix we're in, you can understand that we've got to cut the +allowance down." + +"Yes," added Lil Artha, "of course you've heard of shipwrecked mariners +being in a boat, and drifting around on the big ocean for days and days. +Well, they always have to go on half rations, both with food and fresh +drinking water. Anyhow we won't have to bother our poor heads about that +last, because all we have to do is to melt snow and get what we want." + +"Hang it, I wish we could melt all the old white stuff; I hate it!" +George continued, being a poor loser. + +"And yet I've heard you fairly raving over the beautiful snow," chuckled +Lil Artha, "but then that was when you were out sleigh riding with Polly +Brett. Makes considerable difference what your condition is, how you +look at things. For my part I don't hanker after snow one bit right now. +Seen all I want to of it to last me all winter; but then what's the use +bothering your head about things that can't be changed. It's a +condition, not a theory, that confronts us, and what we want to do is to +set our minds to work wrestling with the question of how we're going to +crawl out of this difficulty and find Uncle Caleb's shack." + +"Whew! mebbe I don't wish we were there now, snug under his roof, and +telling him all about our adventure, as well as how Elmer here found a +way to pull his chums out of a hole, like he always does," and Toby, +while saying this, gave the scout master a sly look, as though begging +him to tell them some hopeful news that would buoy their sinking +spirits up. + +"I wish I had as much confidence in myself as you seem to feel in me, +Toby," was what Elmer told him, "but I couldn't say the storm is nearly +over, because it's coming down as hard as ever, and goodness knows when +it means to let up. But we're a lively bunch, you know, and we're bound +to find some way of getting out of this scrape." + +"We've been in others just as tough, remember," Lil Artha declared, "and +always did get to the top of the heap in the end." + +"That's the way to talk," Elmer continued; "confidence is always one +half of the battle. We've proved that on many a hard-fought field, +baseball, football and hockey as well. If you can force yourself to +believe you will win, the chances are improved three-fold." + +"Well," said George, drily, as he stared very hard at his now empty +platter, "I'm doing my level best to force myself to believe this +pannikin is heaped high with beefsteak and fried onions and fried +potatoes; now if I've got a third of a chance to get what I'm wishing +for, even that much would fill a long-felt want. But say, none of you +see any grub coming along on my dish do you? Well, wishing don't seem to +do any good. I'm as hungry as ever, too, worse luck. Even speaking of +such splendid eatings seems to make my mouth water." + +"Then stop it!" cried Toby; "think all you want to, but the rest of us +have feelings as well as you, and it's cruelty to animals to even +mention such things as--" + +"Hold on there! don't you aggravate things by mentioning that list +again, or I'll proceed to roll you out of this hole into the snow +drifts!" threatened Lil Artha, pretending to make a threatening gesture, +while Toby threw up both hands in token of abject surrender. + +"I'm dumb as an oyster, Lil Artha," he protested. "I haven't got another +word to say; but if there's got to be any ejecting done let's grab the +right party, and see that he gets his full dose." + +George had meanwhile managed to pick up a couple of extra crackers, and +having his mouth full did not make any reply. Lil Artha deftly snatched +the box away from him, and closing it, calmly placed it out of reach. + +"No hogging, now, George," he went on to say; "share and share alike is +the rule we've got to go by from now on. If there's any hungry feeling +swinging around, it's going to be no one-sided game. Others can feel +empty as well as the Robbins family pet. But let's hope that before +another night we'll all be sitting around a table in Uncle Caleb's +shack, as warm and cozy as four bugs in a rug." + +The mere thought of having to spend a second night amidst those enormous +snow drifts gave the boys an unpleasant feeling. They turned and looked +out from under their rude shelter. The fire itself was cheery; but +beyond this lay the piles of snow, the grim trees with their white arms +extended like monuments in the burying ground at Hickory Ridge, and with +the air full of still rapidly falling flakes, as though the weather man +up aloft had an unlimited supply of white geese to pluck on this special +occasion. + +For a short time no one said a word. They were all busy with thoughts, +perhaps connected with their happy homes, so far removed; or it might be +trying to picture the cheery scene Lil Artha had spoken of when he +mentioned that cabin of Uncle Caleb, the man of science, and the small +animal photographer and trapper. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SNOW-BOUND + + +"I DON'T believe there ever was such a furious snow-storm as this +before!" Toby remarked, after a while, with a little pensive sigh, as +though he had already begun to repent having conceived that brilliant +idea, in the following out of which they had fallen into their present +serious predicament. + +"Oh! that's because the wish is father to the thought, Toby," Elmer told +him. "We all like to stand up ahead of the other fellows. If you were +home right now I reckon you'd just say that it was a pretty decent sort +of a storm; but being cooped up here in the woods makes things look +different." + +"How deep do you think she is on the level, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha; "as +much as three feet?" + +"Nothing like that," replied the other, quickly; "you mustn't judge by +seeing what's piled up there. That's a drift, and the eddies of wind +have been piling it up all night long. You see the snow is as dry almost +as powder, owing to the cold. It's quit falling in big flakes, and is +sifting down now in fine stuff." + +"Yes, and it gets down your back every time, if you don't look out," +complained George. "This beats my time all hollow. I wonder how it'll +end." + +Elmer purposely made out to mistake the croaker's meaning; he knew that +George was thinking of the dismal outlook by which they were confronted, +but chose to pretend it was something else that was intended. + +"What, this storm, George?" he said, cheerily; "oh! it'll wind up before +a great while. They all have their innings, you know, some longer than +others." + +"I should say this was one of the longest, then," George affirmed. + +"But after it does stop we can make up our plans, and start to carry the +same out," Elmer continued, knowing that if he kept the minds of his +companions employed in some fashion they would not find much time to +worry. "I'm going to settle down pretty soon by the fire here, and +figure things out again. This time we want to make a sure job of it. I +know the wiggly route we've taken to get here, following that little +creek, and I've settled it in my mind just which way we ought to go to +remedy our blunder." + +"It wasn't so much a mistake as false tips we received, you remember, +Elmer," Lil Artha was quick to say. + +"Yes, that skunk told us wrong just to have what he thought would be a +silly joke on scouts," Toby added. "Guess he thought we considered +ourselves some punkins because we wore khaki suits, and he was mean +enough to want to take us down a peg. I'd like to see that same chap +again. What I wouldn't do to him wouldn't be worth telling." + +"At any rate he's forced us to have a novel experience," Elmer told +them. "Only for his sending us on a false scent we wouldn't have had the +chance to know what scouts can do when storm-bound in a snow forest. +Some time, when it's all away back in the past, and you can sit and +think of it without getting furious, perhaps none of us may feel quite +so hard about that young scamp's work." + +"Huh! about that time begin to feel of your shoulders," grunted George, +"because I reckon the wings will have started to sprout. If I had _my_ +way I'd condemn that rascal to spend a whole week in a snow camp, with +only six matches along, and just enough grub to keep him from starving. +Half rations and George Robbins don't seem to agree very well." + +"Nothing seems to agree well with you this morning, George," remarked +Lil Artha; "I hope it don't turn out to be catching." + +"What do you mean by saying that, Lil Artha?" demanded the other, +suspiciously. + +The tall scout shrugged his shoulders as he went on to cautiously +explain. + +"Why, you know we were talking about shipwrecked sailors a while back, +and how they often had to go on half rations because they carried so +little in the boat with them?" + +"Yes, go on," urged George. + +"Once in a while it gets even worse than that," Lil Artha continued, +gravely, "and they have to draw lots to see who will be sacrificed, so +that the rest of the bunch can live." + +"Aw! come off, and quit that!" cried George; "you're just trying to +scare me, and it don't go worth a cent. Nobody is going to starve here +in the woods where we can find some sort of meat to eat, even crow, if +we have to come to it, or perhaps muskrat. That's a mighty poor joke, +Lil Artha, let me tell you." + +"Well, of course I'm hoping myself that things'll never get _just_ that +bad," the tall scout went on to say, "but only supposin' they did, and +the choice fell on you, I'm wondering if ever afterwards the three of us +would have to go around all our lives finding fault with everything. I +wouldn't like that, George." + +"But what about yourself?" demanded the other; "you might happen to be +the first victim after all, Lil Artha." + +"That makes me smile," he was informed, coolly; "d'ye think now anybody +with eyes in his head would be so silly as to pick out a bony scarecrow +like _me_ when they could settle on a nice plump chicken of your build?" +and he playfully dug his fingers in George's ribs as he said this. + +"Let's change the subject," Toby broke in with; "this always talking of +eatin' seems to jar on my nerves. It sets me to thinkin', and that empty +larder stares me in the face. Something's got to be done about it." + +"Sure it has," echoed Lil Artha, eying George closer so that the other +squirmed uneasily, and edged further away from him. + +"If we stay right where we are nothing will come to us, will there, +Elmer?" Toby pursued. + +"If you mean anything in the way of game we could hardly expect it," +replied the scout master. "The fellow who generally gets there is the +one who goes out and finds what he wants, and doesn't hang around home +waiting for something to turn up. That's what wideawake scouts believe +in." + +"Hurrah! that's the ticket! And when can we make a start?" demanded +Toby. + +"If there's any sign of the storm letting up by noon, we'll clear out +and take our chances of finding Uncle Caleb's shack before night-time," +he was told. + +"And as the snow's so deep," Toby rattled on, "what's to hinder me from +trying my bully snow-shoes?" + +"Nothing that I know of," Elmer remarked; "only I'm afraid you won't +find the going as easy as you expect." + +"I won't, eh? What's the reason?" asked Toby, who always wanted to be +shown. + +"You're a new beginner, in the first place, and a knowledge of how to +walk on snow-shoes is something that's got to be gained by experience. +I've been on them up in Canada; and they had to dig me out lots of times +before I learned how to stand straight. If once you slip it's good-bye +to you. Down your head goes, and you can't get up alone because of the +clumsy big shoes. They always carry a long stick to keep from taking +these headers, especially when going it alone." + +"Anything else?" asked the aspiring one, as he took up the pair of +splendid snow-shoes Uncle Caleb had sent him, and made as if to secure +his toe in place with the thong intended for that purpose. + +"Yes, there's another thing that will make it doubly hard," Elmer +informed him. "Dry snow like this is the toughest kind to walk over. +When hunters go after deer or moose on snow-shoes they always pick a +time after a thaw, when a return of the cold has frozen the wet surface +of the deep snow. Over this thin ice they can run three times as fast as +the poor deer, which breaks through with every jump, and flounders +almost helplessly." + +"That sounds almost like plain murder, do you know," Lil Artha +vehemently declared, frowning at the idea. + +"Well, if you were hungry, and that was the only way to get near a +venison mebbe you wouldn't feel so particular," George told him. "I know +right now that I wish a splendid buck was doing some of that same +floundering near us, and Elmer had a chance to settle his hash for him. +It'd sure do me a heap of good just to know we had enough grub for a +week, and then some." + +"That's a forbidden subject, George," remonstrated Elmer, who wanted to +get the minds of his chums directed in more pleasant channels; "let's +all get together and compare notes about direction. I said I had a plan, +but then I might be off my base, and some of you could correct me. Four +heads are better than one all the time." + +His scheme succeeded, for presently he had managed to get them deeply +interested in the subject of location, so that one after another put +forward some plan. + +It was about all they could do, under the circumstances, that and +keeping the fire burning. Even George so far forgot his troubles as to +suggest several things that were well weighed before being rejected. + +As it turned out, after the conference, Elmer had changed his figures a +little, and the latest plan was to head a point south of northwest when +they started forth in hopes of finding shelter from the storm. + +No one knew the grim necessity for action better than Elmer. While he +tried to assume a pleasant face in order to keep the courage of the +others up, he understood the serious character of their condition far +more than he was willing to openly admit. + +They could not expect any one to come and find them, if they continued +to stay where they were; and besides the scantiness of their provisions +entailed the necessity for doing some sort of hunting in the snow forest +in hopes of securing a new supply. + +As the morning dragged on many anxious glances were cast out to where +that fine powdery substance was showering steadily down, adding to the +tremendous quantity that was already on the ground. If it would only +begin to slacken how thankful they would be. + +On several occasions some one would exclaim that it looked as though the +snow might be coming down in lessened quantities, but no sooner did they +begin to pay close attention than the storm seemed to start in again as +furiously as ever. + +So the time drew near the middle of the day, and as yet they could not +say that there was any hopeful sign. + +"If it gets along past noon we're in for another night here, I'm +afraid," Lil Artha argued, "because, you remember the old saying, +'between eleven and two, it'll tell you what's it's going to do.' +Needn't chuckle that way, George, because I've often seen that proved. +Seems like that's a turning point most times, if there's going to be any +change." + +"All silly bosh!" George went on to say, for at least he was not given +to believing in "signs" and such things; "haven't I many a time seen a +storm go on past noon, and look as black as a pocket, only to clear +handsomely about four or five, with the grandest rainbow in the west you +ever saw? Those sayings are all bunco, Lil Artha. I'm surprised at as +sensible a scout as you admitting that you believe in any of the same. +I'm not superstitious, whatever else I may be." + +"Oh! well, it doesn't matter which one's right," the tall scout +observed; "the thing is there's always a fair chance of its breaking +around noon; and let's hope it'll be kind enough to do that same +to-day. I know Elmer wants to make a move as much as any of us, don't +you, Elmer?" + +"Yes, and I don't care how soon it comes along, either," he was told +without the slightest hesitation. + +"There's one comfort we've got," said Toby. + +"I'd like to hear it, then," George muttered, disconsolately, eying the +other half suspiciously, as though he feared another trap intended for +his unwary feet. + +"We've got stacks of coffee along, and can always have a cup to cheer us +up. I think that counts a lot. It not only warms you inside, but gives +you courage to face your troubles like a true scout." + +"And yet some scouts are never allowed to drink tea or coffee," +suggested George. + +"I'm sorry for them, that's all," Toby continued; "we don't happen to +fall in that class, do we, fellows? My folks let me have one cup every +morning; and when I'm in camp I c'n drink all I want. There, look and +tell me if you don't think it seems to be lightening in the northwest, +Elmer; because that's where all this awful snow is coming from." + +"It does look a little better, for a fact!" admitted the scout master, +after he had taken a critical observation; "of course I'm not a +weather-sharp; and my prediction may not be worth a pinch of salt; but +if you asked me I'd like as not say I really believe it was going to +break." + +"Hurrah!" shouted both Lil Artha and Toby in concert; for this was the +first time Elmer had committed himself to saying what he thought about a +possible change in the weather. + +More anxiously than ever they waited and watched. The snow did not come +down quite so heavily, and was constantly lessening in force. A stiff +wind had arisen that cut like a knife; they hoped this was blowing the +gray clouds away, and that soon the cheery face of the sun would peep +forth through a gap in the curtain overhead. All of them stood ready to +greet his advent with a rousing cheer. + +"Here, let's get our coffee started, so we can move out right away, if +things look good to us!" Elmer told them; and it seemed as though there +were four times as many cooks as the supply of food warranted, because +every one wanted to have a hand in preparing their scanty lunch. + +As one of them had said it promised to be pretty much "coffee and +point," and of course he was compelled to tell how the poor Irish during +famine times were accustomed to hanging a bit of bacon over the table, +and as they ate their potatoes they would point the same at it, as +though in imagination they might get some of the flavor that way. + +"The Irish were long on praties, and short on bacon," Lil Artha +commented, "and with us it's a case of plenty of coffee, and a famine in +other kinds of grub; but better times are coming soon, boys, when we'll +have plenty," and he managed to cast another of his wicked looks in the +direction of George, which being seen by that worthy caused him to curl +his lips in derision, and return the hint with an expression that seemed +to say: "you'll have to wait a long time before you taste _me_, Lil +Artha, and don't you forget that!" + +Things got better and better as the cooking progressed; that is to say, +overhead the clouds were plainly showing ragged signs, as though they +must presently break, and the storm be of the past. + +This fact gave the four boys some reason for cheering up. It was a bleak +immediate future that stared them in the face, but being young and full +of hope they easily found many things to pin their faith on. Youth is +apt to be buoyant, and see only the present; George's habit of +complaining, and being a pessimist, doubtless sprang from a poor +digestion, and could easily be remedied if he went on a plain diet. + +"Watch the smoke, how it goes straight up when the wind stops," Elmer +told them. "That's a good sign, and every old hunter knows it. Smoke +hugs the ground when the air is heavy with moisture, and ascends when +it's dry. I'm more certain than ever now that we're seeing the tail-end +of our storm." + +"The worst is yet to come," croaked George. + +"Smells pretty fine to me," said Lil Artha, sniffing the air, which was +charged just then with a delightful aroma of coffee. + +"I only wish all of you were as lucky as me," Toby broke in with, +showing that he could not tear his mind away from contemplating his +present. "Think how slick we'd go skimming along over the big drifts on +our snow-shoes, and not caring five cents whether school kept or not." + +"Mebbe we would, and again mebbe we'd be sorry," George told him. +"Things ain't always just what they seem. Lots of times you think you're +going to have a nice swell drink, and swich! the glass drops, and is +broken into bits." + +"Well, we've got aluminum drinking cups, so there's no danger of that +thing happening to us," practical Lil Artha assured him, for he never +bothered his head about evil omens, and all such nonsense. + +Toby, who had been bending over the fire, happened to look around +presently. Perhaps it was his intention to add some brilliant remark to +what he had already said in connection with snow-shoes; but if this were +so the thought was driven completely out of his head by something else. + +"Oh! my stars! would you see that?" he almost shrieked. + +Startled by his exclamation, and half believing that he must have +discovered at least a hungry lynx about to spring into the camp, the +others whirled around and then they in turn stared as though hardly able +to believe their eyes. + +A splendid stag had come bounding along through the deep snowdrifts, +unaware of the fact that human enemies were so near by, since the wind +carried the scent of their presence, as well as the smoke from the fire, +in another direction. He had apparently just discovered them at the +instant they all looked, for with a flirt of his antlered head he was +making off, jumping gracefully through the deep snow, and doubtless +picking his way, even though dreadfully alarmed. + +Elmer had started to look for his Marlin, but realizing the hopelessness +of getting a shot he desisted, and watched the splendid animal vanish +from view. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WANDERING THROUGH THE DRIFTS + + +IT was a chagrined and sadly disappointed lot of scouts who turned and +looked at each other after the last had been seen of the fleeing buck. + +"What a splendid set of antlers he had!" Lil Artha exclaimed. + +"To think of how close we came to having a supply of fresh meat!" +groaned Toby, shaking his head dismally, as he put a hand on the pit of +his stomach, just as if he wished to call their attention to its +depressed appearance. + +"Was it really a deer?" asked George. "Now, you needn't all turn on me +so savagely, like you think I'm away off my base. I've known hungry +people to imagine they saw things. Ain't it always the thirsty traveler +who sees the mirage on the desert, and thinks he can hear the gurgle of +the running water as he looks at the river boiling among the rocks? +Course it is; and so I say again, was it really a deer, or did we just +_think_ we saw one?" + +Knowing the folly of trying to convince George when he chose to question +even his own eyes, the others made no attempt to swing him around to +their way of thinking. + +"That goes to show us the meaning of our motto 'Be Prepared,'" Lil Artha +continued. "Now, if either Elmer or me had happened to have a gun in our +hands how easy it would have been to bowl that fine buck over. And then +think what it would mean to all of us. Wow! after this I'm meaning to +stick even closer to my gun than a brother." + +"We always shut the door after the horse has been stolen," said Elmer, +"but even in our misfortune you can see the silver lining to the cloud +if you look." + +"Then for goodness' sake, Elmer, point it out, so George can get that +sour frown off his face. He don't believe what he sees, and yet he's +grieving worse than any of us because we didn't get that venison when we +had the chance." + +"If there's one deer up here in this forest there must be others," Elmer +told them. "You may have noticed that he went off in about the same +direction we expect to head in when we start. We may see him again, and +if that luck comes our way we'll try and be ready next time." + +Ten minutes later and chancing to look out over the snow Elmer saw a +moving object that gave him a start, until on looking a second time he +made it out to be only George, who was prowling around, looking for any +signs the deer may have left as he broke through the deep snow drifts. + +Evidently George must have been convinced, for when he came in later +there was a satisfied expression on his face; and noticing Elmer +observing him the doubter nodded his head, and simply said: + +"It was a deer all right; I saw his tracks out there!" + +They had been sitting by the fire eating their frugal lunch for +something like five minutes when the sun suddenly looked down at them, +dazzling their eyes with his bright beams glinting from all that snow. + +Of course the four boys immediately broke out into a shout, they were so +glad to see the cheerful face of the sun again. The meal was finished in +record time; but then perhaps that was not to be wondered at, for the +supply had run far short of the demand; and Lil Artha, after polishing +his pannikin until he could almost see his face in the same, jocosely +remarked: + +"The sample was pretty fine; now bring on the dinner!" + +They were so eager to get moving that they did not allow their state of +hunger to give them much concern. The rude shelter was taken down, +though they had some trouble with the rubber ponchos, as they seemed to +be frozen stiff under the accumulated snow, which from time to time had +thawed in the heat of the fire, only to congeal again later on. + +In the end, however, everything was packed as before, and having secured +their blankets over their shoulders again, the scouts were ready to make +a start. Toby had made his threat good, and had his wonderful snowshoes +on. He struck out bravely enough, and at first seemed to be able to +easily outstrip his companions. This caused him to feel an unnatural +exultation, for he began calling back at them, and derisively telling +them to "hurry up," that they were "too slow a bunch for him," and all +that sort of nonsense. + +Then suddenly this tirade ceased. + +"Wonder what's happened to him now?" Lil Artha remarked, turning a +grinning face toward Elmer, who simply replied: + +"Wait and see, and be ready to laugh, though it's never a laughing +matter to the fellow with the snowshoes!" + +As Elmer had expected would be the case they presently discovered +something floundering in the snow, which upon closer inspection proved +to be Toby's feet. He had lost his balance while negotiating a big +drift, and in spite of the assistance afforded by the long staff he +carried, had taken a plunge, so that when they arrived his feet were +where his head should be. + +Elmer knew how to go about it in order to right the novice. Toby was no +longer bubbling over with enthusiasm as he once more started off. He was +learning that even innocent looking snow-shoes may have traps concealed +about them for the unwary; and afterward he conducted his advance with +much more caution. + +In spite of this, however, the others had to rescue him regularly about +once every fifteen minutes, until finally even Toby was ready to call +the experiment off for the time being. + +"I'll get there yet, see if I don't," he assured the others, as they +gathered around to watch him take the big cumbersome things off his +feet, and sling them over his back. "Uncle Caleb'll teach me how to use +'em; and besides, Elmer, didn't you say this was mighty poor snow for a +learner to start out with? Gimme time, and I'll master the trick yet, +see if I don't." + +Elmer did not doubt in the least but what he would, because this sort of +talk showed the determined spirit that always gets there in the end, no +matter how many difficulties may be encountered by the way. + +They found it hard traveling through all that accumulated snow, even +though the pilot of the expedition made it a point to pick out the +easiest course, avoiding most of the drifts, though keeping on the +course he had laid out in the beginning. + +As they went they used their eyes to the best advantage, hoping to +discover something in the shape of game, little they cared whether it +might be a covey of partridges, a rabbit that was out of its burrow at +the wrong time, a deer, or even so small a thing as a gray squirrel. + +As the afternoon began to wear on, and their progress was becoming +slower all the while, on account of weariness, and the difficulty of +pushing through the snow, their hopes took a downward turn with the drop +of the sun toward the horizon. + +Everywhere lay that unending white blanket. The breeze had stopped, and +it seemed as though a deathly silence lay upon all the region roundabout +them, now and then disturbed when some rotten limb broke under the +weight of snow, and crashed to the ground; for in the beginning, before +it became so cold, the falling flakes had clung tenaciously wherever +they dropped, and thus the trees were in places bending double with +their burden. + +Still not the slightest sign did any of the boys discover of human +presence. If only they could have caught the ringing echo of a woodman's +ax, or hear the hello of a hunter returning to camp with game on his +back, what a thrill must have passed through their whole bodies; but to +have that terrible silence around them was discouraging, to say the +least. + +All of them were staggering more or less by now. It was the absence of +hope as much as the fact of their being tired that caused this. Could +they have glimpsed smoke curling upward a mile ahead, to tell them of +succor, doubtless even George, who was more worn out than any of the +others, would have started on a mad rush to reach the coveted camp where +comfort and plenty awaited them. + +But that was not fated to be just then. The scouts had by accident found +themselves entangled in a network of difficulties, and there were still +other experiences awaiting them before they could expect to reach the +end of their adventure. + +All of them seemed to be holding up as well as could be expected. George +could forget his weakness when he chose, and show that he had the right +sort of stuff in him, just as Elmer had known all along. He did not +complain even as much as Toby did; though perhaps that worthy was soured +by his keen disappointment in connection with his wonderful snow-shoes, +which after all had only been a delusion, a snare, and a burden up to +date. + +They knew that this sort of thing could not keep up a great while +longer, for the sun would soon be ready to set in the west, and they +must think to prepare for another dismal night in the endless snow +forest. + +Somehow no one mentioned anything about the prospect ahead now. They +dreaded it more than ever, because the conditions were gradually getting +harder all the while. When a parcel of well grown boys, with the healthy +appetites of their kind, are reduced to cutting their rations down to +one-half, they do not face the future with anything approaching +enthusiasm. + +Their manner of march was about like this: Elmer went in front, breaking +a way, as it might be described, and his was the eye that had to pick +the course, avoiding all the difficult drifts as much as possible, +though heading into the near-northwest as arranged at the time they laid +their plans. + +Immediately after him came Toby, puffing like a porpoise at times, being +short of breath; and occasionally floundering about when he lost his +footing or made a miscalculation. + +On his heels George plodded along, looking this way and that, ever ready +to call to Elmer did he but discover a moving, dun-colored object that +might turn out to be the deer they had missed. + +Lil Artha brought up the rear, though with those long waders of his it +must have been an easy task for him to have taken the lead, since they +seemed particularly adapted for carrying their owner through floods of +snow or water. Lil Artha kept his gun ready at all times. If game that +had been made to hide because of the coming of Elmer attempted to slink +away later on, the tall scout was on hand, ready to take advantage of +the first opportunity. + +So far nothing had rewarded their vigilance, much to their keen +disappointment. That there was game to be found in the forest they did +not question; but after such a heavy fall of snow it wisely remained in +den or hollow tree, waiting for a change in the weather before venturing +forth. Hunger would eventually compel most of the animals that did not +hibernate like the bear to issue forth and seek their accustomed food; +but they could abstain for days, and meanwhile what was to become of the +four scouts? + +As they moved along the stillness was disturbed by the noisy cawing of a +flock of crows that seemed to be disputing some matter. Often had the +boys watched the queer actions of crows when holding what Toby called a +"cawcus," as though trying one of their number that had been caught +doing something unfair, according to crow laws; but never had they +anticipated they would begin to observe the noisy black fellows with +hungry eyes. + +"If it comes to the worst, crow mightn't go so _very_ bad," suggested +Lil Artha. + +"Well, we haven't got to that point yet, remember!" hastily cried +George. "I'm willing to stand for nearly anything, but eating crow is +too, too much. What d'ye take us for, Lil Artha; think we're a bunch of +defeated politicians, do you, that have to pay an election wager? No +crow for me until I'm at the last gasp. Get out, you black rascals;" and +he waved his arms in order to make them fly before Lil Artha could +conclude to fire his gun. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +IN THE FROZEN MARSH + + +PERHAPS it was just as well that the crows took the alarm, and flew +noisily away. If Lil Artha had taken a shot at them and secured one or +more, there might have been a peck of trouble, not only for the crows +but some of the scouts as well. + +They pushed on for some little time after this in silence. Elmer was +constantly on the watch for a possible camping spot. He hardly expected +they would be as highly favored as on the preceding night; but then, as +no storm threatened, this was not absolutely necessary. He anticipated +that they would be able to put up some sort of barrier to keep the keen +wind off, clear a place of snow, and do the best possible with what they +found. + +"Looks like we might be on the border of a sort of marsh," suggested Lil +Artha, as he made an extra effort, and caught up with the plodding +leader. + +"Yes, I began to notice that about ten minutes ago," replied Elmer. + +"I only mention the fact," continued the lanky scout, "because it +strikes me that several times when Toby read out long descriptive +letters he had from his uncle up here the old gentleman told of getting +some of his best views when lying out in a marsh, and watching the +little animals play tag, or some game like that, build their nests, and +have their scraps. Am I right about that, Elmer?" + +"Yes, and I can see what you're hinting at, Lil Artha. You've got an +idea this may be that marsh?" + +"Correct!" admitted the tall scout. + +"And that if we've finally managed to work around, and strike Uncle +Caleb's favorite stamping grounds, there's a pretty good chance the +cabin can't be a great ways off?" Elmer concluded, while his words +brought vigorous nods of approval from the other. + +"Wish we could set up a holler that'd reach him!" ventured Lil Artha. + +"We might try a few shots and see if they had any result, though I'd +rather wait till dark before doing that," the scout master remarked, +thoughtfully. + +Lil Artha pondered over this for a minute before he made any further +remark. + +"I reckon you mean you still hope we might run foul of some sort of game +that would give us a supper?" he finally observed. + +"Well, here's the marsh, and while the snow is deep in most places, we +might manage to run across one of their queer little winter houses, you +know." + +Lil Artha must have been thinking along the same lines as Elmer, if one +could judge from the rapidity with which he took the other up. + +"You mean muskrats, don't you, Elmer?" + +"Just what I do," came the reply. "Beggars mustn't be choosers, they +say; and it looks like that, or go hungry to-night, because we haven't +got enough stuff on hand for two, much less four." + +"I wonder if they are so very bad eating?" mused the tall scout, +wistfully; for prejudice is a hard thing to conquer; and habit backed by +imagination is responsible for the choice of many a man's food. What +appeals tremendously to one may cause another to shrink. + +Elmer laughed. + +"I've heard many men say they think musquash as good as almost anything +to be had in the woods or swamps up north. The Indians always consider +them a dainty," he told his chum. + +"Oh! yes, but they are also mighty fond of baked dog," remonstrated Lil +Artha. + +"So would you be, if you'd been brought up that way. Some people can't +bear the thought of eating frogs' legs, and yet those same folks will +sit down and calmly swallow a dozen oysters or clams on the half shell. +Now, I've always said that the first man who ever gulped down a live +oyster had more nerve even than Napoleon. Then, if you only travel +around, from China to France, you'll find that things we scorn are +called dainties there. Take snails, which bring a high price in Paris +markets--have you ever eaten one in all your life?" + +"Hold on there, Elmer," exclaimed Lil Artha; "bring on your musquash. +I'm ready to give him a fair trial, and if he tastes good, after this +you won't hear me draw the line even at baked dog--or crow. Yes, I've +heard of people who say they've made a meal off crow, and liked it. Why, +down our way the black rascals live on corn, and I don't see why they +shouldn't be eatable, especially when a fellow has nothing else along." + +"Then I tell you what our programme should be," the scout master +continued, as though this ready admission on the part of the other +gun-bearer had settled the question with him; "we'll make up our minds +about stopping close by here, and on the border of the marsh. While +George and Toby are fixing camp, and beginning to gather wood, the two +of us can start out and enter the marsh, keeping within calling distance +of each other. If there's anything doing we'll bag some game for our +supper to-night. How does that strike you?" + +"Tip-top, Elmer, and because the sun is getting pretty low over there in +the west we'd better be finding that camp-site in a hurry." + +"I think I see as good a place as any right now," the scout master +declared, as he pointed straight ahead. "You can glimpse what I mean by +looking just past that birch that is bent nearly double with the snow. A +dead tree lies on the ground, and I should think it would give us all +the wood we'll need to-night. That's the main thing to make sure of." + +"And there's a heavy growth in sight, Elmer, that would serve as a +windbreak in case it got to blowing great guns before morning, which I +don't think will happen though. Shall I tell the other fellows we're at +the end of our day's tramp?" + +"Yes, because they're both about as tired as can be, and will be glad to +hear the news," Elmer replied. + +So Lil Artha fell back in order to get in communication with Toby and +George, who were plodding along with many a sigh and grunt; for their +packs were heavy, and the going rough, with all that deep snow to +struggle through. + +"Hi! hurry along there, fellows!" he called out; "we're meaning to camp +right ahead here. Plenty of wood for a fire, and a windbreak in the +bargain." + +"Tell us something about the visible grub supply, won't you, Lil Artha?" +asked Toby, beseechingly. "Is there a good grocery around the corner, +and does the butcher call for orders every morning, or just three times +a week?" + +"Oh! you have to go after your fresh meat," laughed the tall scout, "and +that's what me'nd Elmer propose doing, leaving you two to fix the camp." + +"All right," replied the weary Toby, "just as you say. Anything to +oblige; and here's hoping you run up against the best of success. A +broiled partridge, or three slices of juicy venison in the fryingpan +would about suit my taste." + +"They don't grow juicy venison up here, you ought to know, Toby; every +kind I ever heard of was as dry as tinder, and had to be cooked with +slices of bacon to make it taste just right. But considering that we've +made way with the last scrap of cured pork I guess we'll take it any old +style." + +Lil Artha did not think it wise to spring the muskrat idea too suddenly +on those unsuspecting fellows. He had a vague idea that should Elmer and +himself meet with success, and knock over several of the marsh dwellers +with the unenviable name, they might skin them, and let their chums +imagine that they were eating squirrel or rabbit or something like that. +Afterwards, when they had set the stamp of approval upon the dish, the +truth could come out. Prejudice by then would have been overcome by the +knowledge that "musquash," the Indian dish, was all right. + +When the little struggling party reached the spot Elmer had selected, +and every one had a chance to survey the situation, a unanimous approval +of his choice was the result. + +"You couldn't have done better if you'd tried," said George. + +"Don't believe there's as good a camp-site within five miles," Toby +added; but perhaps the tired condition of the boys had something to do +with this endorsement on their part; just then any place would have +satisfied their desires, which were not very exacting. + +The heavy packs were quickly hung from the lower limb of a tree under +which the camp fire was to be made. It was a pine, and beneath it the +ground seemed to be fairly clear of snow, most of what had fallen still +clinging to the tree itself. + +"Better not waste any more time, had we, Elmer?" asked the tall scout, +as he nervously handled his Marlin gun, anxious to start out after game. + +"No, get busy, please," said Toby; "don't bother about us, for we know +how camp ought to be made. All we ask is that you come back loaded down +with something to eat." + +"We don't care much what it is, if only you cut out crow," George added. + +Lil Artha gave his fellow Nimrod a quick look, as much as to say, "that +lets us out, and we can fetch home the musquash with a clear +conscience--if so be we're lucky enough to bag any." + +They went away in company. The last words George flung after the +departing comrades was a caution. + +"For goodness' sake now, don't go and get lost in that marsh, or we will +be in a bad scrape. Things are hard enough as it stands without our +getting separated. If you don't just know where the camp is located give +three yells, or fire three shots as fast as you can. We'll answer you +back, and keep hollering till you show up. Three shots, remember." + +Once the two scouts entered the frozen marsh they kept together for a +short time. + +"How'll I know a muskrat house when I see it, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha. + +"Oh! you've seen them often around home, only you forget," replied the +other, but in order to make sure, he continued: "you know, they build +their nests or houses a little after the same style as beaver do, only +of course not so big or secure. If when you're passing a marsh or swampy +tract, and spy a number of what look like irregular mounds, or heaps of +dead rushes, you can make up your mind muskrats live there. If it's a +lake or a stream they can be found in among the rocks too, but not as a +rule, because there they are apt to run up against the otter, weasel and +the mink, and there's no love lost between those sharp-toothed animals +and the muskrat. He's a hard fighter, too, as his jaws tell you, Lil +Artha, but hardly a match for a mink in a stand-up scrap. There's a +muskrat house right now; let's stop and see if the old fellow is at +home." + +Accordingly they surrounded the accumulation of dead rushes and leaves +and other refuse, after which Elmer tore it to pieces, while Lil Artha +stood guard, ready to take snap judgment should the occasion arise. + +It turned out to be a disappointment, however, for the mound was empty. + +"Nothing doing, eh?" grunted the tall scout, lowering his gun, which he +had been keeping half elevated all the while. + +"No, and I didn't believe we'd have any success here soon after I +started tearing the thing down," replied Elmer. "It showed all the signs +of being a deserted shack." + +"What could have happened to the former inhabitant, do you think?" +continued the disappointed one, to whom even musquash stew was beginning +to appeal more and more, as the chances of securing any sort of game +diminished in proportion. + +"I might guess that he chose to change his place of residence," said +Elmer, "or, it might be that Uncle Caleb fancies the old Indian dish +once in a while. But let's be moving along. The mill will never grind +again with the water that is past; and we're not going to get our supper +by standing over a muskrat house that hasn't got any owner." + +Another start was accordingly made. Elmer kept track of the direction +they were taking. He did not mean to find himself in a quandary when +they were ready to turn back again, and not be able to say where the +camp lay. Lil Artha knew he could depend on his chum in that respect, +and hence he did not concern himself in the slightest degree about such +a thing as becoming bewildered. It is a nice thing to have some one to +lean upon at all times, though the scout master often took Lil Artha to +task because of his willingness to let another do his thinking for him. + +"Let's separate a little," Elmer suggested, presently, when they had +gone along for quite some distance and found nothing at all. "We ought +to be able to keep in sight of each other easily enough; and the same +time cover a lot more ground, and in that way increase our chances." + +"I'm agreeable," chirped Lil Artha, not suspecting how great an +influence on their future fortunes even that little incident was going +to prove; "I'll swing off to the right here, and follow this swale, +while you keep straight on. I rather like the looks of things over this +way, and p'raps I'll run across a colony of those r--I mean musquash." + +"Give me the wolf call if you do," Elmer told him, smiling at the quick +way Lil Artha had corrected himself when about to give that unpleasant +name to the furry little denizen of the marsh they were seeking so +eagerly, so as to improve the looks of their larder, and satisfy a +craving they felt for making his acquaintance in a stew. + +Elmer watched the tall scout move along the swale he had mentioned. He +fancied that Lil Artha was about right when he declared it looked as +though something might be found in that direction, if signs stood for +much. + +"I certainly hope, then, he strikes it," Elmer mused as he rambled on, +dodging all the drifts whenever he could, and straining his eyes for a +sight of welcome signs; "because we need it worse than we ever needed +anything before." + +He had just succeeded in evading a bad place, and was about to look +again in order to learn where his chum might be, when without warning +there came two reports in quick succession right beyond a bunch of thick +brush and not two hundred feet away. + +Elmer immediately started toward the spot as fast as he could go. He +thought he heard loud words spoken, and was in a fever of suspense, +fearing Lil Artha might have hurt himself, until rounding the +obstruction he saw the other standing there, holding his Marlin gun +dejectedly while he stared into space. + +"Oh! Elmer!" exclaimed the tall scout, as soon as he noticed that his +companion was close to him; "a deer, as sure as smoke, and I fired +point-blank at him both times; but hang the luck, I must have missed the +beggar, for he gave an _aw_ful jump, and went off like a streak, worse +luck to me for a bungler!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LIL ARTHA SAVES THE DAY + + +"THAT'S too bad, Lil Artha," said Elmer, "but no matter, I'm sure you +did the best you could." + +That was just like Elmer. Plenty of fellows, in the first flush of keen +disappointment, would have allowed themselves to speak more or less +bitterly, and complain that it must have been rank carelessness that +would account for such bad results. But Elmer saw that the tall scout +was already suffering keenly; and his first thought was to console him. + +At the same time he was looking about, and while the chagrined hunter +began to aimlessly open his gun so as to thrust new shells into the +barrels, Elmer went on to say: + +"Point out to me just where the deer was when you fired, Lil Artha." + +"Oh! now even you suspect that I just imagined I saw one, Elmer," sighed +the other scout, "but d'ye notice that log lying across the other, +something like a letter X? Well, he jumped clean over that when I gave +him the second shot. Oh! he was as big as a barn to me, I tell you, and +how I could ever miss him with the barrel that had the buckshot shell in +it beats my time. I ought never to go out in the forest alone; I'm a +fine duck of a hunter, ain't I? If it depended on Lil Artha to keep the +camp in game we'd all turn into living skeletons, like the one in the +sideshow of the circus last summer. Oh, rats--but not muskrats--I'm +feeling pretty sick." + +Elmer had not waited to listen to all this lament on the part of the +disappointed marksman. Pushing forward he was now at the crossed logs. +Immediately he called out in a loud voice that seemed to have an air of +excitement about it: + +"Hi! there, Lil Artha, come here, and hurry, too!" + +Upon that the tall scout jammed the breech of his gun shut, having +succeeded in reloading the same, and he lost no time in hastening to +join his chum. + +"W-what is it, Elmer?" he asked, breathlessly. + +The other pointed to his feet. + +"What do you call that, and that, and that?" he asked, impressively. + +Lil Artha stared, and over his thin face there crept a look, almost of +rapture, as he ejaculated: + +"Blood spots on the snow, as sure as anything, Elmer! Oh! then I must +have hit that deer after all! I'm glad, and then again I'm sorry. If he +had to get away from us, I'd much rather not a single piece of lead had +found him. Now he'll only suffer, and it'll do us no good at all." + +"Hold on, don't be too sure about that," remarked Elmer, as he started +to step across the logs, and follow the plainly marked red trail over +the otherwise spotless field of pure snow; "that chap has been struck +hard, and I don't believe he can go very far before he drops!" + +At hearing this Lil Artha became greatly excited. + +"Then let's chase after him right away!" he exclaimed. "Goodness knows +we need fresh meat about as much as anybody could, because we're almost +half starved, and haven't a ghost of a show at anything else. And if the +poor thing does drop think how mean it'd be to have the foxes and other +varmints gnaw at _our_ deer all night long, while we sucked our thumbs +in camp, and went hungry." + +All this while Elmer was following the trail. It was an easy task, and +even the tenderfoot scout of the troop might have accomplished such a +proposition without being coached. + +"Don't you see that it seems to be getting stronger all the while," he +explained to Lil Artha, who was close at his heels, holding his breath +with eagerness as he tried to look ahead so as to glimpse the welcome +sight of the deer fallen at last through sheer exhaustion, "and take my +word for it, we're pretty sure to get your game before we go back to +camp." + +"Well, that would tickle me more'n I could tell you, Elmer," the other +assured him, with visions of glorious feasts rising up before his mind. + +"And there he is!" added the other, quickly, "just at the foot of that +fir tree!" + +They made a spurt, and were soon bending over the deer, which they found +quite dead, though life had evidently just departed. Lil Artha could +hardly contain himself. He insisted on shaking hands several times with +Elmer, and then did the same thing with himself, bubbling over with +delight. + +"Oh! tell me I'm not dreaming, Elmer, and that I have really and truly +shot a fine deer, just when we needed it the worst kind?" + +"There's no mistake about it, old fellow, because here's your deer as +plain as anything," Elmer assured him, not a little pleased himself at +the great success that had accompanied their hunt. + +"Think how the other fellows will yell when they see it!" Lil Artha +continued, "and Toby needn't be afraid he's going to starve yet a while, +need he?" + +"I should think not," the scout master admitted; "when there's all this +fresh venison to be cooked. The country is saved, Lil Artha, and you're +the lucky one to be our George Washington. The boys will be wanting to +kneel down and kiss the back of your hand." + +"If they try any of that softy business they'll take a back seat in a +hurry, let me tell you," was what the matter-of-fact scout remarked. +"But, Elmer, ain't it queer that somehow the snow woods don't look quite +so dreary to me now? Fact is, I kind of think this is as pretty a sight +as I've seen for a long time." + +Elmer laughed at hearing that. + +"They always say circumstances alter cases, Lil Artha, and when I hear +you talking that way I know it's true. When a man's as hungry as he can +be and yet live, the world looks different to him from what it does an +hour later after some kind friend has filled him up. This deer gives you +the magic spectacles through which you view things in an altogether +different light." + +"I guess you're right, Elmer," admitted the other; "I was feeling blue, +and so I looked at everything through blue glasses. Now I'm seeing rosy. +But say, however will we manage?" + +"You mean about getting the game back to camp, I reckon, Lil Artha?" + +"That's what I'm striking at, Elmer. We must be some distance off, and I +should think the deer would weigh between a hundred-and-fifty and two +hundred pounds; a pretty hefty load for two boys, with all this snow +around. And yet to have to stop so as to cut the deer up would delay us +like fun." + +"Wait, and let's look around for a strong pole," suggested Elmer, who +had seen heavier game than this carried for miles by two husky cow +punchers or hunters. "I have some good stout cord along, which we'll use +to tie his forelegs together, and then the hind ones ditto. The pole +will pass through, and is carried on a shoulder of each. That's the way +hunters always get their shoot to camp, if there are a pair of them." + +The necessary pole was soon discovered, and they managed by means of +jumping on the same to reduce it to the required length. Then the scout +master made good use of his cord in order to secure the legs of the +deer in such a way as to afford a hold when the pole was shoved through. +Nothing now remained but to lift the game, and start over the back +trail. + +As long as the light held they would find no difficulty whatever in +keeping on the track; and should twilight rapidly change into darkness +Elmer had his bearings so that he could lead aright. + +Lil Artha had considered that he was "dog-tired" up to the time he +started that deer from where it had been lying in some brush; but this +was forgotten in the excitement of the hour. When glorious success +rewards the efforts of the hunter he seems to have been granted a new +lease of life; and weariness is forgotten. + +All the same the load was no light one, and the going very bad. Many +times they staggered, and once both of them fell down. But the snow +prevented any injury, and they were in too satisfied a frame of mind to +complain. + +"We'll have our revenge all right later on, Lil Artha!" the scout master +told his comrade as they got up and dug the snow out of their ears, as +well as shook another accumulation free from their collars. + +"That's right, we will," assented the other, "and for every tumble like +that I promise myself an additional chunk of deer meat for supper. +Another thing, Elmer, we ought to remember; the heavier the game the +more grub we'll have." + +"You know how to see the bright side of things, Lil Artha," Elmer told +him. + +"Oh! anybody can when success comes along. It takes fellows like you to +keep smiling when things are going wrong all around. But I've learned a +lesson, Elmer, and after this I won't despair, no matter how dark the +clouds look." + +"If one deer can reform a scout, what would big game like an elephant +do?" asked Elmer, "but then again I'm a little sorry too, Lil Artha." + +"What for?" demanded the panting hunter who held up the other end of the +pole that bent under the weight of the suspended game. + +"We won't have that chance to settle whether the Indians knew a good +thing when they said musquash was better than 'coon or 'possum, or even +rabbit stew!" + +"Gosh! don't waste a tear over that, Elmer. Besides, while we're up here +with Uncle Caleb, like as not we'll have plenty of chances to give that +dish a try. But honest to goodness, it doesn't seem to strike me just as +much as it did before I cracked over this bully young buck for you said +it was a fairly young one, and ought to eat tender enough." + +"I guess that's only natural," the scout master told him. "While we were +facing starvation, why stewed musquash sounded right good to us; but +with a whole carcass of venison on our hands it's plain muskrat again; +and there you are, Lil Artha." + +"How d'ye think we're getting along by now?" asked the tall scout with a +little vein of entreaty in his voice. + +"Oh! perhaps half-way there, more or less," came the reply. + +"Whew! think we can make the riffle with this mountain of a deer, +Elmer?" + +"Seems to weigh about three hundred now, don't it? That's because we're +getting more tired all the time. But since we've started it would be a +shame to stop. And think of the joy we'll be bringing Toby, and poor +hungry George." + +"That does seem to help out some," admitted Lil Artha, taking occasion +to change his end of the pole from the right shoulder to the left. + +"Keep in step with me as much as you can," advised the leader; "that +does more than you'd think to make the going easier. It's a point +everybody learns who has to carry heavy burdens this way. Coolies over +in China know it. Horses running together pull easier if they happen to +go in step. You've watched a pair trying to start, with a stalled +wagonload of freight. When first one bucks hard, and then the other, +there's nothing doing; but once get them to combine, and away she goes +on the jump." + +There was little that escaped the observation of Elmer Chenowith; and he +never failed to try and impart some of the information he picked up to +those of his chums who did not happen to be so keen-eyed. + +"It's getting dark; and I can hardly see our old tracks now!" announced +the tall scout, presently. + +"Well, we're near enough to camp to have them hear us if we chose to +give out a yell," he was told, reassuringly, "but for my part I think +we'd better keep right along as we have been doing, and surprise the +boys." + +"Oh! I thought I glimpsed a star through the trees ahead just then, +Elmer, but that couldn't be so." + +"It's the fire, and I've seen it several times, but didn't want to say +anything until you had a chance to make the discovery for yourself!" +Elmer declared. + +"Bully for that!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "and now we've just got to buckle +down to our load, for I'd be ashamed to have to call for help when we're +on the home stretch." + +He watched for that welcome glow all the while, and whenever it came it +seemed to give Lil Artha renewed strength. In this manner, then, did +they finally approach the camp under the pine tree. Presently they could +see the moving figures of their comrades, and then Elmer announced: + +"They must be getting a little worried about us, because there's Toby +standing up and looking this way as hard as he can. I think you'd better +give a whoop, so as to let them know we're coming." + +That was just like Elmer; he wanted Lil Artha to have the first say, +because the honors should be fitted to his brow. And when the lucky +hunter did give a shout no doubt there was enough of joy in it to tell +those in camp their comrades were not returning quite empty handed. + +When they saw what the two Nimrods were carrying slung on that bending +pole that rested on their sore shoulders Toby and George gave a series +of shouts themselves: + +"Lo! the conquering hero comes; get the laurel wreath ready," cried the +dancing Toby, and then adding: "A deer! Tell me about that, would you? +Oh! what great luck. Who shot it? Elmer, was it you? What, Lil Artha got +his buck after all, did he? Well, well, well, if that doesn't beat +anything I've heard this long while. And won't we have the grandest +feast to-night ever heard of? Oh! say, I'm just trembling all over, I'm +so crazy with joy, and p'raps weak, too, because I haven't had enough to +eat. Lil Artha, shake hands with me, won't you; and later on you've got +to tell us just however you managed to knock such noble game over." + +Meanwhile George, who had not said a single word, went over to where the +tired hunters had dropped their burden. He was seen to bend down and +feel of the animal, first about its antlered head, and then even down +its hind quarters to its pretty little hoofs. After that he turned to +Lil Artha, and said in a relieved tone: + +"Why, it is a deer, sure enough! I was beginning to think hunger had +made us see things that didn't have any foundation. But after I've +proved my sight by my sense of feeling I can believe it. And you shot +him, did you, Lil Artha? Well, I want to congratulate you, old fellow." + +It was just like Lil Artha, bubbling over with mischief, and feeling +ever so happy because good fortune had come his way, to look meaningly +at George, poke him suggestively in the ribs as he had done once before, +and with a wink say: + +"That's all right, George, and I'm sure I thank you; but between us +don't you think after all you're the one to be congratulated? Consider +what you've p'raps escaped by my lucky shot. But it's all right, George, +and no reason for you to lie awake nights after this, worrying. You can +keep on getting fatter and fatter, now, because the danger is past," and +then he watched Elmer getting ready to exercise his skill in cutting up +the deer, so they could have a supply of meat for supper. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A PRIZE IN THE TRAP + + +"HOW'S the wood supply?" asked Elmer, while preparations were going on +looking to their having a generous supply of fresh venison for supper. + +"Not so good as last night," replied Toby; "it's twice as hard to get, +you see; but then, George has agreed to start in again later on, and +pile up more stock. He certainly does swing that little hand-ax of yours +to beat the band, Elmer." + +"Did any of your people come from the South of Ireland, Toby?" demanded +the said George; "because you've got the gift of gab down to a fine +point, and know how to blarney a fellow first-class." + +"But you did say you would chop a whole lot more wood," protested Toby. + +"Sure I did," continued the other scout, "but it was agreed at the same +time I'd spell you in the job, and bring in as much as you did. Now, +since Elmer and Lil Artha have tramped so far, and lugged this splendid +young buck all the way into the camp, the least the rest of us can do is +to make sure of the fuel supply. And, Toby, I'm going to hold you to +your word." + +"Well, after we've dined perhaps I won't feel so weak as I do now, and +then we'll see what's to be done," Toby acknowledged. + +Elmer had made a pretty good job of cutting up the deer. It was not the +first time he had had to undertake such a task; and besides, he had +watched other hunters accomplish it frequently, up there in Canada on +the farm and cattle range. + +Before a great while the four chums were all busily engaged in cooking +meat after various styles. Some choice pieces had been thrust into the +fryingpan, with a couple of slices of bacon which Toby managed to +resurrect from some hiding place or other, and from the appetizing odor +that soon began to rise it was evident that they were going to have a +great feast. Other "chunks" of meat were thrust on the ends of long and +stout splinters of wood, and these were held out near the red ashes in +certain places, where they would get in contact with the fierce heat, +and begin to brown, hunter-style. + +It might as well be confessed right here that in the end this last +method of cookery did not appeal to the boys as much as the fryingpan +style. Perhaps they did not know just how to go about it, as experience +is needed to get the best results from anything; but in spite of their +labor they found that while the meat cooked, and even burned on the +outside, it was almost raw within. Still, hunger causes a camper to +forgive such small faults as this; and as they started on the poorer +supply to finish with that cooked in the skillet, there were few +complaints. + +All of them gorged so much that it became necessary for them to lie +around and rest for some little time after the meal was over. Indeed +Toby showed a desire to hug his blanket, and doze in the warmth of the +fire, so that George had to urge him to remember the bargain they had +made with each other, and start to collecting more wood. + +Elmer soon joined in the labor, for he knew they would need all they +were able to gather; and besides, he was so constituted that he could +not bear to lie around when others were working, no matter how tired he +might feel. + +So Lil Artha, although he really believed he had earned his rest, not to +be shamed by all this honest toil on the part of his three mates, also +strolled forth, to return several times dragging some branch he had +managed to break loose. + +The collection of firewood was not near so formidable as on the +preceding night but then as there was no storm in progress now they +might get along fairly comfortably on what they managed to haul in. + +"Lucky thing you put such a fine edge on the camp hatchet before +starting on this trip, Elmer," George remarked, pausing in his chopping +to recover his breath. + +"I wouldn't think of starting anywhere without getting everything +ready," replied the scout master. "If you look ahead, and be prepared, +you'll ease things a whole lot most of the time. As there are no nails +to strike in this wood, and every chopper is warned to keep clear of +stones, that edge ought to hold good through the whole vacation time. +And it's a great joy to see the steel eat into the wood like that camp +hatchet does. Let me take a whirl at it again, George; you've done your +share of the work in great shape." + +So it would seem that despite George's failings he had many good points +about him, and often expressed a desire to relieve a comrade who had +begun to show evident signs of weariness. Perhaps by slow degrees he +might be weaned from that exasperating habit of complaining, and forever +doubting things. + +All was quiet around them, not even the whispering of the night wind in +the snow-laden branches of the pines being heard. Toby declared it +seemed as solemn as a funeral to him, and that he did love the good old +summer-time to be outdoors, while the crickets, katydids, frogs, and +everything else kept up a friendly chorus, that helped a fellow to +sleep. Now it was so "awfully still that you could almost hear yourself +think!" he told the others, as they began to get their blankets ready +for a night's rest. + +Already one experience in bunking amidst the snow piles had given the +boys a number of useful suggestions from which they meant to profit on +this second occasion. The rubber ponchos were used, not as a curtain to +shield them from the air, but under their blankets to separate them from +the ground, and serve to keep the dampness away. The heat of the fire +was apt to melt the surrounding snow to some extent; and the warmth of +their bodies acted after a fashion in the same way; so those waterproof +rubber blankets proved invaluable. They should always be taken by those +who go to the woods, and will be found to be worth their weight in +silver every time. + +Taken in all that was not such a bad night for the boys. There was no +wind, and Elmer managed to awaken frequently enough to keep the fire +from going out; so that with the blessing of their warm blankets, which +they wrapped closely about them, the scouts did not really suffer. + +Everybody was very glad when dawn came along, dreary as the aspect might +be. It made a wonderful difference in their feelings just to know that +there was no longer any possibility of immediate starvation. George must +have dreamed that some trouble had descended upon them, because the very +first thing he did after crawling out of his blanket was to hurry over +to where they had fastened the balance of the precious venison, encased +in the hide of the deer, to the limb of a tree, and closely examine the +pack; Elmer, who was watching him, with a smile on his face, heard the +doubter say in a relieved tone: + +"Shucks! it must have been a bad dream, after all; we _did_ get a buck, +and had a bully old supper last night, because here's the rest of the +meat, as plain as anything. Must have eaten too much, and had the +nightmare; but I'm glad it was only a dream, that's right. Yes, this is +frozen fresh venison, as sure as my name's--" + +"Doubting George!" sang out Lil Artha, who it seemed had also been +watching and listening from behind the folds of his blanket; and even +Toby thrust his grinning face in sight to add to the confusion of +George. + +They bustled around without any more delay, because the air was nipping +cold, and of course they were furiously hungry again; boys always are +when they wake up, especially when camping out, and during frosty +weather. + +Breakfast was cooked in great shape. It was a duplicate of the previous +night's meal, but then what did that matter, when there was an abundance +for all? Quantity and not so much quality was what pleased those four +outdoor chums just then. There was a horrid vacuum to be filled, and +they were more concerned about how this was to be accomplished than in a +lengthy bill of fare. + +After that came a consultation--Lil Artha called it a "council of war." +They sat around the fire, which felt so good no one was in any great +hurry to abandon it, and talked the matter dry from all sides. Every one +gave expression to his opinion, and Elmer, acting as master of +ceremonies, tried to extract all that was good and worth preserving from +each proposition. + +It was determined first of all to try firing their guns several times, +to see if they could get any answer. Should Professor Caleb hear the +shots he would be very apt to reply, and in that case they would have no +difficulty in deciding as to what course to pursue. + +Should this fail to bring about any result, they must make a start; and +in the end it was determined to keep along the border of the marsh. That +was most likely to be one of the places where the old trapper and wild +animal photographer was apt to conduct most of his operations, and they +would stand a chance of running across some sign of his presence. + +So Lil Artha fired both barrels of his gun, with about five seconds +coming in between; and then Elmer discharged one of the loads in his +weapon, after waiting a like interval. In this way the required three +shots were sent forth; and Elmer assured his comrades that this had +always been reckoned a call for help everywhere, in the Far West, among +African tangles, and even down in South American wilds; so that if Uncle +Caleb were within hearing distance they would surely get a response. + +All of them listened intently after the last shot. The wind had come up +again with the sun, and was making various queer noises among the +treetops; but still it would have been possible for them to have caught +a shot, if such had sounded from any quarter near by. + +"Nothing doing, seems like!" remarked George, dejectedly, for of course +he was the very first one to get what Lil Artha called "cold feet," +because there appeared to be no immediate response to their effort. + +"Shall we try it once more, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha. + +"Just a sheer waste of ammunition, and p'raps we'll need every bit +we've fetched along," grumbled George. + +The scout master, however, decided that it would be only right to give +the scheme one more trial before utterly condemning it; so having +replaced the empty shells he and the tall boy again sent out the three +shots that would tell any who heard the signal that some one was in need +of assistance. + +There was no answer, though they listened eagerly, and once Toby +started, under the impression that he had caught a faint hello; but as +it was not repeated he concluded it may have been some distant owl +giving vent to its disappointment at not getting a full meal during the +period of darkness just passed. + +"One thing we might take for granted after this," Elmer went on to say; +"wind's in the wrong quarter to carry the sound of the shots to him. So +we could judge from that our best course is to make against the wind. It +would seem that we might have two chances of finding him that way, to +one the other." + +The others agreed with Elmer, for they could easily grasp his meaning; +George was seen to shake his head, however, and it was evident that he +did not have very much faith in such a thing as success coming to them. +And yet if it did, George could be counted on to be one of the first to +say that he always did believe they were bound to run across Uncle +Caleb, sooner or later. + +"Scouts are supposed always to be sure their fire is dead out before +they leave a camp," remarked Lil Artha, as they trudged laboriously +along, "but in this case I took notice that none of us seemed to bother +our heads even a little bit over it, and in fact we left it crackling +away right cheerily." + +"Well, with a blanket of snow two feet deep on the ground," observed +Toby, "I'd like to know how the woods could ever get afire this day. And +that blaze was such a good friend to us I didn't have the heart to throw +snow on the same. It'd seemed too much like calling a dog to you, +patting him on the head after he came, wagging his tail in a friendly +way, and then tying a tinpan to him, after which you gave him a nasty +kick to start him yelping and running. But here's hoping we meet up with +my uncle before the third night comes." + +"I should say, yes," added Lil Artha; "if this sort of thing keeps on +we'll be likely to spend all our midwinter vacation roaming around up +here, and getting nowhere." + +"And," Toby further complained, with a sad shake of the head, "we'd laid +out to have such a bully good time at his cabin, learning all about +trapping, and p'raps going out with him nights to use his flashlight +contrivance, and get pictures of the little fur-bearing animals in their +native haunts." + +"Oh! it's going to be all right," announced Elmer, who as usual saw the +bright side of the situation. "Something's sure to turn up to-day; and +before another night we'll be toasting our feet in front of a fire +indoors, with a bunk to crawl into when we're sleepy, and something else +besides dry venison at meal times." + +"Here, don't say a word against that same venison!" exclaimed Lil Artha; +"it's been a life-saver, let me tell you. And to think I was ready to +own up I'd missed my deer, only for you, Elmer. That taught me a lesson +I'll never forget, believe me. After this I'll always look for signs +when I've shot at game, and never just guess at things." + +"Nothing like making sure, every time," remarked George. + +"Guess you go by that motto, old fellow," Toby told him. "They don't +fool you very often, do they; and never twice on the same racket?" + +Along about the middle of the morning, after they had been making rather +slow progress, and laboring heavily, Elmer was seen to betray sudden +interest, and to quicken his footsteps. Then he turned, and beckoned +wildly to them. As the other toilers reached his side the scout master +pointed ahead of him, and remarked: + +"There's something moving in the snow yonder, boys; look and see if you +can make out what it is!" + +At that they all stared very hard, and Lil Artha was the first to +exclaim: + +"Seems to be some sort of small animal switching around like it might be +caught in a trap, Elmer!" + +"Yes," added Toby, "I saw it jump up then, and whatever it is the thing +looks a sort of silver gray or black. There, didn't you see again? +Elmer, do you know what it can be?" + +"Somebody, and perhaps Uncle Caleb, has planted a trap right here, and a +fox is caught in the same by its leg!" came the ready reply. + +"A fox, did you say!" echoed Lil Artha; "why, Elmer, none of us ever saw +a fox of that color before. Every one I've ever set eyes on was either +gray or red." + +"Let's step up closer," the scout master remarked, "and we'll be able to +tell more about it." + +As the four boys continued to advance the little animal struggled harder +than ever to break away, but without success. It was undoubtedly a +good-sized fox, for they could not mistake that bushy tail, and the +sharp nose as well as shrewd face. It showed its white teeth quite +savagely as they drew nearer. + +"Well, it is a fox all right," Lil Artha admitted, "though different +from any I ever saw in the woods, or even in a menagerie." + +"A good reason for that," Elmer told him, quietly; "such a silver fox is +rare, and too costly for showmen to keep, as a rule. A red fox may be +worth all the way from five to thirty dollars, but from what I've read +about the value of furs, the pelt of a genuine silver fox sometimes +brings more than fifteen hundred dollars, even in its raw state." + +"Gee whiz! you don't tell me?" exclaimed George, looking astounded; and +of course he did not believe what Elmer was saying, because it sounded +too incredible for him to swallow. + +"Oh! I've read something about these black foxes, come to think of it," +Lil Artha admitted, "and so this is one, is it? Well, Uncle Caleb must +have known he was around, and set this trap on purpose to get him." + +"Yes, that's about the size of it," added Toby, "because I happen to +know that as a rule he never bothers trying to trap any of the little +animals up around this section. He used to, just to pass the winters +away, but when he got interested in photography he said he found ten +times as much pleasure in creeping up on them, and shooting with a +camera, to anything he had ever done before with a gun. Fact is, he +seldom uses his gun except to get an occasional deer, some partridge or +a rabbit to serve him as fresh meat." + +Elmer bent over a little closer, and examined the condition of affairs. + +"We'll have to knock that fox gently on the head, I guess," he remarked. +"You can see that the trap has cut deeply into his leg, and if he was +let alone another hour or two he would be likely to gnaw that paw off in +order to get free. They often do this. You see the cruel jaws of the +trap mutilate their leg, and pain so much when they struggle that in +desperation they bite at it until they get away; and after that a +three-legged fox is found roaming the woods. Besides, it would be a +shame for Uncle Caleb to lose that splendid prize." + +"I guess you're about right, Elmer," Lil Artha observed, "and so we +leave it to you to put the poor little fellow out of his misery. It's +been a tough thing on him because Nature gave him a silver black coat. +If he'd been an ordinary red fox Uncle Caleb might never have bothered +setting this trap, and he could have gone right along making his suppers +off partridges and such nice things, or else chickens belonging to any +farmers inside of twenty miles, if there are any. I'll hold your gun +while you do the job, Elmer, because I don't reckon you'd want to spoil +a fifteen hundred dollar pelt by riddling the same with bird shot." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE COMING OF UNCLE CALEB + + +ELMER may not have exactly fancied the job, but he was one of those +fellows who can always be depended upon to perform any duty devolving on +him, no matter how disagreeable. And it was not to be thought of that +they should pass on, to let the poor little animal gnaw its foot off; as +well as disappoint the trapper when he had made such a rare catch. + +So handing his pack and gun over to the care of the others Elmer looked +about until he spied the right sort of stick with which he could +dispatch the little beast by a clip on the head, so as not to spoil the +valuable skin in any way. + +When this had been done in great shape they examined the silver fox more +closely and admired the sheen of his coveted coat, for which wealthy +people are ready to pay almost any price. + +"Shall we hang it up here above the trap?" asked Toby, presently. + +"What for?" Elmer went on to say. + +"Why, so Uncle Caleb can get it when he comes along," replied Toby; "you +wouldn't want to make him die of heart failure, would you, by letting +him see he'd made a catch of a silver fox, and that it was gone?" + +Elmer laughed at him. + +"Why, what's to hinder our camping right here, and waiting for Uncle +Caleb to show up?" he asked. + +"Well, I declare, what a lot of ninnies the rest of us were not to think +of that!" chuckled Lil Artha; "I tell you it's a good thing for George, +Toby, and me that we've got you along, Elmer. We'd be losing our heads +next, I'm afraid." + +"It wouldn't be the first time you'd lost your head, Lil Artha," George +hastened to assure his comrade. "But I want to say that I think the idea +is all to the good, and that I'm ready to camp right here, and keep on +waiting for Uncle Caleb to show up, whether it takes an hour, a day or a +week; so long as our supply of venison holds out." + +"So far as that goes," Elmer continued, "I wouldn't be surprised to see +him any old time, because after the storm he'll be anxious to look into +this trap." + +Toby stretched his neck and looked all around. + +"Don't seem to see anything of him yet," he remarked. + +"When he comes," resumed the scout master, "I think you'll find it'll be +from that direction over there. I see a good place where we can drop +down and hide; so come on, fellows." + +"Hide?" echoed George; "whatever would we want to be doing that same +for, Elmer?" + +"Just to see how disappointed Uncle Caleb looks when he gets here, and +finds all these signs around, the blood on the snow, the hair of a +silver fox in the closed jaws of the trap, and footprints everywhere," +the scout master told him. + +Toby was heard to laugh. + +"I can just imagine how he'll act," he ventured; "but then, we'll let +him know who got the pelt before he's had much time to growl." + +Elmer held the dead fox up by his bushy tail, and George was seen to +look keenly at it as he muttered: + +"Fifteen hundred dollars, and for that measly little runt? I don't +believe there's a word of truth about the story. Somebody's been +stuffing you, Elmer." + +There happened to be a pretty good hiding-place close by. It lay just +about where Elmer would have picked it out had he been given a chance. +Here they proceeded to settle down, and make themselves as comfortable +as the conditions allowed. + +"Wonder how long we'll have to wait?" Toby remarked, after they had +scraped the snow away, and made places where they could stretch their +rubber ponchos out and with blankets on top form comfortable seats upon +which to rest their tired bodies. + +"That depends a whole lot on how soon Uncle Caleb would think to start +out, and how far he has to come to get here," Elmer told him. "The +walking is tough enough for us, and yet we're young. He's a pretty old +man, Toby says, and might have a harder time of it than we would. But +then by noon there ought to be something doing, I'd think." + +George had been looking around, and now gave them the benefit of his +observations. + +"Plenty of wood handy, notice, fellows; if we have to hang out here any +length of time, why, we could make a fire, and do our little cooking +stunt all right." + +"Why, what's getting into George," remarked Toby, pretending to be +surprised; "he seems never to get enough to eat. Time was when he had a +little bird appetite, but these days he's like a hungry bear all the +time." + +"I don't know what ails me," George replied, "but it must be going on +half rations kind of frightened me, and now I'm thinking something might +happen again; so I'm bent on laying in a good supply while it lasts." + +"We'll have to look around for a whole herd of deer if you keep on that +way much longer, George. And I don't know what your folks at home'll do +when you get back again. You'll eat 'em out of house and home, that's +right," Lil Artha expressed himself by saying. + +George took this chaffing in good part. He was feeling splendidly now, +since the danger of their facing real want was of the past. + +"Oh! that's all right, boys," he told them. "It was only a little while +ago my folks were worried about me eating so little, and I guess they'll +sing the other way now. Dad'll talk about going into bankruptcy when he +watches me put away the food. Seems like I never could get enough +again. I want to eat six times a day, and then complain because meals +are so far apart." + +"Listen!" exclaimed Lil Artha. + +"What did you think you heard?" asked Elmer, after all of them had +strained their ears without any result. + +"Guess I must have been away off, and it was only a hoot owl after all; +but I thought I heard some one cough!" the tall scout declared. + +"I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that way, because it's getting +on toward time for him to show up, if he means to come along to-day," +said Elmer. + +"And now that you mention it," added Toby, "I remember Uncle Caleb does +have a sort of cough. That was one reason he took to the woods, for he +said it was going to add ten years to his life, living in the open, +winter and summer, and eating the plainest kind of food." + +After that they began to watch more closely than ever, and also listened +carefully to catch a repetition of the sound that Lil Artha believed he +had heard. + +The great woods in their white snow mantle seemed to be deathly quiet. +The air had become far less bitter, and in the sun it was thawing +slightly. Occasionally some branch would manage to dislodge its burden +of snow, which was apt to rustle through other branches on its way to +the ground. Away in the distance those crows were cawing again, as +though disputing some lucky find, or holding a council of war +concerning some contemplated movement in search of new feeding grounds. +Beyond these little breaks the silence remained profound. + +All at once Elmer gave a low "hist!" + +The others had caught the same sound, and as it was repeated again and +again they began to believe that some one must be approaching from the +very quarter in which Elmer had said Uncle Caleb was apt to come. + +"What's that queer scraping, shuffling noise mean, Elmer?" whispered Lil +Artha. + +"I bet you I know," spoke up Toby, also in a cautious tone; "snow-shoes, +and my uncle is wearing the same. How's that for a guess, Elmer?" + +"You're right that time, Toby; and there he comes!" was the scout +master's reply. + +Looking again they could all see the figure of an elderly man, dressed +in khaki-colored hunting garments, but warmly clad. He was advancing +over the surface of the heaped-up snow, and with the free movements of +one to whom the use of snow-shoes was an old story. To see the way he +lifted his feet, still dragging the long shoe made of bent hickory, and +stout gut that crossed and re-crossed diagonally from side to side, it +was evident that Uncle Caleb had spent many days and weeks in the woods +when it was impossible for him to get anywhere without the use of +snow-shoes. + +Toby watched him eagerly. He was evidently thinking that before he left +this section of the wilderness he too would be able to walk deftly, +after he had been shown the secret of manipulating the clumsy +contrivances that served to keep the pedestrian from sinking into the +drift. + +As the hunter and naturalist drew closer to the spot where he had placed +his fox trap they could see that he was getting more and more agitated. +Evidently he must have already discovered certain suspicious signs +around that gave warning to the effect that he was about to receive a +shock of an unpleasant nature. + +Uncle Caleb was almost running now. Had there been a glaze on the +surface of the snow he would have fairly flown to the spot; but as it +was he floundered more or less in advancing hurriedly. + +Now they saw him bend down to examine his trap. The presence of the +stains on the trampled surface of the snow would be enough to tell him +that there had been a victim held between those grim steel jaws of the +Newhouse trap. When he found several almost black hairs present he would +also understand that he had caught the coveted silver black fox; and +while that might add to his joy under ordinary conditions it was only +apt to provoke his additional wrath just then; for those telltale +footprints all around gave him to understand he had been robbed of his +treasure. + +He presently got up from his knees. They could see that he was shaking +his head as though he did not like the way things looked. Many winters +had Uncle Caleb spent in this vicinity, and never before had he ever +known of a case of thievery; that it should come when he had made such a +fortunate haul was doubly provoking. + +It was hardly wise to carry on the joke any further, Elmer thought; and +accordingly he gave the signal for which Toby was waiting. The latter +immediately jumped to his feet, and shouted at the top of his voice: + +"Hello! Uncle Caleb! how d'ye do? You see, I've kept my word, and +dropped in to visit you at last. And as you told me to bring a friend or +two along, I've fetched our scout master, Elmer Chenowith, also two +other bully good fellows, George Robbins and Lil Artha Stansbury!" + +The elderly recluse stared at the four boys as though he found great +difficulty in believing his eyes. It was as if they had suddenly bobbed +up out of the snow-covered earth to surprise him. + +"Why, hello! is that you, Nephew Toby?" he presently called back. "Come +along and shake hands with me. You're mighty welcome, my boy, let me +tell you; and your comrades too. I shall be delighted to meet the Elmer +I've heard so much about in your newsy letters; also your other chums." + +"But, uncle, we've got a little surprise for you, see?" and as he spoke +Toby suddenly held up the silver fox, which act caused the other to +smile broadly; "we were directed wrong by a boy, who must have had a +grouch against all scouts; and so we got lost; and then that storm +caught us; but we were hunting around for some sign of your cabin when +we came on this fox caught in a trap, and with his leg nearly cut off. +Elmer said he'd soon be gone, leaving only a paw behind; so he knocked +him on the head, and then said we'd better wait here till you came. Is +it a real silver black fox, Uncle?" + +"And are the skins worth as much as fifteen hundred dollars, sir?" asked +George, as though he could never rest again until he had settled that +bothersome matter in his mind. + +"Yes to both questions, boys," replied the scientist; "this skin may be +worth anywhere from a thousand dollars to twenty-five hundred, according +to how it is graded; and I'm delighted that you had the good sense to +save it for me." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +POSSESSION NINE POINTS OF THE LAW + + +"I HOPE you're satisfied now, George, about that pelt?" Lil Artha +whispered to the doubting scout, as they stepped back, after shaking +hands with the scientist, who was examining his prize with considerable +delight; not that Uncle Caleb needed the money he would likely receive +for the skin, if he chose to dispose of it; but it was something worth +while to be able to say he had taken one of those rare little, and much +sought after animals, a silver fox. + +"Y-e-s, I s'pose it must be so, if he says they're so valuable," George +admitted, but in a way that told how slow he was to take stock in such a +fairy tale; so that later on Lil Artha, finding Uncle Caleb had certain +articles that had been published in connection with the wonderful prices +paid for silver fox skins in the open London market, took pains to see +that the doubter read them, and was finally convinced. + +"Nothing else would have fetched me out after such a great snow storm," +the recluse told them, presently; "only I was anxious about this trap. +You see, I knew all about the ways of mink and foxes, and also how they +often gnaw a foot off in order to get free. It would have given me a +bad feeling to come here and find that owing to my delay, and the little +animal's hunger, as well as pain, it had done that same thing, and was +gone. The forepaw of a silver fox isn't worth much, only to make the +disappointed trapper say things he'd be ashamed to have any one else +hear." + +"Then we're all glad we got here in good time to nip that little escape +in the bud, Uncle," said Toby. + +"And as my cabin is more than a mile off, with the going pretty poor, +perhaps we'd better be setting out for the same right away," remarked +the scientist. "I can give a pretty good guess that you've been having +some rough times, and will be glad of a shelter to-night. As for myself, +I'll be happy indeed to have you with me. It does get pretty lonely at +times, even though I'm deeply interested in my hobby of taking +flashlight pictures of the small animals hereabout. I've even perfected +an arrangement so that lots of times they snap off their own pictures; +as you'll see later on when we get to work." + +"We've only got a few days to spend up here with you, Uncle Caleb," +ventured Toby; "and we must see all there is in a hurry. We've just +about got tired of roughing it in the snow, and a change to cabin life +will set us up again." + +"Then let's start right away, if you boys think you can hold out for +lunch until we fetch up at my place. The return journey shouldn't take +nearly as long as it did to come up here, because we can avoid plenty +of pitfalls I fell into. How about that plan, Toby?" + +"Whenever you're ready, Uncle, let us know," replied the scout. "Can I +carry the fox for you; and how about this trap? Perhaps after catching +your prize you won't want to leave it around again. If that's so let me +take care of it for you?" + +"Well, from the looks of things, it seems to me each one of you has +enough to tote right now," chuckled the elderly man; "while I have +nothing except my rifle. I'm a pretty hardy sort of an old chap, and +able to carry my share of the burdens still; so if you don't mind, +Nephew Toby, I'll look after both the trap and the silver fox." + +Which he calmly proceeded to do; and they discovered afterwards that +Uncle Caleb had an iron constitution, being able to do as much as any +grown-up of their acquaintance, possibly barring the strong man of the +circus, who could bend iron bars across his knee, and allowed an anvil +to be pounded on his chest. + +It appeared that Elmer had not been far out of the way when he +determined on the direction from which they might expect the trapper to +come. His figuring this out on the merits of the fact that their shots +had not gone against the wind, had a great deal to recommend it, as +Uncle Caleb admitted when he heard how scout tactics had been employed. + +"I've been wanting to hear a whole lot more about what Boy Scouts do," +he told them, as they trudged cheerfully along; "and while we sit +before the fire evenings, you must explain everything to me. From the +little I know about it up to date I'm inclined to believe they've at +last gotten hold of a very big idea, and one that's going to be of far +more lasting benefit to American boys than any other scheme ever thought +of in their connection." + +"And so far as I'm concerned, sir," replied Elmer, modestly, "I'll be +only too glad to give you all the information I can scare up. Our folks +believe the same way you do, and as the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy +Scouts has been working for some few moons now, we feel that we've shown +what a great improvement belonging to the organization has made in a +good many fellows." + +"Why, here's George for instance," said Lil Artha, maliciously; "a short +time ago his people were worried because he didn't seem to eat half +enough; and now he wants the dinner bell to be jangling all day long. +That's one of the changes it's made; and I could name others, sir, +almost as remarkable." + +Even George himself had to join in the general laugh this remark from +the long-legged scout brought out. + +"I guess you're something of a joker, Arthur," observed Uncle Caleb, +turning to smile at the other. + +"That's what they all say about me," complained Lil Artha, "that I'm a +joke, a freak; as if I could help it that my legs grew at the expense +of my body. But so long as I have the brains to go along with them why +should I care whether school keeps or not? What our scout master doesn't +tell you, we'll try and fill in; because there are heaps of things +connected with our trials and victories of the past that Elmer might +fight shy of on account of a false modesty. We have to blow his horn for +him, you see, sir?" + +"And I wager you blow it right well, too," observed Uncle Caleb. + +"Oh! I manage to get some kind of music out of it, even if I'm not the +regular bugler of the troop. He's Mark Cummings, and he's away from town +right now. But how much further do we have to go before we strike your +shack, sir?" + +"Not over a third of a mile at the most," came the reassuring reply, +that caused the tired boys to pluck up new hope, and in a way gird +themselves afresh for the fray. + +They had left the marsh behind long ago. Elmer knew from this that its +border could not be a very desirable place to camp during the spring or +summer, when it was apt to be more or less overflowed, and there was +danger of malaria if one persisted in sleeping with fogs abounding +frequently of nights. + +Now that their troubles seemed all behind them, some of the scouts could +look about and even admire the scenery by which they found themselves +surrounded. Elmer could at least, and he found many interesting things +to hold his attention as they journeyed along, following in a general +way the trail which Uncle Caleb had made in coming from his cabin to +the spot where he had left the fox trap, in hopes of snaring the silver +black which he knew used that section of the woods. + +Every now and then their pilot would point out some object that was +associated with certain events in the past. Here he had met with a black +bear unexpectedly, and managed to snap off a picture of the surprised +Bruin while the animal reared up on his hind legs; and then retreated. A +little further on and he showed them where the fire had once caught him +in a trap; and how he only escaped a serious singeing by discovering a +cleft among the rocks, where he managed to crawl in, and lie until the +danger was over. Then there was the tree into which he had been chased +by a pack of wild dogs that seemed to have taken a strange dislike for +all human beings, and which he had only dispersed after killing several +of their number. + +All these things were especially interesting to the scouts. They had met +with not a few thrilling like adventures in their own experience, during +their several camping trips to the woods; though these might sound tame +after hearing of what strange happenings Uncle Caleb had experienced. + +Toby saw that George raised his eyebrows each time he heard some +interesting narrative from the recluse. He was a little afraid the +doubter might express himself in his usual skeptical fashion, and demand +further proof to back these tales up before he could give them +unqualified approval; but fortunately George had a little too much good +sense to commit such an indiscretion; it might go all very well when +dealing with boys of his own age, but he did not have the nerve to tell +an elderly man, and a professor at that, he doubted his word. + +"He's got to be broken out of that bad habit," Toby was telling himself, +every time he felt his heart apparently in his throat with apprehension +lest George make a nuisance of himself; "and seems to me his chums ought +to be the ones to do the thing up brown for George. What a nice fellow +he'd be if only it wasn't for his everlasting sneering, and letting you +feel he thought you were bluffing him!" + +Meanwhile Elmer was studying Uncle Caleb. He quickly came to the +conclusion that he would like the other very much indeed. He appeared to +be a wonderfully well-read man, with a fund of information on every +subject. Besides this, there was a quizzical gleam in his eyes that told +the scout master the other was fond of humor, and could enjoy a joke, +providing it was not along the lines of practical ones that hurt too +deeply. + +He was also a master of science, and no doubt had made a name for +himself long before he forsook the haunts of men, to spend peaceful +months here in the wilderness, studying the ways of the little creatures +whose realm he had invaded. + +Still, Uncle Caleb was a peaceful man. He never claimed to be a +sportsman, and would not use his gun save as a means of absolute +necessity, if attacked by some dangerous wild beast; or else as a means +of procuring needed fresh meat, which did not happen very often, since +he was inclined to be a vegetarian, and had all his supplies hauled up +here by wagon twice a year. + +All these things Elmer learned by degrees, and the more he came to know +of this remarkable old uncle of Toby's the better he liked him. This +business of "shooting" things with a snapshot camera, especially by +flashlight and at night-time, had always appealed more or less to Elmer; +and he rejoiced to know that he was to be thrown in the company of one +who had been more or less successful in obtaining wonderfully faithful +pictures of the small swamp and woods animals. + +The boys soon began to cast anxious glances ahead, for it was not very +pleasant work carrying all the stuff they had brought along with them to +the forest; and besides, the best part of the deer Lil Artha had bagged +so luckily for himself and friends--particularly George. + +"I don't see any sign of a cabin there, do you, George?" Lil Artha +remarked in an aside to the other, who chanced to be puffing along at +his elbow, and grunting after his customary style, though no more weary +than the other three boys. + +"No, and d'ye know I'm beginning to think there may be no cabin after +all, that's what," replied George, stubbornly. "Of course Uncle Caleb +has one somewhere or other; but he may have gotten mixed up in his +bearings, you see; and right now how do we know whether we're heading +right or wrong?" + +"Well, if you don't take the cake for seeing the wrong side of +everything," Lil Artha told him. "Of course there's a cabin, and we must +be getting close to it as we stand now. About the old gentleman making a +blunder, and wandering off, don't you know we've been following his out +track all the while. And say, what's that you can glimpse through this +little opening in the woods--in a direct line with these two birch +trees, tell me that now, George, you old humbug of a grumbler?" + +Thereupon George, only too willing to be convinced, took a long look, +and then slowly admitted that he might have been too hasty. + +"It does look a _little_ like a shack roof, Lil Artha, and p'raps I +hadn't ought to have spoken like I did; but even now that may be a +fooler. Just wait and let's make sure before we holler." + +In another five minutes all doubt with regard to this was ready to +vanish even from that wavering mind of George, because they could +plainly see one end of what seemed to be a pretty substantial log cabin, +with a broad chimney running up the back, fashioned of slabs, and +hardened mud that no doubt resembled flint. + +It seemed to be an ideal snug retreat for a man who wanted to get away +from the world, and enjoy himself after his own fancy. Here Uncle Caleb +had come for years, and his visits to the haunts of civilization had +been few and far between. As time passed on they threatened to cease +altogether, for he found more real happiness here than he could among +mankind, struggling constantly in pursuit of the mighty dollar, and +pushing others down in trying to climb. + +"How do you like the looks of it?" asked the owner of the cabin, with a +touch of pardonable pride in his voice; for he had gone to considerable +trouble in order to make the place attractive; and even though mounds of +snow covered everything around, the boys could see that he had some +conveniences, such as ordinary loggers' camps could hardly boast. + +"It strikes me as a pretty sight," Elmer candidly admitted; "and I don't +blame you, sir, for keeping up here. I should think you'd feel lonesome +sometimes, though?" + +"I do, and used to have a friend spend part of the season with me," +acknowledged the scientist; "but last fall he married, and went to +Europe, so that up to now I've been all alone, and your coming will be +doubly welcome as a break in the monotony of the thing." + +"But, Uncle, if as you say you are alone, who could that have been I +just saw at that little window?" asked Toby. + +"I certainly saw something moving inside there, too," Lil Artha +asserted, beginning to display something of excitement, as he waited for +the other to explain what already began to take on some of the elements +of a dark mystery. + +Uncle Caleb looked earnestly at the window they mentioned. It was a +small affair, and as they afterwards discovered stood just above the +kitchen table, also used during meal-time, since it was the only +contrivance of its kind in the cabin. + +"I don't happen to see anything there now, boys," he went on to say; +"but after all it wouldn't surprise me very much. A very large wildcat +has been hovering near my cabin for a week now. I've tried to get a +picture of the beast several times, but all I managed to secure has been +a rolling ball of fur for one, two glaring eyes for another, and the end +of a stubby tail for a third. Now, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if that +smart old cat has been watching me, and saw when I went off some time +ago. Prowling around it must have climbed on the roof, and then finding +it could back down the throat of the chimney, that's what he's done." + +"Whoop!" cried Lil Artha, "a wildcat in possession, and has to be kicked +out before we can use those bunks. Get your gun ready, Elmer, and we'll +ambush the sinner." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE CHIMNEY JUMPER + + +"HOLD on, Lil Artha, don't rush things so fast!" called out Toby. + +"Because this isn't our cabin, and before you knock over the uninvited +guest it might be just as well to ask permission from the owner," added +Elmer. + +All eyes were of course turned on Uncle Caleb, although, according to +the mind of the impulsive Lil Artha, there was only one thing that could +be done, which was to suddenly open the door, and when the wildcat +rushed out give him a shot. + +"I've been trying to get a picture of that cat so long," Uncle Caleb +told them, "that I'd really be very much disappointed now if he met with +his fate, and I had to go without a snapshot, even though a distant one, +to remember him by." + +"It might be arranged," suggested Elmer, quietly. + +"Put your trust in our scout master, sir, and you won't be +disappointed," Lil Artha went on to say, meanwhile looking curiously +toward Elmer, as though wondering what sort of plan he could have +conceived on the spur of the moment. + +"Tell us how, Elmer?" George demanded, at the same time eying the cabin +with a dubious manner, as though he half believed the boys who said they +had seen _something_ through the small window must have deceived +themselves. + +"Why, if the beast came down through the chimney, it strikes me he ought +to know enough to go out the same way if alarmed enough," was what Elmer +told them. + +"A good idea, my boy!" declared Uncle Caleb, "and if I had everything +ready, with my little pocket camera focussed on the chimney, I suppose I +could snap him off as he climbed out. Now I'll fix that up right away, +and when I'm ready I'll sing out. After that some of you can bang on the +door, and start shouting, which should be enough to alarm the cat and +make it think of scampering out the way it came in." + +He was as good as his word. Pushing forward until he was within thirty +feet of the cabin, with a good view of the rude chimney-top, and the +light in the right quarter to promise a good picture, Uncle Caleb waved +his hand to the others. + +"All ready here, boys!" he exclaimed after he had fixed himself. + +Elmer had spoken to Lil Artha and Toby, who were delegated to be the +attacking squad. George and the scout master accompanied Uncle Caleb, +the latter holding his gun in readiness. + +"Remember," said Elmer, in a tone that every one could easily hear, +"there is to be no shooting unless it becomes necessary. If the cat +attacks us we'll have to defend ourselves. If it chooses to go about +its business we don't expect to bother it any. Get that, Lil Artha?" + +The tall scout replied that he did, though he looked disappointed, as +though this thing of sparing so ferocious a varmint as a wildcat just +because some one wanted to catch a few pictures of the beast from time +to time, did not appeal very much to his sense of the fitness of things. +To Lil Artha the cat was without the pale of the law, because it +destroyed all sorts of useful things, from young partridges, rabbits and +squirrels to domestic fowls; and he knew there never was a time that any +State in the Union ever attempted to bar its hunters from killing every +bobcat they could find, the more the merrier. + +"Then start your racket!" Elmer told the two who were standing close to +the cabin door. + +Upon thus getting orders Lil Artha and Toby began to immediately make +all the noise they could. They pounded on the door with their fists, +together with the butt end of Lil Artha's gun; and the jargon of talk +they put up was enough to drive any ordinary cat distracted. + +Toby even partly opened the door--just a few inches for he did not want +to make the acquaintance of that cat at close quarters--and banged it +shut again, meanwhile sending a whoop through the slit. It must have +been a brave animal that could have stood out against all that +combination of sounds. + +Through the small opening Toby had glimpsed something that made him have +a chilly sensation along the region of his spine. He had caught sight +of the intruder. The cat was an exceptionally large one, and it stood +there in the middle of the floor, its hair bristling with fury, and its +eyes glaring like yellow balls. No wonder Toby slammed that door so +speedily, while his whoop ended in a yell. He almost thought he could +hear the heavy thud as the springing cat landed against the door close +to his head. + +That may have only been his imagination working overtime, and inspired +by the one glimpse he had obtained of the fierce beast. He fancied as +much himself later on, when in a condition to survey the sequence of +events calmly. + +While Toby and Lil Artha continued to whoop things up another shrill +outcry, this time from George, stilled their clamor. + +"Oh! there he is coming out of the chimney, Elmer!" was what George +shrieked in his excitement, and afterwards the others laughed when they +made mention of the fact that for once George did not seem to doubt the +evidence of his eyes, or say that he thought it might be the cat he saw. + +"I've got him!" added Uncle Caleb, who doubtless must have managed to +work his snapshot camera instantly, though no one heard the "click" of +the flying shutter on account of all the other sounds that were arising. + +The wildcat had indeed appeared on top of the chimney, having remembered +the route it had taken when entering. This alone proved that it was a +clever beast, because in the midst of such excitement many another +animal would have lost its head, and gone plunging around the interior, +trying to push through the window perhaps, and utterly forgetting that +there was such a thing as a vent in that slab and hard mud "smoke +chaser," as Lil Artha always called the chimney. + +"Look out, Elmer, he's going to jump at you!" warned the tall scout, in +a frenzied tone. + +A wildcat is possibly one of the most vicious of small beasts of prey to +be found in American forests. It will often attack a hunter without any +seeming provocation, although doubtless there is some reason for the +reckless act, such as hidden kittens near by, or consuming hunger. + +In this particular case neither of these reasons would apply, but the +animal was enraged on account of being disturbed while eating, and then +badgered by those yells on the part of the two scouts, as well as their +banging of the cabin door. George afterwards told them that they could +hardly blame the poor cat for getting its back up when abused and +shouted at in such a way; he also said that if he happened to be a wild +beast he would certainly be "mad clear through, and ready to fight at +the drop of the hat." + +Elmer was on the alert, not that he had really anticipated such a thing +as having the wildcat spring at him, but he knew enough about such +animals to be aware of their fickle temper, and that one is never to be +trusted within leaping range. An old hunter had once told him never +under any possibility to lower his gun when a bobcat was facing him, +because their spring is like a flash of lightning. And as we happen to +know, Elmer was a boy who always believed in the efficiency of the +scout's motto, "Be Prepared!" + +The cat crouched there on the top of the chimney for just three seconds. +That was the time when Uncle Caleb managed to press the button, and get +his picture. It was also when Lil Artha sent out his shrill warning, and +at the same time swung his Marlin gun around so that the stock rested +against his shoulder. + +Then the wildcat sprang, with every powerful muscle in play--sprang +straight toward the little group of three--George, Elmer and Uncle +Caleb! + +George was unarmed and being a cautious fellow he knew that the best +thing for him to do was to get out of range as speedily as possible. + +Accordingly his movement was exactly timed with that of the leaping cat; +for just as the animal quitted the apex of the short chimney, and +launched its agile body into the air, George fell flat on his face on +the ground and made himself as small as possible. + +There sounded a double report. Both Elmer and Lil Artha had fired so +near the same time that until told differently later on, George supposed +that the scout master alone had made use of his ready gun. + +Uncle Caleb knew considerable about these savage cats, and he jumped +aside even as the roar of the guns sounded. Elmer, too, had no sooner +pulled the trigger than he took a quick step to the right, and then held +his gun ready to make use of the other barrel if necessary. + +It turned out that such a thing was not needed. Halted in midair by the +double charge of shot, which at such close range must have had the same +tearing effect as so many bullets, the wildcat fell with a heavy thud to +the ground, some five feet away from where Elmer stood. He instantly +covered the beast with his gun. + +"No need of another shot, my boy!" cried the owner of the cabin, +hastily; "you've already settled him handsomely." + +The wretched invader had indeed paid the penalty for his crimes, and all +because he possessed such a terrible temper. Had he been willing to jump +in the other direction the chances were nothing would have been done to +prevent his escape, so that he might furnish Uncle Caleb with other +opportunities to snap him off when in the act perhaps of devouring a +partridge he had captured in the snow forest. When he allowed his fury +to get the better of his discretion he made the one mistake of his life. + +All of them gathered around the now dead wildcat to admire his size, and +comment on his recklessness in daring to attack a party of human beings. + +"Did you ever hear of such nerve in all your life?" remarked Lil Artha, +who was grinning all over with the satisfaction it gave him to be +instrumental in disposing of such a pest of the woods. "Why, if there +had been a regiment I reckon he'd have jumped at 'em just the same. +Mebbe cats go mad sometimes, and just don't know what they're doing." + +"I've known of similar cases before," remarked Uncle Caleb, who was +looking at the wretched beast rather sadly, Elmer thought, "and a hunter +who has had experience never trusts a cat further than he can see it. +They get those crazy freaks once in a while, and fear seems to be driven +out of their system. When a Malay or a Chinaman loses his head, and +starts to wipe out the whole town, they say he is 'running amuck,' and +they always shoot him down as they would a mad dog. This cat species +when rendered furious does the same thing, and hesitates at nothing. But +I'm sorry it had to be done. He was a splendid specimen of a wildcat. +Look at those powerful muscles, and see what a square head he has. I'd +have given considerable to have had him a little more sociable, so that +I might have snapped off several pictures showing how he secured his +food, and crept up on game. But it couldn't be helped, apparently; he +just had to go and commit suicide as it seemed. And, Elmer, you +certainly pulled a quick trigger." + +"Half the credit goes to Lil Artha, for he fired at the same time," +Elmer quickly admitted. "I'm sure both of us hit him, because you can +see how badly the pelt is cut up. It would never bring ten cents in the +market after that riddling." + +"Is it possible that there were two shots, and I never suspected it?" +Uncle Caleb observed, turning on the tall scout with a smile. "Well, I +can easily see that you boys have long ago learned how to take care of +yourselves, which is one of the best things any lad can know. All of +which increases my desire to hear more about this organization that is +doing such wonders for our American lads." + +"Do you think you got your picture of the cat, Uncle?" asked Toby. "I +heard you call out something or other about it." + +"I pressed the button while he was squatting on the top of the chimney," +the owner of the cabin went on to say, "and that should be a fine +picture. Then almost mechanically I turned the screw that brought +another section of film into play, and my recollection is that I snapped +off another shot even as the beast was in the air. I'm curious to know +if I got anything worth while with that one. It would be a great triumph +if I should develop the film and find that I'd caught the cat just as it +received your shots and crumpled up in midair." + +"That would be something worth seeing, sir," Lil Artha told him, "and +we'll hope it turns out that way." + +George had scrambled to his feet as soon as he realized that the danger +was over. He looked a little ashamed, but there was no occasion for +feeling that way. When any one is unarmed, and sees such a fury as that +wildcat certainly was coming in his direction, he would be foolish +indeed not to dodge, and even hug the ground in an effort to escape +contact with those cruel poisonous claws. + +"Gee whiz! look at the sharp teeth, would you; and then those open +claws," Lil Artha continued, as he bent down and took one of the dead +cat's feet in his fingers; "excuse me from meeting up with such a crazy +customer when walking through the woods at sundown. I might manage to +get the best of the beast, but my bully khaki suit would be in ribbons, +and mebbe my face clawed into a map of Ireland." + +"As for me," spoke up Toby, "I'd never feel easy if I knew such a terror +was always hanging around, watching for a chance to grab me when my back +was turned. And say what you will, Uncle Caleb, I'm tickled half to +death because we bagged your pet cat before he had a chance to mark any +of us. I tell you I'll enjoy my tramps around this section better after +this. If he'd got away you wouldn't have caught Tobias Ellsworth Jones +wandering fifty feet away from home base without carrying a club or a +gun along. His room is going to be a whole sight better than his +company." + +Uncle Caleb smiled at hearing what his nephew thought. + +"Perhaps you're right in saying that, Toby," he remarked, "and it may be +that in pursuing my pet hobby I'm going too much to extremes in wanting +to preserve the life of such a savage animal. Possibly your ending his +career of piracy may be the means of saving me from a very unpleasant +experience; for I was planning to push my campaign against this same +cat, and follow him into his den, to get a good flashlight picture of +what he looked like at home. It would have been a foolhardy experiment, +I begin to realize. I suppose it's all for the best, and I'll cure the +skin just to remember the adventure by." + +Lil Artha, who had pushed up close to Elmer, managed to say in a low +tone: + +"I reckon that it was you knocked the stuffing out of the beast, Elmer, +because I'm afraid I fired too low." But the scout master immediately +hushed him up, and told him never to mention it again, for he felt sure +both of them had made a hit. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SCOUTS IN CLOVER + + +"THERE used to be a time," Uncle Caleb went on to remark, as he lifted +the heavy wildcat, and started toward the door of his cabin, "when I was +considered quite a sportsman. I took every opportunity I could to be in +the woods and on the water, shooting deer, quail, partridge, snipe, +ducks, geese, brant and all such things, for my fancy seemed to run more +in the line of small game than grizzly bears or lions, tigers, elephants +and the like. But years ago I began to notice a change gradually taking +place in my feelings. I suppose many men find the same thing working +when they grow older, and the fires of youth are spent. I began to +dislike taking life of any sort, and recently I have allowed many a fine +chance to make a bag slip by, because I would sooner snap off a picture, +and live on canned goods supplied from the store." + +Of course none of the boys could fully understand this sentiment. They +viewed it from the standpoint of youth, and would never know any +different until they too grew old, and their hunting instincts became +mellowed. + +At the same time they could respect such humane motives, and understand +something of the peculiar fascination that taking pictures of wild +animals in their native haunts was apt to entail. + +"Now to see what a mess the creature may have made of my little cabin +home," Uncle Caleb went on to say, as he flung open the door and +entered, leaving the body of the late trespasser outside to be attended +to later. + +The scouts crowded in after him, and looked eagerly around. They found +that the cabin in the snow forest was quite a neat affair. Evidently the +occupant had gone to considerable trouble and expense to make it +comfortable. As he expected to spend most of his time here under this +roof, Uncle Caleb believed in having things to suit him, even to a +little bathroom off the back, which in summer was supplied with running +water from a spring on higher ground, and fed through a sunken pipe, now +disconnected on account of the freezing temperature that would have +speedily burst it. + +There were a couple of bunks built into the walls on either side of the +big fireplace, which latter came out several feet into the room. Besides +this there was a cot that was also a settee in the daytime, a large +table, several comfortable seats that were along the type of the Morris +chair Elmer had in his den at home, and various cases of books, +curiosities and such things. + +Upon the floor were a number of real imported small rugs that Uncle +Caleb must have brought from the Orient himself. The boys thought them +rather odd, though at the same time pretty; but they were later on +staggered when they learned the history of each little carpet, and what +a vast sum Uncle Caleb had paid for them in his rôle of collector. + +Taken in all, the interior of that cabin was about as far from +resembling the average hunter's home as anything could be. Immediately +Lil Artha quit calling it the "shack," because forever afterwards with +that cheery interior it would appeal more to him in the garb of a +miniature palace. + +Uncle Caleb was a rich bachelor, and he liked to be comfortable. +Besides, he was a man of science, and a student, rather than a hunter; +so they concluded that he was quite right in making his little home look +so pleasant. + +Just then, however, things were in something of an upset condition. The +hungry cat in prowling around and searching for something to eat had +upset a number of articles, broken a pet dish of the cabin's owner; +while there on the table was the partly gnawed strip of bacon at which +the animal had been busily at work when interrupted by their arrival on +the scene. + +"I can save the better part of it," said the easy-going Uncle Caleb, +"and besides, there is plenty more in the locker, for I lay in my +winter's stock long before the first real snow comes, so as not to be +bothered later on by trips to the town where I trade, which is many +miles away from here." + +When later on he showed them his "strong room" where his stores were +kept George in particular was noticed to lick his lips with a satisfied +smile on his face as if telling himself that there need be no fear of +hunger so long as they stayed with Uncle Caleb. + +"Choose your bunks, boys," they were speedily told, "and toss your +blankets in the ones you select. It seems that you figured pretty +closely, because if there had been another scout in the party we'd have +had to get busy building a new bed. As it is, there is one apiece all +around." + +"But how about you, Uncle?" asked Toby, solicitously; "we don't want to +push you out of your regular bed. Let me sleep on that cot." + +"No, I prefer to take it," the owner of the cabin replied; "in fact, as +a rule I have slept on the cot winters, because I can pull it up in +front of the fire on nights that are particularly bitter." + +"You must get some howlers up here, sir, I should think," suggested +Elmer. + +"Along in January we often have a terrible storm or blizzard, when it's +utterly unsafe to venture outside the door, because one can never see +ten feet away. Men have been found frozen to death close to their own +cabins, which they did not dream were so close by when they gave up in +despair. The storm that just visited us was pretty severe, but not to be +compared with some I have seen." + +"George, take your pick of bunks," said Elmer. + +Perhaps he allowed George to have the first say because of the other's +notorious habit of grumbling; the wise scout master did not want to give +him any chance to complain that he had not been treated fairly and +squarely. + +Now George was not so greedy but that he could feel ashamed. He seemed +to scent the true reason why Elmer was so kind, for a flush came over +his face, and he actually shook his head in a decided negative. + +"That isn't just fair to the rest, Elmer, and I won't have it," he said, +with a show of spirit. "The bunks are all built alike, but one may be +better than the others, 'specially of a cold night. Now I tell you how +we'll fix that up fine and dandy; I'll mark them by numbers up to four; +then I'll write that many on pieces of paper and we'll put them in a +hat. Each one draws one out, and in that way gets his bunk without any +favoritism being shown. What d'ye say to that, Elmer?" + +"Just as you like, George; and I want to tell you I admire the +independent spirit you display when you refuse to be favored above the +rest. That's the right way to show what you're made of. It speaks well +for the regard you have toward others." + +While Elmer was saying this George drew out a lead pencil stub and made +a figure on the front of each bunk, running from one to four. Then he +did the little numbering on as many small squares of paper torn from his +notebook. These latter he threw into a hat and held it so no one could +look in, though a hand might be inserted through the small opening. + +"Elmer, you draw first!" George went on to say, as he held the hat out +to each one of the others in turn. + +So the scout master accommodated him, and found that he had hit upon one +of the lower bunks. Toby got the upper, and Lil Artha drew the other +elevated bed; so that after all George was given the pick of the lot. No +one could ever begrudge him his good luck, now that he had shown such a +fair spirit. + +"It hit me about right," admitted Lil Artha, as he stood up alongside +the wall, and flung his blanket inside the second upper bunk, "because +Nature always intended that I should nest high, when She gave me this +pair of stilts. Lucky you made the bunks over six feet long, Uncle +Caleb, or I'd never have been able to turn over without drawing my knees +up to my chin. It gives me a pain whenever I think that I may go on +stretching out for nearly four years yet. My folks think of cutting the +doors higher in our house. They get tired of seeing me duck my head +every time I come into a room." + +A fire was soon built up in the open space under the chimney flue which +the cunning wildcat had used as a means for entering and leaving the +cabin. At the time there happened to be little heat among the ashes, for +the owner was averse to leaving a fire when he went away for hours, lest +he return only to find a blackened heap where his cabin with its many +precious treasures had stood. + +It was like a picnic to cook when there were so many conveniences, and +Lil Artha, who insisted on helping George, called attention to the +excellent iron frame which was intended to be placed over the fire, and +serve to hold such cooking vessels as were needed in the preparation of +the meal. + +Besides this there was a portable oven which made splendid biscuits and +bread, as the boys learned later on, when Uncle Caleb showed them how he +lived while keeping bachelor's hall alone in that wilderness, days, +weeks and months at a time. He had a small barrel of flour in his +storeroom, with such a collection of canned goods and dried as well as +smoked meats, that George declared it looked like a young grocery store +to him; and privately admitted that he would not care very much if they +had been booked to stay the balance of the winter with Uncle Caleb, +instead of just a few days. He could see all manner of "good times" in +that delightful storeroom collection. + +They had a light lunch, as the old scientist usually preferred to eat +his one heavy meal in the evening, after his thinking was done for the +day. + +"Make yourselves quite at home, boys," he told them, with a sincerity +that even skeptical George could not question; "everything I have is at +your disposal. You will find hosts of things to interest you among my +collection of curios, and the myriads of pictures I have taken the last +seven years. Some of them have been honored by being published in a +geographic magazine, and excited considerable interest among a certain +class of scientists. I'm ready to answer every question you can ask, and +it will give me the greatest pleasure imaginable to be of service to +you. All I seek in return is full confidence; you must tell me all about +what scouts do, and learn, and aim to accomplish; also what adventures +you may have encountered in carrying out these organization principles." + +During the rest of that never-to-be-forgotten afternoon the boys +manifested no desire to wander through the white forest, but stayed +indoors looking at the many interesting things owned by Uncle Caleb, +many of which he had picked up in various quarters and corners of the +world, for he had been a famous traveler in his day. + +They almost talked themselves hoarse, asking questions, and explaining +all about what duties and obligations a boy takes upon his shoulders +when he subscribes to the scout promise, and assumes the +responsibilities accompanying such a service. + +Uncle Caleb had about everything that money could purchase in connection +with his photographic fad; and among other things a daylight tank for +developing the films. + +As he was very anxious to find out whether the snapshots taken of the +wildcat on the cabin chimney would turn out to be worth anything, he +proceeded to develope the films that afternoon. + +When he held them up after washing, and let the boys see the result they +were loud in their declarations that he had really done himself proud. + +There was the one with the big cat crouching on the chimney-top, and +giving all the detail that could be desired. The other was not quite so +clear, but it seemed that he must have aimed the camera just right, and +pressed the button while the leaping animal was in midair, just +crumpling up under the two charges of shot received from separate +quarters. This last was a thrilling picture, and ought to make a fine +print. + +"They'll be a splendid addition to my collection," Uncle Caleb told the +boys, as he surveyed his prizes with kindling eyes; "I've got a good +many strange pictures but I expect these will top the list. I'll print a +copy for each one of you to carry home when you go, because in a measure +that is your cat, as well as mine." + +Taken in all, they would never be apt to forget that same afternoon. +Their genial host seemed to be so delighted to have such a wideawake +pack of boys up there with him, that he could not do too much for them. +Many were the yarns he spun connected with his nomadic life under +different suns; and since settling down to this peculiar state of +existence he had known a multitude of adventures, both great and small. + +"Right now," he told them, as the afternoon light began to fade with the +drawing near of the time for sunset, "you might say I am a marked man; +not that it gives me any great amount of concern, because I hardly +believe that Zack Arnold will ever get his courage up to the sticking +point, and attempt to carry out the wild threats he made against me." + +"I remember hearing a man speaking that name on the train when we were +nearing your station, Uncle!" exclaimed Toby; "he talked as though the +fellow might be a sort of woods guide, though a tough rascal feared by +every one, even the game wardens, who were afraid to try and arrest him +for shooting game out of season." + +"All of which is about as true as it can be," was the reply. "Six months +ago I had the misfortune to run foul of this same Zack. He was even then +half under the influence of liquor, and very abusive. I could have stood +it for myself, but when the big brute raised his hand, and knocked down +a half-grown girl who had chanced to stumble, and fall against him, in +the store, it was too much for my blood." + +"You gave him what he deserved, didn't you, Uncle?" demanded the +exultant Toby. + +"Well, I knocked him down three times in succession, for he had come at +me with a knife the second and third times. After that he lay there, and +was counted out. Now I was never proud of having upset a brawling bully +like that when half-seas over, but it had to be done to pay him for +striking that poor child. I heard afterwards that he was furious at me, +and vowed he would get even, if he had to come all the way up here to +where I held out, and settle his debt." + +The boys exchanged looks. + +"But he might take a sudden notion to visit you, when feeling in a +particularly ugly mood, Uncle," Toby remarked, soberly, "and no one +would ever know who had set your cabin on fire, and perhaps burned you +in the same." + +"Well, I thought of that and for a time never went outside these walls +without carrying a gun along; but months have passed, and he does not +show up, which I take it means he is too big a coward to risk his ears +trying to do me an ill turn. And of late I've neglected any of those +precautions. When first I saw my fox trap had been tampered with, and +that valuable prize taken, I thought of what Zack Arnold had sworn, and +was sure it must be his work. But let's forget about such an unpleasant +subject, and have a little music for a change." + +It seemed that among his many other accomplishments Uncle Caleb was +something of a musician; that is, he loved music, and could play very +well on a banjo, as well as on a guitar. The boys had found this out, +through Toby, and looked forward to having good times listening to their +genial host during evenings, as they sat before a crackling fire, and +cared not for the weather without. + +It was getting pretty sharp again, as George announced after coming in +with an armful of wood; but little they cared, with such comfortable +quarters, and plenty to eat in the family cupboard. + +As if to dismiss an unpleasant subject from his mind Uncle Caleb started +in to amuse his young guests with various popular selections, most of +which the scouts knew as well as they did their own names. From these he +presently drifted to older airs from the operas, and sentimental +serenades that afforded the boys considerable pleasure. In the end he +played a few such favorites as "Home, Sweet Home," with so much effect +that he had one or two of them secretly winking rapidly in order to keep +the tears from filling their eyes. + +"Come, we've had enough of this for the present," said the player, +suddenly, on catching sight of Toby blowing his nose with great +vehemence, "and as it's getting dark outside, suppose we start our +preparations for supper. I've got a few wrinkles I'd like to show you, +although I rather expect some of you boys will turn out such good cooks +that you'll make my little efforts look primitive." + +All the same they did not. Uncle Caleb excelled in nearly everything he +undertook, from science, music, and photographing wild animals in their +native haunts, all the way down to cookery--perhaps George and Toby and +Lil Arthur might object to using that word, and on their own account say +"_up_ to cookery." + +At any rate he certainly gave the scouts a supper they would not soon +forget; and they admitted in private afterwards that they must look to +their laurels if they did not want to be considered "back numbers." +Uncle Caleb had done his own cooking for a good many years, and being of +an investigating turn of mind, had not been content to go along beaten +paths, like most bachelors left to their own devices, but had studied +cook-books, and made a success of many fine recipes. + +After the meal was over, and things cleaned up, they gathered before the +burning logs, and looked forward to an enjoyable evening. Every one was +to have a part in entertaining the company, with story or song, as the +case might be; and Elmer had a long list of questions which he wanted +answers for, mostly pertaining to the habits of the little woods and +swamps animals in which Uncle Caleb had become so vitally interested. + +Before they could get fully settled down, however, there was a shuffling +sound heard at the door, and then came a hesitating sort of knock from +without. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE OBJECT LESSON + + +"WASN'T that a knock?" asked George, who apparently had not heard the +sound so plainly as the others. + +"Seemed like it to me," replied Toby, "but say, neighbors can't be so +plenty up here in the woods, to have one running in after supper for +enough coffee to last over breakfast. P'raps, after all, it was only a +limb scraping against the roof; or a squirrel up in the loft huntin' +nuts Uncle's laid away." + +"It is some one at the door!" remarked the owner of the cabin, quietly. + +Elmer saw him getting to his feet. There was a sparkle in the eyes of +Uncle Caleb; and his jaw seemed set in a determined way. This suddenly +caused Elmer to remember what had been recently told about the tough +hard-drinking guide who believed he had a grudge against the old +scientist--Uncle Caleb. + +"Let me go to the door for you, Uncle Caleb," said Elmer, hurriedly. + +"It is my cabin, son, and therefore my duty to answer any summons," was +the steady reply of the old gentleman; "so please stay where you are, +unless I need any assistance." + +"Great governor! what if it should be _that man_?" Lil Artha was heard +to mutter as he reached out a hand, and clutched his own Marlin, which +chanced to be standing in a corner conveniently near by. + +Every one fairly held his breath as Uncle Caleb was seen to move toward +the door. He had not thought it worth while to arm himself, and Elmer +considered this positive evidence, going to prove the other's bravery. +He himself hardly knew what to expect, and his whole frame fairly +quivered with a mixture of eagerness and dread as he saw the owner of +the cabin start to open the door, which had been secured by a simple +old-fashioned bar that fell into a brace of sockets, one on either side. + +Immediately the barrier was removed they saw a figure stagger into view. +Uncle Caleb stretched out his hand, and took hold of it. Then the sound +of muttered words came to their ears, after which the old gentleman +turned, closed the door, and led his unexpected guest toward the fire. + +The staring scouts saw that this was a very large man. He seemed to be +coarsely dressed as might a woods guide, wearing a heavy sweater under +his outer coat. No weapons were visible, and one of his arms hung limply +at his side as though it might have been broken in some sort of +accident. + +The man's face was distorted by pain, but they could see that it was +bearded, and looked bearish. In fact, every one of the boys' first +impression was that they would not care to meet this fellow while +wandering through some lonely part of the forest, and do anything +calculated to excite his anger; for he appeared to be a man with a +violent temper. + +"It's _him_, I just bet you, Elmer!" whispered Lil Artha in the scout +master's ear and Elmer nodded as though he fully agreed with the other. + +There seemed to be no need to mention names, for the memory of what +Uncle Caleb had recently told them was fresh in every fellow's mind. +Curiously they watched what was going on. Lil Artha still caressed his +gun. He had hardly made up his mind whether or not this might be a +clever trick on the part of Zack Arnold, calculated to gain him an +entrance to the cabin of the man he hated so bitterly, though without +any reasonably just cause. + +It was only the other day that Lil Artha had been reading in school of +the wooden horse which played such an important part in the capture of +Troy in olden times, being filled with the enemy, who, issuing forth in +the night-time, opened the gates of the fortified city to their allies +without. Perhaps that was what made the boy suspect the visitor might be +shamming in order to catch Uncle Caleb off his guard. + +But if this idea had seized hold of Lil Artha he soon realized its utter +absurdity. Men may go to considerable lengths in order to carry out +their schemes; but he certainly did not believe even a determined fellow +like Zack Arnold would deliberately break his arm in the effort to +divert suspicion. + +It was an ugly break, too, as was shown as soon as Uncle Caleb had +divested the other of his garments, with the assistance of Elmer, who +sprang to his side when he realized what was needed. That thick, hairy +arm was covered with blood, and the sight of it made Toby and George +shudder. + +"Get a kettle of water on the fire in a hurry, please!" said Uncle +Caleb, "because the first thing to be done is to wash this arm so we can +see how to set the bone. Toby, at the same time start that coffee to +going again, will you? A few hot drinks would take some of the chill out +of this poor fellow. He's had a terrible tumble, and is covered with +bruises, besides this broken arm. But we'll fix him up as comfortable as +we can; and he luckily managed to get to my cabin before it was too +late!" + +While the old gentleman was speaking in this way the keen black eyes of +Zack Arnold kept following his every move. Elmer wondered what must be +passing through the mind of the vindictive man just then. He did not +doubt in the least but what some terrible plan to revenge himself upon +Uncle Caleb for what the other had done to him on that previous occasion +had been the cause for his coming to this particular region, for his own +camping grounds lay many miles away to the west, where sportsmen +congregated in the season for either fly fishing or deer hunting. + +With some black plan in his mind the man had started to even up his +score with Uncle Caleb; but a strange fate had caused him to meet with a +terrible accident; and now he was compelled to actually seek shelter and +assistance from the very man he had been about to injure. + +It was a remarkable freak of fate, and Elmer found himself wondering +what the outcome of it all might be. + +Lil Artha had quietly replaced his Marlin in the corner when he first +glimpsed that tortured arm, for he realized then that there was going to +be no need of weapons. When Uncle Caleb called for a kettle of warm +water he was the first to leap to his feet and place one on the fire; +while Toby, just as eager to help, began to brew the coffee. + +This latter was ready even before the kettle began to sing, and Uncle +Caleb himself poured a brimming cup of the beverage, which he handed to +the wounded man. No doubt Zack Arnold needed some stimulant the worst +kind. He must have exhausted his pet flask on the way, for he did not +seem to have a drop about him; and when the fragrant Java beverage was +placed in his possession he swallowed the contents of the big aluminum +cup in great gulps, as though his throat might be made of cast iron, +which no hot stuff could scald. + +Uncle Caleb asked no questions. He must know very well what had brought +this revengeful guide so far out of his beaten track; but to see him +tenderly washing that arm, and then gently setting the broken bones, +after which he bound it up with a splint almost as well as any +professional surgeon could, you might have thought he was attending his +best friend instead of a bitter enemy. + +Lil Artha could hardly keep his eyes off the man's face. He, too, had +finally managed to grasp the same idea that had come long before to +Elmer; and now he wondered again and again what the outcome of this +remarkable adventure was going to be. He even chuckled a little to +himself as he saw those eyes of Zack following Uncle Caleb back and +forth, as the other went to get more bandages, or it might be the +soothing salve which he wished to rub upon several ugly black-and-blue +spots visible on the left side of the brawny woodsman. + +"Huh! I've heard before about heaping coals of fire on your enemy's +head," Lil Artha whispered to Elmer, when he found a good chance, "but I +never just understood what it meant. Now I know to a fraction. Say, did +you ever hear of such a queer thing in all your life? And I bet you he +was coming up here to make a lot of trouble for Toby's uncle, too. Well, +this _is_ an object lesson for scouts, ain't it, Elmer?" + +"Just as you say, Lil Artha, but better not try and talk any more about +it. He might hear something you wouldn't want him to. Just keep your +eyes and ears open, and you'll be well paid." + +So after that the tall scout sat still and kept on the alert. He was +enjoying things exceedingly. In fact he could not remember having ever +felt such a keen interest in anything before as he did in this coming of +Zack Arnold to the cabin of his hated enemy, and under such queer +conditions. + +When in the end Uncle Caleb finished attending to his injured guest, and +with the help of Elmer the guide's sweater had been secured in such +fashion that it gave him the required warmth, he seemed to remember +something else looking to the comfort of Zack Arnold. + +"Do you think you could manage to eat something if we cooked it for you, +Zack?" he asked, with such an earnest manner that the man writhed in his +seat, and his eyes fell in what Lil Artha believed to be utter shame, +though he quickly spoke up in reply. + +"Ye've made me feel so comfy-like, suh, that I jest reckon I _could_ +take a few bites. Hain't had nawthin' sence mornin'. Ye see, I took this +tumble 'long 'bout noon, an' I lost nigh everything I had with me in the +way o' eatin's an' same with the drinkin's. Been jest walkin' ever +sence, ahopin' I mout hold out long enuff ter strike yer shack; but I +kim near throwin' up the sponge an' lettin' the freeze do the bizness +for me." + +George saw a chance to get his hand in had come at last. + +"What shall I cook him, Uncle Caleb!" he hastened to ask. + +"I've got just two eggs left from the lot I fetched back with me," said +the old scientist, without hesitation, "and you can fry them for him +with a slice of ham. You'll find the eggs in that can where I keep my +rice, the one with the name on the front, George. And there's plenty +more coffee in the pot. In his present exhausted condition it will be +the best thing he can take, far better than liquor!" + +The guide opened his mouth as though about to say something, but his +emotions must have overcome him, for he gulped several times, blinked +his eyes quickly, and then sat there staring hard at the fire, possibly +with strange thoughts surging through his mind. + +Elmer noted these things. He felt that a revolution might be taking +place within the soul of that tough woodsman. + +"I wouldn't be at all surprised," was what Elmer told himself, as he +later on watched Zack devouring the supper George had prepared, "but +what this is going to turn out to be the making of that man. He's surely +seen a great light, and already looks at things in a different way from +what he ever did before. And if I know Uncle Caleb, as I think I do from +having studied him, the chances are ten to one he'll wait his chance, +and all he'll ask in return for what he's done will be for Zack to get +on the water wagon, and stay there the rest of his life. Well, I hope it +does turn out that way. But who'd ever think we'd run across such a +wonderful object lesson away off up here in the snow forest?" + +And yet later on, when Elmer allowed himself to survey the matter at +closer range, he was not greatly surprised; for he realized that +occasions are apt to spring up at the most unexpected times when +observing scouts can read a lesson in passing events, if only they keep +their wits about them. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE QUEER ACTIONS OF ZACK ARNOLD + + +ROOM was found for the newcomer later on in the half-circle before the +fire, and though Zack Arnold took no part in the conversation, he sat +there listening, and hearing things that must have given him many new +impressions. As a rule his eyes were fastened upon the beaming and +genial face of Uncle Caleb, who, however, made out not to notice this +attention he was receiving, though naturally he could not help knowing +it. + +The boys told their host numerous things connected with the organization +of the troop of Boy Scouts in their town, and what wonderful things it +had already done for many of those who had signed the muster roll. He +was keenly interested, and asked questions so fast that it kept them all +busy answering; for Elmer would never consent that his chums simply sit +there while he spoke for all; he wished them to have a part in the +telling. + +On his part, Uncle Caleb related a lot about his life in the past, +touching upon some of the remarkable things that had happened to him. +Strange as some of these might be reckoned, Elmer was privately of the +opinion that nothing more singular could ever have happened to the +traveler and scientist than the dramatic coming to his cabin door on +this bitter cold winter's night of one who believed himself to be the +old gentleman's enemy, sorely wounded, almost ready to die, and wholly +dependant upon Uncle Caleb's bounty for his very life. + +When later on some of the scouts manifested signs of drowsiness and +exhaustion, by sundry yawns and nods, the host declared it was time they +thought of getting some sleep. + +"I'd put you on the cot here, Zack," he told the guide, "only it isn't +as strong as it might be, and you're rather heavy. If it happened to +give way you'd get a bad wrench to that arm of yours that wouldn't be +very pleasant. So I'm going to fix you out with a bunk on the floor near +the fire. I happen to have some spare blankets, and here are some furs +that will make things feel easy for you. I don't suppose you object to +sleeping on the floor, do you?" + +At that the man grinned, for the first time since entering the cabin. + +"Won't be the fust time by a thousand thet I've slept on boards, suh," +he went on to say, "an' right hyar I wants to tell ye how much 'bleeged +I am ter yer fur all ye done by me. I don't deserve a bit o' the same. +I'm a bad man, suh, I been thinkin' all manner o' rotten things 'bout +ye, sence ye guv me what I reckons I desarved, if ever a mean skunk did; +an' thet's what." + +"Don't mention it, Zack," said Uncle Caleb, pleasantly; "I know you +looked at things from the wrong side, and at one time thought I'd done +you harm; but since then you've seen a better light; and I wouldn't be +surprised if you were coming out of your way to my cabin to tell me so, +when this accident happened." + +The big guide's jaws worked several times as though he might be trying +to say something; but it was of no use, for not a word escaped him. He +did heave a deep sigh, however, and gave his kind benefactor a long look +before allowing his eyes to drop. + +Elmer felt satisfied, for he believed the cure must be working. Indeed, +he could not for the life of him understand how any one could withstand +friendly advances from such a splendid old gentleman as Uncle Caleb. His +very eyes were full of benevolence and the kindly spirit that filled his +heart. The man who would take the keenest delight in binding up the +broken leg of a poor little rabbit that he found in distress, certainly +could not bear malice toward an uneducated woodsman, who had never had +half a chance to learn better things than entertaining an unreasonable +desire for revenge. + +Under the direction of the owner of the cabin Lil Artha made up a mighty +comfortable bed on the floor. When it was finished the scout tested his +work, and declared he would not mind sleeping there all the rest of his +stay, if Uncle Caleb thought one of the bunks would be better for the +wounded guide. + +Zack, however, would not hear of it. He declared that he preferred the +floor for many reasons. Lil Artha managed to shoot a suggestive look +toward Elmer, upon which the other shook his head in the negative. He +knew that the lengthy scout suspected Zack might be thinking of taking +French leave while they slept, and perhaps help himself to some of their +stores in the bargain. But Elmer had no such fear. + +When the boys started to crawl into their respective bunks, partly +undressing, although none of them had dreamed of bringing their pajamas +along on this wintry expedition, Zack appeared to be asleep. At least he +lay there bundled up, and seemed to be breathing heavily. + +Lil Artha, when he thought he was not noticed, managed to deftly move +his Marlin gun closer to the bunk into which he meant to clamber +presently. He acted as if he more than half suspected he might find +occasion to make some sort of use of the weapon before dawn broke again. + +But Elmer had seen him; indeed, it was very little that ever eluded +those wideawake eyes of the scout master, when out with his chums. He +managed to get a chance to whisper with Lil Artha when the others were +busily engaged making their sleeping quarters ready. + +"I'd be mighty slow to think of using that gun, if I were you, Lil +Artha," he suggested. + +The lengthy scout flushed a little, and looked somewhat confused. + +"I might have known you'd glimpse me doin' that same, Elmer," he +confessed, "but when a wildcat comes down our chimney what's to hinder +its mate from doin' likewise? And if a fellow was waked up in the night +to find that a ferocious critter had taken possession of our bungalow, +why, a gun'd be a good asset, believe me." + +Elmer looked at him, and then smiled grimly. + +"Oh! well, if that's what you've got troubling you, it's all right, Lil +Artha," he went on to say, meaningly. "I kind of imagined you were +thinking of something else. And if some one should take a notion to skip +out, remember it's no business of yours. We wouldn't want to detain any +one against his will." + +"Sure, I didn't mean to try to," acknowledged the tall scout, "'less, +f'r instance, he tried to loot the whole shebang, when I'd think it my +duty to cover him, and then call Uncle Caleb." + +"I don't think you'll find any need of doing that, Lil Artha," continued +Elmer; "fact is, all the signs point just the other way." + +"Hope so," grunted his chum; and this was all that passed between them. + +Later on the cabin became quiet, except for the heavy breathing of those +who were sound asleep. Elmer dozed. Somehow, although he was desperately +sleepy, he did not appear to be able to lose himself for more than brief +intervals at a stretch. + +Perhaps it was his strange surroundings, although Elmer could hardly +believe such to be the case, for past experiences were against it. He +could remember sleeping soundly on more than a few occasions when danger +threatened; he had helped guard the saddle band of horses on his +uncle's ranch when rustlers in the shape of horse thieves were operating +all through the vicinity; and on being given a chance to snatch an +hour's sleep had lost himself as soon as his head touched the ground. + +The wind moaned through the branches of the trees without. Now and then +Elmer believed that he could hear faint sounds that might proceed from +certain of the four-footed denizens of that great snow forest around +them, possibly searching for food while the night lasted, since they +hugged their dens in the daytime. + +Once he saw Lil Artha thrust his head out from his bunk, and stare at +the figure bundled up in those blankets on the floor. This told the +scout master that Lil Artha had not been able to quite get over the +suspicions he had formed, and which Elmer believed to be wholly +unwarranted. + +It must have been long after midnight when Elmer, chancing to once more +awaken, on glancing out from his bunk saw that Zack Arnold was no longer +lying there on his well side, and wrapped in sleep. + +The revengeful guide was now sitting up. He seemed to be intently +listening, as though to either discover whether all of the others were +sound asleep, or else trying to catch some signal from without. + +A dreadful thought flashed into Elmer's mind, though he quickly +dismissed it as unreasonable. It was of course possible that Zack may +have coaxed others to accompany him on his mission of revenge; but if +he had company why should he appeal to his bitter enemy when in +desperate need of succor? That alone stamped the idea as next door to +absurd; and so Elmer put it out of his mind as impossible. + +At the same time the actions of the guide were certainly queer, to say +the very least of it. He was now getting slowly and painfully to his +feet, repressing a groan while so doing; because with one arm tied up +and useless it is not always the easiest thing in the world to get up +off the floor, and out from a mess of clinging blankets. + +Once he was on his feet the actions of the man became even more +suspicious. He crept toward the door, turning his head several times as +though to make sure that no one was watching him. Here he fumbled for a +brief time, managing presently to take aside the bar. Then he gently +opened the door, and as the wind was from the north, and the opening +faced the south, the cold air did not enter when he had done this. + +Elmer, still watching, half expected to see the guide step out and +depart. He was even debating with himself as to whether his duty might +not compel him to raise his voice in protest against such an act, since +the chances were the man would not be able to survive the exposure in +his present weakened condition, without his rifle, and with no food to +sustain him. + +He saw that Lil Artha had that long neck of his "rubbering," as he +himself would have termed it; doubtless his gun was alongside him in +the bunk, and even then he had hold of it. + +To the astonishment of Elmer, however, the man did not pass beyond the +doorsill. He seemed to have drawn some object from a hidden receptacle +about his person, where it must have escaped observation when his +benefactors were helping him. And giving this a swift toss Zack Arnold +hurled it far out amidst the snow drifts; after which he backed into the +cabin, softly closed the door, glanced hurriedly around to see if he had +been observed, but seeing nothing, because Lil Artha had hastily drawn +his head back as might a cautious old tortoise when threatened with +peril; after which the guide replaced the bar. + +Five minutes after all this queer happening had taken place Zack was +once more bundled up in his blankets, and apparently bound to go to +sleep, this time in real earnest. + +After that Elmer seemed to find no difficulty whatever in getting asleep +himself. Why, it really seemed as though a great load had been removed +from his mind; and the first thing he knew George was calling him to get +up, because breakfast was almost ready. + +It was a most unusual thing for the scout master to over-sleep. Some of +the others, notably Toby and George, joked him about it; but Elmer +noticed that Lil Artha did not say a word. + +Later on, after they had all partaken of the fine meal that George +prepared, he doing his level best to show Uncle Caleb that there were +other cooks as well, Elmer caught Lil Artha making certain gestures in +his direction. He could manage to guess what it all meant, and believed +the other wanted a chance to talk with him outside. + +"I wonder what the weather promises for to-day; and I think I'll step +out to see how things look," Elmer presently remarked carelessly. + +"I'll go along and give you the benefit of my vast experience as a +weather prophet!" exclaimed Lil Artha, jumping up; "the rest of you stay +inside, because too many cooks spoil the broth, and two of us ought to +be enough to settle this job with the clerk of the weather." + +It happened that George was still busy with some of his dishes, about +which he saw Uncle Caleb was unusually particular, in that he used two +separate waters in washing the same; while Toby was busily employed in +looking over some traps he had discovered hanging from a nail, and +evidently seldom used; so that neither of them dreamed of leaving the +comfortable cabin, and braving the outside air just then. + +"What's all this about, Lil Artha?" demanded the scout master, after the +door had been carefully closed behind them. + +"Why, I happened to know that you saw that ugly looking guide moving +around in the middle of the night, Elmer; and I thought you must have +noticed that he threw something away when he was standing there in the +doorway?" + +"I did see him do that, and I knew you were on the job, too, Lil Artha," +Elmer went on to say; "but if you've made a discovery, hurry up and +tell me what it is, because I haven't thought to put my sweater on, and +it's pretty chilly here." + +"Well, I was that curious to know what it could be the fellow threw +away," continued the tall scout, "the first thing this morning, before +any of the rest of you had peeped an eye open, I got up, and came out +here to look around." + +"And did you find anything?" asked Elmer, his own curiosity aroused by +now. + +"I had to go back and forth a heap before I came on a little hole in a +snow drift that looked like something had dropped in there," continued +Lil Artha, in a highly mysterious fashion. "So I began to dig down, and +pretty soon my hand touched this!" + +He thereupon drew something from its place of concealment, and held it +up before the eyes of his astonished companion. + +"Why, it only looks like a piece of common gaspipe!" exclaimed Elmer. + +"Just what it is," Lil Artha went on, in an awed tone; "but say, Elmer, +the same is crowded chock full of some sort of stuff that may be +dynamite for all I know. It's a sure-enough infernal machine, one of the +crude bombs that you read about in the New York papers, such as Italians +use when they want to make some rich merchant or banker hand over +blackmail money. Look at it yourself, and then you'll know what fetched +that skunk of a Zack Arnold up here to this region. He meant to blow +Uncle Caleb's cabin to flinders, that's what he did; and p'raps with +the owner inside of the same. Huh! no wonder he didn't want that thing +to be discovered on his person! I sure don't blame him a little bit!" + +And Elmer, as he examined the miserable contrivance which would explode +with so great a power for harm, felt a thrill pass all over his body. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A SCOUT'S EDUCATION + + +"WHAT do you make of it, Elmer; is it a sure enough bomb?" demanded Lil +Artha, whose face was working strangely under the violence of his +emotions. + +"Looks like it was that, and nothing else," admitted the scout master, +slowly, with a wrinkle across his forehead, as though he might be +considering weighty matters, as indeed he was just then, for one so +young. + +"And there can't be any doubt but what he meant to blow up the cabin of +the man he forced himself to believe was his enemy, the kindest-hearted +gentleman you and the rest of us ever met up with--tell me that, Elmer, +didn't he?" + +"Hold on, Lil Artha, don't explode!" cautioned Elmer, soothingly. "I +understand how you feel about this ugly business. Yes, that must have +been the scheme that brought Zack away up here in the dead of winter. +Whether he meant to do Uncle Caleb bodily injury or not we've no means +of knowing. Let's hope that the limit of his revenge was confined to the +destruction of the cabin, and all the valued treasures it held." + +"Well, that would be arson, and the law sits down mighty hard on anybody +who deliberately, and 'with malice aforethought,' as I've heard my dad +say, sets fire to the property of another. He deserves being kicked out, +and we'll have to attend to his case, the whole bunch of us." + +The excited scout made a quick movement, as though about to rush into +the cabin, waving the piece of gas-pipe which had been fashioned into a +rude but deadly bomb with a fuse to it; Elmer, however, tightened his +grip on his chum's sleeve. + +"Wait! Don't be in such a hurry, old fellow. Let's reason this thing out +a little before you spill the fat in the fire!" he told Lil Artha, in +that quieting voice of his that carried such weight with the other +scouts. + +"But, Elmer, don't you see he's a regular firebrand!" urged the tall +boy, twisting a little, as though struggling to get loose from the +detaining hand; but only in a faint-hearted fashion, because as always +the influence of the scout master predominated. "How do we know but what +right now he's figuring on doing us all some mean trick? We're friends +of Uncle Caleb, and he must look on us as his enemies." + +"You forget something, Lil Artha," urged Elmer. + +"Oh! yes, in my hurry I'm always forgetting things; but tell me what +I've let slip now, Elmer." + +"It was yesterday that Zack was heading toward this cabin, breathing all +sorts of ugly threats against Uncle Caleb, wasn't it?" Elmer continued, +in that smooth argumentative tone he knew how to use so well, and which +as a rule was so wonderfully convincing. + +"Why, of course it was, Elmer," admitted the other, weakly, yet +curiously. + +"And something has happened since then, you know, Lil Artha?" + +"Oh! sure, several things," replied the tall scout. + +"Zack Arnold had an accident, and found himself facing what might be the +end of his evil career," continued Elmer. "Now, life is sweet even to +such a man; and he couldn't but feel alarmed at the idea of being frozen +in the snow forest, because of his broken arm, and having no way to +supply himself with food or fire. Then in his desperation he forgot +everything else, and came to the cabin of the man he had been calling +his enemy. You know what sort of a reception he got, Lil Artha?" + +"You bet I do, Elmer; it couldn't have been warmer if he'd been a +life-long comrade of Uncle Caleb!" + +"All right, then," the scout master told him, emphatically; "and you can +depend on it Zack has had an experience unlike anything he ever ran up +against before. I've been watching him, and trying to figure out what +might be passing through his brain; and the fact of his throwing this +bomb as far away as he could shows that he's heartily ashamed of ever +entertaining the notion that Uncle Caleb was an enemy of his." + +"Do you really think so, Elmer? And could such a scoundrel ever reform?" +asked Lil Artha, half skeptically, just as though he were Doubting +George. + +"Of course I wouldn't like to stake my reputation on it," Elmer +continued; "but all the signs point that way. The man is just now in a +daze. He never met with anything like this before, and hardly knows what +to make of it. In other words, Lil Artha, he has arrived at the +cross-roads, and the next few days will either see him turning over a +new leaf, or going back to his old ways again. It must depend pretty +much on Uncle Caleb." + +"I reckon it will, Elmer!" muttered the tall scout, beginning to drift +across the line, and agree with what the other advanced. "And don't you +think we ought to let Uncle Caleb know about this gas-pipe thing?" + +"Yes, but I don't think it'll make any difference with his way of +treating the man. Uncle Caleb has sized Zack up to a dot, and he's +trying to get the whip-hand over him by sheer kindness. And I think he +will, sooner or later. It wouldn't surprise me if it all ended in Zack +turning right-about face, and caring for Uncle Caleb just as much as he +thought he hated him. Such men when they do change never make a half-way +job of it; they go the whole thing." + +"Shall I call Uncle Caleb out here now while we're at it, Elmer?" + +"I'll do it, and you wait here," the scout master told him. + +"All right, then; you know how to go about it better than I do. I'll be +ready to spring my little surprise on our host," said Lil Artha. + +So Elmer stepped over, and opening the door quietly, caught the eye of +Uncle Caleb, when he crooked his finger. The meaning of this gesture +could not well be mistaken, and presently the old scientist joined them +outside the cabin, making some excuse as he passed out. + +When Lil Artha showed him the queer piece of gas-pipe that had been +charged with some high explosive apt to carry great destruction with it +when discharged, Uncle Caleb did not appear to be greatly astonished. + +"I imagined it might turn out to be something of the sort, boys," he +informed the scouts; "and it was my full intention to look around later +on, so as to discover what it was Zack threw away last night; for I saw +him standing there in the doorway just as both of you seem to have done. +You've saved me the trouble of making the search, Lil Artha. But let me +hide this ugly thing. I wouldn't like Zack to know it had been found so +soon." + +"Then you won't turn him out for coming up here on such a terrible +errand?" asked Lil Artha, weakly. + +Uncle Caleb looked at him, and smiled. Lil Artha understood then what +was in the mind of the kindly scientist, who loved his fellow men so +well that he could even believe the worst of them must have _some_ good +in him, however small, if only one could discover its location, and +coax the wavering spark to glow into a steady flame. + +"I don't believe Zack ever had a chance," he told them, seriously, "and +I'm going to give him one right now, if it's in my power. As scouts, +neither of you would surely deny it to him, I'm certain. Besides, it's +going to give me considerable pleasure in studying the working of the +germ that has been planted in his heart by this piece of good luck. +Perhaps that broken arm may mean everything to Zack Arnold. A year from +now we'll take stock, and see how things come out. In the meantime say +nothing, and leave it all to your Uncle Caleb." + +Willingly both boys declared that they were only too glad to do so. They +asked, and readily received permission, to tell George and Toby, when a +chance came. And as they entered the cabin later on, to see Zack still +following Uncle Caleb with his wondering, yes, even admiring glance, it +struck the scouts that perhaps the sensible old scientist had made a +study of human nature as he had the habits of wild animals, and knew +full well what he was doing. + +During the balance of that day he treated the wounded man just as though +the intruder might be one of the family. Uncle Caleb was too wise to +gush over the injured guide; he simply showed Zack that he had a deep +interest in his welfare, and meant that he should have every care while +unable to look out for himself that could be expended on him. + +Elmer, who was observing these things closely, without betraying the +fact that he had more than a passing interest in them, told himself that +it would not be surprising if when they came to leave the cabin in the +forest a pact had been arranged between Uncle Caleb and Zack Arnold, by +means of which the big guide was to stay up there the balance of the +winter, and act as a side partner to the man he had once been so foolish +as to consider his enemy. + +"There'll be no chance for him to hobnob with his real enemy, which you +can take it from me is strong drink," the scout master told the other +boys when they talked matters over, away from the cabin that afternoon; +"and before spring comes, I wouldn't be surprised if Uncle Caleb has +weaned him from his old habits, so that nothing can ever tempt him to go +back to them again." + +"I hope you're right, Elmer," ventured George; "I don't feel quite as +strong as you do about it, because I just can't, that's what; but it'd +be splendid if Uncle Caleb did reform that beast." + +"And I think it's just wonderful," Toby admitted, having heard the whole +story with great eagerness and interest; "I never knew Uncle Caleb was +such a splendid sort of a man. And honest now, I don't see how any +fellow could hold out against his winning ways. No wonder Zack keeps +watching him all the time; I tell you he's as near hypnotized as anybody +could be." + +And so they concluded to let the matter rest, confident that the good +man of the lonely cabin in the snow forest knew what he was doing, and +that the chances were he was not making any mistake. + +The boys now proceeded to enjoy themselves to the best of their ability, +each according to his bent. Of course all of them were keenly interested +in the remarkable success with which the scientist was meeting in his +effort to secure amusing and instructive flashlight pictures of the +woods animals at night. He showed them how he set his snares, so +cleverly arranged that when the fox or the mink came to take the +tempting bait that had been cunningly placed, he was compelled to pull a +cord that released the hammer by which the fulminating cap was +detonated, and the flashlight cartridge set going, thus causing the +little animal to take his own picture. + +That very night every one of the four scouts accompanied Uncle Caleb to +set several of these ingenious traps. The novel experience appealed to +all of them; and even Lil Artha, usually an ardent hunter, was heard to +admit that it afforded all the excitement necessary for enjoyment, +anticipation and realization combined, without having to destroy the +life of the cunning little creatures that, in roaming the woods, and +seeking their natural food supplies, were only working out their +individual destinies. + +"Anyhow," Lil Artha confided to Elmer, later on, when they were +returning to the warm cabin where Zack had been left in full charge, "I +don't believe I'd like to become a regular fur trapper, though once on +a time I did seem to hanker after such a life. It's all well enough to +shoot game when you're hungry, just like you'd knock over a chicken when +the dominie is coming to dinner; but this thing of trapping little +things like mink and muskrats just for the money their skins bring in +the market doesn't strike me as quite right. I'd never see a lady +wearing a fur coat again without feeling queer, like all the innocent +little animals I'd gone and slaughtered were parading before me. Nixey +for mine, I give you my word." + +Elmer did not make any reply in words, but the satisfied glance he gave +the speaker was eloquent enough. Truth to tell he was well pleased with +the change that was working in Lil Artha. At one time the tall scout had +shown signs of becoming so infatuated with hunting that quite a savage +desire to slay things had begun to manifest itself in his disposition. +Already had the mild influence of Uncle Caleb begun to make itself felt. + +Zack Arnold would not be the only one benefitted by contact with the +owner of the cabin. Some of the scouts would return home with new ideas +concerning things. Already Elmer could see where this midwinter holiday +trip was going to repay them a dozen-fold for all it cost. He was +satisfied with the promising results, and would not have had things +different, could the choice be his for the taking. + +While they were gone Zack had tidied up the cabin after a rude fashion, +considering that he did not know much about keeping things looking nice +in the first place, and had only one arm to work with in the second. But +it was the fact that he was beginning to take a decided interest in +things that pleased Uncle Caleb, who was not slow to commend his +thoughtfulness, and Elmer could see the glow that flashed into the eyes +of the big guide, telling that he had already begun to desire to do that +which would commend itself to his kind benefactor. + +"And it's going to be all right," Elmer told himself, as he lay down +later in his bunk, watching the two men who were still sitting by the +fire, talking about the habits of animals, for Zack having been a guide +all his life was brimfull of such lore; "he's got Zack going, and +nothing can stop him now. It must give a fellow a mighty nice feeling to +know that he's changed such a life, and for better things. But if we +only knew all that has happened in Uncle Caleb's past I reckon we'd find +that this is just one little incident in a long string." + +And that night neither Elmer nor Lil Artha dreamed of keeping watch +because of the presence of so desperate a character as Zack Arnold under +the same roof that sheltered them. Indeed, so greatly had their opinions +changed that they would have been willing to put considerable trust in +the loyalty of the rough guide. His very face did not seem one-half so +repulsive, now that it no longer showed the marks of passion and pain. +In fact, Elmer could see where in good time Zack might turn out to be a +pretty fair looking sort of a man; for once when he allowed a smile to +cross his face he was rather attractive. + +So the night wore away, and another day dawned. The boys, knowing that +their vacation was moving swiftly along, and feeling that they must +crowd everything possible into the few remaining days, had laid out a +plan of campaign that would make this a busy period. And Uncle Caleb was +ready to join them in any undertaking that had for its object the +satisfying of their desire for rollicking fun, or their education along +the line of a more intimate acquaintance with the little woods folks in +whom he took such a decided interest. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +GOOD-BY TO THE SNOW FOREST + + +IT happened that very afternoon Lil Artha met with an adventure that +stirred his red blood at quite a lively rate, and for a little time +caused quite a lively excitement around the vicinity of the cabin. + +Elmer, Toby and George had gone off with Uncle Caleb to investigate some +freak of Nature in which the old scientist was interested. Lil Artha at +the time was suffering from a chafed heel, and thought the long walk +through the deep snow was more than he cared to undertake; so he had +promised to remain home and look after preparations for supper. + +As it was too early to think of commencing that job, he had wandered +forth for a little stroll, not meaning to go far away from the cabin. Of +course such a thing as danger never once appealed to the boy; and with +those new thoughts concerning hunting and destroying animal life in +possession of his mind, he certainly was not going to shoulder his +shotgun, which he had left in a corner of the cabin. + +In the midst of his wandering he suddenly heard a strange scratching +sound that gave him a thrill. Looking up in the quarter from which it +seemed to come, Lil Artha was astonished to see a pair of yellow eyes +glaring down at him, and recognize the gray coat of a ferocious wildcat. + +He instantly jumped at the conclusion that this must be the mate of the +animal they had killed after it had forced an entrance into the cabin, +to steal Uncle Caleb's smoked meat, and then savagely attacked them. +Yes, there could be no doubt about it; and the cat was evidently of a +mind to spring upon him, and through means of its terrible claws seek to +have revenge for the loss of its mate. Some feline instinct doubtless +told the beast that this boy must have been concerned in the death of +the partner of its joys and sorrows, which we happen to know was the +actual truth. + +Lil Artha's first thought was to turn and sprint for the safety of the +cabin as fast as he could go. Then it struck him as a dangerous thing to +turn his back on such a treacherous foe as a wildcat; for there could be +no question but what the animal would immediately make its leap, and +land on his shoulders. + +Lil Artha realized that the best thing for him to do was to keep his +face turned toward his four-footed enemy. If only now he could pick up a +suitable cudgel he might be able to give a decent account of himself; +but to struggle with that terror of the snow forest, with only his bare +hands, did not please him at all. + +He shot a hasty glance all around him. The snow happened to have blown +away in that particular spot, where one of the boys had been chopping +fuel; and there Lil Artha discovered just the sort of stick he believed +he could wield to good advantage in keeping his feline foe at bay. + +Giving a wild shout, in hopes of alarming the beast more or less, he +sprang toward the coveted trophy, with outstretched hand. And when his +eager fingers closed about the end of the three-foot club Lil Artha felt +considerably better. + +It appeared, though, that his work was cut out for him. The cat actually +leaped directly for him, and never would the boy forget how terrible the +sight of that flying figure passing through space appeared to his +excited mind. + +By a nimble jump to one side Lil Artha managed to avoid contact with the +extended claws of the cat; and the disappointed animal, upon landing in +a heap, instantly whirled around and again sprang toward him. This time +the boy struck with his club, and managed to knock his assailant over, +though the now thoroughly aroused animal seemed more determined to get +at him than ever. + +So the battle raged, Lil Artha all the while shouting at the top of his +lungs, though he hardly knew what for, since his chums and Uncle Caleb +were more than a mile distant, and could hardly hear him at best. + +He fought with all the dexterity he could command. When he struck at the +raging beast he knew that should he manage to make a miss nothing could +keep him from having the cat fasten itself on his breast, tearing and +biting with fury. Time and again did he bring that good club against +the hairy form of his enemy, and send the wildcat bowling over; but it +surely had the nine lives such tough animals are usually credited with, +for on every occasion it managed to once more regain its feet, and +crippled as it may have been come stubbornly straight at him again. + +Lil Artha was getting winded, just as he might have been after knocking +a dozen tremendous fouls, when playing in a hotly contested game of +baseball. He felt a cold chill pass over him as he began to wonder +whether he might not be tired out by this beast that seemed never to +know when to give in; and what might not happen then? + +Once more he had brought his stick against the creeping cat with such +good will that the animal was knocked fully six feet away; but to his +despair it immediately recovered, and started back toward him. + +Just then Lil Artha heard a loud report, and saw the cat roll over in a +heap. As the relieved scout looked in the direction from whence that +shot had come he saw Zack Arnold standing there, his face drawn and +white with pain; for in handling Lil Artha's gun so as to relieve the +boy of his fierce antagonist he must have given his broken arm a severe +wrench, that for the moment made him feel sick and faint. + +And Lil Artha, seeing how things were, threw an arm about the big guide, +weak by reason of his pain, and helped him back to the cabin. After that +Lil Artha forgot that he had expressed any doubt concerning the +reformation of Zack Arnold. The guide had proved his change of heart by +that action; and it would serve to cement the bonds of the new +friendship that had sprung up between him and Uncle Caleb, as well as +the old scientist's boyish guests. + +Later on, when the others returned from their trip, the boys full of the +interesting things they had seen, great was their surprise to hear how +Lil Artha had been concerned in a stirring adventure. The report of the +gun had been wafted to their ears, but of course they expected that it +was only Lil Artha doing a little hunting on his private account near +the cabin, though Uncle Caleb did not fancy the boy taking any such +liberties with his familiar four-footed friends. + +They all had to go out and examine the body of the dead wildcat, +remarking that if anything it surpassed its mate in the way of ferocity, +and blind recklessness, in attacking a human being without any +particular provocation, and in broad daylight at that. + +"I'm sorry it had to be," remarked Uncle Caleb, with a sigh, "for I +expected to have considerable enjoyment later on in trying to get these +cats to play photographer for themselves; but no one is to blame in +either instance. If attacked by such a fierce creature I myself would +shoot to kill without any hesitation. After its mate was destroyed I +suppose this one would never have given me any peace. And at any rate it +afforded Zack a chance to prove that he was not ungrateful; which after +all is the best part of the whole affair, barring your escape from being +clawed, Lil Artha. Are you sure the claws or teeth of the cat didn't +scratch you the least bit, because in that case I'd want to take due +precautions. Blood poisoning might set in if the cuts were neglected, +all depending on the condition of your own blood." + +The tall scout had examined his hands and face thoroughly before the +others of the party returned home, for he was not wholly ignorant +concerning the possible results that sometimes follow wounds received +through carnivorous animals. He knew that Elmer always made it a +practice to carry with him a small phial of permanganate of potassium, +to be freely used as a wash in such cases, as calculated to cleanse the +wound of all foreign matter, and neutralize any poison that might come +from contact with claws impregnated with it. + +He assured the anxious woodsman that he had escaped even the slightest +scratch, and could consider himself especially fortunate, in which the +other heartily agreed with him. + +Again did they spend another happy evening around the cheery fire. As +the flames glowed and crackled they coaxed Uncle Caleb to tell more +incidents connected with his explorations in faraway Thibet, when he was +the first white man to enter the Forbidden City and interview the Head +Llama, whose existence had up to that time been pretty much of a sealed +mystery to the civilized world. + +Another peaceful night followed, and then came dawn again. This was to +be their nest to last day in the snow forest, because on the second +morning they must prepare to turn their faces toward home again, seek +the little station, signal to a passing train, and be carried back to +familiar scenes. + +In many ways all of them would be sorry when the time for separation +arrived; and so they had planned to do divers things during these two +days, which it was sincerely hoped would turn out pleasant ones. The +weather had moderated, and even a thaw set in late the preceding day, +but as the wind whipped around once more into the northwest the surface +of the snow became covered with a sheet of ice that was almost thick +enough to bear the weight of a small boy. + +Toby was wild with eagerness to be shown how to use those wonderful +snow-shoes which Uncle Caleb had given him for a present; and so the old +woodsman showed him just how to attach them to his toes, so as to leave +the balance of the foot free to bend at his will, though really Elmer +had explained this thing to Toby before. + +Under the guiding care of first Uncle Caleb, and when he grew tired, of +Elmer on the old scientist's snow-shoes, Toby was enabled to perform +quite creditably, and in the end felt that he knew fairly well how to +spin over the ice-crusted drifts in a way that would hardly have shamed +those Canadian cousins of his who belonged to the famous Teuque Bleue +Snow-shoe Club up in Montreal, and wrote him such glowing accounts of +the long trips they took over Mount Royal, and into the bush, in the +dead of winter. + +The boys had not forgotten how they had been almost reduced to a diet of +musquash at the time Lil Artha so fortunately shot his deer; and upon +invitation from Elmer, who was genuinely desirous of learning whether +the dish could be as palatable as some hunters and Indians declared, +Uncle Caleb told them they could get a number of the little animals with +the glossy fur, and he himself promised to prepare the stew. + +Well, they ate it, and George even came in for a second helping, but on +the whole it was the consensus of opinion that they did not really +hanker after "musquash," which might please some palates, and serve as a +means to ward off actual starvation, but did not seem to appeal to them +very strongly. All of which was fortunate indeed for the furry denizens +of the marsh, because there would be no further loud calls for a +repetition of the dish. + +The last day was pretty much taken up with seeing all they could of +Uncle Caleb and trying to grasp the results of his labors in the cause +of science and natural history. Each of the boys was given a sheaf of +prints to carry back with him, many of them most interesting revelations +concerning the hidden lives of the four-footed neighbors of Uncle Caleb, +whose habits were so little known to the average person. And even George +admitted that he would not have missed what he had learned while up in +the great snow forest, with this observing relative of Toby for a good +deal. It had broadened his knowledge of many things, and given him a +much higher estimate of human nature in seeing how kindness had won the +game over an evil desire for revenge. + +It was all settled, and Zack Arnold was going to stay there as the side +partner of Uncle Caleb. He did not appear like the same man when on that +last morning he shook each one of the four scouts by the hand and hoped +he would see them again. There was a look on his face that surprised +George and Lil Artha, who at one time had expressed themselves so +strongly to the effect that they did not believe any good could ever +come out of so tough a customer. + +"I'll never say that again, as long as I live!" George admitted, later +on; "after this I'm going to look for the spark of good in every hard +case, instead of only seeing the evil." + +"I sure have had a lesson I'll never forget," added Lil Artha; "and when +you get right down to facts that Zack Arnold isn't such a bad fellow +either. What he don't know about the woods you could put in a thimble; +and I can see that after Uncle Caleb has had him with him six months +he's going to turn out something more than half-way decent." + +Fortunately they did not meet with another snow storm while on the +homeward road but on arriving at the little station they had only to +await the train. The same little urchin from whom they had received the +false information grinned at them. Lil Artha was for giving him the +drubbing he richly deserved; but Elmer counselled differently. + +"After all it was a lucky thing he gave us the wrong directions," he +told the other scouts. "We have had a whole lot of experiences that +would never have come to us otherwise. And then you shot that fine young +buck, remember, Lil Artha. So, taking pattern from Uncle Caleb, suppose +we wash the incident from the slate." + +And what did Lil Artha do but approach the grinning urchin, and actually +thank him for the trouble he had taken to direct them, stating that they +had had the "time of their lives," and tossing him a silver quarter as a +reward for his being so solicitous about their welfare. The last thing +they saw as the train carried them away was that country boy standing +there, staring at the coin he held in one hand while he scratched his +head in perplexity and evidently wondered what it all meant. So Lil +Artha had taken a page from the diary of Uncle Caleb, and applied the +kind-hearted old scientist's methods to his own case. + +The four scouts reached home in safety, and with plenty to interest +those of their comrades of the troop who had not been along. It is to be +hoped that at some not far distant day in the future we may be permitted +to chronicle still further of the happenings that came the way of Elmer, +Toby, Lil Artha, George, and others belonging to the Hickory Ridge Troop +of Boy Scouts. + + +THE END + + + + +The Mountain Boys Series + + + 1. PHIL BRADLEY'S MOUNTAIN BOYS + 2. PHIL BRADLEY AT THE WHEEL + 3. PHIL BRADLEY'S SHOOTING BOX + 4. PHIL BRADLEY'S SNOW-SHOE TRAIL + +These books describe with interesting detail the experiences of a party +of boys among the mountain pines. + +They teach the young reader how to protect himself against the elements, +what to do and what to avoid, and above all to become self-reliant and +manly. + + _12mo. Cloth. + 40 cents per volume; postpaid_ + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK + + + + +The Campfire and Trail Series + + + 1. IN CAMP ON THE BIG SUNFLOWER. + 2. THE RIVALS ON THE TRAIL. + 3. THE STRANGE CABIN ON CATAMOUNT ISLAND. + 4. LOST IN THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP. + 5. WITH TRAPPER JIM IN THE NORTH WOODS. + 6. CAUGHT IN A FOREST FIRE. + 7. CHUMS OF THE CAMPFIRE. + 8. AFLOAT ON THE FLOOD. + +By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE. + +A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting way and +appealing to their love of the open. + + _Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume_ + + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK + + + + +THE "HOW-TO-DO-IT" BOOKS + +BY J. S. ZERBE + + + +CARPENTRY FOR BOYS + +A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner all +subjects pertaining to the "King of Trades"; showing the care and use of +tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; the principles +involved in the building of various kinds of structures, and the +rudiments of architecture. It contains over two hundred and fifty +illustrations made especially for this work, and includes also a +complete glossary of the technical terms used in the art. The most +comprehensive volume on this subject ever published for boys. + + * * * * * + +ELECTRICITY FOR BOYS + +The author has adopted the unique plan of setting forth the fundamental +principles in each phase of the science, and practically applying the +work in the successive stages. It shows how the knowledge has been +developed, and the reasons for the various phenomena, without using +technical words so as to bring it within the compass of every boy. It +has a complete glossary of terms, and is illustrated with two hundred +original drawings. + + * * * * * + +PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS + +This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of practical +shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure and handling of +shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized to perform the work, +and the manner in which all dimensional work is carried out. Every +subject is illustrated, and model building explained. It contains a +glossary which comprises a new system of cross references, a feature +that will prove a welcome departure in explaining subjects. Fully +illustrated. + + * * * * * + +_12mo, cloth. Price 60 cents per volume_ + + * * * * * + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. Archaic spellings such as +"grummet," "develope," and "fryingpan" were retained. In addition, +varied hyphenation was retained as in "shot-gun" and "shotgun." + +First advertising page, "Chenoweth" changed to "Chenowith" to match +actual book usage (Elmer Chenowith, a lad from) + +Page 179, "touch" changed to "tough" (such tough animals) + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORM-BOUND*** + + +******* This file should be named 38314-8.txt or 38314-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/8/3/1/38314 + + + +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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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Storm-Bound</p> +<p> or, A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts</p> +<p>Author: Alan Douglas</p> +<p>Release Date: December 15, 2011 [eBook #38314]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORM-BOUND***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by<br /> + Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan, Emmy,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 376px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="376" height="600" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>STORM-BOUND<br /> + +<span class='small'>OR</span><br /> + +<span class="smcap">A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts</span></h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='adtitle2'><span class="smcap">The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts</span></div> + +<div class='center'>A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS<br /> + +By Capt. Alan Douglas, Scout-master<br /> +——————</div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><span class='big'>The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities to use +their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Chenoweth'">Chenowith</ins>, a lad +from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his familiarity with camp +life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should read.</p></div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><br /><span class='big'>Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>This tale presents many stirring situations in which the boys are called upon to +exercise ingenuity and unselfishness. A story filled with healthful excitement.</p></div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><br /><span class='big'>Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the credit +of our young friends. A variety of incidents follow fast, one after the other.</p></div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><br /><span class='big'>Fast Nine; or, a Challenge from Fairfield</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of the +final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof, form a stirring +narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent years.</p></div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><br /><span class='big'>Great Hike; or, The Pride of The Khaki Troop</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest undertaking. +Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the +different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing situations.</p></div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><br /><span class='big'>Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of apparent +failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and surprise their most ardent +admirers. One of the best stories Captain Douglas has written.</p></div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><br /><span class='big'>Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>It was hard to disbelieve the evidence of their eyes but the boys by the +exercise of common-sense solved a mystery which had long puzzled older heads.</p></div> + + +<div class='unindent'><b><br /><span class='big'>Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts</span></b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The boys start out on the wrong track, but their scout training comes to the +rescue and their experience proves beneficial to all concerned.</p></div> + +<div class='center'>——————</div> +<div class='center'><b><br /> +Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy<br /> +Scout Series, all illustrated:—<br /> +</b></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Wild Animals of the United States—Tracking—Trees and Wild Flowers of the +United States—Reptiles of the United States—Fishes of the United States—Insects +of the United States and Birds of the United States.</p></div> + +<div class='center'>————————————<br /> +<i>Cloth Binding</i> <i>Cover Illustrations in Four Colors</i> <i>40c. Per Volume</i><br /> +————————————<br /> +<br /> +<b>THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</b><br /> +<b>147 FOURTH AVENUE</b> (near 14th St.) <b>NEW YORK</b><br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 437px;"> +<img src="images/hickory8frontis.png" width="437" height="500" alt="IT SEEMED AN IDEAL SNUG RETREAT" title="" /> +<span class="caption">IT SEEMED AN IDEAL SNUG RETREAT</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='bbox'><div class='center'>THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS</div></div> + +<h1><br /><br />STORM-BOUND<br /> + +<span class='small'>OR</span><br /> + +<span class="smcap">A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts</span></h1> + +<div class ='center'><br /><br /><br />BY<br /> + +<div class='author'><span class="smcap">Captain</span> ALAN DOUGLAS</div><br /> + +SCOUT MASTER<br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="100" height="103" alt="Emblem" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'> +THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY<br /> +NEW YORK<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class='copyright'> +<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1915, by</span><br /> +THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>I</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">On the Wrong Track</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>II</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Strange Place to Camp</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>III</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Long Night</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IV</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Snow-bound</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>V</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Wandering Through the Drifts</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VI</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">In the Frozen Marsh</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VII</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Lil Artha Saves the Day</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VIII</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Prize in the Trap</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IX</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Coming of Uncle Caleb</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>X</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Possession Nine Points of the Law</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XI</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Chimney Jumper</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XII</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Scouts in Clover</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIII</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Object Lesson</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIV</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Queer Actions of Zack Arnold</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XV</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Scout's Education</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_165">165</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVI</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Good-by to the Snow Forest</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<h2>STORM-BOUND</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>OR A VACATION AMONG THE SNOW DRIFTS</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>ON THE WRONG TRACK</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Elmer</span>, do you believe we're really on the +right track, or have we lost our bearings in this +everlasting snow forest?"</p> + +<p>"Ask me something easy, please, Lil Artha!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't like the looks of that sassy kid +who was so eager to have you make a map from +what he told us."</p> + +<p>"Struck me he grinned too much, boys, as sure +as my name's George Robbins. I'm beginning to +smell a rat, and think he played a low-down trick +on us."</p> + +<p>"That is, George, you mean he purposely gave +us the wrong directions, and that instead of heading +straight for the winter cabin of Toby's jolly +Uncle Caleb we're away off our base?"</p> + +<p>"Looks like it to me, that's all I've got to say," +muttered the boy who had called himself George, +at the same time glancing apprehensively at the +snow-clad woods surrounding them on all sides.</p> + +<p>"Me too!" added the fourth member of the little +heavily-laden party, and whose good-natured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +face usually screwed itself up in an odd series +of wrinkles whenever he spoke with such an effort.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked the boy called Elmer, whose +last name was Chenowith, and upon whose decisions +the others seemed to depend considerably, +as though he might be a leader among them; +"let's rest up a bit here, and look the matter +squarely in the face. Perhaps we can figure out +where we've gone wrong, and start on a new +course."</p> + +<p>These four well-grown lads were all dressed in +the well-known khaki suits that designate Boy +Scouts the wide world over. Of course they wore +heavy woolen sweaters in addition, for the time +was just after Christmas, and Old Winter had +taken a notion to set in unusually early that year.</p> + +<p>They belonged to the Hickory Ridge Troop of +Boy Scouts, which lively town was situated many +miles to the south of the place where we discover +the quartette up against a puzzling question.</p> + +<p>Toby Jones had an old uncle who was not only +a scientific man, but who loved the Great Outdoors +so much that of late he had come to spend most +of his time at his lonely cabin in the forest. Here +in the summer he studied, and experimented to +his heart's content; while during the winter he +set traps, and took wonderful photographs of the +snowbound woods, as well as of the fur-bearing +little animals that made their homes there.</p> + +<p>The idea had struck Toby that with some of his +best chums he surprise this jolly Uncle Caleb, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +was a well-known professor among scientists. +Many times the boy had received a warm invitation +to run up and visit the old gentleman, as well +as fetch a friend or two along, but until this winter +Toby had somehow never entertained the idea +of doing so.</p> + +<p>Once it took hold of him, and he became wildly +enthusiastic over it. When he mentioned the +scheme to Elmer, as well as two other scouts, they +fell in with it so quickly that the plans were soon +arranged.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, immediately after Christmas the +four lads had taken a train for the north, and +about noon dropped off at a lonely station, where +the operator was a new hand, and had never +even heard of Uncle Caleb, so that the boys hardly +knew which way to turn. Just then they happened +to run across a lanky boy with a grinning +face, whom Elmer "pumped," with the result that +they were directed to follow certain landmarks, +turn ever so many times until they came to a +frozen creek, up which if they headed a mile they +would discover the cabin they sought.</p> + +<p>They had been following that same frozen +stream more than two hours, and there was not +the slightest sign of anything in the way of a +shack or cabin. In fact, it looked as though they +had managed to tramp into the very heart of what +seemed to be a trackless forest. In every direction +stretched that never ending array of tall and +little trees, each snow splashed; for there were +several inches of the white feathery covering on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +the ground, what Elmer called fine "tracking +snow;" if only they had been hunting game instead +of a shelter.</p> + +<p>Though all of the scouts kept constantly on the +alert they had failed to detect the first sign of +human presence. Not a shout or a gunshot had +they heard; in vain had they searched the snowy +ground for the welcome trail of a trapper going +to or coming home after visiting his line of snares.</p> + +<p>No wonder then that some of the boys had +begun to believe they were tricked by that glib-tongued +native lad, who had chuckled so disagreeably +as he accepted the silver quarter Elmer +thrust in his grimy palm.</p> + +<p>All of them bore heavy loads. For the most +part these consisted of extra clothes of course +for use in case of extreme cold weather; but +two of them also carried guns; and Toby had +strapped on his pack a pair of snow-shoes his +uncle had once presented to him, but which the +boy had never found a good chance to use, though +he hoped the time had now arrived for putting +them to some service.</p> + +<p>"I've been trying to figure things out," Elmer +told them, as they sat down on a log to rest, while +trying to decide which way they should turn; +"and while I'm liable to be mistaken just as +much as anybody else, I really think we'd have a +better chance to find that cabin, or run across +some sign of Toby's uncle, if we quit following +this creek bed, and turned sharply to the right."</p> + +<p>Now Elmer was not only the leader of the Wolf<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +Patrol when at home, but had long ago qualified +for the position of assistant scout master of the +troop. When the regular scout master, a young +man named Mr. Roderic Garrabrant, chanced to +be absent, which frequently happened, the boys +looked to Elmer to guide and direct them.</p> + +<p>Consequently the three who were now in his +company had come to look for great things from +their chum; and Elmer often found it a difficult +task to satisfy their expectations. And so it was +he had in the start given them to understand that +he could make mistakes as well as the next one, +and they must not think him infallible.</p> + +<p>As usual everybody seemed ready to fall in +with his suggestion but George, who had a contrary +streak in his make-up, and was always +ready with objections and questions and serious +shakings of the head. They called him "Doubting +George," but grown people would long ago +have dubbed him a pessimist, because he was +always seeing the gloomy side of things, and +wanting to be doubly convinced.</p> + +<p>"But it seems to me," he started to say, "that +we may be jumping out of the fryingpan into the +fire if we do that. How do we know the cabin +lies to the right?"</p> + +<p>"We don't," replied Elmer, without manifesting +any feeling over his opinion being questioned, +for he knew George of old, and in fact would have +been considerably surprised if the other had not +put up what Toby called a "kick."</p> + +<p>"Would you like to direct us, George?" asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +the tall scout, whose name was Arthur Stansbury, +but whom his schoolmates had in a spirit of +fun long ago dubbed "Lil Artha," which ridiculous +nick-name clung to him like a leech to this +day, although he was fully a head above any of +the other fellows.</p> + +<p>"Oh! excuse me from taking that responsibility +on my shoulders," George hastened to say, looking +almost alarmed; "if I did, and happened to +guess wrong, I'd never hear the end of it."</p> + +<p>"So you admit that it'd have to be a <i>guess</i>, do +you?" pursued Lil Artha mercilessly; "well, on +the part of Elmer he's tried to reason the old +thing out, and both Toby'n me feel that we can't +do better than try what he says. I only hope the +walking's better than it's been along this frozen +creek, where the ice is too slippery for us to make +use of the same. Why didn't we think to fetch +our skates along?"</p> + +<p>"I did think of it," Toby told him; "but it +meant more weight to our packs; and then from +what Uncle Caleb's told me about the lay of the +country up here, I couldn't figure out how we'd +find any use for skates where there was only +swamp, marsh, and mebbe a few little crooked +creeks nearly always covered with a foot of snow. +So I fetched these bully snow-shoes instead. +Don't I hope I'll have a chance to skim over the +snow on the same, if we're lucky enough to get a +heavy fall while up here."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we may get a storm before we're +ready for it," observed Elmer drily, as he shot a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +dubious glance up at the gray sky that had such +an ominous look.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha jumped to his feet, showing signs of +some excitement.</p> + +<p>"Hey! let's be on the hike, fellows!" he exclaimed; +"if a storm dropped on top of us right +now it wouldn't do a thing to us, p'raps. We +haven't got only enough grub for a single day. I +guess matches are about the only thing we're +heavy on, because we expected to eat our meals in +Uncle Caleb's cabin most of the time."</p> + +<p>"Well, matches are good things to have up here +in the snow woods," remarked Elmer, who was an +exact contrast to George in that he always saw the +silver lining of the cloud, whereas the other scout +could not get beyond the pall.</p> + +<p>"You bet they are," Lil Artha went on to say, +as he shouldered his pack, which he had arranged +in regular Adirondack fashion, with a band across +his forehead to assist in sustaining the weight; +"though for that matter, if we went shy of the +same I reckon you could depend on me to get fire +by making a little bow, and sawing the same on a +pointed stick, South Sea Islander way. I've done +it more'n once, though I never seem able to depend +on my cunning. Something goes wrong so often; +or else I'm in too big a hurry, and spoil everything. +But if you're ready lead off, Elmer. +We'll trip along in your tracks, and keep it up +for another hour anyway. That rest did us all a +heap of good."</p> + +<p>The four scouts kept pushing on steadily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +Elmer in the van continued to maintain a bright +lookout for any sign of footprints in the snow that +would give them encouragement, though as time +passed, and he failed to find any such, the rosy +hopes with which they had started began to gradually +fade away.</p> + +<p>Of course the others also kept their eyes about +them, in hopes of sighting a lone cabin, or discovering +smoke rising amidst the trees. Hope +died hard, and only George grumbled when more +than half an hour had crept on without their running +upon the first sign that would mean success.</p> + +<p>Once Elmer had pointed out to them the tracks +of a fox, and of course being true scouts, they +were all greatly interested in examining the trail, +and speculating on whether it had been of the +ordinary red variety, or a gray animal, perhaps +one of those silver-black foxes, the pelt of which +is often valued at as much as fifteen hundred +dollars.</p> + +<p>Elmer had settled this question by picking up a +hair he found caught on the split end of a branch +that grew low down, and which the body of the +fox, as well as his brushy tail, must have scraped +as he slipped past. It was plainly a red hair, and +even George could not find any cause for disputing +that evidence, though he was far from happy, +and in a fit mood for argument if the occasion +arose.</p> + +<p>Several other times Elmer pointed to the unmistakable +track of a bounding rabbit, and had +they had more time at their disposal the boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +would have liked nothing better than to follow +these, so as to figure out what was chasing bunny +to induce him to take such enormous jumps. +But the fact of their being astray in that unknown +forest, with night not far away, and a heavy snow-storm +brooding over them, rather discouraged +them from turning aside from the main thing that +engaged their attention, which of course was the +finding of the trapper's cabin.</p> + +<p>Nobody paid the least attention to George when +they heard him grunting away in the rear, because +George would not have been happy unless he was +miserable, strange though that may sound. There +is generally a boy built after that fashion in every +crowd of scouts. As a rule he has some good +qualities that make his friends forgive his bad +ones, and finally they get so accustomed to his +grumblings that they pay little attention to them. +In fact George's complainings had little more +effect on his boon companions than so much +water poured on a duck's back would. It amused +him to grunt and object, and hurt them very little, +so what was the sense of making any trouble?</p> + +<p>Another fifteen minutes crept along. There did +not seem to be any particular change in things, +except that the light was showing signs of failing, +and perhaps George stumbled more frequently, +for he was not as spry on his feet when carrying +a pack as the other fellows.</p> + +<p>"Don't seem to be over this way either, +Elmer," suggested Lil Artha, finally.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Uncle Caleb's cabin appears to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +be as hard to locate as a needle in a haystack," +admitted the leader of the Wolf Patrol, cheerily; +as though it would have to be something more than +this to discourage him, because he had made it +his business in life to always look at the bright +side of things; and knew that no matter how +gloomy the prospect might be it could seem much +worse.</p> + +<p>"That settles it!" came abruptly from George +in the rear.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you back there; +stubbed your toe again? We'll have to make a +scout litter and carry you the rest of the way, if +you keep on falling over every old log there is," +Lil Artha told him, severely.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't that this time, mind you," the delinquent +one answered back, with a triumphant grin; +"but what's the use trying to poke along any +further? Might as well be killed for a sheep as a +lamb, any day. This place looks like it'd make a +good camp for to-night."</p> + +<p>"Camp?" echoed Toby.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing!" snapped George. "We're all +tuckered out, and as hungry as wolves in the dead +of winter; night's comin' on right fast; and then +if you take a look you'll see that it's begun to +snow!" and as the others did glance hastily up +they discovered the first few big flakes commence +to sail lazily down!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A STRANGE PLACE TO CAMP</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">I'm</span> surprised at you saying it's going to snow, +George," Lil Artha remarked, as he turned on the +doubting scout; "because it'd be more like you to +tell us ten flakes didn't make a storm, and that +anyway there was always a chance of it giving us +the go-by. Guess you're tired, and want to snuggle +down close to a warm fire, which would explain +why you give in so easy-like."</p> + +<p>"Just as you please, so long as we do camp," +replied the other, as he began to undo the straps +that secured his hamper to his back.</p> + +<p>"Keep still, fellows!" said Elmer, in a husky +whisper; "I honestly believe I saw a bevy of +partridges fly up in a tree over yonder," and as +he dropped his pack lightly to the ground, he +gripped the trusty little twelve-bore Marlin +double-barreled shot-gun which he had owned for +a number of years, and occasionally found a use +for.</p> + +<p>"Oh! partridges, fat partridges, and me as +hungry as a bear!" gasped Toby; but Elmer had +already quitted his chums, and was making his +way toward the point he had indicated with his +hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>They watched him with considerable eagerness, +and waited to see what luck attended his stalking +action.</p> + +<p>"Since it looks like we'd have to spend a night +here, like the Babes in the Wood," Lil Artha was +saying in a whisper, "it'd be real nice if Elmer +could only bag four plump birds for our supper! +Let's hope he gets a string of the same in range, +and makes a double with each shot."</p> + +<p>"Honest Injun! I think I could devour four myself, +without half trying," Toby assured them, +rubbing the pit of his stomach as though to call +their attention to the fact that it was an aching +void.</p> + +<p>"Huh! you mightn't even get the smell of a +single one cooking," George warned him; "because +I've been told partridges are wary old birds, +even up here, where they light in the trees after +being flushed, instead of going off with a whirr of +their wings, like they do down our way."</p> + +<p>"There, he's going to let drive!" said Lil +Artha, who, being something of a hunter himself, +had been closely observing the progress of Elmer +all this time.</p> + +<p>"Good luck to his pot-shot!" muttered Toby.</p> + +<p>Two reports were heard in quick succession. +Then Elmer was seen to hastily run forward, at +the same time managing to reload his gun.</p> + +<p>"He got one, anyhow!" cried Toby, exultantly; +"that fixes <i>me</i> all right. There, he has grabbed +another up off the ground. Bully for Elmer! He +knows how to work the game, all right. What!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +another bird? Oh! George, if only he had killed +four you might have had one, the same as the rest +of us!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I like your nerve," said George, indignantly; +"why should I be singled out to get left, +tell me that, Toby?"</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet, George, and don't get riled so +easy," Lil Artha told him, "because, as sure as +you live he's hurrying over to pick a fourth bird +up. What d'ye think of that for great luck, now? +Four hungry scouts, and a fat partridge for each. +I think it's a splendid introduction to Uncle +Caleb's pet game preserve, don't you all?"</p> + +<p>"He must have knocked over three with that +right barrel," ventured Toby; "like as not they +were all sitting along a limb when he fired, and +then he picked that last one when they were on the +wing, remembering that George would have to go +hungry, or only suck the racks, if he didn't get +another."</p> + +<p>When Elmer rejoined them he was wearing a +smile of contentment such as usually adorns the +face of a successful sportsman.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't have been better any way you fixed +it, fellows," he told them. "There they sat, in a +row, and you never saw a prettier sight. I just +hated to do such a thing, but even scouts can be +forgiven for shooting game when they're adrift +in an unknown snow forest, and hungry in the +bargain."</p> + +<p>"I should say they could," Lil Artha added, +forcibly, "and lots of other times in the bargain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +But these birds are as plump as any I've ever +seen. Just feel of the fat breasts, will you? +Makes my mouth water, thinking how fine they'll +go with our coffee and crackers. How fortunate +we thought to bring a few things along in case +Uncle Caleb might run short on rations. Plenty +of coffee, a little tea, some sugar, a can of condensed +milk, crackers, cheese, a pound of bacon, +and a package of self-raising flour for flapjacks. +We ought to subsist for a whole day on that bill of +fare, don't you think?"</p> + +<p>"And as we've got our guns along," interposed +Lil Artha, "with more or less of game around us, +what's the use of worrying? For one I'm meaning +to take things as they come, and squeeze what +fun I can out of the same."</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff!" said Toby, and Elmer nodded +his approval; only skeptical George remained +silent, for he was feeling of his partridge and +with a frown on his brow that made Toby hasten +to assure him the bird was a real one, and not +such as he may have seen in his dreams.</p> + +<p>Already Elmer was casting about to see where +they had better locate their camp. It was easy +to say this would be for only one night, but how +did they know? The threatening storm might +swoop down with such force that it would virtually +imprison them for a much longer stay. And +so he considered it worth while to do the best +possible while they had any choice of situation.</p> + +<p>Elmer had had considerable experience, having +spent a year up on a Canadian cattle ranch and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +wheat farm owned by an uncle, Elmer's father +having been given charge of the property. There +the boy had learned dozens of things that were +apt to prove valuable to any one in the woods. +Besides, he had made it a practice to pick up +information wherever he went by asking questions, +investigating for himself, and constantly increasing +his stock of knowledge.</p> + +<p>Looking in every quarter he presently decided +that since they carried no tent, and it would be no +easy task to make a brush shelter, their best move +was to settle down in the lee of one of those cavities +formed when a hurricane had toppled a number +of giant trees over, with their roots, and the +earth attached to the same, standing fully eight +feet in the air.</p> + +<p>There was a little choice about the matter, and +Elmer picked out the one best suited to screen +them from the northwest wind. The snow would +surely come from that direction, and having a +windbreak might mean considerable.</p> + +<p>"Drop everything here, boys, and let's hustle +to collect all the wood we can find. Don't stop +short of darkness, because maybe we'll have to +keep a fire going for several days. Just drag it +handy, so we'll know where to find it, even if the +snow comes two feet deep!"</p> + +<p>"Whew! I sure hope it don't get us that way +to start with," said Toby; "and us not knowing +whether Uncle Caleb's shack is to the north, east +or west. Don't I wish we'd run across him in the +woods, and were toasting our shins alongside a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +fire in his comfy little place right now! Um! +But the snow's coming faster than she was, fellows!"</p> + +<p>"The more reason we should get busy," Elmer +told him.</p> + +<p>At that they started energetically to "make hay +while the sun shone," as Lil Artha said, though +he must himself have been convinced that the comparison +was hardly a good one, judging from the +grimace he gave when casting his eyes upward +toward the leaden sky that frowned down upon +them like a dome.</p> + +<p>Fortunately there was no lack of wood handy. +This had doubtless been one reason why Elmer +had decided on pitching the camp where he did. +Those fallen trees had in crashing to the ground +broken many large limbs off, and all that was +necessary for the campers to do was to drag these, +one after another, to a convenient striking distance +from the hole in which they intended spending +the night.</p> + +<p>All around it they banked up the loose wood, +until Toby declared they had fully enough to do +an army.</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it," said Lil Artha, an +authority on fires among his fellow scouts; "you'd +be s'prised to see what an enormous amount of +wood a fire eats up in a single night; and like as +not we may have to hold the fort a week, just as +Elmer said. Keep on fetching it a little while +longer, boys."</p> + +<p>"You're on the safe side there, Lil Artha," the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +cautious scout master decided; "we can't have too +much burning wood, with that sky threatening us. +And to run out, with the snow piled up hip-high +over everything wouldn't be the nicest job in the +world. Let's work at it for another ten minutes. +By then it will be so near dark that we can lay +off, and get our camp fixed."</p> + +<p>So they labored on industriously until Elmer +called a halt. George was a good enough worker, +and usually did his share when the necessity +arose. His grumbling really sprang more from +force of habit than a desire to make himself +disagreeable. Sometimes Elmer seriously considered +whether it would pay them to try and cure +George of his fault-finding, and then as often decided +that, given time, it must surely die out. +Things of that sort generally thrive on opposition.</p> + +<p>To Lil Artha was given over the task of making +the fire. It was lucky indeed in this pinch that +Elmer had thought to bring his pet camp hatchet +along. Though its weight had added to his weariness +on the march, he had had what he called a +"hunch" that it might come in handy, though +hardly expecting to be compelled to fall back on +the little tool the first thing in order to supply fuel +for a camp.</p> + +<p>So the tall scout began to hack at a couple of +promising fragments of thick limbs which would +make good sides for the cooking fire, and upon +which their coffeepot could rest; for they had +such a thing along, as well as a skillet, both made +of aluminum, and weighing next to nothing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>Elmer, assisted by George and Toby, meanwhile +started to see how some sort of shelter could +be arranged with the four rubber ponchos which +they carried. He knew how soldiers on the march +are in the habit of fastening two of these together +by means of the grummet holes along the edges, +forming a little shelter called a "dog-tent," under +which the pair can at least keep the upper halves +of their bodies from the rain.</p> + +<p>By skillful work they managed to cover the +cavity behind the upturned roots of the fallen forest +monarch in such a fashion that it would shed +most of the snow, even though some might drift +through the cracks.</p> + +<p>"A pretty good job!" Lil Artha told them, as +he suspended operations in connection with his +fire, which was by now sending out a grateful +warmth, and much good cheer in addition.</p> + +<p>"Next thing is to get the birds plucked, and +ready for the spit," announced Toby, as he took +up the one that had been apportioned to him.</p> + +<p>George followed suit, but was evidently a poor +hand at stripping the feathers off, to judge by the +gingerly way he went at it. Lil Artha had to +show him just how to grip hold, and make things +fly; but even then George looked anything but +happy.</p> + +<p>"And I'd feel safe in wagering," said Toby, +with a laugh, as he held up his partridge, beautifully +cleaned, and ready to be broiled before the +fire, after he had split it down the back, "that if +we were anywhere near home George would be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +willing to spend his last dime in bribing some boy +to finish his job; but that don't go here; no work +no pay. Those who expect to dine on partridge +must prepare the same. You hear me speaking, +George. But I don't mind showing you again how +I do it, which according to my notion is a better +way than Lil Artha has."</p> + +<p>And as George, seeing his opportunity, commenced +to compliment Toby, and engage his attention, +the result was that he got his partridge not +only completely denuded down to the last pinfeather, +but split along the back in the bargain.</p> + +<p>After that a busy scene that glowing, snapping +fire saw, with the coffeepot sending out a delightful +aroma, and the four hungry boys each holding +out his game near the flames, turning it often in +order to allow every part to receive an equal share +of the intense heat that was browning the outside +so beautifully.</p> + +<p>Finally Toby gave a groan.</p> + +<p>"Can't stand for it any longer, and that's a +fact, fellows!" he announced; "please fill my cup +with coffee, Elmer, and let me get started or I'll +cave in. George, pass that package of crackers, +will you; and, Lil Artha, I'd like to sample that +cheese if you don't mind!"</p> + +<p>"For goodness' sake everybody wait on Toby, +and get him shut off, or he'll give us no peace!" +exclaimed Lil Artha, though he had already put +his own teeth into one half of his sizzling partridge, +to find that it was as tender as could be, +and perfectly delicious.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>In another minute or two all of them were busily +engaged. It was such a pleasant duty, partaking +of this forest meal, and amidst such romantic +surroundings, that for the time being they +forgot all the dismal prospects ahead of them, and +were quite merry. Toby joked, and Lil Artha +laughed aloud, while Elmer joined them, and even +George, placated by having his gnawing pains +satisfied, for the time being looked contented with +the world. He would not have made any objection +had he been offered a second edition of that +game supper; for when his bird had been reduced +to a mere lot of well-picked bones his taste for +broiled partridge seemed as keen as ever.</p> + +<p>Possessed of hearty boyish appetites it can +readily be understood that they had made a pretty +good hole in their limited supplies by the time all +of them admitted that they were satisfied. Toby +professed to be greatly concerned because of this +growing scarcity of rations, and as for George, +his gloom had returned, since he was already talking +of the time, near at hand most likely, when the +cupboard would be as bare as it was when Old +Mother Hubbard went to get her dog a bone.</p> + +<p>"Gee! whiz! look at it coming down, would +you!" burst out Lil Artha, as having finished +attending to that clamorous appetite, he thought it +worth while to take an observation, in order to +learn what the weather might be.</p> + +<p>"Never saw it snow harder," admitted Toby.</p> + +<p>"Be over our heads by morning, see if 'tain't," +George prophesied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, p'raps you may have a chance to use +those snow-shoes sooner'n you thought you would, +Toby," ventured Lil Artha, as they all crouched +there, staring out at the dark forest, and watching +the myriads of big flakes steadily falling, as +though a storm of the greatest magnitude had +come down from the far northwest, where the +weather man keeps this brand of thing in tap for +scouts who are incautious enough to be caught +napping, away off in a strange woods, and with +only rations for one day in their haversacks.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE LONG NIGHT</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Let</span> me tell you this is going to be the queerest +old camp any of us ever found ourselves stuck in," +Toby ventured to remark, some time later.</p> + +<p>"I should say it was," grumbled George, as he +rubbed his ears, and then held both hands out +toward the fire to warm them again.</p> + +<p>"I know one thing we ought to do right away," +said Elmer, "and that's get out those warm skating +tuques; they'll keep the air off our heads, and +can be drawn down to protect our ears."</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea, Elmer," Lil Artha told +him, "because I don't want to have one of my +wigwags frozen off. You see, I'm so much taller +than the rest of you it takes harder work for my +poor heart to pump warm blood all the way up; +and so I'm likely to suffer from cold extremities. +Seems like that off ear is frosted right now."</p> + +<p>"If it is," cried George, hurriedly, as though +he thought Lil Artha meant all he said, "take my +advice, and rub it hard with a lot of snow. That'll +take the frost out, and start circulation again. +Brr! but this is going to be a tough night, when +you think of it."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," Elmer told him; "seems to me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +we've got a whole lot to be thankful for, with this +fine fire, and a protection against the storm. Perhaps +we may run up against something harder +than this before we're done."</p> + +<p>"But we haven't got a tent, and our grub is +pretty skimpy, say what you will," the grumbler +went on to protest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's all very true," continued Elmer, +"but how wise we were to fetch our blankets +along, for fear that Toby's uncle mightn't have +enough in stock to go around. They felt pretty +heavy when we carried them, soldier fashion, +around one shoulder, and tied them under the +other arm; but here's where they come in dandy."</p> + +<p>"Well, believe me, it was the smartest trick we +ever did," Lil Artha hastened to comment, "and +if we'd only glimpsed this sort of box ahead, so +as to lay in three times as much grub, it'd be all +right."</p> + +<p>"It is all right as it stands," the leader went on +to say, "and we'll show how scouts can take things +as they come, without making mouths. So let's +see how we're going to fix ourselves for the +night."</p> + +<p>"Guess none of us care much to sit up late, and +gabble over the fire," suggested Toby; "though +it seems a fellow can't get enough of that heat in +him."</p> + +<p>"I want to shut out the whole business," affirmed +George, in sheer disgust, "and I hope that +after my eyes close I won't know a blooming thing +till morning."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>George was a good sleeper as a rule, and his +troubles seldom kept him from getting a fair share +of rest. Nor was he like his cousin, Philander +Smith, also a member of the Wolf Patrol, and who +had been known to walk in his sleep; George, once +he snuggled down, with his blanket tucked all +around him, was like a regular Indian mummy. +The others, knowing this from past experiences, +paid little attention to his complaints concerning +a disturbed night, because they knew it never had +any real basis of fact.</p> + +<p>For some little time the four boys busied themselves +getting "fixed." George was as hard to +suit as any old maid. He found something wrong +with every corner of the depression that he tried; +here it was a root that jabbed him in the ribs; in +another place the point of a big stone made it impossible +for him to curl up, and maintain a comfortable +attitude.</p> + +<p>After he had made the complete round, the +others allowing him his choice, he was finally compelled +to accept the first position he had tested.</p> + +<p>"Now let's hope we've heard the last kick from +you, George," Lil Artha told him, severely, after +submitting to all this fussing; "I don't see what +you've got to complain about after all. Your +bones are well covered with a pad, while mine stick +out like the joints of a scarecrow. And say, don't +you think I'm going to have a tough time of it +stowing these long legs of mine away? Chances +are they'll push out in the night, and when I wake +up again I'll find the lower part of poor Lil Artha<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +as stiff as a board. Subside, George! Give the +rest of us a chance to get settled down. If we all +took as long as you did it'd be near morning before +we fixed things."</p> + +<p>Finally, however, they seemed to have made the +best of a bad bargain. Taking Elmer's advice +they all kept as close together as possible. In +this way perhaps they might not secure a great +abundance of decent sleep, but the fact of their +being in touch with each other would add to their +comfort in the way of warmth.</p> + +<p>Elmer, with characteristic generosity, had +chosen last, and hence he lay nearer the outside of +the shelter than any of his mates. But having +known what it was to be exposed to the rigors of +a cold storm, since he had braved a Canadian winter +while up on that ranch, the young scout master +also knew how to make use of his blanket as +though it were a sleeping bag.</p> + +<p>The hours dragged slowly along.</p> + +<p>Afterwards they would always look back, and +shudder as they remembered how terribly long +that night did seem. And yet none of them really +suffered, save that it was impossible to sleep, only +in snatches.</p> + +<p>This was on account of several things. In the +first place, they were jammed together in a way +to which they were wholly unaccustomed; and +when one stirred on becoming cramped it aroused +all the others in turn. Then their strange surroundings +had more or less influence upon them. +Not that there was any furious noise, such as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +would have accompanied a summer gale; but the +weird moaning of the wintry wind through the +leafless branches of the oaks, and the bending tops +of the pines, made a music that kept them thinking +they heard human voices calling for help.</p> + +<p>Another reason why Elmer had chosen the outside +place when lying down was his desire to keep +watch upon the fire.</p> + +<p>It was his intention to keep this going as long as +possible, though a fellow built on the order of +George would have complained bitterly had he +been compelled to crawl out of his snug nest several +times in order to face that pitiless storm, and +pile more fuel on the smouldering logs.</p> + +<p>Elmer was one of those boys who, knowing his +duty, always went about it without any brag or +bluster, and could be depended on to sacrifice his +own comfort in order that his chums might benefit. +In other words Elmer was what you might call an +ideal scout. He seldom had any trouble about +practicing those twelve cardinal principles that +govern the working day of a scout—to be trustworthy, +loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, +obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. +They came naturally to him.</p> + +<p>Three times did he perform this fire-building +act. The last occasion must have been well on +toward the hour of three in the morning, as he +judged from certain conditions, though he could +not bother looking at his little silver watch.</p> + +<p>At that time the storm was keeping it up just +as wildly as ever, and there was much more than a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +foot of snow on the ground, where it had not +drifted; with any quantity still to come down.</p> + +<p>After that Elmer must have secured better +sleep, for he did not wake up again until a movement +accompanied by a voice aroused him.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! let me tell you the bottom's +dropped out of the mercury tube this time, boys!" +the voice went on to bellow, and he recognized the +tones as belonging to George, who had not been +heard from ever since he first curled up in the +folds of his warm blanket.</p> + +<p>He was raising his head now, and observing his +breath as it congealed in the frosty air. Elmer +knew that the time to sleep had passed, because +it was daylight.</p> + +<p>"How about that snow, has it stopped?" asked +another voice, as Toby sat up, and began to stretch +his arms upon which he may have been lying so +that they felt more or less numb.</p> + +<p>"Still coming down as hard as ever," Elmer +told him, shaking quite a lot of the feathery stuff +out of the folds of his blanket; and then struggling +to his feet.</p> + +<p>There was no lounging around that morning. +It was so cold that every fellow was glad to get +into action immediately he came out of his blanket. +George begged to be allowed to lie there +until the fire got good and warm. He urged +every plea he could think of, saying they would +only get in each others' way by crowding; and +that too many cooks always spoiled the broth, anyway; +but Toby and Lil Artha declared they had no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +use for a shirker; and if he did nothing else he +could stand up and serve as a windbreak for the +"willing workers."</p> + +<p>The fire had gone completely out, and several +inches of snow covered the spot; but wise, long-headed +Elmer had provided against such a contingency +on the evening before, for he had a handful +of fine wood, light and dry, handy, with which +to make a fresh start.</p> + +<p>After things got to moving it was not so bad. +The scouts soon felt even a little cheerful over the +situation, because a crackling fire is one of the +greatest inducements to raising one's spirits ever +discovered. When shivering with the cold, and +hungry as well, the world looks pretty blue to any +one; but let that same person come in close contact +with a fire that warms him up, and things +quickly take on quite a different hue.</p> + +<p>Then there was that fragrant odor of coffee and +bacon cooking on the fire that tickled the noses of +the boys; nothing could beat that for good cheer—"if +only they had more of the same," as George +constantly reminded them, even when enjoying +his share.</p> + +<p>"Strikes me this is a mighty slim breakfast," +he remarked, as he found that he had already +caused more than half that was on his pannikin +to vanish, and yet his appetite seemed as sharp +as ever.</p> + +<p>"You never spoke truer words, George," said +Toby, soberly, "but when you stop to think what +a small amount of stuff we've got along with us,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +and the bad fix we're in, you can understand that +we've got to cut the allowance down."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Lil Artha, "of course you've +heard of shipwrecked mariners being in a boat, +and drifting around on the big ocean for days and +days. Well, they always have to go on half rations, +both with food and fresh drinking water. +Anyhow we won't have to bother our poor heads +about that last, because all we have to do is to +melt snow and get what we want."</p> + +<p>"Hang it, I wish we could melt all the old white +stuff; I hate it!" George continued, being a poor +loser.</p> + +<p>"And yet I've heard you fairly raving over the +beautiful snow," chuckled Lil Artha, "but then +that was when you were out sleigh riding with +Polly Brett. Makes considerable difference what +your condition is, how you look at things. For +my part I don't hanker after snow one bit right +now. Seen all I want to of it to last me all winter; +but then what's the use bothering your head about +things that can't be changed. It's a condition, +not a theory, that confronts us, and what we want +to do is to set our minds to work wrestling with +the question of how we're going to crawl out of +this difficulty and find Uncle Caleb's shack."</p> + +<p>"Whew! mebbe I don't wish we were there now, +snug under his roof, and telling him all about our +adventure, as well as how Elmer here found a way +to pull his chums out of a hole, like he always +does," and Toby, while saying this, gave the scout +master a sly look, as though begging him to tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +them some hopeful news that would buoy their +sinking spirits up.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had as much confidence in myself as +you seem to feel in me, Toby," was what Elmer +told him, "but I couldn't say the storm is nearly +over, because it's coming down as hard as ever, +and goodness knows when it means to let up. +But we're a lively bunch, you know, and we're +bound to find some way of getting out of this +scrape."</p> + +<p>"We've been in others just as tough, remember," +Lil Artha declared, "and always did get to +the top of the heap in the end."</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk," Elmer continued; +"confidence is always one half of the battle. +We've proved that on many a hard-fought field, +baseball, football and hockey as well. If you can +force yourself to believe you will win, the chances +are improved three-fold."</p> + +<p>"Well," said George, drily, as he stared very +hard at his now empty platter, "I'm doing my +level best to force myself to believe this pannikin +is heaped high with beefsteak and fried +onions and fried potatoes; now if I've got a third +of a chance to get what I'm wishing for, even that +much would fill a long-felt want. But say, none of +you see any grub coming along on my dish do you? +Well, wishing don't seem to do any good. I'm as +hungry as ever, too, worse luck. Even speaking +of such splendid eatings seems to make my mouth +water."</p> + +<p>"Then stop it!" cried Toby; "think all you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +want to, but the rest of us have feelings as well as +you, and it's cruelty to animals to even mention +such things as—"</p> + +<p>"Hold on there! don't you aggravate things by +mentioning that list again, or I'll proceed to roll +you out of this hole into the snow drifts!" threatened +Lil Artha, pretending to make a threatening +gesture, while Toby threw up both hands in token +of abject surrender.</p> + +<p>"I'm dumb as an oyster, Lil Artha," he protested. +"I haven't got another word to say; but +if there's got to be any ejecting done let's grab +the right party, and see that he gets his full dose."</p> + +<p>George had meanwhile managed to pick up a +couple of extra crackers, and having his mouth full +did not make any reply. Lil Artha deftly +snatched the box away from him, and closing it, +calmly placed it out of reach.</p> + +<p>"No hogging, now, George," he went on to say; +"share and share alike is the rule we've got to +go by from now on. If there's any hungry feeling +swinging around, it's going to be no one-sided +game. Others can feel empty as well as the Robbins +family pet. But let's hope that before +another night we'll all be sitting around a table +in Uncle Caleb's shack, as warm and cozy as four +bugs in a rug."</p> + +<p>The mere thought of having to spend a second +night amidst those enormous snow drifts gave the +boys an unpleasant feeling. They turned and +looked out from under their rude shelter. The +fire itself was cheery; but beyond this lay the piles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +of snow, the grim trees with their white arms extended +like monuments in the burying ground at +Hickory Ridge, and with the air full of still rapidly +falling flakes, as though the weather man up aloft +had an unlimited supply of white geese to pluck on +this special occasion.</p> + +<p>For a short time no one said a word. They +were all busy with thoughts, perhaps connected +with their happy homes, so far removed; or it +might be trying to picture the cheery scene Lil +Artha had spoken of when he mentioned that cabin +of Uncle Caleb, the man of science, and the small +animal photographer and trapper.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>SNOW-BOUND</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">I don't</span> believe there ever was such a furious +snow-storm as this before!" Toby remarked, after +a while, with a little pensive sigh, as though he +had already begun to repent having conceived that +brilliant idea, in the following out of which they +had fallen into their present serious predicament.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's because the wish is father to the +thought, Toby," Elmer told him. "We all like to +stand up ahead of the other fellows. If you were +home right now I reckon you'd just say that it was +a pretty decent sort of a storm; but being cooped +up here in the woods makes things look different."</p> + +<p>"How deep do you think she is on the level, +Elmer?" asked Lil Artha; "as much as three +feet?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing like that," replied the other, quickly; +"you mustn't judge by seeing what's piled up +there. That's a drift, and the eddies of wind have +been piling it up all night long. You see the snow +is as dry almost as powder, owing to the cold. It's +quit falling in big flakes, and is sifting down now +in fine stuff."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it gets down your back every time, if +you don't look out," complained George. "This<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +beats my time all hollow. I wonder how it'll end."</p> + +<p>Elmer purposely made out to mistake the croaker's +meaning; he knew that George was thinking +of the dismal outlook by which they were confronted, +but chose to pretend it was something else +that was intended.</p> + +<p>"What, this storm, George?" he said, cheerily; +"oh! it'll wind up before a great while. They all +have their innings, you know, some longer than +others."</p> + +<p>"I should say this was one of the longest, then," +George affirmed.</p> + +<p>"But after it does stop we can make up our +plans, and start to carry the same out," Elmer +continued, knowing that if he kept the minds of +his companions employed in some fashion they +would not find much time to worry. "I'm going +to settle down pretty soon by the fire here, and +figure things out again. This time we want to +make a sure job of it. I know the wiggly route +we've taken to get here, following that little creek, +and I've settled it in my mind just which way we +ought to go to remedy our blunder."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't so much a mistake as false tips we +received, you remember, Elmer," Lil Artha was +quick to say.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that skunk told us wrong just to have +what he thought would be a silly joke on scouts," +Toby added. "Guess he thought we considered +ourselves some punkins because we wore khaki +suits, and he was mean enough to want to take us +down a peg. I'd like to see that same chap again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +What I wouldn't do to him wouldn't be worth +telling."</p> + +<p>"At any rate he's forced us to have a novel +experience," Elmer told them. "Only for his +sending us on a false scent we wouldn't have had +the chance to know what scouts can do when storm-bound +in a snow forest. Some time, when it's all +away back in the past, and you can sit and think +of it without getting furious, perhaps none of us +may feel quite so hard about that young scamp's +work."</p> + +<p>"Huh! about that time begin to feel of your +shoulders," grunted George, "because I reckon the +wings will have started to sprout. If I had <i>my</i> +way I'd condemn that rascal to spend a whole week +in a snow camp, with only six matches along, and +just enough grub to keep him from starving. Half +rations and George Robbins don't seem to agree +very well."</p> + +<p>"Nothing seems to agree well with you this +morning, George," remarked Lil Artha; "I hope +it don't turn out to be catching."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by saying that, Lil Artha?" +demanded the other, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>The tall scout shrugged his shoulders as he went +on to cautiously explain.</p> + +<p>"Why, you know we were talking about shipwrecked +sailors a while back, and how they often +had to go on half rations because they carried so +little in the boat with them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, go on," urged George.</p> + +<p>"Once in a while it gets even worse than that,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +Lil Artha continued, gravely, "and they have to +draw lots to see who will be sacrificed, so that the +rest of the bunch can live."</p> + +<p>"Aw! come off, and quit that!" cried George; +"you're just trying to scare me, and it don't go +worth a cent. Nobody is going to starve here in +the woods where we can find some sort of meat to +eat, even crow, if we have to come to it, or perhaps +muskrat. That's a mighty poor joke, Lil Artha, +let me tell you."</p> + +<p>"Well, of course I'm hoping myself that +things'll never get <i>just</i> that bad," the tall scout +went on to say, "but only supposin' they did, and +the choice fell on you, I'm wondering if ever afterwards +the three of us would have to go around all +our lives finding fault with everything. I wouldn't +like that, George."</p> + +<p>"But what about yourself?" demanded the +other; "you might happen to be the first victim +after all, Lil Artha."</p> + +<p>"That makes me smile," he was informed, +coolly; "d'ye think now anybody with eyes in his +head would be so silly as to pick out a bony scarecrow +like <i>me</i> when they could settle on a nice +plump chicken of your build?" and he playfully +dug his fingers in George's ribs as he said this.</p> + +<p>"Let's change the subject," Toby broke in with; +"this always talking of eatin' seems to jar on my +nerves. It sets me to thinkin', and that empty +larder stares me in the face. Something's got to +be done about it."</p> + +<p>"Sure it has," echoed Lil Artha, eying George<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +closer so that the other squirmed uneasily, and +edged further away from him.</p> + +<p>"If we stay right where we are nothing will +come to us, will there, Elmer?" Toby pursued.</p> + +<p>"If you mean anything in the way of game we +could hardly expect it," replied the scout master. +"The fellow who generally gets there is the one +who goes out and finds what he wants, and doesn't +hang around home waiting for something to turn +up. That's what wideawake scouts believe in."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! that's the ticket! And when can we +make a start?" demanded Toby.</p> + +<p>"If there's any sign of the storm letting up by +noon, we'll clear out and take our chances of finding +Uncle Caleb's shack before night-time," he +was told.</p> + +<p>"And as the snow's so deep," Toby rattled on, +"what's to hinder me from trying my bully snow-shoes?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing that I know of," Elmer remarked; +"only I'm afraid you won't find the going as easy +as you expect."</p> + +<p>"I won't, eh? What's the reason?" asked +Toby, who always wanted to be shown.</p> + +<p>"You're a new beginner, in the first place, and +a knowledge of how to walk on snow-shoes is something +that's got to be gained by experience. I've +been on them up in Canada; and they had to dig +me out lots of times before I learned how to stand +straight. If once you slip it's good-bye to you. +Down your head goes, and you can't get up alone +because of the clumsy big shoes. They always<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +carry a long stick to keep from taking these headers, +especially when going it alone."</p> + +<p>"Anything else?" asked the aspiring one, as +he took up the pair of splendid snow-shoes Uncle +Caleb had sent him, and made as if to secure his +toe in place with the thong intended for that purpose.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's another thing that will make it +doubly hard," Elmer informed him. "Dry snow +like this is the toughest kind to walk over. When +hunters go after deer or moose on snow-shoes they +always pick a time after a thaw, when a return of +the cold has frozen the wet surface of the deep +snow. Over this thin ice they can run three times +as fast as the poor deer, which breaks through +with every jump, and flounders almost helplessly."</p> + +<p>"That sounds almost like plain murder, do you +know," Lil Artha vehemently declared, frowning +at the idea.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you were hungry, and that was the +only way to get near a venison mebbe you wouldn't +feel so particular," George told him. "I know +right now that I wish a splendid buck was doing +some of that same floundering near us, and Elmer +had a chance to settle his hash for him. It'd sure +do me a heap of good just to know we had enough +grub for a week, and then some."</p> + +<p>"That's a forbidden subject, George," remonstrated +Elmer, who wanted to get the minds of his +chums directed in more pleasant channels; "let's +all get together and compare notes about direction. +I said I had a plan, but then I might be off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +my base, and some of you could correct me. Four +heads are better than one all the time."</p> + +<p>His scheme succeeded, for presently he had +managed to get them deeply interested in the subject +of location, so that one after another put forward +some plan.</p> + +<p>It was about all they could do, under the circumstances, +that and keeping the fire burning. Even +George so far forgot his troubles as to suggest +several things that were well weighed before being +rejected.</p> + +<p>As it turned out, after the conference, Elmer +had changed his figures a little, and the latest plan +was to head a point south of northwest when they +started forth in hopes of finding shelter from the +storm.</p> + +<p>No one knew the grim necessity for action better +than Elmer. While he tried to assume a pleasant +face in order to keep the courage of the others up, +he understood the serious character of their condition +far more than he was willing to openly +admit.</p> + +<p>They could not expect any one to come and find +them, if they continued to stay where they were; +and besides the scantiness of their provisions entailed +the necessity for doing some sort of hunting +in the snow forest in hopes of securing a new supply.</p> + +<p>As the morning dragged on many anxious +glances were cast out to where that fine powdery +substance was showering steadily down, adding to +the tremendous quantity that was already on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +ground. If it would only begin to slacken how +thankful they would be.</p> + +<p>On several occasions some one would exclaim +that it looked as though the snow might be coming +down in lessened quantities, but no sooner did +they begin to pay close attention than the storm +seemed to start in again as furiously as ever.</p> + +<p>So the time drew near the middle of the day, and +as yet they could not say that there was any hopeful +sign.</p> + +<p>"If it gets along past noon we're in for another +night here, I'm afraid," Lil Artha argued, "because, +you remember the old saying, 'between +eleven and two, it'll tell you what's it's going to +do.' Needn't chuckle that way, George, because +I've often seen that proved. Seems like that's a +turning point most times, if there's going to be +any change."</p> + +<p>"All silly bosh!" George went on to say, for at +least he was not given to believing in "signs" and +such things; "haven't I many a time seen a storm +go on past noon, and look as black as a pocket, +only to clear handsomely about four or five, with +the grandest rainbow in the west you ever saw? +Those sayings are all bunco, Lil Artha. I'm surprised +at as sensible a scout as you admitting that +you believe in any of the same. I'm not superstitious, +whatever else I may be."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, it doesn't matter which one's right," +the tall scout observed; "the thing is there's always +a fair chance of its breaking around noon; +and let's hope it'll be kind enough to do that same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +to-day. I know Elmer wants to make a move as +much as any of us, don't you, Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I don't care how soon it comes along, +either," he was told without the slightest hesitation.</p> + +<p>"There's one comfort we've got," said Toby.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to hear it, then," George muttered, disconsolately, +eying the other half suspiciously, as +though he feared another trap intended for his +unwary feet.</p> + +<p>"We've got stacks of coffee along, and can always +have a cup to cheer us up. I think that +counts a lot. It not only warms you inside, but +gives you courage to face your troubles like a true +scout."</p> + +<p>"And yet some scouts are never allowed to drink +tea or coffee," suggested George.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry for them, that's all," Toby continued; +"we don't happen to fall in that class, do +we, fellows? My folks let me have one cup every +morning; and when I'm in camp I c'n drink all I +want. There, look and tell me if you don't think +it seems to be lightening in the northwest, Elmer; +because that's where all this awful snow is coming +from."</p> + +<p>"It does look a little better, for a fact!" admitted +the scout master, after he had taken a critical +observation; "of course I'm not a weather-sharp; +and my prediction may not be worth a +pinch of salt; but if you asked me I'd like as not +say I really believe it was going to break."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted both Lil Artha and Toby in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +concert; for this was the first time Elmer had committed +himself to saying what he thought about a +possible change in the weather.</p> + +<p>More anxiously than ever they waited and +watched. The snow did not come down quite so +heavily, and was constantly lessening in force. A +stiff wind had arisen that cut like a knife; they +hoped this was blowing the gray clouds away, and +that soon the cheery face of the sun would peep +forth through a gap in the curtain overhead. All +of them stood ready to greet his advent with a +rousing cheer.</p> + +<p>"Here, let's get our coffee started, so we can +move out right away, if things look good to us!" +Elmer told them; and it seemed as though there +were four times as many cooks as the supply of +food warranted, because every one wanted to have +a hand in preparing their scanty lunch.</p> + +<p>As one of them had said it promised to be pretty +much "coffee and point," and of course he was +compelled to tell how the poor Irish during famine +times were accustomed to hanging a bit of bacon +over the table, and as they ate their potatoes they +would point the same at it, as though in imagination +they might get some of the flavor that way.</p> + +<p>"The Irish were long on praties, and short on +bacon," Lil Artha commented, "and with us it's +a case of plenty of coffee, and a famine in other +kinds of grub; but better times are coming soon, +boys, when we'll have plenty," and he managed to +cast another of his wicked looks in the direction of +George, which being seen by that worthy caused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +him to curl his lips in derision, and return the hint +with an expression that seemed to say: "you'll +have to wait a long time before you taste <i>me</i>, Lil +Artha, and don't you forget that!"</p> + +<p>Things got better and better as the cooking progressed; +that is to say, overhead the clouds were +plainly showing ragged signs, as though they must +presently break, and the storm be of the past.</p> + +<p>This fact gave the four boys some reason for +cheering up. It was a bleak immediate future that +stared them in the face, but being young and full +of hope they easily found many things to pin their +faith on. Youth is apt to be buoyant, and see only +the present; George's habit of complaining, and +being a pessimist, doubtless sprang from a poor +digestion, and could easily be remedied if he went +on a plain diet.</p> + +<p>"Watch the smoke, how it goes straight up when +the wind stops," Elmer told them. "That's a +good sign, and every old hunter knows it. Smoke +hugs the ground when the air is heavy with moisture, +and ascends when it's dry. I'm more certain +than ever now that we're seeing the tail-end of our +storm."</p> + +<p>"The worst is yet to come," croaked George.</p> + +<p>"Smells pretty fine to me," said Lil Artha, +sniffing the air, which was charged just then with +a delightful aroma of coffee.</p> + +<p>"I only wish all of you were as lucky as me," +Toby broke in with, showing that he could not tear +his mind away from contemplating his present. +"Think how slick we'd go skimming along over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +the big drifts on our snow-shoes, and not caring +five cents whether school kept or not."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe we would, and again mebbe we'd be +sorry," George told him. "Things ain't always +just what they seem. Lots of times you think +you're going to have a nice swell drink, and swich! +the glass drops, and is broken into bits."</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got aluminum drinking cups, so +there's no danger of that thing happening to us," +practical Lil Artha assured him, for he never +bothered his head about evil omens, and all such +nonsense.</p> + +<p>Toby, who had been bending over the fire, happened +to look around presently. Perhaps it was +his intention to add some brilliant remark to what +he had already said in connection with snow-shoes; +but if this were so the thought was driven +completely out of his head by something else.</p> + +<p>"Oh! my stars! would you see that?" he almost +shrieked.</p> + +<p>Startled by his exclamation, and half believing +that he must have discovered at least a hungry +lynx about to spring into the camp, the others +whirled around and then they in turn stared as +though hardly able to believe their eyes.</p> + +<p>A splendid stag had come bounding along +through the deep snowdrifts, unaware of the fact +that human enemies were so near by, since the +wind carried the scent of their presence, as well +as the smoke from the fire, in another direction. +He had apparently just discovered them at the +instant they all looked, for with a flirt of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +antlered head he was making off, jumping gracefully +through the deep snow, and doubtless picking +his way, even though dreadfully alarmed.</p> + +<p>Elmer had started to look for his Marlin, but +realizing the hopelessness of getting a shot he +desisted, and watched the splendid animal vanish +from view.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>WANDERING THROUGH THE DRIFTS</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a chagrined and sadly disappointed lot +of scouts who turned and looked at each other +after the last had been seen of the fleeing buck.</p> + +<p>"What a splendid set of antlers he had!" Lil +Artha exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"To think of how close we came to having a +supply of fresh meat!" groaned Toby, shaking his +head dismally, as he put a hand on the pit of his +stomach, just as if he wished to call their attention +to its depressed appearance.</p> + +<p>"Was it really a deer?" asked George. "Now, +you needn't all turn on me so savagely, like you +think I'm away off my base. I've known hungry +people to imagine they saw things. Ain't it +always the thirsty traveler who sees the mirage on +the desert, and thinks he can hear the gurgle of +the running water as he looks at the river boiling +among the rocks? Course it is; and so I say +again, was it really a deer, or did we just <i>think</i> we +saw one?"</p> + +<p>Knowing the folly of trying to convince George +when he chose to question even his own eyes, the +others made no attempt to swing him around to +their way of thinking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That goes to show us the meaning of our motto +'Be Prepared,'" Lil Artha continued. "Now, if +either Elmer or me had happened to have a gun in +our hands how easy it would have been to bowl that +fine buck over. And then think what it would +mean to all of us. Wow! after this I'm meaning +to stick even closer to my gun than a brother."</p> + +<p>"We always shut the door after the horse has +been stolen," said Elmer, "but even in our misfortune +you can see the silver lining to the cloud +if you look."</p> + +<p>"Then for goodness' sake, Elmer, point it out, +so George can get that sour frown off his face. +He don't believe what he sees, and yet he's grieving +worse than any of us because we didn't get that +venison when we had the chance."</p> + +<p>"If there's one deer up here in this forest there +must be others," Elmer told them. "You may +have noticed that he went off in about the same +direction we expect to head in when we start. We +may see him again, and if that luck comes our way +we'll try and be ready next time."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later and chancing to look out over +the snow Elmer saw a moving object that gave +him a start, until on looking a second time he made +it out to be only George, who was prowling +around, looking for any signs the deer may have +left as he broke through the deep snow drifts.</p> + +<p>Evidently George must have been convinced, for +when he came in later there was a satisfied expression +on his face; and noticing Elmer observing him +the doubter nodded his head, and simply said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It was a deer all right; I saw his tracks out +there!"</p> + +<p>They had been sitting by the fire eating their +frugal lunch for something like five minutes when +the sun suddenly looked down at them, dazzling +their eyes with his bright beams glinting from all +that snow.</p> + +<p>Of course the four boys immediately broke out +into a shout, they were so glad to see the cheerful +face of the sun again. The meal was finished in +record time; but then perhaps that was not to be +wondered at, for the supply had run far short of +the demand; and Lil Artha, after polishing his +pannikin until he could almost see his face in the +same, jocosely remarked:</p> + +<p>"The sample was pretty fine; now bring on the +dinner!"</p> + +<p>They were so eager to get moving that they did +not allow their state of hunger to give them much +concern. The rude shelter was taken down, +though they had some trouble with the rubber +ponchos, as they seemed to be frozen stiff under +the accumulated snow, which from time to time +had thawed in the heat of the fire, only to congeal +again later on.</p> + +<p>In the end, however, everything was packed as +before, and having secured their blankets over +their shoulders again, the scouts were ready to +make a start. Toby had made his threat good, +and had his wonderful snowshoes on. He struck +out bravely enough, and at first seemed to be able +to easily outstrip his companions. This caused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +him to feel an unnatural exultation, for he began +calling back at them, and derisively telling them +to "hurry up," that they were "too slow a bunch +for him," and all that sort of nonsense.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly this tirade ceased.</p> + +<p>"Wonder what's happened to him now?" Lil +Artha remarked, turning a grinning face toward +Elmer, who simply replied:</p> + +<p>"Wait and see, and be ready to laugh, though +it's never a laughing matter to the fellow with the +snowshoes!"</p> + +<p>As Elmer had expected would be the case they +presently discovered something floundering in +the snow, which upon closer inspection proved to +be Toby's feet. He had lost his balance while +negotiating a big drift, and in spite of the assistance +afforded by the long staff he carried, had +taken a plunge, so that when they arrived his feet +were where his head should be.</p> + +<p>Elmer knew how to go about it in order to right +the novice. Toby was no longer bubbling over +with enthusiasm as he once more started off. +He was learning that even innocent looking snow-shoes +may have traps concealed about them for +the unwary; and afterward he conducted his advance +with much more caution.</p> + +<p>In spite of this, however, the others had to rescue +him regularly about once every fifteen minutes, +until finally even Toby was ready to call the +experiment off for the time being.</p> + +<p>"I'll get there yet, see if I don't," he assured +the others, as they gathered around to watch him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +take the big cumbersome things off his feet, and +sling them over his back. "Uncle Caleb'll teach +me how to use 'em; and besides, Elmer, didn't you +say this was mighty poor snow for a learner to +start out with? Gimme time, and I'll master the +trick yet, see if I don't."</p> + +<p>Elmer did not doubt in the least but what he +would, because this sort of talk showed the determined +spirit that always gets there in the end, +no matter how many difficulties may be encountered +by the way.</p> + +<p>They found it hard traveling through all that +accumulated snow, even though the pilot of the +expedition made it a point to pick out the easiest +course, avoiding most of the drifts, though keeping +on the course he had laid out in the beginning.</p> + +<p>As they went they used their eyes to the best +advantage, hoping to discover something in the +shape of game, little they cared whether it might +be a covey of partridges, a rabbit that was out of +its burrow at the wrong time, a deer, or even so +small a thing as a gray squirrel.</p> + +<p>As the afternoon began to wear on, and their +progress was becoming slower all the while, on +account of weariness, and the difficulty of pushing +through the snow, their hopes took a downward +turn with the drop of the sun toward the +horizon.</p> + +<p>Everywhere lay that unending white blanket. +The breeze had stopped, and it seemed as though +a deathly silence lay upon all the region roundabout +them, now and then disturbed when some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +rotten limb broke under the weight of snow, and +crashed to the ground; for in the beginning, before +it became so cold, the falling flakes had clung +tenaciously wherever they dropped, and thus the +trees were in places bending double with their +burden.</p> + +<p>Still not the slightest sign did any of the boys +discover of human presence. If only they could +have caught the ringing echo of a woodman's ax, +or hear the hello of a hunter returning to camp +with game on his back, what a thrill must have +passed through their whole bodies; but to have +that terrible silence around them was discouraging, +to say the least.</p> + +<p>All of them were staggering more or less by +now. It was the absence of hope as much as the +fact of their being tired that caused this. Could +they have glimpsed smoke curling upward a mile +ahead, to tell them of succor, doubtless even +George, who was more worn out than any of the +others, would have started on a mad rush to reach +the coveted camp where comfort and plenty +awaited them.</p> + +<p>But that was not fated to be just then. The +scouts had by accident found themselves entangled +in a network of difficulties, and there were still +other experiences awaiting them before they could +expect to reach the end of their adventure.</p> + +<p>All of them seemed to be holding up as well as +could be expected. George could forget his weakness +when he chose, and show that he had the right +sort of stuff in him, just as Elmer had known all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +along. He did not complain even as much as +Toby did; though perhaps that worthy was soured +by his keen disappointment in connection with his +wonderful snow-shoes, which after all had only +been a delusion, a snare, and a burden up to date.</p> + +<p>They knew that this sort of thing could not keep +up a great while longer, for the sun would soon be +ready to set in the west, and they must think to +prepare for another dismal night in the endless +snow forest.</p> + +<p>Somehow no one mentioned anything about the +prospect ahead now. They dreaded it more than +ever, because the conditions were gradually getting +harder all the while. When a parcel of well +grown boys, with the healthy appetites of their +kind, are reduced to cutting their rations down to +one-half, they do not face the future with anything +approaching enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>Their manner of march was about like this: +Elmer went in front, breaking a way, as it might +be described, and his was the eye that had to pick +the course, avoiding all the difficult drifts as much +as possible, though heading into the near-northwest +as arranged at the time they laid their plans.</p> + +<p>Immediately after him came Toby, puffing like +a porpoise at times, being short of breath; and +occasionally floundering about when he lost his +footing or made a miscalculation.</p> + +<p>On his heels George plodded along, looking this +way and that, ever ready to call to Elmer did he +but discover a moving, dun-colored object that +might turn out to be the deer they had missed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lil Artha brought up the rear, though with +those long waders of his it must have been an easy +task for him to have taken the lead, since they +seemed particularly adapted for carrying their +owner through floods of snow or water. Lil +Artha kept his gun ready at all times. If game +that had been made to hide because of the coming +of Elmer attempted to slink away later on, the +tall scout was on hand, ready to take advantage of +the first opportunity.</p> + +<p>So far nothing had rewarded their vigilance, +much to their keen disappointment. That there +was game to be found in the forest they did not +question; but after such a heavy fall of snow it +wisely remained in den or hollow tree, waiting for +a change in the weather before venturing forth. +Hunger would eventually compel most of the animals +that did not hibernate like the bear to issue +forth and seek their accustomed food; but they +could abstain for days, and meanwhile what was +to become of the four scouts?</p> + +<p>As they moved along the stillness was disturbed +by the noisy cawing of a flock of crows that seemed +to be disputing some matter. Often had the boys +watched the queer actions of crows when holding +what Toby called a "cawcus," as though trying +one of their number that had been caught doing +something unfair, according to crow laws; but +never had they anticipated they would begin to +observe the noisy black fellows with hungry eyes.</p> + +<p>"If it comes to the worst, crow mightn't go so +<i>very</i> bad," suggested Lil Artha.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, we haven't got to that point yet, remember!" +hastily cried George. "I'm willing to +stand for nearly anything, but eating crow is too, +too much. What d'ye take us for, Lil Artha; +think we're a bunch of defeated politicians, do you, +that have to pay an election wager? No crow for +me until I'm at the last gasp. Get out, you black +rascals;" and he waved his arms in order to make +them fly before Lil Artha could conclude to fire his +gun.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>IN THE FROZEN MARSH</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Perhaps</span> it was just as well that the crows took +the alarm, and flew noisily away. If Lil Artha +had taken a shot at them and secured one or more, +there might have been a peck of trouble, not only +for the crows but some of the scouts as well.</p> + +<p>They pushed on for some little time after this +in silence. Elmer was constantly on the watch +for a possible camping spot. He hardly expected +they would be as highly favored as on the preceding +night; but then, as no storm threatened, +this was not absolutely necessary. He anticipated +that they would be able to put up some sort +of barrier to keep the keen wind off, clear a place +of snow, and do the best possible with what they +found.</p> + +<p>"Looks like we might be on the border of a +sort of marsh," suggested Lil Artha, as he made +an extra effort, and caught up with the plodding +leader.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I began to notice that about ten minutes +ago," replied Elmer.</p> + +<p>"I only mention the fact," continued the lanky +scout, "because it strikes me that several times +when Toby read out long descriptive letters he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +had from his uncle up here the old gentleman told +of getting some of his best views when lying out +in a marsh, and watching the little animals play +tag, or some game like that, build their nests, and +have their scraps. Am I right about that, +Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I can see what you're hinting at, Lil +Artha. You've got an idea this may be that +marsh?"</p> + +<p>"Correct!" admitted the tall scout.</p> + +<p>"And that if we've finally managed to work +around, and strike Uncle Caleb's favorite stamping +grounds, there's a pretty good chance the cabin +can't be a great ways off?" Elmer concluded, +while his words brought vigorous nods of approval +from the other.</p> + +<p>"Wish we could set up a holler that'd reach +him!" ventured Lil Artha.</p> + +<p>"We might try a few shots and see if they had +any result, though I'd rather wait till dark before +doing that," the scout master remarked, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha pondered over this for a minute before +he made any further remark.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you mean you still hope we might +run foul of some sort of game that would give us +a supper?" he finally observed.</p> + +<p>"Well, here's the marsh, and while the snow is +deep in most places, we might manage to run +across one of their queer little winter houses, you +know."</p> + +<p>Lil Artha must have been thinking along the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +same lines as Elmer, if one could judge from the +rapidity with which he took the other up.</p> + +<p>"You mean muskrats, don't you, Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"Just what I do," came the reply. "Beggars +mustn't be choosers, they say; and it looks like +that, or go hungry to-night, because we haven't +got enough stuff on hand for two, much less four."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they are so very bad eating?" +mused the tall scout, wistfully; for prejudice is a +hard thing to conquer; and habit backed by imagination +is responsible for the choice of many a +man's food. What appeals tremendously to one +may cause another to shrink.</p> + +<p>Elmer laughed.</p> + +<p>"I've heard many men say they think musquash +as good as almost anything to be had in the woods +or swamps up north. The Indians always consider +them a dainty," he told his chum.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, but they are also mighty fond of +baked dog," remonstrated Lil Artha.</p> + +<p>"So would you be, if you'd been brought up that +way. Some people can't bear the thought of eating +frogs' legs, and yet those same folks will sit +down and calmly swallow a dozen oysters or clams +on the half shell. Now, I've always said that the +first man who ever gulped down a live oyster had +more nerve even than Napoleon. Then, if you +only travel around, from China to France, you'll +find that things we scorn are called dainties there. +Take snails, which bring a high price in Paris +markets—have you ever eaten one in all your +life?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hold on there, Elmer," exclaimed Lil Artha; +"bring on your musquash. I'm ready to give him +a fair trial, and if he tastes good, after this you +won't hear me draw the line even at baked dog—or +crow. Yes, I've heard of people who say +they've made a meal off crow, and liked it. Why, +down our way the black rascals live on corn, and +I don't see why they shouldn't be eatable, especially +when a fellow has nothing else along."</p> + +<p>"Then I tell you what our programme should +be," the scout master continued, as though this +ready admission on the part of the other gun-bearer +had settled the question with him; "we'll +make up our minds about stopping close by here, +and on the border of the marsh. While George +and Toby are fixing camp, and beginning to gather +wood, the two of us can start out and enter the +marsh, keeping within calling distance of each +other. If there's anything doing we'll bag some +game for our supper to-night. How does that +strike you?"</p> + +<p>"Tip-top, Elmer, and because the sun is getting +pretty low over there in the west we'd better be +finding that camp-site in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"I think I see as good a place as any right +now," the scout master declared, as he pointed +straight ahead. "You can glimpse what I mean +by looking just past that birch that is bent nearly +double with the snow. A dead tree lies on the +ground, and I should think it would give us all +the wood we'll need to-night. That's the main +thing to make sure of."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And there's a heavy growth in sight, Elmer, +that would serve as a windbreak in case it got to +blowing great guns before morning, which I don't +think will happen though. Shall I tell the other +fellows we're at the end of our day's tramp?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, because they're both about as tired as can +be, and will be glad to hear the news," Elmer replied.</p> + +<p>So Lil Artha fell back in order to get in communication +with Toby and George, who were plodding +along with many a sigh and grunt; for their +packs were heavy, and the going rough, with all +that deep snow to struggle through.</p> + +<p>"Hi! hurry along there, fellows!" he called out; +"we're meaning to camp right ahead here. Plenty +of wood for a fire, and a windbreak in the bargain."</p> + +<p>"Tell us something about the visible grub supply, +won't you, Lil Artha?" asked Toby, beseechingly. +"Is there a good grocery around the corner, +and does the butcher call for orders every +morning, or just three times a week?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! you have to go after your fresh meat," +laughed the tall scout, "and that's what me'nd +Elmer propose doing, leaving you two to fix the +camp."</p> + +<p>"All right," replied the weary Toby, "just as +you say. Anything to oblige; and here's hoping +you run up against the best of success. A broiled +partridge, or three slices of juicy venison in the +fryingpan would about suit my taste."</p> + +<p>"They don't grow juicy venison up here, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +ought to know, Toby; every kind I ever heard of +was as dry as tinder, and had to be cooked with +slices of bacon to make it taste just right. But +considering that we've made way with the last +scrap of cured pork I guess we'll take it any old +style."</p> + +<p>Lil Artha did not think it wise to spring the +muskrat idea too suddenly on those unsuspecting +fellows. He had a vague idea that should Elmer +and himself meet with success, and knock over several +of the marsh dwellers with the unenviable +name, they might skin them, and let their chums +imagine that they were eating squirrel or rabbit +or something like that. Afterwards, when they +had set the stamp of approval upon the dish, the +truth could come out. Prejudice by then would +have been overcome by the knowledge that "musquash," +the Indian dish, was all right.</p> + +<p>When the little struggling party reached the +spot Elmer had selected, and every one had a +chance to survey the situation, a unanimous approval +of his choice was the result.</p> + +<p>"You couldn't have done better if you'd tried," +said George.</p> + +<p>"Don't believe there's as good a camp-site +within five miles," Toby added; but perhaps the +tired condition of the boys had something to do +with this endorsement on their part; just then any +place would have satisfied their desires, which +were not very exacting.</p> + +<p>The heavy packs were quickly hung from the +lower limb of a tree under which the camp fire was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +to be made. It was a pine, and beneath it the +ground seemed to be fairly clear of snow, most of +what had fallen still clinging to the tree itself.</p> + +<p>"Better not waste any more time, had we, +Elmer?" asked the tall scout, as he nervously +handled his Marlin gun, anxious to start out after +game.</p> + +<p>"No, get busy, please," said Toby; "don't +bother about us, for we know how camp ought to +be made. All we ask is that you come back loaded +down with something to eat."</p> + +<p>"We don't care much what it is, if only you cut +out crow," George added.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha gave his fellow Nimrod a quick look, +as much as to say, "that lets us out, and we can +fetch home the musquash with a clear conscience—if +so be we're lucky enough to bag any."</p> + +<p>They went away in company. The last words +George flung after the departing comrades was a +caution.</p> + +<p>"For goodness' sake now, don't go and get lost +in that marsh, or we will be in a bad scrape. +Things are hard enough as it stands without our +getting separated. If you don't just know where +the camp is located give three yells, or fire three +shots as fast as you can. We'll answer you back, +and keep hollering till you show up. Three shots, +remember."</p> + +<p>Once the two scouts entered the frozen marsh +they kept together for a short time.</p> + +<p>"How'll I know a muskrat house when I see it, +Elmer?" asked Lil Artha.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! you've seen them often around home, only +you forget," replied the other, but in order to +make sure, he continued: "you know, they build +their nests or houses a little after the same style +as beaver do, only of course not so big or secure. +If when you're passing a marsh or swampy tract, +and spy a number of what look like irregular +mounds, or heaps of dead rushes, you can make up +your mind muskrats live there. If it's a lake or +a stream they can be found in among the rocks too, +but not as a rule, because there they are apt to run +up against the otter, weasel and the mink, and +there's no love lost between those sharp-toothed +animals and the muskrat. He's a hard fighter, +too, as his jaws tell you, Lil Artha, but hardly a +match for a mink in a stand-up scrap. There's a +muskrat house right now; let's stop and see if the +old fellow is at home."</p> + +<p>Accordingly they surrounded the accumulation +of dead rushes and leaves and other refuse, after +which Elmer tore it to pieces, while Lil Artha +stood guard, ready to take snap judgment should +the occasion arise.</p> + +<p>It turned out to be a disappointment, however, +for the mound was empty.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing, eh?" grunted the tall scout, +lowering his gun, which he had been keeping half +elevated all the while.</p> + +<p>"No, and I didn't believe we'd have any success +here soon after I started tearing the thing down," +replied Elmer. "It showed all the signs of being +a deserted shack."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What could have happened to the former inhabitant, +do you think?" continued the disappointed +one, to whom even musquash stew was +beginning to appeal more and more, as the chances +of securing any sort of game diminished in proportion.</p> + +<p>"I might guess that he chose to change his place +of residence," said Elmer, "or, it might be that +Uncle Caleb fancies the old Indian dish once in a +while. But let's be moving along. The mill will +never grind again with the water that is past; and +we're not going to get our supper by standing +over a muskrat house that hasn't got any owner."</p> + +<p>Another start was accordingly made. Elmer +kept track of the direction they were taking. He +did not mean to find himself in a quandary when +they were ready to turn back again, and not be +able to say where the camp lay. Lil Artha knew +he could depend on his chum in that respect, and +hence he did not concern himself in the slightest +degree about such a thing as becoming bewildered. +It is a nice thing to have some one to lean upon at +all times, though the scout master often took Lil +Artha to task because of his willingness to let +another do his thinking for him.</p> + +<p>"Let's separate a little," Elmer suggested, +presently, when they had gone along for quite +some distance and found nothing at all. "We +ought to be able to keep in sight of each other +easily enough; and the same time cover a lot more +ground, and in that way increase our chances."</p> + +<p>"I'm agreeable," chirped Lil Artha, not suspecting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +how great an influence on their future fortunes +even that little incident was going to prove; +"I'll swing off to the right here, and follow this +swale, while you keep straight on. I rather like +the looks of things over this way, and p'raps I'll +run across a colony of those r—I mean musquash."</p> + +<p>"Give me the wolf call if you do," Elmer told +him, smiling at the quick way Lil Artha had corrected +himself when about to give that unpleasant +name to the furry little denizen of the marsh they +were seeking so eagerly, so as to improve the looks +of their larder, and satisfy a craving they felt for +making his acquaintance in a stew.</p> + +<p>Elmer watched the tall scout move along the +swale he had mentioned. He fancied that Lil +Artha was about right when he declared it looked +as though something might be found in that direction, +if signs stood for much.</p> + +<p>"I certainly hope, then, he strikes it," Elmer +mused as he rambled on, dodging all the drifts +whenever he could, and straining his eyes for a +sight of welcome signs; "because we need it worse +than we ever needed anything before."</p> + +<p>He had just succeeded in evading a bad place, +and was about to look again in order to learn +where his chum might be, when without warning +there came two reports in quick succession right +beyond a bunch of thick brush and not two hundred +feet away.</p> + +<p>Elmer immediately started toward the spot as +fast as he could go. He thought he heard loud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +words spoken, and was in a fever of suspense, +fearing Lil Artha might have hurt himself, until +rounding the obstruction he saw the other standing +there, holding his Marlin gun dejectedly while +he stared into space.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Elmer!" exclaimed the tall scout, as soon +as he noticed that his companion was close to him; +"a deer, as sure as smoke, and I fired point-blank +at him both times; but hang the luck, I must have +missed the beggar, for he gave an <i>aw</i>ful jump, and +went off like a streak, worse luck to me for a +bungler!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>LIL ARTHA SAVES THE DAY</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">That's</span> too bad, Lil Artha," said Elmer, "but +no matter, I'm sure you did the best you could."</p> + +<p>That was just like Elmer. Plenty of fellows, in +the first flush of keen disappointment, would have +allowed themselves to speak more or less bitterly, +and complain that it must have been rank carelessness +that would account for such bad results. +But Elmer saw that the tall scout was already +suffering keenly; and his first thought was to console +him.</p> + +<p>At the same time he was looking about, and +while the chagrined hunter began to aimlessly open +his gun so as to thrust new shells into the barrels, +Elmer went on to say:</p> + +<p>"Point out to me just where the deer was when +you fired, Lil Artha."</p> + +<p>"Oh! now even you suspect that I just imagined +I saw one, Elmer," sighed the other scout, "but +d'ye notice that log lying across the other, something +like a letter X? Well, he jumped clean over +that when I gave him the second shot. Oh! he was +as big as a barn to me, I tell you, and how I could +ever miss him with the barrel that had the buckshot +shell in it beats my time. I ought never to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +out in the forest alone; I'm a fine duck of a hunter, +ain't I? If it depended on Lil Artha to keep the +camp in game we'd all turn into living skeletons, +like the one in the sideshow of the circus last summer. +Oh, rats—but not muskrats—I'm feeling +pretty sick."</p> + +<p>Elmer had not waited to listen to all this lament +on the part of the disappointed marksman. Pushing +forward he was now at the crossed logs. Immediately +he called out in a loud voice that seemed +to have an air of excitement about it:</p> + +<p>"Hi! there, Lil Artha, come here, and hurry, +too!"</p> + +<p>Upon that the tall scout jammed the breech of +his gun shut, having succeeded in reloading the +same, and he lost no time in hastening to join his +chum.</p> + +<p>"W-what is it, Elmer?" he asked, breathlessly.</p> + +<p>The other pointed to his feet.</p> + +<p>"What do you call that, and that, and that?" he +asked, impressively.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha stared, and over his thin face there +crept a look, almost of rapture, as he ejaculated:</p> + +<p>"Blood spots on the snow, as sure as anything, +Elmer! Oh! then I must have hit that deer after +all! I'm glad, and then again I'm sorry. If he +had to get away from us, I'd much rather not a +single piece of lead had found him. Now he'll +only suffer, and it'll do us no good at all."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, don't be too sure about that," remarked +Elmer, as he started to step across the +logs, and follow the plainly marked red trail over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +the otherwise spotless field of pure snow; "that +chap has been struck hard, and I don't believe he +can go very far before he drops!"</p> + +<p>At hearing this Lil Artha became greatly excited.</p> + +<p>"Then let's chase after him right away!" he +exclaimed. "Goodness knows we need fresh meat +about as much as anybody could, because we're +almost half starved, and haven't a ghost of a show +at anything else. And if the poor thing does drop +think how mean it'd be to have the foxes and other +varmints gnaw at <i>our</i> deer all night long, while we +sucked our thumbs in camp, and went hungry."</p> + +<p>All this while Elmer was following the trail. It +was an easy task, and even the tenderfoot scout of +the troop might have accomplished such a proposition +without being coached.</p> + +<p>"Don't you see that it seems to be getting +stronger all the while," he explained to Lil Artha, +who was close at his heels, holding his breath with +eagerness as he tried to look ahead so as to +glimpse the welcome sight of the deer fallen at last +through sheer exhaustion, "and take my word for +it, we're pretty sure to get your game before we go +back to camp."</p> + +<p>"Well, that would tickle me more'n I could tell +you, Elmer," the other assured him, with visions +of glorious feasts rising up before his mind.</p> + +<p>"And there he is!" added the other, quickly, +"just at the foot of that fir tree!"</p> + +<p>They made a spurt, and were soon bending over +the deer, which they found quite dead, though life<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +had evidently just departed. Lil Artha could +hardly contain himself. He insisted on shaking +hands several times with Elmer, and then did the +same thing with himself, bubbling over with delight.</p> + +<p>"Oh! tell me I'm not dreaming, Elmer, and that +I have really and truly shot a fine deer, just when +we needed it the worst kind?"</p> + +<p>"There's no mistake about it, old fellow, because +here's your deer as plain as anything," Elmer assured +him, not a little pleased himself at the great +success that had accompanied their hunt.</p> + +<p>"Think how the other fellows will yell when they +see it!" Lil Artha continued, "and Toby needn't +be afraid he's going to starve yet a while, need +he?"</p> + +<p>"I should think not," the scout master admitted; +"when there's all this fresh venison to be +cooked. The country is saved, Lil Artha, and +you're the lucky one to be our George Washington. +The boys will be wanting to kneel down and +kiss the back of your hand."</p> + +<p>"If they try any of that softy business they'll +take a back seat in a hurry, let me tell you," was +what the matter-of-fact scout remarked. "But, +Elmer, ain't it queer that somehow the snow +woods don't look quite so dreary to me now? +Fact is, I kind of think this is as pretty a sight as +I've seen for a long time."</p> + +<p>Elmer laughed at hearing that.</p> + +<p>"They always say circumstances alter cases, +Lil Artha, and when I hear you talking that way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +I know it's true. When a man's as hungry as he +can be and yet live, the world looks different to +him from what it does an hour later after some +kind friend has filled him up. This deer gives you +the magic spectacles through which you view +things in an altogether different light."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right, Elmer," admitted the +other; "I was feeling blue, and so I looked at +everything through blue glasses. Now I'm seeing +rosy. But say, however will we manage?"</p> + +<p>"You mean about getting the game back to +camp, I reckon, Lil Artha?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I'm striking at, Elmer. We must +be some distance off, and I should think the deer +would weigh between a hundred-and-fifty and two +hundred pounds; a pretty hefty load for two boys, +with all this snow around. And yet to have to +stop so as to cut the deer up would delay us like +fun."</p> + +<p>"Wait, and let's look around for a strong pole," +suggested Elmer, who had seen heavier game than +this carried for miles by two husky cow punchers +or hunters. "I have some good stout cord along, +which we'll use to tie his forelegs together, and +then the hind ones ditto. The pole will pass +through, and is carried on a shoulder of each. +That's the way hunters always get their shoot to +camp, if there are a pair of them."</p> + +<p>The necessary pole was soon discovered, and +they managed by means of jumping on the same +to reduce it to the required length. Then the +scout master made good use of his cord in order<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +to secure the legs of the deer in such a way as to +afford a hold when the pole was shoved through. +Nothing now remained but to lift the game, and +start over the back trail.</p> + +<p>As long as the light held they would find no difficulty +whatever in keeping on the track; and +should twilight rapidly change into darkness Elmer +had his bearings so that he could lead aright.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha had considered that he was "dog-tired" +up to the time he started that deer from +where it had been lying in some brush; but this +was forgotten in the excitement of the hour. +When glorious success rewards the efforts of the +hunter he seems to have been granted a new lease +of life; and weariness is forgotten.</p> + +<p>All the same the load was no light one, and the +going very bad. Many times they staggered, and +once both of them fell down. But the snow prevented +any injury, and they were in too satisfied +a frame of mind to complain.</p> + +<p>"We'll have our revenge all right later on, Lil +Artha!" the scout master told his comrade as they +got up and dug the snow out of their ears, as well +as shook another accumulation free from their +collars.</p> + +<p>"That's right, we will," assented the other, +"and for every tumble like that I promise myself +an additional chunk of deer meat for supper. +Another thing, Elmer, we ought to remember; the +heavier the game the more grub we'll have."</p> + +<p>"You know how to see the bright side of things, +Lil Artha," Elmer told him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! anybody can when success comes along. +It takes fellows like you to keep smiling when +things are going wrong all around. But I've +learned a lesson, Elmer, and after this I won't +despair, no matter how dark the clouds look."</p> + +<p>"If one deer can reform a scout, what would big +game like an elephant do?" asked Elmer, "but +then again I'm a little sorry too, Lil Artha."</p> + +<p>"What for?" demanded the panting hunter who +held up the other end of the pole that bent under +the weight of the suspended game.</p> + +<p>"We won't have that chance to settle whether +the Indians knew a good thing when they said +musquash was better than 'coon or 'possum, or +even rabbit stew!"</p> + +<p>"Gosh! don't waste a tear over that, Elmer. +Besides, while we're up here with Uncle Caleb, +like as not we'll have plenty of chances to give +that dish a try. But honest to goodness, it +doesn't seem to strike me just as much as it did +before I cracked over this bully young buck for +you said it was a fairly young one, and ought to +eat tender enough."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's only natural," the scout master +told him. "While we were facing starvation, why +stewed musquash sounded right good to us; but +with a whole carcass of venison on our hands it's +plain muskrat again; and there you are, Lil +Artha."</p> + +<p>"How d'ye think we're getting along by now?" +asked the tall scout with a little vein of entreaty +in his voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! perhaps half-way there, more or less," +came the reply.</p> + +<p>"Whew! think we can make the riffle with this +mountain of a deer, Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"Seems to weigh about three hundred now, +don't it? That's because we're getting more +tired all the time. But since we've started it +would be a shame to stop. And think of the joy +we'll be bringing Toby, and poor hungry George."</p> + +<p>"That does seem to help out some," admitted +Lil Artha, taking occasion to change his end of +the pole from the right shoulder to the left.</p> + +<p>"Keep in step with me as much as you can," +advised the leader; "that does more than you'd +think to make the going easier. It's a point everybody +learns who has to carry heavy burdens this +way. Coolies over in China know it. Horses +running together pull easier if they happen to go +in step. You've watched a pair trying to start, +with a stalled wagonload of freight. When first +one bucks hard, and then the other, there's nothing +doing; but once get them to combine, and away +she goes on the jump."</p> + +<p>There was little that escaped the observation of +Elmer Chenowith; and he never failed to try and +impart some of the information he picked up to +those of his chums who did not happen to be so +keen-eyed.</p> + +<p>"It's getting dark; and I can hardly see our old +tracks now!" announced the tall scout, presently.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're near enough to camp to have them +hear us if we chose to give out a yell," he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +told, reassuringly, "but for my part I think we'd +better keep right along as we have been doing, and +surprise the boys."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I thought I glimpsed a star through the +trees ahead just then, Elmer, but that couldn't +be so."</p> + +<p>"It's the fire, and I've seen it several times, but +didn't want to say anything until you had a chance +to make the discovery for yourself!" Elmer declared.</p> + +<p>"Bully for that!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "and +now we've just got to buckle down to our load, +for I'd be ashamed to have to call for help when +we're on the home stretch."</p> + +<p>He watched for that welcome glow all the while, +and whenever it came it seemed to give Lil Artha +renewed strength. In this manner, then, did they +finally approach the camp under the pine tree. +Presently they could see the moving figures of +their comrades, and then Elmer announced:</p> + +<p>"They must be getting a little worried about +us, because there's Toby standing up and looking +this way as hard as he can. I think you'd better +give a whoop, so as to let them know we're coming."</p> + +<p>That was just like Elmer; he wanted Lil Artha +to have the first say, because the honors should be +fitted to his brow. And when the lucky hunter did +give a shout no doubt there was enough of joy in +it to tell those in camp their comrades were not +returning quite empty handed.</p> + +<p>When they saw what the two Nimrods were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +carrying slung on that bending pole that rested +on their sore shoulders Toby and George gave a +series of shouts themselves:</p> + +<p>"Lo! the conquering hero comes; get the laurel +wreath ready," cried the dancing Toby, and then +adding: "A deer! Tell me about that, would +you? Oh! what great luck. Who shot it? Elmer, +was it you? What, Lil Artha got his buck +after all, did he? Well, well, well, if that doesn't +beat anything I've heard this long while. And +won't we have the grandest feast to-night ever +heard of? Oh! say, I'm just trembling all over, +I'm so crazy with joy, and p'raps weak, too, because +I haven't had enough to eat. Lil Artha, +shake hands with me, won't you; and later on +you've got to tell us just however you managed to +knock such noble game over."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile George, who had not said a single +word, went over to where the tired hunters had +dropped their burden. He was seen to bend down +and feel of the animal, first about its antlered +head, and then even down its hind quarters to its +pretty little hoofs. After that he turned to Lil +Artha, and said in a relieved tone:</p> + +<p>"Why, it is a deer, sure enough! I was beginning +to think hunger had made us see things that +didn't have any foundation. But after I've +proved my sight by my sense of feeling I can believe +it. And you shot him, did you, Lil Artha? +Well, I want to congratulate you, old fellow."</p> + +<p>It was just like Lil Artha, bubbling over with +mischief, and feeling ever so happy because good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +fortune had come his way, to look meaningly at +George, poke him suggestively in the ribs as he +had done once before, and with a wink say:</p> + +<p>"That's all right, George, and I'm sure I thank +you; but between us don't you think after all +you're the one to be congratulated? Consider +what you've p'raps escaped by my lucky shot. +But it's all right, George, and no reason for you to +lie awake nights after this, worrying. You can +keep on getting fatter and fatter, now, because +the danger is past," and then he watched Elmer +getting ready to exercise his skill in cutting up the +deer, so they could have a supply of meat for +supper.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A PRIZE IN THE TRAP</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">How's</span> the wood supply?" asked Elmer, while +preparations were going on looking to their having +a generous supply of fresh venison for supper.</p> + +<p>"Not so good as last night," replied Toby; "it's +twice as hard to get, you see; but then, George has +agreed to start in again later on, and pile up more +stock. He certainly does swing that little hand-ax +of yours to beat the band, Elmer."</p> + +<p>"Did any of your people come from the South +of Ireland, Toby?" demanded the said George; +"because you've got the gift of gab down to a fine +point, and know how to blarney a fellow first-class."</p> + +<p>"But you did say you would chop a whole lot +more wood," protested Toby.</p> + +<p>"Sure I did," continued the other scout, "but +it was agreed at the same time I'd spell you in the +job, and bring in as much as you did. Now, since +Elmer and Lil Artha have tramped so far, and +lugged this splendid young buck all the way into +the camp, the least the rest of us can do is to make +sure of the fuel supply. And, Toby, I'm going to +hold you to your word."</p> + +<p>"Well, after we've dined perhaps I won't feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +so weak as I do now, and then we'll see what's to +be done," Toby acknowledged.</p> + +<p>Elmer had made a pretty good job of cutting up +the deer. It was not the first time he had had to +undertake such a task; and besides, he had +watched other hunters accomplish it frequently, +up there in Canada on the farm and cattle range.</p> + +<p>Before a great while the four chums were all +busily engaged in cooking meat after various +styles. Some choice pieces had been thrust into +the fryingpan, with a couple of slices of bacon +which Toby managed to resurrect from some hiding +place or other, and from the appetizing odor +that soon began to rise it was evident that they +were going to have a great feast. Other "chunks" +of meat were thrust on the ends of long and stout +splinters of wood, and these were held out near +the red ashes in certain places, where they would +get in contact with the fierce heat, and begin to +brown, hunter-style.</p> + +<p>It might as well be confessed right here that in +the end this last method of cookery did not appeal +to the boys as much as the fryingpan style. Perhaps +they did not know just how to go about it, as +experience is needed to get the best results from +anything; but in spite of their labor they found +that while the meat cooked, and even burned on +the outside, it was almost raw within. Still, hunger +causes a camper to forgive such small faults +as this; and as they started on the poorer supply +to finish with that cooked in the skillet, there were +few complaints.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>All of them gorged so much that it became +necessary for them to lie around and rest for some +little time after the meal was over. Indeed Toby +showed a desire to hug his blanket, and doze in the +warmth of the fire, so that George had to urge him +to remember the bargain they had made with +each other, and start to collecting more wood.</p> + +<p>Elmer soon joined in the labor, for he knew they +would need all they were able to gather; and besides, +he was so constituted that he could not bear +to lie around when others were working, no matter +how tired he might feel.</p> + +<p>So Lil Artha, although he really believed he had +earned his rest, not to be shamed by all this honest +toil on the part of his three mates, also strolled +forth, to return several times dragging some +branch he had managed to break loose.</p> + +<p>The collection of firewood was not near so +formidable as on the preceding night but then as +there was no storm in progress now they might +get along fairly comfortably on what they managed +to haul in.</p> + +<p>"Lucky thing you put such a fine edge on the +camp hatchet before starting on this trip, Elmer," +George remarked, pausing in his chopping to recover +his breath.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't think of starting anywhere without +getting everything ready," replied the scout master. +"If you look ahead, and be prepared, you'll +ease things a whole lot most of the time. As there +are no nails to strike in this wood, and every +chopper is warned to keep clear of stones, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +edge ought to hold good through the whole vacation +time. And it's a great joy to see the steel +eat into the wood like that camp hatchet does. +Let me take a whirl at it again, George; you've +done your share of the work in great shape."</p> + +<p>So it would seem that despite George's failings +he had many good points about him, and often +expressed a desire to relieve a comrade who had +begun to show evident signs of weariness. Perhaps +by slow degrees he might be weaned from +that exasperating habit of complaining, and forever +doubting things.</p> + +<p>All was quiet around them, not even the whispering +of the night wind in the snow-laden branches +of the pines being heard. Toby declared it +seemed as solemn as a funeral to him, and that he +did love the good old summer-time to be outdoors, +while the crickets, katydids, frogs, and everything +else kept up a friendly chorus, that helped a fellow +to sleep. Now it was so "awfully still that +you could almost hear yourself think!" he told the +others, as they began to get their blankets ready +for a night's rest.</p> + +<p>Already one experience in bunking amidst the +snow piles had given the boys a number of useful +suggestions from which they meant to profit on +this second occasion. The rubber ponchos were +used, not as a curtain to shield them from the air, +but under their blankets to separate them from +the ground, and serve to keep the dampness away. +The heat of the fire was apt to melt the surrounding +snow to some extent; and the warmth of their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +bodies acted after a fashion in the same way; so +those waterproof rubber blankets proved invaluable. +They should always be taken by those who +go to the woods, and will be found to be worth +their weight in silver every time.</p> + +<p>Taken in all that was not such a bad night for +the boys. There was no wind, and Elmer managed +to awaken frequently enough to keep the fire from +going out; so that with the blessing of their warm +blankets, which they wrapped closely about them, +the scouts did not really suffer.</p> + +<p>Everybody was very glad when dawn came +along, dreary as the aspect might be. It made a +wonderful difference in their feelings just to know +that there was no longer any possibility of immediate +starvation. George must have dreamed +that some trouble had descended upon them, because +the very first thing he did after crawling out +of his blanket was to hurry over to where they had +fastened the balance of the precious venison, encased +in the hide of the deer, to the limb of a tree, +and closely examine the pack; Elmer, who was +watching him, with a smile on his face, heard the +doubter say in a relieved tone:</p> + +<p>"Shucks! it must have been a bad dream, after +all; we <i>did</i> get a buck, and had a bully old supper +last night, because here's the rest of the meat, as +plain as anything. Must have eaten too much, +and had the nightmare; but I'm glad it was only a +dream, that's right. Yes, this is frozen fresh +venison, as sure as my name's—"</p> + +<p>"Doubting George!" sang out Lil Artha, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +it seemed had also been watching and listening +from behind the folds of his blanket; and even +Toby thrust his grinning face in sight to add to +the confusion of George.</p> + +<p>They bustled around without any more delay, +because the air was nipping cold, and of course +they were furiously hungry again; boys always +are when they wake up, especially when camping +out, and during frosty weather.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was cooked in great shape. It was a +duplicate of the previous night's meal, but then +what did that matter, when there was an abundance +for all? Quantity and not so much quality +was what pleased those four outdoor chums just +then. There was a horrid vacuum to be filled, +and they were more concerned about how this was +to be accomplished than in a lengthy bill of fare.</p> + +<p>After that came a consultation—Lil Artha +called it a "council of war." They sat around +the fire, which felt so good no one was in any +great hurry to abandon it, and talked the matter +dry from all sides. Every one gave expression to +his opinion, and Elmer, acting as master of ceremonies, +tried to extract all that was good and +worth preserving from each proposition.</p> + +<p>It was determined first of all to try firing their +guns several times, to see if they could get any +answer. Should Professor Caleb hear the shots +he would be very apt to reply, and in that case +they would have no difficulty in deciding as to +what course to pursue.</p> + +<p>Should this fail to bring about any result, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +must make a start; and in the end it was determined +to keep along the border of the marsh. +That was most likely to be one of the places where +the old trapper and wild animal photographer +was apt to conduct most of his operations, and +they would stand a chance of running across some +sign of his presence.</p> + +<p>So Lil Artha fired both barrels of his gun, with +about five seconds coming in between; and then +Elmer discharged one of the loads in his weapon, +after waiting a like interval. In this way the required +three shots were sent forth; and Elmer assured +his comrades that this had always been +reckoned a call for help everywhere, in the Far +West, among African tangles, and even down in +South American wilds; so that if Uncle Caleb were +within hearing distance they would surely get a +response.</p> + +<p>All of them listened intently after the last shot. +The wind had come up again with the sun, and was +making various queer noises among the treetops; +but still it would have been possible for them to +have caught a shot, if such had sounded from +any quarter near by.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing, seems like!" remarked George, +dejectedly, for of course he was the very first one +to get what Lil Artha called "cold feet," because +there appeared to be no immediate response to +their effort.</p> + +<p>"Shall we try it once more, Elmer?" asked Lil +Artha.</p> + +<p>"Just a sheer waste of ammunition, and p'raps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +we'll need every bit we've fetched along," grumbled +George.</p> + +<p>The scout master, however, decided that it +would be only right to give the scheme one more +trial before utterly condemning it; so having replaced +the empty shells he and the tall boy again +sent out the three shots that would tell any who +heard the signal that some one was in need of +assistance.</p> + +<p>There was no answer, though they listened +eagerly, and once Toby started, under the impression +that he had caught a faint hello; but as it was +not repeated he concluded it may have been some +distant owl giving vent to its disappointment at +not getting a full meal during the period of darkness +just passed.</p> + +<p>"One thing we might take for granted after +this," Elmer went on to say; "wind's in the +wrong quarter to carry the sound of the shots to +him. So we could judge from that our best course +is to make against the wind. It would seem that +we might have two chances of finding him that +way, to one the other."</p> + +<p>The others agreed with Elmer, for they could +easily grasp his meaning; George was seen to +shake his head, however, and it was evident that +he did not have very much faith in such a thing as +success coming to them. And yet if it did, George +could be counted on to be one of the first to say +that he always did believe they were bound to run +across Uncle Caleb, sooner or later.</p> + +<p>"Scouts are supposed always to be sure their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +fire is dead out before they leave a camp," remarked +Lil Artha, as they trudged laboriously +along, "but in this case I took notice that none of +us seemed to bother our heads even a little bit over +it, and in fact we left it crackling away right +cheerily."</p> + +<p>"Well, with a blanket of snow two feet deep on +the ground," observed Toby, "I'd like to know +how the woods could ever get afire this day. And +that blaze was such a good friend to us I didn't +have the heart to throw snow on the same. It'd +seemed too much like calling a dog to you, patting +him on the head after he came, wagging his tail +in a friendly way, and then tying a tinpan to him, +after which you gave him a nasty kick to start +him yelping and running. But here's hoping we +meet up with my uncle before the third night +comes."</p> + +<p>"I should say, yes," added Lil Artha; "if this +sort of thing keeps on we'll be likely to spend all +our midwinter vacation roaming around up here, +and getting nowhere."</p> + +<p>"And," Toby further complained, with a sad +shake of the head, "we'd laid out to have such a +bully good time at his cabin, learning all about +trapping, and p'raps going out with him nights to +use his flashlight contrivance, and get pictures of +the little fur-bearing animals in their native +haunts."</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's going to be all right," announced Elmer, +who as usual saw the bright side of the situation. +"Something's sure to turn up to-day; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +before another night we'll be toasting our feet +in front of a fire indoors, with a bunk to crawl into +when we're sleepy, and something else besides dry +venison at meal times."</p> + +<p>"Here, don't say a word against that same venison!" +exclaimed Lil Artha; "it's been a life-saver, +let me tell you. And to think I was ready +to own up I'd missed my deer, only for you, Elmer. +That taught me a lesson I'll never forget, +believe me. After this I'll always look for signs +when I've shot at game, and never just guess at +things."</p> + +<p>"Nothing like making sure, every time," remarked +George.</p> + +<p>"Guess you go by that motto, old fellow," Toby +told him. "They don't fool you very often, do +they; and never twice on the same racket?"</p> + +<p>Along about the middle of the morning, after +they had been making rather slow progress, and +laboring heavily, Elmer was seen to betray sudden +interest, and to quicken his footsteps. Then +he turned, and beckoned wildly to them. As the +other toilers reached his side the scout master +pointed ahead of him, and remarked:</p> + +<p>"There's something moving in the snow yonder, +boys; look and see if you can make out what it +is!"</p> + +<p>At that they all stared very hard, and Lil Artha +was the first to exclaim:</p> + +<p>"Seems to be some sort of small animal switching +around like it might be caught in a trap, +Elmer!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," added Toby, "I saw it jump up then, +and whatever it is the thing looks a sort of silver +gray or black. There, didn't you see again? Elmer, +do you know what it can be?"</p> + +<p>"Somebody, and perhaps Uncle Caleb, has +planted a trap right here, and a fox is caught in +the same by its leg!" came the ready reply.</p> + +<p>"A fox, did you say!" echoed Lil Artha; "why, +Elmer, none of us ever saw a fox of that color +before. Every one I've ever set eyes on was +either gray or red."</p> + +<p>"Let's step up closer," the scout master remarked, +"and we'll be able to tell more about it."</p> + +<p>As the four boys continued to advance the little +animal struggled harder than ever to break away, +but without success. It was undoubtedly a good-sized +fox, for they could not mistake that bushy +tail, and the sharp nose as well as shrewd face. +It showed its white teeth quite savagely as they +drew nearer.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is a fox all right," Lil Artha admitted, +"though different from any I ever saw in the +woods, or even in a menagerie."</p> + +<p>"A good reason for that," Elmer told him, +quietly; "such a silver fox is rare, and too costly +for showmen to keep, as a rule. A red fox may +be worth all the way from five to thirty dollars, +but from what I've read about the value of furs, +the pelt of a genuine silver fox sometimes brings +more than fifteen hundred dollars, even in its raw +state."</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! you don't tell me?" exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +George, looking astounded; and of course he did +not believe what Elmer was saying, because it +sounded too incredible for him to swallow.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I've read something about these black +foxes, come to think of it," Lil Artha admitted, +"and so this is one, is it? Well, Uncle Caleb must +have known he was around, and set this trap on +purpose to get him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's about the size of it," added Toby, +"because I happen to know that as a rule he never +bothers trying to trap any of the little animals up +around this section. He used to, just to pass the +winters away, but when he got interested in photography +he said he found ten times as much +pleasure in creeping up on them, and shooting +with a camera, to anything he had ever done before +with a gun. Fact is, he seldom uses his gun +except to get an occasional deer, some partridge +or a rabbit to serve him as fresh meat."</p> + +<p>Elmer bent over a little closer, and examined +the condition of affairs.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to knock that fox gently on the +head, I guess," he remarked. "You can see that +the trap has cut deeply into his leg, and if he was +let alone another hour or two he would be likely +to gnaw that paw off in order to get free. They +often do this. You see the cruel jaws of the trap +mutilate their leg, and pain so much when they +struggle that in desperation they bite at it until +they get away; and after that a three-legged fox +is found roaming the woods. Besides, it would be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +a shame for Uncle Caleb to lose that splendid +prize."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're about right, Elmer," Lil Artha +observed, "and so we leave it to you to put the +poor little fellow out of his misery. It's been a +tough thing on him because Nature gave him a +silver black coat. If he'd been an ordinary red +fox Uncle Caleb might never have bothered setting +this trap, and he could have gone right along +making his suppers off partridges and such nice +things, or else chickens belonging to any farmers +inside of twenty miles, if there are any. I'll hold +your gun while you do the job, Elmer, because I +don't reckon you'd want to spoil a fifteen hundred +dollar pelt by riddling the same with bird shot."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE COMING OF UNCLE CALEB</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Elmer</span> may not have exactly fancied the job, +but he was one of those fellows who can always be +depended upon to perform any duty devolving on +him, no matter how disagreeable. And it was not +to be thought of that they should pass on, to let +the poor little animal gnaw its foot off; as well as +disappoint the trapper when he had made such a +rare catch.</p> + +<p>So handing his pack and gun over to the care of +the others Elmer looked about until he spied the +right sort of stick with which he could dispatch the +little beast by a clip on the head, so as not to spoil +the valuable skin in any way.</p> + +<p>When this had been done in great shape they +examined the silver fox more closely and admired +the sheen of his coveted coat, for which wealthy +people are ready to pay almost any price.</p> + +<p>"Shall we hang it up here above the trap?" +asked Toby, presently.</p> + +<p>"What for?" Elmer went on to say.</p> + +<p>"Why, so Uncle Caleb can get it when he comes +along," replied Toby; "you wouldn't want to +make him die of heart failure, would you, by letting +him see he'd made a catch of a silver fox, and +that it was gone?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<p>Elmer laughed at him.</p> + +<p>"Why, what's to hinder our camping right +here, and waiting for Uncle Caleb to show up?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, what a lot of ninnies the rest +of us were not to think of that!" chuckled Lil +Artha; "I tell you it's a good thing for George, +Toby, and me that we've got you along, Elmer. +We'd be losing our heads next, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be the first time you'd lost your +head, Lil Artha," George hastened to assure his +comrade. "But I want to say that I think the +idea is all to the good, and that I'm ready to +camp right here, and keep on waiting for Uncle +Caleb to show up, whether it takes an hour, a day +or a week; so long as our supply of venison holds +out."</p> + +<p>"So far as that goes," Elmer continued, "I +wouldn't be surprised to see him any old time, +because after the storm he'll be anxious to look +into this trap."</p> + +<p>Toby stretched his neck and looked all around.</p> + +<p>"Don't seem to see anything of him yet," he +remarked.</p> + +<p>"When he comes," resumed the scout master, +"I think you'll find it'll be from that direction +over there. I see a good place where we can drop +down and hide; so come on, fellows."</p> + +<p>"Hide?" echoed George; "whatever would we +want to be doing that same for, Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"Just to see how disappointed Uncle Caleb +looks when he gets here, and finds all these signs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +around, the blood on the snow, the hair of a silver +fox in the closed jaws of the trap, and footprints +everywhere," the scout master told him.</p> + +<p>Toby was heard to laugh.</p> + +<p>"I can just imagine how he'll act," he ventured; +"but then, we'll let him know who got the +pelt before he's had much time to growl."</p> + +<p>Elmer held the dead fox up by his bushy tail, +and George was seen to look keenly at it as he +muttered:</p> + +<p>"Fifteen hundred dollars, and for that measly +little runt? I don't believe there's a word of +truth about the story. Somebody's been stuffing +you, Elmer."</p> + +<p>There happened to be a pretty good hiding-place +close by. It lay just about where Elmer +would have picked it out had he been given a +chance. Here they proceeded to settle down, and +make themselves as comfortable as the conditions +allowed.</p> + +<p>"Wonder how long we'll have to wait?" Toby +remarked, after they had scraped the snow away, +and made places where they could stretch their +rubber ponchos out and with blankets on top +form comfortable seats upon which to rest their +tired bodies.</p> + +<p>"That depends a whole lot on how soon Uncle +Caleb would think to start out, and how far he +has to come to get here," Elmer told him. "The +walking is tough enough for us, and yet we're +young. He's a pretty old man, Toby says, and +might have a harder time of it than we would.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +But then by noon there ought to be something +doing, I'd think."</p> + +<p>George had been looking around, and now gave +them the benefit of his observations.</p> + +<p>"Plenty of wood handy, notice, fellows; if we +have to hang out here any length of time, why, +we could make a fire, and do our little cooking +stunt all right."</p> + +<p>"Why, what's getting into George," remarked +Toby, pretending to be surprised; "he seems +never to get enough to eat. Time was when he +had a little bird appetite, but these days he's like +a hungry bear all the time."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what ails me," George replied, +"but it must be going on half rations kind of +frightened me, and now I'm thinking something +might happen again; so I'm bent on laying in a +good supply while it lasts."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to look around for a whole herd +of deer if you keep on that way much longer, +George. And I don't know what your folks at +home'll do when you get back again. You'll eat +'em out of house and home, that's right," Lil +Artha expressed himself by saying.</p> + +<p>George took this chaffing in good part. He +was feeling splendidly now, since the danger of +their facing real want was of the past.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's all right, boys," he told them. +"It was only a little while ago my folks were +worried about me eating so little, and I guess +they'll sing the other way now. Dad'll talk +about going into bankruptcy when he watches me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +put away the food. Seems like I never could get +enough again. I want to eat six times a day, and +then complain because meals are so far apart."</p> + +<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Lil Artha.</p> + +<p>"What did you think you heard?" asked +Elmer, after all of them had strained their ears +without any result.</p> + +<p>"Guess I must have been away off, and it was +only a hoot owl after all; but I thought I heard +some one cough!" the tall scout declared.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that +way, because it's getting on toward time for him +to show up, if he means to come along to-day," +said Elmer.</p> + +<p>"And now that you mention it," added Toby, +"I remember Uncle Caleb does have a sort of +cough. That was one reason he took to the +woods, for he said it was going to add ten years +to his life, living in the open, winter and summer, +and eating the plainest kind of food."</p> + +<p>After that they began to watch more closely +than ever, and also listened carefully to catch a +repetition of the sound that Lil Artha believed +he had heard.</p> + +<p>The great woods in their white snow mantle +seemed to be deathly quiet. The air had become +far less bitter, and in the sun it was thawing +slightly. Occasionally some branch would manage +to dislodge its burden of snow, which was apt +to rustle through other branches on its way to +the ground. Away in the distance those crows +were cawing again, as though disputing some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +lucky find, or holding a council of war concerning +some contemplated movement in search of new +feeding grounds. Beyond these little breaks the +silence remained profound.</p> + +<p>All at once Elmer gave a low "hist!"</p> + +<p>The others had caught the same sound, and as +it was repeated again and again they began to +believe that some one must be approaching from +the very quarter in which Elmer had said Uncle +Caleb was apt to come.</p> + +<p>"What's that queer scraping, shuffling noise +mean, Elmer?" whispered Lil Artha.</p> + +<p>"I bet you I know," spoke up Toby, also in a +cautious tone; "snow-shoes, and my uncle is +wearing the same. How's that for a guess, Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"You're right that time, Toby; and there he +comes!" was the scout master's reply.</p> + +<p>Looking again they could all see the figure of +an elderly man, dressed in khaki-colored hunting +garments, but warmly clad. He was advancing +over the surface of the heaped-up snow, and with +the free movements of one to whom the use of +snow-shoes was an old story. To see the way he +lifted his feet, still dragging the long shoe made +of bent hickory, and stout gut that crossed and +re-crossed diagonally from side to side, it was +evident that Uncle Caleb had spent many days +and weeks in the woods when it was impossible +for him to get anywhere without the use of snow-shoes.</p> + +<p>Toby watched him eagerly. He was evidently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +thinking that before he left this section of the +wilderness he too would be able to walk deftly, +after he had been shown the secret of manipulating +the clumsy contrivances that served to keep +the pedestrian from sinking into the drift.</p> + +<p>As the hunter and naturalist drew closer to the +spot where he had placed his fox trap they could +see that he was getting more and more agitated. +Evidently he must have already discovered certain +suspicious signs around that gave warning +to the effect that he was about to receive a shock +of an unpleasant nature.</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb was almost running now. Had +there been a glaze on the surface of the snow he +would have fairly flown to the spot; but as it was +he floundered more or less in advancing hurriedly.</p> + +<p>Now they saw him bend down to examine his +trap. The presence of the stains on the trampled +surface of the snow would be enough to tell +him that there had been a victim held between +those grim steel jaws of the Newhouse trap. +When he found several almost black hairs present +he would also understand that he had caught +the coveted silver black fox; and while that might +add to his joy under ordinary conditions it was +only apt to provoke his additional wrath just +then; for those telltale footprints all around gave +him to understand he had been robbed of his +treasure.</p> + +<p>He presently got up from his knees. They +could see that he was shaking his head as though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +he did not like the way things looked. Many +winters had Uncle Caleb spent in this vicinity, +and never before had he ever known of a case of +thievery; that it should come when he had made +such a fortunate haul was doubly provoking.</p> + +<p>It was hardly wise to carry on the joke any +further, Elmer thought; and accordingly he gave +the signal for which Toby was waiting. The latter +immediately jumped to his feet, and shouted +at the top of his voice:</p> + +<p>"Hello! Uncle Caleb! how d'ye do? You see, +I've kept my word, and dropped in to visit you at +last. And as you told me to bring a friend or +two along, I've fetched our scout master, Elmer +Chenowith, also two other bully good fellows, +George Robbins and Lil Artha Stansbury!"</p> + +<p>The elderly recluse stared at the four boys as +though he found great difficulty in believing his +eyes. It was as if they had suddenly bobbed up +out of the snow-covered earth to surprise him.</p> + +<p>"Why, hello! is that you, Nephew Toby?" he +presently called back. "Come along and shake +hands with me. You're mighty welcome, my boy, +let me tell you; and your comrades too. I shall +be delighted to meet the Elmer I've heard so +much about in your newsy letters; also your other +chums."</p> + +<p>"But, uncle, we've got a little surprise for you, +see?" and as he spoke Toby suddenly held up the +silver fox, which act caused the other to smile +broadly; "we were directed wrong by a boy, who +must have had a grouch against all scouts; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +so we got lost; and then that storm caught us; +but we were hunting around for some sign of +your cabin when we came on this fox caught in a +trap, and with his leg nearly cut off. Elmer said +he'd soon be gone, leaving only a paw behind; so +he knocked him on the head, and then said we'd +better wait here till you came. Is it a real silver +black fox, Uncle?"</p> + +<p>"And are the skins worth as much as fifteen +hundred dollars, sir?" asked George, as though +he could never rest again until he had settled that +bothersome matter in his mind.</p> + +<p>"Yes to both questions, boys," replied the scientist; +"this skin may be worth anywhere from a +thousand dollars to twenty-five hundred, according +to how it is graded; and I'm delighted that +you had the good sense to save it for me."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>POSSESSION NINE POINTS OF THE LAW</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">I hope</span> you're satisfied now, George, about +that pelt?" Lil Artha whispered to the doubting +scout, as they stepped back, after shaking hands +with the scientist, who was examining his prize +with considerable delight; not that Uncle Caleb +needed the money he would likely receive for the +skin, if he chose to dispose of it; but it was something +worth while to be able to say he had taken +one of those rare little, and much sought after +animals, a silver fox.</p> + +<p>"Y-e-s, I s'pose it must be so, if he says +they're so valuable," George admitted, but in a +way that told how slow he was to take stock in +such a fairy tale; so that later on Lil Artha, finding +Uncle Caleb had certain articles that had +been published in connection with the wonderful +prices paid for silver fox skins in the open London +market, took pains to see that the doubter +read them, and was finally convinced.</p> + +<p>"Nothing else would have fetched me out after +such a great snow storm," the recluse told them, +presently; "only I was anxious about this trap. +You see, I knew all about the ways of mink and +foxes, and also how they often gnaw a foot off +in order to get free. It would have given me a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +bad feeling to come here and find that owing to +my delay, and the little animal's hunger, as well +as pain, it had done that same thing, and was +gone. The forepaw of a silver fox isn't worth +much, only to make the disappointed trapper say +things he'd be ashamed to have any one else +hear."</p> + +<p>"Then we're all glad we got here in good time +to nip that little escape in the bud, Uncle," said +Toby.</p> + +<p>"And as my cabin is more than a mile off, with +the going pretty poor, perhaps we'd better be setting +out for the same right away," remarked the +scientist. "I can give a pretty good guess that +you've been having some rough times, and will +be glad of a shelter to-night. As for myself, I'll +be happy indeed to have you with me. It does +get pretty lonely at times, even though I'm deeply +interested in my hobby of taking flashlight pictures +of the small animals hereabout. I've even +perfected an arrangement so that lots of times +they snap off their own pictures; as you'll see +later on when we get to work."</p> + +<p>"We've only got a few days to spend up here +with you, Uncle Caleb," ventured Toby; "and we +must see all there is in a hurry. We've just +about got tired of roughing it in the snow, and a +change to cabin life will set us up again."</p> + +<p>"Then let's start right away, if you boys think +you can hold out for lunch until we fetch up at +my place. The return journey shouldn't take +nearly as long as it did to come up here, because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +we can avoid plenty of pitfalls I fell into. How +about that plan, Toby?"</p> + +<p>"Whenever you're ready, Uncle, let us know," +replied the scout. "Can I carry the fox for you; +and how about this trap? Perhaps after catching +your prize you won't want to leave it around +again. If that's so let me take care of it for +you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, from the looks of things, it seems to me +each one of you has enough to tote right now," +chuckled the elderly man; "while I have nothing +except my rifle. I'm a pretty hardy sort of an +old chap, and able to carry my share of the burdens +still; so if you don't mind, Nephew Toby, I'll +look after both the trap and the silver fox."</p> + +<p>Which he calmly proceeded to do; and they discovered +afterwards that Uncle Caleb had an iron +constitution, being able to do as much as any +grown-up of their acquaintance, possibly barring +the strong man of the circus, who could bend iron +bars across his knee, and allowed an anvil to be +pounded on his chest.</p> + +<p>It appeared that Elmer had not been far out +of the way when he determined on the direction +from which they might expect the trapper to +come. His figuring this out on the merits of the +fact that their shots had not gone against the +wind, had a great deal to recommend it, as Uncle +Caleb admitted when he heard how scout tactics +had been employed.</p> + +<p>"I've been wanting to hear a whole lot more +about what Boy Scouts do," he told them, as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +trudged cheerfully along; "and while we sit before +the fire evenings, you must explain everything +to me. From the little I know about it up +to date I'm inclined to believe they've at last gotten +hold of a very big idea, and one that's going +to be of far more lasting benefit to American boys +than any other scheme ever thought of in their +connection."</p> + +<p>"And so far as I'm concerned, sir," replied +Elmer, modestly, "I'll be only too glad to give +you all the information I can scare up. Our folks +believe the same way you do, and as the Hickory +Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts has been working for +some few moons now, we feel that we've shown +what a great improvement belonging to the organization +has made in a good many fellows."</p> + +<p>"Why, here's George for instance," said Lil +Artha, maliciously; "a short time ago his people +were worried because he didn't seem to eat half +enough; and now he wants the dinner bell to be +jangling all day long. That's one of the changes +it's made; and I could name others, sir, almost as +remarkable."</p> + +<p>Even George himself had to join in the general +laugh this remark from the long-legged scout +brought out.</p> + +<p>"I guess you're something of a joker, Arthur," +observed Uncle Caleb, turning to smile at the +other.</p> + +<p>"That's what they all say about me," complained +Lil Artha, "that I'm a joke, a freak; as +if I could help it that my legs grew at the expense<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +of my body. But so long as I have the brains to +go along with them why should I care whether +school keeps or not? What our scout master +doesn't tell you, we'll try and fill in; because there +are heaps of things connected with our trials and +victories of the past that Elmer might fight shy +of on account of a false modesty. We have to +blow his horn for him, you see, sir?"</p> + +<p>"And I wager you blow it right well, too," observed +Uncle Caleb.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I manage to get some kind of music out +of it, even if I'm not the regular bugler of the +troop. He's Mark Cummings, and he's away +from town right now. But how much further do +we have to go before we strike your shack, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Not over a third of a mile at the most," came +the reassuring reply, that caused the tired boys to +pluck up new hope, and in a way gird themselves +afresh for the fray.</p> + +<p>They had left the marsh behind long ago. Elmer +knew from this that its border could not be a +very desirable place to camp during the spring or +summer, when it was apt to be more or less overflowed, +and there was danger of malaria if one +persisted in sleeping with fogs abounding frequently +of nights.</p> + +<p>Now that their troubles seemed all behind them, +some of the scouts could look about and even admire +the scenery by which they found themselves +surrounded. Elmer could at least, and he found +many interesting things to hold his attention as +they journeyed along, following in a general way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +the trail which Uncle Caleb had made in coming +from his cabin to the spot where he had left the +fox trap, in hopes of snaring the silver black +which he knew used that section of the woods.</p> + +<p>Every now and then their pilot would point out +some object that was associated with certain +events in the past. Here he had met with a black +bear unexpectedly, and managed to snap off a +picture of the surprised Bruin while the animal +reared up on his hind legs; and then retreated. +A little further on and he showed them where the +fire had once caught him in a trap; and how he +only escaped a serious singeing by discovering a +cleft among the rocks, where he managed to crawl +in, and lie until the danger was over. Then there +was the tree into which he had been chased by a +pack of wild dogs that seemed to have taken a +strange dislike for all human beings, and which +he had only dispersed after killing several of their +number.</p> + +<p>All these things were especially interesting to +the scouts. They had met with not a few thrilling +like adventures in their own experience, during +their several camping trips to the woods; +though these might sound tame after hearing of +what strange happenings Uncle Caleb had experienced.</p> + +<p>Toby saw that George raised his eyebrows each +time he heard some interesting narrative from +the recluse. He was a little afraid the doubter +might express himself in his usual skeptical fashion, +and demand further proof to back these tales<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +up before he could give them unqualified approval; +but fortunately George had a little too +much good sense to commit such an indiscretion; +it might go all very well when dealing with boys +of his own age, but he did not have the nerve to +tell an elderly man, and a professor at that, he +doubted his word.</p> + +<p>"He's got to be broken out of that bad habit," +Toby was telling himself, every time he felt his +heart apparently in his throat with apprehension +lest George make a nuisance of himself; "and +seems to me his chums ought to be the ones to do +the thing up brown for George. What a nice fellow +he'd be if only it wasn't for his everlasting +sneering, and letting you feel he thought you +were bluffing him!"</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Elmer was studying Uncle Caleb. +He quickly came to the conclusion that he would +like the other very much indeed. He appeared to +be a wonderfully well-read man, with a fund of +information on every subject. Besides this, there +was a quizzical gleam in his eyes that told the +scout master the other was fond of humor, and +could enjoy a joke, providing it was not along the +lines of practical ones that hurt too deeply.</p> + +<p>He was also a master of science, and no doubt +had made a name for himself long before he forsook +the haunts of men, to spend peaceful months +here in the wilderness, studying the ways of the +little creatures whose realm he had invaded.</p> + +<p>Still, Uncle Caleb was a peaceful man. He +never claimed to be a sportsman, and would not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +use his gun save as a means of absolute necessity, +if attacked by some dangerous wild beast; or else +as a means of procuring needed fresh meat, which +did not happen very often, since he was inclined +to be a vegetarian, and had all his supplies hauled +up here by wagon twice a year.</p> + +<p>All these things Elmer learned by degrees, and +the more he came to know of this remarkable old +uncle of Toby's the better he liked him. This +business of "shooting" things with a snapshot +camera, especially by flashlight and at night-time, +had always appealed more or less to Elmer; and +he rejoiced to know that he was to be thrown in +the company of one who had been more or less +successful in obtaining wonderfully faithful pictures +of the small swamp and woods animals.</p> + +<p>The boys soon began to cast anxious glances +ahead, for it was not very pleasant work carrying +all the stuff they had brought along with them to +the forest; and besides, the best part of the deer +Lil Artha had bagged so luckily for himself and +friends—particularly George.</p> + +<p>"I don't see any sign of a cabin there, do you, +George?" Lil Artha remarked in an aside to the +other, who chanced to be puffing along at his +elbow, and grunting after his customary style, +though no more weary than the other three boys.</p> + +<p>"No, and d'ye know I'm beginning to think +there may be no cabin after all, that's what," replied +George, stubbornly. "Of course Uncle +Caleb has one somewhere or other; but he may +have gotten mixed up in his bearings, you see;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +and right now how do we know whether we're +heading right or wrong?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you don't take the cake for seeing the +wrong side of everything," Lil Artha told him. +"Of course there's a cabin, and we must be getting +close to it as we stand now. About the old +gentleman making a blunder, and wandering off, +don't you know we've been following his out track +all the while. And say, what's that you can +glimpse through this little opening in the woods—in +a direct line with these two birch trees, tell +me that now, George, you old humbug of a grumbler?"</p> + +<p>Thereupon George, only too willing to be convinced, +took a long look, and then slowly admitted +that he might have been too hasty.</p> + +<p>"It does look a <i>little</i> like a shack roof, Lil Artha, +and p'raps I hadn't ought to have spoken like +I did; but even now that may be a fooler. Just +wait and let's make sure before we holler."</p> + +<p>In another five minutes all doubt with regard +to this was ready to vanish even from that wavering +mind of George, because they could plainly +see one end of what seemed to be a pretty substantial +log cabin, with a broad chimney running +up the back, fashioned of slabs, and hardened mud +that no doubt resembled flint.</p> + +<p>It seemed to be an ideal snug retreat for a man +who wanted to get away from the world, and enjoy +himself after his own fancy. Here Uncle +Caleb had come for years, and his visits to the +haunts of civilization had been few and far between.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +As time passed on they threatened to +cease altogether, for he found more real happiness +here than he could among mankind, struggling +constantly in pursuit of the mighty dollar, +and pushing others down in trying to climb.</p> + +<p>"How do you like the looks of it?" asked the +owner of the cabin, with a touch of pardonable +pride in his voice; for he had gone to considerable +trouble in order to make the place attractive; and +even though mounds of snow covered everything +around, the boys could see that he had some conveniences, +such as ordinary loggers' camps could +hardly boast.</p> + +<p>"It strikes me as a pretty sight," Elmer candidly +admitted; "and I don't blame you, sir, for +keeping up here. I should think you'd feel lonesome +sometimes, though?"</p> + +<p>"I do, and used to have a friend spend part +of the season with me," acknowledged the scientist; +"but last fall he married, and went to Europe, +so that up to now I've been all alone, and +your coming will be doubly welcome as a break in +the monotony of the thing."</p> + +<p>"But, Uncle, if as you say you are alone, who +could that have been I just saw at that little window?" +asked Toby.</p> + +<p>"I certainly saw something moving inside +there, too," Lil Artha asserted, beginning to display +something of excitement, as he waited for +the other to explain what already began to take +on some of the elements of a dark mystery.</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb looked earnestly at the window<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +they mentioned. It was a small affair, and as +they afterwards discovered stood just above the +kitchen table, also used during meal-time, since it +was the only contrivance of its kind in the cabin.</p> + +<p>"I don't happen to see anything there now, +boys," he went on to say; "but after all it +wouldn't surprise me very much. A very large +wildcat has been hovering near my cabin for a +week now. I've tried to get a picture of the beast +several times, but all I managed to secure has +been a rolling ball of fur for one, two glaring eyes +for another, and the end of a stubby tail for a +third. Now, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if that +smart old cat has been watching me, and saw when +I went off some time ago. Prowling around it +must have climbed on the roof, and then finding +it could back down the throat of the chimney, +that's what he's done."</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" cried Lil Artha, "a wildcat in possession, +and has to be kicked out before we can +use those bunks. Get your gun ready, Elmer, and +we'll ambush the sinner."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE CHIMNEY JUMPER</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Hold</span> on, Lil Artha, don't rush things so +fast!" called out Toby.</p> + +<p>"Because this isn't our cabin, and before you +knock over the uninvited guest it might be just as +well to ask permission from the owner," added +Elmer.</p> + +<p>All eyes were of course turned on Uncle Caleb, +although, according to the mind of the impulsive +Lil Artha, there was only one thing that could be +done, which was to suddenly open the door, and +when the wildcat rushed out give him a shot.</p> + +<p>"I've been trying to get a picture of that cat so +long," Uncle Caleb told them, "that I'd really be +very much disappointed now if he met with his +fate, and I had to go without a snapshot, even +though a distant one, to remember him by."</p> + +<p>"It might be arranged," suggested Elmer, +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Put your trust in our scout master, sir, and +you won't be disappointed," Lil Artha went on +to say, meanwhile looking curiously toward Elmer, +as though wondering what sort of plan he could +have conceived on the spur of the moment.</p> + +<p>"Tell us how, Elmer?" George demanded, at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +the same time eying the cabin with a dubious manner, +as though he half believed the boys who said +they had seen <i>something</i> through the small window +must have deceived themselves.</p> + +<p>"Why, if the beast came down through the chimney, +it strikes me he ought to know enough to go +out the same way if alarmed enough," was what +Elmer told them.</p> + +<p>"A good idea, my boy!" declared Uncle Caleb, +"and if I had everything ready, with my little +pocket camera focussed on the chimney, I suppose +I could snap him off as he climbed out. Now I'll +fix that up right away, and when I'm ready I'll +sing out. After that some of you can bang on the +door, and start shouting, which should be enough +to alarm the cat and make it think of scampering +out the way it came in."</p> + +<p>He was as good as his word. Pushing forward +until he was within thirty feet of the cabin, with a +good view of the rude chimney-top, and the light +in the right quarter to promise a good picture, +Uncle Caleb waved his hand to the others.</p> + +<p>"All ready here, boys!" he exclaimed after he +had fixed himself.</p> + +<p>Elmer had spoken to Lil Artha and Toby, who +were delegated to be the attacking squad. George +and the scout master accompanied Uncle Caleb, +the latter holding his gun in readiness.</p> + +<p>"Remember," said Elmer, in a tone that every +one could easily hear, "there is to be no shooting +unless it becomes necessary. If the cat attacks +us we'll have to defend ourselves. If it chooses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +to go about its business we don't expect to bother +it any. Get that, Lil Artha?"</p> + +<p>The tall scout replied that he did, though he +looked disappointed, as though this thing of sparing +so ferocious a varmint as a wildcat just because +some one wanted to catch a few pictures of +the beast from time to time, did not appeal very +much to his sense of the fitness of things. To Lil +Artha the cat was without the pale of the law, because +it destroyed all sorts of useful things, from +young partridges, rabbits and squirrels to domestic +fowls; and he knew there never was a time that +any State in the Union ever attempted to bar its +hunters from killing every bobcat they could find, +the more the merrier.</p> + +<p>"Then start your racket!" Elmer told the two +who were standing close to the cabin door.</p> + +<p>Upon thus getting orders Lil Artha and Toby +began to immediately make all the noise they +could. They pounded on the door with their fists, +together with the butt end of Lil Artha's gun; and +the jargon of talk they put up was enough to drive +any ordinary cat distracted.</p> + +<p>Toby even partly opened the door—just a few +inches for he did not want to make the acquaintance +of that cat at close quarters—and banged it +shut again, meanwhile sending a whoop through +the slit. It must have been a brave animal that +could have stood out against all that combination +of sounds.</p> + +<p>Through the small opening Toby had glimpsed +something that made him have a chilly sensation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +along the region of his spine. He had caught sight +of the intruder. The cat was an exceptionally +large one, and it stood there in the middle of the +floor, its hair bristling with fury, and its eyes glaring +like yellow balls. No wonder Toby slammed +that door so speedily, while his whoop ended in a +yell. He almost thought he could hear the heavy +thud as the springing cat landed against the door +close to his head.</p> + +<p>That may have only been his imagination working +overtime, and inspired by the one glimpse he +had obtained of the fierce beast. He fancied as +much himself later on, when in a condition to survey +the sequence of events calmly.</p> + +<p>While Toby and Lil Artha continued to whoop +things up another shrill outcry, this time from +George, stilled their clamor.</p> + +<p>"Oh! there he is coming out of the chimney, +Elmer!" was what George shrieked in his excitement, +and afterwards the others laughed when +they made mention of the fact that for once +George did not seem to doubt the evidence of his +eyes, or say that he thought it might be the cat he +saw.</p> + +<p>"I've got him!" added Uncle Caleb, who doubtless +must have managed to work his snapshot +camera instantly, though no one heard the "click" +of the flying shutter on account of all the other +sounds that were arising.</p> + +<p>The wildcat had indeed appeared on top of the +chimney, having remembered the route it had +taken when entering. This alone proved that it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +was a clever beast, because in the midst of such +excitement many another animal would have lost +its head, and gone plunging around the interior, +trying to push through the window perhaps, and +utterly forgetting that there was such a thing as a +vent in that slab and hard mud "smoke chaser," +as Lil Artha always called the chimney.</p> + +<p>"Look out, Elmer, he's going to jump at you!" +warned the tall scout, in a frenzied tone.</p> + +<p>A wildcat is possibly one of the most vicious of +small beasts of prey to be found in American +forests. It will often attack a hunter without any +seeming provocation, although doubtless there is +some reason for the reckless act, such as hidden +kittens near by, or consuming hunger.</p> + +<p>In this particular case neither of these reasons +would apply, but the animal was enraged on account +of being disturbed while eating, and then +badgered by those yells on the part of the two +scouts, as well as their banging of the cabin door. +George afterwards told them that they could +hardly blame the poor cat for getting its back up +when abused and shouted at in such a way; he also +said that if he happened to be a wild beast he +would certainly be "mad clear through, and ready +to fight at the drop of the hat."</p> + +<p>Elmer was on the alert, not that he had really +anticipated such a thing as having the wildcat +spring at him, but he knew enough about such animals +to be aware of their fickle temper, and that +one is never to be trusted within leaping range. +An old hunter had once told him never under any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +possibility to lower his gun when a bobcat was facing +him, because their spring is like a flash of +lightning. And as we happen to know, Elmer was +a boy who always believed in the efficiency of the +scout's motto, "Be Prepared!"</p> + +<p>The cat crouched there on the top of the chimney +for just three seconds. That was the time +when Uncle Caleb managed to press the button, +and get his picture. It was also when Lil Artha +sent out his shrill warning, and at the same time +swung his Marlin gun around so that the stock +rested against his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Then the wildcat sprang, with every powerful +muscle in play—sprang straight toward the little +group of three—George, Elmer and Uncle Caleb!</p> + +<p>George was unarmed and being a cautious fellow +he knew that the best thing for him to do was +to get out of range as speedily as possible.</p> + +<p>Accordingly his movement was exactly timed +with that of the leaping cat; for just as the animal +quitted the apex of the short chimney, and +launched its agile body into the air, George fell +flat on his face on the ground and made himself +as small as possible.</p> + +<p>There sounded a double report. Both Elmer +and Lil Artha had fired so near the same time that +until told differently later on, George supposed +that the scout master alone had made use of his +ready gun.</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb knew considerable about these savage +cats, and he jumped aside even as the roar of +the guns sounded. Elmer, too, had no sooner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +pulled the trigger than he took a quick step to the +right, and then held his gun ready to make use of +the other barrel if necessary.</p> + +<p>It turned out that such a thing was not needed. +Halted in midair by the double charge of shot, +which at such close range must have had the same +tearing effect as so many bullets, the wildcat fell +with a heavy thud to the ground, some five feet +away from where Elmer stood. He instantly +covered the beast with his gun.</p> + +<p>"No need of another shot, my boy!" cried the +owner of the cabin, hastily; "you've already settled +him handsomely."</p> + +<p>The wretched invader had indeed paid the penalty +for his crimes, and all because he possessed +such a terrible temper. Had he been willing to +jump in the other direction the chances were +nothing would have been done to prevent his escape, +so that he might furnish Uncle Caleb with +other opportunities to snap him off when in the +act perhaps of devouring a partridge he had captured +in the snow forest. When he allowed his +fury to get the better of his discretion he made the +one mistake of his life.</p> + +<p>All of them gathered around the now dead wildcat +to admire his size, and comment on his recklessness +in daring to attack a party of human +beings.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear of such nerve in all your +life?" remarked Lil Artha, who was grinning all +over with the satisfaction it gave him to be instrumental +in disposing of such a pest of the woods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +"Why, if there had been a regiment I reckon he'd +have jumped at 'em just the same. Mebbe cats +go mad sometimes, and just don't know what +they're doing."</p> + +<p>"I've known of similar cases before," remarked +Uncle Caleb, who was looking at the wretched +beast rather sadly, Elmer thought, "and a hunter +who has had experience never trusts a cat further +than he can see it. They get those crazy freaks +once in a while, and fear seems to be driven out of +their system. When a Malay or a Chinaman +loses his head, and starts to wipe out the whole +town, they say he is 'running amuck,' and they +always shoot him down as they would a mad dog. +This cat species when rendered furious does the +same thing, and hesitates at nothing. But I'm +sorry it had to be done. He was a splendid specimen +of a wildcat. Look at those powerful muscles, +and see what a square head he has. I'd have +given considerable to have had him a little more +sociable, so that I might have snapped off several +pictures showing how he secured his food, and +crept up on game. But it couldn't be helped, apparently; +he just had to go and commit suicide as +it seemed. And, Elmer, you certainly pulled a +quick trigger."</p> + +<p>"Half the credit goes to Lil Artha, for he fired +at the same time," Elmer quickly admitted. "I'm +sure both of us hit him, because you can see how +badly the pelt is cut up. It would never bring +ten cents in the market after that riddling."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible that there were two shots, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +I never suspected it?" Uncle Caleb observed, +turning on the tall scout with a smile. "Well, I +can easily see that you boys have long ago learned +how to take care of yourselves, which is one of the +best things any lad can know. All of which increases +my desire to hear more about this organization +that is doing such wonders for our +American lads."</p> + +<p>"Do you think you got your picture of the cat, +Uncle?" asked Toby. "I heard you call out +something or other about it."</p> + +<p>"I pressed the button while he was squatting +on the top of the chimney," the owner of the +cabin went on to say, "and that should be a fine +picture. Then almost mechanically I turned the +screw that brought another section of film into +play, and my recollection is that I snapped off +another shot even as the beast was in the air. +I'm curious to know if I got anything worth while +with that one. It would be a great triumph if I +should develop the film and find that I'd caught +the cat just as it received your shots and crumpled +up in midair."</p> + +<p>"That would be something worth seeing, sir," +Lil Artha told him, "and we'll hope it turns out +that way."</p> + +<p>George had scrambled to his feet as soon as he +realized that the danger was over. He looked a +little ashamed, but there was no occasion for feeling +that way. When any one is unarmed, and +sees such a fury as that wildcat certainly was +coming in his direction, he would be foolish indeed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +not to dodge, and even hug the ground in an effort +to escape contact with those cruel poisonous claws.</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! look at the sharp teeth, would you; +and then those open claws," Lil Artha continued, +as he bent down and took one of the dead cat's +feet in his fingers; "excuse me from meeting up +with such a crazy customer when walking through +the woods at sundown. I might manage to get +the best of the beast, but my bully khaki suit would +be in ribbons, and mebbe my face clawed into a +map of Ireland."</p> + +<p>"As for me," spoke up Toby, "I'd never feel +easy if I knew such a terror was always hanging +around, watching for a chance to grab me when +my back was turned. And say what you will, +Uncle Caleb, I'm tickled half to death because we +bagged your pet cat before he had a chance to +mark any of us. I tell you I'll enjoy my tramps +around this section better after this. If he'd got +away you wouldn't have caught Tobias Ellsworth +Jones wandering fifty feet away from home base +without carrying a club or a gun along. His room +is going to be a whole sight better than his company."</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb smiled at hearing what his nephew +thought.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you're right in saying that, Toby," +he remarked, "and it may be that in pursuing my +pet hobby I'm going too much to extremes in wanting +to preserve the life of such a savage animal. +Possibly your ending his career of piracy may be +the means of saving me from a very unpleasant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +experience; for I was planning to push my campaign +against this same cat, and follow him into +his den, to get a good flashlight picture of what he +looked like at home. It would have been a foolhardy +experiment, I begin to realize. I suppose +it's all for the best, and I'll cure the skin just to +remember the adventure by."</p> + +<p>Lil Artha, who had pushed up close to Elmer, +managed to say in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"I reckon that it was you knocked the stuffing +out of the beast, Elmer, because I'm afraid I fired +too low." But the scout master immediately +hushed him up, and told him never to mention it +again, for he felt sure both of them had made a +hit.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>SCOUTS IN CLOVER</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">There</span> used to be a time," Uncle Caleb went +on to remark, as he lifted the heavy wildcat, and +started toward the door of his cabin, "when I was +considered quite a sportsman. I took every opportunity +I could to be in the woods and on the +water, shooting deer, quail, partridge, snipe, +ducks, geese, brant and all such things, for my +fancy seemed to run more in the line of small +game than grizzly bears or lions, tigers, elephants +and the like. But years ago I began to notice a +change gradually taking place in my feelings. I +suppose many men find the same thing working +when they grow older, and the fires of youth are +spent. I began to dislike taking life of any sort, +and recently I have allowed many a fine chance to +make a bag slip by, because I would sooner snap +off a picture, and live on canned goods supplied +from the store."</p> + +<p>Of course none of the boys could fully understand +this sentiment. They viewed it from the +standpoint of youth, and would never know any +different until they too grew old, and their hunting +instincts became mellowed.</p> + +<p>At the same time they could respect such humane<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +motives, and understand something of the +peculiar fascination that taking pictures of wild +animals in their native haunts was apt to entail.</p> + +<p>"Now to see what a mess the creature may have +made of my little cabin home," Uncle Caleb went +on to say, as he flung open the door and entered, +leaving the body of the late trespasser outside +to be attended to later.</p> + +<p>The scouts crowded in after him, and looked +eagerly around. They found that the cabin in the +snow forest was quite a neat affair. Evidently +the occupant had gone to considerable trouble and +expense to make it comfortable. As he expected +to spend most of his time here under this roof, +Uncle Caleb believed in having things to suit him, +even to a little bathroom off the back, which in +summer was supplied with running water from a +spring on higher ground, and fed through a +sunken pipe, now disconnected on account of the +freezing temperature that would have speedily +burst it.</p> + +<p>There were a couple of bunks built into the +walls on either side of the big fireplace, which latter +came out several feet into the room. Besides +this there was a cot that was also a settee in the +daytime, a large table, several comfortable seats +that were along the type of the Morris chair Elmer +had in his den at home, and various cases of +books, curiosities and such things.</p> + +<p>Upon the floor were a number of real imported +small rugs that Uncle Caleb must have brought +from the Orient himself. The boys thought them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +rather odd, though at the same time pretty; but +they were later on staggered when they learned +the history of each little carpet, and what a vast +sum Uncle Caleb had paid for them in his rôle of +collector.</p> + +<p>Taken in all, the interior of that cabin was +about as far from resembling the average hunter's +home as anything could be. Immediately Lil +Artha quit calling it the "shack," because forever +afterwards with that cheery interior it would appeal +more to him in the garb of a miniature +palace.</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb was a rich bachelor, and he liked +to be comfortable. Besides, he was a man of +science, and a student, rather than a hunter; so +they concluded that he was quite right in making +his little home look so pleasant.</p> + +<p>Just then, however, things were in something +of an upset condition. The hungry cat in prowling +around and searching for something to eat +had upset a number of articles, broken a pet dish +of the cabin's owner; while there on the table was +the partly gnawed strip of bacon at which the +animal had been busily at work when interrupted +by their arrival on the scene.</p> + +<p>"I can save the better part of it," said the +easy-going Uncle Caleb, "and besides, there is +plenty more in the locker, for I lay in my winter's +stock long before the first real snow comes, so as +not to be bothered later on by trips to the town +where I trade, which is many miles away from +here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>When later on he showed them his "strong +room" where his stores were kept George in particular +was noticed to lick his lips with a satisfied +smile on his face as if telling himself that there +need be no fear of hunger so long as they stayed +with Uncle Caleb.</p> + +<p>"Choose your bunks, boys," they were speedily +told, "and toss your blankets in the ones you +select. It seems that you figured pretty closely, +because if there had been another scout in the +party we'd have had to get busy building a new +bed. As it is, there is one apiece all around."</p> + +<p>"But how about you, Uncle?" asked Toby, +solicitously; "we don't want to push you out of +your regular bed. Let me sleep on that cot."</p> + +<p>"No, I prefer to take it," the owner of the cabin +replied; "in fact, as a rule I have slept on the cot +winters, because I can pull it up in front of the +fire on nights that are particularly bitter."</p> + +<p>"You must get some howlers up here, sir, I +should think," suggested Elmer.</p> + +<p>"Along in January we often have a terrible +storm or blizzard, when it's utterly unsafe to venture +outside the door, because one can never see +ten feet away. Men have been found frozen to +death close to their own cabins, which they did not +dream were so close by when they gave up in +despair. The storm that just visited us was +pretty severe, but not to be compared with some +I have seen."</p> + +<p>"George, take your pick of bunks," said Elmer.</p> + +<p>Perhaps he allowed George to have the first say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +because of the other's notorious habit of grumbling; +the wise scout master did not want to give +him any chance to complain that he had not been +treated fairly and squarely.</p> + +<p>Now George was not so greedy but that he could +feel ashamed. He seemed to scent the true reason +why Elmer was so kind, for a flush came over his +face, and he actually shook his head in a decided +negative.</p> + +<p>"That isn't just fair to the rest, Elmer, and I +won't have it," he said, with a show of spirit. +"The bunks are all built alike, but one may be +better than the others, 'specially of a cold night. +Now I tell you how we'll fix that up fine and +dandy; I'll mark them by numbers up to four; +then I'll write that many on pieces of paper and +we'll put them in a hat. Each one draws one +out, and in that way gets his bunk without any +favoritism being shown. What d'ye say to that, +Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you like, George; and I want to tell +you I admire the independent spirit you display +when you refuse to be favored above the rest. +That's the right way to show what you're made +of. It speaks well for the regard you have toward +others."</p> + +<p>While Elmer was saying this George drew out a +lead pencil stub and made a figure on the front of +each bunk, running from one to four. Then he +did the little numbering on as many small squares +of paper torn from his notebook. These latter he +threw into a hat and held it so no one could look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +in, though a hand might be inserted through the +small opening.</p> + +<p>"Elmer, you draw first!" George went on to +say, as he held the hat out to each one of the others +in turn.</p> + +<p>So the scout master accommodated him, and +found that he had hit upon one of the lower bunks. +Toby got the upper, and Lil Artha drew the other +elevated bed; so that after all George was given +the pick of the lot. No one could ever begrudge +him his good luck, now that he had shown such a +fair spirit.</p> + +<p>"It hit me about right," admitted Lil Artha, as +he stood up alongside the wall, and flung his blanket +inside the second upper bunk, "because Nature +always intended that I should nest high, when She +gave me this pair of stilts. Lucky you made the +bunks over six feet long, Uncle Caleb, or I'd never +have been able to turn over without drawing my +knees up to my chin. It gives me a pain whenever +I think that I may go on stretching out for +nearly four years yet. My folks think of cutting +the doors higher in our house. They get tired +of seeing me duck my head every time I come into +a room."</p> + +<p>A fire was soon built up in the open space under +the chimney flue which the cunning wildcat had +used as a means for entering and leaving the +cabin. At the time there happened to be little +heat among the ashes, for the owner was averse +to leaving a fire when he went away for hours, +lest he return only to find a blackened heap where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +his cabin with its many precious treasures had +stood.</p> + +<p>It was like a picnic to cook when there were so +many conveniences, and Lil Artha, who insisted +on helping George, called attention to the excellent +iron frame which was intended to be placed +over the fire, and serve to hold such cooking vessels +as were needed in the preparation of the meal.</p> + +<p>Besides this there was a portable oven which +made splendid biscuits and bread, as the boys +learned later on, when Uncle Caleb showed them +how he lived while keeping bachelor's hall alone +in that wilderness, days, weeks and months at a +time. He had a small barrel of flour in his storeroom, +with such a collection of canned goods and +dried as well as smoked meats, that George declared +it looked like a young grocery store to him; +and privately admitted that he would not care +very much if they had been booked to stay the balance +of the winter with Uncle Caleb, instead of +just a few days. He could see all manner of +"good times" in that delightful storeroom collection.</p> + +<p>They had a light lunch, as the old scientist usually +preferred to eat his one heavy meal in the +evening, after his thinking was done for the day.</p> + +<p>"Make yourselves quite at home, boys," he told +them, with a sincerity that even skeptical George +could not question; "everything I have is at your +disposal. You will find hosts of things to interest +you among my collection of curios, and the +myriads of pictures I have taken the last seven<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +years. Some of them have been honored by being +published in a geographic magazine, and excited +considerable interest among a certain class of scientists. +I'm ready to answer every question you +can ask, and it will give me the greatest pleasure +imaginable to be of service to you. All I seek in +return is full confidence; you must tell me all +about what scouts do, and learn, and aim to accomplish; +also what adventures you may have encountered +in carrying out these organization +principles."</p> + +<p>During the rest of that never-to-be-forgotten +afternoon the boys manifested no desire to wander +through the white forest, but stayed indoors looking +at the many interesting things owned by Uncle +Caleb, many of which he had picked up in various +quarters and corners of the world, for he had been +a famous traveler in his day.</p> + +<p>They almost talked themselves hoarse, asking +questions, and explaining all about what duties +and obligations a boy takes upon his shoulders +when he subscribes to the scout promise, and assumes +the responsibilities accompanying such a +service.</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb had about everything that money +could purchase in connection with his photographic +fad; and among other things a daylight +tank for developing the films.</p> + +<p>As he was very anxious to find out whether the +snapshots taken of the wildcat on the cabin chimney +would turn out to be worth anything, he proceeded +to develope the films that afternoon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>When he held them up after washing, and let +the boys see the result they were loud in their +declarations that he had really done himself proud.</p> + +<p>There was the one with the big cat crouching on +the chimney-top, and giving all the detail that +could be desired. The other was not quite so +clear, but it seemed that he must have aimed the +camera just right, and pressed the button while +the leaping animal was in midair, just crumpling +up under the two charges of shot received from +separate quarters. This last was a thrilling picture, +and ought to make a fine print.</p> + +<p>"They'll be a splendid addition to my collection," +Uncle Caleb told the boys, as he surveyed +his prizes with kindling eyes; "I've got a good +many strange pictures but I expect these will top +the list. I'll print a copy for each one of you to +carry home when you go, because in a measure +that is your cat, as well as mine."</p> + +<p>Taken in all, they would never be apt to forget +that same afternoon. Their genial host seemed to +be so delighted to have such a wideawake pack of +boys up there with him, that he could not do too +much for them. Many were the yarns he spun +connected with his nomadic life under different +suns; and since settling down to this peculiar state +of existence he had known a multitude of adventures, +both great and small.</p> + +<p>"Right now," he told them, as the afternoon +light began to fade with the drawing near of the +time for sunset, "you might say I am a marked +man; not that it gives me any great amount of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +concern, because I hardly believe that Zack Arnold +will ever get his courage up to the sticking +point, and attempt to carry out the wild threats he +made against me."</p> + +<p>"I remember hearing a man speaking that name +on the train when we were nearing your station, +Uncle!" exclaimed Toby; "he talked as though +the fellow might be a sort of woods guide, though +a tough rascal feared by every one, even the game +wardens, who were afraid to try and arrest him +for shooting game out of season."</p> + +<p>"All of which is about as true as it can be," was +the reply. "Six months ago I had the misfortune +to run foul of this same Zack. He was even then +half under the influence of liquor, and very abusive. +I could have stood it for myself, but when +the big brute raised his hand, and knocked down +a half-grown girl who had chanced to stumble, and +fall against him, in the store, it was too much for +my blood."</p> + +<p>"You gave him what he deserved, didn't you, +Uncle?" demanded the exultant Toby.</p> + +<p>"Well, I knocked him down three times in succession, +for he had come at me with a knife the +second and third times. After that he lay there, +and was counted out. Now I was never proud of +having upset a brawling bully like that when half-seas +over, but it had to be done to pay him for +striking that poor child. I heard afterwards that +he was furious at me, and vowed he would get +even, if he had to come all the way up here to +where I held out, and settle his debt."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boys exchanged looks.</p> + +<p>"But he might take a sudden notion to visit +you, when feeling in a particularly ugly mood, +Uncle," Toby remarked, soberly, "and no one +would ever know who had set your cabin on fire, +and perhaps burned you in the same."</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought of that and for a time never +went outside these walls without carrying a gun +along; but months have passed, and he does not +show up, which I take it means he is too big a +coward to risk his ears trying to do me an ill turn. +And of late I've neglected any of those precautions. +When first I saw my fox trap had been +tampered with, and that valuable prize taken, I +thought of what Zack Arnold had sworn, and was +sure it must be his work. But let's forget about +such an unpleasant subject, and have a little music +for a change."</p> + +<p>It seemed that among his many other accomplishments +Uncle Caleb was something of a musician; +that is, he loved music, and could play very +well on a banjo, as well as on a guitar. The boys +had found this out, through Toby, and looked forward +to having good times listening to their genial +host during evenings, as they sat before a crackling +fire, and cared not for the weather without.</p> + +<p>It was getting pretty sharp again, as George +announced after coming in with an armful of +wood; but little they cared, with such comfortable +quarters, and plenty to eat in the family cupboard.</p> + +<p>As if to dismiss an unpleasant subject from his +mind Uncle Caleb started in to amuse his young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +guests with various popular selections, most of +which the scouts knew as well as they did their +own names. From these he presently drifted to +older airs from the operas, and sentimental serenades +that afforded the boys considerable pleasure. +In the end he played a few such favorites +as "Home, Sweet Home," with so much effect +that he had one or two of them secretly winking +rapidly in order to keep the tears from filling their +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Come, we've had enough of this for the present," +said the player, suddenly, on catching sight +of Toby blowing his nose with great vehemence, +"and as it's getting dark outside, suppose we start +our preparations for supper. I've got a few +wrinkles I'd like to show you, although I rather +expect some of you boys will turn out such good +cooks that you'll make my little efforts look primitive."</p> + +<p>All the same they did not. Uncle Caleb excelled +in nearly everything he undertook, from science, +music, and photographing wild animals in their +native haunts, all the way down to cookery—perhaps +George and Toby and Lil Arthur might object +to using that word, and on their own account +say "<i>up</i> to cookery."</p> + +<p>At any rate he certainly gave the scouts a supper +they would not soon forget; and they admitted +in private afterwards that they must look to their +laurels if they did not want to be considered "back +numbers." Uncle Caleb had done his own cooking +for a good many years, and being of an investigating<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +turn of mind, had not been content to go +along beaten paths, like most bachelors left to +their own devices, but had studied cook-books, and +made a success of many fine recipes.</p> + +<p>After the meal was over, and things cleaned up, +they gathered before the burning logs, and looked +forward to an enjoyable evening. Every one was +to have a part in entertaining the company, with +story or song, as the case might be; and Elmer +had a long list of questions which he wanted +answers for, mostly pertaining to the habits of the +little woods and swamps animals in which Uncle +Caleb had become so vitally interested.</p> + +<p>Before they could get fully settled down, however, +there was a shuffling sound heard at the +door, and then came a hesitating sort of knock +from without.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE OBJECT LESSON</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Wasn't</span> that a knock?" asked George, who +apparently had not heard the sound so plainly as +the others.</p> + +<p>"Seemed like it to me," replied Toby, "but say, +neighbors can't be so plenty up here in the woods, +to have one running in after supper for enough +coffee to last over breakfast. P'raps, after all, it +was only a limb scraping against the roof; or a +squirrel up in the loft huntin' nuts Uncle's laid +away."</p> + +<p>"It is some one at the door!" remarked the +owner of the cabin, quietly.</p> + +<p>Elmer saw him getting to his feet. There was a +sparkle in the eyes of Uncle Caleb; and his jaw +seemed set in a determined way. This suddenly +caused Elmer to remember what had been recently +told about the tough hard-drinking guide who +believed he had a grudge against the old scientist—Uncle +Caleb.</p> + +<p>"Let me go to the door for you, Uncle Caleb," +said Elmer, hurriedly.</p> + +<p>"It is my cabin, son, and therefore my duty to +answer any summons," was the steady reply of +the old gentleman; "so please stay where you are, +unless I need any assistance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Great governor! what if it should be <i>that +man?</i>" Lil Artha was heard to mutter as he +reached out a hand, and clutched his own Marlin, +which chanced to be standing in a corner conveniently +near by.</p> + +<p>Every one fairly held his breath as Uncle Caleb +was seen to move toward the door. He had not +thought it worth while to arm himself, and Elmer +considered this positive evidence, going to prove +the other's bravery. He himself hardly knew +what to expect, and his whole frame fairly quivered +with a mixture of eagerness and dread as +he saw the owner of the cabin start to open the +door, which had been secured by a simple old-fashioned +bar that fell into a brace of sockets, +one on either side.</p> + +<p>Immediately the barrier was removed they saw +a figure stagger into view. Uncle Caleb stretched +out his hand, and took hold of it. Then the sound +of muttered words came to their ears, after which +the old gentleman turned, closed the door, and led +his unexpected guest toward the fire.</p> + +<p>The staring scouts saw that this was a very +large man. He seemed to be coarsely dressed as +might a woods guide, wearing a heavy sweater +under his outer coat. No weapons were visible, +and one of his arms hung limply at his side as +though it might have been broken in some sort of +accident.</p> + +<p>The man's face was distorted by pain, but they +could see that it was bearded, and looked bearish. +In fact, every one of the boys' first impression<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +was that they would not care to meet this fellow +while wandering through some lonely part of the +forest, and do anything calculated to excite his +anger; for he appeared to be a man with a violent +temper.</p> + +<p>"It's <i>him</i>, I just bet you, Elmer!" whispered +Lil Artha in the scout master's ear and Elmer +nodded as though he fully agreed with the other.</p> + +<p>There seemed to be no need to mention names, +for the memory of what Uncle Caleb had recently +told them was fresh in every fellow's mind. Curiously +they watched what was going on. Lil Artha +still caressed his gun. He had hardly made up +his mind whether or not this might be a clever +trick on the part of Zack Arnold, calculated to +gain him an entrance to the cabin of the man he +hated so bitterly, though without any reasonably +just cause.</p> + +<p>It was only the other day that Lil Artha had +been reading in school of the wooden horse which +played such an important part in the capture of +Troy in olden times, being filled with the enemy, +who, issuing forth in the night-time, opened the +gates of the fortified city to their allies without. +Perhaps that was what made the boy suspect the +visitor might be shamming in order to catch Uncle +Caleb off his guard.</p> + +<p>But if this idea had seized hold of Lil Artha he +soon realized its utter absurdity. Men may go to +considerable lengths in order to carry out their +schemes; but he certainly did not believe even a +determined fellow like Zack Arnold would deliberately<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +break his arm in the effort to divert suspicion.</p> + +<p>It was an ugly break, too, as was shown as soon +as Uncle Caleb had divested the other of his garments, +with the assistance of Elmer, who sprang +to his side when he realized what was needed. +That thick, hairy arm was covered with blood, and +the sight of it made Toby and George shudder.</p> + +<p>"Get a kettle of water on the fire in a hurry, +please!" said Uncle Caleb, "because the first thing +to be done is to wash this arm so we can see how +to set the bone. Toby, at the same time start that +coffee to going again, will you? A few hot drinks +would take some of the chill out of this poor fellow. +He's had a terrible tumble, and is covered +with bruises, besides this broken arm. But we'll +fix him up as comfortable as we can; and he luckily +managed to get to my cabin before it was too +late!"</p> + +<p>While the old gentleman was speaking in this +way the keen black eyes of Zack Arnold kept following +his every move. Elmer wondered what +must be passing through the mind of the vindictive +man just then. He did not doubt in the least +but what some terrible plan to revenge himself +upon Uncle Caleb for what the other had done to +him on that previous occasion had been the cause +for his coming to this particular region, for his +own camping grounds lay many miles away to the +west, where sportsmen congregated in the season +for either fly fishing or deer hunting.</p> + +<p>With some black plan in his mind the man had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +started to even up his score with Uncle Caleb; +but a strange fate had caused him to meet with a +terrible accident; and now he was compelled to +actually seek shelter and assistance from the very +man he had been about to injure.</p> + +<p>It was a remarkable freak of fate, and Elmer +found himself wondering what the outcome of it +all might be.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha had quietly replaced his Marlin in the +corner when he first glimpsed that tortured arm, +for he realized then that there was going to be no +need of weapons. When Uncle Caleb called for a +kettle of warm water he was the first to leap to +his feet and place one on the fire; while Toby, just +as eager to help, began to brew the coffee.</p> + +<p>This latter was ready even before the kettle +began to sing, and Uncle Caleb himself poured a +brimming cup of the beverage, which he handed +to the wounded man. No doubt Zack Arnold +needed some stimulant the worst kind. He must +have exhausted his pet flask on the way, for he did +not seem to have a drop about him; and when the +fragrant Java beverage was placed in his possession +he swallowed the contents of the big aluminum +cup in great gulps, as though his throat might be +made of cast iron, which no hot stuff could scald.</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb asked no questions. He must know +very well what had brought this revengeful guide +so far out of his beaten track; but to see him tenderly +washing that arm, and then gently setting +the broken bones, after which he bound it up with +a splint almost as well as any professional surgeon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +could, you might have thought he was attending +his best friend instead of a bitter enemy.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha could hardly keep his eyes off the +man's face. He, too, had finally managed to grasp +the same idea that had come long before to Elmer; +and now he wondered again and again what the +outcome of this remarkable adventure was going +to be. He even chuckled a little to himself as he +saw those eyes of Zack following Uncle Caleb back +and forth, as the other went to get more bandages, +or it might be the soothing salve which he wished +to rub upon several ugly black-and-blue spots +visible on the left side of the brawny woodsman.</p> + +<p>"Huh! I've heard before about heaping coals +of fire on your enemy's head," Lil Artha whispered +to Elmer, when he found a good chance, +"but I never just understood what it meant. Now +I know to a fraction. Say, did you ever hear of +such a queer thing in all your life? And I bet you +he was coming up here to make a lot of trouble +for Toby's uncle, too. Well, this <i>is</i> an object lesson +for scouts, ain't it, Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you say, Lil Artha, but better not try +and talk any more about it. He might hear something +you wouldn't want him to. Just keep your +eyes and ears open, and you'll be well paid."</p> + +<p>So after that the tall scout sat still and kept on +the alert. He was enjoying things exceedingly. +In fact he could not remember having ever felt +such a keen interest in anything before as he did +in this coming of Zack Arnold to the cabin of his +hated enemy, and under such queer conditions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>When in the end Uncle Caleb finished attending +to his injured guest, and with the help of Elmer +the guide's sweater had been secured in such +fashion that it gave him the required warmth, he +seemed to remember something else looking to the +comfort of Zack Arnold.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you could manage to eat something +if we cooked it for you, Zack?" he asked, +with such an earnest manner that the man writhed +in his seat, and his eyes fell in what Lil Artha +believed to be utter shame, though he quickly +spoke up in reply.</p> + +<p>"Ye've made me feel so comfy-like, suh, that I +jest reckon I <i>could</i> take a few bites. Hain't had +nawthin' sence mornin'. Ye see, I took this tumble +'long 'bout noon, an' I lost nigh everything I +had with me in the way o' eatin's an' same with +the drinkin's. Been jest walkin' ever sence, ahopin' +I mout hold out long enuff ter strike yer shack; +but I kim near throwin' up the sponge an' lettin' +the freeze do the bizness for me."</p> + +<p>George saw a chance to get his hand in had +come at last.</p> + +<p>"What shall I cook him, Uncle Caleb!" he hastened +to ask.</p> + +<p>"I've got just two eggs left from the lot I +fetched back with me," said the old scientist, without +hesitation, "and you can fry them for him +with a slice of ham. You'll find the eggs in that +can where I keep my rice, the one with the name +on the front, George. And there's plenty more +coffee in the pot. In his present exhausted condition<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +it will be the best thing he can take, far better +than liquor!"</p> + +<p>The guide opened his mouth as though about to +say something, but his emotions must have overcome +him, for he gulped several times, blinked his +eyes quickly, and then sat there staring hard at +the fire, possibly with strange thoughts surging +through his mind.</p> + +<p>Elmer noted these things. He felt that a revolution +might be taking place within the soul of that +tough woodsman.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be at all surprised," was what Elmer +told himself, as he later on watched Zack +devouring the supper George had prepared, "but +what this is going to turn out to be the making of +that man. He's surely seen a great light, and +already looks at things in a different way from +what he ever did before. And if I know Uncle +Caleb, as I think I do from having studied him, +the chances are ten to one he'll wait his chance, +and all he'll ask in return for what he's done will +be for Zack to get on the water wagon, and stay +there the rest of his life. Well, I hope it does +turn out that way. But who'd ever think we'd +run across such a wonderful object lesson away +off up here in the snow forest?"</p> + +<p>And yet later on, when Elmer allowed himself +to survey the matter at closer range, he was not +greatly surprised; for he realized that occasions +are apt to spring up at the most unexpected times +when observing scouts can read a lesson in passing +events, if only they keep their wits about them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE QUEER ACTIONS OF ZACK ARNOLD</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Room</span> was found for the newcomer later on in +the half-circle before the fire, and though Zack +Arnold took no part in the conversation, he sat +there listening, and hearing things that must have +given him many new impressions. As a rule his +eyes were fastened upon the beaming and genial +face of Uncle Caleb, who, however, made out not +to notice this attention he was receiving, though +naturally he could not help knowing it.</p> + +<p>The boys told their host numerous things connected +with the organization of the troop of Boy +Scouts in their town, and what wonderful things +it had already done for many of those who had +signed the muster roll. He was keenly interested, +and asked questions so fast that it kept them all +busy answering; for Elmer would never consent +that his chums simply sit there while he spoke for +all; he wished them to have a part in the telling.</p> + +<p>On his part, Uncle Caleb related a lot about his +life in the past, touching upon some of the remarkable +things that had happened to him. Strange +as some of these might be reckoned, Elmer was +privately of the opinion that nothing more singular +could ever have happened to the traveler and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +scientist than the dramatic coming to his cabin +door on this bitter cold winter's night of one who +believed himself to be the old gentleman's enemy, +sorely wounded, almost ready to die, and wholly +dependant upon Uncle Caleb's bounty for his very +life.</p> + +<p>When later on some of the scouts manifested +signs of drowsiness and exhaustion, by sundry +yawns and nods, the host declared it was time they +thought of getting some sleep.</p> + +<p>"I'd put you on the cot here, Zack," he told +the guide, "only it isn't as strong as it might be, +and you're rather heavy. If it happened to give +way you'd get a bad wrench to that arm of yours +that wouldn't be very pleasant. So I'm going to +fix you out with a bunk on the floor near the fire. +I happen to have some spare blankets, and here +are some furs that will make things feel easy for +you. I don't suppose you object to sleeping on the +floor, do you?"</p> + +<p>At that the man grinned, for the first time since +entering the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Won't be the fust time by a thousand thet I've +slept on boards, suh," he went on to say, "an' +right hyar I wants to tell ye how much 'bleeged I +am ter yer fur all ye done by me. I don't deserve +a bit o' the same. I'm a bad man, suh, I been +thinkin' all manner o' rotten things 'bout ye, sence +ye guv me what I reckons I desarved, if ever a +mean skunk did; an' thet's what."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it, Zack," said Uncle Caleb, +pleasantly; "I know you looked at things from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +the wrong side, and at one time thought I'd done +you harm; but since then you've seen a better +light; and I wouldn't be surprised if you were +coming out of your way to my cabin to tell me so, +when this accident happened."</p> + +<p>The big guide's jaws worked several times as +though he might be trying to say something; but +it was of no use, for not a word escaped him. He +did heave a deep sigh, however, and gave his kind +benefactor a long look before allowing his eyes to +drop.</p> + +<p>Elmer felt satisfied, for he believed the cure +must be working. Indeed, he could not for the life +of him understand how any one could withstand +friendly advances from such a splendid old gentleman +as Uncle Caleb. His very eyes were full of +benevolence and the kindly spirit that filled his +heart. The man who would take the keenest delight +in binding up the broken leg of a poor little +rabbit that he found in distress, certainly could not +bear malice toward an uneducated woodsman, who +had never had half a chance to learn better things +than entertaining an unreasonable desire for revenge.</p> + +<p>Under the direction of the owner of the cabin +Lil Artha made up a mighty comfortable bed on +the floor. When it was finished the scout tested +his work, and declared he would not mind sleeping +there all the rest of his stay, if Uncle Caleb +thought one of the bunks would be better for the +wounded guide.</p> + +<p>Zack, however, would not hear of it. He declared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +that he preferred the floor for many reasons. +Lil Artha managed to shoot a suggestive +look toward Elmer, upon which the other shook his +head in the negative. He knew that the lengthy +scout suspected Zack might be thinking of taking +French leave while they slept, and perhaps help +himself to some of their stores in the bargain. +But Elmer had no such fear.</p> + +<p>When the boys started to crawl into their respective +bunks, partly undressing, although none +of them had dreamed of bringing their pajamas +along on this wintry expedition, Zack appeared +to be asleep. At least he lay there bundled up, and +seemed to be breathing heavily.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha, when he thought he was not noticed, +managed to deftly move his Marlin gun closer to +the bunk into which he meant to clamber presently. +He acted as if he more than half suspected he +might find occasion to make some sort of use of the +weapon before dawn broke again.</p> + +<p>But Elmer had seen him; indeed, it was very +little that ever eluded those wideawake eyes of +the scout master, when out with his chums. He +managed to get a chance to whisper with Lil Artha +when the others were busily engaged making their +sleeping quarters ready.</p> + +<p>"I'd be mighty slow to think of using that gun, +if I were you, Lil Artha," he suggested.</p> + +<p>The lengthy scout flushed a little, and looked +somewhat confused.</p> + +<p>"I might have known you'd glimpse me doin' +that same, Elmer," he confessed, "but when a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +wildcat comes down our chimney what's to hinder +its mate from doin' likewise? And if a fellow was +waked up in the night to find that a ferocious critter +had taken possession of our bungalow, why, a +gun'd be a good asset, believe me."</p> + +<p>Elmer looked at him, and then smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, if that's what you've got troubling +you, it's all right, Lil Artha," he went on to say, +meaningly. "I kind of imagined you were thinking +of something else. And if some one should +take a notion to skip out, remember it's no business +of yours. We wouldn't want to detain any +one against his will."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I didn't mean to try to," acknowledged +the tall scout, "'less, f'r instance, he tried to loot +the whole shebang, when I'd think it my duty to +cover him, and then call Uncle Caleb."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you'll find any need of doing that, +Lil Artha," continued Elmer; "fact is, all the +signs point just the other way."</p> + +<p>"Hope so," grunted his chum; and this was all +that passed between them.</p> + +<p>Later on the cabin became quiet, except for the +heavy breathing of those who were sound asleep. +Elmer dozed. Somehow, although he was desperately +sleepy, he did not appear to be able to lose +himself for more than brief intervals at a stretch.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was his strange surroundings, although +Elmer could hardly believe such to be the +case, for past experiences were against it. He +could remember sleeping soundly on more than +a few occasions when danger threatened; he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +helped guard the saddle band of horses on his +uncle's ranch when rustlers in the shape of horse +thieves were operating all through the vicinity; +and on being given a chance to snatch an hour's +sleep had lost himself as soon as his head touched +the ground.</p> + +<p>The wind moaned through the branches of the +trees without. Now and then Elmer believed that +he could hear faint sounds that might proceed +from certain of the four-footed denizens of that +great snow forest around them, possibly searching +for food while the night lasted, since they +hugged their dens in the daytime.</p> + +<p>Once he saw Lil Artha thrust his head out from +his bunk, and stare at the figure bundled up in +those blankets on the floor. This told the scout +master that Lil Artha had not been able to quite +get over the suspicions he had formed, and which +Elmer believed to be wholly unwarranted.</p> + +<p>It must have been long after midnight when Elmer, +chancing to once more awaken, on glancing +out from his bunk saw that Zack Arnold was no +longer lying there on his well side, and wrapped +in sleep.</p> + +<p>The revengeful guide was now sitting up. He +seemed to be intently listening, as though to either +discover whether all of the others were sound +asleep, or else trying to catch some signal from +without.</p> + +<p>A dreadful thought flashed into Elmer's mind, +though he quickly dismissed it as unreasonable. +It was of course possible that Zack may have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +coaxed others to accompany him on his mission of +revenge; but if he had company why should he +appeal to his bitter enemy when in desperate need +of succor? That alone stamped the idea as next +door to absurd; and so Elmer put it out of his mind +as impossible.</p> + +<p>At the same time the actions of the guide were +certainly queer, to say the very least of it. He +was now getting slowly and painfully to his feet, +repressing a groan while so doing; because with +one arm tied up and useless it is not always the +easiest thing in the world to get up off the floor, +and out from a mess of clinging blankets.</p> + +<p>Once he was on his feet the actions of the man +became even more suspicious. He crept toward +the door, turning his head several times as though +to make sure that no one was watching him. Here +he fumbled for a brief time, managing presently +to take aside the bar. Then he gently opened the +door, and as the wind was from the north, and the +opening faced the south, the cold air did not enter +when he had done this.</p> + +<p>Elmer, still watching, half expected to see the +guide step out and depart. He was even debating +with himself as to whether his duty might not compel +him to raise his voice in protest against such +an act, since the chances were the man would not +be able to survive the exposure in his present +weakened condition, without his rifle, and with no +food to sustain him.</p> + +<p>He saw that Lil Artha had that long neck of his +"rubbering," as he himself would have termed it;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +doubtless his gun was alongside him in the bunk, +and even then he had hold of it.</p> + +<p>To the astonishment of Elmer, however, the man +did not pass beyond the doorsill. He seemed to +have drawn some object from a hidden receptacle +about his person, where it must have escaped observation +when his benefactors were helping him. +And giving this a swift toss Zack Arnold hurled +it far out amidst the snow drifts; after which he +backed into the cabin, softly closed the door, +glanced hurriedly around to see if he had been observed, +but seeing nothing, because Lil Artha had +hastily drawn his head back as might a cautious +old tortoise when threatened with peril; after +which the guide replaced the bar.</p> + +<p>Five minutes after all this queer happening had +taken place Zack was once more bundled up in +his blankets, and apparently bound to go to sleep, +this time in real earnest.</p> + +<p>After that Elmer seemed to find no difficulty +whatever in getting asleep himself. Why, it really +seemed as though a great load had been removed +from his mind; and the first thing he knew George +was calling him to get up, because breakfast was +almost ready.</p> + +<p>It was a most unusual thing for the scout master +to over-sleep. Some of the others, notably Toby +and George, joked him about it; but Elmer noticed +that Lil Artha did not say a word.</p> + +<p>Later on, after they had all partaken of the fine +meal that George prepared, he doing his level best +to show Uncle Caleb that there were other cooks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +as well, Elmer caught Lil Artha making certain +gestures in his direction. He could manage to +guess what it all meant, and believed the other +wanted a chance to talk with him outside.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what the weather promises for to-day; +and I think I'll step out to see how things +look," Elmer presently remarked carelessly.</p> + +<p>"I'll go along and give you the benefit of my +vast experience as a weather prophet!" exclaimed +Lil Artha, jumping up; "the rest of you stay inside, +because too many cooks spoil the broth, and +two of us ought to be enough to settle this job +with the clerk of the weather."</p> + +<p>It happened that George was still busy with +some of his dishes, about which he saw Uncle Caleb +was unusually particular, in that he used two +separate waters in washing the same; while Toby +was busily employed in looking over some traps +he had discovered hanging from a nail, and evidently +seldom used; so that neither of them +dreamed of leaving the comfortable cabin, and +braving the outside air just then.</p> + +<p>"What's all this about, Lil Artha?" demanded +the scout master, after the door had been carefully +closed behind them.</p> + +<p>"Why, I happened to know that you saw that +ugly looking guide moving around in the middle +of the night, Elmer; and I thought you must have +noticed that he threw something away when he +was standing there in the doorway?"</p> + +<p>"I did see him do that, and I knew you were +on the job, too, Lil Artha," Elmer went on to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +say; "but if you've made a discovery, hurry up +and tell me what it is, because I haven't thought +to put my sweater on, and it's pretty chilly here."</p> + +<p>"Well, I was that curious to know what it could +be the fellow threw away," continued the tall +scout, "the first thing this morning, before any +of the rest of you had peeped an eye open, I got +up, and came out here to look around."</p> + +<p>"And did you find anything?" asked Elmer, +his own curiosity aroused by now.</p> + +<p>"I had to go back and forth a heap before I +came on a little hole in a snow drift that looked +like something had dropped in there," continued +Lil Artha, in a highly mysterious fashion. "So +I began to dig down, and pretty soon my hand +touched this!"</p> + +<p>He thereupon drew something from its place +of concealment, and held it up before the eyes +of his astonished companion.</p> + +<p>"Why, it only looks like a piece of common +gaspipe!" exclaimed Elmer.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is," Lil Artha went on, in an +awed tone; "but say, Elmer, the same is crowded +chock full of some sort of stuff that may be dynamite +for all I know. It's a sure-enough infernal +machine, one of the crude bombs that you read +about in the New York papers, such as Italians +use when they want to make some rich merchant +or banker hand over blackmail money. Look at +it yourself, and then you'll know what fetched +that skunk of a Zack Arnold up here to this region. +He meant to blow Uncle Caleb's cabin to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +flinders, that's what he did; and p'raps with the +owner inside of the same. Huh! no wonder he +didn't want that thing to be discovered on his +person! I sure don't blame him a little bit!"</p> + +<p>And Elmer, as he examined the miserable contrivance +which would explode with so great a +power for harm, felt a thrill pass all over his +body.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A SCOUT'S EDUCATION</div> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">What</span> do you make of it, Elmer; is it a sure +enough bomb?" demanded Lil Artha, whose face +was working strangely under the violence of his +emotions.</p> + +<p>"Looks like it was that, and nothing else," admitted +the scout master, slowly, with a wrinkle +across his forehead, as though he might be considering +weighty matters, as indeed he was just +then, for one so young.</p> + +<p>"And there can't be any doubt but what he +meant to blow up the cabin of the man he forced +himself to believe was his enemy, the kindest-hearted +gentleman you and the rest of us ever +met up with—tell me that, Elmer, didn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Lil Artha, don't explode!" cautioned +Elmer, soothingly. "I understand how +you feel about this ugly business. Yes, that must +have been the scheme that brought Zack away +up here in the dead of winter. Whether he +meant to do Uncle Caleb bodily injury or not +we've no means of knowing. Let's hope that the +limit of his revenge was confined to the destruction +of the cabin, and all the valued treasures it +held."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, that would be arson, and the law sits +down mighty hard on anybody who deliberately, +and 'with malice aforethought,' as I've heard my +dad say, sets fire to the property of another. He +deserves being kicked out, and we'll have to attend +to his case, the whole bunch of us."</p> + +<p>The excited scout made a quick movement, as +though about to rush into the cabin, waving the +piece of gas-pipe which had been fashioned into +a rude but deadly bomb with a fuse to it; Elmer, +however, tightened his grip on his chum's sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Wait! Don't be in such a hurry, old fellow. +Let's reason this thing out a little before you +spill the fat in the fire!" he told Lil Artha, in +that quieting voice of his that carried such weight +with the other scouts.</p> + +<p>"But, Elmer, don't you see he's a regular firebrand!" +urged the tall boy, twisting a little, as +though struggling to get loose from the detaining +hand; but only in a faint-hearted fashion, because +as always the influence of the scout master +predominated. "How do we know but what +right now he's figuring on doing us all some mean +trick? We're friends of Uncle Caleb, and he +must look on us as his enemies."</p> + +<p>"You forget something, Lil Artha," urged +Elmer.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, in my hurry I'm always forgetting +things; but tell me what I've let slip now, Elmer."</p> + +<p>"It was yesterday that Zack was heading toward +this cabin, breathing all sorts of ugly +threats against Uncle Caleb, wasn't it?" Elmer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +continued, in that smooth argumentative tone he +knew how to use so well, and which as a rule was +so wonderfully convincing.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course it was, Elmer," admitted the +other, weakly, yet curiously.</p> + +<p>"And something has happened since then, you +know, Lil Artha?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! sure, several things," replied the tall +scout.</p> + +<p>"Zack Arnold had an accident, and found himself +facing what might be the end of his evil +career," continued Elmer. "Now, life is sweet +even to such a man; and he couldn't but feel +alarmed at the idea of being frozen in the snow +forest, because of his broken arm, and having no +way to supply himself with food or fire. Then in +his desperation he forgot everything else, and +came to the cabin of the man he had been calling +his enemy. You know what sort of a reception +he got, Lil Artha?"</p> + +<p>"You bet I do, Elmer; it couldn't have been +warmer if he'd been a life-long comrade of Uncle +Caleb!"</p> + +<p>"All right, then," the scout master told him, +emphatically; "and you can depend on it Zack +has had an experience unlike anything he ever ran +up against before. I've been watching him, and +trying to figure out what might be passing +through his brain; and the fact of his throwing +this bomb as far away as he could shows that he's +heartily ashamed of ever entertaining the notion +that Uncle Caleb was an enemy of his."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you really think so, Elmer? And could +such a scoundrel ever reform?" asked Lil Artha, +half skeptically, just as though he were Doubting +George.</p> + +<p>"Of course I wouldn't like to stake my reputation +on it," Elmer continued; "but all the signs +point that way. The man is just now in a daze. +He never met with anything like this before, and +hardly knows what to make of it. In other words, +Lil Artha, he has arrived at the cross-roads, and +the next few days will either see him turning over +a new leaf, or going back to his old ways again. +It must depend pretty much on Uncle Caleb."</p> + +<p>"I reckon it will, Elmer!" muttered the tall +scout, beginning to drift across the line, and agree +with what the other advanced. "And don't you +think we ought to let Uncle Caleb know about this +gas-pipe thing?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I don't think it'll make any difference +with his way of treating the man. Uncle +Caleb has sized Zack up to a dot, and he's trying +to get the whip-hand over him by sheer kindness. +And I think he will, sooner or later. It +wouldn't surprise me if it all ended in Zack +turning right-about face, and caring for Uncle +Caleb just as much as he thought he hated him. +Such men when they do change never make a half-way +job of it; they go the whole thing."</p> + +<p>"Shall I call Uncle Caleb out here now while +we're at it, Elmer?"</p> + +<p>"I'll do it, and you wait here," the scout master +told him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, then; you know how to go about it +better than I do. I'll be ready to spring my little +surprise on our host," said Lil Artha.</p> + +<p>So Elmer stepped over, and opening the door +quietly, caught the eye of Uncle Caleb, when he +crooked his finger. The meaning of this gesture +could not well be mistaken, and presently the old +scientist joined them outside the cabin, making +some excuse as he passed out.</p> + +<p>When Lil Artha showed him the queer piece of +gas-pipe that had been charged with some high +explosive apt to carry great destruction with it +when discharged, Uncle Caleb did not appear to +be greatly astonished.</p> + +<p>"I imagined it might turn out to be something +of the sort, boys," he informed the scouts; "and +it was my full intention to look around later on, +so as to discover what it was Zack threw away +last night; for I saw him standing there in the +doorway just as both of you seem to have done. +You've saved me the trouble of making the +search, Lil Artha. But let me hide this ugly +thing. I wouldn't like Zack to know it had been +found so soon."</p> + +<p>"Then you won't turn him out for coming up +here on such a terrible errand?" asked Lil Artha, +weakly.</p> + +<p>Uncle Caleb looked at him, and smiled. Lil Artha +understood then what was in the mind of the +kindly scientist, who loved his fellow men so well +that he could even believe the worst of them must +have <i>some</i> good in him, however small, if only one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +could discover its location, and coax the wavering +spark to glow into a steady flame.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe Zack ever had a chance," he +told them, seriously, "and I'm going to give him +one right now, if it's in my power. As scouts, +neither of you would surely deny it to him, I'm +certain. Besides, it's going to give me considerable +pleasure in studying the working of the germ +that has been planted in his heart by this piece +of good luck. Perhaps that broken arm may +mean everything to Zack Arnold. A year from +now we'll take stock, and see how things come out. +In the meantime say nothing, and leave it all to +your Uncle Caleb."</p> + +<p>Willingly both boys declared that they were +only too glad to do so. They asked, and readily received +permission, to tell George and Toby, when +a chance came. And as they entered the cabin +later on, to see Zack still following Uncle Caleb +with his wondering, yes, even admiring glance, +it struck the scouts that perhaps the sensible old +scientist had made a study of human nature as +he had the habits of wild animals, and knew full +well what he was doing.</p> + +<p>During the balance of that day he treated the +wounded man just as though the intruder might +be one of the family. Uncle Caleb was too wise +to gush over the injured guide; he simply showed +Zack that he had a deep interest in his welfare, +and meant that he should have every care while +unable to look out for himself that could be expended +on him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>Elmer, who was observing these things closely, +without betraying the fact that he had more than +a passing interest in them, told himself that it +would not be surprising if when they came to +leave the cabin in the forest a pact had been arranged +between Uncle Caleb and Zack Arnold, +by means of which the big guide was to stay up +there the balance of the winter, and act as a side +partner to the man he had once been so foolish +as to consider his enemy.</p> + +<p>"There'll be no chance for him to hobnob with +his real enemy, which you can take it from me is +strong drink," the scout master told the other +boys when they talked matters over, away from +the cabin that afternoon; "and before spring +comes, I wouldn't be surprised if Uncle Caleb has +weaned him from his old habits, so that nothing +can ever tempt him to go back to them again."</p> + +<p>"I hope you're right, Elmer," ventured +George; "I don't feel quite as strong as you do +about it, because I just can't, that's what; but +it'd be splendid if Uncle Caleb did reform that +beast."</p> + +<p>"And I think it's just wonderful," Toby admitted, +having heard the whole story with great +eagerness and interest; "I never knew Uncle +Caleb was such a splendid sort of a man. And +honest now, I don't see how any fellow could hold +out against his winning ways. No wonder Zack +keeps watching him all the time; I tell you he's +as near hypnotized as anybody could be."</p> + +<p>And so they concluded to let the matter rest,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +confident that the good man of the lonely cabin in +the snow forest knew what he was doing, and that +the chances were he was not making any mistake.</p> + +<p>The boys now proceeded to enjoy themselves to +the best of their ability, each according to his +bent. Of course all of them were keenly interested +in the remarkable success with which the +scientist was meeting in his effort to secure amusing +and instructive flashlight pictures of the +woods animals at night. He showed them how +he set his snares, so cleverly arranged that when +the fox or the mink came to take the tempting bait +that had been cunningly placed, he was compelled +to pull a cord that released the hammer by which +the fulminating cap was detonated, and the flashlight +cartridge set going, thus causing the little +animal to take his own picture.</p> + +<p>That very night every one of the four scouts +accompanied Uncle Caleb to set several of these +ingenious traps. The novel experience appealed +to all of them; and even Lil Artha, usually an ardent +hunter, was heard to admit that it afforded +all the excitement necessary for enjoyment, anticipation +and realization combined, without having +to destroy the life of the cunning little creatures +that, in roaming the woods, and seeking +their natural food supplies, were only working +out their individual destinies.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow," Lil Artha confided to Elmer, later +on, when they were returning to the warm cabin +where Zack had been left in full charge, "I don't +believe I'd like to become a regular fur trapper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +though once on a time I did seem to hanker after +such a life. It's all well enough to shoot game +when you're hungry, just like you'd knock over a +chicken when the dominie is coming to dinner; +but this thing of trapping little things like mink +and muskrats just for the money their skins bring +in the market doesn't strike me as quite right. +I'd never see a lady wearing a fur coat again +without feeling queer, like all the innocent little +animals I'd gone and slaughtered were parading +before me. Nixey for mine, I give you my +word."</p> + +<p>Elmer did not make any reply in words, but the +satisfied glance he gave the speaker was eloquent +enough. Truth to tell he was well pleased with +the change that was working in Lil Artha. At +one time the tall scout had shown signs of becoming +so infatuated with hunting that quite a savage +desire to slay things had begun to manifest itself +in his disposition. Already had the mild influence +of Uncle Caleb begun to make itself felt.</p> + +<p>Zack Arnold would not be the only one benefitted +by contact with the owner of the cabin. +Some of the scouts would return home with new +ideas concerning things. Already Elmer could +see where this midwinter holiday trip was going +to repay them a dozen-fold for all it cost. He +was satisfied with the promising results, and +would not have had things different, could the +choice be his for the taking.</p> + +<p>While they were gone Zack had tidied up the +cabin after a rude fashion, considering that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +did not know much about keeping things looking +nice in the first place, and had only one arm to +work with in the second. But it was the fact that +he was beginning to take a decided interest in +things that pleased Uncle Caleb, who was not slow +to commend his thoughtfulness, and Elmer could +see the glow that flashed into the eyes of the big +guide, telling that he had already begun to desire +to do that which would commend itself to his +kind benefactor.</p> + +<p>"And it's going to be all right," Elmer told +himself, as he lay down later in his bunk, watching +the two men who were still sitting by the fire, +talking about the habits of animals, for Zack +having been a guide all his life was brimfull of +such lore; "he's got Zack going, and nothing can +stop him now. It must give a fellow a mighty +nice feeling to know that he's changed such a life, +and for better things. But if we only knew all +that has happened in Uncle Caleb's past I reckon +we'd find that this is just one little incident in a +long string."</p> + +<p>And that night neither Elmer nor Lil Artha +dreamed of keeping watch because of the presence +of so desperate a character as Zack Arnold +under the same roof that sheltered them. Indeed, +so greatly had their opinions changed that +they would have been willing to put considerable +trust in the loyalty of the rough guide. His very +face did not seem one-half so repulsive, now that +it no longer showed the marks of passion and +pain. In fact, Elmer could see where in good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +time Zack might turn out to be a pretty fair looking +sort of a man; for once when he allowed a +smile to cross his face he was rather attractive.</p> + +<p>So the night wore away, and another day +dawned. The boys, knowing that their vacation +was moving swiftly along, and feeling that they +must crowd everything possible into the few remaining +days, had laid out a plan of campaign +that would make this a busy period. And Uncle +Caleb was ready to join them in any undertaking +that had for its object the satisfying of their desire +for rollicking fun, or their education along +the line of a more intimate acquaintance with the +little woods folks in whom he took such a decided +interest.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>GOOD-BY TO THE SNOW FOREST</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> happened that very afternoon Lil Artha met +with an adventure that stirred his red blood at +quite a lively rate, and for a little time caused +quite a lively excitement around the vicinity of +the cabin.</p> + +<p>Elmer, Toby and George had gone off with +Uncle Caleb to investigate some freak of Nature +in which the old scientist was interested. Lil +Artha at the time was suffering from a chafed +heel, and thought the long walk through the deep +snow was more than he cared to undertake; so +he had promised to remain home and look after +preparations for supper.</p> + +<p>As it was too early to think of commencing that +job, he had wandered forth for a little stroll, not +meaning to go far away from the cabin. Of +course such a thing as danger never once appealed +to the boy; and with those new thoughts +concerning hunting and destroying animal life in +possession of his mind, he certainly was not going +to shoulder his shotgun, which he had left in a +corner of the cabin.</p> + +<p>In the midst of his wandering he suddenly +heard a strange scratching sound that gave him a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +thrill. Looking up in the quarter from which it +seemed to come, Lil Artha was astonished to see +a pair of yellow eyes glaring down at him, and +recognize the gray coat of a ferocious wildcat.</p> + +<p>He instantly jumped at the conclusion that this +must be the mate of the animal they had killed +after it had forced an entrance into the cabin, to +steal Uncle Caleb's smoked meat, and then savagely +attacked them. Yes, there could be no doubt +about it; and the cat was evidently of a mind to +spring upon him, and through means of its terrible +claws seek to have revenge for the loss of its +mate. Some feline instinct doubtless told the +beast that this boy must have been concerned in +the death of the partner of its joys and sorrows, +which we happen to know was the actual truth.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha's first thought was to turn and sprint +for the safety of the cabin as fast as he could go. +Then it struck him as a dangerous thing to turn +his back on such a treacherous foe as a wildcat; +for there could be no question but what the animal +would immediately make its leap, and land on his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha realized that the best thing for him +to do was to keep his face turned toward his four-footed +enemy. If only now he could pick up a +suitable cudgel he might be able to give a decent +account of himself; but to struggle with that terror +of the snow forest, with only his bare hands, +did not please him at all.</p> + +<p>He shot a hasty glance all around him. The +snow happened to have blown away in that particular<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +spot, where one of the boys had been chopping +fuel; and there Lil Artha discovered just the +sort of stick he believed he could wield to good +advantage in keeping his feline foe at bay.</p> + +<p>Giving a wild shout, in hopes of alarming the +beast more or less, he sprang toward the coveted +trophy, with outstretched hand. And when his +eager fingers closed about the end of the three-foot +club Lil Artha felt considerably better.</p> + +<p>It appeared, though, that his work was cut out +for him. The cat actually leaped directly for +him, and never would the boy forget how terrible +the sight of that flying figure passing through +space appeared to his excited mind.</p> + +<p>By a nimble jump to one side Lil Artha managed +to avoid contact with the extended claws of +the cat; and the disappointed animal, upon landing +in a heap, instantly whirled around and again +sprang toward him. This time the boy struck +with his club, and managed to knock his assailant +over, though the now thoroughly aroused animal +seemed more determined to get at him than ever.</p> + +<p>So the battle raged, Lil Artha all the while +shouting at the top of his lungs, though he hardly +knew what for, since his chums and Uncle Caleb +were more than a mile distant, and could hardly +hear him at best.</p> + +<p>He fought with all the dexterity he could command. +When he struck at the raging beast he +knew that should he manage to make a miss nothing +could keep him from having the cat fasten itself +on his breast, tearing and biting with fury.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +Time and again did he bring that good club +against the hairy form of his enemy, and send the +wildcat bowling over; but it surely had the nine +lives such tough animals are usually credited with, +for on every occasion it managed to once more +regain its feet, and crippled as it may have been +come stubbornly straight at him again.</p> + +<p>Lil Artha was getting winded, just as he might +have been after knocking a dozen tremendous +fouls, when playing in a hotly contested game of +baseball. He felt a cold chill pass over him as he +began to wonder whether he might not be tired +out by this beast that seemed never to know when +to give in; and what might not happen then?</p> + +<p>Once more he had brought his stick against the +creeping cat with such good will that the animal +was knocked fully six feet away; but to his despair +it immediately recovered, and started back +toward him.</p> + +<p>Just then Lil Artha heard a loud report, and +saw the cat roll over in a heap. As the relieved +scout looked in the direction from whence that +shot had come he saw Zack Arnold standing +there, his face drawn and white with pain; for in +handling Lil Artha's gun so as to relieve the boy +of his fierce antagonist he must have given his +broken arm a severe wrench, that for the moment +made him feel sick and faint.</p> + +<p>And Lil Artha, seeing how things were, threw +an arm about the big guide, weak by reason of his +pain, and helped him back to the cabin. After +that Lil Artha forgot that he had expressed any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +doubt concerning the reformation of Zack Arnold. +The guide had proved his change of heart +by that action; and it would serve to cement the +bonds of the new friendship that had sprung up +between him and Uncle Caleb, as well as the old +scientist's boyish guests.</p> + +<p>Later on, when the others returned from their +trip, the boys full of the interesting things they +had seen, great was their surprise to hear how Lil +Artha had been concerned in a stirring adventure. +The report of the gun had been wafted to their +ears, but of course they expected that it was only +Lil Artha doing a little hunting on his private +account near the cabin, though Uncle Caleb did +not fancy the boy taking any such liberties with +his familiar four-footed friends.</p> + +<p>They all had to go out and examine the body of +the dead wildcat, remarking that if anything it +surpassed its mate in the way of ferocity, and +blind recklessness, in attacking a human being +without any particular provocation, and in broad +daylight at that.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry it had to be," remarked Uncle Caleb, +with a sigh, "for I expected to have considerable +enjoyment later on in trying to get these cats +to play photographer for themselves; but no one +is to blame in either instance. If attacked by +such a fierce creature I myself would shoot to kill +without any hesitation. After its mate was destroyed +I suppose this one would never have given +me any peace. And at any rate it afforded Zack +a chance to prove that he was not ungrateful;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +which after all is the best part of the whole affair, +barring your escape from being clawed, Lil Artha. +Are you sure the claws or teeth of the cat didn't +scratch you the least bit, because in that case I'd +want to take due precautions. Blood poisoning +might set in if the cuts were neglected, all depending +on the condition of your own blood."</p> + +<p>The tall scout had examined his hands and face +thoroughly before the others of the party returned +home, for he was not wholly ignorant concerning +the possible results that sometimes follow +wounds received through carnivorous animals. +He knew that Elmer always made it a practice to +carry with him a small phial of permanganate of +potassium, to be freely used as a wash in such +cases, as calculated to cleanse the wound of all +foreign matter, and neutralize any poison that +might come from contact with claws impregnated +with it.</p> + +<p>He assured the anxious woodsman that he had +escaped even the slightest scratch, and could consider +himself especially fortunate, in which the +other heartily agreed with him.</p> + +<p>Again did they spend another happy evening +around the cheery fire. As the flames glowed and +crackled they coaxed Uncle Caleb to tell more incidents +connected with his explorations in faraway +Thibet, when he was the first white man to +enter the Forbidden City and interview the Head +Llama, whose existence had up to that time been +pretty much of a sealed mystery to the civilized +world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>Another peaceful night followed, and then came +dawn again. This was to be their nest to last +day in the snow forest, because on the second +morning they must prepare to turn their faces +toward home again, seek the little station, signal +to a passing train, and be carried back to familiar +scenes.</p> + +<p>In many ways all of them would be sorry when +the time for separation arrived; and so they had +planned to do divers things during these two +days, which it was sincerely hoped would turn out +pleasant ones. The weather had moderated, and +even a thaw set in late the preceding day, but as +the wind whipped around once more into the +northwest the surface of the snow became covered +with a sheet of ice that was almost thick enough +to bear the weight of a small boy.</p> + +<p>Toby was wild with eagerness to be shown how +to use those wonderful snow-shoes which Uncle +Caleb had given him for a present; and so the old +woodsman showed him just how to attach them to +his toes, so as to leave the balance of the foot free +to bend at his will, though really Elmer had explained +this thing to Toby before.</p> + +<p>Under the guiding care of first Uncle Caleb, and +when he grew tired, of Elmer on the old scientist's +snow-shoes, Toby was enabled to perform +quite creditably, and in the end felt that he knew +fairly well how to spin over the ice-crusted drifts +in a way that would hardly have shamed those +Canadian cousins of his who belonged to the famous +Teuque Bleue Snow-shoe Club up in Montreal,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +and wrote him such glowing accounts of the +long trips they took over Mount Royal, and into +the bush, in the dead of winter.</p> + +<p>The boys had not forgotten how they had been +almost reduced to a diet of musquash at the time +Lil Artha so fortunately shot his deer; and upon +invitation from Elmer, who was genuinely desirous +of learning whether the dish could be as palatable +as some hunters and Indians declared, +Uncle Caleb told them they could get a number of +the little animals with the glossy fur, and he himself +promised to prepare the stew.</p> + +<p>Well, they ate it, and George even came in for +a second helping, but on the whole it was the consensus +of opinion that they did not really hanker +after "musquash," which might please some palates, +and serve as a means to ward off actual +starvation, but did not seem to appeal to them +very strongly. All of which was fortunate indeed +for the furry denizens of the marsh, because there +would be no further loud calls for a repetition of +the dish.</p> + +<p>The last day was pretty much taken up with +seeing all they could of Uncle Caleb and trying +to grasp the results of his labors in the cause of +science and natural history. Each of the boys +was given a sheaf of prints to carry back with +him, many of them most interesting revelations +concerning the hidden lives of the four-footed +neighbors of Uncle Caleb, whose habits were so +little known to the average person. And even +George admitted that he would not have missed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +what he had learned while up in the great snow +forest, with this observing relative of Toby for a +good deal. It had broadened his knowledge of +many things, and given him a much higher estimate +of human nature in seeing how kindness had +won the game over an evil desire for revenge.</p> + +<p>It was all settled, and Zack Arnold was going +to stay there as the side partner of Uncle Caleb. +He did not appear like the same man when on that +last morning he shook each one of the four scouts +by the hand and hoped he would see them again. +There was a look on his face that surprised +George and Lil Artha, who at one time had expressed +themselves so strongly to the effect that +they did not believe any good could ever come out +of so tough a customer.</p> + +<p>"I'll never say that again, as long as I live!" +George admitted, later on; "after this I'm going +to look for the spark of good in every hard case, +instead of only seeing the evil."</p> + +<p>"I sure have had a lesson I'll never forget," +added Lil Artha; "and when you get right down +to facts that Zack Arnold isn't such a bad fellow +either. What he don't know about the woods you +could put in a thimble; and I can see that after +Uncle Caleb has had him with him six months he's +going to turn out something more than half-way +decent."</p> + +<p>Fortunately they did not meet with another +snow storm while on the homeward road but on +arriving at the little station they had only to await +the train. The same little urchin from whom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +they had received the false information grinned +at them. Lil Artha was for giving him the drubbing +he richly deserved; but Elmer counselled differently.</p> + +<p>"After all it was a lucky thing he gave us the +wrong directions," he told the other scouts. +"We have had a whole lot of experiences that +would never have come to us otherwise. And +then you shot that fine young buck, remember, +Lil Artha. So, taking pattern from Uncle Caleb, +suppose we wash the incident from the slate."</p> + +<p>And what did Lil Artha do but approach the +grinning urchin, and actually thank him for the +trouble he had taken to direct them, stating that +they had had the "time of their lives," and tossing +him a silver quarter as a reward for his being +so solicitous about their welfare. The last thing +they saw as the train carried them away was that +country boy standing there, staring at the coin he +held in one hand while he scratched his head in +perplexity and evidently wondered what it all +meant. So Lil Artha had taken a page from the +diary of Uncle Caleb, and applied the kind-hearted +old scientist's methods to his own case.</p> + +<p>The four scouts reached home in safety, and +with plenty to interest those of their comrades of +the troop who had not been along. It is to be +hoped that at some not far distant day in the future +we may be permitted to chronicle still further +of the happenings that came the way of Elmer, +Toby, Lil Artha, George, and others belonging to +the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts.</p> + + +<div class='center'><br />THE END</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> +<div class='bbox'><div class='adtitle'><span class='u'>The</span> <span class='u'>Mountain</span> <span class='u'>Boys</span> <span class='u'>Series</span></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Book list"> +<tr><td align='left'>1. <span class="smcap">Phil Bradley's Mountain Boys</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2. <span class="smcap">Phil Bradley at the Wheel</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>3. <span class="smcap">Phil Bradley's Shooting Box</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>4. <span class="smcap">Phil Bradley's Snow-Shoe Trail</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>These books describe with interesting +detail the experiences of a party of boys +among the mountain pines.</p> + +<p>They teach the young reader how to +protect himself against the elements, what +to do and what to avoid, and above all to +become self-reliant and manly.</p></div> + +<div class='center'> +<i>12mo. :: :: :: Cloth.<br /> +40 cents per volume; postpaid</i><br /> +<br /> +<span class='big'><b>THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</b></span><br /> +<span class="smcap">147 Fourth Avenue New York</span><br /> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> +<div class='bbox'><div class='adtitle'>The Campfire and Trail Series</div></div> + + +<div class='bbox'> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Book list"> +<tr><td align='left'>1. <span class="smcap">In Camp on the Big Sunflower.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2. <span class="smcap">The Rivals on the Trail.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>3. <span class="smcap">The Strange Cabin on Catamount Island.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>4. <span class="smcap">Lost in the Great Dismal Swamp.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>5. <span class="smcap">With Trapper Jim in the North Woods.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>6. <span class="smcap">Caught in a Forest Fire.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>7. <span class="smcap">Chums of the Campfire.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>8. <span class="smcap">Afloat on the Flood.</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><br />By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE.<br /><br /></div> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>A series of wholesome stories for boys told +in an interesting way and appealing to their +love of the open.</p></div> + +<div class='center'><br /> +<i>Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume</i><br /> +</div><br /></div> + + +<div class='bbox'><div class='center'> +<span class='big'>THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br /> +147 FOURTH AVENUE :: :: NEW YORK<br /> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> +<div class='center'>THE "HOW-TO-DO-IT" BOOKS</div> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><span class="smcap">By</span> J. S. ZERBE</div> + + + +<div class='adtitle'><span class="smcap">Carpentry for Boys</span></div> + +<p>A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner +all subjects pertaining to the "King of Trades"; showing the care +and use of tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; +the principles involved in the building of various kinds of structures, +and the rudiments of architecture. It contains over two +hundred and fifty illustrations made especially for this work, and +includes also a complete glossary of the technical terms used in the +art. The most comprehensive volume on this subject ever published +for boys.</p> + +<div class='center'>————————<br /><br /></div> + +<div class='adtitle'><span class="smcap">Electricity for Boys</span></div> + +<p>The author has adopted the unique plan of setting forth the fundamental +principles in each phase of the science, and practically +applying the work in the successive stages. It shows how the +knowledge has been developed, and the reasons for the various +phenomena, without using technical words so as to bring it within +the compass of every boy. It has a complete glossary of terms, and +is illustrated with two hundred original drawings.</p> + + +<div class='center'>————————<br /><br /></div> + +<div class='adtitle'><span class="smcap">Practical Mechanics for Boys</span></div> + +<p>This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of +practical shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure +and handling of shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized +to perform the work, and the manner in which all dimensional work +is carried out. Every subject is illustrated, and model building +explained. It contains a glossary which comprises a new system of +cross references, a feature that will prove a welcome departure in +explaining subjects. Fully illustrated.</p> + + + +<div class='center'>————————<br /> +<i>12mo, cloth. Price 60 cents per volume</i><br /> +————————<br /> + + + + + +<span class='big'>THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</span><br /> +147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. Archaic spellings such as "grummet," +"develope," and "fryingpan" were retained. In addition varied hyphenation +was retained as in "shot-gun" and "shotgun."</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines +under the corrections. 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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: Storm-Bound + or, A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + + +Author: Alan Douglas + + + +Release Date: December 15, 2011 [eBook #38314] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORM-BOUND*** + + +E-text prepared by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan, Emmy, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 38314-h.htm or 38314-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38314/38314-h/38314-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38314/38314-h.zip) + + + + + +STORM-BOUND + +Or + +A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + + * * * * * + +THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS + +A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS + +By Capt. Alan Douglas, Scout-master + + +The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol + + Their first camping experience affords the scouts + splendid opportunities to use their recently acquired + knowledge in a practical way. Elmer Chenowith, a lad + from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his + familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story + every boy should read. + + +Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good + + This tale presents many stirring situations in which + the boys are called upon to exercise ingenuity and + unselfishness. A story filled with healthful + excitement. + + +Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot + + Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected + way, greatly to the credit of our young friends. A + variety of incidents follow fast, one after the other. + + +Fast Nine; or, a Challenge from Fairfield + + They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The + description of the final game with the team of a rival + town, and the outcome thereof, form a stirring + narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent + years. + + +Great Hike; or, The Pride of The Khaki Troop + + After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on + their greatest undertaking. Their march takes them far + from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the + different patrols furnishes many interesting and + amusing situations. + + +Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day + + Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck + in the face of apparent failure. Our heroes show the + stuff they are made of and surprise their most ardent + admirers. One of the best stories Captain Douglas has + written. + + +Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost + + It was hard to disbelieve the evidence of their eyes + but the boys by the exercise of common-sense solved a + mystery which had long puzzled older heads. + + +Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + + The boys start out on the wrong track, but their scout + training comes to the rescue and their experience + proves beneficial to all concerned. + + Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy + Scout Series, all illustrated:-- + + Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--Trees and + Wild Flowers of the United States--Reptiles of the + United States--Fishes of the United States--Insects of + the United States and Birds of the United States. + + _Cloth Binding_ _Cover Illustrations in Four Colors_ + _40c. Per Volume_ + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St.) NEW YORK + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: IT SEEMED AN IDEAL SNUG RETREAT] + + +The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts + +STORM-BOUND + +Or + +A Vacation Among the Snow Drifts + +by + +CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS + +Scout Master + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +The New York Book Company +New York + +Copyright, 1915, by +The New York Book Company + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I ON THE WRONG TRACK 13 + II A STRANGE PLACE TO CAMP 23 + III THE LONG NIGHT 34 + IV SNOW-BOUND 45 + V WANDERING THROUGH THE DRIFTS 58 + VI IN THE FROZEN MARSH 67 + VII LIL ARTHA SAVES THE DAY 78 + VIII A PRIZE IN THE TRAP 89 + IX THE COMING OF UNCLE CALEB 102 + X POSSESSION NINE POINTS OF THE LAW 111 + XI THE CHIMNEY JUMPER 122 + XII SCOUTS IN CLOVER 133 + XIII THE OBJECT LESSON 146 + XIV THE QUEER ACTIONS OF ZACK ARNOLD 154 + XV A SCOUT'S EDUCATION 165 + XVI GOOD-BY TO THE SNOW FOREST 176 + + + + +STORM-BOUND + +OR A VACATION AMONG THE SNOW DRIFTS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +ON THE WRONG TRACK + + +"ELMER, do you believe we're really on the right track, or have we lost +our bearings in this everlasting snow forest?" + +"Ask me something easy, please, Lil Artha!" + +"Well, I didn't like the looks of that sassy kid who was so eager to +have you make a map from what he told us." + +"Struck me he grinned too much, boys, as sure as my name's George +Robbins. I'm beginning to smell a rat, and think he played a low-down +trick on us." + +"That is, George, you mean he purposely gave us the wrong directions, +and that instead of heading straight for the winter cabin of Toby's +jolly Uncle Caleb we're away off our base?" + +"Looks like it to me, that's all I've got to say," muttered the boy who +had called himself George, at the same time glancing apprehensively at +the snow-clad woods surrounding them on all sides. + +"Me too!" added the fourth member of the little heavily-laden party, and +whose good-natured face usually screwed itself up in an odd series of +wrinkles whenever he spoke with such an effort. + +"Well," remarked the boy called Elmer, whose last name was Chenowith, +and upon whose decisions the others seemed to depend considerably, as +though he might be a leader among them; "let's rest up a bit here, and +look the matter squarely in the face. Perhaps we can figure out where +we've gone wrong, and start on a new course." + +These four well-grown lads were all dressed in the well-known khaki +suits that designate Boy Scouts the wide world over. Of course they wore +heavy woolen sweaters in addition, for the time was just after +Christmas, and Old Winter had taken a notion to set in unusually early +that year. + +They belonged to the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy Scouts, which lively +town was situated many miles to the south of the place where we discover +the quartette up against a puzzling question. + +Toby Jones had an old uncle who was not only a scientific man, but who +loved the Great Outdoors so much that of late he had come to spend most +of his time at his lonely cabin in the forest. Here in the summer he +studied, and experimented to his heart's content; while during the +winter he set traps, and took wonderful photographs of the snowbound +woods, as well as of the fur-bearing little animals that made their +homes there. + +The idea had struck Toby that with some of his best chums he surprise +this jolly Uncle Caleb, who was a well-known professor among +scientists. Many times the boy had received a warm invitation to run up +and visit the old gentleman, as well as fetch a friend or two along, but +until this winter Toby had somehow never entertained the idea of doing +so. + +Once it took hold of him, and he became wildly enthusiastic over it. +When he mentioned the scheme to Elmer, as well as two other scouts, they +fell in with it so quickly that the plans were soon arranged. + +Accordingly, immediately after Christmas the four lads had taken a train +for the north, and about noon dropped off at a lonely station, where the +operator was a new hand, and had never even heard of Uncle Caleb, so +that the boys hardly knew which way to turn. Just then they happened to +run across a lanky boy with a grinning face, whom Elmer "pumped," with +the result that they were directed to follow certain landmarks, turn +ever so many times until they came to a frozen creek, up which if they +headed a mile they would discover the cabin they sought. + +They had been following that same frozen stream more than two hours, and +there was not the slightest sign of anything in the way of a shack or +cabin. In fact, it looked as though they had managed to tramp into the +very heart of what seemed to be a trackless forest. In every direction +stretched that never ending array of tall and little trees, each snow +splashed; for there were several inches of the white feathery covering +on the ground, what Elmer called fine "tracking snow;" if only they had +been hunting game instead of a shelter. + +Though all of the scouts kept constantly on the alert they had failed to +detect the first sign of human presence. Not a shout or a gunshot had +they heard; in vain had they searched the snowy ground for the welcome +trail of a trapper going to or coming home after visiting his line of +snares. + +No wonder then that some of the boys had begun to believe they were +tricked by that glib-tongued native lad, who had chuckled so +disagreeably as he accepted the silver quarter Elmer thrust in his grimy +palm. + +All of them bore heavy loads. For the most part these consisted of extra +clothes of course for use in case of extreme cold weather; but two of +them also carried guns; and Toby had strapped on his pack a pair of +snow-shoes his uncle had once presented to him, but which the boy had +never found a good chance to use, though he hoped the time had now +arrived for putting them to some service. + +"I've been trying to figure things out," Elmer told them, as they sat +down on a log to rest, while trying to decide which way they should +turn; "and while I'm liable to be mistaken just as much as anybody else, +I really think we'd have a better chance to find that cabin, or run +across some sign of Toby's uncle, if we quit following this creek bed, +and turned sharply to the right." + +Now Elmer was not only the leader of the Wolf Patrol when at home, but +had long ago qualified for the position of assistant scout master of the +troop. When the regular scout master, a young man named Mr. Roderic +Garrabrant, chanced to be absent, which frequently happened, the boys +looked to Elmer to guide and direct them. + +Consequently the three who were now in his company had come to look for +great things from their chum; and Elmer often found it a difficult task +to satisfy their expectations. And so it was he had in the start given +them to understand that he could make mistakes as well as the next one, +and they must not think him infallible. + +As usual everybody seemed ready to fall in with his suggestion but +George, who had a contrary streak in his make-up, and was always ready +with objections and questions and serious shakings of the head. They +called him "Doubting George," but grown people would long ago have +dubbed him a pessimist, because he was always seeing the gloomy side of +things, and wanting to be doubly convinced. + +"But it seems to me," he started to say, "that we may be jumping out of +the fryingpan into the fire if we do that. How do we know the cabin lies +to the right?" + +"We don't," replied Elmer, without manifesting any feeling over his +opinion being questioned, for he knew George of old, and in fact would +have been considerably surprised if the other had not put up what Toby +called a "kick." + +"Would you like to direct us, George?" asked the tall scout, whose name +was Arthur Stansbury, but whom his schoolmates had in a spirit of fun +long ago dubbed "Lil Artha," which ridiculous nick-name clung to him +like a leech to this day, although he was fully a head above any of the +other fellows. + +"Oh! excuse me from taking that responsibility on my shoulders," George +hastened to say, looking almost alarmed; "if I did, and happened to +guess wrong, I'd never hear the end of it." + +"So you admit that it'd have to be a _guess_, do you?" pursued Lil Artha +mercilessly; "well, on the part of Elmer he's tried to reason the old +thing out, and both Toby'n me feel that we can't do better than try what +he says. I only hope the walking's better than it's been along this +frozen creek, where the ice is too slippery for us to make use of the +same. Why didn't we think to fetch our skates along?" + +"I did think of it," Toby told him; "but it meant more weight to our +packs; and then from what Uncle Caleb's told me about the lay of the +country up here, I couldn't figure out how we'd find any use for skates +where there was only swamp, marsh, and mebbe a few little crooked creeks +nearly always covered with a foot of snow. So I fetched these bully +snow-shoes instead. Don't I hope I'll have a chance to skim over the +snow on the same, if we're lucky enough to get a heavy fall while up +here." + +"Perhaps we may get a storm before we're ready for it," observed Elmer +drily, as he shot a dubious glance up at the gray sky that had such an +ominous look. + +Lil Artha jumped to his feet, showing signs of some excitement. + +"Hey! let's be on the hike, fellows!" he exclaimed; "if a storm dropped +on top of us right now it wouldn't do a thing to us, p'raps. We haven't +got only enough grub for a single day. I guess matches are about the +only thing we're heavy on, because we expected to eat our meals in Uncle +Caleb's cabin most of the time." + +"Well, matches are good things to have up here in the snow woods," +remarked Elmer, who was an exact contrast to George in that he always +saw the silver lining of the cloud, whereas the other scout could not +get beyond the pall. + +"You bet they are," Lil Artha went on to say, as he shouldered his pack, +which he had arranged in regular Adirondack fashion, with a band across +his forehead to assist in sustaining the weight; "though for that +matter, if we went shy of the same I reckon you could depend on me to +get fire by making a little bow, and sawing the same on a pointed stick, +South Sea Islander way. I've done it more'n once, though I never seem +able to depend on my cunning. Something goes wrong so often; or else I'm +in too big a hurry, and spoil everything. But if you're ready lead off, +Elmer. We'll trip along in your tracks, and keep it up for another hour +anyway. That rest did us all a heap of good." + +The four scouts kept pushing on steadily. Elmer in the van continued to +maintain a bright lookout for any sign of footprints in the snow that +would give them encouragement, though as time passed, and he failed to +find any such, the rosy hopes with which they had started began to +gradually fade away. + +Of course the others also kept their eyes about them, in hopes of +sighting a lone cabin, or discovering smoke rising amidst the trees. +Hope died hard, and only George grumbled when more than half an hour had +crept on without their running upon the first sign that would mean +success. + +Once Elmer had pointed out to them the tracks of a fox, and of course +being true scouts, they were all greatly interested in examining the +trail, and speculating on whether it had been of the ordinary red +variety, or a gray animal, perhaps one of those silver-black foxes, the +pelt of which is often valued at as much as fifteen hundred dollars. + +Elmer had settled this question by picking up a hair he found caught on +the split end of a branch that grew low down, and which the body of the +fox, as well as his brushy tail, must have scraped as he slipped past. +It was plainly a red hair, and even George could not find any cause for +disputing that evidence, though he was far from happy, and in a fit mood +for argument if the occasion arose. + +Several other times Elmer pointed to the unmistakable track of a +bounding rabbit, and had they had more time at their disposal the boys +would have liked nothing better than to follow these, so as to figure +out what was chasing bunny to induce him to take such enormous jumps. +But the fact of their being astray in that unknown forest, with night +not far away, and a heavy snow-storm brooding over them, rather +discouraged them from turning aside from the main thing that engaged +their attention, which of course was the finding of the trapper's cabin. + +Nobody paid the least attention to George when they heard him grunting +away in the rear, because George would not have been happy unless he was +miserable, strange though that may sound. There is generally a boy built +after that fashion in every crowd of scouts. As a rule he has some good +qualities that make his friends forgive his bad ones, and finally they +get so accustomed to his grumblings that they pay little attention to +them. In fact George's complainings had little more effect on his boon +companions than so much water poured on a duck's back would. It amused +him to grunt and object, and hurt them very little, so what was the +sense of making any trouble? + +Another fifteen minutes crept along. There did not seem to be any +particular change in things, except that the light was showing signs of +failing, and perhaps George stumbled more frequently, for he was not as +spry on his feet when carrying a pack as the other fellows. + +"Don't seem to be over this way either, Elmer," suggested Lil Artha, +finally. + +"That's right, Uncle Caleb's cabin appears to be as hard to locate as a +needle in a haystack," admitted the leader of the Wolf Patrol, cheerily; +as though it would have to be something more than this to discourage +him, because he had made it his business in life to always look at the +bright side of things; and knew that no matter how gloomy the prospect +might be it could seem much worse. + +"That settles it!" came abruptly from George in the rear. + +"What's the matter with you back there; stubbed your toe again? We'll +have to make a scout litter and carry you the rest of the way, if you +keep on falling over every old log there is," Lil Artha told him, +severely. + +"'Tain't that this time, mind you," the delinquent one answered back, +with a triumphant grin; "but what's the use trying to poke along any +further? Might as well be killed for a sheep as a lamb, any day. This +place looks like it'd make a good camp for to-night." + +"Camp?" echoed Toby. + +"Sure thing!" snapped George. "We're all tuckered out, and as hungry as +wolves in the dead of winter; night's comin' on right fast; and then if +you take a look you'll see that it's begun to snow!" and as the others +did glance hastily up they discovered the first few big flakes commence +to sail lazily down! + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A STRANGE PLACE TO CAMP + + +"I'M surprised at you saying it's going to snow, George," Lil Artha +remarked, as he turned on the doubting scout; "because it'd be more like +you to tell us ten flakes didn't make a storm, and that anyway there was +always a chance of it giving us the go-by. Guess you're tired, and want +to snuggle down close to a warm fire, which would explain why you give +in so easy-like." + +"Just as you please, so long as we do camp," replied the other, as he +began to undo the straps that secured his hamper to his back. + +"Keep still, fellows!" said Elmer, in a husky whisper; "I honestly +believe I saw a bevy of partridges fly up in a tree over yonder," and as +he dropped his pack lightly to the ground, he gripped the trusty little +twelve-bore Marlin double-barreled shot-gun which he had owned for a +number of years, and occasionally found a use for. + +"Oh! partridges, fat partridges, and me as hungry as a bear!" gasped +Toby; but Elmer had already quitted his chums, and was making his way +toward the point he had indicated with his hand. + +They watched him with considerable eagerness, and waited to see what +luck attended his stalking action. + +"Since it looks like we'd have to spend a night here, like the Babes in +the Wood," Lil Artha was saying in a whisper, "it'd be real nice if +Elmer could only bag four plump birds for our supper! Let's hope he gets +a string of the same in range, and makes a double with each shot." + +"Honest Injun! I think I could devour four myself, without half trying," +Toby assured them, rubbing the pit of his stomach as though to call +their attention to the fact that it was an aching void. + +"Huh! you mightn't even get the smell of a single one cooking," George +warned him; "because I've been told partridges are wary old birds, even +up here, where they light in the trees after being flushed, instead of +going off with a whirr of their wings, like they do down our way." + +"There, he's going to let drive!" said Lil Artha, who, being something +of a hunter himself, had been closely observing the progress of Elmer +all this time. + +"Good luck to his pot-shot!" muttered Toby. + +Two reports were heard in quick succession. Then Elmer was seen to +hastily run forward, at the same time managing to reload his gun. + +"He got one, anyhow!" cried Toby, exultantly; "that fixes _me_ all +right. There, he has grabbed another up off the ground. Bully for Elmer! +He knows how to work the game, all right. What! another bird? Oh! +George, if only he had killed four you might have had one, the same as +the rest of us!" + +"Well, I like your nerve," said George, indignantly; "why should I be +singled out to get left, tell me that, Toby?" + +"Keep quiet, George, and don't get riled so easy," Lil Artha told him, +"because, as sure as you live he's hurrying over to pick a fourth bird +up. What d'ye think of that for great luck, now? Four hungry scouts, and +a fat partridge for each. I think it's a splendid introduction to Uncle +Caleb's pet game preserve, don't you all?" + +"He must have knocked over three with that right barrel," ventured Toby; +"like as not they were all sitting along a limb when he fired, and then +he picked that last one when they were on the wing, remembering that +George would have to go hungry, or only suck the racks, if he didn't get +another." + +When Elmer rejoined them he was wearing a smile of contentment such as +usually adorns the face of a successful sportsman. + +"Couldn't have been better any way you fixed it, fellows," he told them. +"There they sat, in a row, and you never saw a prettier sight. I just +hated to do such a thing, but even scouts can be forgiven for shooting +game when they're adrift in an unknown snow forest, and hungry in the +bargain." + +"I should say they could," Lil Artha added, forcibly, "and lots of other +times in the bargain. But these birds are as plump as any I've ever +seen. Just feel of the fat breasts, will you? Makes my mouth water, +thinking how fine they'll go with our coffee and crackers. How fortunate +we thought to bring a few things along in case Uncle Caleb might run +short on rations. Plenty of coffee, a little tea, some sugar, a can of +condensed milk, crackers, cheese, a pound of bacon, and a package of +self-raising flour for flapjacks. We ought to subsist for a whole day on +that bill of fare, don't you think?" + +"And as we've got our guns along," interposed Lil Artha, "with more or +less of game around us, what's the use of worrying? For one I'm meaning +to take things as they come, and squeeze what fun I can out of the +same." + +"That's the stuff!" said Toby, and Elmer nodded his approval; only +skeptical George remained silent, for he was feeling of his partridge +and with a frown on his brow that made Toby hasten to assure him the +bird was a real one, and not such as he may have seen in his dreams. + +Already Elmer was casting about to see where they had better locate +their camp. It was easy to say this would be for only one night, but how +did they know? The threatening storm might swoop down with such force +that it would virtually imprison them for a much longer stay. And so he +considered it worth while to do the best possible while they had any +choice of situation. + +Elmer had had considerable experience, having spent a year up on a +Canadian cattle ranch and wheat farm owned by an uncle, Elmer's father +having been given charge of the property. There the boy had learned +dozens of things that were apt to prove valuable to any one in the +woods. Besides, he had made it a practice to pick up information +wherever he went by asking questions, investigating for himself, and +constantly increasing his stock of knowledge. + +Looking in every quarter he presently decided that since they carried no +tent, and it would be no easy task to make a brush shelter, their best +move was to settle down in the lee of one of those cavities formed when +a hurricane had toppled a number of giant trees over, with their roots, +and the earth attached to the same, standing fully eight feet in the +air. + +There was a little choice about the matter, and Elmer picked out the one +best suited to screen them from the northwest wind. The snow would +surely come from that direction, and having a windbreak might mean +considerable. + +"Drop everything here, boys, and let's hustle to collect all the wood we +can find. Don't stop short of darkness, because maybe we'll have to keep +a fire going for several days. Just drag it handy, so we'll know where +to find it, even if the snow comes two feet deep!" + +"Whew! I sure hope it don't get us that way to start with," said Toby; +"and us not knowing whether Uncle Caleb's shack is to the north, east or +west. Don't I wish we'd run across him in the woods, and were toasting +our shins alongside a fire in his comfy little place right now! Um! But +the snow's coming faster than she was, fellows!" + +"The more reason we should get busy," Elmer told him. + +At that they started energetically to "make hay while the sun shone," as +Lil Artha said, though he must himself have been convinced that the +comparison was hardly a good one, judging from the grimace he gave when +casting his eyes upward toward the leaden sky that frowned down upon +them like a dome. + +Fortunately there was no lack of wood handy. This had doubtless been one +reason why Elmer had decided on pitching the camp where he did. Those +fallen trees had in crashing to the ground broken many large limbs off, +and all that was necessary for the campers to do was to drag these, one +after another, to a convenient striking distance from the hole in which +they intended spending the night. + +All around it they banked up the loose wood, until Toby declared they +had fully enough to do an army. + +"Don't you believe it," said Lil Artha, an authority on fires among his +fellow scouts; "you'd be s'prised to see what an enormous amount of wood +a fire eats up in a single night; and like as not we may have to hold +the fort a week, just as Elmer said. Keep on fetching it a little while +longer, boys." + +"You're on the safe side there, Lil Artha," the cautious scout master +decided; "we can't have too much burning wood, with that sky threatening +us. And to run out, with the snow piled up hip-high over everything +wouldn't be the nicest job in the world. Let's work at it for another +ten minutes. By then it will be so near dark that we can lay off, and +get our camp fixed." + +So they labored on industriously until Elmer called a halt. George was a +good enough worker, and usually did his share when the necessity arose. +His grumbling really sprang more from force of habit than a desire to +make himself disagreeable. Sometimes Elmer seriously considered whether +it would pay them to try and cure George of his fault-finding, and then +as often decided that, given time, it must surely die out. Things of +that sort generally thrive on opposition. + +To Lil Artha was given over the task of making the fire. It was lucky +indeed in this pinch that Elmer had thought to bring his pet camp +hatchet along. Though its weight had added to his weariness on the +march, he had had what he called a "hunch" that it might come in handy, +though hardly expecting to be compelled to fall back on the little tool +the first thing in order to supply fuel for a camp. + +So the tall scout began to hack at a couple of promising fragments of +thick limbs which would make good sides for the cooking fire, and upon +which their coffeepot could rest; for they had such a thing along, as +well as a skillet, both made of aluminum, and weighing next to nothing. + +Elmer, assisted by George and Toby, meanwhile started to see how some +sort of shelter could be arranged with the four rubber ponchos which +they carried. He knew how soldiers on the march are in the habit of +fastening two of these together by means of the grummet holes along the +edges, forming a little shelter called a "dog-tent," under which the +pair can at least keep the upper halves of their bodies from the rain. + +By skillful work they managed to cover the cavity behind the upturned +roots of the fallen forest monarch in such a fashion that it would shed +most of the snow, even though some might drift through the cracks. + +"A pretty good job!" Lil Artha told them, as he suspended operations in +connection with his fire, which was by now sending out a grateful +warmth, and much good cheer in addition. + +"Next thing is to get the birds plucked, and ready for the spit," +announced Toby, as he took up the one that had been apportioned to him. + +George followed suit, but was evidently a poor hand at stripping the +feathers off, to judge by the gingerly way he went at it. Lil Artha had +to show him just how to grip hold, and make things fly; but even then +George looked anything but happy. + +"And I'd feel safe in wagering," said Toby, with a laugh, as he held up +his partridge, beautifully cleaned, and ready to be broiled before the +fire, after he had split it down the back, "that if we were anywhere +near home George would be willing to spend his last dime in bribing +some boy to finish his job; but that don't go here; no work no pay. +Those who expect to dine on partridge must prepare the same. You hear me +speaking, George. But I don't mind showing you again how I do it, which +according to my notion is a better way than Lil Artha has." + +And as George, seeing his opportunity, commenced to compliment Toby, and +engage his attention, the result was that he got his partridge not only +completely denuded down to the last pinfeather, but split along the back +in the bargain. + +After that a busy scene that glowing, snapping fire saw, with the +coffeepot sending out a delightful aroma, and the four hungry boys each +holding out his game near the flames, turning it often in order to allow +every part to receive an equal share of the intense heat that was +browning the outside so beautifully. + +Finally Toby gave a groan. + +"Can't stand for it any longer, and that's a fact, fellows!" he +announced; "please fill my cup with coffee, Elmer, and let me get +started or I'll cave in. George, pass that package of crackers, will +you; and, Lil Artha, I'd like to sample that cheese if you don't mind!" + +"For goodness' sake everybody wait on Toby, and get him shut off, or +he'll give us no peace!" exclaimed Lil Artha, though he had already put +his own teeth into one half of his sizzling partridge, to find that it +was as tender as could be, and perfectly delicious. + +In another minute or two all of them were busily engaged. It was such a +pleasant duty, partaking of this forest meal, and amidst such romantic +surroundings, that for the time being they forgot all the dismal +prospects ahead of them, and were quite merry. Toby joked, and Lil Artha +laughed aloud, while Elmer joined them, and even George, placated by +having his gnawing pains satisfied, for the time being looked contented +with the world. He would not have made any objection had he been offered +a second edition of that game supper; for when his bird had been reduced +to a mere lot of well-picked bones his taste for broiled partridge +seemed as keen as ever. + +Possessed of hearty boyish appetites it can readily be understood that +they had made a pretty good hole in their limited supplies by the time +all of them admitted that they were satisfied. Toby professed to be +greatly concerned because of this growing scarcity of rations, and as +for George, his gloom had returned, since he was already talking of the +time, near at hand most likely, when the cupboard would be as bare as it +was when Old Mother Hubbard went to get her dog a bone. + +"Gee! whiz! look at it coming down, would you!" burst out Lil Artha, as +having finished attending to that clamorous appetite, he thought it +worth while to take an observation, in order to learn what the weather +might be. + +"Never saw it snow harder," admitted Toby. + +"Be over our heads by morning, see if 'tain't," George prophesied. + +"Well, p'raps you may have a chance to use those snow-shoes sooner'n you +thought you would, Toby," ventured Lil Artha, as they all crouched +there, staring out at the dark forest, and watching the myriads of big +flakes steadily falling, as though a storm of the greatest magnitude had +come down from the far northwest, where the weather man keeps this brand +of thing in tap for scouts who are incautious enough to be caught +napping, away off in a strange woods, and with only rations for one day +in their haversacks. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE LONG NIGHT + + +"LET me tell you this is going to be the queerest old camp any of us +ever found ourselves stuck in," Toby ventured to remark, some time +later. + +"I should say it was," grumbled George, as he rubbed his ears, and then +held both hands out toward the fire to warm them again. + +"I know one thing we ought to do right away," said Elmer, "and that's +get out those warm skating tuques; they'll keep the air off our heads, +and can be drawn down to protect our ears." + +"That's a good idea, Elmer," Lil Artha told him, "because I don't want +to have one of my wigwags frozen off. You see, I'm so much taller than +the rest of you it takes harder work for my poor heart to pump warm +blood all the way up; and so I'm likely to suffer from cold extremities. +Seems like that off ear is frosted right now." + +"If it is," cried George, hurriedly, as though he thought Lil Artha +meant all he said, "take my advice, and rub it hard with a lot of snow. +That'll take the frost out, and start circulation again. Brr! but this +is going to be a tough night, when you think of it." + +"I don't know," Elmer told him; "seems to me we've got a whole lot to +be thankful for, with this fine fire, and a protection against the +storm. Perhaps we may run up against something harder than this before +we're done." + +"But we haven't got a tent, and our grub is pretty skimpy, say what you +will," the grumbler went on to protest. + +"Yes, that's all very true," continued Elmer, "but how wise we were to +fetch our blankets along, for fear that Toby's uncle mightn't have +enough in stock to go around. They felt pretty heavy when we carried +them, soldier fashion, around one shoulder, and tied them under the +other arm; but here's where they come in dandy." + +"Well, believe me, it was the smartest trick we ever did," Lil Artha +hastened to comment, "and if we'd only glimpsed this sort of box ahead, +so as to lay in three times as much grub, it'd be all right." + +"It is all right as it stands," the leader went on to say, "and we'll +show how scouts can take things as they come, without making mouths. So +let's see how we're going to fix ourselves for the night." + +"Guess none of us care much to sit up late, and gabble over the fire," +suggested Toby; "though it seems a fellow can't get enough of that heat +in him." + +"I want to shut out the whole business," affirmed George, in sheer +disgust, "and I hope that after my eyes close I won't know a blooming +thing till morning." + +George was a good sleeper as a rule, and his troubles seldom kept him +from getting a fair share of rest. Nor was he like his cousin, Philander +Smith, also a member of the Wolf Patrol, and who had been known to walk +in his sleep; George, once he snuggled down, with his blanket tucked all +around him, was like a regular Indian mummy. The others, knowing this +from past experiences, paid little attention to his complaints +concerning a disturbed night, because they knew it never had any real +basis of fact. + +For some little time the four boys busied themselves getting "fixed." +George was as hard to suit as any old maid. He found something wrong +with every corner of the depression that he tried; here it was a root +that jabbed him in the ribs; in another place the point of a big stone +made it impossible for him to curl up, and maintain a comfortable +attitude. + +After he had made the complete round, the others allowing him his +choice, he was finally compelled to accept the first position he had +tested. + +"Now let's hope we've heard the last kick from you, George," Lil Artha +told him, severely, after submitting to all this fussing; "I don't see +what you've got to complain about after all. Your bones are well covered +with a pad, while mine stick out like the joints of a scarecrow. And +say, don't you think I'm going to have a tough time of it stowing these +long legs of mine away? Chances are they'll push out in the night, and +when I wake up again I'll find the lower part of poor Lil Artha as +stiff as a board. Subside, George! Give the rest of us a chance to get +settled down. If we all took as long as you did it'd be near morning +before we fixed things." + +Finally, however, they seemed to have made the best of a bad bargain. +Taking Elmer's advice they all kept as close together as possible. In +this way perhaps they might not secure a great abundance of decent +sleep, but the fact of their being in touch with each other would add to +their comfort in the way of warmth. + +Elmer, with characteristic generosity, had chosen last, and hence he lay +nearer the outside of the shelter than any of his mates. But having +known what it was to be exposed to the rigors of a cold storm, since he +had braved a Canadian winter while up on that ranch, the young scout +master also knew how to make use of his blanket as though it were a +sleeping bag. + +The hours dragged slowly along. + +Afterwards they would always look back, and shudder as they remembered +how terribly long that night did seem. And yet none of them really +suffered, save that it was impossible to sleep, only in snatches. + +This was on account of several things. In the first place, they were +jammed together in a way to which they were wholly unaccustomed; and +when one stirred on becoming cramped it aroused all the others in turn. +Then their strange surroundings had more or less influence upon them. +Not that there was any furious noise, such as would have accompanied a +summer gale; but the weird moaning of the wintry wind through the +leafless branches of the oaks, and the bending tops of the pines, made a +music that kept them thinking they heard human voices calling for help. + +Another reason why Elmer had chosen the outside place when lying down +was his desire to keep watch upon the fire. + +It was his intention to keep this going as long as possible, though a +fellow built on the order of George would have complained bitterly had +he been compelled to crawl out of his snug nest several times in order +to face that pitiless storm, and pile more fuel on the smouldering logs. + +Elmer was one of those boys who, knowing his duty, always went about it +without any brag or bluster, and could be depended on to sacrifice his +own comfort in order that his chums might benefit. In other words Elmer +was what you might call an ideal scout. He seldom had any trouble about +practicing those twelve cardinal principles that govern the working day +of a scout--to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, +kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. They came +naturally to him. + +Three times did he perform this fire-building act. The last occasion +must have been well on toward the hour of three in the morning, as he +judged from certain conditions, though he could not bother looking at +his little silver watch. + +At that time the storm was keeping it up just as wildly as ever, and +there was much more than a foot of snow on the ground, where it had not +drifted; with any quantity still to come down. + +After that Elmer must have secured better sleep, for he did not wake up +again until a movement accompanied by a voice aroused him. + +"Great Scott! let me tell you the bottom's dropped out of the mercury +tube this time, boys!" the voice went on to bellow, and he recognized +the tones as belonging to George, who had not been heard from ever since +he first curled up in the folds of his warm blanket. + +He was raising his head now, and observing his breath as it congealed in +the frosty air. Elmer knew that the time to sleep had passed, because it +was daylight. + +"How about that snow, has it stopped?" asked another voice, as Toby sat +up, and began to stretch his arms upon which he may have been lying so +that they felt more or less numb. + +"Still coming down as hard as ever," Elmer told him, shaking quite a lot +of the feathery stuff out of the folds of his blanket; and then +struggling to his feet. + +There was no lounging around that morning. It was so cold that every +fellow was glad to get into action immediately he came out of his +blanket. George begged to be allowed to lie there until the fire got +good and warm. He urged every plea he could think of, saying they would +only get in each others' way by crowding; and that too many cooks always +spoiled the broth, anyway; but Toby and Lil Artha declared they had no +use for a shirker; and if he did nothing else he could stand up and +serve as a windbreak for the "willing workers." + +The fire had gone completely out, and several inches of snow covered the +spot; but wise, long-headed Elmer had provided against such a +contingency on the evening before, for he had a handful of fine wood, +light and dry, handy, with which to make a fresh start. + +After things got to moving it was not so bad. The scouts soon felt even +a little cheerful over the situation, because a crackling fire is one of +the greatest inducements to raising one's spirits ever discovered. When +shivering with the cold, and hungry as well, the world looks pretty blue +to any one; but let that same person come in close contact with a fire +that warms him up, and things quickly take on quite a different hue. + +Then there was that fragrant odor of coffee and bacon cooking on the +fire that tickled the noses of the boys; nothing could beat that for +good cheer--"if only they had more of the same," as George constantly +reminded them, even when enjoying his share. + +"Strikes me this is a mighty slim breakfast," he remarked, as he found +that he had already caused more than half that was on his pannikin to +vanish, and yet his appetite seemed as sharp as ever. + +"You never spoke truer words, George," said Toby, soberly, "but when you +stop to think what a small amount of stuff we've got along with us, and +the bad fix we're in, you can understand that we've got to cut the +allowance down." + +"Yes," added Lil Artha, "of course you've heard of shipwrecked mariners +being in a boat, and drifting around on the big ocean for days and days. +Well, they always have to go on half rations, both with food and fresh +drinking water. Anyhow we won't have to bother our poor heads about that +last, because all we have to do is to melt snow and get what we want." + +"Hang it, I wish we could melt all the old white stuff; I hate it!" +George continued, being a poor loser. + +"And yet I've heard you fairly raving over the beautiful snow," chuckled +Lil Artha, "but then that was when you were out sleigh riding with Polly +Brett. Makes considerable difference what your condition is, how you +look at things. For my part I don't hanker after snow one bit right now. +Seen all I want to of it to last me all winter; but then what's the use +bothering your head about things that can't be changed. It's a +condition, not a theory, that confronts us, and what we want to do is to +set our minds to work wrestling with the question of how we're going to +crawl out of this difficulty and find Uncle Caleb's shack." + +"Whew! mebbe I don't wish we were there now, snug under his roof, and +telling him all about our adventure, as well as how Elmer here found a +way to pull his chums out of a hole, like he always does," and Toby, +while saying this, gave the scout master a sly look, as though begging +him to tell them some hopeful news that would buoy their sinking +spirits up. + +"I wish I had as much confidence in myself as you seem to feel in me, +Toby," was what Elmer told him, "but I couldn't say the storm is nearly +over, because it's coming down as hard as ever, and goodness knows when +it means to let up. But we're a lively bunch, you know, and we're bound +to find some way of getting out of this scrape." + +"We've been in others just as tough, remember," Lil Artha declared, "and +always did get to the top of the heap in the end." + +"That's the way to talk," Elmer continued; "confidence is always one +half of the battle. We've proved that on many a hard-fought field, +baseball, football and hockey as well. If you can force yourself to +believe you will win, the chances are improved three-fold." + +"Well," said George, drily, as he stared very hard at his now empty +platter, "I'm doing my level best to force myself to believe this +pannikin is heaped high with beefsteak and fried onions and fried +potatoes; now if I've got a third of a chance to get what I'm wishing +for, even that much would fill a long-felt want. But say, none of you +see any grub coming along on my dish do you? Well, wishing don't seem to +do any good. I'm as hungry as ever, too, worse luck. Even speaking of +such splendid eatings seems to make my mouth water." + +"Then stop it!" cried Toby; "think all you want to, but the rest of us +have feelings as well as you, and it's cruelty to animals to even +mention such things as--" + +"Hold on there! don't you aggravate things by mentioning that list +again, or I'll proceed to roll you out of this hole into the snow +drifts!" threatened Lil Artha, pretending to make a threatening gesture, +while Toby threw up both hands in token of abject surrender. + +"I'm dumb as an oyster, Lil Artha," he protested. "I haven't got another +word to say; but if there's got to be any ejecting done let's grab the +right party, and see that he gets his full dose." + +George had meanwhile managed to pick up a couple of extra crackers, and +having his mouth full did not make any reply. Lil Artha deftly snatched +the box away from him, and closing it, calmly placed it out of reach. + +"No hogging, now, George," he went on to say; "share and share alike is +the rule we've got to go by from now on. If there's any hungry feeling +swinging around, it's going to be no one-sided game. Others can feel +empty as well as the Robbins family pet. But let's hope that before +another night we'll all be sitting around a table in Uncle Caleb's +shack, as warm and cozy as four bugs in a rug." + +The mere thought of having to spend a second night amidst those enormous +snow drifts gave the boys an unpleasant feeling. They turned and looked +out from under their rude shelter. The fire itself was cheery; but +beyond this lay the piles of snow, the grim trees with their white arms +extended like monuments in the burying ground at Hickory Ridge, and with +the air full of still rapidly falling flakes, as though the weather man +up aloft had an unlimited supply of white geese to pluck on this special +occasion. + +For a short time no one said a word. They were all busy with thoughts, +perhaps connected with their happy homes, so far removed; or it might be +trying to picture the cheery scene Lil Artha had spoken of when he +mentioned that cabin of Uncle Caleb, the man of science, and the small +animal photographer and trapper. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SNOW-BOUND + + +"I DON'T believe there ever was such a furious snow-storm as this +before!" Toby remarked, after a while, with a little pensive sigh, as +though he had already begun to repent having conceived that brilliant +idea, in the following out of which they had fallen into their present +serious predicament. + +"Oh! that's because the wish is father to the thought, Toby," Elmer told +him. "We all like to stand up ahead of the other fellows. If you were +home right now I reckon you'd just say that it was a pretty decent sort +of a storm; but being cooped up here in the woods makes things look +different." + +"How deep do you think she is on the level, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha; "as +much as three feet?" + +"Nothing like that," replied the other, quickly; "you mustn't judge by +seeing what's piled up there. That's a drift, and the eddies of wind +have been piling it up all night long. You see the snow is as dry almost +as powder, owing to the cold. It's quit falling in big flakes, and is +sifting down now in fine stuff." + +"Yes, and it gets down your back every time, if you don't look out," +complained George. "This beats my time all hollow. I wonder how it'll +end." + +Elmer purposely made out to mistake the croaker's meaning; he knew that +George was thinking of the dismal outlook by which they were confronted, +but chose to pretend it was something else that was intended. + +"What, this storm, George?" he said, cheerily; "oh! it'll wind up before +a great while. They all have their innings, you know, some longer than +others." + +"I should say this was one of the longest, then," George affirmed. + +"But after it does stop we can make up our plans, and start to carry the +same out," Elmer continued, knowing that if he kept the minds of his +companions employed in some fashion they would not find much time to +worry. "I'm going to settle down pretty soon by the fire here, and +figure things out again. This time we want to make a sure job of it. I +know the wiggly route we've taken to get here, following that little +creek, and I've settled it in my mind just which way we ought to go to +remedy our blunder." + +"It wasn't so much a mistake as false tips we received, you remember, +Elmer," Lil Artha was quick to say. + +"Yes, that skunk told us wrong just to have what he thought would be a +silly joke on scouts," Toby added. "Guess he thought we considered +ourselves some punkins because we wore khaki suits, and he was mean +enough to want to take us down a peg. I'd like to see that same chap +again. What I wouldn't do to him wouldn't be worth telling." + +"At any rate he's forced us to have a novel experience," Elmer told +them. "Only for his sending us on a false scent we wouldn't have had the +chance to know what scouts can do when storm-bound in a snow forest. +Some time, when it's all away back in the past, and you can sit and +think of it without getting furious, perhaps none of us may feel quite +so hard about that young scamp's work." + +"Huh! about that time begin to feel of your shoulders," grunted George, +"because I reckon the wings will have started to sprout. If I had _my_ +way I'd condemn that rascal to spend a whole week in a snow camp, with +only six matches along, and just enough grub to keep him from starving. +Half rations and George Robbins don't seem to agree very well." + +"Nothing seems to agree well with you this morning, George," remarked +Lil Artha; "I hope it don't turn out to be catching." + +"What do you mean by saying that, Lil Artha?" demanded the other, +suspiciously. + +The tall scout shrugged his shoulders as he went on to cautiously +explain. + +"Why, you know we were talking about shipwrecked sailors a while back, +and how they often had to go on half rations because they carried so +little in the boat with them?" + +"Yes, go on," urged George. + +"Once in a while it gets even worse than that," Lil Artha continued, +gravely, "and they have to draw lots to see who will be sacrificed, so +that the rest of the bunch can live." + +"Aw! come off, and quit that!" cried George; "you're just trying to +scare me, and it don't go worth a cent. Nobody is going to starve here +in the woods where we can find some sort of meat to eat, even crow, if +we have to come to it, or perhaps muskrat. That's a mighty poor joke, +Lil Artha, let me tell you." + +"Well, of course I'm hoping myself that things'll never get _just_ that +bad," the tall scout went on to say, "but only supposin' they did, and +the choice fell on you, I'm wondering if ever afterwards the three of us +would have to go around all our lives finding fault with everything. I +wouldn't like that, George." + +"But what about yourself?" demanded the other; "you might happen to be +the first victim after all, Lil Artha." + +"That makes me smile," he was informed, coolly; "d'ye think now anybody +with eyes in his head would be so silly as to pick out a bony scarecrow +like _me_ when they could settle on a nice plump chicken of your build?" +and he playfully dug his fingers in George's ribs as he said this. + +"Let's change the subject," Toby broke in with; "this always talking of +eatin' seems to jar on my nerves. It sets me to thinkin', and that empty +larder stares me in the face. Something's got to be done about it." + +"Sure it has," echoed Lil Artha, eying George closer so that the other +squirmed uneasily, and edged further away from him. + +"If we stay right where we are nothing will come to us, will there, +Elmer?" Toby pursued. + +"If you mean anything in the way of game we could hardly expect it," +replied the scout master. "The fellow who generally gets there is the +one who goes out and finds what he wants, and doesn't hang around home +waiting for something to turn up. That's what wideawake scouts believe +in." + +"Hurrah! that's the ticket! And when can we make a start?" demanded +Toby. + +"If there's any sign of the storm letting up by noon, we'll clear out +and take our chances of finding Uncle Caleb's shack before night-time," +he was told. + +"And as the snow's so deep," Toby rattled on, "what's to hinder me from +trying my bully snow-shoes?" + +"Nothing that I know of," Elmer remarked; "only I'm afraid you won't +find the going as easy as you expect." + +"I won't, eh? What's the reason?" asked Toby, who always wanted to be +shown. + +"You're a new beginner, in the first place, and a knowledge of how to +walk on snow-shoes is something that's got to be gained by experience. +I've been on them up in Canada; and they had to dig me out lots of times +before I learned how to stand straight. If once you slip it's good-bye +to you. Down your head goes, and you can't get up alone because of the +clumsy big shoes. They always carry a long stick to keep from taking +these headers, especially when going it alone." + +"Anything else?" asked the aspiring one, as he took up the pair of +splendid snow-shoes Uncle Caleb had sent him, and made as if to secure +his toe in place with the thong intended for that purpose. + +"Yes, there's another thing that will make it doubly hard," Elmer +informed him. "Dry snow like this is the toughest kind to walk over. +When hunters go after deer or moose on snow-shoes they always pick a +time after a thaw, when a return of the cold has frozen the wet surface +of the deep snow. Over this thin ice they can run three times as fast as +the poor deer, which breaks through with every jump, and flounders +almost helplessly." + +"That sounds almost like plain murder, do you know," Lil Artha +vehemently declared, frowning at the idea. + +"Well, if you were hungry, and that was the only way to get near a +venison mebbe you wouldn't feel so particular," George told him. "I know +right now that I wish a splendid buck was doing some of that same +floundering near us, and Elmer had a chance to settle his hash for him. +It'd sure do me a heap of good just to know we had enough grub for a +week, and then some." + +"That's a forbidden subject, George," remonstrated Elmer, who wanted to +get the minds of his chums directed in more pleasant channels; "let's +all get together and compare notes about direction. I said I had a plan, +but then I might be off my base, and some of you could correct me. Four +heads are better than one all the time." + +His scheme succeeded, for presently he had managed to get them deeply +interested in the subject of location, so that one after another put +forward some plan. + +It was about all they could do, under the circumstances, that and +keeping the fire burning. Even George so far forgot his troubles as to +suggest several things that were well weighed before being rejected. + +As it turned out, after the conference, Elmer had changed his figures a +little, and the latest plan was to head a point south of northwest when +they started forth in hopes of finding shelter from the storm. + +No one knew the grim necessity for action better than Elmer. While he +tried to assume a pleasant face in order to keep the courage of the +others up, he understood the serious character of their condition far +more than he was willing to openly admit. + +They could not expect any one to come and find them, if they continued +to stay where they were; and besides the scantiness of their provisions +entailed the necessity for doing some sort of hunting in the snow forest +in hopes of securing a new supply. + +As the morning dragged on many anxious glances were cast out to where +that fine powdery substance was showering steadily down, adding to the +tremendous quantity that was already on the ground. If it would only +begin to slacken how thankful they would be. + +On several occasions some one would exclaim that it looked as though the +snow might be coming down in lessened quantities, but no sooner did they +begin to pay close attention than the storm seemed to start in again as +furiously as ever. + +So the time drew near the middle of the day, and as yet they could not +say that there was any hopeful sign. + +"If it gets along past noon we're in for another night here, I'm +afraid," Lil Artha argued, "because, you remember the old saying, +'between eleven and two, it'll tell you what's it's going to do.' +Needn't chuckle that way, George, because I've often seen that proved. +Seems like that's a turning point most times, if there's going to be any +change." + +"All silly bosh!" George went on to say, for at least he was not given +to believing in "signs" and such things; "haven't I many a time seen a +storm go on past noon, and look as black as a pocket, only to clear +handsomely about four or five, with the grandest rainbow in the west you +ever saw? Those sayings are all bunco, Lil Artha. I'm surprised at as +sensible a scout as you admitting that you believe in any of the same. +I'm not superstitious, whatever else I may be." + +"Oh! well, it doesn't matter which one's right," the tall scout +observed; "the thing is there's always a fair chance of its breaking +around noon; and let's hope it'll be kind enough to do that same +to-day. I know Elmer wants to make a move as much as any of us, don't +you, Elmer?" + +"Yes, and I don't care how soon it comes along, either," he was told +without the slightest hesitation. + +"There's one comfort we've got," said Toby. + +"I'd like to hear it, then," George muttered, disconsolately, eying the +other half suspiciously, as though he feared another trap intended for +his unwary feet. + +"We've got stacks of coffee along, and can always have a cup to cheer us +up. I think that counts a lot. It not only warms you inside, but gives +you courage to face your troubles like a true scout." + +"And yet some scouts are never allowed to drink tea or coffee," +suggested George. + +"I'm sorry for them, that's all," Toby continued; "we don't happen to +fall in that class, do we, fellows? My folks let me have one cup every +morning; and when I'm in camp I c'n drink all I want. There, look and +tell me if you don't think it seems to be lightening in the northwest, +Elmer; because that's where all this awful snow is coming from." + +"It does look a little better, for a fact!" admitted the scout master, +after he had taken a critical observation; "of course I'm not a +weather-sharp; and my prediction may not be worth a pinch of salt; but +if you asked me I'd like as not say I really believe it was going to +break." + +"Hurrah!" shouted both Lil Artha and Toby in concert; for this was the +first time Elmer had committed himself to saying what he thought about a +possible change in the weather. + +More anxiously than ever they waited and watched. The snow did not come +down quite so heavily, and was constantly lessening in force. A stiff +wind had arisen that cut like a knife; they hoped this was blowing the +gray clouds away, and that soon the cheery face of the sun would peep +forth through a gap in the curtain overhead. All of them stood ready to +greet his advent with a rousing cheer. + +"Here, let's get our coffee started, so we can move out right away, if +things look good to us!" Elmer told them; and it seemed as though there +were four times as many cooks as the supply of food warranted, because +every one wanted to have a hand in preparing their scanty lunch. + +As one of them had said it promised to be pretty much "coffee and +point," and of course he was compelled to tell how the poor Irish during +famine times were accustomed to hanging a bit of bacon over the table, +and as they ate their potatoes they would point the same at it, as +though in imagination they might get some of the flavor that way. + +"The Irish were long on praties, and short on bacon," Lil Artha +commented, "and with us it's a case of plenty of coffee, and a famine in +other kinds of grub; but better times are coming soon, boys, when we'll +have plenty," and he managed to cast another of his wicked looks in the +direction of George, which being seen by that worthy caused him to curl +his lips in derision, and return the hint with an expression that seemed +to say: "you'll have to wait a long time before you taste _me_, Lil +Artha, and don't you forget that!" + +Things got better and better as the cooking progressed; that is to say, +overhead the clouds were plainly showing ragged signs, as though they +must presently break, and the storm be of the past. + +This fact gave the four boys some reason for cheering up. It was a bleak +immediate future that stared them in the face, but being young and full +of hope they easily found many things to pin their faith on. Youth is +apt to be buoyant, and see only the present; George's habit of +complaining, and being a pessimist, doubtless sprang from a poor +digestion, and could easily be remedied if he went on a plain diet. + +"Watch the smoke, how it goes straight up when the wind stops," Elmer +told them. "That's a good sign, and every old hunter knows it. Smoke +hugs the ground when the air is heavy with moisture, and ascends when +it's dry. I'm more certain than ever now that we're seeing the tail-end +of our storm." + +"The worst is yet to come," croaked George. + +"Smells pretty fine to me," said Lil Artha, sniffing the air, which was +charged just then with a delightful aroma of coffee. + +"I only wish all of you were as lucky as me," Toby broke in with, +showing that he could not tear his mind away from contemplating his +present. "Think how slick we'd go skimming along over the big drifts on +our snow-shoes, and not caring five cents whether school kept or not." + +"Mebbe we would, and again mebbe we'd be sorry," George told him. +"Things ain't always just what they seem. Lots of times you think you're +going to have a nice swell drink, and swich! the glass drops, and is +broken into bits." + +"Well, we've got aluminum drinking cups, so there's no danger of that +thing happening to us," practical Lil Artha assured him, for he never +bothered his head about evil omens, and all such nonsense. + +Toby, who had been bending over the fire, happened to look around +presently. Perhaps it was his intention to add some brilliant remark to +what he had already said in connection with snow-shoes; but if this were +so the thought was driven completely out of his head by something else. + +"Oh! my stars! would you see that?" he almost shrieked. + +Startled by his exclamation, and half believing that he must have +discovered at least a hungry lynx about to spring into the camp, the +others whirled around and then they in turn stared as though hardly able +to believe their eyes. + +A splendid stag had come bounding along through the deep snowdrifts, +unaware of the fact that human enemies were so near by, since the wind +carried the scent of their presence, as well as the smoke from the fire, +in another direction. He had apparently just discovered them at the +instant they all looked, for with a flirt of his antlered head he was +making off, jumping gracefully through the deep snow, and doubtless +picking his way, even though dreadfully alarmed. + +Elmer had started to look for his Marlin, but realizing the hopelessness +of getting a shot he desisted, and watched the splendid animal vanish +from view. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WANDERING THROUGH THE DRIFTS + + +IT was a chagrined and sadly disappointed lot of scouts who turned and +looked at each other after the last had been seen of the fleeing buck. + +"What a splendid set of antlers he had!" Lil Artha exclaimed. + +"To think of how close we came to having a supply of fresh meat!" +groaned Toby, shaking his head dismally, as he put a hand on the pit of +his stomach, just as if he wished to call their attention to its +depressed appearance. + +"Was it really a deer?" asked George. "Now, you needn't all turn on me +so savagely, like you think I'm away off my base. I've known hungry +people to imagine they saw things. Ain't it always the thirsty traveler +who sees the mirage on the desert, and thinks he can hear the gurgle of +the running water as he looks at the river boiling among the rocks? +Course it is; and so I say again, was it really a deer, or did we just +_think_ we saw one?" + +Knowing the folly of trying to convince George when he chose to question +even his own eyes, the others made no attempt to swing him around to +their way of thinking. + +"That goes to show us the meaning of our motto 'Be Prepared,'" Lil Artha +continued. "Now, if either Elmer or me had happened to have a gun in our +hands how easy it would have been to bowl that fine buck over. And then +think what it would mean to all of us. Wow! after this I'm meaning to +stick even closer to my gun than a brother." + +"We always shut the door after the horse has been stolen," said Elmer, +"but even in our misfortune you can see the silver lining to the cloud +if you look." + +"Then for goodness' sake, Elmer, point it out, so George can get that +sour frown off his face. He don't believe what he sees, and yet he's +grieving worse than any of us because we didn't get that venison when we +had the chance." + +"If there's one deer up here in this forest there must be others," Elmer +told them. "You may have noticed that he went off in about the same +direction we expect to head in when we start. We may see him again, and +if that luck comes our way we'll try and be ready next time." + +Ten minutes later and chancing to look out over the snow Elmer saw a +moving object that gave him a start, until on looking a second time he +made it out to be only George, who was prowling around, looking for any +signs the deer may have left as he broke through the deep snow drifts. + +Evidently George must have been convinced, for when he came in later +there was a satisfied expression on his face; and noticing Elmer +observing him the doubter nodded his head, and simply said: + +"It was a deer all right; I saw his tracks out there!" + +They had been sitting by the fire eating their frugal lunch for +something like five minutes when the sun suddenly looked down at them, +dazzling their eyes with his bright beams glinting from all that snow. + +Of course the four boys immediately broke out into a shout, they were so +glad to see the cheerful face of the sun again. The meal was finished in +record time; but then perhaps that was not to be wondered at, for the +supply had run far short of the demand; and Lil Artha, after polishing +his pannikin until he could almost see his face in the same, jocosely +remarked: + +"The sample was pretty fine; now bring on the dinner!" + +They were so eager to get moving that they did not allow their state of +hunger to give them much concern. The rude shelter was taken down, +though they had some trouble with the rubber ponchos, as they seemed to +be frozen stiff under the accumulated snow, which from time to time had +thawed in the heat of the fire, only to congeal again later on. + +In the end, however, everything was packed as before, and having secured +their blankets over their shoulders again, the scouts were ready to make +a start. Toby had made his threat good, and had his wonderful snowshoes +on. He struck out bravely enough, and at first seemed to be able to +easily outstrip his companions. This caused him to feel an unnatural +exultation, for he began calling back at them, and derisively telling +them to "hurry up," that they were "too slow a bunch for him," and all +that sort of nonsense. + +Then suddenly this tirade ceased. + +"Wonder what's happened to him now?" Lil Artha remarked, turning a +grinning face toward Elmer, who simply replied: + +"Wait and see, and be ready to laugh, though it's never a laughing +matter to the fellow with the snowshoes!" + +As Elmer had expected would be the case they presently discovered +something floundering in the snow, which upon closer inspection proved +to be Toby's feet. He had lost his balance while negotiating a big +drift, and in spite of the assistance afforded by the long staff he +carried, had taken a plunge, so that when they arrived his feet were +where his head should be. + +Elmer knew how to go about it in order to right the novice. Toby was no +longer bubbling over with enthusiasm as he once more started off. He was +learning that even innocent looking snow-shoes may have traps concealed +about them for the unwary; and afterward he conducted his advance with +much more caution. + +In spite of this, however, the others had to rescue him regularly about +once every fifteen minutes, until finally even Toby was ready to call +the experiment off for the time being. + +"I'll get there yet, see if I don't," he assured the others, as they +gathered around to watch him take the big cumbersome things off his +feet, and sling them over his back. "Uncle Caleb'll teach me how to use +'em; and besides, Elmer, didn't you say this was mighty poor snow for a +learner to start out with? Gimme time, and I'll master the trick yet, +see if I don't." + +Elmer did not doubt in the least but what he would, because this sort of +talk showed the determined spirit that always gets there in the end, no +matter how many difficulties may be encountered by the way. + +They found it hard traveling through all that accumulated snow, even +though the pilot of the expedition made it a point to pick out the +easiest course, avoiding most of the drifts, though keeping on the +course he had laid out in the beginning. + +As they went they used their eyes to the best advantage, hoping to +discover something in the shape of game, little they cared whether it +might be a covey of partridges, a rabbit that was out of its burrow at +the wrong time, a deer, or even so small a thing as a gray squirrel. + +As the afternoon began to wear on, and their progress was becoming +slower all the while, on account of weariness, and the difficulty of +pushing through the snow, their hopes took a downward turn with the drop +of the sun toward the horizon. + +Everywhere lay that unending white blanket. The breeze had stopped, and +it seemed as though a deathly silence lay upon all the region roundabout +them, now and then disturbed when some rotten limb broke under the +weight of snow, and crashed to the ground; for in the beginning, before +it became so cold, the falling flakes had clung tenaciously wherever +they dropped, and thus the trees were in places bending double with +their burden. + +Still not the slightest sign did any of the boys discover of human +presence. If only they could have caught the ringing echo of a woodman's +ax, or hear the hello of a hunter returning to camp with game on his +back, what a thrill must have passed through their whole bodies; but to +have that terrible silence around them was discouraging, to say the +least. + +All of them were staggering more or less by now. It was the absence of +hope as much as the fact of their being tired that caused this. Could +they have glimpsed smoke curling upward a mile ahead, to tell them of +succor, doubtless even George, who was more worn out than any of the +others, would have started on a mad rush to reach the coveted camp where +comfort and plenty awaited them. + +But that was not fated to be just then. The scouts had by accident found +themselves entangled in a network of difficulties, and there were still +other experiences awaiting them before they could expect to reach the +end of their adventure. + +All of them seemed to be holding up as well as could be expected. George +could forget his weakness when he chose, and show that he had the right +sort of stuff in him, just as Elmer had known all along. He did not +complain even as much as Toby did; though perhaps that worthy was soured +by his keen disappointment in connection with his wonderful snow-shoes, +which after all had only been a delusion, a snare, and a burden up to +date. + +They knew that this sort of thing could not keep up a great while +longer, for the sun would soon be ready to set in the west, and they +must think to prepare for another dismal night in the endless snow +forest. + +Somehow no one mentioned anything about the prospect ahead now. They +dreaded it more than ever, because the conditions were gradually getting +harder all the while. When a parcel of well grown boys, with the healthy +appetites of their kind, are reduced to cutting their rations down to +one-half, they do not face the future with anything approaching +enthusiasm. + +Their manner of march was about like this: Elmer went in front, breaking +a way, as it might be described, and his was the eye that had to pick +the course, avoiding all the difficult drifts as much as possible, +though heading into the near-northwest as arranged at the time they laid +their plans. + +Immediately after him came Toby, puffing like a porpoise at times, being +short of breath; and occasionally floundering about when he lost his +footing or made a miscalculation. + +On his heels George plodded along, looking this way and that, ever ready +to call to Elmer did he but discover a moving, dun-colored object that +might turn out to be the deer they had missed. + +Lil Artha brought up the rear, though with those long waders of his it +must have been an easy task for him to have taken the lead, since they +seemed particularly adapted for carrying their owner through floods of +snow or water. Lil Artha kept his gun ready at all times. If game that +had been made to hide because of the coming of Elmer attempted to slink +away later on, the tall scout was on hand, ready to take advantage of +the first opportunity. + +So far nothing had rewarded their vigilance, much to their keen +disappointment. That there was game to be found in the forest they did +not question; but after such a heavy fall of snow it wisely remained in +den or hollow tree, waiting for a change in the weather before venturing +forth. Hunger would eventually compel most of the animals that did not +hibernate like the bear to issue forth and seek their accustomed food; +but they could abstain for days, and meanwhile what was to become of the +four scouts? + +As they moved along the stillness was disturbed by the noisy cawing of a +flock of crows that seemed to be disputing some matter. Often had the +boys watched the queer actions of crows when holding what Toby called a +"cawcus," as though trying one of their number that had been caught +doing something unfair, according to crow laws; but never had they +anticipated they would begin to observe the noisy black fellows with +hungry eyes. + +"If it comes to the worst, crow mightn't go so _very_ bad," suggested +Lil Artha. + +"Well, we haven't got to that point yet, remember!" hastily cried +George. "I'm willing to stand for nearly anything, but eating crow is +too, too much. What d'ye take us for, Lil Artha; think we're a bunch of +defeated politicians, do you, that have to pay an election wager? No +crow for me until I'm at the last gasp. Get out, you black rascals;" and +he waved his arms in order to make them fly before Lil Artha could +conclude to fire his gun. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +IN THE FROZEN MARSH + + +PERHAPS it was just as well that the crows took the alarm, and flew +noisily away. If Lil Artha had taken a shot at them and secured one or +more, there might have been a peck of trouble, not only for the crows +but some of the scouts as well. + +They pushed on for some little time after this in silence. Elmer was +constantly on the watch for a possible camping spot. He hardly expected +they would be as highly favored as on the preceding night; but then, as +no storm threatened, this was not absolutely necessary. He anticipated +that they would be able to put up some sort of barrier to keep the keen +wind off, clear a place of snow, and do the best possible with what they +found. + +"Looks like we might be on the border of a sort of marsh," suggested Lil +Artha, as he made an extra effort, and caught up with the plodding +leader. + +"Yes, I began to notice that about ten minutes ago," replied Elmer. + +"I only mention the fact," continued the lanky scout, "because it +strikes me that several times when Toby read out long descriptive +letters he had from his uncle up here the old gentleman told of getting +some of his best views when lying out in a marsh, and watching the +little animals play tag, or some game like that, build their nests, and +have their scraps. Am I right about that, Elmer?" + +"Yes, and I can see what you're hinting at, Lil Artha. You've got an +idea this may be that marsh?" + +"Correct!" admitted the tall scout. + +"And that if we've finally managed to work around, and strike Uncle +Caleb's favorite stamping grounds, there's a pretty good chance the +cabin can't be a great ways off?" Elmer concluded, while his words +brought vigorous nods of approval from the other. + +"Wish we could set up a holler that'd reach him!" ventured Lil Artha. + +"We might try a few shots and see if they had any result, though I'd +rather wait till dark before doing that," the scout master remarked, +thoughtfully. + +Lil Artha pondered over this for a minute before he made any further +remark. + +"I reckon you mean you still hope we might run foul of some sort of game +that would give us a supper?" he finally observed. + +"Well, here's the marsh, and while the snow is deep in most places, we +might manage to run across one of their queer little winter houses, you +know." + +Lil Artha must have been thinking along the same lines as Elmer, if one +could judge from the rapidity with which he took the other up. + +"You mean muskrats, don't you, Elmer?" + +"Just what I do," came the reply. "Beggars mustn't be choosers, they +say; and it looks like that, or go hungry to-night, because we haven't +got enough stuff on hand for two, much less four." + +"I wonder if they are so very bad eating?" mused the tall scout, +wistfully; for prejudice is a hard thing to conquer; and habit backed by +imagination is responsible for the choice of many a man's food. What +appeals tremendously to one may cause another to shrink. + +Elmer laughed. + +"I've heard many men say they think musquash as good as almost anything +to be had in the woods or swamps up north. The Indians always consider +them a dainty," he told his chum. + +"Oh! yes, but they are also mighty fond of baked dog," remonstrated Lil +Artha. + +"So would you be, if you'd been brought up that way. Some people can't +bear the thought of eating frogs' legs, and yet those same folks will +sit down and calmly swallow a dozen oysters or clams on the half shell. +Now, I've always said that the first man who ever gulped down a live +oyster had more nerve even than Napoleon. Then, if you only travel +around, from China to France, you'll find that things we scorn are +called dainties there. Take snails, which bring a high price in Paris +markets--have you ever eaten one in all your life?" + +"Hold on there, Elmer," exclaimed Lil Artha; "bring on your musquash. +I'm ready to give him a fair trial, and if he tastes good, after this +you won't hear me draw the line even at baked dog--or crow. Yes, I've +heard of people who say they've made a meal off crow, and liked it. Why, +down our way the black rascals live on corn, and I don't see why they +shouldn't be eatable, especially when a fellow has nothing else along." + +"Then I tell you what our programme should be," the scout master +continued, as though this ready admission on the part of the other +gun-bearer had settled the question with him; "we'll make up our minds +about stopping close by here, and on the border of the marsh. While +George and Toby are fixing camp, and beginning to gather wood, the two +of us can start out and enter the marsh, keeping within calling distance +of each other. If there's anything doing we'll bag some game for our +supper to-night. How does that strike you?" + +"Tip-top, Elmer, and because the sun is getting pretty low over there in +the west we'd better be finding that camp-site in a hurry." + +"I think I see as good a place as any right now," the scout master +declared, as he pointed straight ahead. "You can glimpse what I mean by +looking just past that birch that is bent nearly double with the snow. A +dead tree lies on the ground, and I should think it would give us all +the wood we'll need to-night. That's the main thing to make sure of." + +"And there's a heavy growth in sight, Elmer, that would serve as a +windbreak in case it got to blowing great guns before morning, which I +don't think will happen though. Shall I tell the other fellows we're at +the end of our day's tramp?" + +"Yes, because they're both about as tired as can be, and will be glad to +hear the news," Elmer replied. + +So Lil Artha fell back in order to get in communication with Toby and +George, who were plodding along with many a sigh and grunt; for their +packs were heavy, and the going rough, with all that deep snow to +struggle through. + +"Hi! hurry along there, fellows!" he called out; "we're meaning to camp +right ahead here. Plenty of wood for a fire, and a windbreak in the +bargain." + +"Tell us something about the visible grub supply, won't you, Lil Artha?" +asked Toby, beseechingly. "Is there a good grocery around the corner, +and does the butcher call for orders every morning, or just three times +a week?" + +"Oh! you have to go after your fresh meat," laughed the tall scout, "and +that's what me'nd Elmer propose doing, leaving you two to fix the camp." + +"All right," replied the weary Toby, "just as you say. Anything to +oblige; and here's hoping you run up against the best of success. A +broiled partridge, or three slices of juicy venison in the fryingpan +would about suit my taste." + +"They don't grow juicy venison up here, you ought to know, Toby; every +kind I ever heard of was as dry as tinder, and had to be cooked with +slices of bacon to make it taste just right. But considering that we've +made way with the last scrap of cured pork I guess we'll take it any old +style." + +Lil Artha did not think it wise to spring the muskrat idea too suddenly +on those unsuspecting fellows. He had a vague idea that should Elmer and +himself meet with success, and knock over several of the marsh dwellers +with the unenviable name, they might skin them, and let their chums +imagine that they were eating squirrel or rabbit or something like that. +Afterwards, when they had set the stamp of approval upon the dish, the +truth could come out. Prejudice by then would have been overcome by the +knowledge that "musquash," the Indian dish, was all right. + +When the little struggling party reached the spot Elmer had selected, +and every one had a chance to survey the situation, a unanimous approval +of his choice was the result. + +"You couldn't have done better if you'd tried," said George. + +"Don't believe there's as good a camp-site within five miles," Toby +added; but perhaps the tired condition of the boys had something to do +with this endorsement on their part; just then any place would have +satisfied their desires, which were not very exacting. + +The heavy packs were quickly hung from the lower limb of a tree under +which the camp fire was to be made. It was a pine, and beneath it the +ground seemed to be fairly clear of snow, most of what had fallen still +clinging to the tree itself. + +"Better not waste any more time, had we, Elmer?" asked the tall scout, +as he nervously handled his Marlin gun, anxious to start out after game. + +"No, get busy, please," said Toby; "don't bother about us, for we know +how camp ought to be made. All we ask is that you come back loaded down +with something to eat." + +"We don't care much what it is, if only you cut out crow," George added. + +Lil Artha gave his fellow Nimrod a quick look, as much as to say, "that +lets us out, and we can fetch home the musquash with a clear +conscience--if so be we're lucky enough to bag any." + +They went away in company. The last words George flung after the +departing comrades was a caution. + +"For goodness' sake now, don't go and get lost in that marsh, or we will +be in a bad scrape. Things are hard enough as it stands without our +getting separated. If you don't just know where the camp is located give +three yells, or fire three shots as fast as you can. We'll answer you +back, and keep hollering till you show up. Three shots, remember." + +Once the two scouts entered the frozen marsh they kept together for a +short time. + +"How'll I know a muskrat house when I see it, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha. + +"Oh! you've seen them often around home, only you forget," replied the +other, but in order to make sure, he continued: "you know, they build +their nests or houses a little after the same style as beaver do, only +of course not so big or secure. If when you're passing a marsh or swampy +tract, and spy a number of what look like irregular mounds, or heaps of +dead rushes, you can make up your mind muskrats live there. If it's a +lake or a stream they can be found in among the rocks too, but not as a +rule, because there they are apt to run up against the otter, weasel and +the mink, and there's no love lost between those sharp-toothed animals +and the muskrat. He's a hard fighter, too, as his jaws tell you, Lil +Artha, but hardly a match for a mink in a stand-up scrap. There's a +muskrat house right now; let's stop and see if the old fellow is at +home." + +Accordingly they surrounded the accumulation of dead rushes and leaves +and other refuse, after which Elmer tore it to pieces, while Lil Artha +stood guard, ready to take snap judgment should the occasion arise. + +It turned out to be a disappointment, however, for the mound was empty. + +"Nothing doing, eh?" grunted the tall scout, lowering his gun, which he +had been keeping half elevated all the while. + +"No, and I didn't believe we'd have any success here soon after I +started tearing the thing down," replied Elmer. "It showed all the signs +of being a deserted shack." + +"What could have happened to the former inhabitant, do you think?" +continued the disappointed one, to whom even musquash stew was beginning +to appeal more and more, as the chances of securing any sort of game +diminished in proportion. + +"I might guess that he chose to change his place of residence," said +Elmer, "or, it might be that Uncle Caleb fancies the old Indian dish +once in a while. But let's be moving along. The mill will never grind +again with the water that is past; and we're not going to get our supper +by standing over a muskrat house that hasn't got any owner." + +Another start was accordingly made. Elmer kept track of the direction +they were taking. He did not mean to find himself in a quandary when +they were ready to turn back again, and not be able to say where the +camp lay. Lil Artha knew he could depend on his chum in that respect, +and hence he did not concern himself in the slightest degree about such +a thing as becoming bewildered. It is a nice thing to have some one to +lean upon at all times, though the scout master often took Lil Artha to +task because of his willingness to let another do his thinking for him. + +"Let's separate a little," Elmer suggested, presently, when they had +gone along for quite some distance and found nothing at all. "We ought +to be able to keep in sight of each other easily enough; and the same +time cover a lot more ground, and in that way increase our chances." + +"I'm agreeable," chirped Lil Artha, not suspecting how great an +influence on their future fortunes even that little incident was going +to prove; "I'll swing off to the right here, and follow this swale, +while you keep straight on. I rather like the looks of things over this +way, and p'raps I'll run across a colony of those r--I mean musquash." + +"Give me the wolf call if you do," Elmer told him, smiling at the quick +way Lil Artha had corrected himself when about to give that unpleasant +name to the furry little denizen of the marsh they were seeking so +eagerly, so as to improve the looks of their larder, and satisfy a +craving they felt for making his acquaintance in a stew. + +Elmer watched the tall scout move along the swale he had mentioned. He +fancied that Lil Artha was about right when he declared it looked as +though something might be found in that direction, if signs stood for +much. + +"I certainly hope, then, he strikes it," Elmer mused as he rambled on, +dodging all the drifts whenever he could, and straining his eyes for a +sight of welcome signs; "because we need it worse than we ever needed +anything before." + +He had just succeeded in evading a bad place, and was about to look +again in order to learn where his chum might be, when without warning +there came two reports in quick succession right beyond a bunch of thick +brush and not two hundred feet away. + +Elmer immediately started toward the spot as fast as he could go. He +thought he heard loud words spoken, and was in a fever of suspense, +fearing Lil Artha might have hurt himself, until rounding the +obstruction he saw the other standing there, holding his Marlin gun +dejectedly while he stared into space. + +"Oh! Elmer!" exclaimed the tall scout, as soon as he noticed that his +companion was close to him; "a deer, as sure as smoke, and I fired +point-blank at him both times; but hang the luck, I must have missed the +beggar, for he gave an _aw_ful jump, and went off like a streak, worse +luck to me for a bungler!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LIL ARTHA SAVES THE DAY + + +"THAT'S too bad, Lil Artha," said Elmer, "but no matter, I'm sure you +did the best you could." + +That was just like Elmer. Plenty of fellows, in the first flush of keen +disappointment, would have allowed themselves to speak more or less +bitterly, and complain that it must have been rank carelessness that +would account for such bad results. But Elmer saw that the tall scout +was already suffering keenly; and his first thought was to console him. + +At the same time he was looking about, and while the chagrined hunter +began to aimlessly open his gun so as to thrust new shells into the +barrels, Elmer went on to say: + +"Point out to me just where the deer was when you fired, Lil Artha." + +"Oh! now even you suspect that I just imagined I saw one, Elmer," sighed +the other scout, "but d'ye notice that log lying across the other, +something like a letter X? Well, he jumped clean over that when I gave +him the second shot. Oh! he was as big as a barn to me, I tell you, and +how I could ever miss him with the barrel that had the buckshot shell in +it beats my time. I ought never to go out in the forest alone; I'm a +fine duck of a hunter, ain't I? If it depended on Lil Artha to keep the +camp in game we'd all turn into living skeletons, like the one in the +sideshow of the circus last summer. Oh, rats--but not muskrats--I'm +feeling pretty sick." + +Elmer had not waited to listen to all this lament on the part of the +disappointed marksman. Pushing forward he was now at the crossed logs. +Immediately he called out in a loud voice that seemed to have an air of +excitement about it: + +"Hi! there, Lil Artha, come here, and hurry, too!" + +Upon that the tall scout jammed the breech of his gun shut, having +succeeded in reloading the same, and he lost no time in hastening to +join his chum. + +"W-what is it, Elmer?" he asked, breathlessly. + +The other pointed to his feet. + +"What do you call that, and that, and that?" he asked, impressively. + +Lil Artha stared, and over his thin face there crept a look, almost of +rapture, as he ejaculated: + +"Blood spots on the snow, as sure as anything, Elmer! Oh! then I must +have hit that deer after all! I'm glad, and then again I'm sorry. If he +had to get away from us, I'd much rather not a single piece of lead had +found him. Now he'll only suffer, and it'll do us no good at all." + +"Hold on, don't be too sure about that," remarked Elmer, as he started +to step across the logs, and follow the plainly marked red trail over +the otherwise spotless field of pure snow; "that chap has been struck +hard, and I don't believe he can go very far before he drops!" + +At hearing this Lil Artha became greatly excited. + +"Then let's chase after him right away!" he exclaimed. "Goodness knows +we need fresh meat about as much as anybody could, because we're almost +half starved, and haven't a ghost of a show at anything else. And if the +poor thing does drop think how mean it'd be to have the foxes and other +varmints gnaw at _our_ deer all night long, while we sucked our thumbs +in camp, and went hungry." + +All this while Elmer was following the trail. It was an easy task, and +even the tenderfoot scout of the troop might have accomplished such a +proposition without being coached. + +"Don't you see that it seems to be getting stronger all the while," he +explained to Lil Artha, who was close at his heels, holding his breath +with eagerness as he tried to look ahead so as to glimpse the welcome +sight of the deer fallen at last through sheer exhaustion, "and take my +word for it, we're pretty sure to get your game before we go back to +camp." + +"Well, that would tickle me more'n I could tell you, Elmer," the other +assured him, with visions of glorious feasts rising up before his mind. + +"And there he is!" added the other, quickly, "just at the foot of that +fir tree!" + +They made a spurt, and were soon bending over the deer, which they found +quite dead, though life had evidently just departed. Lil Artha could +hardly contain himself. He insisted on shaking hands several times with +Elmer, and then did the same thing with himself, bubbling over with +delight. + +"Oh! tell me I'm not dreaming, Elmer, and that I have really and truly +shot a fine deer, just when we needed it the worst kind?" + +"There's no mistake about it, old fellow, because here's your deer as +plain as anything," Elmer assured him, not a little pleased himself at +the great success that had accompanied their hunt. + +"Think how the other fellows will yell when they see it!" Lil Artha +continued, "and Toby needn't be afraid he's going to starve yet a while, +need he?" + +"I should think not," the scout master admitted; "when there's all this +fresh venison to be cooked. The country is saved, Lil Artha, and you're +the lucky one to be our George Washington. The boys will be wanting to +kneel down and kiss the back of your hand." + +"If they try any of that softy business they'll take a back seat in a +hurry, let me tell you," was what the matter-of-fact scout remarked. +"But, Elmer, ain't it queer that somehow the snow woods don't look quite +so dreary to me now? Fact is, I kind of think this is as pretty a sight +as I've seen for a long time." + +Elmer laughed at hearing that. + +"They always say circumstances alter cases, Lil Artha, and when I hear +you talking that way I know it's true. When a man's as hungry as he can +be and yet live, the world looks different to him from what it does an +hour later after some kind friend has filled him up. This deer gives you +the magic spectacles through which you view things in an altogether +different light." + +"I guess you're right, Elmer," admitted the other; "I was feeling blue, +and so I looked at everything through blue glasses. Now I'm seeing rosy. +But say, however will we manage?" + +"You mean about getting the game back to camp, I reckon, Lil Artha?" + +"That's what I'm striking at, Elmer. We must be some distance off, and I +should think the deer would weigh between a hundred-and-fifty and two +hundred pounds; a pretty hefty load for two boys, with all this snow +around. And yet to have to stop so as to cut the deer up would delay us +like fun." + +"Wait, and let's look around for a strong pole," suggested Elmer, who +had seen heavier game than this carried for miles by two husky cow +punchers or hunters. "I have some good stout cord along, which we'll use +to tie his forelegs together, and then the hind ones ditto. The pole +will pass through, and is carried on a shoulder of each. That's the way +hunters always get their shoot to camp, if there are a pair of them." + +The necessary pole was soon discovered, and they managed by means of +jumping on the same to reduce it to the required length. Then the scout +master made good use of his cord in order to secure the legs of the +deer in such a way as to afford a hold when the pole was shoved through. +Nothing now remained but to lift the game, and start over the back +trail. + +As long as the light held they would find no difficulty whatever in +keeping on the track; and should twilight rapidly change into darkness +Elmer had his bearings so that he could lead aright. + +Lil Artha had considered that he was "dog-tired" up to the time he +started that deer from where it had been lying in some brush; but this +was forgotten in the excitement of the hour. When glorious success +rewards the efforts of the hunter he seems to have been granted a new +lease of life; and weariness is forgotten. + +All the same the load was no light one, and the going very bad. Many +times they staggered, and once both of them fell down. But the snow +prevented any injury, and they were in too satisfied a frame of mind to +complain. + +"We'll have our revenge all right later on, Lil Artha!" the scout master +told his comrade as they got up and dug the snow out of their ears, as +well as shook another accumulation free from their collars. + +"That's right, we will," assented the other, "and for every tumble like +that I promise myself an additional chunk of deer meat for supper. +Another thing, Elmer, we ought to remember; the heavier the game the +more grub we'll have." + +"You know how to see the bright side of things, Lil Artha," Elmer told +him. + +"Oh! anybody can when success comes along. It takes fellows like you to +keep smiling when things are going wrong all around. But I've learned a +lesson, Elmer, and after this I won't despair, no matter how dark the +clouds look." + +"If one deer can reform a scout, what would big game like an elephant +do?" asked Elmer, "but then again I'm a little sorry too, Lil Artha." + +"What for?" demanded the panting hunter who held up the other end of the +pole that bent under the weight of the suspended game. + +"We won't have that chance to settle whether the Indians knew a good +thing when they said musquash was better than 'coon or 'possum, or even +rabbit stew!" + +"Gosh! don't waste a tear over that, Elmer. Besides, while we're up here +with Uncle Caleb, like as not we'll have plenty of chances to give that +dish a try. But honest to goodness, it doesn't seem to strike me just as +much as it did before I cracked over this bully young buck for you said +it was a fairly young one, and ought to eat tender enough." + +"I guess that's only natural," the scout master told him. "While we were +facing starvation, why stewed musquash sounded right good to us; but +with a whole carcass of venison on our hands it's plain muskrat again; +and there you are, Lil Artha." + +"How d'ye think we're getting along by now?" asked the tall scout with a +little vein of entreaty in his voice. + +"Oh! perhaps half-way there, more or less," came the reply. + +"Whew! think we can make the riffle with this mountain of a deer, +Elmer?" + +"Seems to weigh about three hundred now, don't it? That's because we're +getting more tired all the time. But since we've started it would be a +shame to stop. And think of the joy we'll be bringing Toby, and poor +hungry George." + +"That does seem to help out some," admitted Lil Artha, taking occasion +to change his end of the pole from the right shoulder to the left. + +"Keep in step with me as much as you can," advised the leader; "that +does more than you'd think to make the going easier. It's a point +everybody learns who has to carry heavy burdens this way. Coolies over +in China know it. Horses running together pull easier if they happen to +go in step. You've watched a pair trying to start, with a stalled +wagonload of freight. When first one bucks hard, and then the other, +there's nothing doing; but once get them to combine, and away she goes +on the jump." + +There was little that escaped the observation of Elmer Chenowith; and he +never failed to try and impart some of the information he picked up to +those of his chums who did not happen to be so keen-eyed. + +"It's getting dark; and I can hardly see our old tracks now!" announced +the tall scout, presently. + +"Well, we're near enough to camp to have them hear us if we chose to +give out a yell," he was told, reassuringly, "but for my part I think +we'd better keep right along as we have been doing, and surprise the +boys." + +"Oh! I thought I glimpsed a star through the trees ahead just then, +Elmer, but that couldn't be so." + +"It's the fire, and I've seen it several times, but didn't want to say +anything until you had a chance to make the discovery for yourself!" +Elmer declared. + +"Bully for that!" exclaimed Lil Artha, "and now we've just got to buckle +down to our load, for I'd be ashamed to have to call for help when we're +on the home stretch." + +He watched for that welcome glow all the while, and whenever it came it +seemed to give Lil Artha renewed strength. In this manner, then, did +they finally approach the camp under the pine tree. Presently they could +see the moving figures of their comrades, and then Elmer announced: + +"They must be getting a little worried about us, because there's Toby +standing up and looking this way as hard as he can. I think you'd better +give a whoop, so as to let them know we're coming." + +That was just like Elmer; he wanted Lil Artha to have the first say, +because the honors should be fitted to his brow. And when the lucky +hunter did give a shout no doubt there was enough of joy in it to tell +those in camp their comrades were not returning quite empty handed. + +When they saw what the two Nimrods were carrying slung on that bending +pole that rested on their sore shoulders Toby and George gave a series +of shouts themselves: + +"Lo! the conquering hero comes; get the laurel wreath ready," cried the +dancing Toby, and then adding: "A deer! Tell me about that, would you? +Oh! what great luck. Who shot it? Elmer, was it you? What, Lil Artha got +his buck after all, did he? Well, well, well, if that doesn't beat +anything I've heard this long while. And won't we have the grandest +feast to-night ever heard of? Oh! say, I'm just trembling all over, I'm +so crazy with joy, and p'raps weak, too, because I haven't had enough to +eat. Lil Artha, shake hands with me, won't you; and later on you've got +to tell us just however you managed to knock such noble game over." + +Meanwhile George, who had not said a single word, went over to where the +tired hunters had dropped their burden. He was seen to bend down and +feel of the animal, first about its antlered head, and then even down +its hind quarters to its pretty little hoofs. After that he turned to +Lil Artha, and said in a relieved tone: + +"Why, it is a deer, sure enough! I was beginning to think hunger had +made us see things that didn't have any foundation. But after I've +proved my sight by my sense of feeling I can believe it. And you shot +him, did you, Lil Artha? Well, I want to congratulate you, old fellow." + +It was just like Lil Artha, bubbling over with mischief, and feeling +ever so happy because good fortune had come his way, to look meaningly +at George, poke him suggestively in the ribs as he had done once before, +and with a wink say: + +"That's all right, George, and I'm sure I thank you; but between us +don't you think after all you're the one to be congratulated? Consider +what you've p'raps escaped by my lucky shot. But it's all right, George, +and no reason for you to lie awake nights after this, worrying. You can +keep on getting fatter and fatter, now, because the danger is past," and +then he watched Elmer getting ready to exercise his skill in cutting up +the deer, so they could have a supply of meat for supper. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A PRIZE IN THE TRAP + + +"HOW'S the wood supply?" asked Elmer, while preparations were going on +looking to their having a generous supply of fresh venison for supper. + +"Not so good as last night," replied Toby; "it's twice as hard to get, +you see; but then, George has agreed to start in again later on, and +pile up more stock. He certainly does swing that little hand-ax of yours +to beat the band, Elmer." + +"Did any of your people come from the South of Ireland, Toby?" demanded +the said George; "because you've got the gift of gab down to a fine +point, and know how to blarney a fellow first-class." + +"But you did say you would chop a whole lot more wood," protested Toby. + +"Sure I did," continued the other scout, "but it was agreed at the same +time I'd spell you in the job, and bring in as much as you did. Now, +since Elmer and Lil Artha have tramped so far, and lugged this splendid +young buck all the way into the camp, the least the rest of us can do is +to make sure of the fuel supply. And, Toby, I'm going to hold you to +your word." + +"Well, after we've dined perhaps I won't feel so weak as I do now, and +then we'll see what's to be done," Toby acknowledged. + +Elmer had made a pretty good job of cutting up the deer. It was not the +first time he had had to undertake such a task; and besides, he had +watched other hunters accomplish it frequently, up there in Canada on +the farm and cattle range. + +Before a great while the four chums were all busily engaged in cooking +meat after various styles. Some choice pieces had been thrust into the +fryingpan, with a couple of slices of bacon which Toby managed to +resurrect from some hiding place or other, and from the appetizing odor +that soon began to rise it was evident that they were going to have a +great feast. Other "chunks" of meat were thrust on the ends of long and +stout splinters of wood, and these were held out near the red ashes in +certain places, where they would get in contact with the fierce heat, +and begin to brown, hunter-style. + +It might as well be confessed right here that in the end this last +method of cookery did not appeal to the boys as much as the fryingpan +style. Perhaps they did not know just how to go about it, as experience +is needed to get the best results from anything; but in spite of their +labor they found that while the meat cooked, and even burned on the +outside, it was almost raw within. Still, hunger causes a camper to +forgive such small faults as this; and as they started on the poorer +supply to finish with that cooked in the skillet, there were few +complaints. + +All of them gorged so much that it became necessary for them to lie +around and rest for some little time after the meal was over. Indeed +Toby showed a desire to hug his blanket, and doze in the warmth of the +fire, so that George had to urge him to remember the bargain they had +made with each other, and start to collecting more wood. + +Elmer soon joined in the labor, for he knew they would need all they +were able to gather; and besides, he was so constituted that he could +not bear to lie around when others were working, no matter how tired he +might feel. + +So Lil Artha, although he really believed he had earned his rest, not to +be shamed by all this honest toil on the part of his three mates, also +strolled forth, to return several times dragging some branch he had +managed to break loose. + +The collection of firewood was not near so formidable as on the +preceding night but then as there was no storm in progress now they +might get along fairly comfortably on what they managed to haul in. + +"Lucky thing you put such a fine edge on the camp hatchet before +starting on this trip, Elmer," George remarked, pausing in his chopping +to recover his breath. + +"I wouldn't think of starting anywhere without getting everything +ready," replied the scout master. "If you look ahead, and be prepared, +you'll ease things a whole lot most of the time. As there are no nails +to strike in this wood, and every chopper is warned to keep clear of +stones, that edge ought to hold good through the whole vacation time. +And it's a great joy to see the steel eat into the wood like that camp +hatchet does. Let me take a whirl at it again, George; you've done your +share of the work in great shape." + +So it would seem that despite George's failings he had many good points +about him, and often expressed a desire to relieve a comrade who had +begun to show evident signs of weariness. Perhaps by slow degrees he +might be weaned from that exasperating habit of complaining, and forever +doubting things. + +All was quiet around them, not even the whispering of the night wind in +the snow-laden branches of the pines being heard. Toby declared it +seemed as solemn as a funeral to him, and that he did love the good old +summer-time to be outdoors, while the crickets, katydids, frogs, and +everything else kept up a friendly chorus, that helped a fellow to +sleep. Now it was so "awfully still that you could almost hear yourself +think!" he told the others, as they began to get their blankets ready +for a night's rest. + +Already one experience in bunking amidst the snow piles had given the +boys a number of useful suggestions from which they meant to profit on +this second occasion. The rubber ponchos were used, not as a curtain to +shield them from the air, but under their blankets to separate them from +the ground, and serve to keep the dampness away. The heat of the fire +was apt to melt the surrounding snow to some extent; and the warmth of +their bodies acted after a fashion in the same way; so those waterproof +rubber blankets proved invaluable. They should always be taken by those +who go to the woods, and will be found to be worth their weight in +silver every time. + +Taken in all that was not such a bad night for the boys. There was no +wind, and Elmer managed to awaken frequently enough to keep the fire +from going out; so that with the blessing of their warm blankets, which +they wrapped closely about them, the scouts did not really suffer. + +Everybody was very glad when dawn came along, dreary as the aspect might +be. It made a wonderful difference in their feelings just to know that +there was no longer any possibility of immediate starvation. George must +have dreamed that some trouble had descended upon them, because the very +first thing he did after crawling out of his blanket was to hurry over +to where they had fastened the balance of the precious venison, encased +in the hide of the deer, to the limb of a tree, and closely examine the +pack; Elmer, who was watching him, with a smile on his face, heard the +doubter say in a relieved tone: + +"Shucks! it must have been a bad dream, after all; we _did_ get a buck, +and had a bully old supper last night, because here's the rest of the +meat, as plain as anything. Must have eaten too much, and had the +nightmare; but I'm glad it was only a dream, that's right. Yes, this is +frozen fresh venison, as sure as my name's--" + +"Doubting George!" sang out Lil Artha, who it seemed had also been +watching and listening from behind the folds of his blanket; and even +Toby thrust his grinning face in sight to add to the confusion of +George. + +They bustled around without any more delay, because the air was nipping +cold, and of course they were furiously hungry again; boys always are +when they wake up, especially when camping out, and during frosty +weather. + +Breakfast was cooked in great shape. It was a duplicate of the previous +night's meal, but then what did that matter, when there was an abundance +for all? Quantity and not so much quality was what pleased those four +outdoor chums just then. There was a horrid vacuum to be filled, and +they were more concerned about how this was to be accomplished than in a +lengthy bill of fare. + +After that came a consultation--Lil Artha called it a "council of war." +They sat around the fire, which felt so good no one was in any great +hurry to abandon it, and talked the matter dry from all sides. Every one +gave expression to his opinion, and Elmer, acting as master of +ceremonies, tried to extract all that was good and worth preserving from +each proposition. + +It was determined first of all to try firing their guns several times, +to see if they could get any answer. Should Professor Caleb hear the +shots he would be very apt to reply, and in that case they would have no +difficulty in deciding as to what course to pursue. + +Should this fail to bring about any result, they must make a start; and +in the end it was determined to keep along the border of the marsh. That +was most likely to be one of the places where the old trapper and wild +animal photographer was apt to conduct most of his operations, and they +would stand a chance of running across some sign of his presence. + +So Lil Artha fired both barrels of his gun, with about five seconds +coming in between; and then Elmer discharged one of the loads in his +weapon, after waiting a like interval. In this way the required three +shots were sent forth; and Elmer assured his comrades that this had +always been reckoned a call for help everywhere, in the Far West, among +African tangles, and even down in South American wilds; so that if Uncle +Caleb were within hearing distance they would surely get a response. + +All of them listened intently after the last shot. The wind had come up +again with the sun, and was making various queer noises among the +treetops; but still it would have been possible for them to have caught +a shot, if such had sounded from any quarter near by. + +"Nothing doing, seems like!" remarked George, dejectedly, for of course +he was the very first one to get what Lil Artha called "cold feet," +because there appeared to be no immediate response to their effort. + +"Shall we try it once more, Elmer?" asked Lil Artha. + +"Just a sheer waste of ammunition, and p'raps we'll need every bit +we've fetched along," grumbled George. + +The scout master, however, decided that it would be only right to give +the scheme one more trial before utterly condemning it; so having +replaced the empty shells he and the tall boy again sent out the three +shots that would tell any who heard the signal that some one was in need +of assistance. + +There was no answer, though they listened eagerly, and once Toby +started, under the impression that he had caught a faint hello; but as +it was not repeated he concluded it may have been some distant owl +giving vent to its disappointment at not getting a full meal during the +period of darkness just passed. + +"One thing we might take for granted after this," Elmer went on to say; +"wind's in the wrong quarter to carry the sound of the shots to him. So +we could judge from that our best course is to make against the wind. It +would seem that we might have two chances of finding him that way, to +one the other." + +The others agreed with Elmer, for they could easily grasp his meaning; +George was seen to shake his head, however, and it was evident that he +did not have very much faith in such a thing as success coming to them. +And yet if it did, George could be counted on to be one of the first to +say that he always did believe they were bound to run across Uncle +Caleb, sooner or later. + +"Scouts are supposed always to be sure their fire is dead out before +they leave a camp," remarked Lil Artha, as they trudged laboriously +along, "but in this case I took notice that none of us seemed to bother +our heads even a little bit over it, and in fact we left it crackling +away right cheerily." + +"Well, with a blanket of snow two feet deep on the ground," observed +Toby, "I'd like to know how the woods could ever get afire this day. And +that blaze was such a good friend to us I didn't have the heart to throw +snow on the same. It'd seemed too much like calling a dog to you, +patting him on the head after he came, wagging his tail in a friendly +way, and then tying a tinpan to him, after which you gave him a nasty +kick to start him yelping and running. But here's hoping we meet up with +my uncle before the third night comes." + +"I should say, yes," added Lil Artha; "if this sort of thing keeps on +we'll be likely to spend all our midwinter vacation roaming around up +here, and getting nowhere." + +"And," Toby further complained, with a sad shake of the head, "we'd laid +out to have such a bully good time at his cabin, learning all about +trapping, and p'raps going out with him nights to use his flashlight +contrivance, and get pictures of the little fur-bearing animals in their +native haunts." + +"Oh! it's going to be all right," announced Elmer, who as usual saw the +bright side of the situation. "Something's sure to turn up to-day; and +before another night we'll be toasting our feet in front of a fire +indoors, with a bunk to crawl into when we're sleepy, and something else +besides dry venison at meal times." + +"Here, don't say a word against that same venison!" exclaimed Lil Artha; +"it's been a life-saver, let me tell you. And to think I was ready to +own up I'd missed my deer, only for you, Elmer. That taught me a lesson +I'll never forget, believe me. After this I'll always look for signs +when I've shot at game, and never just guess at things." + +"Nothing like making sure, every time," remarked George. + +"Guess you go by that motto, old fellow," Toby told him. "They don't +fool you very often, do they; and never twice on the same racket?" + +Along about the middle of the morning, after they had been making rather +slow progress, and laboring heavily, Elmer was seen to betray sudden +interest, and to quicken his footsteps. Then he turned, and beckoned +wildly to them. As the other toilers reached his side the scout master +pointed ahead of him, and remarked: + +"There's something moving in the snow yonder, boys; look and see if you +can make out what it is!" + +At that they all stared very hard, and Lil Artha was the first to +exclaim: + +"Seems to be some sort of small animal switching around like it might be +caught in a trap, Elmer!" + +"Yes," added Toby, "I saw it jump up then, and whatever it is the thing +looks a sort of silver gray or black. There, didn't you see again? +Elmer, do you know what it can be?" + +"Somebody, and perhaps Uncle Caleb, has planted a trap right here, and a +fox is caught in the same by its leg!" came the ready reply. + +"A fox, did you say!" echoed Lil Artha; "why, Elmer, none of us ever saw +a fox of that color before. Every one I've ever set eyes on was either +gray or red." + +"Let's step up closer," the scout master remarked, "and we'll be able to +tell more about it." + +As the four boys continued to advance the little animal struggled harder +than ever to break away, but without success. It was undoubtedly a +good-sized fox, for they could not mistake that bushy tail, and the +sharp nose as well as shrewd face. It showed its white teeth quite +savagely as they drew nearer. + +"Well, it is a fox all right," Lil Artha admitted, "though different +from any I ever saw in the woods, or even in a menagerie." + +"A good reason for that," Elmer told him, quietly; "such a silver fox is +rare, and too costly for showmen to keep, as a rule. A red fox may be +worth all the way from five to thirty dollars, but from what I've read +about the value of furs, the pelt of a genuine silver fox sometimes +brings more than fifteen hundred dollars, even in its raw state." + +"Gee whiz! you don't tell me?" exclaimed George, looking astounded; and +of course he did not believe what Elmer was saying, because it sounded +too incredible for him to swallow. + +"Oh! I've read something about these black foxes, come to think of it," +Lil Artha admitted, "and so this is one, is it? Well, Uncle Caleb must +have known he was around, and set this trap on purpose to get him." + +"Yes, that's about the size of it," added Toby, "because I happen to +know that as a rule he never bothers trying to trap any of the little +animals up around this section. He used to, just to pass the winters +away, but when he got interested in photography he said he found ten +times as much pleasure in creeping up on them, and shooting with a +camera, to anything he had ever done before with a gun. Fact is, he +seldom uses his gun except to get an occasional deer, some partridge or +a rabbit to serve him as fresh meat." + +Elmer bent over a little closer, and examined the condition of affairs. + +"We'll have to knock that fox gently on the head, I guess," he remarked. +"You can see that the trap has cut deeply into his leg, and if he was +let alone another hour or two he would be likely to gnaw that paw off in +order to get free. They often do this. You see the cruel jaws of the +trap mutilate their leg, and pain so much when they struggle that in +desperation they bite at it until they get away; and after that a +three-legged fox is found roaming the woods. Besides, it would be a +shame for Uncle Caleb to lose that splendid prize." + +"I guess you're about right, Elmer," Lil Artha observed, "and so we +leave it to you to put the poor little fellow out of his misery. It's +been a tough thing on him because Nature gave him a silver black coat. +If he'd been an ordinary red fox Uncle Caleb might never have bothered +setting this trap, and he could have gone right along making his suppers +off partridges and such nice things, or else chickens belonging to any +farmers inside of twenty miles, if there are any. I'll hold your gun +while you do the job, Elmer, because I don't reckon you'd want to spoil +a fifteen hundred dollar pelt by riddling the same with bird shot." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE COMING OF UNCLE CALEB + + +ELMER may not have exactly fancied the job, but he was one of those +fellows who can always be depended upon to perform any duty devolving on +him, no matter how disagreeable. And it was not to be thought of that +they should pass on, to let the poor little animal gnaw its foot off; as +well as disappoint the trapper when he had made such a rare catch. + +So handing his pack and gun over to the care of the others Elmer looked +about until he spied the right sort of stick with which he could +dispatch the little beast by a clip on the head, so as not to spoil the +valuable skin in any way. + +When this had been done in great shape they examined the silver fox more +closely and admired the sheen of his coveted coat, for which wealthy +people are ready to pay almost any price. + +"Shall we hang it up here above the trap?" asked Toby, presently. + +"What for?" Elmer went on to say. + +"Why, so Uncle Caleb can get it when he comes along," replied Toby; "you +wouldn't want to make him die of heart failure, would you, by letting +him see he'd made a catch of a silver fox, and that it was gone?" + +Elmer laughed at him. + +"Why, what's to hinder our camping right here, and waiting for Uncle +Caleb to show up?" he asked. + +"Well, I declare, what a lot of ninnies the rest of us were not to think +of that!" chuckled Lil Artha; "I tell you it's a good thing for George, +Toby, and me that we've got you along, Elmer. We'd be losing our heads +next, I'm afraid." + +"It wouldn't be the first time you'd lost your head, Lil Artha," George +hastened to assure his comrade. "But I want to say that I think the idea +is all to the good, and that I'm ready to camp right here, and keep on +waiting for Uncle Caleb to show up, whether it takes an hour, a day or a +week; so long as our supply of venison holds out." + +"So far as that goes," Elmer continued, "I wouldn't be surprised to see +him any old time, because after the storm he'll be anxious to look into +this trap." + +Toby stretched his neck and looked all around. + +"Don't seem to see anything of him yet," he remarked. + +"When he comes," resumed the scout master, "I think you'll find it'll be +from that direction over there. I see a good place where we can drop +down and hide; so come on, fellows." + +"Hide?" echoed George; "whatever would we want to be doing that same +for, Elmer?" + +"Just to see how disappointed Uncle Caleb looks when he gets here, and +finds all these signs around, the blood on the snow, the hair of a +silver fox in the closed jaws of the trap, and footprints everywhere," +the scout master told him. + +Toby was heard to laugh. + +"I can just imagine how he'll act," he ventured; "but then, we'll let +him know who got the pelt before he's had much time to growl." + +Elmer held the dead fox up by his bushy tail, and George was seen to +look keenly at it as he muttered: + +"Fifteen hundred dollars, and for that measly little runt? I don't +believe there's a word of truth about the story. Somebody's been +stuffing you, Elmer." + +There happened to be a pretty good hiding-place close by. It lay just +about where Elmer would have picked it out had he been given a chance. +Here they proceeded to settle down, and make themselves as comfortable +as the conditions allowed. + +"Wonder how long we'll have to wait?" Toby remarked, after they had +scraped the snow away, and made places where they could stretch their +rubber ponchos out and with blankets on top form comfortable seats upon +which to rest their tired bodies. + +"That depends a whole lot on how soon Uncle Caleb would think to start +out, and how far he has to come to get here," Elmer told him. "The +walking is tough enough for us, and yet we're young. He's a pretty old +man, Toby says, and might have a harder time of it than we would. But +then by noon there ought to be something doing, I'd think." + +George had been looking around, and now gave them the benefit of his +observations. + +"Plenty of wood handy, notice, fellows; if we have to hang out here any +length of time, why, we could make a fire, and do our little cooking +stunt all right." + +"Why, what's getting into George," remarked Toby, pretending to be +surprised; "he seems never to get enough to eat. Time was when he had a +little bird appetite, but these days he's like a hungry bear all the +time." + +"I don't know what ails me," George replied, "but it must be going on +half rations kind of frightened me, and now I'm thinking something might +happen again; so I'm bent on laying in a good supply while it lasts." + +"We'll have to look around for a whole herd of deer if you keep on that +way much longer, George. And I don't know what your folks at home'll do +when you get back again. You'll eat 'em out of house and home, that's +right," Lil Artha expressed himself by saying. + +George took this chaffing in good part. He was feeling splendidly now, +since the danger of their facing real want was of the past. + +"Oh! that's all right, boys," he told them. "It was only a little while +ago my folks were worried about me eating so little, and I guess they'll +sing the other way now. Dad'll talk about going into bankruptcy when he +watches me put away the food. Seems like I never could get enough +again. I want to eat six times a day, and then complain because meals +are so far apart." + +"Listen!" exclaimed Lil Artha. + +"What did you think you heard?" asked Elmer, after all of them had +strained their ears without any result. + +"Guess I must have been away off, and it was only a hoot owl after all; +but I thought I heard some one cough!" the tall scout declared. + +"I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that way, because it's getting +on toward time for him to show up, if he means to come along to-day," +said Elmer. + +"And now that you mention it," added Toby, "I remember Uncle Caleb does +have a sort of cough. That was one reason he took to the woods, for he +said it was going to add ten years to his life, living in the open, +winter and summer, and eating the plainest kind of food." + +After that they began to watch more closely than ever, and also listened +carefully to catch a repetition of the sound that Lil Artha believed he +had heard. + +The great woods in their white snow mantle seemed to be deathly quiet. +The air had become far less bitter, and in the sun it was thawing +slightly. Occasionally some branch would manage to dislodge its burden +of snow, which was apt to rustle through other branches on its way to +the ground. Away in the distance those crows were cawing again, as +though disputing some lucky find, or holding a council of war +concerning some contemplated movement in search of new feeding grounds. +Beyond these little breaks the silence remained profound. + +All at once Elmer gave a low "hist!" + +The others had caught the same sound, and as it was repeated again and +again they began to believe that some one must be approaching from the +very quarter in which Elmer had said Uncle Caleb was apt to come. + +"What's that queer scraping, shuffling noise mean, Elmer?" whispered Lil +Artha. + +"I bet you I know," spoke up Toby, also in a cautious tone; "snow-shoes, +and my uncle is wearing the same. How's that for a guess, Elmer?" + +"You're right that time, Toby; and there he comes!" was the scout +master's reply. + +Looking again they could all see the figure of an elderly man, dressed +in khaki-colored hunting garments, but warmly clad. He was advancing +over the surface of the heaped-up snow, and with the free movements of +one to whom the use of snow-shoes was an old story. To see the way he +lifted his feet, still dragging the long shoe made of bent hickory, and +stout gut that crossed and re-crossed diagonally from side to side, it +was evident that Uncle Caleb had spent many days and weeks in the woods +when it was impossible for him to get anywhere without the use of +snow-shoes. + +Toby watched him eagerly. He was evidently thinking that before he left +this section of the wilderness he too would be able to walk deftly, +after he had been shown the secret of manipulating the clumsy +contrivances that served to keep the pedestrian from sinking into the +drift. + +As the hunter and naturalist drew closer to the spot where he had placed +his fox trap they could see that he was getting more and more agitated. +Evidently he must have already discovered certain suspicious signs +around that gave warning to the effect that he was about to receive a +shock of an unpleasant nature. + +Uncle Caleb was almost running now. Had there been a glaze on the +surface of the snow he would have fairly flown to the spot; but as it +was he floundered more or less in advancing hurriedly. + +Now they saw him bend down to examine his trap. The presence of the +stains on the trampled surface of the snow would be enough to tell him +that there had been a victim held between those grim steel jaws of the +Newhouse trap. When he found several almost black hairs present he would +also understand that he had caught the coveted silver black fox; and +while that might add to his joy under ordinary conditions it was only +apt to provoke his additional wrath just then; for those telltale +footprints all around gave him to understand he had been robbed of his +treasure. + +He presently got up from his knees. They could see that he was shaking +his head as though he did not like the way things looked. Many winters +had Uncle Caleb spent in this vicinity, and never before had he ever +known of a case of thievery; that it should come when he had made such a +fortunate haul was doubly provoking. + +It was hardly wise to carry on the joke any further, Elmer thought; and +accordingly he gave the signal for which Toby was waiting. The latter +immediately jumped to his feet, and shouted at the top of his voice: + +"Hello! Uncle Caleb! how d'ye do? You see, I've kept my word, and +dropped in to visit you at last. And as you told me to bring a friend or +two along, I've fetched our scout master, Elmer Chenowith, also two +other bully good fellows, George Robbins and Lil Artha Stansbury!" + +The elderly recluse stared at the four boys as though he found great +difficulty in believing his eyes. It was as if they had suddenly bobbed +up out of the snow-covered earth to surprise him. + +"Why, hello! is that you, Nephew Toby?" he presently called back. "Come +along and shake hands with me. You're mighty welcome, my boy, let me +tell you; and your comrades too. I shall be delighted to meet the Elmer +I've heard so much about in your newsy letters; also your other chums." + +"But, uncle, we've got a little surprise for you, see?" and as he spoke +Toby suddenly held up the silver fox, which act caused the other to +smile broadly; "we were directed wrong by a boy, who must have had a +grouch against all scouts; and so we got lost; and then that storm +caught us; but we were hunting around for some sign of your cabin when +we came on this fox caught in a trap, and with his leg nearly cut off. +Elmer said he'd soon be gone, leaving only a paw behind; so he knocked +him on the head, and then said we'd better wait here till you came. Is +it a real silver black fox, Uncle?" + +"And are the skins worth as much as fifteen hundred dollars, sir?" asked +George, as though he could never rest again until he had settled that +bothersome matter in his mind. + +"Yes to both questions, boys," replied the scientist; "this skin may be +worth anywhere from a thousand dollars to twenty-five hundred, according +to how it is graded; and I'm delighted that you had the good sense to +save it for me." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +POSSESSION NINE POINTS OF THE LAW + + +"I HOPE you're satisfied now, George, about that pelt?" Lil Artha +whispered to the doubting scout, as they stepped back, after shaking +hands with the scientist, who was examining his prize with considerable +delight; not that Uncle Caleb needed the money he would likely receive +for the skin, if he chose to dispose of it; but it was something worth +while to be able to say he had taken one of those rare little, and much +sought after animals, a silver fox. + +"Y-e-s, I s'pose it must be so, if he says they're so valuable," George +admitted, but in a way that told how slow he was to take stock in such a +fairy tale; so that later on Lil Artha, finding Uncle Caleb had certain +articles that had been published in connection with the wonderful prices +paid for silver fox skins in the open London market, took pains to see +that the doubter read them, and was finally convinced. + +"Nothing else would have fetched me out after such a great snow storm," +the recluse told them, presently; "only I was anxious about this trap. +You see, I knew all about the ways of mink and foxes, and also how they +often gnaw a foot off in order to get free. It would have given me a +bad feeling to come here and find that owing to my delay, and the little +animal's hunger, as well as pain, it had done that same thing, and was +gone. The forepaw of a silver fox isn't worth much, only to make the +disappointed trapper say things he'd be ashamed to have any one else +hear." + +"Then we're all glad we got here in good time to nip that little escape +in the bud, Uncle," said Toby. + +"And as my cabin is more than a mile off, with the going pretty poor, +perhaps we'd better be setting out for the same right away," remarked +the scientist. "I can give a pretty good guess that you've been having +some rough times, and will be glad of a shelter to-night. As for myself, +I'll be happy indeed to have you with me. It does get pretty lonely at +times, even though I'm deeply interested in my hobby of taking +flashlight pictures of the small animals hereabout. I've even perfected +an arrangement so that lots of times they snap off their own pictures; +as you'll see later on when we get to work." + +"We've only got a few days to spend up here with you, Uncle Caleb," +ventured Toby; "and we must see all there is in a hurry. We've just +about got tired of roughing it in the snow, and a change to cabin life +will set us up again." + +"Then let's start right away, if you boys think you can hold out for +lunch until we fetch up at my place. The return journey shouldn't take +nearly as long as it did to come up here, because we can avoid plenty +of pitfalls I fell into. How about that plan, Toby?" + +"Whenever you're ready, Uncle, let us know," replied the scout. "Can I +carry the fox for you; and how about this trap? Perhaps after catching +your prize you won't want to leave it around again. If that's so let me +take care of it for you?" + +"Well, from the looks of things, it seems to me each one of you has +enough to tote right now," chuckled the elderly man; "while I have +nothing except my rifle. I'm a pretty hardy sort of an old chap, and +able to carry my share of the burdens still; so if you don't mind, +Nephew Toby, I'll look after both the trap and the silver fox." + +Which he calmly proceeded to do; and they discovered afterwards that +Uncle Caleb had an iron constitution, being able to do as much as any +grown-up of their acquaintance, possibly barring the strong man of the +circus, who could bend iron bars across his knee, and allowed an anvil +to be pounded on his chest. + +It appeared that Elmer had not been far out of the way when he +determined on the direction from which they might expect the trapper to +come. His figuring this out on the merits of the fact that their shots +had not gone against the wind, had a great deal to recommend it, as +Uncle Caleb admitted when he heard how scout tactics had been employed. + +"I've been wanting to hear a whole lot more about what Boy Scouts do," +he told them, as they trudged cheerfully along; "and while we sit +before the fire evenings, you must explain everything to me. From the +little I know about it up to date I'm inclined to believe they've at +last gotten hold of a very big idea, and one that's going to be of far +more lasting benefit to American boys than any other scheme ever thought +of in their connection." + +"And so far as I'm concerned, sir," replied Elmer, modestly, "I'll be +only too glad to give you all the information I can scare up. Our folks +believe the same way you do, and as the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy +Scouts has been working for some few moons now, we feel that we've shown +what a great improvement belonging to the organization has made in a +good many fellows." + +"Why, here's George for instance," said Lil Artha, maliciously; "a short +time ago his people were worried because he didn't seem to eat half +enough; and now he wants the dinner bell to be jangling all day long. +That's one of the changes it's made; and I could name others, sir, +almost as remarkable." + +Even George himself had to join in the general laugh this remark from +the long-legged scout brought out. + +"I guess you're something of a joker, Arthur," observed Uncle Caleb, +turning to smile at the other. + +"That's what they all say about me," complained Lil Artha, "that I'm a +joke, a freak; as if I could help it that my legs grew at the expense +of my body. But so long as I have the brains to go along with them why +should I care whether school keeps or not? What our scout master doesn't +tell you, we'll try and fill in; because there are heaps of things +connected with our trials and victories of the past that Elmer might +fight shy of on account of a false modesty. We have to blow his horn for +him, you see, sir?" + +"And I wager you blow it right well, too," observed Uncle Caleb. + +"Oh! I manage to get some kind of music out of it, even if I'm not the +regular bugler of the troop. He's Mark Cummings, and he's away from town +right now. But how much further do we have to go before we strike your +shack, sir?" + +"Not over a third of a mile at the most," came the reassuring reply, +that caused the tired boys to pluck up new hope, and in a way gird +themselves afresh for the fray. + +They had left the marsh behind long ago. Elmer knew from this that its +border could not be a very desirable place to camp during the spring or +summer, when it was apt to be more or less overflowed, and there was +danger of malaria if one persisted in sleeping with fogs abounding +frequently of nights. + +Now that their troubles seemed all behind them, some of the scouts could +look about and even admire the scenery by which they found themselves +surrounded. Elmer could at least, and he found many interesting things +to hold his attention as they journeyed along, following in a general +way the trail which Uncle Caleb had made in coming from his cabin to +the spot where he had left the fox trap, in hopes of snaring the silver +black which he knew used that section of the woods. + +Every now and then their pilot would point out some object that was +associated with certain events in the past. Here he had met with a black +bear unexpectedly, and managed to snap off a picture of the surprised +Bruin while the animal reared up on his hind legs; and then retreated. A +little further on and he showed them where the fire had once caught him +in a trap; and how he only escaped a serious singeing by discovering a +cleft among the rocks, where he managed to crawl in, and lie until the +danger was over. Then there was the tree into which he had been chased +by a pack of wild dogs that seemed to have taken a strange dislike for +all human beings, and which he had only dispersed after killing several +of their number. + +All these things were especially interesting to the scouts. They had met +with not a few thrilling like adventures in their own experience, during +their several camping trips to the woods; though these might sound tame +after hearing of what strange happenings Uncle Caleb had experienced. + +Toby saw that George raised his eyebrows each time he heard some +interesting narrative from the recluse. He was a little afraid the +doubter might express himself in his usual skeptical fashion, and demand +further proof to back these tales up before he could give them +unqualified approval; but fortunately George had a little too much good +sense to commit such an indiscretion; it might go all very well when +dealing with boys of his own age, but he did not have the nerve to tell +an elderly man, and a professor at that, he doubted his word. + +"He's got to be broken out of that bad habit," Toby was telling himself, +every time he felt his heart apparently in his throat with apprehension +lest George make a nuisance of himself; "and seems to me his chums ought +to be the ones to do the thing up brown for George. What a nice fellow +he'd be if only it wasn't for his everlasting sneering, and letting you +feel he thought you were bluffing him!" + +Meanwhile Elmer was studying Uncle Caleb. He quickly came to the +conclusion that he would like the other very much indeed. He appeared to +be a wonderfully well-read man, with a fund of information on every +subject. Besides this, there was a quizzical gleam in his eyes that told +the scout master the other was fond of humor, and could enjoy a joke, +providing it was not along the lines of practical ones that hurt too +deeply. + +He was also a master of science, and no doubt had made a name for +himself long before he forsook the haunts of men, to spend peaceful +months here in the wilderness, studying the ways of the little creatures +whose realm he had invaded. + +Still, Uncle Caleb was a peaceful man. He never claimed to be a +sportsman, and would not use his gun save as a means of absolute +necessity, if attacked by some dangerous wild beast; or else as a means +of procuring needed fresh meat, which did not happen very often, since +he was inclined to be a vegetarian, and had all his supplies hauled up +here by wagon twice a year. + +All these things Elmer learned by degrees, and the more he came to know +of this remarkable old uncle of Toby's the better he liked him. This +business of "shooting" things with a snapshot camera, especially by +flashlight and at night-time, had always appealed more or less to Elmer; +and he rejoiced to know that he was to be thrown in the company of one +who had been more or less successful in obtaining wonderfully faithful +pictures of the small swamp and woods animals. + +The boys soon began to cast anxious glances ahead, for it was not very +pleasant work carrying all the stuff they had brought along with them to +the forest; and besides, the best part of the deer Lil Artha had bagged +so luckily for himself and friends--particularly George. + +"I don't see any sign of a cabin there, do you, George?" Lil Artha +remarked in an aside to the other, who chanced to be puffing along at +his elbow, and grunting after his customary style, though no more weary +than the other three boys. + +"No, and d'ye know I'm beginning to think there may be no cabin after +all, that's what," replied George, stubbornly. "Of course Uncle Caleb +has one somewhere or other; but he may have gotten mixed up in his +bearings, you see; and right now how do we know whether we're heading +right or wrong?" + +"Well, if you don't take the cake for seeing the wrong side of +everything," Lil Artha told him. "Of course there's a cabin, and we must +be getting close to it as we stand now. About the old gentleman making a +blunder, and wandering off, don't you know we've been following his out +track all the while. And say, what's that you can glimpse through this +little opening in the woods--in a direct line with these two birch +trees, tell me that now, George, you old humbug of a grumbler?" + +Thereupon George, only too willing to be convinced, took a long look, +and then slowly admitted that he might have been too hasty. + +"It does look a _little_ like a shack roof, Lil Artha, and p'raps I +hadn't ought to have spoken like I did; but even now that may be a +fooler. Just wait and let's make sure before we holler." + +In another five minutes all doubt with regard to this was ready to +vanish even from that wavering mind of George, because they could +plainly see one end of what seemed to be a pretty substantial log cabin, +with a broad chimney running up the back, fashioned of slabs, and +hardened mud that no doubt resembled flint. + +It seemed to be an ideal snug retreat for a man who wanted to get away +from the world, and enjoy himself after his own fancy. Here Uncle Caleb +had come for years, and his visits to the haunts of civilization had +been few and far between. As time passed on they threatened to cease +altogether, for he found more real happiness here than he could among +mankind, struggling constantly in pursuit of the mighty dollar, and +pushing others down in trying to climb. + +"How do you like the looks of it?" asked the owner of the cabin, with a +touch of pardonable pride in his voice; for he had gone to considerable +trouble in order to make the place attractive; and even though mounds of +snow covered everything around, the boys could see that he had some +conveniences, such as ordinary loggers' camps could hardly boast. + +"It strikes me as a pretty sight," Elmer candidly admitted; "and I don't +blame you, sir, for keeping up here. I should think you'd feel lonesome +sometimes, though?" + +"I do, and used to have a friend spend part of the season with me," +acknowledged the scientist; "but last fall he married, and went to +Europe, so that up to now I've been all alone, and your coming will be +doubly welcome as a break in the monotony of the thing." + +"But, Uncle, if as you say you are alone, who could that have been I +just saw at that little window?" asked Toby. + +"I certainly saw something moving inside there, too," Lil Artha +asserted, beginning to display something of excitement, as he waited for +the other to explain what already began to take on some of the elements +of a dark mystery. + +Uncle Caleb looked earnestly at the window they mentioned. It was a +small affair, and as they afterwards discovered stood just above the +kitchen table, also used during meal-time, since it was the only +contrivance of its kind in the cabin. + +"I don't happen to see anything there now, boys," he went on to say; +"but after all it wouldn't surprise me very much. A very large wildcat +has been hovering near my cabin for a week now. I've tried to get a +picture of the beast several times, but all I managed to secure has been +a rolling ball of fur for one, two glaring eyes for another, and the end +of a stubby tail for a third. Now, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if that +smart old cat has been watching me, and saw when I went off some time +ago. Prowling around it must have climbed on the roof, and then finding +it could back down the throat of the chimney, that's what he's done." + +"Whoop!" cried Lil Artha, "a wildcat in possession, and has to be kicked +out before we can use those bunks. Get your gun ready, Elmer, and we'll +ambush the sinner." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE CHIMNEY JUMPER + + +"HOLD on, Lil Artha, don't rush things so fast!" called out Toby. + +"Because this isn't our cabin, and before you knock over the uninvited +guest it might be just as well to ask permission from the owner," added +Elmer. + +All eyes were of course turned on Uncle Caleb, although, according to +the mind of the impulsive Lil Artha, there was only one thing that could +be done, which was to suddenly open the door, and when the wildcat +rushed out give him a shot. + +"I've been trying to get a picture of that cat so long," Uncle Caleb +told them, "that I'd really be very much disappointed now if he met with +his fate, and I had to go without a snapshot, even though a distant one, +to remember him by." + +"It might be arranged," suggested Elmer, quietly. + +"Put your trust in our scout master, sir, and you won't be +disappointed," Lil Artha went on to say, meanwhile looking curiously +toward Elmer, as though wondering what sort of plan he could have +conceived on the spur of the moment. + +"Tell us how, Elmer?" George demanded, at the same time eying the cabin +with a dubious manner, as though he half believed the boys who said they +had seen _something_ through the small window must have deceived +themselves. + +"Why, if the beast came down through the chimney, it strikes me he ought +to know enough to go out the same way if alarmed enough," was what Elmer +told them. + +"A good idea, my boy!" declared Uncle Caleb, "and if I had everything +ready, with my little pocket camera focussed on the chimney, I suppose I +could snap him off as he climbed out. Now I'll fix that up right away, +and when I'm ready I'll sing out. After that some of you can bang on the +door, and start shouting, which should be enough to alarm the cat and +make it think of scampering out the way it came in." + +He was as good as his word. Pushing forward until he was within thirty +feet of the cabin, with a good view of the rude chimney-top, and the +light in the right quarter to promise a good picture, Uncle Caleb waved +his hand to the others. + +"All ready here, boys!" he exclaimed after he had fixed himself. + +Elmer had spoken to Lil Artha and Toby, who were delegated to be the +attacking squad. George and the scout master accompanied Uncle Caleb, +the latter holding his gun in readiness. + +"Remember," said Elmer, in a tone that every one could easily hear, +"there is to be no shooting unless it becomes necessary. If the cat +attacks us we'll have to defend ourselves. If it chooses to go about +its business we don't expect to bother it any. Get that, Lil Artha?" + +The tall scout replied that he did, though he looked disappointed, as +though this thing of sparing so ferocious a varmint as a wildcat just +because some one wanted to catch a few pictures of the beast from time +to time, did not appeal very much to his sense of the fitness of things. +To Lil Artha the cat was without the pale of the law, because it +destroyed all sorts of useful things, from young partridges, rabbits and +squirrels to domestic fowls; and he knew there never was a time that any +State in the Union ever attempted to bar its hunters from killing every +bobcat they could find, the more the merrier. + +"Then start your racket!" Elmer told the two who were standing close to +the cabin door. + +Upon thus getting orders Lil Artha and Toby began to immediately make +all the noise they could. They pounded on the door with their fists, +together with the butt end of Lil Artha's gun; and the jargon of talk +they put up was enough to drive any ordinary cat distracted. + +Toby even partly opened the door--just a few inches for he did not want +to make the acquaintance of that cat at close quarters--and banged it +shut again, meanwhile sending a whoop through the slit. It must have +been a brave animal that could have stood out against all that +combination of sounds. + +Through the small opening Toby had glimpsed something that made him have +a chilly sensation along the region of his spine. He had caught sight +of the intruder. The cat was an exceptionally large one, and it stood +there in the middle of the floor, its hair bristling with fury, and its +eyes glaring like yellow balls. No wonder Toby slammed that door so +speedily, while his whoop ended in a yell. He almost thought he could +hear the heavy thud as the springing cat landed against the door close +to his head. + +That may have only been his imagination working overtime, and inspired +by the one glimpse he had obtained of the fierce beast. He fancied as +much himself later on, when in a condition to survey the sequence of +events calmly. + +While Toby and Lil Artha continued to whoop things up another shrill +outcry, this time from George, stilled their clamor. + +"Oh! there he is coming out of the chimney, Elmer!" was what George +shrieked in his excitement, and afterwards the others laughed when they +made mention of the fact that for once George did not seem to doubt the +evidence of his eyes, or say that he thought it might be the cat he saw. + +"I've got him!" added Uncle Caleb, who doubtless must have managed to +work his snapshot camera instantly, though no one heard the "click" of +the flying shutter on account of all the other sounds that were arising. + +The wildcat had indeed appeared on top of the chimney, having remembered +the route it had taken when entering. This alone proved that it was a +clever beast, because in the midst of such excitement many another +animal would have lost its head, and gone plunging around the interior, +trying to push through the window perhaps, and utterly forgetting that +there was such a thing as a vent in that slab and hard mud "smoke +chaser," as Lil Artha always called the chimney. + +"Look out, Elmer, he's going to jump at you!" warned the tall scout, in +a frenzied tone. + +A wildcat is possibly one of the most vicious of small beasts of prey to +be found in American forests. It will often attack a hunter without any +seeming provocation, although doubtless there is some reason for the +reckless act, such as hidden kittens near by, or consuming hunger. + +In this particular case neither of these reasons would apply, but the +animal was enraged on account of being disturbed while eating, and then +badgered by those yells on the part of the two scouts, as well as their +banging of the cabin door. George afterwards told them that they could +hardly blame the poor cat for getting its back up when abused and +shouted at in such a way; he also said that if he happened to be a wild +beast he would certainly be "mad clear through, and ready to fight at +the drop of the hat." + +Elmer was on the alert, not that he had really anticipated such a thing +as having the wildcat spring at him, but he knew enough about such +animals to be aware of their fickle temper, and that one is never to be +trusted within leaping range. An old hunter had once told him never +under any possibility to lower his gun when a bobcat was facing him, +because their spring is like a flash of lightning. And as we happen to +know, Elmer was a boy who always believed in the efficiency of the +scout's motto, "Be Prepared!" + +The cat crouched there on the top of the chimney for just three seconds. +That was the time when Uncle Caleb managed to press the button, and get +his picture. It was also when Lil Artha sent out his shrill warning, and +at the same time swung his Marlin gun around so that the stock rested +against his shoulder. + +Then the wildcat sprang, with every powerful muscle in play--sprang +straight toward the little group of three--George, Elmer and Uncle +Caleb! + +George was unarmed and being a cautious fellow he knew that the best +thing for him to do was to get out of range as speedily as possible. + +Accordingly his movement was exactly timed with that of the leaping cat; +for just as the animal quitted the apex of the short chimney, and +launched its agile body into the air, George fell flat on his face on +the ground and made himself as small as possible. + +There sounded a double report. Both Elmer and Lil Artha had fired so +near the same time that until told differently later on, George supposed +that the scout master alone had made use of his ready gun. + +Uncle Caleb knew considerable about these savage cats, and he jumped +aside even as the roar of the guns sounded. Elmer, too, had no sooner +pulled the trigger than he took a quick step to the right, and then held +his gun ready to make use of the other barrel if necessary. + +It turned out that such a thing was not needed. Halted in midair by the +double charge of shot, which at such close range must have had the same +tearing effect as so many bullets, the wildcat fell with a heavy thud to +the ground, some five feet away from where Elmer stood. He instantly +covered the beast with his gun. + +"No need of another shot, my boy!" cried the owner of the cabin, +hastily; "you've already settled him handsomely." + +The wretched invader had indeed paid the penalty for his crimes, and all +because he possessed such a terrible temper. Had he been willing to jump +in the other direction the chances were nothing would have been done to +prevent his escape, so that he might furnish Uncle Caleb with other +opportunities to snap him off when in the act perhaps of devouring a +partridge he had captured in the snow forest. When he allowed his fury +to get the better of his discretion he made the one mistake of his life. + +All of them gathered around the now dead wildcat to admire his size, and +comment on his recklessness in daring to attack a party of human beings. + +"Did you ever hear of such nerve in all your life?" remarked Lil Artha, +who was grinning all over with the satisfaction it gave him to be +instrumental in disposing of such a pest of the woods. "Why, if there +had been a regiment I reckon he'd have jumped at 'em just the same. +Mebbe cats go mad sometimes, and just don't know what they're doing." + +"I've known of similar cases before," remarked Uncle Caleb, who was +looking at the wretched beast rather sadly, Elmer thought, "and a hunter +who has had experience never trusts a cat further than he can see it. +They get those crazy freaks once in a while, and fear seems to be driven +out of their system. When a Malay or a Chinaman loses his head, and +starts to wipe out the whole town, they say he is 'running amuck,' and +they always shoot him down as they would a mad dog. This cat species +when rendered furious does the same thing, and hesitates at nothing. But +I'm sorry it had to be done. He was a splendid specimen of a wildcat. +Look at those powerful muscles, and see what a square head he has. I'd +have given considerable to have had him a little more sociable, so that +I might have snapped off several pictures showing how he secured his +food, and crept up on game. But it couldn't be helped, apparently; he +just had to go and commit suicide as it seemed. And, Elmer, you +certainly pulled a quick trigger." + +"Half the credit goes to Lil Artha, for he fired at the same time," +Elmer quickly admitted. "I'm sure both of us hit him, because you can +see how badly the pelt is cut up. It would never bring ten cents in the +market after that riddling." + +"Is it possible that there were two shots, and I never suspected it?" +Uncle Caleb observed, turning on the tall scout with a smile. "Well, I +can easily see that you boys have long ago learned how to take care of +yourselves, which is one of the best things any lad can know. All of +which increases my desire to hear more about this organization that is +doing such wonders for our American lads." + +"Do you think you got your picture of the cat, Uncle?" asked Toby. "I +heard you call out something or other about it." + +"I pressed the button while he was squatting on the top of the chimney," +the owner of the cabin went on to say, "and that should be a fine +picture. Then almost mechanically I turned the screw that brought +another section of film into play, and my recollection is that I snapped +off another shot even as the beast was in the air. I'm curious to know +if I got anything worth while with that one. It would be a great triumph +if I should develop the film and find that I'd caught the cat just as it +received your shots and crumpled up in midair." + +"That would be something worth seeing, sir," Lil Artha told him, "and +we'll hope it turns out that way." + +George had scrambled to his feet as soon as he realized that the danger +was over. He looked a little ashamed, but there was no occasion for +feeling that way. When any one is unarmed, and sees such a fury as that +wildcat certainly was coming in his direction, he would be foolish +indeed not to dodge, and even hug the ground in an effort to escape +contact with those cruel poisonous claws. + +"Gee whiz! look at the sharp teeth, would you; and then those open +claws," Lil Artha continued, as he bent down and took one of the dead +cat's feet in his fingers; "excuse me from meeting up with such a crazy +customer when walking through the woods at sundown. I might manage to +get the best of the beast, but my bully khaki suit would be in ribbons, +and mebbe my face clawed into a map of Ireland." + +"As for me," spoke up Toby, "I'd never feel easy if I knew such a terror +was always hanging around, watching for a chance to grab me when my back +was turned. And say what you will, Uncle Caleb, I'm tickled half to +death because we bagged your pet cat before he had a chance to mark any +of us. I tell you I'll enjoy my tramps around this section better after +this. If he'd got away you wouldn't have caught Tobias Ellsworth Jones +wandering fifty feet away from home base without carrying a club or a +gun along. His room is going to be a whole sight better than his +company." + +Uncle Caleb smiled at hearing what his nephew thought. + +"Perhaps you're right in saying that, Toby," he remarked, "and it may be +that in pursuing my pet hobby I'm going too much to extremes in wanting +to preserve the life of such a savage animal. Possibly your ending his +career of piracy may be the means of saving me from a very unpleasant +experience; for I was planning to push my campaign against this same +cat, and follow him into his den, to get a good flashlight picture of +what he looked like at home. It would have been a foolhardy experiment, +I begin to realize. I suppose it's all for the best, and I'll cure the +skin just to remember the adventure by." + +Lil Artha, who had pushed up close to Elmer, managed to say in a low +tone: + +"I reckon that it was you knocked the stuffing out of the beast, Elmer, +because I'm afraid I fired too low." But the scout master immediately +hushed him up, and told him never to mention it again, for he felt sure +both of them had made a hit. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SCOUTS IN CLOVER + + +"THERE used to be a time," Uncle Caleb went on to remark, as he lifted +the heavy wildcat, and started toward the door of his cabin, "when I was +considered quite a sportsman. I took every opportunity I could to be in +the woods and on the water, shooting deer, quail, partridge, snipe, +ducks, geese, brant and all such things, for my fancy seemed to run more +in the line of small game than grizzly bears or lions, tigers, elephants +and the like. But years ago I began to notice a change gradually taking +place in my feelings. I suppose many men find the same thing working +when they grow older, and the fires of youth are spent. I began to +dislike taking life of any sort, and recently I have allowed many a fine +chance to make a bag slip by, because I would sooner snap off a picture, +and live on canned goods supplied from the store." + +Of course none of the boys could fully understand this sentiment. They +viewed it from the standpoint of youth, and would never know any +different until they too grew old, and their hunting instincts became +mellowed. + +At the same time they could respect such humane motives, and understand +something of the peculiar fascination that taking pictures of wild +animals in their native haunts was apt to entail. + +"Now to see what a mess the creature may have made of my little cabin +home," Uncle Caleb went on to say, as he flung open the door and +entered, leaving the body of the late trespasser outside to be attended +to later. + +The scouts crowded in after him, and looked eagerly around. They found +that the cabin in the snow forest was quite a neat affair. Evidently the +occupant had gone to considerable trouble and expense to make it +comfortable. As he expected to spend most of his time here under this +roof, Uncle Caleb believed in having things to suit him, even to a +little bathroom off the back, which in summer was supplied with running +water from a spring on higher ground, and fed through a sunken pipe, now +disconnected on account of the freezing temperature that would have +speedily burst it. + +There were a couple of bunks built into the walls on either side of the +big fireplace, which latter came out several feet into the room. Besides +this there was a cot that was also a settee in the daytime, a large +table, several comfortable seats that were along the type of the Morris +chair Elmer had in his den at home, and various cases of books, +curiosities and such things. + +Upon the floor were a number of real imported small rugs that Uncle +Caleb must have brought from the Orient himself. The boys thought them +rather odd, though at the same time pretty; but they were later on +staggered when they learned the history of each little carpet, and what +a vast sum Uncle Caleb had paid for them in his role of collector. + +Taken in all, the interior of that cabin was about as far from +resembling the average hunter's home as anything could be. Immediately +Lil Artha quit calling it the "shack," because forever afterwards with +that cheery interior it would appeal more to him in the garb of a +miniature palace. + +Uncle Caleb was a rich bachelor, and he liked to be comfortable. +Besides, he was a man of science, and a student, rather than a hunter; +so they concluded that he was quite right in making his little home look +so pleasant. + +Just then, however, things were in something of an upset condition. The +hungry cat in prowling around and searching for something to eat had +upset a number of articles, broken a pet dish of the cabin's owner; +while there on the table was the partly gnawed strip of bacon at which +the animal had been busily at work when interrupted by their arrival on +the scene. + +"I can save the better part of it," said the easy-going Uncle Caleb, +"and besides, there is plenty more in the locker, for I lay in my +winter's stock long before the first real snow comes, so as not to be +bothered later on by trips to the town where I trade, which is many +miles away from here." + +When later on he showed them his "strong room" where his stores were +kept George in particular was noticed to lick his lips with a satisfied +smile on his face as if telling himself that there need be no fear of +hunger so long as they stayed with Uncle Caleb. + +"Choose your bunks, boys," they were speedily told, "and toss your +blankets in the ones you select. It seems that you figured pretty +closely, because if there had been another scout in the party we'd have +had to get busy building a new bed. As it is, there is one apiece all +around." + +"But how about you, Uncle?" asked Toby, solicitously; "we don't want to +push you out of your regular bed. Let me sleep on that cot." + +"No, I prefer to take it," the owner of the cabin replied; "in fact, as +a rule I have slept on the cot winters, because I can pull it up in +front of the fire on nights that are particularly bitter." + +"You must get some howlers up here, sir, I should think," suggested +Elmer. + +"Along in January we often have a terrible storm or blizzard, when it's +utterly unsafe to venture outside the door, because one can never see +ten feet away. Men have been found frozen to death close to their own +cabins, which they did not dream were so close by when they gave up in +despair. The storm that just visited us was pretty severe, but not to be +compared with some I have seen." + +"George, take your pick of bunks," said Elmer. + +Perhaps he allowed George to have the first say because of the other's +notorious habit of grumbling; the wise scout master did not want to give +him any chance to complain that he had not been treated fairly and +squarely. + +Now George was not so greedy but that he could feel ashamed. He seemed +to scent the true reason why Elmer was so kind, for a flush came over +his face, and he actually shook his head in a decided negative. + +"That isn't just fair to the rest, Elmer, and I won't have it," he said, +with a show of spirit. "The bunks are all built alike, but one may be +better than the others, 'specially of a cold night. Now I tell you how +we'll fix that up fine and dandy; I'll mark them by numbers up to four; +then I'll write that many on pieces of paper and we'll put them in a +hat. Each one draws one out, and in that way gets his bunk without any +favoritism being shown. What d'ye say to that, Elmer?" + +"Just as you like, George; and I want to tell you I admire the +independent spirit you display when you refuse to be favored above the +rest. That's the right way to show what you're made of. It speaks well +for the regard you have toward others." + +While Elmer was saying this George drew out a lead pencil stub and made +a figure on the front of each bunk, running from one to four. Then he +did the little numbering on as many small squares of paper torn from his +notebook. These latter he threw into a hat and held it so no one could +look in, though a hand might be inserted through the small opening. + +"Elmer, you draw first!" George went on to say, as he held the hat out +to each one of the others in turn. + +So the scout master accommodated him, and found that he had hit upon one +of the lower bunks. Toby got the upper, and Lil Artha drew the other +elevated bed; so that after all George was given the pick of the lot. No +one could ever begrudge him his good luck, now that he had shown such a +fair spirit. + +"It hit me about right," admitted Lil Artha, as he stood up alongside +the wall, and flung his blanket inside the second upper bunk, "because +Nature always intended that I should nest high, when She gave me this +pair of stilts. Lucky you made the bunks over six feet long, Uncle +Caleb, or I'd never have been able to turn over without drawing my knees +up to my chin. It gives me a pain whenever I think that I may go on +stretching out for nearly four years yet. My folks think of cutting the +doors higher in our house. They get tired of seeing me duck my head +every time I come into a room." + +A fire was soon built up in the open space under the chimney flue which +the cunning wildcat had used as a means for entering and leaving the +cabin. At the time there happened to be little heat among the ashes, for +the owner was averse to leaving a fire when he went away for hours, lest +he return only to find a blackened heap where his cabin with its many +precious treasures had stood. + +It was like a picnic to cook when there were so many conveniences, and +Lil Artha, who insisted on helping George, called attention to the +excellent iron frame which was intended to be placed over the fire, and +serve to hold such cooking vessels as were needed in the preparation of +the meal. + +Besides this there was a portable oven which made splendid biscuits and +bread, as the boys learned later on, when Uncle Caleb showed them how he +lived while keeping bachelor's hall alone in that wilderness, days, +weeks and months at a time. He had a small barrel of flour in his +storeroom, with such a collection of canned goods and dried as well as +smoked meats, that George declared it looked like a young grocery store +to him; and privately admitted that he would not care very much if they +had been booked to stay the balance of the winter with Uncle Caleb, +instead of just a few days. He could see all manner of "good times" in +that delightful storeroom collection. + +They had a light lunch, as the old scientist usually preferred to eat +his one heavy meal in the evening, after his thinking was done for the +day. + +"Make yourselves quite at home, boys," he told them, with a sincerity +that even skeptical George could not question; "everything I have is at +your disposal. You will find hosts of things to interest you among my +collection of curios, and the myriads of pictures I have taken the last +seven years. Some of them have been honored by being published in a +geographic magazine, and excited considerable interest among a certain +class of scientists. I'm ready to answer every question you can ask, and +it will give me the greatest pleasure imaginable to be of service to +you. All I seek in return is full confidence; you must tell me all about +what scouts do, and learn, and aim to accomplish; also what adventures +you may have encountered in carrying out these organization principles." + +During the rest of that never-to-be-forgotten afternoon the boys +manifested no desire to wander through the white forest, but stayed +indoors looking at the many interesting things owned by Uncle Caleb, +many of which he had picked up in various quarters and corners of the +world, for he had been a famous traveler in his day. + +They almost talked themselves hoarse, asking questions, and explaining +all about what duties and obligations a boy takes upon his shoulders +when he subscribes to the scout promise, and assumes the +responsibilities accompanying such a service. + +Uncle Caleb had about everything that money could purchase in connection +with his photographic fad; and among other things a daylight tank for +developing the films. + +As he was very anxious to find out whether the snapshots taken of the +wildcat on the cabin chimney would turn out to be worth anything, he +proceeded to develope the films that afternoon. + +When he held them up after washing, and let the boys see the result they +were loud in their declarations that he had really done himself proud. + +There was the one with the big cat crouching on the chimney-top, and +giving all the detail that could be desired. The other was not quite so +clear, but it seemed that he must have aimed the camera just right, and +pressed the button while the leaping animal was in midair, just +crumpling up under the two charges of shot received from separate +quarters. This last was a thrilling picture, and ought to make a fine +print. + +"They'll be a splendid addition to my collection," Uncle Caleb told the +boys, as he surveyed his prizes with kindling eyes; "I've got a good +many strange pictures but I expect these will top the list. I'll print a +copy for each one of you to carry home when you go, because in a measure +that is your cat, as well as mine." + +Taken in all, they would never be apt to forget that same afternoon. +Their genial host seemed to be so delighted to have such a wideawake +pack of boys up there with him, that he could not do too much for them. +Many were the yarns he spun connected with his nomadic life under +different suns; and since settling down to this peculiar state of +existence he had known a multitude of adventures, both great and small. + +"Right now," he told them, as the afternoon light began to fade with the +drawing near of the time for sunset, "you might say I am a marked man; +not that it gives me any great amount of concern, because I hardly +believe that Zack Arnold will ever get his courage up to the sticking +point, and attempt to carry out the wild threats he made against me." + +"I remember hearing a man speaking that name on the train when we were +nearing your station, Uncle!" exclaimed Toby; "he talked as though the +fellow might be a sort of woods guide, though a tough rascal feared by +every one, even the game wardens, who were afraid to try and arrest him +for shooting game out of season." + +"All of which is about as true as it can be," was the reply. "Six months +ago I had the misfortune to run foul of this same Zack. He was even then +half under the influence of liquor, and very abusive. I could have stood +it for myself, but when the big brute raised his hand, and knocked down +a half-grown girl who had chanced to stumble, and fall against him, in +the store, it was too much for my blood." + +"You gave him what he deserved, didn't you, Uncle?" demanded the +exultant Toby. + +"Well, I knocked him down three times in succession, for he had come at +me with a knife the second and third times. After that he lay there, and +was counted out. Now I was never proud of having upset a brawling bully +like that when half-seas over, but it had to be done to pay him for +striking that poor child. I heard afterwards that he was furious at me, +and vowed he would get even, if he had to come all the way up here to +where I held out, and settle his debt." + +The boys exchanged looks. + +"But he might take a sudden notion to visit you, when feeling in a +particularly ugly mood, Uncle," Toby remarked, soberly, "and no one +would ever know who had set your cabin on fire, and perhaps burned you +in the same." + +"Well, I thought of that and for a time never went outside these walls +without carrying a gun along; but months have passed, and he does not +show up, which I take it means he is too big a coward to risk his ears +trying to do me an ill turn. And of late I've neglected any of those +precautions. When first I saw my fox trap had been tampered with, and +that valuable prize taken, I thought of what Zack Arnold had sworn, and +was sure it must be his work. But let's forget about such an unpleasant +subject, and have a little music for a change." + +It seemed that among his many other accomplishments Uncle Caleb was +something of a musician; that is, he loved music, and could play very +well on a banjo, as well as on a guitar. The boys had found this out, +through Toby, and looked forward to having good times listening to their +genial host during evenings, as they sat before a crackling fire, and +cared not for the weather without. + +It was getting pretty sharp again, as George announced after coming in +with an armful of wood; but little they cared, with such comfortable +quarters, and plenty to eat in the family cupboard. + +As if to dismiss an unpleasant subject from his mind Uncle Caleb started +in to amuse his young guests with various popular selections, most of +which the scouts knew as well as they did their own names. From these he +presently drifted to older airs from the operas, and sentimental +serenades that afforded the boys considerable pleasure. In the end he +played a few such favorites as "Home, Sweet Home," with so much effect +that he had one or two of them secretly winking rapidly in order to keep +the tears from filling their eyes. + +"Come, we've had enough of this for the present," said the player, +suddenly, on catching sight of Toby blowing his nose with great +vehemence, "and as it's getting dark outside, suppose we start our +preparations for supper. I've got a few wrinkles I'd like to show you, +although I rather expect some of you boys will turn out such good cooks +that you'll make my little efforts look primitive." + +All the same they did not. Uncle Caleb excelled in nearly everything he +undertook, from science, music, and photographing wild animals in their +native haunts, all the way down to cookery--perhaps George and Toby and +Lil Arthur might object to using that word, and on their own account say +"_up_ to cookery." + +At any rate he certainly gave the scouts a supper they would not soon +forget; and they admitted in private afterwards that they must look to +their laurels if they did not want to be considered "back numbers." +Uncle Caleb had done his own cooking for a good many years, and being of +an investigating turn of mind, had not been content to go along beaten +paths, like most bachelors left to their own devices, but had studied +cook-books, and made a success of many fine recipes. + +After the meal was over, and things cleaned up, they gathered before the +burning logs, and looked forward to an enjoyable evening. Every one was +to have a part in entertaining the company, with story or song, as the +case might be; and Elmer had a long list of questions which he wanted +answers for, mostly pertaining to the habits of the little woods and +swamps animals in which Uncle Caleb had become so vitally interested. + +Before they could get fully settled down, however, there was a shuffling +sound heard at the door, and then came a hesitating sort of knock from +without. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE OBJECT LESSON + + +"WASN'T that a knock?" asked George, who apparently had not heard the +sound so plainly as the others. + +"Seemed like it to me," replied Toby, "but say, neighbors can't be so +plenty up here in the woods, to have one running in after supper for +enough coffee to last over breakfast. P'raps, after all, it was only a +limb scraping against the roof; or a squirrel up in the loft huntin' +nuts Uncle's laid away." + +"It is some one at the door!" remarked the owner of the cabin, quietly. + +Elmer saw him getting to his feet. There was a sparkle in the eyes of +Uncle Caleb; and his jaw seemed set in a determined way. This suddenly +caused Elmer to remember what had been recently told about the tough +hard-drinking guide who believed he had a grudge against the old +scientist--Uncle Caleb. + +"Let me go to the door for you, Uncle Caleb," said Elmer, hurriedly. + +"It is my cabin, son, and therefore my duty to answer any summons," was +the steady reply of the old gentleman; "so please stay where you are, +unless I need any assistance." + +"Great governor! what if it should be _that man_?" Lil Artha was heard +to mutter as he reached out a hand, and clutched his own Marlin, which +chanced to be standing in a corner conveniently near by. + +Every one fairly held his breath as Uncle Caleb was seen to move toward +the door. He had not thought it worth while to arm himself, and Elmer +considered this positive evidence, going to prove the other's bravery. +He himself hardly knew what to expect, and his whole frame fairly +quivered with a mixture of eagerness and dread as he saw the owner of +the cabin start to open the door, which had been secured by a simple +old-fashioned bar that fell into a brace of sockets, one on either side. + +Immediately the barrier was removed they saw a figure stagger into view. +Uncle Caleb stretched out his hand, and took hold of it. Then the sound +of muttered words came to their ears, after which the old gentleman +turned, closed the door, and led his unexpected guest toward the fire. + +The staring scouts saw that this was a very large man. He seemed to be +coarsely dressed as might a woods guide, wearing a heavy sweater under +his outer coat. No weapons were visible, and one of his arms hung limply +at his side as though it might have been broken in some sort of +accident. + +The man's face was distorted by pain, but they could see that it was +bearded, and looked bearish. In fact, every one of the boys' first +impression was that they would not care to meet this fellow while +wandering through some lonely part of the forest, and do anything +calculated to excite his anger; for he appeared to be a man with a +violent temper. + +"It's _him_, I just bet you, Elmer!" whispered Lil Artha in the scout +master's ear and Elmer nodded as though he fully agreed with the other. + +There seemed to be no need to mention names, for the memory of what +Uncle Caleb had recently told them was fresh in every fellow's mind. +Curiously they watched what was going on. Lil Artha still caressed his +gun. He had hardly made up his mind whether or not this might be a +clever trick on the part of Zack Arnold, calculated to gain him an +entrance to the cabin of the man he hated so bitterly, though without +any reasonably just cause. + +It was only the other day that Lil Artha had been reading in school of +the wooden horse which played such an important part in the capture of +Troy in olden times, being filled with the enemy, who, issuing forth in +the night-time, opened the gates of the fortified city to their allies +without. Perhaps that was what made the boy suspect the visitor might be +shamming in order to catch Uncle Caleb off his guard. + +But if this idea had seized hold of Lil Artha he soon realized its utter +absurdity. Men may go to considerable lengths in order to carry out +their schemes; but he certainly did not believe even a determined fellow +like Zack Arnold would deliberately break his arm in the effort to +divert suspicion. + +It was an ugly break, too, as was shown as soon as Uncle Caleb had +divested the other of his garments, with the assistance of Elmer, who +sprang to his side when he realized what was needed. That thick, hairy +arm was covered with blood, and the sight of it made Toby and George +shudder. + +"Get a kettle of water on the fire in a hurry, please!" said Uncle +Caleb, "because the first thing to be done is to wash this arm so we can +see how to set the bone. Toby, at the same time start that coffee to +going again, will you? A few hot drinks would take some of the chill out +of this poor fellow. He's had a terrible tumble, and is covered with +bruises, besides this broken arm. But we'll fix him up as comfortable as +we can; and he luckily managed to get to my cabin before it was too +late!" + +While the old gentleman was speaking in this way the keen black eyes of +Zack Arnold kept following his every move. Elmer wondered what must be +passing through the mind of the vindictive man just then. He did not +doubt in the least but what some terrible plan to revenge himself upon +Uncle Caleb for what the other had done to him on that previous occasion +had been the cause for his coming to this particular region, for his own +camping grounds lay many miles away to the west, where sportsmen +congregated in the season for either fly fishing or deer hunting. + +With some black plan in his mind the man had started to even up his +score with Uncle Caleb; but a strange fate had caused him to meet with a +terrible accident; and now he was compelled to actually seek shelter and +assistance from the very man he had been about to injure. + +It was a remarkable freak of fate, and Elmer found himself wondering +what the outcome of it all might be. + +Lil Artha had quietly replaced his Marlin in the corner when he first +glimpsed that tortured arm, for he realized then that there was going to +be no need of weapons. When Uncle Caleb called for a kettle of warm +water he was the first to leap to his feet and place one on the fire; +while Toby, just as eager to help, began to brew the coffee. + +This latter was ready even before the kettle began to sing, and Uncle +Caleb himself poured a brimming cup of the beverage, which he handed to +the wounded man. No doubt Zack Arnold needed some stimulant the worst +kind. He must have exhausted his pet flask on the way, for he did not +seem to have a drop about him; and when the fragrant Java beverage was +placed in his possession he swallowed the contents of the big aluminum +cup in great gulps, as though his throat might be made of cast iron, +which no hot stuff could scald. + +Uncle Caleb asked no questions. He must know very well what had brought +this revengeful guide so far out of his beaten track; but to see him +tenderly washing that arm, and then gently setting the broken bones, +after which he bound it up with a splint almost as well as any +professional surgeon could, you might have thought he was attending his +best friend instead of a bitter enemy. + +Lil Artha could hardly keep his eyes off the man's face. He, too, had +finally managed to grasp the same idea that had come long before to +Elmer; and now he wondered again and again what the outcome of this +remarkable adventure was going to be. He even chuckled a little to +himself as he saw those eyes of Zack following Uncle Caleb back and +forth, as the other went to get more bandages, or it might be the +soothing salve which he wished to rub upon several ugly black-and-blue +spots visible on the left side of the brawny woodsman. + +"Huh! I've heard before about heaping coals of fire on your enemy's +head," Lil Artha whispered to Elmer, when he found a good chance, "but I +never just understood what it meant. Now I know to a fraction. Say, did +you ever hear of such a queer thing in all your life? And I bet you he +was coming up here to make a lot of trouble for Toby's uncle, too. Well, +this _is_ an object lesson for scouts, ain't it, Elmer?" + +"Just as you say, Lil Artha, but better not try and talk any more about +it. He might hear something you wouldn't want him to. Just keep your +eyes and ears open, and you'll be well paid." + +So after that the tall scout sat still and kept on the alert. He was +enjoying things exceedingly. In fact he could not remember having ever +felt such a keen interest in anything before as he did in this coming of +Zack Arnold to the cabin of his hated enemy, and under such queer +conditions. + +When in the end Uncle Caleb finished attending to his injured guest, and +with the help of Elmer the guide's sweater had been secured in such +fashion that it gave him the required warmth, he seemed to remember +something else looking to the comfort of Zack Arnold. + +"Do you think you could manage to eat something if we cooked it for you, +Zack?" he asked, with such an earnest manner that the man writhed in his +seat, and his eyes fell in what Lil Artha believed to be utter shame, +though he quickly spoke up in reply. + +"Ye've made me feel so comfy-like, suh, that I jest reckon I _could_ +take a few bites. Hain't had nawthin' sence mornin'. Ye see, I took this +tumble 'long 'bout noon, an' I lost nigh everything I had with me in the +way o' eatin's an' same with the drinkin's. Been jest walkin' ever +sence, ahopin' I mout hold out long enuff ter strike yer shack; but I +kim near throwin' up the sponge an' lettin' the freeze do the bizness +for me." + +George saw a chance to get his hand in had come at last. + +"What shall I cook him, Uncle Caleb!" he hastened to ask. + +"I've got just two eggs left from the lot I fetched back with me," said +the old scientist, without hesitation, "and you can fry them for him +with a slice of ham. You'll find the eggs in that can where I keep my +rice, the one with the name on the front, George. And there's plenty +more coffee in the pot. In his present exhausted condition it will be +the best thing he can take, far better than liquor!" + +The guide opened his mouth as though about to say something, but his +emotions must have overcome him, for he gulped several times, blinked +his eyes quickly, and then sat there staring hard at the fire, possibly +with strange thoughts surging through his mind. + +Elmer noted these things. He felt that a revolution might be taking +place within the soul of that tough woodsman. + +"I wouldn't be at all surprised," was what Elmer told himself, as he +later on watched Zack devouring the supper George had prepared, "but +what this is going to turn out to be the making of that man. He's surely +seen a great light, and already looks at things in a different way from +what he ever did before. And if I know Uncle Caleb, as I think I do from +having studied him, the chances are ten to one he'll wait his chance, +and all he'll ask in return for what he's done will be for Zack to get +on the water wagon, and stay there the rest of his life. Well, I hope it +does turn out that way. But who'd ever think we'd run across such a +wonderful object lesson away off up here in the snow forest?" + +And yet later on, when Elmer allowed himself to survey the matter at +closer range, he was not greatly surprised; for he realized that +occasions are apt to spring up at the most unexpected times when +observing scouts can read a lesson in passing events, if only they keep +their wits about them. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE QUEER ACTIONS OF ZACK ARNOLD + + +ROOM was found for the newcomer later on in the half-circle before the +fire, and though Zack Arnold took no part in the conversation, he sat +there listening, and hearing things that must have given him many new +impressions. As a rule his eyes were fastened upon the beaming and +genial face of Uncle Caleb, who, however, made out not to notice this +attention he was receiving, though naturally he could not help knowing +it. + +The boys told their host numerous things connected with the organization +of the troop of Boy Scouts in their town, and what wonderful things it +had already done for many of those who had signed the muster roll. He +was keenly interested, and asked questions so fast that it kept them all +busy answering; for Elmer would never consent that his chums simply sit +there while he spoke for all; he wished them to have a part in the +telling. + +On his part, Uncle Caleb related a lot about his life in the past, +touching upon some of the remarkable things that had happened to him. +Strange as some of these might be reckoned, Elmer was privately of the +opinion that nothing more singular could ever have happened to the +traveler and scientist than the dramatic coming to his cabin door on +this bitter cold winter's night of one who believed himself to be the +old gentleman's enemy, sorely wounded, almost ready to die, and wholly +dependant upon Uncle Caleb's bounty for his very life. + +When later on some of the scouts manifested signs of drowsiness and +exhaustion, by sundry yawns and nods, the host declared it was time they +thought of getting some sleep. + +"I'd put you on the cot here, Zack," he told the guide, "only it isn't +as strong as it might be, and you're rather heavy. If it happened to +give way you'd get a bad wrench to that arm of yours that wouldn't be +very pleasant. So I'm going to fix you out with a bunk on the floor near +the fire. I happen to have some spare blankets, and here are some furs +that will make things feel easy for you. I don't suppose you object to +sleeping on the floor, do you?" + +At that the man grinned, for the first time since entering the cabin. + +"Won't be the fust time by a thousand thet I've slept on boards, suh," +he went on to say, "an' right hyar I wants to tell ye how much 'bleeged +I am ter yer fur all ye done by me. I don't deserve a bit o' the same. +I'm a bad man, suh, I been thinkin' all manner o' rotten things 'bout +ye, sence ye guv me what I reckons I desarved, if ever a mean skunk did; +an' thet's what." + +"Don't mention it, Zack," said Uncle Caleb, pleasantly; "I know you +looked at things from the wrong side, and at one time thought I'd done +you harm; but since then you've seen a better light; and I wouldn't be +surprised if you were coming out of your way to my cabin to tell me so, +when this accident happened." + +The big guide's jaws worked several times as though he might be trying +to say something; but it was of no use, for not a word escaped him. He +did heave a deep sigh, however, and gave his kind benefactor a long look +before allowing his eyes to drop. + +Elmer felt satisfied, for he believed the cure must be working. Indeed, +he could not for the life of him understand how any one could withstand +friendly advances from such a splendid old gentleman as Uncle Caleb. His +very eyes were full of benevolence and the kindly spirit that filled his +heart. The man who would take the keenest delight in binding up the +broken leg of a poor little rabbit that he found in distress, certainly +could not bear malice toward an uneducated woodsman, who had never had +half a chance to learn better things than entertaining an unreasonable +desire for revenge. + +Under the direction of the owner of the cabin Lil Artha made up a mighty +comfortable bed on the floor. When it was finished the scout tested his +work, and declared he would not mind sleeping there all the rest of his +stay, if Uncle Caleb thought one of the bunks would be better for the +wounded guide. + +Zack, however, would not hear of it. He declared that he preferred the +floor for many reasons. Lil Artha managed to shoot a suggestive look +toward Elmer, upon which the other shook his head in the negative. He +knew that the lengthy scout suspected Zack might be thinking of taking +French leave while they slept, and perhaps help himself to some of their +stores in the bargain. But Elmer had no such fear. + +When the boys started to crawl into their respective bunks, partly +undressing, although none of them had dreamed of bringing their pajamas +along on this wintry expedition, Zack appeared to be asleep. At least he +lay there bundled up, and seemed to be breathing heavily. + +Lil Artha, when he thought he was not noticed, managed to deftly move +his Marlin gun closer to the bunk into which he meant to clamber +presently. He acted as if he more than half suspected he might find +occasion to make some sort of use of the weapon before dawn broke again. + +But Elmer had seen him; indeed, it was very little that ever eluded +those wideawake eyes of the scout master, when out with his chums. He +managed to get a chance to whisper with Lil Artha when the others were +busily engaged making their sleeping quarters ready. + +"I'd be mighty slow to think of using that gun, if I were you, Lil +Artha," he suggested. + +The lengthy scout flushed a little, and looked somewhat confused. + +"I might have known you'd glimpse me doin' that same, Elmer," he +confessed, "but when a wildcat comes down our chimney what's to hinder +its mate from doin' likewise? And if a fellow was waked up in the night +to find that a ferocious critter had taken possession of our bungalow, +why, a gun'd be a good asset, believe me." + +Elmer looked at him, and then smiled grimly. + +"Oh! well, if that's what you've got troubling you, it's all right, Lil +Artha," he went on to say, meaningly. "I kind of imagined you were +thinking of something else. And if some one should take a notion to skip +out, remember it's no business of yours. We wouldn't want to detain any +one against his will." + +"Sure, I didn't mean to try to," acknowledged the tall scout, "'less, +f'r instance, he tried to loot the whole shebang, when I'd think it my +duty to cover him, and then call Uncle Caleb." + +"I don't think you'll find any need of doing that, Lil Artha," continued +Elmer; "fact is, all the signs point just the other way." + +"Hope so," grunted his chum; and this was all that passed between them. + +Later on the cabin became quiet, except for the heavy breathing of those +who were sound asleep. Elmer dozed. Somehow, although he was desperately +sleepy, he did not appear to be able to lose himself for more than brief +intervals at a stretch. + +Perhaps it was his strange surroundings, although Elmer could hardly +believe such to be the case, for past experiences were against it. He +could remember sleeping soundly on more than a few occasions when danger +threatened; he had helped guard the saddle band of horses on his +uncle's ranch when rustlers in the shape of horse thieves were operating +all through the vicinity; and on being given a chance to snatch an +hour's sleep had lost himself as soon as his head touched the ground. + +The wind moaned through the branches of the trees without. Now and then +Elmer believed that he could hear faint sounds that might proceed from +certain of the four-footed denizens of that great snow forest around +them, possibly searching for food while the night lasted, since they +hugged their dens in the daytime. + +Once he saw Lil Artha thrust his head out from his bunk, and stare at +the figure bundled up in those blankets on the floor. This told the +scout master that Lil Artha had not been able to quite get over the +suspicions he had formed, and which Elmer believed to be wholly +unwarranted. + +It must have been long after midnight when Elmer, chancing to once more +awaken, on glancing out from his bunk saw that Zack Arnold was no longer +lying there on his well side, and wrapped in sleep. + +The revengeful guide was now sitting up. He seemed to be intently +listening, as though to either discover whether all of the others were +sound asleep, or else trying to catch some signal from without. + +A dreadful thought flashed into Elmer's mind, though he quickly +dismissed it as unreasonable. It was of course possible that Zack may +have coaxed others to accompany him on his mission of revenge; but if +he had company why should he appeal to his bitter enemy when in +desperate need of succor? That alone stamped the idea as next door to +absurd; and so Elmer put it out of his mind as impossible. + +At the same time the actions of the guide were certainly queer, to say +the very least of it. He was now getting slowly and painfully to his +feet, repressing a groan while so doing; because with one arm tied up +and useless it is not always the easiest thing in the world to get up +off the floor, and out from a mess of clinging blankets. + +Once he was on his feet the actions of the man became even more +suspicious. He crept toward the door, turning his head several times as +though to make sure that no one was watching him. Here he fumbled for a +brief time, managing presently to take aside the bar. Then he gently +opened the door, and as the wind was from the north, and the opening +faced the south, the cold air did not enter when he had done this. + +Elmer, still watching, half expected to see the guide step out and +depart. He was even debating with himself as to whether his duty might +not compel him to raise his voice in protest against such an act, since +the chances were the man would not be able to survive the exposure in +his present weakened condition, without his rifle, and with no food to +sustain him. + +He saw that Lil Artha had that long neck of his "rubbering," as he +himself would have termed it; doubtless his gun was alongside him in +the bunk, and even then he had hold of it. + +To the astonishment of Elmer, however, the man did not pass beyond the +doorsill. He seemed to have drawn some object from a hidden receptacle +about his person, where it must have escaped observation when his +benefactors were helping him. And giving this a swift toss Zack Arnold +hurled it far out amidst the snow drifts; after which he backed into the +cabin, softly closed the door, glanced hurriedly around to see if he had +been observed, but seeing nothing, because Lil Artha had hastily drawn +his head back as might a cautious old tortoise when threatened with +peril; after which the guide replaced the bar. + +Five minutes after all this queer happening had taken place Zack was +once more bundled up in his blankets, and apparently bound to go to +sleep, this time in real earnest. + +After that Elmer seemed to find no difficulty whatever in getting asleep +himself. Why, it really seemed as though a great load had been removed +from his mind; and the first thing he knew George was calling him to get +up, because breakfast was almost ready. + +It was a most unusual thing for the scout master to over-sleep. Some of +the others, notably Toby and George, joked him about it; but Elmer +noticed that Lil Artha did not say a word. + +Later on, after they had all partaken of the fine meal that George +prepared, he doing his level best to show Uncle Caleb that there were +other cooks as well, Elmer caught Lil Artha making certain gestures in +his direction. He could manage to guess what it all meant, and believed +the other wanted a chance to talk with him outside. + +"I wonder what the weather promises for to-day; and I think I'll step +out to see how things look," Elmer presently remarked carelessly. + +"I'll go along and give you the benefit of my vast experience as a +weather prophet!" exclaimed Lil Artha, jumping up; "the rest of you stay +inside, because too many cooks spoil the broth, and two of us ought to +be enough to settle this job with the clerk of the weather." + +It happened that George was still busy with some of his dishes, about +which he saw Uncle Caleb was unusually particular, in that he used two +separate waters in washing the same; while Toby was busily employed in +looking over some traps he had discovered hanging from a nail, and +evidently seldom used; so that neither of them dreamed of leaving the +comfortable cabin, and braving the outside air just then. + +"What's all this about, Lil Artha?" demanded the scout master, after the +door had been carefully closed behind them. + +"Why, I happened to know that you saw that ugly looking guide moving +around in the middle of the night, Elmer; and I thought you must have +noticed that he threw something away when he was standing there in the +doorway?" + +"I did see him do that, and I knew you were on the job, too, Lil Artha," +Elmer went on to say; "but if you've made a discovery, hurry up and +tell me what it is, because I haven't thought to put my sweater on, and +it's pretty chilly here." + +"Well, I was that curious to know what it could be the fellow threw +away," continued the tall scout, "the first thing this morning, before +any of the rest of you had peeped an eye open, I got up, and came out +here to look around." + +"And did you find anything?" asked Elmer, his own curiosity aroused by +now. + +"I had to go back and forth a heap before I came on a little hole in a +snow drift that looked like something had dropped in there," continued +Lil Artha, in a highly mysterious fashion. "So I began to dig down, and +pretty soon my hand touched this!" + +He thereupon drew something from its place of concealment, and held it +up before the eyes of his astonished companion. + +"Why, it only looks like a piece of common gaspipe!" exclaimed Elmer. + +"Just what it is," Lil Artha went on, in an awed tone; "but say, Elmer, +the same is crowded chock full of some sort of stuff that may be +dynamite for all I know. It's a sure-enough infernal machine, one of the +crude bombs that you read about in the New York papers, such as Italians +use when they want to make some rich merchant or banker hand over +blackmail money. Look at it yourself, and then you'll know what fetched +that skunk of a Zack Arnold up here to this region. He meant to blow +Uncle Caleb's cabin to flinders, that's what he did; and p'raps with +the owner inside of the same. Huh! no wonder he didn't want that thing +to be discovered on his person! I sure don't blame him a little bit!" + +And Elmer, as he examined the miserable contrivance which would explode +with so great a power for harm, felt a thrill pass all over his body. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A SCOUT'S EDUCATION + + +"WHAT do you make of it, Elmer; is it a sure enough bomb?" demanded Lil +Artha, whose face was working strangely under the violence of his +emotions. + +"Looks like it was that, and nothing else," admitted the scout master, +slowly, with a wrinkle across his forehead, as though he might be +considering weighty matters, as indeed he was just then, for one so +young. + +"And there can't be any doubt but what he meant to blow up the cabin of +the man he forced himself to believe was his enemy, the kindest-hearted +gentleman you and the rest of us ever met up with--tell me that, Elmer, +didn't he?" + +"Hold on, Lil Artha, don't explode!" cautioned Elmer, soothingly. "I +understand how you feel about this ugly business. Yes, that must have +been the scheme that brought Zack away up here in the dead of winter. +Whether he meant to do Uncle Caleb bodily injury or not we've no means +of knowing. Let's hope that the limit of his revenge was confined to the +destruction of the cabin, and all the valued treasures it held." + +"Well, that would be arson, and the law sits down mighty hard on anybody +who deliberately, and 'with malice aforethought,' as I've heard my dad +say, sets fire to the property of another. He deserves being kicked out, +and we'll have to attend to his case, the whole bunch of us." + +The excited scout made a quick movement, as though about to rush into +the cabin, waving the piece of gas-pipe which had been fashioned into a +rude but deadly bomb with a fuse to it; Elmer, however, tightened his +grip on his chum's sleeve. + +"Wait! Don't be in such a hurry, old fellow. Let's reason this thing out +a little before you spill the fat in the fire!" he told Lil Artha, in +that quieting voice of his that carried such weight with the other +scouts. + +"But, Elmer, don't you see he's a regular firebrand!" urged the tall +boy, twisting a little, as though struggling to get loose from the +detaining hand; but only in a faint-hearted fashion, because as always +the influence of the scout master predominated. "How do we know but what +right now he's figuring on doing us all some mean trick? We're friends +of Uncle Caleb, and he must look on us as his enemies." + +"You forget something, Lil Artha," urged Elmer. + +"Oh! yes, in my hurry I'm always forgetting things; but tell me what +I've let slip now, Elmer." + +"It was yesterday that Zack was heading toward this cabin, breathing all +sorts of ugly threats against Uncle Caleb, wasn't it?" Elmer continued, +in that smooth argumentative tone he knew how to use so well, and which +as a rule was so wonderfully convincing. + +"Why, of course it was, Elmer," admitted the other, weakly, yet +curiously. + +"And something has happened since then, you know, Lil Artha?" + +"Oh! sure, several things," replied the tall scout. + +"Zack Arnold had an accident, and found himself facing what might be the +end of his evil career," continued Elmer. "Now, life is sweet even to +such a man; and he couldn't but feel alarmed at the idea of being frozen +in the snow forest, because of his broken arm, and having no way to +supply himself with food or fire. Then in his desperation he forgot +everything else, and came to the cabin of the man he had been calling +his enemy. You know what sort of a reception he got, Lil Artha?" + +"You bet I do, Elmer; it couldn't have been warmer if he'd been a +life-long comrade of Uncle Caleb!" + +"All right, then," the scout master told him, emphatically; "and you can +depend on it Zack has had an experience unlike anything he ever ran up +against before. I've been watching him, and trying to figure out what +might be passing through his brain; and the fact of his throwing this +bomb as far away as he could shows that he's heartily ashamed of ever +entertaining the notion that Uncle Caleb was an enemy of his." + +"Do you really think so, Elmer? And could such a scoundrel ever reform?" +asked Lil Artha, half skeptically, just as though he were Doubting +George. + +"Of course I wouldn't like to stake my reputation on it," Elmer +continued; "but all the signs point that way. The man is just now in a +daze. He never met with anything like this before, and hardly knows what +to make of it. In other words, Lil Artha, he has arrived at the +cross-roads, and the next few days will either see him turning over a +new leaf, or going back to his old ways again. It must depend pretty +much on Uncle Caleb." + +"I reckon it will, Elmer!" muttered the tall scout, beginning to drift +across the line, and agree with what the other advanced. "And don't you +think we ought to let Uncle Caleb know about this gas-pipe thing?" + +"Yes, but I don't think it'll make any difference with his way of +treating the man. Uncle Caleb has sized Zack up to a dot, and he's +trying to get the whip-hand over him by sheer kindness. And I think he +will, sooner or later. It wouldn't surprise me if it all ended in Zack +turning right-about face, and caring for Uncle Caleb just as much as he +thought he hated him. Such men when they do change never make a half-way +job of it; they go the whole thing." + +"Shall I call Uncle Caleb out here now while we're at it, Elmer?" + +"I'll do it, and you wait here," the scout master told him. + +"All right, then; you know how to go about it better than I do. I'll be +ready to spring my little surprise on our host," said Lil Artha. + +So Elmer stepped over, and opening the door quietly, caught the eye of +Uncle Caleb, when he crooked his finger. The meaning of this gesture +could not well be mistaken, and presently the old scientist joined them +outside the cabin, making some excuse as he passed out. + +When Lil Artha showed him the queer piece of gas-pipe that had been +charged with some high explosive apt to carry great destruction with it +when discharged, Uncle Caleb did not appear to be greatly astonished. + +"I imagined it might turn out to be something of the sort, boys," he +informed the scouts; "and it was my full intention to look around later +on, so as to discover what it was Zack threw away last night; for I saw +him standing there in the doorway just as both of you seem to have done. +You've saved me the trouble of making the search, Lil Artha. But let me +hide this ugly thing. I wouldn't like Zack to know it had been found so +soon." + +"Then you won't turn him out for coming up here on such a terrible +errand?" asked Lil Artha, weakly. + +Uncle Caleb looked at him, and smiled. Lil Artha understood then what +was in the mind of the kindly scientist, who loved his fellow men so +well that he could even believe the worst of them must have _some_ good +in him, however small, if only one could discover its location, and +coax the wavering spark to glow into a steady flame. + +"I don't believe Zack ever had a chance," he told them, seriously, "and +I'm going to give him one right now, if it's in my power. As scouts, +neither of you would surely deny it to him, I'm certain. Besides, it's +going to give me considerable pleasure in studying the working of the +germ that has been planted in his heart by this piece of good luck. +Perhaps that broken arm may mean everything to Zack Arnold. A year from +now we'll take stock, and see how things come out. In the meantime say +nothing, and leave it all to your Uncle Caleb." + +Willingly both boys declared that they were only too glad to do so. They +asked, and readily received permission, to tell George and Toby, when a +chance came. And as they entered the cabin later on, to see Zack still +following Uncle Caleb with his wondering, yes, even admiring glance, it +struck the scouts that perhaps the sensible old scientist had made a +study of human nature as he had the habits of wild animals, and knew +full well what he was doing. + +During the balance of that day he treated the wounded man just as though +the intruder might be one of the family. Uncle Caleb was too wise to +gush over the injured guide; he simply showed Zack that he had a deep +interest in his welfare, and meant that he should have every care while +unable to look out for himself that could be expended on him. + +Elmer, who was observing these things closely, without betraying the +fact that he had more than a passing interest in them, told himself that +it would not be surprising if when they came to leave the cabin in the +forest a pact had been arranged between Uncle Caleb and Zack Arnold, by +means of which the big guide was to stay up there the balance of the +winter, and act as a side partner to the man he had once been so foolish +as to consider his enemy. + +"There'll be no chance for him to hobnob with his real enemy, which you +can take it from me is strong drink," the scout master told the other +boys when they talked matters over, away from the cabin that afternoon; +"and before spring comes, I wouldn't be surprised if Uncle Caleb has +weaned him from his old habits, so that nothing can ever tempt him to go +back to them again." + +"I hope you're right, Elmer," ventured George; "I don't feel quite as +strong as you do about it, because I just can't, that's what; but it'd +be splendid if Uncle Caleb did reform that beast." + +"And I think it's just wonderful," Toby admitted, having heard the whole +story with great eagerness and interest; "I never knew Uncle Caleb was +such a splendid sort of a man. And honest now, I don't see how any +fellow could hold out against his winning ways. No wonder Zack keeps +watching him all the time; I tell you he's as near hypnotized as anybody +could be." + +And so they concluded to let the matter rest, confident that the good +man of the lonely cabin in the snow forest knew what he was doing, and +that the chances were he was not making any mistake. + +The boys now proceeded to enjoy themselves to the best of their ability, +each according to his bent. Of course all of them were keenly interested +in the remarkable success with which the scientist was meeting in his +effort to secure amusing and instructive flashlight pictures of the +woods animals at night. He showed them how he set his snares, so +cleverly arranged that when the fox or the mink came to take the +tempting bait that had been cunningly placed, he was compelled to pull a +cord that released the hammer by which the fulminating cap was +detonated, and the flashlight cartridge set going, thus causing the +little animal to take his own picture. + +That very night every one of the four scouts accompanied Uncle Caleb to +set several of these ingenious traps. The novel experience appealed to +all of them; and even Lil Artha, usually an ardent hunter, was heard to +admit that it afforded all the excitement necessary for enjoyment, +anticipation and realization combined, without having to destroy the +life of the cunning little creatures that, in roaming the woods, and +seeking their natural food supplies, were only working out their +individual destinies. + +"Anyhow," Lil Artha confided to Elmer, later on, when they were +returning to the warm cabin where Zack had been left in full charge, "I +don't believe I'd like to become a regular fur trapper, though once on +a time I did seem to hanker after such a life. It's all well enough to +shoot game when you're hungry, just like you'd knock over a chicken when +the dominie is coming to dinner; but this thing of trapping little +things like mink and muskrats just for the money their skins bring in +the market doesn't strike me as quite right. I'd never see a lady +wearing a fur coat again without feeling queer, like all the innocent +little animals I'd gone and slaughtered were parading before me. Nixey +for mine, I give you my word." + +Elmer did not make any reply in words, but the satisfied glance he gave +the speaker was eloquent enough. Truth to tell he was well pleased with +the change that was working in Lil Artha. At one time the tall scout had +shown signs of becoming so infatuated with hunting that quite a savage +desire to slay things had begun to manifest itself in his disposition. +Already had the mild influence of Uncle Caleb begun to make itself felt. + +Zack Arnold would not be the only one benefitted by contact with the +owner of the cabin. Some of the scouts would return home with new ideas +concerning things. Already Elmer could see where this midwinter holiday +trip was going to repay them a dozen-fold for all it cost. He was +satisfied with the promising results, and would not have had things +different, could the choice be his for the taking. + +While they were gone Zack had tidied up the cabin after a rude fashion, +considering that he did not know much about keeping things looking nice +in the first place, and had only one arm to work with in the second. But +it was the fact that he was beginning to take a decided interest in +things that pleased Uncle Caleb, who was not slow to commend his +thoughtfulness, and Elmer could see the glow that flashed into the eyes +of the big guide, telling that he had already begun to desire to do that +which would commend itself to his kind benefactor. + +"And it's going to be all right," Elmer told himself, as he lay down +later in his bunk, watching the two men who were still sitting by the +fire, talking about the habits of animals, for Zack having been a guide +all his life was brimfull of such lore; "he's got Zack going, and +nothing can stop him now. It must give a fellow a mighty nice feeling to +know that he's changed such a life, and for better things. But if we +only knew all that has happened in Uncle Caleb's past I reckon we'd find +that this is just one little incident in a long string." + +And that night neither Elmer nor Lil Artha dreamed of keeping watch +because of the presence of so desperate a character as Zack Arnold under +the same roof that sheltered them. Indeed, so greatly had their opinions +changed that they would have been willing to put considerable trust in +the loyalty of the rough guide. His very face did not seem one-half so +repulsive, now that it no longer showed the marks of passion and pain. +In fact, Elmer could see where in good time Zack might turn out to be a +pretty fair looking sort of a man; for once when he allowed a smile to +cross his face he was rather attractive. + +So the night wore away, and another day dawned. The boys, knowing that +their vacation was moving swiftly along, and feeling that they must +crowd everything possible into the few remaining days, had laid out a +plan of campaign that would make this a busy period. And Uncle Caleb was +ready to join them in any undertaking that had for its object the +satisfying of their desire for rollicking fun, or their education along +the line of a more intimate acquaintance with the little woods folks in +whom he took such a decided interest. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +GOOD-BY TO THE SNOW FOREST + + +IT happened that very afternoon Lil Artha met with an adventure that +stirred his red blood at quite a lively rate, and for a little time +caused quite a lively excitement around the vicinity of the cabin. + +Elmer, Toby and George had gone off with Uncle Caleb to investigate some +freak of Nature in which the old scientist was interested. Lil Artha at +the time was suffering from a chafed heel, and thought the long walk +through the deep snow was more than he cared to undertake; so he had +promised to remain home and look after preparations for supper. + +As it was too early to think of commencing that job, he had wandered +forth for a little stroll, not meaning to go far away from the cabin. Of +course such a thing as danger never once appealed to the boy; and with +those new thoughts concerning hunting and destroying animal life in +possession of his mind, he certainly was not going to shoulder his +shotgun, which he had left in a corner of the cabin. + +In the midst of his wandering he suddenly heard a strange scratching +sound that gave him a thrill. Looking up in the quarter from which it +seemed to come, Lil Artha was astonished to see a pair of yellow eyes +glaring down at him, and recognize the gray coat of a ferocious wildcat. + +He instantly jumped at the conclusion that this must be the mate of the +animal they had killed after it had forced an entrance into the cabin, +to steal Uncle Caleb's smoked meat, and then savagely attacked them. +Yes, there could be no doubt about it; and the cat was evidently of a +mind to spring upon him, and through means of its terrible claws seek to +have revenge for the loss of its mate. Some feline instinct doubtless +told the beast that this boy must have been concerned in the death of +the partner of its joys and sorrows, which we happen to know was the +actual truth. + +Lil Artha's first thought was to turn and sprint for the safety of the +cabin as fast as he could go. Then it struck him as a dangerous thing to +turn his back on such a treacherous foe as a wildcat; for there could be +no question but what the animal would immediately make its leap, and +land on his shoulders. + +Lil Artha realized that the best thing for him to do was to keep his +face turned toward his four-footed enemy. If only now he could pick up a +suitable cudgel he might be able to give a decent account of himself; +but to struggle with that terror of the snow forest, with only his bare +hands, did not please him at all. + +He shot a hasty glance all around him. The snow happened to have blown +away in that particular spot, where one of the boys had been chopping +fuel; and there Lil Artha discovered just the sort of stick he believed +he could wield to good advantage in keeping his feline foe at bay. + +Giving a wild shout, in hopes of alarming the beast more or less, he +sprang toward the coveted trophy, with outstretched hand. And when his +eager fingers closed about the end of the three-foot club Lil Artha felt +considerably better. + +It appeared, though, that his work was cut out for him. The cat actually +leaped directly for him, and never would the boy forget how terrible the +sight of that flying figure passing through space appeared to his +excited mind. + +By a nimble jump to one side Lil Artha managed to avoid contact with the +extended claws of the cat; and the disappointed animal, upon landing in +a heap, instantly whirled around and again sprang toward him. This time +the boy struck with his club, and managed to knock his assailant over, +though the now thoroughly aroused animal seemed more determined to get +at him than ever. + +So the battle raged, Lil Artha all the while shouting at the top of his +lungs, though he hardly knew what for, since his chums and Uncle Caleb +were more than a mile distant, and could hardly hear him at best. + +He fought with all the dexterity he could command. When he struck at the +raging beast he knew that should he manage to make a miss nothing could +keep him from having the cat fasten itself on his breast, tearing and +biting with fury. Time and again did he bring that good club against +the hairy form of his enemy, and send the wildcat bowling over; but it +surely had the nine lives such tough animals are usually credited with, +for on every occasion it managed to once more regain its feet, and +crippled as it may have been come stubbornly straight at him again. + +Lil Artha was getting winded, just as he might have been after knocking +a dozen tremendous fouls, when playing in a hotly contested game of +baseball. He felt a cold chill pass over him as he began to wonder +whether he might not be tired out by this beast that seemed never to +know when to give in; and what might not happen then? + +Once more he had brought his stick against the creeping cat with such +good will that the animal was knocked fully six feet away; but to his +despair it immediately recovered, and started back toward him. + +Just then Lil Artha heard a loud report, and saw the cat roll over in a +heap. As the relieved scout looked in the direction from whence that +shot had come he saw Zack Arnold standing there, his face drawn and +white with pain; for in handling Lil Artha's gun so as to relieve the +boy of his fierce antagonist he must have given his broken arm a severe +wrench, that for the moment made him feel sick and faint. + +And Lil Artha, seeing how things were, threw an arm about the big guide, +weak by reason of his pain, and helped him back to the cabin. After that +Lil Artha forgot that he had expressed any doubt concerning the +reformation of Zack Arnold. The guide had proved his change of heart by +that action; and it would serve to cement the bonds of the new +friendship that had sprung up between him and Uncle Caleb, as well as +the old scientist's boyish guests. + +Later on, when the others returned from their trip, the boys full of the +interesting things they had seen, great was their surprise to hear how +Lil Artha had been concerned in a stirring adventure. The report of the +gun had been wafted to their ears, but of course they expected that it +was only Lil Artha doing a little hunting on his private account near +the cabin, though Uncle Caleb did not fancy the boy taking any such +liberties with his familiar four-footed friends. + +They all had to go out and examine the body of the dead wildcat, +remarking that if anything it surpassed its mate in the way of ferocity, +and blind recklessness, in attacking a human being without any +particular provocation, and in broad daylight at that. + +"I'm sorry it had to be," remarked Uncle Caleb, with a sigh, "for I +expected to have considerable enjoyment later on in trying to get these +cats to play photographer for themselves; but no one is to blame in +either instance. If attacked by such a fierce creature I myself would +shoot to kill without any hesitation. After its mate was destroyed I +suppose this one would never have given me any peace. And at any rate it +afforded Zack a chance to prove that he was not ungrateful; which after +all is the best part of the whole affair, barring your escape from being +clawed, Lil Artha. Are you sure the claws or teeth of the cat didn't +scratch you the least bit, because in that case I'd want to take due +precautions. Blood poisoning might set in if the cuts were neglected, +all depending on the condition of your own blood." + +The tall scout had examined his hands and face thoroughly before the +others of the party returned home, for he was not wholly ignorant +concerning the possible results that sometimes follow wounds received +through carnivorous animals. He knew that Elmer always made it a +practice to carry with him a small phial of permanganate of potassium, +to be freely used as a wash in such cases, as calculated to cleanse the +wound of all foreign matter, and neutralize any poison that might come +from contact with claws impregnated with it. + +He assured the anxious woodsman that he had escaped even the slightest +scratch, and could consider himself especially fortunate, in which the +other heartily agreed with him. + +Again did they spend another happy evening around the cheery fire. As +the flames glowed and crackled they coaxed Uncle Caleb to tell more +incidents connected with his explorations in faraway Thibet, when he was +the first white man to enter the Forbidden City and interview the Head +Llama, whose existence had up to that time been pretty much of a sealed +mystery to the civilized world. + +Another peaceful night followed, and then came dawn again. This was to +be their nest to last day in the snow forest, because on the second +morning they must prepare to turn their faces toward home again, seek +the little station, signal to a passing train, and be carried back to +familiar scenes. + +In many ways all of them would be sorry when the time for separation +arrived; and so they had planned to do divers things during these two +days, which it was sincerely hoped would turn out pleasant ones. The +weather had moderated, and even a thaw set in late the preceding day, +but as the wind whipped around once more into the northwest the surface +of the snow became covered with a sheet of ice that was almost thick +enough to bear the weight of a small boy. + +Toby was wild with eagerness to be shown how to use those wonderful +snow-shoes which Uncle Caleb had given him for a present; and so the old +woodsman showed him just how to attach them to his toes, so as to leave +the balance of the foot free to bend at his will, though really Elmer +had explained this thing to Toby before. + +Under the guiding care of first Uncle Caleb, and when he grew tired, of +Elmer on the old scientist's snow-shoes, Toby was enabled to perform +quite creditably, and in the end felt that he knew fairly well how to +spin over the ice-crusted drifts in a way that would hardly have shamed +those Canadian cousins of his who belonged to the famous Teuque Bleue +Snow-shoe Club up in Montreal, and wrote him such glowing accounts of +the long trips they took over Mount Royal, and into the bush, in the +dead of winter. + +The boys had not forgotten how they had been almost reduced to a diet of +musquash at the time Lil Artha so fortunately shot his deer; and upon +invitation from Elmer, who was genuinely desirous of learning whether +the dish could be as palatable as some hunters and Indians declared, +Uncle Caleb told them they could get a number of the little animals with +the glossy fur, and he himself promised to prepare the stew. + +Well, they ate it, and George even came in for a second helping, but on +the whole it was the consensus of opinion that they did not really +hanker after "musquash," which might please some palates, and serve as a +means to ward off actual starvation, but did not seem to appeal to them +very strongly. All of which was fortunate indeed for the furry denizens +of the marsh, because there would be no further loud calls for a +repetition of the dish. + +The last day was pretty much taken up with seeing all they could of +Uncle Caleb and trying to grasp the results of his labors in the cause +of science and natural history. Each of the boys was given a sheaf of +prints to carry back with him, many of them most interesting revelations +concerning the hidden lives of the four-footed neighbors of Uncle Caleb, +whose habits were so little known to the average person. And even George +admitted that he would not have missed what he had learned while up in +the great snow forest, with this observing relative of Toby for a good +deal. It had broadened his knowledge of many things, and given him a +much higher estimate of human nature in seeing how kindness had won the +game over an evil desire for revenge. + +It was all settled, and Zack Arnold was going to stay there as the side +partner of Uncle Caleb. He did not appear like the same man when on that +last morning he shook each one of the four scouts by the hand and hoped +he would see them again. There was a look on his face that surprised +George and Lil Artha, who at one time had expressed themselves so +strongly to the effect that they did not believe any good could ever +come out of so tough a customer. + +"I'll never say that again, as long as I live!" George admitted, later +on; "after this I'm going to look for the spark of good in every hard +case, instead of only seeing the evil." + +"I sure have had a lesson I'll never forget," added Lil Artha; "and when +you get right down to facts that Zack Arnold isn't such a bad fellow +either. What he don't know about the woods you could put in a thimble; +and I can see that after Uncle Caleb has had him with him six months +he's going to turn out something more than half-way decent." + +Fortunately they did not meet with another snow storm while on the +homeward road but on arriving at the little station they had only to +await the train. The same little urchin from whom they had received the +false information grinned at them. Lil Artha was for giving him the +drubbing he richly deserved; but Elmer counselled differently. + +"After all it was a lucky thing he gave us the wrong directions," he +told the other scouts. "We have had a whole lot of experiences that +would never have come to us otherwise. And then you shot that fine young +buck, remember, Lil Artha. So, taking pattern from Uncle Caleb, suppose +we wash the incident from the slate." + +And what did Lil Artha do but approach the grinning urchin, and actually +thank him for the trouble he had taken to direct them, stating that they +had had the "time of their lives," and tossing him a silver quarter as a +reward for his being so solicitous about their welfare. The last thing +they saw as the train carried them away was that country boy standing +there, staring at the coin he held in one hand while he scratched his +head in perplexity and evidently wondered what it all meant. So Lil +Artha had taken a page from the diary of Uncle Caleb, and applied the +kind-hearted old scientist's methods to his own case. + +The four scouts reached home in safety, and with plenty to interest +those of their comrades of the troop who had not been along. It is to be +hoped that at some not far distant day in the future we may be permitted +to chronicle still further of the happenings that came the way of Elmer, +Toby, Lil Artha, George, and others belonging to the Hickory Ridge Troop +of Boy Scouts. + + +THE END + + + + +The Mountain Boys Series + + + 1. PHIL BRADLEY'S MOUNTAIN BOYS + 2. PHIL BRADLEY AT THE WHEEL + 3. PHIL BRADLEY'S SHOOTING BOX + 4. PHIL BRADLEY'S SNOW-SHOE TRAIL + +These books describe with interesting detail the experiences of a party +of boys among the mountain pines. + +They teach the young reader how to protect himself against the elements, +what to do and what to avoid, and above all to become self-reliant and +manly. + + _12mo. Cloth. + 40 cents per volume; postpaid_ + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK + + + + +The Campfire and Trail Series + + + 1. IN CAMP ON THE BIG SUNFLOWER. + 2. THE RIVALS ON THE TRAIL. + 3. THE STRANGE CABIN ON CATAMOUNT ISLAND. + 4. LOST IN THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP. + 5. WITH TRAPPER JIM IN THE NORTH WOODS. + 6. CAUGHT IN A FOREST FIRE. + 7. CHUMS OF THE CAMPFIRE. + 8. AFLOAT ON THE FLOOD. + +By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE. + +A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting way and +appealing to their love of the open. + + _Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume_ + + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK + + + + +THE "HOW-TO-DO-IT" BOOKS + +BY J. S. ZERBE + + + +CARPENTRY FOR BOYS + +A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner all +subjects pertaining to the "King of Trades"; showing the care and use of +tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; the principles +involved in the building of various kinds of structures, and the +rudiments of architecture. It contains over two hundred and fifty +illustrations made especially for this work, and includes also a +complete glossary of the technical terms used in the art. The most +comprehensive volume on this subject ever published for boys. + + * * * * * + +ELECTRICITY FOR BOYS + +The author has adopted the unique plan of setting forth the fundamental +principles in each phase of the science, and practically applying the +work in the successive stages. It shows how the knowledge has been +developed, and the reasons for the various phenomena, without using +technical words so as to bring it within the compass of every boy. It +has a complete glossary of terms, and is illustrated with two hundred +original drawings. + + * * * * * + +PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS + +This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of practical +shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure and handling of +shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized to perform the work, +and the manner in which all dimensional work is carried out. Every +subject is illustrated, and model building explained. It contains a +glossary which comprises a new system of cross references, a feature +that will prove a welcome departure in explaining subjects. Fully +illustrated. + + * * * * * + +_12mo, cloth. Price 60 cents per volume_ + + * * * * * + + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. Archaic spellings such as +"grummet," "develope," and "fryingpan" were retained. In addition, +varied hyphenation was retained as in "shot-gun" and "shotgun." + +First advertising page, "Chenoweth" changed to "Chenowith" to match +actual book usage (Elmer Chenowith, a lad from) + +Page 179, "touch" changed to "tough" (such tough animals) + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORM-BOUND*** + + +******* This file should be named 38314.txt or 38314.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/8/3/1/38314 + + + +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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