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diff --git a/38314-h/38314-h.htm b/38314-h/38314-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87ba2f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/38314-h/38314-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6913 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Storm-Bound, by Alan Douglas</title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + .small {font-size: 70%;} + .big {font-size: 110%;} + .author {font-size: 120%; text-align: center;} + .adtitle2 {font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + .adtitle {font-size: 200%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .chaptertitle {text-align: center; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1.5em;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 90%;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Storm-Bound, by Alan Douglas</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: 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. 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