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diff --git a/39916.txt b/39916.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fac3dc9 --- /dev/null +++ b/39916.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6810 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ranger Boys Outwit the Timber Thieves, by +Claude A. Labelle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ranger Boys Outwit the Timber Thieves + +Author: Claude A. Labelle + +Release Date: June 4, 2012 [EBook #39916] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RANGER BOYS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from images made available by the HathiTrust +Digital Library.) + + + + + + +[Illustration: The guard let them out, and warned them that any attempt +at flight would be followed immediately by a shot.] + + + + +THE RANGER BOYS OUTWIT THE TIMBER THIEVES + +By CLAUDE A. LABELLE + +Author of + + "The Ranger Boys to the Rescue," + "The Ranger Boys Find the Hermit," + "The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers," + "The Ranger Boys and Their Reward." + +[Illustration] + +A. L. BURT COMPANY + +Publishers New York + + + + +THE RANGER BOYS SERIES + +A Series of Stories for Boys 12 to 16 Years of Age + +By CLAUDE A. LABELLE + + The Ranger Boys to the Rescue + The Ranger Boys Find the Hermit + The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers + The Ranger Boys Outwit the Timber Thieves + The Ranger Boys and Their Reward + +Copyright, 1922 + +By A. L. BURT COMPANY + +Made in "U. S. A." + + + + +THE RANGER BOYS OUTWIT THE TIMBER THIEVES. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE START OF NEW ADVENTURES + + +"Bangor, Bangor, all change for Portland, Boston and way stations," +shouted the trainman. + +"Here we are, boys," shouted Garry Boone. "Wake up, Dick, let's get our +packs and rifles. We will be in the station in a few seconds now. My, +but I'll be glad to see Dad again. And he promises us some real action, +too. I wonder what trouble he is in. You remember he hinted at something +of the sort in the letter that he wrote us at Hobart." + +"Well, we'll know in a few minutes now, for your father will be waiting +for us at the Bangor House. Don't fret over what he wants, Garry, just +be glad that we have a chance to get into action of some kind. These +past few weeks have gotten me so that I am not happy if we don't have a +few scrapes to get in and out of," remarked the second of the trio of +boys. + +Dick Wallace, a plump, heavyset chap, yawned and rubbed the sleep from +his eyes, and then got up and stretched his cramped limbs. He had been +napping for more than an hour. + +At that moment the train drew into the station with a screeching of +brakes, and the boys, having dug out their knapsacks and rifles from +between the seats where they had stowed them, soon were off the train +and walking briskly toward the Bangor House. + +"Why not take a car, there ought to be one along in a minute or two," +half grumbled Dick. It must be explained that Dick, because of his +weight, took the easiest method of doing anything whenever possible. + +This does not mean that he ever shirked his duty, or that he was +incapable of walking whenever he had to. As a matter of fact, he had +made long hikes in the woods without ever batting an eyelash, but he +believed in doing such things only when they were necessary. + +"Trust Dick to want a street car and something to eat the minute he gets +to a city," laughed Garry. + +"Yes, I bet he is starving right now," jibed Phil Durant. "All he has +had to eat since lunchtime is an apple, three bananas, and I don't know +how many bags of peanuts. If the train boy hadn't made a sale all the +afternoon except to Dick he would have made a day's pay anyway." + +"That reminds me that it is almost supper time now," said Dick. He had +heard his chums rag him so many times about his appetite, that their +remarks rolled off him as does water off a duck's back. "I move we +postpone hearing what Dad Boone has to tell us until after we have +eaten. Then he can tell us what he wants, and after that perhaps we can +all go to a movie show." + +There was no car in sight, so they continued their walk, and soon were +at the doors of the Bangor House, a large, well-appointed hotel. The +boys cut a strange figure as they walked through the lobby, for they +were clad in broad brimmed Stetson army hats, khaki coats cut like +hunters' jackets, with big roomy pockets, and khaki trousers stuffed +into the tops of shoepacks, which are nothing more than heavy moccasins +with an extra leather sole. + +Each boy carried a knapsack on his back, and attached to this was a +lariat. In addition, a stout forest hatchet was thrust through the belt +that girdled them, and each boy carried a rifle. + +Many curious looks were cast in their direction as they walked to the +desk where Garry asked if Mr. Boone was registered there. + +In a few moments the clerk had telephoned up to Garry's father and +immediately was told to send the boys up. Following in the wake of the +bell boy they ascended to the room, where Mr. Boone was waiting. + +He greeted the boys heartily and commented on their healthy appearance, +for the sun and open air had made them as tanned as any woodsman. + +Greetings over, Mr. Boone remarked: + +"Before I tell you boys why I have sent for you, I suggest that we get +our dinner and then come back to the room." + +"Welcome words!" uttered Dick enthusiastically. + +"I thought that would about hit the spot with you, Dick," laughed Mr. +Boone. + +"Yes," said Garry, "he is starving to death; he hasn't had anything to +eat for nearly an hour and a half." + +Leading the way, Mr. Boone headed the boys toward the dining room, while +they unanimously ordered a fine steak, and soon were busily eating. + +As they eat, let us look them over and get acquainted with them. Those +of our readers who have read the three volumes preceding this one, "The +Ranger Boys to the Rescue," "The Ranger Boys Find the Hermit," and "The +Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers," already know our heroes. Others +must be introduced. + +The leader of the trio is Garfield Boone. He is generally known as +Garry. The stout boy with the long distance appetite is Dick Wallace, +close friend of Garry, and ward of Mr. Boone. The third is Phil Durant, +a boy of French Canadian parentage. The three boys live in a small Maine +town, only a few miles from Portland, the principal city of the Pine +Tree State, as our northernmost commonwealth is known. + +They have just completed their junior year in high school, and it has +been decided that Garry and Dick shall go to a military school the +coming fall, while Phil will have to remain and finish at the high +school. + +Hence they wanted to spend their last vacation together, and had picked +on the idea of taking a camping trip to the woods. Mr. Boone, father of +Garry, who owned extensive lumber tracts in the Maine woods and was +connected with some of the big paper mills of the state, came to bat +with an idea that pleased the boys immensely. + +It was to this effect. That instead of going on a mere camping trip +which might prove to be tiresome before it was concluded, that the boys +become attached to the Forest Ranger Service as an extraordinary Unit of +this woodcraft outfit. + +Their duties would be the same as those of the older Rangers; that is, +to guard the forests from the fire peril that constantly menaced the +timber lands of the state. In this service there were two branches, the +men who act as lookouts, having an unchanged station, and the patrol men +who travel over a certain set course watching that fire does not start +and keeping careless campers from starting fires in dangerous spots. + +In a few days the boys had outfitted themselves and were on their way to +their first station on the Sourdehunq Mountain, a tract of timberland +owned by Mr. Boone. They had no thought of any adventure other than that +which might be caused by the discovery of a fire, but on their second +night on the trail they find the guide they had hired, one Jean LeBlanc, +a French Canadian halfbreed, trying to steal their supplies. + +They drive him away, and later find the halfbreed is inimical to them +because of a fancied grievance he has against the elder Boone. They also +make a staunch friend in the person of Nate Webster, an old Maine guide. +Later Webster replaces the Deputy Ranger, Anderson by name, who has +proved incompetent, and Anderson joins forces with LeBlanc and becomes +an enemy of the Ranger Boys, and nearly succeeds in doing them great +harm. + +Another friend is made in the person of an old hermit, who on several +occasions warns the boys of impending peril by sending them cryptic +notes. + +On one occasion Jean LeBlanc kidnaps the little daughter of a family by +the name of Graham, who are camping in the woods. With the aid of a note +from the hermit, the boys are able to rescue her and capture LeBlanc. +The latter, however, escapes and makes much trouble for the boys, +finally setting fire to the woods. + +He and Anderson escape by climbing a sheer cliff. Still later the boys +are asked by the Customs Secret Service to get evidence of a gang of +smugglers on the Canadian border. This they do and the gang is seized, +all except LeBlanc who dodges back across the boundary and is hence safe +from arrest since he is on Canadian territory and not amenable to the +United States law. + +During a rainy season, they seek out the hermit and find him; that is, +Dick finds him. One of their greatest adventures during the search for +the gang of border smugglers is the finding, with the aid of an old map, +of a tourmaline mine. The boys get a deed to the mineral rights of the +land, and plan at a later date to mine the gems and make a handsome +income for themselves. + +It must also be explained that there is a mystery connected with Dick. +His father was a college professor of geology and botany, and a +classmate of Mr. Boone. He had a fall from a horse that destroyed his +memory, and before an operation could be performed, disappeared. Dick's +mother had died when he was a baby, and so being without parents or +home, Mr. Boone had become his guardian, bringing him up with his own +son, Garry. + +Now that we have a brief sketch of the boys and their previous +activities, let us see what Mr. Boone's need of them is. + +"Here is the whole story, boys," said Mr. Boone as they finished their +dinner and returned to his room. "As you know, I have extensive +interests not only in the timberland but in the mills that manufacture +paper. Recently I severed connections with several of the mills, and put +all my eggs in one basket, so to speak, by investing my funds all in one +mill. Of course it is impossible to do business on a big scale without +making many business enemies, or at least determined rivals. I have a +good many such, and I have been given to understand that several of them +have pooled their resources and become connected with the mills from +which I withdrew my money. + +"Of course I have not enough work in my one mill to take care of all the +timber that I can cut, so I contract to supply other mills, necessarily +becoming a rival of some of the other timber owners. + +"Then, too, I have recently decided to start an experiment in summer +lumbering. You know, of course, that Maine's lumber cutting season has +always been in the winter because the logs could be cut and hauled over +the snow to the rivers and then when the spring unleashed the ice-bound +rivers, the logs could be driven down to the mills. However, I am +figuring on getting out lumber for building during the summer and in the +winter getting the logs for the pulp mills to grind ready for the making +of paper. I have several important contracts with a time limit; that is, +the necessary amount of lumber must be gotten out by a certain date else +I forfeit my profit and large damages besides. + +"Lately I have seen from my reports that the lumber is not being gotten +out on schedule time. Whenever I come and look it over, or send a +representative, everything goes like clockwork, but the moment that I +turn my back a saw breaks, making a week's delay, or a tractor is +broken, or something else happens. Unfortunately my financial affairs at +the present time are in such shape that I must devote the greater part +of my time to keeping the wheels going. This necessitates my being much +of the time in Boston and New York, hence I cannot be at the cutting +operations all the time. + +"I have changed managers, but still no good comes of it. Now I am +confident that the morale of my camp is being undermined by some +business rivals, and that there is underground work of some sort going +on. Since your success in getting that gang of smugglers, the complete +story of which I have already heard, I believe that you boys can find +out what is going on at the camp to hinder my contracts. + +"I have thought that you boys might go to the vicinity of the cutting +and sawmills and camp there. You would have the freedom of the camp, as +I would write the manager who you were, and then you could use your eyes +and ears and see what was what. + +"I should suggest that you display a great deal of ignorance about +lumbering operations and sawmill work, so that your presence would not +excite undue suspicion. Further than that I can give you no +instructions, for if I knew what the matter was I would not have to call +on you for assistance. I am simply relying on you to be able to do as +good a job for me as you have done for the Ranger Service and the +Customs Department. In other words, you will have to work out your own +salvation, and I am sure that you can produce for me the results that I +want." + +Mr. Boone concluded his long explanation and then leaned back, letting +the matter sink in. Then he asked, "Well, boys, what do you think of the +proposition? Are you willing to undertake it? Not that there will be any +danger attached, but do you feel yourselves confident of making a +success of the venture?" + +The eyes of the three boys sparkled. They discounted Mr. Boone's belief +that there would be no danger attached, for they felt that the +proposition offered a chance for much excitement, and this was what they +wanted. Thrilling adventures were for them the spice of life after what +they had experienced that summer. Garry answered for the others. "Will +we do it? You bet we will, and we'll succeed!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +TO THE RESCUE + + +After the conclusion of their talk with Mr. Boone, the boys went out to +take in a motion picture show, after finding there would be time to see +the last performance. + +On the way to the theatre, they stopped for a moment to watch a street +fakir selling knives under the flaring light of a gasoline torch. + +"Here you are, here's a fine knife with your name and address inlaid in +the handle!" he was shouting. + +"I think I'll get one of those for myself," said Dick to his chums. + +"What do you want of one, you have your good heavy scout knife, haven't +you?" queried Garry. + +"Oh, I just want it as a curiosity for use when we come out of the +woods; we won't want to carry a great knife like that in civilian +clothes," replied Dick. + +"We'll miss the first of the show if you wait," remarked Garry. + +"Let the youngster have his way, Garry," interrupted Phil with a laugh. + +The street salesman made the name plate and quickly screwed the +transparent handle back on the knife. Dick handed over the money and +soon they were on the way to the movies. + +They received a fine surprise when they reached there, for the picture +being shown was one in which they had taken small parts when they +encountered a crew of motion picture actors while they were at their +first station in the woods, and when they had some stirring adventures +the time Jean LeBlanc set fire to the woods, the motion picture people +had been rescued by the boys. The picture was a decidedly good one and +they enjoyed it. + +The chums chattered during the play in a subdued tone, especially when +there flashed on the screen the parts where they were playing roles. The +water scene where Dick did some fine swimming was particularly good. + +After the picture was over, they edged out through the crowd and +returned to the hotel and were about to go up to their rooms when Garry +had an idea. + +"Say, boys, we are not going on such a secret affair now that we cannot +have Sandy with us, so I am going to telegraph Nate and ask if he will +bring us the dog tomorrow, or let us know by wire if he cannot." + +Sandy was the big Airedale dog owned by Garry, a canine that possessed +almost as much sense as some humans. When they had gone on their mission +to the border to capture the smugglers, they had left the dog in Nate's +keeping, as they were afraid that the sight of the dog would bring to +mind who they were to any of their enemies, and they had made several in +the course of their sojourn in the Maine woods. + +To speak was to act with Garry, and he promptly made his way to the desk +where the familiar blue lettered lamp was aglow. + +The work of writing the message was short and then they went to their +rooms, first stopping in to say good night to Mr. Boone, and advising +him to see the motion picture the next day so that he could see them in +their small parts. + +This Mr. Boone promised to do, and soon all were sleeping the sound +sleep of healthy boys with never a worry or care. + +Morning came, and with it the boys arose and hastened to the dining room +to make the most of the brief opportunity that they would have for the +excellent hotel fare. They spent a part of the forenoon in overhauling +and looking over their radio-phone equipment to see that it was all in +perfect condition, for they had a hunch that it would come in very +useful when they arrived at the cutting tract. This was to be proven +true at a later date. + +About ten o'clock they received a wire from Nate saying that he would +arrive in Bangor about noon and would bring the Airedale with him. True +to his promise in the telegram, the old guide appeared at the hotel +shortly after the noon hour set in and with him was Sandy. The boys were +seated in some of the arm chairs that dotted the lobby, and in less than +a moment the dog had found his friends, and nearly knocked over half a +dozen people in his haste and eagerness to reach the trio, for despite +the fact that an Airedale is called a one man dog, he distributed his +friendship equally among the three chums. + +The boys were fully as glad to see their four-footed friend as he was to +welcome them, and they cuffed and patted him strenuously. + +"Wall, boys, there's your pup, safe and sound as the day I took charge +of him. And let me tell you, he is some dog. Saved me a considerable sum +of money tother day, too," announced Nate. + +"Tell us about it," asked Garry, as the three crowded around the old +"State of Mainer" and shook hands with him heartily. + +"There ain't a whole lot to tell, 'cepting that a few days ago I sold a +small tract of land that I had to a queer old codger who doesn't believe +in banks, and who paid me in bills. I believe in banks myself, but it +was late when I made the deal so I had to stow the money away in the +house. I locked it up as well as I could in a small desk in the sitting +room, and went on to bed. 'Bout twelve o'clock I heard a tearing around +downstairs and Sandy barking fit to raise the dead. I hopped downstairs +as soon as I could reach for a rifle that stood in the corner of my +bedroom, just in time to see Sandy going through an open window. I +chased out after him, but someone was just driving away in an automobile +as I got out of the window. Sandy ran the car down the road a piece, but +came back beaten and tuckered out. He was fast, but not quite fast +enough to catch the car, going at the rate it was. Well, I got back in +through the window and looked around. The window had been forced open, +and the burglar was just evidently about to force open the desk, for +there were scratches about the lock and a heavy screwdriver was laying +on the floor. I figure Sandy heard him from the kitchen, where he +generally slept, and came in and drove him off just in time to save my +money. So that's all there is to that, but he is a mighty fine dog, and +I hate to let go of him, even to his owner." + +The boys patted Sandy again and again as they listened to Nate's story. + +"Did you find any trace of the robber?" asked Garry. + +"Nary a sign except the footprints on the lawn under the window. I +figure it must have been someone that knew I got paid for the land that +evening, and that I kept a little valuable stuff in the desk, but there +is no proof or nothing to work on to determine who it might be. I don't +care anyway, as long as the invader didn't get my money," replied Nate. + +The boys invited Nate to lunch with them, and this invitation he +accepted, and calling Mr. Boone they went into the dining room. In a few +moments they were joined by "Moose" Boone and the greeting between the +two old friends was pleasant to see. + +During the luncheon hour they told Nate of the new work the boys were +going on, and while he expressed himself as sorry that they were not +immediately going back on the fire patrol, he agreed that they, if +anyone, could solve the mystery of the stolen timber and mishaps at the +logging camp. + +After luncheon the boys decided that since a day or two extra would not +make any great difference in their plans, they would walk to the camp +instead of riding in the hot stuffy train. They decided to start that +afternoon, as soon as the sun began to lower, and make about ten miles +of their fifty mile journey, sleeping out under the open as soon as it +got too dark to walk any farther. + +Garry's father agreed that they could take what little extra time was +needed to walk, and so it was settled. + +The first business of the afternoon was to visit a large grocery store +and purchase enough provisions to last them on the trip, for they would +do their cooking over an open fire along the way. + +"We'll just buy enough to carry us over for two days, for we ought to +reach the logging camp by late afternoon of the day after tomorrow," +announced Garry, the chosen leader of the trio on all expeditions. + +"This suits me to a T," remarked Dick. "Then we won't have to carry so +much extra stuff in our packs, and in this hot weather a few pounds +saved is a boon." + +"Trust Dick not to want to carry too heavy a pack," laughed Phil. + +"That's nothing to laugh about," protested Dick hotly, "that's just good +common sense. It's----" + +Then he perceived that his chums were ragging him a bit so he grinned +and turning on his heel started for the door, followed by the two +laughing boys. + +The buying of the groceries took but a short time, and soon the bags +were packed and they were ready for their trip. + +Goodbyes were said to Nate and Mr. Boone, and the trio set out on their +long hike. + +"Good luck, boys, and I sincerely hope that you find what you are +looking for, because my affairs are in a ticklish position just at +present and unless I find the cause of the disturbance and thefts at the +camp, I will be in a very serious way," said Mr. Boone as he shook hands +with the three boys. + +"Guess they can settle the matter if anyone can," remarked Nate as he +bade the boys goodbye. "They have done some pretty fine work for boys +lately and I look to see them get to the nigger in the wood-pile and +roust him out pretty shortly. Then mebbe they can come back and take +over the patrol for the rest of the summer. + +"We're good for about eight miles tonight, fellows," said Garry as they +started, "for it will be at least three hours before it gets too dark to +walk any farther," said Garry. + +"Have you the route all set in your mind?" asked Phil. + +"Yes, I looked over a road map very carefully this morning, and the +manager at the hotel garage gave me some other directions so that we +cannot go very far wrong," answered Garry. + +They passed well out of Bangor and were going along a country road, just +as the sun was setting, when a chugging automobile was heard back of +them. Soon a ramshackle old flivver drew up near them, driven by a young +farmer lad. + +He sized up the boys, then stopped his machine and asked: + +"Going far?" + +"On to Colter," answered Garry. + +"Gosh, that's a pretty good spell to walk," answered the farmer boy. +"I'm going on about four miles more; would you like a lift for that +distance?" + +"You bet we would," broke in Dick. + +This brought a laugh from the others, and they accepted the lift, for it +meant saving almost an hour on their way. + +They piled into the old flivver, and soon were rolling speedily along +the road. Despite its aged and decrepit appearance the car made +excellent time, and the boys commented on this. + +"Yep, she's a pretty good old boat," answered the boy. "I don't have +much time to tinker with the looks of the thing on the outside, but I +manage to keep the engine in pretty good condition. You can't keep a +farm car looking up to time every minute. Well, I turn in here in a +minute, so I guess this is as far as you can ride, unless another car +comes along. Will you come in and have a bite to eat?" + +The chums thanked him cordially but refused his invitation, saying that +they would cook their own meal an hour or so later. + +Garry looked up at the sun and then remarked to his chums: + +"It will be dark in two hours, and we can make just about six miles in +that time without exerting ourselves too much. We haven't done much of +anything all day so if we want to let out a bit we can tack on an extra +mile in that time and so save ourselves a bit of extra walking tomorrow. +Let's go." + +Hitching up their packs, the trio of chums set off at a brisk pace. The +setting of the sun made it much cooler and the walking was pleasant. +They passed through a small village and were well on the outskirts where +the houses were beginning to get scattered, and they were deciding how +far to proceed before picking a spot to camp for the night when they +heard a call for help and the sounds of a scuffle. In the gathering +gloom they could not see where the trouble was, but hastening towards +the spot from where the voices seemed to come, they approached a bend in +the road, and turning, saw two men attacking a third. + +The attackers seemed to be rough specimens of humanity, while the third +was a young man, fairly well dressed. This gave the affair the aspect of +a robbery instead of a quarrel among a lot of ruffians, so calling his +chums to hurry, Garry threw his rifle to his shoulder and shouted to the +attacking party to throw up their hands. + +The surprised thugs took one look at the business-like rifle in Garry's +hands, and then deciding that they might perchance overpower him seemed +to be on the verge of rushing toward him when Phil and Dick turned the +bend in the road. Seeing that they were outnumbered, and with no thought +of the fact that the boys might fire on them, they turned on their heels +and ran. Garry was about to send a shot flying after them when the young +man who had been the subject of the attack called to Garry to let them +go. + +Just then he toppled over and fell at full length at Garry's feet. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A NEW ALLY + + +Garry hastily unstrapped his canteen and unloosing the stopper, poured +some of the water on the man's face. At the same time, Dick, showing a +surprising amount of speed for one so undeniably stout, sprang to help +Garry and unloosed the man's shirt collar. + +In a few moments the man had been revived, and when he had come to, +Garry asked him if he had been shot or stabbed or wounded in any way. + +"No," replied the man weakly. "One of those jacks hit me on the head +with a club, and I guess I just got groggy. I wonder if you boys could +help me home, I live a few hundred yards down the road." + +"Indeed we will, you wait just a moment and we will improvise something +to carry you on," replied Phil. + +"No, you won't have to do that, just give me an arm to lean on; that +will do very nicely." + +The boys did as he wished, and in a few minutes of easy walking they +came to a neat little cottage, set back a few yards from the door with a +number of flower beds scattered over the little lawn. + +"Oh Grace," called the man, and soon a pretty young woman came to the +door. When she saw her husband, for so he proved to be, leaning on the +arm of Garry she flew down the path and asked anxiously what was the +matter. + +"Nothing at all. Just wait till we get in the house and I will tell you +all about it," said the stranger. Then turning to the boys, he asked +them to come in. + +Anxious to hear what the cause of attack was, and why the man had wanted +the rascals to escape, the trio accepted his invitation, and soon were +sitting in the attractive little living room of the cottage. + +"Now I suppose you boys who so kindly helped me out of a nasty hole +would like to know what the whole business is about, wouldn't you?" +asked the owner of the cottage. + +"We are rather curious," answered Garry speaking for the others. + +"My name is Howells, Arthur first name, generally called Art by my +friends, and I am a timber scaler by occupation. I am scaling on the +Boone cutting a few miles from here, and the chaps who attacked me were, +until a few days ago, lumber jacks employed on the cutting. One morning +I found them 'spiking a tree,' and forthwith sent a report to the office +with a demand that they be fired. For that reason they met me tonight +and attempted to get satisfaction by giving me a sound beating. Perhaps +it would have been worse had you boys not come along so opportunely. I +don't think they would have murdered me, but could have easily put me +out of commission so that I could not work, and that is one thing that I +must do now of all times." + +"But why did you want us to let them escape. I should think you would +have wanted them put safely under lock and key for such an unwarranted +attack," demanded Garry. + +"Yes, Arthur," chimed in his wife. "I would have had them arrested and +given a good long sentence. They might have killed you or crippled you." + +"There's just one reason. One of them was Dave Pingree, son of old Daddy +Pingree who lives in the village near here. You know the son is a +worthless scoundrel, but old Daddy has had so much trouble that I didn't +want to bring any more on him by having his son arrested, bad as he is, +and as richly as he deserves to be jailed. The other one was a stranger +to these parts, half breed Canadian by the name of LeBlanc, who picked +up Pingree somewhere in the woods, and who has been his constant +companion for the past few weeks, at least since the cutting operations +of the Boone tract were started," concluded Howells. + +The three boys were so startled at the sound of the name LeBlanc that +they jumped to their feet simultaneously and asked Howells to repeat the +name. + +"LeBlanc is the name. But why does that surprise you so?" queried Mr. +Howells in surprise. + +"What is his first name," demanded Garry without answering the question. + +"On the payroll he is listed as Baptiste." + +"We did not get a very good look at him in the dusk," said Garry. "Would +you mind describing him for us, please. This is a peculiar situation, +and we will tell you about it after you have described the man," +answered Garry rather agitatedly. + +"Why he is a swarthy chap about twenty-seven or eight, just about the +same age as Pingree. He has black hair and mustache, and a jagged scar +on one side of his neck, probably a knife wound from some lumber camp +fight," answered Howells. + +Garry sank back with a sigh of relief. + +"At any rate he is not the man we think he is. The scar and the age +settle that, although the rest of the description fits him well enough +to make him a brother to Jean LeBlanc, the one man we do want to run +across in this neck of the woods," replied Garry. + +"Well, not that I want to raise any apprehension on your part, or tell +you something that is displeasing to you, he is a brother of a man +called Jean LeBlanc. I happen to know that this is so, for one night the +lumberjacks were wrestling in front of the bunkhouse and boasting about +their exploits, when this Baptiste came up and succeeded in throwing +several of the men with a rather vicious hold. After he had thrown +several of them he started boasting about his brother Jean, who had +taught him the hold. I was standing at one side watching the wrestling, +which is how I happened to overhear the matter. But why does the name of +LeBlanc bother you so?" he asked in conclusion. + +"That's a rather long story," answered Garry "and perhaps I had better +start by telling you our names. These are my chums, Phil Durant and Dick +Wallace, while my name is Garfield Boone, generally called Garry for +short." + +"I don't suppose you are any relation to the Mr. Boone who owns this +tract where the summer logging is going on are you? Most people of that +name in this state are somewhat related. In fact I am a second or third +cousin of his myself," said Howells with a smile. + +"Yes, I happen to be his son," answered Garry. + +"Well, that is a coincidence. I suppose you are going on to take a look +at the cutting aren't you. This being your vacation time probably you +are camping and travelling around a bit," and Howells glanced at the +knapsacks and rifles which the boys had stacked near the door in the +hall and which could be plainly seen from the living room. + +Dick was about to say something when he caught a meaning glance from +Garry, which was also seen by Phil, and which the boys interpreted as a +desire on the part of Garry to do any necessary explaining that might +have to be done. + +"Yes, we were in this vicinity and thought that we would like to see how +the experiment in summer cutting was coming along," he told Howells. + +"That's fine, then I shall see you around there a good deal as I am +scaling. Of course coming from a lumbering family, I don't need to tell +you that scaling means measuring the timber that is cut. I also do quite +a bit of timber cruising, which, as you know, means travelling through +the cutting, marking the trees that are fit to be cut. Your father is +very particular about his lumbering, and he doesn't do as many of the +other timber owners do, sweep clean through a tract of land, and make it +worthless as timber land for years to come. His having certain trees +marked for cutting means that every year there will be a growth suitable +to cut and market and thus he is assured of a steady income from his +tracts." + +"Perhaps if you are not too busy every day, you could show us something +of the lumbering operations. Although as you say, I come from a 'lumber +family,' I don't know a great deal about timber cutting. About the only +time I have ever been at the camps was at the spring drive, just to see +the fight for the river, and neither of my chums know any more about it +than I do. The first thing I would like to know is what did you mean by +'spiking a tree'?" asked Garry. + +"I don't know that I can explain that to you without having you near a +piece of big timber to demonstrate what I mean, but I will try and tell +you as best I can. There is a certain way to cut a tree, or rather there +is a certain place where one always starts to cut. This place is +determined by the diameter of the tree. If the tree is two feet thick, +the cutter measures up two feet from the ground to start his cut. Of +course he does not measure it exactly, but long experience has taught +him to estimate almost within an inch where to start. You know some +trees are cut by axe; those are the smaller ones, but the bigger ones +are sawed nearly all the way through, and then the axemen cut through +just enough with their axes to cause the tree to break off and fall. +'Spiking a tree' means to take an estimate where the sawyers will start, +and then drive several spikes in, using a nail set to drive them into +the tree out of sight. The hole left will close up very rapidly, or a +little dirt and moss can be stuck in so cleverly as to defy detection." + +"But what harm does that do? I suppose it might kill the tree, but what +difference does that make, since it is going to be cut down directly?" +quizzed Phil who was an interested listener. + +"It doesn't harm an old tree, but this is what it does, or rather figure +it out for yourselves. What happens when the saw strikes three or four +heavy spikes, set in the tree just in the path of the blade?" asked +Howells. + +The truth flashed over the three boys in an instant, and immediately +they felt that they accomplished one purpose of their mission to the +woods. They had discovered one of the reasons for the delay in the +cutting. If several saws were to be spoiled that meant a delay in +getting new ones. + +"Now here are two other things that a spike in a tree will do. If spikes +are driven in young trees, several of them, that is trees that won't be +cut for a few years, it means that it will cause the core or heart of +the tree to rot or break the grain. Then when the tree is finally cut, a +part of the lower trunk, or best part of the tree for lumber purposes, +shatters just like so much glass when it falls. That's one thing a spike +will do. Now here's another thing. Suppose that the mischief maker does +not drive his spikes in the tree where the cut will be made, but climbs +up twenty or thirty feet or so, and drives a dozen or two in different +parts of the trunk of the tree. The tree trunk is cut safely and then it +is drawn to the sawmill where it is sawed into planks. What happens when +one of the big, expensive circular saws rips through a dozen spikes? +It's just goodbye to the saw and goodbye to a lot of money, and means a +delay of several minutes until the saw can be replaced with another. And +when you are cutting timber on a time contract with a penalty for every +day's delay overtime that you take, a half an hour or so lost through +trouble with your sawmill means a big thing. Then there are two other +dangers. One is that the saw will fly off and hurt the millmen when it +hits the spikes, and the other is that it sometimes will cause serious +defects in the entire machinery, so that instead of just a few minutes' +delay to change saws, you waste a day or maybe two in repairing the +machinery. So that's that." Howells concluded his long description of +all the trouble one little handful of spikes could do, and then he +looked rather searchingly at the boys. Finally he seemed to have decided +in his own mind to say what he was thinking and he looked at Garry. + +"I wonder if your father has any idea that someone is trying to hurt his +business? I don't believe for an instant that those two scoundrels were +driving those spikes just to make mischief. There is something deeper +than that behind the whole business. There are scores of petty accidents +occurring every week that all mean delay. Sometimes when the delays are +totalled up they equal nearly half a day, and in one summer that means a +long delay, a matter perhaps of two weeks. That two weeks is sufficient +to spoil the contract and take all the profit away, but more than that, +it means a loss of capital invested, for I happen to know that your +father is cutting under a contract that provides a heavy penalty for +failure to deliver goods as they are called for." + +Garry debated with himself for a few moments, wondering whether or not +to take Howells into his confidence and enlist his help. He realized +that Howells, if he were honest as he seemed, would be an invaluable aid +in discovering what the trouble at the camp was. His knowledge of +timbering was extensive, Garry could see that with half an eye, and +Garry understood that he and his chums could see lots of things +happening right under their noses and never guess the malicious +significance of the happenings. + +As he thought, Mrs. Howells settled the question for him. Reaching down +to one of the shelves in the library table about which they were +sitting, she produced an album. + +"We are just old fashioned enough to have a family album," she laughed. +"I thought perhaps you would like to see a picture taken of your father +a great many years ago," and turning to one of the pages she showed +Garry a picture that he recognized immediately. It showed his father +with a sweet faced woman. "That is your father and Mr. Howells' mother. +She was his favorite cousin and she died a long time ago. This has +always been in Arthur's possession." + +Garry remembered having seen a counterpart of the picture at home a long +time ago, and he decided that the timber sealer was not claiming any +false relationship. + +"I wonder how it is that we have never seen you before," he asked, +turning to Howells. + +"Easy, we went west when I was a youngster, and it was only this spring +that we came back to Maine. I did not say anything about my +relationship, for I want to go on my own hook. I am a graduate of a +forestry school, and I wanted to get actual experience in the woods, +which was why I asked for and received the position of timber sealer. I +like to stand in my own shoes, and so I said nothing about my +relationship to the manager at the camp. Then, too, I need money, as I +have a small interest in a little tract of young timber, and I am paying +on it a little at a time. By the time it is completely paid for it will +be ready to cut, and there will be a handsome profit on the investment," +he answered. + +For a boy of his age, Garry was a pretty shrewd judge of character, and +he had been sizing up young Howells while he was talking. So he made up +his mind to take him into his confidence in a limited way, and so +remarked: + +"Yes, my father does know that there is something wrong at the camp, but +he cannot put his finger on the spot where the trouble is. Every time he +visits the camp things go along as smooth as clockwork, but it is +impossible to put in all this time at this one thing when he has so many +other irons in the fire. We thought that perhaps we could visit the camp +for a while and find out what is wrong, and report to him so that he +could remedy the trouble. But after hearing your story of the attempted +spiking, I am beginning to think that the job is almost too much for us +to handle. That would have been something I would never have dreamed of, +and if the enemies in the camp, for enemies there must be, know a trick +like that, they must have a bagfull of others of which we know nothing. +So you see that in a way we are helpless, and I am going to ask that you +aid us in this. I can promise for my father that in case your aid is +instrumental in locating the trouble that it will not be forgotten. What +do you say? Will you help us?" + +"Indeed I will," and Howells thrust forward his hand. "You can count on +me to the last ditch!" + +"Thanks," said Garry as he took the proffered hand. "Now there is one +thing to do, and that is to make sure that Baptiste LeBlanc is not in +these parts any more, for wherever the name of LeBlanc gets hitched up +with us there is trouble brewing!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE PERIL OF THE CIRCUS + + +Mrs. Howells pressed the boys to remain for supper, saying they would +find it much more pleasant to eat in the house than to cook by the +roadside somewhere. It had got quite dark at this time, and so they +decided to accept the invitation so cordially given. + +The fine meal was soon served, and as they ate, Garry told of some of +their adventures with Jean LeBlanc, in order to explain why they were so +startled when that name was first mentioned by Howells. + +Supper over they talked for some time and then Garry proposed to his +chums that they get their packs and journey on for a bit till they could +find a place to throw their blankets for the night. + +The Howells protested vigorously at this, but could offer them nothing +as their cottage was not large enough to accommodate them. + +The boys laughed and said they were so used to sleeping in the open that +it would never hurt them. "If you are bound to sleep outdoors you can +use the back yard or you can spread your blankets on the living room +floor," said Howells. "One can take the couch there. You'll have to toss +for it, though." + +After much pressure the boys decided to do this, and accordingly +goodnights were said. It was a custom of the boys to draw lots to settle +all arguments, so hustling into the kitchen Garry raided the broom of +three straws of unequal length and then brought them back for his chums +to draw. + +Dick was the lucky chap to get the couch. With a grin he spread his +blankets and remarked to the others that he hoped the floor would not be +too hard. + +"What's the diff?" inquired Phil. "There isn't much difference between +the ground and a floor and we aren't in the woods so we can't cut +branches to make one of nature's mattresses with. Stop your chatter. I'm +off to sleep," and indeed he was in a few moments. + +To Garry however, sleep did not come so easily for he was thinking of +the events of the evening, and wondering what he and his chums could do +to checkmate the schemes of the unknown enemies that were causing all +the trouble at the lumber camp. But Garry was a healthy growing boy, and +not to be denied his sleep, so soon he consigned the cares of the day to +oblivion and in a few moments was fast asleep. + +Howells was up before the boys, and started the coffee, and in a few +moments his wife was downstairs and busying herself about the breakfast. +They let the boys sleep until it was almost ready, then awoke them. The +boys protested against all the trouble they were causing their hosts, +but their protests were only half hearted for the smell of the boiling +coffee and the frying bacon were so tempting that it would have taken a +team of horses to drive them away without eating. + +Breakfast over, they took their leave, first inquiring about the way +that lay ahead. They found that they would go nearly twenty-five miles +before coming to another town, as the way ran through the last of the +farming country before striking the edge of the big timber country. + +"The camp is ten miles or so beyond the village that you will come to, +and it will take you at least a day to get to the village, so you will +not reach the camp until nearly noon of tomorrow. There's a good chance +that you will get a lift, however, for there is a circus there today, +and you should find a great many people on the road. Don't be bashful +about hailing them and asking for a lift. It is a customary thing to do +in this part of the country. I will see you in a couple of days, as I +will go back on duty at the camp then," said Howells. + +"Just one thing if you don't mind," interposed Garry. "When you come to +the camp, do not let on that you are already acquainted with us, because +if we are to work together we can do a lot better if there is no inkling +of our acquaintance." + +"That's a good idea, and that way it'll be," agreed Howells. + +"What say, let's take this in a hurry and see how many miles we can +cover this morning," suggested Dick. + +The others stopped short in their tracks. + +"Listen, Phil, unstrap your canteen while I feel his pulse. There's +something the matter with Dick. He wants to hurry. If it was later in +the day I would say that he had been a bit touched by the sun, but it is +early and cool, and I think he is just sick," said Garry solicitously. + +"Lazy Dick wants to hurry!" ejaculated Phil in amazement. "What's the +big idea?" + +Dick turned red and lunged at his chums. He was used to their ragging +him on account of his willingness to take the easiest way of doing +things. Of course they knew that he never shirked his duty when called +upon, and they never questioned his bravery at any time, but he always +got so fussed when they ragged him about his weight and his easy way of +taking life, that they never let an opportunity pass to tease him about +it. After a short scuffle, they stopped laughing and Garry said: + +"Seriously, Dick, why do you want to hurry? We are well up on our +schedule and you don't need to rush like mad." + +"I just wanted to see what we could do if we had to," said Dick; "and +furthermore, I wanted to show you for once that I could walk as fast and +as long as either of you chaps, that's all. Let's go." + +Dick set off at a swinging pace, and kept it up. The boys fell in and +kept pace with him, thinking that he would soon tire of it; but when +they had covered three miles, and Dick had not abated a whit his speed, +Garry and Phil saw that he was in earnest. Not to be outdone by him, +they bent to their walking and made excellent time. They were passing a +barn, when suddenly Garry stopped dead short, gave a shout and then fell +to laughter with all his might. This time it was Dick's turn to assume a +sarcastic attitude, and make side remarks to Phil. Finally when Garry +had controlled his laughter so that he could speak, he said to Phil: + +"What do you think of me for a regular little Sherlock Holmes? I've +found out why Dick is trying to set a pedestrian record this morning. +Just look at that barn!" + +Phil took one look at the glaring posters pasted on the wall, then gave +a shout. + +"Aha, the boy wants to go to the circus!" + +"Marvelous," grunted Dick. "Own up, wouldn't you fellows like to see it +yourself?" + +The boys teased him for a few minutes, then they perceived that there +was method in Dick's madness and they decided that it would be good fun +to see the circus if they could get there on time. + +"Only reason I wanted you chaps to hurry a little was because I figured +that if we covered a good number of miles we would get to a point where +people would be on the way to the circus and we could get a lift and +arrive in time to see the show this afternoon. Then we could get another +start right after it let out, and so fix it as to arrive at the camp +fairly early in the morning, covering our last ten miles while it was +early and cool," he explained. + +"That's pretty good dope at that, Dick. Let's go. We'll see the circus +and not waste any time doing it, either." And Garry set the pace as he +finished talking. + +They stopped at noon and prepared a hasty lunch by the side of the road, +after Dick had stopped at a farm house and had his canteen filled with +fresh milk. + +By this time scores of automobiles and teams were on the road, but +practically every one of them was filled to overflowing with adults and +children, all presumably bound for the circus. Finishing their meal, +they rested fifteen minutes, then Garry, glancing at his watch, +remarked: "We have still ten miles to go, and it is now half-past +twelve. The circus probably begins at half-past two, so that unless we +get a ride we won't get there in time to see the show. We couldn't cover +the ten miles in two hours, especially after having come as far as we +have this morning." + +"I'm going to see that circus, though, even if we have to wait for the +evening performance," announced Dick. "What do you fellows think?" + +"I guess it would be all right," answered Garry. "There is no life or +death matter to make us arrive early in the morning at the camp, so we +might as well take it easy for the rest of the way." Luck was with them, +however, for they had gone little more than a mile when they heard a car +coming behind them. It proved to contain only a single occupant who, as +he neared the boys, slowed down and asked if they did not want a ride. +They were unanimous in their answer. + +"On the way to the circus?" asked the driver. + +"We're going beyond that, but we thought that we would stop and see it +if we reached there on time, otherwise we would have seen the evening +performance." + +"Lucky thing that I came along and happen to be going to that place +myself then," chuckled the driver, "for there isn't going to be any +evening show. You see I happen to be connected with the circus, and we +have such a long jump for tomorrow's show that we cannot give a +performance here tonight." + +"Good thing you came along then, for if we had walked all this distance +for nothing, I would have given up in disgust," remarked Dick. + +"How far have you come?" asked the circus man. + +"We left Hilton this morning," answered Garry. + +The driver looked somewhat incredulous at this statement, then sizing up +the appearance of the boys, who were wearing their customary khaki +semi-uniform that they used as Rangers in the forest, decided that they +were hiking for the summer and probably used to walking good distances +in a short time. + +"What are you chaps doing, walking across the state or something?" + +Garry explained that they were forest rangers off duty temporarily and +were bound for a lumber camp to pay it a visit. + +As they drove along they asked several questions about the circus and +circus life, and considerably amused the man by referring to many things +in a way that circus people did not. The circus man told them of the +many strange phrases employed by circus people, and the boys learned +much of the talk of the circus. + +They found, for instance, that circus people never speak of the tent. It +is always called a top. There are the big top and the little tops. The +only thing on the circus lot to be called a tent is the cook tent. + +Several of the names applied to the performers were amusing. A clown is +always called a joy, and if he is a new man with the circus he is called +a First of May, because it is on that date that many contracts are made +in the circus. Acrobats are called kinkers, and the people who do work +on the high trapeze are called casters, and their work is called a +casting act. + +"Then there is the high diver, only we call it a tank diving act. You +won't see that this afternoon, for the diver fell a couple of days ago +and broke his arm. Funny; he's been diving forty feet into an eight foot +tank for several years, and never got a scratch, and then he slips on a +banana peeling and breaks his arm. It's too bad, too, for the diving act +always goes big in these small towns. I'd give twenty-five dollars for a +diver this afternoon," concluded the man. + +"Hand over the twenty-five," said Dick suddenly. + +"What do you mean," asked the circus man in surprise. + +"Just that you give me the twenty-five dollars and I'll do your high +dive for you this afternoon." + +The circus man looked at the other two boys as if he doubted his ears, +and Garry and Phil immediately assured them that Dick was a first class +swimmer and diver. + +"Forty feet is not so much to Dick. He's often done better than that in +the river at home," Garry told the circus man. + +"Yes, but you want to remember that this is an eight foot square tank, +and only eight feet deep," he told Dick. + +"That's nothing, I'll turn easily in eight feet. Have done it in a +little less," Dick assured him. + +"All right. I'll take you to see the owner when we get there, and he and +you can fix things up. He'll be glad to pay you that amount for the +work, for it's a big attraction and we have advertised it a lot. That's +my business with the circus--to do the advertising." + +In a little less than half an hour they had arrived at the circus lot, +and true to his word, the advertising man carried Dick round to the +ticket wagon and introduced him to the manager and owner. + +It took Dick but a short time to convince the owner that he could dive, +particularly when he offered to give an exhibition for him before the +show started. The only thing that the manager insisted on was that Dick +sign a statement relieving the circus from any responsibility in case +any accident occurred. + +Dick readily signed this, and then promising to be back in a short time +to get some tights and get dressed, they wandered around the lot. They +left their rifles and knapsacks in the ticket wagon, but Garry kept his +lariat with him. + +"What's the idea?" asked Phil. + +"There's very little chance of anything happening, but I don't want any +of those riders to walk off with this lariat by mistake," he replied. + +This decided the boys to keep theirs with them also, and accordingly +they slung them over one shoulder. Several curious glances were cast at +them as they wandered from show to show. The owner had given them passes +to everything, and they didn't waste any of them. + +Soon a bugle was heard blowing and in a moment they met the advertising +man who informed them that called all the performers to be ready in a +few moments. "Your act will be the fourth on the program, so you'd +better go and get your togs on and be ready," he told Dick. + +Garry and Phil elected to go to their seats and watch their chum do his +act with the rest of the spectators. + +"I'll come and hunt you up as soon as I do the dive and collect that +twenty-five good old dollars. I can use it very nicely one of these +days," Dick said as he turned to follow the circus man to the dressing +place. + +While the circus was a small one, it boasted of rather better things +than the average road circus, and among other things was a fairly good +menagerie. Garry and Phil looked at all the animals as they passed +through to the "big top." + +Two cages contained unusually fine specimens of lions, and near one was +a caretaker, waiting for the lions to be taken into the big performing +cage, after which he would clean the cage and have it ready on the +shaggy maned animal's return from the ring. + +"Wicked looking beast, isn't he," Garry remarked to the man who stood +near the cage. + +"He is that, boss," answered the man. "He's a a new one, and we don't +know him very well. We had a nice old chap before him, too old and tired +and toothless to do any harm, but this one is young and vicious. The +trainer has a lot of trouble with him, too." + +A sound of band music made the boys hurry to their seats, and soon the +"Grand entry" was on. + +Several of the usual acts were put on, and then razorbacks, as the +circus workers are called, pulled away some of the planking of the +platform in the center of the arena, disclosing a tank filled with +water. + +Soon the boys espied Dick advancing to the platform, his chubby body +enclosed in a glaring red bathing suit. He mounted to the tank, and the +chums could see him gazing about trying to locate them, but this he +failed to do. + +The ringmaster made a short speech, telling a lot of stuff about Dick +that made the chums grin. + +"Guess one has to be a blood relation of Ananias to be a ringmaster," +laughed Garry. "The only diving Dick has ever done before the crowned +heads of Europe was before they were crowned." + +After the laudatory speech, Dick climbed up the high ladder and stood +perched on the little square platform at the top. As he had been told to +do outside the big top, he dropped a handkerchief which slowly fluttered +down to the ground below. This is an old trick of high divers and is +done merely to accentuate the distance. + +Then the drummer started a long ruffle, and casting one downward look, +Dick tipped off the platform. Both Phil and Garry were just a trifle +nervous as he leaped, although they were well aware of his ability. + +But Dick hit the water as clean as a knife, and it was only a matter of +seconds before he appeared on the surface of the water and climbed out +dripping. A mighty round of applause was given not only for the fact +that he had made a fine dive, but his youth made him popular with the +audience. + +The acts went on, and in a little while Dick came wandering into the +tent. The boys hailed him as he neared the place where they were +sitting, and in a trice he had climbed up the rattling board seats to a +place beside his chums. + +"Well, I got my twenty-five, and we'll have a party with it some time. +Also, I received an offer to stay with the circus, which, naturally, I +turned down. So you see, Phil, you are not the only one to have jobs +offered them." He alluded to the time that a big league baseball scout +had offered a contract to Phil after seeing him pitch one game at +Commencement time at high school in his home town. The music stopped and +the ringmaster made his customary speech about the next act, which was +the lion taming act. + +The music had just started again, when there was a piercing shriek from +a woman, and then some one screamed: + +"The lion is loose!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +EXTRA ENEMIES + + +Hundreds of people joined in the shrieking, and a stampede from the +seats started. Scores were trampled. The music had stopped for an +instant until the leader, true to tradition, called the men to order, +and the musicians swung into a stirring march. Circus hands, aided by +the performers who were on the platforms and in the rings, ran to the +sides of the tracks and endeavored to keep the people in their seats. + +The three chums were aghast for a minute, then Phil and Dick +instinctively turned to Garry to see what he would do. Garry had taken +one look and saw the beast at the far end of the tent, lashing his tail +and surveying the crowd, as though making up its mind as to what course +to pursue. + +The boys saw that Garry was hastily slipping his lasso from his +shoulder, and in a moment they had understood what he was going to +attempt, and followed suit. + +"Now fellows, let's try it. We may save a lot of lives. I'll try for his +head, and you two try for a foot each. I think we can catch him all +right. Let's go!" and Garry led the way. + +Calling to everyone to sit still as they ran, and swinging their lariats +over their heads, they struggled to the ground. Several people seeing +them make their way there, thought that it was perhaps a part of the +circus, and began to shout to each other that it was a feature of the +program. The sight of the three boys making their way fearlessly toward +the beast did more than anything else to quiet the people. Many sat back +in their seats, although others were escaping under the canvas wall of +the tent. + +It was to Phil, however, that the greatest honor was to come. As he ran, +swinging one arm, his hand hit against a pocket in his coat, and he felt +a hard lump within. In an instant he remembered that he bought pepper +the day before to replenish the condiment can that he generally carried +in his knapsack, but had not thought to take it out and transfer the +contents from the package to the can. He reached into his pocket and +brought out the can. Hastily opening the top, he kept on his way toward +the lion, holding the package out in front of him. The chums approached +within a few feet of the lion, who was showing signs of springing +suddenly at them. The effect of the boys' advance on him was to make him +forget the crowds and center all his attention on those that were +nearest him--the chums. + +The boys stopped short and were swinging their lariats, when suddenly +Phil darted ahead almost up to the lion, and, with a well directed aim, +emptied the contents of the pepper package straight on the eyes of the +lion. + +The infuriated beast gave a roar of pain and sprang, then fell to earth +and stuck a great paw into his eyes, as though to rub away the torturing +stuff that was blinding him. + +Garry, quick-witted, divined what Phil had done, and at the same moment +that the lion struck the ground, ran forward and threw the noose of the +lariat over the animal's head. + +The animal was nearly helpless, owing to its inability to see, and in +another moment the boys had the rest of their lariats noosed about his +feet. + +By this time the trainer and a number of the circus helpers had arrived +on the scene, and, dashing in, they tied the lariats securely about the +animal's feet. + +The crowd seeing that the animal was securely fastened and helpless, +first breathed a sigh of relief and then became suddenly quiet. Many +still thought it was a part of the program, but a majority felt sure +that it was a striking piece of bravery that they had just witnessed. + +Then cheer on cheer rolled through the tent, as the audience applauded +the brave trio of chums. All the foregoing had taken much less time than +the minutes necessary to describe it. In a moment the owner came puffing +on the scene, and when he saw who had accomplished the capture, he was +speechless for the moment. + +Then he said to the chums, as they stood watching the animal being +loaded into its cage: + +"This is twice today that you boys have done me a good turn, but this +second time far outmatches the first. Will you please come back to the +ticket wagon with me." Then to the menagerie head, who had joined them: +"I'd like you to come, too, please, Jones." + +The little group made its way to the ticket office, where the owner +first asked for an account of how the beast had made its escape. + +"The only man who can tell you that is the roustabout who cleans the +animal's cage. He was gashed by the lion evidently as its escape was +being made, and that and very likely a heart stroke killed him quickly. +I think perhaps he thought it was near time for the transfer to the +arena cage to be made and had unlocked the cage door, and the lion +pushed its way out, sir," said Jones. + +The manager was silent for a moment. Then he said: + +"No one can know how sorry I am that the man lost his life, but I am +thankful that the lion did no other damage, either by starting a great +panic or by attacking some one of the audience. As for you boys, I +propose to make you a substantial reward." + +"I assure you, sir," began Garry, "we have no thought of any reward for +doing what we did. It was luck on our part that enabled us to lasso him, +and we get our satisfaction in knowing that we perhaps saved a great +many lives." + +"I hope you will accept something as a recompense for your services. Had +the lion done great damage, I would have had to pay out many thousands +of dollars," insisted the owner. + +"Let us ask you one question first. Was the workman that was killed a +family man?" asked Garry. + +"I can tell you that in a minute." Turning to the ticket seller, he told +him to look the man up. A record of all the workers with their home +addresses was kept in a card index and in a moment the ticket seller had +ascertained that the dead man had a wife living in a small town in New +York State. + +"Of course we will take care of the widow, as we have every worker +insured, and then the management always adds to the insurance," said the +head of the circus. + +"Then I wish that you would just take whatever you had thought of +offering us in the way of a reward and add to the amount. I think my +chums agree with me that this is the best thing that could be done. Is +that right?" and Garry turned to his friends. Both Dick and Phil were +emphatic in their agreement. + +"Well, if that is the way you boys feel about it, I will do so, but I +will find some way to show you that I appreciate the great service that +you have done me." + +The owner asked them several other questions and took their names and +addresses, and again he offered to take the boys along with them on the +tour. Of course they refused, explaining that they were of the Ranger +Service of the State and were only on detached duty at the time. + +They remained for supper at the cook tent, and watched the circus torn +down and loaded in the teams preparatory to travelling to the next stop. + +After a hearty goodbye from the manager and owner they took their leave, +and hiking beyond the town spread their blankets for the night. + +They woke with the rising of the sun, and building a fire soon had +coffee, spider bread and bacon going, and made a hearty breakfast. + +"According to my reckoning we are about ten miles from the camp, and the +woods will begin in about a mile or two, so we had better get going. It +is now six o'clock and with three hours of easy hiking we will make our +destination," said Garry. "Now I think we ought to hold a council of war +as to how we shall conduct ourselves when we get to the camp. I think it +best that we just go to the manager and tell him we are going to camp +there for awhile, either right at the lumber camp, or a short distance +in the woods. Of course we shall give no inkling of the nature of our +visit, not even to the manager, at least until we have sized him up. To +my mind, everyone will be under suspicion until he has proven that the +suspicion is unfounded. We can go all over the camp and keep our eyes +open, getting all the information we can. When we ask questions we +should ask them simply as though it were from idle curiosity. I figure +that in a short time we ought to be able to tell who is acting +suspiciously and then bend all our efforts to watch them and frustrate +any mischief that they may be up to. We shall, of course, get a lot of +help from Howells when he arrives, but even then I think we ought to do +everything possible ourselves to find out what is the trouble at the +camp." + +They walked steadily but easily, and true to their reckoning arrived at +the camp a little after nine o'clock. The boys looked about them +curiously. There were only three buildings, built of logs. One, the +smallest, was evidently the officers' bunkhouse and offices; the other +was apparently the cookhouse, for the boys could see a youth sitting on +an upturned tub in front of the door peeling potatoes, and a thin wisp +of smoke issued from the chimney. Since it was mid-summer and hot, there +would be no need for a stove in any place but the kitchen. The third +house was a long, low log affair, bigger by far than either of the +others. This they decided was the bunk house, where the lumberjacks +lived. + +They made their way to the office and inquired for the manager. On +hearing the word "manager," a thin, sharpfaced man approached them, and +giving them a hasty glance, said in a sharp tone: + +"If you're here to ask for permission to camp on this tract you're out +of luck. This is a lumber operation and not a free camp site for every +fool from the city." + +"Just a minute, please. Hadn't you better find out our business before +you make up your mind as to what you will or won't do?" asked Garry, as +an angry red flush overspread his face. Garry was an extremely civil +boy, and expected others to be the same, and when he received +uncourteous attention was apt to resent it deeply. + +"Well, what do you want?" asked the manager, still in an ungracious +tone. + +"My name is Boone, and the owner of these cuttings happens to be my +father. Didn't you get a letter from him telling of our expected +arrival?" + +A great change came over the manner of the manager. A smirking smile +took the place of the frown and he advanced with outstretched hand. + +"I hope you will pardon me. I have been bothered to death for the past +few days by summer campers asking to pitch tents and build cabins and +what not on the cutting, and I thought from your appearance that you +boys were more of the same tribe," he said with an attempt to smooth out +the awkward situation and make up by a show of cordiality the blunder he +realized he had made. + +Privately, Garry thought him very ill-mannered and felt he should have +made more inquiries before showing his temper. Still he said nothing and +accepted the hand of the manager, who said his name was Barrows. + +Garry then introduced his chums and explained that they intended to stay +awhile and camp somewhere in the vicinity and watch the lumbering as +well as getting some fishing. + +"I understand that there are two lakes in the neighborhood," remarked +Garry, "and so we ought to get some good fishing." At the mention of the +word lakes, Barrows looked sharply at the boys, then said: + +"Oh, yes, you will get plenty of fishing, but you will find that the +small lake to the west of here is better than the big one that lies to +the north of us. The state stocked the little lake sometime ago by +special request of your father, and I hear there are some very good bass +and pickerel to be found there. The reports about the larger lake are +not so encouraging. Also there are two or three small streams,--brooks +perhaps it would be better to call them,--where you will find some +excellent trout. Then at the small lake there is a good stretch of sandy +beach where you can swim whenever you want to. Altogether you will find +the small lake is the most likely place for a summer playground." + +For a moment Garry wondered at the insistence of the manager in always +bringing the "small" lake into the conversation, but dismissed the +matter with the thought that the manager was simply trying to make +amends for his ungraciousness of the previous moment by showing them +where they could best enjoy themselves. Later he was to find that he was +mistaken. + +The manager asked them what they intended to do for living quarters. "I +am sorry that I can't offer you quarters in the bunkhouse here, but they +are just built to accommodate the officers of the camp; that is myself, +the sealer, the timekeeper and the bookkeeper. Of course you would not +want to live in the bunkhouse with the men, for they are a rough lot. +All I can suggest is that we makeshift for you some way and I will send +to town and dig up a tent for you." + +"If you will just loan us an axe apiece, and tell us which spot we can +cut a little timber from, we can throw ourselves up a cabin in a short +time, so don't bother about a tent. If necessary we can sleep in the +open till we get our shack fixed up," answered Garry. + +"Why, I can do better than that. I can let you have a couple or three +men to help you and do the work if you can direct them as to the kind of +cabin you want." + +"I don't want to take any of the men away from their work," Garry told +him, "but if we could have two or three for a few minutes to help us +throw up the cabin after we cut the stuff it would help greatly." + +"I will go and mark out some of the trees that you can cut. There is a +small growth here that isn't exceptionally good lumber, it's rather +scrubby, but will do very well for a cabin. I'll have to go myself, for +I left the cruiser go a few days to do some business he had waiting him, +and I have been scaling myself. In fact I do that often. Whenever he is +cruising to mark trees for cutting I do the measuring and that saves a +lot of time, also it saves the pay of an extra man. You ought to have a +good bit done by noontime and then after dinner I will detail a couple +of men to help you," and the manager led the way to the cookhouse, where +there were several extra axes. + +When they arrived at the cookhouse, they looked about with quite a bit +of curiosity. Two great ranges stood at one end of the kitchen, and on +one of the ranges were two enormous kettles. The boys could smell +appetizing pea soup and judged that one of the kettles contained this. + +The cook was an enormous man with a pair of fierce black moustaches, and +the one man on the whole range who was regarded as being just a little +bit better than the boss or even the owner of the timber tract. +Lumberjacks always took care never to pick a quarrel with him, and this +went the same for the manager and the camp officers. + +This is the same in every logging camp, for a cook can pay up any +grievances by cooking the food in an inferior fashion. Camp owners and +managers always pay the greatest attention to the sort of man they pick +for this position, for while in a lumber camp, there is never a widely +varied menu, it must be well cooked and plentiful. + +Nothing will drive the men away from a camp quicker than poor cooking. + +The manager introduced the boys to the cook, who shook hands with them, +offering a hairy hand which the chums privately thought resembled a ham. +For all his fierce looks he proved to be a genial chap, and the three +boys wondered whether he was one of the ring of trouble makers or not. +They reserved any decision in their own minds to await future +developments, but they had decided that everyone was under suspicion +until he proved that he was clear of any blame in the mysterious +occurrences that retarded progress at the lumber camp. + +In every camp there is a cookee, as the helper to the cook is +universally called. His duty is to peel potatoes, wash dishes, wait on +the table--rather set the tables than wait, for everything is piled on +at the beginning of the meal, and the only helping that is done is when +a dish has to be re-filled. + +The cookee was a surly looking chap of about twenty-one years of age. He +was slight of build and had violent red hair. He just mumbled a word or +two when he was introduced, and went on with his work, which was slicing +bread for the dinner hour that was near at hand. Garry and his friends +mentally put him down as one that might bear watching as soon as they +had located themselves. + +While the manager was asking the cook about borrowing a couple of the +axes that were stacked in the corner, a black-browed chap came to the +door and asked for a pail of water to take out to where several of the +men were trimming trees. The cookee brought the water and stepped +outside with the man. Garry and Phil were talking with the manager and +the cook, but Phil happened to be standing near the door. + +He heard the sound of talking in the French language and strained his +ears to catch what was being said. Phil was not eavesdropping because of +a natural desire to do so; it was merely that he was on the watch every +moment for a possible clue that would lead them to the solution that +they were in quest of,--the riddle of the mishaps at the lumber camp. + +What Phil heard was this: + +"Baptiste will be at the usual place at midnight tonight." + +Phil determined then and there that he would be at the rendezvous, +wherever it was, and hear what transpired. He could hardly wait to get +the others with him so that he could impart to them the information that +he had just overheard. + +He hoped that something else would be said, but at this moment the cook +called for his helper, who came hustling back into the shanty, and went +about preparing for the serving of the dinner. + +Phil went back to join his chums just in time to hear the manager say: + +"Unless you boys want the fun of throwing up a log house, I would +suggest a much easier and quicker way. You can cut enough poles for the +supports of the house, and then I'll have some sawed boards brought to +the spot. Also there is some tarred paper here that was brought here +when the camp started just for such an emergency. That would mean that +you could be all located before nightfall. As for heat, I have a Sibley +stove, one of those small ones such as they use in army camps for tents, +that will do very well. It isn't likely that you will want it often, for +we are in the hottest part of the summer, and only on a cold, wet night +will you require heat. You won't be here such a long time, I presume, +and we are in for a spell of good weather according to the cook here, +who is the camp weather prophet." + +Garry thought for a moment, and wondered what made the manager presume +they would be there only a short time. He was anxious to get going about +the camp as soon as possible and see what there was to pick up in the +way of information, so he decided that the board house would do as well +as one built entirely of logs. + +"That is a fine suggestion and we will accept. Building a hut is nothing +new to us, and we are anxious to begin fishing and wandering about, so +if you will show us where we can cut enough good heavy saplings for +supports, we will start right at it. We can have them cut and in place +before dinner and then the men can bring us the boards after dinner and +we will be all shipshape by nightfall," said Garry. + +"I think that is the best thing to do," the manager answered. "It is +about an hour to dinner time, and you will have ample time to do all +that can be done this forenoon." + +So saying, Barrows led the way to a spot near the camp, where there was +a clump of saplings that were not big enough to be used for sawed +lumber. + +"You might as well pitch your shanty here as anywhere, and it will save +you from dragging your saplings to any great distance. I'll gash each of +the saplings that you will need. You will only want ten as I figure it." + +"No, we will want twelve so that we may have a window," interposed +Garry. + +"That's a fact," answered the manager, looking sharply at Garry. "I see +that you know rather a bit about shanty building. Do you know much about +logging operations? I suppose you do, however, since you are of a family +that has always made logging a business." + +Garry felt that the manager was asking this question for a purpose, but +he promptly answered: + +"No, we know very little about logging, surprising as that may seem, +since as you say it ought to run in the blood. About the only thing we +understand about timbering operations is the log drive in the spring. We +were up once to watch the fight for the river, and had a mighty exciting +time, but the entire business is something new to all of us." + +Garry finished speaking and then looked sharply but guardedly at +Barrows. He thought he noticed a relieved expression on the face of the +manager. + +The three boys set about felling the saplings, swinging their axes with +a sure arm and hand. Barrows lingered to watch them at work, although +Phil was on tenterhooks to have him get away in order that he might +impart to his chums the information that he had gained from the sentence +he had overheard at the cook shanty. + +The poles being cut, four of them were erected in an upright manner to +form the main support of the house. At the tops of these, four more were +placed horizontally to support the roof. Then in the center of the +front, two were erected to form the sides of the door, while at a side +two others, in vertical position, allowed the making of a window. + +Still the manager made no show of leaving until fortunately for Phil, +who would have almost exploded had he been forced to keep silent any +longer, he was called by the red headed cookee. + +"Now quick fellows, while I have a chance to tell you. I have found one +of the traitors in the camp; it is the cookee. He is going to meet some +one tonight to hatch something out, and you chaps have one guess as to +who it is." + +"Barrows?" hazarded Dick. + +"Wrong. Baptiste LeBlanc!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE LUMBER CAMP + + +"The LeBlancs again!" exploded Garry. "I thought that we had seen the +last of that outfit. It seems that we are destined to run afoul of them. +Fortunately this Baptiste does not know about us, unless he has run +across his brother lately. That does not seem likely, for Jean is safely +beyond the border still. There are few places where he is safe, for he +is wanted in several different parts of the state. Still we must not +take anything for granted. We probably were seen by Baptiste when we +were instrumental in saving Howells from a bad beating or worse the +other night." + +"How are we going to find out where the rendezvous is tonight?" asked +Dick. + +"It seems to me that the best thing to do is to keep watch of the red +headed cookee; that is, you two chaps do that, while I will watch for +the man that told him of the appointment. You boys haven't seen him, so +you cannot keep on his trail. You can take turns keeping in the vicinity +of the cookee. If possible you might try and make acquaintance with him, +although I doubt if you will go very far, since he seems to be a surly +sort of a chap. Still, there's no harm in trying. When it comes time for +the meeting, I should say that it would be best only for me to follow +them. I can understand what they are saying, and one of us could follow +unobserved, where three would be spotted in a minute. You chaps can +plead to being tired after your hike and the work of building the shack, +and that will give us a chance to get to the new shanty early, and so be +unobserved." + +At that moment they heard the sound of a tin pan being vigorously beaten +with a stick, and immediately Dick set up a shout: + +"There's the dinner signal, or my ears and stomach fail me." + +"For once I am ready to eat a good big meal. You are not the only one +with an appetite today, Dick," said Garry, and the three raced for the +cookhouse. + +As they neared the cook tent, they saw the lumberjacks piling towards +the place to eat. They were a sizable group of men, brawny of arm and +large of frame. + +Most of them gave the boys a curious glance as they flocked into the +shanty. The boys thought that they were to eat in the common dining +room, but found that they were to eat in a separate room that had been +partitioned off from the large room. Here ate the manager, the +timekeeper and cashier, and when he was present, the timber scaler. + +The food that was served them was the same as that given the men. +Barrows explained this by saying that it kept the men in a better humor +if they knew that the bosses were getting the same fare as they. + +"Lumberjacks are just like so many children," Barrows said. "They are +always on the lookout for something to quarrel about, and are almost as +temperamental as grand opera stars. Just now work is scarce, so they +keep better behaved; but in the winter time, when all the camps are +going full blast, you have to be careful and treat them properly, else +they will simply depart for some city where there is a woods agency and +be sent off to another camp. That is one of the evils of lumbering, the +agencies. They often try to breed trouble in the camps so that the men +will quit. Then they pack them off to another logging tract and collect +a commission from the camp owner for furnishing him with men. If this +was winter I would think that was what was the trouble here." + +Garry looked up in surprise. He had no idea that Barrows would admit +that everything was not as it should be at the camp. + +He knew that the eyes of the manager were on him, nevertheless he felt +that an answer was expected of him, or rather a question. + +"Why, is there anything the trouble at this camp? From what I've seen I +should say that everyone was working busily and everything was lovely." + +At this the manager brightened up considerably. It seemed to be that +this was the kind of a remark that he was looking for, and he made haste +to answer: + +"Oh, there is nothing radically wrong here, I only meant that +occasionally there seemed to be a sort of dissatisfied air on the part +of the men, but it may only be worry on my part." + +Garry was certain that the entire conversation was brought about in a +manner to delve into the feelings of the boys, and see how they regarded +everything. Garry did not believe that their mission was penetrated, but +thought that the guilty conscience of the manager would make him see an +enemy in every person he did not know. + +The dinner was plain but good. It consisted of pea soup, potatoes, some +roasted beef, and coffee. The fare at a lumber camp is anything but +varied. The aforementioned articles, roast pork, stew and beans, with +either white bread baked at the camp, or great slabs of johnny cake with +molasses in lieu of syrup was the general thing. Coffee was served at +every meal. + +"For breakfast we have bacon and toast and coffee in our dining room, +because the men have all eaten and started for work by the time we are +ready for breakfast," said Barrows. "Now we will go into the other room, +and I will give you boys a general introduction to the men. That will +save you any annoyance when you go about the camp." + +He led the way into the larger room, and stepping on a bench announced: + +"Men, these three boys are going to camp here for awhile. This one," +pointing to Garry, "is the son of the owner. The other two are his +friends. I wanted you to meet them so that you may do all you can to +make their visit here a good one." + +Garry thought to himself, "Yes, you are also showing us to those in your +crew so they will watch their step while we are around." A good many of +the men just sized the boys up, a few hollered good-natured remarks at +them, while several pressed forward and shook the hands of the boys, +remarking they had worked many years for Mr. Boone and were glad to meet +his son and his friends. + +The three chums took especial care to fix these men in their minds, for +the same thought came to them all,--that if trouble arose, it was likely +that these men would prove loyal friends in need. Barrows detailed some +of the men to bring back the necessary lumber for the shanty, and then +the men went back to their work for the afternoon. + +Soon they heard a chugging sound and presently a tractor hove into +sight, dragging a broad-wheeled cart on which was the lumber. The +manager came up, leading a couple of men with some heavy rolls of tarred +paper, and all was ready to build the shanty. + +Sandy, the big Airedale, was gravely watching the boys when the men with +the tar paper arrived, and one of them seeing the dog, remarked: + +"How would you chaps like to go coon hunting tonight, that is if your +pup will trail a coon?" + +This was just what the boys did not want to do that night, so Garry +hastily made the excuse that they were tired from their march and the +work of throwing up the shanty, but said they would be glad to go the +following night. + +This seemed all right to the men, who proceeded to make friends with +Sandy, that is as much as that sedate dog would let them, for an +Airedale makes few friends outside of his own family circle. + +The work of putting up the shanty was done in a short time since there +were so many workers, and the addition of two bunks made it complete. + +Barrows volunteered the information that there was a spare table in the +office, and a bench and a couple of chairs that could be taken from the +dining room. + +"Then all we have to do is to cut some balsam boughs for our bunks and +we will be as snug as bugs in a rug," announced Phil. + +Phil and Dick were dispatched to get the boughs, while Garry talked of +inconsequential matters with Barrows until their return. + +The rest of the afternoon was spent in wandering about the cutting. It +was a revelation to the boys, the sight of the great timber falling in +the exact direction that it was wanted. The boys noted that the cut was +made just as Howells had told them, and they wondered whether or not any +spikes would be encountered. + +The felling of a tree is an interesting process. The swing begins on the +side where the cutters do not want the tree to fall. Then when the saw +is better than two-thirds of the way through the trees, the swampers or +axemen take their stand at either side of the tree, and make a cut a +trifle under the line where the saw is coming through. This is done to +cause the tree to fall on that side. The axemen work like clockwork, +using a double bitted axe,--that is one that has two blades,--and make +the chips positively fly, one drawing his axe away just in time to let +the other man make a blow. Just as the moment comes for the tree to +fall, the cry of "tim-ber-r-r-r" is raised by one of the axemen and this +is the signal for all to be out of the way as the great tree falls with +a crash that shakes the ground for many feet around. + +Following the falling of the timber, the trimmers begin their work. +Starting at the base end of the tree, one on each side, they walk up the +sides of the fallen monarch of the forest, and trim the branches off as +far as they are able. Many of the branches on the under side of the tree +are broken in the fall, others are only splintered and many of them are +just bent. A dozen men then seize their peavy sticks, as they are called +in Maine, or cant dogs in some other places where lumbering is done, and +roll the tree over. A peavy stick is a heavy pole about six feet long, +with a sharp iron point at the end. About a foot from this point is +attached a loose curved iron arm very much like one side of an ice-man's +tongs. This swings back and forth from the handle. The men prod the iron +point into the trunk of the tree, and then catch the swinging end of the +hook into the trunk. This gives them almost a handle to the tree, and +the long pole furnishes them the necessary leverage. At a word from the +man on the end, all give a mighty heave, and the tree is rolled over, +when the remaining branches are lopped off. + +The lumberjacks are experts in the use of the peavy stick, and it is a +pretty sight to see them load a great trunk onto a flat car to be drawn +away. The method is almost the same as that used in turning over a +trunk,--only just half of the men fix their sticks. They give it half a +turn and then hold it in position on the skids, while the other half get +a grip and start turning. In this way, turn and turn about, they roll +the log right up the skids and onto the car. + +In this instance the trunks were not hauled to the mill on a car; a +chain was attached instead, and then one of the baby tractors was used +to drag it over the ground to the mill. There were a half a dozen of +these tractors at the camp. Three were constantly employed in dragging +the cut timber to the mill, while the other three were used to draw the +flat cars to the railroad tracks, a half a dozen miles from the camp. + +After watching the felling of several trees, the boys essayed trimming, +and while they were by no means unskillful at it, caused many a laugh +among the men because of the time they took. Whereas they often took two +or three strokes to take off a branch, the skilled woodsmen with one +swift, clean cut, lopped off a good thick branch. + +The boys took their chaffing good naturedly and thereby won a lot of +regard from the jacks, many of whom were ready to sneer at "city chaps." + +From the timbering they went to the sawmill. Here they found a busy whir +of activity. Logs were rolled onto the carriage and sent down the plane, +while the great circular saw bit its way through the length of the tree +like a hot knife through a pat of butter. + +The carriage then runs back to where it started, while a mechanical +device shoves the log sideways as many inches as is desired and the +carriage starts on its journey again. This is done until the log has +been "sliced into planks." These are then piled on one side, waiting for +the flat cars to be loaded and hauled away by the tractor. + +This operation that has been described entails more labor than the +winter logging, for then the trees are simply cut and rolled to one side +of the river. This continues throughout the winter until the cutting has +been complete and then they wait for the ice to go out. As soon as the +ice breaks up, the logs are tumbled into the river and floated down the +stream. For days they float down the river to the mills below, which are +always located on the river banks, and here they are ground up and made +into pulp from which paper is later manufactured. + +The logs are distinguished one from another when they reach their +journey's end by branding, much as the horses that roam the feeding +places in the West are known by their brand. Every lumberman has his +mark, and a gash is made at one end of the log, and on this is made the +mark. + +For example, Garry's father had his mark AB, which stood for his +initials. In this instance it was not necessary to brand the lumber, for +it all came from the same cutting and was transported directly to the +same destination. + +After supper that night, the men gathered outside their bunkhouses, +playing cards or simply leaning back against the wall and smoking. One +of the French Canadian lumberjacks produced a mouth organ, and another a +battered guitar, and those who spoke the French joined in an old +"chanson" or song. + +Soon one of the Americans, seizing on a lull in the conversation and +singing, struck up an old-time lumberjack song, and in a moment the +whole camp had joined in. The lumberjack songs are mostly about camp +events, the fight for the river at the spring flood, some great battle +that took place between two rival lumber camps, for your true lumberjack +is as ready to fight as to eat. + +Where these songs come from, no one knows. They are as old as the +lumbering industry in Maine, and generally are written with a chorus at +the end. One man sings the verse and then the camp joins in the chorus +in a thundering tone. There is generally more noise than melody, at +least in the choruses, for a man that has a fair voice always sings the +verse part. Some of these songs are of a seemingly endless duration, but +the lumberjacks never tire of singing them. + +As the men sang the moon came up, and made a scene that was long to be +remembered by the boys. In spite of their enjoying the evening, they +kept a sharp eye on the movements of the red haired cookee, although he +made no move to disappear. The boys figured that he probably would not +until the camp was asleep. Soon the men began to yawn, and turn into the +bunkhouse, while the boys bade goodnight to the manager and repaired to +their own shack. They turned in, and as soon as all seemed quiet, Phil +started out, and walking in the shadows, made for the spot he had picked +that afternoon as being a safe place to watch the exit from the +bunkhouse. + +Garry and Dick dropped off to sleep, and were only awakened some time +later by hearing Phil climb into his bunk. In a moment they were wide +awake. + +"What news," whispered Garry. + +"Go on to sleep," advised Phil in a disappointed tone. "The LeBlanc +never showed up, and I've lost three hours' sleep for nothing. +Goodnight!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A NOCTURNAL VISITOR + + +It was in that dark hour that precedes the dawn, which for some reason +or other is always the blackest of the night. The three boys were +sleeping soundly. Suddenly Phil awoke and sniffed the air. For a moment +or two he was dazed, then he gave a shout. + +His cry of alarm woke the others, and they were about to leap from their +beds when Phil's warning shout prevented them. + +"What's the trouble, Phil?" asked Garry. "Are there snakes in the shack +or are you just having a nightmare? Whew!" Garry had no need to ask any +further questions. + +The nocturnal visitor was nothing more nor less than a polecat, that +little animal of the woods about the size of a cat, but commonly called +a skunk. + +Phil retained his presence of mind, and reached to the bottom of his +bunk and hauled out one of his heavy shoepacks. With a well directed aim +he heaved it at the unwelcome little intruder, which at that moment was +near the door. The force of the blow carried the animal out into the +night, and then the boys hopped out of their bunks and seized their +clothes. Keeping a wary eye, they dashed through the door and out of the +way. The animal by this time was scampering away. + +Going back to the shack was almost out of the question, for he had left +his unmistakable scent behind him. + +"There goes my night's sleep all shot to pieces," exclaimed Phil in an +aggravated tone. "First I go on a wild goose chase to hear a plot and +hear nothing, then this comes up, and blooie, there is goodbye to rest. +Bet you I take a nap this morning. Wonder if that smell will evaporate +or will we have to build a new shack. Also there is going to be a door +on the next one. I don't want any more night visitors like that chap." + +"Hush a minute," whispered Garry. To the ears of the boys, trained by +their work in the woods to catch the slightest sound, came the soft +noise as of someone walking towards the bunkhouse. In a moment Garry was +flat on the ground, wiggling along as does an Indian on the war path in +a manner that the boys had often practiced when they were Scouts. + +He was back in about five minutes. The others were all curious to know +what had made him act in such a mysterious manner. + +"Someone was prowling about, and just a moment ago went into the +bunkhouse. I could hear him when he dropped his shoes as he got ready to +crawl into the bunk. Here's what I think. That wood pussy may have +wandered into the shack all by his lonesome, but for my part I think it +is the first event in a campaign to make things so unpleasant for us +that we will cut short our visit and go away," whispered Garry. + +"They couldn't have picked on anything much better to make it +unpleasant," answered Dick. "What will we do now?" + +By this time the first faint streaks of dawn appeared, and in a little +while the camp would be astir. + +"It is almost morning, and now that we are wide awake and up, we might +as well stay so," answered Garry. "First thing we do this morning is to +get a few more boards and fashion a door for this shack. Also I saw some +heavy screening yesterday,--you notice that all the windows are +screened,--and we will tack a double thickness of that over the window. +That will afford us some slight protection against the invasion of more +friends such as the one that paid us an unwelcome call." + +In a little while the camp was starting to come to life. First appeared +the cookee who favored the boys with a knowing grin, then came the cook, +who immediately started the work of getting breakfast. Finally, +struggling into their clothes as they came yawning through the doors, +appeared the lumberjacks. + +Garry cautioned his chums to say nothing for the moment about their +experience of the night. They passed several moments in chatting with +those of the lumberjacks with whom they thought they might make friends +that would perhaps stand them in good stead later on. Garry was telling +a funny story and at its conclusion the men burst into a roar of +laughter. + +The red headed cookee happened to be passing just as the men began to +laugh, and he looked sharply at the boys. While he was serving them +breakfast in the smaller room,--they happened to be alone as Barrows had +not yet arisen,--he remarked: + +"Understand you chaps didn't sleep very well last night." + +"No, we didn't," answered Garry, looking up quickly. + +"Well, better luck next time," and still grinning the cookee shambled +out of the room. + +"Well!" exploded Garry. "If that chap didn't go and give himself clean +away first shot out of the gun!" + +"Looks as though your hunch about its being a part of the campaign of +ruthlessness was a fact," said Dick with a laugh. + +"Only question in my mind," said Phil, "is did he think of it himself as +a sort of a practical joke, or was he put up to it by Barrows?" + +"Looks pretty certain to me that Barrows was the instigator of the +matter," answered Garry. + +When Barrows appeared, the boys explained the matter to him, and asked +him for the necessary lumber with which to construct a door, also some +screening for the window. Barrows told them they could go to the saw +mill and select whatever they wanted in the way of boards. + +As they were getting the boards, an old grizzled lumberman chatted with +them. He asked why they wanted a door in that kind of weather, and Garry +told him the story. + +"They do leave a reg'lar trail behind them, don't they?" laughed the old +man. "I'll tell you what you can do, though, and it will fix things up +pretty well. I always keep some sulphur on hand when I'm in the woods. +Occasionally you get a rash from the browntail moths in the woods, and +the best thing for a cure is a poultice made with a little sulphur. When +you put your door on, take a few extra boards and board up your window. +Then take the sulphur that I give you and put it in a pan and set it on +fire with a hot coal from the kitchen range. Then you hop out and let +the shack get thoroughly filled with the fumes o' the sulphur, and +you'll find after a couple or three hours that you'll have your place +fumigated as pretty as if you had ten boards of health do the job for +you." + +The boys thanked the old timer, and left with their lumber. A few +minutes later he appeared on the scene with his sulphur, and the work of +boarding the window and making a door being completed, they did as he +had directed and went on a tour of the camp. + +As they were wandering about, with Sandy at their heels, they were again +approached by the man who had wanted to go on a coon hunt. This time +they accepted his invitation, and arranged to go that night. + +The day passed quickly, for there were many things about the camp to +attract their attention, and they asked numerous questions of such of +the lumberjacks as seemed inclined to spend a moment or two to answer +them. + +As soon as it got dark, the coon hunter appeared and asked if they were +ready to go. He was accompanied by one or two of his friends, and Garry +noticed that one of them carried a burlap bag. + +The boys secured their rifles, and were about to join the party, when +one of the men, noticing the guns, said: + +"You don't need your rifles, although you can carry 'em if you want. We +were aiming to catch the coon alive and see if we couldn't tame him for +a sort of pet around the camp. That's what we brought the bag for." + +"Good," answered Garry. "We aren't much on shooting animals just for the +sake of shooting." + +The trio of men led the way to where the man called Tom had said he had +seen a raccoon a few days before. Sandy was eagerly sniffing at the +ground, and soon he gave vent to a low growl. + +"By gosh, I believe he's got the scent already," chuckled one of the +men. "It may be some other kind of an animal, but I doubt it. All I've +seen around here is the raccoon, although there were a few rabbits at +different times. Still the raccoon is the most likely to be out prowling +at this time of night." + +Soon Sandy was off, with his nose close to the ground. After a few +moments he had left them entirely, and they followed only by means of +his occasional barks. After almost half a mile of chasing, they heard a +series of wild barks, and knew that Sandy had driven something to bay. + +In a few moments they had caught up to the dog, and there sure enough he +had something treed and was venting his pleasure by loud and vociferous +barks. + +They peered up into the tree and could see nothing. In the meantime one +of the men had discovered a hole at the foot of the tree. + +"Now one of you fellows get some branches, dry ones of course, and we'll +soon have Mr. Coon all trapped as nice as you please." + +One of the men, assisted by Dick, soon gathered an armful of dry sticks. +Getting a boost from his friend, Tom soon shinnied up the tree, and +stopped after he had gotten about fifteen feet up well into the +branches, for it was a small tree. + +"Here's the upper end of the hollow," he called down. "Now you fellows +start your fire at the hole down there, while I spread the bag over this +hole." + +The smudge was soon started, and fanning it with their coats, they drove +the smoke into the hollow tree trunk. They were always careful not to +let the flames of the fire get to the tree, or they might have started a +forest fire that would have been disastrous. As a matter of fact, +several bad forest fires have started from an unskillful attempt to +smoke some animal out of a tree. + +Soon there was a shout from the man up the tree. "I've got him!" + +The smoke had proved too much for Brer Raccoon, and he had sought to +escape by the hole at the top, only to walk into the bag. In a moment +more Tom had descended the tree with a squirming, snarling animal safely +tied up in the bag. + +On their return to the camp they were greeted by several of the jacks +who had not yet gone to bed. The catch was exhibited, and one of the men +produced an old dog collar from the bunkhouse. The collar was snapped on +the coon's neck, a stout rope was attached to the ring in the corner to +be later tied securely to a nail at the corner of the bunkhouse. + +"There," remarked Tom, surveying the result of the night's catch. "If +you fellows will lay off and not tease him, and shinny out a little food +for him once in a while, he'll get tame as a kitten, and they are a lot +of fun when they get tame. Almost as good as a monkey." + +"We'll have to keep Sandy tied up for a while when he is not with us, or +he'll make short work of that coon," remarked Garry. + +"Oh, I'll have 'em as friendly as two brothers in a few days," was Tom's +verdict. + +The boys later found that the man Tom had a reputation for being quite a +hand with animals of every description, but future events will show why +Sandy and the coon never got well acquainted. Things were on the verge +of beginning to hum for all hands. + +When the boys woke in the morning, they made two startling discoveries. +The first one was that repeated calls failed to bring Sandy to them, and +the boys had never remembered the morning when Sandy went so far abroad +that a few whistles did not bring him back on the run to join his +companions. + +The second surprise was found when Garry noticed a familiar looking roll +of birch bark at the entrance to the cabin, weighted down by a stone! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +WORD FROM THE HERMIT + + +"Look here, you chaps," called Garry, as he gazed at the little roll of +bark, which he had not yet picked up. The boys crowded around and looked +at him in amazement. + +"Without making any rash bets," announced Garry, "I'll wager my best +rifle against a plugged nickel, that one of our friends has been in this +vicinity within the past few hours. Cast your eyes on that roll of bark, +and tell me if you dare that we won't find a funny cryptic little +message in it!" + +"The Hermit!" burst out Dick and Phil almost in one breath. + +"That's my guess. Now we'll see if we are right," and Garry stooped and +picked up the little roll from its resting place beneath the stone. +"It's the Hermit, and it's just the kind of a note I expected to find. +Listen to this. 'Unseen watchers often give the best aid. When you need +me most, I'll be with you.' And it's signed with his old mark, the lone +pine with the crossmarked boulder," said Garry as he had finished +reading. + +"Well, if that doesn't beat anything I ever heard of," said Dick. "How +in the name of all that's wonderful did he ever find us in this part of +the country?" + +"I think I can answer that," interrupted Phil. "He must have run across +Nate Webster and asked about us. It is likely that Nate told him where +we were going, and since he knew that we were good friends, might have +given him an inkling of the business that we were here on. The thing +that puzzles me is why he should not have waited and seen us, or even +waked us up to say howdy." + +"Well, you know what a queer old codger he was, and this latest stunt is +typical of him. Much as I would like to see him, I confess I would have +been a little bit disappointed if he had not done something out of the +ordinary," replied Garry. + +"Wonder where he went after he left the note?" queried Dick. + +"Oh, he's probably somewhere out in the woods, you know life in the open +woods is nothing to him, after all the years that he must have lived in +them. The main question now, since we can do nothing about our friend +the Hermit, as he will come in his own good time, is to see what has +happened to Sandy. I cannot understand his going away. He may have +chased up some animal, and if so he will be back. But it is unusual for +him ever to stir away from where we are sleeping until he knows that we +are up and about." + +Throughout the morning they searched every nook and corner of the camp, +going almost to the edge of the cutting operations, asking all the +workers they met whether or not the dog had been seen. Their search was +of no avail. The day dragged on, still no Sandy, and each passing hour +made the chums more downcast. + +"I'm beginning to think that this is step number two to drive us out," +gritted Garry between his teeth. "I tell you this, boys, if it is so, +and I'm inclined to believe it more and more, if any harm comes to Sandy +through the machinations of this crew that are trying to ruin Dad's +business, there's going to be one of the sweetest little wars started +that Barrows and his whole crew ever even dreamed of." + +"I'm with you, Garry. That dog was more than human, and the best friend +that a bunch of chums like us could ever hope to have," replied Dick as +he patted his friend on the shoulder. Phil said nothing, but the others +could see by the tightening of the corners of his mouth,--the danger +signal when Phil was really aroused over anything,--that he was with +them to the end. + +"There doesn't seem to be anything that we can do. I've looked carefully +over the ground for any signs of a struggle, but I can find nothing. +There was some trickery of some kind to get Sandy away. It may have been +done only to steal him and possibly sell him, but it may be that there +was a foul purpose in getting the dog away from us. The time has come +for real action. Let's get going early in the morning and keep our eyes +and ears sharply on the lookout. Phil, you watch the cookee closely and +see if there are any more midnight appointments to be made. Dick, you +look out for the sawmill, and see if there is any funny business being +done with the saw. You know enough about machinery to be able to detect +if it is working properly, and your common sense will tell you if there +seems to be a slackening up of production. It stands to reason that the +boss of the sawmill must be in on this scheme, for more delay can be +caused here than anywhere else. It is unlikely that there are many men +in on this plot. Too many would make it unsafe for the conspirators, +they couldn't all keep their mouths shut. I'll keep an eye on Barrows +and see what conferences he holds with the men. I hope that Howells gets +back here soon, I feel that we need immediate advice from someone who is +more experienced in the lumbering business than we are. Now let's hop to +it." + +The two boys did as their leader had directed. Phil ambled off to the +cookhouse with the intention of offering his services in peeling +potatoes to the cookee in order that he might have an excuse for keeping +near the fellow. Dick at once made for the sawmill. + +When he arrived there, the busy hum of activity seemed to be all about +him. But as he watched he became conscious of the fact that there seemed +to be several things that delayed the game. The man who drove one of the +tractors seemed to be having continual trouble with the engine, and +several minutes on each trip were consumed in needless repairs. Dick +could see with half an eye that there was little the trouble with the +engine except that which was created by the driver himself. The man kept +up a continual stream of grumbling at the way the engine was acting, +evidently to make the trouble appear to be real. + +Once Dick saw that there was a loose wire connection which the driver +purposely overlooked, and after he had watched the man waste ten minutes +in needless overhauling, he stepped up and offered his services. + +The man refused with a growl and an oath. Dick managed to restrain his +temper, although he wanted to tell the man how evident his stalling +around was. + +"Oh, all right, I don't mean to interfere with your business, but your +wire to your battery is unconnected," and Dick turned on his heel. + +Seeing that Dick really knew what he was talking about, the driver +attached the wire and in a moment or two was off for another load of +logs. + +"If he wastes that much time every trip," thought Dick to himself, "he +might just as well try to bring in the logs on his back. In the course +of a week that would mean almost a day's production gone to waste, and I +haven't watched long enough to know how much time he takes on his trip." + +Quite frequently the saw would be stopped for a moment while the boss +sawyer oiled up different parts of the machinery. He did not seem to +like Dick's watching him, but he was evidently a little wiser than the +driver, and attempted an explanation. + +"This is the last saw we have in the camp," he told Dick. "The ones that +we ordered haven't shown up yet, and if anything goes wrong with this +one, we are hurt and hurt bad." + +Dick pretended a great deal of ignorance about the saw, but he could see +that the sawyer regarded him with some suspicion. + +Dick kept in the sawmill, but stayed as much as possible in the +background. After nearly an hour of watching, a great log was rolled +onto the carriage, and glancing at his watch, the boss sawyer called an +assistant and gave him charge of the saw. Then he hastened from the mill +and started in the direction of the camp, evidently to hold a conference +with Barrows. Dick was turning to saunter out when he heard a terrific +tearing sound as of steel being ground between heavy rollers, then a cry +of pain from the sawyer. Dick turned and rushed to the scene. The saw +was still grinding into the obstruction that was causing the noise, and +several pieces of flying steel were in the air. The sawyer had his hands +clasped to his face, and the blood was streaming from between his +fingers. + +Dick saw that there was no one with presence of mind enough to throw the +lever that shut off the saw, and he ran and threw off the lever. Then he +returned to the injured man. The flying teeth of the saw had cut his +face in several places, but fortunately his eyes were uninjured. That he +had escaped being blinded was almost a miracle. + +The thought that flashed through Dick's mind that here was an instance +of what Howells had told them, of the spiking a tree in the upper part +where it would hit the saw. Dick asked the old man who had told them how +to fumigate their shack the day before if he could roll back the saw +without starting up the engine and causing more teeth to be broken and +start flying about the place. + +In a few minutes the old timer had worked the saw back so that Dick +could examine it. It required only a moment to see that the saw was +irreparably ruined. Most of the teeth had been bent or broken off, and a +further examination showed that several parts of the saw carriage and +control had been broken or strained by the unwonted burden that had been +put on them. + +At this moment the boss sawyer and Barrows, the manager, had come +rushing up to the mill to inquire what was the trouble. Garry was with +them, and Dick gave him a significant look, unobserved by the others. + +"What's all the trouble?" inquired Barrows needlessly, for he could see +with half an eye the damage that had been wrought. + +"Seems as if your saw was a total wreck," answered Dick. "Must have +struck a ton of metal in the heart of that tree to do all that damage." + +"Nonsense," cried Barrows. "Whoever heard of metal in a tree?" + +"Could it have been a defective saw?" inquired Garry soberly, for the +purpose of hearing what reply Barrows would make. + +"Yes, that's what it must have been, a defective saw," repeated the +manager, parrot fashion. + +"Defective saw me eye," broke in the old helper. "That tree has been +spiked and spiked good and plenty. That's the second saw that went that +way this summer. Tother time it nearly killed the sawyer when the belt +flew off and almost got him tangled up in the machinery. There's one +sure way to find out what caused it, and that's to roll her off the +carriage and split off that place where the saw started to eat through. +If there isn't a spike there, you can have my month's wages." + +"You seem to know all about it, and perhaps we shall find out why you +know so much about the matter," and Barrows favored the old man with a +look that boded no good to him. + +In the face of the old timer's statement, and because Dick and Garry +were looking at the manager as though they expected him to take speedy +action, there was nothing for Barrows to do but follow the suggestion +and order the log rolled off. This was done, and then several wedges +were driven in, and using the backs of single bitted axes, the section +of tree was soon split open. There plainly revealed to view were several +bent, cut and twisted spikes! + +"That's what broke your saw," exclaimed the old man. "Shame, too, a nice +saw like that ruined and the only one in the camp at that!" + +"That will do, Collins," cut in Barrows sharply. "Your opinion wasn't +asked. Besides, I am still wondering how your knowledge of the spiking +seemed to prove so accurate." + +"I was raised in the woods, and I know all the little tricks. There's +dirty work afoot here somewhere," returned old Collins staunchly. + +"Yes, I guess you do know all the tricks, but I know a good one, too; +you go and get your pay from the timekeeper and start on your way," +ground out the manager. + +"Isn't that just a trifle hasty, Mr. Barrows?" cut in Garry. + +"Listen, my boy. With all due respect to the son of my employer, I must +say that I am manager of this camp, and what I say goes. You know I am +protecting your father's business, and there has been so much funny +business going on lately that something must be done, and I am going to +begin by cutting out all the suspicious characters. In my judgment +Collins is such a character." + +"Huh," muttered Dick in an undertone. "A fine protector you are, and you +know that Collins is innocent. He knows too much, that's all." + +Old Collins marched out of the mill section and started toward the +office. A moment later Dick unobtrusively followed him. In a few seconds +he had caught up with the man and said goodbye to him. + +"Goodbye, my lad, and let me give you a warning. Tell your pal that his +father's business is going to pot here. There's something underfoot, I +don't know what it is or why, but it's there. Too many accidents. You +watch that Barrows and watch the timekeeper, and keep an eye on the two +drivers with the moustaches. Throw in the cookee for good measure, and +you'll have a precious lot of rascals." + +Dick tried to elicit further information, but found that the old fellow +either did not know anything specific, or was crotchety and would not +tell. + +There being nothing that could be done further, the manager and Dick +returned to the office, while Garry went to the bunkhouse to see if he +could render any aid to the man who had been cut by the flying particles +of the saw. + +At the office they found waiting their acquaintance of the attempted +holdup, Arthur Howells. He acted according to the agreement and waited +till they had been introduced. + +"This is our scaler and cruiser," announced Barrows. + +Upon the boys professing ignorance of what the duties of a scaler were, +they received an invitation from Howells to come with him after dinner +and watch the operations. Barrows heartily advised the boys to go with +him and learn something of the way in which the trees were spotted and +the lumber measured. + +The chums knew well that the invitation was solely for the purpose of +getting them away from the camp so that they could confer on what was +going on. + +After dinner they sought out Howells, and after he had armed himself +with a scaling stick, marked off in measurements, which was used to +measure the trees, they wandered into the woods. + +"Now, boys, what news?" he asked. + +In a few words they told him of the events that had transpired since +their arrival. + +Howells was especially interested in the matter of the spiked tree, and +was indignant at the fact that Collins had been discharged. + +"Why, the old man was as honest as the day is long. He used to know your +father a good many years ago, Garry, and he would never do anything that +would harm him or his business," Howells said vehemently. + +"Next thing on the docket," said Garry, "is to ask what news you have." + +"I have something that will knock the feet almost out from under you. In +addition to the trouble caused by the breakage and wasting, there is +something even deeper yet. I always get the reports from the receiving +stations of the amount of lumber that is sent out. I know after +measuring, just how much has gone out. Today my reports show that all +the timber that is cut here does not arrive at its destination. + +"What do you mean?" said Garry. + +"Just what I mean is this. Somewhere, somehow, your father's lumber is +being stolen en route to its destination!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE BOYS LOSE AN ALLY + + +The words of Howells stunned the boys for a moment. Then Garry delivered +himself of a few vehement words regarding the thieves. + +"We have been here only a couple of days or so, and yet we find that +this logging camp is a hive of rascals and thieves. And still we have +done nothing. We must get to work and nip this thing in the bud, else +the whole summer's work at the camp here will have gone for naught, to +say nothing of the irreparable financial loss that will be caused to +Dad, not only from the penalties for failure to live up to his +contracts, but the money loss from the stolen timber will mount up well +into the hundreds I am afraid. Now we must put a stop to this thing. I +believe that I will go out tomorrow and go to town and 'phone Father +that he had better make a cleanup here at the camp. Perhaps we don't +know just who the guilty parties are, but if we get rid of the whole +shooting match we can stop it. How much timber would you estimate has +been stolen?" he concluded, turning to Howells. + +"I can't say as to that. This last report is the only one that I have +received direct. Generally I have been given what was supposed to be a +duplicate copy of the one sent to Barrows. This time I happened to get +the mail myself at the postoffice. Generally one of Barrow's men gets +the mail, and it is distributed. This letter was addressed to me +personally, and I have no doubt that the others were also, but were +opened and doctored up to appear all right. That's a prime bit of +evidence if we can secure the proof. Tampering with Uncle Sam's mail is +a serious crime, and draws a long prison term. Now as for your going out +of the woods tomorrow and 'phoning your father, Garry, I would advise +against it. Nothing very serious can happen in the next few days. Little +work can be done until a new saw comes, and there will be little +shipping of timber except that which has been waiting to be transported. +In the meantime, if, as your father is led to believe, this whole matter +is a move on the part of the big interests to crush him in the lumber +business, the firing of the present manager and crew will have little +effect. Your dad evidently trusted Barrows, else he would not have sent +him here. If he is guilty, you may be sure that the enemy, for such we +must call them, made it mighty well worth his while to turn traitor. +What is to prevent the next manager from being affected in the same way? +And even if a trustworthy manager were secured, the big interests can +always bribe enough of the laborers to do all the necessary damage that +would be required to spoil the season. My advice is to lay low for a few +days and get evidence that will get the 'man higher up,' the one who is +the instigator of this whole thing. Once you can spike his guns, there +will be no further danger of trouble here, and also it will enable your +father to take court action that will restore him damages for the stolen +timber, and will also give him a chance to sue those who have harmed him +so that he can make the penalties that will be inflicted in case enough +damage has already been done to make him forfeit his contracts. I should +say now that he was a good three weeks behind his shipments, and that is +a whole lot in one season. He has guaranteed to deliver a certain amount +of timber at its destination by the last of September. It is the middle +of August now, and he must make every minute count from now on to get +out the required amount. Get the man responsible for this business and +you will have accomplished what you have set out to. What do you think +of my advice?" + +"Sounds logical, and I think we will follow it. In the meantime I have a +hunch now in regard to that stolen timber. I think I can hitch up a few +things Barrows has tried to dissuade us from doing, and a certain lake +in this vicinity. That's our next work. Now what do you propose to do, +Mr. Howells?" asked Garry. + +"First thing I'm going to do is to go straight to Barrows and tell him +about the deficiency shown by the records. That will do one of two +things, I believe; either show him up for a crook, or else show that he +is straight and start him investigating the thefts. If the latter +happens, which I am frank to say I do not think will, then we have +accomplished a great deal of good." + +Howells, however, had barely finished speaking, when the red haired +cookee appeared at the shack and told him that Barrows wanted to see him +at the camp office immediately. + +Having delivered the message, the cookee sauntered off, and Howells +looked at the boys with a puzzled stare. + +"Wonder what's up now. Thought that we talked over everything there was +a little while ago. Well, there's no use in wondering. I'm off to see +his Royal Highness and find out what he wants. I'll see you after a +little while." + +Howells hustled off to the office and left the boys to talk things over +among themselves. + +"What did you mean, Garry, when you said that you had a hunch about +lakes and things?" inquired Phil. + +"Why, you remember how insistent Barrows has been that we make a sort of +playground out of the little lake, setting forth its advantages about +swimming, fishing and all that, and has done everything that he can do +to discourage us from going near the big lake. I have let him believe +that we took everything he said for granted, so I thought that tonight, +if possible, we would make a trip to the big lake and see what's what," +Garry answered. + +"I'm wondering if Barrows is clever enough to play the old trick used by +conjurers and magicians?" mused Phil. + +"What do you mean, magician?" queried Garry with a puzzled look at his +friend. + +"Why, you know a magician always directs the attention of his audience +to the thing that he is generally going to do, figuring that the people +will be on the watch for a trick, and will be so busy trying to find the +hidden trick, that they look everywhere but where the magician tells 'em +to, and in the meantime he has done his trick." + +"I see," exclaimed Garry. "You mean that Barrows may figure that we will +guess he has been discouraging us about the big lake for the very +purpose of making us go there rather than to the smaller body of water, +where some sort of villainy may be going on." + +"That's it exactly," returned Phil. + +"I think you have a good hunch there, Phil, although I rather think that +Barrows is not clever enough to dope out that trick. Still, there can be +no harm in watching both lakes. Suppose that we take a little trip today +to the small one, and then tomorrow night we will hustle over to the big +one after the camp has turned in for the night. Guess that will be our +best plan. Now let's wait for Barrows and Howells to finish their +conversation, and we will trot over while I ask a few leading +questions." + +They waited a few minutes, talking over their probable course of action, +and were about to set out for the office, when Howells appeared on the +scene. Rage and disappointment were depicted in his face, and the boys +were quick to take notice of this. + +"What's the matter? You look as though you had bad news to bring us," +said Garry. + +"Well, it's bad news for me, at any rate, and I think also for you. I +believe I have proof enough that Barrows is a crook from the word go. I +have been discharged from my job as cruiser and scaler and ordered to +leave the place immediately." + +"Why, I can hardly believe you, what's it all about?" asked Phil. + +"Well, it's a short story. I had hardly gotten inside the office, when +Barrows told me I was through. Naturally all other thoughts left my +head, that is about my errand, and I asked him why. He replied that when +he hired me he thought he was getting an accurate scaler, and that the +reports showed that the amount of timber I had reported was cut had not +been delivered. Immediately I knew that he was on to the fact that I was +aware of the shortage and was spiking my guns before I could do or say +anything. Now I know that I have accurately measured all the timber that +was cut in this tract. I was at school long enough to learn how to scale +if I never learned anything else. Of course we had words, and I forgot +myself and accused him of knowing that timber was disappearing, and he +was covering up by throwing the blame on me. Of course there was nothing +that I could do, so I told him a few wholesome truths and walked out of +the office." + +"Then that definitely settles Barrows' status here," said Garry. "He +knows that timber is being stolen, and he wants to cover it up. I hope +you did not connect us in any way with you while you were telling +Barrows what you thought of him, did you Art?" + +"You bet I didn't. I kept my head that much, at any rate." + +"Well, we have lost a valuable ally since you must go away. I suppose, +though, we could hire you as a guide and keep you here. Barrows could +make no objection then," said Garry. + +"No, that would be the worst thing that you could do. It would put +Barrows on his guard, for he would immediately leap to the conclusion +that I had told you everything. No, the wisest thing for me to do is to +hop out and go back to town. Then in a few days I could get back here +and see what I could dig up in the way of stolen timber. I think the +most advisable thing to do would be to find out from some of the railway +stations near here where timber is being shipped from, and in that way +we could get a line on where it is going. Then you chaps on the inside +can browse about a bit and find out how it is stolen. Between us we can +secure evidence that will uncover the whole plot. I'm going out now, +before they get onto the fact that we have had time to talk things over. +In the meantime, take my advice, and keep your eyes open every minute. +Eternal vigilance on your part is going to be the price of success. Not +that I believe any harm will come to you. Barrows would not dare attempt +that; but he could move so stealthily that you could not find out +anything. Now I'll say goodbye and trot along. Good luck to you, and I +will contrive some way to get word to you of what is going on." + +Howells shook hands with the boys, and then loped off to get his +dunnage. The boys watched his departure sadly, for they had counted a +great deal on the help that the young timberman could give them. + +"Well, fellows, that puts it directly up to us again. We will have to +work on our own hook and get to the bottom of this. Now let's have +action. Tomorrow morning--it is too late now to do anything--we will +take a little trip to the small lake, Kanamo Lake I think they call it; +Dutton is the name of the big one, and start our search there. We will +simply say that we are going off for some fishing and swimming. Now +we'll go to the office, and remember, not a word about knowing that +Howells was discharged." And concluding his talk, Garry led the way to +the office. + +Barrows watched them narrowly as they came in, but said nothing. + +"Thought we'd get a little information about Kanamo Lake," said Phil, as +they seated themselves. + +"Yes," chimed in Garry. "We are going off there early tomorrow and have +a little fishing and perhaps a swim or two. We haven't done anything +since we got here but watch the timber cutting, and that isn't a novelty +any longer. What we especially want to find out is whether there is any +canoe or boat on either of the lakes that we could use to get some +really good fishing." + +"There isn't a boat or canoe of any sort on either Dutton or Kanamo," +answered the manager. "But you will find that will not interfere with +your fishing. Part of the banks are well covered with reeds, and early +in the morning and after the sun has gone down you can catch a fine mess +of pickerel. Throughout the day the bass can be caught from the bank if +you boys are any hand at making a good long cast. I suppose as soon as +the timber cutting is done, the tourists will begin to swarm here for +summer camping, and then there will be plenty of boats and few fish. +That's generally the way." The manager talked heartily as though +relieved that the conversation had taken the turn that it had, and +perhaps because of the information that the boys were going to get away +from the camp. It was likely that he had expected some questioning +because of the discharge of the scaler. Evidently thinking over the +matter, he decided something in his mind, and turning to Garry, remarked +casually: "I had hoped that the arrival of the scaler would give me a +little extra time so that I could do some fishing with you and act as +guide around here, but I regret to say that I found him incompetent and +was obliged to discharge him. He was careless about his measurements, or +else did not know how to measure properly, and all our records are +messed up so that it will take me several days to get them straightened +out. Fortunately I know pretty well what's been shipped and can check +against the bills of lading. Well, there goes the cook's supper call." + +Following supper, the boys made excuses that they wanted to get their +fishing tackle in order and retired early to their shack. They got to +sleep early, as they expected a strenuous day on the morrow, and also +hoped to be able to make a trip to Dutton Lake at night, hence wanted +sleep. + +Just as they were undressing, Dick uttered an exclamation of disgust. + +"What's the matter, Dick, lose a button?" inquired Phil. + +"No, confound it, lost that nice knife with my name on it that I bought +in Bangor." + +"That's too bad, lost your nice toy. Well, you should worry, as you have +your sensible scout knife that will cut even if it hasn't a nice name on +it," laughed Phil. + +Early morning found them routed out with the dawn, and as they hurried +for the cookhouse to get some supplies with which to cook a luncheon at +the lake, they heard the cook and his helper talking about some marauder +that had been captured the night before and was locked up in the +storehouse. + +Neither seemed to know much about it, but the boys could see that the +cookee was on tenterhooks, and several times tried to get out, only to +be called by the cook and set to doing some necessary task toward the +getting of breakfast. This uneasiness on the part of the cookee made the +boys think that possibly Baptiste LeBlanc had been caught, and decided +that when they had eaten they would have a look at the prisoner. + +Barrows appeared when they were half way through breakfast, and the +chums at once began to question him regarding the capture of the unknown +man and what he might have wanted there. + +"Perhaps he is the one who has been causing a lot of trouble around +here," said Barrows. "I haven't seen him yet. Couple of the men found +him snooping around the office last night, and after locking him up, +woke me up and told me about him. After I eat I am going to question +him, and if you want to get a little later start on your fishing trip, +you can come and take a look at him." + +This was exactly what the boys wanted, and they thanked Barrows for the +invitation. They made a hurried meal, and then after Barrows had posted +the notices for the section bosses for the day, they went to the +storehouse, which was the most solid looking building in the camp, being +built of great logs with a thick double hasp and padlocks on the door. +Inside were kept the cooking supplies for the camp. + +The manager produced a key, and throwing open the door, called to the +prisoner to come out. + +The three chums pressed forward eagerly to see if they were right in +their guess that LeBlanc or his evil associate had been captured. + +What they did finally see nearly knocked them off their feet. There was +a shuffling sound as of some one getting up, and then through the door +into the sunlight, walked The Hermit! + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE FIRST HIKE + + +It was nearly a minute before the boys could find their tongues. The +hermit stood there blinking in the sunlight, for it had been pitch black +inside of the storehouse. + +Finally Garry shouted: + +"Hello, Hermit. Where did you come from?" + +Barrows stared at the boys in surprise. + +"Do you know this man?" he asked sharply. + +"Of course we do," replied the boys, almost simultaneously. "It isn't so +long ago that he was of great aid to us in our work on the fire patrol," +added Garry. Immediately he could have kicked himself, for he had by +this statement let Barrows know that the man might be of help to them +again. + +"What are you trying to do around here?" snapped Barrows, turning to the +hermit. "Trying to steal something, or set fire to the camp or something +of that sort?" + +"That will be just about enough, Mr. Barrows," interrupted Garry. "We +happen to know this old man, and I'll vouch for him personally. It is +probable that he came here to visit us, and was wandering about when +your men, naturally thinking him to be a marauder, seized him. You can +take my word for it that he's all right." + +Barrows evidently resented the way in which Garry had spoken to him. "I +think I am the best judge of what to do in this camp, young man. I am +not satisfied with his presence here, and it is my intention to have him +taken to town and lodged in jail there until I find out what's at the +bottom of the broken saws and such occurrences in the camp." + +"Now just one moment, Barrows," said Garry with a determined ring in his +voice, and a snap in his eyes that boded little good for Barrows. "I am +not one who will naturally trade on his being the son of the man who +owns this camp, but I give you ample warning that if my word is doubted +in this matter, and this old man, who is as harmless as a rabbit, is not +freed immediately, I will go to town this morning and take steps that +will cause your instant removal from this camp. I have never asked my +father to back me in anything that I was not absolutely sure of, and you +can rely on the fact that he will take my word in this case, knowing me +as he does. Now Mr. Barrows, you may take your choice in this matter and +decide quickly." + +The manager hesitated a moment, evidently trying to decide just who had +the upper hand in the situation. Seeing this, Garry turned to Phil and +Dick, and said: + +"Boys, go pack up your dunnage and get ready to leave in fifteen +minutes." + +The two chums turned on their heels without a word, and were starting +for the shack when Barrows, seeing that he was beaten, called: + +"Never mind, boys, the old man will go free this minute." + +He said it with a bad grace, and the glances that he covertly cast at +the boys showed that he was enraged at the turn affairs had taken. What +made him still angrier was the fact that the cook and two or three men +had gathered around and seen him come out second best in the battle of +words. + +He determined to make the best of a bad situation. + +"I am afraid that I spoke a little too hastily in this thing," he said, +coming closer to Garry. "I want you to remember that I am always trying +to protect your father's interests here; that is what he pays me for, +and I thought that there might be something peculiar in this chap's +showing up here in the dead of night." + +Garry, having won his point, and for the sake of future peace and +freedom from interference, resolved to mollify the manager. + +"That's all right, Mr. Barrows. Only I want to tell you this," and here +Garry lowered his voice: "The old chap is mentally unbalanced, and it +was largely for that reason that I did not want him to be annoyed. He +lives near a tract of wild land where we patrolled early this summer, +and was very decent to us, tanning skins of animals that we shot, and +leaving us rabbits for eating. It is a pet trick of his to wander about +at night, and appear very mysteriously, and as I propose to have him +stay with us a few days, I wish you would pass the word that he is +afflicted and caution the men not to tease or annoy him." + +Barrows assented grudgingly and then marched off to the office. + +Left alone with the hermit, for the cook and the others had departed for +their customary tasks, the boys eagerly asked the hermit what he meant +by his note, and if he had anything to tell them. + +"I didn't mean to get caught," he said. "I know what you boys are here +for. Nate told me a little and I can make two and two equal four. I was +creeping through the woods last night to come and leave a letter for +you, when I heard some men talking, and crept up to listen to them. They +were just getting ready to leave and all I heard was a man saying that +his brother would soon be there and that he would know how to deal with +those spies. I couldn't get a good look at the man, but he spoke with an +accent, and was a heavy, strongly built man. That's what I was going to +write to you, for I believe you are the ones that the men in the secret +meeting meant when they referred to spies." + +The boys looked aghast at each other when they heard the concluding +words of their friend the hermit. At once the same thought leaped into +the minds of all three. Man with an accent, heavily built and strong +appearing. Brother was coming to help him. All put together it meant +only one thing, and that was voiced by Dick. + +"Jean LeBlanc!" + +The others echoed the name of their Nemesis after Dick. + +"What's that, did you speak of LeBlanc?" inquired the hermit. + +"That's just what we did," replied Garry grimly. "That man you +described, unless we are very badly mistaken, was Baptiste, a brother of +Jean. And if Jean is on the way, we must guard ourselves every minute. +And we must make every moment count, for once he gets here he will make +strenuous efforts to get us in trouble, if not on his own hook, then in +cahoots with Barrows. Now let's break for the small lake. Suppose you +stay with us a few days, Hermit, and help us in our work." + +"No, that would not be good tactics," was the reply of the hermit. "It +would cause trouble to you boys with that man who wished me lodged in +durance vile." + +As was usual, the words of the hermit were anything but those that would +be naturally used by a man that had lived the greater part of his life +in the deep woods, far removed from all human beings. But the aged +hermit was always surprising them, if not by his talk, by his unusual +actions. + +Garry had often thought that the old man was wise in his conclusions, so +he asked what could be suggested. + +"I would say that you should go to the manager and tell him that I had +been offended by my reception and consequently had refused to stay and +visit you, going off in a huff. Then that will give me a chance to +return to the forest and watch for the coming of LeBlanc. I will +guarantee that I will not be captured again. I was too sure of myself +last night, since I did not know that the camp was full of night spies, +who held rendezvous in the dark of the night. I will warn you in the +usual way if LeBlanc approaches. In the meantime, my instinct tells me +that the man with whom you quarreled, Garry, is not to be trusted. Watch +him. Now I will go if you will give me some food to carry with me for +breakfast. I am hungry." + +"There's one thing I wish you would do first, Hermit," said Garry, +calling him by the only name they knew, and which appeared to please +rather than offend the old recluse, "and that is go to the nearest town +and mail a letter for us. There is no one in the camp now that I would +trust with a message, and none of us who could get away. I should have +thought to do it yesterday when Howells left, but forgot it in the +excitement of his being discharged." + +Borrowing Dick's ever ready notebook, Garry scribbled off a brief note +to his father, advising him to check carefully the shipments of timber, +and telling him in guarded words, that he had several clues that +properly trailed down would soon lead to the unmasking of the traitors +in the camp. He folded the note and gave the hermit money with which to +buy a stamped envelope, and on another leaf of paper wrote the address +to which the note should be sent. + +This the hermit promised to do at the earliest possible opportunity. He +then proposed that they walk a few hundred yards out of the camp with +him, so that they might select a spot where notes could be left without +his having to penetrate the dangers of the camp at night. + +This the boys agreed to do, and after a brisk walk selected a tree with +a hollow, half concealed in it, and established that as the +"postoffice." The hermit then took up his journey, while the boys +returned to the office to tell the manager, as they had agreed to do, +about the hermit's leaving. When Barrows heard their story he seemed +relieved and was apparently only too anxious to ingratiate himself with +the boys again, for he realized that he had overstepped the mark a bit +in his words with Garry a short time previous. + +"You should have brought the old chap back, and perhaps I could have +persuaded him that it was all a mistake," but the boys were quick to +detect the false ring in his tone. + +"Now we are off to Kanamo Lake for our delayed fishing trip, and so that +you may not get uneasy if we do not return by nightfall, let us tell you +that we are used to making camp wherever we happen to be, and so will be +all right. I only wish there was a canoe on the lake, and we would take +a three or four-day hike, canoeing from spot to spot on the lake, and +camping wherever we saw fit," concluded Garry. + +"Sorry there isn't. You might make a flatboat out of some lumber, but +there is nothing with which to calk the seams, and the task of dragging +the lumber to the water would be almost too much to bother with for the +short time that you are going to stay here," replied Barrows. + +As the boys set out on their seven-mile hike to the lake, they discussed +the way in which Barrows was continually bringing into the conversation +the suggestion that they were not going to stay very long. + +"I wonder if that is a warning unintentionally given, or is the wish +just father to the thought?" asked Garry. "I don't remember ever saying +anything to Barrows about the length of time that we intended to spend +here." + +"Maybe it is just the wish coming to surface as you say. At any rate, +let's not worry about that for awhile. We will have bridges enough to +cross when we come to them." + +The chums pursued their way through the fragrant woods, spicy with the +smell of pine and balsam. Occasionally they heard the whirr of wings as +a covey of grouse or partridge, frightened at the sound of approaching +footsteps, took wing and flew away from the cover where they had been +hiding. The sound of the birds brought to the minds of the trio the sad +thought of the missing Sandy, for he had the canine instinct of most +dogs to flush a bird. He had so often hunted with the boys that they had +taught him to retrieve a bird as does a regular pointer or hunting dog. + +"Tell you what we'll do when we get back to the camp tonight," announced +Phil. "We'll offer a reward for the finding of Sandy. I think myself +that some of the lumberjacks, perhaps that chap that took us coon +hunting, recognized the value of Sandy and stole him, determined to sell +him and make a few dishonest dollars. Sandy is worth more to us than +many people would want to pay for him, and I think if we offered a big +enough reward we might get him back." + +This was agreed on by the boys, and chatting merrily of many things, +they trekked through the forest to the lake. + +They took turns setting the pace and so made brisk time, even Dick +keeping up without grumbling, although there was no circus at the end of +the trail to lure him on to greater speed. However, Dick smelled +adventure in the air, and hence all his seemingly lazy ways dropped and +he dug to the trail as if his life depended on it. + +Soon they reached the lake, which lay like a jewel in the midst of the +forest. For the most part it was surrounded by trees, thick and green. +At the end of the trail was a slightly open spot, and a stretch of sandy +beach that seemed to beckon the boys irresistibly. + +"Let's take a short dip before we start exploring. I haven't had a swim +for days, and I think it would do us all a lot of good." Garry had been +sweeping the edges of the lake with his field glasses, which he had +brought along, and could see nothing other than an unbroken expanse of +forest. Far down at the end of the lake was a slight opening which Garry +judged was the outlet of the lake, although since he had not consulted a +map, he could not tell much about it as regarded its direction and size. + +The others were also of Garry's opinion, and Phil then came to bat with +another suggestion. + +"We must do a little fishing, also; for if we go back empty handed from +a lake that is supposed to be filled with fish, we are apt to excite +suspicion in the mind of Barrows, and set him asking us questions as to +what we did while we were away. We don't need to spend the whole day at +it, just catch a decent mess and quit." + +"Right you are, Phil," answered Garry. "Now for a swim, and last man in +is no good." + +The boys ripped off their clothes, and so used were they to speedy +disrobing, that all hit the water with almost the same splash. + +"See that spot up the bank about three hundred yards, where the ground +begins to rise?" inquired Dick, as he splashed about in the water. "Bet +you fellows anything I've got against anything you have that I can give +you chaps ten yards' start and then beat you there." + +"Well, you sure thing artist, splash him good, Phil," shouted Garry, for +Dick was an expert swimmer, much better than either of the others, +although they were not unskilled in the aquatic art. + +Dick was thoroughly splashed, and with two against one, was soon forced +to holler quits. + +"Tell you what I'm going to do; I'm going to swim up to that place and +back, anyway. You fellows can come or not, as you please," and with a +long, sweeping, underhand stroke, his head almost buried in the water, +Dick sped away. The remaining two contented themselves with paddling +about and noting the clearness of the water and the fine sandy bottom. +They got a stone and amused themselves by throwing it some distance and +then swimming under water after it and recovering it. They had been +doing this for some moments, when suddenly Garry, thinking that Dick, +with his speed, had been gone long enough to have done that distance +twice over, began to worry a bit, and called Phil's attention to the +lapse of time. They decided to swim up there and seek their missing +comrade, who, although they had perfect faith in his prowess as a +swimmer, might easily have been overtaken with a cramp, and met with +disaster. + +It was generally a rule that they keep an eye on each other in the +water, and it was a strict regulation that a call for help be never made +in jest. + +"Let's go," called Garry, and away they started. They had made less than +fifty yards, when borne on the breeze came the sound of Dick's voice. + +Garry stopped swimming for a moment, and began to tread water, while he +looked toward the spot that had been Dick's goal when he swam away. Dick +could be seen standing on the bank beckoning wildly to them. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A LUCKY FIND + + +"Guess it's nothing serious, Garry," said Phil, who had followed Garry's +lead and stopped swimming long enough to see what the cause of the call +was. "It looks as though he had made a discovery of some sort." + +The chums put on an extra burst of speed, and soon had reached the spot +where Dick was standing. + +"What's all the commotion about?" inquired Garry half breathlessly, as +they clambered up on to the bank. "We thought you were calling for +help." + +"I am truly sorry I frightened you, but I just found something that we +may need before our stay at the camp is done," and Dick led the way into +the woods for a few feet. "I got out on the bank to rest a bit, and +thought I saw signs of a camp having been here at one time or another, +so I nosed around and tucked away in the brush I found this," and +displacing some of the debris that had fallen around the object, Dick +disclosed a birch-bark canoe, made after Indian fashion. + +"I should say that was a find," exclaimed Garry. "Now we can do all the +exploring around here that we want to, and if we find nothing here we +can portage the canoe across the woods to Dutton Lake and continue our +investigation." + +They were disappointed, however, for on dragging out the canoe, they +found that a great hole had been torn in the bottom. + +"Now wouldn't that jar you. I wish I had looked at it more carefully +before I called to you," said Dick in a disappointed tone. + +"Let your Uncle Dudley take a look," ordered Garry. After a few moment's +investigation, he straightened up. "It can be repaired easily with what +simple tools we have and a little help from old Mother Nature. Our only +trouble will be a swim of about four miles. Two across to the point that +I noted when I looked through my glasses, and two back to where we want +to do our work, which had better be here." + +"I think I begin to see faint glimmerings of what you intend to do," +said Phil, as he scanned the end of the lake that came within his +vision. Phil had abnormally keen eyes, and could often see things that +the other boys required a glass to discern. + +"Well, Sherlock, what do I intend to do?" asked Garry with a laugh. + +"It seems to me, if my eyes don't fail me, that I can see a sort of a +white clump of woods about two miles distant, at least the sunshine +casts a brighter glare than it does on the green of the pines and +spruces. Now to me that spells b-i-r-c-h. Am I right?" + +"Right again. That's just what I have in mind. Let's start. We ought to +be able to have a fine canoe by noon if we don't loiter." + +They swam back to where they had left their clothes, and it was decided +that Phil should stay behind to guard their clothes, packs and rifles. +Garry got his hatchet and sheath off his belt, and tucked his knife +safely into the sheath of the axe blade. Then by knotting two of the +bandanna handkerchiefs that they customarily wore about their necks, he +made a sort of a strap affair and tied the axe securely on his back +between his shoulder blades. This left his arms perfectly free for +swimming, and then he and Dick set out with easy strokes for their +destination across the lake. They took plenty of time and occasionally +rolled over to float on their backs so that they could rest. At last, +after several resting spells, which were mainly for Garry's benefit, as +Dick could have done the whole distance without fatiguing himself in the +slightest, they reached the clump of birches. + +Resting a few moments on the bank, they proceeded to strip a good +section of bark from one of the birches. This was a simple matter, as +all that was necessary to do was to cut a girdle around the tree a few +inches from the bottom, and another about three feet above. Then a +vertical cut was made between the two girdles, and after about twenty +minutes of prying the bark from the trunk with the knife, the two taking +turns at the task, they had the roll of bark neatly cut off. + +"Now if we could only find a swampy place around here where there would +be some tamarack trees, we could get a couple of the crooked roots for +which the tamarack is noted, and that would furnish us with a rib for +the canoe. As it is, we will have to makeshift with that twisted birch +branch that I see, which Nature seemed to have put there for our +particular use today," and Garry proceeded to get the branch as he +spoke. + +"We can roll this up and tie it with a strip of handkerchief, and push +it along with us on the return swim. Then it will be a small job to +repair the canoe." + +"What are you going to use to attach it to the bottom of the canoe where +it is broken," asked Dick. + +"I have something in my knapsack. For some reason or other, while in +Bangor, I bought a ball of extra fine linen cord, and one day while we +were in the woods at Sourdehunq I needed some shoemaker's wax, and +didn't have it, so last time we were in town I bought a piece. I never +expected to use it to repair a boat with, however, just bought the stuff +in case an occasion arose where we might need it. Now it will come in +handy," and as he finished, Garry slipped back into the water. The +return trip occupied somewhat longer, as the bark was a bit unwieldy as +they pushed it ahead of them. + +When they returned to the spot where they had left Phil, the sun was +almost in the center of the sky, denoting it was near noon. They found +that Phil had improved the time while they were absent and had started a +fire and caught several good bass. + +"Best fishing here I ever saw. I don't believe a line has been thrown in +this patch of water for years, the fish just jump at the bait," shouted +Phil with the true Isaac Walton enthusiasm. + +"I also got a couple of pickerel that were so foolish as to leap at my +bait, and have enough for dinner and some to take back to the camp with +us tonight." + +All were so eager to get at the business of fixing the boat, that they +hurried through lunch with extra speed. Then they sped through the woods +to the spot where the old canoe had been found. + +As Garry prepared to repair the boat, he began to laugh at something +that seemed to be amusing him greatly. + +"Let us in on the joke," asked Phil. "You are grinning there to yourself +like a Cheshire cat." + +"I was just thinking that either Barrows is a fool or takes us for +brainless idiots. The idea of telling us that there was nothing in the +camp with which a boat could be calked, and there are only some hundreds +of square miles in the state just full of the finest thing in the world. +Nothing more than the pitch on the pine trees all around us." + +"I noticed it this morning when the manager remarked about it, but +thought it just as well to keep my knowledge to myself," remarked Dick. + +"All right, then, you fellows set to work with your knives and dig a lot +of those pitch lumps off the trees and then start a fire and melt it in +your drinking cup. It will spoil the cup, but we can easily get another +one," directed Garry. + +The boys immediately set about doing his bidding, and as they worked, +Garry got out his knapsack and proceeded to rummage through it for the +linen cord and the shoemaker's wax. Having found them, he set to work to +wax the cord thoroughly, making it less likely to shrink. Next he +examined the broken rib of the canoe, and determined how much of the +birch branch he would need to repair it. He took his knife and shaved a +long diagonal slant on the piece of rib in the canoe, then matched the +slant on the piece of branch. Having fixed them so they would fit, he +took a piece of fishing line and wound it carefully around the joint, +starting several inches above where the two pieces joined, and +continuing for several inches onto the firm wood beyond the spot where +the repair was made. This is called "splicing." Most boys have spliced a +fishing pole or a broken bat in much the same way. + +The rib having been spliced, the next step was the patching of the hole. +Garry got the birch bark, and laid it over the gaping rent in the bottom +of the craft, and marked a line around so that it overlapped the hole by +about four inches. The extra bark was then trimmed away, and he was +ready to sew it on. He took the awl blade of his knife and punched a +series of holes around, piercing both the patch and the bark of the +canoe. Having done this, he called for the hot pitch and poured it on +around the edge of the hole. Then he firmly laid the patch on, and as +the pitch cooled it formed a sort of a natural mucilage. Garry had +previously waxed one end of the cord so that it would be easy to stick +it through the holes, and working swiftly he threaded the cord in. When +the job was completed, he reversed his steps, so that the result was a +firmly sewn patch. + +Nothing else remained to do but to daub hot pitch liberally over the +seam on both sides, and calk the edges where the patch was attached to +the craft. + +"There," said Garry, as he stepped back and proudly surveyed his +handiwork. "That's a craft that will be as seaworthy, or rather as +lakeworthy, if there is such a word, as one could want." + +"Um, let me see," mused Dick aloud, as he looked over the canoe. +"There's one other quite necessary thing to be done." + +"Well, smarty, what is there to be done," asked Garry a trifle hotly. + +"I was just wondering whether we would rig up a sail or have you a gas +engine in your knapsack with which to make this gallant ship navigate?" +asked Dick as he burst into laughter, in which he was joined, first by +Phil, and a bit later by Garry, when he saw that the joke was on him. + +"Phil, you're the handy man with the knife, what say to a couple of +paddles?" asked Garry after the laughter had subsided. + +"Have 'em for you in an hour. That's quick work, however, and I won't +promise you a very handsome product." + +"We won't bother about looks as long as they will propel the canoe +through the water. That remark of Dick's about the sail, although it was +intended to be humorous, isn't such a bad idea either, only there is no +way that I can think of right now to make a sail. We'll browse around +the camp when we get back and see if we can dig up a bit of canvas and +make one of those lateen sails, you know those triangular shaped affairs +such as the boats in the Mediterranean use," said Garry. + +While he was talking, Phil had already set to work to make a pair of +paddles. "Now you chaps watch me, and after I have fixed one with the +axe, or as much as one can do with an axe blade, I'll get to work with +the knife," he said. + +Phil selected spruce about five inches in diameter and felled it to the +ground. + +"I hate to spoil a perfectly good tree, but in this case certainly +necessity knows no law." + +He chopped off two sections a little over five feet in length, and then +proceeded to hew one swiftly into a board. This took some little time, +despite the fact that he worked at top speed every moment. His last work +with the axe was to fashion very crudely the handle. + +"Now I am going to whittle just the top and a place where the hand will +come in contact with the neck or shaft of the paddle. To try and smooth +it up would take too long, and all that really needs to be smooth are +the places where we will have to hold it. If it was left rough we would +soon accumulate a crop of blisters. While I am whittling, you chaps can +fashion that other section into form as I did." + +After he had whittled enough, Phil sprang to his feet and said, "If I am +not mistaken, I saw an old bottle near the remains of a campfire, and +that will be just what I want." He sped away to where he had seen the +vestiges of some fisherman's fire, and soon found what he required. He +smashed this against a stone, and with the fragments scraped the spots +he had whittled smooth and free from lumps. + +The second paddle was not long in the making, but the entire job had +taken well over three hours. "We have about three hours before it is +time to eat, and we might as well put our canoe to the test, and see if +it works," announced Dick. + +"Time to eat! Don't you ever think of anything but eating?" demanded +Garry. + +"Yes, sir; when I'm not thinking about time to eat, I'm thinking about +what to eat," responded Dick promptly. + +"Say, Phil, he's hopeless. What say we make for that outlet at the far +end of the lake. We might just as well do that as anything, since we +have no real plan of action. Then tomorrow we can make a complete tour +of the lake, and thus get a comprehensive idea of the whole body of +water." + +The canoe was launched, and the boys climbed in. Garry and Phil elected +to paddle, leaving Dick to sit in the middle. + +"If that patch will hold Dick up, you can be sure it's a good job, +Garry," laughed Phil, as they pushed off. + +"So that was why you chaps were so kind as to do all the paddling. I'm +to be the happy little subject of the experiment. Well, if I get a +ducking there is some consolation in the fact that you two will follow +suit," said Dick good naturedly. + +Garry had done a fine bit of work, however, and the craft proved to be +all that they hoped it would. They made it dance through the water and +were delighted to find that they could make much better speed than in +the ordinary wooden canoe. The only thing necessary, however, was to +keep perfectly quiet, as the balance of a bark craft is a much more +precarious thing than that of a solid factory made canoe. + +It took them but a short time to reach the outlet, and they beached +their boat and started on a tour down the stream, which was a shallow, +weedy affair. + +Their early scout training, and their need of vigilance during their +patrolling of the woods when on duty as fire rangers had made their +powers of observation especially keen, and it was second nature almost +for them to note signs of trail that would be unseen by one unversed in +the lore of the woods and forests. + +They had walked about a quarter of a mile, when Phil's exclamation made +them pause. + +"There's fresh trail there, or I'm no good at sign reading any more," +remarked Phil. The boys gazed at the ground and quickly saw that Phil +was right. + +With no wasted words, they turned and followed the slightly outlined +trail. It took only a few minutes for them to reach a crude log shack, +one that had evidently been constructed early that summer, as the fresh +cut logs showed. + +The door swung loose on crude rope hinges, and after debating a moment +they decided to enter: They found practically nothing in the way of +furniture. There were no bunks, but a pile of boughs had been thrown in +each corner, and a rough table had been built in a corner of the hut. On +this reposed several dirty tin dishes. The remains of the food were +still fresh, showing that someone had eaten there within the past day or +so. + +"That means that they are apt to be back at any time, and so we'd better +light out. It may be some camper and it may be some enemy. I am inclined +to think it the latter, for a camper would have taken some pains to make +things just a little bit more comfortable," said Garry. "I think, +however, we will plan to keep watch of this place and see who happens to +occupy it." + +"Well, I can tell you right now that it is someone from the logging +camp. One of those who are mixed up in the trouble there. Look under +that table on the floor!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +DICK DISAPPEARS + + +The others bent forward curiously and gazed at the floor. There, laying +in a little mess of debris, as though it had slipped from the pocket of +some one who had been sitting at the table, was the knife with Dick's +name on it, that he had bought of the sidewalk merchant in Bangor! + +"Isn't that conclusive proof that it's someone from the camp?" demanded +Dick as he rescued the knife. + +"It surely is, and they are up to no good. Why should anyone from the +cutting have a place over here? It's a signal for us to get out and get +out quick. There's one good thing, though, we can set the hermit to +watching over here and leave ourselves free to go about other business. +We'll pace out the distances and draw a rough map and leave it in the +tree postoffice so that the old fellow can come over here and keep +watch," said Garry. + +Being careful to leave no traces of having been in the cabin, they +hastened outside. They had hardly gone two feet, though, when Dick +darted back. He rejoined his companions almost instantly, and answered +their puzzled stare with this explanation: + +"I've just sacrificed my good knife. The thought came to me that one of +them, the man who found it, might have remembered dropping it there, and +would at once know that someone had been in the cabin if it was +missing." + +"Good headwork, Dick," said Garry approvingly. + +They took it on the run back to where their canoe was beached, and soon +were on their way back across the lake. + +"I wish that we had more time without fear of interruption," said Garry, +"for it is likely that the occupants of the cabin have a canoe hidden +somewhere along the bank of the lake. Safest thing now, however, is to +get back to the other side of the lake, where we have an excuse for +being." + +"I am afraid that there will be little use in watching that cabin, +however, for it is quite probable that Barrows will warn those who are +living there that we are swimming and fishing around the lake, and +advise them to seek a new hiding place," observed Phil. + +"That's a fact," answered Garry. "Still, there's no harm in trying. It +was only by extreme carefulness in watching for signs that we discovered +that trail. It was probably the one that the men use to get water, and +the cabin is well hidden. One would not stumble on it casually in a long +time." + +It was sundown by this time, and they held a council to decide whether +they would camp there for the night or go back to the lumber camp. They +were all anxious to visit the big lake, however, and so it was decided +to return. + +"After the camp is quiet we can skip out and visit our other objective," +said Garry. + +Taking their fish out of the water, where they had been placed to keep +fresh, they trekked towards home. It was about dark when they reached +the camp, and about the first person they met was Barrows. He was all +curiosity to know how they had spent the day, and they returned +equivocal answers, being careful to make no mention of the canoe which +they had carefully hidden before starting away from the lake. + +The manager admired the fish, and thanked the boys for offering them to +provide breakfast on the coming day. Pleading their strenuous walk and +day as an excuse, they retired early to the shack. + +Here a campaign was speedily decided on. Dick was to go back to the +office and chat for a few moments, while the others slipped out of camp. +This would make it appear that they were in the neighborhood, and after +a reasonable time, Dick could return and retire for the night. + +Dick wandered back to the office to engage the manager in a talk about +fishing and the possibility of a long hike to extend over a week or +more, while Garry and Phil made for the lake. + +The tote road that had been made to transport the sawed lumber ran for a +short distance along the lakeside. Here there was a slightly wider place +made so that the tractors that met each other could pass with ease. The +ground was here covered with broken branches and debris of all sorts, +well tramped into the ground. Garry flashed his lamp about and searched +for signs of any sort, but seemed to find none. Then he went to the lake +edge and peered about. + +Some peculiar formation of rock made a sort of a ledge that stood about +three feet above the water. This ledge interested Garry immensely, but +he said nothing as he wanted more time to puzzle out the situation +before coming to any definite conclusions. At the point where the tote +road had been widened, there was a triple string of broad wheeled flat +cars loaded with lumber. + +"Now I wonder why these cars were left here," asked Phil. + +"That's easy. The drivers knock off work at a regular hour, and when +that time comes, if they have not gone very far on their trip, they +simply come back to the camp and wait until morning. That is to prevent +accidents which running in the dark might bring about," said Garry. + +"Hush, what's that?" asked Phil. Both boys listened intently. Far off +across the lake they heard a faint chugging noise. Sometimes it seemed +to cease altogether, then as the breeze stirred they could hear it, +getting fainter and fainter. + +"Phil, I've discovered the secret of the stolen timber or I'm a +Chinaman. That noise solves the whole proposition. That sound that we +heard is the engine of a powerful motor boat. And Barrows insisted that +there was no kind of water transportation on either lake. Now why should +he lie about it unless he had some ulterior motive in covering up the +presence of a boat? This is the answer or I'll return from our mission +and tell Dad I'm not bright enough to solve the mystery." + +"What have you doped out," asked Phil, as Garry paused for a moment. + +"Just this. I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut that the drivers that +are in on this timber stealing business have it so arranged that there +is always a load of cars waiting here overnight. That's step number one. +Now we have a rock formation here that makes a perfectly good wharf. +Next you have noticed that all the chips and bits of broken branches +strewn between the turnout here and that strip of rock. That's just to +hide the footprints that are made by the thieves. So far so good. How +does this strike you? That motor boat that we heard is a big one, at +least it had immense pulling strength. I know enough about engines to +tell from the sound how good they are. That boat is probably used to +draw a raft across the lake. Just after midnight, or some safe time +during the dark hours, a raft can be backed against that natural wharf +there, and in half an hour enough lumber can be carried from the flat +cars to the raft to make it a profitable night's work. Why, the whole +thing is as plain as a pikestaff. Phil, we've got everything nearly dead +to rights now!" + +"What's the next step then, old timer? Shall we hike out and write, or +wire your father to come on so we can show him what's going on?" +questioned Phil. + +"Not yet a bit, there's still something else we must find out. Is this a +part of the treachery to ruin Dad's enterprise here, or is it a private +bit of work on the part of Barrows?" + +"How's this for a guess? The people that are behind Barrows, meaning +those that have bribed him to play false to the trust your father put in +him, may have outlined this whole scheme, and offered to give Barrows as +his pay what he can make off the stolen timber. At the rate that it has +been disappearing, one-fifth and one-quarter at a time, as the report +that Howells received would show, and at the price which lumber is +bringing today, that would be pretty good pay for one summer. Chances +are that the interests that are opposing Mr. Boone are paying all the +expenses. Their only idea is to put him out of business for breaking up +their combination and going into business on his own hook. If that's the +kind of men they are, I don't blame your father for getting out of the +combination." + +"I think you have the right idea, Phil. My, I wish we had our canoe over +here. We could paddle across the lake and investigate the other side and +see what is done with the timber once it is rafted over the water," said +Garry. + +"No use in wishing. Best thing we can do is hike for home and turn in. +Then tomorrow we can make arrangements to go on, say a three day hike. +We can portage the canoe across country, and hide out along the bank +until nightfall. The moon is in its last quarter now, and by night after +tomorrow it will be dark. We can paddle out well into the lake and wait +for what transpires. When we hear the raft and motor boat coming we can +paddle far enough to be unobserved and then follow it by sound. The boat +will probably travel without lights for two reasons. First, it is safe +enough as there is probably no other craft on the lake, and secondly, +they will not want to attract any undue attention. Then we can note the +spot where the raft docks, and in the morning can follow it to whatever +rail spur the stuff is taken. With what help Howells may be able to give +us on the outside, we ought to have the thing pretty well in hand. What +do you think of my suggestion?" asked Phil almost breathlessly, as he +concluded. + +"Phew, that's the longest speech I ever heard you make, Phil, but you +sure said something every minute. That's what we'll do. Now let's get +back." + +The whole occurrence had taken less than an hour and a half, and when +they reached the camp they noted that a light was still burning in the +manager's office. On arriving at their shack they were somewhat +surprised to find that Dick was not there. + +"He's doing a good job," laughed Garry. "Either he is really interested +in what Barrows has to say, or he is playing to give us time to do what +we wanted to. Well, he can stay there all night if he wants to, I'm +going to roll into my blanket and dream sweet dreams. Dick's a night +hawk anyway most of the time. Goodnight." And Garry yawned and soon was +fast asleep. Later development will show that it would have been wise on +the part of the boys to look in on the manager at that time. Had they +done so, their work would have been greatly simplified. However, they +were not mind readers and so days of trouble were in store for them. + +Morning came, and when Garry, always the first one to awake, tumbled out +of bed, he cast one look at Dick's bunk, and then rushing over to the +other side of the shack, vigorously shook Phil. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Phil in a startled voice, sitting upright +in his bunk. "Anything the trouble?" + +"That's what I cannot tell you right this minute, Phil, but Dick hasn't +been here all night!" + +Phil leaped out of his bunk and looked at the spot where their companion +usually slept. The blankets were still neatly in place, and it needed +only a glance to see that no one had used it that night. + +The boys hurried into their clothes and rushed to the office building +where Barrows and the camp officers slept. No one was stirring, and +Garry was about to pound on the door when he saw the cookee coming from +the cookhouse with a pail in each hand for the morning cooking water. + +Garry called to him and asked if he had seen Dick that morning. + +"Naw," was the grouchy answer. "Why should I have seen him? I don't know +anything about him." + +The sound of the voices awakened Barrows and he came and stuck his head +out of the window. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"Why, Dick hasn't been around all night, and we were looking for him. +Have you seen him since last night?" asked Garry. + +"I haven't seen him since the three of you went to your shack last +night!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE CIPHER + + +The boys were dumbfounded by Barrows' answer. + +"What's that you say?" demanded Garry. + +"I said I had not seen him since the three of you went to your shack +last night to turn in. Isn't that plain enough?" reiterated the manager. + +"Well, all we know is that just after we got to the shack, Dick left to +come back here and have a chat with you and get some information about +the country, as we had some little thought of taking a week's hike up +into the wild lands that lie to the northwest." + +"If he started for this office he never got here, for I sat up late +trying to straighten out the tangle that Howells left behind him. No one +came near the office all that time. Perhaps your chum has gone off on +some little private expedition." + +Garry was quick to notice that there was a malicious ring in the +manager's voice. At once the uncomfortable feeling overcame him that +their night's work had been discovered. Garry was at a loss what course +to pursue. He could make no accusation of any kind, for Dick might have +stumbled on some clue that took him off on the trail. + +"Well, you can understand that we are a little bit worried over the +matter, especially since this is strange country to Dick. He might have +wandered into the woods and got lost." Garry knew that this was next to +impossible, but he could think of nothing better to say at the moment. + +"My advice is that you wait a bit, and you will probably find that he is +all right. He'll very likely show up in a little while. I wouldn't +worry," said Barrows. + +There was nothing to do for the moment but take the manager's advice, +and the boys returned to the shack. + +"Phil, there's bad business afoot here somewhere. At such a time as +this, Dick would not have gone off to follow a clue without leaving us +some sort of a note or even a sign. He could leave a half a dozen +different signs that we all know to denote trouble. He hasn't taken +anything with him. His rifle is still there and so is his pack. If it +were some mission of danger that he had gone on he would at least have +taken his rifle. Now what shall we do?" + +"Let's give him till noon in case it was such a hurried matter that he +had not time to run back for his rifle. We might even wait until six +o'clock. You know we have always made it a rule that we should never be +gone more than twenty-four hours on a search without letting the others +know in some way that we are safe. Sundown tonight would not be exactly +twenty-four hours, but it would be near enough," advised Phil. Garry +agreed that this was sound advice and they went off to breakfast. They +found Barrows was almost through. + +"Why don't you fellows start out this morning and look for him? One of +you could go in one direction and one in the other. If you know anything +of the woods, you could soon find signs of him if he were wandering +about," suggested Barrows. + +Garry told him that they had decided to wait until nightfall before +getting really worried. At this the manager allowed a satisfied gleam to +show in his eyes. Both the boys were narrowly watching him, and noted +this. After breakfast they came back to the shack, and once safe inside, +Garry whispered to Phil: + +"Watch every move from now on. That business of Barrows telling us to go +in different directions on such a wild goose chase was entirely too +obvious. He wants us to get separated. Keep your rifle close by you +every minute, and tonight we'll establish a watch same as we have done +in the woods when there was danger near. First thing this morning is to +go to the spot where we agreed to leave notes for the hermit, and leave +a letter telling him what has happened and asking him to take a look at +the shack on the other side of Kanamo Lake." + +Hastily writing the note, and watching that they were not followed they +slipped out of the camp and ran to the appointed postoffice. + +Garry reached his hand in as a matter of course, and was surprised to +find that there was a note in the natural receptacle. + +He brought it out, and with Phil leaning over his shoulder, read it. It +contained a distinct shock for both. Here was what they read: + +"Attacked by men and letter to your father stolen. Hit on head and left +lying in road. Use all caution. The Bear is in the woods." + +The usual lone pine symbol was attached. + +"Well, we are discovered, Garry," said Phil. "Barrows must have had the +hermit followed and has read the letter. I wouldn't be a bit surprised +if he knew what we talked about last night. Question now is whether he +was instrumental in bringing about Dick's absence." + +"I am afraid that we have sort of made a mess of things, Phil. We +haven't given Barrows enough credit, or else we have been too sure of +ourselves. There is a good chance, however, and this note makes me think +it highly likely that Jean LeBlanc may have captured Dick again. You +know he seems determined to do him harm, even more so than us, for he +and Dick have tangled up three or four times now, and each time Dick has +managed to elude him and make more or less of a fool of him. This +naturally would make an even more implacable enemy of the vengeful +halfbreed. Let's get back to camp and wait awhile. We will pry about the +entire camp to see if there is any sign of Dick, and also we will be +safer for the time being. Don't think I am cowardly, only we want to +take no chances if we are to help Dick and at the same time complete our +mission here." + +They returned to the camp, and as they walked, Garry tore the hermit's +note into tiny, indistinguishable fragments, throwing each tiny particle +to the winds. + +The day dragged on, although they tried to make it pass quickly by +searching through the camp. Night came at last, and they turned in. +Before retiring they arranged for alternate watches, and also decided +that on the morrow they would insist that a message be sent for Mr. +Boone. The boys had almost decided that rather than allow Dick to fall +into greater danger by protracting the time of a systematic search, they +would tell what they had learned to Mr. Boone and let him force the +issue of the stolen timber. + +It was nearly eleven o'clock and Phil, who was on watch, was about to +wake Garry for his turn at sentry duty, when he heard a cautious +fumbling at the door, and the sound of a low malediction when the +intruder found that it was locked. There was silence for a moment, and +then Phil heard the sound of someone breathing heavily at the window. He +crept noiselessly to Garry's bunk, and holding his hand over his chum's +mouth lest he make a sudden noise, shook him awake. Garry was aroused in +an instant, and all sleep vanished. He knew from feeling Phil's hands +against his mouth that caution was needed. + +Having roused Garry, Phil crept back to the window just in time to hear +a faint swish. Instantly he knew that the intruder was cutting the +double thickness of heavy mosquito bar with a knife, and guided by the +sound, clubbed his rifle and brought it down with full force. There was +a howl of pain, and the sound of someone running away at top speed. + +"Must have clipped that chap either on the head or the hand," whispered +Phil. "Guess he won't be here again tonight." + +"Looks as though the war was on. You roll in and I'll watch for a couple +of hours now. Good thing we used our old trick of sentry work, or we +might be in a bad position right now," answered Garry. + +For another hour nothing happened. Then there was a pounding at the door +and Barrows' voice was heard calling the names of Garry and Phil. +Suspecting a trick, both boys reached for their rifles, and after +lighting a candle, Garry covered the door with his rifle while Phil +opened it. + +Barrows stepped in and seemed to be taken back by the sight of the rifle +leveled at his head. + +"Why the military greeting?" he asked with an attempt at good humor. + +"Taking no chances," answered Garry briefly, for he had a feeling that +it was almost time to tear the mask away. "We had one visitor here +tonight, and we didn't know what to expect." + +Garry explained his statement about the visitor by briefly telling of +the attempt that had been made to enter the cabin an hour previously. +Barrows passed this off by offering the suggestion that some of the +lumbermen were naturally ruffians, and might have wanted to commit +burglary. + +"What I woke you up for was to tell you that a man has come here with a +note that he refuses to deliver to anyone but you boys. He's at my +office now, and all he will say is that your friend Dick's safety +depends on obeying what is in the note. Of course I could have summoned +some of the men and had him overpowered, but thought you boys might like +to handle the matter for yourselves." + +The boys put on their shoes and coats, for they had gone to bed almost +fully dressed, and prepared to follow Barrows. + +"Careful now," whispered Garry, as he passed Phil. + +There seemed to be little need for caution, however, for they were +unmolested on their way. At the office they found an unkempt dirty +looking individual. + +"Be these the boys," he asked of Barrows, pointing a dirty finger at +Garry and Phil. + +"Yes, these are the ones. Now state your business and do it quick," +snapped Barrows. + +"This letter tells the hull story," answered the man in a hoarse voice, +and he handed a crumpled piece of paper to Garry. + +The leader of the Rangers took the note and read it in silence, then +handed it over to Phil. + +What they read was this: + + "Have been captured by Jean LeBlanc. Have been forced to write this + letter to you. LeBlanc wants a thousand dollars for my freedom. You + are either to bring it with you, or make arrangements for its + delivery at a spot known to the bearer of this letter. Warn you that + any attempt to molest bearer will result in serious injury or worse + to me. You know I would not ask this unless I were in grave peril. + Don't fail me. Follow bearer's directions. + + "Being emergency will ask ransom emphatically. + + "Dick Wallace." + +"That's Dick's writing, sure enough. He must have been tortured into +writing that letter, else he would never have done it," said Garry +between his teeth. "Now Barrows, the time has come for a showdown. What +do you know about this matter? Speak up, and speak up quick!" + +"What should I know about it. I don't know what's in the letter about +your friend," answered Barrows taken back by the tone of Garry's grim +voice. + +"How do you know it's about our friend?" demanded Garry quick as a +flash. + +"Why, the bearer here told me that it had to do with one of the three +boys who were staying here," answered Barrows weakly. + +"I think you're lying, Barrows, but I can't prove it. Here, read the +letter." + +He handed the crumpled note over to the manager, who took it and read it +in silence. Then he burst into a protest. + +"I never heard of this Jean LeBlanc. Why do you connect me with the +matter? I never even heard the name LeBlanc." + +"You had a Baptiste LeBlanc working for you until Howells insisted that +he be discharged, didn't you?" continued Garry implacably. + +"Why, there may have been a man of that name. I remember Howells +insisting that a man be discharged, but I never pay much attention to +the names of the lumberjacks, at least to their last names. I leave that +to the timekeeper and the section bosses. You misunderstand me entirely. +I am ready to give you all my help. What do you propose to do?" + +"First place I am going to start back with this man here and look into +the matter. Of course we have no money to take with us, but I am going +to be assured that Dick is safe. You will get the necessary ransom from +the bank at town, and thirty-six hours from now you will start with it +to some place where this man will appoint. We will be there at the time +with Dick. In the meantime telegraph my father to get here with all +speed. Now, Barrows, I'm putting this matter up to you. If you fail in +any way it will be so much the worse for you. I'm trusting you only +because I have to in an emergency. Don't fall down, or we'll make you +the sorriest man you could ever dream of being. Phil, keep these men +covered with your rifle until I go back and get our packs. Don't let +them stir out of your sight or move a finger." + +Garry concluded his words, and tearing a leaf from his notebook, wrote +hastily for several moments, then left the cabin. Barrows made as though +he would follow, but a menacing gesture from Phil made him keep his +seat. + +Once outside the cabin, Garry sped away into the woods like a deer. He +was extremely cautious with every step, however, lest a snag or root +trip him and disable him at this crucial moment. The note that he had +written contained explicit directions to the hermit to get word to Mr. +Boone by telegraph, and then see if he could pick up their trail and +follow them. He knew the old man was an expert at trailing, and Garry +wrote that he would leave signs on the way from the hollow tree +postoffice. + +The return to the camp was somewhat slower, for he stopped occasionally +to blaze an X in a tree, or dig a slight hole in the ground with his +toe. He wished that he had time to make a more distinct trail, but there +was the danger that a plain one might be noted by one of Barrows' aides, +and obliterated. He was trusting that the hermit could find it, versed +as he was in all the lore of the woods. + +Back at the office with his knapsack and that of Phil, he asked what had +transpired while he was gone. Phil told him that a meeting place had +been agreed on. + +"Now," said Garry sharply, "can you lead us where you came from in the +dark?" + +"Guess I can, came here in the dark," was the surly response of the +guide. + +"Then start travelling. Now, Barrows, first sign of any treachery from +anyone in the camp will mean that first I'll shoot this guide and second +anyone within range of my rifle. Now hike," this last remark being +addressed to the man. + +Out of the camp toward the northeast led the way, and as they walked +Indian file, they took every step as though it were a path strewn with +glass. Once outside the camp, having been bothered by no one, Garry +called a halt. + +Keeping a sharp eye on the guide, Garry whispered to Phil: + +"Notice anything funny about that note of Dick's?" + +"Not particularly, except that I took exceptional care to be sure that +it was Dick's writing," answered Phil. + +"Did you remember the last line?" he questioned further. + +"I think I could repeat it over by heart." + +"Then use your head and look for the very obvious code in the last six +words," said Garry. + +Phil repeated them aloud two or three times, then fell silent. Then he +gave vent to a low exclamation. + +"Why, it's as plain as the nose on your face. It's just the first +initials and they spell Beware!" + +"Exactly; that's step number one. Now the second thing is the note +itself. It was written on brown paper. Safe thing to write such a letter +on, anyone might have it in his possession. The queer part is that on +the shelf high over Barrows' desk was a bundle of report blanks wrapped +in the same identical kind of paper, only the wrapper was torn. I +couldn't think of any way to clear the office, but I bet I could have +matched this scrap to the torn place in the report!" + +"Then you think that Dick has been at the camp all the time?" queried +Phil half incredulously. + +"Don't think it, I'm sure of it." + +"What are we to do, then?" asked Phil. + +"I have that all doped out. We'll let this chap lead us a couple of +miles or so further on and then overpower him and tie him up and leave +him there while we double back and search the camp." + +Garry gave the order to march again, and they started on their way. Had +Garry been gifted with second sight, he would never have left the spot +where they had held the conference, for they had gone only a short +distance when the guide asked them to halt. + +"What's it worth to you fellows if I tell you all about this business? +You ain't going to meet your friend where I'm taking you; it was just to +get you away from the camp that I led you out here. But you can't make +me tell anything, or LeBlanc would kill me. But I'll take a chance for +money." + +This sudden development puzzled Garry. He did not know exactly what to +make of it, so he decided to temporize for a few minutes, and gain time +to think. + +"Where is LeBlanc now?" he asked. + +"Right there at the camp was where I last saw him." + +The answer was such a surprise that Garry's guard was lowered for a +moment, then there was a scurry and rush of feet, and a half a dozen +forms leaped out from behind the trees near them, and before either boy +could make a move with his rifle, they were in the hands of the enemy. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +DICK'S MISFORTUNE + + +Now what of Dick all this time? Let us go back to the night when Garry +and Phil had started for the Dutton Lake to see what could be found out +about the stolen timber. + +Barrows, of course, had not told the truth when he said that he had not +seen Dick after they had gone to their shack. + +He had come into the office as had been agreed upon, and engaged Barrows +in conversation about fishing. Barrows had chatted cordially for a brief +while, and then excused himself for a moment to give orders to one of +the section bosses whom he heard outside. + +Dick heard him give the order to work on the coming day, delivered in a +loud tone of voice, and almost instantly after the close of the +conversation he came into the office again. + +The conversation was picked up where they had left off, and they chatted +like old friends for nearly a half an hour. + +Finally, Dick heard the cookie calling for Barrows to come out a moment, +and Barrows obeyed the summons. Knowing that the cookie was suspected of +being in league with the traitors in the camp, Dick walked softly to the +door and tried to hear what was being said, but as they were several +feet from the entrance to the office, and speaking in the most cautious +whispers, he could distinguish nothing that was being said. Suddenly the +cookie darted away, and Barrows re-entered the cabin and stood leaning +against the door. + +"Speaking about fish," he remarked, looking malevolently at Dick, "they +are foolish things since they always take bait. Now did you three boys +take me for a fool entirely, and did you think that I would take any +bait that was offered me? I know every move you made since you have been +here, including your letter to Boone. Why, you poor, useless boy, I am +playing for too big stakes here to let a pack of mere children balk me. +Your work was clever if it had been against an ignorant man, but you're +done now." + +Dick's heart sank. He knew that a cog had slipped somewhere. They had +been too sure of themselves. Barrows kept on talking in the same strain +until Dick began to realize that he was merely talking against time. He +rose to his feet and prepared to make a dash for the door, but +realization came too late, for the door was thrown open and in stepped +the arch enemy of the boys, Jean LeBlanc. + +"So, mon ami, we meet again. This is a mos' pleasant meeting, but you +are not to escape so easily this time." + +There was hatred in the halfbreed's voice and in his eyes. Dick shivered +inwardly, although he let no sign of fear be shown in his face or +actions. + +"All the better to have you here this time, LeBlanc, you just walk into +our hands; and this time you will see the inside of a jail for sure," +said Dick boldly. + +LeBlanc's face darkened with rage. He made as though to reach for the +knife that hung in his belt, but Barrows stopped him. + +"That will do, LeBlanc, I'll handle this matter in my own way. Remember +you're working for me, and you do as I say or get out, and I'll find +another man for the job." + +Dick was astonished at the way LeBlanc subsided. Evidently Barrows was a +much braver man than they had given him credit for being; at any rate, +he seemed to be the absolute master of the halfbreed. + +"Yes, ma frien', you are the boss, but perhaps another time, when I am +not working for you, I will take care of this one. Now what we do with +him." + +"We will put him in the cellar under the storehouse for the present, +then when we have captured his friends, we will have them taken to +Misery Camp." + +"Taking the others will be an easy matter, will it not? We shall just +surround them like that and take them," and he snapped his fingers with +a derisive gesture. + +"That's just what we won't do. Why do you suppose I am going to the +trouble of all this secrecy for? If it had been merely a matter of +capturing them, it would have been done long ago. But they have been on +their guard most of the time, and this camp is full of lumberjacks that +worked for old man Boone. If they got wise to anything, they would have +me strung up to a tree in no time, and one of the worst riots in the +history of the lumber business would have been pulled off in this camp. +No, sir, I am saving my skin." + +"Why not get rid of those who would help them?" inquired Jean. + +"I am, just as fast as I can. Everything was all right till these boys +showed up to play amateur detective. Now we must make a grand cleanup +and work fast. Things are getting too hot." + +"I, Jean LeBlanc, am giving you warning. The bes' thing to do is to slip +a knife in a place where it would do the most good. Every time they have +cross my path, they have won, and Jean LeBlanc is not one who is easily +beaten in anything." + +"Bah, you make me tired, LeBlanc. They may have had a little luck and a +lot of help, or else you didn't know how to do your work. I'm here to +tell you that Gene Barrows will not be fooled." + +Dick had been sitting silently all this time, drinking in the +conversation of the two men. They seemed not to be noticing him, and in +a desperate attempt to make his escape, he darted for the door and +succeeded in getting outside. But his triumph was short lived, for he +had no more than attained the outside air, when he was seized by an iron +grip by two men, and hauled ignominiously back into the office. He saw +at once that his captors were LeBlanc's brother, Baptiste, and the +unknown chap who had been implicated with Baptiste in the attack on +Howells. + +Dick reddened with rage at the laughter of his enemies, and vowed to +himself that somehow, somewhere, he would pay them for their taunts. + +"Come, we are wasting time; the others may be back from their little +spying expedition at any moment. Grab him, you two," directed Barrows. +Baptiste and the unknown, whose name Dick later learned was Fearon, +seized him in no gentle grasp. One of them clasped a hard, dirty hand +over his mouth to prevent any outcry, and they walked him across the +camp to the storehouse. + +Barrows produced the key and threw open the door. Once inside, the door +was carefully closed, and Barrows produced a candle which he lighted. +Dick was searched and his knife and matches were taken away. + +Two heavy molasses barrels were rolled away, disclosing a trap in the +floor. This was raised and a rude ladder was seen to lead below. Dick +was mercilessly bundled down the hole, little care being taken as to +whether or not he broke his neck as he slipped down the damp ladder. + +Then he heard the clatter of the trap door as it fell, and he was left +alone in the dark. + +Once before Dick had been in a tight hole, and the lack of knife and +matches had almost been his undoing. Thereafter he had guarded against +this happening again. To this end he had contrived a secret pocket in +the lapel of his coat, where a knife always reposed. Also inside of the +sweatband of his hat were several matches rolled tightly in waterproof +silk. + +He got out the matches, and lighting one, looked about him. He surveyed +the room with a quick glance, for the matches were too precious to use +too many of them. His quick survey showed that the underground room was +bare of any furnishing; there was not even a blanket to sleep on. He +lighted a second match and inspected the floor, discovering that both +floor and walls were constructed of hand-hewed logs, and knew that it +would take a week to dig through them with nothing but a pocket knife +with which to work. + +The underground room was damp and musty, and Dick shivered. + +He wondered how long it would be before they took him out, and he began +to do calisthenics vigorously to restore some warmth to his already +chilled body. + +For a time he thought of crawling up the ladder and trying out his knife +on the trap door, but he had noted that it was of triple thickness of +inch boards and would probably blunt and dull his knife without making +any great impression. + +There was one hope that someone might come into the storehouse above and +he could rap on the door and let them know he was a prisoner there. + +After some moments of reflection, he decided that this would also be +unavailing, for the cook must also be one of the traitors. It was not +possible that he would be unaware of the secret room, and was in all +probability a member of the gang. + +Dick was a healthy boy, and soon his eyes grew drowsy with sleep. He +laid himself down on the hard floor, and as soon as his bones got +accustomed to the floor, dropped off to sleep, sensibly refusing to +worry and letting the morrow bring what it would. + +His last thought as he fell asleep was the hope that his companions +would not fall into a trap as he had, although he half expected that he +would be awakened any moment by the sound of the trap door opening, and +the entry of his chums as prisoners. + +But when he awoke in the morning, he found that he was still alone. He +unscrewed the cover of his watch face, and felt the hands, finding that +it was nearly eight o'clock. So far no one had come, and he wondered if +he was to be given anything to eat. Two weary hours dragged on, and then +the trap was opened, and a pack of food lowered to him, together with a +pail of coffee. He looked up and saw the cook and cookee peering down at +him. Evidently they were going to take no chances of a surprise on his +part, hence their coming in pairs. + +Dick called to them to ask when he was to be taken out, but they had +evidently been instructed to hold no words with him, for they quickly +lowered the trap and the barrels were again rolled into place. Dick's +last sight as the trap closed was the leering face of the cookee. He +managed to eat his food in the dark, and resolved to ask for a blanket +when next they came to bring him food. + +The day dragged as though on leaden feet, but no one appeared again. +Dick thought that dinner would be brought to him, but none came, and he +figured that perhaps there were too many watchers who would be +inquisitive if they saw cooked food being carried to the storehouse. +Perhaps Garry and Phil were on the watch. This gave Dick a thrill, for +if his thoughts were true it meant that they had not been trapped in any +way. + +Frequently he unscrewed the face of his watch and felt the hands to note +the time. He resolved that his first step when he got back to +civilization would be to buy a watch that had a radium dial so he could +tell time in the dark. + +Dick had no idea but that he would get out, for he was one whose courage +did not fail. Then, too, he trusted in the cleverness of his companions +to get him out of the scrape. + +He was squatting on the floor Hindu fashion, about eleven o'clock, +thinking that he would soon lie down and try to get some sleep, when the +trap was opened, and Barrows' voice bade him come up the ladder. + +He obeyed only too gladly, for the darkness and the chill of the cellar +were beginning to get his nerve. In the storehouse he found that Barrows +was accompanied by the LeBlanc brothers. This made any chance of a rough +and tumble fight with the manager and possible dash for freedom out of +the question. + +"Now there will be no fooling on your part, but you will sit down at +this case here and write a note to your friends telling them that you +have been captured by LeBlanc and are being held for ransom. That will +please them, eh, Jean?" + +LeBlanc gave a wolfish grin. "At least it make them hurry to rescue +their friend. They do not like me, those boys, any more than I like +them." + +"Suppose I refuse to write that note, what then?" demanded Dick. + +"Why, I think we will let LeBlanc handle that end of it," said Barrows. + +Jean LeBlanc's face wore a diabolic smile as he took from his mouth the +big-bowled pipe that he was smoking. + +"Once I saw an Indian torture a man to get from him a secret," he said. +"It was oh, so easy. All that he did was to thrust the man's fingers, +one by one, into the pipe bowl, and after the fifth finger, the man gave +in." + +Dick shuddered in spite of himself. He had heard of this Indian method +of torture, and knew that LeBlanc was not only capable of doing it, but +would take a fiendish pleasure in the operation. + +"Then if that fails, which I doubt, I give you warning that your chums +will be seized on some pretext and sent out seemingly to jail with +LeBlanc as their guard, and once away from the camp, will be given to +him to do as he pleases," said Barrows. "Now do you think you will write +that letter?" + +Dick had resolved on submitting to the torture before writing the +letter, but this last threat made him change his mind. He could afford +to take no chances with the safety, and perhaps the lives, of his chums, +by refusing to write. In the meantime his mind was busy trying to +conjure up some way of warning them that it was a trap. + +He took the scrap of paper that was offered to him, and began to write. +As the letter drew near its close, he hastily constructed the cryptogram +which our readers are already aware of. + +Barrows took the note and read it carefully, turning it over to see that +there was not other writing on the back, and scanning it for some sign +of warning. Dick was afraid that he would decipher the simple code, but +was relieved when Barrows crumpled the note to give it the appearance of +having been carried some few hours, and then put it in his pocket. + +He was ordered back into the cellar, and there was nothing to do but +obey. The trap was closed and he heard the rolling of barrels, then all +was still. + +Dick wondered what plot was in the wind, but was unable to puzzle it +out. He finally decided that it was only another private scheme of +Barrows to get money, and a thousand dollars would be a pretty good +haul. + +He gave up trying to solve the riddle, and lying on the floor stared +into the darkness. + +There was one chance in a thousand that one of them might come alone in +the morning to bring him food, and he resolved to climb up the ladder +the moment he heard footsteps above him, and with his pocket knife try +to fight his way to freedom. + +With this comforting thought, he dropped off to sleep. + +Following the writing of the note, Barrows slipped back to his office +and told LeBlanc to make one attempt to seize the boys, then if that +failed, they would use their ruse to attract them from the camp. + +How this attempt succeeded has already been told, and all LeBlanc got +for his pains was a smash on the hand where Phil's clubbed rifle had hit +him. + +He hastened back cursing, and told Barrows of the failure, and after +being upbraided was told to go to the rendezvous where the capture of +the boys was to be made. + +Barrows then went to the cookhouse, where the unkempt individual that +was to act as bearer was waiting, and gave him his final instructions. + +"Now," said the vindictive manager, "we shall see who wins, a pack of +mere children, or Gene Barrows!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +MISERY CAMP + + +Now let us return to Garry and Phil, whom we left struggling in the +hands of their captors. Only one voice did they recognize in the orders +that were given, but this was enough to let them know that they were in +the worst kind of trouble. It was the voice of LeBlanc. + +"Phil, that's LeBlanc's voice or I'm crazy," ejaculated Garry. + +"Absolutement, ma frien's. It is LeBlanc. Once again I have you, and I +think this time you do not go until we have settled several old scores +that I have mark up against you." + +As he spoke, several men took hold of the boys even more roughly, and in +a few moments their hands had been bound tightly behind their backs. + +LeBlanc gave the order to march, and the strange procession wended its +way through the woods. It was almost pitch dark, but they seemed to be +following a well defined trail, and the leader was sure of every step. +An unknown man grasped the arm of each boy and guided them so that they +would not bump into a tree, and at the same time prevented a chance of +escape. + +The boys took things philosophically, for there was nothing that could +be done with so many odds against them, and the darkness would have +hindered any chance of flight. They knew that they could not take more +than a dozen steps without smashing into the trees, and would soon be +captured. They resolved, the same train of thought running through the +minds of both of the captives, to wait for daylight before sizing +matters up. + +LeBlanc kept hurrying the men along, and they covered nearly a half a +dozen miles before a halt was called. Now the first flush of day was +appearing in the sky, and soon there would be light enough for them to +see in what manner of hands they had fallen. + +When dawn finally broke, both boys looked in amazement at the strange +figures that the light of day revealed. + +LeBlanc, of course, they recognized at once, and they had half expected +to see his brother. But all the others,--there were half a dozen not +counting the halfbreed,--were total strangers. The men were for the most +part large and swarthy, unkempt of hair and ragged as to clothes. Their +garments were torn and dirty, and here and there was a raggedly sewn +patch where the clothes threatened to give way entirely. + +They were taciturn men, and said little or nothing to each other, and +when they did, it was in a low tone. They paid absolutely no attention +to any order of LeBlanc, always turning to one of their number for +confirmation. + +This man, evidently the leader, was a perfect giant of a man. He stood, +so the boys judged, at least six feet four inches, and was +correspondingly large of frame. + +His face, what could be seen of it, for he wore a black, flowing, +tangled beard, was tanned by the sun, as one who lived entirely in the +open. His followers evidently respected, or at least feared him, for +whenever he gave an order, they sprang to do his bidding. + +Garry and Phil wondered who they were and what their business +was,--whether they were hunters or what. + +A fire was built and a meagre breakfast made. Phil and Garry were glad +of the food, for they were both hungry and tired. The eating done, +evident preparations were made to continue the march. Both boys were +cruelly tired. They had passed a strenuous day and night, and now they +wanted to sleep. But this was evidently not to be. + +They were slightly surprised also when they learned from the +conversation that LeBlanc was not to continue to the destination of the +others. + +"Now, King, you will take these boys to Misery Camp, and keep them until +you hear from those who have given you instructions. They will let you +know what to do, and you will be ver' careful not to let them make the +conge, to get away, for then you will have me, Jean LeBlanc, to deal +with." + +"I'll keep my bargain, fer the fact that I give my word, an' a King +allers keeps his word; but never think that I fear ye, Frenchman, fer I +fear no man livin'!" + +LeBlanc kept silence, and took his way back to the camp, while the weary +march forward was resumed. Short rests were given at long intervals and +the boys were thankful for the scant few minutes that were allowed. + +The men walked with the long swinging lope of the true woodsman, and +often the boys thought they would drop by the side of the road from +weariness. + +At noon a halt was called, and one of the men disappeared, to return +after several minutes with a half dozen grouse. The boys then knew +immediately that these men were outlaws of some sort, who paid no +attention to the law, for the close season was on all grouse and +pheasant. + +A fire was built and one of the men skinned the birds preparatory to +roasting them over the coals. Coffee was made and they were about to +drink it black, when Garry bethought himself of the sugar and condensed +milk in his knapsack. Thinking that a few favors on his part would +perhaps return to them later on, he offered it to the men. The boy's +hands were untied, and he rummaged through his pack until he found the +articles. + +The men took them without a word and used them. They divided the food +fairly with all present. + +Garry tried to engage the men in conversation, but all attempts failed. +The rest and the dinner occupied about an hour and then the march began +again. + +"See here," said Garry to the man addressed as King. "When are you going +to give us a decent rest? We're played out." + +"Well, you can be played out ef you want; you've got eight miles ahead +of you yet till we get to Misery Camp," answered King. + +"What is Misery Camp, and who are you fellows anyway?" again asked +Garry. + +"Misery Camp is where we live, and we fellows be squatters. Now shut up +and walk," and King relapsed into silence. + +Light instantly broke over the boys. They had often heard of the +squatters scattered over the woods of Maine, queer nomadic people, who +gleaned a precarious and lean living from the woods. Game and fish laws +meant nothing to them. Birds of all sorts were shot, and woe be unto the +deer that ran across the path of the squatter. Some little cultivation +was carried on, in the way of corn and potatoes. + +Wearily they trudged on. The last mile was almost agony to Phil and +Garry, but they clenched their teeth and carried on, determined if +possible to show no sign of weakening in front of these strange +creatures of the woods. + +At last Misery Camp was sighted. It was a patch of land that had been +cleared away, evidently the logs that were cut being used to make the +habitations of the squatters. A score of ragged children and some +slatternly women came out to meet them, looking curiously at the boys. +They were thrust into one of the cabins, and a guard established at the +door. + +The weary boys dropped on the rude pallets and fell asleep almost +instantly. So tired were they that it was the following morning before +they awoke. They stretched their arms and legs, and then tried to open +the door. The guard let them out, and warned them that any attempt at +flight would be followed immediately by a shot. + +"An' I ain't missed a squirrel in five year," boasted their guard, who +was a boy of about their own age. + +Privately the boys resolved to make an escape as soon as possible, but +not while the rifle of the guard was trained on them, for they doubted +neither his ability to shoot as well as he said he could, nor the fact +that he would not hesitate to do as he threatened. + +They looked over the clearing with some curiosity. It fitted its name +well, for misery seemed to be on every side. King, who appeared to be +that in fact as well as in name, called the boys to his own shack for +breakfast. Here they found that the squatter leader had opened their +knapsacks, and the contents were strewn over a rude table. + +Both boys jumped to see if their wireless 'phone had been broken by the +curious squatter, but were relieved to find that it had not been +touched. + +"What's that there contrivance?" asked King, pointing to the +radio-phone. + +"That's a wireless telephone," answered Garry. As he answered he had a +vision of a way out of their difficulty, but subsequent conversation +soon proved that they would not be able to put the plan into execution. + +"I seen a telephone onct," said the squatter, "but it had wires. You +don't mean that that thing will talk without a wire, do you?" + +"Yes it does. Would you like to have us set it up, and talk through it, +and have a message come through the air?" asked Garry, eagerly awaiting +the answer, for he thought that if he could get the wireless up he could +signal some way for help. + +"No, I don't. I don't believe that ye can talk through the air without a +wire, but ye might be able to an' I ain't agoin' to take no chances." + +The squatter did not seem interested in the contents of the knapsack +except for the little medicine case that Garry always carried. The boy +noted, too, that all the foodstuff was gone. + +"What be these things, medicine?" asked King. + +"Yes," answered Garry briefly. + +"Got anything that's good for chills and fever?" demanded the man. + +"Not that I know of; most of that stuff is for use in an accident. You +see it's mostly antiseptic and bandage and stuff," answered Garry. + +King picked up a bottle that was marked poison and had the familiar +skull and crossbones in red ink. + +"What's this stuff with the red printin'?" he questioned. + +"That's iodine; can't you read?" Phil broke into the conversation. + +"No, can't read, never went to school. What's it for?" + +"Why, it's to put on bad cuts so that you won't get blood poisoning, and +it's good if you strain your wrist or finger or something like that." +answered Garry. + +"Wall, you don't say so. Wonder if 'twould do this finger o' mine any +good? I hurt it the other day when I slipped near the brook where I was +getting water. It's my trigger finger too, and that's a bad one to have +hurt." + +Garry assured him that there was nothing better than the iodine and +offered to paint it for him. + +The squatter evidently decided that it could do no harm, and so Garry +inspected the swollen finger and liberally painted it. + +"That will help take the swelling out, and it will be all right in a +couple of days," said Garry, as he put the cork back in the bottle and +laid it on the table. + +Then he noticed that a ragged youngster about three years old had been +watching the process with wide open eyes. Inquiry developed that it was +the squatter's child, and it was evident that the youngster was the one +thing that the squatter king was really fond of. He told Garry and Phil +that the mother had died a year before, when they had been driven off a +timber tract by the lumbermen. Here the squatter launched into a tirade +against the lumber owners. + +The squatter idea is a peculiar one. They claim that the woods were made +for man to take as he found them and could not understand the right of +anyone to drive them out; yet they are responsible for great damage to +the woods. As, for instance, at this place, a couple of acres of fine +timber had been ruthlessly cut to make cabins for the nesters or +squatters, and to provide a place for the scanty crop of potatoes and +corn. Then too, many of the great forest fires are started by the +squatters. There is one case on record in Maine where the squatters set +fire to a whole mountain side, because they said that the blueberries +would grow better on the burned-over ground. + +Also the depredations against deer are numerous. Many a fine moose or +stag has been brought down to provide food for the nomads. + +The talk went back to the medicine again, and the squatter asked what +the skull meant on the bottle. + +"That's put on to warn you that it's poison," Garry informed him. + +The work of painting his finger seemed to mollify the old man somewhat, +and he drew a little out of his shell, and Garry, seeing the +opportunity, asked him why they had been brought there. + +The squatter then told them that LeBlanc had appeared on the scene a day +or two before and told them that unless they agreed to keep some boys +who would be brought there prisoners, they would be driven from the +clearing by the lumberjacks. The squatters knew what this meant, since +they had planted their corn for the summer, and moving meant that the +lumberjacks would burn down the cabins and start them away. They knew +from experience that it was useless to fight, for the enemy, so they +considered the lumberjacks, would outnumber them ten to one. + +Garry saw through the whole scheme and guessed that Barrows had known of +their presence at the clearing and had kept them in mind for some time +when he might require them to help in some of his schemes. + +The squatter king took his rifle and offered to show the boys where +their planting was done, and more for the sake of getting a little +exercise than for any especial desire to see the corn patch, they +agreed. + +The other squatters eyed them as they passed in company with old King, +but said nothing. Some of the youngsters started to follow, but a mere +threatening look was enough to set them scurrying away. + +"You seem to be the boss around here," remarked Garry. + +"Yes, I'm a King by name, and I aim to be king of these people so long +as I breathe," answered the man gravely; and Garry, looking at his +immense frame and stern eye, thought he had a good chance of continuing +in his royal capacity. + +They were looking at the corn patch with only a pretended interest, when +they heard a scream from King's cabin. + +"That's my baby," said King in a frightened tone. "Something's hurt +her!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +GARRY SAVES A LIFE + + +They rushed back to the cabin and a sight met their eyes that stunned +them all. + +The youngster with childish curiosity, had climbed up on the table and +captured the bottle of iodine. It was immediately evident that the child +had drunk some of the poison, for its lips were stained. There was no +telling how much the child had drunk, for the bottle had fallen to the +floor, spilling some of the liquid over the floor. + +The old man seized his child in his arms, and tears began to roll down +his cheeks. + +"Oh, she's going to die, she's going to die," he moaned. + +Garry's brain spun with thought. + +"Quick," he shouted to the old man. "There's one thing that will save +her. What did you do with that foodstuff you took out of the pack +there?" + +The sharpness of his tone startled the old man into activity. The words +of Garry that there was one way to save her galvanized him into action. + +"It's up there on the shelf back of you. Can ye save my baby? Hurry! +Save her an' there's nothin' on this earth I won't do for ye!" + +Garry had fortunately remembered that he had in his knapsack a package +of cornstarch that they had brought to make thickening for gravy in case +they did any cooking. Garry, and for that matter both of his chums, were +pastmasters in the art of first aid to the injured. They knew that the +antidote for iodine was cornstarch. + +Rushing to the shelf, Garry snatched the package and tore open the top. +His eyes fell on a can of mustard and he seized that. + +On the ground outside the door Garry had noted a campfire with an old +tin pail swung across it on a branch held up by forked sticks. Working +with the speed of an express train, he dashed through the door and +grabbed the pail of hot water. + +Back in the cabin, he took a tin cup from the table, and hastily melting +some of the mustard, made an emetic. This he gently forced the +frightened child to swallow. Soon the emetic had the desired effect, and +by this time Garry had moistened the cornstarch to the consistency of +cream. + +While the frightened squatter looked on helplessly, Garry fed the +cornstarch to the baby, who seemed instinctively to trust the boy, and +made little fuss over taking the pasty drink. + +Throughout the morning Garry, with almost the skill of a trained nurse, +watched the child's breathing and kept count of her pulse. As nothing +developed to show that the child was in any danger, Garry privately +formed the opinion that the iodine had not gotten much further than the +inside of her mouth, and that the burn of the poison had prevented her +from drinking any great quantity of it. Then, too, the stain on the +floor, where the liquid had sunk into the rough boards, was large enough +to denote that most of the contents of the small bottle were on the +floor and had not been swallowed by the child. + +As the youngster brightened up, the relief of the father was almost +pitiful to see. He grasped the hand of Garry and in broken, halting +words thanked him for saving the life of the baby. At the door was a +throng of curious squatters, and when they saw that the King baby was +going to live, gradually broke away and returned to their duties. All +this time Phil had stood by ready to lend a hand, in case Garry needed +assistance. + +"Boys," said the old man, "I've never broken my word before, but this is +one time that I'm going to. It will mean that we'll be driven off here, +but that can't be helped. You can go away whenever you want to. My +promise to that Frenchman ain't nothin' to me since you've saved my +baby." + +This was what Garry had hoped would happen. He did not want to trade the +baby's safety for freedom, but there was still Dick to consider. He +might be and probably was in grave danger at that moment, and it +behooved the boys to return as speedily as possible to the lumber camp +to set in motion the machinery to effect Dick's release, for they had +decided that Dick was probably a prisoner at the camp. Of course they +did not know of the hidden room under the storehouse, where, at that +moment, their friend was still languishing. + +"I'll make you a promise now," said Garry. "It happens that my father +owns this tract of land, and I'll give you my word that you will not be +forced to move from here for the rest of the summer. Of course the +logging will soon extend in this direction and you will be forced off, +but until that happens you can stay here unmolested. Now we're going +back to start a young war at the camp, and release a chum of ours who is +held prisoner there." + +"You better stay here for awhile, for part of the word of the Frenchman +was that another boy would be brought here to be kept. Now if you boys +stay here and pretend to be prisoners when LeBlanc comes with your +friend, you can wait till he goes and then all be freed together. In +case there's any trouble comes, I guess my men and I can take care of +it." + +"That's fine," said Garry. "I don't think there's anything better that +can be done. When did you expect LeBlanc to come with the other boy?" + +"The Frenchman was aiming to get back here by tomorrow night," replied +King. "He'd have to start in the night time, which will probably be +tonight, and get here some time tomorrow afternoon." + +"How will LeBlanc be able to find his way in the dark?" asked Garry. + +"I left one of my men behind to meet him and guide him," answered the +old man. Then a thought struck him, and he asked: + +"What are you all such powerful enemies for?" + +Garry then told him some of the adventures that they had encountered, +and the part that the halfbreed had played in them. When he came to the +tale of how LeBlanc had kidnapped little Patty Graham, the old man's +eyes flashed fire. + +"He's a treacherous weazel, that halfbreed. I don't mind some of the +other things he did, but any man that will steal a person's baby ought +to be cut into pieces. I'll tell you that. When he comes here with your +friend, we'll just tie him up and keep him here and you can do what you +want to with him." + +This seemed like a stroke of real luck for the boys. It would mean +LeBlanc would be safely held until time for them to have him taken to +prison to pay the much deserved penalty for his crimes, and at the same +time would rid them of a dangerous enemy, as well as lessening by one +the allies of the rascally Barrows. + +The rest of the day passed quickly, and they told the squatter king many +of the things of the outside world. He had heard little or nothing of +the great cities, and had never seen a moving picture nor ridden in a +railroad train. But he knew the woods as few men do, except perhaps the +Hermit, although there was no comparison between this giant of the +woods, who could neither read nor write, and the old recluse, who was +eternally surprising the boys with a quotation from some poet, or a +snatch of Latin. + +"Now, Phil," said Garry, when they were left alone for awhile by the +squatter, "let's plan a war campaign. As soon as Dick gets here, we will +let him have a good rest, and then hike for the camp. We'll make it to +get to the small lake without anyone seeing us, and there we'll get the +canoe and portage it through the woods to the other lake. There we can +hide out and get the dope on the timber thieves. Once we have done that, +we have only to draw in the strings, and we'll have the whole job done." + +Phil assented to this as the wisest course to follow, and night coming +on, they turned in. The squatter had insisted on giving up his own cabin +to them, which although poor and bare, was the best one on the clearing. + +They whiled away the next day waiting the arrival of Dick, and hoping +that no change would be made in the plans of Barrows to prevent Dick's +being sent to Misery Camp. + +It was late afternoon when a man whom the squatter king had sent into +the woods to act as lookout came running back. + +"He's got a young fellow with him," he told the squatter leader. + +"Is it the Frenchman?" demanded the old man. + +"Yes, it's a Frenchman, but," and here the boys met with a +disappointment. "It's not the one that came the other time, but a fellow +that looks like him." + +"Tough luck; that's Baptiste, not Jean. Look King, I've changed my mind +about having him captured. Let him go back and let the camp think that +we are held prisoners safely here. That will allow us to work with +greater freedom. Now we'll duck under cover and you meet the halfbreed +and bring Dick here." + +"Just as you say," said the old man. "All you have to do around here +from now on is to say the word, and everyone in Misery will do just as +you order. I will, and I'll see to it that the others toe the line." + +"Funny he don't come," muttered Garry. + +"Oh, he won't be here for a time yet," said the chap who had brought the +warning. "I was in a tree top, and could see way down to a clearing, and +saw them there taking a rest. Ain't nobody on the clearin' here that can +run as fast as I can, and I came quicker than ever to tell you about +it." + +"Had we better let Baptiste see us so that he will know we are still +here, Garry?" asked Phil. + +"That's a good suggestion. Suppose you station a guard with a rifle +outside the door, King, and let Baptiste have a peek at us when he gets +here," directed Garry turning to the squatter. + +"That's what I'll do. Here you, Job," turning to the youth who had +brought news of the coming of Baptiste and Dick. "You take your stand +outside there like as if you were guardin't the door. Now I'll get out +o' here and meet them." + +The squatter king hastened out, while Job stood before the shack door +with his rifle clutched in his hands. Garry and Phil, with some +excitement, waited the coming of Dick. + +In a few moments they heard someone approaching, and King threw open the +door. "Here's your friend," he whispered, and thrust someone in. +Bewilderment spread over the faces of the boys. + +It was not Dick who entered the cabin, but Art Howells! + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A GOOD DEED REWARDED + + +The dumbfounded boys could only stare at Howells. + +"Where did you come from and where is Dick?" cried Garry, when he had +recovered his voice sufficiently to speak. + +"If you will untie my hands first, I will feel better and be able to +think. My wrists are all raw from trying to work the ropes off, but the +man that tied me up knew his business too well," said Howells. + +Since the boys' belongings had been restored them by King, they had +their knives, and it was a small matter to cut the bonds. + +"Now what do you mean by Dick being with me?" asked Howells. + +"Why, Dick has been a prisoner at the camp, and we were given to +understand that he was to be brought here to join us. We were prisoners +here ourselves; fell into a foolish trap because we were too sure of +ourselves. Fortunately, because of a good turn that we were able to do, +we have been set free by the squatter chief," answered Garry. + +"What do you mean free, with an armed guard outside the door?" demanded +Art. "I should say you were pretty closely kept in confinement." + +"That is only a ruse so the suspicion of whoever brought any prisoner +here would not be raised. As soon as he goes we will be free to do what +we please. Now how did you come to be captured?" went on Garry. + +"Oh, I made a fool blunder too. I wanted to see you chaps to tell you +that a lot of lumber was being shipped from a place called Harrison. +It's about five miles away from Dutton Lake, so that seems to show that +the lake figures in the stealing of the timber. I crawled into camp one +night and went to your shack, and walked in expecting to find you +sleeping there. Instead I ran right into the arms of a couple of huskies +who had me overpowered before I knew what was going on. I found out in a +few minutes that the pair were LeBlanc and that precious scoundrel that +tried to do me up that night you chaps appeared so providentially on the +scene." + +"Did Barrows say anything about what had been going on in the camp, or +drop any word that would give us a hint as to his plans?" put in Phil. + +"No, he was very closemouthed. There was a swarthy chap with him, who +from your description I take to be Jean LeBlanc. All that was said was +that I should be taken to a place called Misery Camp. From the looks of +this place I judge that is where I am now. What have you run into, a +squatter camp?" + +"Yes, you've hit the nail on the head." + +Garry was about to speak further, when the door opened and the squatter +chief came in. + +"That fellow is gone, and you kin come out any time you want," was the +welcome news that he brought. The three followed him into the sunlight +and then decided that a start should be made for the lumber camp at +once. + +"That is, unless you are too tired to start now, Art," said Garry. + +"Oh, I'm feeling fit as a fiddle. I don't know that I'd care to walk all +the way back, but we can save time by going part of the way," remarked +Art cheerfully. + +The packs were brought out and soon all was ready for the return trip. +They were surprised at the appearance of King with his rifle, and feared +for a moment that he had thought better of allowing them to go and was +going to make them prisoners again. + +"Just decided that I'll go with you fellows. If there's goin't to be +fightin', and I think there is, I want to be in it. Besides, you won't +be safe wanderin' around through strange country alone. I'll see that +you get where you want to go in safety, and mebbe you'll find that a +little bit of extra help won't come in amiss? Do you want me to come?" +concluded King. + +The light of battle was in the old man's eyes, and Garry at once decided +that he might prove a valuable ally in case trouble arose and welcomed +him to come with them. + +"We'll take a little different way back, so we won't be liable to run +into any of that gang from the camp. We'll go until you fellows get +tired, then eat, and you can roll in while I watch for you." + +This was what they wanted to do, and so they agreed to follow his advice +entirely on the return trip. + +"What about some of the men coming to your place to see if we are all +right, or if they bring Dick with them, what then?" questioned Garry. + +"In case any o' them come here from now on, they'll get a treat they +won't like. I told my men to seize anyone who came, and if the fat boy +comes, he is to be guided to a place where me and my men know, and then +he can join us," answered King. + +The squatter seemed to have covered everything necessary, and off +started the quartet. King led them on a roundabout trail, and they +walked until darkness fell, when Howells declared that he would like to +rest. + +For fear of possible detection by some prowler from the camp, no fire +was built, and a cold bite was eaten. King refused to let any of the +others do any work, and himself gathered enough boughs for them all to +sleep on. Garry insisted that when King had watched for a while, he +waken either himself or Phil, and they could provide a relief for a +while. King protested that he was able to watch the entire night, but +Garry reminded him that on the coming day there might be strenuous work, +and he would not want to be handicapped by fatigue. This finally made +the old man agree to waken Garry at midnight and let him stand a watch. + +True to his word, King shook Garry about midnight. + +"Don't believe there's any real need o' watchin', everything been quiet +so far; but there's nothin' like bein' on the safe side." + +Garry looked to see that his rifle was loaded and ready, then took a +seat under a tree where he could be comfortable and yet hear anything. +King laid down on the ground, scorning the boughs, and was fast asleep +in a moment. + +After about two hours Garry began to feel drowsy, and rather than run +the risk of dropping off to sleep, he woke Phil, who had had a good +sleep and was able to stand sentry for the rest of the night. + +After they had eaten in the morning, the old man asked what the next +step was. + +Garry had been thinking it over as they ate, and so he asked King if he +knew the region around Kanamo Lake. King answered that he knew every +inch of the territory in that part of the state, and so it was decided +that he lead them by a roundabout route to the lake shore. Here they +could hide out in a safe place, and after dark could portage the canoe +across the timberland to Dutton Lake. Garry was determined to try and +catch the thieves at work that night. Then plans could be made for a +raid on the camp and the rescue of Dick could be effected. + +It was almost nightfall when they reached the lake shore, and they +thought best to turn in for a while before making for the spot where +they had concealed the canoe. + + * * * * * + +To return now to Dick, who had been left all this time in the cellar. +Food was brought to him on occasion, but always by two or three in +company, and he had no opportunity of trying to fight his way from the +cellar. Once when the cook and cookee came, he attempted to bribe them +to let him escape, but they turned a deaf ear to his words. + +Back at the office, Barrows was having a council with his henchmen. +These consisted of the two LeBlancs, the cookee and the boss sawyer. + +"Things are beginning to get too brisk here, so we'll make a good +cleanup and light out," said Barrows. "I didn't expect when we started +this thing that there would be all the trouble that has since come upon +us. We've all done enough now to land us in prison, what with this +kidnapping and everything. Catching Howells around here was what has +made me suspicious. There's no telling what he has done on the outside. +He may have written to Boone and told him what was going on, and that +would sure spill the beans, for Boone would probably order me off the +place and give me my walking papers. Then we would be all done. What I +propose is this: We have already cut a good bit of timber and that has +been sawed, thanks to the saw I had hidden in the storehouse. We would +have wasted time, as usual, waiting for another, but this suits my ends +better. All this timber has been left on the tote road, and tonight +we'll make a number of trips and clean it up. Tomorrow night we'll make +a grand cleanup and then fire the sawmill and wreck the machinery and +light out. By the time they have things ready to fix up, Boone will be +too late to keep his contracts and my work will have been done," Barrows +concluded as he rubbed his hands in evil satisfaction over his +treachery. + +"And the boys?" inquired Jean LeBlanc softly. + +"I know what's on your mind, LeBlanc. Ugh, I'd hate to have you for an +enemy. I suppose you want to stick a knife in them and put them out of +the way." + +"That would be safest. They know too much," answered the halfbreed. + +"Well, I have a better plan than that. You remember we wrote a letter to +decoy them away and mentioned a ransom. What's to prevent us from really +getting one from old man Boone? We could stick him up for a big sum, and +that would be clear profit aside from what the Carson people are paying +us. King will keep them till we arrange things and then we could free +them. After that, LeBlanc, you can do what you like; it will be out of +my hands then. Now we'll start for the lake. Will the boat be there at +the usual time?" and he turned to the boss sawyer. + +"Usual time," laconically answered the man. + +The door was thrown open, and a man walked into the room. + +"So it's the Carson people that are back of you this time, eh, Barrows? +Guess I got here just in time!" + +The men gasped in amazement, for there stood "Moose" Boone. + +In the face of this crisis, the only one to keep his head was LeBlanc. + +"Seize him," he whispered sibilantly to his brother, in French. + +Before Mr. Boone could make a move, he was grabbed by the powerful +brothers. One of them clasped a hand over his mouth, and without a word, +as though they had practiced for this very moment, Jean snatched a +soiled bandanna from his pocket, and in another minute Mr. Boone was +effectually gagged. + +Barrows also had sprung into action. Rummaging around under the pine +table that served as a desk, he brought forth a length of rope, and soon +Boone was tightly bound. + +"Carry him over to the storehouse. Don't put him in the cellar. This +makes things better. We can keep him prisoner for several days and clean +up. Lively now," ordered Barrows. + +"Moose" Boone was carried to the storehouse and unceremoniously dumped. +He lay on the floor thinking how foolish he had been to come alone to a +camp where he knew there was treachery afoot, but now it was too late to +cry over spilled milk. He wondered where the boys were, since he had +seen no sign of them about the camp. + +His reason for coming was the note that Garry had sent him, and which +the hermit had succeeded in having posted. + +He twisted around several times in an effort to relieve the pain in his +arms and feet from lying tied on the hard floor. + +Nearly two hours passed, and then the door was softly unlocked and +opened. In stepped the cook. Mr. Boone wondered what was to happen now, +and he received the surprise of his life when the cook fished out his +knife and proceeded to cut the bonds that bound him. + +"Have you come to the conclusion that this was a fool thing to do? I am +thankful, of course, and will see that you are let go when the rest of +this gang is rounded up," said Boone. + +The cook did not speak until he had cut the bonds. + +"First, Mr. Boone, I'll tell you something and then I'll show you +someone. I don't suppose you will remember a cold spring day nearly +twenty-five years ago on the Umculcos, when you risked your own life to +save a lumberjack that was trying to ride a log and fell into the river +with the logs crushing down about him?" + +Boone's mind travelled swiftly back to the day, although he had not +given it a thought for years. + +"Yes, I remember pulling a man out, and then falling sick from the cold, +and when I got well the man I had pulled out was gone," he answered. + +"Well, I was the man you pulled out. I left the camp because I was only +a fool young fellow and they made so much fun of me for falling in that +I picked up and got out. I never knew you were the man until I saw you +tonight and hitched your name up with the man who saved me. Now I'll +show you something like I promised." + +He rolled the barrels away and raised the trap. "Come up," he called +into the darkness. + +Dick awoke from a troubled sleep and painfully crawled up the ladder. It +took a few moments for his eyes to get accustomed to the light, and then +he looked as though he saw a ghost. + +"Uncle," he almost shouted, for so it was that he always addressed Mr. +Boone. + +They clasped hands with a hearty good will and were about to exchange +notes when the door was thrown open and Barrows and the two LeBlancs +entered. + +Each held a revolver with a steady hand. + +"So, cook, you've turned traitor, have you? Well, it just makes another +prisoner. Now Boone, it's no use trying to do anything. Most of the men +in the camp are in my pay, and just to be sure that we clean up tonight +and tomorrow night as we had planned, we have seized all the men we are +not sure of and have them herded in the bunkhouse and under heavy guard. +This time we'll succeed!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE CAPTURE + + +We left Garry, Phil and Howells with the squatter king on the lake shore +waiting for darkness. When it fell, they retrieved the canoe from its +hiding place and started across the timberland to Dutton Lake. The trip +occupied nearly three hours, although they made excellent speed. + +The faint light of the stars pierced the blackness of the forest, so +they did not have to stumble along, although the greatest of caution was +exercised every moment. + +They reached the lake without encountering a person, and then launched +the canoe. They did not dare trust the weight of the four to the frail +craft, and so it was planned that King and Phil should remain behind, +while Art and Garry paddled out into the lake. They did not have to wait +a great while until the chugging of the powerful engine in the motor +boat was heard. + +Paddling with the noiseless stroke of the Indians, they followed after a +reasonable time had elapsed. They had taken only a few strokes when Art +whispered: + +"Here, we're going at this thing wrong. When that raft is loaded and +starts back across the water, it will make too much speed for us to +follow. Suppose we start now for the other side of the lake. Then we can +lie off shore and wait for its arrival and see who meets the raft to +unload it. That will complete your evidence, and we'll duck out for the +camp and somehow get hold of Dick. What say?" + +Without a word, Garry, who was paddling stern, gave his paddle a twist +and the canoe turned in its course. They reached the other side and then +lay off shore as agreed, giving the paddles an occasional twist to keep +the canoe from drifting, for a gentle breeze was stirring the lake. + +After a long wait they heard the approach of the motor boat, which, as +was customary, was running without lights. Far down the shore they saw a +light appear as though some one were flashing a lamp. It was probably to +guide the boat to its destination in the darkness. When the boat reached +its objective point, they paddled noiselessly to within a few feet of +it, and beached the canoe. Walking with the stealth of Indians, they +came close to where the boat was being unloaded. + +"By jove, I know that voice," whispered Garry, as he heard a man ask: + +"So this is how the trick is done? Pretty clever, I call it. Steal the +timber and then raft it across to where you have your trucks waiting and +hustle it to the railroad spur. Mighty good work on the part of Barrows. + +"That's Carson himself; used to be associated with Father," whispered +Garry. He and Howells were hiding back of a tree, well away from danger +of being seen. At that moment Carson struck a match to light his pipe. + +"Get a good look at him, we will want to identify him in court if +necessary," said Garry. Howells nudged him to make him understand that +he had done so. + +"Now wait here," whispered Garry. Howells watched in amazement as Garry +crept to the water's edge and noiselessly waded in. He made no sound as +he swam. When he came back, dripping wet, Howells wanted to ask a score +of questions, but forebore for fear of being heard. + +He was about to come closer and whisper, when a form crept up to them +and a low voice said: + +"So we meet again." + +It was Baptiste LeBlanc. The Frenchman then lifted his voice and called +for the others. But he did not get very far. Howells struck with all his +strength and his hard knuckles took the halfbreed on the point of the +jaw. LeBlanc dropped like a stone. + +"Come, Garry, this way quick," called Art. There was no need of +whispering now, for the men who had been unloading had heard the alarm +and there was the sound of rushing feet. + +"Into the canoe, Art. They can't follow us," said Garry. + +Howells had intended a dash into the woods, where there was less +likelihood of being caught, but he obeyed Garry, knowing that he had +some plan in view. They pushed the canoe into the water, springing into +it as they did. It was lucky that Howells was an experienced canoeist, +else the frail boat would have been overturned. As it was, they got a +good start, and in a moment were bending to their paddles with all their +might and strength. + +"What's to stop them following us in the motor boat? We should have +taken to the woods," remonstrated Art. + +"Faster, I'll tell you later," answered Garry breathlessly. At that +minute they heard loud imprecations from the shore. + +By this time they were well away from shore and out of danger of a +possible shot. + +Garry began to laugh. + +"No wonder they are shouting and cursing there. I swam to the boat that +time I left you and cut the wires on the engine; and to be sure, I took +out the spark plugs, and have them in my pocket. It will be some time +before they get that boat into condition to chase us!" + +"Good boy," said Art admiringly. + +The return across the lake was without eventful occurrence, however, for +with them was the hermit. + +Garry greeted him warmly. "What news?" he asked. + +"I fear I am the bearer of bad news," said the hermit. + +"Your father has come to the camp and been caught, so I judge from what +I heard said by two men a while ago as I lay close to the road that +leads here. Also many of the lumberjacks are kept captive in one of the +shacks, and a heavy guard has been set over them. I think we had better +go for help; we can't battle them alone, our numbers are too few." + +Garry was for going at once to the rescue of his father, but the others +restrained him. + +"We can't do anything there, and we can be of great help on the outside. +There is a sheriff in town, and we can get word to him, and have him +round up a posse sufficiently large to capture the whole outfit," +advised Art. + +Reluctantly Garry agreed that this was the wisest thing to do. + +"King, guide us around so that we can avoid the camp, but get to the +road that leads to town. We'll get a posse and give them a battle," +directed Garry. + +Without a word, King led the way, and the others followed. + + * * * * * + +In the meantime, Mr. Boone and Dick had been led from the storehouse and +taken to the bunkhouse, where the rest of the prisoners were. + +There were shouts of welcome when some of the old woodsmen saw Mr. +Boone. Although he was the owner of the timber tract, and their +employer, they hailed him as "Moose" and shook his hand energetically. + +"By gosh. I'm ashamed to look you in the face, Moose," cried one of the +lumberjacks. "To think we let a bunch like that crowd outside there put +it over on us; men that have fought with rifle and peavy stick when some +crowd tried to steal the river from us. Gosh, if we had a few axes and +peavy sticks now we could get out there and make that bunch look sick, +but all have rifles and revolvers. Barrows must've had a regular armory +with him." + +They were still talking and trying without success to puzzle a way out +of their predicament, when Dick gave a shout of joy. + +"There's my knapsack. That lets me see light right now!" + +The men looked at him in astonishment. How a mere knapsack could help +them was not to be understood. + +"That was chucked in here by one of the men yesterday, before we were +captured. He saw it in the shack, and remembering it belonged to one of +you, took it for safe keeping. It was Tom there, who brought it." + +Tom was the man who had taken them on the coon hunt, and one they had +been suspicious of, but here he was with the loyal men. + +Dick hurriedly opened the knapsack. Yes, there it was, safe and sound, +the wireless outfit! + +"Now one of you fellows get up there and dig a hole in the roof; it only +need be a small one, that I can slide this aerial up through. It ought +not to take more than an hour." + +"We haven't any knife," said one of the men. "They took away all our +knives and matches from us." + +Dick secured his knife from its secret pocket in the lapel, and handed +it to one of the men. + +"One of you set to work, and the others keep talking so that the guards +outside will not become suspicious and look in here." + +"Are you going to try something with the radio-phone," asked Mr. Boone, +who was the only one who grasped what Dick's intentions were. + +"Yes; it's our only chance. I happened to notice that there were two +aerials over houses in the last town we passed through before coming to +the camp, and I saw some radio apparatus in a store window, so evidently +some one there has an outfit. Fortunately I have the receiving apparatus +here as well as a sender, and we can find out if my message is received +by anyone." + +As he talked, he adjusted the apparatus, ready to send his plea for help +through space and hope that someone would be listening in. + +"Hurry!" he called to the man who was boring through the board roof with +the knife. "It's almost time for the usual radio broadcasting stations +to stop sending, and I want to get someone while they are still +listening in, just as the broadcasting station closes." + +"There, guess that's all right, unless you want it a little bigger," +said the man who had been working. + +Dick looked up at the hole and saw that it would do all right. + +Most of the men were frankly incredulous. The thought of talking through +a 'phone that had no wires was a riddle to them, as few or none of them +knew anything about radio. + +One of them suggested that instead of wasting time with such a "fool +contrivance," they try to tear away the boards from the roof and take a +chance on overpowering the guards. This was discouraged by the others +who, though they were by no means cowardly, knew it would be foolhardy +to face guns with only their bare hands. + +"Let's give the boy a chance with his infernal machine first," advised a +grizzled old lumberjack. "Then if it don't work, we can try something +else." + +Dick adjusted the aerial, and then tuning up, got ready to talk into the +transmitter. + +"Some of you men keep talking over there by the door, and the rest of +you get near the windows and block anyone from seeing in. Don't talk too +loud, just enough to cover my voice." + +For nearly ten minutes Dick repeated over and over again: + +"S. O. S. Send a sheriff with large posse to Boone's camp. Owner and +some of men held prisoners. Answer if you get message." + +Then there was a crackling sound in the receivers that were clasped to +his head, and with a thrill he knew that someone was trying to get him. + +He adjusted the tuning apparatus with trembling fingers. The voice still +sputtered and crackled. Finally he got the right wave length, and heard +a welcome voice. + +"Hello, are you sending help call?" + +"Yes," almost shouted Dick. "Who are you?" + +"Brown talking. My father is sheriff. Are you in earnest?" + +"Yes, surely. Hurry posse on way. You'll need thirty or forty men. We +are held prisoners in bunkhouse here. Captors are all armed. Be careful. +This is last call; act quick, as I'm going to pack up radio for fear I +will be discovered and apparatus broken. Goodnight." + +"Going for Dad now, goodnight," came the voice. There was a sputter, +then silence. + +Dick turned to the men, his face gleaming with pleasure. + +"There will be a posse on the way in a short time. The radio worked," he +announced. + +The little group of men burst into a cheer and were silenced only by the +threat of the guards outside to come in and make them stop. + +Feeling that they had done all that could be done, they prepared to turn +in and wait the coming of the morn with its posse headed by Sheriff +Brown. + +The men rolled in, but Dick was too excited to sleep, and he told Mr. +Boone, in a low tone, of all that had transpired since they had reached +the camp. Of course he was unable to tell of the way in which the timber +was stolen, as he had not seen his chums when they returned from their +expedition that night he was captured. + +Mr. Boone was silent for some few minutes after Dick had concluded his +talk. He was worried about Garry and Phil, and Dick, noting his silence, +asked him what the trouble was. + +When he found the reason for Mr. Boone's worry, he endeavored to cheer +him up. + +"The chances are that they have not fallen into the hands of anyone at +the camp here, else they would have been brought here with us. I am +certain that they have discovered some clue and are following it up. +Very likely they are searching for me, as they of course do not know I +am here." + +Being ignorant of all that had transpired, Dick did not know how near at +that moment his chums were. + +As they talked, they were being guided towards the road by King. It was +necessary to make a wide detour in order to avoid running into a stray +member of the camp traitors' party. + +Garry was well satisfied with part of the night's work. In the first +place, he had proof that Carson, his father's business enemy, was at the +bottom of the whole mess, and in the second place, he felt that he had +so effectively disabled the motor launch that no more timber would be +stolen that night. By the next day, he expected to have the whole gang +rounded up. + +They finally reached the road, and were half way to the town, when they +heard the sound of what they thought was a large auto truck coming +towards them. + +When they drew near the truck, they saw a dozen rifles leveled at them, +and a stern voice told them to halt. They feared for a moment that they +had walked into a new trap. + +One of the men leaped from the truck and asked them who they were and +what their business was. + +"My name is Boone," answered Garry, acting as the spokesman for his +little party. "I am on my way to try and locate the sheriff of the +county, as my father and friends are held prisoner at the Boone lumber +cutting camp." + +"Well, I'm the sheriff, and I'm on my way there now. We'll look you over +in a moment and see if you're all right." + +The words of the sheriff surprised Garry. + +"How did you know that you were wanted at the camp?" + +"My boy picked a message out of the air with his radio, and that's how +we found out," answered the sheriff. + +Garry gave a shout of joy. "Good for Dick, he managed somehow to get a +chance to use his wireless." + +"Now," said the sheriff, "lower the muzzles of those rifles and come +forward slowly. My men have you covered and you have no chance for any +monkey business." + +Knowing that they could soon convince the sheriff of their statements, +they did as they were bade. When they came into the light cast by the +headlights of the truck, the sheriff at once recognized Art Howells. + +"Hello, Art, guess that is all I want to know. These fellows all right? +I know you well enough to take your word for it." + +"They are absolutely O.K., Sheriff," answered Art. "We were on our way +to summon you when you met us." + +Howells' words satisfied the sheriff, and they proceeded to get +acquainted all around. Garry asked if that was the pretext of the posse, +for he counted only fifteen men, and was relieved when he was told that +another truck with the same number of men was following them, but had +been obliged to stop for a short time on account of engine trouble. + +As they spoke they heard the rumble of an engine and a short time later +the second truck hove into view. + +"It lacks about an hour and a half of daylight, so I think we ought to +be getting on. If possible we can surprise them in the dark, that would +win half the battle for us. Not that I expect there will be much of a +fight, when they see that the law is after them," said the sheriff. + +"I don't think I would trust the authority of the law half as much as +our rifles," said Garry. "Those men are desperate, some of them, and if +they see prison staring them in the face, they will fight all the +harder, figuring that they might as well be taken for sheep as for +lambs," said Garry. "Besides, they have two bad men with them, meaning +the two halfbreeds, Jean and Baptiste LeBlanc. Jean is already wanted +for a half a dozen serious crimes, including kidnapping and setting fire +to forests; also he is an escaped jail bird. With that kind, it means +fight to the end before being taken." + +"Come to think of it, I've seen a notice in my office offering a reward +for his capture. I'd like to get that chap, and I could use the reward," +said the sheriff. + +They had ridden as they talked, and soon were on the outskirts of the +camp. + +But something had gone wrong. A volley of shots whistled at them from +cover, and they were forced to beat a short retreat instead of springing +a surprise on their quarry as they had intended to do. + +"Now, that's funny; how did they get on to that?" muttered the sheriff. + +It later developed that Barrows had posted sentinels in the woods along +the road, and as soon as their approach was noted, they had, by a +pre-arranged signal, passed the word of the coming to the posse. + +This word having been received at the camp, hasty preparations had been +made to receive them. The prisoners, about twenty in all, had been +marched at the points of guns to the storehouse, and there were forced +to enter the storehouse. There was hardly room enough for them, and +little air, but they were crowded in like so many sardines in a can, +while the enemy fortified themselves in the log bunkhouse. + +The opening volley of shots had come from the sentinels who had closed +in and fired as they ran for shelter to the bunkhouse. + +"Well, we're stumped for a minute now," said the sheriff. "They could +hold us off for a long time in that bunkhouse. It is built of solid +logs, and bullets, unless they were aimed at the windows, would have no +effect on that wood. We've got to think up some way of rushing 'em or +smoking 'em out. Anyone got a plan in mind?" + +"Yes, sir, I think I have," spoke up Phil. "As soon as it gets just a +little bit lighter we can rush one of the trucks back through the woods +to the sawmill, and there we can sheath the truck with some of that +timber. A very thick bulwark can be made, and that will halt the +bullets. Half of the men can stay near the bunkhouse drawing fire with +their rifles while the truck is being fixed." + +"But what good is that going to do us?" broke in the sheriff. + +"Just let me finish. I know that there are three or four sticks of +dynamite at the sawmill, that were part of the lot bought to blast away +the stumps where the mill and camp shacks were built. With what wire I +have in my pack, and some of the batteries from my wireless, I can rig +up a small mine at the side of the log hut, where there is no window. +The shield on the truck would be to allow us to get there in safety." + +"But wouldn't that be an awful thing to do, Phil?" asked Garry. "We +couldn't blow those men up without warning." + +"No, that isn't my idea. I would have one of the party carry a flag of +truce into the camp and explain to the men what had been done, and give +them two minutes to surrender. If they did not, then go ahead and blow +her up. Few would be hurt, and those only slightly. The blast would make +a breach in the wall through which we could wage a more even battle, if +it comes to an actual fight. But I think the fear of the dynamite would +be enough to do the trick. Besides, we could promise that the +lumberjacks would be allowed to go in peace; only the principals would +be held. If those jacks were the kind that would play traitor to the +camp they were working for, they would double cross Barrows to save +their own skins." + +"By gosh, boy, I believe you have struck the very idea. At any rate, +it's worth a trial. I'll go with you in the truck with some of the men, +and leave the deputy here with the others." + +The plan was put into execution, and the truck made a dash over the +uneven ground past the bunkhouse. A volley of shots greeted them as they +tore past, and two of the men uttered exclamations of pain. Fortunately +they had only the merest flesh wounds, which Phil bound for them with a +small first aid bandage that he had in his pocket. + +The barrier was built in record time at the sawmill, and Phil rescued +the dynamite from its hiding place. He had feared for a moment that it +might have been removed, but evidently in the haste of fortifying +themselves in the bunkhouse, no one of the enemy had thought of it. + +The return to the bunkhouse then started. When within a striking +distance of it, the truck was turned around and, throwing his clutch +into reverse, the driver skillfully backed it towards the log house. + +Several shots were fired, then there was a silence. Evidently those +inside the building were at loss to understand what this peculiar form +of attack meant. + +Phil knew that his job would be a perilous one, but he knew his duty was +to do what he had planned. The barrier was raised up and he slipped to +the ground. He felt a measure of safety in the thought that the enemy +could see what was going on, and would be unlikely to send spies out, +since the men of the posse in the other truck could pick them off if +they came out. + +Phil raided his radio set for the necessary wire, and fixed the dynamite +against the log house. There was only one detonator left, and Phil was +not sure it was a good one, but he felt so certain that there would be +no need of setting it off that he did not particularly care. + +His plan was for the man who bore the flag of truce to promise safe +conduct for one man to go and look at the arrangement and then go back +and tell the others that it was so. The inspector would be under cover +of the rifles of the posse all the time, so would have no chance of +wrecking the dynamite mine. + +When it was finally in place, he gave the order for the truck to back +away slowly, paying out the wire that was to be used to set off the +detonator from the battery at the other end if the need really arose. + +Garry then volunteered to act as the truce bearer, but here King stepped +in. + +"I've been athinkin' that you shouldn't go. Suppose they once got you in +the shack; they could send a man out and tell us that they would harm +you if you didn't give orders to git out o' the way. They know that your +pa would rather lose the whole camp than have you harmed. Now with me it +would be different; they'd know that I didn't count for much with you +folks, I'd be like one o' the sheriff's men only, and could bargain +better. Better let me go, only promise if anythin' happens to me you'll +take care of my baby." + +The crude logic of the old timer appealed to them all except Garry, who +felt that he should take the danger, since Phil had done his share in +braving bullets to fix the charge. + +However, the sheriff decided the matter, and since he was the real head +of the posse and the law representative of the county, his decision +went. + +One of the men produced a white handkerchief and tied it to a stick. +Then holding the flag of truce aloft, King, the squatter, headed for the +log house. The posse held their breaths for a moment, thinking that +those in the shack would fear a trick and shoot him; but he advanced in +safety and they saw the door of the shack open long enough to admit him. + +When King arrived at the shack, he was met by Barrows, who demanded to +know what message was sent. In a few words King told them, then he added +some words of his own. These were directed to the lumberjacks. King spun +a yarn out of whole cloth and told the jacks, who by this time were +almost ready to desert the ship, that another posse was on the way. + +Barrows was for disregarding the message as a trick, but King clinched +the argument by offering immunity to all the lumberjacks except the +bosses and camp officers. They demanded that one of their number go and +see if the dynamite was really there. + +Barrows and his lieutenants were not strong enough to cope with the +lumberjacks, and it was finally agreed that one lumberjack and the red +headed cookee go and inspect the blasting apparatus. Each faction--for +there were two now in the log house--insisted on having a representative +sent, for neither was willing to trust the word of the other. King +agreed to remain behind as a hostage for the safety of the messengers. + +The two set out on their quest, and in a few minutes were back, post +haste. + +"It's there, boss; enough to blow us all into the next world," gasped +the cookee, who was now frightened half to death. + +His words being corroborated, the lumberjacks insisted on an immediate +surrender. Barrows saw that the jig was up, and he ordered an +evacuation. Jean LeBlanc's face was livid, and he spat out a torrent of +abuse at Barrows. But for all his braggadocio, Barrows was a coward +under the skin, and he saw there was nothing to be gained by a fight +except a longer prison term. Even now he was figuring on bargaining with +Mr. Boone for his freedom, by giving away the interests who had hired +him to do their dirty work. + +Once outside the door, they found the guns of the men in the trucks +trained on them, and they were marching quietly to be disarmed and +probably bound, when suddenly, with a loud scream of defiance, Jean +LeBlanc turned and bounded away with the speed of a stricken deer. A +dozen shots flew after him, and one must have struck him, for they heard +him give a screech of pain, then he reached the sanctuary of the woods, +and dodging for safety from tree to tree dashed for the lake. Three of +the men took after him, but he had taken them by such great surprise +when he fled, that he got a flying start. + +LeBlanc reached the lake and dived in. He had seen at the same moment as +the men who were following, the one chance to save his hide. The motor +boat had been repaired, and in it were three or four of the men +concerned in the timber thefts. Among them was Jean's brother Baptiste. + +Swimming under water, the halfbreed made for the craft. The men in the +launch opened fire on the pursuers. A rope was thrown to Jean by his +brother, which he grasped, and then without taking the time to haul him +aboard, the boat put about and made for the other side of the lake. + +Shot after shot was exchanged, but LeBlanc, as well as those in the +motor boat, seemed to bear charmed lives. + +Once again, Jean LeBlanc had foiled justice and made his escape. + +The chagrined pursuers returned to the late scene of hostilities, and +found that order had been restored. The lumberjacks who had been +promised immunity had been disarmed and herded together, waiting the +word to leave the camp. + +The ringleaders had been tied up to prevent any more escapes, and Mr. +Boone and Dick, together with the other prisoners, had been removed from +the stifling air of the storehouse. + +Warm was the greeting between father and son and between the chums who +were together once again, unharmed and happy. After the greetings were +over, the traitorous lumberjacks were ordered to get their packs and +leave within fifteen minutes under the guidance of the posse, while the +prisoners were put on the trucks to be taken to the county jail. + +"So ends the battle of Boone's camp, and all the excitement. My boys, I +can't tell you how proud I am of you; but had I known the perils that +were in store for you, I would never have started you on this mission. +But you have covered yourselves with glory, and I'm proud of you. Now I +must get a manager that will serve my interests, get this camp going and +do what I can to try and retrieve what I have lost through the rascally +Barrows. I am afraid that I am financially hurt unless we can bring +Carson to book and make him stand this loss." + +"With our evidence I think you can," said Garry. "And now what would you +give for a real manager that would serve you and no one else?" + +"I don't know, but I would give almost anything in reason for such a +man." + +"Then," said Garry, "there's your man," and he pointed to Art Howells. + +Garry's father heartily agreed. + +"Now," said Mr. Boone, "I'd like to get a look at this hermit of yours." + +The boys looked around for the old man, but, mysterious as ever, he had +disappeared! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +CONCLUSION + + +So the quest of the boys to discover the Timber Thieves was ended. Mr. +Boone hailed Garry's suggestion with delight, and Howells, who protested +that he had done nothing to deserve the big promotion, was installed as +camp manager, with the faithful lumberjacks as a nucleus, to get the +camp going full blast again. + +"And you can depend, Moose Boone, on our doing everything we can to make +up for what has happened before," one of the old timers shouted. + +Only one remained to be rewarded for his help. That was King, the +squatter. Mr. Boone immediately agreed when Garry told him of the +promise that had been made, and offered to send some food and clothes to +Misery Camp. + +A suggestion by Dick proved good. He asked why the Misery Camp men could +not be hired to take some of the places left vacant by the men who had +turned traitor. This was put to King and he thought it over a minute. + +Then he said: + +"Squatters hain't lazy; it's just that every man's hand is turned +against 'em because they haven't got homes and land o' their own; but +you people seem different. I'll have all the men here in a couple o' +days, ready to go to work and earn a livin'." + +It took some time for all to tell their stories. Since Garry and Phil +had worked separately from Dick, they had to tell him all that befell +them since the evening they had left to go and visit the scene of the +timber stealing; and Dick was made to tell how he had become a captive. + +In the telling of their stories to each other, the whole story was +unfolded to Mr. Boone, and at the end of the stories he again +congratulated them on the successful way in which they had carried out +his mission. + +"Now I suppose it's back to the patrol on Sourdehunq," said Garry. "We +have forgotten for some time that we are Rangers, and we still have a +month or so to work for the protection of the forests. It will seem kind +of quiet there after all this excitement, for I don't believe that much +can happen there now." + +But further adventures were in store for the boys--how they were given +another mission to accomplish; the great good fortune that came to Phil; +the explanation of the mystery that surrounded the hermit, and the final +reward for their summer's work. All will be told in the next and last +book of the Ranger Boys series, entitled, "The Ranger Boys and Their +Reward." + +THE END + + + + +The Ranger Boys Series + +BY CLAUDE H. LA BELLE + +A new series of copyright titles telling of the adventures of three boys +with the Forest Rangers in the state of Maine. + +Handsome Cloth Binding. PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH. + + THE RANGER BOYS TO THE RESCUE + THE RANGER BOYS FIND THE HERMIT + THE RANGER BOYS AND THE BORDER SMUGGLERS + THE RANGER BOYS OUTWIT THE TIMBER THIEVES + THE RANGER BOYS AND THEIR REWARD + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers. + +A. L. BURT COMPANY + +114-120 East 23rd Street, New York + + + + +The Radio Boys Series + +BY GERALD BRECKENRIDGE + +A new series of copyright titles for boys of all ages. + +Cloth Bound, with Attractive Cover Designs PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH + + THE RADIO BOYS ON THE MEXICAN BORDER + THE RADIO BOYS ON SECRET SERVICE DUTY + THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE REVENUE GUARDS + THE RADIO BOYS' SEARCH FOR THE INCA'S TREASURE + THE RADIO BOYS RESCUE THE LOST ALASKA EXPEDITION + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers + +A. L. BURT COMPANY + +114-120 EAST 23rd STREET, NEW YORK + + + + +The Boy Troopers Series + +BY CLAIR W. HAYES + +Author of the Famous "Boy Allies" Series. + +The adventures of two boys with the Pennsylvania State Police. + +All Copyrighted Titles. + +Cloth Bound, with Attractive Cover Designs. + +PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH. + + THE BOY TROOPERS ON THE TRAIL + THE BOY TROOPERS IN THE NORTHWEST + THE BOY TROOPERS ON STRIKE DUTY + THE BOY TROOPERS AMONG THE WILD MOUNTAINEERS + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers. + +A. L. BURT COMPANY 114-120 East 23rd Street, New York + + + + +The Golden Boys Series + +By L. P. WYMAN, Ph.D. Dean of Pennsylvania Military College. + +A new series of instructive copyright stories for boys of High School +Age. + +Handsome Cloth Binding. PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH. + + THE GOLDEN BOYS AND THEIR NEW ELECTRIC CELL + THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE FORTRESS + THE GOLDEN BOYS IN THE MAINE WOODS + THE GOLDEN BOYS WITH THE LUMBER JACKS + THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE RIVER DRIVE + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers. + +A. L. 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L. 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His fondness for clean, honest sport of all kinds will strike a + chord of sympathy among athletic youths. + +JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS; or, Sports on Land and Lake. + + There is a lively story woven in with the athletic achievements, which + are all right, since the book has been O.K'd. by Chadwick, the Nestor + of American Sporting Journalism. + +JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS; or, Millvale High in Camp. + + It would be well not to put this book into a boy's hands until the + chores are finished, otherwise they might be neglected. + +JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE; or, The Acting Captain of the Team. + + On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling, and + tobogganing. There is a good deal of fun in this book and plenty of + action. + +JACK LORIMER, FRESHMAN; or, From Millvale High to Exmouth. + + Jack and some friends he makes crowd innumerable happenings into an + exciting freshman year at one of the leading Eastern colleges. The + book is typical of the American college boy's life, and there is a + lively story, interwoven with feats on the gridiron, hockey, + basketball and other clean honest sports for which Jack Lorimer + stands. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers + +A. L. BURT COMPANY + +114-120 EAST 23rd STREET, NEW YORK + + + + +The Boy Allies + +(Registered in the United States Patent Office) + +With the Navy + +BY ENSIGN ROBERT L. DRAKE + +For Boys 12 to 16 Years. + +All Cloth Bound. Copyright Titles + +PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH + +Frank Chadwick and Jack Templeton, young American lads, meet each other +in an unusual way soon after the declaration of war. Circumstances place +them on board the British cruiser, "The Sylph," and from there on, they +share adventures with the sailors of the Allies. Ensign Robert L. Drake, +the author, is an experienced naval officer, and he describes admirably +the many exciting adventures of the two boys. + + THE BOY ALLIES ON THE NORTH SEA PATROL; + or, Striking the First Blow at the German Fleet. + THE BOY ALLIES UNDER TWO FLAGS; + or, Sweeping the Enemy from the Sea. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON; + or, The Naval Raiders of the Great War. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE TERROR OF THE SEA; + or, The Last Shot of Submarine D-16. + THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE SEA; + or, The Vanishing Submarine. + THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALTIC; + or, Through Fields of Ice to Aid the Czar. + THE BOY ALLIES AT JUTLAND; + or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH UNCLE SAM'S CRUISERS; + or, Convoying the American Army Across the Atlantic. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE SUBMARINE D-32; + or, The Fall of the Russian Empire. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE VICTORIOUS FLEETS; + or, The Fall of the German Navy. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers + +A. 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Their experiences and +escapes are many, and furnish plenty of good, healthy action that every +boy loves. + + THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE; + or, Through Lines of Steel. + THE BOY ALLIES ON THE FIRING LINE; + or, Twelve Days Battle Along the Marne. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS; + or, A Wild Dash Over the Carpathians. + THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES; + or, Midst Shot and Shell Along the Alsne. + THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL; + or, With the Italian Army In the Alps. + THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN; + or, The Struggle to Save a Nation. + THE BOY ALLIES ON THE SOMME; + or, Courage and Bravery Rewarded. + THE BOY ALLIES AT VERDUN; + or, Saving France from the Enemy. + THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES; + or, Leading the American Troops to the Firing Line. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH HAIG IN FLANDERS; + or, The Fighting Canadians of Vimy Ridge. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH PERSHING IN FRANCE; + or, Over the Top at Chateau Thierry. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE GREAT ADVANCE; + or, Driving the Enemy Through France and Belgium. + THE BOY ALLIES WITH MARSHAL FOCH; + or, The Closing Days of the Great World War. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers + +A. 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Chipman. + THE NAVY BOYS' DARING CAPTURE. + The story of how the navy boys helped to capture the British Cutter + "Margaretta," in 1775. + By William P. Chipman. + THE NAVY BOYS' CRUISE TO THE BAHAMAS. + The adventures of two Yankee Middies with the first cruise of an + American Squadron in 1775. + By William P. Chipman. + THE NAVY BOYS' CRUISE WITH COLUMBUS. + The adventures of two boys who sailed with the great Admiral in the + discovery of America. + By Frederick A. Ober. + + + + +The Boy Spies Series + +These stories are based on important historical events, scenes wherein +boys are prominent characters being selected. They are the romance of +history, vigorously told, with careful fidelity to picturing the home +life, and accurate in every particular. + +Handsome Cloth Bindings + + THE BOY SPIES AT THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. + A story of the part they took in its defence. + By William P. 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These are charming stories for young girls, well told and full +of interest. Their simplicity, tenderness, healthy, interesting motives +vigorous action, and character painting will please all girl readers. + +HANDSOME CLOTH BINDING. + + A BACHELOR MAID AND HER BROTHER By I. R. Thurston. + ALL ABOARD. A Story For Girls. By Fanny E. Newberry. + ALMOST A GENIUS. A Story For Girls. By Adelaide L. Rouse. + ANNICE WYNKOOP, Artist. Story of a Country Girl. By Adelaide L. Rouse. + BUBBLES. A Girl's Story. By Fannie B. Newberry. + COMRADES. By Fannie E. Newberry. + DEANE GIRLS, THE. A Home Story. By Adelaide L. Rouse. + HELEN BEATON. COLLEGE WOMAN. By Adelaide L. Rouse. + JOYCE'S INVESTMENTS. A Story For Girls. By Fannie E. Newberry. + MELLICENT RAYMOND. A Story For Girls. By Fannie E. Newberry. + MISS ASHTON'S NEW PUPIL. A School Girl's Story. By Mrs. S. S. Robbins. + NOT FOR PROFIT. A Story For Girls. By Fannie E. Newberry. + ODD ONE, THE. A Story For Girls. By Fannie E. 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BURT COMPANY + +114-120 EAST 23rd STREET, NEW YORK + + + + +Marjorie Dean College Series + +BY PAULINE LESTER. + +Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School Series. + +Those who have read the Marjorie Dean High School Series will be eager +to read this new series, as Marjorie Dean continues to be the heroine in +these stories. + +All Clothbound. Copyright Titles. + +PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH. + + MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE FRESHMAN + MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SOPHOMORE + MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE JUNIOR + MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SENIOR + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers. + +A. L. BURT COMPANY + +114-120 East 23rd Street, New York + + + + +The Girl Scouts Series + +BY EDITH LAVELL + +A new copyright series of Girl Scouts stories by an author of wide +experience in Scouts' craft, as Director of Girl Scouts of Philadelphia. + +Clothbound, with Attractive Color Designs. + +PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH. + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT MISS ALLEN'S SCHOOL + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP + THE GIRL SCOUTS' GOOD TURN + THE GIRL SCOUTS' CANOE TRIP + THE GIRL SCOUTS' RIVALS + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +Publishers. + +A. L. BURT COMPANY + +114-120 East 23rd Street, New York + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ranger Boys Outwit the Timber +Thieves, by Claude A. 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