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diff --git a/43218-0.txt b/43218-0.txt index 60b376a..ce1bdd0 100644 --- a/43218-0.txt +++ b/43218-0.txt @@ -1,37 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire, by -Edward Sylvester Ellis, Illustrated by Edwin J. Prittie - - -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 Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire - - -Author: Edward Sylvester Ellis - - - -Release Date: July 14, 2013 [eBook #43218] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY PATROL AROUND THE COUNCIL -FIRE*** - - -E-text prepared by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43218 *** Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. @@ -6566,363 +6533,4 @@ place. A few days later all departed for their homes, carrying memories of their outing in the woods of Southern Maine, which will remain with them through life. - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY PATROL AROUND THE COUNCIL -FIRE*** - - -******* This file should be named 43218-0.txt or 43218-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/3/2/1/43218 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. 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Prittie - - -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 Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire - - -Author: Edward Sylvester Ellis - - - -Release Date: July 14, 2013 [eBook #43218] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY PATROL AROUND THE COUNCIL -FIRE*** - - -E-text prepared by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustration. - See 43218-h.htm or 43218-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43218/43218-h/43218-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43218/43218-h.zip) - - - - - -[Illustration: In It a Single Man Was Seated] - - -The Boy Patrol Series - -THE BOY PATROL AROUND THE COUNCIL FIRE - -by - -EDWARD S. ELLIS - -Author of "The Flying Boys Series," "The -Launch Boys Series," "The Deer-foot -Series," etc., etc. - -Illustrated by Edwin J. Prittie - - - - - - - -The John C. Winston Company -Philadelphia - -Copyright, 1913, by -The John C. Winston Company - -Printed in U.S.A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - I -- "He and I Must Never Meet" - II -- A Slight Miscalculation - III -- A Strange Occurrence - IV -- Curious Sights And Doings - V -- Concerning Certain American Trees - VI -- A Patriot Martyr - VII -- Concerning Certain New England Birds - VIII -- A Council of War - IX -- An Unwelcome Guest - X -- A Sudden Separation - XI -- An Unsatisfactory Interview - XII -- Groping After the Truth - XIII -- The Committee of Investigation - XIV -- The Men Who Laughed - XV -- The True Story of a Famous Sea Serpent - XVI -- Zip - XVII -- Wonderful Work - XVIII -- A Match of Wits - XIX -- The Final Test - XX -- Speed the Parting Guest - XXI -- Call For Help - XXII -- Groping In the Dark - XXIII -- A Fortunate Meeting - XXIV -- "The Latchstring Was Inside!" - XXV -- And the Last - - - - - The Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire - - - - - CHAPTER I -- "He and I Must Never Meet" - - -You will recall that one day in a recent August, Jack Crandall, a member -of the Stag Patrol of Boy Scouts, who with the Blazing Arrow and Eagle -Patrols was spending the summer vacation on the shore of Gosling Lake, -in Southern Maine, met with a serious accident. In climbing a tall pine -to inspect a bird's nest, he fell to the ground and broke his leg. His -companions, Gerald Hume and Arthur Mitchell, belonging to the same -Patrol, made a litter upon which he was carried to the clubhouse. Dr. -Spellman, staying with his wife and little daughter Ruth, christened -"Sunbeam" by Mike Murphy, in answer to a signal, paddled across the lake -in his canoe, set the fractured limb and did all that was necessary. - -Jack was an athlete, in rugged health and with no bad habits. He, -therefore, recovered rapidly. After spending a few days on his couch, he -was carried to the front porch, where in the cool shade and reposing -upon an invalid chair, especially fashioned for the occasion, he feasted -his eyes upon the delightful scenery and enjoyed the pleasures of his -friends although he could not take part. He insisted that they should -pay no special attention to him, though there was not a boy who would -not have gladly kept him company all the time. A reunion of the troop -took place in the evening, when he was carried inside, listened to the -reports and took part in the conversation which you may be sure was of a -lively nature. - -Thus the days passed until the arrival of the silver mounted maple wood -crutches, a gift from the other Scouts, and Jack swung carefully out on -the porch and walked the length of it several times before sinking down -in the waiting chair. This, of course, did not take place until the -month was well by and the time for going home near. I thought it best to -close my previous story with this glimpse of things, but it now becomes -my duty to turn back and relate some incidents that occurred during the -first days of the patient's convalescence, since they have to do with -what follows. - -Dr. Spellman and his wife returned to the bungalow on the day succeeding -Jack's mishap. - -Scout Master Hall and several of the lads expressed their surprise that -no call had been made by Uncle Elk, the Hermit of the Woods, who showed -so much fondness for the Boy Scouts that they expected to see him every -day, provided the weather was favorable. - -"I am sure he would have been here last night or this morning, had he -known of Jack's misfortune," said Mr. Hall. - -"If ye have no 'bjection I'll drop in on him and let him know," replied -Mike Murphy, whose heart was as sympathetic as that of a young child. - -"Please do so." - -Mike glanced around for his chums, Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes, but -they were not in sight. It did not matter and he decided to make the -trip alone, using one of the canoes to take him to the end of the lake, -where he would follow the path that led to the cabin through the woods. - -"On me way back," remarked Mike to the Scout Master, who walked with him -to the water's edge, "I'll drop in to larn how Sunbeam is getting on." - -The Scout Master smiled. - -"That will take you considerably out of your way." - -"It's not worth the mintion, as Ball O'Flaherty said whin he fell off -the church steeple and broke his neck. Then ye know it's a long time -since I saw Sunbeam." - -"Yes,--less than a day." - -So the Irish youth seated himself in the stern of the graceful craft, -and swung the paddle with creditable skill. No task could have been -easier, and he grinned with satisfaction, as keeping close to shore, he -watched the trees with their exuberant foliage glide silently backward. - -"A canoe is a blissed boon to byes that can't walk; we might set Jack in -one of 'em, and he could paddle wherever he wished. I'm going to suggist -to me friends that whin they go back home, each of 'em has a canoe -mounted on wheels, so he can roam round the country, the same as if he's -skimming over the water as I'm doing this minute. I'd try it mesilf whin -I get back, but dad would objict and there's so much water there I don't -naad anything of the kind." - -Far over to the left, he saw the other canoe handled by several of the -Scouts, while somewhat nearer and a little way back from the water, a -thin, feathery finger of smoke filtering through the tree tops showed -where Dr. Spellman's house stood. - -"Sunbeam has been gone so long that I'm worrit less something may have -happened to her; I won't tarry at Uncle Elk's, but make haste to relave -me mind as regards the Quaan." - -Uncle Elk's canoe was drawn up the bank and turned over. Landing near -it, Mike followed the winding path to the door from which the latch -string hung, pulled it and stepped across the threshold. - -"Good afternoon, Uncle Elk," was his greeting as he closed the door -behind him. - -The hermit was sitting in his rocking chair, reading "The Truth of -Religion," by Rudolf Eucken, Professor of Philosophy in the University -of Jena and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1908. The old -man laid aside the heavy volume, still open, face downward. - -"Michael, I'm glad to see you." - -He leaned forward, shook hands and motioned the youth to the chair -opposite. Mike obeyed with the remark: - -"We have been expecting a call from ye, Uncle Elk." - -"You don't wish me to bore you with too much of my presence," said the -hermit, with a twinkle of his bright eyes. - -"That's something that can't be done, if ye tried it till ye were an old -man," replied Mike warmly. And then told of the mishap that had befallen -Jack Crandall. Uncle Elk listened sympathetically. - -"That's bad, but it might have been much worse." - -"Which Jack himself has obsarved,--for instance, 'spose it had been -_mesilf_." - -"That surely would have been worse for _you_, but better for him. You -say that Dr. Spellman set his injured leg?" - -"That he did, and I couldn't have done it better mesilf. He called this -morning and said the spalpeen was doing splendid." - -"When will the doctor call again?" - -"I'm not sartin,--but likely tomorrer." - -"Forenoon or afternoon?" - -"I couldn't say." - -Uncle Elk withdrew his gaze from the face of the lad and looked into the -fireplace, where only a few dying embers showed. He was silent for a few -moments and then addressed his caller. - -"Michael," he said in low tones, "I shall call upon Jack at the earliest -opportunity, but my call must be timed so there will be no possibility -of meeting Dr. Spellman." - -Mike was amazed by the words and at a loss what to say. Therefore he -said what after all was perhaps the best thing. - -"I'll see that the doctor doesn't try any expirimints on ye." - -The old man actually laughed, but only for an instant. With a shake of -his head he said: - -"It isn't that, Michael, but he and I must never meet." - -The youth was astounded, but his sense of propriety forbade any -questioning. If Uncle Elk did not choose to make known the cause of his -strange enmity, Mike had no right to object. - -A strained silence followed for a minute or two, when the hermit again -looked meditatively into the smouldering embers. - -"It can be easily arranged: let Dr. Spellman make his calls at such -times as suit his convenience and I will adjust mine accordingly." - -"That should be aisy. I hev it!" - -"Let me hear your plan." - -"'Spose the doctor makes it a rule to call ivery other day and ye can -fit yer visits in betwaan, though we should like it to be oftener." - -"That would hardly answer, for he might be needed every day. A better -plan will be that he should never call at the bungalow during the -evening. If he agrees to that, everything will be right." - -"That'll doot! He wouldn't come anyway unless we signalled him, and if -ye happen to be at the clubhouse, ye'll have plinty of time to run." - -"How am I to know that he consents to it?" - -"If he objicts, I'll come back and tell ye; if he agraas, I won't show -up here agin till after ye have visited us." - -"That settles the matter. I suppose, Michael, you are wondering why I -make such a strange request?" - -"I am, but I'm not asking any quistions, as ye'll obsarve." - -"Well, you will never learn from me." - -Mike was slightly nettled. - -"Why thin did ye think it worth while to raise me hopes, whin I hadn't -made any inquiries?" - -"I beg your pardon, Michael; I shouldn't have done it. Let neither of us -refer to it again." - -"Do ye wish me to till Docther Spellman what ye said?" - -"I do." - -"Then consider that I've told him." - -"It would be hard for him to understand my request unless he knew my -feelings. You may as well stay to supper and over night with me." - -"I thank ye, Uncle Elk, but I much fear that if I don't return to the -byes they'll think I've tumbled out of a tree the same as Jack, and have -broke me neck. I'll bid ye good afternoon and make me way to Docther -Spelhnan. Onless ye hear from me to the contrary, ye'll understand that -he'll not visit the bungalow on any avening onless he is sent fur, so -the way will be open to yersilf." - -The hermit rose from his chair and stood in the door as Mike walked down -the path to the side of the lake. He looked round just before passing -out of sight and waved his hand to the old man, who nodded. - -"It's mighty qu'ar," mused the lad, as he shoved off in his canoe; "the -docther has niver said a word as far as I've heerd about any throuble -between 'em, and I couldn't guess what it is to save me life." - -The bright, sunshiny afternoon was well advanced when Mike paddled a -little way from shore and turned in the direction of the thin wisp of -smoke which revealed the location of the physician's summer home. Almost -beyond sight could be made out the second canoe, which some of the -Scouts had used in making an excursion over the sheet of water. The -craft was close in shore and seemed to be motionless, as if the boys -were fishing. The distance was too far for him to tell the number of -occupants, but he judged they were three or four. - -"And I belave Alvin and Chester are among 'em," he added, after a -scrutiny of the boat; "I mind me now that they said something about -going off to-day on a cruise. Hello!" - -The exclamation was caused by an unexpected discovery. Between him and -the home of the physician he saw a second spiral of vapor climbing up -among the treetops. Like that of the former, it was so far back from the -water that nothing could be seen of the party that had kindled it. - -Mike held his paddle motionless while he looked and thought. - -"They must be strangers to the rist of us. If this thing kaaps up, bime -by we sha'n't have elbow room and will have to camp farther inland. I -wonder now if they could be some other Boy Patrols that have strayed in -here. They may have heerd of us and desire to make me acquaintance, as -do most people." - -Mike had his natural share of curiosity, and decided to learn who the -strangers were. He had enough time at command to permit a diversion of -this nature, and he headed his craft toward the bank at a point opposite -the dim wavering column of vapor which showed that a fire kindled -beneath was the cause. - - - - - CHAPTER II -- A Slight Miscalculation - - -The distance was so slight that a score of strokes drove the canoe to -shore. Nothing in the nature of a path was to be seen, and there was so -much undergrowth that when Mike glided under the vegetation, only the -rear of the boat was visible to any one on the lake. He drew the craft -up the bank far enough to prevent its floating away during his absence, -and began picking his way through the bushes. A few rods and the wood -grew more open, though not being much accustomed to that sort of -traveling, he made considerable noise in his progress. He was thus -engaged with his head bent and his arms thrust out in front feeling his -way, when a low horizontal limb slid under his chin and as it almost -lifted him off his feet brought him to a sudden stop. - -"Worrah! I wonder if me hid is left on me shoulders!" he exclaimed, -vigorously rubbing his neck; "yis,--the most of me is here, as Tarn -Murry said whin he came down after being blowed up in a powder mill." - -A few rods farther and he came upon a sight which caused him to halt as -abruptly as before, with a strong inclination to turn about and go back -to his canoe. - -In a small open space a fire of pine cones, twigs and branches was -burning beside the trunk of a fallen tree. Resting on the top of the -blaze was a tomato can, filled with bubbling coffee, whose aroma reached -the nostrils of Mike at the moment he caught sight of the fire. On the -log sat a ragged, frowsy tramp, with a crooked stick in his hand tending -the blaze, while on the ground half lying down and half sitting up, was -a second vagrant sucking a corncob pipe. - -You remember the two nuisances who called upon Dr. Spellman and because -of their insolence were sharply rebuffed by him, though his wife, in the -kindness of her heart, gave them food. These were the same hoboes, who -it will be noted had not as yet wandered far from the physician's home. -You remember, too, their characteristic names,--Buzby Biggs and Saxy -Hutt. Lazy, shiftless, dirty, rugged of frame, thieves and unmitigated -pests, they were straggling through this part of Maine, in mortal dread -of two afflictions,--work and a bath. They were ready to suffer harsh -treatment and privation rather than submit to either. - -Mike's sensitiveness revolted at sight of them, but before he could turn -away, both of the men, who must have heard his approach, raised their -heads and looked toward him. Hutt, who was smoking the pipe, slowly rose -to his feet, stretched his arms over his head, and beckoned with his -grimy forefinger. - -"Welcome, my lord!" he called in his husky voice; "wilt thou not come -into our baronial castle and partake of a flagon of wine with us?" - -The grotesqueness of the invitation appealed to Mike and he walked -forward, recalling that he had not his buckthorn cane with him. Had he -gone for a tramp through the woods he would have held it in his hand, -but it was in his way when using the canoe. He never carried firearms, -for to do so is to disobey one of the strictest rules of the Boy Scouts, -besides which, as you know, an Irishman believes in the use only of -nature's weapons, with the addition perhaps now and then of a stout -shillaleh. Not that Mike Murphy expected any trouble with these men, but -the thought which came to him was natural under the circumstances. - -He approached in his confident fashion, with a grin on his face, halted -a pace or two from the fire, and with the couple examining him, made the -Boy Scout salute. - -"'Tis so kind of ye that I will halt a brief while and enj'y the -hospitality of the Knights of the Ragged Shirt and Dirty Face." - -This was a pretty crisp salutation, but it need not be said that Mike -felt no more regard for the couple than do all respectable persons. He -remained standing and did not go nearer. - -"Aren't yer afraid of being arrested fur yer beauty, young man?" asked -Biggs with a grimace. - -"Not while yersilves are in the counthry." - -"Who are you anyway?" - -"Mike Murphy of Southport, State of Maine. I would exchange cards wid -ye, but I'm afeard ye couldn't return the compliment." - -"I left my pasteboards at home on the piany. We gather from your dress -that you're one of them Boy Patrols." - -"Ye're right, excipt jest now I'm on this side of the lake." - -"Gee whizz! but you're keen. How long do you chaps intend to stay -there?" - -"Probably until we lave. We're not among the folks who hev to be kicked -out by their betters." - -"Meaning us?" - -"As ye plaise; I want to be agreeable to ye." - -Mike had not shown tact. He ought to have reflected that it was -imprudent to rouse the resentment of two full grown men of so lawless a -character as these tramps undoubtedly were. Combative as Mike was by -nature, he would have hardly been the equal of one of them in a "shindy" -which could be easily started and which it seemed he had set out to -provoke. - -"I observe," said Biggs, "that you have a brass chain dangling from yer -coat pocket in front; does the same signify that there's a watch -anchored at t'other end?" - -Mike answered the question by flipping out his time piece and displaying -it. - -"The best Waterbury chronometer made,--price a dollar and a half." - -"I should like to borrer the same for my pal and me." - -"I'm thinking ye would like to borrer a good many things ye can't; I -carry a little loose change in me pocket. Mebbe you'd like to borrer the -same?" - -"Yer guessed it the fust time; while yer turning over that turnip and -chain yer may as well h'ist out the few pennies in yer garments." - -The tramp took a step toward the lad, his companion grinningly watching -proceedings. - -The words and manner of Biggs left no doubt that he meant to rob Mike of -his watch and money,--though neither was of much value. Was the Irish -youth angry? I cannot do justice to his feelings, so let us try to -imagine his state of mind. - -Prudence demanded that he should try to conciliate the scamps, or, -failing in that, to dash off at the top of his speed, but two reasons -checked this course. You know he was not formed for running, and either -one of the tramps could have overtaken him by half trying. The other -reason was that Mike never ran from any foe. He would die fighting -before showing the white feather. Convinced that nothing could avert a -fierce struggle, he instantly prepared for it. He would have felt better -had his shillaleh been in his grasp, but it has already been shown that -his only weapons were those which nature had furnished and no youth of -his years could have known better how to use them. - -I should be distressed if I had to describe Mike's fight with two full -grown men, for it was impossible that he should not get much the worst -of it. While it may be a relief to picture one in his situation as -baffling, if not defeating two burly despoilers, yet to do so would be -contrary to truth. - -The youth recoiled a single step, closed his fists and assumed an -attitude of defense. Saxy Hutt, still stood grinningly listening and -watching. As he viewed the situation it was preposterous to think his -pal would need his help. None the less, he would be quick to give it -should the call be made. - -"Come on as soon as ye plaise, and I'd as lief take both as one; don't -kaap me waiting." - -"Hear him talk," said Biggs, still advancing, though more slowly than -before; "he makes believe he ain't scared half to death." - -"Ye'll be thankful in less nor a minute if ye're allowed to escape wid -yer life." - -This sounded like the wildest kind of boasting, but it was justified. -Since Mike Murphy faced the two tramps, he saw what was behind them, -which they did not. In a direct line with Biggs, slightly to the left of -Saxy, and no more than a dozen paces to the rear, stood Dr. Spellman -with leveled revolver and face red with anger. - -"Move a little to one side, Mike, so I shall run no risk of hitting -you," called the physician; "just now you're right in line with that -ruffian." - -Buzby Biggs leaped fully a foot in air, and with a gasp flashed his head -about and stared at the point whence the dreadful voice had come. Then -his spiky hair seemed to rise on end and lift his dilapidated hat to a -height of several inches. - -"Shall I wing him, Mike?" asked the doctor, with the weapon still at a -level. - -"Folly yer own plisure in that regard; I don't begrudge ye the -enj'yment, as Mrs. O'Flaherty remarked whin she refoosed to fire at the -bear that was chasing her husband." - -At that instant, Biggs emitted a howl, and with what was left of his -fragmentary hat fluttering to the ground, dashed in a headlong panic -through the wood and undergrowth toward the lake. - -The sharp crack of the Smith and Wesson rang out, and the fugitive made -another bound in air, as if he felt the sting of the bullet, and dived -out of sight. - -"I missed him on purpose," remarked the doctor; "he isn't worth a -cartridge, but I'm undecided about you." - -As he spoke he shifted his aim to Saxy Hutt, who was a-tremble with -fear. - -"I--I--I've got an engagement," he stuttered, beginning to shamble in -the direction taken by his companion; "I'll bid you good day." - -"Hold on!" sharply commanded his master; "wait till I decide what's best -to do with you." - -"Why--why, boss, I haven't done anything." - -And too weak to stand in his excessive terror, Saxy sagged back and sat -down heavily on the log. Mike could not help pitying him. - -"It was t'other spalpeen that meant to rob me, docther." - -"One is as bad as the other; this one would have helped had it been -necessary." - -"Oh, doctor," protested the aggrieved Saxy, "how can yer think such a -crool thing of a gentleman like me? I was just going to stop Buzby when -yer spoke up." - -The physician lowered his weapon with a laugh. - -"Off with you! I hope never to see the face of yourself or Buzby again. -You may drink your coffee if you wish before you leave." - -But the tramp had lost his thirst as well as his appetite for the time. -He came unsteadily to his feet, and began moving gingerly over the trail -of his companion. - -"I say, doctor," he said, pausing a few steps away, "if you feel like -firing off that little thing in your hand, please p'int t'other way." - -"I shall take your request into consideration, but don't advise you to -bank on my granting it." - -Saxy increased his pace until it equalled that of him who had gone -before. Dr. Spellman extended his hand to Mike. - -"I hope that is the last of them. I supposed they left the neighborhood, -but they will do so now." - -"Why do ye think that, docther?" - -"Heretofore we had nothing positive to bring against them. Now I can -bear witness that they tried to rob you. They know it and have no wish -to go to jail while the weather is so pleasant outside. Let's sit down -on this log for a wee bit, before going to my house. Tell me how you -came to be in this place." - -"I was on me way from Uncle Elk's cabin whin the smoke of this camp -caused me to turn aside, wid the result that I'd been mixed up in the -biggest shindy of me life if ye hadn't took it in yer head to spoil the -picnic." - -"It was mighty lucky for you that I did so, Mike. Did Uncle Elk send any -message to me?" - -"He did that," gravely replied Mike, who thereupon told his friend of -the assertion of the hermit that he and the physician must not meet. - -"I had begun to suspect some such feeling on his part, though not to the -degree he shows. I have called there twice, the last time with my wife, -who insists that the old man was in his cabin at the time and purposely -kept out of our sight. He can depend upon it that I shall not put myself -in his way, though I am wholly at a loss to understand his enmity. But -we may as well go to the house, Mike." - -As he spoke, the doctor rose to his feet, and the two began threading -their way through the wood to the point where Mike had left his canoe. - - - - - CHAPTER III -- A Strange Occurrence - - -It was not far to the edge of the lake, and, as you will remember, there -was abundant undergrowth, but the fleeing tramps had left a trail of -broken and twisted branches which it would have been easy to follow, -even with greater distance and more uncertainty of direction. Mike kept -a few paces in the lead, and soon caught the shimmer of water, but when -he glanced around saw nothing of his craft. He stood perplexed when Dr. -Spellman stepped beside him. - -"Where's the canoe?" asked the man. - -"That's what meself would like to know." - -"Is this the spot where you stepped ashore?" - -Mike moved farther until his shoes touched the water. He recognized the -projecting limb of a beech which had attracted his notice when he came -ashore. - -"There's no mistake about the same. Now, docther, that boat can't hev a -habit of sneakin' off whin ye're not watching--what's the matter?" - -His companion touched his arm and pointed over the water. - -"There's the answer to your question." - -"It beats me, as the drum said to the drum stick." - -Some two hundred yards out on Gosling Lake was the canoe heading toward -the western end of the sheet of water. In it were seated Biggs and Hutt, -the two rascally tramps, their appearance suggesting that they were -owners of the graceful craft in which they were making a pleasure -excursion. Their backs were toward the two on shore, but Hutt who sat -near the stern turned his head. Observing the indignant couple, he waved -his hand in salutation and grinned so broadly that the gleam of his -yellow teeth showed. - -Neither Mike nor the doctor spoke for a moment or two. Then the youth -solemnly extended his hand. - -"Docther, would ye mind shaking?" - -"Certainly not, but what is the idea, Mike?" - -"'Cause I can't think of anything ilse to do, as the p'liceman said whin -he prosaaded to break his club over the head of ivery one in sight." - -"Were there ever two such pests? The next time I get a chance I won't -kill them, but I'll give each something he'll remember." - -"Where's your boat?" - -"At the foot of the path leading to the house; the distance is so short -that I did not use it, but strolled to this point." - -"Let's jump into the same and make fur these spalpeens." - -The physician was so angry that he did not hesitate. They hurried -through the wood to the spot where the other craft lay as it had been -left by its owner. It has been shown that from this spot the house was -not visible and therefore the wife and daughter knew nothing of what was -afoot, which perhaps was best. The doctor, being the most skilful with -the paddle, took up the implement, and headed after the other craft, -which was making good progress toward the farther end of the lake. - -Each of our friends had asked himself the question as to what Biggs and -Hutt meant by their act and what they were likely to do. It could not be -seen that the vagrants had anything to gain, for they must soon abandon -the canoe and continue their flight on foot. They knew the medical man -carried a deadly weapon, and did not seem backward in using it, because -of which they certainly could not desire another meeting with him. - -Moreover, a third canoe was involved. It seemed to have disappeared for -the time, but must be somewhere near the western end of the lake, which -being the case, the tramps were likely to find themselves between two -fires, though it was not to be supposed that they had any cause to fear -the unarmed Boy Scouts in the invisible boat. - -The flight and pursuit had lasted only a few minutes when an unpleasant -truth impressed itself upon Mike and the doctor:--Buzby Biggs, who swung -the other paddle, did it so deftly that his boat steadily drew away from -the pursuer despite the utmost efforts of Dr. Spellman. In a -straightaway race the tramps were sure to win, but the course had -bounds, and in the end they must be pocketed, a fact so apparent that -they themselves saw it from the first. They had the choice of keeping -directly on until they reached the western margin so far in advance of -their pursuers that they need give them no thought, or they could take -the shorter course to the northern shore, opposite the bungalow. It -looked as if they had decided upon the former plan, which would indicate -that they knew or suspected nothing of the third canoe, nestling -somewhere under the overhanging limbs along shore. - -Such undoubtedly would have been the action of the tramps, had not it -changed so abruptly and inexplicably that the astounded doctor ceased -paddling and stared without speaking a word. - -Since our friends sat with their faces toward the backs of Biggs and -Hutt, they saw their every movement no matter how slight. Hutt was idle, -with a grimy hand resting on either gunwale of the canoe. Now and then -he glanced back and when he saw the pursuers steadily falling behind, -had the impudence to reach out one hand and beckon them to move faster. -The other, knowing he could not be overtaken, showed little interest in -those who were striving to come up with him. Something far in advance -seemed to hold his attention. - -Such was the situation, and the forward boat was within a furlong of the -western shore when Biggs suddenly held his paddle suspended as if he had -caught sight of some object that startled him. The next moment he flung -aside the implement, uttered a cry of terror and dived overboard. Hutt -was not five seconds behind him. Both stayed so long under water that -our friends suspected they were drowned, but the frowsy heads, one -without a hat, bobbed up at some distance from the boat, and they were -seen swimming furiously toward the northern bank, which was not far off. - -They had not taken a dozen strokes when they dived again and went as far -under the surface as before. Thus diving, swimming and working -desperately, they quickly reached land, scrambled out, plunged in among -the trees and vanished as if Death himself were nipping at their heels. -Never was greater panic shown. - -Doctor Spellman sat mute and motionless until the tramps had -disappeared. Then he turned his head: - -"What do you make of that, Mike?" - -The occasion was one of the rare ones when the Irish youth had nothing -to say. He sighed and shook his head; he couldn't do justice to the -theme. - -"Something scared both of them out of their wits. It couldn't have been -on the shore ahead, for that's too far off, nor on their right, for they -tried with might and main to reach land there." - -"Could it have been at the rear?" ventured Mike. - -"That is toward us. _We_ couldn't have caused them such alarm." - -"Mr. Hutt may have looked around and catched the frown on me brow; I'm -towld I have a tumble exprission when I'm mad." - -"It must be true to cause them thus to leap into clear spring water, -knowing it meant the coldest kind of a bath. No, Mike," added the doctor -gravely, "they saw something _in the water_ that threw them into fits. -What could it be?" - -This was the only theory possible and yet it simply deepened the -mystery. What could there be in the clear cool waters of Gosling Lake, -besides the different species of ordinary fishes that are taken with -hook and line? To Mike and the doctor the puzzle was more inexplainable -than before. - -One conclusion, however, was warranted by what had occurred: if the -tramps had seen something which terrified them beyond imagination, what -was to prevent the man and youth from gaining a sight of the same -frightful object whatever it might be? - -Now, while it cannot be denied that Dr. Spellman and Mike Murphy were -more than ordinarily brave, yet they felt a shrinking in stealing up to -the spot where the tramps had dived from the other canoe. It was their -ignorance of the character of the peril which affected them more than -any tangible danger could have done. - -The doctor dipped his paddle in the water and gently swayed it. The boat -moved slowly toward the other canoe, drifting like an eggshell over the -placid surface. In leaping overboard, Buzby Biggs had flung the paddle -from him and it was seen floating a couple of rods distant from the -boat. Very slowly the doctor advanced until Mike leaned over and lifted -the implement into their craft. Then the man sheered his boat beside the -other and Mike, tossing the paddle into it, held it steady, and sat -down. - -"Now, docther, we can manage it, I'm thinking," remarked the youth, -looking up into the face that it seemed to him had gone a little pale. - -"Can you find anything to explain the fright of the tramps, Mike?" - -Both peered into the clear water, whose depth was too great for them to -see the bottom, but nothing rewarded their piercing scrutiny. And right -here a fact must be admitted which was not discreditable to either of -them. The breath of air that sighed over the lake had swept the empty -canoe fully a hundred feet from whence it was at the moment Buzby Biggs -dived overboard. It followed, therefore, that when Mike and the doctor -peered into the pellucid depths, it was not at the spot where the tramps -had descried something which unnerved them. Moreover, each of the -pursuers knew such was the case, but did not try to correct it nor did -either drop a hint of his knowledge until some time afterward. - -It may be added that had the doctor and his young friend paddled a -little farther in the proper direction they would have solved the -mystery and been overcome probably by the same panic that had driven the -tramps overboard. - -"Well," said the physician, "there is nothing to be gained by staying -here. Let's go to my home, have supper and spend the evening. I know my -wife will be glad to have you, and I suspect that Stubby feels a little -that way herself." - -"I hope so," replied Mike feelingly; "I may as well confess that my main -purpose in going thither is to meet Sunbeam, as the callers used to say -regarding mesilf whin they purtended they wanted to see dad and mither." - -Paddling at a leisurely rate, they soon drew the two canoes up the bank -and stepped out. Mike paused and looked back. - -"Can there be any fear of thim spalpeens poking round here while we're -not in sight?" - -"It seems unlikely; since they tried that sort of thing they have been -scared so fearfully that I think they will avoid us." - -"Docther, what could it have been that made them jump out of their boat -and swim and dive like two crazy persons?" - -"I should give a good deal to be able to answer that question, but I -have no more idea than you. Let us try to content ourselves with the -belief that like the cause of Uncle Elk's resentment toward me, it will -be made clear sooner or later." - -Before leaving the landing, as it may be called, they scanned the -surface of the lake. The doctor generally carried his binoculars and he -traced the margin clear around from their right back again to their -left. There stood the bungalow with the flag idly drooping from the -staff and several of the Scouts were seen lounging at the front. In no -other direction was a sign of life discerned. - -"I cannot discover the other canoe," remarked Dr. Spellman, passing the -glass to Mike at his side. "If the boys had returned, the boat would be -in sight by the bungalow; whoever used it, they are still absent." - -"They have landed and gone into the woods to look after birds or to -trace out other kinds of trees. They will be back before the set of -sun." - -"No doubt, unless," added the doctor half in earnest, "they should -receive the same shock that struck Biggs and Hutt." - -"In that evint, they will be home still earlier." - -"Come on; I'm beginning to feel hungry." - -"And I'm wid ye there." - - - - - CHAPTER IV -- Curious Sights And Doings - - -One of the incidents which made that night memorable in the life of Mike -Murphy was that it brought him a compliment, the equal of which he had -never received before, nor in the years to come can any similar words so -touch his heart. - -Ruth Spellman, or "Sunbeam" as she was coming to be called, was so -interested in his fairy stories that when the time arrived for her to go -to bed she was restless and the mother feared it was something in the -nature of a fever that disturbed her. The father, however, assured his -wife that it was due to mental excitement and would soon pass away. When -Ruth had said her prayers, kissed each good night and lain down on her -cot, with the thin blanket spread over her, she still fidgeted. From the -next room the three heard her tossing as children will do when sleep -fails to soothe them. - -Suddenly they heard her pleading voice: - -"Cousin Mike, won't you please sing to me?" - -"I'll do my bist," he replied with a laugh, as he walked back and sat on -a camp stool beside her couch, where only a small portion of the light -from the front apartment reached them. He began the baby song with which -his mother had often lulled him to slumber in infancy. Its exquisite -sweetness was beyond description, the parents sat motionless and -listening as much enthralled as the little one for whose benefit it was -sung. They were almost holding their breath when Sunbeam murmured during -one of the slight pauses: - -"I think one of the angels you told me about, mamma, is singing." - -"I don't wonder," whispered the father; "I never heard anything like -it." - -Five minutes later the child had drifted away into dreamland and Mike -came forward and joined the two on the outside. They sat silent for a -few minutes. Neither referred to the wonderful treat they had enjoyed, -for it would have grated when compared with the simple words of Sunbeam. -Nor did Mike speak of it, but, as has been said, his heart had been -touched as never before. - -It was comparatively early in the evening when he bade his friends -good-by, having declined their invitation to stay over night, and walked -down to the water, accompanied by the doctor. - -"When you next see Uncle Elk, assure him that his wishes shall be -respected by me; I shall not call at the bungalow in the evening unless -you signal for me, nor do I intend to go near his home." - -Mike promised to carry out the doctor's wishes and turned the prow of -the boat south, which was the most direct course home. He glanced back, -and observing that his friend had gone up the path, made a change of -direction, his action showing that he did not wish the doctor to notice -it. - -The truth was that Mike was obsessed with what he had witnessed that -afternoon. There must be an explanation of the fright of the two tramps, -but he could not frame any theory that would stand for a moment. - -"And I'll niver be able to do it," he muttered, "till I larn a good deal -more than I know now, which isn't anything at all, as Ted Ryan replied -whin his taycher asked him what he knowed about his lesson." - -Now, as that which terrified Biggs and Hutt seemed to have appeared in -the lake near them, it would seem that there was the spot to look for -the solution of the mystery, and yet it was impossible to hit upon the -precise place. He and the doctor had come pretty near it some hours -before, without any result. - -"We agraad that what the spalpeens saw was _in the water_, but that -couldn't be. It must have been on the land and that's where I'll hunt -for the same." - -There were just as strong objections to this supposition, the chief of -which was that the vagrants when they went overboard swam with frantic -energy toward the shore; in other words, they made for the point where -the terror was awaiting them. Moreover, their actions in diving -repeatedly and glancing back proved that what they dreaded was behind -them. - -It was useless to theorize, for the more Mike tried it, the more puzzled -he became. He decided to paddle slowly and silently to the point where -the tramps had landed and make his investigations there. Using his eyes -and ears to the utmost, he ought to learn something, provided always -there was something to learn. He certainly displayed "nerve," but no -more than he had done on other occasions. - -It has been shown that the youth was only an amateur in handing a canoe, -but by slowly and carefully moving the paddle, he caused scarcely a -ripple and was sure no one could detect him through the sense of -hearing. There was no moon, but the sky was clear and studded with stars -whose brilliancy enabled him dimly to see objects at a distance of a -hundred yards or so. From the first, he kept so close inshore that the -undergrowth and wood were in sight and served him as a guide. Even an -expert in the circumstances would not have been able to decide precisely -where Biggs and Hutt left the water, but Mike was sure he was not far -from the spot when he ceased plying his paddle. - -He decided not to land, at least not for the present, but to halt where -the bow of the canoe rested directly under the dipping branches. Thus, -should it become necessary, he could slip out of sight under the leafy -screen, or could retreat if it should prove advisable to do so. - -An overhanging bough rested on the prow of the craft and held it -motionless, a very slight force serving as an anchor in the case of so -delicately poised a craft. First, with his heart beating a little faster -than usual, he peered round in the gloom that shut him in on every hand. -To the southward he saw the lights of the bungalow twinkling like stars, -one of the windows throwing the rays well out on the lake, but in no -other direction could be noted a sign of life. - -"Every one of the byes, not forgitting Scout Master Hall, are there, for -the ones that wint out in t'other canoe must have gone back while I was -at the docther's. They know where I wint so they won't be worrying about -me, which they wouldn't be likely to do annyhow," he added with a touch -of his natural whimsicality, "if they didn't know anything about me at -all, at all." - -No sound reached the intently listening ears, except that deep almost -inaudible murmur which is never absent in a stretch of forest or near -the ocean. - -"I'll try it awhile, but if Mike Murphy knows his own heart, which he -thinks he do, he isn't going to sit in this steamboat many -more--whisht!" - -From a point not fifty feet distant shot out a canoe, like an arrow -driven from a bow. In it a single man was seated and vigorously swinging -the paddle. He had emerged from under the overhanging limbs and sped -southward, absolutely without any noise at all. Mike was so startled by -the apparition that he stared breathless for a minute, nor did his wits -fully come back until the craft and its occupant were swallowed up in -the gloom. - -Not only was the unexpected appearance of the canoe startling, but the -recognition of the Master of Woodcraft who drove the boat forward like a -skimming swallow, added to the amazement of Mike. Beyond a doubt he was -Uncle Elk. He was so near when he first darted in view that there was no -possibility of mistake. - -"I wonder ef I'm Mike Murphy or a big fool or jest both," muttered the -youth, when able to pull himself together. "I lift Uncle Elk in his -cabin studying his primer or spelling book, and now he is in _this_ part -of the world." - -After a moment's reflection the youth added: - -"Which the same may be said of mesilf, so that don't count. It looked to -me as if he was heading for the bungalow and an interisting question -comes before me: being that I obsarved him, did he return the compliment -and obsarve _me_?" - -After turning the question over in his mind, Mike said to himself: - -"If I kaap at this much longer I'll go clean daft, as Jimmy Hagan did -whin he tried to whirl his two hands in opposite directions at the same -time. Can it be I'm mistook?" - -He sniffed the air several times and was convinced that he caught the -odor of a burning cigar which could not be far off, else the nose would -not have detected it when no wind was blowing. - -"Uncle Elk doesn't smoke, leastways I niver obsarved him doing the same, -and if he did he ain't here, so the perfume can't be projuiced by him." - -He now ventured to draw his canoe nearer shore, by gently pulling the -overhanging bough. It was blankly dark all around him, the foliage -shutting out the star gleam, so that he had literally to feel his way. -Suddenly there was a slight jar, proving that the bow had touched shore. -He paused to consider whether anything was likely to be gained by -leaving the craft. While it seemed almost certain that Uncle Elk had -come to this lonely spot to meet some one, there was no obvious way by -which Mike could assure himself on the point. - -He still noted the aroma of the cigar, which he judged to be a pretty -fair specimen of the weed, though he was so accustomed to the pipe of -his father that he was a poor judge. - -"The spalpeen can't be fur off," concluded Mike still gently sniffing, -"and begorra! he isn't!" - -The exclamation was caused by the sound of a voice, not in speaking, but -in chortling, as if pleased over something. The sound was so near that -had there been the least illumination Mike must have seen the one from -whom it came. Then a second person--as the peculiar sound proved--joined -in the ebullition, the two so near together that otherwise the listener -would have thought the laugh came from one. - -"It's them tramps!" was the thought of the startled Mike; "though one of -'em wouldn't be smoking a cigar unless he stole it or Uncle Elk had give -the same to him." - -It was unpleasant thus to associate the hermit with the pestiferous -vagrants with whom the youth had had much trouble already. He waited for -the strangers to speak, but they did not seem to care to do so. Once he -thought he saw the glowing end of the cigar, but was probably mistaken, -for a second look failed to reveal it, nor did either of the men laugh -again. - -With a feeling akin to disgust, Mike stealthily worked his canoe from -under the overhanging boughs and set out on his return to the clubhouse. - - - - - CHAPTER V -- Concerning Certain American Trees - - -As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up -the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their -excursion to the western end of the lake. The bright light from the main -room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and -he decided to go in. - -The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the -suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which -served almost as well as midday. Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken -leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side -was Uncle Elk. Jack had been listening to the reports of his young -friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in -bird lore. The comments which Jack made on the written notes as read to -him showed that he was the best informed of any of the Scouts concerning -birds. He cleared up many doubts and answered questions so intelligently -that the venerable Instructor in Woodcraft complimented him. - -Mike came through the open door so silently that none of the boys -noticed him. No chair being available, he sat down on the floor, as the -majority had already done. He was near the entrance and aimed to avoid -observation, but as Uncle Elk from his position faced him it was -probable he noticed the lad, as did Jack Crandall, who also fronted that -direction. - -The reports and the comments thereon having been finished, the old man -was speaking: - -"To make satisfactory progress in acquiring knowledge," said he in his -low, musical voice to which all listened with alert interest, "you must -do so systematically. In our tramp through the woods the other day we -picked up a good deal of information, but it was haphazard. We talked of -trees as we came across them, but it was fragmentary and ten times as -much was left unlearned as was learned. I am glad to know that your -Scout Master has followed the right course in directing your study of -our native trees, not alone in Maine but as far north as Canada, -westward to the Rockies and down to the northern boundaries of the -Southern States. The subject is too vast for us to cover in one evening -or in a dozen evenings. Let us rather summarize. We shall put our wits -together and see how many families we can name, without giving the -different species under each. The first is the magnolia family, of which -there are four varieties, while under the custard apple there is but -one, the papaw. Now let me hear from you." - -Nearly an hour was spent during which scarcely a boy in the room kept -silent. The pleased old man nodded his head and finally raised his hand -for quiet. - -"I believe you have mentioned about all. Now, while Isaac jots down the -names at the table, let's try to evolve something like order therefrom. -Are you ready?" - -Isaac Rothstein nodded and held his lead pencil over the paper. Here is -the list upon which all finally agreed: - -Magnolia, custard-apple, linden, rue, ailantus, holly, staff-tree, -buckthorn, rose, pea, sumach, maple, horse chestnut, heath, honeysuckle, -dogwood, ginseng, witch hazel, ebony, olive, begonia, laurel, mulberry, -elm, plane-tree, walnut, birch, beech, willow, pine, yew and oak. - -"None of you has seen all of these," continued the old man, "but I hope -you will have the opportunity of studying their peculiarities sometime. -To illustrate what a rich treat is before you, we shall give a few -minutes' attention to the oak family, concerning which you may think I -had considerable to say the other day. Let me show you how much was left -unsaid. - -"Most persons think of the oak as a slow grower. This is true of two or -three species but not of the family. The majority need a hundred years -to attain perfection and they rarely bear acorns until twenty years old. -The acorn requires no protection in order to mature, and those that are -not eaten by wild animals or trodden under foot do their work well. The -_quercus_ is one of the longest-lived trees." - -"What is the greatest age that they attain, Uncle Elk?" asked Scout -Master Hall, one of the most interested in the audience. - -"It is impossible to say, but there is little doubt that many of them -flourish for a thousand years. There are vigorous oaks to-day in England -that were old in the time of William the Conqueror. The famous White Oak -of Hartford, in which Captain Wadsworth hid the charter two hundred and -twenty-five years ago, was several centuries old at the time, and it was -not until the summer of 1856 that a windstorm brought it to the ground. -While it is one of the most valuable of the family, the white oak is in -danger of extinction, because of its value as timber and on account of -the sweetness of its nuts, which makes it a favorite with wild creatures -that will not eat the bitter acorns of other oaks. You know the white -oak is so called because of the color of its bark, which however is -generally an ashen gray. Can any of you tell me the name of the oak that -is fifty feet or slightly more in height, grows in Texas, has a -fine-checked bark nearly the color of the white oak, with an awkward -form and has shoots along the whole length of its branches, with the -leaves coarse and rough on both sides? I shall not wait for you to guess -the name, which is the post oak. - -"The bur oak grows to a height of a hundred and fifty feet and ranges -south to Texas and from the foothills of the Rockies to the Atlantic -coast, being most abundant in Kansas and Nebraska. One of J. Fenimore -Cooper's most pleasing tales is 'The Oak Openings,' a name applied to -the scattered forests of Minnesota. Now, you may know that the cork of -commerce is the outer bark of an oak growing in southern Europe. The bur -oak seems to be striving to produce the same thing and probably will -succeed after awhile. - -"The chestnut oak sometimes reaches a height of a hundred feet, but the -trunk divides into large limbs a few feet above the ground. It is found -in this State, westward through Ohio and as far south as Kentucky. It -has many features in common with the yellow oak, whose range is somewhat -different. - -"The dwarf chinkapin, or scrub chestnut oak, is a shrub rarely more than -a dozen feet high and grows on sandy or rocky soil. We do not meet with -it north of Massachusetts. In Missouri and Kansas, it acquires -dimensions more like a tree. - -"The swamp white oak grows to a height of more than a hundred feet, and -is fond of the borders of swamps. The top is narrow and round and the -branches pendulous. You know about the red oak, which is a rapid grower -and ranges from this State to Georgia and westward to Kansas, but -attains its finest development north of the Ohio. - -"To continue, I should add the names of the scarlet oak, the black and -the yellow oak, the pin oak, the swamp Spanish, the bear, the scrub, the -black jack, the barren, the shingle, the laurel, and the willow. - -"You have noticed that I have done little more than mention the names of -the different species. You have learned very little, for it is necessary -that you should know the range of each, the height to which it grows, -the characteristics of the bark, the wood, the leaves, the flowers and -acorns. In conclusion, I shall say that the willow oak is one of the -most interesting of trees. Its leaves resemble those of the willow, as -do the straight slender shoots. It grows on the wet borders of swamps, -but keeps away from the sea coast. Its acorns are very small, with a -kernel so bitter that you would never bite into it a second time. - -"My object this evening," said Uncle Elk, "has been rather to awaken a -desire on your part to study systematically our common American trees -than to give you actual information. Let us dismiss the subject, for in -dropping a matter of that kind we should follow the rule in eating, -which is to stop before the appetite is cloyed. Suppose to-morrow night -we have a little talk about American birds." - -There was general nodding of heads and the old man rose to his feet. He -was so pleased with his listeners that he said: - -"If we get through that subject in time, I'll promise to tell you a -story, provided you would like to hear one from me." - -He could be seen smiling behind his abundant gray beard. - -"Boys will be boys always. Nothing suits them better than a story. So I -shall bid you good night for the present, hoping nothing will interfere -with our meeting again to-morrow evening." - -"The better plan," suggested Scout Master Hall, "is for you to take -supper with us, for I foresee that there will be much for you to tell -us. We don't want to miss the talk about birds, and I am as eager as the -boys to hear your story, which I know will be a good one." - -All crowded around the Instructor in Woodcraft, shaking hands, thanking -him and urging him so warmly to accept the invitation that he could not -refuse. The last one with whom he clasped hands was Jack Crandall, who -straightened up in his easy chair and declared he was receiving more -benefit than a dozen doctors could impart. - -Mike Murphy had risen to his feet at the close of the old man's talk, -but kept his place by the door until Uncle Elk came opposite. A nod of -the hermit's head told Mike that he wished to speak with him alone. The -signal was observed by several who stayed behind as the two passed out -and down the porch to the beach. Uncle Elk did not speak until they were -beyond the hearing of the others. Then he halted and looked into the -face of the youth. - -"Well, Michael, what word do you bring me?" - -"I told the docther what ye said and he is agreeable. He will not come -to the bungalow in the evening unless we signal for him, which the same -doesn't seem to be likely." - -"That is what I wanted to know, and I thank you for your service. Well, -my son, did you learn anything to-night?" - -The youth was not sure of the scope of the question. - -"If ye ask whither I larned anything from your words to the byes, I may -say I picked up a good deal more than I iver knowed, which wasn't much." - -"I refer to what you did after leaving the home of Dr. Spellman and -paddling to the upper side of the lake." - -"Did ye obsarve me?" asked the astonished Mike. - -"How could I help it, when I passed within a few feet of you in my own -boat?" - -"I didn't notice it whin I came ashore." - -"I landed a little way up the beach, where my boat now awaits me. You -haven't told me whether you learned anything through your scouting." - -"I saan no one but yersilf, but I heerd them two tramps laughing over -something and I smelled the cigar that one of them was smoking." - -"No, you didn't." - -"I don't catch yer maaning, Uncle Elk," said the mystified Mike; "I -sartinly sniffed a cigar and heerd two men chuckling to thimsilves." - -"I haven't denied that, but they were not the tramps you have in mind." - -"How can ye know the same for sartin?" - -"I went to that spot on the shore to meet those men; they are old -acquaintances and the name of neither is Biggs nor Hutt." - -"Who are they?" - -"It would be useless to name them, since they are strangers to you." - -"Why didn't ye stay and inthrodooce me?" - -"I may do so one of these days, but I gave you a chance to find out -things for yourself." - -"And mighty little I larned," remarked Mike disgustedly; "if ye don't -mind, would ye tell me what the mischief scared thim two tramps to the -extint that they jumped out of the canoe they had stole and took a bath -in Gosling Lake?" - -Uncle Elk was distinctly heard to chuckle. - -"I had a talk with my two friends regarding the incident and I don't -wonder that they laughed even after I had left them." - -"I faal like laughing mesilf, Uncle Elk, and if ye'll give me the same -cause I'll laugh so hard that it will wake the docther's daughter on -t'other side of the lake." - -"Have patience, Michael, and don't think I am trifling with you, but I -am under a promise not to reveal this little secret until I have -permission. Good night." - -Mike stood gazing after the old man until he passed from sight in the -obscurity and he heard him launching his canoe. Then the youth strolled -thoughtfully back. - -"I'm getting mixed," he muttered with a sigh, "as Jerry Lanagan said -whin they run him through a thrashing machine." - - - - - CHAPTER VI -- A Patriot Martyr - - -The next day brought a marked coolness in the temperature. In -preparation for the evening's instructive entertainment, nearly all the -boys spent the time in roaming through the woods, taking notes and -brushing up their knowledge of birds, which were met with only in -moderate numbers. - -Mike Murphy told Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes of his singular -experience the night before, and asked their help in solving the puzzle. - -"I wish we could aid you," replied Alvin, "but it is as much a mystery -to us as it is to you. Gordon Calhoun went with us in the other canoe to -the western end of the lake, where we found so romantic a spot that we -ate our lunch there and did not return until after dark." - -"And ye didn't obsarve anything of thim tramps and their dive -overboord?" - -"We must have been deep in the woods when that took place and, of -course, we noticed nothing strange when we paddled back." - -"I've tried to pump Uncle Elk, but the valves won't work. I'm going to -kaap at it till I larn the truth or break a trace." - -"Count us in to give all the help we can," Alvin assured him. - -That evening when the Boy Scouts gathered in the large room of the -bungalow and disposed themselves in their free and easy fashion, a -moderate fire was burning on the hearth and all were on the tiptoe of -expectancy. - -"My friends," said Uncle Elk, "I am going to ask your permission to -reverse the order which I laid out last night. Most of us old persons -are apt to forget that the knowledge which interests us may not be -equally interesting to everyone else. Although I cut short my talk about -American trees, it was still dry in some respects. Now if I should start -in concerning birds you would by and by become weary. Oh, you needn't -shake your heads. I don't forget when I was a boy myself. So I have -decided to say nothing about our little brothers of the air until -to-morrow night, when we shall consider nothing else. The time now at my -disposal is to be given to the story I have in mind. If any one has an -objection to make let him do so now or forever after hold his peace." - -He looked around in the bright faces as if he really expected a protest -instead of a general series of smiles. Then with the prefatory remark -that the narrative which he was about to give was true in every respect, -he spoke as follows: - -"The cause of American independence never looked more gloomy than in the -summer and autumn of 1776. Washington with his famishing army was in the -city of New York, preparing for the attack that he knew would soon be -made by the British fleet and land forces. The American fortifications -extended from the ferry station of Brooklyn and Gowanus Bay to Wallabout -Bay (now Brooklyn Navy Yard), less than a mile and a half in length. -Generals Sullivan and Stirling were in command, with five thousand -miserably equipped troops. Unfortunately that fine officer General -Greene was ill with a violent fever, and the boastful Sullivan assumed -charge, but Washington soon replaced him with General Putnam. By a fatal -oversight, one of the three roads over any of which the enemy could -advance if it was unguarded, was left invitingly open. Through this the -British soldiers rushed and drove the Americans pell-mell out of their -intrenchments. - -"Had Howe flung off his natural indolence, he would have captured the -whole patriot army, including Washington and his officers, but certain -of soon doing so, he wished to save the lives of his men. The Americans -had several hundred killed and lost a thousand prisoners, among the -latter being Generals Sullivan and Stirling. The leading officers were -soon exchanged, but the privates suffered horribly in the hideous Sugar -House and rotten hulks at Wallabout. - -"A strange providence saved the Continental army. The fleet was checked -by adverse winds, and a dense fog settled over Brooklyn, but did not -touch the other shore. Thus hidden from sight, the Americans stole back -to New York, unseen by the enemy. - -"But, as I said, the outlook could not have been more gloomy. The -situation was critical to the last degree. The army was so demoralized -that little discipline remained; whole companies deserted; the few -recruits who came into camp met double their number going out; those who -stayed clamored for their pay, and the money chest was as empty as an -egg shell. Winter was coming on, and more than once it looked as if the -army would dwindle to nothing. The fourteen thousand troops declared fit -for duty were strung the whole length of Manhattan Island. - -"The crisis was imminent and Washington called a council of war -September 7th, to decide whether New York should be abandoned or -defended. The commander, seeing the dread necessity coming, had asked -Congress if he should not burn the city rather than allow it to serve as -the winter quarters of the invaders. He was ordered to use special care -to prevent any damage being done, because that body was sure the place -would soon be recovered. The first council of war decided to stay and -defend New York. - -"A few days later, however, another council agreed that the only course -possible was to leave the city and take position on Harlem Heights. The -public stores were to be sent to Dobbs Ferry and the sick carried across -to New Jersey. The main army would march northward and General Putnam -would stay in New York with four thousand troops. If he found his -position untenable, he was to follow Washington. - -"At this council the commander-in-chief said: - -"'I know absolutely nothing of the intentions of the enemy. Two -ships-of-war have gone up the East River and others will follow. Their -troops are active everywhere, but I cannot even guess what they mean to -do. Until I have knowledge on that point, I am helpless.' - -"In his distressful dilemma, Washington wrote to General Heath at -Kingsbridge, entreating him and General Clinton to aid in securing the -indispensable information. He told them to spare no expense or pains, -adding that not since the beginning of the war had he been so uneasy. - -"Shortly after, Washington called his officers together again. He told -them he was still without the least knowledge of the plans of the enemy. -Only one recourse remained to him:--that was to send a spy into the -British lines in quest of the information. Such a man must be -clear-headed, cool, tactful, a good draughtsman and of undaunted -courage. He appealed to Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton (soon to die the -death of a patriot) to find him the person. Knowlton laid the request -before a conference of his officers, and asked whether any one was -willing to volunteer. - -"A spy is very different from a scout and in the eyes of most people is -the most contemptible of creatures, for the essence of his duty is -treachery. To succeed he must play the hypocrite and betray confidence -at every turn. In such scorn is a spy held by civilized nations that he -is not permitted to die the death of a soldier, but is hanged like the -worst of felons. - -"The request of Knowlton was succeeded by an indignant hush. The bronzed -faces flushed as if under the sting of an insult, and the officers dared -not trust themselves to reply. In the midst of the strained silence, a -clear voice spoke: - -"'I will go!' - -"Every eye was turned in astonishment on the speaker. He was a young man -of athletic figure and handsome face, whose paleness was due to a severe -illness from which he was hardly yet recovered. He wore the uniform of a -captain, and in the whole army there was not a braver or more beloved -officer than he. His words caused a painful shock to his comrades, who, -believing a disgraceful death was certain to follow his mad attempt, -closed around him and protested in the most forceful language at their -command. To all their appeals he smiled and shook his head. - -"'Gentlemen, it is useless. I am touched by your friendship, but all the -arguments you bring forward have already been considered by me. A spy is -looked upon with loathing, but the necessity of one's country makes -every kind of service honorable. I am not seeking promotion or pecuniary -reward. I go to serve our cause, for which I am ready at any time to -give my life.' - -"It was not the words alone, but their emphasis which silenced his -comrades. They saw it was useless to appeal to one whose patriotism -throbbed and burned through his entire being, and inspired every -thought, word and deed. - -"And who was the young officer who thus took his life in his hands that -he might serve the cause of liberty? - -"He was Captain Nathan Hale, born in Connecticut, in 1755, the sixth -child among twelve, of the strictest Puritan parents. His mental and -athletic gifts were wonderful. None of his playmates could approach him -in running, leaping, swimming, throwing, wrestling and the feats of -strength and agility so much admired by all rugged American youths. Many -a time he would place a row of empty barrels beside one another and with -little effort spring out of one into the other until he had completed -the series. Standing beside a fence whose top rail touched his chin, he -would rest one hand lightly on it and vault over as easily as a deer. -One day, while a student at Yale, in a contest with his friends, he made -so prodigious a leap that the bounds were carefully marked and preserved -for years, the admiration and despair of all subsequent students. - -"But, extraordinary as was Nathan Hale's athletic skill, his mental -powers were more brilliant, while his social qualities made him a -favorite with all. His simplicity, unfailing good nature and readiness -to help others, no matter whom, justified the remark: 'Every man, woman -and child who knew him were his friends and among them not one was ever -an enemy.' - -"He entered Yale College when fifteen years old and was graduated in due -course with the highest honors. This fact attests his scholarship and -ability. He was easily the most popular student, not only with his -classmates, but with the tutors and the faculty of the college and the -best families in New Haven. - -"Hale left college in 1773 and engaged in teaching. In 1774, he was made -preceptor in the Union Grammar School at New London. The building is -carefully preserved and is well worth a visit. The institution was of a -high order, and its students were not only grounded thoroughly in an -English education, but were prepared for college. Hale was its first -preceptor, and his success was pronounced from the beginning. Boys like -you have admired and always will admire physical prowess, and there was -never one among them all who could approach their instructor in that -respect. What a star football player he would have made in these later -days! Added to this ability, his mental and social gifts and his -profound religious nature explain his marked success among the youth of -New London. - -"On the 21st of April, 1775, a rider dashed into the little town upon -his foaming horse and shouted the news of Lexington and Concord. Pausing -only long enough to rest his panting steed and to snatch a bit of food, -he thundered away for New York with his momentous tidings. - -"Instantly New London flamed with excitement. The bells were rung and a -'town meeting,' the inalienable recourse of all New Englanders, was -called at the court house for early candle light. Seemingly the whole -town crowded thither. There were burning speeches and Hale's was the -most impassioned of all. - -"The talking being over, he wrote down his name as a volunteer. Others -caught the contagion and elbowed one another in their eagerness to be -among the first to enlist. The next morning, when the boys came together -at the call of the school bell, their teacher offered up an earnest -prayer for the success of the great struggle that had opened, commended -his pupils to the care of their Heavenly Father, shook the hands of each -lad in turn, uttered a few words of advice, and set out for Cambridge. -Some time later, he came back to New London and resumed his duties in -the school. - -"The young patriot, however, could not remain idle so long as his -beloved country needed her sons. He enlisted as a lieutenant in Colonel -Charles Webb's regiment, which had been raised by order of the General -Assembly of Connecticut for home defense and, if needed, for national -protection. In September, the regiment marched to Cambridge and took -part in the siege of Boston. Upon the departure of the British for -Halifax, the American army went to New York. Some months later, when the -team of his company's enlistment expired, Hale offered to give the men -his month's pay if they would stay a little while longer. - -"The Continentals had been in New York but a short time when Hale became -the hero of a daring exploit. A British supply vessel lay in the East -River under the protection of a frigate of sixty-four guns. He obtained -permission to attempt the capture of the sloop. Selecting a few men as -brave as himself, they stepped into a whale boat, rowed silently out -late at night and drew up beside the vessel undetected by the watch. -Like so many phantoms, the boarders climbed over the side, seized the -sentinel, fastened the crew below the hatches, lifted anchor and took -the prize into Coenties Slip, without raising the slightest alarm. Day -was breaking when Hale, holding the helm, was recognized by his friends, -who received him with hurrahs. For once at least his comrades enjoyed a -'square meal.' - -"In May, 1776, he became captain of a company of Continental Rangers -attached to Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton's regiment, called 'Congress' -Own.' The young officer's company was the best drilled and disciplined -of all. Little is known of his actions during those eventful days, but -it cannot be doubted that he did his duty well. Illness kept him in New -York at the time the British invaded Long Island, and still weak and -pale, he joined the troops who retreated toward Harlem Heights early in -September. - -"This brings me back to the day when Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton walked -into the quarters of General Washington and introduced Captain Hale as -the officer who had volunteered to serve him as a spy. The commander -looked admiringly into the blue eyes of the handsome young athlete and -took his hand. The great man was moved and feelingly thanked him for the -inestimable service he hoped he would render his country. He saw without -questioning that Hale was the ideal actor for so perilous a rôle. He -gave him minute instructions, with a written order to the owners of all -American vessels in Long Island Sound to take him to any point on Long -Island where he might wish to go. - -"Captain Hale left camp the same evening. He took with him Sergeant -Stephen Hempstead, a member of his company, who was devoted to the -officer, and a servant, Ansel Wright. They had to walk fifty miles to -Norwalk before they found a safe place to cross the Sound, because of -the British cruisers that were ever moving to and fro. At this place, -Hale took off his regimentals and donned a brown cloth suit and a -broad-brimmed hat. He assumed the character of a Quaker school teacher, -who had wearied of the society of the rebels in New York and had started -out to find a situation among more congenial folk. - -"The captain instructed his companions to wait at Norwalk until the -20th, upon which day he expected to come back. They were to send a boat -for him on that morning. He left with them his uniform, his commission -and all other papers that might betray his identity. He crossed the -Sound in a sloop and went ashore on the point of Great Neck in -Huntingdon Bay, being rowed thither in a yawl. He landed near a place -called 'The Cedars,' not far from a tavern kept by a widow named -Chichester. She was a spiteful Tory and the inn was a lounging place for -those of her neighbors who were of the same mind. In the gray light of -early morning Hale walked past without being noticed. A mile beyond, he -stopped at the farm house of William Johnson, and obtained breakfast and -a bed for several hours' rest. Thence he went directly into the nearest -British lines, where he was received without suspicion. He was gone for -about two weeks, but what he did, where he went, what adventures befell -him and the various means he used to escape detection can never be -known. It is certain that he visited all the enemy's encampments near -Brooklyn and twice passed their lines. He made drawings and notes of -what he saw and learned; he went from Brooklyn, then only a ferry -station, to New York City, which the British captured after his -departure, and was equally thorough in every place. The drawings and -memoranda, the latter written in Latin, were hidden under the loose -inner soles of his shoes. - -"Having finished his work in New York, Hale recrossed to Brooklyn and -threaded his way through the lines to Huntingdon. By this time he felt -so secure in his disguise that he entered without hesitation the tavern -of Widow Chichester and sat down among a group of loungers, with whom he -talked in his character of a Quaker school teacher. He was happy over -the thought that his dangerous work was over and the important knowledge -he had gained would soon be in the hands of General Washington. - -"Among the strangers in the place was one whose face seemed familiar to -Hale, but he could not recall where he had ever met the man. He decided -that the resemblance was one of those accidental ones that are -occasionally seen, and he gave the matter no further thought. By and by -the fellow, who silently studied the beaming young Quaker, slipped out -of doors and did not return. - -"Ah, why did Hale fail to see the sinister meaning of all this? After -escaping so many perils, why did he not continue alert and suspicious -until safe within his own lines? Sad to say, not a single misgiving -entered his thoughts, and after awhile he bade the company good night -and went to his room. - -"The next morning at dawn he walked to the bay to meet the boat that was -to come for him. With a thrill of delighted expectancy, he saw a craft -containing several men approaching. He sprang lightly down the bank and -then suddenly stopped in consternation. The boat was filled with British -marines under command of an officer! - -"He whirled about to flee. Had he discovered his peril sooner and gained -a few minutes' start, no pursuer could have overtaken him. But six -muskets were leveled, and he was ordered to surrender under threat of -instant death. He paused, came down the bank again and stepped into the -boat, which was rowed out to the British ship _Halifax_. There he was -searched and the fatal papers were found on him. - -"The tradition is that the man in the tavern who betrayed Hale was a -distant Tory relative who recognized him as soon as he entered the -place. Upon leaving the inn, he went to a British naval officer in -Huntingdon Bay with the news. - -"Captain Hale was taken to New York on the 21st and brought before Lord -Howe, who read the documents that had been captured with the prisoner. -It was useless to try to conceal the truth and Hale denied nothing. He -said he wished no court-martial and was ready to meet his fate. - -"Howe was naturally a kind-hearted man, but just then he was greatly -irritated over a fire which had destroyed several hundred houses in New -York, and which he believed had been started by the Americans to prevent -his use of them. He condemned Hale to be hanged at daylight the next -morning and placed him in the custody of William Cunningham, Provost -Marshal and one of the most brutal wretches that ever lived. It is some -consolation to know that this miscreant was hanged himself some years -later for scores of confessed murders to which he had been accessory. He -thrust Hale into a prison cell, and would not have unpinioned him except -for the intercession of a British officer. When the prisoner asked for -the presence of a chaplain, it was refused with curses, as was his -request for a Bible. The same friendly officer obtained permission for -Hale to write letters to his mother, sisters and the girl to whom he was -betrothed. The missives were handed to Cunningham to be forwarded. With -a leer he read each and then tore them up and flung the fragments on the -floor. Hale looked scornfully at him but did not speak. - -"The next morning he was led to the gallows, which was the limb of an -apple tree, exactly where is not known. In accordance with the military -custom of those days, a ladder was placed under the branch. The prisoner -climbed two or three rounds, when at a signal the support was turned and -he was left dangling in the air. A moment before, he had looked down in -the faces of the hushed spectators and uttered his last noble words: - -"'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country!' - -"No one knows where the martyr was buried. On November 25, 1893, a -statue to his memory was unveiled in City Hall Park, in the presence of -a vast assemblage and amid impressive ceremonies." - - - - - CHAPTER VII -- Concerning Certain New England Birds - - -"One reason why I deferred our talk about birds," said Uncle Elk, -addressing the troop of Boy Scouts who had gathered in the large room of -the bungalow the next evening, "is that you might have more opportunity -to brighten up your knowledge on the subject. Scout Master Hall tells me -that when you learned you were to spend your vacation in southern Maine, -you started in to inform yourselves about the birds which are to be -found in New England. It is impossible under the circumstances that you -should see them all, for the season is not the most favorable and not -even a majority are to be found in this section. Instead of dealing out -a lot of facts, I am going to ask you do it for me. Secretary Rothstein -has given me a list of all the Boy Scouts who are present. There are too -many of you for me to identify separately, so I shall call upon you at -random. I think," he added with a sly glance at the invalid on his -right, "that I shall except Jack, since he seems to know all about our -feathered inhabitants and would be simply taking my place. - -"Starting with Mr. Hall's Patrol I call upon his leader, Charles A. -Chase, to name the first order as it is generally accepted." - -The alert young man promptly arose and said: - -"It is the raptores, which means robbers." - -"What does it include?" - -"The falcons proper, hawks, buzzard-hawks, eagles, horned owls, gray -owls and day owls." - -"Very good. Corporal George Robe will name the second order." - -The plump little fellow blushed but did not hesitate. - -"Scansores or climbers, which takes in cuckoos and woodpeckers." - -"The third order is so numerous that I can hardly expect any one to -remember the complete list. Will Kenneth Henke name the third order?" - -"Insessores or perchers." - -"I will ask Kenneth Mitchell, Robert Snow and Ernest Oberlander to help -you in making out a complete catalogue." - -While these boys did well, they would not have succeeded but for the aid -of Colgate Craig and Robert Rice. Even then Uncle Elk had to supply -several names, for the long list included humming birds, goatsuckers, -screamers, kingfishers, flycatchers, singers, thrushes, mocking birds, -wrens, warblers, tanagers, swallows, shrikes, skylarks, sparrows, -orioles, blackbirds, crows, jays and some others less known. - -Alvin Landon had an easy task with the rasores or scratchers, which -embrace the doves, game birds such as the Canada grouse, spruce -partridge, pinnated grouse, ruffed grouse improperly called the -partridge, Virginia partridge, quail and Bob White. - -Chester Haynes gave the fifth order as grallatores or waders, which with -its herons, shore birds, plovers, snipes, sandpipers and others are -known to every one. - -The sixth and last order as named by Hubert Wood was the natores or -swimmers, with the principal of which every American boy is familiar. -Hubert, with the assistance of Harold Hopkins, named swans, geese, -several kinds of ducks, gulls, terns, divers, loons and grebes. - -"That is a pretty full list," commented Uncle Elk, "but it may be that -Michael has some other waders in mind." - -"That I hev," responded the Irish youth springing to his feet; "the -first time Alvin and Chester tried to paddle a canoe it tipped over wid -'em--they lacking the sense I showed--and the water not being deep the -same was waders for the time." - -Mike did not smile as he resumed his seat on the floor, though every one -else did. - -"Let me remind you," added Uncle Elk, "that we have simply named the six -orders, without any attempt to particularize. To illustrate will you -name a bird?" - -Some one called: - -"Let's talk about the thrush." - -"Very well; its head is a clear cinnamon brown, the under parts white, -sometimes tinged with buff on the breast and thickly marked beneath -except on the chin and throat. The sides of the head are a dark brown, -streaked with white, with maxillary streaks on each side of the throat. -It is a trifle over eight inches long, the wings being a little more -than half of that, and the eggs are usually four in number, of a uniform -light-blue color, without spots and showing a slight tint of green. - -"The song thrush is common in Rhode Island, Connecticut and -Massachusetts, but is not often seen in the other New England States. I -have had persons say they saw and heard them in this section, when it -was either the hermit or olive-backed thrush. You may look for their -return from the South about the tenth of May, the two sexes coming at -the same time. - -"The great charm of the thrush is its wonderful voice. Hardly has it -arrived when you hear the sweet notes of the male at early dawn or when -twilight is coming on. Very rarely is it heard in the middle of the day, -unless the sky is overcast. The best description of that which cannot be -described is by Nuttall, which so impressed me when I first read it that -I have never forgotten the words. He says: - -"'The prelude to this song resembles almost the double-tonguing of the -flute, blended with a tinkling, shrill, and solemn warble, which -re-echoes from his solitary retreat like the dirge of some recluse, who -shuns the busy haunts of life. The whole air consists usually of four -parts, or bars, which succeed in deliberate tune, finally blending -together in impressive and soothing harmony, becoming more mellow and -sweet at every repetition. Rival performers seem to challenge each other -from various parts of the wood, vying for the favor of their mates with -sympathetic responses and softer tones. And some, waging a jealous -strife, terminate the warm dispute by an appeal to combat and violence. -Like the robin and the thresher, in dark and gloomy weather when other -birds are sheltered and silent, the clear notes of the wood thrush are -heard through the dripping woods from dawn to dusk; so that the sweeter -and more constant is his song. His clear and interrupted whistle is -likewise often nearly the only voice of melody heard by the traveler to -midday, in the heat of summer, as he traverses the silent, dark and -wooded wilderness, remote from the haunts of men.' - -"You have all been charmed by the music of this bird and will agree that -this description, while it falls short of the reality, cannot be -excelled. Now, in your rambles you have seen birds with gorgeous -plumage; which one do you consider the most beautiful of all?" - -After some discussion, the majority pronounced in favor of the scarlet -tanager. - -"Most persons will agree with you, but my preference is for what is -popularly known as the wood duck, which builds its nests in trees and in -size and habits resembles the common duck. The colors shown in the -feathers of this bird to my mind are simply bewildering in their beauty. - -"But to return to the tanager. He is found in all parts of New England -but more frequently in the southern portions. A noticeable fact about -this tanager is that it seems to be extending its range. I hear that it -has been seen for the first time in sections where those familiar with -its habits never expected to find it. Will Arthur Mitchell tell me when -it arrives from the South and about its nesting?" - -The lad appealed to rose and replied: - -"It comes north about the middle of May, looks around for two weeks or -so and then begins building its nest. It prefers oak groves situated -near swamps. The nest is placed on the horizontal limb of a tree not -more than twenty feet above ground." - -"What of the eggs?" - -"They vary from three to five in number, and are of a light greenish -blue with spatters of purplish brown. It belongs to the order of -perehers." - -"Is the tanager a useful bird?" - -"It is; the males destroy thousands of insects and though the song isn't -noteworthy, it is pleasant to hear." - -"Will Gordon Calhoun give a general description of this bird?" - -"The wings and tail of the male are like black silk velvet, but the main -color is a brilliant blood red. The female wears a more sober dress." - -When the rambling talk had continued for some time longer, Scout Master -Hall asked Uncle Elk to tell them something about bird migration. - -"That is an interesting subject over which I with thousands have -speculated and theorized without learning much. It is easy to understand -why the geese from the extreme north hike south with the approach of the -arctic winter, and why many others in more temperate latitudes do the -same, coming north with the return of spring, but some of the migrations -are beyond explanation. I should like to ask what birds make the longest -flights?" - -Scout Master Hall and Jack Crandall expressed their views, but the old -man shook his head. - -"Since all of you did no more than guess, it was a waste of time. Now -follow me closely. We have no large maps here to place on the wall for -you to study, but you have a fair knowledge of geography and can draw a -mental map that will serve. Picture a map of the western hemisphere. -Have you done so?" - -A general nodding of heads. - -"You didn't nod, Mr. Hall." - -"I have the map before my mind's eye," replied the Scout Master; "I am -following you." - -"Since the discovery of the North Pole, you have all become familiar -with the contour of the polar regions. Locate the Arctic Islands in, say -seventy-five degrees north latitude; then draw an imaginary line from -those islands down along the coast of Labrador, across to Newfoundland, -and down to Nova Scotia, then over the Atlantic to the Lesser Antilles -in the West Indies, from there to Brazil and across Argentina and end -your line in Patagonia at the extremity of South America. - -"You have mentally swept over a tremendous stretch of country and water, -but are not yet through. Push on westward to the Pacific, northward up -the coast, then across Central America and up the Mississippi Valley, -through central Canada and back to the Arctic Islands from which you -started. Truly a long journey and yet it is the yearly itinerary of the -American golden plover, which, measured in miles, is three-fifths of the -distance round the world." - -"You have mentioned one of the most remarkable facts in natural -history," commented Mr. Hall, who, like every listener, was deeply -impressed. - -"Quite true," replied Uncle Elk, "though there are many equally -inexplicable. I have sometimes fancied that birds resemble men in their -longing for travel. With means of locomotion at their command still far -beyond the skill of our best aviators, what wonder that our little -brothers of the air are impelled to gather the best that can be secured? - -"This, however, is a fanciful theory which the naturalists will not -accept. It must be remembered that the majority of golden plovers who -start on this long journey never complete it, for almost every mile is -attended with danger. They are dazzled by the vivid electric lights of -the cities, and confused by the tall buildings, telephone and telegraph -wires, especially on dark nights when the birds fly low. Thousands are -thus killed, besides which adverse gales blow many out to sea, and -blizzards and snowstorms destroy myriads. - -"Perhaps we have talked enough about birds," said Uncle Elk, "but I -shall be glad to answer any questions that may occur to you." - -After a moment's silence, Mike Murphy rose to his feet. His face, as -usual, was serious even when about to indulge in some of his waggeries, -but this time he was in earnest. - -"Maybe it's mesilf that knows mighty little about birds excipt them as -is met with in Ireland, which isn't many. There is one that I once heerd -of that belongs to anither counthry." - -"Describe it, Michael," remarked the old man indulgently. - -"It has the bill of a duck, webbed feet, lays eggs, has a furry body and -I belave is what is called a mammal. It's a mighty qu'ar bird that I'd -like to know the name of." - -In answer to the general smiles Uncle Elk asked: - -"Have you ever seen one of the creatures, Michael?" - -"Not that I know of, though I have often made search for 'em." - -"Michael has described no fancy creation. Such a thing exists. Can any -one tell me its name?" - -Isaac Rothstein replied: - -"It is the ornithorhynchus or water mole of Australia, but it is not -classed as a bird." - -"No, although there seems to be some reason why it should be. You see -what a limitless field opens before you when you leave the American -continent to make investigations elsewhere. For a long time to come we -shall find our hands full in our own country." - -"What about the birds that are called _Indians_?" gravely asked Mike. - -"There are some facts regarding Maine Indians which are worth -remembering. In 1612, they numbered 38,000. At the close of the French -and Indian War this number had been reduced to a thousand, which is the -aboriginal population to-day. The decrease was due to the fierce wars -which the tribes waged among themselves. The Indians in Maine were four -times as numerous as those in Massachusetts. The Pine Tree State was the -'dark and bloody ground' of colonial days. - -"In a general way the tribes bore the same names as rivers. Those west -of the Penobscot were of the Abnaki group, and those to the east into -New Brunswick called themselves Etechemins. All belonged to the -Algonquin nation. When King Philip's War broke out in 1675, the Maine -Indians numbered about 12,000. This was twice the white population and -sufficient to wipe out the settlements nearly to the New Hampshire -border. Finally, in 1759, the Indians in Maine did not number more than -a thousand. They were mainly Penobscots and Passamaquoddies. They -remained faithful to the Americans throughout the Revolution. It is a -curious fact that while the Passamaquoddies have decreased in number -during the last ninety years, the Penobscots have increased to the -extent of seven, the former being slightly more numerous. Both keep up -their tribal conditions, and the Penobscots live in the same village -site that their forefathers occupied before the white men set foot on -the continent." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII -- A Council of War - - -That night, after Uncle Elk had left the bungalow, Alvin Landon, Chester -Haynes and Mike Murphy held what Alvin called a council of war. - -Sauntering a little way from the building, they sat down in the silent -depths of the woods where no one could overhear what was said by them. -Not that a Boy Scout would be guilty of eavesdropping, but it was best -that no inkling of what was in the air should become accidentally known -to others. - -Without quoting all the conversation, let me make clear its substance. -The three were so mystified by the incidents already told that they -determined not to cease their efforts until the puzzle was solved. They -were the only Boy Scouts who knew the particulars, and it was natural -that their friends should give their chief interest to fishing, rambling -in the forest, studying trees, picking up what they could of natural -history, and laying in unnecessary stores of health and strength. - -One thing was certain: Uncle Elk knew the secret and he wouldn't tell. -More than that, Chester Haynes startled his chums by the declaration: - -"So does Mr. Hall,--at least I am pretty sure he does." - -"What reason have you for thinking that?" asked the astonished Alvin. - -"I have seen them more than once whispering in a way that showed they -were keenly interested." - -"Did you hear anything that either said?" - -"Not a word." - -"How do you know then to what they were referring?" - -"I don't; I'm only guessing." - -"I belave ye're right," added Mike; "I obsarved the same thing and had -the same 'spicion, and would have spoke of it if Chest hadn't got ahead -of me. But I'm thinking that if Mr. Hall knows it all, why the mischief -doesn't he tell us afore we bust?" - -"For the simple reason that Uncle Elk has bound him to secrecy. No; what -we find out must be done without the help of either." - -"And we'll doot!" exclaimed Mike, "or we'll break a trace trying." - -"How shall we go about it?" asked Alvin. "Whatever we do must be done -without either of them, especially Uncle Elk, knowing it." - -"And there's the rub." - -Bring three bright-witted boys together and let them concentrate their -mental energies upon the solution of a problem, and even if they don't -succeed, they are sure to evolve something worth while. - -"It is useless to apply to Mr. Hall," said Alvin, "for nothing could -induce him to violate the confidence of another. But Uncle Elk holds the -master key and can speak when he chooses." - -"Which the same is the rule with most folks," commented Mike. - -"Now, see here," put in Chester; "he has shown a fondness for you----" - -"Can ye name any one of me acquaintances that hasn't?" interrupted the -wag. - -"Why can't you set to work and coax it out of him?" - -"Begorra! haven't I tried more than once. I've hinted and asked him -straight out until I'm in the fix of Phil Rafferty." - -"What was that?" - -"Phil took a notion that he could butt ivery other admirer of Bridget -Mulrooney off the track. He kipt at it till one day he towld me he had a -dim 'spicion that Bridget and her big brother Tarn and her dad of the -same name, not forgitting Bridget her-silf, weren't as fond of him as -they oughter be. They had dropped purty plain hints and the last time -Phil called, Bridget remarked sorter off-hand like, that she niver -wanted to see his ugly mug agin. Her brother kicked him off the porch -and flung him over the fence and the owld gintleman set their dog on -him, which the same nearly choked in trying to swaller the seat of his -pants. Phil said he was beginnin' to 'spicion that the family took as a -whole, didn't love him as they oughter. It's the same wid Uncle Elk and -me. He's riddy to talk on anything excipt the raison them two tramps was -scared into taking a bath, and he won't throw any light on that p'int." - -"Then there is no use of either of us trying." - -"I could hev towld ye that long ago." - -Once more it was Chester who showed the most subtlety. - -"Uncle Elk knows that Mike is doing all he can to solve the puzzle; he -knows he'll not stop trying till he learns the truth; if Alvin and I -keep him company, he will understand that we have joined forces. It will -be as easy for him to baffle us three when we are together as to defeat -any one of us. Therefore we ought to separate and each push the hunt for -himself." - -"Ye've hit it!" exclaimed Mike, "and to encourage ye in good works and -to show ye the honor ye oughter hev, I offers ye me hand." - -He gravely extended his palm in the gloom and it was warmly shaken. - -Let a party of boys engage in some plot--and the same is true of -adults--and their chief fear is that it will be discovered and defeated -by someone else more or less interested. No precaution must be -neglected. It was agreed by our friends that no one of them should drop -a word in the hearing of others that could rouse curiosity, and not to -show by their manner that anything unusual was on their minds. - -One question considered was whether Dr. Spellman should be taken into -their confidence. He had witnessed the panic of the tramps and was as -curious as the boys to learn its cause. Alvin disposed of the matter. - -"I don't see how he can be of any help and he doesn't wish to leave his -home too long since the trouble he had with the bums. Uncle Elk, for -some reason, hates the doctor; the two would be pretty sure to meet if -the doctor joined forces with us, and the consequences would be bad. Say -what you please, Uncle Elk has a queer twist in his brain, and I dread -doing anything that will excite him. Let us work independently of every -one else." - -"I'm wid ye," assented Mike, and Chester agreed. - -This much decided upon, the particulars of the plan remained to be -arranged. Mike proposed that he should saunter off alone to the western -end of the lake, near where Alvin and Chester had gone in the canoe -during the day, and there with no companion should set himself to learn -what he could. The others would take the opposite course, which would -lead them to the home of Uncle Elk. They had no intention of questioning -the old man or even letting him know what they had in mind, but would -employ their wits as opportunity offered. - -Nothing would have been more pleasing than for Mike to use the canoe to -reach the western end of the lake, but he decided that the safest course -was for all three to let the boats alone. The hermit would doubtless be -on the watch and would know the errand of the lads. - -"Do we need to have signals?" asked Chester. - -"What for?" inquired Alvin in turn. - -"If one of us finds out something, he will want to tell the others." - -"I don't see how the plan can work, for we shall be so far apart that -any call we make will be heard by some of the Scouts and may give the -whole thing away. Whatever comes to light can wait till we meet here -after supper to-night." - -Mike, who had been thoughtful for a minute or two, now spoke: - -"We thought that being Mr. Hall's lips are closed, Uncle Elk is the only -one that can ixplain the queer actions of Biggs and Hutt, but Uncle Elk -isn't the only one." - -"Who else can do so?" - -"Biggs and Hutt." - -"That is true," said Alvin, "but I don't believe they would show any -more willingness than Uncle Elk. Besides, after such a fright as they -got yesterday, they are probably miles away at this minute and still -running." - -"Which doesn't signify that they won't come back again. One would think -they would have taken the warning Dr. Spellman gave them, but they -didn't. I believe there is going to be more trouble with those two -scamps," said Chester impressively. - -"They've got to behave thimselves," added Mike with more feeling than he -had yet shown, "or I'll git Mr. Hall to lead the whole troop agin 'em." - -"You know the Boy Scouts are opposed to all violence." - -"And so'm I, excipt whin it's yer dooty to lambaste the ither chap, as -whin he drops a hint that he doesn't think ye're able to doot. If Biggs -and Hutt go to stealing or stepping too hard on us, do ye ixpect we're -going to grin and bear it?" - -"Without answering that question," remarked Alvin, "let me suggest that -if any one of us happens to meet either or both the hoboes, he does his -best to get an explanation from them. If you don't succeed, no harm will -be done." - -"Good counsel," commented Chester, "but I don't believe it will bring -any result." - -"We mustn't neglect anything----" - -"Whisht!" interrupted Mike, suddenly laying his hand on the arm of this -comrade. - -All three became silent, and each distinctly heard faint footfalls from -a point deeper in the wood. - -"Some one has been listening," whispered Alvin, "but he couldn't have -heard anything." - -"And what if he did?" asked Chester; "we have no enemies in this part of -the world." - -Mike had started in the direction of the suspicious sound. He did not -take time to soften the noise of his feet, and the stranger thus warned -hurried away. Evidently he was a better woodman than his pursuer, for he -got over the ground faster. Mike caught a glimpse of him in the -star-gleam, as he emerged on the beach and ran off. A few minutes later -the Irish youth rejoined his friends. - -"Do you know who it was?" asked Alvin. - -"No; he didn't spake nor look back. I thought it best to return to ye." - -"Why?" - -"I hadn't me shillaleh wid me, and I was in too much danger of -overhauling the spalpeen." - - - - - CHAPTER IX -- An Unwelcome Guest - - -What may be called a minor mystery was settled within a few minutes -after Alvin, Chester and Mike came out of the wood and sat down for a -brief while on the porch. Most of the other Boy Scouts had gone inside -for the night, though the murmur of voices showed the majority were -awake. The laugh of Scout Master Hall was heard in response to some -jest, he being, as has been said, as much of a youngster as the most -youthful of the troop. - -A tall form loomed to view in the starlight, and coming up the steps sat -down beside Mike with a greeting to all three. He was recognized as Hoke -Butler, a member of the Stag Patrol. - -"If you had run a little faster," he remarked with a loud laugh, "you -surely would have overtaken me, Mike." - -"Why didn't ye slack up and give me the chance? Me legs ain't as long as -yours." - -"I did put on the brakes, but you turned back." - -"I'd come to the belaif that if ye didn't want me company, I shouldn't -force mine upon ye, so I quit. What were ye doing in the wood behind -us?" - -"I was strolling behind the bungalow when I heard voices and was -stealing up to learn who you were when you heard me, and for the fun of -it I darted off as if I was scared half to death." - -"What did ye think of the views of mesilf and Alvin and Chester as -regards the nixt Prisident?" - -It was a shrewd question and brought the desired answer. - -"You talked so low I couldn't catch a word. Don't you know that when -Americans talk politics they yell and generally end in a fight?" - -"We hadn't got that fur; ye oughter kept still a little while longer and -ye might hev took part in the shindy." - -So the eavesdropping amounted to nothing, and so far no one besides the -three knew of the plan which they had formed. A half hour later every -Boy Scout in the bungalow, including Jack Crandall, was asleep. - -The morning dawned clear, bright and sunny. Jack would not permit any -one to stay with him, so his chair was wheeled out on the front porch, -where he became absorbed in a work on ornithology, while his friends -broke into small groups and wandered into the woods as fancy prompted -them. Scout Master Hall strolled off with several members of his Patrol, -the understanding being that it was to be another day in which each -should do as he pleased. - -Let twenty men, boys or girls be thrown together in close companionship -for weeks, and likes and dislikes are sure to develop. There may be -nothing in the nature of hatred, nor even an impatient word uttered. -Naturally affiliations spring up, while others avoid one another, -without suspecting there is a cause for the mild repulsion. - -Alvin Landon, Chester Haynes and Mike Murphy were chums from the first -and were nearly always together. Mike was popular with all because of -his many fine qualities, aside from the marvelous treats he occasionally -gave in singing. One boy formed so marked a fancy for him that Mike did -not like it because he could not respond. This was Hoke Butler,--he who -had tried to play the eavesdropper the night before. Something about him -which could not be defined repelled Mike, and caused him to avoid or at -least to try to avoid his company. Perhaps it was Butler's habit of -boisterous laughter when no one else saw any cause for mirth, his -disposition to slap the knee or shoulder of the boy nearest him, and his -greediness at meals. Be that as it may, Mike did not like him, though -too considerate to hurt his feelings by showing his sentiments. - -Alvin and Chester were pleased, when they supposed all the boys had left -the bungalow, to see Butler come up the steps, take his place beside -Mike and give his knee a resounding slap. - -"Hello, old chap! what are you going to do to-day?" he asked in his -boisterous manner. - -"I'm thinking of doing as the ither byes do,--stroll through the woods -on the lookout fur ostriches, kangaroos, monkeys or anything that turns -up." - -"Good! that's me; I'll go with you!" - -"Who said ye would?" asked the disgusted Mike, as Alvin winked at -Chester. - -"I did; didn't you hear me?" - -"But ye don't know where I'm going." - -"That makes no difference; I'm with you straight through." - -The chance was too good for Alvin and Chester to let slip. The face of -the former brightened with hypocritical comradeship. - -"Now isn't that fine? Mike, you're in luck." - -"As Larry Bergen remarked whin he found he had one finger lift after the -pistol busted in his hand." - -"How nice it will be to have Butler with you the whole day!" Chester was -mean enough to add. - -"Aren't you three going together?" asked the surprised interloper. - -"We are particular as to our company," said Alvin; "Chester and I travel -together while Mike goes alone,--that is to say he would do so if you -had not come along in time." - -"That's me! I'm always glad to oblige." - -"Thim chaps," said Mike, who was too game to wince though none the less -resolved to baffle his chums, "are two babes in the wood; it will be -mighty kind of ye, Butler, to go along and kaap an eye on 'em." - -"Now, don't you see there are two of them, and it will be the same with -you and me, which is the right way to divide up? Just the idea, old -chap!" And Butler whacked the knee of Mike, who made a grimace at the -grinning Alvin and Chester. "Tell you what, Mike, I took a shine to you -from the first; we must be pals." - -"You've hit it, Butler; we shall be glad to loan you Mike whenever you -want him." - -"That will be all the time," roared the interloper, "won't it, Mike?" - -"It begins to look that way," was the lugubrious response of the victim. - -Alvin and Chester rose to their feet, the former remarking: - -"We'll see you at supper. Take good care of Mike, who is so innocent -that he is sure to run into trouble unless you hold him back. Mike, be -sure to obey him just as you do us." - -And the two stepped from the porch and set off in the direction of the -cabin of Uncle Elk, looking back in time to see their friend shake his -fist at them. - -"It looks as if I was catched," mused Mike, "as the man said whin he -stepped into a bear trap, but I'll aven up matters wid thim before -they're much older." - -"Isn't it time we started?" asked Butler, after the others had -disappeared. - -"Yis," replied Mike standing up, "but I can't depart widout me buckthorn -cane. Bide here till I go into the house and git the same." - -"I know where you left it leaning against the wall; I'll fetch it." - -And before he could be anticipated, Butler darted through the open door -and brought out the heavy stick. - -"Always ready to do what I can for you, Mike; anything else?" - -"Yis; I'll be obleeged if ye'll chase after thim spalpeens and ask Alvin -Landon to send me that five dollars he borrered yesterday." - -"Of course; they haven't got far and I'll be back in a jiffy." - -"Don't let him sneak out of it, but hang on till he coughs up." - -"You bet I will!" - -The obliging youth scooted off the porch and after the couple who had -disappeared only a few moments before. Mike waited only until he was -beyond sight, when he hurried in the opposite direction and dived among -the trees, as if he were a criminal fleeing from an officer of the law. - -Meanwhile the obliging Butler made haste to do as requested. He was -fleet of foot, and had no trouble in overtaking Alvin and Chester, who -were walking at a moderate pace, made still more moderate by their -merriment over the clever way in which they had gotten the best of Mike. - -"It isn't often we can do it," said Alvin, "but we caught him fair that -time. Hoke will stick like a leech to him--hello! what's up now?" -exclaimed the lad, as the sound of footsteps caused both to look around. - -"Gracious!" gasped Chester, "it can't be Mike has persuaded him to go -with _us_!" - -"Hold on a minute!" called Butler. - -The two halted and Alvin asked reproachfully: - -"Why have you deserted Mike, when he wants you so badly?" - -"I haven't deserted him; he and I are going to have a day's ramble -together." - -"Then what are you doing here?" - -"He asked me to run after you and get the five dollars he loaned you -yesterday." - -"Chest, have you got any money with you?" asked the astonished Alvin; "I -have only a Canadian quarter." - -"I haven't even that. I did the same as you, and left all my funds in -the house." - -"You see what Mike is up to; it's a trick of his to get rid of this -fellow." - -Addressing the latter, Alvin added: - -"That's what I call a low down piece of business; why didn't he ask us -when we were at the house?" - -"I reckon he didn't think of it; hurry up, please; I don't want to keep -him waiting." - -"Well, you can't help it, for we haven't a dollar between us. Hurry back -to him and say for us that we shall settle with him to-night when you -and he come back." - -"Honest now, is that the best you can do?" - -"It certainly is; if you don't hurry Mike will grow tired of waiting for -you." - -Alarmed at the probability, Butler dashed away like a deer, while Alvin -and Chester hurried in the other direction with a view of being out of -reach should the young man return. - -But Hoke did not come back. He had set his heart on rejoining his chosen -friend and bent his energies to that end. - -After walking briskly for a half mile, Alvin and Chester slowed down and -took matters more easily. They were so deep in the woods that they could -see nothing of the lake, but they had become familiar with the route and -were in no fear of going astray. When quite near the cabin of Uncle Elk, -they saw three other Boy Scouts wandering among the trees, one of them -with note book in hand. He was making entries and all were so engaged in -the pleasant task that it was easy for Alvin and Chester to avoid being -seen as they changed their course. Soon after they came in sight of the -log structure where their old friend made his home. Halting while still -among the trees, their position gave them a view of the front of the -building and the upper part of the path which wound its way down to the -lake. The latch-string was hanging outside the door with everything as -still and motionless as the tomb. - -"Well, now that we have arrived," remarked Alvin in an undertone, "what -are we going to do?" - -"I don't see that anything is to be gained by calling upon Uncle Elk, -but, if he catches sight of us, we shall have to drop in on him. He is -sure to treat us well." - -"Hello! we are not the only ones," said Chester, as he and his chum -stepped back behind the trunk of a large white oak. - -The heads and shoulders of two men came into sight as they walked slowly -up the path from the landing which they had evidently reached in a boat. -A few paces brought them into plain sight, one directly behind the other -and approaching the door of the cabin. - -The first thought of the boys was that they were the tramps who had been -making nuisances of themselves in the neighborhood for the last few -days, but a second look made it clear they were not, for nothing in -their appearance suggested the wandering vagrant. The striking fact -about them was they were so similar in looks that it was evident they -were twin brothers. The similarity extended to their clothing. They wore -straw hats set well back on their heads, coarse shirts without tie or -waistcoat, and dark trousers whose bottoms were tucked into a pair of -boots that did not quite reach their knees. The two were of sandy -complexion and each had a tuft of yellow whiskers on his chin, which was -of the retreating order. - -"They must be the men Mike heard chuckling together last night, though -he did not see them," was the conclusion of Chester, and his companion -agreed with him. - -"And they seem as much pleased as ever." - -Both wore a broad grin, and the one in front, half turning his head, -said something which caused the other to laugh out loud. - -Before the visitors reached the door, it was drawn inward by Uncle Elk, -who appeared, staff in hand, as if about to start on a tramp through the -woods. At sight of the young men, he paused and called: - -"I am glad to see you, Asa and Bige; I was about to hunt you up, but -this saves me the trouble; come in." - -He shook the hand of each in turn and the three passed from sight, the -host closing the door behind them. - -"And now what shall we do?" asked the perplexed Alvin; "we have seen two -strangers go into the cabin and they are talking together, but we can't -hear a word that is said nor learn a thing." - -"That remains to be seen; let's follow them, as we have the right to do -so long as the latchstring hangs outside." - -This proposal would have been carried out had not the necessity been -removed by the persons in whom they were interested. The door -unexpectedly opened and the trio came out, Uncle Elk leading, staff in -hand, and the others following in Indian file. They passed down the path -toward the lake and were soon shut from sight by the intervening trees -and undergrowth. - -Alvin and Chester were sure their presence had not been noted, and they -held back until safe against being seen. Then they moved stealthily down -the trail to a point where they had a clear view of the smooth sheet of -water. A hundred yards away, a small canoe was gliding at moderate speed -toward the other side, its course such that it would reach shore--unless -the direction was changed--some distance west of Dr. Spellman's home. In -the boat were seated Uncle Elk and the couple whom he had addressed as -Asa and Bige, one of them swinging the paddle with the grace of a -professional. - -Keeping out of sight, the two youths watched the course of the boat, -which gradually veered to the left. - -"Uncle Elk has left his own canoe on the shore and we can use it if we -wish to follow them," said Alvin. - -"I don't think anything would be more foolish. In fact, Al, it strikes -me that so far our part of the business is a failure. Those folks are -going into the territory of Mike and I hope he will have better success -than we. He can't have less." - -All the lads could do for the present was to watch and wait. The canoe -grew smaller as it receded, and finally disappeared under the -overhanging limbs and vegetation at a spot which the boys agreed was -either where Mike Murphy had heard Asa and Bige laughing the night -before, or very near the spot. And, admitting that such was the fact, -what did it all amount to? - - - - - CHAPTER X -- A Sudden Separation - - -When Mike Murphy hurried off the opposite end of the porch of the -bungalow, his single purpose was to rid himself of Hoke Butler, who had -set his heart upon keeping him company for the day. It was a happy -thought thus to send the youth to collect an imaginary debt from Alvin -Landon, and it would seem could scarcely fail of accomplishing the end -in view. - -"The spalpeen can thravel a good deal faster then mesilf, owing to the -lingth of his legs, but I've got too good a start for him to find me -among the traas." - -Mike still walked fast, often glancing behind and more and more relieved -that he failed to gain sight of a living person, or rather of him whom -he dreaded to see. - -"Hello, Mike, where are you?" - -The youth appealed to almost leaped from the ground, for the familiar -voice sounded much too near for comfort. - -"I'm here just now," muttered Mike, "but I don't intind to stay. Worrah, -worrah, is there no way of shaking ye loose?" - -The shout was repeated twice and then ceased. It looked as if Hoke -believed he was too far separated from his friend to reach him by -calling, though he was not likely to give up the search for some time to -come. Mike changed his course and in doing so came near losing himself. -It was impossible in the circumstances to go far astray, but he was -likely to waste a good deal of time. - -Coming to a halt he took his bearings. He knew he was well to the -westward of the bungalow and not far from the lake. He was sure also, -after noting the position of the sun, of the course he should follow to -reach the body of water. His plan was to keep along shore until he came -to the western end of the lake, around which he would make his way if -necessary, returning by the northern bank which would take him past the -home of Dr. Spellman. The conviction, however, was strong with the young -man that he would not be called upon to travel that far before gaining -the knowledge which was drawing him onward as the steel draws the -magnet. - -When he had traveled far enough to bring him to the lake and still -failed to catch the gleam of its surface, he halted once more and stared -around. - -"If I'm lost agin I'll hire some of the byes to lead me about by the -hand, fur I ain't fit to travel alone--hello! there's one of 'em, that -I'll question without letting him know I'm a stray lamb." - -He had a glimpse of a moving body almost directly ahead, and knowing it -was one of the scouts he called: - -"I wish to remark, me friend, that it's a foine day; if ye agraa wid me -I shall be plaised to have ye signerfy the same." - -"Why, Mike, I'm so glad to see you again; you ain't mad because I got -lost?" - -"Oh, not a bit, as Jim O'Toole said whin the sheriff apologized for -shooting him on the wing." - -And Mike extended his hand to Hoke Butler as he came grinningly forward. - -"How was it ye missed me?" asked Mike innocently. - -"I'll be hanged if I can tell; I hurried back after talking to Alvin and -ought to have found you, but somehow or other I didn't." - -"Why didn't ye holler?" - -"I nearly split my throat calling to you." - -"Strange! I wonder if I'm getting deaf." - -"Gracious! I hope not; don't say that or you'll worry me awfully." - -"Did Alvin hand ye the five dollars?" - -"Not a bit of it. Say, Mike, they must be blamed poor, for they had only -a Canadian quarter between them. I don't think they amount to much." - -Mike couldn't stand this slur upon his chums. - -"Let me tell ye something that will make ye open yer eyes. Alvin -Landon's father is one of the richest men in New York, and Chester's is -almost as wealthy. They are worth millions upon millions of dollars, and -the byes have all the money they want, but they are not such fules as -you and me and don't throw it away, though they give a good deal of it -to poor folks. So ye may rist aisy on that score, friend Hoke." - -"Gee! I never suspected that. They don't put on any more airs than the -poorest of the Boy Scouts." - -"Which the same shows their sinse; they've always been that way and -always will be. But this isn't tending to bus'ness. Do ye wish to keep -company wid me till night?" - -"You bet! I'm going to stick to you like a burr; I hope you haven't any -hard feelings on account of my losing you for a little while. I really -didn't mean it." - -"It's mesilf that has no hard feelings, but I was thinking that if we -don't get back to the clubhouse till night ye will be obliged to lose -your dinner." - -"I don't like that much, but I'll stand it for your sake. I'll even -things up at the supper table. A Boy Scout should learn to suffer when -it can't be helped." - -"I've found out the same," replied Mike with a significance which his -companion did not catch; "I hope we shan't starve to death." - -"No danger of that," remarked Hoke, not absolutely certain that some -such calamity did not threaten them. - -Mike Murphy like a philosopher made up his mind to accept the -inevitable. It seemed to be decreed by fate that he should have this -young man as a companion throughout at least this day, so what was the -use of kicking against it? Besides, it was not impossible that where -there was so much eagerness on the part of Hoke to help, he might be -able to do so in the strange task Mike had laid out for himself. - -One pleasing fact about the intruder was that he never lost his way. He -pointed out the direction in which the lake lay and Mike took care not -to let him know he himself had believed that an altogether different -course led to it. Pausing on the shore they looked out upon one of the -most beautiful and romantic bodies of water to be found in a region -which abounds with them. Both saw the canoe laden deeply with three men -which was heading for a point to the westward of Dr. Spellman's home. -The boys studied it closely, but the distance was too great to identify -the old man, and his companions were strangers. - -Mike had told young Butler nothing of his experience of the day before, -nor did he do so now. Whatever Hoke was able to do in the way of aid he -could accomplish as well while ignorant as if he knew everything. - -"Would it be too far, Hoke, for ye to walk wid me round the end of the -lake to the spot where the canoe wint from sight?" - -"It's a pretty good walk, Mike, but it's nothing so long as I am with -_you_. I can't think of anything I wouldn't do to please you." - -"I could, but I'll not mintion it," grinned Mike as they resumed their -course with Hoke in the lead. - -The forenoon was half gone when they came to the western end of the lake -and changed their course so as to follow the curvature that would take -them to the northern shore. All the time they were in sight of the -water, which they examined at intervals in quest of other boats. While -the home of Dr. Spellman, as we remember, was invisible from the lake, -it was easy to locate it by the thin wisp of smoke which filtered -through the tree-tops. The same could have been said of Uncle Elk's -cabin had there been any fire burning. - -"I am thinking, Mike," remarked Hoke some time later, "that if you -intend to go clean round the lake we haven't any time to throw away." - -"We kin take all day and the night, should the same be nicissary, but -there's no call to hurry and if ye find yersilf growing weary, ye have -me permission to turn back whin the notion takes ye." - -"We have gone so far that I don't see much choice in taking either -direction. I say, Mike, isn't that something queer ahead of us?" - -"I'd like to know where ye could be without something qua'ar being ahead -of ye,--begora! I belave ye are right," added Mike in surprise. An -object loomed up which he had not seen before nor had he heard any one -speak of it, though he and others had been in the neighborhood more than -once. - -At a point where the undergrowth was plentiful and less than a hundred -yards back from the shore, were the ruins of what probably had once been -a fisherman or hunter's cabin. Long before the present time, some party -had erected these rude quarters as a refuge during cold or stormy -weather only to abandon them for more inviting protection. The ruins -were simply four walls of logs hardly a dozen feet square and less than -half as high. If there had once been a roof, it had disappeared long -since. No door was visible from where the boys stood. - -"It reminds me of the Castle of Donleigh, which I niver obsarved," -remarked Mike after they had stood for some minutes. - -"I think some one started to put up a cabin such as Uncle Elk did, but -changed his mind before he built a roof. Maybe it was Uncle Elk -himself." - -"Aither him or somebody ilse; let's look further." - -Instead of going nearer, the two slowly circled the ruins, keeping a -little way from them. When the circuit was completed the surprising fact -became known that nothing in the nature of a door had been made by those -who laid the logs. Manifestly the structure had been abandoned before it -was half finished. - -"It's easy to raise yourself high enough to look inside," suddenly -remarked Hoke; "I'm going to have a peep. Wait here till I come back." - -He ran to the side of the pile, with Mike slowly following. The latter -gripped his shillaleh firmly, but was moving so slowly that he had not -passed a third of the distance when Hoke inserted the toe of one foot in -a lower crevice, sprang lightly upward and seized the topmost log with -both hands. This raised his head above the barrier, and in the same -minute Mike saw a hand thrust forward from the inside, grasp the collar -of his companion's coat and violently yank him out of sight. - - - - - CHAPTER XI -- An Unsatisfactory Interview - - -Mike Murphy was never more astounded in his life. - -"He oughter said good-bye before he took that dive," exclaimed the -youth, who was not the one to stand idle when a companion, even one whom -he did not specially fancy, was in danger. Mike's chivalry was roused, -and with no thought of the consequences to himself, he ran to the help -of the other lad. His shillaleh was firmly grasped in his left hand, and -held ready for instant use, for nothing seemed more probable than that -the weapon would be quickly needed. - -Mike was sure that if he imitated Hoke, he would be seized in the same -way. He therefore hurried lightly to the opposite side of the pile, -where as silently as he could, he thrust the toe of his shoe into the -crevice between the lower logs, gave a spring, caught hold of the upper -tier, and drew himself upward. - -Buzby Biggs, one of the tramps whom we have met, was sitting on the -ground inside the crude cabin and punching his stubby forefinger into -the bowl of his corncob pipe, with a view of tamping the tobacco and -making it ready to light, when the sound of voices outside caused him to -suspend operations. He rose to his feet, intending to peep through a -small opening of which he knew when he heard the scratching made by -Hoke's shoes as he climbed the low wall. Angered by the intrusion upon -his privacy, he waited until the head of the lad rose to view, when he -proceeded to act as has been described. - -Hoke was too startled to make any outcry or resistance. The violence of -his debut caused him to sprawl forward on his hands and knees and his -hat fell off. He instinctively picked it up and replaced it on his head. - -"What do yer mean by butting into a gentleman's private residence -without ringing the bell or sending in your card?" demanded Biggs, who -finding himself confronted by only one lad, could feel no misgiving as -to his own safety. - -"Gee! I didn't know _you_ were here," replied Hoke, alarmed over the -strange situation in which he was caught. - -"That don't make no difference," replied the hobo, who seemed to be -trying to work himself into a passion; "yer showed yer ain't used to -perlite sassiety and I allers makes a feller pay for the privilege of -coming into the castle of the Duke de Sassy." - -Poor Hoke was scared almost out of his wits. He began fumbling in his -pockets. - -"How much is the charge? I haven't got more'n two or three dollars with -me." - -"In that case, it will take all and that ere watch which I persoom is -tied to t'other end of the chain dangling in front." - -"Why that would be robbery!" exclaimed the lad, indignant at the -impending outrage. - -"I wouldn't call it that, younker; rayther it's the toll yer hef to pay -for crossin' this bridge. So yer may as well shell out first as last." - -As Hoke stood, his back was against the side of the wooden wall over -which he had just tumbled, with the tramp scowling and malignant, facing -him. Thus, as will be noted, Biggs was on the side of the structure up -which Mike Murphy had climbed so silently that no one heard him. Hoke in -fact began to rally from his panic and was on the point of shouting for -help when he saw the end of Mike's buckthorn cane, gripped in his left -hand, slide up into view, instantly followed by the hat and red, -freckled countenance of the Irish youth, who remained motionless for a -moment, while he peered at the curious picture below him. - -Before Hoke could utter the glad words on his tongue, Mike shook his -head as a warning for him to hold his peace. The other caught on and did -not look directly at his friend, but straight into the face of the -tousled scamp. Mike was so clearly in his field of vision that Hoke saw -every movement and even the expression of the face which was never more -welcome. - -The next instant one knee of Mike rested on the topmost log, then the -foot slid over and he perched firmly on the top with his shillaleh -transferred to his right hand. - -The sight of his friend heartened Hoke. - -"You can't have my watch and chain, and I sha'n't give you a penny! You -have no more right here than I, and you daresen't lay a hand on me." - -"What's that? what's that?" demanded the other, taking a step forward -and thrusting out his ugly visage; "I guess it's time I teached you -something." - -"Aisy there, Misther Biggs; I think it's mesilf will hev something to -say 'bout this." - -The hobo whirled about and confronted the Irish lad, seated on the top -of the wall and grasping his heavy cane. - -"Where did _yer_ come from?" growled the tramp, who ought not to have -been frightened by the presence of two sturdy youths. - -Mike made the Boy Scout salute. - -"From Tipperary, county of Tipperary, Ireland. Would ye be kind enough -to exchange cards wid me?" and he pretended to search in his pocket for -that which he never carried. "Clarence, me noble friend," added Mike, -addressing Hoke Butler, "ye may as well withdraw from this palatial -residence, as me friends used to say when laving our shanty at home." - -Hoke was instant to seize the opportunity thus presented. He clambered -up the logs with the vivacity of a monkey, scooted over the wall, -dropped to the ground and then made off at the highest bent of his -speed. He did not seem to think he was deserting a friend in extremity -and after that friend had been quick to rush to his relief. - -A glance behind told Mike the truth, whereat he was displeased, though -he did not show it by his manner. It was not so bad, however, as at -first appeared. Hoke had run only a little way when the cowardice of -what he was doing halted him as abruptly as he had started. - -And then it was that an inspiration seized him. Questioning the wisdom -of him and Mike bearding, as may be said, the lion in his den, Hoke made -a pretence that help was near. He shouted at the top of his voice: - -"Dr. Spellman! Here we are! Why don't you hurry up?" - -It was pure good fortune that led Hoke thus to appeal to the only person -whom the hobo held in dread, for the youth knew nothing of what had -occurred previously. He was doubtful about calling upon Uncle Elk, and -another Boy Scout did not seem a formidable enough reinforcement. Scout -Master Hall would have served, but Hoke did not think of him. - -Mr. Buzby Biggs heard the shouted words and could not forget that the -physician was the owner of firearms and did not seem reluctant to use -them. Although the two vagrants had been spared, it was doubtful whether -mercy would be shown them again. Despite his attempt to bluff, the tramp -could not repress a tremor in his voice. - -"What's he calling that 'ere doctor fur?" - -"I think he remarked a remark about telling him to hurry up. Av coorse -ye will be glad to meet the docther agin." - -"Not by a blamed sight; him and me don't speak as we pass by." - -"He prefers to spake wid his revolver, I belave." - -Mike had been instant to read the trick of Hoke, and he helped all he -could. Biggs was in such a fright he could not hide it. The last person -in the world whom he wished to meet was the medical man. He turned to -imitate the action of Hoke Butler. - -"Howld on! None of that!" commanded Mike in such a peremptory voice that -Biggs with hands on the logs in front and one foot raised, checked -himself and looked around. - -"What do yer want?" he growled; "hain't I a right to leave my home when -I please?" - -"Which is what Jimmy Jones said when the sheriff stopped him as he was -breaking-jail. You don't want to bump up agin the docther whin he has -that pill box in his hand. See here, Biggs, I'll let you go on one -condition." - -"What's that?" growled the other. - -"Yesterday when ye and t'other scamp was paddling off in the canoe ye -stole, ye made a sudden dive overboord and swum fur shore; by yer manner -I knowed ye wouldn't run the risk of taking a bath if ye hadn't been -scared out of what little wits ye had." - -"It would have been the same with yer, if yer'd seen what we did." - -"If ye'll tell me what ye obsarved, ye may lave whin you choose and I'll -give ye me pledge that Docther Spellman won't harm ye." - -"All right; I'll tell yer as soon as I git outside this place." - -"You can't wait till then; ye must give me the sacret while ye are -standing there. If ye don't I won't interfare wid the docther working -his will." - -An expression of dread passed over the repulsive face and the man -actually shivered. - -"Wai, whin me and Saxy was going along in the canoe we borrered wid me -paddling, I happened to look down into the clear water and my eyes -rested upon--_the devil himself_!" - -Mike Murphy was taken aback for the moment by this amazing reply. His -first thought was that the hobo was trifling with him, but, if so, his -acting could not have been better. Astounding as was his declaration the -man believed his own words which conveyed no meaning to the youth. - -"Worra now, don't ye understand it?" - -"No; do yer?" - -"That clear water sarves like a looking glass. Whin ye looked down ye -obsarved yer own image and I don't wonder ye took it for owld Nick." - -"But Saxy seed the same as I did," replied the man, impressed by the not -complimentary explanation of the lad who was perched on top of the log -wall. - -"It was his picter that he saan and aich of ye luks more like t'other -than he does like himsilf." - -Biggs shook his head. This wouldn't do. - -"It wasn't like a man at all." - -"What did it luk like?" - -Mike was excited. He felt he was on the eve of clearing up the mystery -which had baffled him and others, though not Uncle Elk, who would say -nothing. - -Instead of giving an intelligent reply to the question for a further -bill of particulars, the tramp shuddered as before. There was a whine in -his voice when he spoke: - -"Didn't I answer yer as I agreed? What are yer kicking about?" - -"Ye've got to do more than that afore I asks the docther not to p'int -his gun this way and pull the trigger." - -"Have yer ever seed the devil?" - -"Not afore I looked upon yersilf." - -"Then how do yer expict me to describe him? He was there right under the -canoe and almost close enough to grab us." - -"Did he hev horns and a spiked tail?" - -Mike had heard the sound of footsteps behind him on the leaves. Some one -was approaching and he was sure it was Hoke Butler coming back to his -help. - -Biggs made no reply to the frivolous question of the youth seated above -him. The taint of superstition in his nature resented such treatment of -a theme which had nothing but terror to him. Mike, certain that he -commanded the situation and was about to learn that which he yearned to -know, felt that he need not haste. - -"Ye'll hev to do better than that, Signor Biggs, but as ye saam to -prefer that the docther should take ye in hand I'll turn ye over to -him." - -And Mike turned to wink at Hoke Butler, but to his dismay, discovered in -the same moment that his friend was not in sight, and the one who had -come up behind him was Saxy Hutt, the other tramp. - - - - - CHAPTER XII -- Groping After the Truth - - -Mike Murphy's ready wit did not desert him at the moment when, as may be -said, he discovered he was caught between two fires. One of the tramps -was standing on the ground in front or below him, while the second was -approaching from the rear or only a few paces farther off. And Hoke -Butler, who should have been instant to rush to the help of his friend, -was nowhere in sight. - -"I say, docther, why don't ye hurry up?" shouted Mike, as if calling -over the head of the grinning hobo, whose eyes were fixed upon him with -a dangerous expression, as if he had decided to even up matters for -previous humiliations. - -The peremptory manner of the lad produced its effect, and Saxy Hutt -paused and looked up at him. A scratching, rattling noise caused Mike to -turn his head. Biggs was furiously climbing the logs on the other side. -Grasping the topmost one, he dived over, sprawling upon his hands and -knees, instantly leaping to his feet, and making off at the speed he had -shown in his former flight. He evidently believed in the near approach -of the man whom he dreaded. - -Mike swung around on his perch, so that his feet hung outside, and gazed -calmly down upon the repulsive face. - -"The top of the morning to ye, Saxy," greeted the lad; "I hope ye are -well." - -"Huh! yer needn't try that bluff on us," growled the scamp; "it won't -work; thar ain't no doctor round these parts and I wouldn't care a hang -if there was. I owe you one, younker, and I'm going to take it out of -your hide." - -To tell the truth, Mike was pleased to hear this declaration. Biggs, -whom he regarded as the worst of the couple, had taken himself off and -need not be considered further, so that it was one against one, and the -youngster had a firm grip on his shillaleh. With a fair field and no -favor Mike was content to let the best man win. - -The tramp came nearer, clenched his fists and glared upward at the -youth. - -"Come down out of that and I'll wring your neck fur yer." - -"Step a little closer, so I can reach ye wid a single jump." - -Mike was actually gathering his muscles for a leap that would have -brought on a fight as vicious as that of two wildcats, when the tense -stillness was broken by the words: - -"Right this way, doctor; you'll find them both here, your shots can't -miss." - -Now the peculiarity of this remark was that although plainly heard, it -sounded as if the speaker meant that only the man at his side should -catch his words. And it was at this juncture that Hoke Butler did a -thing so clever that it won the everlasting admiration of Mike Murphy. -The former dropped his voice several notes, so that one unacquainted -with the facts, would have been certain it was another who was speaking. - -"Show me a sight of them--just for a minute: that's all I ask!" - -Mike heard and understood. Saxy heard and misunderstood,--that is he -believed it was the physician who was looking for him with a loaded -weapon in hand. He muttered an exclamation which it will never do to -print, plunged around the log structure, and disappeared with a speed -that must have quickly overhauled the other tramp. - -Mike dropped lightly to the ground and confronted the chuckling Hoke. - -"Worra! but ye did that well. Where is the docther?" - -"How should I know? I suppose he's at his home." - -"What put it into yer head to make believe he was near us?" - -"I don't know except he was the first person I thought of." - -"Ye couldn't have done better if ye had took a month. I don't understand -why thim tramps hang round so much whin they know what they're likely to -git from Dr. Spellman." - -Mike now told Hoke of the surprising incidents of the preceding day, -when the hobos received the scare of their lives. - -"This one who calls himsilf Biggs told me that whin he looked over the -side of the canoe, he found himsilf face to face wid the devil." - -"Do you think he did, Mike?" - -"I have me doubts, as Jerry Jinks said whin Father MacMahon declared he -was an honest man. Anyhow I haven't larned what I wanted to know, and -we've got to look farther." - -It was decided to pass around the western end of the lake, circling back -in the direction of Dr. Spellman's home, past the cabin of Uncle Elk and -go on to the bungalow. This was likely to take most of the day, even if -they were not delayed by some unexpected occurrence. Moreover, this -course would take them by the spot where Mike had heard voices the night -before, and where the hermit darted out from under the overhanging -vegetation on his return, going so near the startled Mike that the two -saw each other. The old man and his visitors appeared to have gone -thither, and it would seem that something ought to be doing. - -"Would you like to know what _my_ idea is?" asked Hoke, when they -resumed their tramping on the line that has been indicated. - -"I'm that anxious to know that I won't take anither step till ye -ixplains the same." - -And Mike, who was a few paces in advance, halted abruptly, wheeled about -and faced his companion, who grinningly responded: - -"It is that we keep going till we reach Dr. Spellman's house and accept -his invitation to dinner." - -"Suppose we don't get the invitation," suggested Mike. - -"I should like to see him avoid giving it, even if the dinner hour is -past, which it is likely to be before we can reach his place." - -Mike's rugged health and sturdy strength gave him as keen an appetite as -that of his companion, and a good meal would be as welcome to him-as to -Hoke. Moreover, the situation was such that they could hardly hope to -reach the clubhouse before nightfall. He therefore inclined to the plan -of calling at the house where they were sure of welcome, but it will be -borne in mind that in order to do this, they would have to give over or -at least postpone the investigation they had intended to make at the -point where Mike had heard voices and seen Uncle Elk the night before, -since this lay to the westward of the physician's camp. - -Accordingly the youths turned deeper into the wood, going well beyond -sight of the lake, intending to approach their destination by a -circuitous course. Not wishing to run against Uncle Elk and the -strangers, they made sure of not doing so. - -You need not be reminded that one of the easiest things in the world is -to lose your way in a wilderness. Mike Murphy seemed peculiarly subject -to this misfortune, as has been shown in the previous pages. He kept in -the lead, as he had done from the first, his friend quietly following -and paying no attention to his own footsteps. By and by it struck Hoke -that it was time they reached the doctor's dwelling. He looked -searchingly ahead and around, but saw nothing except the tall, -column-like trunks, with considerable undergrowth here and there. Naught -that resembled the most primitive dwelling was in sight, nor was there a -sign of any person having passed that way. - -"Hold on, Mike!" he called abruptly to his friend, and the latter halted -and looked back. - -"I'm doing that, and what is it ye want of me?" - -"Where are we?" asked the puzzled fellow. - -"I'm thinking we're here, as I remarked whin I fell off the house. What -do _ye_ think?" - -"Of course we are somewhere near Gosling Lake, but I believe we have -strayed off and are lost." - -"It's mesilf that don't see how that can be, though I can beat any -gentleman that walks on two legs in going the wrong way. The first time -I started to go upstairs, I opened the cellar dure and bumped all the -way to the bottom, and when I was faaling me way fur the cellar dure, I -tumbled out the parlor windy. Then mither sent me on an errand to Widow -Mulligan's and instead of stepping onto the porch, I put my fut over the -well curb and didn't find out the difference till I hit the bottom of -the well. So you see, Hoke, that that wakeness is my strongest p'int." - -"Where do you think the lake lies?" - -"I'm not as far gone as that; head that way and you'll walk straight -onto the same." Mike pointed his shillaleh to the left, whereupon his -friend laughed. - -"Just what I expected; you're away off." - -"What do _ye_ make it,--since you saam to think you can make no -mistake?" - -"I never lose my bearings,--you can depend on me. _That_ direction leads -to the lake." - -The joke of it was that Hoke instead of deviating more or less from the -course pointed out by Mike, chose one that was the opposite. - -"Are ye in airnest?" asked Mike. - -"Never more so." - -"I'm glad to larn that, for I don't like such jokes, as Jim O'Hara said -whin the policeman broke his club over his head. Ye are wrong." - -"I'm positive I am not." - -"And I'm positive ye are,--and the only way to sittle the question -according to common sinse is to toss up. What do ye say?" - -"I don't see how that can settle any question; but have it your own -way." - -Mike took a Lincoln penny from his pocket and balanced it in his hand. - -"If it comes down a hid, ye take my course; if a tail, yours." - -Hoke nodded to signify he agreed, and the other flipped the coin aloft, -each watching as it turned over rapidly and fell upon the leaves between -them, but lo! it rested on its edge, being supported vertically against -a pine cone. In other words it was neither a head nor tail, but a -"cock." - -Usage requires that in such a case a new toss must be made, but when -Mike picked up the penny he shoved it into his pocket and shook his -head. - -"The maaning of that," he explained, "is that we are both wrong." - -"How then shall we find the true course?" - -"Make a guess, as I used to do in answering the taycher's -questions--Hist!" - -Before the experiment could be made, they were startled by hearing the -report of a gun or a pistol from some point not far off, though the -direction was different from either that had been indicated. - -As they listened, a second, third and fourth report rang through the -forest arches, followed quickly by two more, and all was still. - -There might be several explanations of the incident, but it was idle to -spend time in guessing, when it was easy to learn the truth. Mike, -followed by his friend, walked rapidly toward the point whence the -reports had come, and a few minutes later everything was clear. - -Dr. Spellman was standing in a space free from undergrowth and -practising with his revolver. With his knife he had gashed the bark off -a sapling several feet above the ground, so as to show a white spot the -size of a dollar. Standing a dozen or more paces distant, he aimed -carefully and put the whole six bullets within a spot not more than two -inches in diameter, three of them being bull's eyes. - -"I couldn't do better mesilf!" exclaimed Mike, when he understood the -feat. - -"You can't tell till you try; I am not sure you are not an expert." - -"Nor am I, though I have me doubts." - -Having reloaded the weapon the doctor handed it to Mike, who slowly -raised his arm to a level, shut one eye, and squinted some seconds over -the short barrel, while the doctor and Hoke, standing a foot or two to -the rear, kept their eyes upon the little white spot in the distance. -Then a sharp crack sounded and the marksman lowered the pistol. - -"Did ye obsarve where me shot landed?" he asked of his friends. - -"I think it nipped the leaves somewhere overhead," replied Hoke. - -"I scorn to notice yer slur: what do ye say, docther?" - -The physician said nothing, but walked to the sapling, the others -trailing after him. Taking out his pocket knife, he began digging with -the blade into the soft wood. From the very center of the white spot, he -gouged out a pellet of lead, and held it out to Mike. - -"That is yours; you made a perfect bull's eye." - -"Av course; did ye doubt I would do the same?" - -"Hooh! all chance! you can't do it again," called Hoke, uttering a truth -that was as apparent to Mike as to the others. - -"It's yer turn," replied the hero of the exploit; "do ye make the -attempt yersilf; if ye can equal me, then I'll take me turn again." - - - - - CHAPTER XIII -- The Committee of Investigation - - -Lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place, though I have known it -to do so, and Mike Murphy was too wise to try a second shot, when there -was not one chance in a million of repeating his feat. With his loftiest -air he proposed that he and Hoke should take turns in displaying their -skill. - -"I've made a bull's eye,--do the same or betther and I'll take a whack -and beat _that_,--and so it will go. Am I corrict, dochther, in me -sintiments?" - -"Undoubtedly; you can't refuse Mike's offer, Hoke." - -The latter saw he was caught and accepted the weapon as if eager for the -test, though it need not be said it was otherwise. A vague hope stirred -him that the same exceptional success might reward his effort. He aimed -with the care and deliberation shown by Mike, and then pulled the -trigger five times in rapid succession. - -"One of the bullets will be sure to land," was his sustaining thought, -but nothing of the kind took place. Close examination by the three -showed that Hoke had not so much as grazed the trunk of the sapling. - -Neither Mike nor the doctor laughed, restrained from doing so by a -chivalrous sympathy, for Hoke could not wholly hide his chagrin. Mike -went so far as to say: - -"Hoke, it was a chance shot on me part, and I couldn't do it agin in my -life time." - -"And now let us adjourn to dinner," said the doctor; "it is later than -usual, but the folks will wait for me." - -No words could be more welcome, but the fun of the proceeding was that -the direction taken by the man showed that Hoke and Mike were both -wrong--as the former had intimated--in locating the lake. The former -grinned and the latter answered with a wink. The theme was one -concerning which it was best to say nothing. - -The call at the forest home of Dr. Spellman was so similar to what has -been described that it need not be dwelt upon. Sunbeam showed her -preference for the genial Irish youth, who certainly reciprocated her -affection, as he did in the case of Nora Friestone, whom he had met the -preceding summer farther up the Kennebec. The mother was always gracious -and won the good opinion of every one with whom she was brought in -contact. - -When the meal was finished, and while mother and child were busy setting -things to rights, the doctor talked with his guests. Mike made known all -that had occurred since his previous meeting with the physician. The -latter was much interested in the experience of that forenoon. - -"I never saw that pile of logs, which is doubtless the remains of some -fisherman or hunter's cabin that either was never finished or has been -allowed to fall into decay. I must add one thing, however," said the -doctor gravely; "I don't like the way those tramps are acting." - -"It strikes me that about the only thing they are doing is getting -scared half to death or swimming or running for life." - -"But why do they stay in this neighborhood? The hobo doesn't take to the -woods for long, though he may hide there when the officers make it too -hot for him. What can there be in this part of the world that attracts -them?" - -"They may be looking for a chance to steal from the Boy Scouts," -suggested Hoke. - -"The last persons two hobos would tackle. What chance would they have -against twenty vigorous, active, fearless youths, who despite their -peaceful principles are yearning for stirring adventure?" - -"Then it must be you, doctor, that they have designs upon." - -"I half suspect as much; I have been considerate to them despite their -insolence, more so than I shall be again if they annoy us further." - -Turning upon the youths, Dr. Spellman asked a question that fairly took -away the breath of the two Boy Scouts. - -"Has either of you seen Uncle Elk and those tramps together?" - -Hoke was not sure he understood the question. Mike was shocked. - -"Why should they be togither, docther, unless the spalpeens called at -his cabin for food? Ye know his latchstring is always out, but I've -niver known of their being in his company." - -"Didn't you hear them laughing or talking last night, along shore, and -not far from this spot?" - -"Be the same token I heerd two men, but they were not the tramps." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Uncle Elk told me so." - -There was reproof in Mike's tones, for he resented the slightest -reflection upon the hermit, whom he held in high regard. The doctor made -no reply to the words of the youth, but smoked his cigar hard and seemed -to be turning over something in his mind that was of a displeasing -nature. - -Mike knew of course of the unaccountable antipathy that Uncle Elk showed -toward the physician who was spending his outing in this part of Maine. -Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were as much mystified as the Irish -youth, and the doctor himself claimed to have no theory that would -account for it. The last remark of the medical man sounded as if he -reciprocated the dislike of the hermit. Not only that but doubtless he -mistrusted him. - -"You don't seem any nearer the solution of the tramps' behavior -yesterday than you were at the time, and it looks to me as if you will -have to wait until Uncle Elk is ready to tell you." - -"There saams no ither ch'ice, docther, though I'm riddy to make another -try for the same. Will ye jine us?" - -"No; there will be danger of Uncle Elk and me meeting, and I am no more -anxious for it than he is. I don't believe you will learn anything." - -"We sha'n't by standing here, as Mickey Lanigan said whin the bull was -charging down upon him--whisht! what have we now?" - -Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes walked out of the wood and smilingly -made the Boy Scout salute. - -"Just in time not to be too late for dinner," was the warm greeting of -Dr. Spellman, as he shook hands with the lads. They protested that they -could not permit his wife to bother with preparing a meal, when the -regular one had been finished a short time before, but the hospitable -host would not listen, and I am compelled to say the objections of the -guests were not very vigorous. All entered and crowded themselves as -best they could into the limited space. - -As the two ate, Mike and Hoke told them of their experience at the -western end of the lake earlier in the day, while the new arrivals had -their own interesting story to relate. They had seen two strangers enter -Uncle Elk's cabin, only to depart soon after in his company, as the -canoe was paddled away. The rather curious feature of this proceeding -was that neither Mike nor Hoke, who had scanned the lake more than once, -caught sight of the craft, and Dr. Spellman heard of it for the first -time, though of necessity the canoe passed quite close to his home. - -Whatever the thoughts of the physician may have been he kept them to -himself. He had already expressed his distrust of Uncle Elk to Mike -Murphy, who was quick to resent it, and it would be the same with Alvin -and Chester, for they held the old man in too much esteem to listen with -patience to anything in the way of censure of him. - -It might have been difficult for the doctor to convince any unprejudiced -person that there was the slightest understanding between the recluse or -the vagrants. In fact, the only foundation for such a charge, not taking -into account the mutual antipathy, was the knowledge which Uncle Elk -showed of the cause of the hobos' panic. And yet there was a reasonable -explanation of such knowledge, which would have acquitted the old man of -any improper motive, and it was singular that it did not occur to Dr. -Spellman. - -The explorers, as they may be called, now numbered four. With warm -thanks to the members of the family they bade them good-bye and set out -to continue their quest. - -It will be borne in mind that the spot which they were to visit lay -quite a little way to the westward of Dr. Spellman's home. It was there -that Mike Murphy had passed under the overhanging vegetation from which -Uncle Elk soon afterward emerged, and where the Irish youth had detected -the odor of a cigar and heard chuckling laughter. Mike and Hoke by -pushing into the woods, and partly losing their way, had left this -locality so far to one side that they saw nothing of it. The four now -intended to make their way thither. - -"Couldn't it be that Uncle Elk wint back, while ye were thramping to the -docther's house?" asked Mike, as they straggled forward. - -"There wasn't fifteen minutes at a time that we were out of sight of the -lake," replied Alvin; "we surely should have seen him." - -"He might have come back through the woods." - -"That is true," said Chester, "but I see no reason why he should do so." - -"Doesn't the same gintleman do lots of things for which we see no -raison?" - -"Far more than we can understand. Now I have been wondering whether he -won't be offended by our trying to pry into matters which should not -concern us." - -"I think it is the other way," said Alvin; "he is amused by our -curiosity, and doesn't tell us the secret because he enjoys our efforts -to discover it for ourselves." - -"And there's no saying how long his fun will last," commented Mike, who -because of his previous visit to this section took upon himself the part -of guide. - -They had tramped less than half an hour when Mike halted and looked -about him with a puzzled air. - -"We oughter to be there," he remarked, "but it saams we're somewhere -ilse." - -Alvin pointed to where the undergrowth, a short distance in advance, was -less abundant than in other places. - -"There seems to be a wagon track that has been traveled lately." - -Hurrying over the few paces, they found the supposition correct. There -were the ruts made by wagon wheels and the deep impression of horses' -hoofs. The greatest wonder was how any team could drag a vehicle through -such an unbroken forest. Trees stood so close together that there seemed -hardly room for a wheelbarrow to be shoved between, and yet a heavily -laden wagon had plunged ahead, crushing down bushes and even small -saplings, with the hubs scraping off the bark from large trunks, but -ever moving undeviatingly in the direction of Gosling Lake. - -"It's the trail of the chuck wagon!" exclaimed Chester; "it brings our -supplies that are taken across to the bungalow." - -"And this is the day for it," added Alvin, who had scarcely uttered the -words when a threshing of the wood was heard, accompanied by the sharp -cracking of a whip and a resounding voice: - -"Gee up! Consarn you, what's the matter with you? You're purty near -there!" - -Two powerful horses, tugging at a ponderous open wagon piled high with -boxes of supplies, labored into sight, while the driver, a lean, -sandy-haired man perched on the high seat, snapped his whip, jerked the -lines, clucked and urged the animals to do their best, which they -certainly did. - -The boys stepped aside out of the way of the team, and saluted the -driver as he came opposite and looked down upon them. He nodded, but -nothing more, for his animals required his attention. Our young friends -fell in or followed the wagon to the edge of the lake only a brief -distance away, where the driver flung his reins to the ground and leaped -down. He was bony, stoop-shouldered, without coat or waistcoat, and had -his trousers tucked into the tops of his cowhide boots. - -"Say, I see by your dress you b'long to the Boy Scouts," he remarked, -addressing the whole party. - -"We are proud to say we do," replied Alvin. - -"And the Boy Scouts be proud to have us belong to 'em," added Mike. - -"I should think they would be blamed proud of _you_," said the man with -a grin. - -"Your perciption of the truth is wonderful, as me mither exclaimed whin -Father Meagher said I was the purtiest baby in Tipperary." - -"And you chaps believe in doing a good turn every day to some person?" - -"Right again." - -"What good turn have you done anybody to-day?" - -"Modesty kaaps our lips mute," replied Mike, who for the life of him -could not recall a single incident of the nature named. - -"Wal, would you like to do _me_ a good turn?" - -"We certainly shall be glad," Alvin took upon himself to reply. - -"Help me unload this wagon; the stuff is for the Boy Scouts, so you'll -be helping yourselves." - - - - - CHAPTER XIV -- The Men Who Laughed - - -Before the party fell to work, the driver walked to the edge of the lake -and tied his white handkerchief to the limb of a tree, which projected -over the water. There was enough breeze to make it flutter, and the -background of emerald brought it out with vivid distinctness. It was the -signal to the bungalow that the chuck wagon, as they called it, had -arrived, and the two canoes were to be sent across the lake for the -supplies. Since it was expected at a certain time, our friends were on -the watch for it. Within ten minutes after the piece of linen was -fastened in place, the large canoes, each containing two persons, one of -whom was Scout Master Hall, were seen heading for the spot where the -provisions were awaiting them. It does not take a man and four lusty -boys long to prepare a wagon load of such freight for shipment by water, -and the cargo was ready a good while before the arrival of the craft. - -The driver, who announced that he was "Jake," sat on one of the boxes, -lighted a corncob pipe and talked with the lads. Although he was rough -of speech and at times inclined to profanity, the young men treated him -with respect, and by their unvarying courtesy won his good will. He -asked many questions and told them a good deal about himself; in short, -they became quite chummy. - -The two canoes had passed most of the distance when Jake abruptly asked: - -"Have you seen anything of Asa and Bige Carter?" - -"Who are they?" asked Alvin in turn, although he had heard the names -before. - -"I thought everybody knowed Asa and Bige; they're twin brothers, and two -of the darndest chaps that ever lived." - -This description, so far as it went, was not enlightening. Chester said: - -"Those must have been the two men that called on Uncle Elk this morning -and went off with him in their canoe. So far as we could see they look -exactly alike." - -"That's them," replied Jake with a nod of his head. "Did the three come -this way in their canoe?" - -"They seemed to be heading for this place." - -"That settles it; they was Asa and Bige. I expected them to meet me -here," and Jake peered around in the wood, but without seeing anything -of his friends. - -"What might ye maan by spaking of them as two of the darndest chaps that -ever lived?" asked Mike, who, as did his companions, hoped they had -struck a lead that might yield them something worth while. - -"Why, they're just like a couple of Irishmen." - -"Arrah now, but what model gintlemen they must be! It will be an honor -for us to make their acquaintance." - -Jake's reply to this was to snatch off his straw hat, throw back his -head and roar with laughter. Determined to probe farther, Alvin asked: - -"What is there peculiar about the twin brothers?" - -"Now, you jist wait till you meet 'em and you'll find out. I'll only -warn you to keep your eyes wide open, or they'll close 'em for you. Wal, -the folks have about arriv." - -All rose to their feet and greeted their friends who were now within a -short distance. The water was so deep that the light craft were able to -lie broadside against the bank. It required skill and hard labor to get -a portion of the freight aboard, but in due time it was accomplished. - -"We are pretty heavily loaded," remarked Scout Master Hall, "but the -lake is smooth and we can easily make two or three trips. We can divide -you four between us." - -"It's blamed risky," commented Jake, "but I guess it can be did if -you're all mighty keerful." - -Mr. Hall insisted that he and his three companions should change places -with the others, but this arrangement would have defeated the scheme -Alvin and his chums had in mind. Without revealing their object, they -begged off and secured a compromise by which Hoke Butler was to return -in one of the canoes, while the trio would walk home. In truth, Hoke was -so tired from his long tramp that he was pleased by the plan. - -"But I won't go, Mike, if you're going to feel bad about it," he -remarked before sitting down in the boat that was about to shove off. - -"Av coorse me heart is nearly broke," said Mike, "but it's yer own -comfort I'm thinking of, as Larry McWhymper said whin he put a brick in -the bag for the cat he was drowning to set on and pass away comfortable. -But I'm cheered by the hope of maating ye at supper time. Good luck to -ye!" - -The two craft, sunk almost to their gunwales, moved slowly across the -mirror-like lake, reaching their destination without mishap, and -returning for the last loads. - -Jake looked at the three youths. - -"You've got a mighty hard tramp afore you; if there was a road I'd take -you home in my wagon." - -"We don't mind it," was the cheery reply of Alvin. - -"Besides, if we feel like resting our legs and using our arms, we can -borrow Dr. Spellman's boat; his home isn't far off. Do you go back at -once?" - -"I've a great mind to; it would serve Asa and Bige right if I did, but -I'll hang round a half hour or so and not a blamed bit longer, for I -must git home afore dark." - -"Then we shall bid you good bye," said Alvin shaking hands with the -countryman, as did the others, all expressing the hope of soon meeting -him again. Since it was he who regularly brought the supplies to this -point, there seemed to be no reason why the mutual wish should not be -gratified. Jake refilled and relighted his pipe, sitting on a fallen -tree and showing by his vigorous puffs that he was not in the most -patient of moods. - -The three boys did not speak until sure they were beyond sight of Jake. -Then they halted. - -"Do you think he suspects anything?" asked Alvin, unconsciously lowering -his voice. - -"Why should he?" asked Chester. - -"He suspicts we're thramping for home," remarked Mike, "which the same -is what we wish him to belave." - -It will be understood that our young friends were resolute to learn all -that was possible about the mystery that had tantalized them for the -past day or two. Beyond a doubt the twin brothers were connected with -it, and since Jake was awaiting their coming, it looked as if the boys -had a fair chance of learning something. - -They separated, and each began an approach to the driver and his team -that was meant to be so cautious that Jake would not detect them. The -very care used by each well nigh defeated its purpose. It fell to Alvin -to catch the first enlightening glimpse of the countryman and that which -he saw astonished him. - -The Carter brothers must have been waiting near at hand for the -departure of the boys, for in the brief interval since then they had -come forward, loaded something in the wagon and covered it with a big -sheet of soiled canvas. Whatever it was, its size was such that it -filled the whole interior, and crowded against the seat in front. It -towered several feet above the sides and suggested a load of hay, -protected against a drenching rain. - -"What can it be?" Alvin muttered, "and why are they so particular with -it?" which questions were self asked by Chester and Mike, with none able -to frame an answer. - -Having loaded the wagon, the brothers proceeded carefully to tuck in the -precious burden as if afraid jealous eyes might see it. Finally all was -satisfactory and the three men climbed to the front seat. They had to -sit snugly, but there was enough room. Jake was on the extreme right, -where he could crack his whip without hindrance. - -He glanced behind him, as if to make sure everything was right, jerked -the reins, circled the whip lash which gave out an explosion like that -of a fire cracker, and the sturdy horses bent to their task of dragging -the wagon and its contents through the woods into the more open country, -where the smoother highway made the task easy. - -All three men crowded on the front seat were smoking. Jake stuck to his -corncob pipe, but each brother sported a cigar, which by a special -arrangement with Porter, the druggist in Boothbay Harbor, they bought -for two cents apiece,--far in excess of their worth, as any one would -decide who tested them, or even caught their odor. With all puffing -vigorously, one might fancy that they instead of the horses supplied the -motive power. - -From where Alvin Landon stood behind the trunk of a large tree and -peeped out, he saw that the brothers were doing a good deal of laughing, -as if they recalled some humorous incident. Bige gave the particulars to -Jake, who was so pleased that he threw back his head and made the forest -ring with his laughter. - -Since the backs of the men were turned toward the boys, the latter did -not fear to come together to discuss their next step. - -"I don't see that we have learned more than we knew before," remarked -Alvin disgustedly; "what do you suppose they have covered up in that -wagon?" - -"I have no idea," replied Chester. - -"Let's folly the team till it gets back to Bovil or wherever the same -may be going. Better still," added Mike, "we can slip up behind, lift -the lid, and get a peep at the cratur himself." - -"How do you know what it may be?" - -"I don't, which is why I want to find out, and the same is thrue of -yersilves." - -They gave over the plan for more than one reason. There was no saying -how many miles they would have to tramp, and they could not go far -without being discovered by the men. Then the situation, to say the -least, would become embarrassing. - -"I have the belief that we are near the solution," said Alvin, "and we -can afford to wait a day or two longer. We have several miles ahead and -may as well place them behind us before nightfall. Come on." - -Good taste suggested that having called upon Dr. Spellman so recently -they should pass him by on their return to the bungalow. This was done -and they reached home without further incident. - -Meanwhile, the wagon with its mysterious load was lurching and plunging -over the primitive road, the three men on the front seat retaining their -places with no little difficulty, but they were used to such traveling -and no mishap followed. - -Shortly after reaching the smoother highway, Bige Carter with another -laugh exclaimed: - -"By jingo! there they be!" - -"You're right; that's them," added his brother. - -The two tramps, who have already figured to some extent in these pages, -were descried as the team turned a corner, walking in the middle of the -road. He who had lost his hat had managed in some way to secure another. -Half of the rim was missing and his frowsy hair showed through the -crown. As the rattle of wheels reached their ears, he who was known as -Biggs looked around. Immediately the paths of the two diverged, one -going to the right and the other to the left of the highway. Both limped -as if the act of walking was painful. Naturally the team soon overtook -them. Jake, who had been talking the matter over with his friends, -stopped his horses. - -"Whoa! wouldn't you gentlemen like me to give you a lift?" - -"Now ye're shouting, boss," replied Biggs as he and his companion each -approached a front wagon wheel, "but where are yer going to put us?" - -"You won't mind setting on the bottom of the wagon in front of the stuff -piled there?" - -"Not a bit, boss; ye're a trump." - -Resting one ragged shoe on a hub, the hobos clambered in and sat down -behind the three men, who said nothing but tried to restrain their -chuckling. They knew what was coming. - -Biggs and Hutt drew up their legs and compressed themselves as much as -possible. Still, with the best they could do they were cramped. It -seemed to Biggs that a slight shifting of the freight behind them would -help matters. He hesitated for a minute or two and then stealthily -raised one corner of the canvas covering, his companion watching him. - -Thus it came about that the revelation burst upon the two in the same -instant. A howl of terror rang out from each, as they bounded to their -feet and dived over the side of the wagon. They forgot their lameness, -and ran in the direction of Gosling Lake as if they were contestants at -Stockholm for the Marathon prize. That single peep under the canvas had -shown the same appalling thing that drove them headlong from the canoe. -It was actually near enough to touch them, and the wonder was that they -were not smitten with a mortal dread. - -As Jake and Bige and Asa rode on they were so convulsed with merriment -that they surely would have fallen from their seats had not the highway -been smooth and the pace of the horses a slow walk. - - - - - CHAPTER XV -- The True Story of a Famous Sea Serpent - - -"It is over thirty years ago," said Uncle Elk that evening to the -listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, "that the whole -country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea -serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals. You know that -returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant -seas with similar monstrous reptiles. The reputation of many of these -men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted -that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what -they told. Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not -founded on fact. In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by -creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in -comparison. While the land giants became extinct ages ago, it is not -unreasonable to think that the oceans which cover three-fourths of the -earth's surface still hold inhabitants of tremendous growth. - -"But leaving all this discussion for the present, I am now about to tell -you the true story of one of the greatest fakes that ever astounded -thousands of persons and amused the dozen or so who were in the secret. -In the summer of 1879--perhaps a year earlier or later--people -everywhere became interested in the reports that an enormous sea serpent -had been seen off the Isle of Shoals. These stories were repeated so -often and so circumstantially that it was evident there was something in -them. General attention was drawn to that famous resort, and hundreds of -guests visited the Appledore Hotel for the first time and remained for -weeks. The serpent was said to be fifty or seventy feet long, its -tapering neck, tail and general conformation were so natural in -appearance that there could be no doubt of its reality. It was black in -color and moved through the water just as a creature of its kind might -be supposed to do. The newspapers sent their reporters thither and some -of them saw it. You may be sure that they did justice to the theme. No -one dared approach the monster near enough to make a photograph, for -none had the temerity to run the risk of rousing the ire of the monster. -Excursion steamers from Boston were crowded with thousands eager to get -a glimpse of the terrifying creature without incurring any peril, for -whoever heard of a sea serpent attacking a ship? It may crush a small -boat in its prodigious jaws, as the hippopotamus of the upper Nile has -been known to do,--but a steamer is beyond its capacity. Many of the -passengers carried revolvers, and a number had rifles. They begged the -captain to take them close enough to give a chance for bagging such -royal game, and he was more than willing to oblige, but somehow or other -the opportunity did not offer. It was said that so many craft cruising -about his haunts scared him off, and he did not show himself for days. -Then, when the search grew less ardent, he would reappear and the -excitement would be greater than ever. - -"Picture the piazza of the hotel, the upper windows, and even the roof -swarming with people, nearly all with small or large glasses pointed out -over the water, searching and waiting minute after minute for a sight of -the terrific creature. Maybe after the scrutiny had lasted for hours -some one would shout: - -"'_I see him! Yonder he is!_' - -"And every glass would be focussed upon the point a half mile or more -away, and wild exclamations would follow. The serpent was in plain sight -of every eye. The fore part was upreared three or four feet, and the -most powerful binoculars revealed the enormous eyes and vast mouth, -while at varying distances to the rear could be seen bulging curvings of -the stupendous body, as thick as a cask. Its hideous head slowly circled -about on the neck as if the creature enjoyed the sensation he created. -Then he dropped lower in the water, and seemed to be reposing, -occasionally disporting himself lazily, but often displaying his -terrifying convolutions. - -"Meanwhile the news had been telegraphed far and near, and thousands of -eager people hurried to the Isle of Shoals for a sight which they would -remember all their lives. If they arrived before darkness set in they -probably were gratified, for the serpent appeared to be fond of showing -itself by daylight, but it invariably vanished before morning and -probably would not be seen again for a week, when the former scenes -would be repeated. - -"Scores took up quarters at the hotel, which they had never visited -before, and stayed until the close of the season. Most of these were -rewarded by a glimpse or two of the serpent, though a few were -disappointed and in their resentment declared there was no such thing. - -"Not the papers alone, but many of the magazines contained disquisitions -on the bogy of the sea. Startling pictures based on the numerous -descriptions were given, and caused many a shudder among those who had -to depend upon such sources of information. - -"One day a dudish youth loudly announced that any man was a fool who was -afraid of a sea serpent. He intended to row out in a boat and to go nigh -enough to empty his revolver into the frightful head. Incidentally he -let it fall that he had a record as a pistol expert, and he invited any -one who had the 'sand' to go with him for a near view of his fight with -the creature that was making a deuced bore of itself. - -"To the breathless amazement of the awe-smitten listeners, two young -women, pretty of feature and with mischievous eyes, volunteered. He -warned them of the risk they ran, but they replied that they were not -afraid of anything that failed to alarm him, and any way they didn't -believe the horrid creature would get a chance to harm them before their -escort would pierce its brain with several bullets. This tribute to the -young man's skill and bravery caused him to set his hat at a greater -angle and thrust out his chest still more. Many of the spectators -thought it their duty to protest, but the girls would not be dissuaded, -and a few minutes later the boat put off with its three occupants, while -every glass or unaided eye followed the movements of the craft. - -"This was one of the times when the serpent was in plain sight a half -mile away, and the young hero headed directly toward it. The girls -laughed and chatted and were sure it was the greatest lark in which they -had ever engaged. - -"They noticed that as they drew near the creature their escort showed -lees enthusiasm and kept looking over his shoulder. It is not to be -supposed they were free from a few tremors themselves, but, if so, they -did not allow him to see it. They kept up their laughter and commented -freely upon the timidity of the thousands who remained upon the hotel -porch and watched the sea serpent from afar. - -"More slowly the oars swayed until probably a couple of hundred yards -separated the boat from that awful undulating monster. The young man -ceased toiling and laid his hand upon the revolver in his hip pocket. - -"'You are not near enough to reach him,' said one of the misses. - -"'I am best on long shots,' he replied with another glance at that -fearful head. - -"'Why, he has seen us! He is looking this way!' exclaimed the other. - -"'Are you sure of that?' he asked with chattering teeth. - -"'Yes; he's coming toward us! Isn't that splendid? All you will have to -do is to wait until he is near enough and then shoot the horrid thing -through the head as you said you would.' - -"But the young man had heard enough. He whirled the boat around and -rowed with might and main, never pausing until he reached the wharf, -when he sprang out, and amid the laughter and jeers of the spectators -rushed to his room, which he kept until the time came for him to leave -the hotel. - -"The sea serpent was seen at intervals all through the summer. It did -not make itself too cheap, and a week or more would pass without its -showing itself. It was observed late in the season, but finally -disappeared for good. The Appledore House was crowded as never before, -and ran to its fullest capacity for the two following summers because of -the general expectation that the sea serpent would show up again, but it -never did, and in due time became only a memory or was forgotten -entirely. - -"When you land at the dock at Boothbay Harbor and come up the slope to -Commercial Street, turn to the left, walk only a little way and you will -come to the large grocery store of Simpson and Perkins. In the upper -hall of that store, as it used to be, the sea serpent of which I have -been telling you was born and attained its full growth, preliminary to -its removal to the Isle of Shoals. - -"The author of its being was William Wilson, who died about ten years -ago. He was an English sailor, who in middle life gave up the sea and -settled in Boothbay Harbor, where for years he was the only rigger in -the little town. He possessed great natural mechanical ability, and it -was said of him that he could make anything. He was unusually skilful in -plain and fancy sewing and in constructing all sorts of knickknacks. He -turned his attention to house painting and in that developed real -artistic taste. In short, he was a Jack-of-all-trades and good in each. - -"One day a stranger who had heard of Wilson's versatility came to him -with a proposition that he should construct him a sea serpent, for which -he was willing to pay two hundred dollars. He explained its purpose and -impressed upon the artist the necessity of keeping the thing an absolute -secret,--since the discovery that it was a fake would defeat the very -object of its being, which was to build up business for the hotel at the -Isle of Shoals. - -"Wilson agreed to construct the sea serpent in accordance with his own -ideas of what it should be. His employer was quite willing to accept -this proviso, for he knew the man's ingenuity and so the verbal contract -was made. - -"Wilson had a partner in the work, a Swede named Robert Alson, who is -still living. These two used to saunter upstairs into the long hall -which was their workshop, lock the door and devote themselves to the -task, upon which they spent their spare hours throughout the winter. -Like a true artist, Wilson would not hurry, and gave careful attention -to the smaller details,--a fact which accounts for the perfect success -of the extraordinary fraud. - -"The sea serpent was exactly thirty-five feet long, and for convenience -of shipment was made in three sections, which overlapped and could be -readily sewn together. The material was strong canvas, painted a black -color, with proper proportions. The tail tapered, as did the neck, the -largest part of the body being about two feet in diameter. The head, -eyes and mouth were not exaggerated, as would have been the fact with -almost any amateur at the job. It was stuffed with cork and oak -shavings, so nicely adjusted that it would float partly on or just below -the surface, with the curving neck lifting the hideous head two or three -feet above the water. The small waves gave a lifelike motion to the -thing, which made it seem to be moving slowly through the water, when in -fact it never progressed forward or backward, for its position was held -immovably by an anchor. - -"When the serpent was at last completed it was securely boxed and -shipped to Portsmouth, six miles from the Isle of Shoals. Then it was -towed at night to the right place, anchored and left to do its duty, -which, as I have told you, it succeeded in doing to perfection. It is -strange that the imposture was kept up for month after-month, and that -it was seen and inspected by thousands, and yet no one really penetrated -the clever deception. It was towed to the anchorage at night, and taken -away again the next night to a secure hiding place. Those who had it in -charge were too shrewd to overdo the trick. When the attention of the -crowds threatened to become too warm, the serpent disappeared and was -not again seen for a week or more. The general belief was that it had -gone out to sea, but after a time some strange attraction drew it back -into the field of vision of the swarms of visitors to the Appledore -Hotel. As I said, the sea serpent disappeared for good in the autumn and -this particular one was never seen again--that is, in its native -element. I do not know what ultimately became of it." - -At this point in the narrative Uncle Elk paused, and it could be seen -that he was smiling behind his beard. - -"I now want to say something to you in confidence. You must be sure not -to repeat it in the hearing of others. I gave you the names of the two -men who built the sea serpent, but I have good reason to believe a third -person had a hand in it. If you will question Keyes H. Richards, the -proprietor of the Samoset House on Mouse Island, you will find that he -knows all about it. I once asked him point blank if he did not have -something to do with its construction, but I could not draw a direct -answer from him. Therefore, I retain my suspicions. - -"Last spring the twin brothers, Asa and Bige Carter of Boothbay, -persuaded themselves that they could make a tidy sum of money by -introducing a new sea serpent to the public. After they had completed -it, they decided to make a preliminary test by bringing it to Gosling -Lake and trying it on you Boy Scouts. They let me into the secret, and -though much interested, I discouraged it. They lacked the artistic -cleverness of Wilson and the trick was sure to be detected and quickly -exposed. I met them on the shore of the lake and saw them tow it out a -little way, and anchor it. It was not properly balanced, and while the -body sank, the head rose to within a foot of the surface, but would not -come any higher. When those two tramps happened to look over the edge of -their canoe, you may perhaps imagine their terror at sight of the gently -swaying monstrosity that seemed on the point of crushing the boat or -them in its jaws. Never again will they be so overcome with blind panic. - -"This incident, together with my earnest persuasions, induced the Carter -boys to give up their scheme and to take away their sea serpent and -consign it to oblivion." - - - - - CHAPTER XVI -- Zip - - -On the evening succeeding the interesting story told by Uncle Elk of the -once famous sea serpent, the majority of the Boy Scouts were seated on -the porch of the bungalow exchanging the day's experiences. The half -dozen detailed to prepare supper were as busy as they could be, for they -like their waiting companions were exceedingly a-hungered. Some had -spent hours in fishing for perch, bass, salmon, pickerel and lake trout; -others had strolled through the fragrant, resinous woods, studying trees -and bird life, and all had added to their splendid reserve of rugged -health, exuberant animal spirits, and that genuine happiness which comes -only with an upright life, clean habits and the constant seeking of an -opportunity to do others a "good turn." - -The day had been an ideal one, overflowing with radiant sunshine, -surcharged with ozone and with a sky of a crystalline clearness which -Italy throughout all its historic centuries has never surpassed. The -summer was drawing to a close; the nights were perceptibly longer, and -there was a crisp coolness which increased after sunset and told of the -coming of autumn and winter. - -Scout Master Hall sat among his boys looking out upon the placid lake, -the conversation rambling and not important enough to call for record. -The chair in which Jack Crandall reclined while he talked had been -carried inside by two of the Scouts, Doctor Spellman having advised that -this should be done now that the weather was growing chilly. - -Suddenly, Gerald Hume, of the Stag Patrol, who sat nearest to the end of -the porch, said: - -"Hello? we have a visitor." - -A general turning of heads followed. Coming along the beach from the -direction of Uncle Elk's home was a boy, probably fifteen or sixteen -years old, rather tall for his age, dressed in khaki, with leggings, a -close-fitting cap and short coat with belt around the waist. While his -attire resembled in some respects that of the Boy Scouts, it was not the -same. He swung a swagger or short cane in his right hand, and advanced -with the elastic grace of an athlete. As he drew nearer it was seen that -he had a pleasing face, with regular features, dark eyes and hair, and -that air which while it cannot be described, yet reveals the polish and -culture of the true gentleman. - -Glancing aside at the boys who were busy with their culinary duties, he -stepped lightly upon the porch and with a military salute called out: - -"Good evening, boys; I am glad to meet you." - -Scout Master Hall and every youth sprang to their feet and made the -regulation salute, the leader advancing and offering his hand. - -"And I assure you we are all pleased to welcome you. You are in time to -join us at supper and of course will stay over night. Are you alone?" - -"I am; my name is George Burton and my home is in the city of New York. -I am spending a week or two at the Hotel Samoset on Mouse Island, but -must soon leave to meet my folks on their return from the other side." - -"Did you come from Mouse Island to-day?" inquired Scout Master Hall. - -"I left there early this morning; crossed to Boothbay Harbor and then -struck on foot, just as my brother and I did last summer in tramping -through Switzerland. A farmer gave me a ride of several miles, when I -resorted to shanks-mare again. Then I caught another ride--not quite so -long as the former--until I came to the half-broken track through the -woods, over which I believe the wagon labors that brings your supplies. -I had heard that a party of Boy Scouts were stopping at the clubhouse, -which I saw from the other side of the lake, so I skirted the sheet of -water to this point." - -"That makes a pretty good tramp for one day," remarked the Scout Master. - -"I have done a good deal better, and I am sure it would not tax any one -of you. You asked me a few minutes ago if I were alone; I am, but I -expect soon to be joined by a friend." - -Young Burton laughed at the surprised looks turned toward him. - -"He is my dog, named Zip." - -"He will be as welcome as his master," said Mr. Hall. - -"I know that and I thank you for us both." - -"It's mesilf that is wondering why ye don't kaap company," said Mike -Murphy; "me dad explained to Father Hoogan, as his rason for taking me -wid him whereiver he wint, that he liked to have a pup at his heels whin -he wandered round the country." - -The visitor smiled at the Irish lad's drollery, and was on the point of -answering the query, when the Scouts in charge of the dinner -preparations announced that the meal was ready. - -"We are all curious to hear your story, which we know is interesting," -remarked the Scout Master as he and the boys rose to their feet, "but -nothing can be so attractive just now as the meal to which we have just -been summoned." - -"I am of your opinion," replied Burton, moving off with the others to -the table. - -"May I ask when you look for the arrival of your friend Zip?" - -The guest took out his watch and glanced at its face. - -"It is now half-past six; he ought to be here by seven; I must allow him -some margin." - -Every one was puzzled, but made no comment. As the Scout Master had -remarked, the question of satisfying their hunger dominated all others -for the time. - -Needless to say the whole party partook of the food with the satisfying -enjoyment which waits on sound health and exuberant spirits. As Scout -Master Hall quoted, all "ate like horses when you hear them eat," the -feast enlivened by continuous chatter, jest and merriment. Jack -Crandall's chair was wheeled to the table, and with a little help from -his friends he did his part well. Less than half an hour thus passed, -when the company adjourned to the front porch, the only absent ones -being the half dozen who had to clean up and leave things ready for the -morning meal. This work did not take long, and all were soon gathered -together, the Scouts much interested in their guest, and what he told -them about his dog Zip. - -"He is a bloodhound," he explained, "not quite two years old. The breed -is not specially noted for its intelligence, but its delicacy or power -of scent would be unbelievable had it not been proved over and over -again. I hope to give you some demonstrations by my own dog, who is of -pure breed, and with more brains than the generality of his kind." - -"Are you sure he will trail you to this place?" asked Scout Master Hall. - -"There is not a particle of doubt about it. He has performed more -difficult feats than that; in fact, I am trying to find something he -cannot do, but so far haven't succeeded." - -"Will you tell us the particulars of his present task?" - -"I left Mouse Island this morning about seven o'clock on the _Norman -II_, run by Captain Pinkham. Having made my arrangements with Manager -Dodge, I explained to my friend Chester Greenleaf that Zip would be at -the dock and board the boat at twenty minutes to two for the roundabout -trip to Boothbay Harbor. I advised Greenleaf not to try to collect a -ticket from Zip, as he might resent it, and the young man promised to -bear the counsel in mind. All that was to be done was to take the pup to -the wharf at Boothbay and leave him to do the rest. - -"Zip didn't like the idea of being left behind at Mouse, but he knew -what was expected of him, and stood quietly on the dock as with a -lugubrious expression he watched me go. I waved my hand at him, and he -wagged his tail in return, as much as to say I couldn't lose him in that -fashion. - -"Now," said Burton animatedly, "consider what Zip has had to do. He left -Mouse Island at twenty minutes to two o'clock this afternoon and reached -Boothbay Harbor at about half past two, which was fully seven hours -behind me. I'll warrant he was the first one ashore, and in a twinkling -picked up my trail and was speeding northward from the town. Two miles -out he lost it for the time because I had a lift from a farmer, but Zip -knew what that meant, and he loped on up the road, certain of -discovering when I left the vehicle." - -"Is it possible," asked Scout Master Hall, "that he could keep your -scent while you were riding in a wagon?" - -"I am not prepared to deny it, incredible as it may sound. A bloodhound -has been known to trot twenty feet to one side of a trail along a broad -highway, and not lose it for miles. Zip is so familiar with my scent -that he may have detected it from the first. Be that as it may, he lost -no time in nosing about the road, but detected the very spot where my -foot again touched ground, and was after me like a thunderbolt. I had a -second ride--not quite so long as the first--which brought me to the -rough unbroken track over which your supply wagon brings your -provisions. It was a long tramp to this place, and, as you know, the -afternoon was gone when I arrived." - -"Did you make any attempts to throw him off your track?" - -"No, for it was useless. Had a canoe been at hand I might have crossed -the lake in it, but that would have been unfair, for of course no trail -can be followed through water, since in the nature of things none can be -made. - -"Since I have been specially interested in this breed of dogs," young -Burton modestly added, "I may have picked up a few points that are not -familiar to all of you." - -"There is no question as to that," replied Scout Master Hall, "you have -already proved it; you are telling us facts that are not only new to us -but of special interest. All the boys feel as I do." - -A general murmur of assent followed. - -"You are more complimentary than I deserve. While the bloodhound is not -the most common breed of dogs in this country, I suppose most of you are -familiar with his looks and history. They were once used in Cuba to -track escaping prisoners and runaway slaves, and probably served the -same purpose in some parts of the South before the Civil War, but in our -country they were employed simply to track the negroes and were trained -not to harm them, for, aside from the cruelty of the act, it was against -the interests of the slave owner to injure his own property. In Cuba, -the bloodhounds were like ravening tigers. The poor wretch in threshing -through the thickets and swamps heard the horrible baying fast drawing -nearer. His only escape was to leap among the limbs of a tree, and climb -beyond reach of the brutes. If he was tardy in doing so, the black -terror that burst through the undergrowth buried his fangs in his throat -the next instant and never let go, no matter how desperately the man -fought." - -"How was it when the poor fellow reached a perch?" - -"The dogs sat down and waited until the pursuers came up and claimed the -prisoner." - -"Suppose the slave took to water?" - -"He was pretty sure to do that sooner or later, but it rarely availed -against the marvelous scent of his enemies. After a time the man had to -leave the creek or river, as it might be, and with two or three or more -bloodhounds trotting along the bank with their muzzle to the ground, -they were certain to pick up the scent with little or no loss of time. - -"This peculiarly Spanish product became famous during the war with the -Seminole Indians of Florida some seventy years ago. You know that those -redskins retreated into the swamps and everglades where our soldiers -could not follow them, or, if they followed, could not find them. The -war dragged on year after year until the patience of the government was -worn out. In its perplexity a number of Cuban bloodhounds were imported; -and, although our officers took pains to declare that the dogs would be -used to track and not to rend the Seminoles, an indignant protest went -up against the barbarity of the act. - -"But," added young Burton with a laugh, "the crime, if it were such, -worked its own remedy. Somehow or other the Indians learned to make -friends with the black brutes which came to them in the swamps, and they -trained them with so much skill that they used them to hunt down the -stray soldiers and former owners. The use of bloodhounds in the Seminole -war proved a farce." - -The guest suddenly ceased talking for a moment and said: - -"It is time I heard from Zip." - -"Some accident may have befallen him or perhaps he has gone astray." - -"Both are improbable--listen!" - - - - - CHAPTER XVII -- Wonderful Work - - -Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were -intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the -night a strange, piercing cry,--the baying of a bloodhound following the -trail of a person. It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of -the two,--a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with -shivering fear. - -"That's Zip," said his pleased owner; "he will be here in a few -minutes." - -"He has a remarkable voice," said Scout Master Hall; "I never heard the -like." - -Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was -seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far -as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that -of the dog. - -"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Burton; "it would deceive any one except -the dog himself." - -"And why not him?" asked Alvin Landon. - -"Because he does not answer--there he comes!" - -In the dim moonlight, as every eye was turned in the direction of the -beach leading toward Uncle Elk's cabin, the Scouts saw a black, medium -sized dog approaching at full speed, his sturdy figure rapidly assuming -definite form. It was to be noted that Burton had come through the wood -itself, whereas the animal was traversing the beach, where the way was -more open, yet he was keeping to the trail as unerringly as an arrow -driven from the bow. - -"Hide yourself," whispered Mr. Hall. - -"There is no place where I can hide from him." - -The next instant the hound with undiminished speed bounded up the steps -at the end of the porch, dashed between the boys, and impinged with such -force against his standing master that he was knocked backward for a -pace or two. Bending over, Burton patted the big head, and Zip in his -excess of delight bounded round the youth and wagged his tail so hard -that it swayed his haunches correspondingly, and it really seemed an -instance of the tail wagging the dog. - -"Don't you think Zip will appreciate something in the form of a meal?" -asked Mr. Hall. - -"He certainly will; a dog is always hungry, and more than half a day has -passed since he ate; nothing suits him better than raw meat." - -"We have a supply, and he shall feast to his heart's content." - -So he did, the food being brought out and placed in front of the canine -guest, who would have eaten a good deal more had his master permitted. -Meekly accepting the decision, Zip lay down at young Burton's feet, -contented and happy throughout the remainder of the evening, and glad to -stay outside until the youth rejoined him in the morning. - -"You know what matchless policemen the Belgian dogs make in that -country, in France, and in New York and other cities. Some three years -ago Long Island became so pestered by thieves that Robert E. Kerkham, -superintendent of the railway police, saw that something drastic had to -be done. The thieves dynamited station safes, burglarized private -dwellings and more than once killed and injured railway policemen while -they were trying to arrest the criminals. Those men used fleet horses -and automobiles, and despite everything that could be done, grew bolder -and more successful. - -"Superintendent Kerkham, finding that his patrolmen were powerless, -decided to call in the help of dogs, with whose striking success abroad -and at home he was familiar, but he made a new departure by taking -bloodhounds instead of the usual police dogs, for the former would not -only guard property but would track the thieves. He bought a pair from -the stock imported from England more than twenty years ago. These are of -the purest blood, and superior to all others. Zip is from the same -stock. A peculiarity of this dog is that in no circumstances will he -take up a doubtful trail, but will pick up the true scent, no matter how -faint, and never abandon it so long as it actually exists. They know not -the meaning of fear, and will stick to their work so long as they can -move or breathe. Some of those dogs have pedigrees that reach backward -to the time of William the Conqueror. - -"The couple which Mr. Kerkham purchased are named Bob and Nellie. They -had to be trained, but they learned fast. They will take the scent from -any article that has been lately handled by the person they are after." - -"How old a trail will serve them?" asked the Scout Master. - -"Of course the freshest scent is the best. Zip was all of seven hours -behind me to-day. I have tested him on double that time and he seemed to -have little or no difficulty. They have taken a trail twenty-four hours -old, and precisely what it is that guides them in such a case is more -than any one can understand. A man is known to have left a house at a -certain time, and twenty hours later it is decided to pursue him with -the aid of a bloodhound. A glove, or hat, or shoe that he is known to -have worn is held in front of the dog; he sniffs at it, dashes out of -doors, circles back and forth and around the grounds until he strikes -the corresponding scent; up goes his head, his tail wags and he bays his -pleasure. A hundred yards farther, and he drops his nose to the ground -to make sure he has not lost his clue. - -"Perhaps the scent grows faint or disappears. In that case he runs back -and circles about until he picks it up again, when he is off once more. -You must remember that while all this is going on there is a man tugging -at the leash, for this is necessary to protect the thief. As the trail -grows fresher, the fierce eagerness of the hound increases; he knows he -is close upon his quarry and sharp words and powerful pulling are -necessary to prevent him from bounding straight at the throat of the -cowering wretch. Should he start to run it is almost impossible to -restrain the dog, but when he sees the criminal is under arrest, he is -satisfied, becomes quiet, and is ready to tackle the next job." - -"Will you tell us of some of the exploits of Bob and Nellie, who you say -are perfect specimens of their kind?" - -"I cannot recall a quarter of them. One thing that Bob did was -astonishing because it was at the beginning of his training and the -scent was fourteen hours old. He caught it from a bag which the thieves -had used to wrap about their hands in breaking a window. As true as the -needle to the pole, Bob led his master through alleys and side streets, -across vacant lots, along the purlieus of a straggling village to a -house near the highway. This was circled once, and then he dashed to a -barn at the rear, through the open door, and sprang at a young man who -was engaged in skinning a muskrat he had trapped. - -"The fellow was indignant and denied all knowledge of the crime, -declaring that he did not know where the freight house was located, but -Bob's trainer was certain the dog was right, and searched the place. All -the missing property was found in a trunk, and the thief is now in Sing -Sing, convicted on the testimony of the dog. - -"Last summer a farmer in Kansas was murdered and a pack of hounds were -put on the trail. They led the trainers and officers through a broken -country for six miles, never hesitating or turning aside for a minute, -until they reached a house where a man lived who had never been -suspected. He was arrested, corroborative evidence obtained, and he was -convicted by the Supreme Court of the state and executed. - -"One night the safe of the Hicksville station on the Long Island -Railroad was blown open and the contents stolen. Three of the dogs were -brought up the next day a little before noon and put on the trail, about -twelve hours after the robbery had been committed." - -"It seems to me," remarked Scout Master Hall, "that in all such cases -the hounds are very liable to blunder." - -"Why?" - -"There must be a good many tracks about the premises; how can they -differentiate those of the thieves?" - -"They took the scent without the least difficulty from the window -through which the robbers had entered and from the articles they had -handled. Tugging at their leashes, the hounds led their masters up the -railway track for an eighth of a mile, and then turned off across the -open country to the trolley track, which they followed to the next stop, -where the trail ended. Inquiries brought out the fact that the car had -stopped there about midnight,--something which it rarely did. Having -boarded it, the thieves made their escape, and that became one of the -few instances in which the skill of the bloodhounds came to naught. - -"But the dogs were not allowed to rust for want of work. Long Island -gave them plenty to do, and continues to do so. When word came to -headquarters that the station at Warwick Street on the Atlantic Division -of the railway had been broken into and robbed, the dogs were put on the -job with the least possible delay. They found the trail without trouble, -and skurried down Atlantic Avenue to Logan Street, where the canines -halted for consultation, since they had to face new conditions. - -"These wonderful brutes had been instant to detect that two thieves were -concerned in the crime. At the point named, the trail divided, and of -course the pursuers did the same. Our old friend Bob trotted along until -he reached No. 129, where he sat down, threw up his head and began -howling. Jim, the other dog, kept on to No. 219, where he joined in the -dismal chorus. The two were on the same side of the street, not very far -apart, and must have made a striking picture, as from their different -stations they serenaded some persons within. I can't help wondering," -added young Burton with a laugh, "whether the thieves noticed that -howling, and peeping out of the windows suspected what it meant. - -"The trainers thought it possible a mistake had been made, and the dogs -were taken back to the station and given the scent again. They followed -it as unerringly as before, but oddly enough when they came to the -forking of the trail, Bob and Jim changed places. It was as if one had -proposed the shift to the other, who accepted it offhand. - -"Doubting no longer, the officers arrested a schoolboy in each house, -whom the dogs identified. They confessed their guilt, and one was sent -to the Juvenile Asylum at Dobbs Ferry and the other to the Elmira -Reformatory. - -"Now," said Burton, whose enthusiasm was natural, "can any one -understand what it is that guides the bloodhound? Of course it is some -sort of emanation, but how subtle it must be, and how fine the sense -that can identify it among scores of others! In the incident I have just -related, the trail led through busy streets, where hundreds of men, -women and animals had trodden upon the invisible footprints, each with -his or her peculiar odor, which lingered for hours, and was as distinct -to the dogs as the call of a megaphone is to us. It is beyond my -comprehension." - -"It is beyond the comprehension of any one," added Mr. Hall. "Bertillon -has proved that the thumb prints of no two persons are the same, and so -the scent of every one has a peculiarity of its own, but that doesn't -lessen our wonder. - -"There is no end to the proofs that have been given of their miraculous -power." - -"The dogs, I suppose, seem to enjoy tracking a criminal?" - -"It is their delight. Although not credited with a high order of -intelligence, they know as well as their trainers what is expected of -them, and enter into it with as much gusto as you boys do your -vacation." - -"Is a criminal when overtaken by the dogs in danger of being hurt by -them?" - -"It depends upon himself. If he continues to run and puts up a fight -they will attack him. If he quietly submits, they will mount guard and -hold him unharmed until their master comes up and takes the criminal -into custody. Then the dogs, seeing that that particular task is -finished, show by their behavior that they are as eager as ever for -their next job. But, for safety's sake, they are generally held in -leash, master and dog keeping company." - -"How is it with Zip?" - -"He always runs free, and will not harm a fugitive unless ordered to do -so. You understand that he and I are chums, and I have never used him to -chase a criminal. He roams through the country, and I keep him on edge -by such tests as to-day. He is so familiar with my scent that he will -pick it up instantly, without first sniffing articles I have worn. The -other day I played a mean trick on him. I left him at the Samoset House -on Mouse Island and started for Boothbay Harbor on the steamer -_Wiwurna_, but instead of getting off at the wharf, I slipped over the -gunwale at the rear, and Captain Free McKown took me on board his motor -boat _Edith_ which was lying near, and started back to Mouse Island with -me. Just before reaching the dock I met the _Norman II_ starting for -Boothbay and seated on his haunches at the prow was Zip. I was not -expecting to see him and I should have got out of sight, but he -discovered me and emitted the most dissatisfied howl I ever heard. It -said as plain as so many words, 'You played me a low down trick, and I -don't like it.' He would have sprung overboard and tried to swim to me, -had I not forbidden him. Perforce he went on to Boothbay and came back -on the _Norman II_. I was in my room when he scratched on my door and I -admitted him. He was so mad that he refused to eat the meat prepared for -him, and pouted the rest of the day. I apologized and coaxed, and by -night had won back his favor and the cloud between us passed away." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII -- A Match of Wits - - -It may be said that Zip had become the hero of the Boy Scout camp on -Gosling Lake. He belonged to the finest breed of bloodhounds in the -world and had given an illustration of that gift of his species which -approaches the miraculous. The stories told by his master of his other -exploits, and of what had been done by his kind on Long Island and -elsewhere, were absorbingly interesting. As young Burton remarked, his -study of this canine species had given him more knowledge than could -have been the case otherwise, and he naturally did most of the talking -on that cool August night in front of the bungalow. The bloodhound is -one of the most dignified of dogs, and resents anything in the nature of -familiarity by strangers. Alvin, Chester, Mike and several others tried -to make friends with Zip, but he showed them plainly that he preferred -to be left to himself. - -"Ef it was meself that was as partic'lar as him to selict me -associates," said Mike, "I should faal mighty lonely, as Jim O'Toole -remarked after he had been lost for six weeks in the woods. I'll -remimber yer coolness, Zip," he added, shaking his finger at the dog -nestling at the feet of Burton, "and to-morrer ye'll faal so ashamed, -after ye try to match wits wid me, that ye'll resign as a bloodhound and -become a poodle dog for the rist of yer days." - -"Don't boast too soon," said the guest; "I'll put my stake on Zip every -time." - -"And so will I," added Alvin; "if Mike was half as smart as he thinks he -is, we should all be fools compared with him." - -"_Some_ folks don't naad the comparisin to show they're lacking in the -first ilimints of sense," retorted the Irish youth with fine sarcasm. - -It was quite late when the boys retired for the night. No one would have -objected to the presence of Zip in the bungalow, but his master -preferred that he should spend the night outdoors, and he was waiting -there the next morning when Burton, the first to arise, came out to have -a romp with him before breakfast. - -It was about eight o'clock that the whole party of Boy Scouts including -their guest gathered on the front porch, eagerly interested in the test -that was to be made of the skill of Zip the bloodhound in following a -scent. Every one was on the _qui vive_, for the novelty of the -proceeding appealed to them. - -The arrangements, simple of themselves, had been made while the party -was at breakfast. Three trials were to take place, involving that number -of Boy Scouts. Each was to plunge into the woods and use every device -possible to hide his trail from the dog, which was to take up his task -an hour after the fugitive, as he may be called, left the bungalow. - -The first runner was the diminutive Isaac Rothstein, the second, the -tall, long-limbed Hoke Butler, and the third Mike Murphy. - -"There is only one condition," said young Burton, when everything was -ready; "you must not make any use of the lake. Zip can track you only to -the edge." - -"The lake is the only water shut out?" remarked Hoke Butler inquiringly. -The guest hesitated a moment, suspecting some intended trick by the -questioner. - -"That is all." - -"How about the Sheepscot River?" asked Mike. - -"If an hour's start will enable you to reach that stream ahead of Zip, -you win." - -Scout Master Hall turned to Isaac, who was standing in the middle of the -group on the porch. The bright-eyed youth nodded. - -Burton spoke to the hound which, knowing what was expected of him, came -forward and sniffed around the Boy Scout's feet and ankles. He did this -for only two or three seconds, when he backed off and took his place -beside his master. - -"That means he is ready if you are." - -"I am to have an hour's start?" - -"More if you wish it." - -"That's enough, and you are sure he will not attack me?" - -"Have no fear of that, but I suggest that you do not tempt him." - -"What do you mean by that?" asked young Rothstein. - -"Don't tackle _him_ first; and when he comes up with you, as he is sure -to do, stop running. The Belgian dogs have a trick of dodging between -the legs of a fugitive and tripping him, but the bloodhound prefers to -drag him down." - -"In other words," said Mike, "whin the dog gits ye down, and has his -paws on yer breast, and is hunting out the best place to begin his -feast, h'ist the flag of truce." - -Isaac, accompanied by Scout Master Hall and several of the boys, passed -into the bungalow, closing the door behind them, and went out of the -rear door which was also shut. The dog remained on the front porch with -his master and the other scouts, each party out of sight of the other. A -few minutes later, Isaac's friends rejoined their comrades, Burton and -several of the Scouts glancing at their watches to note the time. Zip -lay at his owner's feet, with his nose between his paws, as if intending -to pass the interval in sleep. - -Before starting, Isaac was asked to explain his plan. He replied that it -was merely to do everything he could to puzzle his pursuer, and he was -confident of succeeding. It was useless to make any effort at the start, -and he walked away at his ordinary pace, quickly disappearing among the -trees. - -The moment, however, he was out of sight he began the precautions he had -decided upon before starting. He turned at right angles, walked rapidly -for a hundred yards, then changed again to the same extent. Since the -shift each time was to the right, this made an exact reversal of the -course upon which he set out, and being kept for a little while took him -back to the bungalow, a rod or two from his starting point. No one saw -him, since every one was at the front. Thus he made a second get away, -which delayed him for a few minutes. - -Isaac chuckled, for he was sure he had played a cute trick upon the dog, -which he believed would be puzzled thereby, and yet you and I can -readily see that there was "nothing in it" at all. - -Again the youth dived in among the trees, or broke into a rapid run, -going straightaway, but taking as long steps as he could. Then he -zig-zagged, first to the right and left, describing irregular circles -which assuredly would have led him astray had he not caught glimpses of -the lake now and then, and thus knew the course he was following, which -in the main was toward the cabin of Uncle Elk. - -He kept note of the time, and just before the hour expired made a long -sweeping curve to the right, which brought him back to the opposite end -of the bungalow from his starting point. - -"Hurrah!" he called as he bounded up the steps among his friends; -"where's Zip?" - -"On your trail," replied his owner. - -"Don't be too sure of that; I've given him the task of his life." - -"Undoubtedly the easiest one; now that you have returned," said Burton, -"you may as well tell us everything you did." - -Isaac described his course from the first,--how he had actually started -twice, often shifting and finally making a big curve, still marked by -abrupt changes that were sure to baffle the keenest nosed bloodhound -that ever tracked a fugitive into the depths of the Everglades. - -"You couldn't have given Zip an easier task," said Burton; "when he left -here a short time ago he circled about the clubhouse, and in three -minutes at the most took your scent." - -"But didn't the two trails puzzle him?" asked the astonished Isaac. - -"There was a difference of a few minutes in their making and he took the -freshest." - -This sounded so incredible that the guest qualified his assertion. - -"Even if he accepted the older scent, it led him straight to the second. -All your circlings and doublings availed you nothing; you never -perplexed him for more than an instant." - -"How can you know that?" - -"There's your answer." - -Burton nodded toward the steps up which Isaac Rothstein had come some -time before. There was Zip, who without baying or making any kind of -outcry, galloped over the porch and directly to where the astounded lad -was sitting. Stepping a pace or two away, he looked up at the youth and -then walked over to his master and sat down beside his chair. - -"You can translate his remarks," said the latter. "Words could not be -plainer: 'There's the young man who thought he could fool me, but never -was he more mistaken.'" - -Isaac joined in the clapping of hands. Zip preserved his dignity and -paid no heed to strangers. All he cared for was the good opinion of his -master and he knew he had that. - -"Next!" called Burton, and the tall, stoop-shouldered Hoke Butler rose -to his feet. - -"I don't want any help," he remarked with a wink toward Isaac Rothstein, -as Zip sniffed about his feet; "stay right where you are. Mr. Burton, a -half hour start will be enough for me." - -"As you please, but you may have two hours if you wish." - -"And we'll save our bouquets till Zip throws up the sponge," said Mike, -"or rather until I tries me hand with the intilligint canine." - -Instead of leaving the bungalow from the rear, Hoke walked deliberately -down the eastern steps, and sauntered off where he was in plain sight of -all until he entered the wood which approached to within a few rods of -the lake. He had given no one a hint of the scheme he had in mind, but -the feeling was general that whatever its nature it was original, and -more than one-half suspected he might outwit the remarkable dog. In this -list we must not include George Burton. - -Now Hoke had learned that it was useless to try to throw Zip off the -scent by any such artifices as young Rothstein had used. As the guest -declared, the tracker had not bothered the dog to the slightest extent. -It therefore would be folly for the second fugitive to repeat the -experiment. He had no thought of doing so. - -Mention has been made in the preceding pages of a brook which ran near -the home of Uncle Elk. After a devious course this emptied into Gosling -Lake at a point about halfway between the cabin and the bungalow. Hoke -rested his hopes upon this little stream. - -"Burton barred the lake," chuckled the youth, "but he didn't say -anything of this stream, though I was awfully afraid he would. I guess -he doesn't know about it,--yes, he does, too, for he had to cross it on -his way to the bungalow, but he forgot it. He can't kick when he finds I -have made his dog sing small." - -Allured by the single purpose, Hoke pushed straight on, turning neither -to the right nor left. Recalling that he had shortened the time Zip was -to wait, he broke into a lope. His build made him the fleetest runner in -camp, and it did not take him long to reach the stream. He had crossed -it so many times that the lower portion was familiar, and he turned as -if to follow it to its source in the spring near Uncle Elk's cabin. - -He found it of varying width. It was so narrow where a regular path had -been made by the passing back and forth of the hermit and his friends, -that nothing in the nature of a bridge was used. A long step or a -moderate jump served. - -Nowhere did the depth seem to be more than a few inches, except where a -pool or eddy occasionally appeared; but as Hoke Butler picked his way -along the bank, he was pleased to note here and there a considerable -expansion. - -"That's good!" he said to himself; "it will make it all the harder for -that dog." - -He now put his scheme into operation. Without removing his shoes, he -stepped into the brook, sinking halfway to his knees, and began walking -up the bed of the stream. The water was as cold as ice, and he gasped at -first, but became quickly accustomed to it. The bottom was so irregular -that he progressed slowly, and more than once narrowly escaped falling. -Here and there boulders protruded from the shore and he steadied himself -by resting a hand upon them as he labored past. Those that rose from the -bed of the stream itself and around which the current foamed, afforded -convenient stepping stones and were turned to such use. - -"Of course that wouldn't do on land," he reflected, "for the dog would -catch the scent, but he can't know I'm in the water, and will be hunting -elsewhere for my trail. He'll be the most beautifully fooled dog in -Maine." - - - - - CHAPTER XIX -- The Final Test - - -"Mr. George Burton may think he has a mighty smart dog," reflected Hoke -Butler, as he picked his way up the small stream, "and he isn't any -slouch, but there are some things he can't do, and one of them is to -follow a fellow's trail through the water. Funny that when Burton shut -us off from the lake he forgot this brook. Since he didn't mention it, I -have the right to use it. - -"Now," continued the logical young man, "while I keep to the water I -don't leave any scent; I'm like the fawn which the hound can't track -through the woods, and when Zip comes to the point where I stepped into -the water, he'll be up against it--hello!" - -He had come to a place where the brook expanded into a pool and more -than fifty feet across. Opposite to where he halted, the foaming current -tumbled over a series of boulders, and then spread out into the calm -expanse, whose outlet was the small stream which Hoke had ascended to -this point. The water lost a good deal of its limpidity, so that the -bottom could be traced only a little way from where he stood. - -"That's bully!" exclaimed the Scout, after brief reflection; "I'll walk -across the pond--it can't be deep--and step ashore on the other side, -Zip won't come within a mile of the spot." - -He began wading, cautiously feeling each step before advancing. Since -the depth was unknown he could not be too careful, though confident that -the little lake was shallow in every part. - -Half across the icy water reached to his knees. He pressed slowly on, -thrusting out a foot and making sure of a firm support. - -"It ought now to grow more shallow," he reflected as he felt his way -forward; "when I get to shore I may as well go back to the bungalow and -wait till Zip returns disgusted. I guess Burton can take a joke when -it's on him, and he'll laugh with the rest of us----" - -At that instant, Hoke stepped into an unseen hole and dropped out of -sight. The sudden clasp of the icy element made him gasp, and when his -head popped up, he spat and struck out frantically for land. It was -remarkable that the only spot in the pond where the water was over his -head was barely two yards across, and beyond it the depth was so slight -that while swimming, one of Hoke's feet struck bottom. He straightened -up, and strode to land, shivering in his dripping garments. - -"Who'd have thought that? I didn't dream of anything of the kind--where -did _you_ come from?" - -This angry question was addressed to Zip, who thrust his muzzle against -Hoke's knee, looked up and wagged his tail. - -"I'd like to know what led you here, when you hadn't any scent to -follow." - -"It was his nose," remarked young Burton some time later, when Hoke -having exchanged his wet clothing told his story to the laughing group -on the piazza. - -"I left no scent when I stepped into the brook," replied Hoke. - -"Therefore he knew you were in the brook; and set out to find where you -had left it." - -"He had to follow both sides in turn." - -"Not at all; from one bank he could detect, without the least -difficulty, the scent on the other side. He failed to take it up, and -therefore knew you had still kept to the stream. If you had not been in -sight when he reached the pond, he would have circled around it and -nothing could have prevented his discovering your trail within the next -few minutes. But he saw you feeling your way across, and the direction -in which your face was turned told him where you would come out,--so he -trotted around to welcome you when you reached land." - -"Why didn't he jump in to help me out of the hole?" - -"The bloodhound is content to leave that kind of work to his brother the -Newfoundland, and a few others. You are ready to admit, Hoke, that there -are bigger fools than Zip." - -"Yes,--and here sits one of them. Mike doesn't seem to care to match -with him." - -"There's where you're mistook, as Bridget Lanigan said whin she picked -up a red hot poker thinking it was a ribbon she had dropped from her -hair. Come, boys." - -Mike sprang from his seat and addressed Alvin and Chester. There was -much chaffing as the three passed into the bungalow and out at the rear. -Zip had taken his place beside his master's chair, where he sat with his -long tongue hanging far out, his mouth wide open, and his big ears -dangling below his massive jaws. He manifested no further interest in -what was going on around him, though he must have understood everything. - -The agreement with Mike was that the dog should remain on the piazza -with his master and the other scouts until a full hour should have -passed. Then he was to be allowed to smell of a pair of shoes which the -fugitive left behind him. These belonged to Alvin Landon, who had -brought some extra footgear. They had been worn by Mike for several days -when he replaced them with his own, which he had on at the time he left -the bungalow. Thus far everything was plain and above board. - -"I don't know what Mike has up his sleeve," remarked young Burton; "no -doubt it is something ingenious, for he and his two chums have been -whispering and chuckling a good deal together, but Zip will defeat him -as sure as the sun is shining in the sky. You have noticed that my dog -does very little baying,--or rather, Isaac and Hoke have noticed it." - -"But he gets there all the same," laughed Rothstein; "I should like to -know what plan Mike has in mind." - -"We shall learn when he comes back and we hear his story." - -Prompt to the minute, Burton directed the attention of Zip to the pair -of shoes that had been placed on the ground at the foot of the steps. - -"Find him," was the command of his master, and the hound fairly bounded -out of sight around the corner of the building. He bayed once as he -picked up the scent, and then vanished like a bolt from a crossbow. The -crowd of Boy Scouts resumed their chat and awaited as patiently as they -could the issue of the novel test. - -Meanwhile, Mike Murphy and his two chums set to work to carry out the -scheme which they had formulated, and which each one was confident must -result in the humiliation of the wonderful dog and his owner. With -abundance of time at their command they did not hasten, but walked with -a moderate pace to a point some two hundred yards from the bungalow. -They had straggled along side by side, without trying to make their -trail hard to follow, and now halted. - -"This is far enough," remarked Alvin, as the three peered around without -seeing any one. - -His companions agreed. Then Alvin and Mike sat down on the ground and -exchanged shoes. Not only that, but the former stooped and the latter -mounted his back, his arms loosely around Alvin's neck with his legs -projecting in front and supported by the crooked elbows of his carrier. -Then he resumed his walk with Chester trailing behind. - -When the distance from the bungalow had been doubled, Alvin asked: - -"How much do you weigh, Mike?" - -"A hundred and forty-three pounds--when ye started." - -"I think it is about a ton now; how far do you expect me to carry you?" - -"Not far,--say two or three miles." - -"I rather guess not; Chest, it's time you took a turn." - -"Oh, wait awhile; you have only just begun." - -"This isn't as much fun as I thought," growled Alvin, resuming the task -that was fast becoming onerous. - -"I'm enj'ying mesilf, as Jerry Dunn said whin he tackled three -p'licemen. When I git tired I'll sing out, and we'll make a change." - -Chester's sense of justice led him soon after to help in shifting Mike -to his own shoulders, and the progress was resumed much the same as -before. - -You will perceive the trick the boys were playing upon the bloodhound. -Mike had not only changed shoes with Alvin Landon, but his new ones were -not permitted to touch ground while they traveled a fourth of a mile -through the unbroken woods. Moreover, for this distance the leaves were -trampled by Mike's shoes, but they were on the feet of Alvin. - -The next step in this curious mixup was for Alvin, still wearing Mike's -shoes, to diverge to the left, while Chester, with Mike on his -shoulders, went a considerable distance to the right, where he halted -and the Irish youth slipped to the ground and stood in the footgear of -Alvin, who was so far away that he could not be seen among the trees. - -All this was prearranged, as was that which followed. Mike started off -alone, aiming to return to the bungalow by a long roundabout course, -while the other two came together at a new point, and made their way by -a more direct route to where their friends were awaiting them. - -"I wonder that Zip doesn't show up," said Alvin, when they caught sight -of the building, and he looked back; "it is considerably past the hour, -and he ought to be in sight." - -"It can't be he was sharp enough to detect our track." - -"Impossible!" - -And yet that is precisely what he did do, and later, when all were -gathered on the piazza, including the dog, who arrived less than ten -minutes after the astounded Mike, George Burton complacently explained -how it had all come about. - -"It was an ingenious scheme, Mike, and deserved success, but it did not -bother Zip for more than a few minutes. If a dog can smile, he must have -grinned when he penetrated your strategy. You made one mistake which was -natural." - -"It looks to me as if our greatest mistake was in thinking the pup -didn't know more than ten times all of us together," said Mike with a -sniff. - -"That, too, was natural in the circumstances, but when you changed your -shoes with Alvin, then was the time you three should have parted -company. Instead, you stayed together, and Zip kept to the trail, for it -was the only one for him to follow. Had you separated, he probably would -have followed Alvin for awhile, but not long. He would have detected the -deception, run back to the point of separation and hit the right one." - -"But he virtually did that afterward," remarked Scout Master Hall. - -"A proof of the truth of what I said. No doubt Zip trailed Alvin for a -little way or until he discovered that the scent had changed and he was -on the wrong track. Then he turned back and hunted out the right one." - -"If that explanation is correct," said the amazed Mr. Hall, "it proves -that the bloodhound was able to detect the emanations, or whatever it -was that exhaled from Alvin's feet, and could be differentiated from -Mike's even though it must have passed through the leather worn for days -by Mike." - -"Unbelievable as it sounds we have to admit it, but," added Burton, "we -mustn't lose sight of what doubtless was a contributing factor. It was -not Mike's shoes alone that told the secret, but his clothes. He brushed -the trees and limbs when carried on the backs of his friends, and while -walking. It was that which was probably the surest clue to Zip, as it -was with Isaac and Hoke, and made it impossible for any one of the three -to mislead the dog." - - - - - CHAPTER XX -- Speed the Parting Guest - - -George Burton and his dog Zip had won golden opinions from the Boy -Scouts, who urged their visitor to spend several days with them, but he -declined, saying he would set out on his return to Mouse Island directly -after dinner, which was eaten at one o'clock. Truth to tell his tastes -differed from those of his new friends. He cared little or nothing for -bird lore, or the study of trees, or roughing it in the woods. But he -was an athlete, who could outrun any one of the Boy Scouts and last -longer on a tramp. He was putting himself through a course of training, -with a view of making the football team when he should enter Princeton -University, for which he had already matriculated. His sole companion on -his long runs or the hours devoted to hardening his muscles was Zip, -between whom and himself, as had been shown, there was a strong -affection. - -Accordingly, while the afternoon was quite young, Burton shook hands -with all his friends, promising soon to see them again, and stepped into -one of the canoes moored in front of the bungalow. He sat on the bottom -with Zip between his knees, while Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes -manipulated the paddles. Mike Murphy sat in front of Burton and assumed -the airs of a captain. Burton had intended to pass around the eastern -end of the lake, and over the rough trace to the highway, and so on to -Boothbay and Mouse Island, thus reversing this tramp of the day before. -Considerable of this long course could be saved by using the boat. - -"I don't see how you can reach Mouse Island before night," remarked -Alvin as he slowly swung his paddle. - -"I can't." - -"Then why not stay with us and make your start in the morning?" - -"What's the difference? The weather is clear and cool, and the moon is -near its full. I can reach Boothbay Harbor some time in the evening and -stay there over night, and hire a launch to take me to Mouse. Or if I -feel lazy, I can find accommodations at Bovil, which you know is a -little village between that frightful road over which your supply team -labors and Boothbay. Zip and I don't mind a little thing like that." - -"Hello!" exclaimed Chester, "are we never to be rid of those pests?" - -On the shore of the lake to their right, two men were seen standing with -their attention fixed upon the canoe and its occupants. The distance was -so slight that the three boys instantly recognized them as their old -acquaintances,--Buzby Biggs and Saxy Hutt. It would have been thought -that after their recent experience they would have lost no time in -getting out of the neighborhood, but it will be remembered that when -they leaped in a panic from the wagon of our old friend Jake, instead of -running away from Gosling Lake, they headed toward it. - -Zip was quick to identify the vagrants. Looking toward them he emitted a -throaty growl. - -"He hates tramps so, that I have to restrain him when we meet them." - -"And why do ye reshtrain him?" asked Mike from his place in the boat. -"Why don't ye gratify his appetite for such spalpeens, though I'm -thinking he runs risk of being p'isoned?" - -"So long as the tramps keep out of mischief I am willing to leave them -alone." - -"But that is what they don't do; they seem to have a spite against -Doctor Spellman and his family." - -"Against Doctor Spellman!" exclaimed Burton; "you don't mean Doctor -Wilson Spellman?" - -"That's his name." - -"Where is he?" - -Alvin lifted his paddle and pointed a little away ahead and to the -right. - -"He has put up one of those patent houses among the trees, where you -can't see it from the lake, though we observe the smoke from his fire -now and then. There he and his wife and little girl Ruth are spending -several weeks in the most sensible manner possible." - -"Why, he's my uncle," added the surprised and delighted Burton; "I knew -he had gone on an outing in Maine, but thought it was at the Rangely -Lakes. Now, as the expression goes, isn't that 'funny'?" - -"You will like to call on him?" - -"Most certainly; I'm very fond of him, and of Aunt Susie and Ruth." - -The boat was sheered toward land at a point where the canoe of the -physician was seen drawn up the bank. The two tramps stood so motionless -and fixed in their attention that they suggested a couple of scarecrows. -Mike turned his head and grinned. - -"Head the boat toward them, as if ye intinded to call and lave yer -cards." - -The bow was whirled further around, and pointed straight for the -vagrants. Zip was tremulous with eager expectation. Resting his paws on -the gunwales, he twitched his ears and growled. One good look at the -canine was enough for the men. They turned about and dived among the -trees as terrified as when the bullets of Doctor Spellman's revolver -whistled about their ears. - -"Howld on!" shouted Mike, "till we can talk politics wid ye, and thry to -agraa as to whether the Bool Moose ought to be the next President." - -But the scamps paid no heed, and Mike looked commiserately at the dog. - -"'Tis a cruelty thus to disappint ye, Zip, as me dad said whin he walked -five miles to have a shindy with Terence Googhagan, and found he'd been -drowned; but ye may git a chance at 'im later on." - -A few minutes afterward the nose of the canoe slid up the bank, and the -boys stepped out. It being early in the afternoon, Doctor Spellman was -seated in his camp chair in front of his house, smoking a cigar and -looking over the _Boston Globe_. His wife, having set things to rights, -had come forward to join him, with Ruth directly behind her. - -The meeting was a pleasing one. When Burton remarked that he had time -for only a call, the doctor and his family put so emphatic a veto upon -it, that he was obliged to yield and agreed to remain until morning. - -After mutual inquiries and answers had been made, Burton told of the -forenoon's test of Zip's marvelous power of scent. The story was so -remarkable that even Sunbeam, as she sat on Burton's knee, silently -listened. The two were old friends. The little girl was the only one -besides his master whom the hound would allow to become familiar with -him. - -"I wish I had a dog like him," remarked the doctor. - -"That is impossible, for there isn't another like him," replied the -owner. - -"I have been so annoyed by a couple of tramps that I should like to get -Zip on their track and have him drive them out of the neighborhood." - -Alvin and Chester had told the guest of the doings of the nuisances, and -there was laughter at their panic when, looking over the side of the -canoe, they saw the frightful head of the sea serpent, apparently in the -act of rising up to crush the boat or them in its jaws. - -"I can't understand why they persist in staying in these parts, after -the hints they have received," said the doctor. - -"Can they have any special design in view?" asked Burton. - -"I have thought of that, but can't imagine what it is. All such pests -are thieves, but that is the worst that can be said of them. There is -nothing in my home that is specially tempting; they know I have a gun -and a revolver,--and that I am quite ready to use it if they give good -cause. Yet when I kill a man," added the doctor with a grim smile, "I -prefer to put him out of the way in my professional capacity. There are -no unpleasant consequences to myself." - -"Couldn't one of the spalpeens be ill?" suggested Mike. "He may be -trying to screw up his courage to the p'int of asking ye for a -prescription." - -"He will find me ready, and I'll charge him no fee." - -At this moment, the physician supplemented his words by a remark which, -in the light of after events, was singular to the last degree. - -"George, I have arranged a system of signals with my young friends -here." - -"I don't catch your meaning." - -"When young Jack Crandall broke his leg some time ago, there was no -telling what complications would follow. It was therefore agreed that in -case I was needed in a hurry, some of the Boy Scouts should fire one of -their revolvers several times in quick succession. Then I would paddle -to the bungalow as fast as I could." - -"Could you count upon hearing the reports?" - -"Yes,--as a rule; there is nothing to obstruct the sound on the water, -unless it might be a strong wind, and as to that we shall have to take -chances. My signal may vary." - -"_Your_ signal," repeated the astonished nephew; "what need can you have -for anything of the kind?" - -"Probably not any, and yet there's no certainty that I shall not. I -brought some fireworks for the amusement of Stubby. Among them are a -dozen sky rockets. If we should find ourselves in need of help at night, -three rockets sent up in the sky will notify the Boy Scouts, who I know -will make all haste hither, and a score of such young fellows form a -force that even a half dozen men dare not despise. If I need them after -they have retired I can use my rifle or revolver the same as they would -use their weapon." - -"Suppose the emergency should happen in the daytime?" - -"We have our firearms to appeal to; with them we can duplicate the call -of the Boy Scouts." - -"I suppose the system is the best that can be devised," said Burton, -"and yet it strikes me it is as likely to fail as to succeed." - -"Why?" - -"For your rockets to serve, some of the boys must see them,--and what -certainty is there that they will do so?" - -"Of course there's the possibility that they may not,--but until Scout -Master Hall and his charges retire for the night, all or a majority of -them are on the piazza and some of them would be certain to observe the -rockets as they streamed upward, leaving a trail of fire behind them." - -"But why talk of _your_ needing _our_ help?" asked Alvin; "it strikes me -as absurd, though the reverse of the rule is sensible." - -"I may as well confess that I feel uneasy over the persistent hovering -of those tramps in the neighborhood. I fear to leave wife or Ruth alone, -and I never do so even for a short time without making sure my revolver -is loaded and at her instant command." - -"When you come to the bungalow, you can bring Sunbeam and her mother -with you," said Chester Haynes, "as you have generally done." - -"That is my rule, but it leaves the house without the slightest -protection, and those tramps, if they wish, can work their own sweet -will." - -"You did not visit us to-day, doctor." - -"Crandall is getting on so well there's no need; he moves about so -readily on those crutches you fellows presented him that his rapid -recovery is assured. If to-morrow is fair, you may expect us over to -dinner." - -Alvin and Chester felt that this visit really belonged to young -Burton,--so, after remaining a brief while longer, the three bade them -all good-bye and paddled back to the bungalow, which they reached in the -latter part of the afternoon. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI -- Call For Help - - -On the evening of one Thursday in August, Scout Master Hall and the -members of the three patrols composing the troop of Boy Scouts were -lounging on the piazza of the bungalow or clubhouse which stands on the -shore of Gosling Lake in Southern Maine. It was the day succeeding the -departure of George Burton and his bloodhound Zip. - -The hours had been busy ones for our young friends. There had been -fishing, strolls through the woods, investigation of the different kinds -of trees, the study of birds, besides a "deer hunt." I hasten to say -that this was not a real hunt, a dummy being used with bows and arrows -as weapons. This is one of the most popular forms of amusements among -Boy Scouts, who enjoy it to the full. - -So when the youths came back to headquarters, they brought keen -appetites, overflowing spirits and healthy tired bodies. The gathering -on the piazza was a pleasing reunion of all the members. There were -experiences to be told, good natured chaffing, the laying of plans for -the morrow, and now and then Mike Murphy, in answer to the unanimous -demand, sang for them. As I have already said, this remarkable youth, -despite his unrestrainable waggery, would never sing anything of a -frivolous or "rag time" nature, but inclined to sentimental or religious -themes. When that marvelous voice of his, like the notes of a -Stradivarius violin in the hands of Ole Bull, or Spohr, or Kubelik, was -wafted across the placid lake, it was easy to believe the story of the -sirens of Lorelei. - -Thus the party was grouped on the night I have named, and the hum and -chatter of conversation was at its height, when Scout Master Hall -exclaimed: - -"Look!" - -Every voice was instantly hushed. In the gloom the leader's arm which he -had instinctively extended could not be seen, but naturally all who were -not already looking out upon the water did so. Every one was in time to -see a swift ascending rocket turn and break into a shower of sparks as -it dived downward again. - -It was still in sight when a second whirred upward for two hundred feet -or more, leaving a streaming, dazzling trail as it circled over, -exploded and the stick plunged downward in the darkness. - -Every one held his breath. Most of them rose and stared. It might be -that the physician was sending up the rockets to amuse his daughter. If -there were only two, they would mean nothing more; if there was -another---- - -"There it is!" gasped Scout Master Hall; "something is wrong at Doctor -Spellman's!" - -It was the signal which had been agreed upon in the event of their -friend finding himself in urgent need of help. - -It seemed as if several minutes passed before, through the tomb-like -hush, stole a faint popping sound,--the report of the explosion ending -its journey across the lake. - -The dull, almost inaudible call acted as if it were a bugle blast. The -whole party dashed off the porch and at headlong speed to the two canoes -drawn upon the beach. Even Jack Crandall swung to the steps, and debated -a moment whether he should not join the party of rescue, but his common -sense told him he would be only a hindrance, and he reluctantly stayed -behind and watched the shadowy forms of his friends as shown in the star -gleam, the moon not yet having risen. - -"He has called for us," said Scout Master Hall, "and there isn't a -minute to lose!" - -Standing on the edge of the lake he gave his commands as coolly as an -officer marshaling his forces for a charge. In a twinkling the two boats -were afloat in the deep water which came close to the bank. - -"There are twenty-one of us; each canoe will carry no more than eight; -the other five must hurry along the shore to the doctor's house." - -The lads stood breathless, waiting for the leader to name those who must -walk. He promptly did so: - -"Isaac Rothstein, Hoke Butler, Gerald Hume, Arthur Mitchell, Gordon -Calhoun." - -It was a keen disappointment to the five, but there was not a murmur. - -"Come on, boys," called Hoke; "if we do our best we shall not be far -behind them." - -His long legs carried him at a pace that made it hard for the others to -equal. In Indian file the procession, with him in the lead, loped along -the beach and was speedily swallowed up in the obscurity. - -The crews of the canoes worked like beavers. In a twinkling the boys had -adjusted themselves and in each boat the two who were handiest with the -paddles plyed them vigorously. Scout Master Hall was seated in the stern -of one, among his companions being Mike Murphy, Alvin Landon and Chester -Haynes. - -At the moment the two craft put out from shore, Mike Murphy repeated the -exclamation-- - -"Look!" - -The startling performance of a few minutes before was repeated. One, -two, three rockets streamed upward in the heavens, curved over, exploded -and plunged downward among the trees. - -"What can be the trouble?" was the question which everyone of the -rescuers asked himself, as the oarsmen threw their energies into the -task, and sent the heavily-laden craft with the utmost speed across the -lake toward the home of their friend. - -Alvin and Chester swung the paddles in their canoe, which speedily -assumed a slight lead. There was little or no conversation, but each Boy -Scout was busy with his thoughts, and burning with curiosity to learn -the cause of the strange night call across the lake. Since every one -knew of the doings of the two tramps, who had been lurking in the -vicinity for several days and had been seen the previous afternoon, it -was natural that suspicion should turn to them. - -And yet it was hard to imagine a situation in which so plucky a man as -Doctor Spellman, who owned a revolver and a repeating rifle, would have -any fear of two unarmed vagrants. Impulsive by nature, and already -resentful toward them, he would stand no nonsense at their hands. - -And for a third time were three signal rockets sent streaming aloft, -before the canoes had passed half the distance between the bungalow and -the home of the physician. The urgency of the summons filled all with -anguish. Mike and the Patrol Leader offered to relieve Alvin and Chester -with the paddles, but they would not listen and bent resolutely to their -task. The other canoe had pulled up alongside, and the two kept abreast -with barely ten feet separating them. - -The cause of the call of distress was revealed with startling suddenness -and before the craft reached land. Through the gloom, Mike Murphy caught -the vague outlines of a man and woman on the beach, and he shouted: - -"What's the matter, docther?" - -The reply of itself was a partial answer: - -"Is Ruth at the bungalow?" - -"She hasn't been there since ye brought her over the other day." - -"Then heaven save us! she is lost." - -It was the mother who uttered this wail, as she convulsively clasped her -hands and walked distractedly to and fro. - -The boys leaped out of the boats and gathered round the grief-smitten -couple. - -"Tell us what this means," said Scout Master Hall, as he sympathetically -clasped the hand of the physician, who spoke with rare self-command, -though his wife began sobbing as if her heart was broken: - -"We did not miss her until about an hour ago; I sat in front of the -house smoking and talking with wife, when she remarked that it was time -Ruth was in bed. I called to her, but there was no answer. Thinking she -had fallen asleep inside, I lighted a match and looked around, wife -joining me. A brief search showed she was not there. We hurried outside, -and I shouted again. - -"By that time we were in an agony of distress and wife was sure -something dreadful had happened to her. As soon as we could command our -wits we found that neither of us had seen her for nearly two hours and -the thought struck us both that she had wandered off to the bungalow. If -she had kept along the beach and walked steadily she would have had time -to reach you, but there are so many other awful chances that I dared not -trust to that, so I appealed to you." - -"And you did right; there is nothing that is possible for us to do that -we will not do," was the response of Scout Master Hall. - -"She may still be wandering along the beach on her way to the bungalow." - -"Five of our boys are hurrying over the same course to this point, and -will be sure to meet and bring her home." - -"Unless she has strayed off in the woods and been lost." - -"Let us hope that such is the fact, for then she will be safe and suffer -only slight inconveniences." - -"Oh, it is worse than that," moaned the mother, still pacing to and fro -and wringing her hands; "she has fallen into the lake and been drowned." - -"I cannot believe that," said the Scout Master, following the remark -with such tactful assurances that the mother regained a part of her -self-command, to the extent even of feeling a faint hope that all was -well with her child. - -The conduct of the youths was admirable. When they spoke it was in -whispers and undertones, but every heart was filled with the sincerest -pity, and all were eager to do everything they could for the smitten -parents. - -The Boy Scout does not content himself with words: his mission is to do -a good turn, and where every minute was beyond value none was thrown -away. - -Scout Master Hall assumed charge. He directed six of the boys to take -the back trail, as it might be called,--that is, around the eastern end -of the lake to the bungalow. This would insure their meeting Hoke Butler -and his companions, who in turn would meet the missing child if she had -wandered over the same route. The six to whom this task was entrusted -were under the charge of Mike Murphy. - -The same number of boys were ordered to follow the opposite -direction,--that is, to skirt the lake to the westward,--each of the two -searching parties to keep it up until they came together at the -bungalow. This arrangement left four Boy Scouts, including Mr. Hall and -not mentioning the father and mother. The leader proposed that he, one -of the lads and the parents should separate, plunge into the woods and -pursue the hunt independently of one another. Since for a time the -search must be a blind one this plan was as good as any that could be -suggested. - -The Scout Master took Alvin and Chester aside. - -"I have selected you for a special work," he said. "You are fleet of -foot, cool-headed and have good judgment. The doctor has made no -reference to those tramps, and yet I know he suspects they have stolen -Ruth, and intend to hold her for ransom. I believe it is either that, or -she has wandered off and fallen asleep in the woods,--with the -possibility that she is drowned. - -"I want you to make your way as quickly as you can to the little town of -Bovil, where I think there is a telephone. If the tramps have kidnapped -the Sunbeam, they will try to get out of the neighborhood. Telephone to -the officers at Boothbay Harbor and other points, and get word to Burton -at Mouse Island as soon as possible, and ask him to make all haste here -with Zip. He'll do it." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII -- Groping In the Dark - - -Five distinct parties were engaged in searching for the missing child, -Ruth Spellman. Hoke Butler and his companions had left the bungalow on -foot, because there was not room in the two canoes for them. Knowing -nothing of the cause of the doctor's appeal for help, they made no hunt -until, when the greater part of the distance was passed, they met Mike -Murphy and his friends. These had advanced at a slower pace, for they -were hunting for that which they dreaded to find, and they meant to -neglect nothing. - -When the two parties came together, a brief explanation made everything -clear. Inasmuch as the larger part of the beach to the eastward had not -been examined, it was agreed that the coalesced companies should return -at a slower pace to the bungalow, and then, if nothing resulted, reverse -and push the search all the way to the house of Doctor Spellman. This -would be covering the ground twice, and it would be done effectively. - -"Do you think she has been drowned?" asked Hoke of Mike. - -"I do not, for it's unraisinable that she should be. The Sunbeam is -afeard of the water and would not step into it. If there was a dock or a -pile of rocks where she could have fell off, she might have done the -same, but there's nothing of the kind, and the little one couldn't have -slipped into the lake while walking along the shore." - -It may be said that this theory was accepted by every one except the -parents and they were inclined toward it. It was their anguish of -anxiety which warped their reasoning and made them fear at times that -that precious form was drifting in the embrace of the chilling waters, -and would never again respond to their loving caresses. - -While scrutinizing every foot of the way, each member of the two parties -scanned the moonlit lake, as far as the vision extended, urged by a -fearful fascination that scattered cold reasoning to the winds. - -Suddenly Hoke Butler, who was slightly in the lead, stopped short, -pointed out on the water and asked in a startled undertone: - -"Isn't something floating out there?" - -All grouped about the speaker and peered in the direction he indicated. - -"Ye're right," whispered Mike, swallowing the lump in his throat; "can -it be Sunbeam?" - -The surface of the lake was as placid as a millpond. Barely a hundred -feet from shore a motionless object was seen floating, but it was so low -that for a time it could not be identified. - -"I'm thinking," added Mike, "that she would not float for a day or two, -but bide ye here till I swim out and make sartin." - -He began hastily disrobing, but before he was ready for the plunge Hoke -exclaimed: - -"It's the branch of a tree." - -Now that the assertion was made, all saw that it was true. The identity -of a limb with its foliage was so evident that they wondered how even a -momentary mistake had occurred. The advance was resumed, and in the -course of the following hour the boys reached the bungalow, where Jack -Crandall was seated on the piazza with his crutch leaning beside him. It -need not be said that he was shocked beyond expression by the news. - -"How I wish I were able to join in the search," he lamented, "but I can -only sit here and wait and pray for you." - -"Do you think it likely she has been drowned?" Hoke asked. - -"No; and yet it is possible. She may have slipped while walking on the -edge and a child like her is so helpless that it would be all over in a -minute or so. Keep up your hunt until she is found and don't forget to -scan every part of the lake you can see." - -Jack made no reference to Biggs and Hutt, the tramps, for he knew very -little about them. Mike, like his intimate friends, had them continually -in mind, but the same strange dread that for a time restrained them, -held his lips mute. He did not want to believe they had had any hand in -Sunbeam's disappearance, and yet the conviction was growing upon him -that they had kidnapped and would hold her for ransom. - -"And if the same proves true," he muttered with the old glint in his -eye, "it's mesilf and the rest of the byes that will do the biggest kind -of a good turn consarning the spalpeens." - -For the second time the beach leading from the bungalow eastward to the -temporary home of Doctor Spellman was traversed, and the search if -possible was made more rigid than before. With so many at work, a number -tramped through the woods bordering on the open space, though that -seemed useless since in the gloom their eyes were of little help. They -did not forget to call the name of the lost one, Mike taking upon -himself this duty. He used her right name as well as those by which he -and other friends knew her, and his clear voice penetrated so far into -the still arches that it was heard by other searchers who, though they -shouted as loud, were not audible to him and his companions. - -Gradually they approached the desolate home, arriving there about -midnight. They had not come upon the slightest clue and no one was found -in the house, nor was any light burning. All were pretty tired, for the -tramp was a long one, but they were as ardent as ever to do their utmost -to find the missing child. - -"There's no use in going back to the bungalow," said Mike, as the group -gathered in the little clearing; "it strikes me we may as well turn into -the woods." - -It must have been about this time that the searching party which had -gone to the westward completed the circumvallation and joined Jack -Crandall seated on the piazza,--listening, watching and praying that all -might be well with the lost child. These boys had been as painstaking -and thorough as Mike and his friends, and were equally unsuccessful. Not -the faintest light upon the mystery had come to them. - -"I don't think it possible she took that direction, unless it may have -been for a short distance, for there was nothing to attract her thither. -In visiting us she was always brought across the lake, though I heard -her father say they had followed the beach once or twice. The distance -is less." - -"We fellows can't go to bed," said Colgate Craig, "until the little one -is found." - -"You have had a long tramp and must be pretty tired." - -"That has nothing to do with it," said Robert Snow sturdily; "we'll keep -it up all night, if there's the least chance of it doing any good." - -"The trouble is," said Jack, who had learned the particulars of what had -been done from Mike Murphy, "Mr. Hall has made no plans beyond what all -of you were to do first. You with Mike's party have gone round the lake, -and a part of the distance--the most promising as it seems to me--has -been covered twice." - -"Do you think there is any use of our retracing our steps?" - -"Not the slightest; wherever Ruth may be found, it will not be in that -direction." - -"Where do you advise us to go?" - -"Follow Mike's party; that will be the third time the ground has been -traversed." - -"What do you think has become of Sunbeam, as Mike calls her?" - -"It seems to me she has strayed only a little way from home, grown -weary, sat down to rest and fallen asleep." - -The counsel of Jack Crandall was followed. Thus the major part of the -searchers were soon pushing through the woods in the neighborhood of -Doctor Spellman's home. It will be recalled that he, his wife and Scout -Master Hall, set about this task upon the first breaking up of the Boy -Scouts to prosecute their separate lines of work. Although they parted -company directly after leaving the others, the three kept in touch with -one another, and after a time husband and wife joined, with Mr. Hall -just far enough away to be invisible. - -The Scout Master left it to the parents of Ruth to call to her. They did -this at brief intervals, and they did not listen more intently for the -reply which came not than did he. When an hour had been used without -result, the three came together in a small open space lighted by the -moon. - -The mother, although distressed beyond description, was become more -composed. - -"What do you think, Mr. Hall?" she wearily asked. - -"I judge that, like all healthy children, Ruth is a sound sleeper. What -more likely than that when worn out, she has lain down on the leaves -like another Babe in the Wood, and will not open her eyes until morning? -Am I not right, Doctor?" - -"Undoubtedly, provided she has been permitted to do as you say." - -"I do not understand you." - -"What is the use of our keeping silent, when the same fear is in all our -hearts?" - -"I still fail to catch your meaning." - -"Wife, and you, and I believe she has been kidnapped by those tramps." - -The mother gave a gasp and low moan. Covering her face with her hands, -she sobbed: - -"That's what I have feared from the first." - -"I cannot deny that the dread has been with me," said the Scout Master, -"yet I have hoped and still hope we are mistaken." - -"I see no room for such hope." - -"But, even if so, it should be an immeasurable relief. It means that she -has not fallen into the lake, nor is she in danger from a night's -exposure." - -"But think of her being in the power of those hideous creatures," wailed -the mother. - -"If they have stolen her it is for the purpose of ransom. They will take -the utmost care that not the slightest harm befalls her, since it would -defeat their scheme." - -"And this is the twentieth century!" was the bitter exclamation of the -physician. "If the probability occurred to you and me, why did we not -take steps to baffle them instead of wasting our time in groping through -the darkness of the woods?" - -"I did do so." - -"Now it is I who do not understand." - -"Two of the fleetest of the Boy Scouts,--Alvin Landon and Chester -Haynes,--are at this moment making all haste to the village of Bovil, on -the road to Boothbay Harbor. If they can reach a telephone, they will -communicate with officers in the surrounding towns and villages, asking -for the arrest of the tramps on sight. Those boys will not waste a -minute." - -"Thank heaven for that." - -"Furthermore, at the earliest moment they will 'phone your nephew, and -you need not be told that he and his dog Zip will be equally quick in -getting on the job." - -"_That_ gives me more hope than anything that has happened since my -child disappeared," was the declaration of Doctor Spellman, whose wife -shared in the pleasurable thrill. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII -- A Fortunate Meeting - - -Scout Master Hall was right when he said Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes -would not waste a minute in carrying out the task he had given them. -They were determined to secure the arrest of the men who it was believed -had kidnapped the little daughter of Doctor Spellman, before they could -leave that section. In addition, they aimed to get the help of George -Burton and his bloodhound. - -This last was far more important than the other, and would insure the -discovery of the fate of the child. If Zip was allowed to take the scent -within twenty-four hours after she left home--and possibly a little -later--he would never lose it. - -It was four miles over the rough broken trace to the highway, and then -two more of smoother traveling would bring them to the straggling town -of Bovil, where they hoped to secure telephonic communication with -Boothbay Harbor and other near by towns. If that could be done, they -could reach Samoset Hotel, on Mouse Island, by the same means. It would -be like young Burton to start at once. He could be taken quickly across -to Boothbay in a motor-boat, where he knew the right course to follow, -since he had been over it with Zip. He would have to ascend the -Sheepscot and walk three miles to reach Bovil, but if a midnight start -was made, he ought to reach the village at daylight and soon after. - -It was between eleven and twelve o'clock that Alvin and Chester came in -sight of the score of buildings which make up the village of Bovil. When -they passed through it on their way to Gosling Lake, they paid so slight -attention that they could not recall whether it had an inn. Vastly to -their delight, however, they came upon the old-fashioned structure near -the center of the place, and it was the only one in which a light was -burning. - -"That's luck," said Alvin, as the two ascended the steps, pushed open -the door and entered the roomy office, with its unpainted desk, broad -fireplace where no wood was burning, a bench without any back, several -rickety chairs, and showy posters on the walls for the information of -travelers by boat or rail. - -Staring around the room, by the dim light of the kerosene lamp suspended -from the middle of the ceiling, the youths at first saw no person, but -heavy breathing directed attention to a settee at the other side, upon -which a young man was stretched at full length, with his coat doubled -under him for a pillow. He was the model watchman, who was aroused only -by vigorous shaking. By and by he glumly assumed a sitting posture, and -blinked at the disturbers. - -"What do you want?" he demanded sourly. - -"Can you get us a room?" - -"'Spose so. Why didn't you come earlier?" - -"Because we came later," replied Chester; "have you got a telephone in -the house?" - -"'Course we have,--what of it?" - -"We want to use it at once to call up Boothbay Harbor." - -"This ain't no time to bother with such things; you'll have to wait till -morning. What bus'ness had you to wake me up?" - -"See here," said Alvin, who was in no mood for trifling, "we have come a -good many miles to reach a telephone; this is a case of life and death; -we haven't a minute to spare." - -"Don't make no difference; you'll have to wait till to-morrer morning." - -"Give me the number of the Chief of police at Boothbay." - -As Alvin made the peremptory request, he slipped two silver half dollars -into the bony hand of the young man. This effected the purpose intended. -He became wide awake on the instant, stepped briskly to the desk, caught -up the receiver of the instrument, asked and answered several questions, -and after a brief wait, nodded to Alvin, who with Chester stood at his -elbow. - -"Here you are," he said, passing the receiver to the former; "Art -Spofford is the chief of police at Boothbay, and he's at t'other end of -the wire." - -Artemus Spofford, or "Art" as he is called by every one, was courteous, -and replied that no tramps had been seen in town for several weeks, but -he and his officers would be on the alert and arrest and hold any -vagrants answering the description. Not only that, but he volunteered to -communicate with the neighboring towns and see that every possible -precaution was taken. - -"Leave it to me," he added; "don't mix in; I can attend to it better -than you; how shall I reach you, if we scoop in the gentlemen?" - -It was agreed that Art should 'phone to Bovil, where some of the Boy -Scouts would call at intervals of a few hours to get any message left -for them. This arrangement was the most convenient for all concerned. - -It took some trying minutes for Alvin to get Hotel Samoset on Mouse -Island. It looked as if Everett Ham, the night clerk, was also asleep at -his post, but I must not do the faithful young man that injustice. He -responded after a time, and an understanding was speedily reached. - -"Is George Burton staying at your hotel?" - -"Yes; he has been here for a week." - -"Please call him to the 'phone as quickly as you can; this is of the -utmost importance; don't delay for a moment." - -"Hold the wire." - -With his ear to the receiver, Alvin Landon plainly heard by means of the -marvelous invention the hurrying footfalls of Clerk Ham as he dashed out -of the office, along the hall and upstairs to rouse Burton. Sooner than -was expected he was back at the instrument. - -"Hello! are you there?" he called. - -"Yes; where is Burton?" - -"He isn't in the hotel." - -The boys were dumfounded for the moment. - -"You are sure of that?" - -"Yes; I've been to his room; he isn't there; then I remembered he went -off two days ago and hasn't been back since." - -"Didn't he leave any word as to where he was going?" - -"He never does; he and that dog of his are on the tramp all the time." - -"Then you can't help me to locate him?" - -"I wish I could; there's only two things he's fond of,--that is scouting -through the country with that dog of his, and going to clambakes. Capt. -Free McKown says he's looney on clambakes and eats as much as any two -men." - -"Well, Mr. Ham, will you be good enough to give a message to Burton the -first minute you see him?" - -"I surely will." - -"Tell him to make all haste to his uncle on Gosling Lake--Got that? That -their little girl is lost, and her parents are distracted with -grief--Get that? And they beg him to come as quickly as he can--Get -that?" - -Ham repeated the substance of the words, and then rang off. - -"We may as well go to bed," said Chester to the clerk, who had sauntered -back to the settee and sat down. He lighted a tallow candle and led them -upstairs to a roomy apartment, where he bade them good night, pausing at -the door long enough to say: - -"There's only one other chap staying with us; he's at t'other end of the -hall. Do you want me to call you in the morning?" - -"No; we shall wake early." - -"That's a bad setback," said Chester dejectedly, as the two began -preparing for bed; "we never dreamed that Burton would be away from -Mouse Island." - -"And with not the remotest idea of where to look for him. He left his -uncle's house this forenoon, and may be miles inland, without our being -able to get track of him for a week. I can't help feeling that Zip is -the only one that can solve the puzzle, and it won't take him long to do -so." - -"No one who knows the dog can doubt that. If Sunbeam has managed to fall -into the lake, he will lead us to the spot. If those scamps have stolen -her, she will be found within an hour or two,--and then may the Lord -have mercy on them!" - -"Chest, do you believe they are mixed up in this business?" - -"I can't help suspecting it." - -"I don't, even though their hanging about Doctor Spellman's home has a -bad look. Those kidnappings are done in the cities,--not in the open -country like this; and then think for a moment of the conditions. For -two tousled bums to steal a little girl, and compel her father to pay a -ransom for her,--here in the Maine woods, within a few miles of Boothbay -Harbor,--why the thing is preposterous." - -"Has it occurred to you that they may be connected with others? They may -be agents of the Mafia or Camorra or some regularly organized gang of -kidnappers." - -This was new to Alvin, and disturbed him painfully. What was improbable -about it? The persistency of Biggs and Hutt in prowling about the lake -suggested a strong motive,--such as that of earning a big reward through -the commission of some such crime as indicated. - -"I tell you, Chest, none of us has gone the right way about this -business. Suppose Chief Spofford or some other officer succeeds in -arresting the two tramps, what good will it do? They are not such fools -as to walk into a town with a little girl in their charge. They would be -called to account on sight without any request from her friends. As we -agreed, we must pin our faith on the bloodhound, and we may not find him -for days, when the trail will be so cold that even he cannot follow it." - -The two felt that for the present they were at the end of their rope. -They had done all they could to set the wheels in motion for the arrest -of the tramps who were under suspicion, and the dread was strong with -them that if such arrest could be brought about it would affect nothing. -Any plan for the kidnapping of the little girl would be so cunningly -laid by master minds that their agents would never walk into a trap, no -matter how skilfully set. - -"We must find Burton and his dog," was the last remark of Alvin. His -companion murmured assent and then the two sank into the sleep of -weariness and sound health, because of which they did not awake until -the young man who had received them the night before hammered on the -door and shouted that breakfast would be ready in ten minutes. - -With self-reproaches they bounded out of bed, hurried through their -preparations, and went down stairs two steps at a time. The meal was on -the table, and for the moment they were the only guests, with the young -man referred to acting as waiter. - -The boys had hardly seated themselves when through the open door entered -a third guest, accompanied by a black, sturdy, long-eared dog, and the -name of the youth was George Burton and that of his canine companion -Zip. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV -- "The Latchstring Was Inside!" - - -The meeting was a joyous one. Alvin and Chester sprang to their feet and -grasped in turn the hand of their astonished friend, while Zip, never -forgetting his dignity, looked on as if he understood it all, as quite -likely he did. - -"I didn't leave Uncle Wilson's until after dinner yesterday," said -Burton, "and as Zip and I were in no hurry, it was growing dark when we -got here. Somehow or other, I fancied the looks of this old-fashioned -inn and decided to stay over night, but what is it brings you here?" -asked the young man as all three sat down to the table. - -And then Alvin told his astounding story, to which Burton listened with -breathless interest. - -"How dreadful!" he exclaimed; "it distresses me more than I can tell. It -was fortunate indeed that I decided to stop here, for I may not return -to Mouse Island for several days. I reckon we shall do some tall -traveling to Gosling Lake." - -They did not linger over their breakfast. Burton tossed a few mouthfuls -of meat to the dog, which sat on the floor beside his chair. As a rule, -when off on one of his tramps, the hound shared his room, though he did -not do so at the bungalow, which explained why Alvin and Chester saw -nothing of the animal when they arrived several hours before. - -"It isn't any use to theorize," remarked Burton, as the three paid their -bill and hurried out of the inn, "for at such times you are more likely -to be wrong than right. Ruth may have fallen into the lake and been -drowned, without her body being found for several days; it may be that -those tramps belong to an organized gang and have stolen and hidden her, -but in that case," added the young man with a flash of his eyes, "they -forgot to reckon with Zip; and if so, they will soon learn their -mistake." - -"The general belief when we left last night," said Chester, "was that -she had simply wandered off in the woods until tired out, when she lay -down and fell asleep." - -"That sounds reasonable, but I can't shake off the fear that it is not -the right explanation." - -It need not be said that while the three boys were hurrying over the -highway and along the rough path with the eager Zip, who knew that -something was in the air, keeping them company, the Boy Scouts and -Doctor Spellman and his wife were busy. - -Their aimless groping through the wood was kept up until far beyond -midnight, when the physician compelled his wife to return with him to -the house and lie down for a brief rest. Scout Master Hall suggested to -the members of the troop to return to the bungalow, he accompanying -them, where they too secured sleep, and ate their morning meal at -daylight. The agreement was that all should assemble at an early hour at -the doctor's home, where a decision would be made as to what was next to -be done. - -If the child, as all prayed was the case, had simply gone astray in the -woods, she would awake at an early hour and renew her effort to find her -way home. With so many persons wandering here, there and everywhere she -must hear their calls and her rescue could not be long delayed. If such -proved not to be the case, and she had not been drowned, it would mean -the worst. She was the victim of the most atrocious miscreants who -lived,--for no crime is more merciless and unforgivable than the -kidnapping of the pet of a household, and giving its parents the choice -of paying an enormous ransom or never seeing it again. - -Now, it may have struck you as strange that no reference has been made -to Uncle Elk in the consternation which followed the discovery that Ruth -Spellman had been lost or stolen. In knowledge of woodcraft none of the -searchers could be compared to him, and yet no one had asked his help. -The reason was simple. With all his skill in the ways of the forest, he -could do no more, so long as the night lasted, than the youngest member -of the Boy Scouts. He could join in the aimless groping and shouting, -but with a score already doing their utmost, he would simply be one -among them. - -Although morning brought a change of conditions, it would seem that they -were still unsurmountable, for what Apache, or Sioux or Shawnee (unless -he were Deerfoot) could trail a little child through the forest, when -her almost imperceptible footprints had been repeatedly crossed by other -feet? - -"I think we ought to appeal to Uncle Elk," said Scout Master Hall to the -parents, after the scouts assembled at the Doctor's home had scattered -to press their hunt harder than ever. "None of us can equal him." - -"You know that for some cause which I cannot fathom, he has formed an -intense dislike for my wife and me," said the perplexed father. - -"But it is impossible that it should include the little one. At such a -time as this no heart has room for enmity, no matter what fancy may have -dictated." - -"I am willing to be guided by your judgement," replied the doctor, after -his wife had joined in the plea. "If Ruth has slept alone in the woods, -she must have awakened an hour or two ago and ought to have been found. -I don't see how the old hermit can help us, but we must neglect nothing. -Come on." - -But Mike Murphy had anticipated their action. We know what unbounded -faith he held in Uncle Elk, and more than once he had felt inclined to -go to his cabin. With the coming of morning he decided to do so. - -Consulting with Patrol Leader Chase, Mike found that he had formed the -same decision. Accordingly the two withdrew from the others without -attracting notice and made their way together to the cabin of their old -friend. This was so far removed from the zone of active search that none -of the other Scouts was met. - -"If he can't help us, no one can," said Chase. - -"There's only one cratur that can thrack Sunbeam through the woods, and -his name is Zip," replied Mike. "If I hadn't seen with me own eyes what -he can do, I wouldn't belave the same. Wal, here we are!" - -They had reached the little clearing in the middle of which stood the -familiar cabin, as silent and devoid of all signs of life as ever. -Without hesitation, Mike led the way up the path, placed his foot on the -small steps, and was about to reach up to draw the latch, when he -recoiled with a gasp. - -"Do ye obsarve that?" he asked in a startled whisper. - -_The latchstring was inside!_ - -Never since the leathern thong was first shoved through the little -orifice above the tongue of iron had this occurred, by day or night. - -The two boys stood for several minutes staring at the blank door, and -then looked in each other's face. Not the slightest sound was heard from -within. - -"What does it mean, Mike?" asked the Patrol Leader in a still lower -whisper. - -"It maans 'no admittince'; this is no place for us. I can't guess what -raison Uncle Elk has for shutting ivery one out, but he's done it, and -we must respect it." - -They turned away, hurrying in the direction of Doctor Spellman's house, -and had almost reached it when they met the physician, his wife and -Scout Master Hall, to whom the two boys told the astounding news. In -other circumstances they would have theorized as to the cause of Uncle -Elk's unaccountable action, but there was only one theme that filled -every mind. - -"It shuts us off from any aid by _him_," remarked the doctor; "we can -only keep up the search and wait for the coming of my nephew and his -dog,--but," he added bitterly, "that may not be for days, when even he -can do nothing." - -A ringing shout caused all to turn their heads and look along the beach -toward the northern side of the lake. Three boys were coming toward them -on a run, and a few paces ahead of them, as if he were their leader, -galloped a black dog. - -"God be thanked!" exclaimed the mother clasping her hands. "It's George -and Zip!" - -"Not forgitting Alvin and Chest, the two best boys that iver lived, -barring only mesilf." - -The next minute the parties were mingling, and greeting one another. -Alvin, Chester and young Burton were panting, for they had not let the -grass grow under their feet on the way from Bovil to Gosling Lake, but -they were still good for much more of the same kind of work. - -"Zip is ready," said his master, "and we are near the house. Let's make -a start, for we are soon to learn the truth." - -The news of the arrival of Zip quickly spread by means of shouts and -calls to the scattered Boy Scouts, who began flocking to the quarters of -Doctor Spellman, until very nearly the whole troop were gathered there. -In answer to the request of Burton for some article of wearing apparel -recently worn by Ruth, the mother with a calmness that impressed every -one, brought forward a pair of chubby shoes, which the little one in an -effort to "break them in" had kept on her feet until late in the -afternoon, when they irked her so much she changed them for an old pair. -Burton held them out to Zip, who sniffed several times and then turned -his head away to signify that he had learned enough. - -"Now, get to work!" commanded his master. - -The scent was perhaps fourteen hours old when the Boy Scouts assembled -in front of the wooden structure, saw Zip begin trotting to and fro with -his nose to the ground. Suddenly he bayed slightly, and started down the -slope in the direction of the lake. - -"He's hit the trail!" said the excited Burton, dashing after him; "not -too fast, Zip." - -The youth never used a leash. The hound wore a handsome collar with his -name and the address of his master engraved on it. His voice was -sufficient to restrain Zip if he traveled too rapidly. - -But the dog at his slowest traveled so fast that the boys had to trot to -keep pace with him. His master by common consent took the lead, with -Alvin, Chester, Mike and the others at his heels. Zip would have drawn -away from them all had not his master sharply restrained him. The doctor -was well to the rear, in order to keep company with his wife. - -The hound went straight toward the water, but a few paces away turned to -the left, taking a course which if continued would lead him to the -bungalow. This was kept up for more than a hundred yards, when he -abruptly stopped and throwing up his head looked off over the lake, -without emitting any sound. - -The mother with a moan staggered and would have fallen had she not been -caught in the arms of her husband. - -"That means she is drowned!" faintly whispered the stricken wife. "O -Wilson! I cannot bear it!" - -"No, my dear; he has gone forward again; be brave; hope is still left." - -Zip now led the company along the beach, at the same steady trot, with -his master almost near enough to grasp his collar, and checking him now -and then when he went too fast. There could be no doubt that he was -following the scent, from which nothing could divert him. - -But whither was it leading? - -The run was a long one, always within a few paces of the water, until a -point was reached opposite the path which led to the cabin of Uncle Elk. -Here, to the astonishment of every one, the dog turned off and went up -the slope. - -"What can that mean?" was the question which each one asked himself. - -And with more amazement than before, the procession of pursuers saw Zip -follow the path across the clearing to the door of the cabin, where he -stopped, threw up his nose and bayed. It was notice that he had reached -the end of the trail. - -Ruth Spellman was inside the log structure. - -In a twinkling the whole company was grouped around the front of the -building. - -"Why don't you go in?" demanded the Doctor, pressing impatiently -forward. - -"You forget the latchstring is inside," reminded Scout Master Hall. - -"What difference does that make? Is this a time to hesitate? Let's break -in the door! Make room for me and I'll do it!" - -Mike Murphy, Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes ran to the little window a -few paces beyond the door and peered through the panes. - -"Sunbeam is there!" shouted Mike, "and nothing is the matter with her!" - -Before he could explain further, there was a crash. The impact of Doctor -Spellman's powerful shoulder carried the staple which held the latch -from its fastenings and the door swung inward. Through it swarmed the -Boy Scouts, the physician and his wife in the lead. - -In front of the broad fireplace, where the embers had long died, sat -Uncle Elk in his rocking chair, silent, motionless and with head bowed. -Seated on his knees, with her curls half hiding her pretty face and -resting against his massive chest, was Ruth Spellman, sleeping as -sweetly as if on her cot at home. - -With a glad cry, the mother rushed forward and flung her arms about the -child, sobbing with joy. - -"O my darling! Thank heaven you are found!" and she smothered the -bewildered one with kisses and caresses. - -Suddenly Doctor Spellman raised his hand and an instant hush fell upon -all. He had lifted the limp arm of the man and placed his finger on the -wrist. The professional eye saw that which escaped the others. He said -in a solemn voice: - -"Uncle Elk is dead!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXV -- And the Last - - -Enough has been said in the preceding pages to show that Elkanah Sisum -was a man of excellent birth and superior culture. He possessed moderate -wealth, and when admitted to the bar his prospects could not have been -brighter, but misfortune seemed to have marked him for its own. It -delivered the first crushing blow by taking away the beloved wife of his -young manhood, and leaving him an only child,--Ruth, who was as the -apple of his eye. At eighteen she married a worthy young man who was -admitted as a partner in the law firm and displayed brilliant ability. -Unto the couple was born also a single daughter, named for its mother. - -Sisum never remarried, but lavished his affection upon his daughter and -especially the grandchild Ruth, whom it may be said he loved more than -his own life. Thus things stood until the little one was nearly five -years old, when she showed alarming signs of sinking into a decline. Her -parents decided to take her on a long sea voyage in the summer time. The -understanding was that they were to be gone for several months, but they -never returned. Their steamer was not heard of again. - -It was years before the grandfather gave up hope. The long brooding over -his grief and the final yielding to despair,--slow but final,--produced -a strange effect upon his mind. Only his most intimate friends saw that -his brain was affected; others met and talked with him daily with never -a suspicion of the fact. He had come to the gradual but fixed belief -that although his dear ones had left him for the land of shadows, yet -somewhere and at some time in this life his grandchild would come to -him. She might not remain long, but she would reveal herself -unmistakably before Uncle Elk himself passed into the Great Beyond. It -was the centering of his thoughts and hopes upon this strange fancy that -was actual monomania. Scout Master Hall detected it, though none of the -Boy Scouts dreamed of anything of the kind. As the delusion fastened -itself upon the old man, he formed a distaste for society, which of -itself grew until it made him the hermit we found in the Maine woods -during this summer. There he spent his hours in reading, and in studying -animal and bird life,--trees and woodcraft. He never lost his gentle -affection for his fellow men, and at long intervals visited his former -acquaintances; but, though he left his latchstring outside and gave -welcome to whoever called, he preferred to make his abiding place far -from the haunts of men. - -What mind can understand its own mysteries? While the current of life -was moving smoothly with the old man, Doctor Spellman put up his summer -home on the shore of the lake not very distant from the cabin of Uncle -Elk. The latter set out to call upon them almost as soon as he learned -of their arrival. While too far for the couple to see him, he caught -sight of them sitting in front of their structure, the doctor smoking -and the wife engaged in crochet work. Their child was playing with a -doll indoors, and Uncle Elk saw nothing of her, nor did he learn of her -existence until several days later, when occurred the incident that will -be told further on. - -It was that sight of the man and woman that gave a curious twist to the -delusion of the hermit. He was startled by the woman's striking -resemblance to his own daughter who had been lost at sea years before. -He formed a sudden and intense dislike of the man who had presumed to -marry a person that resembled his child, and it was painful to look upon -the wife who bore such a resemblance. No brain, except one already -somewhat askew, could have been the victim of so queer a process. Such, -however, was the fact and of itself it explains a number of incidents -that otherwise could not be explained. - -It will be noted that thus far Uncle Elk had not seen the little child -who was the image of her mother, and since the parents quickly learned -of his strange antipathy and took care to avoid meeting him, it is -unlikely that in the ordinary course of events he ever would have come -face to face with the little one. - -Now nothing is more evident than the absurdity of my trying to describe -the mental ordeal through which this man passed on that last and most -memorable night of his life. I base what I say upon that which Doctor -Spellman told me as the result of his painstaking investigation, during -the succeeding months, of the most singular case with which he was ever -concerned, and even the brilliant medical man could not be absolutely -certain of all his conclusions. However, they sound so reasonable that I -now give them. - -Throughout the afternoon, Uncle Elk was depressed in spirits, as is -sometimes true of a person who is on the eve of some event or experience -of decisive importance to himself. He was subject to a peculiar physical -chilliness which led him to kindle a fire on his broad hearth, in front -of which as the night shadows gathered, he seated himself in his -cushioned rocking chair. As time passed he gave himself over to -meditation of the long ago with its sorrowful memories. - -He had sat thus for some time when he was roused by the twitching of the -latchstring. He turned his head to welcome his caller, when he was so -startled that at first he could not believe what his eyes told him. A -little girl, of the age and appearance of the one who had gone down in -the depths of the fathomless sea, stood before him. - -"Good evening," called the child in her gentle voice; "how do you do?" - -"Who are you? What's your name?" faltered the astounded old man. - -"I am Ruth," she replied, coming toward him with the trusting confidence -of childhood. - -This was the name of the loved one who had left him in the long ago. The -resemblance was perfect, as it seemed to him. _It was she!_ - -He rose to his feet, reached out, clasped her hand and touched his lips -to the chubby cheek. - -"God be praised! You are my own Ruth come back to me after all these -years!" - -That poor brain, racked by so many torturing fancies, accepted it all as -truth. - -"I am so tired," said the wearied little one, "I want to rest myself." - -He tenderly lifted her in his arms and carried her behind the curtains, -through which the firelight shone, laid her on the couch with her head -resting on the pillow, and drew the coverlet over her form. At the end -of the few moments thus occupied he saw that she had sunk into the soft -dreamless sleep of health and exhaustion. - -He came back to the sitting room. The outer door stood ajar, as it had -been left by the infantile visitor. As he closed it he did an -unprecedented thing,--he drew in the latchstring. He wanted no intruders -during these sacred hours. Then he seated himself as before and gave -himself up to musings and to wrestling with the problem which was really -beyond his solution. - -There must have been moments when he glimpsed the truth. That which he -had lifted in his arms was flesh and blood and therefore could not be -the Ruth who had stepped into the great unknown many years before. Yet -she looked the same, and bore her name. Could it not be that heaven had -permitted this almost incomprehensible thing? - -He sat in front of the fire, which was allowed to smoulder all through -the night. It is probable that he rose more than once, drew the curtains -aside and looked upon the little one as revealed in the expiring -firelight. - -"Whatever the explanation, it means that _my_ Ruth and I will soon be -together. If it is not she who has come to me, I shall soon go to her." - -Unlocking a small drawer of the table, he drew out a large, unsealed -envelope, unfolded the paper inside, glanced at the writing, returned it -to the enclosure and laid it on the stand where it could not fail to be -seen by any visitor, and then resumed his seat. - -"By this time," said Doctor Spellman, "the brain which had been clouded -probably became normal. He knew that my Ruth could not be his Ruth. He -must have seen that she was the child of the man whom he intensely -disliked because I had presumed to marry a woman who resembled the -daughter whom he had lost." - -When daylight returned, Uncle Elk after a time aroused himself. He did -not renew the blaze on the hearth, but once more drew the curtain aside. -Ruth Spellman still slept. As gently as he had laid her down, he raised -and carried her back to his chair where he resumed his seat, with the -curly unconscious head resting upon his breast, and after a time, he -closed his own eyes, never to open them again. - -In the presence of death all was hushed. The Boy Scouts bowed their -uncovered heads, and as they stood in the crowded room gazed in awe upon -the gray head and inanimate form in the chair. Even the overjoyed mother -who had clasped her loved child and lifted her from the lifeless arms -suppressed her glad croonings, while the bewildered Ruth gazed upon the -strange scene with hardly a glimmering of what it all meant. - -For the moment, Doctor Spellman was the professional expert. In a low -voice he addressed the Scout Master and the young friends who looked -into his face and listened. - -"Uncle Elk passed away several hours ago,--his death from heart failure -was so painless that it was like falling asleep, as was the case with -our child. This looks as if he had left a message for us." - -As he spoke, the doctor picked up the large unsealed envelope and held -it up so as to show the address,--"To be opened by whosoever finds it -after my death." - -Drawing out and unfolding the sheet, the physician read aloud: - -"It is my wish to be buried on the plot between my cabin and the brook. -Over my grave a plain marble stone is to erected with the inscription, -'Elkanah Sisum. Born January 23, 1828; died ----' Add nothing to the -date of my death. Inclosed are enough funds to pay the expense. Whatever -remains, which is all the money I possess, I desire to be presented to -the Sailors' Snug Harbor, New York." - -Having finished the reading, the physician added: - -"The coroner must be notified and the proper legal steps taken. We -should get word to Boothbay Harbor as soon as possible." - -"I will attend to that," said George Burton, "and start at once." - -The wishes of Uncle Elk were carried out in spirit and letter. The -clergyman who came from Boothbay Harbor preached a touching sermon, and -a score of men who had known the old man for years came out to the cabin -to pay their last respects. The evidence of Doctor Spellman was all the -coroner required, and there was no hitch in the solemn exercises. - -Mike Murphy, when he could command his emotions, sang "Lead, kindly -Light," with such exquisite pathos that there was not a dry eye among -the listeners. The grave had been dug by the Boy Scouts, who stood with -bared heads as the coffin was slowly lowered into its final resting -place. A few days later all departed for their homes, carrying memories -of their outing in the woods of Southern Maine, which will remain with -them through life. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY PATROL AROUND THE COUNCIL -FIRE*** - - -******* This file should be named 43218-8.txt or 43218-8.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/3/2/1/43218 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: The Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire - - -Author: Edward Sylvester Ellis - - - -Release Date: July 14, 2013 [eBook #43218] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY PATROL AROUND THE COUNCIL -FIRE*** - - -E-text prepared by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustration. - See 43218-h.htm or 43218-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43218/43218-h/43218-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43218/43218-h.zip) - - - - - -[Illustration: In It a Single Man Was Seated] - - -The Boy Patrol Series - -THE BOY PATROL AROUND THE COUNCIL FIRE - -by - -EDWARD S. ELLIS - -Author of "The Flying Boys Series," "The -Launch Boys Series," "The Deer-foot -Series," etc., etc. - -Illustrated by Edwin J. Prittie - - - - - - - -The John C. Winston Company -Philadelphia - -Copyright, 1913, by -The John C. Winston Company - -Printed in U.S.A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - I -- "He and I Must Never Meet" - II -- A Slight Miscalculation - III -- A Strange Occurrence - IV -- Curious Sights And Doings - V -- Concerning Certain American Trees - VI -- A Patriot Martyr - VII -- Concerning Certain New England Birds - VIII -- A Council of War - IX -- An Unwelcome Guest - X -- A Sudden Separation - XI -- An Unsatisfactory Interview - XII -- Groping After the Truth - XIII -- The Committee of Investigation - XIV -- The Men Who Laughed - XV -- The True Story of a Famous Sea Serpent - XVI -- Zip - XVII -- Wonderful Work - XVIII -- A Match of Wits - XIX -- The Final Test - XX -- Speed the Parting Guest - XXI -- Call For Help - XXII -- Groping In the Dark - XXIII -- A Fortunate Meeting - XXIV -- "The Latchstring Was Inside!" - XXV -- And the Last - - - - - The Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire - - - - - CHAPTER I -- "He and I Must Never Meet" - - -You will recall that one day in a recent August, Jack Crandall, a member -of the Stag Patrol of Boy Scouts, who with the Blazing Arrow and Eagle -Patrols was spending the summer vacation on the shore of Gosling Lake, -in Southern Maine, met with a serious accident. In climbing a tall pine -to inspect a bird's nest, he fell to the ground and broke his leg. His -companions, Gerald Hume and Arthur Mitchell, belonging to the same -Patrol, made a litter upon which he was carried to the clubhouse. Dr. -Spellman, staying with his wife and little daughter Ruth, christened -"Sunbeam" by Mike Murphy, in answer to a signal, paddled across the lake -in his canoe, set the fractured limb and did all that was necessary. - -Jack was an athlete, in rugged health and with no bad habits. He, -therefore, recovered rapidly. After spending a few days on his couch, he -was carried to the front porch, where in the cool shade and reposing -upon an invalid chair, especially fashioned for the occasion, he feasted -his eyes upon the delightful scenery and enjoyed the pleasures of his -friends although he could not take part. He insisted that they should -pay no special attention to him, though there was not a boy who would -not have gladly kept him company all the time. A reunion of the troop -took place in the evening, when he was carried inside, listened to the -reports and took part in the conversation which you may be sure was of a -lively nature. - -Thus the days passed until the arrival of the silver mounted maple wood -crutches, a gift from the other Scouts, and Jack swung carefully out on -the porch and walked the length of it several times before sinking down -in the waiting chair. This, of course, did not take place until the -month was well by and the time for going home near. I thought it best to -close my previous story with this glimpse of things, but it now becomes -my duty to turn back and relate some incidents that occurred during the -first days of the patient's convalescence, since they have to do with -what follows. - -Dr. Spellman and his wife returned to the bungalow on the day succeeding -Jack's mishap. - -Scout Master Hall and several of the lads expressed their surprise that -no call had been made by Uncle Elk, the Hermit of the Woods, who showed -so much fondness for the Boy Scouts that they expected to see him every -day, provided the weather was favorable. - -"I am sure he would have been here last night or this morning, had he -known of Jack's misfortune," said Mr. Hall. - -"If ye have no 'bjection I'll drop in on him and let him know," replied -Mike Murphy, whose heart was as sympathetic as that of a young child. - -"Please do so." - -Mike glanced around for his chums, Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes, but -they were not in sight. It did not matter and he decided to make the -trip alone, using one of the canoes to take him to the end of the lake, -where he would follow the path that led to the cabin through the woods. - -"On me way back," remarked Mike to the Scout Master, who walked with him -to the water's edge, "I'll drop in to larn how Sunbeam is getting on." - -The Scout Master smiled. - -"That will take you considerably out of your way." - -"It's not worth the mintion, as Ball O'Flaherty said whin he fell off -the church steeple and broke his neck. Then ye know it's a long time -since I saw Sunbeam." - -"Yes,--less than a day." - -So the Irish youth seated himself in the stern of the graceful craft, -and swung the paddle with creditable skill. No task could have been -easier, and he grinned with satisfaction, as keeping close to shore, he -watched the trees with their exuberant foliage glide silently backward. - -"A canoe is a blissed boon to byes that can't walk; we might set Jack in -one of 'em, and he could paddle wherever he wished. I'm going to suggist -to me friends that whin they go back home, each of 'em has a canoe -mounted on wheels, so he can roam round the country, the same as if he's -skimming over the water as I'm doing this minute. I'd try it mesilf whin -I get back, but dad would objict and there's so much water there I don't -naad anything of the kind." - -Far over to the left, he saw the other canoe handled by several of the -Scouts, while somewhat nearer and a little way back from the water, a -thin, feathery finger of smoke filtering through the tree tops showed -where Dr. Spellman's house stood. - -"Sunbeam has been gone so long that I'm worrit less something may have -happened to her; I won't tarry at Uncle Elk's, but make haste to relave -me mind as regards the Quaan." - -Uncle Elk's canoe was drawn up the bank and turned over. Landing near -it, Mike followed the winding path to the door from which the latch -string hung, pulled it and stepped across the threshold. - -"Good afternoon, Uncle Elk," was his greeting as he closed the door -behind him. - -The hermit was sitting in his rocking chair, reading "The Truth of -Religion," by Rudolf Eucken, Professor of Philosophy in the University -of Jena and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1908. The old -man laid aside the heavy volume, still open, face downward. - -"Michael, I'm glad to see you." - -He leaned forward, shook hands and motioned the youth to the chair -opposite. Mike obeyed with the remark: - -"We have been expecting a call from ye, Uncle Elk." - -"You don't wish me to bore you with too much of my presence," said the -hermit, with a twinkle of his bright eyes. - -"That's something that can't be done, if ye tried it till ye were an old -man," replied Mike warmly. And then told of the mishap that had befallen -Jack Crandall. Uncle Elk listened sympathetically. - -"That's bad, but it might have been much worse." - -"Which Jack himself has obsarved,--for instance, 'spose it had been -_mesilf_." - -"That surely would have been worse for _you_, but better for him. You -say that Dr. Spellman set his injured leg?" - -"That he did, and I couldn't have done it better mesilf. He called this -morning and said the spalpeen was doing splendid." - -"When will the doctor call again?" - -"I'm not sartin,--but likely tomorrer." - -"Forenoon or afternoon?" - -"I couldn't say." - -Uncle Elk withdrew his gaze from the face of the lad and looked into the -fireplace, where only a few dying embers showed. He was silent for a few -moments and then addressed his caller. - -"Michael," he said in low tones, "I shall call upon Jack at the earliest -opportunity, but my call must be timed so there will be no possibility -of meeting Dr. Spellman." - -Mike was amazed by the words and at a loss what to say. Therefore he -said what after all was perhaps the best thing. - -"I'll see that the doctor doesn't try any expirimints on ye." - -The old man actually laughed, but only for an instant. With a shake of -his head he said: - -"It isn't that, Michael, but he and I must never meet." - -The youth was astounded, but his sense of propriety forbade any -questioning. If Uncle Elk did not choose to make known the cause of his -strange enmity, Mike had no right to object. - -A strained silence followed for a minute or two, when the hermit again -looked meditatively into the smouldering embers. - -"It can be easily arranged: let Dr. Spellman make his calls at such -times as suit his convenience and I will adjust mine accordingly." - -"That should be aisy. I hev it!" - -"Let me hear your plan." - -"'Spose the doctor makes it a rule to call ivery other day and ye can -fit yer visits in betwaan, though we should like it to be oftener." - -"That would hardly answer, for he might be needed every day. A better -plan will be that he should never call at the bungalow during the -evening. If he agrees to that, everything will be right." - -"That'll doot! He wouldn't come anyway unless we signalled him, and if -ye happen to be at the clubhouse, ye'll have plinty of time to run." - -"How am I to know that he consents to it?" - -"If he objicts, I'll come back and tell ye; if he agraas, I won't show -up here agin till after ye have visited us." - -"That settles the matter. I suppose, Michael, you are wondering why I -make such a strange request?" - -"I am, but I'm not asking any quistions, as ye'll obsarve." - -"Well, you will never learn from me." - -Mike was slightly nettled. - -"Why thin did ye think it worth while to raise me hopes, whin I hadn't -made any inquiries?" - -"I beg your pardon, Michael; I shouldn't have done it. Let neither of us -refer to it again." - -"Do ye wish me to till Docther Spellman what ye said?" - -"I do." - -"Then consider that I've told him." - -"It would be hard for him to understand my request unless he knew my -feelings. You may as well stay to supper and over night with me." - -"I thank ye, Uncle Elk, but I much fear that if I don't return to the -byes they'll think I've tumbled out of a tree the same as Jack, and have -broke me neck. I'll bid ye good afternoon and make me way to Docther -Spelhnan. Onless ye hear from me to the contrary, ye'll understand that -he'll not visit the bungalow on any avening onless he is sent fur, so -the way will be open to yersilf." - -The hermit rose from his chair and stood in the door as Mike walked down -the path to the side of the lake. He looked round just before passing -out of sight and waved his hand to the old man, who nodded. - -"It's mighty qu'ar," mused the lad, as he shoved off in his canoe; "the -docther has niver said a word as far as I've heerd about any throuble -between 'em, and I couldn't guess what it is to save me life." - -The bright, sunshiny afternoon was well advanced when Mike paddled a -little way from shore and turned in the direction of the thin wisp of -smoke which revealed the location of the physician's summer home. Almost -beyond sight could be made out the second canoe, which some of the -Scouts had used in making an excursion over the sheet of water. The -craft was close in shore and seemed to be motionless, as if the boys -were fishing. The distance was too far for him to tell the number of -occupants, but he judged they were three or four. - -"And I belave Alvin and Chester are among 'em," he added, after a -scrutiny of the boat; "I mind me now that they said something about -going off to-day on a cruise. Hello!" - -The exclamation was caused by an unexpected discovery. Between him and -the home of the physician he saw a second spiral of vapor climbing up -among the treetops. Like that of the former, it was so far back from the -water that nothing could be seen of the party that had kindled it. - -Mike held his paddle motionless while he looked and thought. - -"They must be strangers to the rist of us. If this thing kaaps up, bime -by we sha'n't have elbow room and will have to camp farther inland. I -wonder now if they could be some other Boy Patrols that have strayed in -here. They may have heerd of us and desire to make me acquaintance, as -do most people." - -Mike had his natural share of curiosity, and decided to learn who the -strangers were. He had enough time at command to permit a diversion of -this nature, and he headed his craft toward the bank at a point opposite -the dim wavering column of vapor which showed that a fire kindled -beneath was the cause. - - - - - CHAPTER II -- A Slight Miscalculation - - -The distance was so slight that a score of strokes drove the canoe to -shore. Nothing in the nature of a path was to be seen, and there was so -much undergrowth that when Mike glided under the vegetation, only the -rear of the boat was visible to any one on the lake. He drew the craft -up the bank far enough to prevent its floating away during his absence, -and began picking his way through the bushes. A few rods and the wood -grew more open, though not being much accustomed to that sort of -traveling, he made considerable noise in his progress. He was thus -engaged with his head bent and his arms thrust out in front feeling his -way, when a low horizontal limb slid under his chin and as it almost -lifted him off his feet brought him to a sudden stop. - -"Worrah! I wonder if me hid is left on me shoulders!" he exclaimed, -vigorously rubbing his neck; "yis,--the most of me is here, as Tarn -Murry said whin he came down after being blowed up in a powder mill." - -A few rods farther and he came upon a sight which caused him to halt as -abruptly as before, with a strong inclination to turn about and go back -to his canoe. - -In a small open space a fire of pine cones, twigs and branches was -burning beside the trunk of a fallen tree. Resting on the top of the -blaze was a tomato can, filled with bubbling coffee, whose aroma reached -the nostrils of Mike at the moment he caught sight of the fire. On the -log sat a ragged, frowsy tramp, with a crooked stick in his hand tending -the blaze, while on the ground half lying down and half sitting up, was -a second vagrant sucking a corncob pipe. - -You remember the two nuisances who called upon Dr. Spellman and because -of their insolence were sharply rebuffed by him, though his wife, in the -kindness of her heart, gave them food. These were the same hoboes, who -it will be noted had not as yet wandered far from the physician's home. -You remember, too, their characteristic names,--Buzby Biggs and Saxy -Hutt. Lazy, shiftless, dirty, rugged of frame, thieves and unmitigated -pests, they were straggling through this part of Maine, in mortal dread -of two afflictions,--work and a bath. They were ready to suffer harsh -treatment and privation rather than submit to either. - -Mike's sensitiveness revolted at sight of them, but before he could turn -away, both of the men, who must have heard his approach, raised their -heads and looked toward him. Hutt, who was smoking the pipe, slowly rose -to his feet, stretched his arms over his head, and beckoned with his -grimy forefinger. - -"Welcome, my lord!" he called in his husky voice; "wilt thou not come -into our baronial castle and partake of a flagon of wine with us?" - -The grotesqueness of the invitation appealed to Mike and he walked -forward, recalling that he had not his buckthorn cane with him. Had he -gone for a tramp through the woods he would have held it in his hand, -but it was in his way when using the canoe. He never carried firearms, -for to do so is to disobey one of the strictest rules of the Boy Scouts, -besides which, as you know, an Irishman believes in the use only of -nature's weapons, with the addition perhaps now and then of a stout -shillaleh. Not that Mike Murphy expected any trouble with these men, but -the thought which came to him was natural under the circumstances. - -He approached in his confident fashion, with a grin on his face, halted -a pace or two from the fire, and with the couple examining him, made the -Boy Scout salute. - -"'Tis so kind of ye that I will halt a brief while and enj'y the -hospitality of the Knights of the Ragged Shirt and Dirty Face." - -This was a pretty crisp salutation, but it need not be said that Mike -felt no more regard for the couple than do all respectable persons. He -remained standing and did not go nearer. - -"Aren't yer afraid of being arrested fur yer beauty, young man?" asked -Biggs with a grimace. - -"Not while yersilves are in the counthry." - -"Who are you anyway?" - -"Mike Murphy of Southport, State of Maine. I would exchange cards wid -ye, but I'm afeard ye couldn't return the compliment." - -"I left my pasteboards at home on the piany. We gather from your dress -that you're one of them Boy Patrols." - -"Ye're right, excipt jest now I'm on this side of the lake." - -"Gee whizz! but you're keen. How long do you chaps intend to stay -there?" - -"Probably until we lave. We're not among the folks who hev to be kicked -out by their betters." - -"Meaning us?" - -"As ye plaise; I want to be agreeable to ye." - -Mike had not shown tact. He ought to have reflected that it was -imprudent to rouse the resentment of two full grown men of so lawless a -character as these tramps undoubtedly were. Combative as Mike was by -nature, he would have hardly been the equal of one of them in a "shindy" -which could be easily started and which it seemed he had set out to -provoke. - -"I observe," said Biggs, "that you have a brass chain dangling from yer -coat pocket in front; does the same signify that there's a watch -anchored at t'other end?" - -Mike answered the question by flipping out his time piece and displaying -it. - -"The best Waterbury chronometer made,--price a dollar and a half." - -"I should like to borrer the same for my pal and me." - -"I'm thinking ye would like to borrer a good many things ye can't; I -carry a little loose change in me pocket. Mebbe you'd like to borrer the -same?" - -"Yer guessed it the fust time; while yer turning over that turnip and -chain yer may as well h'ist out the few pennies in yer garments." - -The tramp took a step toward the lad, his companion grinningly watching -proceedings. - -The words and manner of Biggs left no doubt that he meant to rob Mike of -his watch and money,--though neither was of much value. Was the Irish -youth angry? I cannot do justice to his feelings, so let us try to -imagine his state of mind. - -Prudence demanded that he should try to conciliate the scamps, or, -failing in that, to dash off at the top of his speed, but two reasons -checked this course. You know he was not formed for running, and either -one of the tramps could have overtaken him by half trying. The other -reason was that Mike never ran from any foe. He would die fighting -before showing the white feather. Convinced that nothing could avert a -fierce struggle, he instantly prepared for it. He would have felt better -had his shillaleh been in his grasp, but it has already been shown that -his only weapons were those which nature had furnished and no youth of -his years could have known better how to use them. - -I should be distressed if I had to describe Mike's fight with two full -grown men, for it was impossible that he should not get much the worst -of it. While it may be a relief to picture one in his situation as -baffling, if not defeating two burly despoilers, yet to do so would be -contrary to truth. - -The youth recoiled a single step, closed his fists and assumed an -attitude of defense. Saxy Hutt, still stood grinningly listening and -watching. As he viewed the situation it was preposterous to think his -pal would need his help. None the less, he would be quick to give it -should the call be made. - -"Come on as soon as ye plaise, and I'd as lief take both as one; don't -kaap me waiting." - -"Hear him talk," said Biggs, still advancing, though more slowly than -before; "he makes believe he ain't scared half to death." - -"Ye'll be thankful in less nor a minute if ye're allowed to escape wid -yer life." - -This sounded like the wildest kind of boasting, but it was justified. -Since Mike Murphy faced the two tramps, he saw what was behind them, -which they did not. In a direct line with Biggs, slightly to the left of -Saxy, and no more than a dozen paces to the rear, stood Dr. Spellman -with leveled revolver and face red with anger. - -"Move a little to one side, Mike, so I shall run no risk of hitting -you," called the physician; "just now you're right in line with that -ruffian." - -Buzby Biggs leaped fully a foot in air, and with a gasp flashed his head -about and stared at the point whence the dreadful voice had come. Then -his spiky hair seemed to rise on end and lift his dilapidated hat to a -height of several inches. - -"Shall I wing him, Mike?" asked the doctor, with the weapon still at a -level. - -"Folly yer own plisure in that regard; I don't begrudge ye the -enj'yment, as Mrs. O'Flaherty remarked whin she refoosed to fire at the -bear that was chasing her husband." - -At that instant, Biggs emitted a howl, and with what was left of his -fragmentary hat fluttering to the ground, dashed in a headlong panic -through the wood and undergrowth toward the lake. - -The sharp crack of the Smith and Wesson rang out, and the fugitive made -another bound in air, as if he felt the sting of the bullet, and dived -out of sight. - -"I missed him on purpose," remarked the doctor; "he isn't worth a -cartridge, but I'm undecided about you." - -As he spoke he shifted his aim to Saxy Hutt, who was a-tremble with -fear. - -"I--I--I've got an engagement," he stuttered, beginning to shamble in -the direction taken by his companion; "I'll bid you good day." - -"Hold on!" sharply commanded his master; "wait till I decide what's best -to do with you." - -"Why--why, boss, I haven't done anything." - -And too weak to stand in his excessive terror, Saxy sagged back and sat -down heavily on the log. Mike could not help pitying him. - -"It was t'other spalpeen that meant to rob me, docther." - -"One is as bad as the other; this one would have helped had it been -necessary." - -"Oh, doctor," protested the aggrieved Saxy, "how can yer think such a -crool thing of a gentleman like me? I was just going to stop Buzby when -yer spoke up." - -The physician lowered his weapon with a laugh. - -"Off with you! I hope never to see the face of yourself or Buzby again. -You may drink your coffee if you wish before you leave." - -But the tramp had lost his thirst as well as his appetite for the time. -He came unsteadily to his feet, and began moving gingerly over the trail -of his companion. - -"I say, doctor," he said, pausing a few steps away, "if you feel like -firing off that little thing in your hand, please p'int t'other way." - -"I shall take your request into consideration, but don't advise you to -bank on my granting it." - -Saxy increased his pace until it equalled that of him who had gone -before. Dr. Spellman extended his hand to Mike. - -"I hope that is the last of them. I supposed they left the neighborhood, -but they will do so now." - -"Why do ye think that, docther?" - -"Heretofore we had nothing positive to bring against them. Now I can -bear witness that they tried to rob you. They know it and have no wish -to go to jail while the weather is so pleasant outside. Let's sit down -on this log for a wee bit, before going to my house. Tell me how you -came to be in this place." - -"I was on me way from Uncle Elk's cabin whin the smoke of this camp -caused me to turn aside, wid the result that I'd been mixed up in the -biggest shindy of me life if ye hadn't took it in yer head to spoil the -picnic." - -"It was mighty lucky for you that I did so, Mike. Did Uncle Elk send any -message to me?" - -"He did that," gravely replied Mike, who thereupon told his friend of -the assertion of the hermit that he and the physician must not meet. - -"I had begun to suspect some such feeling on his part, though not to the -degree he shows. I have called there twice, the last time with my wife, -who insists that the old man was in his cabin at the time and purposely -kept out of our sight. He can depend upon it that I shall not put myself -in his way, though I am wholly at a loss to understand his enmity. But -we may as well go to the house, Mike." - -As he spoke, the doctor rose to his feet, and the two began threading -their way through the wood to the point where Mike had left his canoe. - - - - - CHAPTER III -- A Strange Occurrence - - -It was not far to the edge of the lake, and, as you will remember, there -was abundant undergrowth, but the fleeing tramps had left a trail of -broken and twisted branches which it would have been easy to follow, -even with greater distance and more uncertainty of direction. Mike kept -a few paces in the lead, and soon caught the shimmer of water, but when -he glanced around saw nothing of his craft. He stood perplexed when Dr. -Spellman stepped beside him. - -"Where's the canoe?" asked the man. - -"That's what meself would like to know." - -"Is this the spot where you stepped ashore?" - -Mike moved farther until his shoes touched the water. He recognized the -projecting limb of a beech which had attracted his notice when he came -ashore. - -"There's no mistake about the same. Now, docther, that boat can't hev a -habit of sneakin' off whin ye're not watching--what's the matter?" - -His companion touched his arm and pointed over the water. - -"There's the answer to your question." - -"It beats me, as the drum said to the drum stick." - -Some two hundred yards out on Gosling Lake was the canoe heading toward -the western end of the sheet of water. In it were seated Biggs and Hutt, -the two rascally tramps, their appearance suggesting that they were -owners of the graceful craft in which they were making a pleasure -excursion. Their backs were toward the two on shore, but Hutt who sat -near the stern turned his head. Observing the indignant couple, he waved -his hand in salutation and grinned so broadly that the gleam of his -yellow teeth showed. - -Neither Mike nor the doctor spoke for a moment or two. Then the youth -solemnly extended his hand. - -"Docther, would ye mind shaking?" - -"Certainly not, but what is the idea, Mike?" - -"'Cause I can't think of anything ilse to do, as the p'liceman said whin -he prosaaded to break his club over the head of ivery one in sight." - -"Were there ever two such pests? The next time I get a chance I won't -kill them, but I'll give each something he'll remember." - -"Where's your boat?" - -"At the foot of the path leading to the house; the distance is so short -that I did not use it, but strolled to this point." - -"Let's jump into the same and make fur these spalpeens." - -The physician was so angry that he did not hesitate. They hurried -through the wood to the spot where the other craft lay as it had been -left by its owner. It has been shown that from this spot the house was -not visible and therefore the wife and daughter knew nothing of what was -afoot, which perhaps was best. The doctor, being the most skilful with -the paddle, took up the implement, and headed after the other craft, -which was making good progress toward the farther end of the lake. - -Each of our friends had asked himself the question as to what Biggs and -Hutt meant by their act and what they were likely to do. It could not be -seen that the vagrants had anything to gain, for they must soon abandon -the canoe and continue their flight on foot. They knew the medical man -carried a deadly weapon, and did not seem backward in using it, because -of which they certainly could not desire another meeting with him. - -Moreover, a third canoe was involved. It seemed to have disappeared for -the time, but must be somewhere near the western end of the lake, which -being the case, the tramps were likely to find themselves between two -fires, though it was not to be supposed that they had any cause to fear -the unarmed Boy Scouts in the invisible boat. - -The flight and pursuit had lasted only a few minutes when an unpleasant -truth impressed itself upon Mike and the doctor:--Buzby Biggs, who swung -the other paddle, did it so deftly that his boat steadily drew away from -the pursuer despite the utmost efforts of Dr. Spellman. In a -straightaway race the tramps were sure to win, but the course had -bounds, and in the end they must be pocketed, a fact so apparent that -they themselves saw it from the first. They had the choice of keeping -directly on until they reached the western margin so far in advance of -their pursuers that they need give them no thought, or they could take -the shorter course to the northern shore, opposite the bungalow. It -looked as if they had decided upon the former plan, which would indicate -that they knew or suspected nothing of the third canoe, nestling -somewhere under the overhanging limbs along shore. - -Such undoubtedly would have been the action of the tramps, had not it -changed so abruptly and inexplicably that the astounded doctor ceased -paddling and stared without speaking a word. - -Since our friends sat with their faces toward the backs of Biggs and -Hutt, they saw their every movement no matter how slight. Hutt was idle, -with a grimy hand resting on either gunwale of the canoe. Now and then -he glanced back and when he saw the pursuers steadily falling behind, -had the impudence to reach out one hand and beckon them to move faster. -The other, knowing he could not be overtaken, showed little interest in -those who were striving to come up with him. Something far in advance -seemed to hold his attention. - -Such was the situation, and the forward boat was within a furlong of the -western shore when Biggs suddenly held his paddle suspended as if he had -caught sight of some object that startled him. The next moment he flung -aside the implement, uttered a cry of terror and dived overboard. Hutt -was not five seconds behind him. Both stayed so long under water that -our friends suspected they were drowned, but the frowsy heads, one -without a hat, bobbed up at some distance from the boat, and they were -seen swimming furiously toward the northern bank, which was not far off. - -They had not taken a dozen strokes when they dived again and went as far -under the surface as before. Thus diving, swimming and working -desperately, they quickly reached land, scrambled out, plunged in among -the trees and vanished as if Death himself were nipping at their heels. -Never was greater panic shown. - -Doctor Spellman sat mute and motionless until the tramps had -disappeared. Then he turned his head: - -"What do you make of that, Mike?" - -The occasion was one of the rare ones when the Irish youth had nothing -to say. He sighed and shook his head; he couldn't do justice to the -theme. - -"Something scared both of them out of their wits. It couldn't have been -on the shore ahead, for that's too far off, nor on their right, for they -tried with might and main to reach land there." - -"Could it have been at the rear?" ventured Mike. - -"That is toward us. _We_ couldn't have caused them such alarm." - -"Mr. Hutt may have looked around and catched the frown on me brow; I'm -towld I have a tumble exprission when I'm mad." - -"It must be true to cause them thus to leap into clear spring water, -knowing it meant the coldest kind of a bath. No, Mike," added the doctor -gravely, "they saw something _in the water_ that threw them into fits. -What could it be?" - -This was the only theory possible and yet it simply deepened the -mystery. What could there be in the clear cool waters of Gosling Lake, -besides the different species of ordinary fishes that are taken with -hook and line? To Mike and the doctor the puzzle was more inexplainable -than before. - -One conclusion, however, was warranted by what had occurred: if the -tramps had seen something which terrified them beyond imagination, what -was to prevent the man and youth from gaining a sight of the same -frightful object whatever it might be? - -Now, while it cannot be denied that Dr. Spellman and Mike Murphy were -more than ordinarily brave, yet they felt a shrinking in stealing up to -the spot where the tramps had dived from the other canoe. It was their -ignorance of the character of the peril which affected them more than -any tangible danger could have done. - -The doctor dipped his paddle in the water and gently swayed it. The boat -moved slowly toward the other canoe, drifting like an eggshell over the -placid surface. In leaping overboard, Buzby Biggs had flung the paddle -from him and it was seen floating a couple of rods distant from the -boat. Very slowly the doctor advanced until Mike leaned over and lifted -the implement into their craft. Then the man sheered his boat beside the -other and Mike, tossing the paddle into it, held it steady, and sat -down. - -"Now, docther, we can manage it, I'm thinking," remarked the youth, -looking up into the face that it seemed to him had gone a little pale. - -"Can you find anything to explain the fright of the tramps, Mike?" - -Both peered into the clear water, whose depth was too great for them to -see the bottom, but nothing rewarded their piercing scrutiny. And right -here a fact must be admitted which was not discreditable to either of -them. The breath of air that sighed over the lake had swept the empty -canoe fully a hundred feet from whence it was at the moment Buzby Biggs -dived overboard. It followed, therefore, that when Mike and the doctor -peered into the pellucid depths, it was not at the spot where the tramps -had descried something which unnerved them. Moreover, each of the -pursuers knew such was the case, but did not try to correct it nor did -either drop a hint of his knowledge until some time afterward. - -It may be added that had the doctor and his young friend paddled a -little farther in the proper direction they would have solved the -mystery and been overcome probably by the same panic that had driven the -tramps overboard. - -"Well," said the physician, "there is nothing to be gained by staying -here. Let's go to my home, have supper and spend the evening. I know my -wife will be glad to have you, and I suspect that Stubby feels a little -that way herself." - -"I hope so," replied Mike feelingly; "I may as well confess that my main -purpose in going thither is to meet Sunbeam, as the callers used to say -regarding mesilf whin they purtended they wanted to see dad and mither." - -Paddling at a leisurely rate, they soon drew the two canoes up the bank -and stepped out. Mike paused and looked back. - -"Can there be any fear of thim spalpeens poking round here while we're -not in sight?" - -"It seems unlikely; since they tried that sort of thing they have been -scared so fearfully that I think they will avoid us." - -"Docther, what could it have been that made them jump out of their boat -and swim and dive like two crazy persons?" - -"I should give a good deal to be able to answer that question, but I -have no more idea than you. Let us try to content ourselves with the -belief that like the cause of Uncle Elk's resentment toward me, it will -be made clear sooner or later." - -Before leaving the landing, as it may be called, they scanned the -surface of the lake. The doctor generally carried his binoculars and he -traced the margin clear around from their right back again to their -left. There stood the bungalow with the flag idly drooping from the -staff and several of the Scouts were seen lounging at the front. In no -other direction was a sign of life discerned. - -"I cannot discover the other canoe," remarked Dr. Spellman, passing the -glass to Mike at his side. "If the boys had returned, the boat would be -in sight by the bungalow; whoever used it, they are still absent." - -"They have landed and gone into the woods to look after birds or to -trace out other kinds of trees. They will be back before the set of -sun." - -"No doubt, unless," added the doctor half in earnest, "they should -receive the same shock that struck Biggs and Hutt." - -"In that evint, they will be home still earlier." - -"Come on; I'm beginning to feel hungry." - -"And I'm wid ye there." - - - - - CHAPTER IV -- Curious Sights And Doings - - -One of the incidents which made that night memorable in the life of Mike -Murphy was that it brought him a compliment, the equal of which he had -never received before, nor in the years to come can any similar words so -touch his heart. - -Ruth Spellman, or "Sunbeam" as she was coming to be called, was so -interested in his fairy stories that when the time arrived for her to go -to bed she was restless and the mother feared it was something in the -nature of a fever that disturbed her. The father, however, assured his -wife that it was due to mental excitement and would soon pass away. When -Ruth had said her prayers, kissed each good night and lain down on her -cot, with the thin blanket spread over her, she still fidgeted. From the -next room the three heard her tossing as children will do when sleep -fails to soothe them. - -Suddenly they heard her pleading voice: - -"Cousin Mike, won't you please sing to me?" - -"I'll do my bist," he replied with a laugh, as he walked back and sat on -a camp stool beside her couch, where only a small portion of the light -from the front apartment reached them. He began the baby song with which -his mother had often lulled him to slumber in infancy. Its exquisite -sweetness was beyond description, the parents sat motionless and -listening as much enthralled as the little one for whose benefit it was -sung. They were almost holding their breath when Sunbeam murmured during -one of the slight pauses: - -"I think one of the angels you told me about, mamma, is singing." - -"I don't wonder," whispered the father; "I never heard anything like -it." - -Five minutes later the child had drifted away into dreamland and Mike -came forward and joined the two on the outside. They sat silent for a -few minutes. Neither referred to the wonderful treat they had enjoyed, -for it would have grated when compared with the simple words of Sunbeam. -Nor did Mike speak of it, but, as has been said, his heart had been -touched as never before. - -It was comparatively early in the evening when he bade his friends -good-by, having declined their invitation to stay over night, and walked -down to the water, accompanied by the doctor. - -"When you next see Uncle Elk, assure him that his wishes shall be -respected by me; I shall not call at the bungalow in the evening unless -you signal for me, nor do I intend to go near his home." - -Mike promised to carry out the doctor's wishes and turned the prow of -the boat south, which was the most direct course home. He glanced back, -and observing that his friend had gone up the path, made a change of -direction, his action showing that he did not wish the doctor to notice -it. - -The truth was that Mike was obsessed with what he had witnessed that -afternoon. There must be an explanation of the fright of the two tramps, -but he could not frame any theory that would stand for a moment. - -"And I'll niver be able to do it," he muttered, "till I larn a good deal -more than I know now, which isn't anything at all, as Ted Ryan replied -whin his taycher asked him what he knowed about his lesson." - -Now, as that which terrified Biggs and Hutt seemed to have appeared in -the lake near them, it would seem that there was the spot to look for -the solution of the mystery, and yet it was impossible to hit upon the -precise place. He and the doctor had come pretty near it some hours -before, without any result. - -"We agraad that what the spalpeens saw was _in the water_, but that -couldn't be. It must have been on the land and that's where I'll hunt -for the same." - -There were just as strong objections to this supposition, the chief of -which was that the vagrants when they went overboard swam with frantic -energy toward the shore; in other words, they made for the point where -the terror was awaiting them. Moreover, their actions in diving -repeatedly and glancing back proved that what they dreaded was behind -them. - -It was useless to theorize, for the more Mike tried it, the more puzzled -he became. He decided to paddle slowly and silently to the point where -the tramps had landed and make his investigations there. Using his eyes -and ears to the utmost, he ought to learn something, provided always -there was something to learn. He certainly displayed "nerve," but no -more than he had done on other occasions. - -It has been shown that the youth was only an amateur in handing a canoe, -but by slowly and carefully moving the paddle, he caused scarcely a -ripple and was sure no one could detect him through the sense of -hearing. There was no moon, but the sky was clear and studded with stars -whose brilliancy enabled him dimly to see objects at a distance of a -hundred yards or so. From the first, he kept so close inshore that the -undergrowth and wood were in sight and served him as a guide. Even an -expert in the circumstances would not have been able to decide precisely -where Biggs and Hutt left the water, but Mike was sure he was not far -from the spot when he ceased plying his paddle. - -He decided not to land, at least not for the present, but to halt where -the bow of the canoe rested directly under the dipping branches. Thus, -should it become necessary, he could slip out of sight under the leafy -screen, or could retreat if it should prove advisable to do so. - -An overhanging bough rested on the prow of the craft and held it -motionless, a very slight force serving as an anchor in the case of so -delicately poised a craft. First, with his heart beating a little faster -than usual, he peered round in the gloom that shut him in on every hand. -To the southward he saw the lights of the bungalow twinkling like stars, -one of the windows throwing the rays well out on the lake, but in no -other direction could be noted a sign of life. - -"Every one of the byes, not forgitting Scout Master Hall, are there, for -the ones that wint out in t'other canoe must have gone back while I was -at the docther's. They know where I wint so they won't be worrying about -me, which they wouldn't be likely to do annyhow," he added with a touch -of his natural whimsicality, "if they didn't know anything about me at -all, at all." - -No sound reached the intently listening ears, except that deep almost -inaudible murmur which is never absent in a stretch of forest or near -the ocean. - -"I'll try it awhile, but if Mike Murphy knows his own heart, which he -thinks he do, he isn't going to sit in this steamboat many -more--whisht!" - -From a point not fifty feet distant shot out a canoe, like an arrow -driven from a bow. In it a single man was seated and vigorously swinging -the paddle. He had emerged from under the overhanging limbs and sped -southward, absolutely without any noise at all. Mike was so startled by -the apparition that he stared breathless for a minute, nor did his wits -fully come back until the craft and its occupant were swallowed up in -the gloom. - -Not only was the unexpected appearance of the canoe startling, but the -recognition of the Master of Woodcraft who drove the boat forward like a -skimming swallow, added to the amazement of Mike. Beyond a doubt he was -Uncle Elk. He was so near when he first darted in view that there was no -possibility of mistake. - -"I wonder ef I'm Mike Murphy or a big fool or jest both," muttered the -youth, when able to pull himself together. "I lift Uncle Elk in his -cabin studying his primer or spelling book, and now he is in _this_ part -of the world." - -After a moment's reflection the youth added: - -"Which the same may be said of mesilf, so that don't count. It looked to -me as if he was heading for the bungalow and an interisting question -comes before me: being that I obsarved him, did he return the compliment -and obsarve _me_?" - -After turning the question over in his mind, Mike said to himself: - -"If I kaap at this much longer I'll go clean daft, as Jimmy Hagan did -whin he tried to whirl his two hands in opposite directions at the same -time. Can it be I'm mistook?" - -He sniffed the air several times and was convinced that he caught the -odor of a burning cigar which could not be far off, else the nose would -not have detected it when no wind was blowing. - -"Uncle Elk doesn't smoke, leastways I niver obsarved him doing the same, -and if he did he ain't here, so the perfume can't be projuiced by him." - -He now ventured to draw his canoe nearer shore, by gently pulling the -overhanging bough. It was blankly dark all around him, the foliage -shutting out the star gleam, so that he had literally to feel his way. -Suddenly there was a slight jar, proving that the bow had touched shore. -He paused to consider whether anything was likely to be gained by -leaving the craft. While it seemed almost certain that Uncle Elk had -come to this lonely spot to meet some one, there was no obvious way by -which Mike could assure himself on the point. - -He still noted the aroma of the cigar, which he judged to be a pretty -fair specimen of the weed, though he was so accustomed to the pipe of -his father that he was a poor judge. - -"The spalpeen can't be fur off," concluded Mike still gently sniffing, -"and begorra! he isn't!" - -The exclamation was caused by the sound of a voice, not in speaking, but -in chortling, as if pleased over something. The sound was so near that -had there been the least illumination Mike must have seen the one from -whom it came. Then a second person--as the peculiar sound proved--joined -in the ebullition, the two so near together that otherwise the listener -would have thought the laugh came from one. - -"It's them tramps!" was the thought of the startled Mike; "though one of -'em wouldn't be smoking a cigar unless he stole it or Uncle Elk had give -the same to him." - -It was unpleasant thus to associate the hermit with the pestiferous -vagrants with whom the youth had had much trouble already. He waited for -the strangers to speak, but they did not seem to care to do so. Once he -thought he saw the glowing end of the cigar, but was probably mistaken, -for a second look failed to reveal it, nor did either of the men laugh -again. - -With a feeling akin to disgust, Mike stealthily worked his canoe from -under the overhanging boughs and set out on his return to the clubhouse. - - - - - CHAPTER V -- Concerning Certain American Trees - - -As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up -the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their -excursion to the western end of the lake. The bright light from the main -room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and -he decided to go in. - -The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the -suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which -served almost as well as midday. Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken -leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side -was Uncle Elk. Jack had been listening to the reports of his young -friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in -bird lore. The comments which Jack made on the written notes as read to -him showed that he was the best informed of any of the Scouts concerning -birds. He cleared up many doubts and answered questions so intelligently -that the venerable Instructor in Woodcraft complimented him. - -Mike came through the open door so silently that none of the boys -noticed him. No chair being available, he sat down on the floor, as the -majority had already done. He was near the entrance and aimed to avoid -observation, but as Uncle Elk from his position faced him it was -probable he noticed the lad, as did Jack Crandall, who also fronted that -direction. - -The reports and the comments thereon having been finished, the old man -was speaking: - -"To make satisfactory progress in acquiring knowledge," said he in his -low, musical voice to which all listened with alert interest, "you must -do so systematically. In our tramp through the woods the other day we -picked up a good deal of information, but it was haphazard. We talked of -trees as we came across them, but it was fragmentary and ten times as -much was left unlearned as was learned. I am glad to know that your -Scout Master has followed the right course in directing your study of -our native trees, not alone in Maine but as far north as Canada, -westward to the Rockies and down to the northern boundaries of the -Southern States. The subject is too vast for us to cover in one evening -or in a dozen evenings. Let us rather summarize. We shall put our wits -together and see how many families we can name, without giving the -different species under each. The first is the magnolia family, of which -there are four varieties, while under the custard apple there is but -one, the papaw. Now let me hear from you." - -Nearly an hour was spent during which scarcely a boy in the room kept -silent. The pleased old man nodded his head and finally raised his hand -for quiet. - -"I believe you have mentioned about all. Now, while Isaac jots down the -names at the table, let's try to evolve something like order therefrom. -Are you ready?" - -Isaac Rothstein nodded and held his lead pencil over the paper. Here is -the list upon which all finally agreed: - -Magnolia, custard-apple, linden, rue, ailantus, holly, staff-tree, -buckthorn, rose, pea, sumach, maple, horse chestnut, heath, honeysuckle, -dogwood, ginseng, witch hazel, ebony, olive, begonia, laurel, mulberry, -elm, plane-tree, walnut, birch, beech, willow, pine, yew and oak. - -"None of you has seen all of these," continued the old man, "but I hope -you will have the opportunity of studying their peculiarities sometime. -To illustrate what a rich treat is before you, we shall give a few -minutes' attention to the oak family, concerning which you may think I -had considerable to say the other day. Let me show you how much was left -unsaid. - -"Most persons think of the oak as a slow grower. This is true of two or -three species but not of the family. The majority need a hundred years -to attain perfection and they rarely bear acorns until twenty years old. -The acorn requires no protection in order to mature, and those that are -not eaten by wild animals or trodden under foot do their work well. The -_quercus_ is one of the longest-lived trees." - -"What is the greatest age that they attain, Uncle Elk?" asked Scout -Master Hall, one of the most interested in the audience. - -"It is impossible to say, but there is little doubt that many of them -flourish for a thousand years. There are vigorous oaks to-day in England -that were old in the time of William the Conqueror. The famous White Oak -of Hartford, in which Captain Wadsworth hid the charter two hundred and -twenty-five years ago, was several centuries old at the time, and it was -not until the summer of 1856 that a windstorm brought it to the ground. -While it is one of the most valuable of the family, the white oak is in -danger of extinction, because of its value as timber and on account of -the sweetness of its nuts, which makes it a favorite with wild creatures -that will not eat the bitter acorns of other oaks. You know the white -oak is so called because of the color of its bark, which however is -generally an ashen gray. Can any of you tell me the name of the oak that -is fifty feet or slightly more in height, grows in Texas, has a -fine-checked bark nearly the color of the white oak, with an awkward -form and has shoots along the whole length of its branches, with the -leaves coarse and rough on both sides? I shall not wait for you to guess -the name, which is the post oak. - -"The bur oak grows to a height of a hundred and fifty feet and ranges -south to Texas and from the foothills of the Rockies to the Atlantic -coast, being most abundant in Kansas and Nebraska. One of J. Fenimore -Cooper's most pleasing tales is 'The Oak Openings,' a name applied to -the scattered forests of Minnesota. Now, you may know that the cork of -commerce is the outer bark of an oak growing in southern Europe. The bur -oak seems to be striving to produce the same thing and probably will -succeed after awhile. - -"The chestnut oak sometimes reaches a height of a hundred feet, but the -trunk divides into large limbs a few feet above the ground. It is found -in this State, westward through Ohio and as far south as Kentucky. It -has many features in common with the yellow oak, whose range is somewhat -different. - -"The dwarf chinkapin, or scrub chestnut oak, is a shrub rarely more than -a dozen feet high and grows on sandy or rocky soil. We do not meet with -it north of Massachusetts. In Missouri and Kansas, it acquires -dimensions more like a tree. - -"The swamp white oak grows to a height of more than a hundred feet, and -is fond of the borders of swamps. The top is narrow and round and the -branches pendulous. You know about the red oak, which is a rapid grower -and ranges from this State to Georgia and westward to Kansas, but -attains its finest development north of the Ohio. - -"To continue, I should add the names of the scarlet oak, the black and -the yellow oak, the pin oak, the swamp Spanish, the bear, the scrub, the -black jack, the barren, the shingle, the laurel, and the willow. - -"You have noticed that I have done little more than mention the names of -the different species. You have learned very little, for it is necessary -that you should know the range of each, the height to which it grows, -the characteristics of the bark, the wood, the leaves, the flowers and -acorns. In conclusion, I shall say that the willow oak is one of the -most interesting of trees. Its leaves resemble those of the willow, as -do the straight slender shoots. It grows on the wet borders of swamps, -but keeps away from the sea coast. Its acorns are very small, with a -kernel so bitter that you would never bite into it a second time. - -"My object this evening," said Uncle Elk, "has been rather to awaken a -desire on your part to study systematically our common American trees -than to give you actual information. Let us dismiss the subject, for in -dropping a matter of that kind we should follow the rule in eating, -which is to stop before the appetite is cloyed. Suppose to-morrow night -we have a little talk about American birds." - -There was general nodding of heads and the old man rose to his feet. He -was so pleased with his listeners that he said: - -"If we get through that subject in time, I'll promise to tell you a -story, provided you would like to hear one from me." - -He could be seen smiling behind his abundant gray beard. - -"Boys will be boys always. Nothing suits them better than a story. So I -shall bid you good night for the present, hoping nothing will interfere -with our meeting again to-morrow evening." - -"The better plan," suggested Scout Master Hall, "is for you to take -supper with us, for I foresee that there will be much for you to tell -us. We don't want to miss the talk about birds, and I am as eager as the -boys to hear your story, which I know will be a good one." - -All crowded around the Instructor in Woodcraft, shaking hands, thanking -him and urging him so warmly to accept the invitation that he could not -refuse. The last one with whom he clasped hands was Jack Crandall, who -straightened up in his easy chair and declared he was receiving more -benefit than a dozen doctors could impart. - -Mike Murphy had risen to his feet at the close of the old man's talk, -but kept his place by the door until Uncle Elk came opposite. A nod of -the hermit's head told Mike that he wished to speak with him alone. The -signal was observed by several who stayed behind as the two passed out -and down the porch to the beach. Uncle Elk did not speak until they were -beyond the hearing of the others. Then he halted and looked into the -face of the youth. - -"Well, Michael, what word do you bring me?" - -"I told the docther what ye said and he is agreeable. He will not come -to the bungalow in the evening unless we signal for him, which the same -doesn't seem to be likely." - -"That is what I wanted to know, and I thank you for your service. Well, -my son, did you learn anything to-night?" - -The youth was not sure of the scope of the question. - -"If ye ask whither I larned anything from your words to the byes, I may -say I picked up a good deal more than I iver knowed, which wasn't much." - -"I refer to what you did after leaving the home of Dr. Spellman and -paddling to the upper side of the lake." - -"Did ye obsarve me?" asked the astonished Mike. - -"How could I help it, when I passed within a few feet of you in my own -boat?" - -"I didn't notice it whin I came ashore." - -"I landed a little way up the beach, where my boat now awaits me. You -haven't told me whether you learned anything through your scouting." - -"I saan no one but yersilf, but I heerd them two tramps laughing over -something and I smelled the cigar that one of them was smoking." - -"No, you didn't." - -"I don't catch yer maaning, Uncle Elk," said the mystified Mike; "I -sartinly sniffed a cigar and heerd two men chuckling to thimsilves." - -"I haven't denied that, but they were not the tramps you have in mind." - -"How can ye know the same for sartin?" - -"I went to that spot on the shore to meet those men; they are old -acquaintances and the name of neither is Biggs nor Hutt." - -"Who are they?" - -"It would be useless to name them, since they are strangers to you." - -"Why didn't ye stay and inthrodooce me?" - -"I may do so one of these days, but I gave you a chance to find out -things for yourself." - -"And mighty little I larned," remarked Mike disgustedly; "if ye don't -mind, would ye tell me what the mischief scared thim two tramps to the -extint that they jumped out of the canoe they had stole and took a bath -in Gosling Lake?" - -Uncle Elk was distinctly heard to chuckle. - -"I had a talk with my two friends regarding the incident and I don't -wonder that they laughed even after I had left them." - -"I faal like laughing mesilf, Uncle Elk, and if ye'll give me the same -cause I'll laugh so hard that it will wake the docther's daughter on -t'other side of the lake." - -"Have patience, Michael, and don't think I am trifling with you, but I -am under a promise not to reveal this little secret until I have -permission. Good night." - -Mike stood gazing after the old man until he passed from sight in the -obscurity and he heard him launching his canoe. Then the youth strolled -thoughtfully back. - -"I'm getting mixed," he muttered with a sigh, "as Jerry Lanagan said -whin they run him through a thrashing machine." - - - - - CHAPTER VI -- A Patriot Martyr - - -The next day brought a marked coolness in the temperature. In -preparation for the evening's instructive entertainment, nearly all the -boys spent the time in roaming through the woods, taking notes and -brushing up their knowledge of birds, which were met with only in -moderate numbers. - -Mike Murphy told Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes of his singular -experience the night before, and asked their help in solving the puzzle. - -"I wish we could aid you," replied Alvin, "but it is as much a mystery -to us as it is to you. Gordon Calhoun went with us in the other canoe to -the western end of the lake, where we found so romantic a spot that we -ate our lunch there and did not return until after dark." - -"And ye didn't obsarve anything of thim tramps and their dive -overboord?" - -"We must have been deep in the woods when that took place and, of -course, we noticed nothing strange when we paddled back." - -"I've tried to pump Uncle Elk, but the valves won't work. I'm going to -kaap at it till I larn the truth or break a trace." - -"Count us in to give all the help we can," Alvin assured him. - -That evening when the Boy Scouts gathered in the large room of the -bungalow and disposed themselves in their free and easy fashion, a -moderate fire was burning on the hearth and all were on the tiptoe of -expectancy. - -"My friends," said Uncle Elk, "I am going to ask your permission to -reverse the order which I laid out last night. Most of us old persons -are apt to forget that the knowledge which interests us may not be -equally interesting to everyone else. Although I cut short my talk about -American trees, it was still dry in some respects. Now if I should start -in concerning birds you would by and by become weary. Oh, you needn't -shake your heads. I don't forget when I was a boy myself. So I have -decided to say nothing about our little brothers of the air until -to-morrow night, when we shall consider nothing else. The time now at my -disposal is to be given to the story I have in mind. If any one has an -objection to make let him do so now or forever after hold his peace." - -He looked around in the bright faces as if he really expected a protest -instead of a general series of smiles. Then with the prefatory remark -that the narrative which he was about to give was true in every respect, -he spoke as follows: - -"The cause of American independence never looked more gloomy than in the -summer and autumn of 1776. Washington with his famishing army was in the -city of New York, preparing for the attack that he knew would soon be -made by the British fleet and land forces. The American fortifications -extended from the ferry station of Brooklyn and Gowanus Bay to Wallabout -Bay (now Brooklyn Navy Yard), less than a mile and a half in length. -Generals Sullivan and Stirling were in command, with five thousand -miserably equipped troops. Unfortunately that fine officer General -Greene was ill with a violent fever, and the boastful Sullivan assumed -charge, but Washington soon replaced him with General Putnam. By a fatal -oversight, one of the three roads over any of which the enemy could -advance if it was unguarded, was left invitingly open. Through this the -British soldiers rushed and drove the Americans pell-mell out of their -intrenchments. - -"Had Howe flung off his natural indolence, he would have captured the -whole patriot army, including Washington and his officers, but certain -of soon doing so, he wished to save the lives of his men. The Americans -had several hundred killed and lost a thousand prisoners, among the -latter being Generals Sullivan and Stirling. The leading officers were -soon exchanged, but the privates suffered horribly in the hideous Sugar -House and rotten hulks at Wallabout. - -"A strange providence saved the Continental army. The fleet was checked -by adverse winds, and a dense fog settled over Brooklyn, but did not -touch the other shore. Thus hidden from sight, the Americans stole back -to New York, unseen by the enemy. - -"But, as I said, the outlook could not have been more gloomy. The -situation was critical to the last degree. The army was so demoralized -that little discipline remained; whole companies deserted; the few -recruits who came into camp met double their number going out; those who -stayed clamored for their pay, and the money chest was as empty as an -egg shell. Winter was coming on, and more than once it looked as if the -army would dwindle to nothing. The fourteen thousand troops declared fit -for duty were strung the whole length of Manhattan Island. - -"The crisis was imminent and Washington called a council of war -September 7th, to decide whether New York should be abandoned or -defended. The commander, seeing the dread necessity coming, had asked -Congress if he should not burn the city rather than allow it to serve as -the winter quarters of the invaders. He was ordered to use special care -to prevent any damage being done, because that body was sure the place -would soon be recovered. The first council of war decided to stay and -defend New York. - -"A few days later, however, another council agreed that the only course -possible was to leave the city and take position on Harlem Heights. The -public stores were to be sent to Dobbs Ferry and the sick carried across -to New Jersey. The main army would march northward and General Putnam -would stay in New York with four thousand troops. If he found his -position untenable, he was to follow Washington. - -"At this council the commander-in-chief said: - -"'I know absolutely nothing of the intentions of the enemy. Two -ships-of-war have gone up the East River and others will follow. Their -troops are active everywhere, but I cannot even guess what they mean to -do. Until I have knowledge on that point, I am helpless.' - -"In his distressful dilemma, Washington wrote to General Heath at -Kingsbridge, entreating him and General Clinton to aid in securing the -indispensable information. He told them to spare no expense or pains, -adding that not since the beginning of the war had he been so uneasy. - -"Shortly after, Washington called his officers together again. He told -them he was still without the least knowledge of the plans of the enemy. -Only one recourse remained to him:--that was to send a spy into the -British lines in quest of the information. Such a man must be -clear-headed, cool, tactful, a good draughtsman and of undaunted -courage. He appealed to Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton (soon to die the -death of a patriot) to find him the person. Knowlton laid the request -before a conference of his officers, and asked whether any one was -willing to volunteer. - -"A spy is very different from a scout and in the eyes of most people is -the most contemptible of creatures, for the essence of his duty is -treachery. To succeed he must play the hypocrite and betray confidence -at every turn. In such scorn is a spy held by civilized nations that he -is not permitted to die the death of a soldier, but is hanged like the -worst of felons. - -"The request of Knowlton was succeeded by an indignant hush. The bronzed -faces flushed as if under the sting of an insult, and the officers dared -not trust themselves to reply. In the midst of the strained silence, a -clear voice spoke: - -"'I will go!' - -"Every eye was turned in astonishment on the speaker. He was a young man -of athletic figure and handsome face, whose paleness was due to a severe -illness from which he was hardly yet recovered. He wore the uniform of a -captain, and in the whole army there was not a braver or more beloved -officer than he. His words caused a painful shock to his comrades, who, -believing a disgraceful death was certain to follow his mad attempt, -closed around him and protested in the most forceful language at their -command. To all their appeals he smiled and shook his head. - -"'Gentlemen, it is useless. I am touched by your friendship, but all the -arguments you bring forward have already been considered by me. A spy is -looked upon with loathing, but the necessity of one's country makes -every kind of service honorable. I am not seeking promotion or pecuniary -reward. I go to serve our cause, for which I am ready at any time to -give my life.' - -"It was not the words alone, but their emphasis which silenced his -comrades. They saw it was useless to appeal to one whose patriotism -throbbed and burned through his entire being, and inspired every -thought, word and deed. - -"And who was the young officer who thus took his life in his hands that -he might serve the cause of liberty? - -"He was Captain Nathan Hale, born in Connecticut, in 1755, the sixth -child among twelve, of the strictest Puritan parents. His mental and -athletic gifts were wonderful. None of his playmates could approach him -in running, leaping, swimming, throwing, wrestling and the feats of -strength and agility so much admired by all rugged American youths. Many -a time he would place a row of empty barrels beside one another and with -little effort spring out of one into the other until he had completed -the series. Standing beside a fence whose top rail touched his chin, he -would rest one hand lightly on it and vault over as easily as a deer. -One day, while a student at Yale, in a contest with his friends, he made -so prodigious a leap that the bounds were carefully marked and preserved -for years, the admiration and despair of all subsequent students. - -"But, extraordinary as was Nathan Hale's athletic skill, his mental -powers were more brilliant, while his social qualities made him a -favorite with all. His simplicity, unfailing good nature and readiness -to help others, no matter whom, justified the remark: 'Every man, woman -and child who knew him were his friends and among them not one was ever -an enemy.' - -"He entered Yale College when fifteen years old and was graduated in due -course with the highest honors. This fact attests his scholarship and -ability. He was easily the most popular student, not only with his -classmates, but with the tutors and the faculty of the college and the -best families in New Haven. - -"Hale left college in 1773 and engaged in teaching. In 1774, he was made -preceptor in the Union Grammar School at New London. The building is -carefully preserved and is well worth a visit. The institution was of a -high order, and its students were not only grounded thoroughly in an -English education, but were prepared for college. Hale was its first -preceptor, and his success was pronounced from the beginning. Boys like -you have admired and always will admire physical prowess, and there was -never one among them all who could approach their instructor in that -respect. What a star football player he would have made in these later -days! Added to this ability, his mental and social gifts and his -profound religious nature explain his marked success among the youth of -New London. - -"On the 21st of April, 1775, a rider dashed into the little town upon -his foaming horse and shouted the news of Lexington and Concord. Pausing -only long enough to rest his panting steed and to snatch a bit of food, -he thundered away for New York with his momentous tidings. - -"Instantly New London flamed with excitement. The bells were rung and a -'town meeting,' the inalienable recourse of all New Englanders, was -called at the court house for early candle light. Seemingly the whole -town crowded thither. There were burning speeches and Hale's was the -most impassioned of all. - -"The talking being over, he wrote down his name as a volunteer. Others -caught the contagion and elbowed one another in their eagerness to be -among the first to enlist. The next morning, when the boys came together -at the call of the school bell, their teacher offered up an earnest -prayer for the success of the great struggle that had opened, commended -his pupils to the care of their Heavenly Father, shook the hands of each -lad in turn, uttered a few words of advice, and set out for Cambridge. -Some time later, he came back to New London and resumed his duties in -the school. - -"The young patriot, however, could not remain idle so long as his -beloved country needed her sons. He enlisted as a lieutenant in Colonel -Charles Webb's regiment, which had been raised by order of the General -Assembly of Connecticut for home defense and, if needed, for national -protection. In September, the regiment marched to Cambridge and took -part in the siege of Boston. Upon the departure of the British for -Halifax, the American army went to New York. Some months later, when the -team of his company's enlistment expired, Hale offered to give the men -his month's pay if they would stay a little while longer. - -"The Continentals had been in New York but a short time when Hale became -the hero of a daring exploit. A British supply vessel lay in the East -River under the protection of a frigate of sixty-four guns. He obtained -permission to attempt the capture of the sloop. Selecting a few men as -brave as himself, they stepped into a whale boat, rowed silently out -late at night and drew up beside the vessel undetected by the watch. -Like so many phantoms, the boarders climbed over the side, seized the -sentinel, fastened the crew below the hatches, lifted anchor and took -the prize into Coenties Slip, without raising the slightest alarm. Day -was breaking when Hale, holding the helm, was recognized by his friends, -who received him with hurrahs. For once at least his comrades enjoyed a -'square meal.' - -"In May, 1776, he became captain of a company of Continental Rangers -attached to Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton's regiment, called 'Congress' -Own.' The young officer's company was the best drilled and disciplined -of all. Little is known of his actions during those eventful days, but -it cannot be doubted that he did his duty well. Illness kept him in New -York at the time the British invaded Long Island, and still weak and -pale, he joined the troops who retreated toward Harlem Heights early in -September. - -"This brings me back to the day when Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton walked -into the quarters of General Washington and introduced Captain Hale as -the officer who had volunteered to serve him as a spy. The commander -looked admiringly into the blue eyes of the handsome young athlete and -took his hand. The great man was moved and feelingly thanked him for the -inestimable service he hoped he would render his country. He saw without -questioning that Hale was the ideal actor for so perilous a role. He -gave him minute instructions, with a written order to the owners of all -American vessels in Long Island Sound to take him to any point on Long -Island where he might wish to go. - -"Captain Hale left camp the same evening. He took with him Sergeant -Stephen Hempstead, a member of his company, who was devoted to the -officer, and a servant, Ansel Wright. They had to walk fifty miles to -Norwalk before they found a safe place to cross the Sound, because of -the British cruisers that were ever moving to and fro. At this place, -Hale took off his regimentals and donned a brown cloth suit and a -broad-brimmed hat. He assumed the character of a Quaker school teacher, -who had wearied of the society of the rebels in New York and had started -out to find a situation among more congenial folk. - -"The captain instructed his companions to wait at Norwalk until the -20th, upon which day he expected to come back. They were to send a boat -for him on that morning. He left with them his uniform, his commission -and all other papers that might betray his identity. He crossed the -Sound in a sloop and went ashore on the point of Great Neck in -Huntingdon Bay, being rowed thither in a yawl. He landed near a place -called 'The Cedars,' not far from a tavern kept by a widow named -Chichester. She was a spiteful Tory and the inn was a lounging place for -those of her neighbors who were of the same mind. In the gray light of -early morning Hale walked past without being noticed. A mile beyond, he -stopped at the farm house of William Johnson, and obtained breakfast and -a bed for several hours' rest. Thence he went directly into the nearest -British lines, where he was received without suspicion. He was gone for -about two weeks, but what he did, where he went, what adventures befell -him and the various means he used to escape detection can never be -known. It is certain that he visited all the enemy's encampments near -Brooklyn and twice passed their lines. He made drawings and notes of -what he saw and learned; he went from Brooklyn, then only a ferry -station, to New York City, which the British captured after his -departure, and was equally thorough in every place. The drawings and -memoranda, the latter written in Latin, were hidden under the loose -inner soles of his shoes. - -"Having finished his work in New York, Hale recrossed to Brooklyn and -threaded his way through the lines to Huntingdon. By this time he felt -so secure in his disguise that he entered without hesitation the tavern -of Widow Chichester and sat down among a group of loungers, with whom he -talked in his character of a Quaker school teacher. He was happy over -the thought that his dangerous work was over and the important knowledge -he had gained would soon be in the hands of General Washington. - -"Among the strangers in the place was one whose face seemed familiar to -Hale, but he could not recall where he had ever met the man. He decided -that the resemblance was one of those accidental ones that are -occasionally seen, and he gave the matter no further thought. By and by -the fellow, who silently studied the beaming young Quaker, slipped out -of doors and did not return. - -"Ah, why did Hale fail to see the sinister meaning of all this? After -escaping so many perils, why did he not continue alert and suspicious -until safe within his own lines? Sad to say, not a single misgiving -entered his thoughts, and after awhile he bade the company good night -and went to his room. - -"The next morning at dawn he walked to the bay to meet the boat that was -to come for him. With a thrill of delighted expectancy, he saw a craft -containing several men approaching. He sprang lightly down the bank and -then suddenly stopped in consternation. The boat was filled with British -marines under command of an officer! - -"He whirled about to flee. Had he discovered his peril sooner and gained -a few minutes' start, no pursuer could have overtaken him. But six -muskets were leveled, and he was ordered to surrender under threat of -instant death. He paused, came down the bank again and stepped into the -boat, which was rowed out to the British ship _Halifax_. There he was -searched and the fatal papers were found on him. - -"The tradition is that the man in the tavern who betrayed Hale was a -distant Tory relative who recognized him as soon as he entered the -place. Upon leaving the inn, he went to a British naval officer in -Huntingdon Bay with the news. - -"Captain Hale was taken to New York on the 21st and brought before Lord -Howe, who read the documents that had been captured with the prisoner. -It was useless to try to conceal the truth and Hale denied nothing. He -said he wished no court-martial and was ready to meet his fate. - -"Howe was naturally a kind-hearted man, but just then he was greatly -irritated over a fire which had destroyed several hundred houses in New -York, and which he believed had been started by the Americans to prevent -his use of them. He condemned Hale to be hanged at daylight the next -morning and placed him in the custody of William Cunningham, Provost -Marshal and one of the most brutal wretches that ever lived. It is some -consolation to know that this miscreant was hanged himself some years -later for scores of confessed murders to which he had been accessory. He -thrust Hale into a prison cell, and would not have unpinioned him except -for the intercession of a British officer. When the prisoner asked for -the presence of a chaplain, it was refused with curses, as was his -request for a Bible. The same friendly officer obtained permission for -Hale to write letters to his mother, sisters and the girl to whom he was -betrothed. The missives were handed to Cunningham to be forwarded. With -a leer he read each and then tore them up and flung the fragments on the -floor. Hale looked scornfully at him but did not speak. - -"The next morning he was led to the gallows, which was the limb of an -apple tree, exactly where is not known. In accordance with the military -custom of those days, a ladder was placed under the branch. The prisoner -climbed two or three rounds, when at a signal the support was turned and -he was left dangling in the air. A moment before, he had looked down in -the faces of the hushed spectators and uttered his last noble words: - -"'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country!' - -"No one knows where the martyr was buried. On November 25, 1893, a -statue to his memory was unveiled in City Hall Park, in the presence of -a vast assemblage and amid impressive ceremonies." - - - - - CHAPTER VII -- Concerning Certain New England Birds - - -"One reason why I deferred our talk about birds," said Uncle Elk, -addressing the troop of Boy Scouts who had gathered in the large room of -the bungalow the next evening, "is that you might have more opportunity -to brighten up your knowledge on the subject. Scout Master Hall tells me -that when you learned you were to spend your vacation in southern Maine, -you started in to inform yourselves about the birds which are to be -found in New England. It is impossible under the circumstances that you -should see them all, for the season is not the most favorable and not -even a majority are to be found in this section. Instead of dealing out -a lot of facts, I am going to ask you do it for me. Secretary Rothstein -has given me a list of all the Boy Scouts who are present. There are too -many of you for me to identify separately, so I shall call upon you at -random. I think," he added with a sly glance at the invalid on his -right, "that I shall except Jack, since he seems to know all about our -feathered inhabitants and would be simply taking my place. - -"Starting with Mr. Hall's Patrol I call upon his leader, Charles A. -Chase, to name the first order as it is generally accepted." - -The alert young man promptly arose and said: - -"It is the raptores, which means robbers." - -"What does it include?" - -"The falcons proper, hawks, buzzard-hawks, eagles, horned owls, gray -owls and day owls." - -"Very good. Corporal George Robe will name the second order." - -The plump little fellow blushed but did not hesitate. - -"Scansores or climbers, which takes in cuckoos and woodpeckers." - -"The third order is so numerous that I can hardly expect any one to -remember the complete list. Will Kenneth Henke name the third order?" - -"Insessores or perchers." - -"I will ask Kenneth Mitchell, Robert Snow and Ernest Oberlander to help -you in making out a complete catalogue." - -While these boys did well, they would not have succeeded but for the aid -of Colgate Craig and Robert Rice. Even then Uncle Elk had to supply -several names, for the long list included humming birds, goatsuckers, -screamers, kingfishers, flycatchers, singers, thrushes, mocking birds, -wrens, warblers, tanagers, swallows, shrikes, skylarks, sparrows, -orioles, blackbirds, crows, jays and some others less known. - -Alvin Landon had an easy task with the rasores or scratchers, which -embrace the doves, game birds such as the Canada grouse, spruce -partridge, pinnated grouse, ruffed grouse improperly called the -partridge, Virginia partridge, quail and Bob White. - -Chester Haynes gave the fifth order as grallatores or waders, which with -its herons, shore birds, plovers, snipes, sandpipers and others are -known to every one. - -The sixth and last order as named by Hubert Wood was the natores or -swimmers, with the principal of which every American boy is familiar. -Hubert, with the assistance of Harold Hopkins, named swans, geese, -several kinds of ducks, gulls, terns, divers, loons and grebes. - -"That is a pretty full list," commented Uncle Elk, "but it may be that -Michael has some other waders in mind." - -"That I hev," responded the Irish youth springing to his feet; "the -first time Alvin and Chester tried to paddle a canoe it tipped over wid -'em--they lacking the sense I showed--and the water not being deep the -same was waders for the time." - -Mike did not smile as he resumed his seat on the floor, though every one -else did. - -"Let me remind you," added Uncle Elk, "that we have simply named the six -orders, without any attempt to particularize. To illustrate will you -name a bird?" - -Some one called: - -"Let's talk about the thrush." - -"Very well; its head is a clear cinnamon brown, the under parts white, -sometimes tinged with buff on the breast and thickly marked beneath -except on the chin and throat. The sides of the head are a dark brown, -streaked with white, with maxillary streaks on each side of the throat. -It is a trifle over eight inches long, the wings being a little more -than half of that, and the eggs are usually four in number, of a uniform -light-blue color, without spots and showing a slight tint of green. - -"The song thrush is common in Rhode Island, Connecticut and -Massachusetts, but is not often seen in the other New England States. I -have had persons say they saw and heard them in this section, when it -was either the hermit or olive-backed thrush. You may look for their -return from the South about the tenth of May, the two sexes coming at -the same time. - -"The great charm of the thrush is its wonderful voice. Hardly has it -arrived when you hear the sweet notes of the male at early dawn or when -twilight is coming on. Very rarely is it heard in the middle of the day, -unless the sky is overcast. The best description of that which cannot be -described is by Nuttall, which so impressed me when I first read it that -I have never forgotten the words. He says: - -"'The prelude to this song resembles almost the double-tonguing of the -flute, blended with a tinkling, shrill, and solemn warble, which -re-echoes from his solitary retreat like the dirge of some recluse, who -shuns the busy haunts of life. The whole air consists usually of four -parts, or bars, which succeed in deliberate tune, finally blending -together in impressive and soothing harmony, becoming more mellow and -sweet at every repetition. Rival performers seem to challenge each other -from various parts of the wood, vying for the favor of their mates with -sympathetic responses and softer tones. And some, waging a jealous -strife, terminate the warm dispute by an appeal to combat and violence. -Like the robin and the thresher, in dark and gloomy weather when other -birds are sheltered and silent, the clear notes of the wood thrush are -heard through the dripping woods from dawn to dusk; so that the sweeter -and more constant is his song. His clear and interrupted whistle is -likewise often nearly the only voice of melody heard by the traveler to -midday, in the heat of summer, as he traverses the silent, dark and -wooded wilderness, remote from the haunts of men.' - -"You have all been charmed by the music of this bird and will agree that -this description, while it falls short of the reality, cannot be -excelled. Now, in your rambles you have seen birds with gorgeous -plumage; which one do you consider the most beautiful of all?" - -After some discussion, the majority pronounced in favor of the scarlet -tanager. - -"Most persons will agree with you, but my preference is for what is -popularly known as the wood duck, which builds its nests in trees and in -size and habits resembles the common duck. The colors shown in the -feathers of this bird to my mind are simply bewildering in their beauty. - -"But to return to the tanager. He is found in all parts of New England -but more frequently in the southern portions. A noticeable fact about -this tanager is that it seems to be extending its range. I hear that it -has been seen for the first time in sections where those familiar with -its habits never expected to find it. Will Arthur Mitchell tell me when -it arrives from the South and about its nesting?" - -The lad appealed to rose and replied: - -"It comes north about the middle of May, looks around for two weeks or -so and then begins building its nest. It prefers oak groves situated -near swamps. The nest is placed on the horizontal limb of a tree not -more than twenty feet above ground." - -"What of the eggs?" - -"They vary from three to five in number, and are of a light greenish -blue with spatters of purplish brown. It belongs to the order of -perehers." - -"Is the tanager a useful bird?" - -"It is; the males destroy thousands of insects and though the song isn't -noteworthy, it is pleasant to hear." - -"Will Gordon Calhoun give a general description of this bird?" - -"The wings and tail of the male are like black silk velvet, but the main -color is a brilliant blood red. The female wears a more sober dress." - -When the rambling talk had continued for some time longer, Scout Master -Hall asked Uncle Elk to tell them something about bird migration. - -"That is an interesting subject over which I with thousands have -speculated and theorized without learning much. It is easy to understand -why the geese from the extreme north hike south with the approach of the -arctic winter, and why many others in more temperate latitudes do the -same, coming north with the return of spring, but some of the migrations -are beyond explanation. I should like to ask what birds make the longest -flights?" - -Scout Master Hall and Jack Crandall expressed their views, but the old -man shook his head. - -"Since all of you did no more than guess, it was a waste of time. Now -follow me closely. We have no large maps here to place on the wall for -you to study, but you have a fair knowledge of geography and can draw a -mental map that will serve. Picture a map of the western hemisphere. -Have you done so?" - -A general nodding of heads. - -"You didn't nod, Mr. Hall." - -"I have the map before my mind's eye," replied the Scout Master; "I am -following you." - -"Since the discovery of the North Pole, you have all become familiar -with the contour of the polar regions. Locate the Arctic Islands in, say -seventy-five degrees north latitude; then draw an imaginary line from -those islands down along the coast of Labrador, across to Newfoundland, -and down to Nova Scotia, then over the Atlantic to the Lesser Antilles -in the West Indies, from there to Brazil and across Argentina and end -your line in Patagonia at the extremity of South America. - -"You have mentally swept over a tremendous stretch of country and water, -but are not yet through. Push on westward to the Pacific, northward up -the coast, then across Central America and up the Mississippi Valley, -through central Canada and back to the Arctic Islands from which you -started. Truly a long journey and yet it is the yearly itinerary of the -American golden plover, which, measured in miles, is three-fifths of the -distance round the world." - -"You have mentioned one of the most remarkable facts in natural -history," commented Mr. Hall, who, like every listener, was deeply -impressed. - -"Quite true," replied Uncle Elk, "though there are many equally -inexplicable. I have sometimes fancied that birds resemble men in their -longing for travel. With means of locomotion at their command still far -beyond the skill of our best aviators, what wonder that our little -brothers of the air are impelled to gather the best that can be secured? - -"This, however, is a fanciful theory which the naturalists will not -accept. It must be remembered that the majority of golden plovers who -start on this long journey never complete it, for almost every mile is -attended with danger. They are dazzled by the vivid electric lights of -the cities, and confused by the tall buildings, telephone and telegraph -wires, especially on dark nights when the birds fly low. Thousands are -thus killed, besides which adverse gales blow many out to sea, and -blizzards and snowstorms destroy myriads. - -"Perhaps we have talked enough about birds," said Uncle Elk, "but I -shall be glad to answer any questions that may occur to you." - -After a moment's silence, Mike Murphy rose to his feet. His face, as -usual, was serious even when about to indulge in some of his waggeries, -but this time he was in earnest. - -"Maybe it's mesilf that knows mighty little about birds excipt them as -is met with in Ireland, which isn't many. There is one that I once heerd -of that belongs to anither counthry." - -"Describe it, Michael," remarked the old man indulgently. - -"It has the bill of a duck, webbed feet, lays eggs, has a furry body and -I belave is what is called a mammal. It's a mighty qu'ar bird that I'd -like to know the name of." - -In answer to the general smiles Uncle Elk asked: - -"Have you ever seen one of the creatures, Michael?" - -"Not that I know of, though I have often made search for 'em." - -"Michael has described no fancy creation. Such a thing exists. Can any -one tell me its name?" - -Isaac Rothstein replied: - -"It is the ornithorhynchus or water mole of Australia, but it is not -classed as a bird." - -"No, although there seems to be some reason why it should be. You see -what a limitless field opens before you when you leave the American -continent to make investigations elsewhere. For a long time to come we -shall find our hands full in our own country." - -"What about the birds that are called _Indians_?" gravely asked Mike. - -"There are some facts regarding Maine Indians which are worth -remembering. In 1612, they numbered 38,000. At the close of the French -and Indian War this number had been reduced to a thousand, which is the -aboriginal population to-day. The decrease was due to the fierce wars -which the tribes waged among themselves. The Indians in Maine were four -times as numerous as those in Massachusetts. The Pine Tree State was the -'dark and bloody ground' of colonial days. - -"In a general way the tribes bore the same names as rivers. Those west -of the Penobscot were of the Abnaki group, and those to the east into -New Brunswick called themselves Etechemins. All belonged to the -Algonquin nation. When King Philip's War broke out in 1675, the Maine -Indians numbered about 12,000. This was twice the white population and -sufficient to wipe out the settlements nearly to the New Hampshire -border. Finally, in 1759, the Indians in Maine did not number more than -a thousand. They were mainly Penobscots and Passamaquoddies. They -remained faithful to the Americans throughout the Revolution. It is a -curious fact that while the Passamaquoddies have decreased in number -during the last ninety years, the Penobscots have increased to the -extent of seven, the former being slightly more numerous. Both keep up -their tribal conditions, and the Penobscots live in the same village -site that their forefathers occupied before the white men set foot on -the continent." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII -- A Council of War - - -That night, after Uncle Elk had left the bungalow, Alvin Landon, Chester -Haynes and Mike Murphy held what Alvin called a council of war. - -Sauntering a little way from the building, they sat down in the silent -depths of the woods where no one could overhear what was said by them. -Not that a Boy Scout would be guilty of eavesdropping, but it was best -that no inkling of what was in the air should become accidentally known -to others. - -Without quoting all the conversation, let me make clear its substance. -The three were so mystified by the incidents already told that they -determined not to cease their efforts until the puzzle was solved. They -were the only Boy Scouts who knew the particulars, and it was natural -that their friends should give their chief interest to fishing, rambling -in the forest, studying trees, picking up what they could of natural -history, and laying in unnecessary stores of health and strength. - -One thing was certain: Uncle Elk knew the secret and he wouldn't tell. -More than that, Chester Haynes startled his chums by the declaration: - -"So does Mr. Hall,--at least I am pretty sure he does." - -"What reason have you for thinking that?" asked the astonished Alvin. - -"I have seen them more than once whispering in a way that showed they -were keenly interested." - -"Did you hear anything that either said?" - -"Not a word." - -"How do you know then to what they were referring?" - -"I don't; I'm only guessing." - -"I belave ye're right," added Mike; "I obsarved the same thing and had -the same 'spicion, and would have spoke of it if Chest hadn't got ahead -of me. But I'm thinking that if Mr. Hall knows it all, why the mischief -doesn't he tell us afore we bust?" - -"For the simple reason that Uncle Elk has bound him to secrecy. No; what -we find out must be done without the help of either." - -"And we'll doot!" exclaimed Mike, "or we'll break a trace trying." - -"How shall we go about it?" asked Alvin. "Whatever we do must be done -without either of them, especially Uncle Elk, knowing it." - -"And there's the rub." - -Bring three bright-witted boys together and let them concentrate their -mental energies upon the solution of a problem, and even if they don't -succeed, they are sure to evolve something worth while. - -"It is useless to apply to Mr. Hall," said Alvin, "for nothing could -induce him to violate the confidence of another. But Uncle Elk holds the -master key and can speak when he chooses." - -"Which the same is the rule with most folks," commented Mike. - -"Now, see here," put in Chester; "he has shown a fondness for you----" - -"Can ye name any one of me acquaintances that hasn't?" interrupted the -wag. - -"Why can't you set to work and coax it out of him?" - -"Begorra! haven't I tried more than once. I've hinted and asked him -straight out until I'm in the fix of Phil Rafferty." - -"What was that?" - -"Phil took a notion that he could butt ivery other admirer of Bridget -Mulrooney off the track. He kipt at it till one day he towld me he had a -dim 'spicion that Bridget and her big brother Tarn and her dad of the -same name, not forgitting Bridget her-silf, weren't as fond of him as -they oughter be. They had dropped purty plain hints and the last time -Phil called, Bridget remarked sorter off-hand like, that she niver -wanted to see his ugly mug agin. Her brother kicked him off the porch -and flung him over the fence and the owld gintleman set their dog on -him, which the same nearly choked in trying to swaller the seat of his -pants. Phil said he was beginnin' to 'spicion that the family took as a -whole, didn't love him as they oughter. It's the same wid Uncle Elk and -me. He's riddy to talk on anything excipt the raison them two tramps was -scared into taking a bath, and he won't throw any light on that p'int." - -"Then there is no use of either of us trying." - -"I could hev towld ye that long ago." - -Once more it was Chester who showed the most subtlety. - -"Uncle Elk knows that Mike is doing all he can to solve the puzzle; he -knows he'll not stop trying till he learns the truth; if Alvin and I -keep him company, he will understand that we have joined forces. It will -be as easy for him to baffle us three when we are together as to defeat -any one of us. Therefore we ought to separate and each push the hunt for -himself." - -"Ye've hit it!" exclaimed Mike, "and to encourage ye in good works and -to show ye the honor ye oughter hev, I offers ye me hand." - -He gravely extended his palm in the gloom and it was warmly shaken. - -Let a party of boys engage in some plot--and the same is true of -adults--and their chief fear is that it will be discovered and defeated -by someone else more or less interested. No precaution must be -neglected. It was agreed by our friends that no one of them should drop -a word in the hearing of others that could rouse curiosity, and not to -show by their manner that anything unusual was on their minds. - -One question considered was whether Dr. Spellman should be taken into -their confidence. He had witnessed the panic of the tramps and was as -curious as the boys to learn its cause. Alvin disposed of the matter. - -"I don't see how he can be of any help and he doesn't wish to leave his -home too long since the trouble he had with the bums. Uncle Elk, for -some reason, hates the doctor; the two would be pretty sure to meet if -the doctor joined forces with us, and the consequences would be bad. Say -what you please, Uncle Elk has a queer twist in his brain, and I dread -doing anything that will excite him. Let us work independently of every -one else." - -"I'm wid ye," assented Mike, and Chester agreed. - -This much decided upon, the particulars of the plan remained to be -arranged. Mike proposed that he should saunter off alone to the western -end of the lake, near where Alvin and Chester had gone in the canoe -during the day, and there with no companion should set himself to learn -what he could. The others would take the opposite course, which would -lead them to the home of Uncle Elk. They had no intention of questioning -the old man or even letting him know what they had in mind, but would -employ their wits as opportunity offered. - -Nothing would have been more pleasing than for Mike to use the canoe to -reach the western end of the lake, but he decided that the safest course -was for all three to let the boats alone. The hermit would doubtless be -on the watch and would know the errand of the lads. - -"Do we need to have signals?" asked Chester. - -"What for?" inquired Alvin in turn. - -"If one of us finds out something, he will want to tell the others." - -"I don't see how the plan can work, for we shall be so far apart that -any call we make will be heard by some of the Scouts and may give the -whole thing away. Whatever comes to light can wait till we meet here -after supper to-night." - -Mike, who had been thoughtful for a minute or two, now spoke: - -"We thought that being Mr. Hall's lips are closed, Uncle Elk is the only -one that can ixplain the queer actions of Biggs and Hutt, but Uncle Elk -isn't the only one." - -"Who else can do so?" - -"Biggs and Hutt." - -"That is true," said Alvin, "but I don't believe they would show any -more willingness than Uncle Elk. Besides, after such a fright as they -got yesterday, they are probably miles away at this minute and still -running." - -"Which doesn't signify that they won't come back again. One would think -they would have taken the warning Dr. Spellman gave them, but they -didn't. I believe there is going to be more trouble with those two -scamps," said Chester impressively. - -"They've got to behave thimselves," added Mike with more feeling than he -had yet shown, "or I'll git Mr. Hall to lead the whole troop agin 'em." - -"You know the Boy Scouts are opposed to all violence." - -"And so'm I, excipt whin it's yer dooty to lambaste the ither chap, as -whin he drops a hint that he doesn't think ye're able to doot. If Biggs -and Hutt go to stealing or stepping too hard on us, do ye ixpect we're -going to grin and bear it?" - -"Without answering that question," remarked Alvin, "let me suggest that -if any one of us happens to meet either or both the hoboes, he does his -best to get an explanation from them. If you don't succeed, no harm will -be done." - -"Good counsel," commented Chester, "but I don't believe it will bring -any result." - -"We mustn't neglect anything----" - -"Whisht!" interrupted Mike, suddenly laying his hand on the arm of this -comrade. - -All three became silent, and each distinctly heard faint footfalls from -a point deeper in the wood. - -"Some one has been listening," whispered Alvin, "but he couldn't have -heard anything." - -"And what if he did?" asked Chester; "we have no enemies in this part of -the world." - -Mike had started in the direction of the suspicious sound. He did not -take time to soften the noise of his feet, and the stranger thus warned -hurried away. Evidently he was a better woodman than his pursuer, for he -got over the ground faster. Mike caught a glimpse of him in the -star-gleam, as he emerged on the beach and ran off. A few minutes later -the Irish youth rejoined his friends. - -"Do you know who it was?" asked Alvin. - -"No; he didn't spake nor look back. I thought it best to return to ye." - -"Why?" - -"I hadn't me shillaleh wid me, and I was in too much danger of -overhauling the spalpeen." - - - - - CHAPTER IX -- An Unwelcome Guest - - -What may be called a minor mystery was settled within a few minutes -after Alvin, Chester and Mike came out of the wood and sat down for a -brief while on the porch. Most of the other Boy Scouts had gone inside -for the night, though the murmur of voices showed the majority were -awake. The laugh of Scout Master Hall was heard in response to some -jest, he being, as has been said, as much of a youngster as the most -youthful of the troop. - -A tall form loomed to view in the starlight, and coming up the steps sat -down beside Mike with a greeting to all three. He was recognized as Hoke -Butler, a member of the Stag Patrol. - -"If you had run a little faster," he remarked with a loud laugh, "you -surely would have overtaken me, Mike." - -"Why didn't ye slack up and give me the chance? Me legs ain't as long as -yours." - -"I did put on the brakes, but you turned back." - -"I'd come to the belaif that if ye didn't want me company, I shouldn't -force mine upon ye, so I quit. What were ye doing in the wood behind -us?" - -"I was strolling behind the bungalow when I heard voices and was -stealing up to learn who you were when you heard me, and for the fun of -it I darted off as if I was scared half to death." - -"What did ye think of the views of mesilf and Alvin and Chester as -regards the nixt Prisident?" - -It was a shrewd question and brought the desired answer. - -"You talked so low I couldn't catch a word. Don't you know that when -Americans talk politics they yell and generally end in a fight?" - -"We hadn't got that fur; ye oughter kept still a little while longer and -ye might hev took part in the shindy." - -So the eavesdropping amounted to nothing, and so far no one besides the -three knew of the plan which they had formed. A half hour later every -Boy Scout in the bungalow, including Jack Crandall, was asleep. - -The morning dawned clear, bright and sunny. Jack would not permit any -one to stay with him, so his chair was wheeled out on the front porch, -where he became absorbed in a work on ornithology, while his friends -broke into small groups and wandered into the woods as fancy prompted -them. Scout Master Hall strolled off with several members of his Patrol, -the understanding being that it was to be another day in which each -should do as he pleased. - -Let twenty men, boys or girls be thrown together in close companionship -for weeks, and likes and dislikes are sure to develop. There may be -nothing in the nature of hatred, nor even an impatient word uttered. -Naturally affiliations spring up, while others avoid one another, -without suspecting there is a cause for the mild repulsion. - -Alvin Landon, Chester Haynes and Mike Murphy were chums from the first -and were nearly always together. Mike was popular with all because of -his many fine qualities, aside from the marvelous treats he occasionally -gave in singing. One boy formed so marked a fancy for him that Mike did -not like it because he could not respond. This was Hoke Butler,--he who -had tried to play the eavesdropper the night before. Something about him -which could not be defined repelled Mike, and caused him to avoid or at -least to try to avoid his company. Perhaps it was Butler's habit of -boisterous laughter when no one else saw any cause for mirth, his -disposition to slap the knee or shoulder of the boy nearest him, and his -greediness at meals. Be that as it may, Mike did not like him, though -too considerate to hurt his feelings by showing his sentiments. - -Alvin and Chester were pleased, when they supposed all the boys had left -the bungalow, to see Butler come up the steps, take his place beside -Mike and give his knee a resounding slap. - -"Hello, old chap! what are you going to do to-day?" he asked in his -boisterous manner. - -"I'm thinking of doing as the ither byes do,--stroll through the woods -on the lookout fur ostriches, kangaroos, monkeys or anything that turns -up." - -"Good! that's me; I'll go with you!" - -"Who said ye would?" asked the disgusted Mike, as Alvin winked at -Chester. - -"I did; didn't you hear me?" - -"But ye don't know where I'm going." - -"That makes no difference; I'm with you straight through." - -The chance was too good for Alvin and Chester to let slip. The face of -the former brightened with hypocritical comradeship. - -"Now isn't that fine? Mike, you're in luck." - -"As Larry Bergen remarked whin he found he had one finger lift after the -pistol busted in his hand." - -"How nice it will be to have Butler with you the whole day!" Chester was -mean enough to add. - -"Aren't you three going together?" asked the surprised interloper. - -"We are particular as to our company," said Alvin; "Chester and I travel -together while Mike goes alone,--that is to say he would do so if you -had not come along in time." - -"That's me! I'm always glad to oblige." - -"Thim chaps," said Mike, who was too game to wince though none the less -resolved to baffle his chums, "are two babes in the wood; it will be -mighty kind of ye, Butler, to go along and kaap an eye on 'em." - -"Now, don't you see there are two of them, and it will be the same with -you and me, which is the right way to divide up? Just the idea, old -chap!" And Butler whacked the knee of Mike, who made a grimace at the -grinning Alvin and Chester. "Tell you what, Mike, I took a shine to you -from the first; we must be pals." - -"You've hit it, Butler; we shall be glad to loan you Mike whenever you -want him." - -"That will be all the time," roared the interloper, "won't it, Mike?" - -"It begins to look that way," was the lugubrious response of the victim. - -Alvin and Chester rose to their feet, the former remarking: - -"We'll see you at supper. Take good care of Mike, who is so innocent -that he is sure to run into trouble unless you hold him back. Mike, be -sure to obey him just as you do us." - -And the two stepped from the porch and set off in the direction of the -cabin of Uncle Elk, looking back in time to see their friend shake his -fist at them. - -"It looks as if I was catched," mused Mike, "as the man said whin he -stepped into a bear trap, but I'll aven up matters wid thim before -they're much older." - -"Isn't it time we started?" asked Butler, after the others had -disappeared. - -"Yis," replied Mike standing up, "but I can't depart widout me buckthorn -cane. Bide here till I go into the house and git the same." - -"I know where you left it leaning against the wall; I'll fetch it." - -And before he could be anticipated, Butler darted through the open door -and brought out the heavy stick. - -"Always ready to do what I can for you, Mike; anything else?" - -"Yis; I'll be obleeged if ye'll chase after thim spalpeens and ask Alvin -Landon to send me that five dollars he borrered yesterday." - -"Of course; they haven't got far and I'll be back in a jiffy." - -"Don't let him sneak out of it, but hang on till he coughs up." - -"You bet I will!" - -The obliging youth scooted off the porch and after the couple who had -disappeared only a few moments before. Mike waited only until he was -beyond sight, when he hurried in the opposite direction and dived among -the trees, as if he were a criminal fleeing from an officer of the law. - -Meanwhile the obliging Butler made haste to do as requested. He was -fleet of foot, and had no trouble in overtaking Alvin and Chester, who -were walking at a moderate pace, made still more moderate by their -merriment over the clever way in which they had gotten the best of Mike. - -"It isn't often we can do it," said Alvin, "but we caught him fair that -time. Hoke will stick like a leech to him--hello! what's up now?" -exclaimed the lad, as the sound of footsteps caused both to look around. - -"Gracious!" gasped Chester, "it can't be Mike has persuaded him to go -with _us_!" - -"Hold on a minute!" called Butler. - -The two halted and Alvin asked reproachfully: - -"Why have you deserted Mike, when he wants you so badly?" - -"I haven't deserted him; he and I are going to have a day's ramble -together." - -"Then what are you doing here?" - -"He asked me to run after you and get the five dollars he loaned you -yesterday." - -"Chest, have you got any money with you?" asked the astonished Alvin; "I -have only a Canadian quarter." - -"I haven't even that. I did the same as you, and left all my funds in -the house." - -"You see what Mike is up to; it's a trick of his to get rid of this -fellow." - -Addressing the latter, Alvin added: - -"That's what I call a low down piece of business; why didn't he ask us -when we were at the house?" - -"I reckon he didn't think of it; hurry up, please; I don't want to keep -him waiting." - -"Well, you can't help it, for we haven't a dollar between us. Hurry back -to him and say for us that we shall settle with him to-night when you -and he come back." - -"Honest now, is that the best you can do?" - -"It certainly is; if you don't hurry Mike will grow tired of waiting for -you." - -Alarmed at the probability, Butler dashed away like a deer, while Alvin -and Chester hurried in the other direction with a view of being out of -reach should the young man return. - -But Hoke did not come back. He had set his heart on rejoining his chosen -friend and bent his energies to that end. - -After walking briskly for a half mile, Alvin and Chester slowed down and -took matters more easily. They were so deep in the woods that they could -see nothing of the lake, but they had become familiar with the route and -were in no fear of going astray. When quite near the cabin of Uncle Elk, -they saw three other Boy Scouts wandering among the trees, one of them -with note book in hand. He was making entries and all were so engaged in -the pleasant task that it was easy for Alvin and Chester to avoid being -seen as they changed their course. Soon after they came in sight of the -log structure where their old friend made his home. Halting while still -among the trees, their position gave them a view of the front of the -building and the upper part of the path which wound its way down to the -lake. The latch-string was hanging outside the door with everything as -still and motionless as the tomb. - -"Well, now that we have arrived," remarked Alvin in an undertone, "what -are we going to do?" - -"I don't see that anything is to be gained by calling upon Uncle Elk, -but, if he catches sight of us, we shall have to drop in on him. He is -sure to treat us well." - -"Hello! we are not the only ones," said Chester, as he and his chum -stepped back behind the trunk of a large white oak. - -The heads and shoulders of two men came into sight as they walked slowly -up the path from the landing which they had evidently reached in a boat. -A few paces brought them into plain sight, one directly behind the other -and approaching the door of the cabin. - -The first thought of the boys was that they were the tramps who had been -making nuisances of themselves in the neighborhood for the last few -days, but a second look made it clear they were not, for nothing in -their appearance suggested the wandering vagrant. The striking fact -about them was they were so similar in looks that it was evident they -were twin brothers. The similarity extended to their clothing. They wore -straw hats set well back on their heads, coarse shirts without tie or -waistcoat, and dark trousers whose bottoms were tucked into a pair of -boots that did not quite reach their knees. The two were of sandy -complexion and each had a tuft of yellow whiskers on his chin, which was -of the retreating order. - -"They must be the men Mike heard chuckling together last night, though -he did not see them," was the conclusion of Chester, and his companion -agreed with him. - -"And they seem as much pleased as ever." - -Both wore a broad grin, and the one in front, half turning his head, -said something which caused the other to laugh out loud. - -Before the visitors reached the door, it was drawn inward by Uncle Elk, -who appeared, staff in hand, as if about to start on a tramp through the -woods. At sight of the young men, he paused and called: - -"I am glad to see you, Asa and Bige; I was about to hunt you up, but -this saves me the trouble; come in." - -He shook the hand of each in turn and the three passed from sight, the -host closing the door behind them. - -"And now what shall we do?" asked the perplexed Alvin; "we have seen two -strangers go into the cabin and they are talking together, but we can't -hear a word that is said nor learn a thing." - -"That remains to be seen; let's follow them, as we have the right to do -so long as the latchstring hangs outside." - -This proposal would have been carried out had not the necessity been -removed by the persons in whom they were interested. The door -unexpectedly opened and the trio came out, Uncle Elk leading, staff in -hand, and the others following in Indian file. They passed down the path -toward the lake and were soon shut from sight by the intervening trees -and undergrowth. - -Alvin and Chester were sure their presence had not been noted, and they -held back until safe against being seen. Then they moved stealthily down -the trail to a point where they had a clear view of the smooth sheet of -water. A hundred yards away, a small canoe was gliding at moderate speed -toward the other side, its course such that it would reach shore--unless -the direction was changed--some distance west of Dr. Spellman's home. In -the boat were seated Uncle Elk and the couple whom he had addressed as -Asa and Bige, one of them swinging the paddle with the grace of a -professional. - -Keeping out of sight, the two youths watched the course of the boat, -which gradually veered to the left. - -"Uncle Elk has left his own canoe on the shore and we can use it if we -wish to follow them," said Alvin. - -"I don't think anything would be more foolish. In fact, Al, it strikes -me that so far our part of the business is a failure. Those folks are -going into the territory of Mike and I hope he will have better success -than we. He can't have less." - -All the lads could do for the present was to watch and wait. The canoe -grew smaller as it receded, and finally disappeared under the -overhanging limbs and vegetation at a spot which the boys agreed was -either where Mike Murphy had heard Asa and Bige laughing the night -before, or very near the spot. And, admitting that such was the fact, -what did it all amount to? - - - - - CHAPTER X -- A Sudden Separation - - -When Mike Murphy hurried off the opposite end of the porch of the -bungalow, his single purpose was to rid himself of Hoke Butler, who had -set his heart upon keeping him company for the day. It was a happy -thought thus to send the youth to collect an imaginary debt from Alvin -Landon, and it would seem could scarcely fail of accomplishing the end -in view. - -"The spalpeen can thravel a good deal faster then mesilf, owing to the -lingth of his legs, but I've got too good a start for him to find me -among the traas." - -Mike still walked fast, often glancing behind and more and more relieved -that he failed to gain sight of a living person, or rather of him whom -he dreaded to see. - -"Hello, Mike, where are you?" - -The youth appealed to almost leaped from the ground, for the familiar -voice sounded much too near for comfort. - -"I'm here just now," muttered Mike, "but I don't intind to stay. Worrah, -worrah, is there no way of shaking ye loose?" - -The shout was repeated twice and then ceased. It looked as if Hoke -believed he was too far separated from his friend to reach him by -calling, though he was not likely to give up the search for some time to -come. Mike changed his course and in doing so came near losing himself. -It was impossible in the circumstances to go far astray, but he was -likely to waste a good deal of time. - -Coming to a halt he took his bearings. He knew he was well to the -westward of the bungalow and not far from the lake. He was sure also, -after noting the position of the sun, of the course he should follow to -reach the body of water. His plan was to keep along shore until he came -to the western end of the lake, around which he would make his way if -necessary, returning by the northern bank which would take him past the -home of Dr. Spellman. The conviction, however, was strong with the young -man that he would not be called upon to travel that far before gaining -the knowledge which was drawing him onward as the steel draws the -magnet. - -When he had traveled far enough to bring him to the lake and still -failed to catch the gleam of its surface, he halted once more and stared -around. - -"If I'm lost agin I'll hire some of the byes to lead me about by the -hand, fur I ain't fit to travel alone--hello! there's one of 'em, that -I'll question without letting him know I'm a stray lamb." - -He had a glimpse of a moving body almost directly ahead, and knowing it -was one of the scouts he called: - -"I wish to remark, me friend, that it's a foine day; if ye agraa wid me -I shall be plaised to have ye signerfy the same." - -"Why, Mike, I'm so glad to see you again; you ain't mad because I got -lost?" - -"Oh, not a bit, as Jim O'Toole said whin the sheriff apologized for -shooting him on the wing." - -And Mike extended his hand to Hoke Butler as he came grinningly forward. - -"How was it ye missed me?" asked Mike innocently. - -"I'll be hanged if I can tell; I hurried back after talking to Alvin and -ought to have found you, but somehow or other I didn't." - -"Why didn't ye holler?" - -"I nearly split my throat calling to you." - -"Strange! I wonder if I'm getting deaf." - -"Gracious! I hope not; don't say that or you'll worry me awfully." - -"Did Alvin hand ye the five dollars?" - -"Not a bit of it. Say, Mike, they must be blamed poor, for they had only -a Canadian quarter between them. I don't think they amount to much." - -Mike couldn't stand this slur upon his chums. - -"Let me tell ye something that will make ye open yer eyes. Alvin -Landon's father is one of the richest men in New York, and Chester's is -almost as wealthy. They are worth millions upon millions of dollars, and -the byes have all the money they want, but they are not such fules as -you and me and don't throw it away, though they give a good deal of it -to poor folks. So ye may rist aisy on that score, friend Hoke." - -"Gee! I never suspected that. They don't put on any more airs than the -poorest of the Boy Scouts." - -"Which the same shows their sinse; they've always been that way and -always will be. But this isn't tending to bus'ness. Do ye wish to keep -company wid me till night?" - -"You bet! I'm going to stick to you like a burr; I hope you haven't any -hard feelings on account of my losing you for a little while. I really -didn't mean it." - -"It's mesilf that has no hard feelings, but I was thinking that if we -don't get back to the clubhouse till night ye will be obliged to lose -your dinner." - -"I don't like that much, but I'll stand it for your sake. I'll even -things up at the supper table. A Boy Scout should learn to suffer when -it can't be helped." - -"I've found out the same," replied Mike with a significance which his -companion did not catch; "I hope we shan't starve to death." - -"No danger of that," remarked Hoke, not absolutely certain that some -such calamity did not threaten them. - -Mike Murphy like a philosopher made up his mind to accept the -inevitable. It seemed to be decreed by fate that he should have this -young man as a companion throughout at least this day, so what was the -use of kicking against it? Besides, it was not impossible that where -there was so much eagerness on the part of Hoke to help, he might be -able to do so in the strange task Mike had laid out for himself. - -One pleasing fact about the intruder was that he never lost his way. He -pointed out the direction in which the lake lay and Mike took care not -to let him know he himself had believed that an altogether different -course led to it. Pausing on the shore they looked out upon one of the -most beautiful and romantic bodies of water to be found in a region -which abounds with them. Both saw the canoe laden deeply with three men -which was heading for a point to the westward of Dr. Spellman's home. -The boys studied it closely, but the distance was too great to identify -the old man, and his companions were strangers. - -Mike had told young Butler nothing of his experience of the day before, -nor did he do so now. Whatever Hoke was able to do in the way of aid he -could accomplish as well while ignorant as if he knew everything. - -"Would it be too far, Hoke, for ye to walk wid me round the end of the -lake to the spot where the canoe wint from sight?" - -"It's a pretty good walk, Mike, but it's nothing so long as I am with -_you_. I can't think of anything I wouldn't do to please you." - -"I could, but I'll not mintion it," grinned Mike as they resumed their -course with Hoke in the lead. - -The forenoon was half gone when they came to the western end of the lake -and changed their course so as to follow the curvature that would take -them to the northern shore. All the time they were in sight of the -water, which they examined at intervals in quest of other boats. While -the home of Dr. Spellman, as we remember, was invisible from the lake, -it was easy to locate it by the thin wisp of smoke which filtered -through the tree-tops. The same could have been said of Uncle Elk's -cabin had there been any fire burning. - -"I am thinking, Mike," remarked Hoke some time later, "that if you -intend to go clean round the lake we haven't any time to throw away." - -"We kin take all day and the night, should the same be nicissary, but -there's no call to hurry and if ye find yersilf growing weary, ye have -me permission to turn back whin the notion takes ye." - -"We have gone so far that I don't see much choice in taking either -direction. I say, Mike, isn't that something queer ahead of us?" - -"I'd like to know where ye could be without something qua'ar being ahead -of ye,--begora! I belave ye are right," added Mike in surprise. An -object loomed up which he had not seen before nor had he heard any one -speak of it, though he and others had been in the neighborhood more than -once. - -At a point where the undergrowth was plentiful and less than a hundred -yards back from the shore, were the ruins of what probably had once been -a fisherman or hunter's cabin. Long before the present time, some party -had erected these rude quarters as a refuge during cold or stormy -weather only to abandon them for more inviting protection. The ruins -were simply four walls of logs hardly a dozen feet square and less than -half as high. If there had once been a roof, it had disappeared long -since. No door was visible from where the boys stood. - -"It reminds me of the Castle of Donleigh, which I niver obsarved," -remarked Mike after they had stood for some minutes. - -"I think some one started to put up a cabin such as Uncle Elk did, but -changed his mind before he built a roof. Maybe it was Uncle Elk -himself." - -"Aither him or somebody ilse; let's look further." - -Instead of going nearer, the two slowly circled the ruins, keeping a -little way from them. When the circuit was completed the surprising fact -became known that nothing in the nature of a door had been made by those -who laid the logs. Manifestly the structure had been abandoned before it -was half finished. - -"It's easy to raise yourself high enough to look inside," suddenly -remarked Hoke; "I'm going to have a peep. Wait here till I come back." - -He ran to the side of the pile, with Mike slowly following. The latter -gripped his shillaleh firmly, but was moving so slowly that he had not -passed a third of the distance when Hoke inserted the toe of one foot in -a lower crevice, sprang lightly upward and seized the topmost log with -both hands. This raised his head above the barrier, and in the same -minute Mike saw a hand thrust forward from the inside, grasp the collar -of his companion's coat and violently yank him out of sight. - - - - - CHAPTER XI -- An Unsatisfactory Interview - - -Mike Murphy was never more astounded in his life. - -"He oughter said good-bye before he took that dive," exclaimed the -youth, who was not the one to stand idle when a companion, even one whom -he did not specially fancy, was in danger. Mike's chivalry was roused, -and with no thought of the consequences to himself, he ran to the help -of the other lad. His shillaleh was firmly grasped in his left hand, and -held ready for instant use, for nothing seemed more probable than that -the weapon would be quickly needed. - -Mike was sure that if he imitated Hoke, he would be seized in the same -way. He therefore hurried lightly to the opposite side of the pile, -where as silently as he could, he thrust the toe of his shoe into the -crevice between the lower logs, gave a spring, caught hold of the upper -tier, and drew himself upward. - -Buzby Biggs, one of the tramps whom we have met, was sitting on the -ground inside the crude cabin and punching his stubby forefinger into -the bowl of his corncob pipe, with a view of tamping the tobacco and -making it ready to light, when the sound of voices outside caused him to -suspend operations. He rose to his feet, intending to peep through a -small opening of which he knew when he heard the scratching made by -Hoke's shoes as he climbed the low wall. Angered by the intrusion upon -his privacy, he waited until the head of the lad rose to view, when he -proceeded to act as has been described. - -Hoke was too startled to make any outcry or resistance. The violence of -his debut caused him to sprawl forward on his hands and knees and his -hat fell off. He instinctively picked it up and replaced it on his head. - -"What do yer mean by butting into a gentleman's private residence -without ringing the bell or sending in your card?" demanded Biggs, who -finding himself confronted by only one lad, could feel no misgiving as -to his own safety. - -"Gee! I didn't know _you_ were here," replied Hoke, alarmed over the -strange situation in which he was caught. - -"That don't make no difference," replied the hobo, who seemed to be -trying to work himself into a passion; "yer showed yer ain't used to -perlite sassiety and I allers makes a feller pay for the privilege of -coming into the castle of the Duke de Sassy." - -Poor Hoke was scared almost out of his wits. He began fumbling in his -pockets. - -"How much is the charge? I haven't got more'n two or three dollars with -me." - -"In that case, it will take all and that ere watch which I persoom is -tied to t'other end of the chain dangling in front." - -"Why that would be robbery!" exclaimed the lad, indignant at the -impending outrage. - -"I wouldn't call it that, younker; rayther it's the toll yer hef to pay -for crossin' this bridge. So yer may as well shell out first as last." - -As Hoke stood, his back was against the side of the wooden wall over -which he had just tumbled, with the tramp scowling and malignant, facing -him. Thus, as will be noted, Biggs was on the side of the structure up -which Mike Murphy had climbed so silently that no one heard him. Hoke in -fact began to rally from his panic and was on the point of shouting for -help when he saw the end of Mike's buckthorn cane, gripped in his left -hand, slide up into view, instantly followed by the hat and red, -freckled countenance of the Irish youth, who remained motionless for a -moment, while he peered at the curious picture below him. - -Before Hoke could utter the glad words on his tongue, Mike shook his -head as a warning for him to hold his peace. The other caught on and did -not look directly at his friend, but straight into the face of the -tousled scamp. Mike was so clearly in his field of vision that Hoke saw -every movement and even the expression of the face which was never more -welcome. - -The next instant one knee of Mike rested on the topmost log, then the -foot slid over and he perched firmly on the top with his shillaleh -transferred to his right hand. - -The sight of his friend heartened Hoke. - -"You can't have my watch and chain, and I sha'n't give you a penny! You -have no more right here than I, and you daresen't lay a hand on me." - -"What's that? what's that?" demanded the other, taking a step forward -and thrusting out his ugly visage; "I guess it's time I teached you -something." - -"Aisy there, Misther Biggs; I think it's mesilf will hev something to -say 'bout this." - -The hobo whirled about and confronted the Irish lad, seated on the top -of the wall and grasping his heavy cane. - -"Where did _yer_ come from?" growled the tramp, who ought not to have -been frightened by the presence of two sturdy youths. - -Mike made the Boy Scout salute. - -"From Tipperary, county of Tipperary, Ireland. Would ye be kind enough -to exchange cards wid me?" and he pretended to search in his pocket for -that which he never carried. "Clarence, me noble friend," added Mike, -addressing Hoke Butler, "ye may as well withdraw from this palatial -residence, as me friends used to say when laving our shanty at home." - -Hoke was instant to seize the opportunity thus presented. He clambered -up the logs with the vivacity of a monkey, scooted over the wall, -dropped to the ground and then made off at the highest bent of his -speed. He did not seem to think he was deserting a friend in extremity -and after that friend had been quick to rush to his relief. - -A glance behind told Mike the truth, whereat he was displeased, though -he did not show it by his manner. It was not so bad, however, as at -first appeared. Hoke had run only a little way when the cowardice of -what he was doing halted him as abruptly as he had started. - -And then it was that an inspiration seized him. Questioning the wisdom -of him and Mike bearding, as may be said, the lion in his den, Hoke made -a pretence that help was near. He shouted at the top of his voice: - -"Dr. Spellman! Here we are! Why don't you hurry up?" - -It was pure good fortune that led Hoke thus to appeal to the only person -whom the hobo held in dread, for the youth knew nothing of what had -occurred previously. He was doubtful about calling upon Uncle Elk, and -another Boy Scout did not seem a formidable enough reinforcement. Scout -Master Hall would have served, but Hoke did not think of him. - -Mr. Buzby Biggs heard the shouted words and could not forget that the -physician was the owner of firearms and did not seem reluctant to use -them. Although the two vagrants had been spared, it was doubtful whether -mercy would be shown them again. Despite his attempt to bluff, the tramp -could not repress a tremor in his voice. - -"What's he calling that 'ere doctor fur?" - -"I think he remarked a remark about telling him to hurry up. Av coorse -ye will be glad to meet the docther agin." - -"Not by a blamed sight; him and me don't speak as we pass by." - -"He prefers to spake wid his revolver, I belave." - -Mike had been instant to read the trick of Hoke, and he helped all he -could. Biggs was in such a fright he could not hide it. The last person -in the world whom he wished to meet was the medical man. He turned to -imitate the action of Hoke Butler. - -"Howld on! None of that!" commanded Mike in such a peremptory voice that -Biggs with hands on the logs in front and one foot raised, checked -himself and looked around. - -"What do yer want?" he growled; "hain't I a right to leave my home when -I please?" - -"Which is what Jimmy Jones said when the sheriff stopped him as he was -breaking-jail. You don't want to bump up agin the docther whin he has -that pill box in his hand. See here, Biggs, I'll let you go on one -condition." - -"What's that?" growled the other. - -"Yesterday when ye and t'other scamp was paddling off in the canoe ye -stole, ye made a sudden dive overboord and swum fur shore; by yer manner -I knowed ye wouldn't run the risk of taking a bath if ye hadn't been -scared out of what little wits ye had." - -"It would have been the same with yer, if yer'd seen what we did." - -"If ye'll tell me what ye obsarved, ye may lave whin you choose and I'll -give ye me pledge that Docther Spellman won't harm ye." - -"All right; I'll tell yer as soon as I git outside this place." - -"You can't wait till then; ye must give me the sacret while ye are -standing there. If ye don't I won't interfare wid the docther working -his will." - -An expression of dread passed over the repulsive face and the man -actually shivered. - -"Wai, whin me and Saxy was going along in the canoe we borrered wid me -paddling, I happened to look down into the clear water and my eyes -rested upon--_the devil himself_!" - -Mike Murphy was taken aback for the moment by this amazing reply. His -first thought was that the hobo was trifling with him, but, if so, his -acting could not have been better. Astounding as was his declaration the -man believed his own words which conveyed no meaning to the youth. - -"Worra now, don't ye understand it?" - -"No; do yer?" - -"That clear water sarves like a looking glass. Whin ye looked down ye -obsarved yer own image and I don't wonder ye took it for owld Nick." - -"But Saxy seed the same as I did," replied the man, impressed by the not -complimentary explanation of the lad who was perched on top of the log -wall. - -"It was his picter that he saan and aich of ye luks more like t'other -than he does like himsilf." - -Biggs shook his head. This wouldn't do. - -"It wasn't like a man at all." - -"What did it luk like?" - -Mike was excited. He felt he was on the eve of clearing up the mystery -which had baffled him and others, though not Uncle Elk, who would say -nothing. - -Instead of giving an intelligent reply to the question for a further -bill of particulars, the tramp shuddered as before. There was a whine in -his voice when he spoke: - -"Didn't I answer yer as I agreed? What are yer kicking about?" - -"Ye've got to do more than that afore I asks the docther not to p'int -his gun this way and pull the trigger." - -"Have yer ever seed the devil?" - -"Not afore I looked upon yersilf." - -"Then how do yer expict me to describe him? He was there right under the -canoe and almost close enough to grab us." - -"Did he hev horns and a spiked tail?" - -Mike had heard the sound of footsteps behind him on the leaves. Some one -was approaching and he was sure it was Hoke Butler coming back to his -help. - -Biggs made no reply to the frivolous question of the youth seated above -him. The taint of superstition in his nature resented such treatment of -a theme which had nothing but terror to him. Mike, certain that he -commanded the situation and was about to learn that which he yearned to -know, felt that he need not haste. - -"Ye'll hev to do better than that, Signor Biggs, but as ye saam to -prefer that the docther should take ye in hand I'll turn ye over to -him." - -And Mike turned to wink at Hoke Butler, but to his dismay, discovered in -the same moment that his friend was not in sight, and the one who had -come up behind him was Saxy Hutt, the other tramp. - - - - - CHAPTER XII -- Groping After the Truth - - -Mike Murphy's ready wit did not desert him at the moment when, as may be -said, he discovered he was caught between two fires. One of the tramps -was standing on the ground in front or below him, while the second was -approaching from the rear or only a few paces farther off. And Hoke -Butler, who should have been instant to rush to the help of his friend, -was nowhere in sight. - -"I say, docther, why don't ye hurry up?" shouted Mike, as if calling -over the head of the grinning hobo, whose eyes were fixed upon him with -a dangerous expression, as if he had decided to even up matters for -previous humiliations. - -The peremptory manner of the lad produced its effect, and Saxy Hutt -paused and looked up at him. A scratching, rattling noise caused Mike to -turn his head. Biggs was furiously climbing the logs on the other side. -Grasping the topmost one, he dived over, sprawling upon his hands and -knees, instantly leaping to his feet, and making off at the speed he had -shown in his former flight. He evidently believed in the near approach -of the man whom he dreaded. - -Mike swung around on his perch, so that his feet hung outside, and gazed -calmly down upon the repulsive face. - -"The top of the morning to ye, Saxy," greeted the lad; "I hope ye are -well." - -"Huh! yer needn't try that bluff on us," growled the scamp; "it won't -work; thar ain't no doctor round these parts and I wouldn't care a hang -if there was. I owe you one, younker, and I'm going to take it out of -your hide." - -To tell the truth, Mike was pleased to hear this declaration. Biggs, -whom he regarded as the worst of the couple, had taken himself off and -need not be considered further, so that it was one against one, and the -youngster had a firm grip on his shillaleh. With a fair field and no -favor Mike was content to let the best man win. - -The tramp came nearer, clenched his fists and glared upward at the -youth. - -"Come down out of that and I'll wring your neck fur yer." - -"Step a little closer, so I can reach ye wid a single jump." - -Mike was actually gathering his muscles for a leap that would have -brought on a fight as vicious as that of two wildcats, when the tense -stillness was broken by the words: - -"Right this way, doctor; you'll find them both here, your shots can't -miss." - -Now the peculiarity of this remark was that although plainly heard, it -sounded as if the speaker meant that only the man at his side should -catch his words. And it was at this juncture that Hoke Butler did a -thing so clever that it won the everlasting admiration of Mike Murphy. -The former dropped his voice several notes, so that one unacquainted -with the facts, would have been certain it was another who was speaking. - -"Show me a sight of them--just for a minute: that's all I ask!" - -Mike heard and understood. Saxy heard and misunderstood,--that is he -believed it was the physician who was looking for him with a loaded -weapon in hand. He muttered an exclamation which it will never do to -print, plunged around the log structure, and disappeared with a speed -that must have quickly overhauled the other tramp. - -Mike dropped lightly to the ground and confronted the chuckling Hoke. - -"Worra! but ye did that well. Where is the docther?" - -"How should I know? I suppose he's at his home." - -"What put it into yer head to make believe he was near us?" - -"I don't know except he was the first person I thought of." - -"Ye couldn't have done better if ye had took a month. I don't understand -why thim tramps hang round so much whin they know what they're likely to -git from Dr. Spellman." - -Mike now told Hoke of the surprising incidents of the preceding day, -when the hobos received the scare of their lives. - -"This one who calls himsilf Biggs told me that whin he looked over the -side of the canoe, he found himsilf face to face wid the devil." - -"Do you think he did, Mike?" - -"I have me doubts, as Jerry Jinks said whin Father MacMahon declared he -was an honest man. Anyhow I haven't larned what I wanted to know, and -we've got to look farther." - -It was decided to pass around the western end of the lake, circling back -in the direction of Dr. Spellman's home, past the cabin of Uncle Elk and -go on to the bungalow. This was likely to take most of the day, even if -they were not delayed by some unexpected occurrence. Moreover, this -course would take them by the spot where Mike had heard voices the night -before, and where the hermit darted out from under the overhanging -vegetation on his return, going so near the startled Mike that the two -saw each other. The old man and his visitors appeared to have gone -thither, and it would seem that something ought to be doing. - -"Would you like to know what _my_ idea is?" asked Hoke, when they -resumed their tramping on the line that has been indicated. - -"I'm that anxious to know that I won't take anither step till ye -ixplains the same." - -And Mike, who was a few paces in advance, halted abruptly, wheeled about -and faced his companion, who grinningly responded: - -"It is that we keep going till we reach Dr. Spellman's house and accept -his invitation to dinner." - -"Suppose we don't get the invitation," suggested Mike. - -"I should like to see him avoid giving it, even if the dinner hour is -past, which it is likely to be before we can reach his place." - -Mike's rugged health and sturdy strength gave him as keen an appetite as -that of his companion, and a good meal would be as welcome to him-as to -Hoke. Moreover, the situation was such that they could hardly hope to -reach the clubhouse before nightfall. He therefore inclined to the plan -of calling at the house where they were sure of welcome, but it will be -borne in mind that in order to do this, they would have to give over or -at least postpone the investigation they had intended to make at the -point where Mike had heard voices and seen Uncle Elk the night before, -since this lay to the westward of the physician's camp. - -Accordingly the youths turned deeper into the wood, going well beyond -sight of the lake, intending to approach their destination by a -circuitous course. Not wishing to run against Uncle Elk and the -strangers, they made sure of not doing so. - -You need not be reminded that one of the easiest things in the world is -to lose your way in a wilderness. Mike Murphy seemed peculiarly subject -to this misfortune, as has been shown in the previous pages. He kept in -the lead, as he had done from the first, his friend quietly following -and paying no attention to his own footsteps. By and by it struck Hoke -that it was time they reached the doctor's dwelling. He looked -searchingly ahead and around, but saw nothing except the tall, -column-like trunks, with considerable undergrowth here and there. Naught -that resembled the most primitive dwelling was in sight, nor was there a -sign of any person having passed that way. - -"Hold on, Mike!" he called abruptly to his friend, and the latter halted -and looked back. - -"I'm doing that, and what is it ye want of me?" - -"Where are we?" asked the puzzled fellow. - -"I'm thinking we're here, as I remarked whin I fell off the house. What -do _ye_ think?" - -"Of course we are somewhere near Gosling Lake, but I believe we have -strayed off and are lost." - -"It's mesilf that don't see how that can be, though I can beat any -gentleman that walks on two legs in going the wrong way. The first time -I started to go upstairs, I opened the cellar dure and bumped all the -way to the bottom, and when I was faaling me way fur the cellar dure, I -tumbled out the parlor windy. Then mither sent me on an errand to Widow -Mulligan's and instead of stepping onto the porch, I put my fut over the -well curb and didn't find out the difference till I hit the bottom of -the well. So you see, Hoke, that that wakeness is my strongest p'int." - -"Where do you think the lake lies?" - -"I'm not as far gone as that; head that way and you'll walk straight -onto the same." Mike pointed his shillaleh to the left, whereupon his -friend laughed. - -"Just what I expected; you're away off." - -"What do _ye_ make it,--since you saam to think you can make no -mistake?" - -"I never lose my bearings,--you can depend on me. _That_ direction leads -to the lake." - -The joke of it was that Hoke instead of deviating more or less from the -course pointed out by Mike, chose one that was the opposite. - -"Are ye in airnest?" asked Mike. - -"Never more so." - -"I'm glad to larn that, for I don't like such jokes, as Jim O'Hara said -whin the policeman broke his club over his head. Ye are wrong." - -"I'm positive I am not." - -"And I'm positive ye are,--and the only way to sittle the question -according to common sinse is to toss up. What do ye say?" - -"I don't see how that can settle any question; but have it your own -way." - -Mike took a Lincoln penny from his pocket and balanced it in his hand. - -"If it comes down a hid, ye take my course; if a tail, yours." - -Hoke nodded to signify he agreed, and the other flipped the coin aloft, -each watching as it turned over rapidly and fell upon the leaves between -them, but lo! it rested on its edge, being supported vertically against -a pine cone. In other words it was neither a head nor tail, but a -"cock." - -Usage requires that in such a case a new toss must be made, but when -Mike picked up the penny he shoved it into his pocket and shook his -head. - -"The maaning of that," he explained, "is that we are both wrong." - -"How then shall we find the true course?" - -"Make a guess, as I used to do in answering the taycher's -questions--Hist!" - -Before the experiment could be made, they were startled by hearing the -report of a gun or a pistol from some point not far off, though the -direction was different from either that had been indicated. - -As they listened, a second, third and fourth report rang through the -forest arches, followed quickly by two more, and all was still. - -There might be several explanations of the incident, but it was idle to -spend time in guessing, when it was easy to learn the truth. Mike, -followed by his friend, walked rapidly toward the point whence the -reports had come, and a few minutes later everything was clear. - -Dr. Spellman was standing in a space free from undergrowth and -practising with his revolver. With his knife he had gashed the bark off -a sapling several feet above the ground, so as to show a white spot the -size of a dollar. Standing a dozen or more paces distant, he aimed -carefully and put the whole six bullets within a spot not more than two -inches in diameter, three of them being bull's eyes. - -"I couldn't do better mesilf!" exclaimed Mike, when he understood the -feat. - -"You can't tell till you try; I am not sure you are not an expert." - -"Nor am I, though I have me doubts." - -Having reloaded the weapon the doctor handed it to Mike, who slowly -raised his arm to a level, shut one eye, and squinted some seconds over -the short barrel, while the doctor and Hoke, standing a foot or two to -the rear, kept their eyes upon the little white spot in the distance. -Then a sharp crack sounded and the marksman lowered the pistol. - -"Did ye obsarve where me shot landed?" he asked of his friends. - -"I think it nipped the leaves somewhere overhead," replied Hoke. - -"I scorn to notice yer slur: what do ye say, docther?" - -The physician said nothing, but walked to the sapling, the others -trailing after him. Taking out his pocket knife, he began digging with -the blade into the soft wood. From the very center of the white spot, he -gouged out a pellet of lead, and held it out to Mike. - -"That is yours; you made a perfect bull's eye." - -"Av course; did ye doubt I would do the same?" - -"Hooh! all chance! you can't do it again," called Hoke, uttering a truth -that was as apparent to Mike as to the others. - -"It's yer turn," replied the hero of the exploit; "do ye make the -attempt yersilf; if ye can equal me, then I'll take me turn again." - - - - - CHAPTER XIII -- The Committee of Investigation - - -Lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place, though I have known it -to do so, and Mike Murphy was too wise to try a second shot, when there -was not one chance in a million of repeating his feat. With his loftiest -air he proposed that he and Hoke should take turns in displaying their -skill. - -"I've made a bull's eye,--do the same or betther and I'll take a whack -and beat _that_,--and so it will go. Am I corrict, dochther, in me -sintiments?" - -"Undoubtedly; you can't refuse Mike's offer, Hoke." - -The latter saw he was caught and accepted the weapon as if eager for the -test, though it need not be said it was otherwise. A vague hope stirred -him that the same exceptional success might reward his effort. He aimed -with the care and deliberation shown by Mike, and then pulled the -trigger five times in rapid succession. - -"One of the bullets will be sure to land," was his sustaining thought, -but nothing of the kind took place. Close examination by the three -showed that Hoke had not so much as grazed the trunk of the sapling. - -Neither Mike nor the doctor laughed, restrained from doing so by a -chivalrous sympathy, for Hoke could not wholly hide his chagrin. Mike -went so far as to say: - -"Hoke, it was a chance shot on me part, and I couldn't do it agin in my -life time." - -"And now let us adjourn to dinner," said the doctor; "it is later than -usual, but the folks will wait for me." - -No words could be more welcome, but the fun of the proceeding was that -the direction taken by the man showed that Hoke and Mike were both -wrong--as the former had intimated--in locating the lake. The former -grinned and the latter answered with a wink. The theme was one -concerning which it was best to say nothing. - -The call at the forest home of Dr. Spellman was so similar to what has -been described that it need not be dwelt upon. Sunbeam showed her -preference for the genial Irish youth, who certainly reciprocated her -affection, as he did in the case of Nora Friestone, whom he had met the -preceding summer farther up the Kennebec. The mother was always gracious -and won the good opinion of every one with whom she was brought in -contact. - -When the meal was finished, and while mother and child were busy setting -things to rights, the doctor talked with his guests. Mike made known all -that had occurred since his previous meeting with the physician. The -latter was much interested in the experience of that forenoon. - -"I never saw that pile of logs, which is doubtless the remains of some -fisherman or hunter's cabin that either was never finished or has been -allowed to fall into decay. I must add one thing, however," said the -doctor gravely; "I don't like the way those tramps are acting." - -"It strikes me that about the only thing they are doing is getting -scared half to death or swimming or running for life." - -"But why do they stay in this neighborhood? The hobo doesn't take to the -woods for long, though he may hide there when the officers make it too -hot for him. What can there be in this part of the world that attracts -them?" - -"They may be looking for a chance to steal from the Boy Scouts," -suggested Hoke. - -"The last persons two hobos would tackle. What chance would they have -against twenty vigorous, active, fearless youths, who despite their -peaceful principles are yearning for stirring adventure?" - -"Then it must be you, doctor, that they have designs upon." - -"I half suspect as much; I have been considerate to them despite their -insolence, more so than I shall be again if they annoy us further." - -Turning upon the youths, Dr. Spellman asked a question that fairly took -away the breath of the two Boy Scouts. - -"Has either of you seen Uncle Elk and those tramps together?" - -Hoke was not sure he understood the question. Mike was shocked. - -"Why should they be togither, docther, unless the spalpeens called at -his cabin for food? Ye know his latchstring is always out, but I've -niver known of their being in his company." - -"Didn't you hear them laughing or talking last night, along shore, and -not far from this spot?" - -"Be the same token I heerd two men, but they were not the tramps." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Uncle Elk told me so." - -There was reproof in Mike's tones, for he resented the slightest -reflection upon the hermit, whom he held in high regard. The doctor made -no reply to the words of the youth, but smoked his cigar hard and seemed -to be turning over something in his mind that was of a displeasing -nature. - -Mike knew of course of the unaccountable antipathy that Uncle Elk showed -toward the physician who was spending his outing in this part of Maine. -Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were as much mystified as the Irish -youth, and the doctor himself claimed to have no theory that would -account for it. The last remark of the medical man sounded as if he -reciprocated the dislike of the hermit. Not only that but doubtless he -mistrusted him. - -"You don't seem any nearer the solution of the tramps' behavior -yesterday than you were at the time, and it looks to me as if you will -have to wait until Uncle Elk is ready to tell you." - -"There saams no ither ch'ice, docther, though I'm riddy to make another -try for the same. Will ye jine us?" - -"No; there will be danger of Uncle Elk and me meeting, and I am no more -anxious for it than he is. I don't believe you will learn anything." - -"We sha'n't by standing here, as Mickey Lanigan said whin the bull was -charging down upon him--whisht! what have we now?" - -Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes walked out of the wood and smilingly -made the Boy Scout salute. - -"Just in time not to be too late for dinner," was the warm greeting of -Dr. Spellman, as he shook hands with the lads. They protested that they -could not permit his wife to bother with preparing a meal, when the -regular one had been finished a short time before, but the hospitable -host would not listen, and I am compelled to say the objections of the -guests were not very vigorous. All entered and crowded themselves as -best they could into the limited space. - -As the two ate, Mike and Hoke told them of their experience at the -western end of the lake earlier in the day, while the new arrivals had -their own interesting story to relate. They had seen two strangers enter -Uncle Elk's cabin, only to depart soon after in his company, as the -canoe was paddled away. The rather curious feature of this proceeding -was that neither Mike nor Hoke, who had scanned the lake more than once, -caught sight of the craft, and Dr. Spellman heard of it for the first -time, though of necessity the canoe passed quite close to his home. - -Whatever the thoughts of the physician may have been he kept them to -himself. He had already expressed his distrust of Uncle Elk to Mike -Murphy, who was quick to resent it, and it would be the same with Alvin -and Chester, for they held the old man in too much esteem to listen with -patience to anything in the way of censure of him. - -It might have been difficult for the doctor to convince any unprejudiced -person that there was the slightest understanding between the recluse or -the vagrants. In fact, the only foundation for such a charge, not taking -into account the mutual antipathy, was the knowledge which Uncle Elk -showed of the cause of the hobos' panic. And yet there was a reasonable -explanation of such knowledge, which would have acquitted the old man of -any improper motive, and it was singular that it did not occur to Dr. -Spellman. - -The explorers, as they may be called, now numbered four. With warm -thanks to the members of the family they bade them good-bye and set out -to continue their quest. - -It will be borne in mind that the spot which they were to visit lay -quite a little way to the westward of Dr. Spellman's home. It was there -that Mike Murphy had passed under the overhanging vegetation from which -Uncle Elk soon afterward emerged, and where the Irish youth had detected -the odor of a cigar and heard chuckling laughter. Mike and Hoke by -pushing into the woods, and partly losing their way, had left this -locality so far to one side that they saw nothing of it. The four now -intended to make their way thither. - -"Couldn't it be that Uncle Elk wint back, while ye were thramping to the -docther's house?" asked Mike, as they straggled forward. - -"There wasn't fifteen minutes at a time that we were out of sight of the -lake," replied Alvin; "we surely should have seen him." - -"He might have come back through the woods." - -"That is true," said Chester, "but I see no reason why he should do so." - -"Doesn't the same gintleman do lots of things for which we see no -raison?" - -"Far more than we can understand. Now I have been wondering whether he -won't be offended by our trying to pry into matters which should not -concern us." - -"I think it is the other way," said Alvin; "he is amused by our -curiosity, and doesn't tell us the secret because he enjoys our efforts -to discover it for ourselves." - -"And there's no saying how long his fun will last," commented Mike, who -because of his previous visit to this section took upon himself the part -of guide. - -They had tramped less than half an hour when Mike halted and looked -about him with a puzzled air. - -"We oughter to be there," he remarked, "but it saams we're somewhere -ilse." - -Alvin pointed to where the undergrowth, a short distance in advance, was -less abundant than in other places. - -"There seems to be a wagon track that has been traveled lately." - -Hurrying over the few paces, they found the supposition correct. There -were the ruts made by wagon wheels and the deep impression of horses' -hoofs. The greatest wonder was how any team could drag a vehicle through -such an unbroken forest. Trees stood so close together that there seemed -hardly room for a wheelbarrow to be shoved between, and yet a heavily -laden wagon had plunged ahead, crushing down bushes and even small -saplings, with the hubs scraping off the bark from large trunks, but -ever moving undeviatingly in the direction of Gosling Lake. - -"It's the trail of the chuck wagon!" exclaimed Chester; "it brings our -supplies that are taken across to the bungalow." - -"And this is the day for it," added Alvin, who had scarcely uttered the -words when a threshing of the wood was heard, accompanied by the sharp -cracking of a whip and a resounding voice: - -"Gee up! Consarn you, what's the matter with you? You're purty near -there!" - -Two powerful horses, tugging at a ponderous open wagon piled high with -boxes of supplies, labored into sight, while the driver, a lean, -sandy-haired man perched on the high seat, snapped his whip, jerked the -lines, clucked and urged the animals to do their best, which they -certainly did. - -The boys stepped aside out of the way of the team, and saluted the -driver as he came opposite and looked down upon them. He nodded, but -nothing more, for his animals required his attention. Our young friends -fell in or followed the wagon to the edge of the lake only a brief -distance away, where the driver flung his reins to the ground and leaped -down. He was bony, stoop-shouldered, without coat or waistcoat, and had -his trousers tucked into the tops of his cowhide boots. - -"Say, I see by your dress you b'long to the Boy Scouts," he remarked, -addressing the whole party. - -"We are proud to say we do," replied Alvin. - -"And the Boy Scouts be proud to have us belong to 'em," added Mike. - -"I should think they would be blamed proud of _you_," said the man with -a grin. - -"Your perciption of the truth is wonderful, as me mither exclaimed whin -Father Meagher said I was the purtiest baby in Tipperary." - -"And you chaps believe in doing a good turn every day to some person?" - -"Right again." - -"What good turn have you done anybody to-day?" - -"Modesty kaaps our lips mute," replied Mike, who for the life of him -could not recall a single incident of the nature named. - -"Wal, would you like to do _me_ a good turn?" - -"We certainly shall be glad," Alvin took upon himself to reply. - -"Help me unload this wagon; the stuff is for the Boy Scouts, so you'll -be helping yourselves." - - - - - CHAPTER XIV -- The Men Who Laughed - - -Before the party fell to work, the driver walked to the edge of the lake -and tied his white handkerchief to the limb of a tree, which projected -over the water. There was enough breeze to make it flutter, and the -background of emerald brought it out with vivid distinctness. It was the -signal to the bungalow that the chuck wagon, as they called it, had -arrived, and the two canoes were to be sent across the lake for the -supplies. Since it was expected at a certain time, our friends were on -the watch for it. Within ten minutes after the piece of linen was -fastened in place, the large canoes, each containing two persons, one of -whom was Scout Master Hall, were seen heading for the spot where the -provisions were awaiting them. It does not take a man and four lusty -boys long to prepare a wagon load of such freight for shipment by water, -and the cargo was ready a good while before the arrival of the craft. - -The driver, who announced that he was "Jake," sat on one of the boxes, -lighted a corncob pipe and talked with the lads. Although he was rough -of speech and at times inclined to profanity, the young men treated him -with respect, and by their unvarying courtesy won his good will. He -asked many questions and told them a good deal about himself; in short, -they became quite chummy. - -The two canoes had passed most of the distance when Jake abruptly asked: - -"Have you seen anything of Asa and Bige Carter?" - -"Who are they?" asked Alvin in turn, although he had heard the names -before. - -"I thought everybody knowed Asa and Bige; they're twin brothers, and two -of the darndest chaps that ever lived." - -This description, so far as it went, was not enlightening. Chester said: - -"Those must have been the two men that called on Uncle Elk this morning -and went off with him in their canoe. So far as we could see they look -exactly alike." - -"That's them," replied Jake with a nod of his head. "Did the three come -this way in their canoe?" - -"They seemed to be heading for this place." - -"That settles it; they was Asa and Bige. I expected them to meet me -here," and Jake peered around in the wood, but without seeing anything -of his friends. - -"What might ye maan by spaking of them as two of the darndest chaps that -ever lived?" asked Mike, who, as did his companions, hoped they had -struck a lead that might yield them something worth while. - -"Why, they're just like a couple of Irishmen." - -"Arrah now, but what model gintlemen they must be! It will be an honor -for us to make their acquaintance." - -Jake's reply to this was to snatch off his straw hat, throw back his -head and roar with laughter. Determined to probe farther, Alvin asked: - -"What is there peculiar about the twin brothers?" - -"Now, you jist wait till you meet 'em and you'll find out. I'll only -warn you to keep your eyes wide open, or they'll close 'em for you. Wal, -the folks have about arriv." - -All rose to their feet and greeted their friends who were now within a -short distance. The water was so deep that the light craft were able to -lie broadside against the bank. It required skill and hard labor to get -a portion of the freight aboard, but in due time it was accomplished. - -"We are pretty heavily loaded," remarked Scout Master Hall, "but the -lake is smooth and we can easily make two or three trips. We can divide -you four between us." - -"It's blamed risky," commented Jake, "but I guess it can be did if -you're all mighty keerful." - -Mr. Hall insisted that he and his three companions should change places -with the others, but this arrangement would have defeated the scheme -Alvin and his chums had in mind. Without revealing their object, they -begged off and secured a compromise by which Hoke Butler was to return -in one of the canoes, while the trio would walk home. In truth, Hoke was -so tired from his long tramp that he was pleased by the plan. - -"But I won't go, Mike, if you're going to feel bad about it," he -remarked before sitting down in the boat that was about to shove off. - -"Av coorse me heart is nearly broke," said Mike, "but it's yer own -comfort I'm thinking of, as Larry McWhymper said whin he put a brick in -the bag for the cat he was drowning to set on and pass away comfortable. -But I'm cheered by the hope of maating ye at supper time. Good luck to -ye!" - -The two craft, sunk almost to their gunwales, moved slowly across the -mirror-like lake, reaching their destination without mishap, and -returning for the last loads. - -Jake looked at the three youths. - -"You've got a mighty hard tramp afore you; if there was a road I'd take -you home in my wagon." - -"We don't mind it," was the cheery reply of Alvin. - -"Besides, if we feel like resting our legs and using our arms, we can -borrow Dr. Spellman's boat; his home isn't far off. Do you go back at -once?" - -"I've a great mind to; it would serve Asa and Bige right if I did, but -I'll hang round a half hour or so and not a blamed bit longer, for I -must git home afore dark." - -"Then we shall bid you good bye," said Alvin shaking hands with the -countryman, as did the others, all expressing the hope of soon meeting -him again. Since it was he who regularly brought the supplies to this -point, there seemed to be no reason why the mutual wish should not be -gratified. Jake refilled and relighted his pipe, sitting on a fallen -tree and showing by his vigorous puffs that he was not in the most -patient of moods. - -The three boys did not speak until sure they were beyond sight of Jake. -Then they halted. - -"Do you think he suspects anything?" asked Alvin, unconsciously lowering -his voice. - -"Why should he?" asked Chester. - -"He suspicts we're thramping for home," remarked Mike, "which the same -is what we wish him to belave." - -It will be understood that our young friends were resolute to learn all -that was possible about the mystery that had tantalized them for the -past day or two. Beyond a doubt the twin brothers were connected with -it, and since Jake was awaiting their coming, it looked as if the boys -had a fair chance of learning something. - -They separated, and each began an approach to the driver and his team -that was meant to be so cautious that Jake would not detect them. The -very care used by each well nigh defeated its purpose. It fell to Alvin -to catch the first enlightening glimpse of the countryman and that which -he saw astonished him. - -The Carter brothers must have been waiting near at hand for the -departure of the boys, for in the brief interval since then they had -come forward, loaded something in the wagon and covered it with a big -sheet of soiled canvas. Whatever it was, its size was such that it -filled the whole interior, and crowded against the seat in front. It -towered several feet above the sides and suggested a load of hay, -protected against a drenching rain. - -"What can it be?" Alvin muttered, "and why are they so particular with -it?" which questions were self asked by Chester and Mike, with none able -to frame an answer. - -Having loaded the wagon, the brothers proceeded carefully to tuck in the -precious burden as if afraid jealous eyes might see it. Finally all was -satisfactory and the three men climbed to the front seat. They had to -sit snugly, but there was enough room. Jake was on the extreme right, -where he could crack his whip without hindrance. - -He glanced behind him, as if to make sure everything was right, jerked -the reins, circled the whip lash which gave out an explosion like that -of a fire cracker, and the sturdy horses bent to their task of dragging -the wagon and its contents through the woods into the more open country, -where the smoother highway made the task easy. - -All three men crowded on the front seat were smoking. Jake stuck to his -corncob pipe, but each brother sported a cigar, which by a special -arrangement with Porter, the druggist in Boothbay Harbor, they bought -for two cents apiece,--far in excess of their worth, as any one would -decide who tested them, or even caught their odor. With all puffing -vigorously, one might fancy that they instead of the horses supplied the -motive power. - -From where Alvin Landon stood behind the trunk of a large tree and -peeped out, he saw that the brothers were doing a good deal of laughing, -as if they recalled some humorous incident. Bige gave the particulars to -Jake, who was so pleased that he threw back his head and made the forest -ring with his laughter. - -Since the backs of the men were turned toward the boys, the latter did -not fear to come together to discuss their next step. - -"I don't see that we have learned more than we knew before," remarked -Alvin disgustedly; "what do you suppose they have covered up in that -wagon?" - -"I have no idea," replied Chester. - -"Let's folly the team till it gets back to Bovil or wherever the same -may be going. Better still," added Mike, "we can slip up behind, lift -the lid, and get a peep at the cratur himself." - -"How do you know what it may be?" - -"I don't, which is why I want to find out, and the same is thrue of -yersilves." - -They gave over the plan for more than one reason. There was no saying -how many miles they would have to tramp, and they could not go far -without being discovered by the men. Then the situation, to say the -least, would become embarrassing. - -"I have the belief that we are near the solution," said Alvin, "and we -can afford to wait a day or two longer. We have several miles ahead and -may as well place them behind us before nightfall. Come on." - -Good taste suggested that having called upon Dr. Spellman so recently -they should pass him by on their return to the bungalow. This was done -and they reached home without further incident. - -Meanwhile, the wagon with its mysterious load was lurching and plunging -over the primitive road, the three men on the front seat retaining their -places with no little difficulty, but they were used to such traveling -and no mishap followed. - -Shortly after reaching the smoother highway, Bige Carter with another -laugh exclaimed: - -"By jingo! there they be!" - -"You're right; that's them," added his brother. - -The two tramps, who have already figured to some extent in these pages, -were descried as the team turned a corner, walking in the middle of the -road. He who had lost his hat had managed in some way to secure another. -Half of the rim was missing and his frowsy hair showed through the -crown. As the rattle of wheels reached their ears, he who was known as -Biggs looked around. Immediately the paths of the two diverged, one -going to the right and the other to the left of the highway. Both limped -as if the act of walking was painful. Naturally the team soon overtook -them. Jake, who had been talking the matter over with his friends, -stopped his horses. - -"Whoa! wouldn't you gentlemen like me to give you a lift?" - -"Now ye're shouting, boss," replied Biggs as he and his companion each -approached a front wagon wheel, "but where are yer going to put us?" - -"You won't mind setting on the bottom of the wagon in front of the stuff -piled there?" - -"Not a bit, boss; ye're a trump." - -Resting one ragged shoe on a hub, the hobos clambered in and sat down -behind the three men, who said nothing but tried to restrain their -chuckling. They knew what was coming. - -Biggs and Hutt drew up their legs and compressed themselves as much as -possible. Still, with the best they could do they were cramped. It -seemed to Biggs that a slight shifting of the freight behind them would -help matters. He hesitated for a minute or two and then stealthily -raised one corner of the canvas covering, his companion watching him. - -Thus it came about that the revelation burst upon the two in the same -instant. A howl of terror rang out from each, as they bounded to their -feet and dived over the side of the wagon. They forgot their lameness, -and ran in the direction of Gosling Lake as if they were contestants at -Stockholm for the Marathon prize. That single peep under the canvas had -shown the same appalling thing that drove them headlong from the canoe. -It was actually near enough to touch them, and the wonder was that they -were not smitten with a mortal dread. - -As Jake and Bige and Asa rode on they were so convulsed with merriment -that they surely would have fallen from their seats had not the highway -been smooth and the pace of the horses a slow walk. - - - - - CHAPTER XV -- The True Story of a Famous Sea Serpent - - -"It is over thirty years ago," said Uncle Elk that evening to the -listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, "that the whole -country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea -serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals. You know that -returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant -seas with similar monstrous reptiles. The reputation of many of these -men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted -that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what -they told. Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not -founded on fact. In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by -creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in -comparison. While the land giants became extinct ages ago, it is not -unreasonable to think that the oceans which cover three-fourths of the -earth's surface still hold inhabitants of tremendous growth. - -"But leaving all this discussion for the present, I am now about to tell -you the true story of one of the greatest fakes that ever astounded -thousands of persons and amused the dozen or so who were in the secret. -In the summer of 1879--perhaps a year earlier or later--people -everywhere became interested in the reports that an enormous sea serpent -had been seen off the Isle of Shoals. These stories were repeated so -often and so circumstantially that it was evident there was something in -them. General attention was drawn to that famous resort, and hundreds of -guests visited the Appledore Hotel for the first time and remained for -weeks. The serpent was said to be fifty or seventy feet long, its -tapering neck, tail and general conformation were so natural in -appearance that there could be no doubt of its reality. It was black in -color and moved through the water just as a creature of its kind might -be supposed to do. The newspapers sent their reporters thither and some -of them saw it. You may be sure that they did justice to the theme. No -one dared approach the monster near enough to make a photograph, for -none had the temerity to run the risk of rousing the ire of the monster. -Excursion steamers from Boston were crowded with thousands eager to get -a glimpse of the terrifying creature without incurring any peril, for -whoever heard of a sea serpent attacking a ship? It may crush a small -boat in its prodigious jaws, as the hippopotamus of the upper Nile has -been known to do,--but a steamer is beyond its capacity. Many of the -passengers carried revolvers, and a number had rifles. They begged the -captain to take them close enough to give a chance for bagging such -royal game, and he was more than willing to oblige, but somehow or other -the opportunity did not offer. It was said that so many craft cruising -about his haunts scared him off, and he did not show himself for days. -Then, when the search grew less ardent, he would reappear and the -excitement would be greater than ever. - -"Picture the piazza of the hotel, the upper windows, and even the roof -swarming with people, nearly all with small or large glasses pointed out -over the water, searching and waiting minute after minute for a sight of -the terrific creature. Maybe after the scrutiny had lasted for hours -some one would shout: - -"'_I see him! Yonder he is!_' - -"And every glass would be focussed upon the point a half mile or more -away, and wild exclamations would follow. The serpent was in plain sight -of every eye. The fore part was upreared three or four feet, and the -most powerful binoculars revealed the enormous eyes and vast mouth, -while at varying distances to the rear could be seen bulging curvings of -the stupendous body, as thick as a cask. Its hideous head slowly circled -about on the neck as if the creature enjoyed the sensation he created. -Then he dropped lower in the water, and seemed to be reposing, -occasionally disporting himself lazily, but often displaying his -terrifying convolutions. - -"Meanwhile the news had been telegraphed far and near, and thousands of -eager people hurried to the Isle of Shoals for a sight which they would -remember all their lives. If they arrived before darkness set in they -probably were gratified, for the serpent appeared to be fond of showing -itself by daylight, but it invariably vanished before morning and -probably would not be seen again for a week, when the former scenes -would be repeated. - -"Scores took up quarters at the hotel, which they had never visited -before, and stayed until the close of the season. Most of these were -rewarded by a glimpse or two of the serpent, though a few were -disappointed and in their resentment declared there was no such thing. - -"Not the papers alone, but many of the magazines contained disquisitions -on the bogy of the sea. Startling pictures based on the numerous -descriptions were given, and caused many a shudder among those who had -to depend upon such sources of information. - -"One day a dudish youth loudly announced that any man was a fool who was -afraid of a sea serpent. He intended to row out in a boat and to go nigh -enough to empty his revolver into the frightful head. Incidentally he -let it fall that he had a record as a pistol expert, and he invited any -one who had the 'sand' to go with him for a near view of his fight with -the creature that was making a deuced bore of itself. - -"To the breathless amazement of the awe-smitten listeners, two young -women, pretty of feature and with mischievous eyes, volunteered. He -warned them of the risk they ran, but they replied that they were not -afraid of anything that failed to alarm him, and any way they didn't -believe the horrid creature would get a chance to harm them before their -escort would pierce its brain with several bullets. This tribute to the -young man's skill and bravery caused him to set his hat at a greater -angle and thrust out his chest still more. Many of the spectators -thought it their duty to protest, but the girls would not be dissuaded, -and a few minutes later the boat put off with its three occupants, while -every glass or unaided eye followed the movements of the craft. - -"This was one of the times when the serpent was in plain sight a half -mile away, and the young hero headed directly toward it. The girls -laughed and chatted and were sure it was the greatest lark in which they -had ever engaged. - -"They noticed that as they drew near the creature their escort showed -lees enthusiasm and kept looking over his shoulder. It is not to be -supposed they were free from a few tremors themselves, but, if so, they -did not allow him to see it. They kept up their laughter and commented -freely upon the timidity of the thousands who remained upon the hotel -porch and watched the sea serpent from afar. - -"More slowly the oars swayed until probably a couple of hundred yards -separated the boat from that awful undulating monster. The young man -ceased toiling and laid his hand upon the revolver in his hip pocket. - -"'You are not near enough to reach him,' said one of the misses. - -"'I am best on long shots,' he replied with another glance at that -fearful head. - -"'Why, he has seen us! He is looking this way!' exclaimed the other. - -"'Are you sure of that?' he asked with chattering teeth. - -"'Yes; he's coming toward us! Isn't that splendid? All you will have to -do is to wait until he is near enough and then shoot the horrid thing -through the head as you said you would.' - -"But the young man had heard enough. He whirled the boat around and -rowed with might and main, never pausing until he reached the wharf, -when he sprang out, and amid the laughter and jeers of the spectators -rushed to his room, which he kept until the time came for him to leave -the hotel. - -"The sea serpent was seen at intervals all through the summer. It did -not make itself too cheap, and a week or more would pass without its -showing itself. It was observed late in the season, but finally -disappeared for good. The Appledore House was crowded as never before, -and ran to its fullest capacity for the two following summers because of -the general expectation that the sea serpent would show up again, but it -never did, and in due time became only a memory or was forgotten -entirely. - -"When you land at the dock at Boothbay Harbor and come up the slope to -Commercial Street, turn to the left, walk only a little way and you will -come to the large grocery store of Simpson and Perkins. In the upper -hall of that store, as it used to be, the sea serpent of which I have -been telling you was born and attained its full growth, preliminary to -its removal to the Isle of Shoals. - -"The author of its being was William Wilson, who died about ten years -ago. He was an English sailor, who in middle life gave up the sea and -settled in Boothbay Harbor, where for years he was the only rigger in -the little town. He possessed great natural mechanical ability, and it -was said of him that he could make anything. He was unusually skilful in -plain and fancy sewing and in constructing all sorts of knickknacks. He -turned his attention to house painting and in that developed real -artistic taste. In short, he was a Jack-of-all-trades and good in each. - -"One day a stranger who had heard of Wilson's versatility came to him -with a proposition that he should construct him a sea serpent, for which -he was willing to pay two hundred dollars. He explained its purpose and -impressed upon the artist the necessity of keeping the thing an absolute -secret,--since the discovery that it was a fake would defeat the very -object of its being, which was to build up business for the hotel at the -Isle of Shoals. - -"Wilson agreed to construct the sea serpent in accordance with his own -ideas of what it should be. His employer was quite willing to accept -this proviso, for he knew the man's ingenuity and so the verbal contract -was made. - -"Wilson had a partner in the work, a Swede named Robert Alson, who is -still living. These two used to saunter upstairs into the long hall -which was their workshop, lock the door and devote themselves to the -task, upon which they spent their spare hours throughout the winter. -Like a true artist, Wilson would not hurry, and gave careful attention -to the smaller details,--a fact which accounts for the perfect success -of the extraordinary fraud. - -"The sea serpent was exactly thirty-five feet long, and for convenience -of shipment was made in three sections, which overlapped and could be -readily sewn together. The material was strong canvas, painted a black -color, with proper proportions. The tail tapered, as did the neck, the -largest part of the body being about two feet in diameter. The head, -eyes and mouth were not exaggerated, as would have been the fact with -almost any amateur at the job. It was stuffed with cork and oak -shavings, so nicely adjusted that it would float partly on or just below -the surface, with the curving neck lifting the hideous head two or three -feet above the water. The small waves gave a lifelike motion to the -thing, which made it seem to be moving slowly through the water, when in -fact it never progressed forward or backward, for its position was held -immovably by an anchor. - -"When the serpent was at last completed it was securely boxed and -shipped to Portsmouth, six miles from the Isle of Shoals. Then it was -towed at night to the right place, anchored and left to do its duty, -which, as I have told you, it succeeded in doing to perfection. It is -strange that the imposture was kept up for month after-month, and that -it was seen and inspected by thousands, and yet no one really penetrated -the clever deception. It was towed to the anchorage at night, and taken -away again the next night to a secure hiding place. Those who had it in -charge were too shrewd to overdo the trick. When the attention of the -crowds threatened to become too warm, the serpent disappeared and was -not again seen for a week or more. The general belief was that it had -gone out to sea, but after a time some strange attraction drew it back -into the field of vision of the swarms of visitors to the Appledore -Hotel. As I said, the sea serpent disappeared for good in the autumn and -this particular one was never seen again--that is, in its native -element. I do not know what ultimately became of it." - -At this point in the narrative Uncle Elk paused, and it could be seen -that he was smiling behind his beard. - -"I now want to say something to you in confidence. You must be sure not -to repeat it in the hearing of others. I gave you the names of the two -men who built the sea serpent, but I have good reason to believe a third -person had a hand in it. If you will question Keyes H. Richards, the -proprietor of the Samoset House on Mouse Island, you will find that he -knows all about it. I once asked him point blank if he did not have -something to do with its construction, but I could not draw a direct -answer from him. Therefore, I retain my suspicions. - -"Last spring the twin brothers, Asa and Bige Carter of Boothbay, -persuaded themselves that they could make a tidy sum of money by -introducing a new sea serpent to the public. After they had completed -it, they decided to make a preliminary test by bringing it to Gosling -Lake and trying it on you Boy Scouts. They let me into the secret, and -though much interested, I discouraged it. They lacked the artistic -cleverness of Wilson and the trick was sure to be detected and quickly -exposed. I met them on the shore of the lake and saw them tow it out a -little way, and anchor it. It was not properly balanced, and while the -body sank, the head rose to within a foot of the surface, but would not -come any higher. When those two tramps happened to look over the edge of -their canoe, you may perhaps imagine their terror at sight of the gently -swaying monstrosity that seemed on the point of crushing the boat or -them in its jaws. Never again will they be so overcome with blind panic. - -"This incident, together with my earnest persuasions, induced the Carter -boys to give up their scheme and to take away their sea serpent and -consign it to oblivion." - - - - - CHAPTER XVI -- Zip - - -On the evening succeeding the interesting story told by Uncle Elk of the -once famous sea serpent, the majority of the Boy Scouts were seated on -the porch of the bungalow exchanging the day's experiences. The half -dozen detailed to prepare supper were as busy as they could be, for they -like their waiting companions were exceedingly a-hungered. Some had -spent hours in fishing for perch, bass, salmon, pickerel and lake trout; -others had strolled through the fragrant, resinous woods, studying trees -and bird life, and all had added to their splendid reserve of rugged -health, exuberant animal spirits, and that genuine happiness which comes -only with an upright life, clean habits and the constant seeking of an -opportunity to do others a "good turn." - -The day had been an ideal one, overflowing with radiant sunshine, -surcharged with ozone and with a sky of a crystalline clearness which -Italy throughout all its historic centuries has never surpassed. The -summer was drawing to a close; the nights were perceptibly longer, and -there was a crisp coolness which increased after sunset and told of the -coming of autumn and winter. - -Scout Master Hall sat among his boys looking out upon the placid lake, -the conversation rambling and not important enough to call for record. -The chair in which Jack Crandall reclined while he talked had been -carried inside by two of the Scouts, Doctor Spellman having advised that -this should be done now that the weather was growing chilly. - -Suddenly, Gerald Hume, of the Stag Patrol, who sat nearest to the end of -the porch, said: - -"Hello? we have a visitor." - -A general turning of heads followed. Coming along the beach from the -direction of Uncle Elk's home was a boy, probably fifteen or sixteen -years old, rather tall for his age, dressed in khaki, with leggings, a -close-fitting cap and short coat with belt around the waist. While his -attire resembled in some respects that of the Boy Scouts, it was not the -same. He swung a swagger or short cane in his right hand, and advanced -with the elastic grace of an athlete. As he drew nearer it was seen that -he had a pleasing face, with regular features, dark eyes and hair, and -that air which while it cannot be described, yet reveals the polish and -culture of the true gentleman. - -Glancing aside at the boys who were busy with their culinary duties, he -stepped lightly upon the porch and with a military salute called out: - -"Good evening, boys; I am glad to meet you." - -Scout Master Hall and every youth sprang to their feet and made the -regulation salute, the leader advancing and offering his hand. - -"And I assure you we are all pleased to welcome you. You are in time to -join us at supper and of course will stay over night. Are you alone?" - -"I am; my name is George Burton and my home is in the city of New York. -I am spending a week or two at the Hotel Samoset on Mouse Island, but -must soon leave to meet my folks on their return from the other side." - -"Did you come from Mouse Island to-day?" inquired Scout Master Hall. - -"I left there early this morning; crossed to Boothbay Harbor and then -struck on foot, just as my brother and I did last summer in tramping -through Switzerland. A farmer gave me a ride of several miles, when I -resorted to shanks-mare again. Then I caught another ride--not quite so -long as the former--until I came to the half-broken track through the -woods, over which I believe the wagon labors that brings your supplies. -I had heard that a party of Boy Scouts were stopping at the clubhouse, -which I saw from the other side of the lake, so I skirted the sheet of -water to this point." - -"That makes a pretty good tramp for one day," remarked the Scout Master. - -"I have done a good deal better, and I am sure it would not tax any one -of you. You asked me a few minutes ago if I were alone; I am, but I -expect soon to be joined by a friend." - -Young Burton laughed at the surprised looks turned toward him. - -"He is my dog, named Zip." - -"He will be as welcome as his master," said Mr. Hall. - -"I know that and I thank you for us both." - -"It's mesilf that is wondering why ye don't kaap company," said Mike -Murphy; "me dad explained to Father Hoogan, as his rason for taking me -wid him whereiver he wint, that he liked to have a pup at his heels whin -he wandered round the country." - -The visitor smiled at the Irish lad's drollery, and was on the point of -answering the query, when the Scouts in charge of the dinner -preparations announced that the meal was ready. - -"We are all curious to hear your story, which we know is interesting," -remarked the Scout Master as he and the boys rose to their feet, "but -nothing can be so attractive just now as the meal to which we have just -been summoned." - -"I am of your opinion," replied Burton, moving off with the others to -the table. - -"May I ask when you look for the arrival of your friend Zip?" - -The guest took out his watch and glanced at its face. - -"It is now half-past six; he ought to be here by seven; I must allow him -some margin." - -Every one was puzzled, but made no comment. As the Scout Master had -remarked, the question of satisfying their hunger dominated all others -for the time. - -Needless to say the whole party partook of the food with the satisfying -enjoyment which waits on sound health and exuberant spirits. As Scout -Master Hall quoted, all "ate like horses when you hear them eat," the -feast enlivened by continuous chatter, jest and merriment. Jack -Crandall's chair was wheeled to the table, and with a little help from -his friends he did his part well. Less than half an hour thus passed, -when the company adjourned to the front porch, the only absent ones -being the half dozen who had to clean up and leave things ready for the -morning meal. This work did not take long, and all were soon gathered -together, the Scouts much interested in their guest, and what he told -them about his dog Zip. - -"He is a bloodhound," he explained, "not quite two years old. The breed -is not specially noted for its intelligence, but its delicacy or power -of scent would be unbelievable had it not been proved over and over -again. I hope to give you some demonstrations by my own dog, who is of -pure breed, and with more brains than the generality of his kind." - -"Are you sure he will trail you to this place?" asked Scout Master Hall. - -"There is not a particle of doubt about it. He has performed more -difficult feats than that; in fact, I am trying to find something he -cannot do, but so far haven't succeeded." - -"Will you tell us the particulars of his present task?" - -"I left Mouse Island this morning about seven o'clock on the _Norman -II_, run by Captain Pinkham. Having made my arrangements with Manager -Dodge, I explained to my friend Chester Greenleaf that Zip would be at -the dock and board the boat at twenty minutes to two for the roundabout -trip to Boothbay Harbor. I advised Greenleaf not to try to collect a -ticket from Zip, as he might resent it, and the young man promised to -bear the counsel in mind. All that was to be done was to take the pup to -the wharf at Boothbay and leave him to do the rest. - -"Zip didn't like the idea of being left behind at Mouse, but he knew -what was expected of him, and stood quietly on the dock as with a -lugubrious expression he watched me go. I waved my hand at him, and he -wagged his tail in return, as much as to say I couldn't lose him in that -fashion. - -"Now," said Burton animatedly, "consider what Zip has had to do. He left -Mouse Island at twenty minutes to two o'clock this afternoon and reached -Boothbay Harbor at about half past two, which was fully seven hours -behind me. I'll warrant he was the first one ashore, and in a twinkling -picked up my trail and was speeding northward from the town. Two miles -out he lost it for the time because I had a lift from a farmer, but Zip -knew what that meant, and he loped on up the road, certain of -discovering when I left the vehicle." - -"Is it possible," asked Scout Master Hall, "that he could keep your -scent while you were riding in a wagon?" - -"I am not prepared to deny it, incredible as it may sound. A bloodhound -has been known to trot twenty feet to one side of a trail along a broad -highway, and not lose it for miles. Zip is so familiar with my scent -that he may have detected it from the first. Be that as it may, he lost -no time in nosing about the road, but detected the very spot where my -foot again touched ground, and was after me like a thunderbolt. I had a -second ride--not quite so long as the first--which brought me to the -rough unbroken track over which your supply wagon brings your -provisions. It was a long tramp to this place, and, as you know, the -afternoon was gone when I arrived." - -"Did you make any attempts to throw him off your track?" - -"No, for it was useless. Had a canoe been at hand I might have crossed -the lake in it, but that would have been unfair, for of course no trail -can be followed through water, since in the nature of things none can be -made. - -"Since I have been specially interested in this breed of dogs," young -Burton modestly added, "I may have picked up a few points that are not -familiar to all of you." - -"There is no question as to that," replied Scout Master Hall, "you have -already proved it; you are telling us facts that are not only new to us -but of special interest. All the boys feel as I do." - -A general murmur of assent followed. - -"You are more complimentary than I deserve. While the bloodhound is not -the most common breed of dogs in this country, I suppose most of you are -familiar with his looks and history. They were once used in Cuba to -track escaping prisoners and runaway slaves, and probably served the -same purpose in some parts of the South before the Civil War, but in our -country they were employed simply to track the negroes and were trained -not to harm them, for, aside from the cruelty of the act, it was against -the interests of the slave owner to injure his own property. In Cuba, -the bloodhounds were like ravening tigers. The poor wretch in threshing -through the thickets and swamps heard the horrible baying fast drawing -nearer. His only escape was to leap among the limbs of a tree, and climb -beyond reach of the brutes. If he was tardy in doing so, the black -terror that burst through the undergrowth buried his fangs in his throat -the next instant and never let go, no matter how desperately the man -fought." - -"How was it when the poor fellow reached a perch?" - -"The dogs sat down and waited until the pursuers came up and claimed the -prisoner." - -"Suppose the slave took to water?" - -"He was pretty sure to do that sooner or later, but it rarely availed -against the marvelous scent of his enemies. After a time the man had to -leave the creek or river, as it might be, and with two or three or more -bloodhounds trotting along the bank with their muzzle to the ground, -they were certain to pick up the scent with little or no loss of time. - -"This peculiarly Spanish product became famous during the war with the -Seminole Indians of Florida some seventy years ago. You know that those -redskins retreated into the swamps and everglades where our soldiers -could not follow them, or, if they followed, could not find them. The -war dragged on year after year until the patience of the government was -worn out. In its perplexity a number of Cuban bloodhounds were imported; -and, although our officers took pains to declare that the dogs would be -used to track and not to rend the Seminoles, an indignant protest went -up against the barbarity of the act. - -"But," added young Burton with a laugh, "the crime, if it were such, -worked its own remedy. Somehow or other the Indians learned to make -friends with the black brutes which came to them in the swamps, and they -trained them with so much skill that they used them to hunt down the -stray soldiers and former owners. The use of bloodhounds in the Seminole -war proved a farce." - -The guest suddenly ceased talking for a moment and said: - -"It is time I heard from Zip." - -"Some accident may have befallen him or perhaps he has gone astray." - -"Both are improbable--listen!" - - - - - CHAPTER XVII -- Wonderful Work - - -Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were -intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the -night a strange, piercing cry,--the baying of a bloodhound following the -trail of a person. It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of -the two,--a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with -shivering fear. - -"That's Zip," said his pleased owner; "he will be here in a few -minutes." - -"He has a remarkable voice," said Scout Master Hall; "I never heard the -like." - -Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was -seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far -as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that -of the dog. - -"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Burton; "it would deceive any one except -the dog himself." - -"And why not him?" asked Alvin Landon. - -"Because he does not answer--there he comes!" - -In the dim moonlight, as every eye was turned in the direction of the -beach leading toward Uncle Elk's cabin, the Scouts saw a black, medium -sized dog approaching at full speed, his sturdy figure rapidly assuming -definite form. It was to be noted that Burton had come through the wood -itself, whereas the animal was traversing the beach, where the way was -more open, yet he was keeping to the trail as unerringly as an arrow -driven from the bow. - -"Hide yourself," whispered Mr. Hall. - -"There is no place where I can hide from him." - -The next instant the hound with undiminished speed bounded up the steps -at the end of the porch, dashed between the boys, and impinged with such -force against his standing master that he was knocked backward for a -pace or two. Bending over, Burton patted the big head, and Zip in his -excess of delight bounded round the youth and wagged his tail so hard -that it swayed his haunches correspondingly, and it really seemed an -instance of the tail wagging the dog. - -"Don't you think Zip will appreciate something in the form of a meal?" -asked Mr. Hall. - -"He certainly will; a dog is always hungry, and more than half a day has -passed since he ate; nothing suits him better than raw meat." - -"We have a supply, and he shall feast to his heart's content." - -So he did, the food being brought out and placed in front of the canine -guest, who would have eaten a good deal more had his master permitted. -Meekly accepting the decision, Zip lay down at young Burton's feet, -contented and happy throughout the remainder of the evening, and glad to -stay outside until the youth rejoined him in the morning. - -"You know what matchless policemen the Belgian dogs make in that -country, in France, and in New York and other cities. Some three years -ago Long Island became so pestered by thieves that Robert E. Kerkham, -superintendent of the railway police, saw that something drastic had to -be done. The thieves dynamited station safes, burglarized private -dwellings and more than once killed and injured railway policemen while -they were trying to arrest the criminals. Those men used fleet horses -and automobiles, and despite everything that could be done, grew bolder -and more successful. - -"Superintendent Kerkham, finding that his patrolmen were powerless, -decided to call in the help of dogs, with whose striking success abroad -and at home he was familiar, but he made a new departure by taking -bloodhounds instead of the usual police dogs, for the former would not -only guard property but would track the thieves. He bought a pair from -the stock imported from England more than twenty years ago. These are of -the purest blood, and superior to all others. Zip is from the same -stock. A peculiarity of this dog is that in no circumstances will he -take up a doubtful trail, but will pick up the true scent, no matter how -faint, and never abandon it so long as it actually exists. They know not -the meaning of fear, and will stick to their work so long as they can -move or breathe. Some of those dogs have pedigrees that reach backward -to the time of William the Conqueror. - -"The couple which Mr. Kerkham purchased are named Bob and Nellie. They -had to be trained, but they learned fast. They will take the scent from -any article that has been lately handled by the person they are after." - -"How old a trail will serve them?" asked the Scout Master. - -"Of course the freshest scent is the best. Zip was all of seven hours -behind me to-day. I have tested him on double that time and he seemed to -have little or no difficulty. They have taken a trail twenty-four hours -old, and precisely what it is that guides them in such a case is more -than any one can understand. A man is known to have left a house at a -certain time, and twenty hours later it is decided to pursue him with -the aid of a bloodhound. A glove, or hat, or shoe that he is known to -have worn is held in front of the dog; he sniffs at it, dashes out of -doors, circles back and forth and around the grounds until he strikes -the corresponding scent; up goes his head, his tail wags and he bays his -pleasure. A hundred yards farther, and he drops his nose to the ground -to make sure he has not lost his clue. - -"Perhaps the scent grows faint or disappears. In that case he runs back -and circles about until he picks it up again, when he is off once more. -You must remember that while all this is going on there is a man tugging -at the leash, for this is necessary to protect the thief. As the trail -grows fresher, the fierce eagerness of the hound increases; he knows he -is close upon his quarry and sharp words and powerful pulling are -necessary to prevent him from bounding straight at the throat of the -cowering wretch. Should he start to run it is almost impossible to -restrain the dog, but when he sees the criminal is under arrest, he is -satisfied, becomes quiet, and is ready to tackle the next job." - -"Will you tell us of some of the exploits of Bob and Nellie, who you say -are perfect specimens of their kind?" - -"I cannot recall a quarter of them. One thing that Bob did was -astonishing because it was at the beginning of his training and the -scent was fourteen hours old. He caught it from a bag which the thieves -had used to wrap about their hands in breaking a window. As true as the -needle to the pole, Bob led his master through alleys and side streets, -across vacant lots, along the purlieus of a straggling village to a -house near the highway. This was circled once, and then he dashed to a -barn at the rear, through the open door, and sprang at a young man who -was engaged in skinning a muskrat he had trapped. - -"The fellow was indignant and denied all knowledge of the crime, -declaring that he did not know where the freight house was located, but -Bob's trainer was certain the dog was right, and searched the place. All -the missing property was found in a trunk, and the thief is now in Sing -Sing, convicted on the testimony of the dog. - -"Last summer a farmer in Kansas was murdered and a pack of hounds were -put on the trail. They led the trainers and officers through a broken -country for six miles, never hesitating or turning aside for a minute, -until they reached a house where a man lived who had never been -suspected. He was arrested, corroborative evidence obtained, and he was -convicted by the Supreme Court of the state and executed. - -"One night the safe of the Hicksville station on the Long Island -Railroad was blown open and the contents stolen. Three of the dogs were -brought up the next day a little before noon and put on the trail, about -twelve hours after the robbery had been committed." - -"It seems to me," remarked Scout Master Hall, "that in all such cases -the hounds are very liable to blunder." - -"Why?" - -"There must be a good many tracks about the premises; how can they -differentiate those of the thieves?" - -"They took the scent without the least difficulty from the window -through which the robbers had entered and from the articles they had -handled. Tugging at their leashes, the hounds led their masters up the -railway track for an eighth of a mile, and then turned off across the -open country to the trolley track, which they followed to the next stop, -where the trail ended. Inquiries brought out the fact that the car had -stopped there about midnight,--something which it rarely did. Having -boarded it, the thieves made their escape, and that became one of the -few instances in which the skill of the bloodhounds came to naught. - -"But the dogs were not allowed to rust for want of work. Long Island -gave them plenty to do, and continues to do so. When word came to -headquarters that the station at Warwick Street on the Atlantic Division -of the railway had been broken into and robbed, the dogs were put on the -job with the least possible delay. They found the trail without trouble, -and skurried down Atlantic Avenue to Logan Street, where the canines -halted for consultation, since they had to face new conditions. - -"These wonderful brutes had been instant to detect that two thieves were -concerned in the crime. At the point named, the trail divided, and of -course the pursuers did the same. Our old friend Bob trotted along until -he reached No. 129, where he sat down, threw up his head and began -howling. Jim, the other dog, kept on to No. 219, where he joined in the -dismal chorus. The two were on the same side of the street, not very far -apart, and must have made a striking picture, as from their different -stations they serenaded some persons within. I can't help wondering," -added young Burton with a laugh, "whether the thieves noticed that -howling, and peeping out of the windows suspected what it meant. - -"The trainers thought it possible a mistake had been made, and the dogs -were taken back to the station and given the scent again. They followed -it as unerringly as before, but oddly enough when they came to the -forking of the trail, Bob and Jim changed places. It was as if one had -proposed the shift to the other, who accepted it offhand. - -"Doubting no longer, the officers arrested a schoolboy in each house, -whom the dogs identified. They confessed their guilt, and one was sent -to the Juvenile Asylum at Dobbs Ferry and the other to the Elmira -Reformatory. - -"Now," said Burton, whose enthusiasm was natural, "can any one -understand what it is that guides the bloodhound? Of course it is some -sort of emanation, but how subtle it must be, and how fine the sense -that can identify it among scores of others! In the incident I have just -related, the trail led through busy streets, where hundreds of men, -women and animals had trodden upon the invisible footprints, each with -his or her peculiar odor, which lingered for hours, and was as distinct -to the dogs as the call of a megaphone is to us. It is beyond my -comprehension." - -"It is beyond the comprehension of any one," added Mr. Hall. "Bertillon -has proved that the thumb prints of no two persons are the same, and so -the scent of every one has a peculiarity of its own, but that doesn't -lessen our wonder. - -"There is no end to the proofs that have been given of their miraculous -power." - -"The dogs, I suppose, seem to enjoy tracking a criminal?" - -"It is their delight. Although not credited with a high order of -intelligence, they know as well as their trainers what is expected of -them, and enter into it with as much gusto as you boys do your -vacation." - -"Is a criminal when overtaken by the dogs in danger of being hurt by -them?" - -"It depends upon himself. If he continues to run and puts up a fight -they will attack him. If he quietly submits, they will mount guard and -hold him unharmed until their master comes up and takes the criminal -into custody. Then the dogs, seeing that that particular task is -finished, show by their behavior that they are as eager as ever for -their next job. But, for safety's sake, they are generally held in -leash, master and dog keeping company." - -"How is it with Zip?" - -"He always runs free, and will not harm a fugitive unless ordered to do -so. You understand that he and I are chums, and I have never used him to -chase a criminal. He roams through the country, and I keep him on edge -by such tests as to-day. He is so familiar with my scent that he will -pick it up instantly, without first sniffing articles I have worn. The -other day I played a mean trick on him. I left him at the Samoset House -on Mouse Island and started for Boothbay Harbor on the steamer -_Wiwurna_, but instead of getting off at the wharf, I slipped over the -gunwale at the rear, and Captain Free McKown took me on board his motor -boat _Edith_ which was lying near, and started back to Mouse Island with -me. Just before reaching the dock I met the _Norman II_ starting for -Boothbay and seated on his haunches at the prow was Zip. I was not -expecting to see him and I should have got out of sight, but he -discovered me and emitted the most dissatisfied howl I ever heard. It -said as plain as so many words, 'You played me a low down trick, and I -don't like it.' He would have sprung overboard and tried to swim to me, -had I not forbidden him. Perforce he went on to Boothbay and came back -on the _Norman II_. I was in my room when he scratched on my door and I -admitted him. He was so mad that he refused to eat the meat prepared for -him, and pouted the rest of the day. I apologized and coaxed, and by -night had won back his favor and the cloud between us passed away." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII -- A Match of Wits - - -It may be said that Zip had become the hero of the Boy Scout camp on -Gosling Lake. He belonged to the finest breed of bloodhounds in the -world and had given an illustration of that gift of his species which -approaches the miraculous. The stories told by his master of his other -exploits, and of what had been done by his kind on Long Island and -elsewhere, were absorbingly interesting. As young Burton remarked, his -study of this canine species had given him more knowledge than could -have been the case otherwise, and he naturally did most of the talking -on that cool August night in front of the bungalow. The bloodhound is -one of the most dignified of dogs, and resents anything in the nature of -familiarity by strangers. Alvin, Chester, Mike and several others tried -to make friends with Zip, but he showed them plainly that he preferred -to be left to himself. - -"Ef it was meself that was as partic'lar as him to selict me -associates," said Mike, "I should faal mighty lonely, as Jim O'Toole -remarked after he had been lost for six weeks in the woods. I'll -remimber yer coolness, Zip," he added, shaking his finger at the dog -nestling at the feet of Burton, "and to-morrer ye'll faal so ashamed, -after ye try to match wits wid me, that ye'll resign as a bloodhound and -become a poodle dog for the rist of yer days." - -"Don't boast too soon," said the guest; "I'll put my stake on Zip every -time." - -"And so will I," added Alvin; "if Mike was half as smart as he thinks he -is, we should all be fools compared with him." - -"_Some_ folks don't naad the comparisin to show they're lacking in the -first ilimints of sense," retorted the Irish youth with fine sarcasm. - -It was quite late when the boys retired for the night. No one would have -objected to the presence of Zip in the bungalow, but his master -preferred that he should spend the night outdoors, and he was waiting -there the next morning when Burton, the first to arise, came out to have -a romp with him before breakfast. - -It was about eight o'clock that the whole party of Boy Scouts including -their guest gathered on the front porch, eagerly interested in the test -that was to be made of the skill of Zip the bloodhound in following a -scent. Every one was on the _qui vive_, for the novelty of the -proceeding appealed to them. - -The arrangements, simple of themselves, had been made while the party -was at breakfast. Three trials were to take place, involving that number -of Boy Scouts. Each was to plunge into the woods and use every device -possible to hide his trail from the dog, which was to take up his task -an hour after the fugitive, as he may be called, left the bungalow. - -The first runner was the diminutive Isaac Rothstein, the second, the -tall, long-limbed Hoke Butler, and the third Mike Murphy. - -"There is only one condition," said young Burton, when everything was -ready; "you must not make any use of the lake. Zip can track you only to -the edge." - -"The lake is the only water shut out?" remarked Hoke Butler inquiringly. -The guest hesitated a moment, suspecting some intended trick by the -questioner. - -"That is all." - -"How about the Sheepscot River?" asked Mike. - -"If an hour's start will enable you to reach that stream ahead of Zip, -you win." - -Scout Master Hall turned to Isaac, who was standing in the middle of the -group on the porch. The bright-eyed youth nodded. - -Burton spoke to the hound which, knowing what was expected of him, came -forward and sniffed around the Boy Scout's feet and ankles. He did this -for only two or three seconds, when he backed off and took his place -beside his master. - -"That means he is ready if you are." - -"I am to have an hour's start?" - -"More if you wish it." - -"That's enough, and you are sure he will not attack me?" - -"Have no fear of that, but I suggest that you do not tempt him." - -"What do you mean by that?" asked young Rothstein. - -"Don't tackle _him_ first; and when he comes up with you, as he is sure -to do, stop running. The Belgian dogs have a trick of dodging between -the legs of a fugitive and tripping him, but the bloodhound prefers to -drag him down." - -"In other words," said Mike, "whin the dog gits ye down, and has his -paws on yer breast, and is hunting out the best place to begin his -feast, h'ist the flag of truce." - -Isaac, accompanied by Scout Master Hall and several of the boys, passed -into the bungalow, closing the door behind them, and went out of the -rear door which was also shut. The dog remained on the front porch with -his master and the other scouts, each party out of sight of the other. A -few minutes later, Isaac's friends rejoined their comrades, Burton and -several of the Scouts glancing at their watches to note the time. Zip -lay at his owner's feet, with his nose between his paws, as if intending -to pass the interval in sleep. - -Before starting, Isaac was asked to explain his plan. He replied that it -was merely to do everything he could to puzzle his pursuer, and he was -confident of succeeding. It was useless to make any effort at the start, -and he walked away at his ordinary pace, quickly disappearing among the -trees. - -The moment, however, he was out of sight he began the precautions he had -decided upon before starting. He turned at right angles, walked rapidly -for a hundred yards, then changed again to the same extent. Since the -shift each time was to the right, this made an exact reversal of the -course upon which he set out, and being kept for a little while took him -back to the bungalow, a rod or two from his starting point. No one saw -him, since every one was at the front. Thus he made a second get away, -which delayed him for a few minutes. - -Isaac chuckled, for he was sure he had played a cute trick upon the dog, -which he believed would be puzzled thereby, and yet you and I can -readily see that there was "nothing in it" at all. - -Again the youth dived in among the trees, or broke into a rapid run, -going straightaway, but taking as long steps as he could. Then he -zig-zagged, first to the right and left, describing irregular circles -which assuredly would have led him astray had he not caught glimpses of -the lake now and then, and thus knew the course he was following, which -in the main was toward the cabin of Uncle Elk. - -He kept note of the time, and just before the hour expired made a long -sweeping curve to the right, which brought him back to the opposite end -of the bungalow from his starting point. - -"Hurrah!" he called as he bounded up the steps among his friends; -"where's Zip?" - -"On your trail," replied his owner. - -"Don't be too sure of that; I've given him the task of his life." - -"Undoubtedly the easiest one; now that you have returned," said Burton, -"you may as well tell us everything you did." - -Isaac described his course from the first,--how he had actually started -twice, often shifting and finally making a big curve, still marked by -abrupt changes that were sure to baffle the keenest nosed bloodhound -that ever tracked a fugitive into the depths of the Everglades. - -"You couldn't have given Zip an easier task," said Burton; "when he left -here a short time ago he circled about the clubhouse, and in three -minutes at the most took your scent." - -"But didn't the two trails puzzle him?" asked the astonished Isaac. - -"There was a difference of a few minutes in their making and he took the -freshest." - -This sounded so incredible that the guest qualified his assertion. - -"Even if he accepted the older scent, it led him straight to the second. -All your circlings and doublings availed you nothing; you never -perplexed him for more than an instant." - -"How can you know that?" - -"There's your answer." - -Burton nodded toward the steps up which Isaac Rothstein had come some -time before. There was Zip, who without baying or making any kind of -outcry, galloped over the porch and directly to where the astounded lad -was sitting. Stepping a pace or two away, he looked up at the youth and -then walked over to his master and sat down beside his chair. - -"You can translate his remarks," said the latter. "Words could not be -plainer: 'There's the young man who thought he could fool me, but never -was he more mistaken.'" - -Isaac joined in the clapping of hands. Zip preserved his dignity and -paid no heed to strangers. All he cared for was the good opinion of his -master and he knew he had that. - -"Next!" called Burton, and the tall, stoop-shouldered Hoke Butler rose -to his feet. - -"I don't want any help," he remarked with a wink toward Isaac Rothstein, -as Zip sniffed about his feet; "stay right where you are. Mr. Burton, a -half hour start will be enough for me." - -"As you please, but you may have two hours if you wish." - -"And we'll save our bouquets till Zip throws up the sponge," said Mike, -"or rather until I tries me hand with the intilligint canine." - -Instead of leaving the bungalow from the rear, Hoke walked deliberately -down the eastern steps, and sauntered off where he was in plain sight of -all until he entered the wood which approached to within a few rods of -the lake. He had given no one a hint of the scheme he had in mind, but -the feeling was general that whatever its nature it was original, and -more than one-half suspected he might outwit the remarkable dog. In this -list we must not include George Burton. - -Now Hoke had learned that it was useless to try to throw Zip off the -scent by any such artifices as young Rothstein had used. As the guest -declared, the tracker had not bothered the dog to the slightest extent. -It therefore would be folly for the second fugitive to repeat the -experiment. He had no thought of doing so. - -Mention has been made in the preceding pages of a brook which ran near -the home of Uncle Elk. After a devious course this emptied into Gosling -Lake at a point about halfway between the cabin and the bungalow. Hoke -rested his hopes upon this little stream. - -"Burton barred the lake," chuckled the youth, "but he didn't say -anything of this stream, though I was awfully afraid he would. I guess -he doesn't know about it,--yes, he does, too, for he had to cross it on -his way to the bungalow, but he forgot it. He can't kick when he finds I -have made his dog sing small." - -Allured by the single purpose, Hoke pushed straight on, turning neither -to the right nor left. Recalling that he had shortened the time Zip was -to wait, he broke into a lope. His build made him the fleetest runner in -camp, and it did not take him long to reach the stream. He had crossed -it so many times that the lower portion was familiar, and he turned as -if to follow it to its source in the spring near Uncle Elk's cabin. - -He found it of varying width. It was so narrow where a regular path had -been made by the passing back and forth of the hermit and his friends, -that nothing in the nature of a bridge was used. A long step or a -moderate jump served. - -Nowhere did the depth seem to be more than a few inches, except where a -pool or eddy occasionally appeared; but as Hoke Butler picked his way -along the bank, he was pleased to note here and there a considerable -expansion. - -"That's good!" he said to himself; "it will make it all the harder for -that dog." - -He now put his scheme into operation. Without removing his shoes, he -stepped into the brook, sinking halfway to his knees, and began walking -up the bed of the stream. The water was as cold as ice, and he gasped at -first, but became quickly accustomed to it. The bottom was so irregular -that he progressed slowly, and more than once narrowly escaped falling. -Here and there boulders protruded from the shore and he steadied himself -by resting a hand upon them as he labored past. Those that rose from the -bed of the stream itself and around which the current foamed, afforded -convenient stepping stones and were turned to such use. - -"Of course that wouldn't do on land," he reflected, "for the dog would -catch the scent, but he can't know I'm in the water, and will be hunting -elsewhere for my trail. He'll be the most beautifully fooled dog in -Maine." - - - - - CHAPTER XIX -- The Final Test - - -"Mr. George Burton may think he has a mighty smart dog," reflected Hoke -Butler, as he picked his way up the small stream, "and he isn't any -slouch, but there are some things he can't do, and one of them is to -follow a fellow's trail through the water. Funny that when Burton shut -us off from the lake he forgot this brook. Since he didn't mention it, I -have the right to use it. - -"Now," continued the logical young man, "while I keep to the water I -don't leave any scent; I'm like the fawn which the hound can't track -through the woods, and when Zip comes to the point where I stepped into -the water, he'll be up against it--hello!" - -He had come to a place where the brook expanded into a pool and more -than fifty feet across. Opposite to where he halted, the foaming current -tumbled over a series of boulders, and then spread out into the calm -expanse, whose outlet was the small stream which Hoke had ascended to -this point. The water lost a good deal of its limpidity, so that the -bottom could be traced only a little way from where he stood. - -"That's bully!" exclaimed the Scout, after brief reflection; "I'll walk -across the pond--it can't be deep--and step ashore on the other side, -Zip won't come within a mile of the spot." - -He began wading, cautiously feeling each step before advancing. Since -the depth was unknown he could not be too careful, though confident that -the little lake was shallow in every part. - -Half across the icy water reached to his knees. He pressed slowly on, -thrusting out a foot and making sure of a firm support. - -"It ought now to grow more shallow," he reflected as he felt his way -forward; "when I get to shore I may as well go back to the bungalow and -wait till Zip returns disgusted. I guess Burton can take a joke when -it's on him, and he'll laugh with the rest of us----" - -At that instant, Hoke stepped into an unseen hole and dropped out of -sight. The sudden clasp of the icy element made him gasp, and when his -head popped up, he spat and struck out frantically for land. It was -remarkable that the only spot in the pond where the water was over his -head was barely two yards across, and beyond it the depth was so slight -that while swimming, one of Hoke's feet struck bottom. He straightened -up, and strode to land, shivering in his dripping garments. - -"Who'd have thought that? I didn't dream of anything of the kind--where -did _you_ come from?" - -This angry question was addressed to Zip, who thrust his muzzle against -Hoke's knee, looked up and wagged his tail. - -"I'd like to know what led you here, when you hadn't any scent to -follow." - -"It was his nose," remarked young Burton some time later, when Hoke -having exchanged his wet clothing told his story to the laughing group -on the piazza. - -"I left no scent when I stepped into the brook," replied Hoke. - -"Therefore he knew you were in the brook; and set out to find where you -had left it." - -"He had to follow both sides in turn." - -"Not at all; from one bank he could detect, without the least -difficulty, the scent on the other side. He failed to take it up, and -therefore knew you had still kept to the stream. If you had not been in -sight when he reached the pond, he would have circled around it and -nothing could have prevented his discovering your trail within the next -few minutes. But he saw you feeling your way across, and the direction -in which your face was turned told him where you would come out,--so he -trotted around to welcome you when you reached land." - -"Why didn't he jump in to help me out of the hole?" - -"The bloodhound is content to leave that kind of work to his brother the -Newfoundland, and a few others. You are ready to admit, Hoke, that there -are bigger fools than Zip." - -"Yes,--and here sits one of them. Mike doesn't seem to care to match -with him." - -"There's where you're mistook, as Bridget Lanigan said whin she picked -up a red hot poker thinking it was a ribbon she had dropped from her -hair. Come, boys." - -Mike sprang from his seat and addressed Alvin and Chester. There was -much chaffing as the three passed into the bungalow and out at the rear. -Zip had taken his place beside his master's chair, where he sat with his -long tongue hanging far out, his mouth wide open, and his big ears -dangling below his massive jaws. He manifested no further interest in -what was going on around him, though he must have understood everything. - -The agreement with Mike was that the dog should remain on the piazza -with his master and the other scouts until a full hour should have -passed. Then he was to be allowed to smell of a pair of shoes which the -fugitive left behind him. These belonged to Alvin Landon, who had -brought some extra footgear. They had been worn by Mike for several days -when he replaced them with his own, which he had on at the time he left -the bungalow. Thus far everything was plain and above board. - -"I don't know what Mike has up his sleeve," remarked young Burton; "no -doubt it is something ingenious, for he and his two chums have been -whispering and chuckling a good deal together, but Zip will defeat him -as sure as the sun is shining in the sky. You have noticed that my dog -does very little baying,--or rather, Isaac and Hoke have noticed it." - -"But he gets there all the same," laughed Rothstein; "I should like to -know what plan Mike has in mind." - -"We shall learn when he comes back and we hear his story." - -Prompt to the minute, Burton directed the attention of Zip to the pair -of shoes that had been placed on the ground at the foot of the steps. - -"Find him," was the command of his master, and the hound fairly bounded -out of sight around the corner of the building. He bayed once as he -picked up the scent, and then vanished like a bolt from a crossbow. The -crowd of Boy Scouts resumed their chat and awaited as patiently as they -could the issue of the novel test. - -Meanwhile, Mike Murphy and his two chums set to work to carry out the -scheme which they had formulated, and which each one was confident must -result in the humiliation of the wonderful dog and his owner. With -abundance of time at their command they did not hasten, but walked with -a moderate pace to a point some two hundred yards from the bungalow. -They had straggled along side by side, without trying to make their -trail hard to follow, and now halted. - -"This is far enough," remarked Alvin, as the three peered around without -seeing any one. - -His companions agreed. Then Alvin and Mike sat down on the ground and -exchanged shoes. Not only that, but the former stooped and the latter -mounted his back, his arms loosely around Alvin's neck with his legs -projecting in front and supported by the crooked elbows of his carrier. -Then he resumed his walk with Chester trailing behind. - -When the distance from the bungalow had been doubled, Alvin asked: - -"How much do you weigh, Mike?" - -"A hundred and forty-three pounds--when ye started." - -"I think it is about a ton now; how far do you expect me to carry you?" - -"Not far,--say two or three miles." - -"I rather guess not; Chest, it's time you took a turn." - -"Oh, wait awhile; you have only just begun." - -"This isn't as much fun as I thought," growled Alvin, resuming the task -that was fast becoming onerous. - -"I'm enj'ying mesilf, as Jerry Dunn said whin he tackled three -p'licemen. When I git tired I'll sing out, and we'll make a change." - -Chester's sense of justice led him soon after to help in shifting Mike -to his own shoulders, and the progress was resumed much the same as -before. - -You will perceive the trick the boys were playing upon the bloodhound. -Mike had not only changed shoes with Alvin Landon, but his new ones were -not permitted to touch ground while they traveled a fourth of a mile -through the unbroken woods. Moreover, for this distance the leaves were -trampled by Mike's shoes, but they were on the feet of Alvin. - -The next step in this curious mixup was for Alvin, still wearing Mike's -shoes, to diverge to the left, while Chester, with Mike on his -shoulders, went a considerable distance to the right, where he halted -and the Irish youth slipped to the ground and stood in the footgear of -Alvin, who was so far away that he could not be seen among the trees. - -All this was prearranged, as was that which followed. Mike started off -alone, aiming to return to the bungalow by a long roundabout course, -while the other two came together at a new point, and made their way by -a more direct route to where their friends were awaiting them. - -"I wonder that Zip doesn't show up," said Alvin, when they caught sight -of the building, and he looked back; "it is considerably past the hour, -and he ought to be in sight." - -"It can't be he was sharp enough to detect our track." - -"Impossible!" - -And yet that is precisely what he did do, and later, when all were -gathered on the piazza, including the dog, who arrived less than ten -minutes after the astounded Mike, George Burton complacently explained -how it had all come about. - -"It was an ingenious scheme, Mike, and deserved success, but it did not -bother Zip for more than a few minutes. If a dog can smile, he must have -grinned when he penetrated your strategy. You made one mistake which was -natural." - -"It looks to me as if our greatest mistake was in thinking the pup -didn't know more than ten times all of us together," said Mike with a -sniff. - -"That, too, was natural in the circumstances, but when you changed your -shoes with Alvin, then was the time you three should have parted -company. Instead, you stayed together, and Zip kept to the trail, for it -was the only one for him to follow. Had you separated, he probably would -have followed Alvin for awhile, but not long. He would have detected the -deception, run back to the point of separation and hit the right one." - -"But he virtually did that afterward," remarked Scout Master Hall. - -"A proof of the truth of what I said. No doubt Zip trailed Alvin for a -little way or until he discovered that the scent had changed and he was -on the wrong track. Then he turned back and hunted out the right one." - -"If that explanation is correct," said the amazed Mr. Hall, "it proves -that the bloodhound was able to detect the emanations, or whatever it -was that exhaled from Alvin's feet, and could be differentiated from -Mike's even though it must have passed through the leather worn for days -by Mike." - -"Unbelievable as it sounds we have to admit it, but," added Burton, "we -mustn't lose sight of what doubtless was a contributing factor. It was -not Mike's shoes alone that told the secret, but his clothes. He brushed -the trees and limbs when carried on the backs of his friends, and while -walking. It was that which was probably the surest clue to Zip, as it -was with Isaac and Hoke, and made it impossible for any one of the three -to mislead the dog." - - - - - CHAPTER XX -- Speed the Parting Guest - - -George Burton and his dog Zip had won golden opinions from the Boy -Scouts, who urged their visitor to spend several days with them, but he -declined, saying he would set out on his return to Mouse Island directly -after dinner, which was eaten at one o'clock. Truth to tell his tastes -differed from those of his new friends. He cared little or nothing for -bird lore, or the study of trees, or roughing it in the woods. But he -was an athlete, who could outrun any one of the Boy Scouts and last -longer on a tramp. He was putting himself through a course of training, -with a view of making the football team when he should enter Princeton -University, for which he had already matriculated. His sole companion on -his long runs or the hours devoted to hardening his muscles was Zip, -between whom and himself, as had been shown, there was a strong -affection. - -Accordingly, while the afternoon was quite young, Burton shook hands -with all his friends, promising soon to see them again, and stepped into -one of the canoes moored in front of the bungalow. He sat on the bottom -with Zip between his knees, while Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes -manipulated the paddles. Mike Murphy sat in front of Burton and assumed -the airs of a captain. Burton had intended to pass around the eastern -end of the lake, and over the rough trace to the highway, and so on to -Boothbay and Mouse Island, thus reversing this tramp of the day before. -Considerable of this long course could be saved by using the boat. - -"I don't see how you can reach Mouse Island before night," remarked -Alvin as he slowly swung his paddle. - -"I can't." - -"Then why not stay with us and make your start in the morning?" - -"What's the difference? The weather is clear and cool, and the moon is -near its full. I can reach Boothbay Harbor some time in the evening and -stay there over night, and hire a launch to take me to Mouse. Or if I -feel lazy, I can find accommodations at Bovil, which you know is a -little village between that frightful road over which your supply team -labors and Boothbay. Zip and I don't mind a little thing like that." - -"Hello!" exclaimed Chester, "are we never to be rid of those pests?" - -On the shore of the lake to their right, two men were seen standing with -their attention fixed upon the canoe and its occupants. The distance was -so slight that the three boys instantly recognized them as their old -acquaintances,--Buzby Biggs and Saxy Hutt. It would have been thought -that after their recent experience they would have lost no time in -getting out of the neighborhood, but it will be remembered that when -they leaped in a panic from the wagon of our old friend Jake, instead of -running away from Gosling Lake, they headed toward it. - -Zip was quick to identify the vagrants. Looking toward them he emitted a -throaty growl. - -"He hates tramps so, that I have to restrain him when we meet them." - -"And why do ye reshtrain him?" asked Mike from his place in the boat. -"Why don't ye gratify his appetite for such spalpeens, though I'm -thinking he runs risk of being p'isoned?" - -"So long as the tramps keep out of mischief I am willing to leave them -alone." - -"But that is what they don't do; they seem to have a spite against -Doctor Spellman and his family." - -"Against Doctor Spellman!" exclaimed Burton; "you don't mean Doctor -Wilson Spellman?" - -"That's his name." - -"Where is he?" - -Alvin lifted his paddle and pointed a little away ahead and to the -right. - -"He has put up one of those patent houses among the trees, where you -can't see it from the lake, though we observe the smoke from his fire -now and then. There he and his wife and little girl Ruth are spending -several weeks in the most sensible manner possible." - -"Why, he's my uncle," added the surprised and delighted Burton; "I knew -he had gone on an outing in Maine, but thought it was at the Rangely -Lakes. Now, as the expression goes, isn't that 'funny'?" - -"You will like to call on him?" - -"Most certainly; I'm very fond of him, and of Aunt Susie and Ruth." - -The boat was sheered toward land at a point where the canoe of the -physician was seen drawn up the bank. The two tramps stood so motionless -and fixed in their attention that they suggested a couple of scarecrows. -Mike turned his head and grinned. - -"Head the boat toward them, as if ye intinded to call and lave yer -cards." - -The bow was whirled further around, and pointed straight for the -vagrants. Zip was tremulous with eager expectation. Resting his paws on -the gunwales, he twitched his ears and growled. One good look at the -canine was enough for the men. They turned about and dived among the -trees as terrified as when the bullets of Doctor Spellman's revolver -whistled about their ears. - -"Howld on!" shouted Mike, "till we can talk politics wid ye, and thry to -agraa as to whether the Bool Moose ought to be the next President." - -But the scamps paid no heed, and Mike looked commiserately at the dog. - -"'Tis a cruelty thus to disappint ye, Zip, as me dad said whin he walked -five miles to have a shindy with Terence Googhagan, and found he'd been -drowned; but ye may git a chance at 'im later on." - -A few minutes afterward the nose of the canoe slid up the bank, and the -boys stepped out. It being early in the afternoon, Doctor Spellman was -seated in his camp chair in front of his house, smoking a cigar and -looking over the _Boston Globe_. His wife, having set things to rights, -had come forward to join him, with Ruth directly behind her. - -The meeting was a pleasing one. When Burton remarked that he had time -for only a call, the doctor and his family put so emphatic a veto upon -it, that he was obliged to yield and agreed to remain until morning. - -After mutual inquiries and answers had been made, Burton told of the -forenoon's test of Zip's marvelous power of scent. The story was so -remarkable that even Sunbeam, as she sat on Burton's knee, silently -listened. The two were old friends. The little girl was the only one -besides his master whom the hound would allow to become familiar with -him. - -"I wish I had a dog like him," remarked the doctor. - -"That is impossible, for there isn't another like him," replied the -owner. - -"I have been so annoyed by a couple of tramps that I should like to get -Zip on their track and have him drive them out of the neighborhood." - -Alvin and Chester had told the guest of the doings of the nuisances, and -there was laughter at their panic when, looking over the side of the -canoe, they saw the frightful head of the sea serpent, apparently in the -act of rising up to crush the boat or them in its jaws. - -"I can't understand why they persist in staying in these parts, after -the hints they have received," said the doctor. - -"Can they have any special design in view?" asked Burton. - -"I have thought of that, but can't imagine what it is. All such pests -are thieves, but that is the worst that can be said of them. There is -nothing in my home that is specially tempting; they know I have a gun -and a revolver,--and that I am quite ready to use it if they give good -cause. Yet when I kill a man," added the doctor with a grim smile, "I -prefer to put him out of the way in my professional capacity. There are -no unpleasant consequences to myself." - -"Couldn't one of the spalpeens be ill?" suggested Mike. "He may be -trying to screw up his courage to the p'int of asking ye for a -prescription." - -"He will find me ready, and I'll charge him no fee." - -At this moment, the physician supplemented his words by a remark which, -in the light of after events, was singular to the last degree. - -"George, I have arranged a system of signals with my young friends -here." - -"I don't catch your meaning." - -"When young Jack Crandall broke his leg some time ago, there was no -telling what complications would follow. It was therefore agreed that in -case I was needed in a hurry, some of the Boy Scouts should fire one of -their revolvers several times in quick succession. Then I would paddle -to the bungalow as fast as I could." - -"Could you count upon hearing the reports?" - -"Yes,--as a rule; there is nothing to obstruct the sound on the water, -unless it might be a strong wind, and as to that we shall have to take -chances. My signal may vary." - -"_Your_ signal," repeated the astonished nephew; "what need can you have -for anything of the kind?" - -"Probably not any, and yet there's no certainty that I shall not. I -brought some fireworks for the amusement of Stubby. Among them are a -dozen sky rockets. If we should find ourselves in need of help at night, -three rockets sent up in the sky will notify the Boy Scouts, who I know -will make all haste hither, and a score of such young fellows form a -force that even a half dozen men dare not despise. If I need them after -they have retired I can use my rifle or revolver the same as they would -use their weapon." - -"Suppose the emergency should happen in the daytime?" - -"We have our firearms to appeal to; with them we can duplicate the call -of the Boy Scouts." - -"I suppose the system is the best that can be devised," said Burton, -"and yet it strikes me it is as likely to fail as to succeed." - -"Why?" - -"For your rockets to serve, some of the boys must see them,--and what -certainty is there that they will do so?" - -"Of course there's the possibility that they may not,--but until Scout -Master Hall and his charges retire for the night, all or a majority of -them are on the piazza and some of them would be certain to observe the -rockets as they streamed upward, leaving a trail of fire behind them." - -"But why talk of _your_ needing _our_ help?" asked Alvin; "it strikes me -as absurd, though the reverse of the rule is sensible." - -"I may as well confess that I feel uneasy over the persistent hovering -of those tramps in the neighborhood. I fear to leave wife or Ruth alone, -and I never do so even for a short time without making sure my revolver -is loaded and at her instant command." - -"When you come to the bungalow, you can bring Sunbeam and her mother -with you," said Chester Haynes, "as you have generally done." - -"That is my rule, but it leaves the house without the slightest -protection, and those tramps, if they wish, can work their own sweet -will." - -"You did not visit us to-day, doctor." - -"Crandall is getting on so well there's no need; he moves about so -readily on those crutches you fellows presented him that his rapid -recovery is assured. If to-morrow is fair, you may expect us over to -dinner." - -Alvin and Chester felt that this visit really belonged to young -Burton,--so, after remaining a brief while longer, the three bade them -all good-bye and paddled back to the bungalow, which they reached in the -latter part of the afternoon. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI -- Call For Help - - -On the evening of one Thursday in August, Scout Master Hall and the -members of the three patrols composing the troop of Boy Scouts were -lounging on the piazza of the bungalow or clubhouse which stands on the -shore of Gosling Lake in Southern Maine. It was the day succeeding the -departure of George Burton and his bloodhound Zip. - -The hours had been busy ones for our young friends. There had been -fishing, strolls through the woods, investigation of the different kinds -of trees, the study of birds, besides a "deer hunt." I hasten to say -that this was not a real hunt, a dummy being used with bows and arrows -as weapons. This is one of the most popular forms of amusements among -Boy Scouts, who enjoy it to the full. - -So when the youths came back to headquarters, they brought keen -appetites, overflowing spirits and healthy tired bodies. The gathering -on the piazza was a pleasing reunion of all the members. There were -experiences to be told, good natured chaffing, the laying of plans for -the morrow, and now and then Mike Murphy, in answer to the unanimous -demand, sang for them. As I have already said, this remarkable youth, -despite his unrestrainable waggery, would never sing anything of a -frivolous or "rag time" nature, but inclined to sentimental or religious -themes. When that marvelous voice of his, like the notes of a -Stradivarius violin in the hands of Ole Bull, or Spohr, or Kubelik, was -wafted across the placid lake, it was easy to believe the story of the -sirens of Lorelei. - -Thus the party was grouped on the night I have named, and the hum and -chatter of conversation was at its height, when Scout Master Hall -exclaimed: - -"Look!" - -Every voice was instantly hushed. In the gloom the leader's arm which he -had instinctively extended could not be seen, but naturally all who were -not already looking out upon the water did so. Every one was in time to -see a swift ascending rocket turn and break into a shower of sparks as -it dived downward again. - -It was still in sight when a second whirred upward for two hundred feet -or more, leaving a streaming, dazzling trail as it circled over, -exploded and the stick plunged downward in the darkness. - -Every one held his breath. Most of them rose and stared. It might be -that the physician was sending up the rockets to amuse his daughter. If -there were only two, they would mean nothing more; if there was -another---- - -"There it is!" gasped Scout Master Hall; "something is wrong at Doctor -Spellman's!" - -It was the signal which had been agreed upon in the event of their -friend finding himself in urgent need of help. - -It seemed as if several minutes passed before, through the tomb-like -hush, stole a faint popping sound,--the report of the explosion ending -its journey across the lake. - -The dull, almost inaudible call acted as if it were a bugle blast. The -whole party dashed off the porch and at headlong speed to the two canoes -drawn upon the beach. Even Jack Crandall swung to the steps, and debated -a moment whether he should not join the party of rescue, but his common -sense told him he would be only a hindrance, and he reluctantly stayed -behind and watched the shadowy forms of his friends as shown in the star -gleam, the moon not yet having risen. - -"He has called for us," said Scout Master Hall, "and there isn't a -minute to lose!" - -Standing on the edge of the lake he gave his commands as coolly as an -officer marshaling his forces for a charge. In a twinkling the two boats -were afloat in the deep water which came close to the bank. - -"There are twenty-one of us; each canoe will carry no more than eight; -the other five must hurry along the shore to the doctor's house." - -The lads stood breathless, waiting for the leader to name those who must -walk. He promptly did so: - -"Isaac Rothstein, Hoke Butler, Gerald Hume, Arthur Mitchell, Gordon -Calhoun." - -It was a keen disappointment to the five, but there was not a murmur. - -"Come on, boys," called Hoke; "if we do our best we shall not be far -behind them." - -His long legs carried him at a pace that made it hard for the others to -equal. In Indian file the procession, with him in the lead, loped along -the beach and was speedily swallowed up in the obscurity. - -The crews of the canoes worked like beavers. In a twinkling the boys had -adjusted themselves and in each boat the two who were handiest with the -paddles plyed them vigorously. Scout Master Hall was seated in the stern -of one, among his companions being Mike Murphy, Alvin Landon and Chester -Haynes. - -At the moment the two craft put out from shore, Mike Murphy repeated the -exclamation-- - -"Look!" - -The startling performance of a few minutes before was repeated. One, -two, three rockets streamed upward in the heavens, curved over, exploded -and plunged downward among the trees. - -"What can be the trouble?" was the question which everyone of the -rescuers asked himself, as the oarsmen threw their energies into the -task, and sent the heavily-laden craft with the utmost speed across the -lake toward the home of their friend. - -Alvin and Chester swung the paddles in their canoe, which speedily -assumed a slight lead. There was little or no conversation, but each Boy -Scout was busy with his thoughts, and burning with curiosity to learn -the cause of the strange night call across the lake. Since every one -knew of the doings of the two tramps, who had been lurking in the -vicinity for several days and had been seen the previous afternoon, it -was natural that suspicion should turn to them. - -And yet it was hard to imagine a situation in which so plucky a man as -Doctor Spellman, who owned a revolver and a repeating rifle, would have -any fear of two unarmed vagrants. Impulsive by nature, and already -resentful toward them, he would stand no nonsense at their hands. - -And for a third time were three signal rockets sent streaming aloft, -before the canoes had passed half the distance between the bungalow and -the home of the physician. The urgency of the summons filled all with -anguish. Mike and the Patrol Leader offered to relieve Alvin and Chester -with the paddles, but they would not listen and bent resolutely to their -task. The other canoe had pulled up alongside, and the two kept abreast -with barely ten feet separating them. - -The cause of the call of distress was revealed with startling suddenness -and before the craft reached land. Through the gloom, Mike Murphy caught -the vague outlines of a man and woman on the beach, and he shouted: - -"What's the matter, docther?" - -The reply of itself was a partial answer: - -"Is Ruth at the bungalow?" - -"She hasn't been there since ye brought her over the other day." - -"Then heaven save us! she is lost." - -It was the mother who uttered this wail, as she convulsively clasped her -hands and walked distractedly to and fro. - -The boys leaped out of the boats and gathered round the grief-smitten -couple. - -"Tell us what this means," said Scout Master Hall, as he sympathetically -clasped the hand of the physician, who spoke with rare self-command, -though his wife began sobbing as if her heart was broken: - -"We did not miss her until about an hour ago; I sat in front of the -house smoking and talking with wife, when she remarked that it was time -Ruth was in bed. I called to her, but there was no answer. Thinking she -had fallen asleep inside, I lighted a match and looked around, wife -joining me. A brief search showed she was not there. We hurried outside, -and I shouted again. - -"By that time we were in an agony of distress and wife was sure -something dreadful had happened to her. As soon as we could command our -wits we found that neither of us had seen her for nearly two hours and -the thought struck us both that she had wandered off to the bungalow. If -she had kept along the beach and walked steadily she would have had time -to reach you, but there are so many other awful chances that I dared not -trust to that, so I appealed to you." - -"And you did right; there is nothing that is possible for us to do that -we will not do," was the response of Scout Master Hall. - -"She may still be wandering along the beach on her way to the bungalow." - -"Five of our boys are hurrying over the same course to this point, and -will be sure to meet and bring her home." - -"Unless she has strayed off in the woods and been lost." - -"Let us hope that such is the fact, for then she will be safe and suffer -only slight inconveniences." - -"Oh, it is worse than that," moaned the mother, still pacing to and fro -and wringing her hands; "she has fallen into the lake and been drowned." - -"I cannot believe that," said the Scout Master, following the remark -with such tactful assurances that the mother regained a part of her -self-command, to the extent even of feeling a faint hope that all was -well with her child. - -The conduct of the youths was admirable. When they spoke it was in -whispers and undertones, but every heart was filled with the sincerest -pity, and all were eager to do everything they could for the smitten -parents. - -The Boy Scout does not content himself with words: his mission is to do -a good turn, and where every minute was beyond value none was thrown -away. - -Scout Master Hall assumed charge. He directed six of the boys to take -the back trail, as it might be called,--that is, around the eastern end -of the lake to the bungalow. This would insure their meeting Hoke Butler -and his companions, who in turn would meet the missing child if she had -wandered over the same route. The six to whom this task was entrusted -were under the charge of Mike Murphy. - -The same number of boys were ordered to follow the opposite -direction,--that is, to skirt the lake to the westward,--each of the two -searching parties to keep it up until they came together at the -bungalow. This arrangement left four Boy Scouts, including Mr. Hall and -not mentioning the father and mother. The leader proposed that he, one -of the lads and the parents should separate, plunge into the woods and -pursue the hunt independently of one another. Since for a time the -search must be a blind one this plan was as good as any that could be -suggested. - -The Scout Master took Alvin and Chester aside. - -"I have selected you for a special work," he said. "You are fleet of -foot, cool-headed and have good judgment. The doctor has made no -reference to those tramps, and yet I know he suspects they have stolen -Ruth, and intend to hold her for ransom. I believe it is either that, or -she has wandered off and fallen asleep in the woods,--with the -possibility that she is drowned. - -"I want you to make your way as quickly as you can to the little town of -Bovil, where I think there is a telephone. If the tramps have kidnapped -the Sunbeam, they will try to get out of the neighborhood. Telephone to -the officers at Boothbay Harbor and other points, and get word to Burton -at Mouse Island as soon as possible, and ask him to make all haste here -with Zip. He'll do it." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII -- Groping In the Dark - - -Five distinct parties were engaged in searching for the missing child, -Ruth Spellman. Hoke Butler and his companions had left the bungalow on -foot, because there was not room in the two canoes for them. Knowing -nothing of the cause of the doctor's appeal for help, they made no hunt -until, when the greater part of the distance was passed, they met Mike -Murphy and his friends. These had advanced at a slower pace, for they -were hunting for that which they dreaded to find, and they meant to -neglect nothing. - -When the two parties came together, a brief explanation made everything -clear. Inasmuch as the larger part of the beach to the eastward had not -been examined, it was agreed that the coalesced companies should return -at a slower pace to the bungalow, and then, if nothing resulted, reverse -and push the search all the way to the house of Doctor Spellman. This -would be covering the ground twice, and it would be done effectively. - -"Do you think she has been drowned?" asked Hoke of Mike. - -"I do not, for it's unraisinable that she should be. The Sunbeam is -afeard of the water and would not step into it. If there was a dock or a -pile of rocks where she could have fell off, she might have done the -same, but there's nothing of the kind, and the little one couldn't have -slipped into the lake while walking along the shore." - -It may be said that this theory was accepted by every one except the -parents and they were inclined toward it. It was their anguish of -anxiety which warped their reasoning and made them fear at times that -that precious form was drifting in the embrace of the chilling waters, -and would never again respond to their loving caresses. - -While scrutinizing every foot of the way, each member of the two parties -scanned the moonlit lake, as far as the vision extended, urged by a -fearful fascination that scattered cold reasoning to the winds. - -Suddenly Hoke Butler, who was slightly in the lead, stopped short, -pointed out on the water and asked in a startled undertone: - -"Isn't something floating out there?" - -All grouped about the speaker and peered in the direction he indicated. - -"Ye're right," whispered Mike, swallowing the lump in his throat; "can -it be Sunbeam?" - -The surface of the lake was as placid as a millpond. Barely a hundred -feet from shore a motionless object was seen floating, but it was so low -that for a time it could not be identified. - -"I'm thinking," added Mike, "that she would not float for a day or two, -but bide ye here till I swim out and make sartin." - -He began hastily disrobing, but before he was ready for the plunge Hoke -exclaimed: - -"It's the branch of a tree." - -Now that the assertion was made, all saw that it was true. The identity -of a limb with its foliage was so evident that they wondered how even a -momentary mistake had occurred. The advance was resumed, and in the -course of the following hour the boys reached the bungalow, where Jack -Crandall was seated on the piazza with his crutch leaning beside him. It -need not be said that he was shocked beyond expression by the news. - -"How I wish I were able to join in the search," he lamented, "but I can -only sit here and wait and pray for you." - -"Do you think it likely she has been drowned?" Hoke asked. - -"No; and yet it is possible. She may have slipped while walking on the -edge and a child like her is so helpless that it would be all over in a -minute or so. Keep up your hunt until she is found and don't forget to -scan every part of the lake you can see." - -Jack made no reference to Biggs and Hutt, the tramps, for he knew very -little about them. Mike, like his intimate friends, had them continually -in mind, but the same strange dread that for a time restrained them, -held his lips mute. He did not want to believe they had had any hand in -Sunbeam's disappearance, and yet the conviction was growing upon him -that they had kidnapped and would hold her for ransom. - -"And if the same proves true," he muttered with the old glint in his -eye, "it's mesilf and the rest of the byes that will do the biggest kind -of a good turn consarning the spalpeens." - -For the second time the beach leading from the bungalow eastward to the -temporary home of Doctor Spellman was traversed, and the search if -possible was made more rigid than before. With so many at work, a number -tramped through the woods bordering on the open space, though that -seemed useless since in the gloom their eyes were of little help. They -did not forget to call the name of the lost one, Mike taking upon -himself this duty. He used her right name as well as those by which he -and other friends knew her, and his clear voice penetrated so far into -the still arches that it was heard by other searchers who, though they -shouted as loud, were not audible to him and his companions. - -Gradually they approached the desolate home, arriving there about -midnight. They had not come upon the slightest clue and no one was found -in the house, nor was any light burning. All were pretty tired, for the -tramp was a long one, but they were as ardent as ever to do their utmost -to find the missing child. - -"There's no use in going back to the bungalow," said Mike, as the group -gathered in the little clearing; "it strikes me we may as well turn into -the woods." - -It must have been about this time that the searching party which had -gone to the westward completed the circumvallation and joined Jack -Crandall seated on the piazza,--listening, watching and praying that all -might be well with the lost child. These boys had been as painstaking -and thorough as Mike and his friends, and were equally unsuccessful. Not -the faintest light upon the mystery had come to them. - -"I don't think it possible she took that direction, unless it may have -been for a short distance, for there was nothing to attract her thither. -In visiting us she was always brought across the lake, though I heard -her father say they had followed the beach once or twice. The distance -is less." - -"We fellows can't go to bed," said Colgate Craig, "until the little one -is found." - -"You have had a long tramp and must be pretty tired." - -"That has nothing to do with it," said Robert Snow sturdily; "we'll keep -it up all night, if there's the least chance of it doing any good." - -"The trouble is," said Jack, who had learned the particulars of what had -been done from Mike Murphy, "Mr. Hall has made no plans beyond what all -of you were to do first. You with Mike's party have gone round the lake, -and a part of the distance--the most promising as it seems to me--has -been covered twice." - -"Do you think there is any use of our retracing our steps?" - -"Not the slightest; wherever Ruth may be found, it will not be in that -direction." - -"Where do you advise us to go?" - -"Follow Mike's party; that will be the third time the ground has been -traversed." - -"What do you think has become of Sunbeam, as Mike calls her?" - -"It seems to me she has strayed only a little way from home, grown -weary, sat down to rest and fallen asleep." - -The counsel of Jack Crandall was followed. Thus the major part of the -searchers were soon pushing through the woods in the neighborhood of -Doctor Spellman's home. It will be recalled that he, his wife and Scout -Master Hall, set about this task upon the first breaking up of the Boy -Scouts to prosecute their separate lines of work. Although they parted -company directly after leaving the others, the three kept in touch with -one another, and after a time husband and wife joined, with Mr. Hall -just far enough away to be invisible. - -The Scout Master left it to the parents of Ruth to call to her. They did -this at brief intervals, and they did not listen more intently for the -reply which came not than did he. When an hour had been used without -result, the three came together in a small open space lighted by the -moon. - -The mother, although distressed beyond description, was become more -composed. - -"What do you think, Mr. Hall?" she wearily asked. - -"I judge that, like all healthy children, Ruth is a sound sleeper. What -more likely than that when worn out, she has lain down on the leaves -like another Babe in the Wood, and will not open her eyes until morning? -Am I not right, Doctor?" - -"Undoubtedly, provided she has been permitted to do as you say." - -"I do not understand you." - -"What is the use of our keeping silent, when the same fear is in all our -hearts?" - -"I still fail to catch your meaning." - -"Wife, and you, and I believe she has been kidnapped by those tramps." - -The mother gave a gasp and low moan. Covering her face with her hands, -she sobbed: - -"That's what I have feared from the first." - -"I cannot deny that the dread has been with me," said the Scout Master, -"yet I have hoped and still hope we are mistaken." - -"I see no room for such hope." - -"But, even if so, it should be an immeasurable relief. It means that she -has not fallen into the lake, nor is she in danger from a night's -exposure." - -"But think of her being in the power of those hideous creatures," wailed -the mother. - -"If they have stolen her it is for the purpose of ransom. They will take -the utmost care that not the slightest harm befalls her, since it would -defeat their scheme." - -"And this is the twentieth century!" was the bitter exclamation of the -physician. "If the probability occurred to you and me, why did we not -take steps to baffle them instead of wasting our time in groping through -the darkness of the woods?" - -"I did do so." - -"Now it is I who do not understand." - -"Two of the fleetest of the Boy Scouts,--Alvin Landon and Chester -Haynes,--are at this moment making all haste to the village of Bovil, on -the road to Boothbay Harbor. If they can reach a telephone, they will -communicate with officers in the surrounding towns and villages, asking -for the arrest of the tramps on sight. Those boys will not waste a -minute." - -"Thank heaven for that." - -"Furthermore, at the earliest moment they will 'phone your nephew, and -you need not be told that he and his dog Zip will be equally quick in -getting on the job." - -"_That_ gives me more hope than anything that has happened since my -child disappeared," was the declaration of Doctor Spellman, whose wife -shared in the pleasurable thrill. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII -- A Fortunate Meeting - - -Scout Master Hall was right when he said Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes -would not waste a minute in carrying out the task he had given them. -They were determined to secure the arrest of the men who it was believed -had kidnapped the little daughter of Doctor Spellman, before they could -leave that section. In addition, they aimed to get the help of George -Burton and his bloodhound. - -This last was far more important than the other, and would insure the -discovery of the fate of the child. If Zip was allowed to take the scent -within twenty-four hours after she left home--and possibly a little -later--he would never lose it. - -It was four miles over the rough broken trace to the highway, and then -two more of smoother traveling would bring them to the straggling town -of Bovil, where they hoped to secure telephonic communication with -Boothbay Harbor and other near by towns. If that could be done, they -could reach Samoset Hotel, on Mouse Island, by the same means. It would -be like young Burton to start at once. He could be taken quickly across -to Boothbay in a motor-boat, where he knew the right course to follow, -since he had been over it with Zip. He would have to ascend the -Sheepscot and walk three miles to reach Bovil, but if a midnight start -was made, he ought to reach the village at daylight and soon after. - -It was between eleven and twelve o'clock that Alvin and Chester came in -sight of the score of buildings which make up the village of Bovil. When -they passed through it on their way to Gosling Lake, they paid so slight -attention that they could not recall whether it had an inn. Vastly to -their delight, however, they came upon the old-fashioned structure near -the center of the place, and it was the only one in which a light was -burning. - -"That's luck," said Alvin, as the two ascended the steps, pushed open -the door and entered the roomy office, with its unpainted desk, broad -fireplace where no wood was burning, a bench without any back, several -rickety chairs, and showy posters on the walls for the information of -travelers by boat or rail. - -Staring around the room, by the dim light of the kerosene lamp suspended -from the middle of the ceiling, the youths at first saw no person, but -heavy breathing directed attention to a settee at the other side, upon -which a young man was stretched at full length, with his coat doubled -under him for a pillow. He was the model watchman, who was aroused only -by vigorous shaking. By and by he glumly assumed a sitting posture, and -blinked at the disturbers. - -"What do you want?" he demanded sourly. - -"Can you get us a room?" - -"'Spose so. Why didn't you come earlier?" - -"Because we came later," replied Chester; "have you got a telephone in -the house?" - -"'Course we have,--what of it?" - -"We want to use it at once to call up Boothbay Harbor." - -"This ain't no time to bother with such things; you'll have to wait till -morning. What bus'ness had you to wake me up?" - -"See here," said Alvin, who was in no mood for trifling, "we have come a -good many miles to reach a telephone; this is a case of life and death; -we haven't a minute to spare." - -"Don't make no difference; you'll have to wait till to-morrer morning." - -"Give me the number of the Chief of police at Boothbay." - -As Alvin made the peremptory request, he slipped two silver half dollars -into the bony hand of the young man. This effected the purpose intended. -He became wide awake on the instant, stepped briskly to the desk, caught -up the receiver of the instrument, asked and answered several questions, -and after a brief wait, nodded to Alvin, who with Chester stood at his -elbow. - -"Here you are," he said, passing the receiver to the former; "Art -Spofford is the chief of police at Boothbay, and he's at t'other end of -the wire." - -Artemus Spofford, or "Art" as he is called by every one, was courteous, -and replied that no tramps had been seen in town for several weeks, but -he and his officers would be on the alert and arrest and hold any -vagrants answering the description. Not only that, but he volunteered to -communicate with the neighboring towns and see that every possible -precaution was taken. - -"Leave it to me," he added; "don't mix in; I can attend to it better -than you; how shall I reach you, if we scoop in the gentlemen?" - -It was agreed that Art should 'phone to Bovil, where some of the Boy -Scouts would call at intervals of a few hours to get any message left -for them. This arrangement was the most convenient for all concerned. - -It took some trying minutes for Alvin to get Hotel Samoset on Mouse -Island. It looked as if Everett Ham, the night clerk, was also asleep at -his post, but I must not do the faithful young man that injustice. He -responded after a time, and an understanding was speedily reached. - -"Is George Burton staying at your hotel?" - -"Yes; he has been here for a week." - -"Please call him to the 'phone as quickly as you can; this is of the -utmost importance; don't delay for a moment." - -"Hold the wire." - -With his ear to the receiver, Alvin Landon plainly heard by means of the -marvelous invention the hurrying footfalls of Clerk Ham as he dashed out -of the office, along the hall and upstairs to rouse Burton. Sooner than -was expected he was back at the instrument. - -"Hello! are you there?" he called. - -"Yes; where is Burton?" - -"He isn't in the hotel." - -The boys were dumfounded for the moment. - -"You are sure of that?" - -"Yes; I've been to his room; he isn't there; then I remembered he went -off two days ago and hasn't been back since." - -"Didn't he leave any word as to where he was going?" - -"He never does; he and that dog of his are on the tramp all the time." - -"Then you can't help me to locate him?" - -"I wish I could; there's only two things he's fond of,--that is scouting -through the country with that dog of his, and going to clambakes. Capt. -Free McKown says he's looney on clambakes and eats as much as any two -men." - -"Well, Mr. Ham, will you be good enough to give a message to Burton the -first minute you see him?" - -"I surely will." - -"Tell him to make all haste to his uncle on Gosling Lake--Got that? That -their little girl is lost, and her parents are distracted with -grief--Get that? And they beg him to come as quickly as he can--Get -that?" - -Ham repeated the substance of the words, and then rang off. - -"We may as well go to bed," said Chester to the clerk, who had sauntered -back to the settee and sat down. He lighted a tallow candle and led them -upstairs to a roomy apartment, where he bade them good night, pausing at -the door long enough to say: - -"There's only one other chap staying with us; he's at t'other end of the -hall. Do you want me to call you in the morning?" - -"No; we shall wake early." - -"That's a bad setback," said Chester dejectedly, as the two began -preparing for bed; "we never dreamed that Burton would be away from -Mouse Island." - -"And with not the remotest idea of where to look for him. He left his -uncle's house this forenoon, and may be miles inland, without our being -able to get track of him for a week. I can't help feeling that Zip is -the only one that can solve the puzzle, and it won't take him long to do -so." - -"No one who knows the dog can doubt that. If Sunbeam has managed to fall -into the lake, he will lead us to the spot. If those scamps have stolen -her, she will be found within an hour or two,--and then may the Lord -have mercy on them!" - -"Chest, do you believe they are mixed up in this business?" - -"I can't help suspecting it." - -"I don't, even though their hanging about Doctor Spellman's home has a -bad look. Those kidnappings are done in the cities,--not in the open -country like this; and then think for a moment of the conditions. For -two tousled bums to steal a little girl, and compel her father to pay a -ransom for her,--here in the Maine woods, within a few miles of Boothbay -Harbor,--why the thing is preposterous." - -"Has it occurred to you that they may be connected with others? They may -be agents of the Mafia or Camorra or some regularly organized gang of -kidnappers." - -This was new to Alvin, and disturbed him painfully. What was improbable -about it? The persistency of Biggs and Hutt in prowling about the lake -suggested a strong motive,--such as that of earning a big reward through -the commission of some such crime as indicated. - -"I tell you, Chest, none of us has gone the right way about this -business. Suppose Chief Spofford or some other officer succeeds in -arresting the two tramps, what good will it do? They are not such fools -as to walk into a town with a little girl in their charge. They would be -called to account on sight without any request from her friends. As we -agreed, we must pin our faith on the bloodhound, and we may not find him -for days, when the trail will be so cold that even he cannot follow it." - -The two felt that for the present they were at the end of their rope. -They had done all they could to set the wheels in motion for the arrest -of the tramps who were under suspicion, and the dread was strong with -them that if such arrest could be brought about it would affect nothing. -Any plan for the kidnapping of the little girl would be so cunningly -laid by master minds that their agents would never walk into a trap, no -matter how skilfully set. - -"We must find Burton and his dog," was the last remark of Alvin. His -companion murmured assent and then the two sank into the sleep of -weariness and sound health, because of which they did not awake until -the young man who had received them the night before hammered on the -door and shouted that breakfast would be ready in ten minutes. - -With self-reproaches they bounded out of bed, hurried through their -preparations, and went down stairs two steps at a time. The meal was on -the table, and for the moment they were the only guests, with the young -man referred to acting as waiter. - -The boys had hardly seated themselves when through the open door entered -a third guest, accompanied by a black, sturdy, long-eared dog, and the -name of the youth was George Burton and that of his canine companion -Zip. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV -- "The Latchstring Was Inside!" - - -The meeting was a joyous one. Alvin and Chester sprang to their feet and -grasped in turn the hand of their astonished friend, while Zip, never -forgetting his dignity, looked on as if he understood it all, as quite -likely he did. - -"I didn't leave Uncle Wilson's until after dinner yesterday," said -Burton, "and as Zip and I were in no hurry, it was growing dark when we -got here. Somehow or other, I fancied the looks of this old-fashioned -inn and decided to stay over night, but what is it brings you here?" -asked the young man as all three sat down to the table. - -And then Alvin told his astounding story, to which Burton listened with -breathless interest. - -"How dreadful!" he exclaimed; "it distresses me more than I can tell. It -was fortunate indeed that I decided to stop here, for I may not return -to Mouse Island for several days. I reckon we shall do some tall -traveling to Gosling Lake." - -They did not linger over their breakfast. Burton tossed a few mouthfuls -of meat to the dog, which sat on the floor beside his chair. As a rule, -when off on one of his tramps, the hound shared his room, though he did -not do so at the bungalow, which explained why Alvin and Chester saw -nothing of the animal when they arrived several hours before. - -"It isn't any use to theorize," remarked Burton, as the three paid their -bill and hurried out of the inn, "for at such times you are more likely -to be wrong than right. Ruth may have fallen into the lake and been -drowned, without her body being found for several days; it may be that -those tramps belong to an organized gang and have stolen and hidden her, -but in that case," added the young man with a flash of his eyes, "they -forgot to reckon with Zip; and if so, they will soon learn their -mistake." - -"The general belief when we left last night," said Chester, "was that -she had simply wandered off in the woods until tired out, when she lay -down and fell asleep." - -"That sounds reasonable, but I can't shake off the fear that it is not -the right explanation." - -It need not be said that while the three boys were hurrying over the -highway and along the rough path with the eager Zip, who knew that -something was in the air, keeping them company, the Boy Scouts and -Doctor Spellman and his wife were busy. - -Their aimless groping through the wood was kept up until far beyond -midnight, when the physician compelled his wife to return with him to -the house and lie down for a brief rest. Scout Master Hall suggested to -the members of the troop to return to the bungalow, he accompanying -them, where they too secured sleep, and ate their morning meal at -daylight. The agreement was that all should assemble at an early hour at -the doctor's home, where a decision would be made as to what was next to -be done. - -If the child, as all prayed was the case, had simply gone astray in the -woods, she would awake at an early hour and renew her effort to find her -way home. With so many persons wandering here, there and everywhere she -must hear their calls and her rescue could not be long delayed. If such -proved not to be the case, and she had not been drowned, it would mean -the worst. She was the victim of the most atrocious miscreants who -lived,--for no crime is more merciless and unforgivable than the -kidnapping of the pet of a household, and giving its parents the choice -of paying an enormous ransom or never seeing it again. - -Now, it may have struck you as strange that no reference has been made -to Uncle Elk in the consternation which followed the discovery that Ruth -Spellman had been lost or stolen. In knowledge of woodcraft none of the -searchers could be compared to him, and yet no one had asked his help. -The reason was simple. With all his skill in the ways of the forest, he -could do no more, so long as the night lasted, than the youngest member -of the Boy Scouts. He could join in the aimless groping and shouting, -but with a score already doing their utmost, he would simply be one -among them. - -Although morning brought a change of conditions, it would seem that they -were still unsurmountable, for what Apache, or Sioux or Shawnee (unless -he were Deerfoot) could trail a little child through the forest, when -her almost imperceptible footprints had been repeatedly crossed by other -feet? - -"I think we ought to appeal to Uncle Elk," said Scout Master Hall to the -parents, after the scouts assembled at the Doctor's home had scattered -to press their hunt harder than ever. "None of us can equal him." - -"You know that for some cause which I cannot fathom, he has formed an -intense dislike for my wife and me," said the perplexed father. - -"But it is impossible that it should include the little one. At such a -time as this no heart has room for enmity, no matter what fancy may have -dictated." - -"I am willing to be guided by your judgement," replied the doctor, after -his wife had joined in the plea. "If Ruth has slept alone in the woods, -she must have awakened an hour or two ago and ought to have been found. -I don't see how the old hermit can help us, but we must neglect nothing. -Come on." - -But Mike Murphy had anticipated their action. We know what unbounded -faith he held in Uncle Elk, and more than once he had felt inclined to -go to his cabin. With the coming of morning he decided to do so. - -Consulting with Patrol Leader Chase, Mike found that he had formed the -same decision. Accordingly the two withdrew from the others without -attracting notice and made their way together to the cabin of their old -friend. This was so far removed from the zone of active search that none -of the other Scouts was met. - -"If he can't help us, no one can," said Chase. - -"There's only one cratur that can thrack Sunbeam through the woods, and -his name is Zip," replied Mike. "If I hadn't seen with me own eyes what -he can do, I wouldn't belave the same. Wal, here we are!" - -They had reached the little clearing in the middle of which stood the -familiar cabin, as silent and devoid of all signs of life as ever. -Without hesitation, Mike led the way up the path, placed his foot on the -small steps, and was about to reach up to draw the latch, when he -recoiled with a gasp. - -"Do ye obsarve that?" he asked in a startled whisper. - -_The latchstring was inside!_ - -Never since the leathern thong was first shoved through the little -orifice above the tongue of iron had this occurred, by day or night. - -The two boys stood for several minutes staring at the blank door, and -then looked in each other's face. Not the slightest sound was heard from -within. - -"What does it mean, Mike?" asked the Patrol Leader in a still lower -whisper. - -"It maans 'no admittince'; this is no place for us. I can't guess what -raison Uncle Elk has for shutting ivery one out, but he's done it, and -we must respect it." - -They turned away, hurrying in the direction of Doctor Spellman's house, -and had almost reached it when they met the physician, his wife and -Scout Master Hall, to whom the two boys told the astounding news. In -other circumstances they would have theorized as to the cause of Uncle -Elk's unaccountable action, but there was only one theme that filled -every mind. - -"It shuts us off from any aid by _him_," remarked the doctor; "we can -only keep up the search and wait for the coming of my nephew and his -dog,--but," he added bitterly, "that may not be for days, when even he -can do nothing." - -A ringing shout caused all to turn their heads and look along the beach -toward the northern side of the lake. Three boys were coming toward them -on a run, and a few paces ahead of them, as if he were their leader, -galloped a black dog. - -"God be thanked!" exclaimed the mother clasping her hands. "It's George -and Zip!" - -"Not forgitting Alvin and Chest, the two best boys that iver lived, -barring only mesilf." - -The next minute the parties were mingling, and greeting one another. -Alvin, Chester and young Burton were panting, for they had not let the -grass grow under their feet on the way from Bovil to Gosling Lake, but -they were still good for much more of the same kind of work. - -"Zip is ready," said his master, "and we are near the house. Let's make -a start, for we are soon to learn the truth." - -The news of the arrival of Zip quickly spread by means of shouts and -calls to the scattered Boy Scouts, who began flocking to the quarters of -Doctor Spellman, until very nearly the whole troop were gathered there. -In answer to the request of Burton for some article of wearing apparel -recently worn by Ruth, the mother with a calmness that impressed every -one, brought forward a pair of chubby shoes, which the little one in an -effort to "break them in" had kept on her feet until late in the -afternoon, when they irked her so much she changed them for an old pair. -Burton held them out to Zip, who sniffed several times and then turned -his head away to signify that he had learned enough. - -"Now, get to work!" commanded his master. - -The scent was perhaps fourteen hours old when the Boy Scouts assembled -in front of the wooden structure, saw Zip begin trotting to and fro with -his nose to the ground. Suddenly he bayed slightly, and started down the -slope in the direction of the lake. - -"He's hit the trail!" said the excited Burton, dashing after him; "not -too fast, Zip." - -The youth never used a leash. The hound wore a handsome collar with his -name and the address of his master engraved on it. His voice was -sufficient to restrain Zip if he traveled too rapidly. - -But the dog at his slowest traveled so fast that the boys had to trot to -keep pace with him. His master by common consent took the lead, with -Alvin, Chester, Mike and the others at his heels. Zip would have drawn -away from them all had not his master sharply restrained him. The doctor -was well to the rear, in order to keep company with his wife. - -The hound went straight toward the water, but a few paces away turned to -the left, taking a course which if continued would lead him to the -bungalow. This was kept up for more than a hundred yards, when he -abruptly stopped and throwing up his head looked off over the lake, -without emitting any sound. - -The mother with a moan staggered and would have fallen had she not been -caught in the arms of her husband. - -"That means she is drowned!" faintly whispered the stricken wife. "O -Wilson! I cannot bear it!" - -"No, my dear; he has gone forward again; be brave; hope is still left." - -Zip now led the company along the beach, at the same steady trot, with -his master almost near enough to grasp his collar, and checking him now -and then when he went too fast. There could be no doubt that he was -following the scent, from which nothing could divert him. - -But whither was it leading? - -The run was a long one, always within a few paces of the water, until a -point was reached opposite the path which led to the cabin of Uncle Elk. -Here, to the astonishment of every one, the dog turned off and went up -the slope. - -"What can that mean?" was the question which each one asked himself. - -And with more amazement than before, the procession of pursuers saw Zip -follow the path across the clearing to the door of the cabin, where he -stopped, threw up his nose and bayed. It was notice that he had reached -the end of the trail. - -Ruth Spellman was inside the log structure. - -In a twinkling the whole company was grouped around the front of the -building. - -"Why don't you go in?" demanded the Doctor, pressing impatiently -forward. - -"You forget the latchstring is inside," reminded Scout Master Hall. - -"What difference does that make? Is this a time to hesitate? Let's break -in the door! Make room for me and I'll do it!" - -Mike Murphy, Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes ran to the little window a -few paces beyond the door and peered through the panes. - -"Sunbeam is there!" shouted Mike, "and nothing is the matter with her!" - -Before he could explain further, there was a crash. The impact of Doctor -Spellman's powerful shoulder carried the staple which held the latch -from its fastenings and the door swung inward. Through it swarmed the -Boy Scouts, the physician and his wife in the lead. - -In front of the broad fireplace, where the embers had long died, sat -Uncle Elk in his rocking chair, silent, motionless and with head bowed. -Seated on his knees, with her curls half hiding her pretty face and -resting against his massive chest, was Ruth Spellman, sleeping as -sweetly as if on her cot at home. - -With a glad cry, the mother rushed forward and flung her arms about the -child, sobbing with joy. - -"O my darling! Thank heaven you are found!" and she smothered the -bewildered one with kisses and caresses. - -Suddenly Doctor Spellman raised his hand and an instant hush fell upon -all. He had lifted the limp arm of the man and placed his finger on the -wrist. The professional eye saw that which escaped the others. He said -in a solemn voice: - -"Uncle Elk is dead!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXV -- And the Last - - -Enough has been said in the preceding pages to show that Elkanah Sisum -was a man of excellent birth and superior culture. He possessed moderate -wealth, and when admitted to the bar his prospects could not have been -brighter, but misfortune seemed to have marked him for its own. It -delivered the first crushing blow by taking away the beloved wife of his -young manhood, and leaving him an only child,--Ruth, who was as the -apple of his eye. At eighteen she married a worthy young man who was -admitted as a partner in the law firm and displayed brilliant ability. -Unto the couple was born also a single daughter, named for its mother. - -Sisum never remarried, but lavished his affection upon his daughter and -especially the grandchild Ruth, whom it may be said he loved more than -his own life. Thus things stood until the little one was nearly five -years old, when she showed alarming signs of sinking into a decline. Her -parents decided to take her on a long sea voyage in the summer time. The -understanding was that they were to be gone for several months, but they -never returned. Their steamer was not heard of again. - -It was years before the grandfather gave up hope. The long brooding over -his grief and the final yielding to despair,--slow but final,--produced -a strange effect upon his mind. Only his most intimate friends saw that -his brain was affected; others met and talked with him daily with never -a suspicion of the fact. He had come to the gradual but fixed belief -that although his dear ones had left him for the land of shadows, yet -somewhere and at some time in this life his grandchild would come to -him. She might not remain long, but she would reveal herself -unmistakably before Uncle Elk himself passed into the Great Beyond. It -was the centering of his thoughts and hopes upon this strange fancy that -was actual monomania. Scout Master Hall detected it, though none of the -Boy Scouts dreamed of anything of the kind. As the delusion fastened -itself upon the old man, he formed a distaste for society, which of -itself grew until it made him the hermit we found in the Maine woods -during this summer. There he spent his hours in reading, and in studying -animal and bird life,--trees and woodcraft. He never lost his gentle -affection for his fellow men, and at long intervals visited his former -acquaintances; but, though he left his latchstring outside and gave -welcome to whoever called, he preferred to make his abiding place far -from the haunts of men. - -What mind can understand its own mysteries? While the current of life -was moving smoothly with the old man, Doctor Spellman put up his summer -home on the shore of the lake not very distant from the cabin of Uncle -Elk. The latter set out to call upon them almost as soon as he learned -of their arrival. While too far for the couple to see him, he caught -sight of them sitting in front of their structure, the doctor smoking -and the wife engaged in crochet work. Their child was playing with a -doll indoors, and Uncle Elk saw nothing of her, nor did he learn of her -existence until several days later, when occurred the incident that will -be told further on. - -It was that sight of the man and woman that gave a curious twist to the -delusion of the hermit. He was startled by the woman's striking -resemblance to his own daughter who had been lost at sea years before. -He formed a sudden and intense dislike of the man who had presumed to -marry a person that resembled his child, and it was painful to look upon -the wife who bore such a resemblance. No brain, except one already -somewhat askew, could have been the victim of so queer a process. Such, -however, was the fact and of itself it explains a number of incidents -that otherwise could not be explained. - -It will be noted that thus far Uncle Elk had not seen the little child -who was the image of her mother, and since the parents quickly learned -of his strange antipathy and took care to avoid meeting him, it is -unlikely that in the ordinary course of events he ever would have come -face to face with the little one. - -Now nothing is more evident than the absurdity of my trying to describe -the mental ordeal through which this man passed on that last and most -memorable night of his life. I base what I say upon that which Doctor -Spellman told me as the result of his painstaking investigation, during -the succeeding months, of the most singular case with which he was ever -concerned, and even the brilliant medical man could not be absolutely -certain of all his conclusions. However, they sound so reasonable that I -now give them. - -Throughout the afternoon, Uncle Elk was depressed in spirits, as is -sometimes true of a person who is on the eve of some event or experience -of decisive importance to himself. He was subject to a peculiar physical -chilliness which led him to kindle a fire on his broad hearth, in front -of which as the night shadows gathered, he seated himself in his -cushioned rocking chair. As time passed he gave himself over to -meditation of the long ago with its sorrowful memories. - -He had sat thus for some time when he was roused by the twitching of the -latchstring. He turned his head to welcome his caller, when he was so -startled that at first he could not believe what his eyes told him. A -little girl, of the age and appearance of the one who had gone down in -the depths of the fathomless sea, stood before him. - -"Good evening," called the child in her gentle voice; "how do you do?" - -"Who are you? What's your name?" faltered the astounded old man. - -"I am Ruth," she replied, coming toward him with the trusting confidence -of childhood. - -This was the name of the loved one who had left him in the long ago. The -resemblance was perfect, as it seemed to him. _It was she!_ - -He rose to his feet, reached out, clasped her hand and touched his lips -to the chubby cheek. - -"God be praised! You are my own Ruth come back to me after all these -years!" - -That poor brain, racked by so many torturing fancies, accepted it all as -truth. - -"I am so tired," said the wearied little one, "I want to rest myself." - -He tenderly lifted her in his arms and carried her behind the curtains, -through which the firelight shone, laid her on the couch with her head -resting on the pillow, and drew the coverlet over her form. At the end -of the few moments thus occupied he saw that she had sunk into the soft -dreamless sleep of health and exhaustion. - -He came back to the sitting room. The outer door stood ajar, as it had -been left by the infantile visitor. As he closed it he did an -unprecedented thing,--he drew in the latchstring. He wanted no intruders -during these sacred hours. Then he seated himself as before and gave -himself up to musings and to wrestling with the problem which was really -beyond his solution. - -There must have been moments when he glimpsed the truth. That which he -had lifted in his arms was flesh and blood and therefore could not be -the Ruth who had stepped into the great unknown many years before. Yet -she looked the same, and bore her name. Could it not be that heaven had -permitted this almost incomprehensible thing? - -He sat in front of the fire, which was allowed to smoulder all through -the night. It is probable that he rose more than once, drew the curtains -aside and looked upon the little one as revealed in the expiring -firelight. - -"Whatever the explanation, it means that _my_ Ruth and I will soon be -together. If it is not she who has come to me, I shall soon go to her." - -Unlocking a small drawer of the table, he drew out a large, unsealed -envelope, unfolded the paper inside, glanced at the writing, returned it -to the enclosure and laid it on the stand where it could not fail to be -seen by any visitor, and then resumed his seat. - -"By this time," said Doctor Spellman, "the brain which had been clouded -probably became normal. He knew that my Ruth could not be his Ruth. He -must have seen that she was the child of the man whom he intensely -disliked because I had presumed to marry a woman who resembled the -daughter whom he had lost." - -When daylight returned, Uncle Elk after a time aroused himself. He did -not renew the blaze on the hearth, but once more drew the curtain aside. -Ruth Spellman still slept. As gently as he had laid her down, he raised -and carried her back to his chair where he resumed his seat, with the -curly unconscious head resting upon his breast, and after a time, he -closed his own eyes, never to open them again. - -In the presence of death all was hushed. The Boy Scouts bowed their -uncovered heads, and as they stood in the crowded room gazed in awe upon -the gray head and inanimate form in the chair. Even the overjoyed mother -who had clasped her loved child and lifted her from the lifeless arms -suppressed her glad croonings, while the bewildered Ruth gazed upon the -strange scene with hardly a glimmering of what it all meant. - -For the moment, Doctor Spellman was the professional expert. In a low -voice he addressed the Scout Master and the young friends who looked -into his face and listened. - -"Uncle Elk passed away several hours ago,--his death from heart failure -was so painless that it was like falling asleep, as was the case with -our child. This looks as if he had left a message for us." - -As he spoke, the doctor picked up the large unsealed envelope and held -it up so as to show the address,--"To be opened by whosoever finds it -after my death." - -Drawing out and unfolding the sheet, the physician read aloud: - -"It is my wish to be buried on the plot between my cabin and the brook. -Over my grave a plain marble stone is to erected with the inscription, -'Elkanah Sisum. Born January 23, 1828; died ----' Add nothing to the -date of my death. Inclosed are enough funds to pay the expense. Whatever -remains, which is all the money I possess, I desire to be presented to -the Sailors' Snug Harbor, New York." - -Having finished the reading, the physician added: - -"The coroner must be notified and the proper legal steps taken. We -should get word to Boothbay Harbor as soon as possible." - -"I will attend to that," said George Burton, "and start at once." - -The wishes of Uncle Elk were carried out in spirit and letter. The -clergyman who came from Boothbay Harbor preached a touching sermon, and -a score of men who had known the old man for years came out to the cabin -to pay their last respects. The evidence of Doctor Spellman was all the -coroner required, and there was no hitch in the solemn exercises. - -Mike Murphy, when he could command his emotions, sang "Lead, kindly -Light," with such exquisite pathos that there was not a dry eye among -the listeners. The grave had been dug by the Boy Scouts, who stood with -bared heads as the coffin was slowly lowered into its final resting -place. 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