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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-10 21:21:13 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-10 21:21:13 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/75342-0.txt b/75342-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9be0506 --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8234 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75342 *** + + +[Illustration: “Stop her, somebody! We will all be drowned!” See page +74.] + + + + + Tour of the Zero Club + OR + Adventures Amid Ice and Snow + + BY + CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL + + AUTHOR OF + “Neka, the Boy Conjuror,” “For the Liberty of Texas,” + “Boys of the Fort,” etc. + + [Illustration] + + NEW YORK AND LONDON + STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS + + + + + Copyright, 1902 + By STREET & SMITH + + Tour of the Zero Club + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER. PAGE. + + I--On the Toboggan-Slide 9 + + II--Lost or Won? 16 + + III--The Races 24 + + IV--A Moment of Peril 31 + + V--Getting Ready to Start 39 + + VI--Last Ride on the Buster 47 + + VII--By a Hair’s Breadth 53 + + VIII--The Stolen Iceboat 60 + + IX--The Tour Begins 66 + + X--Close Quarters 74 + + XI--A Lucky Shot 81 + + XII--Jack Becomes Lost 88 + + XIII--Jack’s Experience 95 + + XIV--A Fight With Reptiles 102 + + XV--Lost in the Snow 109 + + XVI--Settling Down in Camp 115 + + XVII--Hunting for Food 122 + + XVIII--Chased by Wolves 128 + + XIX--The Last of the Wolves 135 + + XX--What Could It Have Been? 142 + + XXI--Deer Hunting 148 + + XXII--Track of the Marauders 155 + + XXIII--The Cottage in the Woods 162 + + XXIV--Harry’s Prize 169 + + XXV--A Friend in Need 175 + + XXVI--The Unsuccessful Pursuit 182 + + XXVII--A Heavy Storm 189 + + XXVIII--Fighting the Flames 196 + + XXIX--Blue Times in Camp 203 + + XXX--Found Starving 209 + + XXXI--Immediate Wants Supplied 216 + + XXXII--Last of the Wildcat 222 + + XXXIII--The Snow Siege Ended 228 + + XXXIV--A Lively Time 235 + + XXXV--At the Country Dance 240 + + XXXVI--The Black Bear 246 + + XXXVII--End of the Tour 253 + + + + +TOUR OF THE ZERO CLUB. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +ON THE TOBOGGAN-SLIDE. + + +“All ready?” + +“All ready!” + +“Then here we go! Hold on, everybody, unless you want to be sent flying +when we reach the curve!” + +As Harry Webb uttered the last words he gave his long toboggan, the +_Buster_, a final shove, and hopped on behind his three companions, and +away they started on the trip down Doublehead Hill. + +It was a stirring scene. The upper and lower hills, although light in +the full moon, were made doubly bright by the scores of bonfires and +pine torches which blazed on either side of the narrow toboggan-slide. + +Scores of boys and girls were out, and not a few ladies and gentlemen +also, and all looked warm and happy in their gayly-colored toboggan +suits. + +The long, low sleds were out by the dozens, and Jack Bascoe, who was +steering the _Buster_ as best he could, had a difficult time of it, +keeping clear of dangerous collisions. + +“By jingo! but this is fine!” cried Andy Bascoe, Jack’s younger +brother. “Who would want better sport than this?” + +“You’re right, it’s fine!” returned Boxy Woodruff, the most +light-hearted boy in Rudskill. “A fellow would like to keep sailing +like this forever, eh? Just spread out your arms and--wow!” + +Boxy’s imitation of flying came to a sudden stop as the toboggan shot +over a little hill and came down with a thump on the other side. He +was thrown a bit to one side, and only saved himself by grasping Jack +Bascoe around the middle with both arms. + +“Hold on, Boxy!” cried Jack, a little alarmed. + +“That’s what I’m doing,” returned Boxy. + +“I feel you,” said Jack, grimly. “But don’t pull me off, please. I’ve +got to keep my eyes open for the other toboggans and sleds, you know.” + +“I’m all right now, and I’ll do my flying act some other time,” +returned Boxy. + +“Here comes the _Whistler_!” cried Harry. “We ought to be able to beat +Pete Sully’s toboggan.” + +“Of course!” added Andy. + +“Everybody push!” put in Boxy, in a dry way that made them all laugh. +“Maybe you would like me to get off and help pull,” he added, in mock +seriousness. + +As they were going at a speed little less than a mile a minute down the +long hill, the others laughed louder than ever. + +The _Whistler_, with Pete Sully, the bully of the town, and several of +his chums, was creeping up by their side. It was a brand-new toboggan, +and slid along as though greased. + +“You fellows ain’t in it any more!” shouted Sully to Harry, as he came +within speaking distance. “Here’s where we leave you away behind!” + +“You’ve got more weight!” returned Harry. “Give me the same weight, and +the _Buster_ will walk away from you with ease.” + +“I’ll bet you a dollar you can’t!” shouted Sully. + +“I haven’t got a dollar to bet, Pete,” replied Harry, and he told the +truth, for, although he owned the _Buster_, Harry Webb was poor, and +had not known what it was to own a dollar for several years, ever since +his father had lost his money in an unfortunate real estate speculation. + +“Oh, you’re afraid to bet,” cried Sully, mockingly. “Good-by, slow +boots!” + +“I’ll bet my pocket-knife against yours we can beat you!” said Harry, +considerably nettled by Sully’s taunts. “We will take the same number +aboard and try our skill.” + +“Done!” yelled Sully, for he was now several rods ahead. + +Down the last of the second hill and along the level road shot the +_Buster_, and presently came to a standstill just where the Rudskill +turnpike branched off across the railroad tracks. The _Whistler_ had +gone on a couple of hundred feet farther up the side of the tracks. + +“Told you we’d beat you!” exclaimed Pete Sully, as he and his +chums joined Harry and his friends. “You had better not bet your +pocket-knife unless you want to lose it.” + +“I am not afraid to try against you, Sully, and perhaps it will be you +who will lose his pocket-knife.” + +“Humph!” sneered Sully. “No fear. And if I did, I guess I could buy +another easy enough, even if somebody else couldn’t.” + +This was a direct shot at Harry’s poverty, and made the ears of the +poor boy tingle, while his handsome face flushed. + +“Come on and try your skill and quit your talking,” exclaimed Jack +Bascoe, rather sharply, and he faced Sully as he spoke. “There is no +use in wasting time here.” + +Had it been any one else than Jack Bascoe who had spoken thus +suggestively to him, Pete Sully might have picked a quarrel then and +there. He was a very overbearing boy, and never allowed a chance of +whipping some other boy go by him. + +But the truth of the matter was, that he had once run up against Jack’s +fist in a most surprising fashion. Blood had flowed freely, and from +that time on the bully of Rudskill knew there were two boys in the town +he dare not molest, Jack and his younger brother, Andy. + +So, muttering something under his breath which Harry and his friends +could not hear, Sully and his cohorts began to drag their toboggan +up the long hillside. They were followed by the other boys, with the +_Buster_. The walk was a tedious one, especially so to the two sides +that wished to race each other. + +“Whom shall we get to add weight?” asked Harry, as they at last gained +the starting-place. “I don’t see any of our crowd here; do you?” + +“I don’t,” returned Jack. + +“What’s the matter with Pickles Johnsing?” put in Boxy. “He’s got +enough weight for two.” + +Pickles Johnsing was a stout, round-faced colored boy, with big red +lips, and teeth which reminded one very forcibly of double-blank +dominoes set in twin rows. He was a very willing and decent sort of a +young darky, and had many friends in the little river town in which my +story for the present is located. + +“He’ll do first-rate,” said Harry. “Hello, Pickles!” he shouted. + +“Hullo, dar, Harry!” returned the colored boy. “Got yo’ tobog out +ag’in, I see.” + +“Yes, Pickles, and we want you to ride down with us this trip. Put your +bread-shovel out of the way.” + +“T’anks, Harry, I’se like to ride down on de _Buster_ fust-rate,” +grinned Pickles. “Wot yo’ gwine ter do, race Pete Sully?” + +“Yes, Pickles, and we must beat him,” replied Andy. “You know just how +to help us along.” + +“Humph! if he ain’t going to take that coon on the trip!” sneered Pete +Sully. + +“You ain’t racing niggers, are you, Pete?” questioned one of his +followers. + +“I don’t know as I am,” returned Pete Sully, slowly. + +He walked over to where Harry sat on his toboggan. + +“I expected to race white fellows,” he remarked, sourly. + +“Pickles is all right,” said Jack Bascoe. “He’s the dark horse to win. +If you are going to race, get ready, for Harry isn’t going to wait all +night for you.” + +“Where’s that knife!” demanded Sully, thus changing the subject. + +“Here it is,” replied Harry, producing it. “Four blades, and every one +in good condition. Where is yours?” + +“It’s just as good as that,” retorted Sully, bringing forth his +pocket-knife. “Four blades and a corkscrew.” + +“Who’s going to hold them as stakes?” questioned Bill Dixon, Sully’s +most intimate chum. + +The matter was talked over for several minutes, and finally a gentleman +who had come to the hill to look at the sport agreed to become +stakeholder. + +Before the matter was decided, however, Sully did a good deal of +whispering to Bill Dixon, who immediately left the crowd, which had +moved over to the largest of the nearby campfires. + +At last all was in readiness for the start. Hearing of the race, many +on the course left their toboggans and sleds to witness the contest. + +“Now, remember, the first to reach the railroad track switch wins the +race,” shouted the stakeholder. “Are you ready?” + +“We are,” said Sully. + +“Then--go!” + +With a great push, Sully sent the _Whistler_ on the downward course +in fine style. Harry likewise gave the _Buster_ a good shove, and his +toboggan also started. But he was a rod behind the other sled in the +fraction of a second. + +“Something is dragging under us!” cried Andy, quickly. “I can feel it +plainly.” + +“What can it be?” exclaimed Harry, in alarm. “Anybody’s clothing +caught?” + +“My clo’ all hunky,” replied Pickles. “Dat feels like it was a rope +under dar. Did yo’ tie a rope to de tobog, Harry?” + +“I took the rope off and left it with Mr. Bruley when we started,” +returned the owner of the _Buster_. “It’s no use,” he groaned. “They’ll +reach the tracks before we are half-way down!” + +In the meanwhile Boxy Woodruff was feeling along the side of the +toboggan. It was not long before his hand came in contact with an end +of wash-line. + +“Here it is, tied around the toboggan!” he cried. “I’ll bet this is +some of Pete Sully’s underhanded work!” + +“Yank it loose, can’t you?” exclaimed Harry, anxiously. “Cut it or +break it--something.” + +Boxy pulled with all of his strength, and the wash-line, which, +luckily, was old and rotten, parted. An instant later it was clear of +the toboggan bottom, and streaming along behind like the thin tail of a +kite. + +Freed from this hindrance, the _Buster_ shot forward on its course. +Like a comet it passed over the brow of the second hill, with the +_Whistler_ over a hundred feet ahead. Could they regain the ground they +had lost? + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +LOST OR WON? + + +It was one thing for the boys on the _Buster_ to wish to range +alongside of the _Whistler_ again, but it was quite a different thing +to do it. + +Both toboggans were rushing along with furious speed, and now the end +of the course was close at hand. + +“Sit jess a little moah to de front,” was Pickles’ suggestion, and it +was immediately acted upon. + +“Didn’t I tell you you wasn’t in it?” shouted Pete Sully, derisively. + +“There isn’t a toboggan around Rudskill can beat the _Whistler_!” put +in Bill Dixon. + +On and on went the two toboggans. The last little rise was passed and +the speed began to slacken. + +Suddenly the _Whistler_ struck a snag--the dead limb of a tree, which +was half-hidden in the snow. + +It quickly swerved out of its course, directly in the path of the +oncoming _Buster_. + +“Get out of the way!” shouted Jack Bascoe, who was, as usual, in the +front. “Turn her around, Sully!” + +“Don’t run into us!” shrieked several on board of the _Whistler_. “To +the right! To the right!” + +Those on the _Buster_ tried to do as advised, not only for the sake of +their rivals, but also to save themselves. But it was too late to do +much. The _Buster_ swung around a trifle, and then came up sideways +with a bang, and out into the snow flew every one of the boys on both +toboggans. + +Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, although several faces and +hands were scratched, and Pickles got a bruise in the shin, his one +weak spot. All were soon on their feet, and the toboggans were dragged +to one side, out of the way of any that might be following. + +“What did you mean by running into us?” demanded Pete Sully, hotly, as +he stalked up to Harry. + +“What could we do when you blocked up the course?” retorted the owner +of the _Buster_. + +“We didn’t block up the course!” + +“You certainly did,” interposed Jack. “You ought to be thankful that we +didn’t run right over you.” + +“It wasn’t fair!” + +“It was fair,” said Harry. “But I’ll tell you what was not fair--tying +that wash-line under my toboggan, and that’s just what one of your +crowd did.” + +“What’s that?” growled Bill Dixon. “We didn’t touch your confounded +bread-shovel.” + +“Some one tied that rope on,” said Andy, picking up the line in +question. “It smells like your rope, Longman,” he went on, to a boy +whose father was the captain of a schooner on the river. “It’s a +regular tarred line.” + +“See here, because you lost the race, you needn’t claim a foul!” +growled Sully, wrathfully. “You may think----” + +“Lose the race!” came in a chorus from those who had rode upon the +_Buster_. + +“We lost no race!” added Jack, vigorously. + +“Yes, you did.” + +“I certainly don’t see it.” + +“You ran into us, and that gives us the race,” said Bill Dixon. + +“Not by a jugful,” exclaimed Harry. “We were on the left, where we +belonged. Had you kept to the right----” + +“You’d have been all right,” finished Boxy. “Come on up the hill and +try it over again.” + +“I won’t do it,” returned Sully, sourly. “It’s my race.” + +“He won’t race because we’ve found out about that rope,” said Harry, +growing angry. “I’m going to tell the crowd about it as soon as we get +to the top of the hill.” + +“Do you mean to say that I placed that rope under your toboggan?” +blustered Sully, stepping up to him with clinched fists. + +“One of your crowd did,” returned Harry. “It was put there for the sole +purpose of keeping us back.” + +“If you say I put it there, I’ll hammer you!” + +“You heard what I said. I am not prepared to say more--just now. You +may hear from me later.” + +Thus talking, the two crowds made their way to the top of the hill. +Here they found an excited group of boys waiting for them. + +“Did the _Whistler_ win?” cried several. + +“Certainly we won!” replied Sully. + +“It was no race,” explained Jack. “They struck a snag, and we ran into +them while they were on our side of the course.” + +“Somebody said that Dixon boy tied a rope under your toboggan,” +remarked the gentleman who held the two pocket-knives, to Harry. “Did +you find anything wrong?” + +“We did!” cried the boy. “Here is the rope. Who saw Dixon do it?” + +The question was passed around, and it finally leaked out that three +boys in the crowd had seen the sneaking action performed. Dixon had +taken the rope from Longman’s sled, and this Longman was finally forced +to admit. + +“No race,” said the stakeholder, promptly. “I will give both boys their +pocket-knives. Dixon, you ought to be ruled off the slide,” he added to +the bully’s toady. + +“I don’t care, I claim that race,” said Sully, loudly. “I don’t care a +rap about the pocket-knife. It’s not half as good as my own.” + +Harry wanted to try again, but the bully declined, saying it was +getting late, and he was expected home. In reality, Sully was afraid to +race fairly. + +“We’ll try our good points at the skating races day after to-morrow,” +he said to Harry. “You mustn’t forget that I am in the five-mile race +against you and Jack Bascoe, and Milne and the rest.” + +“I have a good memory,” returned Harry, pointedly. “And you can rest +assured that we’ll look out for any more rope tricks,” and with this +parting shot he walked off with his toboggan, accompanied by Jack and +the others. + +“Dat dere Sully makes me mos’ drefful sick,” said Pickles. “He t’inks +de hull town must bow to him. It would be de best t’ing in de world if +da would jess git togedder and run him off de co’s.” + +“One of us must beat him in that race,” said Jack, decidedly. “If he +wins, he won’t stop crowing for a month.” + +“You can do it, Jack,” said Andy, who had great confidence in his older +brother’s abilities. “He hasn’t near the wind you have.” + +“That may be, but he’s got everlastingly long legs, Andy; don’t forget +that.” + +“I’ll bank on Harry,” put in Boxy, who was Harry’s most intimate +friend, having lived next door to him for years. “His legs are pretty +long, and his wind is right there every time.” + +“Well, I don’t care if I do lose, if Harry wins,” said Jack. “So long +as we keep the first prize away from the Sully crowd.” + +“I’m going to do my best to win that race,” put in Harry. “Not only for +the honor, but because I want the money.” + +“Has Mr. Grimes decided to put up a purse?” asked Jack, quickly. + +“He told me he would put up a gold medal, but if any one wanted it, +he would buy the medal back for fifteen dollars. And if I had fifteen +dollars I wouldn’t have to ask father for a cent of spending money for +a year.” + +“And you could go on that tour with us, couldn’t you?” put in Boxy, +quickly. “That is, if we go.” + +“I suppose I could,” returned Harry, thoughtfully. + +The idea of a winter tour had been in the minds of this crowd of boys +for several weeks. Rudskill was situated upon the banks of a well-known +river in New York State, and their idea was to build an iceboat, and +cruise up the river a distance of some forty miles, and then start on a +trip among the mountains to a sheet of water, which I shall call Rock +Island Lake. Once on the lake, they would cross it on skates, and then +locate a winter camp in the heart of the mountains on the western side, +where they could spend several weeks in hunting and fishing and other +winter sports. + +The four boys had already formed themselves into an organization which +they called the Zero Club--certainly a most appropriate name for winter +use. Jack Bascoe was the president, and also general director of the +club, which held weekly meetings regularly in the harness-room of Mr. +Bascoe’s barn. + +It was Andy who had first proposed this trip, and he had found that +idea taken up with avidity. A fire in the town schoolhouse had closed +that institution six weeks for repairs, and so the time could be taken +without losing any part of the school session. + +On the following day the four boys gathered together on the river, +which, during the past ten days of severe cold, had frozen completely +over, to practice for the coming races, which were to be three in +number. + +The races were gotten up by a Mr. Grimes, a wealthy and eccentric +resident of the town, who personally offered the prizes, which were six +in number, a first and second for each race. + +As the boys skated around they talked over the matter of leaving home +for a time, and also of the expense of such a trip. + +“I have reckoned it all out,” said Andy. “We can squeeze through on +fifty dollars.” + +“That is, if we get blankets and such stuff from home,” said Boxy. + +“Certainly. Fifty dollars will only cover the cost of necessary +provisions, ammunition and the like. We must furnish our own blankets, +clothing, guns, snowshoes, and such things.” + +“Well, that is twelve dollars and a half each,” said Harry. + +“I can raise that,” meditated Boxy. “I’ve saved eight dollars, and I’ll +get father to allow me something on account of my birthday in February +next.” + +The others laughed at this. + +“Drawing on a birthday nearly three months off!” remarked Jack. “Your +father will want a discount at that rate.” + +“I’ve got the money, and more,” put in Andy. “And I know Jack has it, +too.” + +“I haven’t but fifty cents,” said Harry, with a light laugh to cover up +his real feelings. “So, you see, it’s race or nothing with me.” + +“I’ve a good mind to withdraw,” suggested Jack. + +“Not for the world, Jack. You must stick, and win it--if you can.” + +“But I would rather have you win it,” persisted the president and +general manager of the Zero Club. + +“No, I won’t have it that way. Promise me you’ll try for the medal, and +will do your best to win it.” + +Jack demurred, but Harry would not listen, so finally he agreed to do +as his friend wished. + +The ice on the river was as smooth as glass, and the promises for some +great races were very encouraging. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE RACES. + + +The following day dawned clear and bright. The races were to come off +at ten, half-past ten and eleven o’clock, and long before this time the +river in front of the town was alive with skaters. + +Harry had some work to do at home, and did not appear until a little +before ten. He found his friends anxiously awaiting him. + +“Thought you had given it up,” said Boxy. “I know you are fairly aching +to let Pete Sully win that five-miler.” + +“He won’t win it unless Jack and I drop out,” returned Harry. + +“That’s so,” put in Jack Bascoe. “We’ll do our best to leave ’em all +behind, eh, Harry?” + +The Zero Club gathered at one side of the river, while Pete Sully and +his crowd gathered at the other. Milne, also a good skater, glided here +and there by himself. He was a good deal of a dude, and on this account +had but few friends among the young people of Rudskill. + +Sully was bragging about what he was going to do, and talked so loudly +that he disgusted many who would otherwise have taken an interest in +his endeavors. He was willing to bet all in his pockets--which was not +much--that he would easily outdistance those who were pitted against +him. + +The first race, one of half-a-mile dash, was presently called, and six +boys ranged up in line at the starting point. Boxy was in the crowd, +he preferring this sort of contest to one where staying powers were +required. + +The boys started off like a flash at the signal, a loud shouting from +the crowd following them. + +The short race was over almost before the spectators had ceased to +yell. A fellow named Tory had won, with Boxy a close second. + +“Good for you, Boxy!” cried Jack. “If I do as well I shall be +satisfied.” + +“It’s a silver medal for my chest,” replied Boxy, proudly. “And that’s +better than a leather one.” + +After a short intermission, the second race, two miles, straightaway, +was called. Andy was in this, and also Bill Dixon and four others. + +“Look out for Dixon,” whispered Jack to his brother. “He may try to +trick you as he did the crowd on the toboggan.” + +“I’ll be on my guard,” responded Andy. + +When the start was made, Andy did not catch his stroke as quickly as +did the others, and as a consequence they gained several yards on him. + +“Go in, Andy!” cried Harry. “You can do it if you try!” + +“He can’t get near Dixon!” sneered Pete Sully. “Look, he’s away behind +already!” + +“You must do it, Andy!” cried Harry, paying no attention to the bully’s +words. “Strike out faster!” + +Encouraged by Harry’s words, and also by the calling of his brother and +Boxy, Andy did really make an extra effort, and before half a mile was +covered passed the last two fellows in the race, thus becoming fourth. + +Bill Dixon was in the lead, and for a while it looked as if he would +stay there. He kept crawling away from all of the others, and at length +had left them pretty much behind. + +But now Andy showed of what metal he was made. With a spurt he swept by +the two ahead of him, and dashed on close at Bill Dixon’s heels. + +“What did I tell you!” cried Harry. “Go in, Andy, and win!” + +Dixon heard the cry, and looked over his shoulder. There was yet almost +a half mile to skate, and he was nearly winded. He felt that Andy would +pass him, try his best to keep up the pace. + +He slowed up, and put out one foot, intending thereby to trip Andy up. +But the young contestant saw it just in time, and, with a nimble leap, +he cleared the obstruction, and went sailing on, winner by ten yards, +while Dixon came in third, the boy behind Andy managing to come up +before Dixon could regain his lost headway. + +Andy would have reported Dixon for his evil intention; but, as he had +won the race, he said nothing; still, the look he gave the bully’s +toady made that individual sneak out of sight in short order. + +And now it was time for the five-mile race, the greatest of the day. +It must be confessed that both Harry’s heart and Jack’s beat rapidly as +they took their places in line with Sully and Milne. + +The race was to be two and a half miles up the river, and the same +distance back. A skater with a big white flag marked the turning point. + +“Are you all ready boys?” questioned old Mr. Grimes, who conducted the +races personally. “Every skate in good order and properly fastened on?” + +“Yes, sir,” came first from one and then another. + +“Then, go! And good luck go with you!” + +They were off, side by side, not a single one a foot ahead or behind. +It was undoubtedly the best start of the day. + +“Now show ’em what you can do, Sully!” + +“Shake ’em up, Milne!” + +“Strike out faster, Harry!” + +“There goes Jack Bascoe ahead!” + +The last cry proved true. Jack had made a splurge, and was now nearly a +yard ahead of the other three, who, at the end of the first mile, were +still closely bunched. + +Then Milne put on steam and went ahead for fully a mile, with Jack +behind him, and Harry and Sully side by side in the rear. But the dude +of the town could not keep up the pressure, and suddenly, long before +the turning point was reached, he collapsed and dropped behind and out +of the race entirely. + +“Only three now!” + +“And Jack Bascoe still in the lead!” + +“Sully is crawling up to him!” + +It was true. Pete Sully’s long legs were working with wonderful +rapidity, and he was slowly forging ahead of Harry, despite the other’s +apparent best efforts to keep up. + +“Jack’s going to win that race!” cried Andy, with pardonable pride. + +“It certainly looks so,” returned Boxy. “Well, he deserves it, although +I kind of hoped Harry would get that prize and be able to turn it into +money.” + +“Jack said he would lend Harry the money if he won the medal,” said +Andy. “He said it just before they started.” + +“Good for Jack,” returned Boxy. “In that case I certainly don’t +begrudge him the token.” + +On and on went the skaters, until the turning point was reached, and +Jack shot around it in as small a curve as he could make without +slipping, and directly on his heels followed Sully. + +But the bully and Jack were both becoming winded, and they could not +keep up the pace. Harry, on the contrary, had got his second wind, and +now he put on a spurt that brought him up yard by yard to the others. + +“Harry Webb is gaining on them!” + +“Sully is losing ground on Bascoe!” + +“Harry is up to Sully!” + +“What’s the matter with Jack? Is he out of wind?” + +“He must be. See! see! Harry is right on Jack’s heels!” + +“Harry has passed them all!” yelled Boxy, in wild delight. “Didn’t I +tell you he would do it?” + +“They’ve got half a mile to go yet!” + +“Never mind, he’s getting farther ahead each minute!” + +Boxy was right. Harry was now putting forth every effort. He had just +forged ahead of Jack, and it certainly looked as if he would come in a +winner. + +But Jack was picking up. He was determined to beat Sully, even if he +could not gain on his friend. + +A couple of rods were passed, and Harry was almost sure of winning, +when suddenly a wild, girlish cry rang out across the river. + +Harry looked to his left and saw a sight that thrilled him with horror. + +Half-way between himself and the shore was a long, narrow spot where +the ice was very thin. A girl, scarcely ten years of age, had ventured +on this ice, and broken through, and was now struggling madly to save +herself from drowning. + +Evidently all the other people on the river were so interested in the +race that they had not seen the accident nor heard her cries for aid. + +“My gracious!” burst from Harry’s lips, and then, forgetting all about +the race, and the prize he wished so much to win, he swept from the +straight course in a semi-circle toward the hapless victim. + +Thinking something had gone wrong, perhaps, with Harry’s skates, Jack +kept on, determined to win the medal from Sully, if he possibly could. +Sully saw what the real trouble was, but, thoroughly selfish, kept on, +hoping to win by accident if not otherwise. + +“Help me!” screamed the girl, as she saw Harry approaching. “Help me, +Harry Webb!” + +“It’s Boxy’s sister, as sure as I live!” cried the boy, in horror. +“Keep up, Minnie, and I’ll save you! Catch hold of the ice, and don’t +let the current carry you under!” + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A MOMENT OF PERIL. + + +It was a thrilling moment in Harry Webb’s life when he saw his chum’s +sister in her extremely perilous situation. + +He well understood how hard it was to keep up one’s courage in that +freezing cold water, with the strong current trying its best to drag +one under the ice. + +“Don’t let go, Minnie!” he shouted, and just then his own voice sounded +strange to him. “Hold fast! I’ll be there in another minute!” + +With powerful strokes he swept nearer and nearer. The somewhat thin ice +bent and cracked beneath his weight, but to this he paid scant heed. + +In his pocket, Harry had a couple of skate-straps he had brought along +in case anything should happen to his clamp skates. These straps he now +buckled together, and wound one end around his hand. + +Getting as close to the hole as he dared, he threw out the end of the +straps. + +“Catch the buckle, Minnie!” he cried. “Can you reach it, or shall I +come closer?” + +The poor girl in the water tried to speak, but the words would not +come, so benumbed and cold was she. + +But she put out one hand convulsively, and caught the strap just above +the buckle. + +“Now put the other hand on the ice, and I’ll pull you up,” went on +Harry. “Steady, now, or the ice will----” + +Crack! crack! crash! + +The ice around the brave boy had suddenly given way, and on the instant +he found himself plunged into the chilling water head first. + +He went down several feet, and then turned and came up. The shock to +his system, all overheated from racing, was terrible, and for a few +seconds he seemed fairly paralyzed. + +But he retained his hold on the straps, and by their aid was quickly at +Minnie Woodruff’s side. + +“Oh, Harry!” the girl burst out. + +She could not say more, but those two words just then meant a good deal. + +“I’ll save you yet, Minnie,” he returned, as he caught her around the +waist. “Hold fast to me.” + +“I--I can’t! I’m so co--cold!” + +“I’ll hold you, then,” he went on. “Help! help! help!” + +His cry rang out loud and clear across the frozen river. Fortunately, +several had seen him turn from the race course, and watched where he +had gone. These persons were now hurrying to the scene of the accident +as fast as possible. + +“It’s Harry Webb!” + +“He’s trying to save Minnie Woodruff from drowning!” + +“What a plucky boy to leave the race and go in after her!” + +These and numerous other shouts went up. Then, as the little crowd +drew closer, they speculated upon how they should aid the struggling +pair. + +“Somebody get a rope!” + +“We want a board worse than anything! You can’t pull them out with a +rope.” + +In the meantime one boy threw out the end of his long tippet to Harry, +who caught one end of it and tied it about Minnie’s wrist. + +Then, suddenly, a boy came skating toward the crowd, carrying a long +board. It was Boxy Woodruff! + +“Here’s a board to get ’em out with!” he cried. “Now if--Minnie!” + +He had not previously recognized his sister, and now at the discovery +he almost fainted. + +“Minnie! and Harry has gone in after her!” he murmured. “Oh, I hope +they both get out safe!” + +Willing hands had taken the board and shoved out one end toward the big +hole in the ice. + +“Get back!” shouted a cool-headed man. “Get back, every one, or +there’ll be a dozen more in together!” + +The warning came none too soon, for already the ice was cracking in +a dozen directions. The crowd started back, only the man and Boxy +remaining at the outer end of the board, to prevent it slipping around. + +Bringing every ounce of his youthful strength into play, Harry caught +hold of the end of the board, and slowly pulled himself out of the +water, with Minnie half-clinging, half-held to his side. The ice +groaned dismally, but did not break, and in a few seconds the two were +safe once more. + +Boxy caught Minnie in his arms just as the exhausted girl was on the +point of fainting. A crowd of admiring boys surrounded Harry. + +“Good for you, Harry!” + +“That was well done!” + +“My! but he’s got nerve, hasn’t he?” + +“I--I guess I had better get ho--home!” chattered the hero of the +occasion. “I’m almost fro--frozen!” + +“Here, take my overcoat!” It was Jack Bascoe who spoke. “You’re a +brick, Harry! I never dreamed that you had turned out to save Minnie +Woodruff.” + +“Who won the ra--race?” questioned Harry, as he slid into the overcoat +in short order. + +“I did. But you were ahead, and you deserve----” + +Jack broke off short, as a sleigh drawn by a pair of coal black horses +dashed up on the ice. It was old Mr. Grimes’ turnout. + +“Get in here, and put the girl in, too!” cried the old fellow, who sat +on the front seat beside the driver. “Be quick! The sooner you both get +home the better. You’ll catch your death of cold out here on the river.” + +And Minnie Woodruff and Harry were bundled into the back seat by Boxy +and the others without delay; the robes were piled over them, and then +off they spun for the town. + +Luckily, the Woodruff and Webb homesteads were not far distant, and +inside of ten minutes both the girl and the boy were in their homes, +and being taken care of by their mothers. + +Mrs. Webb wished Harry to go bed, but he demurred at this. + +“I’m not so frail as all that, mother. I’ll go up to your room, where +it’s warm, and take a good rubbing down and change my clothing, and +then I’ll be all right. I only hope Minnie gets over it all right.” + +Harry departed up the stairs, and after giving him a complete change +of raiment, Mrs. Webb hurried next door to assist in making Minnie +comfortable, for she knew Mrs. Woodruff was rather sickly, and could +not do as readily as most women. + +She came back inside of half an hour, and found Harry sitting by the +dining-room stove, and with him Jack and Andy Bascoe, who had followed +old Grimes’ sleigh on foot. + +“I’m feeling just as well as ever, excepting that I’m awfully tired,” +said Harry. “How is Minnie?” + +“She is abed, but the doctor who was summoned thinks she will recover +in a day or two. She was in so long that her whole system was chilled. +Mrs. Woodruff is very thankful for what you did.” + +“Oh, I didn’t do any more than any other fair-minded fellow would do,” +replied Harry, modestly. + +“She seems to think so, and so does Boxwell. Mr. Woodruff has not yet +come home.” + +“He is a genuine hero,” put in Andy. “He ran a great risk, and all the +boys say so.” + +Jack agreed with him on this point, and a little later, before +departing for dinner, spoke of the gold medal he had won. + +“That medal ought to go to you, Harry,” he said. “And, by rights, I +ought to get the second prize, that Sully got. It isn’t fair to do you +out of your winnings in this way.” + +“But you won the medal; I didn’t,” said Harry. + +“But you would have won it, though.” + +“That’s so,” said Andy. + +“I don’t care so much for the medal, but you know I was wishing for the +money, so I could go with you fellows on that tour----” began Harry. + +“Well, if that’s all, I’m going to fix you up on that score,” said +Jack, decidedly. “I’ll keep the medal and give you the trip money----” + +“No, sir!” cried Harry. “I’m going to get that money myself--by earning +it or otherwise, or else I don’t go. That’s settled.” + +And all the talking the Bascoe brothers could do would not shake him +from this determination. + +It was growing toward evening when Boxy’s father, who had been on a +trip to New York, came home. He was completely taken aback by the news +that awaited him, and very solicitous concerning his only daughter’s +welfare. + +He remained by Minnie’s side all of that evening, and it was not until +well into the forenoon of the next day that he ran over to the Webb +house. + +“My dear Harry, how can I thank you for what you have done?” he cried, +as he grasped the young hero warmly by the hand. “You saved Minnie’s +life!” + +“Well, I’m downright glad of it,” stammered Harry, not finding anything +else to say on the moment. + +“Mrs. Woodruff is also very grateful. I would have been over before, +but I could not bring myself to leave Minnie’s side.” + +“How is she this morning?” questioned Mrs. Webb. + +“Very much better--in fact, completely out of danger,” returned the +happy father. “Harry, I do not know how to reward you,” he went on, +still wringing the boy’s hand. + +“I am not looking for any reward, Mr. Woodruff. I only did what I +thought was my duty.” + +“Nevertheless, you played the part of a real hero, and you deserve a +rich reward--more than I or any other man in Rudskill can afford.” + +“I was glad to save Minnie for friendship’s sake.” + +“I believe you, my boy, but I shall not let it rest there, let me tell +you that. In a few days I am going down to your father’s store and have +a talk with him about you. Boxwell tells me you have said you would +like to attend college with him.” + +“Indeed, Mr. Woodruff, I would, but--but----” + +“Never mind the buts, Harry. I’m going to talk with your father about +it. Boxwell says he wishes you to take the clerk’s place in the store, +so as to reduce expenses, but maybe I can fix that up. A bright, brave +boy like you deserves a chance in life. Now I must go. By the way, here +is a little trifle from Minnie and Mrs. Woodruff which you must not +refuse. Boxwell put it in their heads to send it to you.” + +As Mr. Woodruff finished, he brought forth a sealed envelope, and +thrust it into Harry’s hand. Before the boy could utter any protest he +was gone. + +With his mother looking over his shoulder, Harry tore open the +envelope. There were two things inside. One was a card, on which was +written: + +“Please accept the inclosed for your share of the expense of the coming +tour of the Zero Club.” + +Accompanying the card was a crisp, new twenty-dollar bill. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +GETTING READY TO START. + + +“Twenty dollars!” cried Harry, as he spread out the bill. “What do you +think of that, mother?” + +“It is a very handsome present, Harry. But ought you to accept the +money?” + +“I don’t know. I don’t like to, exactly, but the Woodruffs are rich, +and they can easily afford it.” + +“Still, you had better ask your father about it.” + +“I will. I’m going down to the store now.” + +Mr. Webb kept the only flour and feed store in Rudskill. As we have +said, he had been unfortunate in his speculations, and now had to +live quite frugally to make both ends meet. The business was well +established, and he employed a clerk and also a man to drive the wagon. + +Harry often helped at the store, it being his duty to carry out small +orders and clean up. During the school term he did this work early in +the morning and after the school session, but now he did it whenever +called upon by his parent. + +Mr. Webb had heard all about the proposed tour of the Zero Club, and, +as Harry’s heart seemed set on accompanying the other boys, he had +good-naturedly determined to let his son off for three or four weeks, +feeling that the outing would make him more willing than ever to take +hold when he came back. + +But nothing had been said about the expense, Harry knowing full well +that his father could not afford to let him off and give him money +besides. + +Mr. Webb smiled when his son showed him the card and the twenty-dollar +bill. + +“Well, I don’t know,” he said, slowly. “I helped Mr. Woodruff out more +than once when I felt rich and he felt poor. I guess you would better +keep the money and go and thank them for the gift. It’s just what you +need for the trip, isn’t it?” + +“Yes, twenty dollars will more than cover my expenses,” said Harry. +“And if you say keep the money, let me tell you what I propose to do, +father.” + +“Well?” + +“We have reckoned it out, and I can get along on fourteen dollars +easily. Now I propose to get Paul Larkins to take my place here for +three weeks at two dollars per week and pay him myself. That will help +you out, and also give Paul the chance to help his mother, who is down +sick.” + +“But the money is for the trip, Harry,” said Mr. Webb, although well +pleased at his son’s generous proposal. + +“Well, I count that an expense of the trip, getting a substitute while +I am away.” + +“Well, if you say so, let it be so,” returned Mr. Webb, as he turned +away to wait on a customer. + +When Harry was done work he went back home and fixed up, and then +called on the Woodruffs. Blushing furiously, he took both Mrs. Woodruff +and Minnie by the hand, and thanked them for their gift. Somehow he +was glad to escape the praise they showered upon him for what he had +done. + +He left the house with Boxy, who linked arms with him in the most +brotherly fashion. + +“We’ll be greater chums than ever now,” said Boxy. “I’ve talked it over +with father, and you are to go to college with me when we graduate at +Rudskill Academy. But never mind that now. You’ll go on the tour, then?” + +“Will I! Of course I will!” cried Harry. “I’m fairly bubbling over with +enthusiasm on that point.” + +“Come on and hunt up the Bascoes, then, and we’ll talk matters over.” + +It was not difficult to find Andy and Jack, and to them matters were +quickly explained. The quartet composing the Zero Club at once made +their way to the meeting-room, and here began an animated discussion of +plans regarding the proposed tour. + +Andy got out a long slip of paper, and on this were put down the many +articles to be taken along--blankets, skates, guns and ammunition, as +well as flour, tea, coffee, sugar, salt, spices, canned goods, and +half-a-dozen tin plates and various kitchen utensils. These goods were +to be packed on a sled belonging to Boxy, the sled to be tied to the +iceboat on the way up the river. + +Then came the question of the iceboat. As they intended to use the +craft but a short portion of the way going and coming, it was decided +to knock it together as cheaply as possible. + +“I have got an old sail or two,” said Jack. “And we can get some old +lumber and iron runners from the ruins of the old blacksmith-shop that +stands on that property father bought last fall.” + +“And I’ve got rope enough,” said Harry. “Father’s mill garret is full +of it, so much comes around packages.” + +Then came the question of when they should start, and it was +unanimously agreed that the following Monday morning would be best. +That would give them just enough time to build the iceboat and make +other necessary preparations. + +Andy was appointed treasurer of the club, and that afternoon each +of the boys paid over to him exactly twelve dollars and a half, so +that, with his own money, he had fifty dollars to expend for the +tour. The building of the iceboat was begun without delay at the old +blacksmith-shop, the land to which sloped down to the river’s edge. + +The news that the four boys were going off for nearly a month’s outing +soon spread, and many came down to the blacksmith-shop to see what was +going on. + +Among the crowd was Pete Sully, who turned up his nose at the boat the +boys were building. + +“If I couldn’t build a better boat than that I’d drown myself,” he +sneered. “I’ll bet it won’t sail a foot.” + +“Build a boat and try your speed against her,” said Jack, lightly. +“Talk is well enough, but actions go further.” + +“Maybe you think I can’t build a boat,” retorted Sully, angrily. + +“I’m not thinking in that direction,” returned Jack. “I am busy with my +own affairs.” + +“I’ll build a boat and show you,” growled Sully, and he went off with +Dixon, his ever-present toady. + +“Do you think he’ll build a boat?” questioned Harry, who was hammering +away on one of the runners of the skeleton craft. + +“No; he hasn’t brains enough,” put in Boxy. “I don’t believe he could +drive a nail without splitting the board, if he tried his best.” + +“It’s a case of sour grapes,” remarked Andy. “He is jealous because we +are going off for a good time.” + +“Well, he and his crowd can go off on their own account if they wish,” +said Jack. “We are not hindering them.” + +“Maybe he will take it into his head to go off, after we are gone,” +said Andy. “He always was a great hand to imitate somebody else.” + +It was fortunate that the boys had the old blacksmith-shop to work +in, for that day it began to snow furiously, and before nightfall the +ground was covered to the depth of six or eight inches. This, on top of +the layer already packed down, made elegant sleighing. + +“We must have a few more rides on my toboggan before we leave,” said +Harry. + +“Let’s spend Saturday evening on the hill,” suggested Andy. “We can +go early, and still have time to make final preparations for our tour +before we go to bed.” + +The new fall of snow caused plenty of snowballing to occur in the town. +The Zero Club took full part in this, and had one battle which was not +soon forgotten. + +It was started by Bill Dixon, who had been “laying to get even” with +Harry ever since the episode on the toboggan-slide. Dixon hung around +Harry’s corner on the morning following the snowstorm, in company with +half-a-dozen lesser lights of the Sully crowd. Under his arms he held +several “soakers,” almost as hard as flint. + +When Harry hurried out of the gate on his way to do the morning work at +his father’s store, Dixon took careful aim, and let drive with all of +his might. + +The hard snowball took Harry in the left shoulder, hurting him not a +little. Had it landed in his face it might have put out his eye or +broken his nose. + +Harry staggered back, and Dixon, chuckling over the success of his +shot, dodged behind a high board fence. + +“Give it to him, fellows!” he cried, excitedly. “Give it to him in the +head!” + +Several more snowballs were thrown, but Harry was now on his guard. He +dodged them, and began to run across the street, gathering up some snow +as he ran. + +“What’s up, Harry?” cried Boxy, coming out of his house at the moment. + +“Some fellow hit me terribly hard in the shoulder. Come on!” returned +Harry, and, in honor bound to help a fellow member of the club, Boxy +ran after his chum. + +At the end of the fence they caught sight of Dixon and the others. A +fierce fusillade of snowballs from both sides followed. Harry hit Dixon +in the chest, and Boxy knocked off his cap. + +“Go for ’em!” shouted Dixon, in a rage. “Hullo, there, Pete!” he yelled +to Sully, who was out looking for him, and the principal of the gang +soon joined the forces against the two members of the Zero Club. + +Two to seven was an uneven contest, and it was not long before Harry +and Boxy felt they were getting the worst of it. + +“If only Jack and Andy were here!” panted Boxy. “Unless they come, +we’ll have to turn tail and run.” + +“I sha’n’t run,” said Harry, firmly. “Let’s direct all of our shots +at Sully and Dixon. They are the leaders of the crowd, and if we can +frighten them back the others will quickly follow.” + +Boxy caught the suggestion, and it was carried out immediately. The +result was that inside of two minutes Sully got three snowballs in his +face and neck, and Dixon half a dozen all over him. + +“Hi! that ain’t fair!” howled Dixon. “They’re throwing at me and nobody +else!” + +“Another volley on Dixon,” whispered Harry. “That’s the weak point now.” + +And out flew the hard, white balls, and the bully’s toady received two +more, this time both in the neck. The snow went down inside of his +collar, causing him to yell from the cold. + +“I--I can’t stand this!” he sputtered. “Why don’t you fellows do +something?” + +“Let’s charge on them!” cried Sully, angrily. “Come on--everybody take +all the snowballs he can carry.” + +The seven loaded up with ammunition at once, and they sallied forth. +But, to their dismay, Jack and Andy Bascoe had just arrived on the +scene, followed up by Pickles Johnsing, the colored youth. These three +were not slow to take in the situation, and they sailed in vigorously. + +“Dis am most lubly sport!” cried Pickles. “How yo’ like dat, Sully? Ki! +hi! Ain’t dat jess elegant, Dixon? An’ heah’s one fo’ you, Len Spencer, +fo’ callin’ me a coon!” + +And Pickles rushed to the front, followed by Andy and Jack, and +compelling Sully and his crowd to retreat in spite of themselves. Aided +by Boxy and Harry, they fought so vigorously that inside of ten minutes +the bully and his chums were put completely to rout. + +Sully and Dixon, and also Len Spencer, Pickles’ particular enemy, +were greatly enraged over the way they had been used. They threatened +vengeance on the members of the Zero Club. How they carried out their +threat will be seen later on. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +LAST RIDE ON THE BUSTER. + + +By Saturday noon the iceboat was finished. It was nearly thirty feet +long, and boasted of a mainsail only. It was by no means a handsome +craft, and the boys did not doubt but what there were many crafts on +the river that could outspeed her. + +“But she’ll be safe and sure,” remarked Jack, “and that is what we +want.” + +“We must christen her before we make a trial trip this afternoon,” said +Andy. “We have suggested a hundred names, and not chosen any.” + +“Let us put each name on a slip of paper, and put all the slips in a +hat,” suggested Boxy. “Then Harry draw one, and that shall be the name.” + +This was at once agreed to, and nine names went into Andy’s cap. Harry +fumbled around, and finally drew a slip out and read it aloud. + +“The _Icicle_! That suits me. Who wrote it down?” + +“I did,” said Jack. + +“It’s a good name for an iceboat,” put in Boxy. “Hurrah for the Zero +Club and the _Icicle_!” he shouted. + +And three cheers were given with a will. + +Directly after dinner the four boys shoved the clumsy craft down to the +ice, and made a trial trip on her across the river and back and two +miles up the shore. The _Icicle_ behaved very well, and Jack declared +that they would have no trouble in reaching their destination on her. + +As soon as the trial trip was over they separated to get their various +things, for they were determined that all should be in readiness for +the start Monday morning at sunrise, and that nothing was to be done on +the Sabbath. + +Blankets, skates, and other things were taken down to the meeting-room +in the Bascoe barn. Andy and Jack had shotguns of their own, and Boxy +had a rifle. Harry had no firearms, but borrowed from his father a +small shotgun. Each of the boys also provided himself with fishing +lines, and Jack took along a spear for spearing through a hole in the +ice. + +“The sled will be pretty well heaped up, I’m thinking,” remarked Boxy, +who was doing the packing. + +“Won’t it tip over if it’s too highly packed?” asked Andy. + +“We’ll put a bent stick across the top,” said Jack. “That will keep it +from tipping only so far.” + +“We want to make sure that nothing is forgotten,” said Harry. “It +would be fine to get miles from any house, and then find that you had +forgotten something you wanted the worst way.” + +“I’ve got the list, and I’ve checked off the articles,” returned Andy. +“I’ve even got the forks and knives and spoons down.” + +“Have you got a big carving-knife? We can’t do without that.” + +“By gracious! I never thought of that!” exclaimed Andy, his face +reddening. “We wouldn’t be able to cut up a bear even if we shot him.” + +“I’ve brought a hunting-knife,” put in Boxy. “See here--a regular +Mohawk scalping steel. Wah! wah! Me take white man’s scalp and dry him +hair for smoking tobac!” he went on, dancing around and flourishing the +knife in true Indian fashion--according to a dime novel he had once had +the patience to wade through. + +“Beware of Bloody Ben of Digger’s Gulch!” shrieked Andy, in reply, +and he caught up his gun. “He is out to avenge the murder of his +twenty-fo-o-ur bro-o-thers!” + +“Here, Andy, don’t point that gun at any one,” put in Jack, sternly. + +“It isn’t loaded, Jack.” + +“Never mind, put it down. There are too many accidents of that sort, +where somebody didn’t think the gun was loaded.” + +Andy put down the firearm, and packing was resumed, Jack going into the +house to obtain a carving-knife for the trip. + +At last the sled was loaded, and covered over with an old rubber +horse-blanket which Mr. Woodruff gave to Boxy. The load was strapped +on as tightly as possible, and over it was placed the stick Jack had +mentioned, the two ends sticking out and downward nearly two feet on +either side. + +“Now we are all ready for the start,” observed Andy, as he surveyed +what had been done. “How I wish it were Monday morning, so that we +wouldn’t have to wait.” + +“You mustn’t forget the rides to-night on the _Buster_,” said Harry. +“It may be the last time we can use the toboggan this winter.” + +“Oh, I guess the snow will keep until we get back,” said Andy. “But I +am right ready for the sport to-night, nevertheless.” + +The packed sled was locked up in the barn, and the boys repaired to +their various homes for supper. + +“Well, Harry, all ready?” smiled Mrs. Webb, who took a keen interest in +her son’s doings. + +“All ready, mother,” he returned. “Is supper ready? We are going +tobogganing for the last time to-night.” + +“Yes, you can have supper at once, Harry. But I want some wood brought +in first.” + +“That’s so! I didn’t mean to forget it!” he cried, and, dashing out +into the woodshed, which he had piled high with split wood ready for +the stove, the boy brought in an armful. “Paul Larkins has promised to +bring in wood and do errands for you while I am away,” he said. “So you +won’t miss me so very much.” + +“Yes, I will miss you, Harry,” returned Mrs. Webb, affectionately. + +“Oh, yes, I know. And I’ll miss you, too,” he replied, throwing his +arms about her neck and kissing her. “It will seem awfully queer to be +away from home.” + +“You must take good care of yourself.” + +“I’ll try to do that, mother.” + +Harry did not spend much time at the supper table, and, his hasty meal +finished, he brought out the _Buster_, and examined the toboggan to see +if it was in good trim for the evening’s sport. Little did he dream of +the fearful peril a ride on the long, low sled was to bring him and the +others. + +Boxy came over a moment later, and together they dragged the _Buster_ +off toward the coasting hills. They had to pass the Bascoe homestead, +and here Boxy let out the peculiar whistle of the club for Andy and +Jack. + +“They say the Doublehill course is as smooth as glass,” said Andy, as +he came out with a piece of cake in his hand. “Some of the folks don’t +dare go down it.” + +“I’m not afraid,” cried Harry. “Are you?” + +All of the boys agreed that they were not. Each took hold of the rope, +and they soon reached the top of the long double hill, where a bright +bonfire was already burning, although it was still almost daylight. + +“We ought to have a brake of some sort, I suppose,” mused Jack, as he +surveyed the shining course, “It does look awfully slippery.” + +“Oh, go ahead!” put in Boxy, impatiently. “I guess if we tumble off it +won’t kill us.” + +He sprang upon the toboggan, and, seeing this, Andy and Jack followed. +Harry gave the customary push and clung fast, and away they started +down the first of the two hills. + +Whiz went the _Buster_ over the smooth surface, rushing along with a +speed that fairly took away their breath. + +“Talk about cannon-ball speed!” cried Boxy. “A cannon-ball couldn’t +catch us!” + +“Hark!” cried Jack. “What was that whistle?” + +“It’s a train on the railroad,” replied Harry. “It’s the extra Saturday +night express! I forgot all about it,” he went on, with a little gasp. + +“We’ll have to turn off at the tracks,” put in Andy, nervously. + +“If we can,” said Jack. “We are going so fast that perhaps it can’t be +done.” + +“We must do it!” cried Boxy, in alarm. + +“Yes! yes! we must!” + +It was easy enough to say they must, but how could they? The toboggan +was rushing on faster than ever. Over the brow of the second hill it +went, and down the slope toward the tracks. Jack tried to steer to the +side, and so did the others, but all in vain. + +And now they saw the train rounding the side of the hill, and coming +on at full speed, the bell ringing and the whistle blowing to warn +everybody off the tracks. + +Jack, who was in front, made another desperate effort to change their +course. It was useless. Andy, who was next to him, tried to scream out, +but the sound stuck in his throat. It looked as if all four of the boys +were going to certain destruction. + +[Illustration: “Jump for your lives!” See page 53.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +BY A HAIR’S BREADTH. + + +Harry, who half stood up on the end of the flying toboggan, was the +only member of the Zero Club who retained his presence of mind. + +He saw at a glance that they and the oncoming express train must +reach the crossing at about the same time, and in that case the grim +locomotive and heavy cars would deal to them certain death. + +“Jump for your lives!” he cried out, hoarsely. “Jump, every one of you!” + +His tone was so decisive that the other three acted on it almost +mechanically. Jack, who was in front, leaped first, and after him came +all the others in a heap. + +Over and over they rolled, each trying to shield himself as much as he +could by the overcoat he wore. Jack went down to the bottom of the hill +on his head, and poor Andy came over him, striking his forehead on a +railroad tie, the blow rendering him unconscious. + +Boxy slid along on his chest to one side, and crashed into a mass of +brush with such force that his clothing was torn to ribbons, and his +face and hands were scratched in a dozen places. + +Harry struck on his back, and turned half-a-dozen different ways before +he could stop himself. When finally he did come to a halt, it was +within two feet of the railroad tracks. + +The powerful locomotive rushed past, followed by the tender and two +cars. Then there was a series of sharp jerks as the lever was reversed +by the engineer, the tracks were sanded, and the long train came to +a sudden halt. The conductor and several brakemen were out almost +instantly, demanding to know what was the matter. + +“Come pretty near running over that crowd!” cried out the engineer. “If +they had not jumped, I reckon I would have killed most of ’em.” + +“I don’t see any toboggan,” returned the conductor. + +“I smashed that to kindling wood. There’s part of it on the cowcatcher, +and the rest is on the other side of the track.” + +“By George! that’s so. You can count yourselves mighty lucky, boys,” +went on the conductor, to Jack, who was getting up slowly. + +“I suppose so,” returned Jack, briefly, and then he turned to where +Andy was lying, and bent over his younger brother. “Andy! Andy! are you +hurt very badly?” + +“Jack!” murmured the half-unconscious boy. “Oh, my head!” + +“He struck it on the ties, I guess,” said one of the brakemen. “It’s +bleeding a bit. Better rub some snow on it.” + +By this time Harry and Boxy came limping to the scene, both presenting +a most deplorable sight, Boxy especially, with half of his clothing +torn from his back. + +“We can’t wait,” said the conductor. “You want to be more careful how +you coast down this hill,” he went on, to the crowd that was beginning +to collect. “If you don’t, we’ll have the worst kind of an accident +here some day.” + +He motioned to the engineer, and hurried to one of the cars, followed +by the other train hands. In a few seconds the express was once more on +its way. + +The crowd around the boys kept growing, as it spread that an accident +had occurred. + +“Harry Webb’s toboggan was smashed by the express!” + +“Andy Bascoe was almost killed!” + +“Every one of them was shaken up badly!” + +Under the tender care of Jack and the others, Andy soon came to +himself. But his head ached fearfully, and he could hardly stand on his +feet. + +“Yo’ sit on my bread-shubble, and I’ll ride yo’ home,” said Pickles +Johnsing, who happened to be on hand. “Yo’ can sit on an’ hole him, +Jack, if yo’ wants to,” he continued. + +So Jack got on, and made it comfortable for Andy, whose head he had +bound up with his own handkerchief and several others. Although they +felt sore in every joint, Harry and Boxy insisted on helping Pickles +drag the sled to its destination. + +“The _Buster_ is smashed to bits,” said Boxy on the way. + +“I know it,” returned Harry. “But I don’t care,” he added, with a +shudder. “I couldn’t bear to ride on her again after that narrow +escape.” + +“Nor I. My! I ain’t done trembling yet,” was Boxy’s confession, in a +low tone. + +The news of the accident had preceded them, and they found Mr. and Mrs. +Bascoe anxiously awaiting their appearance. + +“My boy!” cried the mother, as she caught Andy in her arms. “And you +were almost killed?” + +“Oh, no, mother; I struck my head, that’s all,” replied Andy, putting +on a bold front. “I’ll be all right by to-morrow.” + +Andy limped into the house, and a servant was dispatched for a doctor. +When the physician arrived he declared that the bruise was not serious. +The shock to the boy’s system was worse, and he must remain quiet for a +day or two. + +“We won’t be able to go away on Monday morning,” said Jack to the +others. “Father says we had better wait until Tuesday or Wednesday.” + +“I don’t care,” said Harry. “I am thankful we escaped being killed.” + +“So am I,” put in Boxy. “And I just as lief wait, for I’m too stiff to +start off on a tour just yet.” + +“How is Minnie?” + +“Oh, she’s as well as ever.” + +Sunday passed quietly, although the escape of the four boys was the +talk of the town. On Monday Andy was found to be greatly improved, +and it was decided that the start up the river should be made on the +following morning at sunrise. + +“It won’t do to delay much longer,” said Jack, “for it looks as if +we might have a heavy snowstorm before long, and that would block our +chances of using the _Icicle_.” + +“Oh, I hope it doesn’t snow until we are settled in our camp!” cried +Boxy. “I was just longing for that iceboat ride!” + +Even at the last moment, the boys found several things to do which had +previously escaped their notice. Some stores had been forgotten, and +not a bit of medicine, arnica or court-plaster had been packed with the +things. All these, however, were procured, and late Monday evening Jack +declared themselves prepared to depart. + +It may well be imagined that none of the boys slept well that night. +Each was anxious for the start, and all heads were filled with visions +of glorious times to come. What a great and grand thing this tour of +the Zero Club was to be! + +Long before daylight Harry was up and dressed. His mother also arose, +and saw to it that her son had a good warm breakfast before he departed. + +“You won’t get another like it for some time to come,” she said, with a +sorry little smile. “Mark my words.” + +“Nonsense, mother,” he laughed. “Just think of the game we’ll shoot and +the fish we’ll catch.” + +“Perhaps, Harry. Remember one thing, my boy; do not run into danger.” + +“I’ll try to remember what you say.” + +Harry had barely finished when Boxy came over, and, with a final +good-by, the two started off for the Bascoe homestead. + +They found the other two members of the club waiting for them. Jack +had the well-packed sled out of the barn, and Andy stood beside him, a +trifle pale, but otherwise as well as ever. + +“Just a fine morning!” cried Jack. “And the wind blowing exactly in the +right direction.” + +“But snow isn’t far off--my father said so,” returned Harry. “He +said we would be lucky to reach Rock Island Lake without catching a +downfall.” + +“We won’t lose another minute!” burst in Boxy. “Come on, boys! Good-by, +everybody, and three cheers for the tour of the Zero Club!” + +The backyard rang with the cheers, and then, with caps waving, the four +boys moved off, dragging the sled behind them. + +It certainly was a fine morning, the rising sun sending long glittering +rays over the crust of the frozen snow. The wind was a trifle cold, but +this the quartet did not mind. For them, just now, it was much better +than no wind at all. + +“I calculate that we can reach Hammerstone by twelve o’clock,” said +Jack. “And that will be half the journey up the river.” + +“And we can reach Rudd’s Landing by nightfall,” put in Boxy. “And start +across country for the lake the first thing to-morrow. Did you send +word to Barton Coils about taking care of the iceboat for us?” + +“Yes, and he said we could stay at his place all night if we wished. +I reckon it will be better than trying to put up a hut just for one +night.” + +Boxy demurred a little at this. He wished to go to camping just as +quickly as possible. But the others overruled him. + +“We’ll get camping enough, never fear,” remarked Andy. “Remember, we’ll +have to put in one night on this side of the lake shore before we +strike a suitable place to camp.” + +As soon as they reached the vicinity of the river, Harry ran ahead to +unfasten the iceboat, and get the craft in readiness for the start. + +A few seconds later the others heard him give a cry of wild alarm. He +soon reappeared among them. + +“The _Icicle_ is gone!” was the startling intelligence he brought. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE STOLEN ICEBOAT. + + +The other members of the Zero Club came to a dead halt. + +“Gone!” burst out Andy and Boxy in a breath, while Jack looked as if he +had not heard aright. + +“Yes, gone!” repeated Harry. + +“But I locked it fast to the piling!” exclaimed Jack. “You have the +key.” + +“I don’t care! she’s gone, and I can’t see anything of her.” + +Without another word, the quartet hurried down to the edge of the ice. +It was just as Harry had announced, the iceboat was nowhere in sight. +Each of the boys looked at his comrades. + +“What does it mean?” asked Boxy. + +“It means that the _Icicle_ has been stolen!” cried Jack. + +“Stolen?” + +“Yes. It was locked up tight enough. Somebody has come here and either +broken the lock or else had a key to fit it. Boys, we are in a hole!” + +The faces of the Zero Club fell. Without their iceboat, with which to +make the journey up the river, what was to be done? + +“Who would have taken her?” questioned Boxy, after running out on the +frozen river and looking up and down anxiously. + +“Maybe some tramps,” suggested Andy. “I saw several of them hanging +around yesterday.” + +“I saw those tramps, too,” returned Harry. “It would be just like them, +if they wanted to go to some other place on the river.” + +“It’s a real shame!” muttered Jack. “Our trip spoiled at the very +start.” + +“If we only knew in what direction the boat had gone we might go after +her,” said Andy. “Our skates are on the sled, you know.” + +“That’s the ticket!” burst out Boxy. “Give me my skates without delay. +It’s ten to one they went off this morning, and so they can’t be very +far away.” + +“I have an idea,” said Jack. “Supposing two of us skate up the river, +and two down, on the lookout? We’ll go, say three or four miles, and if +we don’t see anything we can return here.” + +“All right,” returned Harry. “We can’t afford to let anybody run off +with the _Icicle_.” + +While the boys were talking over this plan in an excited way, and +getting out their skates and putting them on, the well-known figure of +Pickles Johnsing appeared in sight. The colored youth was running as +fast as his short, fat legs would permit. + +“Mos’ dun missed yo’!” he gasped. “An’ I made up my mind to see yo’ +off, suah!” + +“We’re not off just yet, Pickles,” said Jack. + +“No? I t’ought yo’ wuz gwine soon as de sun shone up?” + +“Our iceboat has been stolen. We just found it out,” said Boxy. “Do you +know anything about it?” + +“Wot? De _Isticle_ gone?” ejaculated the colored youth, with his big +eyes rolling in wonder. “Yo’ don’t say! Who dun tuk her?” + +“That’s what we want to know,” said Andy. + +Pickles began to blink his eyes, as if in deep thought. Then suddenly +he slapped his thigh with his broad hand. + +“By de boots! I fink I know who dun tuk de _Isticle_!” he roared. + +“You do?” came in concert from the members of the Zero Club. + +“Yes, sah!” + +“Who?” + +“Sully, Dixon and dat low-down Len Spencer!” + +The boys started. + +“What makes you think so?” asked Jack, catching the colored youth by +the arm. + +“I heered dem a-talkin’ ’bout it las’ night on de toboggan-slide. +Sully said he would like ter break up yo’r gwine away, and Dixon said +de _Isticle_ was tied up down heah, an’ da could git hold ob it easy +enought an’ put yo’ in de hole.” + +“That settles it!” cried Harry, angrily. “Our old enemies are at work +against us. They took the iceboat just to break up our tour.” + +“But they sha’n’t break it up!” cried Boxy. “I’ll go on foot first!” + +“So will I,” joined in Andy. + +“If we only knew where they had taken the _Icicle_ we might go after +them,” said Jack. “I don’t believe in letting them have their own way.” + +“Nor I--after working so hard on the iceboat,” added Boxy. “Pickles, +did they say anything about where they might go?” + +“No, da didn’t,” replied the colored youth, slowly. “But, hol’ on--Len +Spencer said he was gwine down to Lumberton to-day fo’ his father----” + +“Then that’s where they have gone!” put in Jack, hurriedly. “Of course, +they wouldn’t dare go up the river, knowing we were bound that way. +I’ll bet a dollar they are on the way to Lumberton this minute!” + +“I believe you,” said Harry. “Shall we go after them?” + +“Of course!” + +“Certainly!” + +“Can we catch them?” + +“We ought to be able to do so on our skates. The wind is almost full +against them, so they will have to do a bit of tacking, while we can +skate straight ahead.” + +With frantic haste, the four boys completed the task of putting on +their skates. Pickles had his pair along with him, and put them on also. + +“I’se gwine wid yo’, if you lets me,” he said. “Maybe yo’ll want some +help if yo’ gits in a muss.” + +“Certainly, come on, Pickles,” said Jack. + +The sled was left in a safe place, and then, without further delay, +the five boys started down the river toward Lumberton, a small +settlement ten miles distant. + +At first but slow progress was made, owing to the stiffness felt by +the members of the Zero Club from the toboggan accident. But gradually +they warmed up to the work, and then they glided over the smooth ice +rapidly. Pickles, who was a good skater, despite the shortness of his +legs, kept close to Jack’s side. + +“I wish we were provided with clubs,” said Boxy. “We may have a rough +time of it with Sully and his gang. He hasn’t forgotten how we got the +best of him at snowballing, and most likely he’s prepared to fight us +off.” + +“He’ll give up the iceboat fast enough, never fear,” returned Jack. +“You must remember, I can have him arrested for stealing our property +if I want to.” + +“But you wouldn’t do that, would you?” asked Harry. + +“Not unless he got positively ugly. But he must be taught to remember +that we intend to stand no nonsense.” + +On and on down the frozen river swept the five boys, until Rudskill was +left far behind. The sun mounted higher in the sky, tempering the wind +and making skating more agreeable. + +“We’ll soon be up to Thompson’s Bend, and then we’ll have a straight +course before us,” said Andy. + +“If I’d thought, I would have taken the field-glasses from the pack,” +said Boxy. “Then we could have seen the _Icicle_ even if she was miles +off.” + +“I kin see dat _Isticle_ fur ’nouf, nebber fear,” said Pickles. “My +eyes hab been trained since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.” + +The bend Jack had mentioned was reached five minutes later, and in a +bunch the boys swept around the last projecting headland. A straight +course for twelve miles lay before them. + +“There’s the _Icicle_!” cried Andy, suddenly. + +“Where? where?” came from the others. + +“Over to the east shore! See, they are tacking this way!” + +“You are right!” returned Harry. “And there is Bill Dixon standing at +the bow.” + +“An’ dat low-down Len Spencer in de back, alongside ub Pete Sully!” +added Pickles. “Didn’t I dun tole yo’ da was comin’ dis way?” + +“They have discovered us!” exclaimed Boxy, a second later. “See, they +intend to turn on the other tack. Come on, fellows, we mustn’t give +them a chance to get away!” + +He started off at full speed on his skates, and the others quickly +followed. + +The iceboat was all of an eighth mile off, and speeding over the river +as fast as the wind would carry her. Those on board had discovered the +owners as quickly as they themselves had been revealed, and were now +making frantic efforts to get out of the reach of their pursuers. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE TOUR BEGINS. + + +“I wonder if they will attempt to fight?” asked Harry, as he swept on +beside Jack. + +“I hardly think so,” was the reply. “But if they do, we are five to +three.” + +“I own dat Len Spencer a lickin’,” put in Pickles. “He won’t dare say +one word to dis child or he dun cotch it, suah.” + +“Don’t start a fight,” warned Jack, earnestly. “We have the law on our +side, and that’s enough.” + +By this time half the distance toward the _Icicle_ had been covered. +During this interval those on board the iceboat had managed to swing +about the main sheet. It was now filling, and the craft was beginning +to draw slowly away from them. + +“Stop there!” shouted Jack, at the top of his lungs, and the others +joined in the cry. + +“Good-by!” shouted Sully, derisively. “Hope you enjoy skating!” + +“We’ll have you locked up if you don’t stop!” yelled Boxy. “That is our +property you are running off with!” + +“Rats!” returned Sully, but he and his companions were not a little +disturbed by Boxy’s plain statement of facts. + +“We must put on more steam!” urged Harry. “If they once catch the wind +fairly they will give us a nice chase across to the Lights.” + +“Never mind, we’ll catch them on the next tack!” said Andy. + +Nevertheless, the five boys put on a burst of speed which brought them +to within a couple of hundred feet of the _Icicle_. + +“They are going to tack back!” cried Harry. “Now if we try----” + +“They are going to turn round and sail right with the wind!” burst +in Jack. “Hurry up, or we’ll lose them and have to follow them to +Rudskill, and goodness only knows how much farther!” + +Jack was right. Sully had given the order, and all hands on the Icicle +were aiding in turning her bow up the river. + +The clumsy craft swung around in the wind while they were still just +out of reach. Then the mainsail again caught the breeze, and off moved +the iceboat at a livelier speed than ever. + +“We’re beaten!” gasped Andy. + +“No, we are not!” shouted Jack. “Come on, fellows! They have got to +steer to the right to avoid that open flow over there!” + +Away he went, with Harry, Boxy and Pickles at his heels. Andy could not +keep up the pace, and dropped a little behind. + +Harry felt as if he was once more in the five-mile race, and put forth +every ounce of muscle that was in his sturdy limbs. Gradually he drew +ahead of his companions and closer to the iceboat. + +Those on the _Icicle_ saw him gaining on them, and endeavored to +increase their speed. But it was of no avail, the wind subsiding just a +trifle when most needed by them. + +In another half-minute Harry was alongside of the iceboat. He attempted +to jump on board, but Sully sprang at him and pushed him off. + +“Keep away, or I’ll crack you in the head!” shouted the bully of +Rudskill, roughly. + +“This is our iceboat, and I am bound to get on board!” returned Harry. +“Don’t you dare to touch me again, or you’ll get the worst of it.” + +Once more he skated up and caught hold. Sully again tried to push +him back. Harry grabbed his arm, and an instant later the bully went +sliding down on his back on the hard ice. + +“Oh! oh! my back!” howled Sully, in combined fright and pain. + +“Serves him right!” returned Harry. “Come on, boys, I’ve got rid of one +of them!” he shouted to his companions. + +To avoid the open flow before mentioned, Dixon and Spencer were now +tacking once more. This allowed Harry to reach the iceboat a third +time, and now he sprang safely aboard. + +“Lower the mainsail!” he cried, in a determined voice. “Do you hear, +Dixon?” + +“But--but----” stammered the bully’s toady. + +“No buts about it; lower the sail, I tell you, unless you want to be +pitched off after Sully!” + +Seeing Sully’s fate, Dixon was thoroughly cowed, and he hastened to do +as Harry had ordered. Hardly had the sail come down than Jack and the +others swept up and boarded the _Icicle_ in a body. + +“Don’t--don’t kill us!” cried Spencer, who was even a worse coward than +Dixon. + +“Yo’ is a fine fellah to run off wid other folkeses property!” put in +Pickles. “I dun reckon Jack an’ de rest will send yo’ all to prison fo’ +ten or twelve yeahs!” + +“It wasn’t my--my fault!” whined Spencer. “Sully put up the job.” + +“You get right off the boat!” commanded Jack. “And you, too, Dixon!” + +“Here, in the middle of the river?” questioned the latter, anxiously. + +“Yes, right here.” + +“You don’t mean to leave us way out here, four miles from home, do +you?” demanded Sully, as he limped up. + +“Yes, leave them here,” put in Boxy. “They deserve it.” + +“It won’t hurt them to walk home,” said Harry. + +“Dat’s jess right,” added Pickles. “Let dem walk ebery step ub de way.” + +He and the others sprang on board of the iceboat and began to hoist the +mainsail. They had hardly done so when Sully rushed up and tried to hit +Jack in the head with his fist. + +Pickles sprang forward and pushed the bully’s arm aside. Then he let +out with his own fist, and down went Sully flat on his back, while the +_Icicle_ sailed off, leaving Dixon and Spencer staring at the fate of +their leader in dumb amazement. + +“That’s the time you did it, Pickles!” cried Boxy, approvingly. “My! +just look how mad Sully is!” + +They looked back and saw that the bully had arisen to his feet and was +shaking his fist at them in rage. A moment later they swept around +Thompson’s Bend, and the trio of defeated ones was lost to view. + +“I owe you one for your aid, Pickles,” said Jack, with a kindly look at +the colored boy, who grinned with pleasure. “I sha’n’t forget you.” + +Pickles cleared his throat several times and looked down at the ice for +a moment in silence. The boys saw at once that something was on his +mind. + +“Say, why can’t yo’ fellahs take me along!” he burst out suddenly. +“Ebery fust-class camp hab got to hab a cook an’ general util’ty man +around, pap sez, an’ he sez I kin go along if youse will hab me. I +don’t want no pay fo’ gwine along, an’ I’ll do wot I kin to help fill +up de larder. I ain’t much wid a gun, but I kin trap t’ings, and yo’ +all knows wot I kin do fishin’ an’ spearin’. It an’t fo’ de likes of +yo’ to wash de dishes and sech, an’--an’, to tell de truf, I wants to +go powerful bad!” + +And Pickles’ big, round eyes told very plainly that he spoke the +truth. He had had that suggestion on his mind a long while, but he had +hesitated to speak for fear of being refused. + +The boys looked at each other. They had not thought to include any +one but themselves in the proposed outing. But it would be a shame to +disappoint Pickles, who had always stood by them and done them more +than one favor. + +“An’ I kin take my banjo and mouf harmonica along,” went on the +colored youth. “Da will come in mighty handy-like to help kill de long +evenings.” + +“That’s so,” said Boxy. “And you can give me those lessons you promised +me.” + +“And you can show me how to build those traps you spoke about,” added +Harry. + +“Yes, I want to learn how to trap, too,” put in Andy. + +“I guess you can go, Pickles,” finished up Jack, and it was settled +that the colored youth should become one of the party. + +Pickles was so delighted that he could hardly contain himself. As soon +as Rudskill was reached he ran off to tell his folks and prepare for +the trip. He was gone but a short half-hour, and came back with a spear +on his shoulder and an old army knapsack strapped on his back. + +The sled was brought out and tied on behind the _Icicle_, and then, +without further delay, the long-talked-of tour was begun. + +“We have lost about two hours,” said Jack. “But as the breeze is +stronger than ever, perhaps we can make up the lost time before +nightfall.” + +The wind was indeed stronger, and soon Rudskill and the surrounding +settlement was left far behind. + +Now that the _Icicle_ had been recovered and they were at last on +the way, all of the boys felt in high spirits. Boxy began to whistle +merrily, and soon after Pickles broke out into a comic negro ditty that +set them all to roaring. + +It was after one o’clock when Hammerstone was reached. It being an +hour later than they had anticipated, it was decided that they should +procure a lunch to eat on the iceboat instead of stopping off for a +meal. Jack procured the stuff--sandwiches and a big mince pie--and soon +they were on the way to Rudd’s Landing, their stopping place for the +night. + +By four o’clock Jack calculated that they had traveled three-quarters +of the distance from Rudskill. + +“And if the wind holds out, we’ll be in Rudd’s Landing by seven or +half-past,” he said. + +By five o’clock it began to grow both darker and colder. A little later +the wind died down somewhat, although it still blew sufficiently strong +to keep them spinning on their course. + +“Gosh! a cup of coffee wouldn’t go bad!” exclaimed Andy, who was taking +it easy beside Harry, in the stern. “I’m pretty well chilled.” + +“It won’t be long before we’re there, now,” replied his brother. “You +can see the lights away ahead of us.” + +On they went through the semi-darkness, for another half mile. They +were now approaching a spot where a side creek of considerable +dimensions flowed into the river. + +Suddenly Pickles, who was in the bow on watch, uttered a cry of terror. + +“Turn de boat around!” he screamed. “We is runin’ into de open watah!” + +The others sprang up and gazed ahead. It was true; the _Icicle_ was +making directly for a wide opening in the ice, scarcely a hundred yards +ahead! + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +CLOSE QUARTERS. + + +Every one of the five boys on the iceboat was filled with terror over +the danger which confronted them. + +At the rate of speed they were going, the _Icicle_ would soon reach +the edge of the great opening before them, and they well knew that the +onward rush would carry them far out into the icy waters. + +“Stop her, somebody!” cried Andy. “We will all be drowned!” + +“Everybody on the right side!” yelled Jack. “Down with the sail!” + +All on board made a rush to the right, and bore heavily on the +steering-iron on that side. Harry caught hold of the ropes attached +to the sail, and untied them. Down came the sheet in a lump, falling +partly over the crowd and dragging on the ice beside them. + +The _Icicle_ began to swing around, and also slowed up. The +semi-circular motion caused the sail to get under the steering-iron, +and this helped to stay their onward progress. + +“We’ll have to jump!” cried Boxy. “Look how close we are getting!” + +“No; we’ll stop before we get there,” returned Jack. “Hard on the iron, +everybody!” + +There was a sharp, rasping sound as the _Icicle_ struck a bit of lumpy +ice, and the clumsy craft trembled from stem to stern. She swung +completely around, and came to a halt when within twenty feet of where +the dark waters from the side creek rushed along silently. + +“My gracious! but that was a close shave!” murmured Boxy, as he wiped +the cold sweat from his forehead. + +“Dat am de werry closest shabe wot I ever ’sperienced,” returned +Pickles. “An’ I don’t want no moah ub dem!” + +“We are not yet out of danger,” urged Harry. “An extra-heavy puff of +wind may come along at any time and carry us over.” + +“That’s so,” returned Jack. “Come on, boys, let’s get off and push the +boat over to the west shore, where I guess we will find a solid strip +to pass along on.” + +His companions were not slow to follow his advice. They lost no time +in moving the iceboat back a distance of forty or fifty yards, and, +feeling comparatively safe here, they stopped long enough to get out +their skates and put them on. + +Thus equipped, it was easy to haul the craft around, and, getting +behind her, they took turns in pushing her over toward the west shore, +where, as Jack had supposed, there was a strip of ice all of fifty +yards wide, leading to the solidly frozen river beyond. + +“We want to be on the lookout for such places as this,” remarked Harry, +as they boarded the _Icicle_ once more, and hoisted the sail, which was +now sadly torn in half-a-dozen places. “If it hadn’t been for Pickles +we might all be at the bottom of the river this minute.” + +And he gave the colored youth a grateful look, which caused Pickles to +grin from ear to ear. + +After that two of the boys remained at the bow, straining their eyes to +see ahead. + +But this extra caution was now hardly needed. Owing to the torn +condition of the mainsail, the _Icicle_ did not move as rapidly as +before, and presently, when the wind died down a trifle more the clumsy +craft came to a complete standstill. + +“Humph! Here’s a state of things!” muttered Andy, impatiently. “And we +are still two or three miles from Rudd’s Landing. What’s to do?” + +“Get on our skates again and push the _Icicle_ along,” suggested Jack. + +“Boxy, you whistle for a wind, you are such a whistler,” laughed +Harry, who, as there was no danger attached, was disposed to view the +condition of affairs lightly. + +“I’m afraid I’d have to whistle a pretty long while,” returned Boxy. +“My idea is that the wind has gone down for the night, as it frequently +does.” + +“Dat’s it, persackly,” put in Pickles. “But I jess as lief shobe de +_Isticle_--I’se all cold to de marrer ub my bones.” + +“So am I,” cried Jack. “I’m going to push just to get warm. You had +better stay on board if you feel played out,” he added, to his brother. + +“No, I’ll get off, too,” replied Andy. “But I don’t believe I can +shove very much; my head hurts a bit again.” + +Once more all hands sprang down and donned their skates. Then Pickles, +Harry, and Jack began to push the iceboat before them, while Boxy and +Andy followed on behind with the sled. + +It was now dark, and growing colder every minute, which was odd, so +they thought, since the wind had gone down. + +“We won’t get that snowstorm to-night, that’s sure,” remarked Harry. +“It is always warmer just before a heavy fall of snow.” + +“Maybe we’ll catch clear weather that’s cold enough to freeze the leg +off a mule,” returned Jack. “Somebody said there was an intensely cold +snap on the way.” + +“Oh, we’re prepared for cold all right,” put in Boxy. “All you’ve got +to do is to move around lively like to keep up the circulation, and you +are all right.” + +“Just the same I wish we were in Rudd’s Landing,” said Jack. “I don’t +like this traveling on an unknown part of the river in the dark. We may +not find the Landing at all.” + +“Pooh! How can we help it? We know just where it is along shore.” + +“Well, then, let us turn in a bit. There is no sense in keeping away +out here in the middle.” + +“That’s so,” said Andy. “It may be warmer in toward the shore.” + +So they turned in the direction of the shore upon which was situated +the town for which they were bound. The overhanging bank of the stream +was fringed with bushes and trees and they skirted along just outside +of these, keeping a sharp lookout for airholes and thin spots. + +“Don’t want a bath just now,” shivered Boxy. + +“No; a bath would just about do us up,” returned Andy. “As it is, I can +hardly move along.” + +“We’ll be all right when we get to Barton Coils’ place,” called back +Jack. “So don’t get faint-hearted, Andy.” + +On they went, with no sound breaking the stillness of the cold night +save the grinding of the iceboat runners and their skates on the ice. + +Suddenly from out of the darkness among the trees which lined the +farthest shore came a dismal howl that caused nearly every one to jump +in alarm. + +“My gracious! what was that?” exclaimed Andy. + +“Dat mut be a ghost, suah!” cried Pickles, as he sprang away from the +voice. + +“It’s the most unearthly sound I ever heard,” put in Harry. + +“And don’t you know what it is?” asked Jack, with a merry laugh. + +“No,” said Boxy. “What is it?” + +“Nothing more nor less than the bark of a fox. There it goes again.” + +“Goodness! I never knew a fox would get up such a dismal noise,” +exclaimed Boxy. “Why, it’s enough to give one the creeps.” + +“Wait till you get into the woods on the other side of Rock Island +Lake, and you’ll hear sounds to make your hair stand on end, I’ll +warrant.” + +The barking continued for some time, and then came answering calls from +several other locations. + +“They are tuning up to descend on some hen-roost, I imagine,” said +Jack. “It’s a good way to get up their courage.” + +“I’d like to get a shot at one of them,” said Harry. + +“So would I,” burst out Boxy. “Can’t we get at them, Jack?” + +“It would take too long, I’m afraid. Andy couldn’t stand the waiting in +the cold.” + +“Boxy and I might wait, and you fellows go on,” suggested Harry. “We +will soon catch up with you.” + +“Yes, let’s do that,” burst in Boxy. + +The matter was talked over for a minute, and then it was agreed that +Harry and Boxy should take the guns and remain behind a quarter of an +hour, while the others pressed on for Rudd’s Landing, keeping close to +the river bank they were now skirting. + +Seeing to it that the two guns were ready for use, the two would-be fox +hunters set out across the river in the direction from which the first +barks of the animals had proceeded. Meanwhile those on the _Icicle_ and +the sled went ahead, and were speedily lost to view around a broad bend +beyond. + +“It would be fine if we could get a fox apiece,” said Boxy, as they +skated along close to one another. “We could keep the brushes as +trophies.” + +“I guess we’ll be lucky if we get a good shot at one of them,” returned +his companion. “Foxes are very sly chaps.” + +“Oh, I know that.” + +“Let us go up the river a bit, so as to get out of that wind. They can +smell your scent if the wind is blowing from you to them.” + +They moved up the river about twenty yards, and then made a semi-circle +toward the shore. Here they found a small creek, and up this they moved +as silently as possible. + +“We must be getting close to one of the fellows,” whispered Boxy. “That +sound came from this vicinity.” + +“Hush, Boxy, he may----” + +Harry did not finish, for at that instant a bark sounded so closely to +them that both sprang back in alarm. A little open glade was before +them, and directly in the center of it both boys discovered a silver +gray fox, standing with one forefoot raised, listening for an answer to +his call. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A LUCKY SHOT. + + +Boxy was about to say something, but Harry quickly placed his hand over +his companion’s mouth and motioned him to remain silent. + +Then he raised his gun, and pointed to Boxy to do the same. + +A brief interval of silence followed, and then, bang! went Boxy’s gun, +before he had had time to take anything like a correct aim. + +The shot spread out over the fox’s head, and caused him to leap to one +side in alarm. + +“Didn’t I hit him?” cried Boxy. + +Bang! went Harry’s gun. His aim was better than Boxy’s, and off limped +the fox on three legs, the left hind one having received part of the +charge of shot. + +“You hit him, even if I didn’t!” yelled Boxy. “But he’ll get away from +us, I’m afraid!” + +“Hurry and load up!” cried Harry. “We can get him if we try.” + +They reloaded the guns with all possible speed, running after the fox +as they did so. It was hard work with the skates on their feet, and +just as they got the animal again in sight Boxy tripped and went down +on his knees in a hollow. + +His gun went off as he tumbled, and the shot grazed the fox’s neck, +causing a painful wound. + +The animal let out a yelp of rage, and turned to leap down into the +very hollow into which Boxy had tumbled. + +“Shoot him, Harry!” cried the boy, in sudden terror. “He’s coming after +me!” + +Boxy was partly right. As the fox reached the bottom of the opening +he spied Boxy, and, feeling ugly, he did not attempt to get away, but +sprang directly for Boxy’s face. + +It was a thrilling moment, for, though small, a fox is exceedingly +savage when aroused, and with his long, sharp teeth can do serious +damage. + +Boxy squirmed to one side, and the animal landed on his shoulder. He +buried his teeth into the boy’s overcoat, snapping and snarling as he +did so. + +Then a loud report rang out, as Harry fired. He was not over three +yards away, and his aim was true. The fox received the greater part of +the shot in his side, and, with a backward leap he tumbled over dead. + +It was several seconds before Boxy managed to scramble to his feet. He +was as white as a ghost, and trembling in every limb. + +“Is he--he dead?” he gasped, as he surveyed the fox from a slight +distance. + +“I guess he is, but there is nothing like making sure, he is such a +sly creature,” responded Harry, and, going up, he struck the head of +the animal a resounding blow with the butt of his gun. “Yes, he’s dead +enough.” + +“It was lucky you hit him,” went on Boxy, gratefully. “If you hadn’t he +would have chewed me up.” + +“He was a tough customer, and no mistake,” rejoined Harry. “See what a +splendid white tail!” + +“He’s a pretty big one. Will you take him along as he is?” + +“I’ll have to; I can’t skin him here very well. Do you want to go after +another?” + +Boxy gave a shiver. + +“Not to-night,” he returned. “I’ve had enough hunting for the present. +It’s something a fellow has got to get used to.” + +“I doubt very much if we could get another,” remarked Harry. “The shots +have probably scattered them from the neighborhood. They know what a +gun will do just as well as we.” + +Harry brought out a string from his pocket, and with this tied the dead +fox to the barrel of his gun, which he slung over his shoulder. + +“Our quarter of an hour is up and more,” remarked Boxy, as they turned +to go back to the river. “The others must be close to Rudd’s Landing by +this time.” + +“I guess you are not as cold as you were,” laughed Harry. “I feel as +warm as toast now.” + +“Yes, such an adventure is enough to stir up any one’s blood,” rejoined +Boxy, dubiously. “But I’d just as lief remain a bit cold hereafter.” + +“You may expect greater adventures than this when we get to our winter +camp, Boxy. Supposing that fox had been a bear, or even a big wolf?” + +Boxy did not reply to this. Somehow, just then the camping out did not +seem so much sport after all. + +They were soon on the river, and, crossing to the other shore, started +after their companions. + +It was growing colder every moment, and the breeze on the ice, little +as it was, went through them like a knife. They were glad enough when +they saw numerous lights ahead, which they knew must be the town for +which they were bound. + +Presently they came upon a party of skaters, and from them learned that +the _Icicle_ had passed on but a few minutes before. They kept on, and +just before Barton Coils’ boathouse was reached, they overtook their +companions. + +“Got a fox, sure enough!” cried Andy. “Who shot it?” + +“Harry, and he saved my life doing it,” replied Boxy, and, hardly +waiting to catch his breath, he told his story, to which those who had +gone on ahead listened with keen interest. + +By the time Boxy had finished, the boathouse, at which the _Icicle_ +was to be left, was reached, and, leaving the iceboat and the sled in +a safe place, all hands rushed into the building to warm up around the +red-hot stove, which to them looked to be just then the most inviting +thing in the world. + +Barton Coils, a jolly man of forty, received them cordially, and soon +made them feel at home. + +“I’ll bet ye had a most uncommon cold run of it,” he said. “And a cup +of hot coffee will be just the thing to warm your inwards, eh?” and +he straightway set about preparing, not only coffee, but a whole hot +supper for them in his tiny kitchen in the rear. + +By the time supper was ready, they were somewhat rested. They crowded +around his small table like so many famished wolves, and it was +astonishing to see how rapidly the food disappeared. Luckily, he had +sufficient on hand, so no one went short. + +Barton Coils took a lively interest in the proposed expedition, and +declared he almost wished he was one of the party. + +“It would make me feel ten years younger,” he said. + +“Why can’t you go?” asked Jack. “I am sure we would all be pleased to +have you along.” + +“I can’t leave here, that’s the trouble,” returned the boathouse +keeper. “Otherwise, I would accept your kind offer in a minute, I +would, indeed.” + +He asked them about their traps, and told them of several additional +things it would be best to take along. Andy made a note of the +articles, and before retiring went up into the town and procured them. + +“You’ll find your _Icicle_ all right when you come back for her, never +fear,” said Coils to Jack. + +“I know we shall,” said Jack. Then he began to talk to the others, and +they all nodded in the affirmative. “See here, we have a proposition to +make,” he went on. “There is no use allowing the iceboat to remain idle +during our absence, and we have decided to let you hire her out to the +town folks if you will. Whatever you can get that way will be yours.” + +“Well, boys, I didn’t expect this.” And Barton Coils smiled his +gratitude. + +“It will be better to keep the runners scoured up than let them grow +rusty. But the sail will have to be mended.” + +“I’ll fix that all right; and much obliged to you all,” replied the +boatkeeper. + +There was a large spare room over the boathouse, and in this the boys +spent the night, lying on the floor in their blankets in true camping +style. Barton Coils would have given them a couple of old cots, but +they declined these, for the reason, as Pickles put it, “dat da wanted +fo’ to git ust to sleepin’ on de hard side of jess nowhere.” + +When the members of the Zero Club arose they found the day as clear as +could be wished. The sun was just peeping over the distant hills and +not a breath of air was blowing. + +“Boom-a-rah! boom-a-rah! boom! boom! boom!” sounded out Boxy, imitating +a big drum. “All up, for there is no time to lose if we want to reach +the shores of Rock Island Lake before nightfall.” + +“Right you are,” cried Jack. “Fold up the blankets and make your +toilets just as quickly as you can. Pickles can see to the repacking of +the sled, while I hunt around for breakfast.” + +“Breakfast is all ready!” put in Barton Coils, poking his head up the +ladder-way. “I was just going to rouse you out.” + +In a jiffy one and another made their toilets, and climbed down into +the kitchen. The smell of the buckwheat cakes filled the apartment, and +a big platter of them were ready to be eaten, along with some maple +syrup fresh from the grove back of the landing. + +“Here’s where I am struck right in my soft spot!” cried Andy. “I’ll +miss the buckwheat cakes, if nothing else!” + +“Then you had better fill up well,” laughed Barton Coils. “Here you +are, smoking hot! Who’ll have the next?” + +Forks and knives were clattering right merrily for the next ten +minutes. The buckwheat cakes were washed down with hot coffee and +cream, and soon all were more than satisfied. + +Then came a farewell shake of the hand with the boathouse keeper, and a +final inspection of their traps. + +“Now we’re off!” cried Jack. “Hurrah for the tour of the Zero Club!” + +“Hurrah! hurrah!” cried the others, and Barton Coils joined in, waving +his towel over his head as he did so. + +Off they started, through the little town. The last house was soon left +behind. Before them lay nothing but hills, woods and a frozen lake. +Their outing in the ice and snow had truly begun. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +JACK BECOMES LOST. + + +“Dis am de most glorious trip wot ever was, by golly!” cried Pickles, +as he shoved on ahead of the rest, dragging the sled behind him. “Dis +coon is werry glad he is alibe jess about now, boys!” + +And in the exuberance of his spirits, Pickles broke out into an old +darky refrain about the history and death of a wonderful “Blue-tail +Fly,” the chorus to which was so catchy that they were soon every one +of them singing it. + +“I’m glad he came along,” whispered Jack to Harry. “He’ll make days we +can’t go out seem shorter.” + +“So am I, Jack, Pickles is just the fellow for this crowd.” + +The boys had received close directions concerning the best route to +pursue to reach the lake, and they were careful that no mistake should +be made. They followed a road almost half through what was called +Jackson’s Run, and then struck off across a number of open fields to +where a tiny stream ran at the foot of a long hill. + +“That creek empties into Rock Island Lake,” said Boxy. “I know, for I +was up here once in the summer, and my uncle told me so.” + +“Then why can’t we follow the stream until we reach the lake,” +suggested Andy. + +“We could do that if it wasn’t that the stream winds around so much,” +put in Jack. “In a direct line the lake is not over twelve miles from +here, but like as not that stream would take us thirty or forty miles.” + +“Not quite as far as that, but still a pretty good way,” said Harry. “I +know these creeks around here twist and turn in all directions.” + +“We’ll stick by the original intention, and be guided by the sun,” said +Boxy. “Come on, Harry, I’ll race you to the top of the next hill!” and +off he sped, with Harry at his heels. + +When the top of the hill was reached both boys were well-nigh +exhausted, and ready enough to sit down on a fallen tree and wait for +the others to come up. + +“You shouldn’t do that,” remonstrated Jack. “You’ll tire yourselves out +before you have covered half the day’s journey.” + +“And you’ll get sweated and take cold,” put in Andy. + +“If you feel so frisky, help Pickles with the sled,” went on Jack. + +“We will,” cried both Harry and Boxy, and they at once relieved +Pickles, much to his satisfaction, for the pull up the hill had been by +no means an easy one. + +And so, “cutting up like wild Indians,” as Jack expressed it, they +continued on their tramp, up one hill and down another, crossing +half-a-dozen tiny streams, and making their way through dense woods and +thick patches of brush and heaps of rocks. Occasionally they roused +up a squirrel or a rabbit, and once the loud drumming told them that +partridges were not far off. + +Just before the noon hour Jack took his gun, and kept his eyes open for +rabbits. It was not long before he shot two, and when they came to a +halt for dinner these were quickly skinned and broiled over the fire +Pickles kindled. + +“We want to be as saving as possible with our stores,” observed Harry, +as he sat, sucking the meat from a rabbit leg. “We may get snowed in so +that we can’t get out to shoot a thing.” + +“The first thing to do will be to lay in a supply of rabbits and +squirrels,” returned Jack. “Then, if we get nothing better, we won’t +starve, no matter what happens.” + +“That’s a good idea!” cried Andy. “Rabbit meat is better than nothing, +even if you have it three times a day.” + +The meal finished, the things were quickly put away once more, and +again the onward march was resumed. + +The character of the country now changed somewhat. The hills became +higher and harder to climb, and the undergrowth more rugged. More than +once they had to turn back and seek another path because they could not +get through without carrying the sled and its load. Once they came to a +deep ravine, all of ten feet wide, with no crossing place in sight. + +“Stumped!” cried Boxy. “Now what’s to be done?” + +“Let’s walk along this side for a few hundred feet,” suggested Harry. +“It may grow narrower further up.” + +“I’ll stay here with the sled until you find out,” replied Jack, who +had just taken hold. “It’s no use to pull it along, and then have to +drag it back. If you find a place, yell out, and I’ll come.” + +Harry and Boxy went on, accompanied by Pickles. It was no easy work to +follow the edge of the ravine, for in several places the ice and snow +were treacherous, and ready to let them slide down should they venture +too close. + +At last they reached a spot where the opening was scarcely five feet +wide. + +“We ought to be able to cross here,” said Boxy. + +“Dat am so,” put in Pickles. “Why, I kin jump it, suah! See here!” + +And he made a wild leap over, and disappeared into a hollow filled with +snow on the other side. + +“He’s gone!” shouted Boxy. + +“He’s all right,” returned Harry, as he saw Pickles’ woolly head slowly +emerging from the drift. + +“By golly, I didn’t fink dat was so slopy heah!” sputtered the colored +youth, as he stood up in snow to his waist. “If I hadn’t jumped so fah +I’se dun reckon I would hab gone an’ rolled down to de bottom ob de +crack suah!” + +“That settles it; we can’t cross here,” said Harry. “Let us go on a bit +further.” + +They continued along the edge of the ravine, Pickles keeping up with +them on the other side. Fifty feet further on the cut closed up almost +entirely, and they easily stepped across. + +“This beats running any risk jumping,” said Harry, and Pickles readily +agreed with him. + +All three of the boys set up a shout for the others, and it was not +long before Jack and Andy appeared with the sled. The latter was lifted +over the narrow opening, and then the club continued on its way, +Pickles again bursting out into a song, this time singing about “Forms +in White, a-Floating in de Sky.” + +“Just now it was a case of a form in black a-floundering in the snow,” +remarked Boxy to Harry, and the latter laughed heartily over the joke. + +“We ought to be getting near to the lake now,” said Jack, about four +o’clock in the afternoon. + +“That’s so,” said Andy. “If we get there much later than this there +will be no time left to build a shelter for the night.” + +On and on they went, taking turns at dragging the sled with its heavy +load. The sun was pretty well down, and it began to grow colder. + +“The lake, at last!” suddenly burst from Boxy’s lips, and he ran ahead, +quickly followed by the others. + +Boxy was right. A short dash through a clump of trees, and they stood +on the shore of Rock Island Lake. Before them was a broad expanse of +glass-like ice, dotted here and there with long drifts of snow. + +“Hurrah!” they all shouted, and Pickles added: “An’ dis ends de day’s +trabbels ob de Zero Club.” + +“Now for a good spot to pitch camp,” cried Jack. “I can’t say that I +like it right here.” + +“No; it’s too cold,” returned Harry. “Let’s go back a little, say a +hundred feet or so, and find some sort of shelter behind some rocks.” + +This was readily agreed upon, and the boys scattered in various +directions, each trying to find a more suitable spot than the others. + +Harry struck out up the lake shore a bit, and presently came to a spot +where two immense rocks leaned against each other over a little gully, +scarcely a yard deep and two yards wide. The gully was dry, and filled +with leaves, and he thought that if the snow was cleared out and banked +up in front, it would be just the place they desired. The opening under +the rocks was about ten feet deep, and the rear was choked up with +fallen branches, brush, and dirt. + +He called to the others, and soon all but Jack were by his side. + +“That’s the ticket!” cried Boxy. “We couldn’t find a better place made +to order.” + +“We can spread the rubber blankets over the leaves, and it will make +good bedding,” said Andy. + +“An’ dat dar snow will keep out all de cold,” put in Pickles. “Yes, de +prize goes to Harry fo’ findin’ de right spot.” + +“Where is Jack?” asked Harry, anxious to have all of the members of the +club satisfied before it was settled to stay. “Maybe he has discovered +a better spot.” + +They all set up a shout, and waited for an answer. But none came. Then +they shouted again, with the same result. + +“That’s queer!” murmured Andy, somewhat disturbed. “Give him another +call, boys, as loud as you can.” + +They did so willingly, and Boxy added his imitation locomotive whistle +as well. + +It brought forth no reply. Jack was lost to them. What could have +become of him? + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +JACK’S EXPERIENCE. + + +When Jack left the other members of the Zero Club to look for a +suitable camping-place for the night, he had no intention of walking +any great distance away. + +He struck down the lake shore, in a direction directly opposite to +that taken by Harry, and at almost right angles to that pursued by the +others. + +Jack walked probably fifty yards before coming to anything but a flat +surface of snow and ice, with here and there a tree or a bush. + +“This is no good,” he murmured to himself. “I’ve a good mind to go back +and try in the other direction.” + +Had he done so, he might have saved himself all the trouble that +followed, and likewise saved the others from a deal of anxiety +concerning his welfare. + +But Jack remembered that Harry had gone off in the opposite direction, +and so he kept on until he reached a small rise of ground, beyond which +was a dense thicket of great trees, some all of a hundred feet in +height. + +“There ought to be a first-rate place among those trees,” he thought. +“I’ll investigate a bit and see.” + +Jack walked in among the trees and soon located a spot between several +tall maples that he thought would be just the thing. Five trees were in +a semi-circle, and he calculated that by heaping the brush around them +a temporary shelter that would be both safe and warm would be secured. + +He walked around the trees, and then to a spot a few yards away, where +brush grew thickly. + +Here both the snow and the leaves were thick, and without warning he +suddenly found himself sinking down in the midst of both. + +He tried to scramble to a place of safety, but it was too late and down +he went into an opening that was all of ten feet deep. The leaves and +snow tumbled with him, and he was all but smothered. + +When at last he managed to get his head clear of what was around him, +he found himself up to his armpits in the mass, and almost powerless to +move the lower portion of his body. + +Jack was not one to cry for help, so, for a while, he remained silent, +doing his best to extricate himself from his difficulty. + +It was very cold down at the bottom of the hole, and, despite his +exertions, he found himself gradually getting chilled to the bone. +It was also dark, and this made his situation worse than had it been +daylight. + +At last, in desperation, he wrenched himself away from the snow and +rubbish, and freed himself as far as the waist. But higher than this +he could not get, for every time he attempted it he only slipped back +again. + +A half-hour was passed in trying to extricate himself, and by that time +he was so worn out he was unable to make further effort. + +“This is the worst fix yet,” he muttered, to himself. “If I stay here +I’ll be frozen to death before morning,” and he gave a shiver which was +not altogether from cold. + +It was then that he began to shout for help. His voice was weak, and it +is doubtful if it could have been heard thirty feet from his prison. + +A quarter of an hour more went by, and Jack was almost stiff. His feet +were like two cakes of ice, and his ears pained him fearfully. + +“Where can the others be? Why don’t they come and help me out?” + +He asked himself these questions over and over again. But no answer +was vouchsafed. It was as if the other members of the Zero Club had +forgotten his existence. + +Presently Jack heard a rustle in the bushes in front of him. Was it one +of the other boys on the hunt? + +Then a low growl made him start and strain his eyes in the direction. +What was it, a fox, wolf or bear? He looked up at the entrance to the +hole, but no animal showed itself. + +Again he yelled, this time not only to summon assistance, but also +to scare away the beast, whatever it was. A crashing in the brush +followed, and then dead silence. + +“He’s gone away,” he muttered, with a sigh of relief. “But who knows +but what he’ll come back, or some other animal will meander this way. +Oh, if I was only out of this hole I’d take precious good care that I +didn’t get into another.” + +Ten minutes more--an age to poor Jack--and another rustle in the brush +was heard. Then followed a shout: + +“Hullo, Jack! Where are you?” + +It was Harry’s voice, and it thrilled him with joy. + +“Here I am, in a hole,” he replied. + +But, alas! his voice was so faint that Harry did not hear it, and +passed to his left and continued the search in that direction. + +“Help! help!” cried Jack, frantically. “This way! In a hole! Help!” + +Harry did not hear, but Andy, who was also close at hand, did, and +shouted to the others: + +“He’s here, fellows! Come this way!” + +“Where?” asked Boxy and Pickles, in a breath, while Harry quickly +retraced his steps. + +“Somewhere around here. Listen.” + +Again Jack called out, and now they were able to locate him. Andy was +in advance, and his companions were amazed to see him disappear as +suddenly as if he had taken a plunge in the water. + +“There’s a hole there. Be careful!” shouted Harry. + +“Dat mus’ be a b’ar hole!” put in Pickles. “Pooh Andy’s dun gone in it, +too!” + +“Help us out!” yelled Andy, from beside Jack. “This is a sort of a +cave-in, and Jack is half buried under the dirt and snow.” + +“We’ll have to get the rope and haul them out,” remarked Boxy. “Run +back for it, Pickles.” + +The colored boy skipped off at top speed. While he was gone, Boxy and +Harry skirted the opening with great care, and found the most available +standing place. + +When Pickles returned, he brought with him the sled rope, and also the +one used for tying on the load. These were twisted together, and, not +without some difficulty, Andy was raised up. + +Then came the work of raising Jack. This was no easy task, for the poor +fellow was almost too exhausted to even catch hold of the rope. + +“We’ll make a loop, and he can slip it under his arms,” suggested his +younger brother, and this was done, and presently Jack stood beside the +others, supported by Boxy and Pickles. + +“Take me to some place where I can get warm!” he gasped. + +“We’ll run you back to the place where the sled is and cover you up +with blankets,” replied Boxy. “Come on, it’s the best thing for you.” + +And off he and Pickles started, with the half-frozen boy between them. + +Harry and Andy ran ahead and worked like lightning to gather dry brush +and start a fire in the shelter of several trees. It was not long +before they had a big blaze, and Jack was seated on the sled in front +of this with several blankets thrown over his back. + +“I’ll be all right in a little while now,” he said. “So you fellows had +better turn your attention to locating a camp for to-night.” + +“Harry has found a place,” said Boxy. “It’s just the thing, between a +couple of big rocks.” + +While Andy remained behind to keep up the fire and prepare supper, +Harry, Boxy and the colored youth went off to prepare the camp. + +“We’ll take all the snow out first,” said Harry. “Then we’ll make a +wall in front, with only a narrow opening to get in, and shut up the +back as tightly as we can.” + +The three boys went to work with a will, and inside of half an hour the +temporary camp was ready for occupancy. The sled was drawn inside, and +the rubber blankets spread around, and then the fire was transferred to +a spot directly in front of the opening. + +“That will keep us warm, and also keep wild animals from bothering us,” +said Harry. + +“Yes; we want no wolf or bear to wake us up by biting off an ear or a +foot,” laughed Boxy. + +“Gee, shoo, no!” put in Pickles. “Dat would make dis yere coon turn +white, ’deed it would!” + +Just before they had reached the lake, Boxy, anxious to prove that he +wasn’t such a poor shot that he couldn’t shoot anything, had gone off +in search of a partridge, and succeeded in bringing down one of fair +size. This Andy had prepared as nicely as possible, and, with bread and +tea, made a most appetizing supper for the hungry boys. + +“This is the last of the fresh bread,” remarked Andy, as he dealt it +out. “After this we’ll have crackers instead.” + +“Just as good,” returned Boxy, but before the tour was over he was +compelled to change his mind. + +The supper over, the boys found it growing late. They gathered some +wood and heaped it upon the fire in such a way that it might burn the +greater part of the night, and then sought to retire. + +“We want to be up early in the morning,” remarked Jack, who now felt +quite recovered. “It looks a little like snow, and we want to strike a +permanent camp before it lets down too heavily.” + +“Well, I’m ready to go to sleep,” returned Boxy. “And I won’t even ask +Pickles to sing a lullaby for me.” + +One after another the boys crawled into the cave-like sleeping place, +and selected their various corners. Andy brought in a pine knot, all +ablaze from the fire, and held it aloft so that they might see if all +was right. + +A second later Pickles gave a yell, which was followed by a cry of +fright from every one of the others. Then a hasty scramble was made for +the outside, the boys fairly tumbling over each other in their efforts +to escape. + +And small wonder, for the interior of the cave-hut was alive with +snakes! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A FIGHT WITH REPTILES. + + +“Snakes!” yelled Pickles. “Fo’ de land sakes, let dis chile git out!” + +“Snakes!” echoed each of the others. “We can’t stay in here!” + +And in less than half a minute every one was outside and several yards +away from the entrance to the temporary camp. + +“Whoever dreamed of the reptiles being there!” burst out Boxy. + +“We might have known it,” put in Harry. “Snakes always live around +rocks.” + +“But why didn’t we see them first?” questioned Andy. + +“They were out of sight and half-frozen,” responded Jack. “I suppose +our moving around and the heat from the campfire roused them up.” + +“Wot we gwine to do?” asked Pickles, dolefully. “I wouldn’t go back dar +fo’ a billion dollars in cash, by golly, I wouldn’t!” + +“The blankets and the sled are in there,” put in Andy. “We must get +them.” + +“Yes, we can’t even locate another camp until we have them,” said +Harry. “We’d freeze to death without covers.” + +“I move we fight the snakes and kill them,” remarked Jack. “I don’t +believe they are very harmful.” + +“They may be rattlers!” said Boxy, with a shiver. “And I don’t want to +‘climb the golden stair’ just yet.” + +“I doubt if they are rattlers,” returned Jack. “And even so, they are +not yet warm enough to show much fight. The likelihood is that we can +kill them off without much trouble.” + +The boys talked the matter over, and at length decided to make an +attack on the snakes, and thus at least gain possession of their traps. +Then if the cave-hut still looked “snaky” they would hunt up a new spot +in which to spend the night. + +Each of the boys provided himself with a torch and a club, and then the +opening to the place was enlarged to twice its size. + +Jack was the first to enter, and the others came closely behind him. + +The leader quickly killed the first snake to raise its head, and Harry +followed with the death of the largest of all of the reptiles. Then +torches were stuck up in convenient places and the battle began. + +At first the snakes were easy victims, but soon the noise and the +deaths of their fellows roused up those that remained, and a loud +hissing and a lively squirming told that they were angry. + +They darted to one side and another, and more than one attempted to +strike the boys with its fangs. + +Harry had the most startling experience of all. A snake dropped from +a crevice overhead and landed directly on his neck. The sensation +shocked the boy, but he was quick to act. He caught the snake by the +tail, swung it around, and dashed its head with all his force against +the solid walls of the hut-cave. The reptile was instantly killed. + +Andy also had a thrilling experience, a snake winding itself around his +ankle, and refusing to loosen itself even when caught back of the neck +by the courageous boy. + +“Hop out and hold him over the fire a second,” cried Jack. + +Out on one foot went Andy, still holding tight to the reptile. When +close to the fire, he let go, and thrust the foot over the flames. On +the instant the snake straightened out and fell into the fire, before +either the boy’s boot or his trousers were very much injured. + +At last the snakes were all either killed or driven off, and the boys +took a breathing spell. They counted up the slain, and with the one +consumed by fire, found they numbered fourteen. + +“That’s a pretty good many in one dose,” remarked Jack; “especially +when some of them are pretty nearly three feet long.” + +“I never want to run across such a nest again!” shuddered Harry; and +all agreed with him. + +“There were at least half a dozen that got away,” remarked Boxy. “I saw +three crawl in between the rocks.” + +“So did I,” returned Andy. “We don’t want to put in any night in this +place.” + +“By golly, no!” cried Pickles. “I dun radder tie myself up on de limb +ob a tree and risk gittin’ freezed to deaf!” + +The sled and the blankets were hauled out of the hut-cave, and examined +to see that no live snake was anywhere in hiding among them. Then they +gathered around the fire to talk matters over. + +Jack mentioned the spot he had found among the tall maple trees just +before he had fallen into the hole, and they decided that they would +locate there for the night. Once more the traps, and a large portion of +the burning brush, were removed, and they set to work with all speed to +furnish themselves a resting-place. + +“Now, if this doesn’t turn out all right, we’ll bunk around the fire in +the open,” said Jack, and the others said so, too. + +The extra blankets were tied up around the trees, and against these +were heaped brush and leaves. Then the interior was cleaned up, and the +rubber blankets put down once more. + +The work took less than half an hour, and when it was completed the +boys had a camp that if not quite as warm as the other might have been, +was still dry and sheltered. + +“We’ll build an extra large fire, and that will keep us warm,” said +Andy. + +“Yes, but we don’t want to wake up an’ find ourselves burnt to deaf,” +cautioned Pickles. + +“That’s so,” put in Jack. “Be careful that the leaves are cleaned away +around the brush before you build the fire too high.” + +Once again brush was gathered, and the fire fixed to everybody’s +satisfaction, and then all hands retired into the new camping hut, and +sought their various places of rest. + +It was a strange experience to all of them, and it is doubtful if any +of them slept, saving by fits and starts, until toward morning. The +fight with the snakes was still in their minds, and, as Boxy aptly put +it, “they could see snakes just as plainly as if they had been off on a +spree.” + +Pickles was the first to stir himself in the morning, while it was +yet dark. The colored boy sat up, and, seeing his companions still +slumbering, decided to go out, start up the fire and begin preparing +breakfast without disturbing them. + +He arose to his feet, and, throwing down his blanket, stepped over to +the entrance to the hut. Then a low cry of surprise escaped him, a cry +that made all of the others open their eyes. + +“What’s the matter?” cried Harry. + +“It’s dun gone an’ snowed de fiah cl’ar out ob sight!” returned Pickles. + +“Snowed the fire out of sight is good,” laughed Boxy. “Well, let’s +hustle and shovel it in sight again, for it’s as cold as the North Pole +in here!” + +“And it’s colder yet outside,” replied Jack, looking out of the doorway +Pickles had opened. “The snow is coming down lively, boys, and we must +lose no time if we want to get across the lake and settle down.” + +Every one was soon outside, Boxy and Andy with their blankets still +drawn around them. Both were used to sleeping in heated bedrooms, and +the cold seemed to pierce them to the very marrow of their bones. + +“Hustle around to start up the fire, and that will warm you up,” +suggested Harry. “Come, everybody pitch in, for it’s half-past seven, +and we want to be on our way by eight o’clock, or a little after.” + +They did pitch in with a will. While Pickles, Boxy, and Andy started up +a big, lively blaze, and got together something to eat, Jack and Harry +took down the blankets and packed the things on the sled. + +Presently Pickles slipped off down to the lake, taking the ax and a +spear with him. + +“He’s gone to spear a pickerel or some other fish,” said Boxy, and he +was right, for it was not long before the colored boy returned with a +beauty, weighing all of a pound and a half, which was soon broiling +over the flames. + +It was still snowing, and the boys had to fairly brush the flakes from +what they were eating during the meal. Jack calculated that already +three inches had fallen on the level. + +“And before night we’ll have a foot or two of it unless it clears off,” +he added. “So be lively, fellows!” + +“Can we skate over the lake?” questioned Andy. + +“That would be much easier than walking.” + +“Yo’ can skate ober all right,” replied Pickles. “De wind has dun kept +mos’ ob it cl’ar, ’ceptin’ in spots.” + +“Oh, but this is fine fish!” cried Boxy. “Pickles, you mustn’t forget +that you promised to show me how to spear them.” + +“So I will, when we gits ober to de reg’lar camp,” replied the colored +youth, smiling broadly at the praise bestowed. + +By quarter-past eight they put out the fire, placed the last of the +things on the sled, and set out. Down on the surface of the lake they +found a cold wind blowing from the northwest, and the snowflakes +appeared to be thicker than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +LOST IN THE SNOW. + + +As they had done the day previous, they took turns in drawing the sled, +which, fortunately, rode over the surface of the ice easily. + +Pickles was the first to try a hand. Jack and Harry went on ahead, +while Andy and Boxy came close behind the traps. + +All of the boys had their collars turned high up and their caps pulled +well down. Yet the snow crept in, and more than once they could +scarcely see ahead of them. + +“It’s not going to be such a bang-up, pleasant trip across, to my way +of thinking,” remarked Jack. “The snow is coming down heavier every +minute.” + +“Well, we’ll make a beeline for the opposite shore,” returned Harry. +“If we keep on pushing like this, we ought to make it by a little after +noon, and that will give us plenty of time to select a spot for a +permanent camp before night comes.” + +“That’s true.” + +“There is one thing we must guard against, and that is airholes. This +drifting snow is apt to cover them so a fellow can’t see them until it +is too late.” + +“We’ll keep our eyes peeled,” returned Jack, and he called out +instructions for those behind to do the same. + +On and on they went, keeping the straightest line they could without +anything to aid their eyesight. It was still colder as they got farther +from the shore, and occasionally a blast of wind would nearly take them +from their feet. + +“There is one thing we forgot to bring along, and that’s a compass,” +said Harry. “It’s a pity, too! If we had it the way need not bother us +in the least.” + +“I thought of it yesterday, after we had left Rudd’s Landing. But I +hated to go back after one.” + +Once or twice a flock of wild birds would circle over their heads in +the snow, and they would take a shot at them. In this manner they +brought down ten of the creatures, which, though small, would make +dainty eating. Jack and Harry placed them in their bags, and continued +to keep their eyes open for more. + +About ten o’clock the wind began to blow stronger than ever. It was +little short of a hurricane, and took the boys fairly off their feet. + +“By golly! dis ain’t no picnic, am it?” cried Pickles, as he went +sailing up the lake, unable to stop himself. + +“Lower your sails, Pickles!” cried Boxy, who looked at the difficulty +in the light of a joke. He had to dig his heels deep into the ice to +keep himself from following the colored youth. + +Jack was drawing the sled. A dozen times it swung around, and just as +he thought he had it right, the wind got under it, and over it went in +a trice, spilling off several things that had not been packed on well. + +With much trouble the sled was righted. Pickles fought his way back, +and helped tie the traps fast, this time making sure that not a single +thing was left loose. + +“It won’t do to lose even a plate,” said Andy. “For there are just +enough for the crowd and no more.” + +“If this keeps on, we’ll have a blizzard!” gasped Harry. “It fairly +takes one’s breath away!” + +“Have to keep your mouth shut or you’ll swallow a lot of snow, too!” +put in Boxy. “By the looks of things around us, one would imagine we +were out on the plains of Montana!” + +“The best thing we can do is to stop talking and fight our way to the +shore,” remarked Jack, seriously. “The first thing you know, we’ll be +turned around, and we won’t know in what direction the shore is.” + +Once again they moved forward. The snow beat on the right sides of +their faces and filled their right ears, and, unconsciously, they +turned a little away, and thus took a course which led them partly up +the lake instead of directly across. + +By twelve o’clock they were nowhere near the woods they knew was beyond +the edge of the lake. All around them were ice and snow. The wind had +let up a bit, but the snow was whirling down thicker than ever. + +“I’m getting played out,” said Andy. + +“And I’m hungry,” added Boxy. + +“And I’m a bit of both,” put in Harry. “Let us rest a few minutes and +have a bite to eat.” + +Pickles was more than willing, and at once went to work to get out +crackers and cheese. Jack looked on with a doubtful face. + +“We’ll have a bite, but don’t waste time resting,” he said. “We must go +on, or night will overtake us while we are still on the lake.” + +“Why, it’s only twelve o’clock!” cried Andy. + +“That’s so, but the shore is still a good way off, and if we get +lost----” + +“Oh, we won’t get lost,” put in Boxy. “We all know just where the shore +is.” + +“And where is it?” questioned Jack, still more seriously. + +“Right over there,” and Boxy pointed with his arm. + +“Why, no, it’s over in that direction,” cried Andy, pointing nearly at +right angles with Boxy. + +“You are both wrong,” put in Harry. “It’s over here,” and his arm went +up in still a third direction. + +“Boxy am right,” said Pickles. + +“I am inclined to think Harry is right,” remarked Jack. + +“But didn’t we come that way?” insisted Boxy, in surprise. + +“Yes, we came from that way, but we have been turning our backs to the +wind, and going up the lake instead of across.” + +“Maybe the wind has shifted.” + +“I doubt it,” said Harry. + +“I don’t believe the wind has shifted much,” said Andy. “But I was sure +the shore lay off in that direction. Jack is right, we had better be +moving off without delay. We don’t want to get lost in this snowstorm +out here on the lake.” + +They all agreed to this, but in what direction should they turn? + +It was finally decided to try the course Harry and Jack advocated, as +they were looked on as natural leaders of the party. + +The remainder of the crackers and cheese brought out by Pickles was +quickly eaten, and they set off. + +It was growing cooler again, and the wind blew the snow in blinding +masses into their faces. Onward they skated, until the drifts became +almost impassable. + +“I can’t skate through this!” cried Andy, at last. + +“Let us take our skates off and walk,” suggested Boxy. + +But Harry and Jack quickly vetoed this. It was just as easy to plow +through the snow on skates, and it was easier to skate over the clear +patches of ice than walk. + +So they kept on their skates, and thereafter Jack helped his younger +brother whenever Andy seemed in danger of pegging out. + +“My ears are all but frozen,” said Boxy, at last. “My right one has no +feeling in it any longer.” + +“Rub snow on it,” suggested Harry. “And rub it on hard, too,” and he +showed his companion how to do it. + +“Dis am de werry worst trip I eber tuk,” declared Pickles, solemnly. +“An’ I won’t take anudder in a long, long while.” + +“If we could only see away ahead,” said Jack; “but the snow hides +everything fifty feet off.” + +“And the storm is growing wilder every second,” added Andy. + +“This will knock out hunting for a day or two, even if we strike a +camp,” declared Boxy, breathing heavily, to keep up with the others. + +“Oh, it will be all right if it stops snowing and the sun comes out,” +returned Jack, as cheerfully as he could. + +“By golly! it looks like it would snow fo’ a week!” cried Pickles. +“Jess look how thick it am comin’ down now! Jess like somebody was +a-shakin’ out a fedder-bed ober our heads!” + +Pickles was right. The snow was now coming down so thickly that it +seemed to fill every inch of the air. Their vision in every direction +was cut off to but a few feet in front of them. + +“Stick close together,” urged Harry. “If we become separated we’ll +never find each other again.” + +His timely advice was heeded and they bunched up so closely that they +frequently took hold of each other’s arms. + +It was hard work to drag the sled now, and two had to take hold instead +of only one. + +Finally they came to a long, solid drift of snow, all of six feet +high, and two or three yards wide. Jack and Harry mounted to the top, +and, despite the swirling snow and cutting wind, essayed to pierce the +gathering darkness around them. + +It was useless. Nothing but snow and ice was to be seen. Night was +coming on, and they were lost in the pelting storm! + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +SETTLING DOWN IN CAMP. + + +It certainly was a dismal outlook, lost on the lake in a howling +snowstorm, and night coming on. Small wonder that all of the members of +the Zero Club were filled with fear as to the outcome of the unexpected +situation. + +The wind blew sharper than ever, cutting like a knife, and causing +their teeth to chatter in spite of themselves. The snowflakes settled +on their faces and had to be brushed off their eyebrows that they might +see. + +“Here’s a state of things, and no error,” remarked Boxy, as he joined +Harry and Jack in front of the big snowdrift. “Have we got to go +through this?” + +“We’ve got to do something,” returned Jack, with a certain sort of +desperateness in his voice. “If we stay out here much longer we’ll be +frozen to death and buried in the snow!” + +“We must push on ahead--it’s our only salvation,” added Harry. “If we +keep on in a straight line we are bound to fetch up somewhere sooner or +later.” + +“We may walk clean up to the upper end of the lake,” said Andy, in a +low voice. He was too exhausted to speak louder. + +“Well, that would be better than remaining here,” replied his big +brother. “Come, fellows, brace up and put your best leg forward,” he +went on, in an effort to cheer up their lagging spirits. + +Pulling and pushing the sled as best they could, they attacked the huge +drift before them. In a couple of minutes they were on the other side. +All had had tumbles, but to these they paid no attention. + +“By golly! but I would give all I kin rake an’ scrape togedder to be in +a warm kitchen jess about now!” puffed Pickles. “My two feet dun got +froze as stiff as two chunks ob ice!” + +“We’re all in the same boat,” replied Boxy. “I can scarcely drag one +foot after the other.” + +“And I feel like sitting down and going to sleep,” put in Andy. “Let us +rest.” + +“No! no!” rejoined his elder brother, quickly. “If you rested and went +off into a doze you would never wake up again. We must keep on by all +means!” + +And on they pressed, slowly and painfully, growing more weary at every +step. The snow and wind continued, and it grew steadily darker. Would +that awful trip across the lake never come to an end? + +At last, when they were about ready to give up in despair, Harry, in +advance of all the rest, gave a joyous little shout. + +“The shore, boys!” + +“Where? where?” they cried out in chorus, and clustered around him. + +“Just off to our right. We have been walking along within fifty feet of +it.” + +“Gracious, you don’t mean it!” exclaimed Boxy. “True enough, boys; +come on to land and get a fire started!” + +Boxy set off as fast as he could on skates through the snow. The others +followed, Jack and Pickles dragging the sled. + +They were soon off the lake and huddled in a group behind a number of +trees and bushes, which afforded a fair shelter from the wind and snow. +Here they paused to catch their breaths and gaze around them. + +“I imagine we are at least a mile above the spot we struck out for,” +observed Jack. “But that doesn’t matter, so long as we have crossed the +lake in safety. What shall we do, light a fire or hunt a place to camp +for the night first?” + +“Let’s light a fire and get warmed up,” answered Andy. “I am sure none +of us can do much in our present condition.” + +His idea was warmly seconded by the others, and soon a heap of brush +was collected in a convenient spot and set on fire. They drew up to it +as close as they dared, and warmed their chilled bodies. The sled load +was again attacked, and crackers and cut-up smoked beef passed around. +It was wonderful what appetites all hands had whenever the least sign +of a meal appeared. It seemed they could eat all the time. + +Down in their hearts all were deeply grateful that the perils of a +possible night on the lake were passed. They were certain that, had +they been compelled to remain in that wind and snow, some of them would +have perished. + +Jack and Harry were the first to declare themselves warm and +comfortable once more, and, allowing the others to remain seated around +the fire, they started off to locate some suitable spot where they +might settle down for the balance of the outing. + +“We don’t want any more snakes’ nests,” remarked Harry, with a laugh. +“One is a-plenty.” + +“Right you are,” replied Jack. “What do you say if we find a circle +of trees and build a sort of hut? We can cut down a number of small +trees with the ax and fill up the openings by twining in brush and then +heaping up snow on the outside.” + +“Boxy was speaking of that sort of place. We will see what we can find.” + +They passed along the shore of the lake until they came to a small +creek. They walked up the bank of this for a distance of a hundred +feet, and suddenly Harry came to a halt. + +“How is that spot over to the other side?” he cried. + +“Just the cheese!” responded Jack. + +The place to which Harry had called attention was one where four trees +stood in almost a square. Between the two trees farthest back and those +to one side there was a mass of thick brush, while between the two +trees on the other side were several large rocks, which had rolled down +from a hill beyond. + +“We can build a hut there without difficulty,” said Harry. + +“That’s so. First we can clear out the square and pile it up on the +rocks to the right. Then we can cut a few slender trees and brace up +that brush in the rear and on the left. But how about a roof?” + +“We can cris-cross half-a-dozen poles in the lowest branches of the +four corner trees and pile brush and leaves on top. That ought to make +a good enough roof for the time we want to stay. The brush can be +twisted pretty tight, you know.” + +They looked the spot over carefully for snakes, and, finding none, +returned to the fire. + +“That ought to do first-rate,” said Boxy, when he had heard their +report. “But we can never build that hut to-night.” + +“We can fix it up enough to sleep in,” returned Jack. “Come on. We will +start another fire on the bank of the creek.” + +“It’s good it’s on the creek,” said Andy. “If a thaw comes up the water +will have a chance to flow away.” + +“I dun racken we won’t hab no thaw jess yet!” put in Pickles. “It’s +gwine to keep on a-snowin’ fo’ a month or moah!” + +Everybody laughed at this, and they pulled the sled off to the spot +beside the creek. Here a second fire was built, and Pickles vowed that +he was going to do all in his power to keep it going until they left +for home. + +“To-morrow I’ll git some big knots ob wood an’ a log or two, an’ da’ll +burn a week,” he said. + +It was now six o’clock in the evening, and they set to work with a will +to clear out the space between the four trees selected to become the +corners of the hut. The brush taken out was piled against the other +bushes between the trees, and more cut from a distance away was also +added. + +This work was performed by Andy, Boxy and Pickles. In the meantime +Jack and Harry cut twenty-odd saplings, and trimmed them as much as +necessary. + +The young trees were then taken to the cleared square, and four of them +were put up to rest from corner to corner, about ten feet from the +ground. When they were secure, ten of the poles were placed across the +opening. Then brush was handed up and piled on, and a pole or two was +fastened over the top to keep it from blowing away. + +“Now we’ve got a good enough roof for anybody,” said Jack, when the job +was finished. “It’s not very fine-looking, but it will keep out the +snow and a good bit of the cold, and that’s what we want.” + +Two of the remaining saplings were placed at right angles to make a +small doorway alongside of one of the trees, and the others were taken +inside to brace up the several walls of brush and stone. + +By the time all this was accomplished, it was after eight o’clock, and +every one of the boys was completely fagged out. + +“Fix up the fire for the night and we’ll go to bed,” said Harry. “We +have more than earned a night’s rest.” + +“You’re right,” added Boxy. “And don’t any one dare to wake me until +eight or nine o’clock to-morrow morning.” + +“We haven’t named the Camp yet,” said Andy. “Let’s do that before we +retire.” + +“It’s Camp Rest as much as anything,” replied his brother, and then and +there the spot was so christened. + +Pickles lost no time in replenishing the fire. Then the sled, with all +of the other traps, was dragged into the hut and a heavy blanket was +fastened up over the doorway. + +It took the boys some little time to arrange themselves to their +satisfaction, but, being so tired, they were not as particular as they +otherwise might have been. + +Harry took a place nearest the doorway, with Jack close behind him. +Pickles lay over in a corner by himself, and Boxy and Andy chummed up +close in another corner. + +Soon every one was asleep, and not a sound save the heavy breathing of +the boys, the singing of the wind through the tree branches and the +crackling of the fire broke the stillness of the night. The thick snow +still came down, but so softly it was not heard. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +HUNTING FOR FOOD. + + +It was Jack who was the first awake on the following morning. He lay +for some time without moving, and then unrolled himself from his +blanket and sprang up, just as Harry opened his eyes with a start. + +“Hullo, Jack! up already?” + +“I just got up, Harry. I guess it’s rather late.” Jack looked at his +watch. “Great guns! quarter to nine! Rouse up, boys, day has broke, and +more!” he cried. + +Soon every one in the hut was awake, and one after another they arose. +Several had a light sprinkling of snow on their blankets, but the +little that had sifted in had done no harm. + +“We’ll fix that to-day so not a spoonful shall come in hereafter,” said +Jack. + +Pickles was the first to attempt to step outside. He uttered an +exclamation of comical dismay. + +“By golly! de snow’s dun covered up de fiah most!” he cried. + +The colored youth was right. All about the fire, and also the hut, the +soft covering of white lay to the depth of a foot and a half, and the +cleared spot where the flickering embers lay had been narrowed down to +a tiny circle. + +“We’ll clear the snow away between the hut and the fire first,” said +Harry. “Pickles, you can start to get breakfast.” + +“Dat’s so, but what is we gwine to hab dis mornin’?” questioned the +colored youth, soberly. + +“We must hunt up our breakfast,” said Boxy. + +“Let’s try to get a squirrel or two,” suggested Andy. “I saw a hole on +one of the trees yesterday, close to where we built the first fire.” + +“All right; you and Boxy take the guns and see what you can scare +up,” replied his brother. “Harry and I will go for rabbits, birds or +whatever we can find.” + +Leaving Pickles to heap more brush and wood on the fire and set the +water to boiling for coffee, the four boys split into two parties and +set off. + +“We won’t be able to do much in this deep snow,” observed Harry to +Jack, as the two pushed up the stream. “There won’t be much stirring.” + +“We might run across a hungry fox,” returned his companion. “They come +out if they are hungry enough.” + +“Are they good to eat?” + +“Some say they are. I have never tried them, but I would eat fox meat +in preference to starving, every time.” + +“Oh, so would I. But we are not starving yet.” + +“No, but there is no telling what may happen. It is true it has stopped +snowing, but there is no telling how soon it may start up again.” + +“Well, I move we lay in as much as we can to-day,” said Harry, after +a pause. “We’ll feel safer if we have something in the larder to fall +back on. Besides, I get tired of crackers, cheese and smoked beef.” + +Walking through the snow was by no means an easy matter, and the two +boys had not gone far when they found the exercise beginning to tell on +them. + +Suddenly Jack touched Harry on the arm and motioned him to be silent. +Both boys came to a halt, and the elder pointed over to his left. + +For fully ten seconds nothing was to be seen. Then from over a fallen +log appeared a pair of long gray ears, followed by the head and body of +a fat bunny. + +Bang! went Jack’s gun, and the old fellow leaped up in the air, ran a +few steps and then fell dead. + +“Hurrah! you’ve the first one!” cried Harry, as both ran forward. “My! +but he’s a whopper!” he added, as he took up the prize by the hind legs. + +“Yes, he’ll do very well,” returned Jack, with a smile of pardonable +pride. “A few more like this and----” + +He broke off short. The discharge of the gun and their approach had +started up two more rabbits less than a rod off. They were scampering +through the snow at top speed. + +Harry took steady aim and fired. One of the bunnies was killed and the +other seriously injured. + +“After him or he’ll get away!” yelled Jack, referring to the wounded +rabbit, which was doing its best to drag itself out of sight in some +brushwood. + +With a bound Harry ran forward and caught the animal when it was still +a yard from cover. A blow from the gunstock settled its career forever. + +“That beats me,” said Jack. “Three rabbits is not bad. Shall we go back +with them?” + +“We seem to have struck a good spot. Let us get what we can before the +bunnies skip elsewhere.” + +So they went on, around the brushwood, and in among the trees in the +vicinity. At first they saw nothing, but soon scared up three rabbits +in a bunch. + +Bang! bang! went Jack’s and Harry’s guns simultaneously, and two more +rabbits were added to their list. The third animal escaped unharmed. + +“That makes five,” said Jack. “We are doing famously, to my way of +thinking.” + +“Let us continue,” returned Harry, with a good deal of excitement. + +This was outing sport and no mistake. + +So they went on, but no more rabbits appeared, nor did any other +animals put in sight. They bagged half-a-dozen small birds, however, +and then, with their game-bags well filled, returned to the camp. + +Andy and Boxy had just arrived. Each of them had shot a squirrel, and +Andy had killed a third with a stick of wood. They had also secured +nearly two quarts of hickory nuts from one of the squirrel’s nests. + +“Now we are fixed for several days,” declared Jack. “Let us save the +rabbits and have a little squirrel on toast for breakfast.” + +“That’s it,” laughed Boxy. “Think of it, squirrel on toast! Delmonico’s +an’t in it, eh?” and every one joined in the laugh. + +Pickles had not been idle. Water was boiling over the fire, and exactly +five big potatoes--portion of the small mess brought along--were +roasting in the ashes beneath. It was not long before the smell of +newly made coffee and broiling squirrel filled the air. + +A portion of the fire was dragged directly in front of the entrance to +the hut, making the interior as warm as the kitchen of a house, and +then the five sat down to a well-earned breakfast and dinner combined. +That they enjoyed every mouthful goes without saying. + +“Now, what’s the programme for to-day?” questioned Boxy, when he was +about full. + +“At first let us give Pickles a chance to clean up, while we finish +work on the hut and build a regular fireplace,” returned Harry. + +“That’s it,” added Jack. “Pickles can also tend to the animals we have +killed, so they won’t spoil. The hut must be put into shape, so that it +will stand the wind and any storm that may come along.” + +“I don’t think we’ll get any more snow,” said Andy, but the others +shook their heads. + +It was no easy matter to start work in the deep snow which lay on all +sides of the hut, but they went at it with a will, Boxy whistling +cheerfully, and Pickles singing merrily as he washed the dishes and +pots. + +More poles and brush were cut, and Jack, who had seen the thing done +by hunters along the coast, showed how the brush could be twisted, one +branch into another, until the sides of the hut were as tight as a +wicker basket. They were braced by the poles, and then banked up on the +outside, first by more brush and leaves, and then by snow. + +After the sides were finished, the roof was overhauled and made much +tighter than before. The number of poles on the top were increased, +until all was as solid as a city house. + +“Now we’ve got a hut worth living in,” cried Harry, as he surveyed the +work done. “That will stay there for several seasons if not torn down +by human hands.” + +“It’s a pity we are not going to stay longer,” grumbled Boxy. “Three +days gone already!” + +“But three days are not two weeks,” said Andy, cheerfully. + +The hut finished, they tackled the fireplace. + +A dozen flat stones were sought for and found, and Jack showed them how +a regular oven could be constructed. The uprights and the cross pole +which had been used previously were allowed to remain, with the pot +suspended over them, full of water. + +“It’s a good thing to have hot water any time you want it,” observed +Andy, and the others agreed with him. + +By this time it was two o’clock, and they lost no time in preparing to +go on the hunt. + +“How Pete Sully and the others would envy us if they knew how nicely we +were situated,” observed Boxy. + +“I’ll bet they were mad when we left them to shift for themselves on +the ice,” put in Andy. “We’ll have an account to settle with them when +we get home.” + +“That’s so, but I’m not going to worry,” returned Harry. “Come on, +fellows, let us see what we can start up between now and sundown.” + +And all together they started off on a hunt that was to be one of the +most perilous of the whole outing. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +CHASED BY WOLVES. + + +After some discussion it was decided to follow the course of the creek +upon which they had pitched their camp. + +This would aid them in several ways. It would prevent them from going +astray and getting lost, and traveling was easier there than in among +the trees and brush. Moreover, Jack was of the opinion that they would +find more game along the creek side than elsewhere. + +Every one was in excellent spirits, and had it not been for a warning +from Harry, Boxy and Pickles would have started to sing and whistle. + +“We will never get anything unless you remain quiet,” he said. “It is +hard enough to stalk anything without a dog.” + +“Oh, I ought to have brought Leo,” burst out Boxy. “But Minnie wouldn’t +hear of it. She said it was bad enough for me to go, without taking +him.” + +“Leo isn’t a hunting dog, is he?” questioned Andy. + +“A kind of one. He hasn’t been trained very well.” + +“Then he would have been worse than none,” put in Jack. “A dog is no +good unless he is thoroughly broken.” + +“My ole man’s dun got de dorg,” put in Pickles. “But he would radder +gib me his suit of clo’s dan let me take Woppy away. He t’inks moah ob +dat dorg dan he does ob me, a heap sight.” + +“We’ll get along all right,” replied Jack. “But we must--hullo! here +are tracks in the snow!” + +“Hist! a rabbit, suah you boarn!” whispered Pickles. + +Up came his gun. A tremendous report followed, and the colored youth +went over backward in the snow. The heavy charge in the firearm +completely demolished the rabbit, which had been close at hand. + +“Did--did--I hit him?” gasped Pickles, as he scrambled to his feet with +a wild stare in his eyes. + +“Oh, no, you didn’t hit him, you simply scattered him,” returned Boxy, +doubled up over the sight Pickles had presented as he went over. “You +knocked him into six million pieces.” + +“Dat so?” Pickles gazed ruefully at the tufts of fur lying about. “By +golly! dat was a most terribul shot, wasn’t it?” + +“I should say it was,” returned Jack. “What made you load up so +heavily?” + +Pickles scratched his woolly head. + +“I dun racken I loaded dat yere gun twice,” he said, slowly. “I loaded +her up yisterday, an’ dis moanin’ I did de same.” + +A perfect howl of laughter went up, and it increased instead of +diminished when Pickles went around looking for enough of the rabbit to +take back to camp. He was unsuccessful. + +“Well, you can be thankful that the gun didn’t burst and send you to +kingdom come,” commented Harry. “Next time be sure to fire off the gun +before you load again.” + +“You kin bet I will,” returned Pickles, and he spoke the truth. All of +his charges after that were somewhat light. + +A little distance farther on they came across several more rabbits. +Jack brought down one and his brother another. All the other boys fired +and missed. + +“We’ll have rabbits if nothing else,” observed Jack. “But I am in hopes +we’ll strike bigger game.” + +“A bear, for instance,” said Boxy. + +“Well, no, not exactly. But a deer wouldn’t go bad.” + +“There ought to be deer around here,” said Harry. “Barton Coils said we +would find some sure.” + +“I suppose they are getting scarcer every year. Maybe we will have to +go away back in the mountains for them.” + +On and on they trudged, without another sign of a rabbit. But presently +Harry drew attention to a squirrel hole, and a halt was made to see +what it might contain. + +They all loaded up, and then Boxy threw a snowball into the hole. +Nothing followed, and then another snowball and a stick of wood were +launched at the hole. + +Instantly a squirrel’s head appeared; his lordship looked out to see +what was the cause of the disturbance. + +Jack took quick aim and fired. The head disappeared, but whether the +animal had been hit or not they could not tell. + +“I’ll climb up and investigate,” said Boxy. “I have an idea there is +more than one squirrel in that tree.” + +“Yes, it looks hollow,” returned Harry. “Let me give you a boost up.” + +“Don’t you shoot me for a squirrel while I’m up there,” laughed Boxy, +and up he started. + +“Humph! you don’t climb like a squirrel,” commented Andy, as Boxy +gripped and twisted to gain the lower branches of the tree. + +It was a struggle to gain those lower limbs, but Boxy finally +accomplished it, and began to poke into the hole with a stick. Almost +instantly a couple of squirrels sprang out and darted past him, and out +to where the branches of another tree hung close. + +One of the frisky animals made the leap in safety, and darted out of +sight before those below could take aim at him. + +The second was not so fortunate. He hesitated for an instant, and that +proved fatal. Harry’s gun spoke, and down he dropped at the young +hunter’s feet. + +The shot, scattering through the branches behind him, frightened Boxy, +who imagined that he was in danger of being hit, although such was not +the case, as Harry was careful of what he was doing. The boy up at +the squirrel hole shrunk backward, and then, to the amazement of his +companions, disappeared entirely! + +“Hullo! what does that mean?” cried Jack. + +“Where in de world is dat feller gwine?” questioned Pickles, with his +mouth wide open. + +“Who?” asked Harry, who had been paying attention solely to the +squirrel. + +“Boxy has gone into a hole in the tree,” explained Andy. “Hullo, Boxy, +crawl out of that!” he shouted. + +There was no reply. The boys stared at the tree and each other in +wonder. + +“Maybe he has gone clear to the bottom,” suggested Jack. + +“I’ll climb up and see,” returned Harry. “Give me a leg up, quick! He +may be smothering!” + +Jack assisted him, and Harry was soon up to where Boxy had been +standing. Sure enough, there was a large hole, and Boxy was wedged into +it at least seven or eight feet below the opening. + +“Help me!” gasped the unfortunate boy, in a thick voice. + +“Throw up a rope or a strap,” shouted Harry, to those below. “He is way +down, and can’t help himself.” + +Several skate-straps, buckled together, were at once thrown up. Winding +one end around his hand, Harry lowered the other. + +“Got it tight?” he asked. + +“Yes,” returned Boxy. “But I’m afraid you can’t haul me up--I’m wedged +in that firm!” + +“I’ll see.” + +Bracing himself as best he could, Harry hauled away on the strap. The +leather cut his hand a good deal, but to this he paid small attention. + +At first Boxy did not budge. Then, with a groan, he came up a few +inches. A tearing sound, as of clothing, followed, and finally he was +raised so that he could get his hands on the edge of the hole. Then he +helped himself; and soon both he and Harry were down among the others +again. + +Boxy’s coat was torn in half-a-dozen places, but he gave scant +attention to that. He was very thankful that he had been pulled out of +the tree-trunk alive. + +“Supposing I’d been alone when that happened?” he shuddered. “I was +worse off than Jack in that pit on the other side of the lake.” + +“That shows the wisdom of keeping together,” said Jack. “After this we +will make it a point to go out together, or, at least; in pairs--never +alone.” + +The journey up the creek was resumed, and they kept on until at least a +mile and a half had been covered. + +“Now I move we go back,” said Jack. “It is getting late. To-morrow we +can start out early, for there will be nothing to do around the camp +after breakfast, which we ought to have by seven o’clock.” + +The others were tired and readily agreed. They had not seen any deer, +but had found a run, and they were certain that, sooner or later, they +would strike one or more of the much-prized beasts. + +About a quarter of the distance to camp was covered, when, without +warning, a doleful sound reached their ears, coming from directly in +front of them. + +“What’s that?” asked Andy, as he came to a halt. + +“Wolves!” cried Jack. “I did not think there were any in this section!” + +“The heavy snow has driven them out to look for food,” put in Harry. +“We may have trouble with them.” + +“We can shoot them,” said Boxy. “And they--here they come now!” + +Boxy had hardly uttered the words when from a thicket rushed five lean +and savage-looking wolves, snapping and snarling as they came toward +the boys. + +All fired their guns, and two of the wolves went down, mortally +wounded. The others kept on, yelping and barking with increased +savageness. + +“Run for it!” yelled Jack. “They will tear us to pieces if they once +get at us!” + +And run they did, trying to load their firearms as they went. + +Soon the wolves were close at their heels! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE LAST OF THE WOLVES. + + +It certainly looked as if matters would turn out seriously for the five +boys. The three remaining wolves were close at their heels, and so far +no one but Jack had succeeded in reloading his gun. + +The boys thought it odd that the three wolves did not stop to devour +their dead companions. The truth was that every one of the savage +beasts had received a portion of the scattering shot and was so enraged +that it thought only of attack. + +As soon as he had his firearm ready for use, Jack wheeled about and +took hasty aim. + +Bang! went the gun, and the foremost of the wolves keeled over, shot +through the head. + +“Good for you, Jack!” panted his brother. “I wish I could knock another +of them!” + +“Sling your guns over your shoulders and jump for the tree limbs!” +called out Boxy, and an instant later he made a leap and drew himself +up into a tree, where he was safe for the time being. + +Andy quickly followed his example, and Jack did the same. Harry was +just finishing loading, and kept on running. + +The two wolves did not stop running, but went after Harry, snarling and +yelping directly at his heels. + +Then, with a lightninglike movement, the brave boy swung around, and, +without bringing his gun to his shoulder, fired almost directly into +the open mouth of the leading beast. + +With hardly a sound, the wolf toppled over, knocking his companion down +as he fell. + +This gave Harry a moment’s respite, of which the exhausted boy was not +slow to take advantage. + +He came to a tree whose branches were scarcely seven feet from the +ground, and, with a jump, landed in several of them. He managed to haul +himself up just as the remaining wolf made an unsuccessful attempt to +bury his gleaming teeth in his leg. + +But, alas! as Harry reached the branches in safety, his gun slipped +from his hand, and went down into the snow under the wolf’s feet! + +He was now practically defenseless. And the worst of it was every one +of his chums with their guns were at least a hundred feet or more away. + +“Here’s a fine mess!” he muttered to himself, as he looked down and +surveyed the situation. “If I had that gun I could easily settle that +fellow, but without it I can do practically nothing.” + +“Hullo, Harry! where are you?” sang out the voice of Jack, from a tree +which was out of sight. + +“I’m up a tree and I’ve dropped my gun!” was the dismal response. + +“How about the wolves?” + +“They are all dead but one, and he is sitting under the tree waiting to +make a meal of me.” + +“If there’s only one left I’ll soon finish him!” responded Jack, +quickly. “Just wait till I load up again.” + +“Look out there!” suddenly shouted Boxy, from another direction. “Here +comes another wolf!” + +A yelping from the woods left behind told that he was right. The beast +stopped under the trees Boxy and Andy had climbed for safety. + +Presently both boys fired on him, and he was mortally wounded. With a +yelp of pain almost human he dragged himself out of sight through the +brush. + +“He’s cooked!” cried Andy. + +“Any more coming?” questioned his big brother, anxiously. + +“Not that we can hear,” replied Boxy, after a pause. “By the way, where +is Pickles?” + +That was a puzzling question. In their excitement all of the members of +the Zero Club had forgotten the negro youth. + +But they now had no time to think over the matter. Jack was determined +to kill the wolf under Harry’s tree. He saw to it that his gun was +ready for use, and then dropped down into the snow. + +He had hardly gone a dozen steps when the wolf saw him and made a rush +forward. Taking hasty aim, Jack fired. + +The shot struck the wolf in the side, wounding him just sufficiently +to make him still more ugly. He flew at Jack with wonderful ferocity, +knocking the boy off his feet and sending him flat on his back. + +Through the tree branches Harry saw the disaster and his companion’s +great peril. With a half-suppressed cry of horror he leaped to the +ground and caught up his own gun. + +The wolf paused for a moment when he saw that he was to be attacked in +the rear. Then he again turned and flew at Jack’s leg. + +But ere he could bury his teeth into the flesh Harry hit him a +resounding crack on the side with the stock of his gun. The blow, +delivered with all strength, knocked the wolf away several feet. + +Jack turned over and leaped to his feet. Then the wolf came at both +boys. + +For about ten seconds it looked as if the boys would have a hard time +of it. The wolf was wary and took no chances. He was watching for an +opportunity to leap at the throat of one or the other. + +Finally he sprang at Jack, but just then came an unexpected shot from +one side. It was so close it caused the wolf to drop almost at the +boy’s feet. He gave a yelp, turned over once or twice, and was dead. + +They looked around and saw Pickles standing there, a smoking shotgun in +his hands, and grinning from ear to ear. + +“Dat’s de time dat wolf got dun up fo’ keeps,” remarked the colored +youth. + +“Good for you, Pickles!” cried Jack, gratefully. “You saved my life!” + +“Not as much as dat, I rackon,” returned Pickles. “Is dis de las’ ob de +tribe?” + +[Illustration: “Jack wheeled about and took hasty aim.” See page 138.] + +“I believe so,” returned Harry. “Let us all load up and be on our +guard. There may be more of the pack that haven’t yet arrived.” + +They followed this advice, and then walked back to where Boxy and Andy +had been left. They were joined by the others, and then all five of the +boys walked around to view their dead enemies. + +“Six wolves isn’t bad,” observed Jack, grimly. + +“That’s so,” returned Boxy. “But it isn’t exactly the kind of hunting +we are looking for.” + +“The deep snow drove them out for food,” remarked Harry. “No doubt +they followed up the trail of the dead rabbits and squirrels we are +carrying.” + +It was decided to let the dead bodies lay where they were, Pickles +cutting off their tails to secure the bounty offered by the authorities +for the wolves’ extermination. + +It was long past daylight when the camp was reached. While the colored +youth prepared the animals shot the others got supper ready. + +“Maybe you don’t know whar I was when dem wolves got after us,” +observed Pickles, while they were working. + +“Where was you?” questioned Andy. + +“I hid in de stump ob a dead tree. I had my gun ready fo’ de fust wolf +dat showed himself, but dat wolf didn’t cum. Da all knowed better dan +to monkey wid de end of my old paralyzer.” + +“Pickles would have pickled him,” remarked Boxy, and then they all +laughed. + +The boys were tired, but not sleepy, and as it was a clear, moonlight +night, they sat around the campfire long after supper, talking and +singing. Pickles got out his banjo, and made the woods ring with jigs +and breakdowns, and the accompaniment to a ditty called “When the +Cotton Am a-Bloomin’.” All joined in the chorus of the song, and they +kept it up until ten o’clock. + +“Now, it’s turn in without delay,” ordered Harry. “Remember, we start +off early to-morrow.” + +“If it don’t snow like fury,” put in Andy. + +“No more snow for a week,” said Boxy. “Just look, the sky is as clear +as a bell!” + +“I wonder how things are at home?” went on Andy, suddenly. + +“Why, what put that into your head?” questioned Jack, turning to him +quickly. + +“Humph! I was wondering the same thing,” remarked Harry. + +“Maybe somebody is getting homesick,” observed Boxy, and although +he meant it for a joke, there was a little truth in the remark +nevertheless, although not one of the boys would have admitted it for +the world. Not that they wished to leave camp, only that they would +like to have seen the family faces, if only for a brief moment. + +They soon forgot the idea, however, in the preparations to retire. They +helped Pickles haul a log and some brush to the fire, and then carried +the various traps to the hut. + +“Supposing a wolf comes here during the night?” said Boxy, suddenly, +with a slight shudder. + +“Not likely,” rejoined Jack. “But you can sleep with one ear open if +you wish.” + +“I will,” returned Boxy, and he did. + +Quarter of an hour later every one of the boys had sought his corner +and made himself comfortable. Soon all of them but Boxy were asleep. + +Boxy tried his best to close his eyes, but in vain. He turned and +twisted, counted a hundred, made himself a dead weight, and did +numerous other things to induce sleep, but without success. He had a +wakeful streak on, and when he dozed off it was not alone with one ear +open, but with one eye also. + +Presently he started up and sprang to his feet. Was he mistaken, or had +he heard something moving around outside? He listened intently, but no +sound but the crackling of the fire reached his ears. + +“I would be willing to bet anything I heard a strange noise,” he said +to himself. “I’m going to investigate, though, before I wake up the +other fellows.” + +And with his blanket still around him, he stepped outside of the hut. + +A second later Boxy heard a long, low moan from the other side of the +creek. He looked across in the direction, and then gave a yell of alarm +that brought every one of his companions to his feet with a bound. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +WHAT COULD IT HAVE BEEN? + + +When the others reached the outside of the hut they found Boxy staring +wildly, his eyes fairly bulging from their sockets. His face was a +deadly white. + +“What is it, Boxy?” + +“What do you see?” + +“Some wild animal, or what?” + +“A ghost!” gasped Boxy. “A ghost, as sure as fate!” + +“Where? where?” + +“Across the ice--it just disappeared behind the trees!” + +“There are no ghosts,” returned Jack, in disgust. + +“Certainly not,” put in Harry. + +“What did dat ghost look like?” asked Pickles, with interest. He was a +firm believer in spirits. + +“It was tall and white, and had two horns on its head,” replied Boxy, +with a shiver. “I never saw such a thing before in my life!” + +“You must have been dreaming,” suggested Andy, who took his brother’s +view of the matter. + +“I wasn’t dreaming. I heard a noise and got up to see what it was. When +I reached outside I heard a low, long moan, and I looked across the +creek, and saw it just as plain as day.” + +“Must have been that extra-heavy supper that didn’t set well on your +stomach,” commented Jack. + +“It wasn’t anything of the sort,” retorted Boxy, half angrily. “It was +a ghost, or something like it. The moon was shining right on it.” + +“Maybe it was a man dressed in white,” said Harry. “One of the old +deer-hunters from up in the mountains.” + +“A hunter wouldn’t go around moaning like a cow with the toothache,” +returned Boxy. + +“Well, you don’t mean to say that you believe in ghosts?” asked Jack, +plumply. + +“I never did before,” replied Boxy, evasively. + +“Well, let me tell you that there are no such things, never were, and +never will be. Either you were dreaming, or the object was some man or +some animal.” + +“Maybe you want to go after it and find out?” cried Boxy, quickly. + +“That’s just what I’m going to do.” + +“So am I,” added Harry. “We’ll take our guns and compel his ghostship +to give an account of himself.” + +“You had better look out!” cried Pickles, nearly terror-stricken at the +idea. “Dat ghost dun cotch you an’ you nebber be hurd ob no moah!” + +“Nonsense!” laughed Jack. “Which way did the thing go, Boxy?” + +“It moved up the creek and then back.” + +“Do you want to go along and show us the way?” + +Boxy hesitated, but to refuse would look too much like cowardice, and, +somewhat against his will, he finally consented to accompany them. Andy +said he would go, too, and, not to be left behind alone, Pickles joined +the party, but on the lookout to run for life at the first sight of a +ghost. + +Not a minute was lost by Harry and Jack, and once started, they set +off on a run, Boxy between them. They were soon across the creek and +hunting around the heavy brush and thicket of trees. + +But though they searched for the best part of half an hour, they +discovered comparatively little. There were a few large tracks in the +snow, but these were dragged so none could tell what sort of a walking +object had made them. + +“Well, we might as well give up,” said Andy, at last. “I am mighty +cold, rousing up out of a warm sleep.” + +They searched around a little while longer, and then one after another +returned to the camp. Pickles replenished the fire, and signified his +intention to sit up for the balance of the night. It was then a little +after three o’clock. + +“I wonder what it could have been?” queried Harry, as he threw himself +on his resting-place once more. “Boxy certainly saw something.” + +“Perhaps time will solve the mystery,” responded Jack, sleepily, and he +was right. The near future solved it in a most unexpected manner. + +Boxy could not sleep at all after the excitement through which he had +passed, and at five o’clock he left the hut to join Pickles by the side +of the fire. He found the colored youth dozing away over the oven that +had been built, and in great danger of having his woolly locks singed +by the flickering flames. + +He roused up Pickles, and by a little after six both had a fine +breakfast ready. Then the others got up, one after another, and soon +daylight broke, and Camp Rest was once more astir. + +“Now for nothing less than two or three deer!” cried Harry, +enthusiastically. + +“That’s the talk,” returned Jack. “And we’ll get them, too, if we go +far enough up in the mountains.” + +“That is if we don’t all get buck-fever and forget to shoot when we +have the chance,” laughed Andy. + +“Da is lots ob fellers wot gits dat fever,” remarked Pickles. “I +reckerlect my dad a-speakin’ ob a party ob six gen’men from de city +gwine up in de mountains to shoot deer, and when day had de chance to +knock ober foah of dem, not a single gen’men t’ought to pull trigger, +an’ de consekences was dat de deer all got away!” + +“We’ll try to do better than that,” laughed Harry, and all agreed with +him. + +As they expected to be away from camp until sundown, enough meat and +crackers were taken along to serve for dinner. This was stowed away in +Pickles’ haversack. Then the traps to be left behind were stowed away +in the hut, and off they started on what was to be one of the best +hunts of the outing. + +Boxy wanted to take the sled along to bring back at least one of the +deer, but Jack said they could make a drag, if they were lucky enough +to get the animal. + +Instead of following the creek, they now struck off directly for the +mountains. The sunshine of the day previous had settled the snow, +and crusted it over in many spots, and they found traveling not as +difficult as some of them had imagined. + +“I trust we meet no more wolves,” said Jack, as he and Harry trudged +along side by side. “One experience with those chaps is enough.” + +“Especially such an experience as we had,” was the reply. + +“When will we get to the deer territory?” called out Andy, from behind. + +“We ought to strike a run by eleven or twelve o’clock,” replied Harry. + +“Not habing a dorg is gwine to bodder us considerbul,” remarked +Pickles. “It takes a good dorg to stir up de animiles.” + +“Well, we’ll do the best we can without,” returned Jack. “Come on, for +we have still several miles to go.” + +On they went, over half-a-dozen hills and creeks, and up steep rocks +and across deep ravines. Sometimes they traveled rapidly, and at others +with extreme caution. + +“Don’t fall into some hollow or hole and break a leg,” was Boxy’s +caution, and it was a timely one. + +Overhead the sun had been shining, but now it went under a bank of +light clouds, and, as a consequence, it grew colder. + +“I don’t like the cold,” remarked Jack. “But we can hunt better now +than when the sun is too bright, to my way of thinking.” + +Twelve o’clock found them ascending the side of a long hill, the last +before the mountains should be reached. The thickets were almost +impassable, and they looked in vain for some kind of a pathway. + +“Don’t make too much noise,” cautioned Harry, as they proceeded. +“Beyond this hill, I imagine, there is a wide valley, and if so, that +ought to make a good spot for deer. We don’t want to frighten any +possible game.” + +“I’m most played out,” muttered Andy. “We’ll have to rest a bit when we +reach the top.” + +“Unless we see something, we can stop and have dinner there,” answered +his brother. “Quiet now, for the top is not far off, and the wind will +carry our voices down into the valley as soon as we reach the ridge.” + +They went on after this in silence, all following Harry and Jack in +Indian file. Five minutes later the crest of the long hill was before +them. With the greatest possible caution they crept forward and peered +over into the valley on the other side. + +At first they saw nothing. Then Harry motioned them to silence, and +pointed to a little opening among the bushes far away to the south. +Four animals were bunched together there, and a second look convinced +all of the boys that they were deer. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +DEER HUNTING. + + +Every one of the boys took a good look, to make sure that he was not +mistaken, and then they drew back several yards from the crest of the +hill. + +“Deer, and four of them!” whispered Andy, excitedly. + +“We can’t shoot them so far off,” added Boxy. + +“No, we have to get closer and on the other side of them,” replied +Harry. + +“Why on the other side?” questioned Andy, impatiently. + +“Deer always scent a person if he is to the windward.” + +“Oh, I see. Well, shall we cross the valley here?” + +“No, we will have to go up to the north and make a wide detour behind +that bit of woods,” said Jack. “Come on, there is no time to lose. The +deer may shift their position at any moment.” + +In the excitement of the moment all thoughts of the midday meal were +forgotten. And they likewise forgot that they were tired. With such +game in view they would have tramped five miles without a murmur. + +Harry led the way along the ridge, taking care that they should not +expose themselves to the view of the deer below. It was a tedious walk, +especially to Andy, who wanted half-a-dozen times to try a shot at +long range. + +At last they reached the crest of the hill, and began to climb down the +other side. This was hard work, for fear of striking an icy surface and +going down--no one could tell where. + +It was half an hour before they stood in the valley. Here it was +warmer, on account of the shelter from the wind. + +“Now come on and we’ll get to some spot directly behind the deer,” said +Harry. “Then we will spread out in a semi-circle and do our best to bag +the lot.” + +Without another word, and scarcely daring to breathe, they moved along +in the snow, their guns, and the rifle carried by Jack, ready for +immediate use. + +Luckily, there was a small rise of rocks between the game and the boys, +and using this as a shelter, they approached closer and closer to the +deer. + +“Now all fire when I give the signal, a sharp whistle,” said Jack. +“Don’t fire before, and don’t forget to have a second charge ready for +your guns.” + +With these instructions, he stationed Andy and Boxy in one spot, +Pickles in another, and then went on with Harry. + +Fifty feet farther Jack and Harry came to a halt, and selected places +not over two yards apart. + +“I’ll take the one by the tree,” whispered Jack. “You take any of the +others you please. All ready?” + +“Yes.” + +At that instant one of the deer raised his head and sniffed the air. +Something had alarmed him. + +Jack gave a sharp whistle, and up came the other deer heads. + +Bang! bang! bang! went the rifle and the guns in a running fire. One +of the deer leaped up into the air and fell mortally wounded. A second +staggered off, shot in the fore legs. The others were apparently +unharmed, and bounded off down the valley on the wings of the wind. + +“Go for the wounded one!” shouted Harry, as he rammed another load into +his gun. “I’m going after those other deer!” + +And away he went, before Jack could utter a single protest. + +Harry knew enough to keep out of sight, and to move along silently. He +covered the ground with all the speed at his command, nevertheless, +forcing his way through the woods and over rocks for nearly a quarter +of a mile. + +At this point the valley narrowed, and he was forced by the lay of the +land to come out into the open. + +As he had hoped, the two unwounded deer had come to a halt, and were +standing on a rocky slope, looking back curiously, to learn what manner +of fate had overtaken their companions. + +They soon spied the young hunter, however, and turned to run on. It was +then that Harry fired at the hindmost. + +His aim was true, and the entire charge entered the creature’s back. +He stumbled into the snow and rolled over and over. + +Thinking him about done for, the boy ran forward to view his prize. +Scarcely had he come within five yards, when the deer, a small but +strong-built buck, scrambled up and charged upon him. + +Harry leaped to one side in the nick of time. Had it been otherwise, +those sharp prongs would have pierced him through and through. The buck +staggered on several yards, and then turned and made a second assault. + +Again Harry sprang out of the way. Then he started to run, but had gone +scarcely thirty feet when he stumbled on an icy rock, slipped along a +yard or two and fell forward. + +The poor boy gave himself up as lost. But help was close at hand. The +sharp report of Jack’s rifle rang out, and over tumbled the buck, shot +through the eye, and quite dead. + +“Are you hurt, Harry? Did he buck you?” questioned Jack, quickly. + +“No, I’m all right,” panted Harry. “And thanks to you for killing him.” + +“You wounded him, didn’t you?” + +“Yes, his back is full of buckshot. But it only made him ugly. What of +that deer that was wounded first?” + +“Andy, Boxy and Pickles took care of him. This makes three out of four, +and that is not bad.” + +Getting some branches, the boys made a rough drag and placed the buck +upon it. Luckily, there was a little creek running through the middle +of the valley, and on the ice covering they slid their game down to the +spot where the sport had first begun. + +The others were waiting for them, and they set up a yell of delight +when they saw a third deer had been brought down. + +“Dis am sumfing to be proud ob, an’ no mistake,” observed Pickles. “My +dad won’t most beliebe me when I dun tell him ob it.” + +“We’ll take along the horns and skins, and that will certify to our +story,” said Jack. “The question is, what’s to be done with all of this +meat?” + +“It’s a pity, but most of it will have to be left behind, I suppose,” +returned Harry. “Let us carry as much of the choice pieces as we can.” + +They set to work with a will to skin the deer, saving the heads just as +they were. They were hard at work when a loud, drawling voice disturbed +them. + +“Wall, neow, jess tew look at thet!” exclaimed the voice. “Dew yeou +boys mean tew say thet yeou killed the three of ’em?” + +They looked around, and standing on the rocks beheld a tall, slim-built +farmer, evidently of Yankee extraction, surveying the scene in wonder +and admiration. + +“Yes, we killed them,” replied Harry. “Pretty good for one morning’s +hunt, eh?” + +“Most etarnally good, young man--in fact, the best Josh Higginson hez +seed in many a year. It does yeou proud, boys, take my word on it!” + +“We are proud,” returned Andy, honestly. + +“I came deown here tew see if I could git a shot myself, but I guess +it’s tew late neow. Too bad, tew, for the old woman wuz calkerlatin’ on +a bit o’ vension fer tew-morrow’s dinner.” + +“You can have some and welcome,” returned Jack, quickly. “We do not +wish it all, and cannot carry it to our camp on Rock Island Lake.” + +“Yes, he might as well take all that is left,” added Harry. “It will +only spoil here.” + +“That’s so,” put in Andy and Boxy. + +Josh Higginson was greatly pleased. In truth, he was not much of a +hunter, and it is doubtful if he could have brought down a deer even if +given the chance. + +He thanked them over and over again, and said he would go home and +bring a sled and horse down to carry away the meat. He asked the boys +about themselves, and said he hoped that they would have the best +possible time during the balance of their outing in the woods. + +“I have a tidy little place up tew the end o’ the valley,” he said; +“an’ if yeou come up thet way drap in, an’ I’ll treat yeou the best I +know heow.” + +Not to get back to camp too late, they rushed matters, and half an hour +later were on their way. Each was loaded heavily, but no one grumbled, +for was it not the prize of the day they were carrying? + +“Won’t folks in Rudskill be astonished when they learn of all we shot!” +exclaimed Boxy. “I guess they’ll think we are regular hunters, true +enough!” + +“This meat will last us the balance of the outing,” said Harry. “So we +won’t have to worry about food any more.” + +On and on they went, over the hills, until, when it was growing quite +dark, they came in sight of the camp. + +“Home again!” sang out Andy, “and I am not sorry. Another mile would +have done me----” + +“Somebody has been here!” interrupted Harry, quickly. “See, the fire +has been scattered right and left, and the oven torn to pieces!” + +“Who could have been mean enough to do this?” put in Jack, angrily. + +Then he stopped short, and both he and Harry made a rush for the hut. + +A single glance around showed that their sudden fear was realized. The +hut had been looted. Every one of their traps, including the sled, was +gone! + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +TRACK OF THE MARAUDERS. + + +For the moment both Jack and Harry were dumfounded by their discovery. +They stared around the hut, and then stared at each other. + +“What’s the trouble?” asked Boxby, pushing his way inside behind them, +and followed by Andy and Pickles. + +“They have stolen the sled and all of our things!” burst out Jack, +wrathfully. + +A shout of dismay went up. + +“Who did it?” + +“Where have they gone?” + +“Can’t we go after them?” + +“I can’t cook no supper widout a pot or a kettle,” added Pickles, +dubiously. + +“And we won’t have supper until we have our things back,” returned +Harry, quickly. “I’m not going to sit still and have my blankets and +the rest stolen.” + +“Nor I! Nor I!” shouted the others. + +“Most likely it was tramps,” commented Boxby. “I wonder how many of +them.” + +“Light up some torches and we’ll take a look around,” ordered Harry, +and the suggestion was carried out with all possible haste. + +But the search, minute as it was, revealed but little. Every article +of value had been carried off, the oven destroyed, and evidence was not +wanting to show that the marauders had tried in several places to ruin +the hut. + +“It’s a burning shame!” burst out Andy. “It was bad enough to steal the +things, without ruining what was left.” + +“It’s a piece of maliciousness, that’s just what it is,” returned +Boxby. “It looks like the work of a personal enemy.” + +“But we haven’t any personal enemies up here,” said Andy. “We left them +behind in Rudskill.” + +“Ain’t it mos’ too dark to go aftah dem fellers?” asked Pickles. + +“It is dark,” replied Jack, “but by taking torches we can follow the +footprints, I think. There is nothing else to do. We can’t go to bed +without our blankets very well.” + +“Come on, there is no time to lose,” urged Harry, and, hanging up their +deer meat and the heads and antlers, they started off, each with a +blazing pine knot held aloft of his head. + +The track of the heavily-laden sled led across the creek, and off along +the shore of Rock Island Lake. They counted the footsteps of three +persons who had dragged the sled along. In several places the footsteps +showed all around the sled. + +“That is where they had to stop to secure the load,” remarked Harry. “I +suppose they loaded so hastily that it kept slipping off. See, here is +one of the tin plates.” + +And he picked up the article from where it lay, half buried in the +snow. + +The plate was turned over to Pickles, and a sharp lookout was kept for +more of their belongings, which resulted in the finding of another +plate, two knives, a fork, and one small tin kettle. + +“At this rate, we’ll find all of the stuff at the end of two or three +miles,” observed Harry. “The careless, good-for-nothing fellows! how I +would like to face them just now!” + +And the look on his face showed that he was far from being in a +pleasant humor. + +About a mile from the creek the track turned directly toward the lake, +and a hundred feet farther on was lost on the clear ice, the snow +having been blown in patches by the high wind. + +“Here’s a state of things!” grumbled Boxy. “We can’t follow that trail +on the ice very well.” + +“Let us take a look ahead,” suggested Jack. “They might have turned on +the ice for a short distance merely to destroy the trail.” + +They looked on and also all about them, and even ran out on the lake +for a short distance, but it was useless. The trail was lost and could +not be picked up again. + +At last the boys ceased their search, and gathered in a crestfallen +group to discuss the situation. + +“It’s the worst thing that could happen,” said Boxy. “We can’t continue +to camp without our things.” + +“No; unless we can get cooking utensils and blankets, we’ll have to go +home.” + +“It’s too dark to do more to-night,” said Jack. “Let us make ourselves +as comfortable as possible and take up the search again as soon as day +breaks.” + +“That’s the talk!” cried Harry. “We won’t give up till we catch those +rascals and recover our belongings.” + +This proposition suited every one, and, thoroughly tired out from their +extra tramp, they returned to the hut. + +Pickles set to work with a will to build up a roaring fire, and to +protect them from the cold while they slept without blankets this was +placed as closely to the opening of the hut as they dared to put it. + +The small kettle came in handy for heating water, and a haunch of +venison was soon spitted over the fire. Despite their downcast spirits, +the boys all ate heartily. When they had finished, everything was left +in readiness for an early breakfast in the morning. + +Luckily, it was not extra cold, and the wind came in such a direction +that the hut was greatly sheltered. So, although somewhat cold, the +boys still managed to put in a fairly comfortable night, sleeping as +they did, in their overcoats, with the fire just outside of the door. + +At the first streak of dawn in the east, Harry was up, and he quickly +aroused the others. Ten minutes later they were eating breakfast. + +“We’ll have to take some provisions along for dinner,” said Jack. + +“There is nothing else to take but deer meat,” grumbled Andy. “Those +chaps took everything, even our squirrels and rabbits.” + +“Well, we won’t starve on deer meat,” returned Harry, as cheerfully as +he could; “but, nevertheless, we’ll have an account to settle with +those fellows when we catch them.” + +“Maybe they’ll defy us,” said Boxy. “Some tramps are mighty nasty.” + +“What of that? We are all armed,” said Jack, and the look on his face +told that he was willing to fight for his own every time. + +Pickles’ haversack was soon packed with cooked deer meat, the fire +was banked up for the day, and then off they sat in quest of their +belongings. + +The sun was just rising over the hills, and it promised to be a fair +day, with but little wind. Through the brush and trees the ice and snow +glittered like silver and pearls, making the prettiest of pictures. + +The boys had their guns loaded, and before they came to where the trail +moved down to the lake, Andy caught sight of a squirrel, and shot the +pretty animal. + +“There; that will give us a taste of something else besides deer meat,” +he said, with some satisfaction, as he hung the game over his shoulder. + +When the lake was reached, they halted as they had the night before, +and gazed around in hopes of seeing something which might have escaped +them in the semi-darkness. + +But not a clew came to view in the vicinity. All around was the +glittering ice, that was all. + +“Let us divide up into two parties,” said Harry. “One party to go along +the lake, and the other to go part of the way across, keeping an eye on +the various drifts on the ice. The trail is bound to turn up somewhere +before long.” + +“Supposing we get separated?” asked Boxy. + +“Fire a gun if you want to find the others, and fire twice if the trail +is found,” suggested Jack, and so it was settled. + +Boxy, Andy and Pickles started off across the ice, while Jack and Harry +continued along the lake. + +“It’s my opinion they came this way,” observed Jack. “It’s a long +journey across the ice on foot.” + +“That’s just my opinion, too, Jack. Besides, if they were going to +cross the lake they would have done it from the mouth of the creek, +instead of picking a way through the snow and brush so far.” + +“I’ve been wondering if that ghost, as Boxy calls it, had anything to +do with this,” went on Jack, slowly. + +“Perhaps. The plunderers might have thought to scare us away from camp. +When they saw that wouldn’t work, they waited for us to go off on a +hunt.” + +“It looks natural, doesn’t it? Well, let us hope we’ll clear up the +whole affair before night.” + +On the two went along the lake, moving close to the shore, and +examining every little cove that presented itself. + +Presently they came to another creek, about the same size as that upon +which the camp was situated. It was comparatively free from snow. + +“They might have gone up this,” said Harry. “What do you think?” + +“Perhaps. But let us continue up the lake,” returned Jack. + +“Supposing you keep on, while I run up the creek a few hundred feet. If +I see nothing, I’ll soon join you.” + +“All right.” + +Jack turned to the shore once more, and was soon out of sight. Harry +proceeded up the stream, keeping his eyes open on both sides for +anything that might look like the trail. + +He had scarcely moved onward a hundred feet when a low cry escaped him. +Stooping, he picked up the top of a coffee pot. He recognized it as +belonging to the outfit of the Zero Club. He had found the trail again! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS. + + +To make sure that he was not mistaken, Harry continued to search in the +vicinity of the spot, and presently he discovered the tracks of the +sled through a tiny drift of snow on one side of the creek, twenty feet +farther on. + +Without hesitation he fired his gun, and, loading hastily, fired a +second shot. Then he sat down impatiently to await the arrival of the +others. + +Jack might have joined him in a few minutes, but he wisely waited at +the mouth of the creek for Andy, Boxy and Pickles, that they might not +go astray along the shore. + +Soon the four boys hove in sight, all eager to learn what he had +discovered. + +The top of the coffee pot was exhibited, and Harry’s story told, and +then, with their hopes revived, they started up the creek, eager to +trace the trail to its end. + +It was not long before the creek began to narrow, and here the ice was +covered with snow, through which it was easy to follow the tracks. + +“Here’s where they left the creek,” said Harry, ten minutes later. +“See, they moved off directly through the woods.” + +“But it’s a roundabout course,” observed Jack, “and that proves that it +was new ground for them to cover.” + +Presently they came to a deep ravine, and saw that the marauders had +walked along this in both directions, looking for a place to cross. +Being unable to find it, they had continued along the ravine until its +upper end was reached, and then struck out through the thick woods +between two hills. + +“They must have visited the camp early in the morning,” said Boxy. +“Otherwise, they couldn’t have come so far before nightfall.” + +“It’s my opinion they came in right after we went away,” said Andy. +“Maybe they were watching for our departure.” + +“Dat’s de ghost did it!” burst out Pickles. “I’ll bet my ole hat on it!” + +“I guess the ghost was one of the party,” said Jack, dryly, and Boxy +started and suddenly turned red. + +No more was said just then, Harry at that moment catching sight of a +partridge and firing. He caught the bird just as it was going up with a +whirr, and brought it down almost at the party’s feet. + +“There, Andy, now we can have three kinds of meat instead of two,” he +laughed, and put the bird in his game-bag. + +“It must be nearly noon,” said Jack, a few minutes later. “Wait till I +look at my watch.” He unbuttoned his overcoat and his jacket. “Quarter +to twelve.” + +“I knowed it was about dat, kase I’m so hungry,” replied Pickles. + +“We can stop for dinner if you say so,” said Harry. + +It was so agreed, and, coming to several fallen trees, they rested and +ate their venison. Andy wanted to cook his squirrel, but it was voted +by the others that this would take too long. + +“Those fellows can’t be very far off,” said Harry. “And the sooner we +overtake them the better. It’s more than likely they’ll use up all our +coffee, crackers and other stuff if they are given half a chance.” + +The midday meal was soon over, and, somewhat refreshed by their brief +rest, the boys moved on with renewed vigor. + +“We are in the very depths of these woods,” said Harry. “See how thick +the trees are.” + +“Supposing we get lost?” put in Boxy. “Those fellows might have lost +their way for all we know.” + +A minute or two later Jack fancied he saw some sort of an animal moving +through the brush to his right. He made a dash for it, calling to the +others to wait until his return. + +He was gone but a short while, and then they heard him yelling for them +to come to him. + +They soon joined him, and discovered that he had killed a +strange-looking beast, not unlike a wildcat. He had a desperate +struggle with the animal, and his clothing was torn in several places. + +“It was a blow on the back that settled him,” he said. “I must have +paralyzed his backbone. What a horrible-looking thing!” + +“Are you going to take it along?” asked Boxy. + +“No, leave it where it is. It gives me the creeps to look at it!” + +And Jack shuddered over his narrow escape. + +They were about to turn back to the trail when Harry gave an +exclamation of surprise, and pointed through the trees to their left. + +“A cottage!” + +“It is true enough!” exclaimed Andy. “And right in the middle of the +woods! How queer!” + +“I wonder who lives there?” asked Boxy. + +“He must be a regular hermit, whoever it be,” vouchsafed Harry. “He +couldn’t choose a more lonely spot!” + +“Maybe the fellows who robbed us live there!” cried Boxy, suddenly. + +“That’s so,” returned Jack. “Go slow, boys, and be on your guard!” + +With extreme caution they approached the cottage, which was a long, +one-story affair, very much dilapidated. The door and the windows were +tightly closed. There was no smoke coming from the crumbling chimney, +and nowhere about the place were there the first signs of life. + +“It’s deserted,” said Harry, and he kicked open the front door with his +foot. + +The banging of the door startled a number of birds up among the eaves, +and they flew out of the cottage in a bunch before any of the club +members could fire at them. + +“Hullo, in there!” called out Boxy, but no answer was received, and the +five boys stepped inside. + +“Deserted, true enough,” remarked Jack, as he and the others gazed +around. + +“Yes, and for a good number of years,” rejoined Harry. “Just look how +thick the cobwebs hang everywhere. I dare say no one has been here for +years.” + +“You are right, for even the fireplace is falling down,” said Andy. “I +wonder who ever built away out here in this lonely spot?” + +“Some chap who was tired of the world, most likely,” laughed Jack. +“Say, boys,” he went on, suddenly, “do you know what I think that +animal I killed was?” + +“What?” + +“A house cat, or a house cat’s offspring, gone wild. Didn’t it look +like it?” + +“Dat’s so,” put in Pickles. “Like as not dat animal’s great-grandmudder +was de pet hyar, and when de pusson wot libed hyar died or moved away, +de cat had to shift fo’ herself.” + +“And so she became a wildcat, and joined the other wildcats around +here,” finished Harry. “It may be so--stranger things have happened.” + +Jack was in for leaving the deserted cottage at once and continuing on +the track of those who had plundered their hut, but the others demurred. + +“Let’s take a look around first,” cried Boxy. “It’s fun to strike an +old place like this. Let’s see what we can find. Perhaps we’ll unearth +a treasure.” + +“Not likely!” laughed Jack. “But there are some few old dishes in +the pantry collection hunters might go wild over,” he went on, as he +brought out half a dozen of the delicate blue ware variety. + +“Let us take them along!” said Andy. “Evidently the original owner is +dead, or has given up all claim to them.” + +He and his brother continued to sort over the stuff in the pantry, +while Boxy and Pickles took down several articles from the wide, +old-fashioned mantelpiece. + +“Here’s a candlestick from revolutionary times,” said Boxy. “I’m going +to take that along and put it in father’s war collection.” + +“An’ dar is an ole tinder box,” cried Pickles. “We kin use dat if we +run out ob matches.” + +“Here’s a bean pot half full of moldy beans,” called out Andy, +presently. “Shouldn’t wonder if the fellow who once lived here was a +Yankee.” + +“And here’s a book on money!” shouted Jack. “Here is a name: John +Applegate, his book, January 1, 1824. Phew! over seventy years ago! +He must be dead by this time if he was, say twenty, when he got the +volume.” + +“He was more than that,” returned Boxy, “for here is his name over the +door: John Applegate, 1814. He built this cottage eighty years ago. +Would you believe it! I should think it would tumble down in that time.” + +“It was strongly built, and has probably been repaired from time to +time,” said Jack. “But, whoever he was, John Applegate is probably dead +and gone now, so we can take what we please from here.” + +“I’m glad to hear that!” shouted Harry from the next room. “For I have +found something that is indeed a treasure.” + +“What is it? What is it?” cried the others, and they rushed to where he +was kneeling in front of a worm-eaten chest. + +“A stocking full of old coins!” he returned, and he held it up for +their inspection. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +HARRY’S PRIZE. + + +“Is it gold?” queried Jack, as he and the others clustered around their +kneeling companion. + +“Not quite, but there is some silver there,” replied Harry. “Wait till +I spread the coins out on the bench over there.” + +He walked to a bench beneath one of the windows, and, turning up the +stocking, which was covered with mold, and ready to fall apart, he +allowed some forty coins of all sizes to roll out. + +“Not a gold coin in the lot!” sighed Boxy. “And I was thinking you +might have struck a fortune!” + +“Here are half-a-dozen silver coins, worth at least twenty-five cents +to a dollar,” said Jack, as he handled them one after another. “Just +see how old they are! Some of them date away back to sixteen and +seventeen hundred!” + +“I have an idea they are worth a neat sum,” said Harry, with sparkling +eyes. “You must remember that coin collectors pay pretty good prices +for some coins.” + +“By creation! I never thought of that!” cried Andy. “Maybe there is a +fortune after all.” + +“The collection is certainly worth something,” said Jack, slowly. “And +I hope, for Harry’s sake, that it proves valuable, for the find belongs +to him.” + +“We’ll share and share alike,” began Harry, but the others cut him +short. They all loved their companion, and were only too glad to throw +a chance of making something in his way. + +The coins were carefully sorted over, and then Harry tied them in his +handkerchief and put them in a safe place inside of his clothes. He +calculated that the collection ought to bring him in at least fifty or +a hundred dollars, and to a person in his reduced circumstances this +was worth obtaining. + +After this, the remainder of the contents of the chest, consisting of +some clothing and a few books, which fell apart as soon as removed, was +taken out. There was nothing more of value. + +On the walls of the cottage were found several old engravings +representing a naval battle and several religious executions. Jack took +these and placed them flat in his game-bag. + +“It’s about time now that we got back to the trail,” he said. “We have +lost an hour here.” + +“Well, I for one don’t begrudge the time,” said Boxy, and all, +especially Harry, said the same. + +With a last look around, they left the cottage, shutting the door +behind them. It was the first time that the place had been visited for +years, and perhaps it would be even longer before it would be visited +again. + +They were soon on the trail again, and hurrying along as fast as the +roughness of the country would permit. Up one hill and down another +they went, around great rocks and across numerous tiny streams, until +at last they struck the end of the valley in which they had shot the +deer the day previous. + +“I must confess I am tired,” remarked Andy, with an effort. “We must +have covered a good many miles since we started.” + +“We have,” returned Jack. “But I--hold on, what is that ahead?” + +As he uttered the last words, Jack motioned the others to stop. At the +same time he pointed to where a rough lean-to rested against a wall of +rocks all of twenty feet high. + +“That’s some kind of a ranch,” returned Harry. “And, my gracious! there +is our sled standing outside!” he burst out. “Boys, we have found those +fellows at last!” + +“Bettah be cahful,” warned Pickles. “Da may be mighty tough customahs +to deal wid!” + +“See that your guns are ready,” ordered Jack, sternly. “We’ll lay down +the law to them, no matter who they are.” + +Every member of the Zero Club at once complied. Boxy was a trifle +nervous, but he did his best to hide it. Jack and Harry, as the natural +leaders of the crowd, went to the front. + +Before the lean-to ran a small mountain stream, now frozen solid. +Between that and the shelter smoldered a fire, and around this were +scattered a large quantity of chicken feathers and the heads of two of +the barnyard fowls. + +“They have evidently been having a chicken dinner,” murmured Harry. +“Wonder why they didn’t go out and shoot some game?” + +“Maybe they are no sportsmen,” returned Jack. “It is very seldom that +tramps are. And, besides, if they would steal our traps, they wouldn’t +hesitate to carry off some farmer’s chickens.” + +“There doesn’t seem to be any one around,” went on Harry, after a +pause, in which all of the party surveyed the situation as closely as +possible. + +“Perhaps they have gone off on a hunt. Hullo!” Jack went on, in a loud +voice. + +No answer came back, and no one appeared in sight, so, without further +hesitation, the five boys walked boldly into the camp and began to +inspect it. + +As has been said, their sled stood upon the outside of the lean-to. +Inside were their traps, nothing missing but a plate or two and one of +the pots. + +“Thank fortune we have recovered our stuff!” exclaimed Jack. “Had it +been otherwise, our tour would have come to a most inglorious end.” + +“These fellows have blankets and cooking utensils of their own,” +remarked Harry. “Now, what could possess them to steal our stuff?” + +“They expected to cart it off and sell it, most likely,” replied Andy. +“Those blankets would bring ten or twelve dollars at least, and the +other articles several dollars more.” + +“Shall we wait here till they come back?” asked Boxy. + +“Certainly we’ll wait,” returned Jack. “We’ll give them a piece of our +mind if nothing else.” + +“Dar is only t’ree of dem,” said Pickles. “An’ we is five ag’in dem.” + +“Besides, we’ll lay for them and take them by surprise,” added Harry. +“Ah! there are our rabbits and squirrels tied up in a tree.” + +And he started at once to cut down the game. + +“That proves they must have had those chickens before they struck our +camp,” said Andy. “I wonder how soon they will be back.” + +“Here come four men on horseback!” suddenly cried Harry, with a glance +down the valley. + +“Four men!” cried Jack. “Sure enough! They can’t be the fellows that +belong to this place.” + +“Maybe they do.” + +“But there are only outfits for three here.” + +“They may have found a companion,” suggested Boxy. + +“And what of the horses?” questioned Jack. + +“If they would steal our stuff, they would steal horses, too,” returned +Harry. “Perhaps they are a regular set of backwoods outlaws.” + +“We’ll be on our guard!” cried Boxy. “Those fellows have discovered us, +and are riding for this place just as fast as they can.” + +Boxy was right. The four horsemen had been proceeding somewhat slowly, +but now they started on a gallop, the foremost pointing with extended +arm toward the lean-to. + +“I don’t like the looks of that crowd,” said Harry, as they drew +closer. “Every one of them has a shotgun over his saddle.” + +“See! see! they are aiming at us!” cried Andy. “They evidently imagine +we are going to run away!” + +“Hold on, you fellows!” roared the leading horseman, as he drew within +hearing distance. “Don’t you dare to stir unless you want to get a dose +of buckshot into you!” + +The boys gathered into a group near the fire, and a few seconds later +the horsemen surrounded them, each with his shotgun ready for use. + +“There be them chickens, Jim, ez sure ez you air born!” cried one of +the men. “I told yeou them rascals cum this way!” + +“Will rob an honest farmer’s hen-roost, will yeou?” burst out another +of the men. “Four o’ ’em an’ a coon! Put down yeour guns, yeou scamps, +or we’ll fill yeour hides so full o’ shot yeou can’t stand!” + +Simultaneously, the four men sprang down into the snow, and came +forward. At a glance it was plain to see that they were a quartet of +hard-working and honest farmers. + +“We’ll march the lot o’ ’em over to Bagsville, and have Squire Riggins +sit on the case,” said the leader. “We’ll teach ’em how to come up here +an’ steal our lawful property!” + +[Illustration: “Will rob an honest farmer’s hen-roost, will yeou?” See +page 174.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +A FRIEND IN NEED. + + +The boys listened in silence to what the farmers had to say. They +realized at once the natural mistake the men were making. The chickens +the owners of the camp had cooked had been stolen, and these four +tillers of the soil supposed the members of the Zero Club guilty of the +crime which had been committed. + +Jack was the first to speak, and a faint smile showed itself around the +corners of his mouth as he lowered his shotgun and began to explain the +case. + +“You are making a great mistake,” he said. “We know nothing of your +chickens. We do not belong at this camp.” + +“Tell thet to yeour grandmother!” retorted the foremost farmer. “I know +better.” + +“My friend speaks the truth,” put in Harry. “Our camp is away off on +the shore of Rock Island Lake.” + +“None o’ yeour darn yarns now!” growled another of the farmers. “If I +an’t mistaken, yeou be the very feller I seed around the barn tudder +evenin’!” + +“You are mistaken. But I don’t wonder your chickens were stolen. We had +all our traps taken, and we came here to get them back.” + +“Gee shoo! Can’t thet boy tell a yarn, though?” chuckled the tallest +of the farmers. “He must hev been a-makin’ it up fer fear we would +cotch him!” + +“It is no yarn!” retorted Harry, flushing up. “I am telling the plain +truth. We are not the owners of this camp, and we know positively +nothing of your fowls.” + +“We are above taking chickens!” burst in Boxy. “We can shoot all the +game we wish, and more.” + +“So we can,” added Andy. “Do we look like chicken thieves?” + +“Wall, I reckon a coon makes a good hen lifter!” laughed the smallest +of the farmers, with a nod toward Pickles, which made the colored youth +mad clear to his heels. + +“Look heah!” he cried out, shaking his gun threateningly; “yo’ can’t +consult me dat way, yo’ low-down white trash! A chicken lifter, indeed! +Moah likely yo’ is one yourself!” + +“What’s thet? Don’t yeou talk tew me!” roared the farmer, bristling up +like a turkey cock. “Maybe yeou don’t know who yeou be a-talkin’ to?” + +“I don’t know, nor care!” retorted Pickles. “I ain’t no chicken lifter, +an’ if yo’ go fo’ to say so, yo’ll git yo’self into a big muss wid me!” + +“Here, we’ve had enough talking,” put in the first man who had spoken. +“Put down your guns, every one of you, and be quick about it!” + +“I won’t put down my gun!” cried Jack. “And if you molest me, you will +regret it, mark my words!” + +“We are respectable boys from Rudskill, and you have no right to come +here and threaten us,” added Andy. + +“We’ll see,” growled the farmer. “What do you say?” he went on to his +companions. “Shall we take ’em to Bagsville and have ’em up before +Squire Riggins?” + +“Thet’s the talk!” + +“It will be a darn good lesson to other chicken thieves!” + +“Sure, Seth; take ’em up!” + +“Thet settles it, then, along yeou go, every one. Yeou kin do with +yeour traps ez yeou please.” + +“I’ll not budge a step!” replied Harry, firmly. + +“Nor I! Nor I!” burst out the other boys. + +“We’ll see!” howled the leading farmer, his face growing dark with +ill-suppressed wrath. “You can’t defy the laws of the country, see if +you can!” + +“If you’ll only listen to reason,” put in Jack. “Perhaps we can +prove----” + +“Them air chicken heads ez enough for us,” burst out one of the +farmers. “Thar’s the head o’ the best Leghorn I had!” + +“You’ll come along with us, and right neow!” put in another. “No more +plaguety foolin’ about it!” + +The farmers came closer, and it looked as if there would be a struggle +and possibly bloodshed. + +But just then a call was received from up the valley, and looking +in the direction, all saw a man striding along through the snow, a +horsewhip in his hand. + +As he drew closer, the boys saw that the new-comer was Josh Higginson, +the man to whom they had given the deer meat. + +“Have yeou got the fellers, boys?” he called out, to the other farmers. + +“Yeou jess bet we hev!” replied the leader of the men on horseback. + +“Why, by gum! ef it an’t the fellers thet give me the venison!” roared +Josh Higginson, in amazement. + +“Oh, Mr. Higginson, perhaps you can help us out here,” burst in Harry, +quickly. + +“Yes, you evidently know these men,” added Jack. + +“Wall, I guess I do know ’em, seein’ ez how they are all neighbors o’ +mine.” + +“Say, Josh, do yeou know these ’ere fellers?” asked the leader on +horseback. + +“They air the fellers thet give me all thet venison yesterday--the boys +ez shot them three deer in one lick.” + +“They claim we are chicken thieves,” said Harry. “They believe we +belong to this camp, while I told them our camping-place is away off on +the shore of Rock Island Lake.” + +“They told me their camp wuz over tew the lake,” said Josh Higginson. +“An’ they air such good shots thet it an’t likely they stole the +chickens at all.” + +“We have a squirrel and a partridge with us,” went on Harry. “And here +are a number of rabbits, too.” + +“And we get all the chicken meat we want when we are home,” finished +Boxy. “We didn’t come out here for that at all, and I wouldn’t touch +either chicken or turkey just now, unless I was forced to. We are out +solely to hunt and live on game.” + +“I believe the boys speak the truth,” said Josh Higginson. “They look +like an honest set of fellows.” + +One after another the faces of the horsemen fell. They whispered for a +while among themselves, and finally the leader turned to Harry. + +“What’s this you tried to tell us about yeour traps bein’ stolen?” he +asked. + +In return Harry told their story, to which the others added such +details as they saw fit. The tale took some little time, and the boys +now found that they had five close listeners. + +“Wall, thet’s the worst yet, ef it’s true,” said the leading farmer. + +“An’ I guess it ez true,” burst out Josh Higginson. “Fer I saw them +three fellers skulkin’ around my farm only this noon!” + +“These are all our traps,” said Jack, pointing to the loaded sled. +“Their traps are in the shelter yonder.” + +“Then it’s likely they be coming back,” said the stout farmer. +“Supposin’ we stay here an’ lay low for ’em?” + +“Thet’s the talk,” put in another of the farmers. “An’ if those boys +are honest they’ll stay with us.” + +“We expected to get back to camp before dark,” replied Jack, slowly. +“But I’m willing to stay if the others are. I would like to meet those +three chaps.” + +“So would I,” added Harry. “Let us stay.” + +“We’ll stay and help you give them a warm reception,” said Boxy, with +a look that made every one of the farmers laugh. + +Josh Higginson had come out looking for a sheep that had escaped from +his pen, and after a bit he left the crowd. + +It was now growing dusk, and Harry suggested they leave the vicinity of +the lean-to and hide behind some brush that was not far distant. + +“If we remain here the owners of the camp may see us before they get +very close and turn tail and run,” he said. + +“But their things be here,” said one of the farmers. + +“Perhaps they would rather lose those than be locked up for chicken +stealing,” said Jack, and subsequent events proved that he was right. + +A few minutes later the entire party withdrew to the bushes Harry had +mentioned. Here the horses were tied to several trees, and a fire was +built, at which those that felt cold proceeded to warm themselves. + +An hour went by and still no one came near the lean-to. By this time it +was quite dark, and the boys wondered what they should do if they were +compelled to remain in the vicinity all night. + +“I have it!” cried Andy. “We have our traps and can bunk in the +lean-to.” + +“That’s the idea!” said Boxy. “Won’t they be mad when they find we have +taken possession?” + +Jack was on guard at the edge of the brush, with one of the farmers, +watching for the return of the camp’s owners. Presently a shout went +up, followed by the discharge of a gun. + +“Something is up!” cried Harry, as he hurried to the front, followed by +the others. + +“We seen one o’ the rascals,” cried the farmer, who held a smoking gun +in his hand. “He was beyond yonder rocks!” + +“And who do you suppose it was, boys?” exclaimed Jack, almost +breathlessly. “Pete Sully!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE UNSUCCESSFUL PURSUIT. + + +The other members of the Zero Club could hardly believe their ears. +“Pete Sully!” they cried in unison. “You must be mistaken.” + +“No; I saw him as plain as day,” returned Jack, with a decided nod of +his head. + +“Then the three must be Sully, Bill Dixon and Len Spencer!” cried +Harry, quickly. “What will you bet they haven’t followed us from +Rudskill to start up a rival camp? I knew they envied our going away.” + +“Harry has dun struck it,” put in Pickles. “Didn’t I hear dat Pete +Sully sayin’ to Spencer dat he wasn’t gwine to be beat by dat Harry +Webb’s crowd?” + +“And I’ll bet that explains the ghost, too,” put in Andy. “They were +trying to scare us away from our camp.” + +“But they must have come up here first,” commented Harry, slowly. + +“They could do that. Perhaps they took the train to Rudd’s Landing, or +maybe they came direct to Bagsville instead of up the river. That would +give them plenty of time to settle down here before finding our camp.” + +“Who is these air boys yeou be talkin’ about?” put in one of the +farmers, impatiently. + +In a few words Harry explained about the bully of the town and his +friends. The farmers listened to as much as they wished to hear, and +then one of them suddenly cut him short. + +“Ain’t no more time tew talk; let’s go arfter ’em,” he said. “Come on!” + +He grabbed his gun and made off through the snow, and one after another +the boys and men followed, only one farmer and Pickles remaining +behind, to watch the horses and the traps. + +The pursuing party were soon at the rocks behind which Pete Sully had +been seen. Here not only one set of tracks, but three, were visible, +showing that the trio were together. + +The tracks led in a zigzag fashion through the woods, testifying to +the fact that in their alarm and fright the plunderers had dashed away +without knowing what direction to pursue. Evidently, they had in some +manner learned what had happened, and were completely demoralized by +their discovery. + +After leaving the woods, the tracks led across a deep ravine, and then +down to a large pond at the lower end of which was a creek, which the +farmers said emptied into Rock Island Lake. Here on the clear ice the +trail was lost in the darkness, and could not be found again. + +“No use to hunt further,” said one of the farmers. “Let us go back.” + +The boys were willing, and the return to the brush near the lean-to +was at once begun. It was now quite dark, and the farmers were in a +hurry to get home. + +“Folks be a-worryin’ abeout us,” said one of them to Harry. “We didn’t +calkerlate to stay out so late.” + +When the brush was reached the farmers mounted their horses and rode +down to the lean-to. Here they overhauled the traps left by the owners +of the place and took along all of the blankets and many of the other +articles. + +“If yeou see them fellers, tell ’em tew call on Ira Goodsell, or Dick +Pomfett, in Bagsville Deestrict, fer their things,” chuckled one of the +farmers to Jack. “If they don’t allow as how they care tew call, let +’em stay about in the cold without nuthin’ tew keep warm o’ nights, ha! +ha! ha!” + +And with a laugh all around, the four farmers bade the boys good-by and +rode away as fast as their farm nags would carry them. + +“That leaves Pete Sully and his followers in a nice stew, truly!” +laughed Andy. “I wonder how long they will care to camp out without +blankets or cooking utensils?” + +“It serves them right!” burst out Boxy. “They had no business to go +robbing hen roosts and get us into such a mess of trouble.” + +“Not to mention the fact that they carted our stuff off,” put in Harry. +“But they are paid off now.” + +“And as we have our traps and full possession of their lean-to, we +ought not to complain.” + +“Maybe dey will cum down on us durin’ de night,” suggested Pickles. + +“I hardly think so,” returned Jack. “However, perhaps we had better +stand guard. We can take turns of an hour and a half each, from nine +o’clock on.” + +This was agreed to, and a little later they had made themselves at home +in the lean-to and were busy preparing supper. + +Pickles cooked the partridge to perfection, and this, with tea and +crackers, made a very acceptable repast. All of the boys were worn out, +and they did not remain awake long after they had finished and the +dishes had been cleared away. + +Jack took the first watch, with Pickles next. Then came Andy, who, in +order to keep awake, walked outside and replenished the fire, and then +kept on his feet. + +Andy’s watch was nearly finished when he heard a crackling in the brush +some distance to the left of the lean-to. He looked intently in the +direction, and presently saw a pair of gleaming eyes bent full upon him. + +The eyes were those of some wild animal, which had been attracted to +the spot doubtless by the scent of the dead game. The animal uttered no +sound, but continued to glare at Andy in a manner that caused the young +boy’s blood to run cold. + +The fascination of that look was so intense that Andy was for the time +being transfixed to the spot. He stood motionless, making no movement +toward getting his gun or arousing his sleeping companions. + +The animal, apparently satisfied that there was no danger to be +encountered, moved forward slowly, until its entire body was exposed in +the glare of the campfire. + +Then it again paused, and its short, powerful tail began to sweep +quickly from side to side, as it prepared for a spring. + +It was at this critical moment that Andy came to himself, and he let +out a shriek that could have been heard for a quarter of a mile. + +Whizz! the animal’s body sailed past the lad, who, as he shrieked, +sprang back a pace or two, and landed close to the front of the +lean-to, where hung several of the dead rabbits. + +The long, white teeth were snapped together over the backs of two +of the dead game, and then, with a leap to one side, the wild and +half-famished animal vanished into the gloom behind the neighboring +rocks, just as Jack and Harry, guns in hand, tumbled out to see what +was the matter. + +They found Andy leaning up beside the shelter, too faint to stand +alone. For fully half a minute he could not speak, but pointed +excitedly toward the rocks. + +“A tiger, or wildcat, or something!” he gasped, at last. “Gone with the +rabbits!” + +“Can’t be a tiger!” returned Harry. + +“I thought I saw a wildcat when we were in pursuit of Pete Sully and +his crowd,” said Jack, quickly. “Let’s take a look.” + +“Be careful!” exclaimed Andy, in wild alarm. “It’s the worst creature +you ever saw! It nearly paralyzed me by a look!” + +“They are awful!” put in Boxy, making his appearance, followed by +Pickles. “I don’t want to have anything to do with it.” + +But despite the protests of the others Jack and Harry insisted on going +after the marauder. They looked to their guns and provided themselves +with torches. + +Their hunt lasted for nearly half an hour without success. Evidently +the wildcat had taken itself off to its lair with its prey. + +After that the boys slept with one eye open, and the one on guard held +his gun in readiness for immediate use should the wildcat, or any other +animal, put in an appearance. But this precaution was unnecessary, for +the balance of the night passed without further interruption. + +After breakfast the things were packed once more, and they started on +the return to their own hut by the lake. + +“I suppose if we wanted to be mean we could tear down their lean-to,” +said Jack. + +“Don’t touch it,” returned Harry. “The loss of their traps is +punishment enough for them, to my way of thinking.” + +So the shelter was left undisturbed, and soon the valley in which it +was situated was left far behind. + +It was no easy matter to find the way back to the lake, and dragging +the heavily-laden sled over the uneven ground and the rocks was the +hardest kind of work. They took turns at the job, and frequently +stopped to rest. + +“This shows how anxious those fellows were to spoil our outing,” +remarked Jack, during a breathing spell. “The three must have had an +everlasting hard time of it getting the traps to the lean-to.” + +“I wonder what they will do, now their own things have been taken,” +said Harry. + +“Like as not they’ll have to go home in disgust,” said Boxy. “And +that’s just what I hope they will do.” + +“An’ we kin crow ober dem when we gits back!” chuckled Pickles. + +And then the walk to the camp was resumed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +A HEAVY STORM. + + +On Sunday of the week the boys remained about the camp, doing very +little of anything. Early in the morning Pickles took Boxy with him and +showed him how to spear fish through a hole in the ice. The fish made +an excellent dinner. + +Toward evening it began to cloud and blow up from the northwest. Half +an hour later it was snowing furiously. + +“This is going to be a storm, and no mistake,” said Jack, as he went +out toward the lake shore to take a look around. “It is a good thing we +have plenty of meat and other stuff on hand.” + +“Do you think we will be snowed in?” asked Boxy. + +“I do, and it may last for several days. The best thing we can do is to +gather together all the firewood we can and stack it up just outside of +the hut. Then when the snow gets too deep we can build a snow-hut and +have the campfire inside.” + +Jack’s suggestion was followed out, and by bedtime they had a pile of +wood stacked against the hut that was nearly as high as the hut itself. +The oven was rebuilt closer than ever to the doorway, and a projecting +top was built over the latter, so that the snow might not drift too +rapidly into the interior of the hut. + +Nothing had been seen or heard of Pete Sully and his companions, +and all of the boys were inclined to believe that the bully and his +followers had been forced to return to Rudskill. + +Despite the fact that the snow was coming down thickly, the wind +increased in violence until, as Pickles put it, “dar was about de +nearest approach to a blizzard wot could well strike dat paht ob de +country.” + +The whistling of the wind through the trees was music to the boys’ +ears, however, and after building up the fire in the best manner they +could devise, they rolled themselves in their blankets, and gave +themselves up to their dreams. + +It was after eight o’clock when Harry awoke and aroused the others. The +sled, which had been placed upright in the doorway, was taken down, and +in tumbled a great mass of snow. + +“My gracious, boys, just look at this!” cried Harry. “The snow has +drifted up against the hut until it is over our heads!” + +What he said was strictly true. Outside of the doorway all was a mass +of white. Even the campfire had been completely snowed under. + +“We are in for it now, and no mistake,” murmured Boxy. “We won’t be +able to get out for a month!” + +“Nonsense!” cried Jack, cheerily. “Come, boys, we must shovel the snow +away and get the fire started up for breakfast.” + +“And how are we going to shovel snow without shovels?” queried Andy, +dubiously. + +For a moment a look of comical dismay went around the little group. +Then Harry partly solved the problem. + +“Let’s take the tin plates for a starter,” he said. “After breakfast +we’ll try to cut out some wooden shovels with the ax and our +pocket-knives.” + +Fortunately, the tin plates made very respectable shovels, although +using them nearly broke their backs. However, in the course of half an +hour a space about six feet square in front of the hut was cleared, the +snow being banked up all around, with the idea of later on building a +snowhouse. + +“The heat from the fire will make the snow pack better,” said Harry. +“Now for breakfast. I am as hungry as a bear!” + +“I’m as hungry as two bears, and I can’t bear my hunger any longer,” +said Boxy. + +“That’s a bare kind of a joke,” grinned Andy. + +There was a general laugh. Pickles lit the fire, which roared and +leaped in the wind. The smell of broiling venison soon put every one in +good humor. + +It had ceased snowing, but the sky was still dark and threatening. + +“We’ll have more by night, mark my words,” said Jack. “It has really +just started.” + +After breakfast the boys hunted up some long sticks, and to one end of +each they either nailed a flat board whittled from a split-up log or +bound a mass of stout twigs. + +“Now we have both shovels and brooms,” cried Jack. “Whoop, now, it’s +workin’ on de corporation, Oi am, do ye moind!” he went on, strutting +around with one of the brooms on his shoulder. + +“Well, I hope you work a bit faster than street men usually do,” +returned Harry. “If you don’t, we won’t have much done by nightfall.” + +“Oi’ll outdo yez all, so Oi will,” exclaimed Jack, and he sailed in +with a vigor that left no doubt that he meant what he said. + +The first work was to enlarge the circle outside of the doorway. This +accomplished, Harry, Jack and Andy started to build the snowhouse, +while Boxy and Pickles climbed up to get the snow from the roof of the +hut, thus relieving them of any anxiety concerning the top of their +domicile caving in. + +It was no easy matter to build a snowhouse about the fire, but the boys +worked with a will, and by three o’clock in the afternoon the task was +finished. + +The walls of the new structure rose nearly ten feet, and were three +feet thick. The entrance to it was from the hut, and a narrow +passageway which led toward the creek. The top was roofed over, except +in the center, which was left open to let the smoke from the fire +escape. + +“I don’t know if that is going to last or not,” said Harry. “But we can +try it anyway.” + +“It will last if it remains cold,” returned Jack. “But if it gets +milder, and the fire blazes up too hotly we’ll have to ‘stand from +under,’ as the saying is.” + +“I don’t believe it is going to get any milder just yet. If anything, +the thermometer is going down steadily.” + +“That is because it is going toward evening. But we’ll know more about +it in the morning. One thing is certain: hunting is knocked endways for +a day or two.” + +After the work outside was finished, they had another meal, a dinner +and supper combined, and then withdrew into the hut, where Pickles +tried to liven up matters by playing his banjo and mouth harmonica and +singing half-a-dozen songs. The boys joined in the chorus of the songs, +and soon they were as gay as if the elements were perfect for the +furtherance of their outing. + +“If we have to stay in to-morrow, I am going to try my hand at making +some traps,” said Andy. “I want to trap something before we go back.” + +“So do I!” cried Boxy. “Pickles, you must put us in the way of this.” + +“I will, suah!” responded the colored youth. “My dad learned me all +about traps when I was knee-high to a mosquito.” + +“I don’t know what you can trap here,” said Jack. “But it will do no +harm to try your luck.” + +Before they went to bed they looked out, and found it snowing again, +harder than ever. The wind was rising, too, causing the branches of the +trees to creak ominously. + +“Supposing some of those branches should break off and come down on +the top of the hut?” asked Boxy. “Wouldn’t we catch it?” + +“It would have to be a pretty big branch to do much damage,” replied +Harry. “Jack and I saw to it that the poles were put up quite firmly.” + +“We don’t want to get smashed to bits while we are asleep.” + +“I doubt if the wind is yet high enough to break down very much. You +must remember these trees are very tough, and, standing together, one +protects another.” + +“But if the wind should blow stronger----” insisted Boxy. + +“It will wake us up, and we can be on our guard,” replied Harry, and +there the subject was dropped. + +On account of the extreme cold, Pickles was very particular to keep a +good fire, and for that purpose placed several small logs on the brush. + +“Yo’ see we don’t want for to wake up in de moahnin’ all froze to +deth!” he explained. + +“Or so stiff that we’ll have to set each other up against the fire to +thaw out,” laughed Boxy. “My! but it’s cold, eh?” + +“With so much snow it ought to get warmer,” grumbled Andy. + +“It will be warmer by to-morrow, I think,” said Jack. “We can thank our +stars that we have such a comfortable shelter.” + +With a last look at the fire, Pickles retired to his corner of the hut. +Soon the colored youth was snoring peacefully, and the sound made all +of the others sleepy. One by one they lay down and rolled themselves +in their blankets, Jack being the last to retire. + +How long he slept he never knew. He awakened with a sneeze and a cough, +which did not come from the cold. He sat up and rubbed his eyes in a +dazed way. What was the matter? + +Suddenly a puff of smoke nearly strangled him. The smoke was followed +from the outside by a streak of flame! Then he realized what was the +matter. The campfire had set fire to the hut! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +FIGHTING THE FLAMES. + + +The instant that Jack realized that the hut was on fire he let out a +cry that brought all of his companions to their feet at a bound. + +“What’s the matter?” + +“Where does all this smoke come from?” + +“The camp is on fire, boys!” + +“We must get out or we’ll be burnt to death!” + +There was a wild scramble for the doorway, but Jack held every one of +them back. + +“You can’t get out that way!” he exclaimed. “The fire is all around +there. See there, now!” + +A fierce gust of wind at that moment caused the flames to shift about, +and the doorway, which had been almost black before, now became a sheet +of living fire! + +“We are penned in!” groaned Andy. “What in the world shall we do?” + +“We’ll be roasted like so many pigs, suah!” howled Pickles. “Heaben +have mussy on us!” + +“We must cut a way through one of the sides!” cried Harry. “Where is +the ax?” + +In a trice he had the implement in his hands and was working madly to +cut away enough of the matted branches and twigs to afford them an +opening sufficient to allow of the passage of their bodies. + +In the meantime, the smoke kept growing thicker and thicker. The wood +was all damp from the quantity of snow upon it, and smoked much more +than it burned. + +“Hurry, or I’ll--be--choked!” gasped Boxy. “I--I can’t--breathe--any +longer!” + +“Lie down on the ground and you’ll breathe easier!” returned Jack. + +He threw himself down, and all the others but Harry followed his +example. + +In a minute more Harry had a small opening. This he enlarged as rapidly +as possible. Soon he was able to crawl through, and he did so, calling +on the others to follow. + +“That was a narrow escape!” cried Andy, as he took a deep breath of the +cold, pure air that was sweeping up the creek and through the woods. +“The hut’s a regular smokehouse, isn’t it?” + +“We must do something to save it,” put in Jack, hurriedly. “All our +things are in there, and we can’t afford to lose them.” + +“What shall we do, we have no water?” returned Boxy. + +“I kin cut a hole in de ice an’ fill de bucket,” said Pickles. + +“You do that, Pickles, and we’ll do what we can with snow,” said Harry. +“Come on, boys, snow is as good as water, if we use enough of it.” + +Spurred on by the necessity of the occasion, and also by the novelty, +the members of the Zero Club set to work with a will. Standing as close +as they dared, they shoveled and threw great lumps of snow on the +hissing flames, working first upon that portion of the fire nearest +to the door of the hut. They were pleased to see that the flames were +confined principally to the large fuel pile leaning against the hut, +not to the hut itself. + +“I think we are getting the best of it,” cried Jack, after five minutes +of hard work. + +“We are,” returned Harry. “But it is by no means out yet. Keep up the +good work, all hands!” + +Pickles had succeeded in chopping a hole in the ice on the creek, and +now came back with a bucket of water. + +“Give it to me, and I’ll run through the doorway and plant it on any +blaze inside!” cried Jack, and bucket in hand, he disappeared into the +hut. + +“It’s all right in there, so far,” he said, on reappearing. “Go on with +the snow.” + +They continued to fling the huge chunks of snow on the flames until all +that remained was a small fire several yards away from the hut entrance. + +“Might as well leave that for a campfire,” suggested Harry. “We want +something to keep us warm and to see by.” + +“Phew! but I am warm enough just now!” exclaimed Boxy, wiping the smut +and perspiration from his face. “That’s the hardest work I have done in +some time.” + +“Be careful that you don’t catch cold,” warned Harry. “The wind cuts +like a knife to-night.” + +“What time is it?” + +Jack consulted his watch. It was four o’clock in the morning. By a +general vote the boys decided that no more sleep would be indulged in +for that night. + +“We can’t rest in the hut anyway,” said Andy. “All is in disorder, and +some of the blankets are wet.” + +“We will hang all the wet things around the campfire to dry,” said +Jack. “And then we will see what we can do to repair damages.” + +“And in the future we’ll be careful how we build our fires,” added +Boxy. “Not so close to the hut, please, Pickles, after this.” + +“Dat’s it!” cried the colored youth. “I dun reckon I’se ’sponsible fo’ +dis muss,” he went on, soberly. + +“We ought all of us to have known better,” said Harry, frankly. “In the +future we must either keep the fire farther off or else somebody must +sit up and watch it.” + +The conflagration had destroyed the greater part of the snowhouse, and +after the blankets had been hung up to dry, and the hut put in shape +once more, they set to work to rebuild the tumbled-down walls. This was +hard work, but it had to be done, so no one grumbled. + +By daylight the camp was once more in shape, and the only evidence left +of the fire was a few charred sticks and the long icicles which hung +from the top of the hut and the branches of the trees. + +“We can thank Providence for escaping with our lives,” remarked +Jack, earnestly, as they sat down to a hastily-gotten breakfast. “If +something hadn’t woke me up we might all of us been burnt to death +while we slept.” + +“It was truly a fortunate escape!” returned Harry. + +“And one I shall never forget,” added Andy. + +“We are having enough adventures for one outing,” laughed Boxy. “I +wonder what will happen next?” + +“Nothing much to-day, I imagine,” said Jack. “See, it is snowing again.” + +He was right. While they had been fighting the flames it had ceased, +but now the white flakes began once more to drift downward, at first +sparingly, but thick and fast by the time the morning meal was over. + +“This means a day in camp, I suppose,” grumbled Boxy. “My! when will it +stop?” + +“When the clouds are empty,” laughed Harry. “Boxy, make the best of it, +and be thankful we have enough to eat.” + +“We’ll set to work making traps,” suggested Jack. “Pickles, come on and +give us a lesson.” + +They withdrew into the hut, leaving the fire to take care of itself. +They brought several pine torches with them, and these, along with a +sperm candle, made the interior of the place tolerably light. + +For several hours they sat grouped around the colored youth, while he, +with a jack-knife, half-a-dozen thin slabs of wood, some stout twine +and several pliable switches, showed them how to construct a squirrel +trap, a rabbit trap, and also traps for various birds. + +“But we can’t do nuthin’ wid dem jess now,” remarked Pickles. “’Cos we +can’t find no runs in dis snow.” + +“Do traps have to be set in runs for wild animals?” asked Boxy. + +“Da don’t hab to be, but it’s generally best; yo’ ketches dem quicker.” + +After making traps, the boys began to play various games, such as +throwing the knife, and who’s got the bean, and the like. In this +manner time went by until it was nearly three o’clock in the afternoon. + +They had had a lunch at noon of crackers and cheese, expecting to wait +until evening before getting another regularly cooked meal, but now +both Andy and Boxy declared that they were hungry again, and it was +voted that they should go out, stir up the waning fire and get ready to +cook a bit of venison in the pot with several onions Pickles had been +thoughtful enough to bring along. + +“You see, we needn’t be afraid of the onions, because we are not going +out in company this evening,” said Boxy, in imitation of a young +society miss. “So, Mr. DeBrown won’t have a chance of catching my +breath.” + +“I wonder how things are at Rudskill,” remarked Harry. + +“I suppose our folks keep thinking about us,” said Andy. “They’ll +imagine we are completely snowed under and starving.” + +“Yes, it’s a pity they don’t know we are so comfortable,” put in Jack. +“A good shelter, and plenty to eat are big things out here just now.” + +“Hark!” cried Pickles, who stood by the doorway, ready to go out. “What +am dat?” + +“I don’t hear anything,” said Andy, after a brief pause. + +“I heard a scratching,” put in Harry, in a whisper. + +“It’s some wild animal after food,” returned Jack, in an equally low +tone of voice. + +“What can it be?” questioned Andy. + +They were silent after this, and soon the scratching could be heard +quite plainly. + +Then, before they could realize it, something sprang upon the top of +the hut. + +“The deer meat!” cried Harry. “It is all outside, hanging on the tree +limb!” + +“And so are the rest of the rabbits!” put in Jack. “We must go outside +and shoot that creature, whatever it is!” + +Jack caught up his gun, as did also Harry, and together they sallied +forth in the howling snowstorm. + +At first amid the swirling snow they could see nothing. Then Harry +caught sight of an immense wildcat making off with the venison in its +mouth. + +He took hasty aim and fired. None of the shot reached its mark, and an +instant later the wildcat was gone, before Jack could get any show at +it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +BLUE TIMES IN CAMP. + + +“Well, I’ll be blowed!” exclaimed Harry, in deep disgust. + +“It’s too bad!” returned Jack. “And he had the last of our venison, +too!” + +The other boys now came out of the hut, and matters were speedily +explained to them. + +“Never mind; we have the rabbits left,” said Boxy, with a sigh of +relief, as he saw that two of the dead bunnies still hung on the tree +limb. + +“That’s so,” returned Harry. “But two rabbits won’t last five boys very +long, to my way of thinking.” + +“An’ de crackers’ an’ cheese is most gone, too,” put in Pickles. “We +dun got to shoot or trap somethin’ soon, or starve.” + +“Or live on fish,” said Andy, hopefully. + +“De trouble is, yo’ can’t always git de fish when yo’ wants dem.” + +It was useless to think of going off after the wildcat, and after a +look around, to make sure that no more marauders were about, the boys +set to work to prepare a meal of rabbits stewed with onions--a most +palatable dish, and one which all hands enjoyed. + +“Let us see if we can’t set a trap for the wildcat,” suggested Boxy +while they were eating. “Pickles, couldn’t you fix something strong +enough to hold him?” + +“I might, wid de sled rope an’ a limbery young tree,” replied the +colored youth. + +“Catching the wildcat now would be like locking the barn door after the +horse has been stolen,” grumbled Jack. “However, catch him if you can, +and then he won’t be able to worry us any more.” + +So, after the meal was finished, and all that was left was carefully +stowed away, they set to work to build the trap, which, when finished, +was baited with bits of such meat as remained uncooked. + +By five o’clock it was dark, and once again they sought the hut, which +now had the appearance of a regular home to them. The blankets were +dry, and Jack took the largest pot and brought it in filled with live +embers from the fire. This warmed up the place, and the ruddy glow +pleased them besides. + +They tried to be cheerful during the long evening, but were not as +successful as they wished. They could not help thinking of the almost +empty larder, and wondering how they should restock it. + +The night passed without interruption. The wind blew strongly, +sometimes causing the trees composing the corner posts of the hut to +bend slightly, and the snow came down steadily. At eight o’clock in the +morning the situation remained unchanged. + +“Deeper than ever,” muttered Harry, as he gazed out of the doorway. +“Boys, this is getting serious.” + +“It is, when we are running low on food,” said Boxy. “We’ve got about +enough left for one square meal, and that’s all.” + +“Anything in the trap?” asked Andy. + +“You would have heard of it before this, if there was,” laughed Harry. +“It’s just as you fellows left it last night.” + +“I suppose that confounded wildcat knows we haven’t anything worth +coming for,” grumbled Boxy, gloomily. “What’s to be done, anyway?” + +“We’ll have breakfast and then hold a council of war,” replied Jack. + +Their rather limited meal was soon over, and then they commenced to +discuss the situation. + +“It won’t do to stay in the hut and wait for it to clear off,” remarked +Harry. “For it may snow two or three days yet.” + +“Supposing I tries fo’ anodder fish or two?” suggested Pickles. + +“Yes, go and get all the fish you can,” said Jack, and the colored boy +hurried off without delay, taking his spear with him. + +“Somebody ought to go out on a hunt,” said Andy. “I’ll go if no one +else will.” + +“You had better stay home,” replied Jack. “If anybody goes it will be +myself.” + +“And I’ll go with you,” said Harry. “What do you say if we start at +once?” + +“Let us wait till ten o’clock. It will be a bit warmer then and also +lighter.” + +The two at once began their preparations for leaving the hut. They +wished they had snowshoes, but no one of the party had the least idea +how a home-made pair could be constructed so as to be of real value. + +“I guess we had better follow the creek,” said Harry. “If we go right +into the woods we may get lost in the snow and be unable to find our +way back through the storm.” + +“You are right,” returned Jack. “Hullo, here comes Pickles on a run!” + +“Something is wrong!” cried Boxy. “He looks scared.” + +“What’s the trouble, Pickles?” called out Harry. + +“Jess my luck, when we needed dem fish de worst way,” groaned the +colored youth. “I oughter be kicked full ob holes, dat’s a fack!” + +“What is it?” + +“I dun strike at a big fish, an’ lost de spear!” + +“Lost the spear?” cried Andy, in dismay. + +“Dat’s it.” + +“Did he pull it away from you?” questioned Jack. + +“No, de cord broke, an’ dat fish went swimmin’ away wid de spear in his +tail.” + +“Well, that is too bad,” put in Harry. + +“De wust of it is I ain’t got no udder spear along,” said Pickles, +gloomily. + +“Can’t you make a spear?” + +“I don’t t’ink I kin. Howsomeber, I kin try,” and the colored youth +brightened up a bit. + +“Do so, and if your home-made spear won’t work, try to snare ’em or +catch ’em in some other way,” said Jack. + +“And we’ll help you, while Jack and Harry go gunning,” put in Andy. + +As Jack had predicted, by ten o’clock it was both warmer and brighter, +and he and Harry set off in fairly high spirits, despite the snow which +lay in their path. + +On one side of the creek the snow was swept away for the greater part, +and along this cleared track they made their way, keeping a sharp +lookout ahead for possible game. + +“We ought to strike a few rabbits or squirrels, if nothing else,” said +Jack. + +“Unless the heavy storm keeps them from venturing out. It’s hard to +find much in weather like this.” + +“But rabbits must come out for food, even if the squirrels stay in.” + +“They have their runs, and it’s hard to find them in the open. But come +on, we’ll do our best toward gaining something for the larder.” + +On and on they went, now over a cleared spot, and then again through a +drift several feet high. It was tough walking, and before a mile had +been covered both were puffing and blowing like a couple of porpoises. + +“Let’s rest for a few minutes!” gasped Harry. “This takes the wind out +of a fellow!” + +“So it does. Come on behind the brush, where it is sheltered.” + +They found a cleared spot where some thick bushes would protect them +from the keen wind and here sat down on a pile of rocks to rest. They +had been out just an hour without catching sight of the first thing to +shoot. + +“How I would love to stumble into a lot of partridges or wild turkeys!” +exclaimed Jack. “Wouldn’t we just blaze into them, though?” + +“Even a flock of birds wouldn’t be bad, Jack. Anything for food when +the pot is empty.” + +“You’re right. We mustn’t rest here any more than is necessary.” + +They were about to proceed on their way, when Jack suddenly caught his +companion by the arm. + +“Look! look! A screech owl!” he whispered. + +And the next moment he had his gun to his shoulder and was blazing away +at a mass of red and white feathers, perched high up in a neighboring +tree. + +There was a terrific screech, and then down tumbled the big bird almost +at their feet. + +He was not quite dead, but a blow from Harry’s gun soon settled him, +and he lay still in the snow. + +“Is he any good for food?” asked Harry, as he surveyed the game. + +“He’s better than nothing, that’s certain,” said Jack. “I’ll take him +along. If we don’t strike anything else, we’ll eat him, and if we do, +I’ll cart him home and have him stuffed.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +FOUND STARVING. + + +With the screech owl in Jack’s game-bag, the two boys continued on +their way up the creek. + +It was something to have bagged even the carnivorous bird, and they +felt elated to think that at last something had appeared to be shot at. + +By twelve o’clock they calculated that they were close on to two miles +from camp. Each was hungry, and another halt was called for the purpose +of eating the scanty lunch with which they had provided themselves +before starting off. + +“We must not go too far off,” said Harry. “For it will never do to +attempt to remain away over night in this fearful storm.” + +“That’s true,” returned Jack. “By three o’clock, game or no game, we +will turn our faces homeward again.” + +“If it would only stop snowing, it wouldn’t be so bad. But this storm +is the worst I’ve seen in years!” + +“It’s a corker, truly! But come on. Every minute counts now!” + +Once more they pushed on, the snow swirling around their heads. Their +legs ached, and it was an effort to make the smallest kind of progress. +The cold, too, was intense, and at times seemed to strike into the very +marrow of their bones. + +By the time they had covered another mile they grew discouraged. Not +the first sign of game of any kind had appeared. + +“I move we leave the creek,” said Harry, at last. “We won’t go very far +off, and we’ll locate the way so as not to get lost.” + +“All right, we’ll try it, although it isn’t a safe thing to do, Harry. +But we must risk something for the sake of filling our game-bags.” + +“There is a hollow over to our left, with an overhanging cliff of +bushes and trees. I have an idea we may find something under that. It +would afford a good shelter for wild animals.” + +“Like a wildcat, for instance,” laughed Jack. + +“Well, I guess wildcat is just as good to eat as screech owl, if only +we can lay him out without our being torn to pieces.” + +Taking a good look around, so as to locate the vicinity in their minds, +they struck out in the direction Harry had indicated. The creek was +soon left behind, and they found themselves going down the side of a +long hill. + +Luckily, there was a bare stretch on the hillside, otherwise they would +have been compelled to move on in snow up to their waists. But the +cleared run was where the wind blew the strongest, and this now took +them almost off their feet. + +“Never mind; we’ll be safe under the rocks and brush,” shouted Harry, +to his companion, above the roaring of the storm. “Look out so that you +don’t roll down into some hole and out of sight!” + +“My! but it’s awful!” cried Jack. “Here, give me your hand, or we will +be separated and won’t be able to find each other again.” + +They took hold of hands, and the next instant the wind threw them down +on the hillside and rolled them over and over to the bottom. + +They landed in a doubled-up mass in the midst of a large drift. Jack +went in head first, with Harry behind him. For a moment there was +nothing to do but to flounder around until they could regain their feet. + +“Ugh! but that was a cold dose!” cried Jack, as he scraped the snow +from around his neck and wrists. “We came down with a rush, didn’t we?” + +“Yes, we did that,” returned Harry. “It’s a good thing our guns didn’t +go off in the tumble.” + +It was no easy matter to extricate themselves from the big drift. The +snow was all around them, and at the very first step forward, they went +down to their armpits. + +“Hold on!” cried Harry, in alarm. “Turn up the hill, or we’ll be over +our heads!” + +So they turned about and half walked, half crawled up to solid ground. +Here they could hardly keep their feet, so strong was the wind. + +“There is a clear space to our left,” said Jack. “Come on! We will soon +be under the cliff!” + +Away he went, with Harry close behind him. The shelter under the trees +and bushes was not less than two hundred feet away. + +As they advanced, a peculiar sound broke upon their ears. Jack heard +it first, and called Harry’s attention to it. + +“What can it be?” he said. + +“Sounds like some sort of a bird,” replied Harry. “Let us have our guns +ready. We do not wish to lose any game, now we have come so far for it.” + +On they went, with caution now, and their shotguns ready for instant +use. They were within a hundred feet of the shelter, and could see the +dim outline through the driving snow. + +“Wild turkeys!” suddenly called Harry. “Be careful, we must get as many +of them as we can!” + +He motioned to a little cleared space just ahead. Then, with guns +pointed, they ran forward. + +Bang! bang! Both of the firearms spoke in rapid succession. There was +a rush and a strange squawking sound, and then the greater part of +a flock of wild turkeys had disappeared in the storm. But the heavy +charges had hit three of them, and they were now floundering around in +their death struggles. The boys ran forward and soon put them out of +their misery. + +“That’s a good haul!” cried Jack, enthusiastically. “Now we won’t +starve for a day or two at least.” + +“Right you are,” returned Harry, as he picked the game up, placed two +in his own bag and one in his companion’s, and hurried to reload. “But +we mustn’t miss any other game that may be here.” + +“Certainly not,” said Jack, and he reloaded also, and away they went +along the bottom of the cliff. + +In a few minutes they stirred up a whole flock of wild birds of +several kinds from the brush under the rocks. They fired in the midst +of them, bringing down several woodcock and three sparrows. + +“That isn’t bad,” said Jack, as he picked up the woodcock and allowed +the sparrows to remain where they were. “It was a good idea of yours to +come here.” + +“I was in hopes we might strike a deer,” returned Harry. “But we have +now about as much as we can conveniently carry through such traveling +as this.” + +“There ought to be some rabbits or hares here, under the old brush. Let +us walk to the end of the shelter and----” + +“There’s something now!” shouted Harry, raising his gun. “Half-a-dozen +hares, as sure as you’re born! Quick, Jack!” + +Once more the two shotguns spoke, and two of the hares were seen to +leap into the air and turn over in a heap. When the two boys reached +the spot they found their prizes stone dead, each shot through the +head. All the other hares had disappeared behind a thick mass of brush, +where they could not follow them. + +“Now we’ve got enough, surely,” said Harry, as they divided the game +between them. “Wild turkeys, hares, woodcock and an owl, not to mention +those sparrows. Who could ask for more?” + +Jack did not reply, as he was busy getting out his watch. + +“Phew! How late do you suppose it is?” he cried. + +“Three o’clock?” + +“Quarter-past four! We must start back at once!” + +“I should say so!” exclaimed Harry. “It’s going to be a job to get up +out of this hollow and find the creek again, and it will be dark before +we know it.” + +“Not only that; but the snow is coming down in perfect blankets. We’ll +be buried in spite of ourselves if we don’t put our best foot forward.” + +“Come on down to the end of the shelter and make a beeline for the +creek,” said Harry, as he slung his gun over his shoulder. “We can +escape some of the wind by going that way.” + +To this Jack agreed, and in another minute they started off side by +side. + +They had almost reached the end of the overhanging rocks when a low cry +of distress broke upon their ears. They came to a halt, and gazed at +each other in wonder. + +“What was that?” + +“It sounded like a human voice.” + +“Help! help!” came faintly to their ears, and now they located the cry. +It proceeded from a small cave-like opening but a few feet away. + +They ran forward, and a moment later saw a sight that appalled them +beyond measure. + +There in the snow, huddled in a miserable group, were Pete Sully, Bill +Dixon and Len Spencer, a fixed look of despair on each of their pinched +and frozen faces. + +“Why, Sully----” began Harry. + +“Give me something to eat, please!” broke in the big fellow, staggering +to his feet. “Something to eat!” + +“Yes, yes, give us something to eat!” chimed in Bill Dixon and Len +Spencer, imploringly. + +Harry and Jack looked at them in amazement. A single glance was enough. +The bully of Rudskill and his companions were almost starved to death! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +IMMEDIATE WANTS SUPPLIED. + + +It is no wonder that Harry and Jack were for the moment so dumfounded +that they could do little else than stare at the sight of the three +haggard and pinched faces which gazed imploringly into their own. + +“Don’t say you won’t give us anything,” cried Pete Sully, seeing they +did not reply. “We are starved--we haven’t had a mouthful to eat since +yesterday morning!” + +“My gracious!” It was Jack who uttered the exclamation. “Nothing to eat +since yesterday morning!” + +“It’s too bad, Sully,” put in Harry. “We’ll cook you something just as +quick as we can.” + +“Never mind cooking it; give us one of those birds raw!” cried Dixon. +“We can’t wait.” + +“Here is a bit left of our lunch,” said Jack. “Eat that while we are +building a fire. What’s the trouble--couldn’t you shoot anything?” he +went on. “And why haven’t you a fire?” + +“We lost our matches--they were in our traps, which were taken from us, +and the snow kept us from going for game,” said Sully. + +“We did try to shoot some, but we couldn’t hit anything,” chimed in Len +Spencer. + +The three starved youths were too weak to assist in gathering fuel for +a campfire, so Jack and Harry let them sit still while the two of them +bustled around with all speed. + +Soon a big blaze of brush was soaring skyward, around which the +half-frozen trio crouched. Three of the birds were cleaned and spitted, +and it was not long before the smell of the broiling meat filled the +air. + +“Oh, but that smells good!” exclaimed Dixon, taking in a long whiff. +“Don’t keep it over the fire too long, please!” + +“Here you are,” returned Harry, passing the bird over whole. “Take my +advice, and don’t down it too fast, or your stomach won’t stand it.” + +Sully and Spencer were also supplied with a bird each, and it was a +sight worth seeing to behold them tearing and chewing the meat like a +starved dog does a long-sought bone. + +While the trio ate, Jack and Harry said nothing. They broiled one of +the hares, and of this took a small portion, passing the remainder over +to the unfortunates. But the two young hunters kept up a big thinking. + +How had their enemies been humbled! Here they were craving food in the +most abject fashion known. Neither Jack nor Harry could find it in his +heart to upbraid them for their former misdoings. + +“This makes me feel like myself once more,” said Sully at length, after +he had finished his bird, and was attacking a bit of the other meat. +“If you fellows hadn’t come along we would have been corpses by night!” + +“Where were you bound?” asked Jack. + +“We were trying to get to Rudd’s Landing, but the heavy snowstorm +overtook us, and we got lost and finally wandered here.” + +“Where are we now?” asked Dixon. + +“You are several miles from the lake,” returned Harry. “You can never +go across it in this storm.” + +“We’ve got to go somewhere,” put in Spencer, dismally. “Oh, I wish I +was home! You’ll never catch me trying to go camping in the woods in +the winter again!” + +“When did you leave Rudskill?” asked Harry of Sully. + +The bully of the town hung his head. For once he felt thoroughly +ashamed of himself. + +“We left the same day we had the trouble with you about the iceboat,” +he replied, in a low voice. “We made up our minds to have a rival camp.” + +“Did you come up by the way of Rudd’s Landing?” + +“No, we took the cars to Bagsville.” + +“And then went down into the valley and built the lean-to?” + +“Yes, after we--we came to your camp,” faltered Sully. + +“And played ghost and took our traps, eh?” said Jack, a little bitterly. + +“Yes; but Bascoe, I hope you--you’ll forgive us,” faltered Sully. + +“It was awful mean to do, and now you are treating us so good--better +than we deserve,” put in Spencer, in a choking tone. + +“It got us into a lot of trouble,” remarked Harry. “We came near being +arrested for the chickens you stole.” + +“We didn’t steal any chickens,” cried Dixon. + +“You didn’t! Well, those farmers thought so. That’s the reason they +took your traps.” + +“We bought those chickens from some men on the road,” said Spencer. +“But we only paid fifteen cents apiece for them, and after the men were +gone we came to the conclusion that the fowls must have been stolen, +and we were sure of it when those farmers took our things.” + +“Then why did you run away--why didn’t you come out boldly and explain +matters?” + +“We knew it would do no good, for the evidence was all against us, as +we had been hunting near one of the farmer’s places, and he had seen +us. Besides, we didn’t want to meet you fellows after we had taken your +traps.” + +A silence followed, and then Spencer came and placed his hand on +Harry’s shoulder. + +“Say, won’t you forgive us, Webb? I’m sorry, and I know Pete and Bill +are, too.” + +“Well, let it pass,” returned Harry, briefly. + +“I guess you have suffered enough,” added Jack. “But, mind you, no more +funny work in the future.” + +“I’ll never do any harm to you fellows again!” cried Pete Sully. + +“Nor I,” exclaimed Billy Dixon. “You fellows have been kind when we +didn’t deserve it.” + +The fire had burned a trifle low during the talk, but now Jack and +Harry replenished it, and soon the cave-like shelter was as warm as +toast. + +In the meantime the snow came down as thickly as ever outside, and the +wind whistled merrily through the brush and trees around and above +them. A doubtful look came into Harry’s face as he listened to it. + +“What time is it, Jack?” he asked. + +“Nearly five o’clock.” + +“Can we make camp before it gets too dark?” + +“It will be hard work. But once on the creek the darkness ought not to +bother us. But what of these fellows?” Jack continued, in a low tone. +“We can’t leave them behind.” + +“And we can’t very well take them along,” said Harry. + +“If it wasn’t for the others wondering what had become of us, we might +stay here over night and go back in the morning,” Jack went on, after a +thoughtful pause. “This seems a very good place to roost.” + +“But the others would think we had missed our way in the snow and got +lost, and they would worry themselves sick. We said nothing about +remaining away over night,” replied Harry. + +“We might leave these fellows here until to-morrow, and then come back +and show them the way,” Jack suggested. + +“Don’t leave us alone, please don’t!” cried Spencer, who was the +greatest coward of the party. “Take us with you!” + +“You are not strong enough to walk to our camp,” said Harry. “You +would play out before you got half-way.” + +“Well, don’t leave us, that’s good fellows,” said Dixon. + +“One of us might stay and the other might go back,” suggested Harry. +“And then in the morning the party from here could start down the +creek.” + +“That’s so,” put in Sully, eagerly. “One of you stay, and leave some of +the grub behind.” + +The matter was talked over a few minutes longer, and then it was +decided that this plan should be followed. + +A cent was tossed up to see who should undertake the immediate return +to the camp on the creek, and the lot fell to Harry. He left all the +game behind but two of the wild turkeys, and five minutes later had +disappeared in the swirling snow beyond the shelter of the cliff. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +LAST OF THE WILDCAT. + + +Harry knew that he had no easy task before him, yet he started out with +a brave heart, resolved to cover the distance to the camp as quickly as +possible. + +Knowing how great was the force of the wind, he buttoned his overcoat +tightly about him and strapped his game-bag and gun to his person in +such a way that they could not be lost, no matter how many tumbles and +plunges in the immense snowdrifts were taken. + +“If I move right along I ought to strike camp by seven or half-past,” +he murmured to himself, as he struck out for the creek. “Ugh! but this +is beastly!” + +The first blast around the edge of the shelter nearly threw him flat on +his back, so strong was it. The hard snow was dashed into his face as +if it was sand thrown by a shovel in the hands of a laborer. He gasped +in spite of himself. + +“It’s getting wilder instead of moderating,” he thought. “This must be +something like a Western blizzard. How bleak and desolate it looks on +all sides!” + +Fortunately, Harry found a streak of land almost clear of snow, and +stretching away toward where the creek ran. Along this stretch he now +pursued his course, stopping only occasionally, to catch his breath and +prepare for the coming of an extra-heavy blast. + +The snow was blinding, and it was a wonder that he did not become +turned around. But he kept on in a straight line from the cliff, and +this was bound, sooner or later, to bring him to the watercourse he was +seeking. + +Presently the bared streak was passed, and now he was compelled to +force his way along through snow that was from two inches to two feet +deep. The deep places tired him not a little, and by the time the +vicinity of the creek was reached he could scarcely drag one foot after +the other. + +“Thank fortune I am this far!” he exclaimed, half-aloud, as the trees +which lined the watercourse came into sight through the driving snow. +“Now, there is at least no danger of getting lost, no matter what other +peril confronts me.” + +The thought had hardly passed through his mind when he stepped into a +snowdrift and sank down to his waist. He struggled to get out, but only +went the deeper. + +“My gracious! this won’t do,” he cried, in alarm. “There must be a +hollow below me that has been filled up.” + +He struggled on for a step or two, and then went down to his armpits, +and only saved himself from going down still farther by putting out his +arms and hands flatly on the snow around him. + +He was now thoroughly scared, expecting every instant to be smothered +to death in the snow. There was no use in trying to go ahead farther. +He must get back to the high ground. + +It was a hard and precarious struggle the lad had to leave the +deep snow. But at last he wormed his way around, and half-stepped, +half-rolled back to where he had stood a few minutes before. The loose +snow had gotten into his sleeves and his collar, and this chilled him, +despite the exertions he had made. + +After this experience, he was cautious in his further forward +movements. He walked along the edge of the hollow for several hundred +feet, and did not attempt to gain the creek until a pathway that was +nearly bare presented itself. Then he passed the thin belt of timber, +and finally found himself on the ice of the watercourse. + +Here he stopped for a rest, crouching behind a number of trees and +rocks for protection. He had covered about one-third of the distance to +camp, and it had taken nearly an hour to do it. At this rate it would +be long after dark ere his journey came to an end. + +Harry did not dare to rest too long, fearing that the cold would make +him drowsy and cause him to go to sleep, from which he would probably +never awaken. He remained behind the trees and rocks just long enough +to “catch his wind,” and then set off as rapidly as he could down the +creek. + +One-half of the distance down the watercourse was completed, and the +boy was just congratulating himself on the fine progress he was making +when a sound reached his ear that literally made his hair stand on end. + +It was the cry of a wildcat, and it came from the brush immediately on +his left! + +The cry lasted only a short while, but Harry had heard it before, and +he at once recognized it. + +He knew the creature was out seeking food. Most likely it was in a +half-starved condition, and fierce beyond expression. + +The boy did not know what to do. To flee was out of the question. The +creature could easily reach him if it so wished. Nor would it avail to +climb a tree. + +He must prepare to defend himself should the wildcat attack him, and +he unslung his gun with all the haste possible, and got it ready for +immediate use. + +The cry of the creature was repeated after a short interval of silence, +but the wildcat did not as yet show itself. + +With his heart thumping violently in his breast, Harry continued on his +way, but with his glance over his shoulder in the direction from which +the sound had proceeded. + +A hundred feet farther on, the creek made a bend, and here it grew +narrower. He kept in the middle of the frozen stream, but the trees on +either side were not ten feet away. + +Suddenly the cry broke out again, so close to him that Harry sprang +back and hoisted his gun to his shoulder. Then the wildcat appeared +from over the top of a flat rock and made a leap directly for the +throat of the boy. + +Bang! went the gun, and the shot flew for the greater part under the +creature’s body. Several pierced its front legs, and, with a snarl that +was tigerish in its intensity, it fell directly at Harry’s feet. + +Hardly had it landed on the ice when, with its hind legs, it made +another leap at the boy, who endeavored to ward it off by thrusting the +point of the gun barrel at it. The muzzle entered the wildcat’s open +mouth, and once more it was forced to drop back upon its haunches. + +Harry turned to flee, and gained several yards before the beast could +steady itself on its wounded legs and make after him. But soon the +wildcat was close at his heels, and, with a screech, it fastened itself +on his back. + +Whirling about, Harry shook off the dreaded creature with such force +that the wildcat went over on its back on the ice. Before it could +recover, he dealt it a blow on the side with the gun that sent it +spinning over the ice for a distance of several yards. + +Harry wished he had time to reload the gun, but this was out of the +question. The wildcat was wounded and dazed, but in less than five +seconds it was up again, and, with added fierceness, it came at the boy +a third time. + +Harry knew it was now a fight to the finish, and his courage was +aroused to its highest pitch. As the wildcat leaped for him, he sprang +to one side, and once again brought his gun down, this time flat on the +creature’s head. + +There was a sharp crack and a shrill cry, and the wildcat lay still. +More than likely its skull was crushed in. + +Not to take any chances, should the creature be shamming, Harry hastily +reloaded, and then, stepping up to the animal, he discharged the gun +directly at its head. There was no sign of life. The wildcat was dead. + +“Thank fortune!” he murmured to himself. “That’s what I call a good job +done!” + +With a bit of cord, Harry suspended the dead body to the limb of a +tree, that he might come back some other time and get the skin for its +fur, and then he continued on his journey. + +The excitement attending the journey was nothing compared to what he +had just passed through, and he thought no more of the hardships of the +walk through wind and snow. He pressed steadily on, and at a little +before eight o’clock reached the outskirts of the well-known spot for +which he was bound. + +Coming in sight of the campfire he let out a shout to notify the others +of his approach. There was no answer. + +“Must be in the hut asleep,” he muttered, and pressed forward until the +open doorway was reached. + +But the hut was empty! The camp was deserted! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +THE SNOW SIEGE ENDED. + + +For the moment Harry was alarmed. What could have become of those left +behind in charge of Camp Rest? + +“Perhaps they grew anxious about Jack and me and have gone out to hunt +us up,” he reasoned. “I’ll call them again.” + +He went out and yelled at the top of his lungs. At first there was no +reply, but presently came a call from some distance down the lake. + +Ten minutes later Andy and Boxy appeared side by side, with Pickles +behind them, carrying a heavy string of fish. + +“We’ve been spearing and snaring fish all afternoon,” explained Andy. +“See, we have caught nine, and none of them less than a pound in +weight! Where is Jack?” + +“I left him behind in another camp,” returned Harry. + +“He isn’t sick or hurt, is he?” cried Andy, quickly. + +“No, but he’s in charge of three sick young fellows,” and Harry smiled +quizzically. + +“Three sick young fellows,” repeated Boxy. “Whom do you mean?” + +“Pete Sully, Dixon and Spencer.” + +“No!” roared both Andy and Boxy. + +“Yo’ doan’ say,” added Pickles. “If dat ain’t de wuss yit!” + +They were soon about the campfire, and here, while Pickles cleaned the +wild turkeys and fish, Harry told them of what had happened since Jack +and he had started out on the search for game. + +The others listened with deep interest. They were all affected when +they learned how the bully and his companions had been found literally +starving, and were glad to hear that Jack and Harry had treated them +kindly. + +“It ought to make Sully and the others mend their ways,” said Andy. + +“It will, if I am not greatly mistaken,” returned Harry. “Certainly, +they will never try to harm us again.” + +Harry was thoroughly tired out, and was the first to roll himself up +and go to sleep. One after another the others followed, and by nine +o’clock Camp Rest was as silent as the grave, for the wind died out +utterly. + +In the morning a welcome surprise awaited the boys. The snow had ceased +falling, and the sun was coming up as clear as a disc of gold over the +hills. + +“Hurrah! the snow siege is ended!” shouted Boxy. “And right glad am I +of it!” + +“I guess we all are,” said Andy. “I was sick of being snowed in. Now, +if it remains clear, we may have a chance to go out by to-morrow.” + +“Yes; I hope it stays clear for the rest of the outing,” put in Harry. +“It is no fun to be out in a snowstorm with the wind blowing a perfect +gale in your face.” + +After breakfast the camp was put in order in anticipation of Jack’s +return with the unfortunate trio. Fresh pine boughs were placed in one +corner of the hut, in case any of the unfortunates should be exhausted +by the trip and wish to lie down. + +Harry had told of his adventure with the wildcat, and Andy said he +hoped his brother and the others would not encounter such a beast. + +They waited around the campfire until noon. Then one after another +began to grow uneasy. + +“He ought to be here by this time,” murmured Andy, for at least the +tenth time. + +“That’s so,” said Boxy. “He’s had four hours of daylight and more.” + +“I dun racken he waited fo’ de sun to git wahmer,” said Pickles, and +this proved to be the case. + +The dinner was cooking over the stone oven when a shout was heard +up the creek, and there appeared Jack, carrying on his strong young +shoulders Len Spencer, while beside him walked Pete Sully with the +game-bag and Bill Dixon with the guns. Every one of the crowd looked +thoroughly tired out. + +The boys around the campfire gave a cheer, to which Jack responded +rather feebly. Sully and the others were too ashamed to utter a sound. + +Andy and Boxy saw at a glance how mean they felt, and did what they +could to make matters easy for them. They realized that the spirits of +their enemies were broken, and they had no desire to do any heartless +“crowing” because of this. + +Sully and Dixon were able to take care of themselves, but Spencer had +collapsed when almost in sight of camp, and had now to be given every +possible care. He was laid in the hut, and Pickles made the boy who +had been his own individual enemy a cup of broth which Spencer stowed +away gratefully. + +During the afternoon Sully was persuaded to tell his story, to which +Dixon added his own experiences. We will not go into the details. +Suffice it to say that the outing of the three had been a dismal +failure from the start, and they were now anxious for but one thing--to +get home again. + +“I don’t see how you can get back, excepting you cross the lake and +find a road to Rudd’s Landing,” said Harry. + +“Isn’t there a railroad station down the lake on this side?” asked +Dixon. + +“Why, yes--Andrewsville!” cried Boxy. “It must be about three miles +from here.” + +“Then we’ll try to get to that place,” said Sully. “We can take the +cars from there to Bagsville, where we can try to get our traps back, +and then go from Bagsville to Rudskill. I don’t want any more tramping +through the woods--at least not during the winter.” + +During the remainder of that day all hands took it easy. The sun shone +brightly, and on every side the snow went down as if by magic. + +Early next morning all hands were stirring around the fire. Spencer +felt once more like himself, and the unfortunate trio determined to set +out for Andrewsville without delay. A good breakfast was had, and then +Sully, Dixon and Spencer bid the members of the Zero Club good-by. + +It was a trying moment when the bully and his companions offered to +shake hands all around. + +“I--I hope you fellows have the best kind of a time,” he said, in a +low voice. “As for ourselves, we--we didn’t deserve it, and that’s all +there is to it,” and off he strode; and a moment later the trio were +gone out of sight, beyond the bend that led down the lake. + +A long breath of relief went around. Everybody wanted to say something +about the departed ones, but, somehow, the right words wouldn’t just +come, and all were silent. + +The sun was shining as it had the day previous, but it was colder. Jack +and Andy had tried the snow about the camp, and found it everywhere +covered with a heavy crust. + +“Good! Now, if we can fit our boots with some sort of flat strips of +wood, we can walk on most of the snow without much difficulty,” said +Jack. + +“I’ve got an idea,” said Harry, slowly. “I move we strike camp and +spend the balance of our outing in some other locality.” + +“I would just as lief!” cried Boxy. “This is a tour, you know. Let us +go up the lake a few miles.” + +The matter was talked over, and it was decided as Boxy wished. Harry +left his wildcat pelt behind. + +Long before noon they were on the way, leaving the hut and the stone +oven standing, as well as the snowhouse. + +“Now for several days of fresh adventures, and then for home!” cried +Harry. “Boys, I do not think we can complain of lack of lively times +since we have been away.” + +“No,” returned Jack. “Sometimes the times have been a bit too lively. +However, we are all safe and well, so we have no cause to complain.” + +On and on over the frozen lake they went until fully four miles had +been covered. They then came to a large cove, beyond which was a most +attractive opening among a cluster of giant oaks and walnuts. + +“How will that do?” asked Andy, and they decided on the spot that it +would answer very well. + +A sheltered nook between three great trees was soon selected for a +temporary camp, and Pickles at once set to work to build a fire and put +the pot on to boil. + +“Kase it always smells moah like home when de meat’s cookin’,” he said, +with a full show of his ivories. + +Before starting to build a hut or find a shelter under the rocks back +of the cluster of trees, the members of the Zero Club decided to make a +short trip around the place. + +They set off through the snow, and in a few minutes were surprised +to strike a regular country road, along both sides of which ran a +barbed-wire fence. + +“Hullo! this is too near civilization to suit me!” cried Harry. “We may +be squatting on private property.” + +“That’s so,” returned Boxy. “We’ll have to move on a mile or two.” + +They passed down the road for a few hundred yards and then came in +sight of a large farmhouse, directly behind which was a stable and barn +and half-a-dozen out-buildings. + +“I wouldn’t mind going to the house and buying some bread and crackers +and a pie, if they had them,” said Andy. “Pumpkin pie would go mighty +good for a change.” + +“So it would!” exclaimed Boxy. “Let us see what we can strike. We can +pay---- Hullo! what’s the meaning of that?” + +Boxy came to a sudden halt, and so did the others. They had just seen +a man run from the back of the barn and disappear in a patch of woods. +Hardly had he gone when a thick cloud of smoke rolled out of one of the +open doors of the barn. + +“He has set that barn on fire!” gasped Andy. “My! just look at the +smoke.” + +“Come on, boys! we must put that fire out!” cried Harry, springing +ahead. + +And away they dashed at top speed toward the burning structure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +A LIVELY TIME. + + +It took the members of the Zero Club less than two minutes to reach the +burning barn. + +As they neared it they saw a man rush out of the kitchen of the +farmhouse. + +He was bareheaded and screaming at the top of his voice: + +“Help! fire! help!” + +“We’ll help you!” cried Jack. “Are your pails handy? Where’s the well?” + +“The well is here by the back door! Samanthy, get the milk pails an’ +all the buckets you can find! The barn’s afire!” + +From out of the kitchen came a woman’s scream. Ten seconds later an +elderly female appeared, carrying half-a-dozen milk pails, a small +wooden tub and a slop bucket. + +In the meantime, Boxy was turning the well handle just as fast as he +could and filling the big half-cask that stood beneath the spout. By +the time it was half full the others had the pails and were dipping +them in. + +Harry and Jack and the farmer were the first to dash down to the barn. +The fire was in a mass of hay near the feed box, and on this they +dashed the water they carried. + +“I’d like to know who sot this afire?” growled the farmer, wrathfully. + +“We saw a man leave the barn and jump the rear fence,” replied Jack. + +“Wot kind of a looking man?” + +“A tall fellow, with a soft, light hat and a blue overcoat.” + +“Jim Lemkins, sure as fate!” howled the farmer. “He’ll have to be +locked up again; commencin’ his old tricks.” + +“Who is Jim Lemkins?” asked Harry, as they went for more water. + +“A half-crazy chap from the village. He has caused no end of fires +around here. But he won’t cause any more--not if I have the say of it!” + +Nothing more was said just then, all hands paying attention to the +fire. The big barn doors were closed to keep out the draught, and +in five minutes what had promised to be a serious conflagration was +completely put out. + +“Phew! but that was warm work!” exclaimed the farmer, after the last of +the sparks were stamped out. + +“You can be thankful that it is no worse,” remarked Harry. + +“So I be. You fellers worked like you understood what you was about.” + +“We’ve had one experience at putting out a fire,” returned Jack, dryly. +“We are out camping, and our hut caught and nearly burned us up.” + +“Gee shoo! Well, the damage here ain’t much, thanks to your comin’ +along an’ giving a hand. Won’t you come into the house?” + +“Thank you, we were going to stop just as the fire broke out,” replied +Harry. + +“Is that so?” returned the farmer, questioningly. + +“Yes,” added Boxy. “We wanted to see if we couldn’t buy some fresh +bread, crackers and pie from you. We’ve run out of everything but meat +and coffee at our camp.” + +“Well, maybe Samanthy can fix you up. Come on in.” + +Seeing to it that none of the live sparks had escaped their notice, the +party left the barn and entered the kitchen of the farmhouse, where all +was cozy and warm. The farmer’s wife had preceded them, and now thanked +them as her husband had done for their help. + +“They want to buy some fresh bread, cake and pie, Samanthy. They are +out campin’, and run out of that kind of stuff.” + +“They can’t buy none, Job, but they can have all I can spare, an’ +welcome,” replied the wife, warmly. + +The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and then the good lady +visited her pantry and brought forth two loaves of bread, a currant +jelly layer cake and a large apple pie. + +“Here you be, an’ welcome,” she said. + +“Now, if you want any vegetables, say the word, and they be yours,” +said the farmer. “The cellar an’ the barn are more’n full.” + +Once again the matter was talked over, and when the boys were ready +to leave, they had, in addition to the bread, cake and pastry, a large +basket completely filled with potatoes, turnips, onions, beans and +cabbage, enough to last them until the end of their outing. + +When they were thanking the country folks for their kindness, a cutter +drove up to the horse-block, and a young and buxom countrywoman rushed +into the house. She proceeded to hug and kiss the old couple. + +“Such news, ma!” she burst out. “Uncle Ben and three sleigh loads are +coming over to-night for a dance! They are going to bring old Fiddler +Dick and an Italian harp player along. Henry and I want you to come +over sure!” + +“Humph! I’m most too old for a shin-dig like that,” said the farmer, +but, nevertheless, he smiled broadly. + +“So be I,” added the wife, but she, too, looked pleased. + +“Oh, you must come, both of you!” insisted the young country wife, +impulsively. “And you----” and then she broke off short and gazed at +the four boys who had stepped to one side out of the way. + +“My daughter,” said the old farmer, presenting her to the boys. “Sarah, +these young fellows just helped me put a fire out in the barn--one that +crazy Jim Lemkins had started. I don’t know their names, but they are +from Rudskill and are out camping.” + +With all the polish at his command, Harry stepped forward and +introduced his chums and then himself. The young woman shook hands and +then asked numerous questions about the affair. + +Quite a friendly conversation ensued, and then it transpired that the +farmer, whose name was Brodhead, knew Jack and Andy’s father. He asked +the boys how their parent was, and while he was doing this the daughter +of the house began a whispered conversation with her mother. + +“So many girls, you know, ma,” Harry heard her say. “And they look like +real nice chaps, too.” + +“Well, do as you see fit, Sarah,” replied the mother. “They certainly +deserve any good time we can give ’em.” + +Then the young woman blushed and stammered, but finally invited the +boys to attend the sleigh-ride party at her home, a mile up the lake +shore. + +“There will be lots of girls to dance with,” she added, with a little +laugh. “And we shall have a great number of games, too.” + +“You are very kind,” began Harry, and then he looked at his companions. +One glance was sufficient. Every one wanted to go; and so it was +settled that they would attend a regular country dance that night at +eight o’clock. + +Ten minutes later they were on their way back to the lake shore, where +they found Pickles wondering what had become of them. A dinner of meat +was ready, but they kept it waiting long enough to add some roast +potatoes, and when they ate the meal they topped off with the pie, +which, as Boxy put it, “struck home every time.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +AT THE COUNTRY DANCE. + + +For the balance of the day nothing was talked of but the party they +were going to attend. Pickles had not been forgotten, and he was to +join in a hoe-down in the barn, where the farm hands were going to have +their jollification. + +Boxy and Andy spent a good bit of the time over their toilet, and it +must be confessed that Jack and Harry did the same. + +“We are not fit for a city party, but I guess we look well enough for +this country affair,” remarked Jack. “Our clothing is clean, and when +we wash and comb up we’ll pass in a crowd.” + +It was decided not to move camp until the following day, and a rude +shelter was constructed under the trees, where the traps were hidden. +It was not likely that they would return to the spot until nearly +sunrise. + +The party was expected to arrive at the farmhouse up the lake at about +eight o’clock, and at half-past seven the boys set out for the place, +without taking the trouble to replenish the campfire. + +They had been given minute directions concerning the road, and had no +difficulty in reaching their destination. + +As they came in sight of the farmhouse, which was lit up from cellar to +garret, they saw that the sleigh loads of relatives and neighbors had +just arrived. They hurried in, and a few minutes later were introduced +all around. + +“Make yourselves at home,” said Henry Akers, Sarah’s husband. “I’ve +heard o’ the service you did my father-in-law, and I am as thankful as +he is that his barn wasn’t burnt down.” + +The fiddler and the harpist were stationed in a corner of the broad +hallway, and the sitting-room and the kitchen had been cleared for +dancing. Soon the lively strains of a Virginia reel broke the ice all +around and set everybody to talking and laughing. + +“Choose partners fer the reel!” shouted the master of ceremonies, a +village dandy, who had a chrysanthemum as large as a saucer stuck in +his buttonhole. + +“Good gracious, I can’t dance!” whispered Andy, and off he ran to a +corner and was soon talking and laughing with a crowd of boys and +girls. Boxy joined him, and they managed to have a real good time until +supper. + +Harry and Jack found two pretty country girls of about their own age +willing to dance, and joined the two lines that were forming at the +head of the sitting-room. Soon nearly everybody in the house was in +line, old Job Brodhead and his wife leading off. + +Once again the fiddler and the harp player tuned up and started the +reel, and away the dancers went, one couple after the other, forward +and back, forward and around, forward and join hands, and all the rest +of it. Some mistakes were made, and it grew mighty warm toward the +end. But nobody minded this, and all laughed and cracked jokes, and +when, nearly an hour later, the reel was ended, every one was on the +best possible terms with every one else. + +“I’ll slip down to the barn and see how Pickles is making out,” +whispered Harry, and off he went, leaving Jack to entertain the girls +they had danced with. + +Harry found the colored youth in his glory. Pickles had brought his +banjo along, and was entertaining the other colored people and the farm +hands with plantation songs and tunes. It was not long before word +was sent from the farmhouse to come up and entertain the others. And +Pickles had to go. + +In the meantime cider was flowing, and apples and nuts were passed +around on all sides. About eleven o’clock the kitchen was cleared, and +the older women went to work to set the tables for supper. + +After the reel came other dances in the sitting-room and hall--waltzes, +quadrilles and the like, and Harry and Jack and two of the young ladies +who had been to dancing school danced the latest two-step, while the +older folks looked on. + +At last supper was announced, and such a feast as that was! There was +enough three times over, and everything of the best. All of the boys +were urged to eat, until Boxy whispered to Andy that every button was +ready to burst off. It was a country supper never to be forgotten! They +finished off with mince pie, and nuts, and raisins, and it was after +one o’clock when the feast was declared at an end. + +Then came several toasts. First old Job Brodhead made a little speech, +and then his son-in-law, and after this half-a-dozen neighbors. + +“Maybe our young friends from Rudskill kin speak pieces,” said Mother +Brodhead, and then half a dozen clustered around Harry and Jack and the +others, demanding something from them. + +Luckily, Andy and Boxy knew a funny dialogue which they got off amid +much laughter. Then Jack recited “The Sword of Bunker Hill.” + +“Now it’s your turn, Harry,” they said, after he had finished. + +Harry had been thinking of what to recite, and a few scraps of an +original song floated into his mind. He gave it in his own sweet tenor +voice, and it fairly took the country folk by storm. He was _encored_ +so much that he had to follow with several others. + +“You’re the hero of the evening,” whispered Jack, and Harry flushed +furiously when the pretty girl beside him said the same thing. + +Then Pickles was called in, and soon the colored boy had every one +joining in the chorus of “Sweet Times Comin’ By and By,” and “Who’s Dat +A-nockin’ at De Doah?” Then Pickles gave a breakdown, and got several +of the old countrymen so warmed up that they took off their coats and +joined in. + +Following the singing came half-a-dozen games, hunt the slipper, +pillows and keys, fortune-telling, forfeits and the like. Perhaps some +kissing was done, too, but in telling the story to me the boys whose +fortunes I am relating did not mention this, for reasons purely their +own. + +“It’s the best party I ever attended in my life!” cried Boxy to Harry, +as they passed each other in the hall. “Beats a stiff town party all to +bits!” And Harry agreed with him. + +It was after five o’clock when some one suggested that they break up. +Then clock and watches were consulted, and a raid was made on the +closets where hats, bonnets, overcoats and tippets were stored. Fifteen +minutes later the sleighs were brought around, good-bys were said, and +off went the merry revelers, leaving the five boys to return to their +camp in the early dawn, completely tired out, but happier than they had +been for many a day. + +“I never expect to attend another party like it,” said Jack. “It is +one of the brightest spots in the tour of the Zero Club, to my way of +thinking.” + +“You are right, Jack. They treated us as if we were their warmest +friends. It’s a pity city folks cannot do as well by their country +cousins when they come to town.” + +After all that dancing and romping around, it was a weary walk back +to the temporary camp, but finally it was finished, and, lighting a +big fire of brushwood, they sat around it to rest. Andy and Boxy fell +asleep, and the others dozed until nearly noon. + +“Now we will continue on our way up the lake front until we get away +from the neighborhood of these farmhouses,” said Harry. “I don’t +believe any one wants dinner.” + +“Not just yet for me!” groaned Boxy. “Last night filled me up as full +as a tick.” + +“Ditto,” put in Andy. “Let us walk ourselves hungry first.” + +And so they set off on their skates up the lake, keeping as closely to +the shore as the snowdrifts would permit. + +By sundown they calculated that they had covered six miles. They were +now in a very wild neighborhood, full of rocks and cliffs and a heavy +growth of timber. + +“This ought to be just the thing,” said Harry, as they turned in to +shore and came to a halt. “There ought to be plenty of game back of +that rocky ground.” + +“That is true,” said Jack. “What do you think, fellows, shall we look +for a camping spot here?” + +They agreed that no better place could be found. Ten minutes later +they were behind the shelter of a clump of bushes, and then Jack and +Boxy went off to find a suitable location for a permanent camp for the +balance of the outing. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +THE BLACK BEAR. + + +What Boxy and Jack thought would be a splendid shelter was found under +a large, shelving series of rocks, nearly a hundred feet from the lake +front. Here was an opening six feet wide by fifteen feet deep. The +flooring was of smooth stone, covered with a great mass of leaves, +which had been blown in by the wind. Of course, the snow had likewise +entered, but this was soon cleaned out. + +“Now, all we will have to do is to re-cover the greater part of the +front with brush, and it will make the warmest kind of a shelter,” said +Jack. + +“And the best part of it all is that there is a crevice in the rear +with a good upward draught,” said Boxy. “So we can build a fire inside +our house, so to speak, which will be more pleasant than having it +outside.” + +“No snakes, are there?” asked Andy, cautiously. + +“Not a one. We were careful to make a thorough search around.” + +“Then that’s the spot,” put in Harry, “and the sooner we get settled +the better. It promises to be very cold to-night, and we want to be +where we can keep warm.” + +The sled was dragged to the spot selected, and the ax gotten out. While +two of the boys cleaned out the cave-like place, the others cut down +poles and brush with which to shelter the front, and also collected +wood for a fire. + +The draught inside toward the rear was perfect, and when a fire was +started on a number of stones, it blazed up merrily without letting out +any of the smoke into the cave proper. + +“This is fine!” cried Andy, as he sat down to rest in front of the +blaze. “We ought to have had a place like this from the start.” + +“Unfortunately, we didn’t know there was this cave to occupy,” laughed +Harry. “But I must confess I liked the hut.” + +“So did I,” said Jack. “It is only the change that pleases Andy. +Nowadays in life, change is everything. We are constantly craving +something new and different.” + +Before nightfall the poles were up in front of the opening and thickly +entwined with brush. Only a small doorway was left, and this was closed +at night by setting the sled over it. Soon the fire in the rear made +the cave-like shelter as warm as toast, so that the boys took off their +overcoats and gloves--something they had seldom done in the hut. + +Harry was right about it getting colder. After sunset the thermometer +fell steadily. Pickles went down to the lake for a pail of water, and +came back with his hands and ears half-frozen. + +“De coldest night yit, suah!” he exclaimed, as he knocked his feet +against the rocks and slapped his hands over his chest to warm them. +“We want lots ob firewood to-night, or we’ll all be froze stiff as +pokers by moahnin’!” + +They were now hungry enough, and Jack set to work, while Pickles got +extra wood, to cook a real stew of meat, potatoes and onions. The frost +in the air made the concoction smell good, and when the stew was dealt +out all ate their full portion. + +Being sleepy, they retired early, and every one slept like a “log” +until long after sunrise. + +“By gracious, but it’s cold!” howled Boxy, the first to rise. “And the +fire almost out! Pile on some wood, Pickles!” + +“I should say it was cold!” put in Andy, as he got up and stretched +himself. + +“The coldest yet, without a doubt,” said Harry. “But stir up, all of +you! We mustn’t expect summer weather at this time in the year.” + +Piping hot coffee soon warmed them up somewhat, and inside of half an +hour they were arranging to go out on a hunt. It was resolved that they +should leave the fire in first-class shape and all go together, that +being so much nicer than dividing up. + +This plan was carried out, and before evening they had shot six +rabbits, three partridges or grouse, and over a score of woodcock and +other birds. + +“That’s sport and no error!” cried Boxy. “Now, if we can only get at +some more deer to-morrow----” + +“Oh, you want the earth!” cried Andy. “Deer are not so plentiful as all +that.” + +Nevertheless Boxy’s head was set on bringing down a deer, and the next +day he went off with none but Pickles. The two were gone until dark, +and, true enough, they came back with a small deer, which Pickles had +wounded in the foreleg and Boxy had shot through the neck. On that +same day the others shot half-a-dozen rabbits and partridge, and also +brought down two silver-white foxes, which they resolved to take home +to have stuffed. + +That night they had an unexpected experience which at first gave them a +great scare. They were all seated near the fire relating their various +experiences, when, without a warning, there came a crash from overhead +that caused all of them to spring to their feet in alarm. + +“What’s that?” cried Boxy. + +“Evidently something is giving way!” exclaimed Jack. + +“Suah de roof’s comin’ down!” howled Pickles. + +“That sounds like it, certainly,” said Harry, who was the calmest of +the crowd. + +“Rush for outside!” yelled Andy, as he made for the doorway. + +“Andy, come back!” called Jack, catching hold of him. + +“That’s all right, but I don’t want to get crushed,” retorted his +younger brother. + +“Each of us had better stay here,” put in Harry. “The trouble is all +outside of the cave.” + +“Might be better in the open air than here----” began Boxy. + +“Especially when the roof seems to be giving way,” added Andy. + +“Yes, but you can’t pass the doorway without peril,” returned Jack. + +“Either it is a snowslide or a landslide,” cried Harry. “Wait and +listen!” + +“Rocks comin’ down sumwhar!” grumbled Pickles. “Oh, my!” + +Ro-o-u-m! crash! Down in front of the cave-like shelter came a perfect +avalanche of snow and loose stones, completely filling the doorway and +bending in the brush wall until the poles that held it in place gave +way at the top. + +“Back, all of you!” shouted Harry, and they retreated just in time to +prevent themselves from being completely buried. + +After the first slide came several others, and for the time being the +boys were afraid they would be buried alive under the cliff. They +waited with wildly beating hearts for fully quarter of an hour after +the last fall, and then began an examination of the situation. + +The entire front of the shelter was blocked with snow and loose stones, +which lay over it to the depth of eight or ten feet. + +“Now the question is, how are we to get out?” said Jack, in dismay. “We +are caught like rats in a trap.” + +“We must dig our way out, and that quickly,” responded Harry. “We must +have fresh air to breathe.” + +“Set to work with anything you can find!” cried Andy. “A bit of board, +or a tin plate, or anything!” + +All hands went at the wall of snow and loose stones with a will. The +stuff was thrown to one side of the cave, and while Harry and Jack +threw it back the others packed it away. + +At the end of half an hour a passageway all of eight feet had been +made, when suddenly Jack gave a shout: + +“Hurrah! I have struck an open place at last!” + +“Good!” returned Harry. “Now let us all get out and see how much damage +has really been done.” + +The small opening Jack had found was enlarged with all possible haste, +and then one after another the boys crawled out into the open air. + +It was found that the entire top portion of the cliff, loaded down with +ice and snow, had given way, and was lying all along the bottom, a +distance of fully fifty feet. + +“Well, there is one satisfaction,” remarked Boxy, as he gazed at the +wreck. “If we clear this away we need not be in fear of another such +slide, for the top of the cliff is now as bare as a bald man’s head.” + +“That’s so,” replied Harry. “Come, fellows, we must make that entrance +larger and get the snow out of the cave before we can hope to retire +for the night.” + +With improvised shovels and brooms they set to work to clear the snow +and stones from in front of the shelter. It was hard work, but after +such a scare they did not mind it. They were thankful that matters were +not worse. Supposing the top of the cave had come down, what then? Most +likely every one of them would have been killed. + +At last Jack declared they had done enough for that night. + +“We can finish up in the morning,” he said. “Let us start up the fire +afresh and go to bed.” + +“I’m willing,” returned Andy. “My back is nearly broken from handling +this home-made shovel.” + +The boys started to go back into the cave, when, suddenly, Pickles, who +was looking up at the top of the cliff, let out an unearthly yell and +clutched Harry’s arm convulsively. + +“Fo’ de sake ob goodness!” + +“What’s it, Pickles?” questioned Harry, quickly. “What has frightened +you?” + +There was no need for the colored youth to answer. A loud growl rang in +the ears of all the boys, and the next instant down from the top of the +cliff leaped a big, brown bear into their very midst. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +END OF THE TOUR. + + +It was quite likely that the big brown bear which had thrust itself +among the members of the Zero Club so unceremoniously had had its +winter habitation somewhere along the top of the cliff, and that the +snow, ice and landslide had brought it forth to see the cause of the +disturbance. + +Evidently, it imagined that the boys had brought about the ruin, for +it was thoroughly enraged, and, as soon as it landed, stood up on its +hind legs to embrace Harry, who happened to be a trifle closer than the +others. + +Harry lost no time in leaping out of reach, and then the great bear +turned upon Jack, almost knocking him down with a savage blow from one +paw. + +“Run! run!” screamed Andy. “Run, Jack, or he will kill you!” + +With an effort, Jack regained his balance, and then he took Andy’s +advice, as did indeed all of the others. They ran in every direction, +and in less than half a minute the bear had the field entirely to +himself. + +At first bruin appeared on the point of following them into the woods, +but he stopped short and sniffed the air. The smell of the cooked meat +in the cave reached him, and, turning, he disappeared inside of the +shelter. + +“He has gone into the cave!” exclaimed Boxy to Harry, breathlessly. +“Good-by to all our meat!” + +“If he only takes the meat and gets out I won’t care,” put in Andy. +“My, but he nearly scared me out of my wits!” + +“I doan’ want nuffin’ to do wid dat chap,” remarked Pickles, with a +grave shake of his woolly head. “He is wuss nor all de wolves an’ +wildcats put togedder, ’deed he is!” + +“Come on to where we can look into the cave,” said Harry, and they +moved to another spot, where Jack presently joined them. + +“By the boots! but I had a narrow escape!” said Jack, with a shiver. +“That crack from the bear’s paw nearly knocked me silly!” + +“What shall we do?” questioned Boxy, after a moment of silence. + +“I’d like to shoot him,” replied Harry. “What a prize he would make!” + +“Oh, my! I wouldn’t go near him for the world!” exclaimed Boxy. + +“Nor I!” added Andy. “Don’t try it, Harry! It will cost you your life!” + +“How are you going to kill him?” asked Jack. “Not a single one of us +has a gun.” + +“Didn’t you have your gun out?” asked Harry, turning to Boxy. + +“I had the rifle out, but I--I dropped it when the bear leaped down,” +stammered Boxy, in considerable confusion. + +“Where did you drop it?” + +“About three or four yards from the doorway to the cave.” + +“Humph! A fellow might crawl up and grab it,” mused Harry. + +“No! no! doan’ yo’ go fo’ to do nuffn’ so foolish!” cried Pickles. “Dat +b’ar will come out an’ dat will be de end ob you!” + +“That’s so,” said Andy. “Let the bear satisfy himself and go off when +he pleases.” + +“Ah, I have it!” cried Harry, an idea striking him. “Just stay where +you are, fellows; I think I can do up his bearship in a way he won’t be +looking for.” + +“What are you going to do?” questioned Boxy. + +“Wait and see.” + +On the instant Harry was off. Instead of walking toward the cave, he +made a detour, coming up at one end of the high cliff. + +He found a place where he could ascend the icy slope without much +difficulty, and this done, he crept along silently until he occupied a +spot directly over the entrance to the shelter below. + +He looked about him, and soon found what he wanted, a round stone, +weighing all of forty or fifty pounds. + +He half-rolled, half-carried the stone to the very edge of the cliff, +and here set it so that a slight push would send it downward. Then he +procured several more stones of smaller size. + +This done, he took up a handful of pebbles and rolled them over the +cliff, at the same time shouting out loudly. + +The echo had hardly died away when the bear made its appearance at the +mouth of the cave. He came out almost all of the way and looked around +fiercely. + +Clatter! crash! down came the big stone, pushed off at just the right +moment. It took the bear in the neck, and caused him to fall down with +a loud roar of pain. + +In great excitement, Harry caught up two of the smaller stones. The +first, when hurled downward, missed its mark; but the second caught the +beast in the top of the head, directly over his right eye, inflicting +an ugly wound. + +“Hurrah! you have knocked him!” cried Jack, from the woods. “Give him +another!” + +“Get the rifle if you can!” sang out the boy on the cliff. + +“I will, if the bear will give me half a chance!” returned Jack. + +The bear now understood whence came the attack, and staggering to his +feet, he looked around to find some way up the cliff. Harry continued +to pour down the rocks, and one particularly sharp-pointed one landed +on bruin’s nose. + +Up went another roar of pain, and the bear danced around, shaking his +head from side to side in rage. + +“That was a corker!” yelled Boxy, somewhat recovering his courage. +“Give him another, and--my gracious! He’s coming this way!” + +It was true. The bear had turned swiftly, and was now making for the +woods where Boxy, Andy and Pickles were standing. Jack in the meantime +had crawled to one side, waiting for a chance to dash in and secure +the rifle. + +The three boys scrambled to get out of the way, and a second later Jack +managed to gain possession of the much-coveted firearm. + +The bear went a dozen paces or more and then stopped and turned to the +boy with the rifle. He rushed up and stood on his hind legs, and at +that moment Jack pulled the trigger. + +The bullet passed through bruin’s shoulder, inflicting a dangerous but +not fatal wound. The beast was now all but beaten, and yet there was +lots of fight in him. Could he have reached one of the boys he would +have killed him on the spot. + +Seeing the bear so far away from the cliff, Harry slid down to the +bottom, and as Jack ran off, with bruin at his heels, he slipped into +the cave, and brought out all of the shotguns, each of which was +luckily loaded with coarse buckshot. + +As Jack ran in one direction, Harry took another, and soon joined Andy, +Boxy and Pickles. + +“Come with me,” he said, as he dealt out the guns. “We can get the best +of that bear now if we only half try. He’s limping dreadfully.” + +Off he dashed, and the others at his heels. They caught up to the bear +at the instant that Jack yelled to them to come to his assistance. + +Bang! bang! went the shotguns in rapid succession. The four doses were +too much for bruin. He uttered one growl, sharp and shrill, and then +tumbled over--dead. + +At first the boys could not realize that their dreadful enemy was dead. +They ran back to the cave to reload the rifle and the guns. But it was +not needed, and after a wait of fully five minutes they went back to +inspect their great prize. + +“Talk about wolves and wildcats and deer!” cried Harry, not without +pardonable pride. “This caps the climax. Boys, I am done hunting now.” + +“And so am I,” returned Jack. “No more of life in the woods for this +season.” + +“Yes, I jess as lief pull up an’ go back to Rudskill to-morrow,” broke +in Pickles. “I couldn’t sleep out heah no moah if you paid me ten +dollars an hour.” + +“We must have that bear stuffed,” said Jack. “And when we get a regular +clubroom we’ll have him stand on one end of the platform as a memento +of this glorious outing.” + +There was no sleep for any of the boys that night, and early in the +morning they set to work to skin the bear as nicely as possible, so +that it might be turned over to the taxidermist in Rudskill when they +arrived home. + +Skinning the bear and getting ready to “pull up stakes” took the whole +of the day, and despite their fears of more bears, they slept that +night. By daybreak they were on their way across Rock Island Lake. + +Twenty-four hours later they reached Rudd’s Landing, where Barton Coils +greeted them warmly. The old man was astonished at their success in the +hunting line. + +A crowd of friends and curious strangers greeted them when the _Icicle_ +ran up to the town front of Rudskill and the boys left the iceboat; the +bear skin and head were much admired, as were also the other trophies. + +“Had a good deal better luck than Sully and his crowd,” said one of the +town boys, and the members of the Zero Club and Pickles rather guessed +that they had. + +The boys were received at their various homes with open arms. It was +found that Minnie Woodruff had quite recovered from the effects of her +involuntary bath in the river, from which Harry had so bravely rescued +her. + +The things the boys had brought back from the deserted cottage in the +woods were sold before the winter was over. For his old coins Harry +received nearly four hundred dollars, while his companions obtained for +the other things from sixty to a hundred dollars each. + +This grand outing of the Zero Club took place several winters ago. +Pickles has now a steady place in Mr. Woodruff’s employ, and the four +boys are now in high school and college, and there we will leave them, +trusting to meet them again in the near future, and in the meantime +wishing them as much success as they had when braving perils by ice and +snow. + + +THE END. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: + + + Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. + + Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. + + Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. + + Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75342 *** diff --git a/75342-h/75342-h.htm b/75342-h/75342-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..10d03d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/75342-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9629 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Tour of the Zero Club | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tiny {width: 5%; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} +.large {font-size: 125%;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +.illowe28_125 {width: 28.125em;} +.illowe50_8125 {width: 50.8125em;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75342 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_004"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_004.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“Stop her, somebody! We will all be drowned!” See page <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</p></figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<h1>Tour of the Zero Club</h1> + +<p>OR<br> + +<span class="xlarge">Adventures Amid Ice and Snow</span></p> + +<p>BY<br> + +<span class="large">CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL</span><br> + +AUTHOR OF<br> +“Neka, the Boy Conjuror,” “For the Liberty of Texas,”<br> +“Boys of the Fort,” etc.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title_logo.jpg" alt="publisher's logo"></div> + +<p>NEW YORK AND LONDON<br> +STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center">Copyright, 1902<br> +By STREET & SMITH</p> +<hr class="tiny"> +<p class="center">Tour of the Zero Club</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> +</div> + +<table> + + + +<tr><td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Chapter.</span></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Page.</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">I—</td><td>On the Toboggan-Slide</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_9"> 9</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">II—</td><td>Lost or Won?</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16"> 16</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">III—</td><td>The Races</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24"> 24</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IV—</td><td>A Moment of Peril</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31"> 31</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">V—</td><td>Getting Ready to Start</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_39"> 39</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VI—</td><td>Last Ride on the Buster</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47"> 47</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VII—</td><td>By a Hair’s Breadth</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_53"> 53</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII—</td><td>The Stolen Iceboat</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60"> 60</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IX—</td><td>The Tour Begins</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_66"> 66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">X—</td><td>Close Quarters</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_74"> 74</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XI—</td><td>A Lucky Shot</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_81"> 81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XII—</td><td>Jack Becomes Lost</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_88"> 88</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII—</td><td>Jack’s Experience</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_95"> 95</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV—</td><td>A Fight With Reptiles</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_102"> 102</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XV—</td><td>Lost in the Snow</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_109"> 109</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI—</td><td>Settling Down in Camp</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_115"> 115</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVII—</td><td>Hunting for Food</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_122"> 122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII—</td><td>Chased by Wolves</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_128"> 128</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIX—</td><td>The Last of the Wolves</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_135"> 135</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XX—</td><td>What Could It Have Been?</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_142"> 142</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXI—</td><td>Deer Hunting</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_148"> 148</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXII—</td><td>Track of the Marauders</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_155"> 155</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII—</td><td>The Cottage in the Woods    </td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_162"> 162</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV—</td><td>Harry’s Prize</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_169"> 169</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXV—</td><td>A Friend in Need</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_175"> 175</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVI—</td><td>The Unsuccessful Pursuit</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_182"> 182</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVII—</td><td>A Heavy Storm</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_189"> 189</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVIII—</td><td>Fighting the Flames</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196"> 196</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIX—</td><td>Blue Times in Camp</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_203"> 203</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXX—</td><td>Found Starving</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_209"> 209</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXI—</td><td>Immediate Wants Supplied</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_216"> 216</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXII—</td><td>Last of the Wildcat</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_222"> 222</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXIII—</td><td>The Snow Siege Ended</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228"> 228</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXIV—</td><td>A Lively Time</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_235"> 235</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXV—</td><td>At the Country Dance</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_240"> 240</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXVI—</td><td>The Black Bear</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_246"> 246</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXXVII—</td><td>End of the Tour</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_253"> 253</a></td></tr> +</table> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> + +<p class="ph2">TOUR OF THE ZERO CLUB.</p> + +<hr class="tiny"> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I.<br> + +<small>ON THE TOBOGGAN-SLIDE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“All ready?”</p> + +<p>“All ready!”</p> + +<p>“Then here we go! Hold on, everybody, unless you +want to be sent flying when we reach the curve!”</p> + +<p>As Harry Webb uttered the last words he gave his long +toboggan, the <i>Buster</i>, a final shove, and hopped on behind +his three companions, and away they started on the trip +down Doublehead Hill.</p> + +<p>It was a stirring scene. The upper and lower hills, +although light in the full moon, were made doubly bright +by the scores of bonfires and pine torches which blazed on +either side of the narrow toboggan-slide.</p> + +<p>Scores of boys and girls were out, and not a few ladies +and gentlemen also, and all looked warm and happy in +their gayly-colored toboggan suits.</p> + +<p>The long, low sleds were out by the dozens, and Jack +Bascoe, who was steering the <i>Buster</i> as best he could, had +a difficult time of it, keeping clear of dangerous collisions.</p> + +<p>“By jingo! but this is fine!” cried Andy Bascoe, Jack’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> +younger brother. “Who would want better sport than +this?”</p> + +<p>“You’re right, it’s fine!” returned Boxy Woodruff, the +most light-hearted boy in Rudskill. “A fellow would +like to keep sailing like this forever, eh? Just spread out +your arms and—wow!”</p> + +<p>Boxy’s imitation of flying came to a sudden stop as the +toboggan shot over a little hill and came down with a +thump on the other side. He was thrown a bit to one +side, and only saved himself by grasping Jack Bascoe +around the middle with both arms.</p> + +<p>“Hold on, Boxy!” cried Jack, a little alarmed.</p> + +<p>“That’s what I’m doing,” returned Boxy.</p> + +<p>“I feel you,” said Jack, grimly. “But don’t pull me off, +please. I’ve got to keep my eyes open for the other toboggans +and sleds, you know.”</p> + +<p>“I’m all right now, and I’ll do my flying act some other +time,” returned Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Here comes the <i>Whistler</i>!” cried Harry. “We ought +to be able to beat Pete Sully’s toboggan.”</p> + +<p>“Of course!” added Andy.</p> + +<p>“Everybody push!” put in Boxy, in a dry way that +made them all laugh. “Maybe you would like me to get +off and help pull,” he added, in mock seriousness.</p> + +<p>As they were going at a speed little less than a mile a +minute down the long hill, the others laughed louder than +ever.</p> + +<p>The <i>Whistler</i>, with Pete Sully, the bully of the town, +and several of his chums, was creeping up by their side.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> +It was a brand-new toboggan, and slid along as though +greased.</p> + +<p>“You fellows ain’t in it any more!” shouted Sully to +Harry, as he came within speaking distance. “Here’s +where we leave you away behind!”</p> + +<p>“You’ve got more weight!” returned Harry. “Give +me the same weight, and the <i>Buster</i> will walk away from +you with ease.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet you a dollar you can’t!” shouted Sully.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t got a dollar to bet, Pete,” replied Harry, and +he told the truth, for, although he owned the <i>Buster</i>, +Harry Webb was poor, and had not known what it was +to own a dollar for several years, ever since his father +had lost his money in an unfortunate real estate speculation.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you’re afraid to bet,” cried Sully, mockingly. +“Good-by, slow boots!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet my pocket-knife against yours we can beat +you!” said Harry, considerably nettled by Sully’s taunts. +“We will take the same number aboard and try our skill.”</p> + +<p>“Done!” yelled Sully, for he was now several rods +ahead.</p> + +<p>Down the last of the second hill and along the level +road shot the <i>Buster</i>, and presently came to a standstill +just where the Rudskill turnpike branched off across the +railroad tracks. The <i>Whistler</i> had gone on a couple of +hundred feet farther up the side of the tracks.</p> + +<p>“Told you we’d beat you!” exclaimed Pete Sully, as +he and his chums joined Harry and his friends. “You<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +had better not bet your pocket-knife unless you want to +lose it.”</p> + +<p>“I am not afraid to try against you, Sully, and perhaps +it will be you who will lose his pocket-knife.”</p> + +<p>“Humph!” sneered Sully. “No fear. And if I did, +I guess I could buy another easy enough, even if somebody +else couldn’t.”</p> + +<p>This was a direct shot at Harry’s poverty, and made the +ears of the poor boy tingle, while his handsome face +flushed.</p> + +<p>“Come on and try your skill and quit your talking,” +exclaimed Jack Bascoe, rather sharply, and he faced Sully +as he spoke. “There is no use in wasting time here.”</p> + +<p>Had it been any one else than Jack Bascoe who had +spoken thus suggestively to him, Pete Sully might have +picked a quarrel then and there. He was a very overbearing +boy, and never allowed a chance of whipping +some other boy go by him.</p> + +<p>But the truth of the matter was, that he had once run +up against Jack’s fist in a most surprising fashion. Blood +had flowed freely, and from that time on the bully of +Rudskill knew there were two boys in the town he dare +not molest, Jack and his younger brother, Andy.</p> + +<p>So, muttering something under his breath which Harry +and his friends could not hear, Sully and his cohorts began +to drag their toboggan up the long hillside. They +were followed by the other boys, with the <i>Buster</i>. The +walk was a tedious one, especially so to the two sides that +wished to race each other.</p> + +<p>“Whom shall we get to add weight?” asked Harry, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +they at last gained the starting-place. “I don’t see any of +our crowd here; do you?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t,” returned Jack.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter with Pickles Johnsing?” put in +Boxy. “He’s got enough weight for two.”</p> + +<p>Pickles Johnsing was a stout, round-faced colored boy, +with big red lips, and teeth which reminded one very +forcibly of double-blank dominoes set in twin rows. He +was a very willing and decent sort of a young darky, and +had many friends in the little river town in which my +story for the present is located.</p> + +<p>“He’ll do first-rate,” said Harry. “Hello, Pickles!” he +shouted.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, dar, Harry!” returned the colored boy. “Got +yo’ tobog out ag’in, I see.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Pickles, and we want you to ride down with us +this trip. Put your bread-shovel out of the way.”</p> + +<p>“T’anks, Harry, I’se like to ride down on de <i>Buster</i> +fust-rate,” grinned Pickles. “Wot yo’ gwine ter do, race +Pete Sully?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Pickles, and we must beat him,” replied Andy. +“You know just how to help us along.”</p> + +<p>“Humph! if he ain’t going to take that coon on the +trip!” sneered Pete Sully.</p> + +<p>“You ain’t racing niggers, are you, Pete?” questioned +one of his followers.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know as I am,” returned Pete Sully, slowly.</p> + +<p>He walked over to where Harry sat on his toboggan.</p> + +<p>“I expected to race white fellows,” he remarked, +sourly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>“Pickles is all right,” said Jack Bascoe. “He’s the +dark horse to win. If you are going to race, get ready, +for Harry isn’t going to wait all night for you.”</p> + +<p>“Where’s that knife!” demanded Sully, thus changing +the subject.</p> + +<p>“Here it is,” replied Harry, producing it. “Four +blades, and every one in good condition. Where is +yours?”</p> + +<p>“It’s just as good as that,” retorted Sully, bringing +forth his pocket-knife. “Four blades and a corkscrew.”</p> + +<p>“Who’s going to hold them as stakes?” questioned Bill +Dixon, Sully’s most intimate chum.</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over for several minutes, and +finally a gentleman who had come to the hill to look at +the sport agreed to become stakeholder.</p> + +<p>Before the matter was decided, however, Sully did a +good deal of whispering to Bill Dixon, who immediately +left the crowd, which had moved over to the largest of +the nearby campfires.</p> + +<p>At last all was in readiness for the start. Hearing of +the race, many on the course left their toboggans and +sleds to witness the contest.</p> + +<p>“Now, remember, the first to reach the railroad track +switch wins the race,” shouted the stakeholder. “Are +you ready?”</p> + +<p>“We are,” said Sully.</p> + +<p>“Then—go!”</p> + +<p>With a great push, Sully sent the <i>Whistler</i> on the +downward course in fine style. Harry likewise gave the +<i>Buster</i> a good shove, and his toboggan also started. But<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> +he was a rod behind the other sled in the fraction of a +second.</p> + +<p>“Something is dragging under us!” cried Andy, +quickly. “I can feel it plainly.”</p> + +<p>“What can it be?” exclaimed Harry, in alarm. “Anybody’s +clothing caught?”</p> + +<p>“My clo’ all hunky,” replied Pickles. “Dat feels like it +was a rope under dar. Did yo’ tie a rope to de tobog, +Harry?”</p> + +<p>“I took the rope off and left it with Mr. Bruley when +we started,” returned the owner of the <i>Buster</i>. “It’s no +use,” he groaned. “They’ll reach the tracks before we +are half-way down!”</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Boxy Woodruff was feeling along +the side of the toboggan. It was not long before his +hand came in contact with an end of wash-line.</p> + +<p>“Here it is, tied around the toboggan!” he cried. “I’ll +bet this is some of Pete Sully’s underhanded work!”</p> + +<p>“Yank it loose, can’t you?” exclaimed Harry, anxiously. +“Cut it or break it—something.”</p> + +<p>Boxy pulled with all of his strength, and the wash-line, +which, luckily, was old and rotten, parted. An instant +later it was clear of the toboggan bottom, and +streaming along behind like the thin tail of a kite.</p> + +<p>Freed from this hindrance, the <i>Buster</i> shot forward on +its course. Like a comet it passed over the brow of the +second hill, with the <i>Whistler</i> over a hundred feet ahead. +Could they regain the ground they had lost?</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II.<br> + +<small>LOST OR WON?</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It was one thing for the boys on the <i>Buster</i> to wish to +range alongside of the <i>Whistler</i> again, but it was quite +a different thing to do it.</p> + +<p>Both toboggans were rushing along with furious speed, +and now the end of the course was close at hand.</p> + +<p>“Sit jess a little moah to de front,” was Pickles’ suggestion, +and it was immediately acted upon.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I tell you you wasn’t in it?” shouted Pete Sully, +derisively.</p> + +<p>“There isn’t a toboggan around Rudskill can beat the +<i>Whistler</i>!” put in Bill Dixon.</p> + +<p>On and on went the two toboggans. The last little +rise was passed and the speed began to slacken.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the <i>Whistler</i> struck a snag—the dead limb +of a tree, which was half-hidden in the snow.</p> + +<p>It quickly swerved out of its course, directly in the +path of the oncoming <i>Buster</i>.</p> + +<p>“Get out of the way!” shouted Jack Bascoe, who was, +as usual, in the front. “Turn her around, Sully!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t run into us!” shrieked several on board of the +<i>Whistler</i>. “To the right! To the right!”</p> + +<p>Those on the <i>Buster</i> tried to do as advised, not only for +the sake of their rivals, but also to save themselves. But<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +it was too late to do much. The <i>Buster</i> swung around +a trifle, and then came up sideways with a bang, and out +into the snow flew every one of the boys on both toboggans.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, although several +faces and hands were scratched, and Pickles got a +bruise in the shin, his one weak spot. All were soon on +their feet, and the toboggans were dragged to one side, +out of the way of any that might be following.</p> + +<p>“What did you mean by running into us?” demanded +Pete Sully, hotly, as he stalked up to Harry.</p> + +<p>“What could we do when you blocked up the course?” +retorted the owner of the <i>Buster</i>.</p> + +<p>“We didn’t block up the course!”</p> + +<p>“You certainly did,” interposed Jack. “You ought to +be thankful that we didn’t run right over you.”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t fair!”</p> + +<p>“It was fair,” said Harry. “But I’ll tell you what was +not fair—tying that wash-line under my toboggan, and +that’s just what one of your crowd did.”</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” growled Bill Dixon. “We didn’t touch +your confounded bread-shovel.”</p> + +<p>“Some one tied that rope on,” said Andy, picking up the +line in question. “It smells like your rope, Longman,” +he went on, to a boy whose father was the captain of a +schooner on the river. “It’s a regular tarred line.”</p> + +<p>“See here, because you lost the race, you needn’t claim +a foul!” growled Sully, wrathfully. “You may +think——”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>“Lose the race!” came in a chorus from those who had +rode upon the <i>Buster</i>.</p> + +<p>“We lost no race!” added Jack, vigorously.</p> + +<p>“Yes, you did.”</p> + +<p>“I certainly don’t see it.”</p> + +<p>“You ran into us, and that gives us the race,” said Bill +Dixon.</p> + +<p>“Not by a jugful,” exclaimed Harry. “We were on +the left, where we belonged. Had you kept to the +right——”</p> + +<p>“You’d have been all right,” finished Boxy. “Come on +up the hill and try it over again.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t do it,” returned Sully, sourly. “It’s my race.”</p> + +<p>“He won’t race because we’ve found out about that +rope,” said Harry, growing angry. “I’m going to tell +the crowd about it as soon as we get to the top of the +hill.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say that I placed that rope under +your toboggan?” blustered Sully, stepping up to him with +clinched fists.</p> + +<p>“One of your crowd did,” returned Harry. “It was +put there for the sole purpose of keeping us back.”</p> + +<p>“If you say I put it there, I’ll hammer you!”</p> + +<p>“You heard what I said. I am not prepared to say +more—just now. You may hear from me later.”</p> + +<p>Thus talking, the two crowds made their way to the +top of the hill. Here they found an excited group of +boys waiting for them.</p> + +<p>“Did the <i>Whistler</i> win?” cried several.</p> + +<p>“Certainly we won!” replied Sully.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>“It was no race,” explained Jack. “They struck a +snag, and we ran into them while they were on our side +of the course.”</p> + +<p>“Somebody said that Dixon boy tied a rope under your +toboggan,” remarked the gentleman who held the two +pocket-knives, to Harry. “Did you find anything +wrong?”</p> + +<p>“We did!” cried the boy. “Here is the rope. Who +saw Dixon do it?”</p> + +<p>The question was passed around, and it finally leaked +out that three boys in the crowd had seen the sneaking +action performed. Dixon had taken the rope from Longman’s +sled, and this Longman was finally forced to admit.</p> + +<p>“No race,” said the stakeholder, promptly. “I will +give both boys their pocket-knives. Dixon, you ought to +be ruled off the slide,” he added to the bully’s toady.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care, I claim that race,” said Sully, loudly. “I +don’t care a rap about the pocket-knife. It’s not half as +good as my own.”</p> + +<p>Harry wanted to try again, but the bully declined, saying +it was getting late, and he was expected home. In +reality, Sully was afraid to race fairly.</p> + +<p>“We’ll try our good points at the skating races day after +to-morrow,” he said to Harry. “You mustn’t forget that +I am in the five-mile race against you and Jack Bascoe, +and Milne and the rest.”</p> + +<p>“I have a good memory,” returned Harry, pointedly. +“And you can rest assured that we’ll look out for any +more rope tricks,” and with this parting shot he walked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +off with his toboggan, accompanied by Jack and the +others.</p> + +<p>“Dat dere Sully makes me mos’ drefful sick,” said +Pickles. “He t’inks de hull town must bow to him. It +would be de best t’ing in de world if da would jess git +togedder and run him off de co’s.”</p> + +<p>“One of us must beat him in that race,” said Jack, decidedly. +“If he wins, he won’t stop crowing for a month.”</p> + +<p>“You can do it, Jack,” said Andy, who had great confidence +in his older brother’s abilities. “He hasn’t near +the wind you have.”</p> + +<p>“That may be, but he’s got everlastingly long legs, +Andy; don’t forget that.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll bank on Harry,” put in Boxy, who was Harry’s +most intimate friend, having lived next door to him for +years. “His legs are pretty long, and his wind is right +there every time.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t care if I do lose, if Harry wins,” said +Jack. “So long as we keep the first prize away from the +Sully crowd.”</p> + +<p>“I’m going to do my best to win that race,” put in +Harry. “Not only for the honor, but because I want +the money.”</p> + +<p>“Has Mr. Grimes decided to put up a purse?” asked +Jack, quickly.</p> + +<p>“He told me he would put up a gold medal, but if any +one wanted it, he would buy the medal back for fifteen +dollars. And if I had fifteen dollars I wouldn’t have to +ask father for a cent of spending money for a year.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>“And you could go on that tour with us, couldn’t +you?” put in Boxy, quickly. “That is, if we go.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose I could,” returned Harry, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>The idea of a winter tour had been in the minds of +this crowd of boys for several weeks. Rudskill was +situated upon the banks of a well-known river in New +York State, and their idea was to build an iceboat, and +cruise up the river a distance of some forty miles, and +then start on a trip among the mountains to a sheet of +water, which I shall call Rock Island Lake. Once on +the lake, they would cross it on skates, and then locate a +winter camp in the heart of the mountains on the western +side, where they could spend several weeks in hunting +and fishing and other winter sports.</p> + +<p>The four boys had already formed themselves into an +organization which they called the Zero Club—certainly +a most appropriate name for winter use. Jack Bascoe +was the president, and also general director of the club, +which held weekly meetings regularly in the harness-room +of Mr. Bascoe’s barn.</p> + +<p>It was Andy who had first proposed this trip, and he +had found that idea taken up with avidity. A fire in the +town schoolhouse had closed that institution six weeks +for repairs, and so the time could be taken without losing +any part of the school session.</p> + +<p>On the following day the four boys gathered together +on the river, which, during the past ten days of severe +cold, had frozen completely over, to practice for the coming +races, which were to be three in number.</p> + +<p>The races were gotten up by a Mr. Grimes, a wealthy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +and eccentric resident of the town, who personally offered +the prizes, which were six in number, a first and second +for each race.</p> + +<p>As the boys skated around they talked over the matter +of leaving home for a time, and also of the expense of +such a trip.</p> + +<p>“I have reckoned it all out,” said Andy. “We can +squeeze through on fifty dollars.”</p> + +<p>“That is, if we get blankets and such stuff from home,” +said Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Certainly. Fifty dollars will only cover the cost of +necessary provisions, ammunition and the like. We must +furnish our own blankets, clothing, guns, snowshoes, and +such things.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that is twelve dollars and a half each,” said +Harry.</p> + +<p>“I can raise that,” meditated Boxy. “I’ve saved +eight dollars, and I’ll get father to allow me something +on account of my birthday in February next.”</p> + +<p>The others laughed at this.</p> + +<p>“Drawing on a birthday nearly three months off!” remarked +Jack. “Your father will want a discount at that +rate.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve got the money, and more,” put in Andy. “And I +know Jack has it, too.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t but fifty cents,” said Harry, with a light +laugh to cover up his real feelings. “So, you see, it’s +race or nothing with me.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve a good mind to withdraw,” suggested Jack.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>“Not for the world, Jack. You must stick, and win +it—if you can.”</p> + +<p>“But I would rather have you win it,” persisted the +president and general manager of the Zero Club.</p> + +<p>“No, I won’t have it that way. Promise me you’ll try +for the medal, and will do your best to win it.”</p> + +<p>Jack demurred, but Harry would not listen, so finally +he agreed to do as his friend wished.</p> + +<p>The ice on the river was as smooth as glass, and the +promises for some great races were very encouraging.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III.<br> + +<small>THE RACES.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>The following day dawned clear and bright. The +races were to come off at ten, half-past ten and eleven +o’clock, and long before this time the river in front of +the town was alive with skaters.</p> + +<p>Harry had some work to do at home, and did not appear +until a little before ten. He found his friends +anxiously awaiting him.</p> + +<p>“Thought you had given it up,” said Boxy. “I know +you are fairly aching to let Pete Sully win that five-miler.”</p> + +<p>“He won’t win it unless Jack and I drop out,” returned +Harry.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” put in Jack Bascoe. “We’ll do our best +to leave ’em all behind, eh, Harry?”</p> + +<p>The Zero Club gathered at one side of the river, while +Pete Sully and his crowd gathered at the other. Milne, +also a good skater, glided here and there by himself. He +was a good deal of a dude, and on this account had but +few friends among the young people of Rudskill.</p> + +<p>Sully was bragging about what he was going to do, +and talked so loudly that he disgusted many who would +otherwise have taken an interest in his endeavors. He +was willing to bet all in his pockets—which was not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +much—that he would easily outdistance those who were +pitted against him.</p> + +<p>The first race, one of half-a-mile dash, was presently +called, and six boys ranged up in line at the starting +point. Boxy was in the crowd, he preferring this sort of +contest to one where staying powers were required.</p> + +<p>The boys started off like a flash at the signal, a loud +shouting from the crowd following them.</p> + +<p>The short race was over almost before the spectators +had ceased to yell. A fellow named Tory had won, with +Boxy a close second.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Boxy!” cried Jack. “If I do as well +I shall be satisfied.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a silver medal for my chest,” replied Boxy, +proudly. “And that’s better than a leather one.”</p> + +<p>After a short intermission, the second race, two miles, +straightaway, was called. Andy was in this, and also +Bill Dixon and four others.</p> + +<p>“Look out for Dixon,” whispered Jack to his brother. +“He may try to trick you as he did the crowd on the toboggan.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be on my guard,” responded Andy.</p> + +<p>When the start was made, Andy did not catch his stroke +as quickly as did the others, and as a consequence they +gained several yards on him.</p> + +<p>“Go in, Andy!” cried Harry. “You can do it if you +try!”</p> + +<p>“He can’t get near Dixon!” sneered Pete Sully. “Look, +he’s away behind already!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>“You must do it, Andy!” cried Harry, paying no attention +to the bully’s words. “Strike out faster!”</p> + +<p>Encouraged by Harry’s words, and also by the calling +of his brother and Boxy, Andy did really make an extra +effort, and before half a mile was covered passed the last +two fellows in the race, thus becoming fourth.</p> + +<p>Bill Dixon was in the lead, and for a while it looked as +if he would stay there. He kept crawling away from all +of the others, and at length had left them pretty much +behind.</p> + +<p>But now Andy showed of what metal he was made. +With a spurt he swept by the two ahead of him, and +dashed on close at Bill Dixon’s heels.</p> + +<p>“What did I tell you!” cried Harry. “Go in, Andy, +and win!”</p> + +<p>Dixon heard the cry, and looked over his shoulder. +There was yet almost a half mile to skate, and he was +nearly winded. He felt that Andy would pass him, try +his best to keep up the pace.</p> + +<p>He slowed up, and put out one foot, intending thereby +to trip Andy up. But the young contestant saw it just +in time, and, with a nimble leap, he cleared the obstruction, +and went sailing on, winner by ten yards, while +Dixon came in third, the boy behind Andy managing to +come up before Dixon could regain his lost headway.</p> + +<p>Andy would have reported Dixon for his evil intention; +but, as he had won the race, he said nothing; still, +the look he gave the bully’s toady made that individual +sneak out of sight in short order.</p> + +<p>And now it was time for the five-mile race, the greatest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +of the day. It must be confessed that both Harry’s +heart and Jack’s beat rapidly as they took their places in +line with Sully and Milne.</p> + +<p>The race was to be two and a half miles up the river, +and the same distance back. A skater with a big white +flag marked the turning point.</p> + +<p>“Are you all ready boys?” questioned old Mr. Grimes, +who conducted the races personally. “Every skate in +good order and properly fastened on?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” came first from one and then another.</p> + +<p>“Then, go! And good luck go with you!”</p> + +<p>They were off, side by side, not a single one a foot +ahead or behind. It was undoubtedly the best start of +the day.</p> + +<p>“Now show ’em what you can do, Sully!”</p> + +<p>“Shake ’em up, Milne!”</p> + +<p>“Strike out faster, Harry!”</p> + +<p>“There goes Jack Bascoe ahead!”</p> + +<p>The last cry proved true. Jack had made a splurge, +and was now nearly a yard ahead of the other three, who, +at the end of the first mile, were still closely bunched.</p> + +<p>Then Milne put on steam and went ahead for fully a +mile, with Jack behind him, and Harry and Sully side by +side in the rear. But the dude of the town could not +keep up the pressure, and suddenly, long before the turning +point was reached, he collapsed and dropped behind +and out of the race entirely.</p> + +<p>“Only three now!”</p> + +<p>“And Jack Bascoe still in the lead!”</p> + +<p>“Sully is crawling up to him!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>It was true. Pete Sully’s long legs were working with +wonderful rapidity, and he was slowly forging ahead of +Harry, despite the other’s apparent best efforts to keep up.</p> + +<p>“Jack’s going to win that race!” cried Andy, with pardonable +pride.</p> + +<p>“It certainly looks so,” returned Boxy. “Well, he deserves +it, although I kind of hoped Harry would get that +prize and be able to turn it into money.”</p> + +<p>“Jack said he would lend Harry the money if he won +the medal,” said Andy. “He said it just before they +started.”</p> + +<p>“Good for Jack,” returned Boxy. “In that case I certainly +don’t begrudge him the token.”</p> + +<p>On and on went the skaters, until the turning point +was reached, and Jack shot around it in as small a curve +as he could make without slipping, and directly on his +heels followed Sully.</p> + +<p>But the bully and Jack were both becoming winded, +and they could not keep up the pace. Harry, on the contrary, +had got his second wind, and now he put on a +spurt that brought him up yard by yard to the others.</p> + +<p>“Harry Webb is gaining on them!”</p> + +<p>“Sully is losing ground on Bascoe!”</p> + +<p>“Harry is up to Sully!”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter with Jack? Is he out of wind?”</p> + +<p>“He must be. See! see! Harry is right on Jack’s +heels!”</p> + +<p>“Harry has passed them all!” yelled Boxy, in wild delight. +“Didn’t I tell you he would do it?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>“They’ve got half a mile to go yet!”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, he’s getting farther ahead each minute!”</p> + +<p>Boxy was right. Harry was now putting forth every +effort. He had just forged ahead of Jack, and it certainly +looked as if he would come in a winner.</p> + +<p>But Jack was picking up. He was determined to beat +Sully, even if he could not gain on his friend.</p> + +<p>A couple of rods were passed, and Harry was almost +sure of winning, when suddenly a wild, girlish cry rang +out across the river.</p> + +<p>Harry looked to his left and saw a sight that thrilled +him with horror.</p> + +<p>Half-way between himself and the shore was a long, +narrow spot where the ice was very thin. A girl, scarcely +ten years of age, had ventured on this ice, and broken +through, and was now struggling madly to save herself +from drowning.</p> + +<p>Evidently all the other people on the river were so +interested in the race that they had not seen the accident +nor heard her cries for aid.</p> + +<p>“My gracious!” burst from Harry’s lips, and then, forgetting +all about the race, and the prize he wished so +much to win, he swept from the straight course in a semi-circle +toward the hapless victim.</p> + +<p>Thinking something had gone wrong, perhaps, with +Harry’s skates, Jack kept on, determined to win the medal +from Sully, if he possibly could. Sully saw what the +real trouble was, but, thoroughly selfish, kept on, hoping +to win by accident if not otherwise.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>“Help me!” screamed the girl, as she saw Harry approaching. +“Help me, Harry Webb!”</p> + +<p>“It’s Boxy’s sister, as sure as I live!” cried the boy, in +horror. “Keep up, Minnie, and I’ll save you! Catch +hold of the ice, and don’t let the current carry you +under!”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV.<br> + +<small>A MOMENT OF PERIL.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It was a thrilling moment in Harry Webb’s life when he +saw his chum’s sister in her extremely perilous situation.</p> + +<p>He well understood how hard it was to keep up one’s +courage in that freezing cold water, with the strong current +trying its best to drag one under the ice.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let go, Minnie!” he shouted, and just then his +own voice sounded strange to him. “Hold fast! I’ll be +there in another minute!”</p> + +<p>With powerful strokes he swept nearer and nearer. +The somewhat thin ice bent and cracked beneath his +weight, but to this he paid scant heed.</p> + +<p>In his pocket, Harry had a couple of skate-straps he had +brought along in case anything should happen to his +clamp skates. These straps he now buckled together, and +wound one end around his hand.</p> + +<p>Getting as close to the hole as he dared, he threw out +the end of the straps.</p> + +<p>“Catch the buckle, Minnie!” he cried. “Can you reach +it, or shall I come closer?”</p> + +<p>The poor girl in the water tried to speak, but the words +would not come, so benumbed and cold was she.</p> + +<p>But she put out one hand convulsively, and caught the +strap just above the buckle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>“Now put the other hand on the ice, and I’ll pull you +up,” went on Harry. “Steady, now, or the ice will——”</p> + +<p>Crack! crack! crash!</p> + +<p>The ice around the brave boy had suddenly given way, +and on the instant he found himself plunged into the +chilling water head first.</p> + +<p>He went down several feet, and then turned and came +up. The shock to his system, all overheated from racing, +was terrible, and for a few seconds he seemed fairly +paralyzed.</p> + +<p>But he retained his hold on the straps, and by their aid +was quickly at Minnie Woodruff’s side.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Harry!” the girl burst out.</p> + +<p>She could not say more, but those two words just then +meant a good deal.</p> + +<p>“I’ll save you yet, Minnie,” he returned, as he caught +her around the waist. “Hold fast to me.”</p> + +<p>“I—I can’t! I’m so co—cold!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll hold you, then,” he went on. “Help! help! help!”</p> + +<p>His cry rang out loud and clear across the frozen river. +Fortunately, several had seen him turn from the race +course, and watched where he had gone. These persons +were now hurrying to the scene of the accident as fast +as possible.</p> + +<p>“It’s Harry Webb!”</p> + +<p>“He’s trying to save Minnie Woodruff from drowning!”</p> + +<p>“What a plucky boy to leave the race and go in after +her!”</p> + +<p>These and numerous other shouts went up. Then, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> +the little crowd drew closer, they speculated upon how +they should aid the struggling pair.</p> + +<p>“Somebody get a rope!”</p> + +<p>“We want a board worse than anything! You can’t +pull them out with a rope.”</p> + +<p>In the meantime one boy threw out the end of his long +tippet to Harry, who caught one end of it and tied it +about Minnie’s wrist.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, a boy came skating toward the crowd, +carrying a long board. It was Boxy Woodruff!</p> + +<p>“Here’s a board to get ’em out with!” he cried. “Now +if—Minnie!”</p> + +<p>He had not previously recognized his sister, and now +at the discovery he almost fainted.</p> + +<p>“Minnie! and Harry has gone in after her!” he murmured. +“Oh, I hope they both get out safe!”</p> + +<p>Willing hands had taken the board and shoved out one +end toward the big hole in the ice.</p> + +<p>“Get back!” shouted a cool-headed man. “Get back, +every one, or there’ll be a dozen more in together!”</p> + +<p>The warning came none too soon, for already the ice +was cracking in a dozen directions. The crowd started +back, only the man and Boxy remaining at the outer end +of the board, to prevent it slipping around.</p> + +<p>Bringing every ounce of his youthful strength into +play, Harry caught hold of the end of the board, and +slowly pulled himself out of the water, with Minnie half-clinging, +half-held to his side. The ice groaned dismally, +but did not break, and in a few seconds the two were safe +once more.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>Boxy caught Minnie in his arms just as the exhausted +girl was on the point of fainting. A crowd of admiring +boys surrounded Harry.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Harry!”</p> + +<p>“That was well done!”</p> + +<p>“My! but he’s got nerve, hasn’t he?”</p> + +<p>“I—I guess I had better get ho—home!” chattered the +hero of the occasion. “I’m almost fro—frozen!”</p> + +<p>“Here, take my overcoat!” It was Jack Bascoe who +spoke. “You’re a brick, Harry! I never dreamed that +you had turned out to save Minnie Woodruff.”</p> + +<p>“Who won the ra—race?” questioned Harry, as he slid +into the overcoat in short order.</p> + +<p>“I did. But you were ahead, and you deserve——”</p> + +<p>Jack broke off short, as a sleigh drawn by a pair of +coal black horses dashed up on the ice. It was old Mr. +Grimes’ turnout.</p> + +<p>“Get in here, and put the girl in, too!” cried the old +fellow, who sat on the front seat beside the driver. “Be +quick! The sooner you both get home the better. You’ll +catch your death of cold out here on the river.”</p> + +<p>And Minnie Woodruff and Harry were bundled into +the back seat by Boxy and the others without delay; the +robes were piled over them, and then off they spun for +the town.</p> + +<p>Luckily, the Woodruff and Webb homesteads were not +far distant, and inside of ten minutes both the girl and the +boy were in their homes, and being taken care of by their +mothers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>Mrs. Webb wished Harry to go bed, but he demurred +at this.</p> + +<p>“I’m not so frail as all that, mother. I’ll go up to your +room, where it’s warm, and take a good rubbing down +and change my clothing, and then I’ll be all right. I +only hope Minnie gets over it all right.”</p> + +<p>Harry departed up the stairs, and after giving him a +complete change of raiment, Mrs. Webb hurried next +door to assist in making Minnie comfortable, for she +knew Mrs. Woodruff was rather sickly, and could not do +as readily as most women.</p> + +<p>She came back inside of half an hour, and found Harry +sitting by the dining-room stove, and with him Jack and +Andy Bascoe, who had followed old Grimes’ sleigh on +foot.</p> + +<p>“I’m feeling just as well as ever, excepting that I’m awfully +tired,” said Harry. “How is Minnie?”</p> + +<p>“She is abed, but the doctor who was summoned thinks +she will recover in a day or two. She was in so long that +her whole system was chilled. Mrs. Woodruff is very +thankful for what you did.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I didn’t do any more than any other fair-minded +fellow would do,” replied Harry, modestly.</p> + +<p>“She seems to think so, and so does Boxwell. Mr. +Woodruff has not yet come home.”</p> + +<p>“He is a genuine hero,” put in Andy. “He ran a great +risk, and all the boys say so.”</p> + +<p>Jack agreed with him on this point, and a little later, +before departing for dinner, spoke of the gold medal he +had won.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>“That medal ought to go to you, Harry,” he said. +“And, by rights, I ought to get the second prize, that +Sully got. It isn’t fair to do you out of your winnings +in this way.”</p> + +<p>“But you won the medal; I didn’t,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“But you would have won it, though.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” said Andy.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care so much for the medal, but you know I +was wishing for the money, so I could go with you fellows +on that tour——” began Harry.</p> + +<p>“Well, if that’s all, I’m going to fix you up on that +score,” said Jack, decidedly. “I’ll keep the medal and +give you the trip money——”</p> + +<p>“No, sir!” cried Harry. “I’m going to get that money +myself—by earning it or otherwise, or else I don’t go. +That’s settled.”</p> + +<p>And all the talking the Bascoe brothers could do would +not shake him from this determination.</p> + +<p>It was growing toward evening when Boxy’s father, +who had been on a trip to New York, came home. He +was completely taken aback by the news that awaited +him, and very solicitous concerning his only daughter’s +welfare.</p> + +<p>He remained by Minnie’s side all of that evening, and +it was not until well into the forenoon of the next day +that he ran over to the Webb house.</p> + +<p>“My dear Harry, how can I thank you for what you +have done?” he cried, as he grasped the young hero +warmly by the hand. “You saved Minnie’s life!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>“Well, I’m downright glad of it,” stammered Harry, +not finding anything else to say on the moment.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Woodruff is also very grateful. I would have +been over before, but I could not bring myself to leave +Minnie’s side.”</p> + +<p>“How is she this morning?” questioned Mrs. Webb.</p> + +<p>“Very much better—in fact, completely out of danger,” +returned the happy father. “Harry, I do not know how +to reward you,” he went on, still wringing the boy’s hand.</p> + +<p>“I am not looking for any reward, Mr. Woodruff. I +only did what I thought was my duty.”</p> + +<p>“Nevertheless, you played the part of a real hero, and +you deserve a rich reward—more than I or any other man +in Rudskill can afford.”</p> + +<p>“I was glad to save Minnie for friendship’s sake.”</p> + +<p>“I believe you, my boy, but I shall not let it rest there, +let me tell you that. In a few days I am going down to +your father’s store and have a talk with him about you. +Boxwell tells me you have said you would like to attend +college with him.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, Mr. Woodruff, I would, but—but——”</p> + +<p>“Never mind the buts, Harry. I’m going to talk with +your father about it. Boxwell says he wishes you to take +the clerk’s place in the store, so as to reduce expenses, +but maybe I can fix that up. A bright, brave boy like +you deserves a chance in life. Now I must go. By the +way, here is a little trifle from Minnie and Mrs. Woodruff +which you must not refuse. Boxwell put it in their +heads to send it to you.”</p> + +<p>As Mr. Woodruff finished, he brought forth a sealed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> +envelope, and thrust it into Harry’s hand. Before the +boy could utter any protest he was gone.</p> + +<p>With his mother looking over his shoulder, Harry tore +open the envelope. There were two things inside. One +was a card, on which was written:</p> + +<p>“Please accept the inclosed for your share of the expense +of the coming tour of the Zero Club.”</p> + +<p>Accompanying the card was a crisp, new twenty-dollar +bill.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V.<br> + +<small>GETTING READY TO START.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“Twenty dollars!” cried Harry, as he spread out the +bill. “What do you think of that, mother?”</p> + +<p>“It is a very handsome present, Harry. But ought you +to accept the money?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. I don’t like to, exactly, but the Woodruffs +are rich, and they can easily afford it.”</p> + +<p>“Still, you had better ask your father about it.”</p> + +<p>“I will. I’m going down to the store now.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Webb kept the only flour and feed store in Rudskill. +As we have said, he had been unfortunate in his +speculations, and now had to live quite frugally to make +both ends meet. The business was well established, and +he employed a clerk and also a man to drive the wagon.</p> + +<p>Harry often helped at the store, it being his duty to +carry out small orders and clean up. During the school +term he did this work early in the morning and after the +school session, but now he did it whenever called upon by +his parent.</p> + +<p>Mr. Webb had heard all about the proposed tour of the +Zero Club, and, as Harry’s heart seemed set on accompanying +the other boys, he had good-naturedly determined +to let his son off for three or four weeks, feeling that the +outing would make him more willing than ever to take +hold when he came back.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>But nothing had been said about the expense, Harry +knowing full well that his father could not afford to let +him off and give him money besides.</p> + +<p>Mr. Webb smiled when his son showed him the card +and the twenty-dollar bill.</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t know,” he said, slowly. “I helped Mr. +Woodruff out more than once when I felt rich and he +felt poor. I guess you would better keep the money and +go and thank them for the gift. It’s just what you need +for the trip, isn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, twenty dollars will more than cover my expenses,” +said Harry. “And if you say keep the money, +let me tell you what I propose to do, father.”</p> + +<p>“Well?”</p> + +<p>“We have reckoned it out, and I can get along on +fourteen dollars easily. Now I propose to get Paul Larkins +to take my place here for three weeks at two dollars +per week and pay him myself. That will help you out, +and also give Paul the chance to help his mother, who is +down sick.”</p> + +<p>“But the money is for the trip, Harry,” said Mr. Webb, +although well pleased at his son’s generous proposal.</p> + +<p>“Well, I count that an expense of the trip, getting a +substitute while I am away.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if you say so, let it be so,” returned Mr. Webb, +as he turned away to wait on a customer.</p> + +<p>When Harry was done work he went back home and +fixed up, and then called on the Woodruffs. Blushing +furiously, he took both Mrs. Woodruff and Minnie by +the hand, and thanked them for their gift. Somehow he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> +was glad to escape the praise they showered upon him +for what he had done.</p> + +<p>He left the house with Boxy, who linked arms with +him in the most brotherly fashion.</p> + +<p>“We’ll be greater chums than ever now,” said Boxy. +“I’ve talked it over with father, and you are to go to college +with me when we graduate at Rudskill Academy. +But never mind that now. You’ll go on the tour, then?”</p> + +<p>“Will I! Of course I will!” cried Harry. “I’m fairly +bubbling over with enthusiasm on that point.”</p> + +<p>“Come on and hunt up the Bascoes, then, and we’ll +talk matters over.”</p> + +<p>It was not difficult to find Andy and Jack, and to them +matters were quickly explained. The quartet composing +the Zero Club at once made their way to the meeting-room, +and here began an animated discussion of plans regarding +the proposed tour.</p> + +<p>Andy got out a long slip of paper, and on this were put +down the many articles to be taken along—blankets, +skates, guns and ammunition, as well as flour, tea, coffee, +sugar, salt, spices, canned goods, and half-a-dozen tin +plates and various kitchen utensils. These goods were +to be packed on a sled belonging to Boxy, the sled to be +tied to the iceboat on the way up the river.</p> + +<p>Then came the question of the iceboat. As they intended +to use the craft but a short portion of the way going +and coming, it was decided to knock it together as +cheaply as possible.</p> + +<p>“I have got an old sail or two,” said Jack. “And we +can get some old lumber and iron runners from the ruins<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> +of the old blacksmith-shop that stands on that property +father bought last fall.”</p> + +<p>“And I’ve got rope enough,” said Harry. “Father’s +mill garret is full of it, so much comes around packages.”</p> + +<p>Then came the question of when they should start, and +it was unanimously agreed that the following Monday +morning would be best. That would give them just +enough time to build the iceboat and make other necessary +preparations.</p> + +<p>Andy was appointed treasurer of the club, and that +afternoon each of the boys paid over to him exactly +twelve dollars and a half, so that, with his own money, +he had fifty dollars to expend for the tour. The building +of the iceboat was begun without delay at the old +blacksmith-shop, the land to which sloped down to the +river’s edge.</p> + +<p>The news that the four boys were going off for nearly +a month’s outing soon spread, and many came down to +the blacksmith-shop to see what was going on.</p> + +<p>Among the crowd was Pete Sully, who turned up his +nose at the boat the boys were building.</p> + +<p>“If I couldn’t build a better boat than that I’d drown +myself,” he sneered. “I’ll bet it won’t sail a foot.”</p> + +<p>“Build a boat and try your speed against her,” said +Jack, lightly. “Talk is well enough, but actions go further.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe you think I can’t build a boat,” retorted Sully, +angrily.</p> + +<p>“I’m not thinking in that direction,” returned Jack. +“I am busy with my own affairs.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>“I’ll build a boat and show you,” growled Sully, and +he went off with Dixon, his ever-present toady.</p> + +<p>“Do you think he’ll build a boat?” questioned Harry, +who was hammering away on one of the runners of the +skeleton craft.</p> + +<p>“No; he hasn’t brains enough,” put in Boxy. “I don’t +believe he could drive a nail without splitting the board, +if he tried his best.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a case of sour grapes,” remarked Andy. “He is +jealous because we are going off for a good time.”</p> + +<p>“Well, he and his crowd can go off on their own account +if they wish,” said Jack. “We are not hindering +them.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe he will take it into his head to go off, after we +are gone,” said Andy. “He always was a great hand to +imitate somebody else.”</p> + +<p>It was fortunate that the boys had the old blacksmith-shop +to work in, for that day it began to snow furiously, +and before nightfall the ground was covered to the depth +of six or eight inches. This, on top of the layer already +packed down, made elegant sleighing.</p> + +<p>“We must have a few more rides on my toboggan before +we leave,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“Let’s spend Saturday evening on the hill,” suggested +Andy. “We can go early, and still have time to make +final preparations for our tour before we go to bed.”</p> + +<p>The new fall of snow caused plenty of snowballing to +occur in the town. The Zero Club took full part in this, +and had one battle which was not soon forgotten.</p> + +<p>It was started by Bill Dixon, who had been “laying to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> +get even” with Harry ever since the episode on the toboggan-slide. +Dixon hung around Harry’s corner on the +morning following the snowstorm, in company with half-a-dozen +lesser lights of the Sully crowd. Under his +arms he held several “soakers,” almost as hard as flint.</p> + +<p>When Harry hurried out of the gate on his way to do +the morning work at his father’s store, Dixon took careful +aim, and let drive with all of his might.</p> + +<p>The hard snowball took Harry in the left shoulder, +hurting him not a little. Had it landed in his face it +might have put out his eye or broken his nose.</p> + +<p>Harry staggered back, and Dixon, chuckling over the +success of his shot, dodged behind a high board fence.</p> + +<p>“Give it to him, fellows!” he cried, excitedly. “Give +it to him in the head!”</p> + +<p>Several more snowballs were thrown, but Harry was +now on his guard. He dodged them, and began to run +across the street, gathering up some snow as he ran.</p> + +<p>“What’s up, Harry?” cried Boxy, coming out of his +house at the moment.</p> + +<p>“Some fellow hit me terribly hard in the shoulder. +Come on!” returned Harry, and, in honor bound to help +a fellow member of the club, Boxy ran after his chum.</p> + +<p>At the end of the fence they caught sight of Dixon and +the others. A fierce fusillade of snowballs from both +sides followed. Harry hit Dixon in the chest, and Boxy +knocked off his cap.</p> + +<p>“Go for ’em!” shouted Dixon, in a rage. “Hullo, +there, Pete!” he yelled to Sully, who was out looking for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> +him, and the principal of the gang soon joined the forces +against the two members of the Zero Club.</p> + +<p>Two to seven was an uneven contest, and it was not +long before Harry and Boxy felt they were getting the +worst of it.</p> + +<p>“If only Jack and Andy were here!” panted Boxy. +“Unless they come, we’ll have to turn tail and run.”</p> + +<p>“I sha’n’t run,” said Harry, firmly. “Let’s direct all of +our shots at Sully and Dixon. They are the leaders of +the crowd, and if we can frighten them back the others +will quickly follow.”</p> + +<p>Boxy caught the suggestion, and it was carried out +immediately. The result was that inside of two minutes +Sully got three snowballs in his face and neck, and Dixon +half a dozen all over him.</p> + +<p>“Hi! that ain’t fair!” howled Dixon. “They’re throwing +at me and nobody else!”</p> + +<p>“Another volley on Dixon,” whispered Harry. “That’s +the weak point now.”</p> + +<p>And out flew the hard, white balls, and the bully’s +toady received two more, this time both in the neck. +The snow went down inside of his collar, causing him to +yell from the cold.</p> + +<p>“I—I can’t stand this!” he sputtered. “Why don’t +you fellows do something?”</p> + +<p>“Let’s charge on them!” cried Sully, angrily. “Come +on—everybody take all the snowballs he can carry.”</p> + +<p>The seven loaded up with ammunition at once, and +they sallied forth. But, to their dismay, Jack and Andy +Bascoe had just arrived on the scene, followed up by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> +Pickles Johnsing, the colored youth. These three were +not slow to take in the situation, and they sailed in +vigorously.</p> + +<p>“Dis am most lubly sport!” cried Pickles. “How yo’ +like dat, Sully? Ki! hi! Ain’t dat jess elegant, Dixon? +An’ heah’s one fo’ you, Len Spencer, fo’ callin’ me a +coon!”</p> + +<p>And Pickles rushed to the front, followed by Andy and +Jack, and compelling Sully and his crowd to retreat in +spite of themselves. Aided by Boxy and Harry, they +fought so vigorously that inside of ten minutes the bully +and his chums were put completely to rout.</p> + +<p>Sully and Dixon, and also Len Spencer, Pickles’ particular +enemy, were greatly enraged over the way they +had been used. They threatened vengeance on the members +of the Zero Club. How they carried out their threat +will be seen later on.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI.<br> + +<small>LAST RIDE ON THE BUSTER.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>By Saturday noon the iceboat was finished. It was +nearly thirty feet long, and boasted of a mainsail only. +It was by no means a handsome craft, and the boys did +not doubt but what there were many crafts on the river +that could outspeed her.</p> + +<p>“But she’ll be safe and sure,” remarked Jack, “and +that is what we want.”</p> + +<p>“We must christen her before we make a trial trip this +afternoon,” said Andy. “We have suggested a hundred +names, and not chosen any.”</p> + +<p>“Let us put each name on a slip of paper, and put all +the slips in a hat,” suggested Boxy. “Then Harry draw +one, and that shall be the name.”</p> + +<p>This was at once agreed to, and nine names went into +Andy’s cap. Harry fumbled around, and finally drew a +slip out and read it aloud.</p> + +<p>“The <i>Icicle</i>! That suits me. Who wrote it down?”</p> + +<p>“I did,” said Jack.</p> + +<p>“It’s a good name for an iceboat,” put in Boxy. “Hurrah +for the Zero Club and the <i>Icicle</i>!” he shouted.</p> + +<p>And three cheers were given with a will.</p> + +<p>Directly after dinner the four boys shoved the clumsy +craft down to the ice, and made a trial trip on her across<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> +the river and back and two miles up the shore. The +<i>Icicle</i> behaved very well, and Jack declared that they +would have no trouble in reaching their destination on +her.</p> + +<p>As soon as the trial trip was over they separated to get +their various things, for they were determined that all +should be in readiness for the start Monday morning at +sunrise, and that nothing was to be done on the Sabbath.</p> + +<p>Blankets, skates, and other things were taken down to +the meeting-room in the Bascoe barn. Andy and Jack +had shotguns of their own, and Boxy had a rifle. Harry +had no firearms, but borrowed from his father a small +shotgun. Each of the boys also provided himself with +fishing lines, and Jack took along a spear for spearing +through a hole in the ice.</p> + +<p>“The sled will be pretty well heaped up, I’m thinking,” +remarked Boxy, who was doing the packing.</p> + +<p>“Won’t it tip over if it’s too highly packed?” asked +Andy.</p> + +<p>“We’ll put a bent stick across the top,” said Jack. +“That will keep it from tipping only so far.”</p> + +<p>“We want to make sure that nothing is forgotten,” +said Harry. “It would be fine to get miles from any +house, and then find that you had forgotten something +you wanted the worst way.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve got the list, and I’ve checked off the articles,” returned +Andy. “I’ve even got the forks and knives and +spoons down.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>“Have you got a big carving-knife? We can’t do without +that.”</p> + +<p>“By gracious! I never thought of that!” exclaimed +Andy, his face reddening. “We wouldn’t be able to cut +up a bear even if we shot him.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve brought a hunting-knife,” put in Boxy. “See +here—a regular Mohawk scalping steel. Wah! wah! +Me take white man’s scalp and dry him hair for smoking +tobac!” he went on, dancing around and flourishing the +knife in true Indian fashion—according to a dime novel +he had once had the patience to wade through.</p> + +<p>“Beware of Bloody Ben of Digger’s Gulch!” shrieked +Andy, in reply, and he caught up his gun. “He is out to +avenge the murder of his twenty-fo-o-ur bro-o-thers!”</p> + +<p>“Here, Andy, don’t point that gun at any one,” put in +Jack, sternly.</p> + +<p>“It isn’t loaded, Jack.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, put it down. There are too many accidents +of that sort, where somebody didn’t think the gun +was loaded.”</p> + +<p>Andy put down the firearm, and packing was resumed, +Jack going into the house to obtain a carving-knife for +the trip.</p> + +<p>At last the sled was loaded, and covered over with an +old rubber horse-blanket which Mr. Woodruff gave to +Boxy. The load was strapped on as tightly as possible, +and over it was placed the stick Jack had mentioned, the +two ends sticking out and downward nearly two feet on +either side.</p> + +<p>“Now we are all ready for the start,” observed Andy,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +as he surveyed what had been done. “How I wish it +were Monday morning, so that we wouldn’t have to wait.”</p> + +<p>“You mustn’t forget the rides to-night on the <i>Buster</i>,” +said Harry. “It may be the last time we can use the +toboggan this winter.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess the snow will keep until we get back,” +said Andy. “But I am right ready for the sport to-night, +nevertheless.”</p> + +<p>The packed sled was locked up in the barn, and the +boys repaired to their various homes for supper.</p> + +<p>“Well, Harry, all ready?” smiled Mrs. Webb, who took +a keen interest in her son’s doings.</p> + +<p>“All ready, mother,” he returned. “Is supper ready? +We are going tobogganing for the last time to-night.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you can have supper at once, Harry. But I +want some wood brought in first.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so! I didn’t mean to forget it!” he cried, and, +dashing out into the woodshed, which he had piled high +with split wood ready for the stove, the boy brought in +an armful. “Paul Larkins has promised to bring in wood +and do errands for you while I am away,” he said. “So +you won’t miss me so very much.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I will miss you, Harry,” returned Mrs. Webb, +affectionately.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I know. And I’ll miss you, too,” he replied, +throwing his arms about her neck and kissing her. “It +will seem awfully queer to be away from home.”</p> + +<p>“You must take good care of yourself.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try to do that, mother.”</p> + +<p>Harry did not spend much time at the supper table,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +and, his hasty meal finished, he brought out the <i>Buster</i>, +and examined the toboggan to see if it was in good trim +for the evening’s sport. Little did he dream of the fearful +peril a ride on the long, low sled was to bring him +and the others.</p> + +<p>Boxy came over a moment later, and together they +dragged the <i>Buster</i> off toward the coasting hills. They +had to pass the Bascoe homestead, and here Boxy let out +the peculiar whistle of the club for Andy and Jack.</p> + +<p>“They say the Doublehill course is as smooth as glass,” +said Andy, as he came out with a piece of cake in his +hand. “Some of the folks don’t dare go down it.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not afraid,” cried Harry. “Are you?”</p> + +<p>All of the boys agreed that they were not. Each took +hold of the rope, and they soon reached the top of the +long double hill, where a bright bonfire was already burning, +although it was still almost daylight.</p> + +<p>“We ought to have a brake of some sort, I suppose,” +mused Jack, as he surveyed the shining course, “It does +look awfully slippery.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, go ahead!” put in Boxy, impatiently. “I guess +if we tumble off it won’t kill us.”</p> + +<p>He sprang upon the toboggan, and, seeing this, Andy +and Jack followed. Harry gave the customary push and +clung fast, and away they started down the first of the +two hills.</p> + +<p>Whiz went the <i>Buster</i> over the smooth surface, rushing +along with a speed that fairly took away their +breath.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>“Talk about cannon-ball speed!” cried Boxy. “A cannon-ball +couldn’t catch us!”</p> + +<p>“Hark!” cried Jack. “What was that whistle?”</p> + +<p>“It’s a train on the railroad,” replied Harry. “It’s the +extra Saturday night express! I forgot all about it,” +he went on, with a little gasp.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to turn off at the tracks,” put in Andy, +nervously.</p> + +<p>“If we can,” said Jack. “We are going so fast that +perhaps it can’t be done.”</p> + +<p>“We must do it!” cried Boxy, in alarm.</p> + +<p>“Yes! yes! we must!”</p> + +<p>It was easy enough to say they must, but how could +they? The toboggan was rushing on faster than ever. +Over the brow of the second hill it went, and down the +slope toward the tracks. Jack tried to steer to the side, +and so did the others, but all in vain.</p> + +<p>And now they saw the train rounding the side of the +hill, and coming on at full speed, the bell ringing and the +whistle blowing to warn everybody off the tracks.</p> + +<p>Jack, who was in front, made another desperate effort +to change their course. It was useless. Andy, who was +next to him, tried to scream out, but the sound stuck in +his throat. It looked as if all four of the boys were going +to certain destruction.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe50_8125" id="i_052a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_052a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“Jump for your lives!” See page <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII.<br> + +<small>BY A HAIR’S BREADTH.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>Harry, who half stood up on the end of the flying +toboggan, was the only member of the Zero Club who retained +his presence of mind.</p> + +<p>He saw at a glance that they and the oncoming express +train must reach the crossing at about the same time, and +in that case the grim locomotive and heavy cars would +deal to them certain death.</p> + +<p>“Jump for your lives!” he cried out, hoarsely. “Jump, +every one of you!”</p> + +<p>His tone was so decisive that the other three acted on it +almost mechanically. Jack, who was in front, leaped +first, and after him came all the others in a heap.</p> + +<p>Over and over they rolled, each trying to shield himself +as much as he could by the overcoat he wore. Jack went +down to the bottom of the hill on his head, and poor +Andy came over him, striking his forehead on a railroad +tie, the blow rendering him unconscious.</p> + +<p>Boxy slid along on his chest to one side, and crashed +into a mass of brush with such force that his clothing +was torn to ribbons, and his face and hands were +scratched in a dozen places.</p> + +<p>Harry struck on his back, and turned half-a-dozen +different ways before he could stop himself. When<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> +finally he did come to a halt, it was within two feet of the +railroad tracks.</p> + +<p>The powerful locomotive rushed past, followed by the +tender and two cars. Then there was a series of sharp +jerks as the lever was reversed by the engineer, the tracks +were sanded, and the long train came to a sudden halt. +The conductor and several brakemen were out almost +instantly, demanding to know what was the matter.</p> + +<p>“Come pretty near running over that crowd!” cried +out the engineer. “If they had not jumped, I reckon I +would have killed most of ’em.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see any toboggan,” returned the conductor.</p> + +<p>“I smashed that to kindling wood. There’s part of it +on the cowcatcher, and the rest is on the other side of +the track.”</p> + +<p>“By George! that’s so. You can count yourselves +mighty lucky, boys,” went on the conductor, to Jack, who +was getting up slowly.</p> + +<p>“I suppose so,” returned Jack, briefly, and then he +turned to where Andy was lying, and bent over his +younger brother. “Andy! Andy! are you hurt very +badly?”</p> + +<p>“Jack!” murmured the half-unconscious boy. “Oh, +my head!”</p> + +<p>“He struck it on the ties, I guess,” said one of the +brakemen. “It’s bleeding a bit. Better rub some snow +on it.”</p> + +<p>By this time Harry and Boxy came limping to the +scene, both presenting a most deplorable sight, Boxy +especially, with half of his clothing torn from his back.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>“We can’t wait,” said the conductor. “You want to +be more careful how you coast down this hill,” he went +on, to the crowd that was beginning to collect. “If you +don’t, we’ll have the worst kind of an accident here some +day.”</p> + +<p>He motioned to the engineer, and hurried to one of the +cars, followed by the other train hands. In a few seconds +the express was once more on its way.</p> + +<p>The crowd around the boys kept growing, as it spread +that an accident had occurred.</p> + +<p>“Harry Webb’s toboggan was smashed by the express!”</p> + +<p>“Andy Bascoe was almost killed!”</p> + +<p>“Every one of them was shaken up badly!”</p> + +<p>Under the tender care of Jack and the others, Andy +soon came to himself. But his head ached fearfully, and +he could hardly stand on his feet.</p> + +<p>“Yo’ sit on my bread-shubble, and I’ll ride yo’ home,” +said Pickles Johnsing, who happened to be on hand. +“Yo’ can sit on an’ hole him, Jack, if yo’ wants to,” he +continued.</p> + +<p>So Jack got on, and made it comfortable for Andy, +whose head he had bound up with his own handkerchief +and several others. Although they felt sore in every +joint, Harry and Boxy insisted on helping Pickles drag +the sled to its destination.</p> + +<p>“The <i>Buster</i> is smashed to bits,” said Boxy on the way.</p> + +<p>“I know it,” returned Harry. “But I don’t care,” he +added, with a shudder. “I couldn’t bear to ride on her +again after that narrow escape.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>“Nor I. My! I ain’t done trembling yet,” was Boxy’s +confession, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>The news of the accident had preceded them, and they +found Mr. and Mrs. Bascoe anxiously awaiting their appearance.</p> + +<p>“My boy!” cried the mother, as she caught Andy in +her arms. “And you were almost killed?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, mother; I struck my head, that’s all,” replied +Andy, putting on a bold front. “I’ll be all right by to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>Andy limped into the house, and a servant was dispatched +for a doctor. When the physician arrived he declared +that the bruise was not serious. The shock to the +boy’s system was worse, and he must remain quiet for a +day or two.</p> + +<p>“We won’t be able to go away on Monday morning,” +said Jack to the others. “Father says we had better wait +until Tuesday or Wednesday.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care,” said Harry. “I am thankful we escaped +being killed.”</p> + +<p>“So am I,” put in Boxy. “And I just as lief wait, for +I’m too stiff to start off on a tour just yet.”</p> + +<p>“How is Minnie?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, she’s as well as ever.”</p> + +<p>Sunday passed quietly, although the escape of the four +boys was the talk of the town. On Monday Andy was +found to be greatly improved, and it was decided that the +start up the river should be made on the following morning +at sunrise.</p> + +<p>“It won’t do to delay much longer,” said Jack, “for it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> +looks as if we might have a heavy snowstorm before +long, and that would block our chances of using the +<i>Icicle</i>.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I hope it doesn’t snow until we are settled in our +camp!” cried Boxy. “I was just longing for that iceboat +ride!”</p> + +<p>Even at the last moment, the boys found several things +to do which had previously escaped their notice. Some +stores had been forgotten, and not a bit of medicine, arnica +or court-plaster had been packed with the things. +All these, however, were procured, and late Monday evening +Jack declared themselves prepared to depart.</p> + +<p>It may well be imagined that none of the boys slept well +that night. Each was anxious for the start, and all heads +were filled with visions of glorious times to come. What +a great and grand thing this tour of the Zero Club was +to be!</p> + +<p>Long before daylight Harry was up and dressed. His +mother also arose, and saw to it that her son had a good +warm breakfast before he departed.</p> + +<p>“You won’t get another like it for some time to come,” +she said, with a sorry little smile. “Mark my words.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense, mother,” he laughed. “Just think of the +game we’ll shoot and the fish we’ll catch.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps, Harry. Remember one thing, my boy; do +not run into danger.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try to remember what you say.”</p> + +<p>Harry had barely finished when Boxy came over, and, +with a final good-by, the two started off for the Bascoe +homestead.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>They found the other two members of the club waiting +for them. Jack had the well-packed sled out of the barn, +and Andy stood beside him, a trifle pale, but otherwise as +well as ever.</p> + +<p>“Just a fine morning!” cried Jack. “And the wind +blowing exactly in the right direction.”</p> + +<p>“But snow isn’t far off—my father said so,” returned +Harry. “He said we would be lucky to reach Rock +Island Lake without catching a downfall.”</p> + +<p>“We won’t lose another minute!” burst in Boxy. +“Come on, boys! Good-by, everybody, and three cheers +for the tour of the Zero Club!”</p> + +<p>The backyard rang with the cheers, and then, with caps +waving, the four boys moved off, dragging the sled behind +them.</p> + +<p>It certainly was a fine morning, the rising sun sending +long glittering rays over the crust of the frozen snow. +The wind was a trifle cold, but this the quartet did not +mind. For them, just now, it was much better than no +wind at all.</p> + +<p>“I calculate that we can reach Hammerstone by twelve +o’clock,” said Jack. “And that will be half the journey +up the river.”</p> + +<p>“And we can reach Rudd’s Landing by nightfall,” put +in Boxy. “And start across country for the lake the first +thing to-morrow. Did you send word to Barton Coils +about taking care of the iceboat for us?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and he said we could stay at his place all night if +we wished. I reckon it will be better than trying to put +up a hut just for one night.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>Boxy demurred a little at this. He wished to go to +camping just as quickly as possible. But the others overruled +him.</p> + +<p>“We’ll get camping enough, never fear,” remarked +Andy. “Remember, we’ll have to put in one night on +this side of the lake shore before we strike a suitable place +to camp.”</p> + +<p>As soon as they reached the vicinity of the river, Harry +ran ahead to unfasten the iceboat, and get the craft in +readiness for the start.</p> + +<p>A few seconds later the others heard him give a cry +of wild alarm. He soon reappeared among them.</p> + +<p>“The <i>Icicle</i> is gone!” was the startling intelligence he +brought.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII.<br> + +<small>THE STOLEN ICEBOAT.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>The other members of the Zero Club came to a dead +halt.</p> + +<p>“Gone!” burst out Andy and Boxy in a breath, while +Jack looked as if he had not heard aright.</p> + +<p>“Yes, gone!” repeated Harry.</p> + +<p>“But I locked it fast to the piling!” exclaimed Jack. +“You have the key.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care! she’s gone, and I can’t see anything of +her.”</p> + +<p>Without another word, the quartet hurried down to +the edge of the ice. It was just as Harry had announced, +the iceboat was nowhere in sight. Each of the boys +looked at his comrades.</p> + +<p>“What does it mean?” asked Boxy.</p> + +<p>“It means that the <i>Icicle</i> has been stolen!” cried Jack.</p> + +<p>“Stolen?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. It was locked up tight enough. Somebody has +come here and either broken the lock or else had a key +to fit it. Boys, we are in a hole!”</p> + +<p>The faces of the Zero Club fell. Without their iceboat, +with which to make the journey up the river, what +was to be done?</p> + +<p>“Who would have taken her?” questioned Boxy, after<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +running out on the frozen river and looking up and down +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Maybe some tramps,” suggested Andy. “I saw several +of them hanging around yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“I saw those tramps, too,” returned Harry. “It would +be just like them, if they wanted to go to some other +place on the river.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a real shame!” muttered Jack. “Our trip spoiled +at the very start.”</p> + +<p>“If we only knew in what direction the boat had gone +we might go after her,” said Andy. “Our skates are on +the sled, you know.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the ticket!” burst out Boxy. “Give me my +skates without delay. It’s ten to one they went off this +morning, and so they can’t be very far away.”</p> + +<p>“I have an idea,” said Jack. “Supposing two of us +skate up the river, and two down, on the lookout? We’ll +go, say three or four miles, and if we don’t see anything +we can return here.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” returned Harry. “We can’t afford to let +anybody run off with the <i>Icicle</i>.”</p> + +<p>While the boys were talking over this plan in an excited +way, and getting out their skates and putting them +on, the well-known figure of Pickles Johnsing appeared +in sight. The colored youth was running as fast as his +short, fat legs would permit.</p> + +<p>“Mos’ dun missed yo’!” he gasped. “An’ I made up +my mind to see yo’ off, suah!”</p> + +<p>“We’re not off just yet, Pickles,” said Jack.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>“No? I t’ought yo’ wuz gwine soon as de sun shone +up?”</p> + +<p>“Our iceboat has been stolen. We just found it out,” +said Boxy. “Do you know anything about it?”</p> + +<p>“Wot? De <i>Isticle</i> gone?” ejaculated the colored youth, +with his big eyes rolling in wonder. “Yo’ don’t say! +Who dun tuk her?”</p> + +<p>“That’s what we want to know,” said Andy.</p> + +<p>Pickles began to blink his eyes, as if in deep thought. +Then suddenly he slapped his thigh with his broad hand.</p> + +<p>“By de boots! I fink I know who dun tuk de <i>Isticle</i>!” +he roared.</p> + +<p>“You do?” came in concert from the members of the +Zero Club.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sah!”</p> + +<p>“Who?”</p> + +<p>“Sully, Dixon and dat low-down Len Spencer!”</p> + +<p>The boys started.</p> + +<p>“What makes you think so?” asked Jack, catching the +colored youth by the arm.</p> + +<p>“I heered dem a-talkin’ ’bout it las’ night on de toboggan-slide. +Sully said he would like ter break up yo’r +gwine away, and Dixon said de <i>Isticle</i> was tied up down +heah, an’ da could git hold ob it easy enought an’ put yo’ +in de hole.”</p> + +<p>“That settles it!” cried Harry, angrily. “Our old enemies +are at work against us. They took the iceboat just +to break up our tour.”</p> + +<p>“But they sha’n’t break it up!” cried Boxy. “I’ll go on +foot first!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>“So will I,” joined in Andy.</p> + +<p>“If we only knew where they had taken the <i>Icicle</i> we +might go after them,” said Jack. “I don’t believe in letting +them have their own way.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I—after working so hard on the iceboat,” added +Boxy. “Pickles, did they say anything about where they +might go?”</p> + +<p>“No, da didn’t,” replied the colored youth, slowly. +“But, hol’ on—Len Spencer said he was gwine down to +Lumberton to-day fo’ his father——”</p> + +<p>“Then that’s where they have gone!” put in Jack, hurriedly. +“Of course, they wouldn’t dare go up the river, +knowing we were bound that way. I’ll bet a dollar they +are on the way to Lumberton this minute!”</p> + +<p>“I believe you,” said Harry. “Shall we go after +them?”</p> + +<p>“Of course!”</p> + +<p>“Certainly!”</p> + +<p>“Can we catch them?”</p> + +<p>“We ought to be able to do so on our skates. The +wind is almost full against them, so they will have to do +a bit of tacking, while we can skate straight ahead.”</p> + +<p>With frantic haste, the four boys completed the task of +putting on their skates. Pickles had his pair along with +him, and put them on also.</p> + +<p>“I’se gwine wid yo’, if you lets me,” he said. “Maybe +yo’ll want some help if yo’ gits in a muss.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, come on, Pickles,” said Jack.</p> + +<p>The sled was left in a safe place, and then, without further<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +delay, the five boys started down the river toward +Lumberton, a small settlement ten miles distant.</p> + +<p>At first but slow progress was made, owing to the +stiffness felt by the members of the Zero Club from the +toboggan accident. But gradually they warmed up to the +work, and then they glided over the smooth ice rapidly. +Pickles, who was a good skater, despite the shortness of +his legs, kept close to Jack’s side.</p> + +<p>“I wish we were provided with clubs,” said Boxy. +“We may have a rough time of it with Sully and his +gang. He hasn’t forgotten how we got the best of him +at snowballing, and most likely he’s prepared to fight +us off.”</p> + +<p>“He’ll give up the iceboat fast enough, never fear,” +returned Jack. “You must remember, I can have him +arrested for stealing our property if I want to.”</p> + +<p>“But you wouldn’t do that, would you?” asked Harry.</p> + +<p>“Not unless he got positively ugly. But he must +be taught to remember that we intend to stand no nonsense.”</p> + +<p>On and on down the frozen river swept the five boys, +until Rudskill was left far behind. The sun mounted +higher in the sky, tempering the wind and making +skating more agreeable.</p> + +<p>“We’ll soon be up to Thompson’s Bend, and then +we’ll have a straight course before us,” said Andy.</p> + +<p>“If I’d thought, I would have taken the field-glasses +from the pack,” said Boxy. “Then we could have seen +the <i>Icicle</i> even if she was miles off.”</p> + +<p>“I kin see dat <i>Isticle</i> fur ’nouf, nebber fear,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> +Pickles. “My eyes hab been trained since I was knee-high +to a grasshopper.”</p> + +<p>The bend Jack had mentioned was reached five minutes +later, and in a bunch the boys swept around the +last projecting headland. A straight course for twelve +miles lay before them.</p> + +<p>“There’s the <i>Icicle</i>!” cried Andy, suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Where? where?” came from the others.</p> + +<p>“Over to the east shore! See, they are tacking this +way!”</p> + +<p>“You are right!” returned Harry. “And there is Bill +Dixon standing at the bow.”</p> + +<p>“An’ dat low-down Len Spencer in de back, alongside +ub Pete Sully!” added Pickles. “Didn’t I dun tole yo’ +da was comin’ dis way?”</p> + +<p>“They have discovered us!” exclaimed Boxy, a +second later. “See, they intend to turn on the other +tack. Come on, fellows, we mustn’t give them a chance +to get away!”</p> + +<p>He started off at full speed on his skates, and the +others quickly followed.</p> + +<p>The iceboat was all of an eighth mile off, and speeding +over the river as fast as the wind would carry her. +Those on board had discovered the owners as quickly +as they themselves had been revealed, and were now +making frantic efforts to get out of the reach of their +pursuers.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX.<br> + +<small>THE TOUR BEGINS.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“I wonder if they will attempt to fight?” asked Harry, +as he swept on beside Jack.</p> + +<p>“I hardly think so,” was the reply. “But if they do, +we are five to three.”</p> + +<p>“I own dat Len Spencer a lickin’,” put in Pickles. +“He won’t dare say one word to dis child or he dun +cotch it, suah.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t start a fight,” warned Jack, earnestly. “We +have the law on our side, and that’s enough.”</p> + +<p>By this time half the distance toward the <i>Icicle</i> had +been covered. During this interval those on board the +iceboat had managed to swing about the main sheet. +It was now filling, and the craft was beginning to draw +slowly away from them.</p> + +<p>“Stop there!” shouted Jack, at the top of his lungs, +and the others joined in the cry.</p> + +<p>“Good-by!” shouted Sully, derisively. “Hope you +enjoy skating!”</p> + +<p>“We’ll have you locked up if you don’t stop!” yelled +Boxy. “That is our property you are running off +with!”</p> + +<p>“Rats!” returned Sully, but he and his companions +were not a little disturbed by Boxy’s plain statement +of facts.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>“We must put on more steam!” urged Harry. “If +they once catch the wind fairly they will give us a nice +chase across to the Lights.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, we’ll catch them on the next tack!” said +Andy.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the five boys put on a burst of speed +which brought them to within a couple of hundred feet +of the <i>Icicle</i>.</p> + +<p>“They are going to tack back!” cried Harry. “Now +if we try——”</p> + +<p>“They are going to turn round and sail right with +the wind!” burst in Jack. “Hurry up, or we’ll lose +them and have to follow them to Rudskill, and goodness +only knows how much farther!”</p> + +<p>Jack was right. Sully had given the order, and all +hands on the Icicle were aiding in turning her bow up +the river.</p> + +<p>The clumsy craft swung around in the wind while +they were still just out of reach. Then the mainsail +again caught the breeze, and off moved the iceboat at +a livelier speed than ever.</p> + +<p>“We’re beaten!” gasped Andy.</p> + +<p>“No, we are not!” shouted Jack. “Come on, fellows! +They have got to steer to the right to avoid that open +flow over there!”</p> + +<p>Away he went, with Harry, Boxy and Pickles at his +heels. Andy could not keep up the pace, and dropped +a little behind.</p> + +<p>Harry felt as if he was once more in the five-mile +race, and put forth every ounce of muscle that was in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +his sturdy limbs. Gradually he drew ahead of his companions +and closer to the iceboat.</p> + +<p>Those on the <i>Icicle</i> saw him gaining on them, and +endeavored to increase their speed. But it was of no +avail, the wind subsiding just a trifle when most needed +by them.</p> + +<p>In another half-minute Harry was alongside of the +iceboat. He attempted to jump on board, but Sully +sprang at him and pushed him off.</p> + +<p>“Keep away, or I’ll crack you in the head!” shouted +the bully of Rudskill, roughly.</p> + +<p>“This is our iceboat, and I am bound to get on +board!” returned Harry. “Don’t you dare to touch me +again, or you’ll get the worst of it.”</p> + +<p>Once more he skated up and caught hold. Sully +again tried to push him back. Harry grabbed his arm, +and an instant later the bully went sliding down on his +back on the hard ice.</p> + +<p>“Oh! oh! my back!” howled Sully, in combined fright +and pain.</p> + +<p>“Serves him right!” returned Harry. “Come on, +boys, I’ve got rid of one of them!” he shouted to his +companions.</p> + +<p>To avoid the open flow before mentioned, Dixon and +Spencer were now tacking once more. This allowed +Harry to reach the iceboat a third time, and now he +sprang safely aboard.</p> + +<p>“Lower the mainsail!” he cried, in a determined +voice. “Do you hear, Dixon?”</p> + +<p>“But—but——” stammered the bully’s toady.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>“No buts about it; lower the sail, I tell you, unless +you want to be pitched off after Sully!”</p> + +<p>Seeing Sully’s fate, Dixon was thoroughly cowed, +and he hastened to do as Harry had ordered. Hardly +had the sail come down than Jack and the others swept +up and boarded the <i>Icicle</i> in a body.</p> + +<p>“Don’t—don’t kill us!” cried Spencer, who was even +a worse coward than Dixon.</p> + +<p>“Yo’ is a fine fellah to run off wid other folkeses +property!” put in Pickles. “I dun reckon Jack an’ de +rest will send yo’ all to prison fo’ ten or twelve yeahs!”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t my—my fault!” whined Spencer. “Sully +put up the job.”</p> + +<p>“You get right off the boat!” commanded Jack. +“And you, too, Dixon!”</p> + +<p>“Here, in the middle of the river?” questioned the latter, +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Yes, right here.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean to leave us way out here, four miles +from home, do you?” demanded Sully, as he limped up.</p> + +<p>“Yes, leave them here,” put in Boxy. “They deserve +it.”</p> + +<p>“It won’t hurt them to walk home,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“Dat’s jess right,” added Pickles. “Let dem walk +ebery step ub de way.”</p> + +<p>He and the others sprang on board of the iceboat +and began to hoist the mainsail. They had hardly +done so when Sully rushed up and tried to hit Jack in +the head with his fist.</p> + +<p>Pickles sprang forward and pushed the bully’s arm<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +aside. Then he let out with his own fist, and down +went Sully flat on his back, while the <i>Icicle</i> sailed off, +leaving Dixon and Spencer staring at the fate of their +leader in dumb amazement.</p> + +<p>“That’s the time you did it, Pickles!” cried Boxy, approvingly. +“My! just look how mad Sully is!”</p> + +<p>They looked back and saw that the bully had arisen +to his feet and was shaking his fist at them in rage. A +moment later they swept around Thompson’s Bend, +and the trio of defeated ones was lost to view.</p> + +<p>“I owe you one for your aid, Pickles,” said Jack, +with a kindly look at the colored boy, who grinned with +pleasure. “I sha’n’t forget you.”</p> + +<p>Pickles cleared his throat several times and looked +down at the ice for a moment in silence. The boys saw +at once that something was on his mind.</p> + +<p>“Say, why can’t yo’ fellahs take me along!” he burst +out suddenly. “Ebery fust-class camp hab got to hab +a cook an’ general util’ty man around, pap sez, an’ he +sez I kin go along if youse will hab me. I don’t want +no pay fo’ gwine along, an’ I’ll do wot I kin to help fill +up de larder. I ain’t much wid a gun, but I kin trap +t’ings, and yo’ all knows wot I kin do fishin’ an’ spearin’. +It an’t fo’ de likes of yo’ to wash de dishes and +sech, an’—an’, to tell de truf, I wants to go powerful +bad!”</p> + +<p>And Pickles’ big, round eyes told very plainly that +he spoke the truth. He had had that suggestion on his +mind a long while, but he had hesitated to speak for +fear of being refused.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>The boys looked at each other. They had not +thought to include any one but themselves in the proposed +outing. But it would be a shame to disappoint +Pickles, who had always stood by them and done them +more than one favor.</p> + +<p>“An’ I kin take my banjo and mouf harmonica +along,” went on the colored youth. “Da will come in +mighty handy-like to help kill de long evenings.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” said Boxy. “And you can give me +those lessons you promised me.”</p> + +<p>“And you can show me how to build those traps you +spoke about,” added Harry.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I want to learn how to trap, too,” put in Andy.</p> + +<p>“I guess you can go, Pickles,” finished up Jack, and +it was settled that the colored youth should become one +of the party.</p> + +<p>Pickles was so delighted that he could hardly contain +himself. As soon as Rudskill was reached he ran off to +tell his folks and prepare for the trip. He was gone +but a short half-hour, and came back with a spear on +his shoulder and an old army knapsack strapped on his +back.</p> + +<p>The sled was brought out and tied on behind the +<i>Icicle</i>, and then, without further delay, the long-talked-of +tour was begun.</p> + +<p>“We have lost about two hours,” said Jack. “But +as the breeze is stronger than ever, perhaps we can +make up the lost time before nightfall.”</p> + +<p>The wind was indeed stronger, and soon Rudskill and +the surrounding settlement was left far behind.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>Now that the <i>Icicle</i> had been recovered and they +were at last on the way, all of the boys felt in high +spirits. Boxy began to whistle merrily, and soon after +Pickles broke out into a comic negro ditty that set +them all to roaring.</p> + +<p>It was after one o’clock when Hammerstone was +reached. It being an hour later than they had anticipated, +it was decided that they should procure a lunch +to eat on the iceboat instead of stopping off for a meal. +Jack procured the stuff—sandwiches and a big mince +pie—and soon they were on the way to Rudd’s Landing, +their stopping place for the night.</p> + +<p>By four o’clock Jack calculated that they had traveled +three-quarters of the distance from Rudskill.</p> + +<p>“And if the wind holds out, we’ll be in Rudd’s Landing +by seven or half-past,” he said.</p> + +<p>By five o’clock it began to grow both darker and +colder. A little later the wind died down somewhat, +although it still blew sufficiently strong to keep them +spinning on their course.</p> + +<p>“Gosh! a cup of coffee wouldn’t go bad!” exclaimed +Andy, who was taking it easy beside Harry, in the +stern. “I’m pretty well chilled.”</p> + +<p>“It won’t be long before we’re there, now,” replied +his brother. “You can see the lights away ahead of +us.”</p> + +<p>On they went through the semi-darkness, for another +half mile. They were now approaching a spot where +a side creek of considerable dimensions flowed into the +river.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>Suddenly Pickles, who was in the bow on watch, uttered +a cry of terror.</p> + +<p>“Turn de boat around!” he screamed. “We is runin’ +into de open watah!”</p> + +<p>The others sprang up and gazed ahead. It was true; +the <i>Icicle</i> was making directly for a wide opening in the +ice, scarcely a hundred yards ahead!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X.<br> + +<small>CLOSE QUARTERS.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>Every one of the five boys on the iceboat was filled with +terror over the danger which confronted them.</p> + +<p>At the rate of speed they were going, the <i>Icicle</i> would +soon reach the edge of the great opening before them, +and they well knew that the onward rush would carry +them far out into the icy waters.</p> + +<p>“Stop her, somebody!” cried Andy. “We will all be +drowned!”</p> + +<p>“Everybody on the right side!” yelled Jack. “Down +with the sail!”</p> + +<p>All on board made a rush to the right, and bore +heavily on the steering-iron on that side. Harry caught +hold of the ropes attached to the sail, and untied them. +Down came the sheet in a lump, falling partly over the +crowd and dragging on the ice beside them.</p> + +<p>The <i>Icicle</i> began to swing around, and also slowed up. +The semi-circular motion caused the sail to get under +the steering-iron, and this helped to stay their onward +progress.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to jump!” cried Boxy. “Look how close +we are getting!”</p> + +<p>“No; we’ll stop before we get there,” returned Jack. +“Hard on the iron, everybody!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>There was a sharp, rasping sound as the <i>Icicle</i> struck +a bit of lumpy ice, and the clumsy craft trembled from +stem to stern. She swung completely around, and came +to a halt when within twenty feet of where the dark +waters from the side creek rushed along silently.</p> + +<p>“My gracious! but that was a close shave!” murmured +Boxy, as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.</p> + +<p>“Dat am de werry closest shabe wot I ever ’sperienced,” +returned Pickles. “An’ I don’t want no moah +ub dem!”</p> + +<p>“We are not yet out of danger,” urged Harry. “An +extra-heavy puff of wind may come along at any time +and carry us over.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” returned Jack. “Come on, boys, let’s get +off and push the boat over to the west shore, where I +guess we will find a solid strip to pass along on.”</p> + +<p>His companions were not slow to follow his advice. +They lost no time in moving the iceboat back a distance +of forty or fifty yards, and, feeling comparatively safe +here, they stopped long enough to get out their skates +and put them on.</p> + +<p>Thus equipped, it was easy to haul the craft around, +and, getting behind her, they took turns in pushing her +over toward the west shore, where, as Jack had supposed, +there was a strip of ice all of fifty yards wide, +leading to the solidly frozen river beyond.</p> + +<p>“We want to be on the lookout for such places as this,” +remarked Harry, as they boarded the <i>Icicle</i> once more, +and hoisted the sail, which was now sadly torn in half-a-dozen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +places. “If it hadn’t been for Pickles we might +all be at the bottom of the river this minute.”</p> + +<p>And he gave the colored youth a grateful look, which +caused Pickles to grin from ear to ear.</p> + +<p>After that two of the boys remained at the bow, straining +their eyes to see ahead.</p> + +<p>But this extra caution was now hardly needed. Owing +to the torn condition of the mainsail, the <i>Icicle</i> did not +move as rapidly as before, and presently, when the wind +died down a trifle more the clumsy craft came to a complete +standstill.</p> + +<p>“Humph! Here’s a state of things!” muttered Andy, +impatiently. “And we are still two or three miles from +Rudd’s Landing. What’s to do?”</p> + +<p>“Get on our skates again and push the <i>Icicle</i> along,” +suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>“Boxy, you whistle for a wind, you are such a +whistler,” laughed Harry, who, as there was no danger +attached, was disposed to view the condition of affairs +lightly.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I’d have to whistle a pretty long while,” +returned Boxy. “My idea is that the wind has gone +down for the night, as it frequently does.”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s it, persackly,” put in Pickles. “But I jess as +lief shobe de <i>Isticle</i>—I’se all cold to de marrer ub my +bones.”</p> + +<p>“So am I,” cried Jack. “I’m going to push just to get +warm. You had better stay on board if you feel played +out,” he added, to his brother.</p> + +<p>“No, I’ll get off, too,” replied Andy. “But I don’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +believe I can shove very much; my head hurts a bit +again.”</p> + +<p>Once more all hands sprang down and donned their +skates. Then Pickles, Harry, and Jack began to push +the iceboat before them, while Boxy and Andy followed +on behind with the sled.</p> + +<p>It was now dark, and growing colder every minute, +which was odd, so they thought, since the wind had gone +down.</p> + +<p>“We won’t get that snowstorm to-night, that’s sure,” +remarked Harry. “It is always warmer just before a +heavy fall of snow.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we’ll catch clear weather that’s cold enough +to freeze the leg off a mule,” returned Jack. “Somebody +said there was an intensely cold snap on the way.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’re prepared for cold all right,” put in Boxy. +“All you’ve got to do is to move around lively like to +keep up the circulation, and you are all right.”</p> + +<p>“Just the same I wish we were in Rudd’s Landing,” +said Jack. “I don’t like this traveling on an unknown +part of the river in the dark. We may not find the Landing +at all.”</p> + +<p>“Pooh! How can we help it? We know just where it +is along shore.”</p> + +<p>“Well, then, let us turn in a bit. There is no sense in +keeping away out here in the middle.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” said Andy. “It may be warmer in toward +the shore.”</p> + +<p>So they turned in the direction of the shore upon which +was situated the town for which they were bound. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +overhanging bank of the stream was fringed with bushes +and trees and they skirted along just outside of these, +keeping a sharp lookout for airholes and thin spots.</p> + +<p>“Don’t want a bath just now,” shivered Boxy.</p> + +<p>“No; a bath would just about do us up,” returned +Andy. “As it is, I can hardly move along.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll be all right when we get to Barton Coils’ place,” +called back Jack. “So don’t get faint-hearted, Andy.”</p> + +<p>On they went, with no sound breaking the stillness of +the cold night save the grinding of the iceboat runners +and their skates on the ice.</p> + +<p>Suddenly from out of the darkness among the trees +which lined the farthest shore came a dismal howl that +caused nearly every one to jump in alarm.</p> + +<p>“My gracious! what was that?” exclaimed Andy.</p> + +<p>“Dat mut be a ghost, suah!” cried Pickles, as he sprang +away from the voice.</p> + +<p>“It’s the most unearthly sound I ever heard,” put in +Harry.</p> + +<p>“And don’t you know what it is?” asked Jack, with a +merry laugh.</p> + +<p>“No,” said Boxy. “What is it?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing more nor less than the bark of a fox. There +it goes again.”</p> + +<p>“Goodness! I never knew a fox would get up such a +dismal noise,” exclaimed Boxy. “Why, it’s enough to +give one the creeps.”</p> + +<p>“Wait till you get into the woods on the other side of +Rock Island Lake, and you’ll hear sounds to make your +hair stand on end, I’ll warrant.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>The barking continued for some time, and then came +answering calls from several other locations.</p> + +<p>“They are tuning up to descend on some hen-roost, I +imagine,” said Jack. “It’s a good way to get up their +courage.”</p> + +<p>“I’d like to get a shot at one of them,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“So would I,” burst out Boxy. “Can’t we get at them, +Jack?”</p> + +<p>“It would take too long, I’m afraid. Andy couldn’t +stand the waiting in the cold.”</p> + +<p>“Boxy and I might wait, and you fellows go on,” suggested +Harry. “We will soon catch up with you.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, let’s do that,” burst in Boxy.</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over for a minute, and then it +was agreed that Harry and Boxy should take the guns +and remain behind a quarter of an hour, while the others +pressed on for Rudd’s Landing, keeping close to the river +bank they were now skirting.</p> + +<p>Seeing to it that the two guns were ready for use, the +two would-be fox hunters set out across the river in the +direction from which the first barks of the animals had +proceeded. Meanwhile those on the <i>Icicle</i> and the sled +went ahead, and were speedily lost to view around a +broad bend beyond.</p> + +<p>“It would be fine if we could get a fox apiece,” said +Boxy, as they skated along close to one another. “We +could keep the brushes as trophies.”</p> + +<p>“I guess we’ll be lucky if we get a good shot at one of +them,” returned his companion. “Foxes are very sly +chaps.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>“Oh, I know that.”</p> + +<p>“Let us go up the river a bit, so as to get out of that +wind. They can smell your scent if the wind is blowing +from you to them.”</p> + +<p>They moved up the river about twenty yards, and then +made a semi-circle toward the shore. Here they found a +small creek, and up this they moved as silently as possible.</p> + +<p>“We must be getting close to one of the fellows,” +whispered Boxy. “That sound came from this vicinity.”</p> + +<p>“Hush, Boxy, he may——”</p> + +<p>Harry did not finish, for at that instant a bark sounded +so closely to them that both sprang back in alarm. A +little open glade was before them, and directly in the center +of it both boys discovered a silver gray fox, standing +with one forefoot raised, listening for an answer to his +call.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI.<br> + +<small>A LUCKY SHOT.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>Boxy was about to say something, but Harry quickly +placed his hand over his companion’s mouth and motioned +him to remain silent.</p> + +<p>Then he raised his gun, and pointed to Boxy to do the +same.</p> + +<p>A brief interval of silence followed, and then, bang! +went Boxy’s gun, before he had had time to take anything +like a correct aim.</p> + +<p>The shot spread out over the fox’s head, and caused +him to leap to one side in alarm.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I hit him?” cried Boxy.</p> + +<p>Bang! went Harry’s gun. His aim was better than +Boxy’s, and off limped the fox on three legs, the left +hind one having received part of the charge of shot.</p> + +<p>“You hit him, even if I didn’t!” yelled Boxy. “But +he’ll get away from us, I’m afraid!”</p> + +<p>“Hurry and load up!” cried Harry. “We can get him +if we try.”</p> + +<p>They reloaded the guns with all possible speed, running +after the fox as they did so. It was hard work with +the skates on their feet, and just as they got the animal +again in sight Boxy tripped and went down on his knees +in a hollow.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>His gun went off as he tumbled, and the shot grazed +the fox’s neck, causing a painful wound.</p> + +<p>The animal let out a yelp of rage, and turned to leap +down into the very hollow into which Boxy had tumbled.</p> + +<p>“Shoot him, Harry!” cried the boy, in sudden terror. +“He’s coming after me!”</p> + +<p>Boxy was partly right. As the fox reached the bottom +of the opening he spied Boxy, and, feeling ugly, he did not +attempt to get away, but sprang directly for Boxy’s face.</p> + +<p>It was a thrilling moment, for, though small, a fox is +exceedingly savage when aroused, and with his long, +sharp teeth can do serious damage.</p> + +<p>Boxy squirmed to one side, and the animal landed on +his shoulder. He buried his teeth into the boy’s overcoat, +snapping and snarling as he did so.</p> + +<p>Then a loud report rang out, as Harry fired. He was +not over three yards away, and his aim was true. The +fox received the greater part of the shot in his side, and, +with a backward leap he tumbled over dead.</p> + +<p>It was several seconds before Boxy managed to scramble +to his feet. He was as white as a ghost, and trembling +in every limb.</p> + +<p>“Is he—he dead?” he gasped, as he surveyed the fox +from a slight distance.</p> + +<p>“I guess he is, but there is nothing like making sure, +he is such a sly creature,” responded Harry, and, going +up, he struck the head of the animal a resounding blow +with the butt of his gun. “Yes, he’s dead enough.”</p> + +<p>“It was lucky you hit him,” went on Boxy, gratefully. +“If you hadn’t he would have chewed me up.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>“He was a tough customer, and no mistake,” rejoined +Harry. “See what a splendid white tail!”</p> + +<p>“He’s a pretty big one. Will you take him along as +he is?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll have to; I can’t skin him here very well. Do you +want to go after another?”</p> + +<p>Boxy gave a shiver.</p> + +<p>“Not to-night,” he returned. “I’ve had enough hunting +for the present. It’s something a fellow has got to +get used to.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt very much if we could get another,” remarked +Harry. “The shots have probably scattered them from +the neighborhood. They know what a gun will do just as +well as we.”</p> + +<p>Harry brought out a string from his pocket, and with +this tied the dead fox to the barrel of his gun, which he +slung over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Our quarter of an hour is up and more,” remarked +Boxy, as they turned to go back to the river. “The others +must be close to Rudd’s Landing by this time.”</p> + +<p>“I guess you are not as cold as you were,” laughed +Harry. “I feel as warm as toast now.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, such an adventure is enough to stir up any one’s +blood,” rejoined Boxy, dubiously. “But I’d just as lief +remain a bit cold hereafter.”</p> + +<p>“You may expect greater adventures than this when we +get to our winter camp, Boxy. Supposing that fox had +been a bear, or even a big wolf?”</p> + +<p>Boxy did not reply to this. Somehow, just then the +camping out did not seem so much sport after all.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>They were soon on the river, and, crossing to the other +shore, started after their companions.</p> + +<p>It was growing colder every moment, and the breeze +on the ice, little as it was, went through them like a knife. +They were glad enough when they saw numerous lights +ahead, which they knew must be the town for which they +were bound.</p> + +<p>Presently they came upon a party of skaters, and from +them learned that the <i>Icicle</i> had passed on but a few minutes +before. They kept on, and just before Barton Coils’ +boathouse was reached, they overtook their companions.</p> + +<p>“Got a fox, sure enough!” cried Andy. “Who shot +it?”</p> + +<p>“Harry, and he saved my life doing it,” replied Boxy, +and, hardly waiting to catch his breath, he told his story, +to which those who had gone on ahead listened with +keen interest.</p> + +<p>By the time Boxy had finished, the boathouse, at which +the <i>Icicle</i> was to be left, was reached, and, leaving the +iceboat and the sled in a safe place, all hands rushed into +the building to warm up around the red-hot stove, which +to them looked to be just then the most inviting thing +in the world.</p> + +<p>Barton Coils, a jolly man of forty, received them cordially, +and soon made them feel at home.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet ye had a most uncommon cold run of it,” he +said. “And a cup of hot coffee will be just the thing to +warm your inwards, eh?” and he straightway set about +preparing, not only coffee, but a whole hot supper for +them in his tiny kitchen in the rear.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>By the time supper was ready, they were somewhat +rested. They crowded around his small table like so +many famished wolves, and it was astonishing to see how +rapidly the food disappeared. Luckily, he had sufficient +on hand, so no one went short.</p> + +<p>Barton Coils took a lively interest in the proposed expedition, +and declared he almost wished he was one of +the party.</p> + +<p>“It would make me feel ten years younger,” he said.</p> + +<p>“Why can’t you go?” asked Jack. “I am sure we +would all be pleased to have you along.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t leave here, that’s the trouble,” returned the +boathouse keeper. “Otherwise, I would accept your kind +offer in a minute, I would, indeed.”</p> + +<p>He asked them about their traps, and told them of several +additional things it would be best to take along. +Andy made a note of the articles, and before retiring went +up into the town and procured them.</p> + +<p>“You’ll find your <i>Icicle</i> all right when you come back +for her, never fear,” said Coils to Jack.</p> + +<p>“I know we shall,” said Jack. Then he began to talk +to the others, and they all nodded in the affirmative. +“See here, we have a proposition to make,” he went on. +“There is no use allowing the iceboat to remain idle +during our absence, and we have decided to let you +hire her out to the town folks if you will. Whatever +you can get that way will be yours.”</p> + +<p>“Well, boys, I didn’t expect this.” And Barton Coils +smiled his gratitude.</p> + +<p>“It will be better to keep the runners scoured up than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +let them grow rusty. But the sail will have to be +mended.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix that all right; and much obliged to you all,” +replied the boatkeeper.</p> + +<p>There was a large spare room over the boathouse, +and in this the boys spent the night, lying on the floor +in their blankets in true camping style. Barton Coils +would have given them a couple of old cots, but they +declined these, for the reason, as Pickles put it, “dat +da wanted fo’ to git ust to sleepin’ on de hard side of +jess nowhere.”</p> + +<p>When the members of the Zero Club arose they found +the day as clear as could be wished. The sun was just +peeping over the distant hills and not a breath of air +was blowing.</p> + +<p>“Boom-a-rah! boom-a-rah! boom! boom! boom!” +sounded out Boxy, imitating a big drum. “All up, for +there is no time to lose if we want to reach the shores +of Rock Island Lake before nightfall.”</p> + +<p>“Right you are,” cried Jack. “Fold up the blankets +and make your toilets just as quickly as you can. +Pickles can see to the repacking of the sled, while I +hunt around for breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“Breakfast is all ready!” put in Barton Coils, poking +his head up the ladder-way. “I was just going to rouse +you out.”</p> + +<p>In a jiffy one and another made their toilets, and +climbed down into the kitchen. The smell of the buckwheat +cakes filled the apartment, and a big platter of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> +them were ready to be eaten, along with some maple +syrup fresh from the grove back of the landing.</p> + +<p>“Here’s where I am struck right in my soft spot!” +cried Andy. “I’ll miss the buckwheat cakes, if nothing +else!”</p> + +<p>“Then you had better fill up well,” laughed Barton +Coils. “Here you are, smoking hot! Who’ll have the +next?”</p> + +<p>Forks and knives were clattering right merrily for +the next ten minutes. The buckwheat cakes were +washed down with hot coffee and cream, and soon all +were more than satisfied.</p> + +<p>Then came a farewell shake of the hand with the boathouse +keeper, and a final inspection of their traps.</p> + +<p>“Now we’re off!” cried Jack. “Hurrah for the tour +of the Zero Club!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! hurrah!” cried the others, and Barton Coils +joined in, waving his towel over his head as he did so.</p> + +<p>Off they started, through the little town. The last +house was soon left behind. Before them lay nothing +but hills, woods and a frozen lake. Their outing in the +ice and snow had truly begun.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII.<br> + +<small>JACK BECOMES LOST.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“Dis am de most glorious trip wot ever was, by +golly!” cried Pickles, as he shoved on ahead of the rest, +dragging the sled behind him. “Dis coon is werry glad +he is alibe jess about now, boys!”</p> + +<p>And in the exuberance of his spirits, Pickles broke +out into an old darky refrain about the history and +death of a wonderful “Blue-tail Fly,” the chorus to +which was so catchy that they were soon every one +of them singing it.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad he came along,” whispered Jack to Harry. +“He’ll make days we can’t go out seem shorter.”</p> + +<p>“So am I, Jack, Pickles is just the fellow for this +crowd.”</p> + +<p>The boys had received close directions concerning the +best route to pursue to reach the lake, and they were +careful that no mistake should be made. They followed +a road almost half through what was called Jackson’s +Run, and then struck off across a number of open fields +to where a tiny stream ran at the foot of a long hill.</p> + +<p>“That creek empties into Rock Island Lake,” said +Boxy. “I know, for I was up here once in the summer, +and my uncle told me so.”</p> + +<p>“Then why can’t we follow the stream until we reach +the lake,” suggested Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>“We could do that if it wasn’t that the stream winds +around so much,” put in Jack. “In a direct line the +lake is not over twelve miles from here, but like as not +that stream would take us thirty or forty miles.”</p> + +<p>“Not quite as far as that, but still a pretty good way,” +said Harry. “I know these creeks around here twist +and turn in all directions.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll stick by the original intention, and be guided +by the sun,” said Boxy. “Come on, Harry, I’ll race +you to the top of the next hill!” and off he sped, with +Harry at his heels.</p> + +<p>When the top of the hill was reached both boys were +well-nigh exhausted, and ready enough to sit down on +a fallen tree and wait for the others to come up.</p> + +<p>“You shouldn’t do that,” remonstrated Jack. “You’ll +tire yourselves out before you have covered half the +day’s journey.”</p> + +<p>“And you’ll get sweated and take cold,” put in Andy.</p> + +<p>“If you feel so frisky, help Pickles with the sled,” +went on Jack.</p> + +<p>“We will,” cried both Harry and Boxy, and they at +once relieved Pickles, much to his satisfaction, for the +pull up the hill had been by no means an easy one.</p> + +<p>And so, “cutting up like wild Indians,” as Jack expressed +it, they continued on their tramp, up one hill +and down another, crossing half-a-dozen tiny streams, +and making their way through dense woods and thick +patches of brush and heaps of rocks. Occasionally they +roused up a squirrel or a rabbit, and once the loud +drumming told them that partridges were not far off.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>Just before the noon hour Jack took his gun, and kept +his eyes open for rabbits. It was not long before he +shot two, and when they came to a halt for dinner these +were quickly skinned and broiled over the fire Pickles +kindled.</p> + +<p>“We want to be as saving as possible with our stores,” +observed Harry, as he sat, sucking the meat from a rabbit +leg. “We may get snowed in so that we can’t get +out to shoot a thing.”</p> + +<p>“The first thing to do will be to lay in a supply of rabbits +and squirrels,” returned Jack. “Then, if we get +nothing better, we won’t starve, no matter what happens.”</p> + +<p>“That’s a good idea!” cried Andy. “Rabbit meat is +better than nothing, even if you have it three times a +day.”</p> + +<p>The meal finished, the things were quickly put away +once more, and again the onward march was resumed.</p> + +<p>The character of the country now changed somewhat. +The hills became higher and harder to climb, and the +undergrowth more rugged. More than once they had to +turn back and seek another path because they could not +get through without carrying the sled and its load. +Once they came to a deep ravine, all of ten feet wide, with +no crossing place in sight.</p> + +<p>“Stumped!” cried Boxy. “Now what’s to be done?”</p> + +<p>“Let’s walk along this side for a few hundred feet,” +suggested Harry. “It may grow narrower further up.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll stay here with the sled until you find out,” replied +Jack, who had just taken hold. “It’s no use to pull<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +it along, and then have to drag it back. If you find a +place, yell out, and I’ll come.”</p> + +<p>Harry and Boxy went on, accompanied by Pickles. It +was no easy work to follow the edge of the ravine, for in +several places the ice and snow were treacherous, and +ready to let them slide down should they venture too +close.</p> + +<p>At last they reached a spot where the opening was +scarcely five feet wide.</p> + +<p>“We ought to be able to cross here,” said Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Dat am so,” put in Pickles. “Why, I kin jump it, +suah! See here!”</p> + +<p>And he made a wild leap over, and disappeared into a +hollow filled with snow on the other side.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone!” shouted Boxy.</p> + +<p>“He’s all right,” returned Harry, as he saw Pickles’ +woolly head slowly emerging from the drift.</p> + +<p>“By golly, I didn’t fink dat was so slopy heah!” sputtered +the colored youth, as he stood up in snow to his +waist. “If I hadn’t jumped so fah I’se dun reckon I +would hab gone an’ rolled down to de bottom ob de crack +suah!”</p> + +<p>“That settles it; we can’t cross here,” said Harry. +“Let us go on a bit further.”</p> + +<p>They continued along the edge of the ravine, Pickles +keeping up with them on the other side. Fifty feet +further on the cut closed up almost entirely, and they +easily stepped across.</p> + +<p>“This beats running any risk jumping,” said Harry, +and Pickles readily agreed with him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>All three of the boys set up a shout for the others, and +it was not long before Jack and Andy appeared with the +sled. The latter was lifted over the narrow opening, +and then the club continued on its way, Pickles again +bursting out into a song, this time singing about “Forms +in White, a-Floating in de Sky.”</p> + +<p>“Just now it was a case of a form in black a-floundering +in the snow,” remarked Boxy to Harry, and the latter +laughed heartily over the joke.</p> + +<p>“We ought to be getting near to the lake now,” said +Jack, about four o’clock in the afternoon.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” said Andy. “If we get there much later +than this there will be no time left to build a shelter for +the night.”</p> + +<p>On and on they went, taking turns at dragging the +sled with its heavy load. The sun was pretty well down, +and it began to grow colder.</p> + +<p>“The lake, at last!” suddenly burst from Boxy’s lips, +and he ran ahead, quickly followed by the others.</p> + +<p>Boxy was right. A short dash through a clump of +trees, and they stood on the shore of Rock Island Lake. +Before them was a broad expanse of glass-like ice, dotted +here and there with long drifts of snow.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” they all shouted, and Pickles added: “An’ +dis ends de day’s trabbels ob de Zero Club.”</p> + +<p>“Now for a good spot to pitch camp,” cried Jack. “I +can’t say that I like it right here.”</p> + +<p>“No; it’s too cold,” returned Harry. “Let’s go back<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> +a little, say a hundred feet or so, and find some sort of +shelter behind some rocks.”</p> + +<p>This was readily agreed upon, and the boys scattered +in various directions, each trying to find a more suitable +spot than the others.</p> + +<p>Harry struck out up the lake shore a bit, and presently +came to a spot where two immense rocks leaned against +each other over a little gully, scarcely a yard deep and +two yards wide. The gully was dry, and filled with +leaves, and he thought that if the snow was cleared out +and banked up in front, it would be just the place they +desired. The opening under the rocks was about ten +feet deep, and the rear was choked up with fallen +branches, brush, and dirt.</p> + +<p>He called to the others, and soon all but Jack were by +his side.</p> + +<p>“That’s the ticket!” cried Boxy. “We couldn’t find a +better place made to order.”</p> + +<p>“We can spread the rubber blankets over the leaves, +and it will make good bedding,” said Andy.</p> + +<p>“An’ dat dar snow will keep out all de cold,” put in +Pickles. “Yes, de prize goes to Harry fo’ findin’ de right +spot.”</p> + +<p>“Where is Jack?” asked Harry, anxious to have all of +the members of the club satisfied before it was settled to +stay. “Maybe he has discovered a better spot.”</p> + +<p>They all set up a shout, and waited for an answer. +But none came. Then they shouted again, with the same +result.</p> + +<p>“That’s queer!” murmured Andy, somewhat disturbed.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> +“Give him another call, boys, as loud as you +can.”</p> + +<p>They did so willingly, and Boxy added his imitation +locomotive whistle as well.</p> + +<p>It brought forth no reply. Jack was lost to them. +What could have become of him?</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII.<br> + +<small>JACK’S EXPERIENCE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>When Jack left the other members of the Zero Club +to look for a suitable camping-place for the night, he had +no intention of walking any great distance away.</p> + +<p>He struck down the lake shore, in a direction directly +opposite to that taken by Harry, and at almost right +angles to that pursued by the others.</p> + +<p>Jack walked probably fifty yards before coming to +anything but a flat surface of snow and ice, with here and +there a tree or a bush.</p> + +<p>“This is no good,” he murmured to himself. “I’ve a +good mind to go back and try in the other direction.”</p> + +<p>Had he done so, he might have saved himself all the +trouble that followed, and likewise saved the others from +a deal of anxiety concerning his welfare.</p> + +<p>But Jack remembered that Harry had gone off in the +opposite direction, and so he kept on until he reached a +small rise of ground, beyond which was a dense thicket +of great trees, some all of a hundred feet in height.</p> + +<p>“There ought to be a first-rate place among those trees,” +he thought. “I’ll investigate a bit and see.”</p> + +<p>Jack walked in among the trees and soon located a +spot between several tall maples that he thought would +be just the thing. Five trees were in a semi-circle, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +he calculated that by heaping the brush around them a +temporary shelter that would be both safe and warm +would be secured.</p> + +<p>He walked around the trees, and then to a spot a few +yards away, where brush grew thickly.</p> + +<p>Here both the snow and the leaves were thick, and +without warning he suddenly found himself sinking +down in the midst of both.</p> + +<p>He tried to scramble to a place of safety, but it was +too late and down he went into an opening that was all of +ten feet deep. The leaves and snow tumbled with him, +and he was all but smothered.</p> + +<p>When at last he managed to get his head clear of what +was around him, he found himself up to his armpits in +the mass, and almost powerless to move the lower portion +of his body.</p> + +<p>Jack was not one to cry for help, so, for a while, he remained +silent, doing his best to extricate himself from his +difficulty.</p> + +<p>It was very cold down at the bottom of the hole, and, +despite his exertions, he found himself gradually getting +chilled to the bone. It was also dark, and this made his +situation worse than had it been daylight.</p> + +<p>At last, in desperation, he wrenched himself away from +the snow and rubbish, and freed himself as far as the +waist. But higher than this he could not get, for every +time he attempted it he only slipped back again.</p> + +<p>A half-hour was passed in trying to extricate himself, +and by that time he was so worn out he was unable to +make further effort.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>“This is the worst fix yet,” he muttered, to himself. +“If I stay here I’ll be frozen to death before morning,” +and he gave a shiver which was not altogether from cold.</p> + +<p>It was then that he began to shout for help. His voice +was weak, and it is doubtful if it could have been heard +thirty feet from his prison.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour more went by, and Jack was +almost stiff. His feet were like two cakes of ice, and his +ears pained him fearfully.</p> + +<p>“Where can the others be? Why don’t they come and +help me out?”</p> + +<p>He asked himself these questions over and over again. +But no answer was vouchsafed. It was as if the other +members of the Zero Club had forgotten his existence.</p> + +<p>Presently Jack heard a rustle in the bushes in front of +him. Was it one of the other boys on the hunt?</p> + +<p>Then a low growl made him start and strain his eyes +in the direction. What was it, a fox, wolf or bear? He +looked up at the entrance to the hole, but no animal +showed itself.</p> + +<p>Again he yelled, this time not only to summon assistance, +but also to scare away the beast, whatever it was. +A crashing in the brush followed, and then dead silence.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone away,” he muttered, with a sigh of relief. +“But who knows but what he’ll come back, or some other +animal will meander this way. Oh, if I was only out of +this hole I’d take precious good care that I didn’t get +into another.”</p> + +<p>Ten minutes more—an age to poor Jack—and another +rustle in the brush was heard. Then followed a shout:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>“Hullo, Jack! Where are you?”</p> + +<p>It was Harry’s voice, and it thrilled him with joy.</p> + +<p>“Here I am, in a hole,” he replied.</p> + +<p>But, alas! his voice was so faint that Harry did not +hear it, and passed to his left and continued the search +in that direction.</p> + +<p>“Help! help!” cried Jack, frantically. “This way! In +a hole! Help!”</p> + +<p>Harry did not hear, but Andy, who was also close at +hand, did, and shouted to the others:</p> + +<p>“He’s here, fellows! Come this way!”</p> + +<p>“Where?” asked Boxy and Pickles, in a breath, while +Harry quickly retraced his steps.</p> + +<p>“Somewhere around here. Listen.”</p> + +<p>Again Jack called out, and now they were able to locate +him. Andy was in advance, and his companions were +amazed to see him disappear as suddenly as if he had +taken a plunge in the water.</p> + +<p>“There’s a hole there. Be careful!” shouted Harry.</p> + +<p>“Dat mus’ be a b’ar hole!” put in Pickles. “Pooh +Andy’s dun gone in it, too!”</p> + +<p>“Help us out!” yelled Andy, from beside Jack. “This +is a sort of a cave-in, and Jack is half buried under the +dirt and snow.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to get the rope and haul them out,” remarked +Boxy. “Run back for it, Pickles.”</p> + +<p>The colored boy skipped off at top speed. While he +was gone, Boxy and Harry skirted the opening with +great care, and found the most available standing place.</p> + +<p>When Pickles returned, he brought with him the sled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> +rope, and also the one used for tying on the load. These +were twisted together, and, not without some difficulty, +Andy was raised up.</p> + +<p>Then came the work of raising Jack. This was no +easy task, for the poor fellow was almost too exhausted +to even catch hold of the rope.</p> + +<p>“We’ll make a loop, and he can slip it under his +arms,” suggested his younger brother, and this was +done, and presently Jack stood beside the others, supported +by Boxy and Pickles.</p> + +<p>“Take me to some place where I can get warm!” he +gasped.</p> + +<p>“We’ll run you back to the place where the sled is +and cover you up with blankets,” replied Boxy. “Come +on, it’s the best thing for you.”</p> + +<p>And off he and Pickles started, with the half-frozen +boy between them.</p> + +<p>Harry and Andy ran ahead and worked like lightning +to gather dry brush and start a fire in the shelter of +several trees. It was not long before they had a big +blaze, and Jack was seated on the sled in front of this +with several blankets thrown over his back.</p> + +<p>“I’ll be all right in a little while now,” he said. “So +you fellows had better turn your attention to locating a +camp for to-night.”</p> + +<p>“Harry has found a place,” said Boxy. “It’s just the +thing, between a couple of big rocks.”</p> + +<p>While Andy remained behind to keep up the fire and +prepare supper, Harry, Boxy and the colored youth +went off to prepare the camp.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>“We’ll take all the snow out first,” said Harry. +“Then we’ll make a wall in front, with only a narrow +opening to get in, and shut up the back as tightly as +we can.”</p> + +<p>The three boys went to work with a will, and inside +of half an hour the temporary camp was ready for occupancy. +The sled was drawn inside, and the rubber +blankets spread around, and then the fire was transferred +to a spot directly in front of the opening.</p> + +<p>“That will keep us warm, and also keep wild animals +from bothering us,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“Yes; we want no wolf or bear to wake us up by +biting off an ear or a foot,” laughed Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Gee, shoo, no!” put in Pickles. “Dat would make +dis yere coon turn white, ’deed it would!”</p> + +<p>Just before they had reached the lake, Boxy, anxious +to prove that he wasn’t such a poor shot that he +couldn’t shoot anything, had gone off in search of a partridge, +and succeeded in bringing down one of fair size. +This Andy had prepared as nicely as possible, and, with +bread and tea, made a most appetizing supper for the +hungry boys.</p> + +<p>“This is the last of the fresh bread,” remarked Andy, +as he dealt it out. “After this we’ll have crackers instead.”</p> + +<p>“Just as good,” returned Boxy, but before the tour +was over he was compelled to change his mind.</p> + +<p>The supper over, the boys found it growing late. +They gathered some wood and heaped it upon the fire<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +in such a way that it might burn the greater part of +the night, and then sought to retire.</p> + +<p>“We want to be up early in the morning,” remarked +Jack, who now felt quite recovered. “It looks a little +like snow, and we want to strike a permanent camp +before it lets down too heavily.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m ready to go to sleep,” returned Boxy. +“And I won’t even ask Pickles to sing a lullaby for +me.”</p> + +<p>One after another the boys crawled into the cave-like +sleeping place, and selected their various corners. +Andy brought in a pine knot, all ablaze from the fire, +and held it aloft so that they might see if all was right.</p> + +<p>A second later Pickles gave a yell, which was followed +by a cry of fright from every one of the others. +Then a hasty scramble was made for the outside, the +boys fairly tumbling over each other in their efforts to +escape.</p> + +<p>And small wonder, for the interior of the cave-hut +was alive with snakes!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV.<br> + +<small>A FIGHT WITH REPTILES.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“Snakes!” yelled Pickles. “Fo’ de land sakes, let dis +chile git out!”</p> + +<p>“Snakes!” echoed each of the others. “We can’t stay +in here!”</p> + +<p>And in less than half a minute every one was outside +and several yards away from the entrance to the temporary +camp.</p> + +<p>“Whoever dreamed of the reptiles being there!” burst +out Boxy.</p> + +<p>“We might have known it,” put in Harry. “Snakes +always live around rocks.”</p> + +<p>“But why didn’t we see them first?” questioned Andy.</p> + +<p>“They were out of sight and half-frozen,” responded +Jack. “I suppose our moving around and the heat from +the campfire roused them up.”</p> + +<p>“Wot we gwine to do?” asked Pickles, dolefully. “I +wouldn’t go back dar fo’ a billion dollars in cash, by +golly, I wouldn’t!”</p> + +<p>“The blankets and the sled are in there,” put in Andy. +“We must get them.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, we can’t even locate another camp until we have +them,” said Harry. “We’d freeze to death without +covers.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>“I move we fight the snakes and kill them,” remarked +Jack. “I don’t believe they are very harmful.”</p> + +<p>“They may be rattlers!” said Boxy, with a shiver. +“And I don’t want to ‘climb the golden stair’ just yet.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt if they are rattlers,” returned Jack. “And +even so, they are not yet warm enough to show much +fight. The likelihood is that we can kill them off without +much trouble.”</p> + +<p>The boys talked the matter over, and at length decided +to make an attack on the snakes, and thus at least gain +possession of their traps. Then if the cave-hut still +looked “snaky” they would hunt up a new spot in which +to spend the night.</p> + +<p>Each of the boys provided himself with a torch and a +club, and then the opening to the place was enlarged to +twice its size.</p> + +<p>Jack was the first to enter, and the others came closely +behind him.</p> + +<p>The leader quickly killed the first snake to raise its +head, and Harry followed with the death of the largest +of all of the reptiles. Then torches were stuck up in convenient +places and the battle began.</p> + +<p>At first the snakes were easy victims, but soon the noise +and the deaths of their fellows roused up those that remained, +and a loud hissing and a lively squirming told +that they were angry.</p> + +<p>They darted to one side and another, and more than +one attempted to strike the boys with its fangs.</p> + +<p>Harry had the most startling experience of all. A +snake dropped from a crevice overhead and landed directly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +on his neck. The sensation shocked the boy, but he was +quick to act. He caught the snake by the tail, swung it +around, and dashed its head with all his force against the +solid walls of the hut-cave. The reptile was instantly +killed.</p> + +<p>Andy also had a thrilling experience, a snake winding +itself around his ankle, and refusing to loosen itself even +when caught back of the neck by the courageous boy.</p> + +<p>“Hop out and hold him over the fire a second,” cried +Jack.</p> + +<p>Out on one foot went Andy, still holding tight to the +reptile. When close to the fire, he let go, and thrust the +foot over the flames. On the instant the snake straightened +out and fell into the fire, before either the boy’s boot +or his trousers were very much injured.</p> + +<p>At last the snakes were all either killed or driven off, +and the boys took a breathing spell. They counted up +the slain, and with the one consumed by fire, found they +numbered fourteen.</p> + +<p>“That’s a pretty good many in one dose,” remarked +Jack; “especially when some of them are pretty nearly +three feet long.”</p> + +<p>“I never want to run across such a nest again!” shuddered +Harry; and all agreed with him.</p> + +<p>“There were at least half a dozen that got away,” remarked +Boxy. “I saw three crawl in between the rocks.”</p> + +<p>“So did I,” returned Andy. “We don’t want to put +in any night in this place.”</p> + +<p>“By golly, no!” cried Pickles. “I dun radder tie myself<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +up on de limb ob a tree and risk gittin’ freezed to +deaf!”</p> + +<p>The sled and the blankets were hauled out of the hut-cave, +and examined to see that no live snake was anywhere +in hiding among them. Then they gathered +around the fire to talk matters over.</p> + +<p>Jack mentioned the spot he had found among the tall +maple trees just before he had fallen into the hole, and +they decided that they would locate there for the night. +Once more the traps, and a large portion of the burning +brush, were removed, and they set to work with all speed +to furnish themselves a resting-place.</p> + +<p>“Now, if this doesn’t turn out all right, we’ll bunk +around the fire in the open,” said Jack, and the others said +so, too.</p> + +<p>The extra blankets were tied up around the trees, and +against these were heaped brush and leaves. Then the +interior was cleaned up, and the rubber blankets put down +once more.</p> + +<p>The work took less than half an hour, and when it was +completed the boys had a camp that if not quite as warm +as the other might have been, was still dry and sheltered.</p> + +<p>“We’ll build an extra large fire, and that will keep us +warm,” said Andy.</p> + +<p>“Yes, but we don’t want to wake up an’ find ourselves +burnt to deaf,” cautioned Pickles.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” put in Jack. “Be careful that the leaves +are cleaned away around the brush before you build the +fire too high.”</p> + +<p>Once again brush was gathered, and the fire fixed to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +everybody’s satisfaction, and then all hands retired into +the new camping hut, and sought their various places of +rest.</p> + +<p>It was a strange experience to all of them, and it is +doubtful if any of them slept, saving by fits and starts, +until toward morning. The fight with the snakes was +still in their minds, and, as Boxy aptly put it, “they could +see snakes just as plainly as if they had been off on a +spree.”</p> + +<p>Pickles was the first to stir himself in the morning, +while it was yet dark. The colored boy sat up, and, seeing +his companions still slumbering, decided to go out, +start up the fire and begin preparing breakfast without +disturbing them.</p> + +<p>He arose to his feet, and, throwing down his blanket, +stepped over to the entrance to the hut. Then a low cry +of surprise escaped him, a cry that made all of the others +open their eyes.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” cried Harry.</p> + +<p>“It’s dun gone an’ snowed de fiah cl’ar out ob sight!” +returned Pickles.</p> + +<p>“Snowed the fire out of sight is good,” laughed Boxy. +“Well, let’s hustle and shovel it in sight again, for it’s +as cold as the North Pole in here!”</p> + +<p>“And it’s colder yet outside,” replied Jack, looking out +of the doorway Pickles had opened. “The snow is coming +down lively, boys, and we must lose no time if we +want to get across the lake and settle down.”</p> + +<p>Every one was soon outside, Boxy and Andy with +their blankets still drawn around them. Both were used<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +to sleeping in heated bedrooms, and the cold seemed to +pierce them to the very marrow of their bones.</p> + +<p>“Hustle around to start up the fire, and that will +warm you up,” suggested Harry. “Come, everybody +pitch in, for it’s half-past seven, and we want to be on +our way by eight o’clock, or a little after.”</p> + +<p>They did pitch in with a will. While Pickles, Boxy, +and Andy started up a big, lively blaze, and got together +something to eat, Jack and Harry took down the blankets +and packed the things on the sled.</p> + +<p>Presently Pickles slipped off down to the lake, taking +the ax and a spear with him.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone to spear a pickerel or some other fish,” said +Boxy, and he was right, for it was not long before the +colored boy returned with a beauty, weighing all of a +pound and a half, which was soon broiling over the +flames.</p> + +<p>It was still snowing, and the boys had to fairly brush +the flakes from what they were eating during the meal. +Jack calculated that already three inches had fallen on +the level.</p> + +<p>“And before night we’ll have a foot or two of it unless +it clears off,” he added. “So be lively, fellows!”</p> + +<p>“Can we skate over the lake?” questioned Andy.</p> + +<p>“That would be much easier than walking.”</p> + +<p>“Yo’ can skate ober all right,” replied Pickles. “De +wind has dun kept mos’ ob it cl’ar, ’ceptin’ in spots.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, but this is fine fish!” cried Boxy. “Pickles, you +mustn’t forget that you promised to show me how to +spear them.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>“So I will, when we gits ober to de reg’lar camp,” replied +the colored youth, smiling broadly at the praise +bestowed.</p> + +<p>By quarter-past eight they put out the fire, placed +the last of the things on the sled, and set out. Down +on the surface of the lake they found a cold wind blowing +from the northwest, and the snowflakes appeared +to be thicker than ever.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV.<br> + +<small>LOST IN THE SNOW.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>As they had done the day previous, they took turns +in drawing the sled, which, fortunately, rode over the +surface of the ice easily.</p> + +<p>Pickles was the first to try a hand. Jack and Harry +went on ahead, while Andy and Boxy came close behind +the traps.</p> + +<p>All of the boys had their collars turned high up and +their caps pulled well down. Yet the snow crept in, +and more than once they could scarcely see ahead of +them.</p> + +<p>“It’s not going to be such a bang-up, pleasant trip +across, to my way of thinking,” remarked Jack. “The +snow is coming down heavier every minute.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we’ll make a beeline for the opposite shore,” +returned Harry. “If we keep on pushing like this, we +ought to make it by a little after noon, and that will +give us plenty of time to select a spot for a permanent +camp before night comes.”</p> + +<p>“That’s true.”</p> + +<p>“There is one thing we must guard against, and that +is airholes. This drifting snow is apt to cover them so +a fellow can’t see them until it is too late.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll keep our eyes peeled,” returned Jack, and he +called out instructions for those behind to do the same.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>On and on they went, keeping the straightest line they +could without anything to aid their eyesight. It was still +colder as they got farther from the shore, and occasionally +a blast of wind would nearly take them from their +feet.</p> + +<p>“There is one thing we forgot to bring along, and +that’s a compass,” said Harry. “It’s a pity, too! If we +had it the way need not bother us in the least.”</p> + +<p>“I thought of it yesterday, after we had left Rudd’s +Landing. But I hated to go back after one.”</p> + +<p>Once or twice a flock of wild birds would circle over +their heads in the snow, and they would take a shot at +them. In this manner they brought down ten of the +creatures, which, though small, would make dainty eating. +Jack and Harry placed them in their bags, and continued +to keep their eyes open for more.</p> + +<p>About ten o’clock the wind began to blow stronger than +ever. It was little short of a hurricane, and took the boys +fairly off their feet.</p> + +<p>“By golly! dis ain’t no picnic, am it?” cried Pickles, as +he went sailing up the lake, unable to stop himself.</p> + +<p>“Lower your sails, Pickles!” cried Boxy, who looked +at the difficulty in the light of a joke. He had to dig his +heels deep into the ice to keep himself from following the +colored youth.</p> + +<p>Jack was drawing the sled. A dozen times it swung +around, and just as he thought he had it right, the wind +got under it, and over it went in a trice, spilling off several +things that had not been packed on well.</p> + +<p>With much trouble the sled was righted. Pickles<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> +fought his way back, and helped tie the traps fast, this +time making sure that not a single thing was left loose.</p> + +<p>“It won’t do to lose even a plate,” said Andy. “For +there are just enough for the crowd and no more.”</p> + +<p>“If this keeps on, we’ll have a blizzard!” gasped Harry. +“It fairly takes one’s breath away!”</p> + +<p>“Have to keep your mouth shut or you’ll swallow a +lot of snow, too!” put in Boxy. “By the looks of things +around us, one would imagine we were out on the plains +of Montana!”</p> + +<p>“The best thing we can do is to stop talking and fight +our way to the shore,” remarked Jack, seriously. “The +first thing you know, we’ll be turned around, and we +won’t know in what direction the shore is.”</p> + +<p>Once again they moved forward. The snow beat on +the right sides of their faces and filled their right ears, +and, unconsciously, they turned a little away, and thus +took a course which led them partly up the lake instead +of directly across.</p> + +<p>By twelve o’clock they were nowhere near the woods +they knew was beyond the edge of the lake. All around +them were ice and snow. The wind had let up a bit, but +the snow was whirling down thicker than ever.</p> + +<p>“I’m getting played out,” said Andy.</p> + +<p>“And I’m hungry,” added Boxy.</p> + +<p>“And I’m a bit of both,” put in Harry. “Let us rest a +few minutes and have a bite to eat.”</p> + +<p>Pickles was more than willing, and at once went to +work to get out crackers and cheese. Jack looked on +with a doubtful face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>“We’ll have a bite, but don’t waste time resting,” he +said. “We must go on, or night will overtake us while +we are still on the lake.”</p> + +<p>“Why, it’s only twelve o’clock!” cried Andy.</p> + +<p>“That’s so, but the shore is still a good way off, and if +we get lost——”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we won’t get lost,” put in Boxy. “We all know +just where the shore is.”</p> + +<p>“And where is it?” questioned Jack, still more seriously.</p> + +<p>“Right over there,” and Boxy pointed with his arm.</p> + +<p>“Why, no, it’s over in that direction,” cried Andy, +pointing nearly at right angles with Boxy.</p> + +<p>“You are both wrong,” put in Harry. “It’s over here,” +and his arm went up in still a third direction.</p> + +<p>“Boxy am right,” said Pickles.</p> + +<p>“I am inclined to think Harry is right,” remarked +Jack.</p> + +<p>“But didn’t we come that way?” insisted Boxy, in surprise.</p> + +<p>“Yes, we came from that way, but we have been turning +our backs to the wind, and going up the lake instead +of across.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe the wind has shifted.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt it,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe the wind has shifted much,” said Andy. +“But I was sure the shore lay off in that direction. Jack +is right, we had better be moving off without delay. We +don’t want to get lost in this snowstorm out here on the +lake.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>They all agreed to this, but in what direction should +they turn?</p> + +<p>It was finally decided to try the course Harry and +Jack advocated, as they were looked on as natural leaders +of the party.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the crackers and cheese brought out +by Pickles was quickly eaten, and they set off.</p> + +<p>It was growing cooler again, and the wind blew the +snow in blinding masses into their faces. Onward they +skated, until the drifts became almost impassable.</p> + +<p>“I can’t skate through this!” cried Andy, at last.</p> + +<p>“Let us take our skates off and walk,” suggested Boxy.</p> + +<p>But Harry and Jack quickly vetoed this. It was just +as easy to plow through the snow on skates, and it was +easier to skate over the clear patches of ice than walk.</p> + +<p>So they kept on their skates, and thereafter Jack helped +his younger brother whenever Andy seemed in danger of +pegging out.</p> + +<p>“My ears are all but frozen,” said Boxy, at last. “My +right one has no feeling in it any longer.”</p> + +<p>“Rub snow on it,” suggested Harry. “And rub it on +hard, too,” and he showed his companion how to do it.</p> + +<p>“Dis am de werry worst trip I eber tuk,” declared +Pickles, solemnly. “An’ I won’t take anudder in a long, +long while.”</p> + +<p>“If we could only see away ahead,” said Jack; “but the +snow hides everything fifty feet off.”</p> + +<p>“And the storm is growing wilder every second,” added +Andy.</p> + +<p>“This will knock out hunting for a day or two, even if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> +we strike a camp,” declared Boxy, breathing heavily, to +keep up with the others.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it will be all right if it stops snowing and the sun +comes out,” returned Jack, as cheerfully as he could.</p> + +<p>“By golly! it looks like it would snow fo’ a week!” cried +Pickles. “Jess look how thick it am comin’ down now! +Jess like somebody was a-shakin’ out a fedder-bed ober +our heads!”</p> + +<p>Pickles was right. The snow was now coming down +so thickly that it seemed to fill every inch of the air. +Their vision in every direction was cut off to but a few +feet in front of them.</p> + +<p>“Stick close together,” urged Harry. “If we become +separated we’ll never find each other again.”</p> + +<p>His timely advice was heeded and they bunched up so +closely that they frequently took hold of each other’s arms.</p> + +<p>It was hard work to drag the sled now, and two had to +take hold instead of only one.</p> + +<p>Finally they came to a long, solid drift of snow, all of +six feet high, and two or three yards wide. Jack and +Harry mounted to the top, and, despite the swirling snow +and cutting wind, essayed to pierce the gathering darkness +around them.</p> + +<p>It was useless. Nothing but snow and ice was to be +seen. Night was coming on, and they were lost in the +pelting storm!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI.<br> + +<small>SETTLING DOWN IN CAMP.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It certainly was a dismal outlook, lost on the lake in a +howling snowstorm, and night coming on. Small wonder +that all of the members of the Zero Club were filled +with fear as to the outcome of the unexpected situation.</p> + +<p>The wind blew sharper than ever, cutting like a knife, +and causing their teeth to chatter in spite of themselves. +The snowflakes settled on their faces and had to be +brushed off their eyebrows that they might see.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a state of things, and no error,” remarked +Boxy, as he joined Harry and Jack in front of the big +snowdrift. “Have we got to go through this?”</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to do something,” returned Jack, with a +certain sort of desperateness in his voice. “If we stay +out here much longer we’ll be frozen to death and buried +in the snow!”</p> + +<p>“We must push on ahead—it’s our only salvation,” +added Harry. “If we keep on in a straight line we are +bound to fetch up somewhere sooner or later.”</p> + +<p>“We may walk clean up to the upper end of the lake,” +said Andy, in a low voice. He was too exhausted to +speak louder.</p> + +<p>“Well, that would be better than remaining here,” replied +his big brother. “Come, fellows, brace up and put<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +your best leg forward,” he went on, in an effort to cheer +up their lagging spirits.</p> + +<p>Pulling and pushing the sled as best they could, they +attacked the huge drift before them. In a couple of +minutes they were on the other side. All had had tumbles, +but to these they paid no attention.</p> + +<p>“By golly! but I would give all I kin rake an’ scrape +togedder to be in a warm kitchen jess about now!” puffed +Pickles. “My two feet dun got froze as stiff as two +chunks ob ice!”</p> + +<p>“We’re all in the same boat,” replied Boxy. “I can +scarcely drag one foot after the other.”</p> + +<p>“And I feel like sitting down and going to sleep,” put +in Andy. “Let us rest.”</p> + +<p>“No! no!” rejoined his elder brother, quickly. “If +you rested and went off into a doze you would never wake +up again. We must keep on by all means!”</p> + +<p>And on they pressed, slowly and painfully, growing +more weary at every step. The snow and wind continued, +and it grew steadily darker. Would that awful +trip across the lake never come to an end?</p> + +<p>At last, when they were about ready to give up in +despair, Harry, in advance of all the rest, gave a joyous +little shout.</p> + +<p>“The shore, boys!”</p> + +<p>“Where? where?” they cried out in chorus, and clustered +around him.</p> + +<p>“Just off to our right. We have been walking along +within fifty feet of it.”</p> + +<p>“Gracious, you don’t mean it!” exclaimed Boxy.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> +“True enough, boys; come on to land and get a fire +started!”</p> + +<p>Boxy set off as fast as he could on skates through the +snow. The others followed, Jack and Pickles dragging +the sled.</p> + +<p>They were soon off the lake and huddled in a group +behind a number of trees and bushes, which afforded a +fair shelter from the wind and snow. Here they paused +to catch their breaths and gaze around them.</p> + +<p>“I imagine we are at least a mile above the spot we +struck out for,” observed Jack. “But that doesn’t matter, +so long as we have crossed the lake in safety. What shall +we do, light a fire or hunt a place to camp for the night +first?”</p> + +<p>“Let’s light a fire and get warmed up,” answered Andy. +“I am sure none of us can do much in our present condition.”</p> + +<p>His idea was warmly seconded by the others, and soon +a heap of brush was collected in a convenient spot and set +on fire. They drew up to it as close as they dared, and +warmed their chilled bodies. The sled load was again +attacked, and crackers and cut-up smoked beef passed +around. It was wonderful what appetites all hands had +whenever the least sign of a meal appeared. It seemed +they could eat all the time.</p> + +<p>Down in their hearts all were deeply grateful that +the perils of a possible night on the lake were passed. +They were certain that, had they been compelled to remain +in that wind and snow, some of them would have +perished.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>Jack and Harry were the first to declare themselves +warm and comfortable once more, and, allowing the +others to remain seated around the fire, they started off to +locate some suitable spot where they might settle down +for the balance of the outing.</p> + +<p>“We don’t want any more snakes’ nests,” remarked +Harry, with a laugh. “One is a-plenty.”</p> + +<p>“Right you are,” replied Jack. “What do you say if +we find a circle of trees and build a sort of hut? We can +cut down a number of small trees with the ax and fill up +the openings by twining in brush and then heaping up +snow on the outside.”</p> + +<p>“Boxy was speaking of that sort of place. We will see +what we can find.”</p> + +<p>They passed along the shore of the lake until they came +to a small creek. They walked up the bank of this for a +distance of a hundred feet, and suddenly Harry came to a +halt.</p> + +<p>“How is that spot over to the other side?” he cried.</p> + +<p>“Just the cheese!” responded Jack.</p> + +<p>The place to which Harry had called attention was one +where four trees stood in almost a square. Between the +two trees farthest back and those to one side there was a +mass of thick brush, while between the two trees on the +other side were several large rocks, which had rolled +down from a hill beyond.</p> + +<p>“We can build a hut there without difficulty,” said +Harry.</p> + +<p>“That’s so. First we can clear out the square and pile +it up on the rocks to the right. Then we can cut a few<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> +slender trees and brace up that brush in the rear and on +the left. But how about a roof?”</p> + +<p>“We can cris-cross half-a-dozen poles in the lowest +branches of the four corner trees and pile brush and leaves +on top. That ought to make a good enough roof for the +time we want to stay. The brush can be twisted pretty +tight, you know.”</p> + +<p>They looked the spot over carefully for snakes, and, +finding none, returned to the fire.</p> + +<p>“That ought to do first-rate,” said Boxy, when he had +heard their report. “But we can never build that hut to-night.”</p> + +<p>“We can fix it up enough to sleep in,” returned Jack. +“Come on. We will start another fire on the bank of the +creek.”</p> + +<p>“It’s good it’s on the creek,” said Andy. “If a thaw +comes up the water will have a chance to flow away.”</p> + +<p>“I dun racken we won’t hab no thaw jess yet!” put in +Pickles. “It’s gwine to keep on a-snowin’ fo’ a month or +moah!”</p> + +<p>Everybody laughed at this, and they pulled the sled off +to the spot beside the creek. Here a second fire was built, +and Pickles vowed that he was going to do all in his +power to keep it going until they left for home.</p> + +<p>“To-morrow I’ll git some big knots ob wood an’ a log +or two, an’ da’ll burn a week,” he said.</p> + +<p>It was now six o’clock in the evening, and they set to +work with a will to clear out the space between the four +trees selected to become the corners of the hut. The +brush taken out was piled against the other bushes between<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +the trees, and more cut from a distance away was +also added.</p> + +<p>This work was performed by Andy, Boxy and Pickles. +In the meantime Jack and Harry cut twenty-odd saplings, +and trimmed them as much as necessary.</p> + +<p>The young trees were then taken to the cleared square, +and four of them were put up to rest from corner to +corner, about ten feet from the ground. When they were +secure, ten of the poles were placed across the opening. +Then brush was handed up and piled on, and a pole or +two was fastened over the top to keep it from blowing +away.</p> + +<p>“Now we’ve got a good enough roof for anybody,” said +Jack, when the job was finished. “It’s not very fine-looking, +but it will keep out the snow and a good bit of the +cold, and that’s what we want.”</p> + +<p>Two of the remaining saplings were placed at right +angles to make a small doorway alongside of one of the +trees, and the others were taken inside to brace up the +several walls of brush and stone.</p> + +<p>By the time all this was accomplished, it was after +eight o’clock, and every one of the boys was completely +fagged out.</p> + +<p>“Fix up the fire for the night and we’ll go to bed,” said +Harry. “We have more than earned a night’s rest.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right,” added Boxy. “And don’t any one dare +to wake me until eight or nine o’clock to-morrow morning.”</p> + +<p>“We haven’t named the Camp yet,” said Andy. “Let’s +do that before we retire.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>“It’s Camp Rest as much as anything,” replied his +brother, and then and there the spot was so christened.</p> + +<p>Pickles lost no time in replenishing the fire. Then the +sled, with all of the other traps, was dragged into the hut +and a heavy blanket was fastened up over the doorway.</p> + +<p>It took the boys some little time to arrange themselves +to their satisfaction, but, being so tired, they were not as +particular as they otherwise might have been.</p> + +<p>Harry took a place nearest the doorway, with Jack +close behind him. Pickles lay over in a corner by himself, +and Boxy and Andy chummed up close in another +corner.</p> + +<p>Soon every one was asleep, and not a sound save the +heavy breathing of the boys, the singing of the wind +through the tree branches and the crackling of the fire +broke the stillness of the night. The thick snow still +came down, but so softly it was not heard.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII.<br> + +<small>HUNTING FOR FOOD.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It was Jack who was the first awake on the following +morning. He lay for some time without moving, and +then unrolled himself from his blanket and sprang up, +just as Harry opened his eyes with a start.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, Jack! up already?”</p> + +<p>“I just got up, Harry. I guess it’s rather late.” Jack +looked at his watch. “Great guns! quarter to nine! +Rouse up, boys, day has broke, and more!” he cried.</p> + +<p>Soon every one in the hut was awake, and one after +another they arose. Several had a light sprinkling of +snow on their blankets, but the little that had sifted in had +done no harm.</p> + +<p>“We’ll fix that to-day so not a spoonful shall come in +hereafter,” said Jack.</p> + +<p>Pickles was the first to attempt to step outside. He +uttered an exclamation of comical dismay.</p> + +<p>“By golly! de snow’s dun covered up de fiah most!” he +cried.</p> + +<p>The colored youth was right. All about the fire, and +also the hut, the soft covering of white lay to the depth +of a foot and a half, and the cleared spot where the flickering +embers lay had been narrowed down to a tiny circle.</p> + +<p>“We’ll clear the snow away between the hut and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> +fire first,” said Harry. “Pickles, you can start to get +breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s so, but what is we gwine to hab dis mornin’?” +questioned the colored youth, soberly.</p> + +<p>“We must hunt up our breakfast,” said Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Let’s try to get a squirrel or two,” suggested Andy. +“I saw a hole on one of the trees yesterday, close to where +we built the first fire.”</p> + +<p>“All right; you and Boxy take the guns and see what +you can scare up,” replied his brother. “Harry and I will +go for rabbits, birds or whatever we can find.”</p> + +<p>Leaving Pickles to heap more brush and wood on the +fire and set the water to boiling for coffee, the four boys +split into two parties and set off.</p> + +<p>“We won’t be able to do much in this deep snow,” observed +Harry to Jack, as the two pushed up the stream. +“There won’t be much stirring.”</p> + +<p>“We might run across a hungry fox,” returned his companion. +“They come out if they are hungry enough.”</p> + +<p>“Are they good to eat?”</p> + +<p>“Some say they are. I have never tried them, but I +would eat fox meat in preference to starving, every time.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, so would I. But we are not starving yet.”</p> + +<p>“No, but there is no telling what may happen. It is +true it has stopped snowing, but there is no telling how +soon it may start up again.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I move we lay in as much as we can to-day,” +said Harry, after a pause. “We’ll feel safer if we have +something in the larder to fall back on. Besides, I get +tired of crackers, cheese and smoked beef.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>Walking through the snow was by no means an easy +matter, and the two boys had not gone far when they +found the exercise beginning to tell on them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jack touched Harry on the arm and motioned +him to be silent. Both boys came to a halt, and the elder +pointed over to his left.</p> + +<p>For fully ten seconds nothing was to be seen. Then +from over a fallen log appeared a pair of long gray ears, +followed by the head and body of a fat bunny.</p> + +<p>Bang! went Jack’s gun, and the old fellow leaped up in +the air, ran a few steps and then fell dead.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! you’ve the first one!” cried Harry, as both +ran forward. “My! but he’s a whopper!” he added, as +he took up the prize by the hind legs.</p> + +<p>“Yes, he’ll do very well,” returned Jack, with a smile +of pardonable pride. “A few more like this and——”</p> + +<p>He broke off short. The discharge of the gun and their +approach had started up two more rabbits less than a rod +off. They were scampering through the snow at top +speed.</p> + +<p>Harry took steady aim and fired. One of the bunnies +was killed and the other seriously injured.</p> + +<p>“After him or he’ll get away!” yelled Jack, referring to +the wounded rabbit, which was doing its best to drag itself +out of sight in some brushwood.</p> + +<p>With a bound Harry ran forward and caught the +animal when it was still a yard from cover. A blow from +the gunstock settled its career forever.</p> + +<p>“That beats me,” said Jack. “Three rabbits is not bad. +Shall we go back with them?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>“We seem to have struck a good spot. Let us get +what we can before the bunnies skip elsewhere.”</p> + +<p>So they went on, around the brushwood, and in among +the trees in the vicinity. At first they saw nothing, but +soon scared up three rabbits in a bunch.</p> + +<p>Bang! bang! went Jack’s and Harry’s guns simultaneously, +and two more rabbits were added to their list. +The third animal escaped unharmed.</p> + +<p>“That makes five,” said Jack. “We are doing famously, +to my way of thinking.”</p> + +<p>“Let us continue,” returned Harry, with a good deal of +excitement.</p> + +<p>This was outing sport and no mistake.</p> + +<p>So they went on, but no more rabbits appeared, nor +did any other animals put in sight. They bagged half-a-dozen +small birds, however, and then, with their game-bags +well filled, returned to the camp.</p> + +<p>Andy and Boxy had just arrived. Each of them had +shot a squirrel, and Andy had killed a third with a stick +of wood. They had also secured nearly two quarts of +hickory nuts from one of the squirrel’s nests.</p> + +<p>“Now we are fixed for several days,” declared Jack. +“Let us save the rabbits and have a little squirrel on toast +for breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“That’s it,” laughed Boxy. “Think of it, squirrel on +toast! Delmonico’s an’t in it, eh?” and every one joined +in the laugh.</p> + +<p>Pickles had not been idle. Water was boiling over the +fire, and exactly five big potatoes—portion of the small +mess brought along—were roasting in the ashes beneath.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +It was not long before the smell of newly made coffee and +broiling squirrel filled the air.</p> + +<p>A portion of the fire was dragged directly in front of +the entrance to the hut, making the interior as warm as +the kitchen of a house, and then the five sat down to a +well-earned breakfast and dinner combined. That they +enjoyed every mouthful goes without saying.</p> + +<p>“Now, what’s the programme for to-day?” questioned +Boxy, when he was about full.</p> + +<p>“At first let us give Pickles a chance to clean up, while +we finish work on the hut and build a regular fireplace,” +returned Harry.</p> + +<p>“That’s it,” added Jack. “Pickles can also tend to the +animals we have killed, so they won’t spoil. The hut +must be put into shape, so that it will stand the wind and +any storm that may come along.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think we’ll get any more snow,” said Andy, +but the others shook their heads.</p> + +<p>It was no easy matter to start work in the deep snow +which lay on all sides of the hut, but they went at it with +a will, Boxy whistling cheerfully, and Pickles singing +merrily as he washed the dishes and pots.</p> + +<p>More poles and brush were cut, and Jack, who had seen +the thing done by hunters along the coast, showed how +the brush could be twisted, one branch into another, until +the sides of the hut were as tight as a wicker basket. +They were braced by the poles, and then banked up on the +outside, first by more brush and leaves, and then by snow.</p> + +<p>After the sides were finished, the roof was overhauled +and made much tighter than before. The number of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> +poles on the top were increased, until all was as solid as a +city house.</p> + +<p>“Now we’ve got a hut worth living in,” cried Harry, +as he surveyed the work done. “That will stay there for +several seasons if not torn down by human hands.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a pity we are not going to stay longer,” grumbled +Boxy. “Three days gone already!”</p> + +<p>“But three days are not two weeks,” said Andy, cheerfully.</p> + +<p>The hut finished, they tackled the fireplace.</p> + +<p>A dozen flat stones were sought for and found, and +Jack showed them how a regular oven could be constructed. +The uprights and the cross pole which had been +used previously were allowed to remain, with the pot suspended +over them, full of water.</p> + +<p>“It’s a good thing to have hot water any time you +want it,” observed Andy, and the others agreed with him.</p> + +<p>By this time it was two o’clock, and they lost no time in +preparing to go on the hunt.</p> + +<p>“How Pete Sully and the others would envy us if they +knew how nicely we were situated,” observed Boxy.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet they were mad when we left them to shift +for themselves on the ice,” put in Andy. “We’ll have an +account to settle with them when we get home.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so, but I’m not going to worry,” returned +Harry. “Come on, fellows, let us see what we can start +up between now and sundown.”</p> + +<p>And all together they started off on a hunt that was to +be one of the most perilous of the whole outing.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII.<br> + +<small>CHASED BY WOLVES.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>After some discussion it was decided to follow the +course of the creek upon which they had pitched their +camp.</p> + +<p>This would aid them in several ways. It would prevent +them from going astray and getting lost, and traveling +was easier there than in among the trees and brush. +Moreover, Jack was of the opinion that they would find +more game along the creek side than elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Every one was in excellent spirits, and had it not been +for a warning from Harry, Boxy and Pickles would have +started to sing and whistle.</p> + +<p>“We will never get anything unless you remain quiet,” +he said. “It is hard enough to stalk anything without a +dog.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I ought to have brought Leo,” burst out Boxy. +“But Minnie wouldn’t hear of it. She said it was bad +enough for me to go, without taking him.”</p> + +<p>“Leo isn’t a hunting dog, is he?” questioned Andy.</p> + +<p>“A kind of one. He hasn’t been trained very well.”</p> + +<p>“Then he would have been worse than none,” put in +Jack. “A dog is no good unless he is thoroughly broken.”</p> + +<p>“My ole man’s dun got de dorg,” put in Pickles. “But +he would radder gib me his suit of clo’s dan let me take<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +Woppy away. He t’inks moah ob dat dorg dan he does +ob me, a heap sight.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll get along all right,” replied Jack. “But we +must—hullo! here are tracks in the snow!”</p> + +<p>“Hist! a rabbit, suah you boarn!” whispered Pickles.</p> + +<p>Up came his gun. A tremendous report followed, and +the colored youth went over backward in the snow. The +heavy charge in the firearm completely demolished the +rabbit, which had been close at hand.</p> + +<p>“Did—did—I hit him?” gasped Pickles, as he scrambled +to his feet with a wild stare in his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, you didn’t hit him, you simply scattered him,” +returned Boxy, doubled up over the sight Pickles had +presented as he went over. “You knocked him into six +million pieces.”</p> + +<p>“Dat so?” Pickles gazed ruefully at the tufts of fur +lying about. “By golly! dat was a most terribul shot, +wasn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“I should say it was,” returned Jack. “What made +you load up so heavily?”</p> + +<p>Pickles scratched his woolly head.</p> + +<p>“I dun racken I loaded dat yere gun twice,” he said, +slowly. “I loaded her up yisterday, an’ dis moanin’ I did +de same.”</p> + +<p>A perfect howl of laughter went up, and it increased +instead of diminished when Pickles went around looking +for enough of the rabbit to take back to camp. He was +unsuccessful.</p> + +<p>“Well, you can be thankful that the gun didn’t burst +and send you to kingdom come,” commented Harry.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +“Next time be sure to fire off the gun before you load +again.”</p> + +<p>“You kin bet I will,” returned Pickles, and he spoke +the truth. All of his charges after that were somewhat +light.</p> + +<p>A little distance farther on they came across several +more rabbits. Jack brought down one and his brother +another. All the other boys fired and missed.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have rabbits if nothing else,” observed Jack. +“But I am in hopes we’ll strike bigger game.”</p> + +<p>“A bear, for instance,” said Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Well, no, not exactly. But a deer wouldn’t go bad.”</p> + +<p>“There ought to be deer around here,” said Harry. +“Barton Coils said we would find some sure.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose they are getting scarcer every year. Maybe +we will have to go away back in the mountains for them.”</p> + +<p>On and on they trudged, without another sign of a +rabbit. But presently Harry drew attention to a squirrel +hole, and a halt was made to see what it might contain.</p> + +<p>They all loaded up, and then Boxy threw a snowball +into the hole. Nothing followed, and then another snowball +and a stick of wood were launched at the hole.</p> + +<p>Instantly a squirrel’s head appeared; his lordship looked +out to see what was the cause of the disturbance.</p> + +<p>Jack took quick aim and fired. The head disappeared, +but whether the animal had been hit or not they could not +tell.</p> + +<p>“I’ll climb up and investigate,” said Boxy. “I have an +idea there is more than one squirrel in that tree.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>“Yes, it looks hollow,” returned Harry. “Let me give +you a boost up.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you shoot me for a squirrel while I’m up there,” +laughed Boxy, and up he started.</p> + +<p>“Humph! you don’t climb like a squirrel,” commented +Andy, as Boxy gripped and twisted to gain the lower +branches of the tree.</p> + +<p>It was a struggle to gain those lower limbs, but Boxy +finally accomplished it, and began to poke into the hole +with a stick. Almost instantly a couple of squirrels +sprang out and darted past him, and out to where the +branches of another tree hung close.</p> + +<p>One of the frisky animals made the leap in safety, and +darted out of sight before those below could take aim at +him.</p> + +<p>The second was not so fortunate. He hesitated for an +instant, and that proved fatal. Harry’s gun spoke, and +down he dropped at the young hunter’s feet.</p> + +<p>The shot, scattering through the branches behind him, +frightened Boxy, who imagined that he was in danger of +being hit, although such was not the case, as Harry was +careful of what he was doing. The boy up at the squirrel +hole shrunk backward, and then, to the amazement of his +companions, disappeared entirely!</p> + +<p>“Hullo! what does that mean?” cried Jack.</p> + +<p>“Where in de world is dat feller gwine?” questioned +Pickles, with his mouth wide open.</p> + +<p>“Who?” asked Harry, who had been paying attention +solely to the squirrel.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>“Boxy has gone into a hole in the tree,” explained +Andy. “Hullo, Boxy, crawl out of that!” he shouted.</p> + +<p>There was no reply. The boys stared at the tree and +each other in wonder.</p> + +<p>“Maybe he has gone clear to the bottom,” suggested +Jack.</p> + +<p>“I’ll climb up and see,” returned Harry. “Give me a +leg up, quick! He may be smothering!”</p> + +<p>Jack assisted him, and Harry was soon up to where +Boxy had been standing. Sure enough, there was a large +hole, and Boxy was wedged into it at least seven or eight +feet below the opening.</p> + +<p>“Help me!” gasped the unfortunate boy, in a thick +voice.</p> + +<p>“Throw up a rope or a strap,” shouted Harry, to those +below. “He is way down, and can’t help himself.”</p> + +<p>Several skate-straps, buckled together, were at once +thrown up. Winding one end around his hand, Harry +lowered the other.</p> + +<p>“Got it tight?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” returned Boxy. “But I’m afraid you can’t haul +me up—I’m wedged in that firm!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll see.”</p> + +<p>Bracing himself as best he could, Harry hauled away +on the strap. The leather cut his hand a good deal, but +to this he paid small attention.</p> + +<p>At first Boxy did not budge. Then, with a groan, he +came up a few inches. A tearing sound, as of clothing, +followed, and finally he was raised so that he could get +his hands on the edge of the hole. Then he helped himself;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +and soon both he and Harry were down among the +others again.</p> + +<p>Boxy’s coat was torn in half-a-dozen places, but he +gave scant attention to that. He was very thankful that +he had been pulled out of the tree-trunk alive.</p> + +<p>“Supposing I’d been alone when that happened?” he +shuddered. “I was worse off than Jack in that pit on the +other side of the lake.”</p> + +<p>“That shows the wisdom of keeping together,” said +Jack. “After this we will make it a point to go out together, +or, at least; in pairs—never alone.”</p> + +<p>The journey up the creek was resumed, and they kept +on until at least a mile and a half had been covered.</p> + +<p>“Now I move we go back,” said Jack. “It is getting +late. To-morrow we can start out early, for there will +be nothing to do around the camp after breakfast, which +we ought to have by seven o’clock.”</p> + +<p>The others were tired and readily agreed. They had +not seen any deer, but had found a run, and they were +certain that, sooner or later, they would strike one or +more of the much-prized beasts.</p> + +<p>About a quarter of the distance to camp was covered, +when, without warning, a doleful sound reached their +ears, coming from directly in front of them.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” asked Andy, as he came to a halt.</p> + +<p>“Wolves!” cried Jack. “I did not think there were any +in this section!”</p> + +<p>“The heavy snow has driven them out to look for food,” +put in Harry. “We may have trouble with them.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>“We can shoot them,” said Boxy. “And they—here +they come now!”</p> + +<p>Boxy had hardly uttered the words when from a thicket +rushed five lean and savage-looking wolves, snapping and +snarling as they came toward the boys.</p> + +<p>All fired their guns, and two of the wolves went down, +mortally wounded. The others kept on, yelping and +barking with increased savageness.</p> + +<p>“Run for it!” yelled Jack. “They will tear us to pieces +if they once get at us!”</p> + +<p>And run they did, trying to load their firearms as they +went.</p> + +<p>Soon the wolves were close at their heels!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX.<br> + +<small>THE LAST OF THE WOLVES.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It certainly looked as if matters would turn out seriously +for the five boys. The three remaining wolves were +close at their heels, and so far no one but Jack had succeeded +in reloading his gun.</p> + +<p>The boys thought it odd that the three wolves did not +stop to devour their dead companions. The truth was +that every one of the savage beasts had received a portion +of the scattering shot and was so enraged that it thought +only of attack.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had his firearm ready for use, Jack +wheeled about and took hasty aim.</p> + +<p>Bang! went the gun, and the foremost of the wolves +keeled over, shot through the head.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Jack!” panted his brother. “I wish I +could knock another of them!”</p> + +<p>“Sling your guns over your shoulders and jump for +the tree limbs!” called out Boxy, and an instant later he +made a leap and drew himself up into a tree, where he was +safe for the time being.</p> + +<p>Andy quickly followed his example, and Jack did the +same. Harry was just finishing loading, and kept on +running.</p> + +<p>The two wolves did not stop running, but went after +Harry, snarling and yelping directly at his heels.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>Then, with a lightninglike movement, the brave boy +swung around, and, without bringing his gun to his +shoulder, fired almost directly into the open mouth of the +leading beast.</p> + +<p>With hardly a sound, the wolf toppled over, knocking +his companion down as he fell.</p> + +<p>This gave Harry a moment’s respite, of which the exhausted +boy was not slow to take advantage.</p> + +<p>He came to a tree whose branches were scarcely seven +feet from the ground, and, with a jump, landed in several +of them. He managed to haul himself up just as the remaining +wolf made an unsuccessful attempt to bury his +gleaming teeth in his leg.</p> + +<p>But, alas! as Harry reached the branches in safety, his +gun slipped from his hand, and went down into the snow +under the wolf’s feet!</p> + +<p>He was now practically defenseless. And the worst of +it was every one of his chums with their guns were at +least a hundred feet or more away.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a fine mess!” he muttered to himself, as he +looked down and surveyed the situation. “If I had that +gun I could easily settle that fellow, but without it I can +do practically nothing.”</p> + +<p>“Hullo, Harry! where are you?” sang out the voice of +Jack, from a tree which was out of sight.</p> + +<p>“I’m up a tree and I’ve dropped my gun!” was the +dismal response.</p> + +<p>“How about the wolves?”</p> + +<p>“They are all dead but one, and he is sitting under the +tree waiting to make a meal of me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>“If there’s only one left I’ll soon finish him!” responded +Jack, quickly. “Just wait till I load up again.”</p> + +<p>“Look out there!” suddenly shouted Boxy, from another +direction. “Here comes another wolf!”</p> + +<p>A yelping from the woods left behind told that he was +right. The beast stopped under the trees Boxy and Andy +had climbed for safety.</p> + +<p>Presently both boys fired on him, and he was mortally +wounded. With a yelp of pain almost human he dragged +himself out of sight through the brush.</p> + +<p>“He’s cooked!” cried Andy.</p> + +<p>“Any more coming?” questioned his big brother, +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Not that we can hear,” replied Boxy, after a pause. +“By the way, where is Pickles?”</p> + +<p>That was a puzzling question. In their excitement all +of the members of the Zero Club had forgotten the negro +youth.</p> + +<p>But they now had no time to think over the matter. +Jack was determined to kill the wolf under Harry’s tree. +He saw to it that his gun was ready for use, and then +dropped down into the snow.</p> + +<p>He had hardly gone a dozen steps when the wolf saw +him and made a rush forward. Taking hasty aim, Jack +fired.</p> + +<p>The shot struck the wolf in the side, wounding him just +sufficiently to make him still more ugly. He flew at Jack +with wonderful ferocity, knocking the boy off his feet and +sending him flat on his back.</p> + +<p>Through the tree branches Harry saw the disaster and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +his companion’s great peril. With a half-suppressed cry +of horror he leaped to the ground and caught up his own +gun.</p> + +<p>The wolf paused for a moment when he saw that he +was to be attacked in the rear. Then he again turned +and flew at Jack’s leg.</p> + +<p>But ere he could bury his teeth into the flesh Harry hit +him a resounding crack on the side with the stock of his +gun. The blow, delivered with all strength, knocked the +wolf away several feet.</p> + +<p>Jack turned over and leaped to his feet. Then the wolf +came at both boys.</p> + +<p>For about ten seconds it looked as if the boys would +have a hard time of it. The wolf was wary and took no +chances. He was watching for an opportunity to leap at +the throat of one or the other.</p> + +<p>Finally he sprang at Jack, but just then came an unexpected +shot from one side. It was so close it caused the +wolf to drop almost at the boy’s feet. He gave a yelp, +turned over once or twice, and was dead.</p> + +<p>They looked around and saw Pickles standing there, a +smoking shotgun in his hands, and grinning from ear to +ear.</p> + +<p>“Dat’s de time dat wolf got dun up fo’ keeps,” remarked +the colored youth.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, Pickles!” cried Jack, gratefully. “You +saved my life!”</p> + +<p>“Not as much as dat, I rackon,” returned Pickles. “Is +dis de las’ ob de tribe?”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_138a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_138a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“Jack wheeled about and took hasty aim.” See page <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>“I believe so,” returned Harry. “Let us all load up and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>be on our guard. There may be more of the pack that +haven’t yet arrived.”</p> + +<p>They followed this advice, and then walked back to +where Boxy and Andy had been left. They were joined +by the others, and then all five of the boys walked around +to view their dead enemies.</p> + +<p>“Six wolves isn’t bad,” observed Jack, grimly.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” returned Boxy. “But it isn’t exactly the +kind of hunting we are looking for.”</p> + +<p>“The deep snow drove them out for food,” remarked +Harry. “No doubt they followed up the trail of the dead +rabbits and squirrels we are carrying.”</p> + +<p>It was decided to let the dead bodies lay where they +were, Pickles cutting off their tails to secure the bounty +offered by the authorities for the wolves’ extermination.</p> + +<p>It was long past daylight when the camp was reached. +While the colored youth prepared the animals shot the +others got supper ready.</p> + +<p>“Maybe you don’t know whar I was when dem wolves +got after us,” observed Pickles, while they were working.</p> + +<p>“Where was you?” questioned Andy.</p> + +<p>“I hid in de stump ob a dead tree. I had my gun ready +fo’ de fust wolf dat showed himself, but dat wolf didn’t +cum. Da all knowed better dan to monkey wid de end of +my old paralyzer.”</p> + +<p>“Pickles would have pickled him,” remarked Boxy, and +then they all laughed.</p> + +<p>The boys were tired, but not sleepy, and as it was a +clear, moonlight night, they sat around the campfire long +after supper, talking and singing. Pickles got out his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +banjo, and made the woods ring with jigs and breakdowns, +and the accompaniment to a ditty called “When +the Cotton Am a-Bloomin’.” All joined in the chorus of +the song, and they kept it up until ten o’clock.</p> + +<p>“Now, it’s turn in without delay,” ordered Harry. +“Remember, we start off early to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“If it don’t snow like fury,” put in Andy.</p> + +<p>“No more snow for a week,” said Boxy. “Just look, +the sky is as clear as a bell!”</p> + +<p>“I wonder how things are at home?” went on Andy, +suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Why, what put that into your head?” questioned Jack, +turning to him quickly.</p> + +<p>“Humph! I was wondering the same thing,” remarked +Harry.</p> + +<p>“Maybe somebody is getting homesick,” observed Boxy, +and although he meant it for a joke, there was a little +truth in the remark nevertheless, although not one of the +boys would have admitted it for the world. Not that +they wished to leave camp, only that they would like to +have seen the family faces, if only for a brief moment.</p> + +<p>They soon forgot the idea, however, in the preparations +to retire. They helped Pickles haul a log and some brush +to the fire, and then carried the various traps to the hut.</p> + +<p>“Supposing a wolf comes here during the night?” said +Boxy, suddenly, with a slight shudder.</p> + +<p>“Not likely,” rejoined Jack. “But you can sleep with +one ear open if you wish.”</p> + +<p>“I will,” returned Boxy, and he did.</p> + +<p>Quarter of an hour later every one of the boys had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +sought his corner and made himself comfortable. Soon +all of them but Boxy were asleep.</p> + +<p>Boxy tried his best to close his eyes, but in vain. He +turned and twisted, counted a hundred, made himself a +dead weight, and did numerous other things to induce +sleep, but without success. He had a wakeful streak on, +and when he dozed off it was not alone with one ear open, +but with one eye also.</p> + +<p>Presently he started up and sprang to his feet. Was +he mistaken, or had he heard something moving around +outside? He listened intently, but no sound but the +crackling of the fire reached his ears.</p> + +<p>“I would be willing to bet anything I heard a strange +noise,” he said to himself. “I’m going to investigate, +though, before I wake up the other fellows.”</p> + +<p>And with his blanket still around him, he stepped outside +of the hut.</p> + +<p>A second later Boxy heard a long, low moan from the +other side of the creek. He looked across in the direction, +and then gave a yell of alarm that brought every one of +his companions to his feet with a bound.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX.<br> + +<small>WHAT COULD IT HAVE BEEN?</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>When the others reached the outside of the hut they +found Boxy staring wildly, his eyes fairly bulging from +their sockets. His face was a deadly white.</p> + +<p>“What is it, Boxy?”</p> + +<p>“What do you see?”</p> + +<p>“Some wild animal, or what?”</p> + +<p>“A ghost!” gasped Boxy. “A ghost, as sure as fate!”</p> + +<p>“Where? where?”</p> + +<p>“Across the ice—it just disappeared behind the trees!”</p> + +<p>“There are no ghosts,” returned Jack, in disgust.</p> + +<p>“Certainly not,” put in Harry.</p> + +<p>“What did dat ghost look like?” asked Pickles, with +interest. He was a firm believer in spirits.</p> + +<p>“It was tall and white, and had two horns on its head,” +replied Boxy, with a shiver. “I never saw such a thing +before in my life!”</p> + +<p>“You must have been dreaming,” suggested Andy, who +took his brother’s view of the matter.</p> + +<p>“I wasn’t dreaming. I heard a noise and got up to see +what it was. When I reached outside I heard a low, long +moan, and I looked across the creek, and saw it just as +plain as day.”</p> + +<p>“Must have been that extra-heavy supper that didn’t +set well on your stomach,” commented Jack.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>“It wasn’t anything of the sort,” retorted Boxy, half +angrily. “It was a ghost, or something like it. The +moon was shining right on it.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe it was a man dressed in white,” said Harry. +“One of the old deer-hunters from up in the mountains.”</p> + +<p>“A hunter wouldn’t go around moaning like a cow with +the toothache,” returned Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Well, you don’t mean to say that you believe in +ghosts?” asked Jack, plumply.</p> + +<p>“I never did before,” replied Boxy, evasively.</p> + +<p>“Well, let me tell you that there are no such things, +never were, and never will be. Either you were dreaming, +or the object was some man or some animal.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe you want to go after it and find out?” cried +Boxy, quickly.</p> + +<p>“That’s just what I’m going to do.”</p> + +<p>“So am I,” added Harry. “We’ll take our guns and +compel his ghostship to give an account of himself.”</p> + +<p>“You had better look out!” cried Pickles, nearly terror-stricken +at the idea. “Dat ghost dun cotch you an’ you +nebber be hurd ob no moah!”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense!” laughed Jack. “Which way did the thing +go, Boxy?”</p> + +<p>“It moved up the creek and then back.”</p> + +<p>“Do you want to go along and show us the way?”</p> + +<p>Boxy hesitated, but to refuse would look too much like +cowardice, and, somewhat against his will, he finally consented +to accompany them. Andy said he would go, too, +and, not to be left behind alone, Pickles joined the party,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +but on the lookout to run for life at the first sight of a +ghost.</p> + +<p>Not a minute was lost by Harry and Jack, and once +started, they set off on a run, Boxy between them. They +were soon across the creek and hunting around the heavy +brush and thicket of trees.</p> + +<p>But though they searched for the best part of half an +hour, they discovered comparatively little. There were +a few large tracks in the snow, but these were dragged so +none could tell what sort of a walking object had made +them.</p> + +<p>“Well, we might as well give up,” said Andy, at last. +“I am mighty cold, rousing up out of a warm sleep.”</p> + +<p>They searched around a little while longer, and then +one after another returned to the camp. Pickles replenished +the fire, and signified his intention to sit up for +the balance of the night. It was then a little after three +o’clock.</p> + +<p>“I wonder what it could have been?” queried Harry, as +he threw himself on his resting-place once more. “Boxy +certainly saw something.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps time will solve the mystery,” responded Jack, +sleepily, and he was right. The near future solved it in a +most unexpected manner.</p> + +<p>Boxy could not sleep at all after the excitement through +which he had passed, and at five o’clock he left the hut +to join Pickles by the side of the fire. He found the colored +youth dozing away over the oven that had been built, +and in great danger of having his woolly locks singed by +the flickering flames.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>He roused up Pickles, and by a little after six both had +a fine breakfast ready. Then the others got up, one after +another, and soon daylight broke, and Camp Rest was +once more astir.</p> + +<p>“Now for nothing less than two or three deer!” cried +Harry, enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>“That’s the talk,” returned Jack. “And we’ll get them, +too, if we go far enough up in the mountains.”</p> + +<p>“That is if we don’t all get buck-fever and forget to +shoot when we have the chance,” laughed Andy.</p> + +<p>“Da is lots ob fellers wot gits dat fever,” remarked +Pickles. “I reckerlect my dad a-speakin’ ob a party ob +six gen’men from de city gwine up in de mountains to +shoot deer, and when day had de chance to knock ober +foah of dem, not a single gen’men t’ought to pull trigger, +an’ de consekences was dat de deer all got away!”</p> + +<p>“We’ll try to do better than that,” laughed Harry, and +all agreed with him.</p> + +<p>As they expected to be away from camp until sundown, +enough meat and crackers were taken along to +serve for dinner. This was stowed away in Pickles’ haversack. +Then the traps to be left behind were stowed +away in the hut, and off they started on what was to be +one of the best hunts of the outing.</p> + +<p>Boxy wanted to take the sled along to bring back at +least one of the deer, but Jack said they could make a +drag, if they were lucky enough to get the animal.</p> + +<p>Instead of following the creek, they now struck off +directly for the mountains. The sunshine of the day +previous had settled the snow, and crusted it over in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +many spots, and they found traveling not as difficult as +some of them had imagined.</p> + +<p>“I trust we meet no more wolves,” said Jack, as he +and Harry trudged along side by side. “One experience +with those chaps is enough.”</p> + +<p>“Especially such an experience as we had,” was the +reply.</p> + +<p>“When will we get to the deer territory?” called out +Andy, from behind.</p> + +<p>“We ought to strike a run by eleven or twelve o’clock,” +replied Harry.</p> + +<p>“Not habing a dorg is gwine to bodder us considerbul,” +remarked Pickles. “It takes a good dorg to stir up de +animiles.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we’ll do the best we can without,” returned +Jack. “Come on, for we have still several miles to go.”</p> + +<p>On they went, over half-a-dozen hills and creeks, and +up steep rocks and across deep ravines. Sometimes they +traveled rapidly, and at others with extreme caution.</p> + +<p>“Don’t fall into some hollow or hole and break a leg,” +was Boxy’s caution, and it was a timely one.</p> + +<p>Overhead the sun had been shining, but now it went +under a bank of light clouds, and, as a consequence, it +grew colder.</p> + +<p>“I don’t like the cold,” remarked Jack. “But we can +hunt better now than when the sun is too bright, to my +way of thinking.”</p> + +<p>Twelve o’clock found them ascending the side of a +long hill, the last before the mountains should be reached.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +The thickets were almost impassable, and they looked in +vain for some kind of a pathway.</p> + +<p>“Don’t make too much noise,” cautioned Harry, as they +proceeded. “Beyond this hill, I imagine, there is a wide +valley, and if so, that ought to make a good spot for deer. +We don’t want to frighten any possible game.”</p> + +<p>“I’m most played out,” muttered Andy. “We’ll have +to rest a bit when we reach the top.”</p> + +<p>“Unless we see something, we can stop and have dinner +there,” answered his brother. “Quiet now, for the +top is not far off, and the wind will carry our voices down +into the valley as soon as we reach the ridge.”</p> + +<p>They went on after this in silence, all following Harry +and Jack in Indian file. Five minutes later the crest +of the long hill was before them. With the greatest possible +caution they crept forward and peered over into the +valley on the other side.</p> + +<p>At first they saw nothing. Then Harry motioned them +to silence, and pointed to a little opening among the +bushes far away to the south. Four animals were +bunched together there, and a second look convinced all +of the boys that they were deer.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI.<br> + +<small>DEER HUNTING.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>Every one of the boys took a good look, to make sure +that he was not mistaken, and then they drew back several +yards from the crest of the hill.</p> + +<p>“Deer, and four of them!” whispered Andy, excitedly.</p> + +<p>“We can’t shoot them so far off,” added Boxy.</p> + +<p>“No, we have to get closer and on the other side of +them,” replied Harry.</p> + +<p>“Why on the other side?” questioned Andy, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“Deer always scent a person if he is to the windward.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I see. Well, shall we cross the valley here?”</p> + +<p>“No, we will have to go up to the north and make a +wide detour behind that bit of woods,” said Jack. +“Come on, there is no time to lose. The deer may shift +their position at any moment.”</p> + +<p>In the excitement of the moment all thoughts of the +midday meal were forgotten. And they likewise forgot +that they were tired. With such game in view they +would have tramped five miles without a murmur.</p> + +<p>Harry led the way along the ridge, taking care that +they should not expose themselves to the view of the +deer below. It was a tedious walk, especially to Andy,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +who wanted half-a-dozen times to try a shot at long +range.</p> + +<p>At last they reached the crest of the hill, and began +to climb down the other side. This was hard work, for +fear of striking an icy surface and going down—no one +could tell where.</p> + +<p>It was half an hour before they stood in the valley. +Here it was warmer, on account of the shelter from the +wind.</p> + +<p>“Now come on and we’ll get to some spot directly behind +the deer,” said Harry. “Then we will spread out +in a semi-circle and do our best to bag the lot.”</p> + +<p>Without another word, and scarcely daring to +breathe, they moved along in the snow, their guns, and +the rifle carried by Jack, ready for immediate use.</p> + +<p>Luckily, there was a small rise of rocks between the +game and the boys, and using this as a shelter, they +approached closer and closer to the deer.</p> + +<p>“Now all fire when I give the signal, a sharp whistle,” +said Jack. “Don’t fire before, and don’t forget to have +a second charge ready for your guns.”</p> + +<p>With these instructions, he stationed Andy and Boxy +in one spot, Pickles in another, and then went on with +Harry.</p> + +<p>Fifty feet farther Jack and Harry came to a halt, and +selected places not over two yards apart.</p> + +<p>“I’ll take the one by the tree,” whispered Jack. “You +take any of the others you please. All ready?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>At that instant one of the deer raised his head and +sniffed the air. Something had alarmed him.</p> + +<p>Jack gave a sharp whistle, and up came the other deer +heads.</p> + +<p>Bang! bang! bang! went the rifle and the guns in a +running fire. One of the deer leaped up into the air +and fell mortally wounded. A second staggered off, +shot in the fore legs. The others were apparently unharmed, +and bounded off down the valley on the wings +of the wind.</p> + +<p>“Go for the wounded one!” shouted Harry, as he +rammed another load into his gun. “I’m going after +those other deer!”</p> + +<p>And away he went, before Jack could utter a single +protest.</p> + +<p>Harry knew enough to keep out of sight, and to move +along silently. He covered the ground with all the +speed at his command, nevertheless, forcing his way +through the woods and over rocks for nearly a quarter +of a mile.</p> + +<p>At this point the valley narrowed, and he was forced +by the lay of the land to come out into the open.</p> + +<p>As he had hoped, the two unwounded deer had come +to a halt, and were standing on a rocky slope, looking +back curiously, to learn what manner of fate had overtaken +their companions.</p> + +<p>They soon spied the young hunter, however, and +turned to run on. It was then that Harry fired at the +hindmost.</p> + +<p>His aim was true, and the entire charge entered the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> +creature’s back. He stumbled into the snow and rolled +over and over.</p> + +<p>Thinking him about done for, the boy ran forward to +view his prize. Scarcely had he come within five yards, +when the deer, a small but strong-built buck, scrambled +up and charged upon him.</p> + +<p>Harry leaped to one side in the nick of time. Had it +been otherwise, those sharp prongs would have pierced +him through and through. The buck staggered on +several yards, and then turned and made a second assault.</p> + +<p>Again Harry sprang out of the way. Then he started +to run, but had gone scarcely thirty feet when he stumbled +on an icy rock, slipped along a yard or two and fell +forward.</p> + +<p>The poor boy gave himself up as lost. But help was +close at hand. The sharp report of Jack’s rifle rang out, +and over tumbled the buck, shot through the eye, and +quite dead.</p> + +<p>“Are you hurt, Harry? Did he buck you?” questioned +Jack, quickly.</p> + +<p>“No, I’m all right,” panted Harry. “And thanks to +you for killing him.”</p> + +<p>“You wounded him, didn’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, his back is full of buckshot. But it only made +him ugly. What of that deer that was wounded first?”</p> + +<p>“Andy, Boxy and Pickles took care of him. This +makes three out of four, and that is not bad.”</p> + +<p>Getting some branches, the boys made a rough drag +and placed the buck upon it. Luckily, there was a little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +creek running through the middle of the valley, and on +the ice covering they slid their game down to the spot +where the sport had first begun.</p> + +<p>The others were waiting for them, and they set up a +yell of delight when they saw a third deer had been +brought down.</p> + +<p>“Dis am sumfing to be proud ob, an’ no mistake,” +observed Pickles. “My dad won’t most beliebe me +when I dun tell him ob it.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll take along the horns and skins, and that will +certify to our story,” said Jack. “The question is, +what’s to be done with all of this meat?”</p> + +<p>“It’s a pity, but most of it will have to be left behind, +I suppose,” returned Harry. “Let us carry as much of +the choice pieces as we can.”</p> + +<p>They set to work with a will to skin the deer, saving +the heads just as they were. They were hard at work +when a loud, drawling voice disturbed them.</p> + +<p>“Wall, neow, jess tew look at thet!” exclaimed the +voice. “Dew yeou boys mean tew say thet yeou killed +the three of ’em?”</p> + +<p>They looked around, and standing on the rocks beheld +a tall, slim-built farmer, evidently of Yankee extraction, +surveying the scene in wonder and admiration.</p> + +<p>“Yes, we killed them,” replied Harry. “Pretty good +for one morning’s hunt, eh?”</p> + +<p>“Most etarnally good, young man—in fact, the best +Josh Higginson hez seed in many a year. It does yeou +proud, boys, take my word on it!”</p> + +<p>“We are proud,” returned Andy, honestly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>“I came deown here tew see if I could git a shot myself, +but I guess it’s tew late neow. Too bad, tew, for +the old woman wuz calkerlatin’ on a bit o’ vension fer +tew-morrow’s dinner.”</p> + +<p>“You can have some and welcome,” returned Jack, +quickly. “We do not wish it all, and cannot carry it to +our camp on Rock Island Lake.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, he might as well take all that is left,” added +Harry. “It will only spoil here.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” put in Andy and Boxy.</p> + +<p>Josh Higginson was greatly pleased. In truth, he +was not much of a hunter, and it is doubtful if he could +have brought down a deer even if given the chance.</p> + +<p>He thanked them over and over again, and said he +would go home and bring a sled and horse down to +carry away the meat. He asked the boys about themselves, +and said he hoped that they would have the best +possible time during the balance of their outing in the +woods.</p> + +<p>“I have a tidy little place up tew the end o’ the valley,” +he said; “an’ if yeou come up thet way drap in, an’ I’ll +treat yeou the best I know heow.”</p> + +<p>Not to get back to camp too late, they rushed matters, +and half an hour later were on their way. Each +was loaded heavily, but no one grumbled, for was it not +the prize of the day they were carrying?</p> + +<p>“Won’t folks in Rudskill be astonished when they +learn of all we shot!” exclaimed Boxy. “I guess they’ll +think we are regular hunters, true enough!”</p> + +<p>“This meat will last us the balance of the outing,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +Harry. “So we won’t have to worry about food any +more.”</p> + +<p>On and on they went, over the hills, until, when it +was growing quite dark, they came in sight of the camp.</p> + +<p>“Home again!” sang out Andy, “and I am not sorry. +Another mile would have done me——”</p> + +<p>“Somebody has been here!” interrupted Harry, +quickly. “See, the fire has been scattered right and +left, and the oven torn to pieces!”</p> + +<p>“Who could have been mean enough to do this?” put +in Jack, angrily.</p> + +<p>Then he stopped short, and both he and Harry made +a rush for the hut.</p> + +<p>A single glance around showed that their sudden fear +was realized. The hut had been looted. Every one of +their traps, including the sled, was gone!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII.<br> + +<small>TRACK OF THE MARAUDERS.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>For the moment both Jack and Harry were dumfounded +by their discovery. They stared around the hut, and then +stared at each other.</p> + +<p>“What’s the trouble?” asked Boxby, pushing his way +inside behind them, and followed by Andy and Pickles.</p> + +<p>“They have stolen the sled and all of our things!” burst +out Jack, wrathfully.</p> + +<p>A shout of dismay went up.</p> + +<p>“Who did it?”</p> + +<p>“Where have they gone?”</p> + +<p>“Can’t we go after them?”</p> + +<p>“I can’t cook no supper widout a pot or a kettle,” added +Pickles, dubiously.</p> + +<p>“And we won’t have supper until we have our things +back,” returned Harry, quickly. “I’m not going to sit +still and have my blankets and the rest stolen.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I! Nor I!” shouted the others.</p> + +<p>“Most likely it was tramps,” commented Boxby. “I +wonder how many of them.”</p> + +<p>“Light up some torches and we’ll take a look around,” +ordered Harry, and the suggestion was carried out with +all possible haste.</p> + +<p>But the search, minute as it was, revealed but little.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +Every article of value had been carried off, the oven destroyed, +and evidence was not wanting to show that the +marauders had tried in several places to ruin the hut.</p> + +<p>“It’s a burning shame!” burst out Andy. “It was bad +enough to steal the things, without ruining what was left.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a piece of maliciousness, that’s just what it is,” returned +Boxby. “It looks like the work of a personal +enemy.”</p> + +<p>“But we haven’t any personal enemies up here,” said +Andy. “We left them behind in Rudskill.”</p> + +<p>“Ain’t it mos’ too dark to go aftah dem fellers?” asked +Pickles.</p> + +<p>“It is dark,” replied Jack, “but by taking torches we +can follow the footprints, I think. There is nothing else +to do. We can’t go to bed without our blankets very +well.”</p> + +<p>“Come on, there is no time to lose,” urged Harry, and, +hanging up their deer meat and the heads and antlers, +they started off, each with a blazing pine knot held aloft +of his head.</p> + +<p>The track of the heavily-laden sled led across the creek, +and off along the shore of Rock Island Lake. They +counted the footsteps of three persons who had dragged +the sled along. In several places the footsteps showed all +around the sled.</p> + +<p>“That is where they had to stop to secure the load,” remarked +Harry. “I suppose they loaded so hastily that it +kept slipping off. See, here is one of the tin plates.”</p> + +<p>And he picked up the article from where it lay, half +buried in the snow.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>The plate was turned over to Pickles, and a sharp lookout +was kept for more of their belongings, which resulted +in the finding of another plate, two knives, a fork, and one +small tin kettle.</p> + +<p>“At this rate, we’ll find all of the stuff at the end of two +or three miles,” observed Harry. “The careless, good-for-nothing +fellows! how I would like to face them just +now!”</p> + +<p>And the look on his face showed that he was far from +being in a pleasant humor.</p> + +<p>About a mile from the creek the track turned directly +toward the lake, and a hundred feet farther on was lost on +the clear ice, the snow having been blown in patches by +the high wind.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a state of things!” grumbled Boxy. “We can’t +follow that trail on the ice very well.”</p> + +<p>“Let us take a look ahead,” suggested Jack. “They +might have turned on the ice for a short distance merely +to destroy the trail.”</p> + +<p>They looked on and also all about them, and even ran +out on the lake for a short distance, but it was useless. +The trail was lost and could not be picked up again.</p> + +<p>At last the boys ceased their search, and gathered in a +crestfallen group to discuss the situation.</p> + +<p>“It’s the worst thing that could happen,” said Boxy. +“We can’t continue to camp without our things.”</p> + +<p>“No; unless we can get cooking utensils and blankets, +we’ll have to go home.”</p> + +<p>“It’s too dark to do more to-night,” said Jack. “Let<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +us make ourselves as comfortable as possible and take up +the search again as soon as day breaks.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the talk!” cried Harry. “We won’t give up till +we catch those rascals and recover our belongings.”</p> + +<p>This proposition suited every one, and, thoroughly tired +out from their extra tramp, they returned to the hut.</p> + +<p>Pickles set to work with a will to build up a roaring fire, +and to protect them from the cold while they slept without +blankets this was placed as closely to the opening of the +hut as they dared to put it.</p> + +<p>The small kettle came in handy for heating water, and a +haunch of venison was soon spitted over the fire. Despite +their downcast spirits, the boys all ate heartily. When +they had finished, everything was left in readiness for an +early breakfast in the morning.</p> + +<p>Luckily, it was not extra cold, and the wind came in +such a direction that the hut was greatly sheltered. So, +although somewhat cold, the boys still managed to put in +a fairly comfortable night, sleeping as they did, in their +overcoats, with the fire just outside of the door.</p> + +<p>At the first streak of dawn in the east, Harry was up, +and he quickly aroused the others. Ten minutes later +they were eating breakfast.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to take some provisions along for dinner,” +said Jack.</p> + +<p>“There is nothing else to take but deer meat,” grumbled +Andy. “Those chaps took everything, even our squirrels +and rabbits.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we won’t starve on deer meat,” returned Harry, +as cheerfully as he could; “but, nevertheless, we’ll have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +an account to settle with those fellows when we catch +them.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe they’ll defy us,” said Boxy. “Some tramps +are mighty nasty.”</p> + +<p>“What of that? We are all armed,” said Jack, and the +look on his face told that he was willing to fight for his +own every time.</p> + +<p>Pickles’ haversack was soon packed with cooked deer +meat, the fire was banked up for the day, and then off +they sat in quest of their belongings.</p> + +<p>The sun was just rising over the hills, and it promised +to be a fair day, with but little wind. Through the brush +and trees the ice and snow glittered like silver and pearls, +making the prettiest of pictures.</p> + +<p>The boys had their guns loaded, and before they came +to where the trail moved down to the lake, Andy caught +sight of a squirrel, and shot the pretty animal.</p> + +<p>“There; that will give us a taste of something else besides +deer meat,” he said, with some satisfaction, as he +hung the game over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>When the lake was reached, they halted as they had +the night before, and gazed around in hopes of seeing +something which might have escaped them in the semi-darkness.</p> + +<p>But not a clew came to view in the vicinity. All +around was the glittering ice, that was all.</p> + +<p>“Let us divide up into two parties,” said Harry. “One +party to go along the lake, and the other to go part of the +way across, keeping an eye on the various drifts on the ice. +The trail is bound to turn up somewhere before long.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“Supposing we get separated?” asked Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Fire a gun if you want to find the others, and fire twice +if the trail is found,” suggested Jack, and so it was settled.</p> + +<p>Boxy, Andy and Pickles started off across the ice, while +Jack and Harry continued along the lake.</p> + +<p>“It’s my opinion they came this way,” observed Jack. +“It’s a long journey across the ice on foot.”</p> + +<p>“That’s just my opinion, too, Jack. Besides, if they +were going to cross the lake they would have done it from +the mouth of the creek, instead of picking a way through +the snow and brush so far.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve been wondering if that ghost, as Boxy calls it, +had anything to do with this,” went on Jack, slowly.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps. The plunderers might have thought to scare +us away from camp. When they saw that wouldn’t work, +they waited for us to go off on a hunt.”</p> + +<p>“It looks natural, doesn’t it? Well, let us hope we’ll +clear up the whole affair before night.”</p> + +<p>On the two went along the lake, moving close to the +shore, and examining every little cove that presented itself.</p> + +<p>Presently they came to another creek, about the same +size as that upon which the camp was situated. It was +comparatively free from snow.</p> + +<p>“They might have gone up this,” said Harry. “What +do you think?”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps. But let us continue up the lake,” returned +Jack.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>“Supposing you keep on, while I run up the creek a few +hundred feet. If I see nothing, I’ll soon join you.”</p> + +<p>“All right.”</p> + +<p>Jack turned to the shore once more, and was soon out +of sight. Harry proceeded up the stream, keeping his +eyes open on both sides for anything that might look like +the trail.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely moved onward a hundred feet when a +low cry escaped him. Stooping, he picked up the top of +a coffee pot. He recognized it as belonging to the outfit +of the Zero Club. He had found the trail again!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII.<br> + +<small>THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>To make sure that he was not mistaken, Harry continued +to search in the vicinity of the spot, and presently he +discovered the tracks of the sled through a tiny drift of +snow on one side of the creek, twenty feet farther on.</p> + +<p>Without hesitation he fired his gun, and, loading hastily, +fired a second shot. Then he sat down impatiently to +await the arrival of the others.</p> + +<p>Jack might have joined him in a few minutes, but he +wisely waited at the mouth of the creek for Andy, Boxy +and Pickles, that they might not go astray along the shore.</p> + +<p>Soon the four boys hove in sight, all eager to learn what +he had discovered.</p> + +<p>The top of the coffee pot was exhibited, and Harry’s +story told, and then, with their hopes revived, they started +up the creek, eager to trace the trail to its end.</p> + +<p>It was not long before the creek began to narrow, and +here the ice was covered with snow, through which it was +easy to follow the tracks.</p> + +<p>“Here’s where they left the creek,” said Harry, ten minutes +later. “See, they moved off directly through the +woods.”</p> + +<p>“But it’s a roundabout course,” observed Jack, “and +that proves that it was new ground for them to cover.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>Presently they came to a deep ravine, and saw that the +marauders had walked along this in both directions, looking +for a place to cross. Being unable to find it, they had +continued along the ravine until its upper end was reached, +and then struck out through the thick woods between two +hills.</p> + +<p>“They must have visited the camp early in the morning,” +said Boxy. “Otherwise, they couldn’t have come so far +before nightfall.”</p> + +<p>“It’s my opinion they came in right after we went +away,” said Andy. “Maybe they were watching for our +departure.”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s de ghost did it!” burst out Pickles. “I’ll bet my +ole hat on it!”</p> + +<p>“I guess the ghost was one of the party,” said Jack, +dryly, and Boxy started and suddenly turned red.</p> + +<p>No more was said just then, Harry at that moment +catching sight of a partridge and firing. He caught the +bird just as it was going up with a whirr, and brought it +down almost at the party’s feet.</p> + +<p>“There, Andy, now we can have three kinds of meat +instead of two,” he laughed, and put the bird in his +game-bag.</p> + +<p>“It must be nearly noon,” said Jack, a few minutes later. +“Wait till I look at my watch.” He unbuttoned his overcoat +and his jacket. “Quarter to twelve.”</p> + +<p>“I knowed it was about dat, kase I’m so hungry,” +replied Pickles.</p> + +<p>“We can stop for dinner if you say so,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>It was so agreed, and, coming to several fallen trees,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +they rested and ate their venison. Andy wanted to +cook his squirrel, but it was voted by the others that +this would take too long.</p> + +<p>“Those fellows can’t be very far off,” said Harry. +“And the sooner we overtake them the better. It’s +more than likely they’ll use up all our coffee, crackers +and other stuff if they are given half a chance.”</p> + +<p>The midday meal was soon over, and, somewhat refreshed +by their brief rest, the boys moved on with +renewed vigor.</p> + +<p>“We are in the very depths of these woods,” said +Harry. “See how thick the trees are.”</p> + +<p>“Supposing we get lost?” put in Boxy. “Those fellows +might have lost their way for all we know.”</p> + +<p>A minute or two later Jack fancied he saw some sort +of an animal moving through the brush to his right. +He made a dash for it, calling to the others to wait +until his return.</p> + +<p>He was gone but a short while, and then they heard +him yelling for them to come to him.</p> + +<p>They soon joined him, and discovered that he had +killed a strange-looking beast, not unlike a wildcat. +He had a desperate struggle with the animal, and his +clothing was torn in several places.</p> + +<p>“It was a blow on the back that settled him,” he said. +“I must have paralyzed his backbone. What a horrible-looking +thing!”</p> + +<p>“Are you going to take it along?” asked Boxy.</p> + +<p>“No, leave it where it is. It gives me the creeps to +look at it!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>And Jack shuddered over his narrow escape.</p> + +<p>They were about to turn back to the trail when Harry +gave an exclamation of surprise, and pointed through +the trees to their left.</p> + +<p>“A cottage!”</p> + +<p>“It is true enough!” exclaimed Andy. “And right in +the middle of the woods! How queer!”</p> + +<p>“I wonder who lives there?” asked Boxy.</p> + +<p>“He must be a regular hermit, whoever it be,” vouchsafed +Harry. “He couldn’t choose a more lonely spot!”</p> + +<p>“Maybe the fellows who robbed us live there!” cried +Boxy, suddenly.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” returned Jack. “Go slow, boys, and be +on your guard!”</p> + +<p>With extreme caution they approached the cottage, +which was a long, one-story affair, very much dilapidated. +The door and the windows were tightly closed. +There was no smoke coming from the crumbling chimney, +and nowhere about the place were there the first +signs of life.</p> + +<p>“It’s deserted,” said Harry, and he kicked open the +front door with his foot.</p> + +<p>The banging of the door startled a number of birds +up among the eaves, and they flew out of the cottage +in a bunch before any of the club members could fire at +them.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, in there!” called out Boxy, but no answer was +received, and the five boys stepped inside.</p> + +<p>“Deserted, true enough,” remarked Jack, as he and +the others gazed around.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>“Yes, and for a good number of years,” rejoined +Harry. “Just look how thick the cobwebs hang everywhere. +I dare say no one has been here for years.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, for even the fireplace is falling down,” +said Andy. “I wonder who ever built away out here in +this lonely spot?”</p> + +<p>“Some chap who was tired of the world, most likely,” +laughed Jack. “Say, boys,” he went on, suddenly, “do +you know what I think that animal I killed was?”</p> + +<p>“What?”</p> + +<p>“A house cat, or a house cat’s offspring, gone wild. +Didn’t it look like it?”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s so,” put in Pickles. “Like as not dat animal’s +great-grandmudder was de pet hyar, and when de pusson +wot libed hyar died or moved away, de cat had to shift +fo’ herself.”</p> + +<p>“And so she became a wildcat, and joined the other +wildcats around here,” finished Harry. “It may be so—stranger +things have happened.”</p> + +<p>Jack was in for leaving the deserted cottage at once +and continuing on the track of those who had plundered +their hut, but the others demurred.</p> + +<p>“Let’s take a look around first,” cried Boxy. “It’s +fun to strike an old place like this. Let’s see what we +can find. Perhaps we’ll unearth a treasure.”</p> + +<p>“Not likely!” laughed Jack. “But there are some +few old dishes in the pantry collection hunters might +go wild over,” he went on, as he brought out half a +dozen of the delicate blue ware variety.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>“Let us take them along!” said Andy. “Evidently +the original owner is dead, or has given up all claim to +them.”</p> + +<p>He and his brother continued to sort over the stuff +in the pantry, while Boxy and Pickles took down several +articles from the wide, old-fashioned mantelpiece.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a candlestick from revolutionary times,” said +Boxy. “I’m going to take that along and put it in +father’s war collection.”</p> + +<p>“An’ dar is an ole tinder box,” cried Pickles. “We +kin use dat if we run out ob matches.”</p> + +<p>“Here’s a bean pot half full of moldy beans,” called +out Andy, presently. “Shouldn’t wonder if the fellow +who once lived here was a Yankee.”</p> + +<p>“And here’s a book on money!” shouted Jack. “Here +is a name: John Applegate, his book, January 1, 1824. +Phew! over seventy years ago! He must be dead by +this time if he was, say twenty, when he got the volume.”</p> + +<p>“He was more than that,” returned Boxy, “for here +is his name over the door: John Applegate, 1814. He +built this cottage eighty years ago. Would you believe +it! I should think it would tumble down in that time.”</p> + +<p>“It was strongly built, and has probably been repaired +from time to time,” said Jack. “But, whoever he was, +John Applegate is probably dead and gone now, so we +can take what we please from here.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad to hear that!” shouted Harry from the next +room. “For I have found something that is indeed a +treasure.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>“What is it? What is it?” cried the others, and they +rushed to where he was kneeling in front of a worm-eaten +chest.</p> + +<p>“A stocking full of old coins!” he returned, and he +held it up for their inspection.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV.<br> + +<small>HARRY’S PRIZE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“Is it gold?” queried Jack, as he and the others clustered +around their kneeling companion.</p> + +<p>“Not quite, but there is some silver there,” replied +Harry. “Wait till I spread the coins out on the bench +over there.”</p> + +<p>He walked to a bench beneath one of the windows, +and, turning up the stocking, which was covered with +mold, and ready to fall apart, he allowed some forty +coins of all sizes to roll out.</p> + +<p>“Not a gold coin in the lot!” sighed Boxy. “And I +was thinking you might have struck a fortune!”</p> + +<p>“Here are half-a-dozen silver coins, worth at least +twenty-five cents to a dollar,” said Jack, as he handled +them one after another. “Just see how old they are! +Some of them date away back to sixteen and seventeen +hundred!”</p> + +<p>“I have an idea they are worth a neat sum,” said +Harry, with sparkling eyes. “You must remember that +coin collectors pay pretty good prices for some coins.”</p> + +<p>“By creation! I never thought of that!” cried Andy. +“Maybe there is a fortune after all.”</p> + +<p>“The collection is certainly worth something,” said +Jack, slowly. “And I hope, for Harry’s sake, that it +proves valuable, for the find belongs to him.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>“We’ll share and share alike,” began Harry, but the +others cut him short. They all loved their companion, +and were only too glad to throw a chance of making +something in his way.</p> + +<p>The coins were carefully sorted over, and then Harry +tied them in his handkerchief and put them in a safe +place inside of his clothes. He calculated that the collection +ought to bring him in at least fifty or a hundred +dollars, and to a person in his reduced circumstances +this was worth obtaining.</p> + +<p>After this, the remainder of the contents of the chest, +consisting of some clothing and a few books, which fell +apart as soon as removed, was taken out. There was +nothing more of value.</p> + +<p>On the walls of the cottage were found several old +engravings representing a naval battle and several religious +executions. Jack took these and placed them +flat in his game-bag.</p> + +<p>“It’s about time now that we got back to the trail,” +he said. “We have lost an hour here.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I for one don’t begrudge the time,” said Boxy, +and all, especially Harry, said the same.</p> + +<p>With a last look around, they left the cottage, shutting +the door behind them. It was the first time that +the place had been visited for years, and perhaps it +would be even longer before it would be visited again.</p> + +<p>They were soon on the trail again, and hurrying along +as fast as the roughness of the country would permit. +Up one hill and down another they went, around great +rocks and across numerous tiny streams, until at last<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +they struck the end of the valley in which they had shot +the deer the day previous.</p> + +<p>“I must confess I am tired,” remarked Andy, with an +effort. “We must have covered a good many miles +since we started.”</p> + +<p>“We have,” returned Jack. “But I—hold on, what is +that ahead?”</p> + +<p>As he uttered the last words, Jack motioned the +others to stop. At the same time he pointed to where +a rough lean-to rested against a wall of rocks all of +twenty feet high.</p> + +<p>“That’s some kind of a ranch,” returned Harry. +“And, my gracious! there is our sled standing outside!” +he burst out. “Boys, we have found those fellows at +last!”</p> + +<p>“Bettah be cahful,” warned Pickles. “Da may be +mighty tough customahs to deal wid!”</p> + +<p>“See that your guns are ready,” ordered Jack, sternly. +“We’ll lay down the law to them, no matter who they +are.”</p> + +<p>Every member of the Zero Club at once complied. +Boxy was a trifle nervous, but he did his best to hide it. +Jack and Harry, as the natural leaders of the crowd, +went to the front.</p> + +<p>Before the lean-to ran a small mountain stream, now +frozen solid. Between that and the shelter smoldered +a fire, and around this were scattered a large quantity +of chicken feathers and the heads of two of the barnyard +fowls.</p> + +<p>“They have evidently been having a chicken dinner,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +murmured Harry. “Wonder why they didn’t go out +and shoot some game?”</p> + +<p>“Maybe they are no sportsmen,” returned Jack. “It +is very seldom that tramps are. And, besides, if they +would steal our traps, they wouldn’t hesitate to carry +off some farmer’s chickens.”</p> + +<p>“There doesn’t seem to be any one around,” went on +Harry, after a pause, in which all of the party surveyed +the situation as closely as possible.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they have gone off on a hunt. Hullo!” Jack +went on, in a loud voice.</p> + +<p>No answer came back, and no one appeared in sight, +so, without further hesitation, the five boys walked +boldly into the camp and began to inspect it.</p> + +<p>As has been said, their sled stood upon the outside of +the lean-to. Inside were their traps, nothing missing +but a plate or two and one of the pots.</p> + +<p>“Thank fortune we have recovered our stuff!” exclaimed +Jack. “Had it been otherwise, our tour would +have come to a most inglorious end.”</p> + +<p>“These fellows have blankets and cooking utensils of +their own,” remarked Harry. “Now, what could possess +them to steal our stuff?”</p> + +<p>“They expected to cart it off and sell it, most likely,” +replied Andy. “Those blankets would bring ten or +twelve dollars at least, and the other articles several +dollars more.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we wait here till they come back?” asked +Boxy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>“Certainly we’ll wait,” returned Jack. “We’ll give +them a piece of our mind if nothing else.”</p> + +<p>“Dar is only t’ree of dem,” said Pickles. “An’ we is +five ag’in dem.”</p> + +<p>“Besides, we’ll lay for them and take them by surprise,” +added Harry. “Ah! there are our rabbits and +squirrels tied up in a tree.”</p> + +<p>And he started at once to cut down the game.</p> + +<p>“That proves they must have had those chickens before +they struck our camp,” said Andy. “I wonder how +soon they will be back.”</p> + +<p>“Here come four men on horseback!” suddenly cried +Harry, with a glance down the valley.</p> + +<p>“Four men!” cried Jack. “Sure enough! They can’t +be the fellows that belong to this place.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe they do.”</p> + +<p>“But there are only outfits for three here.”</p> + +<p>“They may have found a companion,” suggested +Boxy.</p> + +<p>“And what of the horses?” questioned Jack.</p> + +<p>“If they would steal our stuff, they would steal horses, +too,” returned Harry. “Perhaps they are a regular set +of backwoods outlaws.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll be on our guard!” cried Boxy. “Those fellows +have discovered us, and are riding for this place +just as fast as they can.”</p> + +<p>Boxy was right. The four horsemen had been proceeding +somewhat slowly, but now they started on a +gallop, the foremost pointing with extended arm toward +the lean-to.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>“I don’t like the looks of that crowd,” said Harry, as +they drew closer. “Every one of them has a shotgun +over his saddle.”</p> + +<p>“See! see! they are aiming at us!” cried Andy. +“They evidently imagine we are going to run away!”</p> + +<p>“Hold on, you fellows!” roared the leading horseman, +as he drew within hearing distance. “Don’t you dare +to stir unless you want to get a dose of buckshot into +you!”</p> + +<p>The boys gathered into a group near the fire, and a +few seconds later the horsemen surrounded them, each +with his shotgun ready for use.</p> + +<p>“There be them chickens, Jim, ez sure ez you air +born!” cried one of the men. “I told yeou them rascals +cum this way!”</p> + +<p>“Will rob an honest farmer’s hen-roost, will yeou?” +burst out another of the men. “Four o’ ’em an’ a coon! +Put down yeour guns, yeou scamps, or we’ll fill yeour +hides so full o’ shot yeou can’t stand!”</p> + +<p>Simultaneously, the four men sprang down into the +snow, and came forward. At a glance it was plain to +see that they were a quartet of hard-working and honest +farmers.</p> + +<p>“We’ll march the lot o’ ’em over to Bagsville, and +have Squire Riggins sit on the case,” said the leader. +“We’ll teach ’em how to come up here an’ steal our lawful +property!”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe50_8125" id="i_174a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_174a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“Will rob an honest farmer’s hen-roost, will yeou?” See page <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV.<br> + +<small>A FRIEND IN NEED.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>The boys listened in silence to what the farmers had +to say. They realized at once the natural mistake the +men were making. The chickens the owners of the +camp had cooked had been stolen, and these four tillers +of the soil supposed the members of the Zero Club guilty +of the crime which had been committed.</p> + +<p>Jack was the first to speak, and a faint smile showed +itself around the corners of his mouth as he lowered +his shotgun and began to explain the case.</p> + +<p>“You are making a great mistake,” he said. “We +know nothing of your chickens. We do not belong at +this camp.”</p> + +<p>“Tell thet to yeour grandmother!” retorted the foremost +farmer. “I know better.”</p> + +<p>“My friend speaks the truth,” put in Harry. “Our +camp is away off on the shore of Rock Island Lake.”</p> + +<p>“None o’ yeour darn yarns now!” growled another +of the farmers. “If I an’t mistaken, yeou be the very +feller I seed around the barn tudder evenin’!”</p> + +<p>“You are mistaken. But I don’t wonder your chickens +were stolen. We had all our traps taken, and we +came here to get them back.”</p> + +<p>“Gee shoo! Can’t thet boy tell a yarn, though?”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +chuckled the tallest of the farmers. “He must hev +been a-makin’ it up fer fear we would cotch him!”</p> + +<p>“It is no yarn!” retorted Harry, flushing up. “I am +telling the plain truth. We are not the owners of this +camp, and we know positively nothing of your fowls.”</p> + +<p>“We are above taking chickens!” burst in Boxy. +“We can shoot all the game we wish, and more.”</p> + +<p>“So we can,” added Andy. “Do we look like chicken +thieves?”</p> + +<p>“Wall, I reckon a coon makes a good hen lifter!” +laughed the smallest of the farmers, with a nod toward +Pickles, which made the colored youth mad clear to +his heels.</p> + +<p>“Look heah!” he cried out, shaking his gun threateningly; +“yo’ can’t consult me dat way, yo’ low-down +white trash! A chicken lifter, indeed! Moah likely +yo’ is one yourself!”</p> + +<p>“What’s thet? Don’t yeou talk tew me!” roared the +farmer, bristling up like a turkey cock. “Maybe yeou +don’t know who yeou be a-talkin’ to?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know, nor care!” retorted Pickles. “I ain’t +no chicken lifter, an’ if yo’ go fo’ to say so, yo’ll git +yo’self into a big muss wid me!”</p> + +<p>“Here, we’ve had enough talking,” put in the first +man who had spoken. “Put down your guns, every +one of you, and be quick about it!”</p> + +<p>“I won’t put down my gun!” cried Jack. “And if you +molest me, you will regret it, mark my words!”</p> + +<p>“We are respectable boys from Rudskill, and you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +have no right to come here and threaten us,” added +Andy.</p> + +<p>“We’ll see,” growled the farmer. “What do you +say?” he went on to his companions. “Shall we take +’em to Bagsville and have ’em up before Squire Riggins?”</p> + +<p>“Thet’s the talk!”</p> + +<p>“It will be a darn good lesson to other chicken +thieves!”</p> + +<p>“Sure, Seth; take ’em up!”</p> + +<p>“Thet settles it, then, along yeou go, every one. +Yeou kin do with yeour traps ez yeou please.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll not budge a step!” replied Harry, firmly.</p> + +<p>“Nor I! Nor I!” burst out the other boys.</p> + +<p>“We’ll see!” howled the leading farmer, his face +growing dark with ill-suppressed wrath. “You can’t +defy the laws of the country, see if you can!”</p> + +<p>“If you’ll only listen to reason,” put in Jack. “Perhaps +we can prove——”</p> + +<p>“Them air chicken heads ez enough for us,” burst +out one of the farmers. “Thar’s the head o’ the best +Leghorn I had!”</p> + +<p>“You’ll come along with us, and right neow!” put in +another. “No more plaguety foolin’ about it!”</p> + +<p>The farmers came closer, and it looked as if there +would be a struggle and possibly bloodshed.</p> + +<p>But just then a call was received from up the valley, +and looking in the direction, all saw a man striding +along through the snow, a horsewhip in his hand.</p> + +<p>As he drew closer, the boys saw that the new-comer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +was Josh Higginson, the man to whom they +had given the deer meat.</p> + +<p>“Have yeou got the fellers, boys?” he called out, to +the other farmers.</p> + +<p>“Yeou jess bet we hev!” replied the leader of the men +on horseback.</p> + +<p>“Why, by gum! ef it an’t the fellers thet give me the +venison!” roared Josh Higginson, in amazement.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Mr. Higginson, perhaps you can help us out +here,” burst in Harry, quickly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, you evidently know these men,” added Jack.</p> + +<p>“Wall, I guess I do know ’em, seein’ ez how they are +all neighbors o’ mine.”</p> + +<p>“Say, Josh, do yeou know these ’ere fellers?” asked +the leader on horseback.</p> + +<p>“They air the fellers thet give me all thet venison +yesterday—the boys ez shot them three deer in one +lick.”</p> + +<p>“They claim we are chicken thieves,” said Harry. +“They believe we belong to this camp, while I told them +our camping-place is away off on the shore of Rock +Island Lake.”</p> + +<p>“They told me their camp wuz over tew the lake,” +said Josh Higginson. “An’ they air such good shots +thet it an’t likely they stole the chickens at all.”</p> + +<p>“We have a squirrel and a partridge with us,” went +on Harry. “And here are a number of rabbits, too.”</p> + +<p>“And we get all the chicken meat we want when we +are home,” finished Boxy. “We didn’t come out here +for that at all, and I wouldn’t touch either chicken or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +turkey just now, unless I was forced to. We are out +solely to hunt and live on game.”</p> + +<p>“I believe the boys speak the truth,” said Josh Higginson. +“They look like an honest set of fellows.”</p> + +<p>One after another the faces of the horsemen fell. +They whispered for a while among themselves, and +finally the leader turned to Harry.</p> + +<p>“What’s this you tried to tell us about yeour traps +bein’ stolen?” he asked.</p> + +<p>In return Harry told their story, to which the others +added such details as they saw fit. The tale took some +little time, and the boys now found that they had five +close listeners.</p> + +<p>“Wall, thet’s the worst yet, ef it’s true,” said the +leading farmer.</p> + +<p>“An’ I guess it ez true,” burst out Josh Higginson. +“Fer I saw them three fellers skulkin’ around my farm +only this noon!”</p> + +<p>“These are all our traps,” said Jack, pointing to the +loaded sled. “Their traps are in the shelter yonder.”</p> + +<p>“Then it’s likely they be coming back,” said the stout +farmer. “Supposin’ we stay here an’ lay low for ’em?”</p> + +<p>“Thet’s the talk,” put in another of the farmers. +“An’ if those boys are honest they’ll stay with us.”</p> + +<p>“We expected to get back to camp before dark,” +replied Jack, slowly. “But I’m willing to stay if the +others are. I would like to meet those three chaps.”</p> + +<p>“So would I,” added Harry. “Let us stay.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll stay and help you give them a warm reception,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +said Boxy, with a look that made every one of +the farmers laugh.</p> + +<p>Josh Higginson had come out looking for a sheep +that had escaped from his pen, and after a bit he left +the crowd.</p> + +<p>It was now growing dusk, and Harry suggested +they leave the vicinity of the lean-to and hide behind +some brush that was not far distant.</p> + +<p>“If we remain here the owners of the camp may see +us before they get very close and turn tail and run,” +he said.</p> + +<p>“But their things be here,” said one of the farmers.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they would rather lose those than be +locked up for chicken stealing,” said Jack, and subsequent +events proved that he was right.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later the entire party withdrew to +the bushes Harry had mentioned. Here the horses +were tied to several trees, and a fire was built, at which +those that felt cold proceeded to warm themselves.</p> + +<p>An hour went by and still no one came near the +lean-to. By this time it was quite dark, and the boys +wondered what they should do if they were compelled +to remain in the vicinity all night.</p> + +<p>“I have it!” cried Andy. “We have our traps and +can bunk in the lean-to.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea!” said Boxy. “Won’t they be mad +when they find we have taken possession?”</p> + +<p>Jack was on guard at the edge of the brush, with +one of the farmers, watching for the return of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +camp’s owners. Presently a shout went up, followed +by the discharge of a gun.</p> + +<p>“Something is up!” cried Harry, as he hurried to +the front, followed by the others.</p> + +<p>“We seen one o’ the rascals,” cried the farmer, who +held a smoking gun in his hand. “He was beyond +yonder rocks!”</p> + +<p>“And who do you suppose it was, boys?” exclaimed +Jack, almost breathlessly. “Pete Sully!”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVI.<br> + +<small>THE UNSUCCESSFUL PURSUIT.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>The other members of the Zero Club could hardly +believe their ears. “Pete Sully!” they cried in unison. +“You must be mistaken.”</p> + +<p>“No; I saw him as plain as day,” returned Jack, with +a decided nod of his head.</p> + +<p>“Then the three must be Sully, Bill Dixon and Len +Spencer!” cried Harry, quickly. “What will you bet +they haven’t followed us from Rudskill to start up a +rival camp? I knew they envied our going away.”</p> + +<p>“Harry has dun struck it,” put in Pickles. “Didn’t I +hear dat Pete Sully sayin’ to Spencer dat he wasn’t +gwine to be beat by dat Harry Webb’s crowd?”</p> + +<p>“And I’ll bet that explains the ghost, too,” put in +Andy. “They were trying to scare us away from our +camp.”</p> + +<p>“But they must have come up here first,” commented +Harry, slowly.</p> + +<p>“They could do that. Perhaps they took the train +to Rudd’s Landing, or maybe they came direct to Bagsville +instead of up the river. That would give them +plenty of time to settle down here before finding our +camp.”</p> + +<p>“Who is these air boys yeou be talkin’ about?” put +in one of the farmers, impatiently.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>In a few words Harry explained about the bully of +the town and his friends. The farmers listened to as +much as they wished to hear, and then one of them suddenly +cut him short.</p> + +<p>“Ain’t no more time tew talk; let’s go arfter ’em,” he +said. “Come on!”</p> + +<p>He grabbed his gun and made off through the snow, +and one after another the boys and men followed, only +one farmer and Pickles remaining behind, to watch the +horses and the traps.</p> + +<p>The pursuing party were soon at the rocks behind +which Pete Sully had been seen. Here not only one +set of tracks, but three, were visible, showing that the +trio were together.</p> + +<p>The tracks led in a zigzag fashion through the woods, +testifying to the fact that in their alarm and fright the +plunderers had dashed away without knowing what direction +to pursue. Evidently, they had in some manner +learned what had happened, and were completely +demoralized by their discovery.</p> + +<p>After leaving the woods, the tracks led across a deep +ravine, and then down to a large pond at the lower +end of which was a creek, which the farmers said +emptied into Rock Island Lake. Here on the clear +ice the trail was lost in the darkness, and could not be +found again.</p> + +<p>“No use to hunt further,” said one of the farmers. +“Let us go back.”</p> + +<p>The boys were willing, and the return to the brush<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +near the lean-to was at once begun. It was now quite +dark, and the farmers were in a hurry to get home.</p> + +<p>“Folks be a-worryin’ abeout us,” said one of them to +Harry. “We didn’t calkerlate to stay out so late.”</p> + +<p>When the brush was reached the farmers mounted +their horses and rode down to the lean-to. Here they +overhauled the traps left by the owners of the place +and took along all of the blankets and many of the +other articles.</p> + +<p>“If yeou see them fellers, tell ’em tew call on Ira +Goodsell, or Dick Pomfett, in Bagsville Deestrict, fer +their things,” chuckled one of the farmers to Jack. “If +they don’t allow as how they care tew call, let ’em +stay about in the cold without nuthin’ tew keep warm o’ +nights, ha! ha! ha!”</p> + +<p>And with a laugh all around, the four farmers bade +the boys good-by and rode away as fast as their farm +nags would carry them.</p> + +<p>“That leaves Pete Sully and his followers in a nice +stew, truly!” laughed Andy. “I wonder how long they +will care to camp out without blankets or cooking +utensils?”</p> + +<p>“It serves them right!” burst out Boxy. “They had +no business to go robbing hen roosts and get us into +such a mess of trouble.”</p> + +<p>“Not to mention the fact that they carted our stuff +off,” put in Harry. “But they are paid off now.”</p> + +<p>“And as we have our traps and full possession of +their lean-to, we ought not to complain.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>“Maybe dey will cum down on us durin’ de night,” +suggested Pickles.</p> + +<p>“I hardly think so,” returned Jack. “However, perhaps +we had better stand guard. We can take turns +of an hour and a half each, from nine o’clock on.”</p> + +<p>This was agreed to, and a little later they had made +themselves at home in the lean-to and were busy preparing +supper.</p> + +<p>Pickles cooked the partridge to perfection, and this, +with tea and crackers, made a very acceptable repast. +All of the boys were worn out, and they did not remain +awake long after they had finished and the dishes +had been cleared away.</p> + +<p>Jack took the first watch, with Pickles next. Then +came Andy, who, in order to keep awake, walked outside +and replenished the fire, and then kept on his feet.</p> + +<p>Andy’s watch was nearly finished when he heard a +crackling in the brush some distance to the left of the +lean-to. He looked intently in the direction, and presently +saw a pair of gleaming eyes bent full upon him.</p> + +<p>The eyes were those of some wild animal, which had +been attracted to the spot doubtless by the scent of +the dead game. The animal uttered no sound, but continued +to glare at Andy in a manner that caused the +young boy’s blood to run cold.</p> + +<p>The fascination of that look was so intense that +Andy was for the time being transfixed to the spot. +He stood motionless, making no movement toward +getting his gun or arousing his sleeping companions.</p> + +<p>The animal, apparently satisfied that there was no<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +danger to be encountered, moved forward slowly, until +its entire body was exposed in the glare of the campfire.</p> + +<p>Then it again paused, and its short, powerful tail +began to sweep quickly from side to side, as it prepared +for a spring.</p> + +<p>It was at this critical moment that Andy came to +himself, and he let out a shriek that could have been +heard for a quarter of a mile.</p> + +<p>Whizz! the animal’s body sailed past the lad, who, +as he shrieked, sprang back a pace or two, and landed +close to the front of the lean-to, where hung several of +the dead rabbits.</p> + +<p>The long, white teeth were snapped together over the +backs of two of the dead game, and then, with a +leap to one side, the wild and half-famished animal vanished +into the gloom behind the neighboring rocks, just +as Jack and Harry, guns in hand, tumbled out to see +what was the matter.</p> + +<p>They found Andy leaning up beside the shelter, too +faint to stand alone. For fully half a minute he could +not speak, but pointed excitedly toward the rocks.</p> + +<p>“A tiger, or wildcat, or something!” he gasped, at +last. “Gone with the rabbits!”</p> + +<p>“Can’t be a tiger!” returned Harry.</p> + +<p>“I thought I saw a wildcat when we were in pursuit +of Pete Sully and his crowd,” said Jack, quickly. +“Let’s take a look.”</p> + +<p>“Be careful!” exclaimed Andy, in wild alarm. “It’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +the worst creature you ever saw! It nearly paralyzed +me by a look!”</p> + +<p>“They are awful!” put in Boxy, making his appearance, +followed by Pickles. “I don’t want to have anything +to do with it.”</p> + +<p>But despite the protests of the others Jack and Harry +insisted on going after the marauder. They looked +to their guns and provided themselves with torches.</p> + +<p>Their hunt lasted for nearly half an hour without success. +Evidently the wildcat had taken itself off to its +lair with its prey.</p> + +<p>After that the boys slept with one eye open, and the +one on guard held his gun in readiness for immediate +use should the wildcat, or any other animal, put in an +appearance. But this precaution was unnecessary, for +the balance of the night passed without further interruption.</p> + +<p>After breakfast the things were packed once more, +and they started on the return to their own hut by +the lake.</p> + +<p>“I suppose if we wanted to be mean we could tear +down their lean-to,” said Jack.</p> + +<p>“Don’t touch it,” returned Harry. “The loss of their +traps is punishment enough for them, to my way of +thinking.”</p> + +<p>So the shelter was left undisturbed, and soon the +valley in which it was situated was left far behind.</p> + +<p>It was no easy matter to find the way back to the +lake, and dragging the heavily-laden sled over the uneven +ground and the rocks was the hardest kind of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +work. They took turns at the job, and frequently +stopped to rest.</p> + +<p>“This shows how anxious those fellows were to +spoil our outing,” remarked Jack, during a breathing +spell. “The three must have had an everlasting hard +time of it getting the traps to the lean-to.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder what they will do, now their own things +have been taken,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“Like as not they’ll have to go home in disgust,” +said Boxy. “And that’s just what I hope they will do.”</p> + +<p>“An’ we kin crow ober dem when we gits back!” +chuckled Pickles.</p> + +<p>And then the walk to the camp was resumed.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVII.<br> + +<small>A HEAVY STORM.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>On Sunday of the week the boys remained about +the camp, doing very little of anything. Early in the +morning Pickles took Boxy with him and showed him +how to spear fish through a hole in the ice. The fish +made an excellent dinner.</p> + +<p>Toward evening it began to cloud and blow up from +the northwest. Half an hour later it was snowing furiously.</p> + +<p>“This is going to be a storm, and no mistake,” said +Jack, as he went out toward the lake shore to take a +look around. “It is a good thing we have plenty of +meat and other stuff on hand.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think we will be snowed in?” asked Boxy.</p> + +<p>“I do, and it may last for several days. The best +thing we can do is to gather together all the firewood +we can and stack it up just outside of the hut. Then +when the snow gets too deep we can build a snow-hut +and have the campfire inside.”</p> + +<p>Jack’s suggestion was followed out, and by bedtime +they had a pile of wood stacked against the hut that +was nearly as high as the hut itself. The oven was rebuilt +closer than ever to the doorway, and a projecting +top was built over the latter, so that the snow might +not drift too rapidly into the interior of the hut.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>Nothing had been seen or heard of Pete Sully and +his companions, and all of the boys were inclined to +believe that the bully and his followers had been forced +to return to Rudskill.</p> + +<p>Despite the fact that the snow was coming down +thickly, the wind increased in violence until, as Pickles +put it, “dar was about de nearest approach to a blizzard +wot could well strike dat paht ob de country.”</p> + +<p>The whistling of the wind through the trees was +music to the boys’ ears, however, and after building up +the fire in the best manner they could devise, they +rolled themselves in their blankets, and gave themselves +up to their dreams.</p> + +<p>It was after eight o’clock when Harry awoke and +aroused the others. The sled, which had been placed +upright in the doorway, was taken down, and in tumbled +a great mass of snow.</p> + +<p>“My gracious, boys, just look at this!” cried Harry. +“The snow has drifted up against the hut until it is +over our heads!”</p> + +<p>What he said was strictly true. Outside of the +doorway all was a mass of white. Even the campfire +had been completely snowed under.</p> + +<p>“We are in for it now, and no mistake,” murmured +Boxy. “We won’t be able to get out for a month!”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense!” cried Jack, cheerily. “Come, boys, we +must shovel the snow away and get the fire started up +for breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“And how are we going to shovel snow without +shovels?” queried Andy, dubiously.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>For a moment a look of comical dismay went around +the little group. Then Harry partly solved the problem.</p> + +<p>“Let’s take the tin plates for a starter,” he said. +“After breakfast we’ll try to cut out some wooden +shovels with the ax and our pocket-knives.”</p> + +<p>Fortunately, the tin plates made very respectable +shovels, although using them nearly broke their backs. +However, in the course of half an hour a space about +six feet square in front of the hut was cleared, the +snow being banked up all around, with the idea of later +on building a snowhouse.</p> + +<p>“The heat from the fire will make the snow pack +better,” said Harry. “Now for breakfast. I am as +hungry as a bear!”</p> + +<p>“I’m as hungry as two bears, and I can’t bear my +hunger any longer,” said Boxy.</p> + +<p>“That’s a bare kind of a joke,” grinned Andy.</p> + +<p>There was a general laugh. Pickles lit the fire, +which roared and leaped in the wind. The smell of +broiling venison soon put every one in good humor.</p> + +<p>It had ceased snowing, but the sky was still dark +and threatening.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have more by night, mark my words,” said +Jack. “It has really just started.”</p> + +<p>After breakfast the boys hunted up some long sticks, +and to one end of each they either nailed a flat board +whittled from a split-up log or bound a mass of stout +twigs.</p> + +<p>“Now we have both shovels and brooms,” cried Jack.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +“Whoop, now, it’s workin’ on de corporation, Oi am, +do ye moind!” he went on, strutting around with one +of the brooms on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Well, I hope you work a bit faster than street men +usually do,” returned Harry. “If you don’t, we won’t +have much done by nightfall.”</p> + +<p>“Oi’ll outdo yez all, so Oi will,” exclaimed Jack, and +he sailed in with a vigor that left no doubt that he +meant what he said.</p> + +<p>The first work was to enlarge the circle outside of +the doorway. This accomplished, Harry, Jack and +Andy started to build the snowhouse, while Boxy and +Pickles climbed up to get the snow from the roof of +the hut, thus relieving them of any anxiety concerning +the top of their domicile caving in.</p> + +<p>It was no easy matter to build a snowhouse about +the fire, but the boys worked with a will, and by three +o’clock in the afternoon the task was finished.</p> + +<p>The walls of the new structure rose nearly ten feet, +and were three feet thick. The entrance to it was +from the hut, and a narrow passageway which led +toward the creek. The top was roofed over, except +in the center, which was left open to let the smoke +from the fire escape.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know if that is going to last or not,” said +Harry. “But we can try it anyway.”</p> + +<p>“It will last if it remains cold,” returned Jack. “But +if it gets milder, and the fire blazes up too hotly we’ll +have to ‘stand from under,’ as the saying is.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe it is going to get any milder just<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> +yet. If anything, the thermometer is going down +steadily.”</p> + +<p>“That is because it is going toward evening. But +we’ll know more about it in the morning. One thing +is certain: hunting is knocked endways for a day or +two.”</p> + +<p>After the work outside was finished, they had another +meal, a dinner and supper combined, and then withdrew +into the hut, where Pickles tried to liven up matters +by playing his banjo and mouth harmonica and +singing half-a-dozen songs. The boys joined in the +chorus of the songs, and soon they were as gay as if +the elements were perfect for the furtherance of their +outing.</p> + +<p>“If we have to stay in to-morrow, I am going to try +my hand at making some traps,” said Andy. “I want +to trap something before we go back.”</p> + +<p>“So do I!” cried Boxy. “Pickles, you must put us +in the way of this.”</p> + +<p>“I will, suah!” responded the colored youth. “My +dad learned me all about traps when I was knee-high +to a mosquito.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what you can trap here,” said Jack. +“But it will do no harm to try your luck.”</p> + +<p>Before they went to bed they looked out, and found +it snowing again, harder than ever. The wind was rising, +too, causing the branches of the trees to creak ominously.</p> + +<p>“Supposing some of those branches should break off<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> +and come down on the top of the hut?” asked Boxy. +“Wouldn’t we catch it?”</p> + +<p>“It would have to be a pretty big branch to do much +damage,” replied Harry. “Jack and I saw to it that the +poles were put up quite firmly.”</p> + +<p>“We don’t want to get smashed to bits while we are +asleep.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt if the wind is yet high enough to break down +very much. You must remember these trees are very +tough, and, standing together, one protects another.”</p> + +<p>“But if the wind should blow stronger——” insisted +Boxy.</p> + +<p>“It will wake us up, and we can be on our guard,” replied +Harry, and there the subject was dropped.</p> + +<p>On account of the extreme cold, Pickles was very particular +to keep a good fire, and for that purpose placed +several small logs on the brush.</p> + +<p>“Yo’ see we don’t want for to wake up in de moahnin’ +all froze to deth!” he explained.</p> + +<p>“Or so stiff that we’ll have to set each other up against +the fire to thaw out,” laughed Boxy. “My! but it’s cold, +eh?”</p> + +<p>“With so much snow it ought to get warmer,” grumbled +Andy.</p> + +<p>“It will be warmer by to-morrow, I think,” said Jack. +“We can thank our stars that we have such a comfortable +shelter.”</p> + +<p>With a last look at the fire, Pickles retired to his corner +of the hut. Soon the colored youth was snoring peacefully, +and the sound made all of the others sleepy. One<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +by one they lay down and rolled themselves in their +blankets, Jack being the last to retire.</p> + +<p>How long he slept he never knew. He awakened with +a sneeze and a cough, which did not come from the cold. +He sat up and rubbed his eyes in a dazed way. What +was the matter?</p> + +<p>Suddenly a puff of smoke nearly strangled him. The +smoke was followed from the outside by a streak of flame! +Then he realized what was the matter. The campfire +had set fire to the hut!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVIII.<br> + +<small>FIGHTING THE FLAMES.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>The instant that Jack realized that the hut was on fire +he let out a cry that brought all of his companions to their +feet at a bound.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?”</p> + +<p>“Where does all this smoke come from?”</p> + +<p>“The camp is on fire, boys!”</p> + +<p>“We must get out or we’ll be burnt to death!”</p> + +<p>There was a wild scramble for the doorway, but Jack +held every one of them back.</p> + +<p>“You can’t get out that way!” he exclaimed. “The +fire is all around there. See there, now!”</p> + +<p>A fierce gust of wind at that moment caused the flames +to shift about, and the doorway, which had been almost +black before, now became a sheet of living fire!</p> + +<p>“We are penned in!” groaned Andy. “What in the +world shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“We’ll be roasted like so many pigs, suah!” howled +Pickles. “Heaben have mussy on us!”</p> + +<p>“We must cut a way through one of the sides!” cried +Harry. “Where is the ax?”</p> + +<p>In a trice he had the implement in his hands and was +working madly to cut away enough of the matted +branches and twigs to afford them an opening sufficient +to allow of the passage of their bodies.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>In the meantime, the smoke kept growing thicker and +thicker. The wood was all damp from the quantity of +snow upon it, and smoked much more than it burned.</p> + +<p>“Hurry, or I’ll—be—choked!” gasped Boxy. “I—I +can’t—breathe—any longer!”</p> + +<p>“Lie down on the ground and you’ll breathe easier!” +returned Jack.</p> + +<p>He threw himself down, and all the others but Harry +followed his example.</p> + +<p>In a minute more Harry had a small opening. This he +enlarged as rapidly as possible. Soon he was able to +crawl through, and he did so, calling on the others to +follow.</p> + +<p>“That was a narrow escape!” cried Andy, as he took +a deep breath of the cold, pure air that was sweeping up +the creek and through the woods. “The hut’s a regular +smokehouse, isn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“We must do something to save it,” put in Jack, hurriedly. +“All our things are in there, and we can’t afford +to lose them.”</p> + +<p>“What shall we do, we have no water?” returned Boxy.</p> + +<p>“I kin cut a hole in de ice an’ fill de bucket,” said +Pickles.</p> + +<p>“You do that, Pickles, and we’ll do what we can with +snow,” said Harry. “Come on, boys, snow is as good +as water, if we use enough of it.”</p> + +<p>Spurred on by the necessity of the occasion, and also +by the novelty, the members of the Zero Club set to work +with a will. Standing as close as they dared, they shoveled +and threw great lumps of snow on the hissing flames,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +working first upon that portion of the fire nearest to the +door of the hut. They were pleased to see that the flames +were confined principally to the large fuel pile leaning +against the hut, not to the hut itself.</p> + +<p>“I think we are getting the best of it,” cried Jack, +after five minutes of hard work.</p> + +<p>“We are,” returned Harry. “But it is by no means out +yet. Keep up the good work, all hands!”</p> + +<p>Pickles had succeeded in chopping a hole in the ice on +the creek, and now came back with a bucket of water.</p> + +<p>“Give it to me, and I’ll run through the doorway and +plant it on any blaze inside!” cried Jack, and bucket in +hand, he disappeared into the hut.</p> + +<p>“It’s all right in there, so far,” he said, on reappearing. +“Go on with the snow.”</p> + +<p>They continued to fling the huge chunks of snow on +the flames until all that remained was a small fire several +yards away from the hut entrance.</p> + +<p>“Might as well leave that for a campfire,” suggested +Harry. “We want something to keep us warm and to +see by.”</p> + +<p>“Phew! but I am warm enough just now!” exclaimed +Boxy, wiping the smut and perspiration from his face. +“That’s the hardest work I have done in some time.”</p> + +<p>“Be careful that you don’t catch cold,” warned Harry. +“The wind cuts like a knife to-night.”</p> + +<p>“What time is it?”</p> + +<p>Jack consulted his watch. It was four o’clock in the +morning. By a general vote the boys decided that no +more sleep would be indulged in for that night.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>“We can’t rest in the hut anyway,” said Andy. “All +is in disorder, and some of the blankets are wet.”</p> + +<p>“We will hang all the wet things around the campfire +to dry,” said Jack. “And then we will see what we can +do to repair damages.”</p> + +<p>“And in the future we’ll be careful how we build our +fires,” added Boxy. “Not so close to the hut, please, +Pickles, after this.”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s it!” cried the colored youth. “I dun reckon I’se +’sponsible fo’ dis muss,” he went on, soberly.</p> + +<p>“We ought all of us to have known better,” said Harry, +frankly. “In the future we must either keep the fire +farther off or else somebody must sit up and watch it.”</p> + +<p>The conflagration had destroyed the greater part of +the snowhouse, and after the blankets had been hung +up to dry, and the hut put in shape once more, they set to +work to rebuild the tumbled-down walls. This was hard +work, but it had to be done, so no one grumbled.</p> + +<p>By daylight the camp was once more in shape, and the +only evidence left of the fire was a few charred sticks +and the long icicles which hung from the top of the hut +and the branches of the trees.</p> + +<p>“We can thank Providence for escaping with our +lives,” remarked Jack, earnestly, as they sat down to a +hastily-gotten breakfast. “If something hadn’t woke me +up we might all of us been burnt to death while we +slept.”</p> + +<p>“It was truly a fortunate escape!” returned Harry.</p> + +<p>“And one I shall never forget,” added Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>“We are having enough adventures for one outing,” +laughed Boxy. “I wonder what will happen next?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing much to-day, I imagine,” said Jack. “See, +it is snowing again.”</p> + +<p>He was right. While they had been fighting the flames +it had ceased, but now the white flakes began once more +to drift downward, at first sparingly, but thick and fast +by the time the morning meal was over.</p> + +<p>“This means a day in camp, I suppose,” grumbled +Boxy. “My! when will it stop?”</p> + +<p>“When the clouds are empty,” laughed Harry. +“Boxy, make the best of it, and be thankful we have +enough to eat.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll set to work making traps,” suggested Jack. +“Pickles, come on and give us a lesson.”</p> + +<p>They withdrew into the hut, leaving the fire to take +care of itself. They brought several pine torches with +them, and these, along with a sperm candle, made the interior +of the place tolerably light.</p> + +<p>For several hours they sat grouped around the colored +youth, while he, with a jack-knife, half-a-dozen thin slabs +of wood, some stout twine and several pliable switches, +showed them how to construct a squirrel trap, a rabbit +trap, and also traps for various birds.</p> + +<p>“But we can’t do nuthin’ wid dem jess now,” remarked +Pickles. “’Cos we can’t find no runs in dis snow.”</p> + +<p>“Do traps have to be set in runs for wild animals?” +asked Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Da don’t hab to be, but it’s generally best; yo’ ketches +dem quicker.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>After making traps, the boys began to play various +games, such as throwing the knife, and who’s got the +bean, and the like. In this manner time went by until it +was nearly three o’clock in the afternoon.</p> + +<p>They had had a lunch at noon of crackers and cheese, +expecting to wait until evening before getting another +regularly cooked meal, but now both Andy and Boxy declared +that they were hungry again, and it was voted that +they should go out, stir up the waning fire and get ready +to cook a bit of venison in the pot with several onions +Pickles had been thoughtful enough to bring along.</p> + +<p>“You see, we needn’t be afraid of the onions, because +we are not going out in company this evening,” said +Boxy, in imitation of a young society miss. “So, Mr. +DeBrown won’t have a chance of catching my breath.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder how things are at Rudskill,” remarked +Harry.</p> + +<p>“I suppose our folks keep thinking about us,” said +Andy. “They’ll imagine we are completely snowed under +and starving.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it’s a pity they don’t know we are so comfortable,” +put in Jack. “A good shelter, and plenty to +eat are big things out here just now.”</p> + +<p>“Hark!” cried Pickles, who stood by the doorway, +ready to go out. “What am dat?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t hear anything,” said Andy, after a brief pause.</p> + +<p>“I heard a scratching,” put in Harry, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>“It’s some wild animal after food,” returned Jack, in +an equally low tone of voice.</p> + +<p>“What can it be?” questioned Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span>They were silent after this, and soon the scratching +could be heard quite plainly.</p> + +<p>Then, before they could realize it, something sprang +upon the top of the hut.</p> + +<p>“The deer meat!” cried Harry. “It is all outside, +hanging on the tree limb!”</p> + +<p>“And so are the rest of the rabbits!” put in Jack. +“We must go outside and shoot that creature, whatever +it is!”</p> + +<p>Jack caught up his gun, as did also Harry, and together +they sallied forth in the howling snowstorm.</p> + +<p>At first amid the swirling snow they could see nothing. +Then Harry caught sight of an immense wildcat making +off with the venison in its mouth.</p> + +<p>He took hasty aim and fired. None of the shot reached +its mark, and an instant later the wildcat was gone, before +Jack could get any show at it.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIX.<br> + +<small>BLUE TIMES IN CAMP.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“Well, I’ll be blowed!” exclaimed Harry, in deep disgust.</p> + +<p>“It’s too bad!” returned Jack. “And he had the last of +our venison, too!”</p> + +<p>The other boys now came out of the hut, and matters +were speedily explained to them.</p> + +<p>“Never mind; we have the rabbits left,” said Boxy, +with a sigh of relief, as he saw that two of the dead bunnies +still hung on the tree limb.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” returned Harry. “But two rabbits won’t +last five boys very long, to my way of thinking.”</p> + +<p>“An’ de crackers’ an’ cheese is most gone, too,” put in +Pickles. “We dun got to shoot or trap somethin’ soon, +or starve.”</p> + +<p>“Or live on fish,” said Andy, hopefully.</p> + +<p>“De trouble is, yo’ can’t always git de fish when yo’ +wants dem.”</p> + +<p>It was useless to think of going off after the wildcat, +and after a look around, to make sure that no more marauders +were about, the boys set to work to prepare a +meal of rabbits stewed with onions—a most palatable +dish, and one which all hands enjoyed.</p> + +<p>“Let us see if we can’t set a trap for the wildcat,” suggested<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +Boxy while they were eating. “Pickles, couldn’t +you fix something strong enough to hold him?”</p> + +<p>“I might, wid de sled rope an’ a limbery young tree,” +replied the colored youth.</p> + +<p>“Catching the wildcat now would be like locking the +barn door after the horse has been stolen,” grumbled +Jack. “However, catch him if you can, and then he +won’t be able to worry us any more.”</p> + +<p>So, after the meal was finished, and all that was left +was carefully stowed away, they set to work to build the +trap, which, when finished, was baited with bits of such +meat as remained uncooked.</p> + +<p>By five o’clock it was dark, and once again they sought +the hut, which now had the appearance of a regular home +to them. The blankets were dry, and Jack took the largest +pot and brought it in filled with live embers from the +fire. This warmed up the place, and the ruddy glow +pleased them besides.</p> + +<p>They tried to be cheerful during the long evening, but +were not as successful as they wished. They could not +help thinking of the almost empty larder, and wondering +how they should restock it.</p> + +<p>The night passed without interruption. The wind blew +strongly, sometimes causing the trees composing the corner +posts of the hut to bend slightly, and the snow came +down steadily. At eight o’clock in the morning the situation +remained unchanged.</p> + +<p>“Deeper than ever,” muttered Harry, as he gazed out +of the doorway. “Boys, this is getting serious.”</p> + +<p>“It is, when we are running low on food,” said Boxy.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> +“We’ve got about enough left for one square meal, and +that’s all.”</p> + +<p>“Anything in the trap?” asked Andy.</p> + +<p>“You would have heard of it before this, if there was,” +laughed Harry. “It’s just as you fellows left it last +night.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose that confounded wildcat knows we haven’t +anything worth coming for,” grumbled Boxy, gloomily. +“What’s to be done, anyway?”</p> + +<p>“We’ll have breakfast and then hold a council of war,” +replied Jack.</p> + +<p>Their rather limited meal was soon over, and then they +commenced to discuss the situation.</p> + +<p>“It won’t do to stay in the hut and wait for it to clear +off,” remarked Harry. “For it may snow two or three +days yet.”</p> + +<p>“Supposing I tries fo’ anodder fish or two?” suggested +Pickles.</p> + +<p>“Yes, go and get all the fish you can,” said Jack, and +the colored boy hurried off without delay, taking his spear +with him.</p> + +<p>“Somebody ought to go out on a hunt,” said Andy. +“I’ll go if no one else will.”</p> + +<p>“You had better stay home,” replied Jack. “If anybody +goes it will be myself.”</p> + +<p>“And I’ll go with you,” said Harry. “What do you +say if we start at once?”</p> + +<p>“Let us wait till ten o’clock. It will be a bit warmer +then and also lighter.”</p> + +<p>The two at once began their preparations for leaving<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +the hut. They wished they had snowshoes, but no one +of the party had the least idea how a home-made pair +could be constructed so as to be of real value.</p> + +<p>“I guess we had better follow the creek,” said Harry. +“If we go right into the woods we may get lost in the +snow and be unable to find our way back through the +storm.”</p> + +<p>“You are right,” returned Jack. “Hullo, here comes +Pickles on a run!”</p> + +<p>“Something is wrong!” cried Boxy. “He looks +scared.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the trouble, Pickles?” called out Harry.</p> + +<p>“Jess my luck, when we needed dem fish de worst +way,” groaned the colored youth. “I oughter be kicked +full ob holes, dat’s a fack!”</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>“I dun strike at a big fish, an’ lost de spear!”</p> + +<p>“Lost the spear?” cried Andy, in dismay.</p> + +<p>“Dat’s it.”</p> + +<p>“Did he pull it away from you?” questioned Jack.</p> + +<p>“No, de cord broke, an’ dat fish went swimmin’ away +wid de spear in his tail.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that is too bad,” put in Harry.</p> + +<p>“De wust of it is I ain’t got no udder spear along,” +said Pickles, gloomily.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you make a spear?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t t’ink I kin. Howsomeber, I kin try,” and the +colored youth brightened up a bit.</p> + +<p>“Do so, and if your home-made spear won’t work, try +to snare ’em or catch ’em in some other way,” said Jack.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>“And we’ll help you, while Jack and Harry go gunning,” +put in Andy.</p> + +<p>As Jack had predicted, by ten o’clock it was both +warmer and brighter, and he and Harry set off in fairly +high spirits, despite the snow which lay in their path.</p> + +<p>On one side of the creek the snow was swept away +for the greater part, and along this cleared track they +made their way, keeping a sharp lookout ahead for possible +game.</p> + +<p>“We ought to strike a few rabbits or squirrels, if nothing +else,” said Jack.</p> + +<p>“Unless the heavy storm keeps them from venturing +out. It’s hard to find much in weather like this.”</p> + +<p>“But rabbits must come out for food, even if the squirrels +stay in.”</p> + +<p>“They have their runs, and it’s hard to find them in the +open. But come on, we’ll do our best toward gaining +something for the larder.”</p> + +<p>On and on they went, now over a cleared spot, and +then again through a drift several feet high. It was +tough walking, and before a mile had been covered both +were puffing and blowing like a couple of porpoises.</p> + +<p>“Let’s rest for a few minutes!” gasped Harry. “This +takes the wind out of a fellow!”</p> + +<p>“So it does. Come on behind the brush, where it is +sheltered.”</p> + +<p>They found a cleared spot where some thick bushes +would protect them from the keen wind and here sat down +on a pile of rocks to rest. They had been out just an +hour without catching sight of the first thing to shoot.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>“How I would love to stumble into a lot of partridges +or wild turkeys!” exclaimed Jack. “Wouldn’t we just +blaze into them, though?”</p> + +<p>“Even a flock of birds wouldn’t be bad, Jack. Anything +for food when the pot is empty.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right. We mustn’t rest here any more than is +necessary.”</p> + +<p>They were about to proceed on their way, when Jack +suddenly caught his companion by the arm.</p> + +<p>“Look! look! A screech owl!” he whispered.</p> + +<p>And the next moment he had his gun to his shoulder +and was blazing away at a mass of red and white feathers, +perched high up in a neighboring tree.</p> + +<p>There was a terrific screech, and then down tumbled +the big bird almost at their feet.</p> + +<p>He was not quite dead, but a blow from Harry’s gun +soon settled him, and he lay still in the snow.</p> + +<p>“Is he any good for food?” asked Harry, as he surveyed +the game.</p> + +<p>“He’s better than nothing, that’s certain,” said Jack. +“I’ll take him along. If we don’t strike anything else, +we’ll eat him, and if we do, I’ll cart him home and have +him stuffed.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXX.<br> + +<small>FOUND STARVING.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>With the screech owl in Jack’s game-bag, the two +boys continued on their way up the creek.</p> + +<p>It was something to have bagged even the carnivorous +bird, and they felt elated to think that at last something +had appeared to be shot at.</p> + +<p>By twelve o’clock they calculated that they were close +on to two miles from camp. Each was hungry, and another +halt was called for the purpose of eating the scanty +lunch with which they had provided themselves before +starting off.</p> + +<p>“We must not go too far off,” said Harry. “For it +will never do to attempt to remain away over night in +this fearful storm.”</p> + +<p>“That’s true,” returned Jack. “By three o’clock, game +or no game, we will turn our faces homeward again.”</p> + +<p>“If it would only stop snowing, it wouldn’t be so bad. +But this storm is the worst I’ve seen in years!”</p> + +<p>“It’s a corker, truly! But come on. Every minute +counts now!”</p> + +<p>Once more they pushed on, the snow swirling around +their heads. Their legs ached, and it was an effort to +make the smallest kind of progress. The cold, too, was +intense, and at times seemed to strike into the very marrow +of their bones.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>By the time they had covered another mile they grew +discouraged. Not the first sign of game of any kind had +appeared.</p> + +<p>“I move we leave the creek,” said Harry, at last. “We +won’t go very far off, and we’ll locate the way so as not +to get lost.”</p> + +<p>“All right, we’ll try it, although it isn’t a safe thing to +do, Harry. But we must risk something for the sake of +filling our game-bags.”</p> + +<p>“There is a hollow over to our left, with an overhanging +cliff of bushes and trees. I have an idea we may find +something under that. It would afford a good shelter for +wild animals.”</p> + +<p>“Like a wildcat, for instance,” laughed Jack.</p> + +<p>“Well, I guess wildcat is just as good to eat as screech +owl, if only we can lay him out without our being torn +to pieces.”</p> + +<p>Taking a good look around, so as to locate the vicinity +in their minds, they struck out in the direction Harry had +indicated. The creek was soon left behind, and they +found themselves going down the side of a long hill.</p> + +<p>Luckily, there was a bare stretch on the hillside, otherwise +they would have been compelled to move on in snow +up to their waists. But the cleared run was where the +wind blew the strongest, and this now took them almost +off their feet.</p> + +<p>“Never mind; we’ll be safe under the rocks and brush,” +shouted Harry, to his companion, above the roaring of +the storm. “Look out so that you don’t roll down into +some hole and out of sight!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>“My! but it’s awful!” cried Jack. “Here, give me +your hand, or we will be separated and won’t be able to +find each other again.”</p> + +<p>They took hold of hands, and the next instant the wind +threw them down on the hillside and rolled them over and +over to the bottom.</p> + +<p>They landed in a doubled-up mass in the midst of a +large drift. Jack went in head first, with Harry behind +him. For a moment there was nothing to do but to +flounder around until they could regain their feet.</p> + +<p>“Ugh! but that was a cold dose!” cried Jack, as he +scraped the snow from around his neck and wrists. “We +came down with a rush, didn’t we?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, we did that,” returned Harry. “It’s a good +thing our guns didn’t go off in the tumble.”</p> + +<p>It was no easy matter to extricate themselves from the +big drift. The snow was all around them, and at the +very first step forward, they went down to their armpits.</p> + +<p>“Hold on!” cried Harry, in alarm. “Turn up the hill, +or we’ll be over our heads!”</p> + +<p>So they turned about and half walked, half crawled up +to solid ground. Here they could hardly keep their feet, +so strong was the wind.</p> + +<p>“There is a clear space to our left,” said Jack. “Come +on! We will soon be under the cliff!”</p> + +<p>Away he went, with Harry close behind him. The +shelter under the trees and bushes was not less than two +hundred feet away.</p> + +<p>As they advanced, a peculiar sound broke upon their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +ears. Jack heard it first, and called Harry’s attention +to it.</p> + +<p>“What can it be?” he said.</p> + +<p>“Sounds like some sort of a bird,” replied Harry. “Let +us have our guns ready. We do not wish to lose any +game, now we have come so far for it.”</p> + +<p>On they went, with caution now, and their shotguns +ready for instant use. They were within a hundred feet +of the shelter, and could see the dim outline through the +driving snow.</p> + +<p>“Wild turkeys!” suddenly called Harry. “Be careful, +we must get as many of them as we can!”</p> + +<p>He motioned to a little cleared space just ahead. Then, +with guns pointed, they ran forward.</p> + +<p>Bang! bang! Both of the firearms spoke in rapid succession. +There was a rush and a strange squawking +sound, and then the greater part of a flock of wild turkeys +had disappeared in the storm. But the heavy charges +had hit three of them, and they were now floundering +around in their death struggles. The boys ran forward +and soon put them out of their misery.</p> + +<p>“That’s a good haul!” cried Jack, enthusiastically. +“Now we won’t starve for a day or two at least.”</p> + +<p>“Right you are,” returned Harry, as he picked the game +up, placed two in his own bag and one in his companion’s, +and hurried to reload. “But we mustn’t miss any +other game that may be here.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not,” said Jack, and he reloaded also, and +away they went along the bottom of the cliff.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes they stirred up a whole flock of wild<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> +birds of several kinds from the brush under the rocks. +They fired in the midst of them, bringing down several +woodcock and three sparrows.</p> + +<p>“That isn’t bad,” said Jack, as he picked up the woodcock +and allowed the sparrows to remain where they +were. “It was a good idea of yours to come here.”</p> + +<p>“I was in hopes we might strike a deer,” returned +Harry. “But we have now about as much as we can conveniently +carry through such traveling as this.”</p> + +<p>“There ought to be some rabbits or hares here, under +the old brush. Let us walk to the end of the shelter +and——”</p> + +<p>“There’s something now!” shouted Harry, raising his +gun. “Half-a-dozen hares, as sure as you’re born! +Quick, Jack!”</p> + +<p>Once more the two shotguns spoke, and two of the +hares were seen to leap into the air and turn over in a +heap. When the two boys reached the spot they found +their prizes stone dead, each shot through the head. All +the other hares had disappeared behind a thick mass of +brush, where they could not follow them.</p> + +<p>“Now we’ve got enough, surely,” said Harry, as they +divided the game between them. “Wild turkeys, hares, +woodcock and an owl, not to mention those sparrows. +Who could ask for more?”</p> + +<p>Jack did not reply, as he was busy getting out his +watch.</p> + +<p>“Phew! How late do you suppose it is?” he cried.</p> + +<p>“Three o’clock?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>“Quarter-past four! We must start back at once!”</p> + +<p>“I should say so!” exclaimed Harry. “It’s going to +be a job to get up out of this hollow and find the creek +again, and it will be dark before we know it.”</p> + +<p>“Not only that; but the snow is coming down in perfect +blankets. We’ll be buried in spite of ourselves if we +don’t put our best foot forward.”</p> + +<p>“Come on down to the end of the shelter and make a +beeline for the creek,” said Harry, as he slung his gun +over his shoulder. “We can escape some of the wind by +going that way.”</p> + +<p>To this Jack agreed, and in another minute they started +off side by side.</p> + +<p>They had almost reached the end of the overhanging +rocks when a low cry of distress broke upon their ears. +They came to a halt, and gazed at each other in wonder.</p> + +<p>“What was that?”</p> + +<p>“It sounded like a human voice.”</p> + +<p>“Help! help!” came faintly to their ears, and now they +located the cry. It proceeded from a small cave-like opening +but a few feet away.</p> + +<p>They ran forward, and a moment later saw a sight +that appalled them beyond measure.</p> + +<p>There in the snow, huddled in a miserable group, were +Pete Sully, Bill Dixon and Len Spencer, a fixed look +of despair on each of their pinched and frozen faces.</p> + +<p>“Why, Sully——” began Harry.</p> + +<p>“Give me something to eat, please!” broke in the big +fellow, staggering to his feet. “Something to eat!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>“Yes, yes, give us something to eat!” chimed in Bill +Dixon and Len Spencer, imploringly.</p> + +<p>Harry and Jack looked at them in amazement. A single +glance was enough. The bully of Rudskill and his +companions were almost starved to death!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXI.<br> + +<small>IMMEDIATE WANTS SUPPLIED.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It is no wonder that Harry and Jack were for the +moment so dumfounded that they could do little else +than stare at the sight of the three haggard and pinched +faces which gazed imploringly into their own.</p> + +<p>“Don’t say you won’t give us anything,” cried Pete +Sully, seeing they did not reply. “We are starved—we +haven’t had a mouthful to eat since yesterday morning!”</p> + +<p>“My gracious!” It was Jack who uttered the exclamation. +“Nothing to eat since yesterday morning!”</p> + +<p>“It’s too bad, Sully,” put in Harry. “We’ll cook you +something just as quick as we can.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind cooking it; give us one of those birds +raw!” cried Dixon. “We can’t wait.”</p> + +<p>“Here is a bit left of our lunch,” said Jack. “Eat that +while we are building a fire. What’s the trouble—couldn’t +you shoot anything?” he went on. “And why +haven’t you a fire?”</p> + +<p>“We lost our matches—they were in our traps, which +were taken from us, and the snow kept us from going +for game,” said Sully.</p> + +<p>“We did try to shoot some, but we couldn’t hit anything,” +chimed in Len Spencer.</p> + +<p>The three starved youths were too weak to assist in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> +gathering fuel for a campfire, so Jack and Harry let +them sit still while the two of them bustled around with +all speed.</p> + +<p>Soon a big blaze of brush was soaring skyward, +around which the half-frozen trio crouched. Three of +the birds were cleaned and spitted, and it was not long +before the smell of the broiling meat filled the air.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but that smells good!” exclaimed Dixon, taking +in a long whiff. “Don’t keep it over the fire too long, +please!”</p> + +<p>“Here you are,” returned Harry, passing the bird over +whole. “Take my advice, and don’t down it too fast, or +your stomach won’t stand it.”</p> + +<p>Sully and Spencer were also supplied with a bird each, +and it was a sight worth seeing to behold them tearing +and chewing the meat like a starved dog does a long-sought +bone.</p> + +<p>While the trio ate, Jack and Harry said nothing. +They broiled one of the hares, and of this took a small +portion, passing the remainder over to the unfortunates. +But the two young hunters kept up a big thinking.</p> + +<p>How had their enemies been humbled! Here they +were craving food in the most abject fashion known. +Neither Jack nor Harry could find it in his heart to upbraid +them for their former misdoings.</p> + +<p>“This makes me feel like myself once more,” said +Sully at length, after he had finished his bird, and was +attacking a bit of the other meat. “If you fellows +hadn’t come along we would have been corpses by +night!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>“Where were you bound?” asked Jack.</p> + +<p>“We were trying to get to Rudd’s Landing, but the +heavy snowstorm overtook us, and we got lost and +finally wandered here.”</p> + +<p>“Where are we now?” asked Dixon.</p> + +<p>“You are several miles from the lake,” returned +Harry. “You can never go across it in this storm.”</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to go somewhere,” put in Spencer, dismally. +“Oh, I wish I was home! You’ll never catch +me trying to go camping in the woods in the winter +again!”</p> + +<p>“When did you leave Rudskill?” asked Harry of Sully.</p> + +<p>The bully of the town hung his head. For once he +felt thoroughly ashamed of himself.</p> + +<p>“We left the same day we had the trouble with you +about the iceboat,” he replied, in a low voice. “We +made up our minds to have a rival camp.”</p> + +<p>“Did you come up by the way of Rudd’s Landing?”</p> + +<p>“No, we took the cars to Bagsville.”</p> + +<p>“And then went down into the valley and built the +lean-to?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, after we—we came to your camp,” faltered +Sully.</p> + +<p>“And played ghost and took our traps, eh?” said +Jack, a little bitterly.</p> + +<p>“Yes; but Bascoe, I hope you—you’ll forgive us,” +faltered Sully.</p> + +<p>“It was awful mean to do, and now you are treating +us so good—better than we deserve,” put in Spencer, in +a choking tone.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>“It got us into a lot of trouble,” remarked Harry. +“We came near being arrested for the chickens you +stole.”</p> + +<p>“We didn’t steal any chickens,” cried Dixon.</p> + +<p>“You didn’t! Well, those farmers thought so. +That’s the reason they took your traps.”</p> + +<p>“We bought those chickens from some men on the +road,” said Spencer. “But we only paid fifteen cents +apiece for them, and after the men were gone we came to +the conclusion that the fowls must have been stolen, and +we were sure of it when those farmers took our things.”</p> + +<p>“Then why did you run away—why didn’t you come +out boldly and explain matters?”</p> + +<p>“We knew it would do no good, for the evidence was +all against us, as we had been hunting near one of the +farmer’s places, and he had seen us. Besides, we didn’t +want to meet you fellows after we had taken your traps.”</p> + +<p>A silence followed, and then Spencer came and placed +his hand on Harry’s shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Say, won’t you forgive us, Webb? I’m sorry, and I +know Pete and Bill are, too.”</p> + +<p>“Well, let it pass,” returned Harry, briefly.</p> + +<p>“I guess you have suffered enough,” added Jack. +“But, mind you, no more funny work in the future.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll never do any harm to you fellows again!” cried +Pete Sully.</p> + +<p>“Nor I,” exclaimed Billy Dixon. “You fellows have +been kind when we didn’t deserve it.”</p> + +<p>The fire had burned a trifle low during the talk, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +now Jack and Harry replenished it, and soon the cave-like +shelter was as warm as toast.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the snow came down as thickly as +ever outside, and the wind whistled merrily through the +brush and trees around and above them. A doubtful +look came into Harry’s face as he listened to it.</p> + +<p>“What time is it, Jack?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Nearly five o’clock.”</p> + +<p>“Can we make camp before it gets too dark?”</p> + +<p>“It will be hard work. But once on the creek the +darkness ought not to bother us. But what of these +fellows?” Jack continued, in a low tone. “We can’t +leave them behind.”</p> + +<p>“And we can’t very well take them along,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“If it wasn’t for the others wondering what had become +of us, we might stay here over night and go back +in the morning,” Jack went on, after a thoughtful pause. +“This seems a very good place to roost.”</p> + +<p>“But the others would think we had missed our way +in the snow and got lost, and they would worry themselves +sick. We said nothing about remaining away +over night,” replied Harry.</p> + +<p>“We might leave these fellows here until to-morrow, +and then come back and show them the way,” Jack suggested.</p> + +<p>“Don’t leave us alone, please don’t!” cried Spencer, +who was the greatest coward of the party. “Take us +with you!”</p> + +<p>“You are not strong enough to walk to our camp,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> +said Harry. “You would play out before you got half-way.”</p> + +<p>“Well, don’t leave us, that’s good fellows,” said +Dixon.</p> + +<p>“One of us might stay and the other might go back,” +suggested Harry. “And then in the morning the party +from here could start down the creek.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” put in Sully, eagerly. “One of you stay, +and leave some of the grub behind.”</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over a few minutes longer, and +then it was decided that this plan should be followed.</p> + +<p>A cent was tossed up to see who should undertake the +immediate return to the camp on the creek, and the lot +fell to Harry. He left all the game behind but two of the +wild turkeys, and five minutes later had disappeared in +the swirling snow beyond the shelter of the cliff.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXII.<br> + +<small>LAST OF THE WILDCAT.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>Harry knew that he had no easy task before him, yet he +started out with a brave heart, resolved to cover the distance +to the camp as quickly as possible.</p> + +<p>Knowing how great was the force of the wind, he buttoned +his overcoat tightly about him and strapped his +game-bag and gun to his person in such a way that they +could not be lost, no matter how many tumbles and +plunges in the immense snowdrifts were taken.</p> + +<p>“If I move right along I ought to strike camp by seven +or half-past,” he murmured to himself, as he struck out +for the creek. “Ugh! but this is beastly!”</p> + +<p>The first blast around the edge of the shelter nearly +threw him flat on his back, so strong was it. The hard +snow was dashed into his face as if it was sand thrown +by a shovel in the hands of a laborer. He gasped in spite +of himself.</p> + +<p>“It’s getting wilder instead of moderating,” he thought. +“This must be something like a Western blizzard. How +bleak and desolate it looks on all sides!”</p> + +<p>Fortunately, Harry found a streak of land almost clear +of snow, and stretching away toward where the creek ran. +Along this stretch he now pursued his course, stopping +only occasionally, to catch his breath and prepare for the +coming of an extra-heavy blast.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>The snow was blinding, and it was a wonder that he +did not become turned around. But he kept on in a +straight line from the cliff, and this was bound, sooner or +later, to bring him to the watercourse he was seeking.</p> + +<p>Presently the bared streak was passed, and now he was +compelled to force his way along through snow that was +from two inches to two feet deep. The deep places tired +him not a little, and by the time the vicinity of the creek +was reached he could scarcely drag one foot after the +other.</p> + +<p>“Thank fortune I am this far!” he exclaimed, half-aloud, +as the trees which lined the watercourse came into +sight through the driving snow. “Now, there is at least +no danger of getting lost, no matter what other peril confronts +me.”</p> + +<p>The thought had hardly passed through his mind when +he stepped into a snowdrift and sank down to his waist. +He struggled to get out, but only went the deeper.</p> + +<p>“My gracious! this won’t do,” he cried, in alarm. +“There must be a hollow below me that has been filled +up.”</p> + +<p>He struggled on for a step or two, and then went down +to his armpits, and only saved himself from going down +still farther by putting out his arms and hands flatly on +the snow around him.</p> + +<p>He was now thoroughly scared, expecting every instant +to be smothered to death in the snow. There was +no use in trying to go ahead farther. He must get back +to the high ground.</p> + +<p>It was a hard and precarious struggle the lad had to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +leave the deep snow. But at last he wormed his way +around, and half-stepped, half-rolled back to where he had +stood a few minutes before. The loose snow had gotten +into his sleeves and his collar, and this chilled him, despite +the exertions he had made.</p> + +<p>After this experience, he was cautious in his further +forward movements. He walked along the edge of the +hollow for several hundred feet, and did not attempt to +gain the creek until a pathway that was nearly bare presented +itself. Then he passed the thin belt of timber, and +finally found himself on the ice of the watercourse.</p> + +<p>Here he stopped for a rest, crouching behind a number +of trees and rocks for protection. He had covered about +one-third of the distance to camp, and it had taken nearly +an hour to do it. At this rate it would be long after dark +ere his journey came to an end.</p> + +<p>Harry did not dare to rest too long, fearing that the +cold would make him drowsy and cause him to go to +sleep, from which he would probably never awaken. He +remained behind the trees and rocks just long enough to +“catch his wind,” and then set off as rapidly as he could +down the creek.</p> + +<p>One-half of the distance down the watercourse was +completed, and the boy was just congratulating himself +on the fine progress he was making when a sound reached +his ear that literally made his hair stand on end.</p> + +<p>It was the cry of a wildcat, and it came from the brush +immediately on his left!</p> + +<p>The cry lasted only a short while, but Harry had heard +it before, and he at once recognized it.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>He knew the creature was out seeking food. Most +likely it was in a half-starved condition, and fierce beyond +expression.</p> + +<p>The boy did not know what to do. To flee was out of +the question. The creature could easily reach him if it so +wished. Nor would it avail to climb a tree.</p> + +<p>He must prepare to defend himself should the wildcat +attack him, and he unslung his gun with all the haste possible, +and got it ready for immediate use.</p> + +<p>The cry of the creature was repeated after a short interval +of silence, but the wildcat did not as yet show +itself.</p> + +<p>With his heart thumping violently in his breast, Harry +continued on his way, but with his glance over his shoulder +in the direction from which the sound had proceeded.</p> + +<p>A hundred feet farther on, the creek made a bend, and +here it grew narrower. He kept in the middle of the +frozen stream, but the trees on either side were not ten +feet away.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the cry broke out again, so close to him that +Harry sprang back and hoisted his gun to his shoulder. +Then the wildcat appeared from over the top of a flat rock +and made a leap directly for the throat of the boy.</p> + +<p>Bang! went the gun, and the shot flew for the greater +part under the creature’s body. Several pierced its front +legs, and, with a snarl that was tigerish in its intensity, it +fell directly at Harry’s feet.</p> + +<p>Hardly had it landed on the ice when, with its hind +legs, it made another leap at the boy, who endeavored to +ward it off by thrusting the point of the gun barrel at it.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> +The muzzle entered the wildcat’s open mouth, and once +more it was forced to drop back upon its haunches.</p> + +<p>Harry turned to flee, and gained several yards before +the beast could steady itself on its wounded legs and make +after him. But soon the wildcat was close at his heels, +and, with a screech, it fastened itself on his back.</p> + +<p>Whirling about, Harry shook off the dreaded creature +with such force that the wildcat went over on its back on +the ice. Before it could recover, he dealt it a blow on the +side with the gun that sent it spinning over the ice for a +distance of several yards.</p> + +<p>Harry wished he had time to reload the gun, but this +was out of the question. The wildcat was wounded and +dazed, but in less than five seconds it was up again, and, +with added fierceness, it came at the boy a third time.</p> + +<p>Harry knew it was now a fight to the finish, and his +courage was aroused to its highest pitch. As the wildcat +leaped for him, he sprang to one side, and once again +brought his gun down, this time flat on the creature’s +head.</p> + +<p>There was a sharp crack and a shrill cry, and the wildcat +lay still. More than likely its skull was crushed in.</p> + +<p>Not to take any chances, should the creature be shamming, +Harry hastily reloaded, and then, stepping up to +the animal, he discharged the gun directly at its head. +There was no sign of life. The wildcat was dead.</p> + +<p>“Thank fortune!” he murmured to himself. “That’s +what I call a good job done!”</p> + +<p>With a bit of cord, Harry suspended the dead body to +the limb of a tree, that he might come back some other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> +time and get the skin for its fur, and then he continued +on his journey.</p> + +<p>The excitement attending the journey was nothing compared +to what he had just passed through, and he thought +no more of the hardships of the walk through wind and +snow. He pressed steadily on, and at a little before eight +o’clock reached the outskirts of the well-known spot for +which he was bound.</p> + +<p>Coming in sight of the campfire he let out a shout to +notify the others of his approach. There was no answer.</p> + +<p>“Must be in the hut asleep,” he muttered, and pressed +forward until the open doorway was reached.</p> + +<p>But the hut was empty! The camp was deserted!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXIII.<br> + +<small>THE SNOW SIEGE ENDED.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>For the moment Harry was alarmed. What could have +become of those left behind in charge of Camp Rest?</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they grew anxious about Jack and me and +have gone out to hunt us up,” he reasoned. “I’ll call them +again.”</p> + +<p>He went out and yelled at the top of his lungs. At +first there was no reply, but presently came a call from +some distance down the lake.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Andy and Boxy appeared side by +side, with Pickles behind them, carrying a heavy string of +fish.</p> + +<p>“We’ve been spearing and snaring fish all afternoon,” +explained Andy. “See, we have caught nine, and none of +them less than a pound in weight! Where is Jack?”</p> + +<p>“I left him behind in another camp,” returned Harry.</p> + +<p>“He isn’t sick or hurt, is he?” cried Andy, quickly.</p> + +<p>“No, but he’s in charge of three sick young fellows,” +and Harry smiled quizzically.</p> + +<p>“Three sick young fellows,” repeated Boxy. “Whom +do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Pete Sully, Dixon and Spencer.”</p> + +<p>“No!” roared both Andy and Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Yo’ doan’ say,” added Pickles. “If dat ain’t de wuss +yit!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>They were soon about the campfire, and here, while +Pickles cleaned the wild turkeys and fish, Harry told them +of what had happened since Jack and he had started out +on the search for game.</p> + +<p>The others listened with deep interest. They were all +affected when they learned how the bully and his companions +had been found literally starving, and were glad +to hear that Jack and Harry had treated them kindly.</p> + +<p>“It ought to make Sully and the others mend their +ways,” said Andy.</p> + +<p>“It will, if I am not greatly mistaken,” returned Harry. +“Certainly, they will never try to harm us again.”</p> + +<p>Harry was thoroughly tired out, and was the first to roll +himself up and go to sleep. One after another the others +followed, and by nine o’clock Camp Rest was as silent as +the grave, for the wind died out utterly.</p> + +<p>In the morning a welcome surprise awaited the boys. +The snow had ceased falling, and the sun was coming up +as clear as a disc of gold over the hills.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! the snow siege is ended!” shouted Boxy. +“And right glad am I of it!”</p> + +<p>“I guess we all are,” said Andy. “I was sick of being +snowed in. Now, if it remains clear, we may have a +chance to go out by to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“Yes; I hope it stays clear for the rest of the outing,” +put in Harry. “It is no fun to be out in a snowstorm with +the wind blowing a perfect gale in your face.”</p> + +<p>After breakfast the camp was put in order in anticipation +of Jack’s return with the unfortunate trio. Fresh +pine boughs were placed in one corner of the hut, in case<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> +any of the unfortunates should be exhausted by the trip +and wish to lie down.</p> + +<p>Harry had told of his adventure with the wildcat, and +Andy said he hoped his brother and the others would +not encounter such a beast.</p> + +<p>They waited around the campfire until noon. Then +one after another began to grow uneasy.</p> + +<p>“He ought to be here by this time,” murmured Andy, +for at least the tenth time.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” said Boxy. “He’s had four hours of daylight +and more.”</p> + +<p>“I dun racken he waited fo’ de sun to git wahmer,” said +Pickles, and this proved to be the case.</p> + +<p>The dinner was cooking over the stone oven when a +shout was heard up the creek, and there appeared Jack, +carrying on his strong young shoulders Len Spencer, +while beside him walked Pete Sully with the game-bag +and Bill Dixon with the guns. Every one of the crowd +looked thoroughly tired out.</p> + +<p>The boys around the campfire gave a cheer, to which +Jack responded rather feebly. Sully and the others were +too ashamed to utter a sound.</p> + +<p>Andy and Boxy saw at a glance how mean they felt, +and did what they could to make matters easy for them. +They realized that the spirits of their enemies were broken, +and they had no desire to do any heartless “crowing” because +of this.</p> + +<p>Sully and Dixon were able to take care of themselves, +but Spencer had collapsed when almost in sight of camp, +and had now to be given every possible care. He was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> +laid in the hut, and Pickles made the boy who had been +his own individual enemy a cup of broth which Spencer +stowed away gratefully.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon Sully was persuaded to tell his +story, to which Dixon added his own experiences. We +will not go into the details. Suffice it to say that the outing +of the three had been a dismal failure from the start, +and they were now anxious for but one thing—to get +home again.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how you can get back, excepting you cross +the lake and find a road to Rudd’s Landing,” said Harry.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t there a railroad station down the lake on this +side?” asked Dixon.</p> + +<p>“Why, yes—Andrewsville!” cried Boxy. “It must be +about three miles from here.”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll try to get to that place,” said Sully. “We +can take the cars from there to Bagsville, where we can +try to get our traps back, and then go from Bagsville to +Rudskill. I don’t want any more tramping through the +woods—at least not during the winter.”</p> + +<p>During the remainder of that day all hands took it +easy. The sun shone brightly, and on every side the snow +went down as if by magic.</p> + +<p>Early next morning all hands were stirring around the +fire. Spencer felt once more like himself, and the unfortunate +trio determined to set out for Andrewsville +without delay. A good breakfast was had, and then +Sully, Dixon and Spencer bid the members of the Zero +Club good-by.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>It was a trying moment when the bully and his companions +offered to shake hands all around.</p> + +<p>“I—I hope you fellows have the best kind of a time,” +he said, in a low voice. “As for ourselves, we—we didn’t +deserve it, and that’s all there is to it,” and off he strode; +and a moment later the trio were gone out of sight, beyond +the bend that led down the lake.</p> + +<p>A long breath of relief went around. Everybody +wanted to say something about the departed ones, but, +somehow, the right words wouldn’t just come, and all +were silent.</p> + +<p>The sun was shining as it had the day previous, but it +was colder. Jack and Andy had tried the snow about the +camp, and found it everywhere covered with a heavy +crust.</p> + +<p>“Good! Now, if we can fit our boots with some sort +of flat strips of wood, we can walk on most of the snow +without much difficulty,” said Jack.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got an idea,” said Harry, slowly. “I move we +strike camp and spend the balance of our outing in some +other locality.”</p> + +<p>“I would just as lief!” cried Boxy. “This is a tour, +you know. Let us go up the lake a few miles.”</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over, and it was decided as Boxy +wished. Harry left his wildcat pelt behind.</p> + +<p>Long before noon they were on the way, leaving the hut +and the stone oven standing, as well as the snowhouse.</p> + +<p>“Now for several days of fresh adventures, and then +for home!” cried Harry. “Boys, I do not think we can +complain of lack of lively times since we have been away.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span>“No,” returned Jack. “Sometimes the times have been +a bit too lively. However, we are all safe and well, so we +have no cause to complain.”</p> + +<p>On and on over the frozen lake they went until fully +four miles had been covered. They then came to a large +cove, beyond which was a most attractive opening among +a cluster of giant oaks and walnuts.</p> + +<p>“How will that do?” asked Andy, and they decided on +the spot that it would answer very well.</p> + +<p>A sheltered nook between three great trees was soon +selected for a temporary camp, and Pickles at once set to +work to build a fire and put the pot on to boil.</p> + +<p>“Kase it always smells moah like home when de meat’s +cookin’,” he said, with a full show of his ivories.</p> + +<p>Before starting to build a hut or find a shelter under +the rocks back of the cluster of trees, the members of the +Zero Club decided to make a short trip around the place.</p> + +<p>They set off through the snow, and in a few minutes +were surprised to strike a regular country road, along +both sides of which ran a barbed-wire fence.</p> + +<p>“Hullo! this is too near civilization to suit me!” cried +Harry. “We may be squatting on private property.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” returned Boxy. “We’ll have to move on +a mile or two.”</p> + +<p>They passed down the road for a few hundred yards +and then came in sight of a large farmhouse, directly behind +which was a stable and barn and half-a-dozen out-buildings.</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t mind going to the house and buying some +bread and crackers and a pie, if they had them,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> +Andy. “Pumpkin pie would go mighty good for a +change.”</p> + +<p>“So it would!” exclaimed Boxy. “Let us see what we +can strike. We can pay—— Hullo! what’s the meaning +of that?”</p> + +<p>Boxy came to a sudden halt, and so did the others. +They had just seen a man run from the back of the barn +and disappear in a patch of woods. Hardly had he gone +when a thick cloud of smoke rolled out of one of the open +doors of the barn.</p> + +<p>“He has set that barn on fire!” gasped Andy. “My! +just look at the smoke.”</p> + +<p>“Come on, boys! we must put that fire out!” cried +Harry, springing ahead.</p> + +<p>And away they dashed at top speed toward the burning +structure.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXIV.<br> + +<small>A LIVELY TIME.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It took the members of the Zero Club less than two +minutes to reach the burning barn.</p> + +<p>As they neared it they saw a man rush out of the +kitchen of the farmhouse.</p> + +<p>He was bareheaded and screaming at the top of his +voice:</p> + +<p>“Help! fire! help!”</p> + +<p>“We’ll help you!” cried Jack. “Are your pails handy? +Where’s the well?”</p> + +<p>“The well is here by the back door! Samanthy, get +the milk pails an’ all the buckets you can find! The +barn’s afire!”</p> + +<p>From out of the kitchen came a woman’s scream. +Ten seconds later an elderly female appeared, carrying +half-a-dozen milk pails, a small wooden tub and a slop +bucket.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Boxy was turning the well handle +just as fast as he could and filling the big half-cask that +stood beneath the spout. By the time it was half full +the others had the pails and were dipping them in.</p> + +<p>Harry and Jack and the farmer were the first to dash +down to the barn. The fire was in a mass of hay near +the feed box, and on this they dashed the water they +carried.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span>“I’d like to know who sot this afire?” growled the +farmer, wrathfully.</p> + +<p>“We saw a man leave the barn and jump the rear +fence,” replied Jack.</p> + +<p>“Wot kind of a looking man?”</p> + +<p>“A tall fellow, with a soft, light hat and a blue overcoat.”</p> + +<p>“Jim Lemkins, sure as fate!” howled the farmer. +“He’ll have to be locked up again; commencin’ his old +tricks.”</p> + +<p>“Who is Jim Lemkins?” asked Harry, as they went +for more water.</p> + +<p>“A half-crazy chap from the village. He has caused +no end of fires around here. But he won’t cause any +more—not if I have the say of it!”</p> + +<p>Nothing more was said just then, all hands paying attention +to the fire. The big barn doors were closed +to keep out the draught, and in five minutes what had +promised to be a serious conflagration was completely +put out.</p> + +<p>“Phew! but that was warm work!” exclaimed the +farmer, after the last of the sparks were stamped out.</p> + +<p>“You can be thankful that it is no worse,” remarked +Harry.</p> + +<p>“So I be. You fellers worked like you understood +what you was about.”</p> + +<p>“We’ve had one experience at putting out a fire,” +returned Jack, dryly. “We are out camping, and our +hut caught and nearly burned us up.”</p> + +<p>“Gee shoo! Well, the damage here ain’t much, thanks<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> +to your comin’ along an’ giving a hand. Won’t you come +into the house?”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, we were going to stop just as the fire +broke out,” replied Harry.</p> + +<p>“Is that so?” returned the farmer, questioningly.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” added Boxy. “We wanted to see if we couldn’t +buy some fresh bread, crackers and pie from you. +We’ve run out of everything but meat and coffee at our +camp.”</p> + +<p>“Well, maybe Samanthy can fix you up. Come on +in.”</p> + +<p>Seeing to it that none of the live sparks had escaped +their notice, the party left the barn and entered the +kitchen of the farmhouse, where all was cozy and warm. +The farmer’s wife had preceded them, and now thanked +them as her husband had done for their help.</p> + +<p>“They want to buy some fresh bread, cake and pie, +Samanthy. They are out campin’, and run out of that +kind of stuff.”</p> + +<p>“They can’t buy none, Job, but they can have all I +can spare, an’ welcome,” replied the wife, warmly.</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and +then the good lady visited her pantry and brought forth +two loaves of bread, a currant jelly layer cake and a +large apple pie.</p> + +<p>“Here you be, an’ welcome,” she said.</p> + +<p>“Now, if you want any vegetables, say the word, and +they be yours,” said the farmer. “The cellar an’ the +barn are more’n full.”</p> + +<p>Once again the matter was talked over, and when the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> +boys were ready to leave, they had, in addition to the +bread, cake and pastry, a large basket completely filled +with potatoes, turnips, onions, beans and cabbage, +enough to last them until the end of their outing.</p> + +<p>When they were thanking the country folks for their +kindness, a cutter drove up to the horse-block, and a +young and buxom countrywoman rushed into the house. +She proceeded to hug and kiss the old couple.</p> + +<p>“Such news, ma!” she burst out. “Uncle Ben and +three sleigh loads are coming over to-night for a dance! +They are going to bring old Fiddler Dick and an Italian +harp player along. Henry and I want you to come over +sure!”</p> + +<p>“Humph! I’m most too old for a shin-dig like that,” +said the farmer, but, nevertheless, he smiled broadly.</p> + +<p>“So be I,” added the wife, but she, too, looked +pleased.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you must come, both of you!” insisted the young +country wife, impulsively. “And you——” and then +she broke off short and gazed at the four boys who had +stepped to one side out of the way.</p> + +<p>“My daughter,” said the old farmer, presenting her to +the boys. “Sarah, these young fellows just helped me +put a fire out in the barn—one that crazy Jim Lemkins +had started. I don’t know their names, but they are +from Rudskill and are out camping.”</p> + +<p>With all the polish at his command, Harry stepped +forward and introduced his chums and then himself. +The young woman shook hands and then asked numerous +questions about the affair.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>Quite a friendly conversation ensued, and then it +transpired that the farmer, whose name was Brodhead, +knew Jack and Andy’s father. He asked the boys how +their parent was, and while he was doing this the daughter +of the house began a whispered conversation with +her mother.</p> + +<p>“So many girls, you know, ma,” Harry heard her say. +“And they look like real nice chaps, too.”</p> + +<p>“Well, do as you see fit, Sarah,” replied the mother. +“They certainly deserve any good time we can give ’em.”</p> + +<p>Then the young woman blushed and stammered, but +finally invited the boys to attend the sleigh-ride party at +her home, a mile up the lake shore.</p> + +<p>“There will be lots of girls to dance with,” she added, +with a little laugh. “And we shall have a great number +of games, too.”</p> + +<p>“You are very kind,” began Harry, and then he +looked at his companions. One glance was sufficient. +Every one wanted to go; and so it was settled that they +would attend a regular country dance that night at eight +o’clock.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later they were on their way back to the +lake shore, where they found Pickles wondering what +had become of them. A dinner of meat was ready, but +they kept it waiting long enough to add some roast +potatoes, and when they ate the meal they topped off +with the pie, which, as Boxy put it, “struck home every +time.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXV.<br> + +<small>AT THE COUNTRY DANCE.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>For the balance of the day nothing was talked of but +the party they were going to attend. Pickles had not +been forgotten, and he was to join in a hoe-down in the +barn, where the farm hands were going to have their +jollification.</p> + +<p>Boxy and Andy spent a good bit of the time over +their toilet, and it must be confessed that Jack and +Harry did the same.</p> + +<p>“We are not fit for a city party, but I guess we look +well enough for this country affair,” remarked Jack. +“Our clothing is clean, and when we wash and comb up +we’ll pass in a crowd.”</p> + +<p>It was decided not to move camp until the following +day, and a rude shelter was constructed under the trees, +where the traps were hidden. It was not likely that +they would return to the spot until nearly sunrise.</p> + +<p>The party was expected to arrive at the farmhouse up +the lake at about eight o’clock, and at half-past seven the +boys set out for the place, without taking the trouble to +replenish the campfire.</p> + +<p>They had been given minute directions concerning +the road, and had no difficulty in reaching their destination.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>As they came in sight of the farmhouse, which was lit +up from cellar to garret, they saw that the sleigh loads +of relatives and neighbors had just arrived. They hurried +in, and a few minutes later were introduced all +around.</p> + +<p>“Make yourselves at home,” said Henry Akers, +Sarah’s husband. “I’ve heard o’ the service you did my +father-in-law, and I am as thankful as he is that his barn +wasn’t burnt down.”</p> + +<p>The fiddler and the harpist were stationed in a corner +of the broad hallway, and the sitting-room and the +kitchen had been cleared for dancing. Soon the lively +strains of a Virginia reel broke the ice all around and set +everybody to talking and laughing.</p> + +<p>“Choose partners fer the reel!” shouted the master of +ceremonies, a village dandy, who had a chrysanthemum +as large as a saucer stuck in his buttonhole.</p> + +<p>“Good gracious, I can’t dance!” whispered Andy, and +off he ran to a corner and was soon talking and laughing +with a crowd of boys and girls. Boxy joined him, +and they managed to have a real good time until supper.</p> + +<p>Harry and Jack found two pretty country girls of +about their own age willing to dance, and joined the +two lines that were forming at the head of the sitting-room. +Soon nearly everybody in the house was in line, +old Job Brodhead and his wife leading off.</p> + +<p>Once again the fiddler and the harp player tuned up +and started the reel, and away the dancers went, one +couple after the other, forward and back, forward and +around, forward and join hands, and all the rest of it.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +Some mistakes were made, and it grew mighty warm +toward the end. But nobody minded this, and all +laughed and cracked jokes, and when, nearly an hour +later, the reel was ended, every one was on the best +possible terms with every one else.</p> + +<p>“I’ll slip down to the barn and see how Pickles is +making out,” whispered Harry, and off he went, leaving +Jack to entertain the girls they had danced with.</p> + +<p>Harry found the colored youth in his glory. Pickles +had brought his banjo along, and was entertaining the +other colored people and the farm hands with plantation +songs and tunes. It was not long before word was sent +from the farmhouse to come up and entertain the others. +And Pickles had to go.</p> + +<p>In the meantime cider was flowing, and apples and +nuts were passed around on all sides. About eleven +o’clock the kitchen was cleared, and the older women +went to work to set the tables for supper.</p> + +<p>After the reel came other dances in the sitting-room +and hall—waltzes, quadrilles and the like, and Harry +and Jack and two of the young ladies who had been to +dancing school danced the latest two-step, while the +older folks looked on.</p> + +<p>At last supper was announced, and such a feast as +that was! There was enough three times over, and +everything of the best. All of the boys were urged to +eat, until Boxy whispered to Andy that every button +was ready to burst off. It was a country supper never +to be forgotten! They finished off with mince pie, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> +nuts, and raisins, and it was after one o’clock when the +feast was declared at an end.</p> + +<p>Then came several toasts. First old Job Brodhead +made a little speech, and then his son-in-law, and after +this half-a-dozen neighbors.</p> + +<p>“Maybe our young friends from Rudskill kin speak +pieces,” said Mother Brodhead, and then half a dozen +clustered around Harry and Jack and the others, demanding +something from them.</p> + +<p>Luckily, Andy and Boxy knew a funny dialogue which +they got off amid much laughter. Then Jack recited +“The Sword of Bunker Hill.”</p> + +<p>“Now it’s your turn, Harry,” they said, after he had +finished.</p> + +<p>Harry had been thinking of what to recite, and a few +scraps of an original song floated into his mind. He +gave it in his own sweet tenor voice, and it fairly took +the country folk by storm. He was <i>encored</i> so much that +he had to follow with several others.</p> + +<p>“You’re the hero of the evening,” whispered Jack, and +Harry flushed furiously when the pretty girl beside him +said the same thing.</p> + +<p>Then Pickles was called in, and soon the colored boy +had every one joining in the chorus of “Sweet Times +Comin’ By and By,” and “Who’s Dat A-nockin’ at De +Doah?” Then Pickles gave a breakdown, and got several +of the old countrymen so warmed up that they took +off their coats and joined in.</p> + +<p>Following the singing came half-a-dozen games, hunt +the slipper, pillows and keys, fortune-telling, forfeits<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> +and the like. Perhaps some kissing was done, too, but +in telling the story to me the boys whose fortunes I am +relating did not mention this, for reasons purely their +own.</p> + +<p>“It’s the best party I ever attended in my life!” cried +Boxy to Harry, as they passed each other in the hall. +“Beats a stiff town party all to bits!” And Harry +agreed with him.</p> + +<p>It was after five o’clock when some one suggested +that they break up. Then clock and watches were +consulted, and a raid was made on the closets where +hats, bonnets, overcoats and tippets were stored. Fifteen +minutes later the sleighs were brought around, +good-bys were said, and off went the merry revelers, +leaving the five boys to return to their camp in the early +dawn, completely tired out, but happier than they had +been for many a day.</p> + +<p>“I never expect to attend another party like it,” said +Jack. “It is one of the brightest spots in the tour of +the Zero Club, to my way of thinking.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Jack. They treated us as if we were +their warmest friends. It’s a pity city folks cannot do +as well by their country cousins when they come to +town.”</p> + +<p>After all that dancing and romping around, it was a +weary walk back to the temporary camp, but finally it +was finished, and, lighting a big fire of brushwood, they +sat around it to rest. Andy and Boxy fell asleep, and the +others dozed until nearly noon.</p> + +<p>“Now we will continue on our way up the lake front<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> +until we get away from the neighborhood of these farmhouses,” +said Harry. “I don’t believe any one wants +dinner.”</p> + +<p>“Not just yet for me!” groaned Boxy. “Last night +filled me up as full as a tick.”</p> + +<p>“Ditto,” put in Andy. “Let us walk ourselves hungry +first.”</p> + +<p>And so they set off on their skates up the lake, keeping +as closely to the shore as the snowdrifts would +permit.</p> + +<p>By sundown they calculated that they had covered six +miles. They were now in a very wild neighborhood, +full of rocks and cliffs and a heavy growth of timber.</p> + +<p>“This ought to be just the thing,” said Harry, as they +turned in to shore and came to a halt. “There ought to +be plenty of game back of that rocky ground.”</p> + +<p>“That is true,” said Jack. “What do you think, fellows, +shall we look for a camping spot here?”</p> + +<p>They agreed that no better place could be found. +Ten minutes later they were behind the shelter of a +clump of bushes, and then Jack and Boxy went off to +find a suitable location for a permanent camp for the +balance of the outing.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVI.<br> + +<small>THE BLACK BEAR.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>What Boxy and Jack thought would be a splendid +shelter was found under a large, shelving series of rocks, +nearly a hundred feet from the lake front. Here was +an opening six feet wide by fifteen feet deep. The +flooring was of smooth stone, covered with a great mass +of leaves, which had been blown in by the wind. Of +course, the snow had likewise entered, but this was soon +cleaned out.</p> + +<p>“Now, all we will have to do is to re-cover the greater +part of the front with brush, and it will make the warmest +kind of a shelter,” said Jack.</p> + +<p>“And the best part of it all is that there is a crevice +in the rear with a good upward draught,” said Boxy. +“So we can build a fire inside our house, so to speak, +which will be more pleasant than having it outside.”</p> + +<p>“No snakes, are there?” asked Andy, cautiously.</p> + +<p>“Not a one. We were careful to make a thorough +search around.”</p> + +<p>“Then that’s the spot,” put in Harry, “and the sooner +we get settled the better. It promises to be very cold +to-night, and we want to be where we can keep warm.”</p> + +<p>The sled was dragged to the spot selected, and the ax +gotten out. While two of the boys cleaned out the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> +cave-like place, the others cut down poles and brush +with which to shelter the front, and also collected wood +for a fire.</p> + +<p>The draught inside toward the rear was perfect, and +when a fire was started on a number of stones, it blazed +up merrily without letting out any of the smoke into +the cave proper.</p> + +<p>“This is fine!” cried Andy, as he sat down to rest in +front of the blaze. “We ought to have had a place like +this from the start.”</p> + +<p>“Unfortunately, we didn’t know there was this cave +to occupy,” laughed Harry. “But I must confess I +liked the hut.”</p> + +<p>“So did I,” said Jack. “It is only the change that +pleases Andy. Nowadays in life, change is everything. +We are constantly craving something new and different.”</p> + +<p>Before nightfall the poles were up in front of the +opening and thickly entwined with brush. Only a small +doorway was left, and this was closed at night by setting +the sled over it. Soon the fire in the rear made the +cave-like shelter as warm as toast, so that the boys took +off their overcoats and gloves—something they had seldom +done in the hut.</p> + +<p>Harry was right about it getting colder. After sunset +the thermometer fell steadily. Pickles went down +to the lake for a pail of water, and came back with his +hands and ears half-frozen.</p> + +<p>“De coldest night yit, suah!” he exclaimed, as he +knocked his feet against the rocks and slapped his hands<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> +over his chest to warm them. “We want lots ob firewood +to-night, or we’ll all be froze stiff as pokers by +moahnin’!”</p> + +<p>They were now hungry enough, and Jack set to work, +while Pickles got extra wood, to cook a real stew of +meat, potatoes and onions. The frost in the air made +the concoction smell good, and when the stew was dealt +out all ate their full portion.</p> + +<p>Being sleepy, they retired early, and every one slept +like a “log” until long after sunrise.</p> + +<p>“By gracious, but it’s cold!” howled Boxy, the first +to rise. “And the fire almost out! Pile on some wood, +Pickles!”</p> + +<p>“I should say it was cold!” put in Andy, as he got up +and stretched himself.</p> + +<p>“The coldest yet, without a doubt,” said Harry. “But +stir up, all of you! We mustn’t expect summer weather +at this time in the year.”</p> + +<p>Piping hot coffee soon warmed them up somewhat, +and inside of half an hour they were arranging to go out +on a hunt. It was resolved that they should leave the +fire in first-class shape and all go together, that being +so much nicer than dividing up.</p> + +<p>This plan was carried out, and before evening they +had shot six rabbits, three partridges or grouse, and over +a score of woodcock and other birds.</p> + +<p>“That’s sport and no error!” cried Boxy. “Now, if +we can only get at some more deer to-morrow——”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you want the earth!” cried Andy. “Deer are +not so plentiful as all that.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span>Nevertheless Boxy’s head was set on bringing down +a deer, and the next day he went off with none but +Pickles. The two were gone until dark, and, true +enough, they came back with a small deer, which +Pickles had wounded in the foreleg and Boxy had shot +through the neck. On that same day the others shot +half-a-dozen rabbits and partridge, and also brought +down two silver-white foxes, which they resolved to take +home to have stuffed.</p> + +<p>That night they had an unexpected experience which +at first gave them a great scare. They were all seated +near the fire relating their various experiences, when, +without a warning, there came a crash from overhead +that caused all of them to spring to their feet in alarm.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” cried Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Evidently something is giving way!” exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p>“Suah de roof’s comin’ down!” howled Pickles.</p> + +<p>“That sounds like it, certainly,” said Harry, who was +the calmest of the crowd.</p> + +<p>“Rush for outside!” yelled Andy, as he made for the +doorway.</p> + +<p>“Andy, come back!” called Jack, catching hold of +him.</p> + +<p>“That’s all right, but I don’t want to get crushed,” retorted +his younger brother.</p> + +<p>“Each of us had better stay here,” put in Harry. +“The trouble is all outside of the cave.”</p> + +<p>“Might be better in the open air than here——” began +Boxy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>“Especially when the roof seems to be giving way,” +added Andy.</p> + +<p>“Yes, but you can’t pass the doorway without peril,” +returned Jack.</p> + +<p>“Either it is a snowslide or a landslide,” cried Harry. +“Wait and listen!”</p> + +<p>“Rocks comin’ down sumwhar!” grumbled Pickles. +“Oh, my!”</p> + +<p>Ro-o-u-m! crash! Down in front of the cave-like +shelter came a perfect avalanche of snow and loose +stones, completely filling the doorway and bending in +the brush wall until the poles that held it in place gave +way at the top.</p> + +<p>“Back, all of you!” shouted Harry, and they retreated +just in time to prevent themselves from being completely +buried.</p> + +<p>After the first slide came several others, and for the +time being the boys were afraid they would be buried +alive under the cliff. They waited with wildly beating +hearts for fully quarter of an hour after the last fall, +and then began an examination of the situation.</p> + +<p>The entire front of the shelter was blocked with snow +and loose stones, which lay over it to the depth of eight +or ten feet.</p> + +<p>“Now the question is, how are we to get out?” said +Jack, in dismay. “We are caught like rats in a trap.”</p> + +<p>“We must dig our way out, and that quickly,” responded +Harry. “We must have fresh air to breathe.”</p> + +<p>“Set to work with anything you can find!” cried Andy. +“A bit of board, or a tin plate, or anything!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>All hands went at the wall of snow and loose stones +with a will. The stuff was thrown to one side of the +cave, and while Harry and Jack threw it back the others +packed it away.</p> + +<p>At the end of half an hour a passageway all of eight +feet had been made, when suddenly Jack gave a shout:</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! I have struck an open place at last!”</p> + +<p>“Good!” returned Harry. “Now let us all get out +and see how much damage has really been done.”</p> + +<p>The small opening Jack had found was enlarged with +all possible haste, and then one after another the boys +crawled out into the open air.</p> + +<p>It was found that the entire top portion of the cliff, +loaded down with ice and snow, had given way, and was +lying all along the bottom, a distance of fully fifty feet.</p> + +<p>“Well, there is one satisfaction,” remarked Boxy, as +he gazed at the wreck. “If we clear this away we need +not be in fear of another such slide, for the top of the +cliff is now as bare as a bald man’s head.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” replied Harry. “Come, fellows, we must +make that entrance larger and get the snow out of the +cave before we can hope to retire for the night.”</p> + +<p>With improvised shovels and brooms they set to work +to clear the snow and stones from in front of the +shelter. It was hard work, but after such a scare they +did not mind it. They were thankful that matters were +not worse. Supposing the top of the cave had come +down, what then? Most likely every one of them would +have been killed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span>At last Jack declared they had done enough for that +night.</p> + +<p>“We can finish up in the morning,” he said. “Let us +start up the fire afresh and go to bed.”</p> + +<p>“I’m willing,” returned Andy. “My back is nearly +broken from handling this home-made shovel.”</p> + +<p>The boys started to go back into the cave, when, suddenly, +Pickles, who was looking up at the top of the +cliff, let out an unearthly yell and clutched Harry’s arm +convulsively.</p> + +<p>“Fo’ de sake ob goodness!”</p> + +<p>“What’s it, Pickles?” questioned Harry, quickly. +“What has frightened you?”</p> + +<p>There was no need for the colored youth to answer. +A loud growl rang in the ears of all the boys, and the +next instant down from the top of the cliff leaped a big, +brown bear into their very midst.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVII.<br> + +<small>END OF THE TOUR.</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>It was quite likely that the big brown bear which had +thrust itself among the members of the Zero Club so unceremoniously +had had its winter habitation somewhere +along the top of the cliff, and that the snow, ice and landslide +had brought it forth to see the cause of the disturbance.</p> + +<p>Evidently, it imagined that the boys had brought about +the ruin, for it was thoroughly enraged, and, as soon as it +landed, stood up on its hind legs to embrace Harry, who +happened to be a trifle closer than the others.</p> + +<p>Harry lost no time in leaping out of reach, and then the +great bear turned upon Jack, almost knocking him down +with a savage blow from one paw.</p> + +<p>“Run! run!” screamed Andy. “Run, Jack, or he will +kill you!”</p> + +<p>With an effort, Jack regained his balance, and then he +took Andy’s advice, as did indeed all of the others. They +ran in every direction, and in less than half a minute the +bear had the field entirely to himself.</p> + +<p>At first bruin appeared on the point of following them +into the woods, but he stopped short and sniffed the air. +The smell of the cooked meat in the cave reached him, +and, turning, he disappeared inside of the shelter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>“He has gone into the cave!” exclaimed Boxy to Harry, +breathlessly. “Good-by to all our meat!”</p> + +<p>“If he only takes the meat and gets out I won’t care,” +put in Andy. “My, but he nearly scared me out of my +wits!”</p> + +<p>“I doan’ want nuffin’ to do wid dat chap,” remarked +Pickles, with a grave shake of his woolly head. “He is +wuss nor all de wolves an’ wildcats put togedder, ’deed +he is!”</p> + +<p>“Come on to where we can look into the cave,” said +Harry, and they moved to another spot, where Jack presently +joined them.</p> + +<p>“By the boots! but I had a narrow escape!” said Jack, +with a shiver. “That crack from the bear’s paw nearly +knocked me silly!”</p> + +<p>“What shall we do?” questioned Boxy, after a moment +of silence.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to shoot him,” replied Harry. “What a prize +he would make!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, my! I wouldn’t go near him for the world!” +exclaimed Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Nor I!” added Andy. “Don’t try it, Harry! It will +cost you your life!”</p> + +<p>“How are you going to kill him?” asked Jack. “Not a +single one of us has a gun.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you have your gun out?” asked Harry, turning +to Boxy.</p> + +<p>“I had the rifle out, but I—I dropped it when the bear +leaped down,” stammered Boxy, in considerable confusion.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>“Where did you drop it?”</p> + +<p>“About three or four yards from the doorway to the +cave.”</p> + +<p>“Humph! A fellow might crawl up and grab it,” +mused Harry.</p> + +<p>“No! no! doan’ yo’ go fo’ to do nuffn’ so foolish!” cried +Pickles. “Dat b’ar will come out an’ dat will be de end +ob you!”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” said Andy. “Let the bear satisfy himself +and go off when he pleases.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, I have it!” cried Harry, an idea striking him. +“Just stay where you are, fellows; I think I can do up his +bearship in a way he won’t be looking for.”</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” questioned Boxy.</p> + +<p>“Wait and see.”</p> + +<p>On the instant Harry was off. Instead of walking toward +the cave, he made a detour, coming up at one end of +the high cliff.</p> + +<p>He found a place where he could ascend the icy slope +without much difficulty, and this done, he crept along +silently until he occupied a spot directly over the entrance +to the shelter below.</p> + +<p>He looked about him, and soon found what he wanted, +a round stone, weighing all of forty or fifty pounds.</p> + +<p>He half-rolled, half-carried the stone to the very edge +of the cliff, and here set it so that a slight push would send +it downward. Then he procured several more stones of +smaller size.</p> + +<p>This done, he took up a handful of pebbles and rolled +them over the cliff, at the same time shouting out loudly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>The echo had hardly died away when the bear made its +appearance at the mouth of the cave. He came out almost +all of the way and looked around fiercely.</p> + +<p>Clatter! crash! down came the big stone, pushed off at +just the right moment. It took the bear in the neck, and +caused him to fall down with a loud roar of pain.</p> + +<p>In great excitement, Harry caught up two of the +smaller stones. The first, when hurled downward, missed +its mark; but the second caught the beast in the top of +the head, directly over his right eye, inflicting an ugly +wound.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! you have knocked him!” cried Jack, from the +woods. “Give him another!”</p> + +<p>“Get the rifle if you can!” sang out the boy on the cliff.</p> + +<p>“I will, if the bear will give me half a chance!” returned +Jack.</p> + +<p>The bear now understood whence came the attack, and +staggering to his feet, he looked around to find some way +up the cliff. Harry continued to pour down the rocks, +and one particularly sharp-pointed one landed on bruin’s +nose.</p> + +<p>Up went another roar of pain, and the bear danced +around, shaking his head from side to side in rage.</p> + +<p>“That was a corker!” yelled Boxy, somewhat recovering +his courage. “Give him another, and—my gracious! +He’s coming this way!”</p> + +<p>It was true. The bear had turned swiftly, and was now +making for the woods where Boxy, Andy and Pickles +were standing. Jack in the meantime had crawled to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> +one side, waiting for a chance to dash in and secure the +rifle.</p> + +<p>The three boys scrambled to get out of the way, and a +second later Jack managed to gain possession of the much-coveted +firearm.</p> + +<p>The bear went a dozen paces or more and then stopped +and turned to the boy with the rifle. He rushed up and +stood on his hind legs, and at that moment Jack pulled +the trigger.</p> + +<p>The bullet passed through bruin’s shoulder, inflicting +a dangerous but not fatal wound. The beast was now +all but beaten, and yet there was lots of fight in him. +Could he have reached one of the boys he would have +killed him on the spot.</p> + +<p>Seeing the bear so far away from the cliff, Harry slid +down to the bottom, and as Jack ran off, with bruin at his +heels, he slipped into the cave, and brought out all of the +shotguns, each of which was luckily loaded with coarse +buckshot.</p> + +<p>As Jack ran in one direction, Harry took another, and +soon joined Andy, Boxy and Pickles.</p> + +<p>“Come with me,” he said, as he dealt out the guns. +“We can get the best of that bear now if we only half try. +He’s limping dreadfully.”</p> + +<p>Off he dashed, and the others at his heels. They +caught up to the bear at the instant that Jack yelled to +them to come to his assistance.</p> + +<p>Bang! bang! went the shotguns in rapid succession. +The four doses were too much for bruin. He uttered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> +one growl, sharp and shrill, and then tumbled over—dead.</p> + +<p>At first the boys could not realize that their dreadful +enemy was dead. They ran back to the cave to reload +the rifle and the guns. But it was not needed, and after +a wait of fully five minutes they went back to inspect +their great prize.</p> + +<p>“Talk about wolves and wildcats and deer!” cried +Harry, not without pardonable pride. “This caps the +climax. Boys, I am done hunting now.”</p> + +<p>“And so am I,” returned Jack. “No more of life in +the woods for this season.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I jess as lief pull up an’ go back to Rudskill to-morrow,” +broke in Pickles. “I couldn’t sleep out heah no +moah if you paid me ten dollars an hour.”</p> + +<p>“We must have that bear stuffed,” said Jack. “And +when we get a regular clubroom we’ll have him stand on +one end of the platform as a memento of this glorious +outing.”</p> + +<p>There was no sleep for any of the boys that night, and +early in the morning they set to work to skin the bear as +nicely as possible, so that it might be turned over to the +taxidermist in Rudskill when they arrived home.</p> + +<p>Skinning the bear and getting ready to “pull up stakes” +took the whole of the day, and despite their fears of more +bears, they slept that night. By daybreak they were on +their way across Rock Island Lake.</p> + +<p>Twenty-four hours later they reached Rudd’s Landing, +where Barton Coils greeted them warmly. The old man +was astonished at their success in the hunting line.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span>A crowd of friends and curious strangers greeted them +when the <i>Icicle</i> ran up to the town front of Rudskill and +the boys left the iceboat; the bear skin and head were +much admired, as were also the other trophies.</p> + +<p>“Had a good deal better luck than Sully and his +crowd,” said one of the town boys, and the members of +the Zero Club and Pickles rather guessed that they had.</p> + +<p>The boys were received at their various homes with +open arms. It was found that Minnie Woodruff had +quite recovered from the effects of her involuntary bath +in the river, from which Harry had so bravely rescued +her.</p> + +<p>The things the boys had brought back from the deserted +cottage in the woods were sold before the winter +was over. For his old coins Harry received nearly four +hundred dollars, while his companions obtained for the +other things from sixty to a hundred dollars each.</p> + +<p>This grand outing of the Zero Club took place several +winters ago. Pickles has now a steady place in Mr. +Woodruff’s employ, and the four boys are now in high +school and college, and there we will leave them, trusting +to meet them again in the near future, and in the meantime +wishing them as much success as they had when +braving perils by ice and snow.</p> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> + +<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> +</div></div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75342 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75342-h/images/cover.jpg b/75342-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a4c7415 --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75342-h/images/coversmall.jpg b/75342-h/images/coversmall.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fed9278 --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/coversmall.jpg diff --git a/75342-h/images/i_004.jpg b/75342-h/images/i_004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..80360be --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/i_004.jpg diff --git a/75342-h/images/i_052a.jpg b/75342-h/images/i_052a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ed94fa --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/i_052a.jpg diff --git a/75342-h/images/i_138a.jpg b/75342-h/images/i_138a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c94a466 --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/i_138a.jpg diff --git a/75342-h/images/i_174a.jpg b/75342-h/images/i_174a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0645dee --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/i_174a.jpg diff --git a/75342-h/images/i_title.jpg b/75342-h/images/i_title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3db59ef --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/i_title.jpg diff --git a/75342-h/images/i_title_logo.jpg b/75342-h/images/i_title_logo.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9408759 --- /dev/null +++ b/75342-h/images/i_title_logo.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8994be6 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #75342 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75342) |
