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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 |
