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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/8697.txt b/8697.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..884aaa6 --- /dev/null +++ b/8697.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7018 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Guns and Snowshoes, by Ralph Bonehill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Guns and Snowshoes + Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters + +Author: Ralph Bonehill + +Posting Date: May 31, 2012 [EBook #8697] +Release Date: August, 2005 +First Posted: August 2, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GUNS AND SNOWSHOES *** + + + + +Produced by Stan Goodman, Charles Franks, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES + +Or + +The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters + +by CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL + +AUTHOR of "FOUR BOY HUNTERS," "FOR THE LIBERTY OF TEXAS," "THE WINNING +RUN," "FLAG OF FREEDOM SERIES," ETC. + + + + + + + +ILLUSTRATED + + + +BOY HUNTERS SERIES + +By Captain Ralph Bonehill + +FOUR BOY HUNTERS + Or The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters. + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES + Or The Outing of the Gun Club + + + + + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. INTRODUCING FOUR BOYS + + II. A QUARREL IN THE SNOW + + III. THE RESULTS OF SNOWBALLING + + IV. THE EXPLOSION + + V. OFF FOR CAMP + + VI. CHICKENS AND MINCE PIE + + VII. A DISMAYING DISCOVERY + + VIII. THE FIRST NIGHT IN CAMP + + IX. INTO A HOLE AND OUT + + X. OUT AFTER DEER + + XI. SNOWBOUND + + XII. A CRY FOR HELP + + XIII. IN CAMP ONCE MORE + + XIV. IN WHICH A TRAMP DISAPPEARS + + XV. SOMETHING OF A CHASE + + XVI. AN EVIL COMPACT + + XVII. FUN IN THE CAMP + + XVIII. AN UNEXPECTED PERIL + + XIX. THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + + XX. SHOOTING WILD DUCKS + + XXI. A TOUCH OF A BLIZZARD + + XXII. A REMARKABLE CHRISTMAS + + XXIII. IN TROUBLE ONCE MORE + + XXIV. A DISAGREEABLE MEETING + + XXV. AT THE CAMP ONCE AGAIN + + XXVI. THE TRAIL THROUGH THE SNOW + + XXVII. THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMP + + XVIII. FOUR BOYS AND A BEAR + + XXIX. UNEXPECTED VISITORS + + XXX. A SURPRISE--GOOD-BYE + + + + +PREFACE. + + +My DEAR LADS: + + +This story is complete in itself, but forms volume two of a set known +under the general title of the "Boy Hunters Series," taking the heroes +through various adventures while out hunting and fishing, in the woods +and mountains, and on rivers and lakes. + +The boys are bright, lively lads of to-day, with a strong liking for a +life in the open air and a keen taste for hunting both big and little +game, and for fishing in various ways. In the former volume, entitled, +"Four Boy Hunters," they organized their little dun Club and obtained +permission to go a number of miles from home and establish a camp on +the edge of a lake. From this spot they were driven by enemies, and +then settled at another camp, where they had various adventures and +not a little fun, and in the end cleared up a mystery which had +bothered them not a little. + +In the present story we have the same boys and almost the same +locality, but the time is now winter, and in the pages which follow +are related the sport the boys had in the snow and on the ice, and +something about a new mystery, which ended in rather a surprising +fashion. + +As I have said before, hunting, especially in our eastern states, is +not what it was years ago. Almost all of the big game has disappeared, +and the fellow who can get a deer or a moose without going a good many +weary miles for the game is lucky. Yet in some sections small game is +still fairly plentiful, and a bag full of rabbits or wild ducks is +much better than nothing. + +With best wishes to all who love the woods and waters, a gun, a dog, +and a rousing campfire, I remain, + +Your sincere friend, + +CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL. + + + + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +INTRODUCING FOUR BOYS + + +"Hurrah, boys, it's snowing at last! Aren't you glad?" + +"Glad? You bet I'm glad, Snap! Why I've been watching for this storm +for about six months!" + +"There you go, Whopper!" answered Charley Dodge, with a grin. "Six +months indeed! Why, we haven't been home six months." + +"Well, it seems that long anyway," said Frank Dawson, who was usually +called Whopper by his chums, because of his exaggerations when +speaking. "I've just been aching to see it snow." + +"So that we can take that trip we proposed," put in Sheppard Reed, +quickly. "I guess we are all waiting for that." + +"I am anyway," came from Will Caslette, the smallest lad of the four, +who had gathered at their usual meeting place in the town where they +resided. "Our camping out last summer was immense. If only we have +half as much fun this winter!" + +"We will have, Giant," broke in the boy called Whopper. "Didn't I tell +you I was going to bring down sixteen deer, twenty bears, two hundred +wild turkeys, a boatload of wolves, and--" + +"Phew, Whopper! Every time you name 'em over the list gets longer!" +cried Charley Dodge. "If you bring down so much game there won't be +anything left for other hunters." + +"Well, I'll leave you a bear or two," said Whopper cheerfully. + +"Thanks awfully." + +"Leave me one lone wild turkey, Whopper dear," came mournfully from +Shep Reed. + +"Say, if you're going to talk like that I won't leave anything," burst +out Frank. + +"Whopper may bring down all the game, but I'll wager he can't throw a +snowball as straight as I can," said Charley, taking up some snow. +"See that spot on the fence yonder? Here goes for it!" + +The snowball was launched forth with swiftness and with a thud struck +the spot directly in the center. + +"Hurrah! A bull's-eye for Snap!" + +"Humph! I can do that too!" cried Whopper, and forthwith proceeded to +make a good hard snowball. Then he took aim, let drive, and the ball +landed directly on the top of the one Charley had thrown. + +"Good for you, Whopper!" said Charley enthusiastically. + +"Ah, I could do that a thousand times in succession," answered the +youth given to exaggeration, coolly. "Why, don't you know that one day +there were six Tom cats on a fence and I took a snowball and hit 'em +all?" + +"What, with one snowball?" queried the little lad called Giant. + +"Sure thing, Giant." + +"But how?" + +"Why, I made the snowball bounce from the head of one Tom cat to the +head of the next," answered Whopper, unabashed. + +"Well, if that isn't the worst yet!" roared Shep. "Say, we ought to +roll Whopper in the snow for that!" + +"Right you are!" cried Snap. "Come on!" + +"Hi! hold on!" yelled Whopper in alarm, but before he could resist he +was landed on his back in the snow, and the others proceeded to roll +him over "good," as Shep expressed it. The rolling process at an end, +a general snowball fight ensued between all of the boys, and also +several others who chanced to be passing. + +The scene was the town of Fairview, a place containing a main street +and also another thoroughfare running to the tidy little railroad +depot, where eight trains stopped daily. The town was made up of +fifteen stores and shops, three churches, a hotel, and a livery +stable, while just outside were a saw mill and several other +industries. The place was located on the Rocky River, which, ten miles +below, flowed into a beautiful sheet of water called Lake Cameron. + +To those who have read a previous volume of mine entitled, "Four Boy +Hunters," the lads skylarking in the snow need no special +introduction. For the benefit of others let me state that Charley +Dodge was the son of one of the most influential men of that district, +a gentleman who was a school trustee and also part owner of a big +summer hotel and one of the saw mills. Sheppard Reed was the son of +the best-known local physician, and he and Charley,--always called +Snap, why nobody could tell--were such chums they were often spoken of +as the Twins. + +Frank Dawson had come to Fairview a little over two years before, and +had speedily made himself a prime favorite. As we have seen, he loved +to exaggerate when telling things, yet with it all Whopper, so called, +was as truthful as anybody. As Snap said, "you could always tell +Whopper's whoppers a mile off," which I think was something of a +whopper in itself, don't you? + +The youngest lad of the four was Will Gaslette, always called Billy or +Giant. He was the son of a French widow lady, who thought the world of +her offspring. Although Will was small in size, he was sturdy and +self-reliant, and promised to become all that his mother hoped for +him. + +During the previous summer the four boys had organized the Fairview +Gun Club and obtained permission to go camping for a few weeks in the +vicinity of Lake Cameron. They had started in high spirits, and after +a number of minor adventures located on the shore of the lake. From +this spot, however, they were driven by a saw mill owner named Andrew +Felps, who ran a company that was a rival to the concern in which Mr. +Dodge had an interest. The boys were made to give up their comfortable +camp, and then they went to Firefly Lake, a mile away. Here they +hunted and fished to their heart's content, being joined in some of +their sports by Jed Sanborn, an old hunter and trapper who lived in +the mountains between the lakes. They had some trouble with Ham Spink, +a dudish youth from Fairview, who, with some cronies, located a rival +camp across the lake, but this was quickly quelled. Then, during a +forest fire, they captured a long-wanted criminal, and came home at +last loaded down with game, and with the firm determination to go out +camping again during the winter. + +"We couldn't spend our time more pleasantly," was what Snap said. +"Just think of a cozy camp in the snow, with a roaring camp-fire, and +plenty of game on all sides of you! Um! um! It's enough to make a +fellow's mouth water!" + +"Oh, we'll have to go!" had been Shep's answer. "Of course we'll have +to go to school, but we are going to have a long vacation around the +holidays--" + +"And we can ask for our Christmas presents in advance," Giant had +interrupted. "If we go out, I know what I want?" + +"What, Giant?" + +"A pair of snowshoes." + +"Oh, we'll all want those," had come from Whopper. "And sleds, +too--for our traps." + +"That's right." + +"And another shot-gun." + +"Yes, and plenty of blankets. It's no fun to camp out in winter if you +can't keep warm." + +And so the talk had run on, until the winter outing of the Gun Club +became almost a certainty to them. But there were certain +restrictions, one of which, placed on all of the boys by their +parents, was that they should end the term at school with good +averages in all their lessons. + +"You must get at least eighty-five per cent. out of a possible hundred +in all your lessons," said Doctor Reed to Shep, "otherwise you cannot +go," and the other parents said practically the same thing to Snap, +Whopper and Giant. And then the boys pitched in with a will, resolved +to come out ahead, "or know the reason why," as Snap said. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A QUARREL IN THE SNOW + + +The snow lay on the ground to the depth of four inches and was still +coming down thickly. It was the first fall of the season, and was +late,--so late, in fact, that the boys had been afraid there might +come no fall at all. Fast and furiously flew the snowballs and each +lad was hit many times. + +"How is that?" sang out Whopper, as he planted a snowball directly in +Snap's ear. + +"And how's that?" returned Snap quickly, and sent a chunk of soft snow +down Frank's collar. + +"Wuow!" spluttered Whopper. "Hi! that isn't fair! Oh, my poor +backbone!" + +"Here you are, Giant!" called out Shep, and hit the little lad in the +back. "Sorry, but it can't be helped. I--Oh, my!" and Shep bent double +as a snowball thrown by Giant with much force took him directly in the +stomach. + +"Just to remember me by!" sang out Giant. "Here's another," and the +ball struck Shep in the elbow. "Small favors thankfully received and +big ones granted in return. There you are!" And still another snowball +landed on Shep's neck. + +Five other boys had come up, and now the contestants were lined up on +both sides of the street not far from a corner, where there was a turn +running down to the depot. As the snowballing went on a distant +locomotive whistle sounded out and the afternoon train from the East +rolled into the station. Several passengers alighted and among the +number was Andrew Felps, of the Felps Lumber Company, the man who had +caused the boy hunters so much trouble the summer previous. + +Mr. Andrew Felps was in a bad humor. He had gone to the city on +business and matters had not turned out as he had expected. Now he had +gotten back, dressed in his best, and wearing a new silk hat, and he +had no umbrella with which to protect himself from the snow-storm. +More than this, his coachman, who generally met him when he came in on +the train, was not in sight. + +"Bah! I'll have to walk I suppose," muttered the saw mill owner, as he +looked around for a carriage and found none. "Just the time you want a +rig you can't find one. I'll discharge Johnson as soon as I reach +home." + +With his coat buttoned up around his neck, and his head bent low to +escape the scudding snow, Andrew Felps hurried away from the depot and +up to the main street of Fairview. Then he made another turn, +presently reaching the spot where our heroes and the other lads were +having their sport. + +"Hi! here comes old Felps!" cried Giant. "We ought to give him +something to remember us by!" + +"Don't you do it!" returned Snap quickly. "He doesn't know what fun +is, and he'd be sure to make trouble." + +Some other boys were coming up, and the snowballs began to fly more +furiously than ever. Snap, Shep, Whopper and Giant were on one side, +and a boy named Carl Dudder and five other town lads on the other +side. In the midst of the rallies came a yell of alarm, followed by +several loud cries of rage. + +"Hullo! look there!" exclaimed Whopper. "Old Felps has been knocked +into the middle of next month. There goes his hat in the snow too! Who +threw at him?" + +"I didn't," answered Giant, promptly. + +"Neither did I," came from Snap. + +"Nor I," added Shep. + +The saw mill owner was flat on his back, his silk hat on one side of +him and a package of books and papers on the other. + +"Maybe he slipped on some ice," suggested Snap. + +"Hi! hi! who threw that snowball!" roared Andrew Felps, savagely, as +he arose to his feet. "You young villains! I'll have the law on you +for this!" + +He scrambled to his feet and glared around him. All of the boys had +stopped throwing at once and gazed at him curiously. + +"Ha! I know you!" went on Andrew Felps, striding up to Snap. "It was +you who hit me in the ear and knocked me down!" + +"No, sir, I did not," answered Charley. + +"I know better! I saw you do it!" + +"You are mistaken, Mr. Felps! I was throwing across the street." + +"Don't tell me! I know better, Dodge. You hit me and you did it on +purpose." + +At this Snap merely shrugged his shoulders. + +"I'll have the law on you," fumed Andrew Felps. + +"Snap didn't hit you," said Shep. + +"Ha! then perhaps you threw the snowball," said the saw mill owner +suspiciously. + +"I did not." + +"I know you boys, and I have not forgotten your work against me last +summer," growled Andrew Felps. + +"And we haven't forgotten you," answered Snap, coldly. "You have no +right to accuse me of something I didn't do." + +"Bah! If I find out who hit me I'll make it warm for him!" And having +thus delivered himself Andrew Felps picked up his silk hat and his +bundle and went on his way, in a worse humor than ever. + +"Isn't he a darling?" observed Whopper sarcastically. "How I would +love to own him for a brother!" + +"I wonder who did hit him?" mused Snap. "The snowball couldn't have +come from over here." + +"I know who hit him," said a little boy named Benny Grime. + +"Who was it, Benny?" + +"Ham Spink." + +"Ham Spink!" cried Snap and Shep in concert. + +"Yes." + +"Why, he isn't here," said Whopper. + +"He just came up, threw one snowball, and ran away. I guess he meant +to hit somebody else and the snowball hit Mr. Felps instead," went on +the small boy. "Don't let him know I told you, or he'll wax me good +for it." + +"I shan't tell Ham," said Snap. "But this is strange," he continued. + +"Thought Ham was too much of a dude to throw snowballs," was Whopper's +comment. "Why, he wears a new necktie every day now, and new patent +leather shoes, and new gloves, and--" + +"Don't pile it on too thick, Whopper," laughed Shep. "But I admit, he +is a dude and no mistake." + +"And a sneak--to run away as soon as he hit old Felps," finished +Giant. + +There was no time to say more, for the snowball battle was again +raging, more furiously than ever. The balls flew on all sides, and +grown folks, coming in that direction, kept out of the way as much as +possible. + +"Here comes old Mammy Shrader!" cried Snap, presently. "We must be +careful not to hit her." + +The woman he referred to was old and feeble and very short sighted. +She had a faded shawl over her shoulders and carried a market basket +on one arm. She went out nursing among the poor people and was well +known throughout the entire neighborhood. + +As the old woman came on a snowball was thrown at her from the other +side of the street. + +"Say, don't do that!" called out Snap, angrily. "Leave Mammy Shrader +alone!" + +He has scarcely uttered the words when another snowball was thrown at +the aged female. This hit her on the cheek and caused her to utter a +cry of pain. She tried to save herself from falling, but could not, +and went down in a heap. + +"For shame!" ejaculated Shep and ran to help the old woman to arise. +In the meantime Snap, with flashing eyes, hurried across the street +and confronted Carl Dudder. As my old readers know, Carl Dudder was a +close crony to Ham Spink and had done his full share in making our +young friends uncomfortable during the summer outing. + +"Dudder, aren't you ashamed of yourself?" said Snap. + +"What are you talking about?" demanded Carl Dudder, although he +trembled a little as he spoke. + +"You threw those snowballs at Mammy Shrader." + +"I didn't." + +"You did--I saw you." + +"That's correct--I saw him too," put in Giant, who had followed Snap. +In the meantime Whopper had followed Shep, and both were doing what +they could for the old woman. + +"See here, Snap Dodge, I don't want you to talk to me," blustered Carl +Dudder. "I know my own business." + +"You ought to be knocked down for throwing at Mammy Shrader." + +"You can't knock me down!" growled Carl, doubling up his fists. + +"A fight! a fight!" cried several boys, always ready for an affair of +that sort. + +There was an awkward pause. Snap did not wish to fight, and yet he +wanted Dudder to understand that he was not afraid. + +"I think I owe you something from last summer," said Dudder, coming +closer and sticking his chin in Snap's face. "I haven't forgotten +that." + +"Yes, but you seem to have forgotten that we about kept you from +starving to death," answered Snap calmly. + +"And that's no joke," came softly from Giant. + +"You keep your oar out, little one," grunted Dudder, turning to glare +at Will. + +"You and your crowd acted very meanly last summer and you know it, +Dudder," said Giant, not in the least abashed. "Your treatment of +Mammy Shrader is on a par with your other actions." + +"Shut up!" roared the other boy, and made a quick pass at Giant's +head. But the small boy dodged and the fist struck Snap on the +shoulder. + +The next instant Snap hauled off, struck out, and Carl Dudder measured +his length in the snow. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE RESULTS OF SNOWBALLING + + +Carl Rudder had not expected this telling blow and he was so dazed it +was several seconds before he turned over in the snow and arose to his +feet. + +"Good for you, Snap!" cried Will. "That's the way to serve him." + +"Wha--what do you mean by hitting me like that?" demanded Dudder, +glaring at Charley, but still keeping a safe distance. + +"What do you mean by hitting me?" demanded Snap. + +"I'll punch your head good for you! + +"Try it--if you dare," answered Snap, defiantly, and he took an +aggressive step forward, at which Dudder retreated. + +"I'll fight you another time--when you haven't so many friends +around," said Carl Dudder lamely, and then turning on his heel he +started away, followed by one of his cronies. + +"If old Mammy Shrader is hurt, you'll be to blame," called Snap after +him. + +"He's a coward," was Giant's comment. "I wish I had got a whack at +him. He is much larger than I am, but I am not afraid of him." + +While this scene was transpiring Shep and Whopper had helped old Mammy +Shrader to a seat on the porch of a house not far from where she had +gone down. The old woman complained of a pain in her side and it was +next to impossible for her to take another step. + +"I'll have to go home," she panted. "But how am I to get there?" + +"Here comes Mr. Sell in his grocery wagon," cried Whopper. "Perhaps +he'll give you a ride." + +"Maybe he will--I buy my things from him," answered the old woman. + +The grocer was stopped and the situation explained, and he readily +volunteered to take Mammy Shrader to her home, located at no great +distance. He and the boys helped her into the wagon. + +"The boy who struck her ought to be horsewhipped," said the grocer. +"Fun is one thing, but hitting an old woman is quite another." + +"Just what I say," answered Shep. + +"Well, I knocked him down anyway," said Snap, coming up, and Giant +told the details of the brief encounter. + +Snap volunteered to go with the grocer, and between them they soon had +Mammy Shrader at her home and lying on a couch. Shep hurried home and +told his father the particulars of what had occurred. + +"I will drive over and see her," said the doctor, and as his horse was +hitched up he went immediately. + +"She is suffering from a sprain and from the jar," said the physician, +after an examination. "She must take it easy for a week or so." Then a +neighbor, who had dropped in, said she would look after the patient +during that time. + +"Carl Dudder ought to be made to pay for this," said Doctor Reed. + +"The Dudders won't pay anything--Mr. Dudder is as miserly as they make +him, even if he is well off," said Whopper. + +"Perhaps he can be forced to pay," replied Snap. + +When Carl Dudder heard that a doctor had been called in to attend +Mammy Shrader he was much frightened. He went to consult Ham Spink +about it. The two were hand-in-glove in everything. + +"Are they sure you threw the snowball?" asked Ham Spink, pointedly. + +"They say they saw me." + +"Who says so?" + +"Oh, Snap Dodge and that crowd." + +"Always that crowd!" muttered Ham Spink. + +"They say they know you knocked Andrew Felps down," went on Dudder, +finding some consolation in the fact that Ham was in difficulties too. + +"They didn't see a thing!" roared the dudish youth. + +"Well, that is what they say." + +"Humph! Carl, they are bound to get us into trouble." + +"Of course. They haven't got over last summer's trouble yet. I suppose +they will make it as hot for us as they can." + +"Well, let us stick together and maybe we can face them down," was Ham +Spink's comment, and then he lit a cigarette and offered one to his +crony, and both fell to smoking. + +That very evening both youths had to "face the music," and in a manner +which did not please them in the least. + +Coming home just before supper Mr. Spink, found a note awaiting him. +It was from Andrew Felps and ran, in part, as follows: + +"I have a complaint to make against your son Hamilton. To-day while I +was on my way through the streets of our town I was assailed in the +fashion of a ruffian by your son, who threw snowballs at me, knocking +me down and ruining my silk hat and a rare volume of history I was +carrying. I demand that your son apologize to me for his actions or I +shall make a complaint to the authorities." + +"Hamilton, what does this mean?" demanded Mr. Spink, after perusing +the communication several times. + +"I don't know," answered the undutiful offspring brazenly. + +"Did you snowball Mr. Felps?" + +"No. I didn't snowball anybody." + +"He says you did." + +"He must be mistaken." + +"It is mighty queer," muttered Mr. Spink. "I will look into this +to-morrow." + +"The old Harry take Felps anyway," muttered Ham to himself. "How did +he learn I threw that snowball? That Dodge crowd must have told him." + +It was Mammy Shrader's neighbor, Samuel O'Brien, who called upon Mr. +Dudder. + +"Sure, Mr. Dodder, yer son ought to be locked up, so he ought," said +the Irishman. "It's him as is wantin' to kill old Mammy Shrader." + +"Why, what do you mean, sir?" demanded Mr. Dudder, in amazement. + +"Sure an' wasn't it Carl as knocked the old lady down to-day and laid +her on a sick bed, wid a doctor, an' me wife to nurse her till she +gits betther? Sure it's a bastly shame, so it is, an' Carl will go +to the lock-up onless ye pay all the bills." + +"I do not understand you." + +"Thin I'll be after explainin'," answered Samuel O'Brien, and gave his +story in full, to which Mr. Dudder listened in a nervous fashion. Then +Carl was called into the room. + +"What do you mean by making trouble in this fashion?" demanded Mr. +Dudder wrathfully. + +"I didn't make trouble," said Carl, sullenly. + +"Sure an' he did that," said the Irishman. + +"Mr. O'Brien says you knocked Mrs. Shrader down." + +"I didn't." + +"He was seen--several b'ys saw him," put in Samuel O'Brien. + +"I--er--it was an accident," stammered Carl, quailing before the stern +gaze of his parent. "The--er--the snowball slipped. It didn't hit +Mammy Shrader hard, and she fell down of her own account, not because +of the snowball." + +"She says th' snowball knocked her down," said Samuel O'Brien. "If ye +was my b'y I'd be afther givin' ye a good walloppin', so I would!" he +added pointedly. + +"I will go and see Mrs. Shrader," said Mr. Dudder. "Carl, you remain +at home until I get back." + +"Can't I go over and see Ham?" + +"No." + +"I promised him that I would be over." + +"Well, you can't go. You study your lessons, unless you prefer to go +with me to Mrs. Shrader's." + +"I don't want to go to her house," said Carl. + +Mr. Dudder lost no time in paying Mammy Shrader a visit, and then he +called on Doctor Reed. When he came home again he was very angry. + +"Carl, I have a good mind to punish you severely," he said. "I did not +think you would treat a woman as Mrs. Shrader has been treated. I +shall have to pay her doctor's bill and also something more--at least +fifteen or twenty dollars." Mr. Dudder sighed at the thought of +parting with so much cash. "I shall take the amount out of your +spending money, and out of the money I was going to give you for +Christmas." + +"Can't I have the five dollars you promised me for Christmas?" gasped +Carl. + +"Not a cent of it." + +"Oh, you're a mean thing!" burst out Carl, and ran from the room +before his father could stop him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE EXPLOSION + + +On the following afternoon Snap was walking down to the river front, +on an errand for his father, when he caught sight of Ham Spink and +Carl Dudder, under a lumber shed. The pair were conversing in an +earnest fashion, but ceased their conversation as Snap came closer. + +Snap knew that Ham and Carl were in far from a friendly humor. Through +one boy he had learned how Carl had been treated by his father, and +through another how Andrew Felps had discovered that Ham had been his +aggressor. There had been a lively interview when Mr. Felps and Mr. +Spink had met, and in the end the latter had said he would stand for +all damage done. Then he had gone home and laid down the law good and +hard to Ham. + +"To punish you I will cut off your spending money," said Mr. Spink, +and thus Ham and Carl found themselves in the same trouble so far as +cash was concerned. It galled them exceedingly, and, as was their +habit, they laid the blame entirely on others. + +As Snap passed the shed both Ham and Carl scowled at him. Then, after +he had gone a dozen steps, Ham called out: + +"Come back here. I want to talk to you." + +"Did you address me?" demanded Snap, wheeling around. + +"I did. Come here, I want to talk to you." + +Snap did not budge. + +"If you want to talk to me you can come where I am," he said. + +"Oh, you needn't get so mighty high and loftly!" sneered Ham Spink. + +"I am not your servant." + +"Nice stories you and your crowd have been telling about me and Carl," +went on Ham, coming closer. + +"Trying to get us into trouble," put in Carl. "It's a jolly shame and +you ought to be thrashed for it." + +"See here, Dudder, and you too, Spink," answered Charley firmly, "I +want no quarrel with you. Ever since our outing last summer you have +been like bears with sore heads. If your camping out was a failure it +wasn't our fault. When you hadn't any game we let you have some of +ours, and we did a great deal more for you than you deserved. Now--" + +"Oh, don't preach!" cried Ham. + +"What do you want of me?" + +"I want to give you fair warning that neither I nor Carl will stand +for the way you are acting. Either you keep your distance, or it will +be the worse for you." + +"I am not afraid of you." + +"Well, you had better be." + +"What do you mean by that?" demanded Snap. He fancied there might be +some hidden meaning to Ham Spink's words. + +"Oh, you'll find out one of these days," came from Carl, +significantly. + +"If you try any of your underhanded tricks you'll get the worst of +it--just as you did up to the camp," answered Snap, and went on his +way. + +"Oh, I wish I could mash him!" muttered Ham Spink, between his set +teeth. + +"Yes, and mash the whole crowd of 'em," added Dodder. "I hate the very +sight of 'em!" + +"Do you know that they are talking about camping out again?" + +"What, this winter?" + +"Yes." + +"Where?" + +"That I don't know." + +"I'd like to spoil the trip for them." + +"So would I. Maybe we can do it too, if we watch our chances." + +The two talked the matter over for some time and when they separated +it was with the fixed determination to play some underhanded trick and +do "the Dodge crowd," as they called our friends much harm. + +All of the boys who attended the local school had been waiting +impatiently to learn when the present session would come to an end. +Now it was announced that school would close the following Friday +afternoon and remain shut up for three weeks and a half. + +"Hurrah! that will give us just time enough for a dandy outing!" cried +Whopper. + +"You'll have to kill a bear a day to make up the number you said you'd +bring down," answered, Giant. + +"Pooh! I never kill bears singly," sniffed Whopper. "I always kill them +in pairs or by the half dozen." + +"We've got to make sure that we can go first," said Shep. "Remember +the school averages." + +They did remember, and all were very anxious concerning the +examinations to come off before the term closed. They studied hard, +and came out with an average of eight-eight to ninety-four per cent. + +"Good!" said Snap. "Our folks can't find fault with such records." And +nobody did find fault. On the contrary, the boys received not a little +praise, and permission to go on the winter outing was readily granted. + +"Let us start next Monday," said Giant, who was impatient to get away. + +"I doubt if we can get ready so quickly," answered Shep. "There is a +good deal to do, you know." + +"Then make it Tuesday," pleaded Giant. + +"The ice on the river is perfect, so it will be the easiest thing in +the world to skate to the lake and drag our sleds after us." + +It had already been decided that they should go into camp at Firefly +Lake, where they had left their summer shelter only a few months +before. Firefly Lake was a beautiful sheet of water, or ice, located a +mile from Lake Cameron, and about eleven miles from Fairview. To get +to this spot they had to go to Lake Cameron first and then along a +narrow watercourse which united the two sheets of water. + +The news quickly spread through the town that the Gun Club was going +away on another outing, and many envied our friends their coming +pleasures. Ham Spink and Carl Rudder looked sour over the prospects. + +"Where are they going?" asked Carl. + +"To Firefly Lake, to their old camp." + +After this announcement both boys looked at each other suggestively. + +"It will be moonlight to-night, and we can easily skate twenty or +twenty-five miles," suggested Ham. + +"So we can, Ham. Let us do it, and--_fix things_." + +"We will," said Ham firmly. + +As soon as it was settled that our friends were to go away before +Christmas, and remain away over the holidays, they received from their +parents several gifts in advance. All obtained snowshoes--picked out +for them by their old hunter friend, Jed Sanborn--and they also +procured an extra gun, an extra sled, and some warm camp blankets. +They still possessed their old camp outfit and so it was an easy +matter to gather the things together and get everything ready for the +start. The outfit was packed upon two good-sized sleds and well +fastened. + +"I suppose we ought to have skated up to the camp and inspected +things," observed Snap. "But I have been too busy to do so." + +"Oh, I reckon everything is as we left it," answered Whopper. + +"The camp was all right two weeks ago," said Jed Sanborn, who chanced +to be present. "Of course you'll have to fix up some kind of a chimney +in the cabin, for you can't keep your fire outdoors in this weather." + +"It's as much fun to fix up the cabin as it is to camp out," said +Shep, and the others agreed with him. + +On Monday afternoon the boys got their things together and stored them +in an old boathouse on the river front. They had looked to their +skates and each pair had been sharpened and put in first class +condition. + +"We may use our skates as much as the snowshoes," said Whopper. + +With everything stored in the old boathouse the door was carefully +locked by Shep, who put the key in his pocket. The old boathouse had +two windows, but each of these was nailed shut. + +"I don't believe anybody will get in there," observed the doctor's +son. + +"Oh, I don't think there are any thieves around," answered Whopper. + +The evening was devoted to final preparations, and it was after ten +o'clock before any of the boys thought of retiring. Snap was over to +Shep's house, and the doctor's son saw his friend to the front door. + +"Now remember, seven o'clock sharp," said Shep. "We want to get away +as early as possible, so we'll have plenty of time to fix up the cabin +when we get there." + +"Oh, I'll be up early enough," said Snap, with a smile. "Fact of it +is, I am so worked up I don't expect to do much sleeping." + +After a few words more the boys separated, and Snap started to walk +home. He had almost reached his gate when something prompted him to +halt. He looked down the roadway in the direction of the old +boathouse. + +"I have half a mind to go down and see if everything is O. K.," he +murmured to himself. + +Then he thought it would be foolish, and started to enter the house. +But he was undecided, and at last hurried down the roadway in the +direction of the river. + +He was still some distance from the old boathouse when he discovered +two persons running across an open field which lined the roadway. He +could not make out anything excepting that they were either men or big +boys. + +"That's queer," he reasoned, and then started forward again. + +Snap was still two hundred feet from the old boathouse when a most +extraordinary thing happened. There was a rumble as of thunder, +followed by a fierce flash of fire, and then the end of the boathouse +arose in the air and came down with a crash, completely wrecking what +was left of the building! + + + + +CHAPTER V + +OFF FOR THE CAMP + + +The sudden and unexpected shock nearly threw Snap from his feet, and +it was several seconds before he could collect his senses. + +Then, in a dim and uncertain way, he realized two things--that there +had been a terrific explosion and that the old boathouse containing +their precious camping outfit was in ruins. + +"What in the world can it mean?" he asked himself, as he stared in a +bewildered fashion at the ruin in front of him. "It sounded as if some +dynamite went off." + +The noise and shock of the explosion was heard all over Fairview, and +soon people came flocking to the scene from all directions. + +"What blew up?" + +"Hullo, the Cramer boathouse is down!" + +"Fire! fire!" + +Such were some of the cries which arose on all sides. Then the crowd +came closer, staring at the fallen building, as Snap had done. + +In the meanwhile Snap ran forward until he was less than a rod away +from the wrecked building. He saw a small fire start up among some +splintered boards and, quick to act, picked up some chunks of snow and +attempted to put it out. + +"That's a good idea," said John Sell, the grocer, who had arrived, and +he, too, began to throw the snow, and so did others. + +"Our camping-out things are in that place," said Snap. + +"Is that so. What blew up, some of your powder?" + +"I--I don't think so," faltered Snap. He had up to that moment not +thought of the cartridges they had stored on one of the sleds. + +"Must have been pretty powerful," said another man. "That noise was +like a regular blast over to the stone quarries." + +In the crowd was Shep, who had just been on be point of going to bed, +and soon Whopper and Giant arrived. In the meanwhile large quantities +of snow were hurled on the ruins and soon the fire was completely +under control. + +"Snap, do you think our cartridges went off? questioned Whopper. + +"No, I don't. How could they go off, unless they were fired, from a +gun or otherwise?" + +"A rat might have gnawed them," suggested Giant. + +"Those cartridges wouldn't cause such a wreckage as this," said Snap +firmly. His senses were now coming back to him. "Well, I never!" he +exclaimed suddenly. + +"What's up now?" + +"I just thought of something." + +"What is it?" + +"When I left Shep's house I walked in this direction, because I was +worried for fear somebody might steal our traps. As I walked along I +saw two persons running across Hecker's cornfield. I couldn't make out +who they were, but I fancy they came from this direction." + +"Then they must have caused the explosion," said Whopper quickly. "But +why should they do it?" + +"Maybe it was an accident," said Giant. + +"I'd like to know how much our outfit is damaged," said Shep, +anxiously. "I don't care about the old boathouse. It wasn't worth much +anyway." + +From a nearby store several lanterns were brought, and men and boys +proceeded to make an inspection of the ruins. Some boards and timbers +were hauled aside, and soon the boys discovered the sleds with the +outfit practically as they had left them. One load was a bit damaged +at the end, but that was all. + +"I'm thankful it is no worse," was Snap's comment. + +"If the fire hadn't been put out when it was everything would have +burnt up," said Shep seriously. + +While the boys were taking care of their sleds and the other things +the men folks looked around for traces of what had caused the +explosion. Among the men was Jerry Corwin, one of the blasters at the +stone quarry. + +"Dynamite did this," said he. "Dynamite and nothing else." + +"It certainly sounded like dynamite," said another man. + +"How would dynamite get here?" asked Mr. Dodge, who had arrived on the +scene. + +At this question Jerry Corwin shrugged his massive shoulders. + +"Once in a while some dynamite is missing from our store at the +quarry," he answered. "The laborers steal it, for they can sell it to +farmers for blasting out stumps, and to others. During the past six +months we have lost at least a dozen sticks." + +"As the boathouse was not worth much, why was it blown up?" asked +Doctor Reed, who had been summoned by somebody who thought a man had +been hurt. + +"That's the question," said Mr. Dodge. "Evidently it contained nothing +of value outside of the outfit belonging to our sons." + +"Hum!" murmured the physician, and said no more. + +It was a bitter cold night, so after the fire was put out and the +ruins examined, the majority of the crowd went home. The members of +the Gun Club put their outfits in a neighboring barn, where a friend +promised they should be safe, and then, after a short talk, went to +their respective abodes. It was a good hour before any of the lads got +to sleep. + +Whopper was just dreaming of another terrific explosion when he awoke +with a start, to hear a loud pounding on the side of the house, +directly under his bedroom window. Opening the sash cautiously he +caught sight of Giant below, hitting the clapboards with a snow shovel +which happened to be handy. + +"Oh, what a racket!" murmured Whopper. "I must pay him for that!" And +scooping up some snow from the window sill he gave a low whistle. Then +as Giant looked up, he let the snow drop. + +"Wuow!" spluttered the little lad, as the loose snow filled his mouth +and nose. "Say, do you want to smother me?" + +"Then stop that infernal racket," answered Whopper. "Do you want the +neighborhood to think that there are more explosions taking place?" + +"Time to be moving," said Giant, and passed on, to arouse Shep. + +"Now, my son, be very careful and keep out of danger," said Mr. Dodge +to Charley, when the latter was ready to leave. "I shall send old Jed +Sanborn up to see you once or twice, and if you need anything from +here you let him know and he can bring it to you." And then, after a +warm handshake from his father and a kiss from his mother, Snap almost +ran from the house, fearful that he would be late. + +At the barn where the things had been stored he found Giant and Shep, +but nothing was to be seen of Whopper. + +"I woke him up," said Giant. "Something has gone wrong, or he would be +here by this time." + +They waited five minutes longer, and Snap was on the point of going to +Whopper's home when they saw the missing club member approaching on a +run. + +"What in the world kept you so long?" cried Shep. + +"Oh, I had a little set-to with Barney Hedge," answered Whopper. "He +said some things I didn't like and I rolled him over in the snow and +put some down his back to help him cool off." + +"Barney Hedge," repeated Snap. He knew the fellow mentioned to be a +crony of Ham Spink and Carl Dudder. "What was it about?" + +"Oh, about our outing last summer. It seems Hedge and the others are +starting a report that we didn't shoot the game we brought in, but +that Jed Sanborn brought down the most of it for us." + +"How mean!" cried Giant. + +"He said we couldn't shoot but that we were all blowers--and if left +to ourselves in this cold weather we would starve to death and freeze +in the bargain. I couldn't stand for that, so I pitched into him." + +"Good for you!" shouted Giant. "I hope you gave him something to +remember." + +"I wonder if we will have trouble with that crowd during the present +outing," mused Snap after a pause. + +"I don't think they are going camping," answered Whopper. "They +haven't got enough real sporting blood in them." + +After that the topic of conversation quickly changed, as they looked +over their things for the last time, to make certain that everything +was there. + +The boys carried a good supply of clothing, including extra underwear +and extra pairs of boots. Each had a pair of warm blankets and also a +rubber sheet, to be used in case of sudden rain. + +The stores were made up of a variety of things, including flour, +bacon, beans, some canned goods, and coffee, chocolate, sugar, salt, +pepper and condensed milk. They had their old "nest" of pans and +kettles, tin cups and plates, and likewise enough knives, forks and +spoons to go around. In a waterproof case were several boxes of +matches, and they also had along an acetylene bicycle lamp, which they +thought they might use in bringing down game at night, and an axe and +a hatchet. + +All of the young sportsmen were armed with shotguns and they also took +along Mr. Dodge's rifle, as they had done before, and the trusty +pistol belonging to Doctor Reed. Their snowshoes were placed on the +tops of the loads, and they put on their well-sharpened skates as soon +as the river front was reached. + +"Good-bye to Fairview!" cried Shep, when all was in readiness for the +start. + +"Good-bye, boys, and the best of luck for you!" shouted Doctor Reed, +who had driven down in his sleigh, to see them off. + +"Don't let the bears eat you up!" called out a riverman who stood on +the dock. + +"No danger of that," answered Snap. + +And then with a shout and the waving of caps, the members of the +Fairview Gun Club set off on their winter outing, never dreaming of +the many surprises and perils which awaited them. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +CHICKENS AND MINCE PIE + + +It was a perfect winter day, with a dull golden glow in the sky and +only a faint breeze from the north blowing. On the ground the snow lay +to the depth of ten inches or a foot, but the wind of the week past +had almost cleared the ice on the river. Here and there were long +ridges of snow across the glare, but that was all. + +The young hunters had tied long ropes to the sleds, and while Whopper +and Shep pulled one turnout, Snap and Giant dragged the other. The +sleds had polished runners, and slid over the river surface so easily +that pulling was more sport than work. + +The course was down the river towards Lake Cameron, and in a very few +minutes the town neighborhood was left behind. On either side of the +frozen stream were trees and bushes, with here and there a cleared +patch or an orchard. Some boys accompanied them a short distance, but +then these dropped back, and our four young friends were left to +themselves. + +"Do you remember how we stopped at Pop Lundy's orchard when we went to +the camp in the rowboat?" observed Shep. + +"Yes, and how he caught us and then got us to go after the negro who +stole the watch," put in Whopper. + +"I shouldn't mind having some of his apples now," said Giant. "We +ought to have taken apples along." + +"There is the orchard now," cried Snap. "But there are no apples to be +had this time of year." + +"As if we would dare to take them," said Whopper, with a wink of his +eye. + +As they neared the spot where the orchard ran down to the river shore +they heard the sound of an axe and saw Simon Lundy chopping down an +old apple tree for firewood. The man was a very close-fisted farmer +and was rarely known to do a charitable act. + +"How are you, Mr. Lundy!" called out Snap, as he brought one of the +sleds to a halt. + +"How do ye do," grunted the farmer, and then gave a closer look. "Oh, +so it's you fellers ag'in, hey? Goin' campin' once more? + +"We are." + +"How are your apples getting along?" asked Shep, also halting. + +"Didn't have sech a big crop as I expected." + +"Thought you might spare us a few," suggested Whopper. "Of course +we'll pay for them, if you wish." + +"Well, there hain't much profit in givin' apples away," said Simon +Lundy, pursing up his thin lips. "Got some putty good golden russets +left. How many do ye want?" + +"Give us all you can spare for a quarter," said Shep, who had been +chosen treasurer of the club for the outing. + +Simon Lundy led the way to his barn, and there the boys picked out +some russets and some greenings. While this was going on Mrs. Lundy +came from the house to see the visitors. + +"Why, if it ain't them same boys as helped to catch that nigger!" she +cried. "Want some apples, hey? Give 'em all they want, Simon. They +deserve 'em." + +"I was a--er--a--sellin' them the apples," answered the husband, +lamely, and growing a bit red in the face. + +"What! Simon Lundy, ain't ye ashamed! You shan't take a cent from 'em, +not a cent! Why, the idee!" + +"All right, all right, if you say so," said the farmer hastily. + +"I do say so." Mrs. Lundy turned to the young hunters. "Where be you +a-goin?" + +"We are going camping," answered Snap. "At the same place we were last +summer." + +"Ain't you afraid o' being frizz to death?" + +"Oh, I think we can stand it." + +"What have ye took along to eat?" + +Snap told her and she shrugged her shoulders. + +"Ye ought to have brung more, boys. Now, I've jest been a-makin' some +mince pies. Wouldn't ye like one o' them?" + +"Yes, indeed!" shouted Whopper, who had a weakness for that dainty. "I +can eat mince pie in the middle of my sleep." + +"Then you shall have the biggest pie o' the lot," said Mrs. Lundy. +"And, Simon," she added, to her husband, "you jest kill a couple o' +fat chickens fer 'em. Maybe they won't find no game the first day they +be in camp, an' they ought to have some kind o' meat." + +"It's drefful expensive!" groaned Simon Lundy. + +"Shucks! These boys did us a real service, an' want 'em to know we +appreciate it," answered Mrs. Lundy briskly. + +She told her husband what chickens to catch and kill, and helped pull +the feathers. Then she brought forth the still steaming mince pie, +leaving it in the stone dish in which it had been baked. + +"You can leave the dish when you come back--if you think o' it," she +said, "and if ye don't, 'twon't matter much." + +A little later saw the four boy hunters on their way again, the +precious mince pie resting on the top of one of the sled loads and the +apples and chickens on the other. Mrs. Lundy waved them a cheery adieu +and Simon smiled somewhat grimly. + +"It nearly broke old Pop Lundy's heart to give the things away," was +Giant's comment. + +"It wasn't any more than fair, after what we did for him," answered +Shep. "Say, boys, camping out with chicken and mince pie won't be bad, +will it?" + +"Yum! yum!" was the only answer the others gave. + +By noon they found themselves on Lake Cameron. On one shore were the +grim evidences of that terrible forest fire which had nearly cost the +saw mill robber and the Felps' crowd their lives. A few spots on the +lake were clear, but at other points the snow lay from a few inches to +a foot and a half deep. + +They skated to the opposite shore and stopped near the shelter of some +pines and hemlocks. All were willing to rest, and a small campfire was +built, over which they made a pot of coffee. They had brought with +them some sandwiches and some cake, and these made up the brief +noonday meal. + +"Here goes for a first shot!" cried Snap, leaping to his feet with a +part of a sandwich still in his mouth. He had discovered several +rabbits near some bushes up the lake shore. Catching up his shotgun he +took careful aim and blazed away. + +"Two of them!" exclaimed Shep. "Good for you, Snap!" + +Snap ran forward and picked up the game. They were plump and heavy and +he held them up with pride. + +"We shan't starve just yet," remarked Giant. "We are sure to get +rabbits, and partridge and wild turkeys, and there must be plenty of +fish under this ice." + +All of the party were anxious to reach the former camp, to see what it +looked like, so the noonday rest did not last long. Skirting one shore +of Lake Cameron, they came to the narrow waterway that connected it +with Firefly Lake. Here the water, which usually flowed swiftly +between the rocks, was frozen up in a lumpy fashion that made skating +impossible. + +"We'll have to walk the rest of the distance," announced Whopper. "We +couldn't skate on this in a million years." + +"I wish we could try the snowshoes," said Giant. He knew very little +about using the articles. + +"Can't do it," answered Snap. "But just you wait, we'll have more snow +before long and then the snowshoes will come in mighty handy." + +They took off their skates, put them on the sleds, and started up the +rocky and frozen watercourse. The walking was treacherous and soon +Whopper went down, with Shep on top of him. The bag of apples came +over both. + +"Hi! get off of me!" roared Whopper. "Do you want to crush me into a +pancake? Who threw that bag of apples?" + +"You want to be careful of the loads," admonished Snap. "Don't throw +off the mince pie as you did the apples." + +"Look!" yelled Giant, who had been gazing to the north of the +watercourse. "Am I mistaken, or is that a deer?" + +"A deer! A deer!" cried Shep, and on the instant all of the boys +forgot about the tumble and each caught up his shotgun. It was indeed +a deer, standing among some young trees about two hundred yards +distance. + +"Oh, if we can only bring it down!" said Whopper, in a whisper. + +"We must bring it down," answered Shep, in an equally low voice. + +"Get out of sight," warned Snap. "If he sees us he'll be of in a +jiffy." + +They dropped behind some convenient bushes and then moved forward with +great caution, each with his shotgun ready to blaze away instantly. + +The forward movement lasted for fully five minutes and then all raised +up cautiously and looked for the deer. + +The game had disappeared! + +"Where is he?" whispered Giant, gazing around in bewilderment. + +"Bless me if I know," answered Snap. + +The young hunters gazed in all directions and then came out into the +open. + +"He is surely gone," said Shep. + +"There he goes!" sang out Giant, and pointed up the lake to a clearing +an eighth of a mile away. + +"And streaking it like greased lightning," added Whopper. "He'll reach +the Canadian line before he stops." + +"Too bad!" growled Shep, in disgust. "I fancied we'd get him sure." + +"This puts me in mind of what Jed Sanborn says," said Snap, with a +sickly grin. "'Be sure of only what is in your game bag.'" + +The young hunters looked around for more deer but none were in that +vicinity and so they returned to where they had left the sleds. + +"If it hadn't been that we want to get to camp we might have followed +up that deer," was Giant's comment. + +"Not much use of that," answered Snap. "By the way he was running he +must have been pretty well woke up, and when that happens you know a +deer will run for miles without stopping." + +All were glad when they came in sight of Fire-fly Lake. About one half +of the surface was a smooth glare of ice, the other half being covered +with ridges of snow. + +To reach their old camp they had to go up the shore and around a bend +where the bushes and trees were thick. Once more they donned their +skates and went forward rapidly. + +"Let us have a race!" cried Whopper, and he and Giant set off with one +sled, while Snap and Shep set off with the other. + +"An extra piece of mince pie to the winning team!" cried the doctor's +son merrily as he put on an extra spurt. + +Soon the turn of the shore was gained, with the sleds side by side. +Then all of the young hunters gazed ahead. + +"Well, I never!" + +"If this isn't too bad for anything!" + +Such were the exclamations uttered. And there was good cause for their +consternation and dismay. Instead of the tidy cabin they had expected +to see, nothing but a heap of blackened logs confronted them. + +The log cabin had been burnt to the ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A DISMAYING DISCOVERY + + +The hearts of the four young hunters went "down in their boots" as +they surveyed the desolate scene before them. + +They had spent much hard labor over the cabin which had been their +home during a large part of the summer outing, and they had fully +expected to find it in the same condition as when they had locked it +up and come away. + +"Boys, what can this mean?" said Snap at last. "Who has played us this +shabby trick?" + +"Can the cabin have burnt down right after we left it?" asked Giant. + +"Why, no, it has been burnt down since the last snowstorm," answered +Shep, "otherwise the snow would cover the ruins." + +"This fire isn't over three or four days old," came from Whopper. + +"Do you think it could start up of itself?" asked the small member of +the Gun Club. + +"No, I don't." + +"Then somebody must have set it on fire." + +"Yes." + +"Who?" + +"That remains to be found out," said Snap. "Oh, I wish I had the +fellow here now," and he banged a fist into the palm of his hand, to +show what he would do in such a case. + +The boys walked around the ruin several times and lifted up a few of +the half-burnt logs. It was easy to see that the cabin was a total +wreck. Snap heaved a mountainous sigh and so did the others. + +"We'll have to clear all this stuff away and build a brand new cabin," +said Shep. "All these old logs are good for is firewood." + +"That is true, Shep," answered Snap. "What I am thinking of is, what +are we to do to-night? We can't stay out in the open air. It is +growing colder every minute." + +"Well, I am not going home," came quickly from Giant. "I'd rather +freeze!" + +"Who said anything about going home?" demanded Whopper. "Why, I +wouldn't go home in a thousand years, cabin or no cabin. We can rig up +some sort of shelter of pine boughs and then build another cabin." + +"I know a dandy spot for another cabin," said Snap. "Don't you +remember I mentioned it to you, Shep, last summer? The spot where the +young trees stood so close together in a circle?" + +"Just the place," answered the doctor's son. + +Standing around was cold work and the young hunters lost no time in +cutting some dry brushwood and building a fire, on which they placed +several of the half-burnt logs. It was now the middle of the afternoon +and they knew they must work vigorously if they wanted any sort of a +suitable shelter against the cold before nightfall. + +The spot Snap had mentioned was less than two hundred feet up the lake +front. Here, behind some bushes which would keep off considerable +wind, was an almost perfect circle of trees, the diameter inside being +about fifteen feet. The trees were mostly young and not very tall and +the lower branches were not over ten feet from the ground on an +average. + +"We can cut off the tops of the trees and then bind in some of the +branches for a roof," said Snap. "Over those branches we can bind +others, with strips of bark between. We can cut the trees higher on +one side of the circle than on the other, so the snow and rain can run +off. Then we can bind in brushwood and bark for the sides, between the +trees, leaving one spot open for a rough sort of chimney, which we'll +have to build up of flat rocks. It won't make as nice a cabin as the +other was, but it is the best we can do in this wintry weather, and I +think, with a good fire going, we can make it fairly comfortable +inside." + +There were a great many things to take into consideration, but in the +main Snap's idea was voted a good one, and the sleds were brought to +the spot and the axe and hatchet gotten. + +"Giant, you bring up that camp-fire," said Snap. "We'll want it here +later. Bring all those half-burnt logs, too, so that we'll have plenty +of firewood." + +"Aye, aye, Captain!" answered the little lad, in true nautical style +and touching his cap. + +While Giant re-built the camp-fire the others set to work on the new +cabin. First Snap and Shep, went up in the trees and marked off the +top of the new shelter. Then down came one tree top after another and +then the limbs that could not be used above. In the meantime Whopper +took a hunting knife and cut some strips of bark. + +"Now let us begin to bind in the branches," said Snap, and he and Shep +set to work, with Whopper helping them. Giant passed up some branches +which had fallen to the ground, and also some long, pliable withes to +be used as rope. Fortunately some of the branches left on the trees +were long and supple and could be twisted around one another with +ease. + +"We are going to have a regular mat of a roof," observed Whopper. "Why +can't we pile a lot of dead leaves on top, to make it air tight?" + +"Because they might possibly shake down and catch fire," answered +Snap. "We can bind in some more brushwood and some more bark. Then the +next snow will do the rest." + +At last the roof was finished and the workers dropped to the ground. +It was now night and all were tremendously hungry. + +"We'll have to let the sides of the shelter go until morning," said +Snap. "We can pile up some tree branches on the windy side and put the +rubber blankets over them. Then, during the night, we can build a fire +right in the middle of the hut. But we'll have to take turns at +guarding, to prevent the place from catching fire and to prevent those +sleeping from smothering, if the wind should change." + +While Snap and Shep continued to work on the shelter, Whopper and +Giant started to cook the evening meal, which consisted of a broiled +chicken, a loaf of bread they had brought along, and a slice of cake, +washed down with hot chocolate. They spent an hour over the meal, and +in the meantime discussed their future plans and the burnt cabin. + +"Do you know I have an idea that the same person who burnt down our +cabin wrecked the old boathouse," said Snap. + +"I was figuring it that way, too," answered Whopper. "The question is, +Who would be so mean!" + +"Perhaps it was Carl Dudder," answered Giant. + +"Or Ham Spink," came from Shep. + +"It was certainly done by an enemy," said Snap. "But I shouldn't dare +to accuse anybody unless I was certain." + +"You are right there," answered the doctor's son. "Burning a building +is a serious piece of business." + +"Yes, and blowing up a place with dynamite is serious, too," added +Whopper. "Why, it's a wonder the whole town didn't sail skyward!" + +The floor of the shelter had been cleaned up and on one side were +placed several piles of fresh pine boughs, which in camping out make +the best kind of a couch. Then the fire was brought in and placed +where the smoke could drift out between the trees. The blaze soon +warmed the place up, and the ruddy glare made the boys feel quite at +home. + +To keep out still more of the cold the two sleds were stood up between +some of the trees and the canvas coverings and rubber blankets were +stretched around as far as they would go. By that time all of the boys +were worn out with their labors and their journey and glad enough to +retire. + +"Each member of this club will have to remain on guard two hours," +said Snap. "We'll draw lots for turns." + +This was done, and it fell to Whopper to take the first turn, from +nine o'clock to eleven. Giant was to follow him, and then Snap and +Sheep. + +"Just my luck!" grumbled Whopper. "And when I am so sleepy I can +scarcely keep my eyes open." + +"Well, don't you go to sleep until your two hours is up," said Snap +sharply. "Keep an eye on the fire, and don't wake Giant up until his +turn comes." + +"I am going to fix up a pot of beans to cook," answered Whopper. "That +will help to keep me awake." + +Leaving Whopper fussing with the bean pot, the others turned into +their blankets and threw themselves on their pine bough couches. +Inside of five minutes Shep was asleep and Snap and the small member +of the Gun Club quickly followed. + +Whopper filled the pot half full of bean, soaked them a little in ice +water, and then hung them over the fire to bake, putting some bacon +with them, to give the proper flavor. Then he brought in some extra +sticks and sat down. He was indeed sleepy and it was all he could do +to keep his eyes open. + +"Guess I had better walk around," he told himself, and not to disturb +the sleepers, passed through one of the openings between the trees to +the outside of the shelter. + +It was a moonlight night, and he could see across the lake with ease. +All was quiet saving for the distant hoot of an owl and the occasional +bark of a fox. The wind had gone down and not a tree branch was +stirring. + +"What a glorious night for skating," mused the boy. "There must be a +good many out at Fairview, now that the ice is so solid." + +He walked around the shelter four times and then came to a halt once +more in front of the lake. + +As he did this, he saw some object move across the ice of the lake. +One object was followed by another, and then a third and a fourth. + +"Animals of some kind," he thought. "But what?" + +He watched the objects for several minutes. + +They kept coming closer slowly, stopping every now and then, as if to +deliberate. Then of a sudden, a lonely, mournful howl rent the air. + +"Wolves!" he muttered. "They have discovered our camp and are coming +towards it. I wonder what I had better do?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE FIRST NIGHT IN CAMP + + +Whopper was not much frightened. He had met wolves before and he did +not think that the pack on the ice would dare to attack him and his +friends. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he watched the beasts +closely, and when they came still nearer he rushed into the shelter +and grabbed up his shotgun. + +"What's the row?" asked Shep sleepily, disturbed by the unusual +bustle. + +"Four wolves are on the ice in front of the shelter," explained +Whopper. "Reckon I'll give them a shot." + +"I'll go along," and the doctor's son sprang up and reached for his +own firearm. + +When Whopper got outside again, followed by Shep, he saw the wolves +had approached still closer. There were now seven of them, and they +stood in a semi-circle, sniffing the air suspiciously. The man-smell +was strong, and this they did not like, for to them it betokened only +danger. Yet mingled with the man-smell was the smell of chicken and +rabbit meat, and this pleased them, for they were hungry. + +"Let us both fire together," suggested Shep. "Each of us ought to +bring down at least one. You can fire to the right and I'll fire to +the left of the line." + +"All right." + +They took careful aim, and at the word from Whopper each pulled the +trigger of his shotgun. + +Bang! Bang! + +The two guns spoke up in rapid succession, and as the smoke cleared +away it was seen that two of the wolves lay on the ice, twisting and +turning in their death agonies. The others were scuttling away, one +limping painfully. + +"Hullo, what's up?" came from Snap, as he rushed from the shelter, +followed by Giant. "What are you firing at?" + +"We just brought down a couple of wolves," answered Whopper, with +considerable satisfaction in his tone. + +"Wolves!" ejaculated Giant. "I didn't think they'd find us as early as +this." + +Taking a brand from the fire, Whopper led the party out on the ice to +where the two wolves lay. One was already dead and the other quickly +breathed its last. They were large and gaunt looking creatures, with +cruel teeth, and Shep shivered as he looked them over. + +"I am glad they didn't get into the shelter," he observed. "If they +had, we should have had the fight of our lives." + +"I doubt if they would have attacked us," answered Snap. "They were +after those rabbits and that chicken. They must have followed the sled +trail from Lake Cameron." + +As the young hunters did not want the wolves, they were left where +they had fallen. The other beasts did not show themselves again. + +The remainder of the night passed without anything unusual happening. +Once the wind veered around a little, threatening to suffocate them +with smoke from the camp-fire, but by the time they prepared to vacate +the shelter the wind veered back to where it had first come from and +gave them no more trouble. + +"I saw a beautiful owl," said Giant, when they were preparing +breakfast. "I'd like to get him and have him stuffed." + +"To eat, I presume," said Whopper, innocently. + +"Eat? What do you take me for!" cried the smaller member of the Gun +Club, and picking up a chunk of snow he shied it at Whopper, taking +the latter in the ear. + +Whopper could not stand that and threw some snow in return. Then +ensued a regular snowball fight all around, which came to a sudden +termination when Shep hit the coffee pot and spilled half of the hot +beverage in the snow. + +"Hi! that's going too far!" cried Snap. "Don't waste good coffee like +that!" + +"I move we fine Shep one cent for a bad throw," murmured Giant. + +"He can make another pot of coffee, that's what he can do," grumbled +Whopper. + +"All right, I will, but no more snowballing for the present," answered +Shep, and set to work without delay. + +For breakfast they had some chicken, some bread and butter and hot +coffee. The bread was pretty dry, but nobody minded it, for hunger and +a clear, cold atmosphere are wonderful appetite builders. + +"The first thing to do to-day is to finish building our shelter," said +Snap. + +"Oh, gosh! can't we go hunting?" demanded Whopper, who was itching to +get out after big game. + +"He wants to bring in a few of those bears he has been talking about," +said Giant, with a wink of his eye. + +"No hunting until the shelter is good enough to use in all kinds of +weather," answered Snap. + +The bracing air kept the boys moving lively, and directly after +breakfast they set to work in earnest. A large quantity of tree +branches were cut down, and with these they made the sides and top of +the hut or cabin as tight as possible. Around the bottom of the +shelter they heaped up all the snow that was close at hand. + +The building of the chimney bothered them a great deal. Fortunately +they found some stones which were fairly flat, and these they managed +to pile up into something of a square, with an opening in the center +and another at the bottom, next to the shelter. On the outside they +heaped up some dirt and above this plastered the cracks with mud. When +tried, the chimney drew very well, and there seemed to be little +danger of it setting fire to the shelter proper. + +"We ought to have a name for this camp," observed Snap. "Every really +first-class camp has a name." + +"This is such a very high-toned camp let us call it Hotel +Millionaire," suggested Giant. + +"The Lakehouse," came from Whopper. + +"I've got something better than that," said Shep. "Half of these trees +are birch trees, and we used birch bark on the roof. What's the matter +with calling the place Birch Tree Inn?" + +"That's all right!" cried Snap. "Hurrah for Birch Tree Inn!" + +"Good enough," assented Whopper. "Let's run up a napkin for a flag, +for here is where we feed." + +"Not much!" came from Giant. "What's the matter with this?" And from +an inner pocket he produced a small silken flag. "I brought this along +for our camp." + +"Hurrah for the stars and stripes!" came from Snap. "We'll raise the +flag by all means." + +This was an easy matter, for directly in front of the camp, on the +lake front, grew a tall and slender sapling. From this they cut the +extreme top and the branches, and then ran up a thin rope, to which +they attached the flag. Floating in the breeze it looked very pretty, +and taking off their caps, the members of the Gun Club saluted the +national emblem. Then Whopper and Shep began to whistle the Star +Spangled Banner and the others joined in. + +The making ready of the camp had taken longer than they had expected, +and it was nightfall before they had everything as they wished it. In +addition to making the shelter weather tight and warm, they had cut a +good sized pile of wood for the fire. All were tired out, and Shep +admitted that his back felt pretty stiff and lame. + +"I don't think we'd want to work so hard around home," said Giant +frankly, and the others admitted that this was so. + +They were too tired to do more than prepare an ordinary supper, but +this included the beans previously put in soak and then baked and +these went very well. Then they brought in some wood, and closed up +the doorway of the Inn. + +"No need to remain on guard," said Snap. "The fire and the sides of +this shelter will keep away all wild animals." + +"That's true." + +During the afternoon it had begun to snow again, and this made it all +the more cozy in the shelter. After supper the boys piled wood on the +fire and lounged around, telling stories and talking over the +prospects of getting game. All were enthusiastic, and determined not +to return home until they had brought down "something worth while," as +Snap expressed it. + +When the lads came out in the morning, they found that the snowstorm +had cleared away completely. The air was clear and cold, with scarcely +any wind. + +Whopper could hardly wait to get his breakfast, so anxious was he to +go after game. Giant suggested that they go on their snowshoes, but +Snap demurred. + +"Not the right kind of snow yet," he said. "Let us skirt the lake this +morning and see what we can pick up near camp." + +Before they left the Inn they saw to it that every spark of the fire +was extinguished, for the dreadful conflagration of the summer season +had taught them a useful lesson. They also placed their matches in a +tin can, so that they might remain dry and also to keep them from +being lit by some prowling wild beast. + +"I once heard of a place being burnt down by a fox," said Giant. "The +animal knocked the match box from a shelf on which some rabbits were +hanging." + +"Well, I've often heard of rats setting fire to buildings by igniting +matches," answered Snap. + +"Millions of times," came from Whopper. "Rats sometimes do that for a +regular business. They make a deal with people who want to get a fat +insurance; you know, and then--Oh!" And the remarkable story came to a +sudden end as Shep shied a snowball at the youth who loved to +exaggerate. + +They were soon on the way, Snap, Shep and Giant with their shotguns +and Whopper with the rifle. They headed directly along the shore of +Firefly Lake, intending to make the complete circuit of that sheet of +ice. + +They had proceeded only a short distance when Snap held up his hand. + +"Rabbits," he whispered. "We are in luck!" + +"Humph! I wanted to see a bear," grunted Whopper. + +"Now, dolt you spoil this for us," remonstrated Snap. + +"Let us fire together," whispered Giant. "I see at least a dozen." + +The bunch of rabbits were close to the lake front, nibbling the bark +from some young shoots growing in that vicinity. Without delay Snap, +Shep and Giant brought their shotguns around in position to fire. + +"I'll give the signal," said Shep. "Shep, you fire to the left. I can +fire to the right, and Giant can blaze away at the middle of the +bunch." + +"There they go!" screamed Whopper just then, and he spoke the truth, +the rabbits had discovered the hunters and were making mighty bounds +to gain the thickets beyond lake shore. + +All the boys with shotguns blazed away, and four of the rabbits +dropped in their tracks. Another went limping along painfully and Snap +caught it with case. But there was no time for a second shot. + +"Well, that's not so bad, for a start," observed Giant, as they took +up their game. + +"If I hadn't yelled you'd have lost the bunch," said Whopper. "Why, I +was most tempted to bring one down with the rifle." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +INTO A HOLE AND OUT + + +Inside of an hour the young hunters had passed to the extreme end of +the lake and were coning down on the other side. + +"Here is where the Ham Spink crowd stole our boat," said Snap, +indicating the spot. + +"Phew! and what a time we did have on the lake afterwards," was +Whopper's comment. "Say, I can't understand yet why some of us weren't +drowned." + +"Don't make so much noise," said Shep. "We'll never get any game if +you keep on talking." + +After that they went on a distance of a hundred yards in perfect +silence. Then Giant came to a halt, and pointed up two trees in front +of him. On the branches were half a dozen fat, gray squirrels. + +Again those carrying shotguns discharged their fowling pieces, and +down came three of the largest of the squirrels. Then Snap let Whopper +have his gun and down came another squirrel just as he was about to +enter his hole. + +"Squirrels and more!" shouted Giant, rushing forward. + +"More?" queried Shep. "We shot only the squirrels." + +"True, but you've forgotten what the squirrels hide away." + +"Nuts!" exclaimed Whopper. "Just what we want, to eat in front of the +camp-fire at night." + +It was an easy matter to locate the storehouses of the squirrels, and +from each they took a quantity of nuts. They did not take all, for +they did not wish the squirrels that were still alive to starve. + +"I guess we have got all the game we'll find around here," observed +Shep, as they went on once more. "The banging away will make the rest +of the game keep under cover." + +"Well, let us go around the lake anyway," answered Snap. "There is no +fun in crossing over on the ice without skates." + +Down at the lower end the lake made several turns, winding in and out +among the rocks, and here the boys left the ice and walked under the +trees and between the bushes. + +"This isn't so pleasant," said Whopper, as he stumbled on a rock and +rolled over on his side. + +"Look out, that your gun doesn't go off!" cried Snap, warningly. "Keep +the muzzle pointed at the ground.' + +"That's what I always do," answered Whopper. + +They had almost reached the end of the lake, at the point where it +emptied through the rocky gorge into Lake Cameron, when Giant came to +a sudden halt and uttered a low whistle. + +"What is it?" questioned Snap and Whopper in a breath. + +"Saw something through yonder trees--something big," was the answer of +the small member of the Gun Club. + +"You did?" said Snap. "What did it look like?" + +"Looked like a cow--but of course it couldn't be that.' + +"Maybe it's was a moose!" cried Shep. "Let's go after him." + +The thought that a moose might be so close at hand thrilled all the +boys, and without a moment's hesitation they started off in the +direction in which the strange animal had been seen. + +"If it is a moose let me take a rifle shot at him," whispered Whopper. +"A bullet is what he'll want to lay him low." + +"I'm willing you should have the first shot," said Snap. + +The others also agreed that Whopper should be the first to fire--if +the game was really as large as expected--and the boy who loved to +exaggerate went to the front. + +They had to climb a small hill, which came to an abrupt end beside +another gully. Here the bushes had been bent low by the wind and were +covered with drifted snow. + +"Be careful--walking isn't very good here," cautioned Whopper. "The +ground seems to be spongy." + +All ranged up to the edge of the gully and prepared to leap across. As +they did this, some of the bushes and the snow gave way, and down they +went in a heap, a distance of ten or a dozen feet. As they fell +Giant's shotgun went off with a bang that scared them greatly. + +"Oh, dear!" gasped Snap, when he could free himself from the snow. +"What a tumble? Is anybody hurt?" + +He gazed around, to find Whopper head first in a snow drift. He pulled +his chum out, and in the meantime Shep and Giant scrambled up. + +"Did--did my shot hit anybody?" questioned the smaller member of the +club, anxiously. + +"I'm safe," announced Snap. + +"So am I," came from Whopper. "But say, I thought I was going to plow +through the snow clear to China!" + +"The discharge went pretty close to my ear," announced Shep. And then, +as he began to realize the escape he had had, he grew slightly pale. + +"I tried to keep the gun barrel pointed to a safe place," said Giant. +"But the fall came so quickly I had hardly time to think. I am +thankful nobody was struck. Had I hit anybody I should never have +forgiven myself!" And he shuddered. + +"Be careful of the rest of the guns," said Whopper. "We don't want to +be blown out of this hole--we prefer to climb out--at least I do." + +They looked to their firearms, and then gazed around the locality in +perplexity. The gully was long and narrow and both sides were covered +with ice and snow. The ground above, also covered with ice and snow, +was well out of their reach. + +"Getting out is going to be no easy task," announced Snap. "Maybe +we'll have to, walk to the end of the gulch." + +"Wait, perhaps I can climb out--if one of you will give me a boost," +said the doctor's son. + +The others were willing to have Shep make the trial, and Snap and +Whopper put down their guns and aided him by putting his feet in their +hands. Shep caught hold of some bushes and began to haul himself up +with all his strength. + +"Hurrah! he is going to make it!" cried Giant, when snap! went the +bushes, and down rolled the doctor's son and plunged once more into +the snow. + +"Whow!" he spluttered, as he arose and worked the snow from his collar +and his coat sleeves. "No more of that for me! Snap, don't you want to +try it?" + +"No, I prefer to walk to where the gully is not so deep." + +They struck out, to find the bottom of the gulch filled with bowlders, +bushes and snow. More than once one or another went down into a hollow +and had to be hauled out. + +"Phew! but it's cold down here!" murmured Whopper. "My feet feel like +two cakes of ice." + +"One of the delights of hunting in the winter time," observed Snap. +"Want to go home, Whopper?" + +"Not for a million dollars and a mince pie thrown in," was the prompt +answer. + +"Say, a piece of mince pie wouldn't go bad just now." said Shep, +smacking his lips. + +"Don't mention it, please." + +It took a quarter of an hour's hard journeying to reach a point where +the gully was only four or five feet deep, and here they left the +hollow with ease. They were now further away from the lake than ever +and in a locality that looked new to them. + +"I don't remember this spot, although I thought we were all over this +ground last summer," observed Snap. + +"A place looks different in winter from what it does in summer," said +Shep. + +"Then that must be it." + +"I reckon that moose must be 'steen miles from here by this time," +said Whopper. "He must have heard Giant's gun go off." + +As they could see nothing of the strange game, they agreed that +Whopper must be right in his surmise and so determined to look around +for other game. They circled the end of Firefly Lake, and then walked +a short distance in the direction of Lake Cameron. + +"Wait!" called out Whopper, presently, "Snap, let me have your +shotgun." And he reached for the weapon. + +"What do you see?" + +"A wild turkey, and a big one, too." + +Snap was willing that Whopper should have a try at the turkey, since +he seemed so disappointed at losing track of the big game, and so +passed over his shotgun. The wild turkey was roosting near the top of +a silver maple tree. Taking careful aim, Whopper blazed away. + +To the astonishment of all, the wild turkey gave a flutter, sank back +on the tree limb and then became quiet. + +"What in the world does that mean?" gasped Whopper, hardly believing +that he saw aright. + +"Maybe you didn't hit him," suggested Giant. + +"Didn't hit him--at such a short distance?" said Whopper, in disgust. +"Of course I hit him." + +"Then why didn't he tumble down or fly away?" came from Shep. + +"He'd fly quick enough--if he could," said Snap. "There is something +wrong with him. Maybe he is caught fast in the crotch of the limb." + +Guns in hand the four boy hunters ran forward until they stood +directly under the silver maple. Here they could see the head and the +tail of the wild turkey, but that was all. The game did not offer to +move, even when Whopper set up a shout. + +"He's dead and caught fast, I am sure of it," said Whopper. "If it +were otherwise he would surely flutter down or fly away." + +"You'll have to do some climbing to get your game," said the doctor's +son. + +"Well, I can do that, too--if you'll give me a boost," answered +Whopper, passing over the shotgun and laying aside his rifle. + +The others assisted him to reach the lower limbs of the silver maple, +and up he went from one branch to another until he stood directly +beneath the wild turkey. He put forth his hand with caution. + +"Be careful," cried Shep. "If the turkey is still alive he may show +fight and try to peck out your eyes." + +Shielding himself as best he could, Whopper presently caught the +turkey by one foot. He pulled gently at first and then gave a strong +yank. Down came the game from the crotch of the tree, and Whopper +almost lost his balance. To save himself he let the game drop to the +ground and clutched at the tree branches nearest to him. + +"Dead as a door nail!" he announced, as soon as he felt safe. "And I +knew it from the start. He didn't fall because he got caught, that's +all." + +"Now you are up in the tree you had better take a look around and see +if any more game is it sight," called up Snap. + +"I will." + +While the others stamped around to keep warm, Whopper mounted to the +topmost branches of the silver maple. From this position he could +overlook a wide expanse of country. He gazed first to, the northward +and then over to the west. + +"Hullo!" he yelled suddenly. "I see something worth going after." + +"What?" questioned the others in concert. + +"Two deer." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +OUT AFTER DEER + + +"You see two deer?" queried Snap. + +"Yes." + +"How far from here?" questioned the doctor's son. + +"A good quarter of a mile." + +"Oh, that's not so far!" exclaimed Giant. "Come on after them, +fellows." + +"Wait till I get down," said Whopper, coming as quickly as he could. +"Don't go ahead yet." + +"How are we going ahead, since you are the only one that knows where +the game is?" answered the doctor's son. + +As soon as Whopper was on the ground, they set off, taking the wild +turkey with them. The shot had entered the heart of the turkey, +killing it instantly, and its single flutter had only served to wedge +it fast in the tree crotch. + +"Boys, it is growing colder," announced Snap, as they proceeded. + +"As if we didn't know it," answered Giant, slapping his hands +together. + +"And I think it is going to snow some more," went on Snap. + +"Pooh! who cares!" cried Whopper. "I am going to get one of those deer +if I die for it." + +"So say I!" put in Shep. "Remember, we ought to get quite some game on +hand, in case we get snowed in at the camp." + +The sky had become overcast, and this was what made it seem colder. +The wind, too, was springing up, and they were glad to keep to the +sheltered portions of the ground so far as the journey after the deer +permitted. + +Inside of fifteen minutes they covered more than a quarter of a mile. +Yet no deer were to be seen. + +"Whopper, didn't you make some mistake?" asked Snap, coming to a halt. + +"I am sure I saw the deer." + +"Whopper must have been deceived in the distance," said Giant. "Things +look closer on the water, or when the ground is covered with snow." + +"Perhaps that's it," answered Whopper. "Anyway, the deer were +somewhere out here, I'm sure." + +Again they went on, but soon came to a series of rocks, where walking +was difficult. Giant slipped on one of the rocks and barked his left +shin. + +"Oh dear!" he cried, in pain. "I don't like this much. It is a regular +Rocky Road to Dublin!" + +"I don't feel like going much further," said Snap. "I think we ought +to go, back. See, it is starting in to snow," he added, as the flakes +began to fall. + +The four boy hunters held a consultation, which almost ended in a +quarrel. Whopper was determined to go ahead after the deer and so was +Shep, while Snap and Giant insisted upon returning to the camp. + +"I'll tell you what's let do," said Whopper. "Two of us can go on and +two go back. That's fair." + +"And the two to go back can take the game to camp," added Shep. "There +is no use of our carrying it with us. And, besides, if we get a deer, +that will be a big load for us." + +"Aren't you afraid of a big snow coming on?" questioned Snap. + +"Oh, this snow won't amount to anything," declared the doctor's son. + +"Perhaps it will." + +Snap and Giant took possession of all the game, and turned over to +Shep and Whopper the lunch that had been brought along. + +"We can get what we want when we reach camp," said Snap. "And you may +need this before you get back." + +"If I were you I wouldn't stay out too late," cautioned Giant. "If you +do, you may lose your way in the dark." + +"We'll be safe enough," answered Whopper confidantly. + +It was no light load for Snap and Giant to carry, for the turkey, +rabbits and squirrels were all big. They saw Shep and Whopper depart +and rested fully five minutes before taking to the back trail. + +"I wish they had come with us," said the leader of the Gun Club. "I +doubt if they get a deer--the wind is blowing directly toward the +game." + +"Well, they wanted to go so let them," answered Giant. + +The barked shin hurt considerably and he was anxious to get back to +camp, that he might wash it and bathe it with witch hazel. + +"Let us go up the lake and across on the ice," suggested Snap. "It +will be shorter, and we'll avoid that nasty gully and the rough +rocks." + +They took to the course mentioned, and inside of half an hour reached +the lake front once more. It was now snowing steadily and the wind was +gradually rising. + +"I said it was going to snow hard," grumbled Snap. "They should have +come with us. It won't be fit to be out in another hour." + +"Well, they wanted their own way, so let them have it," answered his +companion. + +They wished they had their skates to skate across a cove which +separated them from the camp. The bare spots on the ice were as +slippery as wet glass and they had to walk "as if on eggs," as Snap +expressed it. Once his right foot went from under him, and he measured +his length on his back, while his gun slid a dozen feet away. + +"Come here and I'll pick you up," sang out Giant merrily, as soon as +he saw his chum was not hurt. + +"That was a peachy fall," grumbled Snap, as he turned over and got up. +"Glad the gun didn't go off." + +"Do you know what I am going to do--if it doesn't snow too hard?" said +Giant, as they walked on again. "Try my luck at fishing through a hole +in the ice. Fish will taste good for breakfast." + +They were directly in the middle of the lake when a distant gunshot +reached their ears, followed by another. They halted and listened. + +"Whopper and Shep must have found something to shoot at," remarked the +smaller member of the Gun Club. + +"Or else there are other hunters in this vicinity. I shouldn't be +surprised if Jed Sanborn is out." + +"Yes, and a dozen others, for the matter of that." + +By the time they had crossed the lake the wind was blowing furiously, +sending the snow whirling over the smooth ice in long white streaks. +More than half out of breath, the two young hunters were glad enough +to reach the shelter of the trees and bushes. + +"It's going to be a corker," was Snap's comment. "Just listen to the +wind whistling through the trees!" + +"I don't think I'll try fishing just yet," said Giant. "I might get +frozen fast to the ice." + +"Fishing will have to wait, Giant. Come on into the Inn." + +They were glad enough to enter the shelter and rest for a few minutes. +Then, when they had regained their breath, both set about building a +fire. Luckily they had saved some dry bark and brushwood, so starting +the blaze was comparatively easy. They heaped on several medium-sized +sticks and then a good back and a front log, and soon the fire was +roaring merrily. The home-made chimney was wide open at the top, so a +good deal of heat was lost, yet enough remained below to warm the +shelter nicely. + +"I tell you, a fire makes all the difference in the world!" declared +Snap, as he pulled off his outer coat and cap and sat down close to +the chimney. "No matter how forlorn or lonely a fellow feels, a fire +is bound to brighten him up and make him feel on better terms with +himself." + +"Right you are, Snap. I pity the fellow who gets left in the woods +without a match, or the wherewith to start a camp-fire," answered +Giant, who was using the witch hazel on his ankle. + +As soon as they were warm, the two boys set to work to cook themselves +a substantial meal. They prepared sufficient for all hands, thinking +that Shep and Whopper would be back in an hour or two at the most. + +"They won't stay out very long--with this snowstorm on," remarked +Snap. "They know what such a storm means as well as we do." + +Before leaving camp that morning Giant had made some bread dough and +set it for raising. This was now in good shape and he kneaded it over +and made some loaves and some muffins. The muffins they used for their +meal, along with more beans and some stewed squirrel, and a pot of hot +chocolate. They ate leisurely, at the same time keeping their ears on +the alert for the coming of their companions. Three times during the +meal Snap went to the doorway, to gaze out. + +"They are foolish not to come back before it gets night," he said. "If +they don't look out they'll be snow-bound." + +"Oh, Snap, do you think so?" cried the smaller member of the club, in +alarm. + +"It might happen, Giant. Just look how it is snowing! Why, I can't see +a hundred feet from the Inn!" + +Giant came to the opening and peered forth. Snap was right, the snow +was coming down thickly, and the fierce wind sent it swirling in all +directions. The landscape on all sides was completely blotted out. + +"Oh, if only they had come back with us!" murmured Giant. + +Both of the boys sighed and returned to the fireside, finishing their +meal in silence. They were much worried, more than they cared to admit +to each other. + +The meal over, Giant warmed some water and washed the few tin dishes +and other things which had been dirtied. Snap put another log on the +fire, and then got out the acetylene bicycle lamp that had been +brought along. + +"What are you going to do with that?" questioned Giant. + +"Light it and hang it out for a searchlight," answered Snap. "It may +aid them in finding the Inn." + +The gas lamp was soon fizzing and then Snap applied a match. As it +flashed up, he regulated the light and then the affair was taken +outside and hung where its rays might flash forth through the storm +and across the cove of the lake. + +"They can see that quite a distance, even through the flying snow," +said the leader of the Gun Club. "And they'll want all the light they +can get, to find their way back." + +He and Giant sat down again in front of the roaring fire. They watched +the sparks fly upward and the ruddy glare showed a concerned look on +the face of each. They did not care to read or play any game, and +talked in low tones, each with his ears strained to catch any sound +from without. + +Slowly one hour after another went by, until the darkness of night lay +over the camp. The snow came down as thickly as ever and the wind +shrieked dismally through the leafless trees. Time and again the two +boys had gone to the doorway to look out, and Snap had even run down +to the very edge of the lake. + +"It's no use," he said finally. "They are snowbound and can't get +here. If only they are safe!" + +"Yes, if only they are safe!" echoed Giant. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SNOWBOUND + + +Left to themselves, Shep and Whopper started off briskly after the +deer that had been seen from the top of the tree. + +"We must get at least one of 'em by all means," said Shep. "It won't +do to go back to the camp skunked." + +"We shan't be skunked," answered Whopper, confidantly. "If there are a +dozen, we'll bag the lot of them!" + +The trail was by no means as easy as they had anticipated, and they +had to pick their way around the rocks and through the brushwood with +care. Once Whopper slid down one of the rocks and landed on his back +with a thump that took the wind out of him completely. + +"Cats and carrots!" he gasped. "Say, but that was a hard one, right +enough!" + +"Trying to split the rock?" asked Shep, helping him up. + +"No, I was only testing it, to see how soft it was," growled Whopper. + +Soon the two boys found themselves going up a small hill. The climb +was rather discouraging, until Whopper let out a soft cry, and then +motioned for silence. + +"See 'em?" queried his chum, in a whisper. + +"No, but there are the tracks, as plain as day!" + +Whopper was right, the deer tracks were there, although partly covered +by the falling snow. At the sight of them the spirits of the boy +hunters arose wonderfully. They forgot how tired they were, and pushed +forward at a faster gait than ever before. + +"Won't we surprise them when we come back with such game!" said Shep. + +"I think so, Shep. They didn't really think we'd get anything," +answered Whopper. + +On and on went the boys, the trail of the deer becoming plainer at +every step. They did not notice how much ground they were covering nor +in what direction they were moving. They had "deer fever" and had it +hard. + +Presently they came to the top of the rise of ground. Beyond was a +patch of scrub timber, where, years before, a forest fire had wiped +out the best of the trees. Looking ahead they saw four deer walking +slowly along near some brushwood. + +"There they are!" cried Shep, and brought his gun around for use. + +At that moment the deer turned partly around and looked squarely at +the boys. They were evidently taken completely by surprise and their +heads went up high as they discovered the enemy. Then, without further +hesitation they leaped forward, toward the dense timber ahead. + +Bang! went Shep's shotgun, and crack! came the sharp report of +Whopper's rifle. Before the echoes had died away the last of the deer +leaped high in the air, made a part turn and then came down heavily. +Then it got up, ran several paces and fell again and began to kick. + +"I hit him!" + +"So did I!" + +"Let's try for another!" + +But to try for another was out of the question. With the fall of the +hind one, the others reached the shelter of the dense timber and in a +second more were completely out of sight, and running as only +frightened deer can run when they know it is a case of life or death +for them. + +When the two young hunters reached the side of the fallen deer it was +just breathing its last. + +The bullet from the rifle had entered its side and the buckshot had +struck in the neck and shoulder. + +"We both brought him down," said Shep. + +"Pity we didn't get the others," grumbled Whopper. + +"Well, one is better than nothing." + +"Oh, I know that, and I am thankful as far as that goes. Will it be +worth while to go after the others, do you think?" + +"No. They'll run too far before they stop." + +The deer was of fair size, and looked as if it would make good eating. +They inspected the game with much interest, turning it over and +lifting it up. + +"Pretty heavy," announced Whopper. "We'll have all we want to do to +carry it to camp." + +"Just what I was thinking. And say, just look how it is snowing!" + +The two young hunters gazed about them and were a good deal startled. +It was growing dark and the leaden air seemed to be filled with snow. +They had paid little attention to the wind, but now realized that it +was rising steadily. + +"The best thing we can do is to make for camp," said Shep. "If we +don't--" He did not finish. + +"You think we'll be snowbound?" + +"Doesn't it look like it?" + +"I must admit, it does." + +Alarmed more than they cared to mention, both boys prepared to return +to the Inn without delay. They selected a slender sapling and cut it +down with a hunting knife Shep carried. They trimmed off the limbs, +thus making of it a pole. To this they slung the deer, tied fast by +the front and the hind legs. Then Whopper took the front end of the +load and Shep the rear end, and thus they set off in the direction +they had come. + +For perhaps a quarter of a mile all went well, for, despite the +falling snow, they managed to keep to the tracks they had made in +following the deer. Then, of a sudden, Whopper came to a halt and +Shep, of course, had to do likewise. + +"What's up?" asked the latter. + +"I can't see the trail anymore. The falling snow has covered it +completely." + +Whopper was right, as Shep realized with much alarm. Both of the young +hunters gazed around in perplexity. The whirling snow hid the +landscape from view. In a moment more, turning this way and that, they +were completely bewildered. + +"Well, I declare!" burst out Shep. "Hang me if I know where I am!" + +"I think the lake is in that direction," announced Whopper, after a +painful pause. + +"Maybe you are right--I don't know." There seemed to be no sense in +standing still, with the snow coming down thicker every minute and the +wind whistling dismally all around them. On they went, for at least a +quarter of a mile further. The rocks bothered them a great deal and +twice both fell, dropping their load as they did so. "This is the +finest pleasure stroll I ever took in my life," was Whopper's rather +sarcastic comment. "Such level walking, and such nice bright sunshine, +with birds singing and--Oh!" And his speech came to an end as he went +down again, this time into a hollow of snow and dead leaves up to his +knees. + +"Are you hurt?" asked Shep. + +"Not enough to weep over," was the answer. "But, no joking, this is +fierce! I wish I was back to camp." + +"So do I, Whopper. But wishing won't take us there--we've got to +walk." + +"Isn't it getting dark!" + +"Yes, and just listen to that wind!" + +By this time, both of the young hunters were scared, although neither +mentioned it. Again they went on, but only for a dozen rods. Then both +halted and stared in front of them in amazement. + +"What's this?" + +"We aren't going toward the lake at all!" + +Before them was a slight hollow and beyond a cliff of rocks all of +twenty to thirty feet high. On the top of the cliff grew a number of +large trees and several of these had, in times past, been blown over, +their tops resting in the hollow below while the roots still clung +fast near the top of the cliff. + +"Did you ever see this spot before?" asked Shep. + +"Not that I can remember," answered his chum. "But I am sure it is not +near the lake." + +The young hunters were more alarmed than ever. They felt that they +must be miles from camp. Night was now upon them, and the storm, +instead of clearing away, was growing worse every minute. + +"I don't think we can reach camp to-night," said Shep, as bravely as +he could, although his voice trembled slightly. "We'll have to try and +make ourselves as comfortable as possible elsewhere." + +"What, right out here in the woods!" + +"No, we can hunt for some sort of shelter, Whopper." + +"Don't you think we can find the lake? If we once found that we could +keep on along the shore until we struck our camp." + +"I don't believe we can locate the lake in this darkness and with the +snow coming down so thickly. Why, look around! You can't see at all!" + +Whopper did gaze around, and had to admit that Shep was right. They +were shut in by the storm, which seemed to grow wilder and wilder. + +With heavy hearts the boys drew closer to the cliff, as that seemed to +afford some shelter from the wind, which cut like a knife. In the +darkness they stumbled into the hollow and then between two of the +fallen trees. + +"Well, if we have got to seek shelter, this place may prove as good as +any," observed Whopper. "It's warmer under the rocks, and we can use +some of these tree branches for a fire." + +"Yes, we must have a fire," answered the doctor's son, who did not +relish the darkness. He wondered what they would be able to do should +wolves attack them, but did not mention this to his companion. + +Dropping their load in the snow, they felt their way between the +trees, and then broke off some of the small branches for firewood. +They got the driest they could find. + +"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" came suddenly from Whopper. + +"What's up?" + +"I haven't a single match! Have you any?" + +In haste Shep felt in his pocket. There were two matches there, but +one felt as if it was no good. + +"I've got two, but one feels as if the top was off," he announced. + +"For gracious sake, don't let the good one go out, Shep! Here, I've +got an old letter in my pocket. Light that first." + +The doctor's son felt in his other pockets and brought forth part of +an old railroad timetable. The papers were bunched together and held +low, while Shep tried to strike the match that had lost part of its +head. It made a faint streak of light, but that was all. + +"Is that the good one?" asked Whopper, hoarsely. Never before had he +been so anxious about a light. + +"No. I'll try the good one now," answered the doctor's son. + +"Don't let the wind blow it out," pleaded his chum. "Here, use my +cap." + +The papers were placed beside the cap, and Shep struck the match +several times. Both of the boys hardly dared to breathe. Then came a +flash, and a tiny flame sprang up, and the papers were set to blazing. +They put on the smallest and driest of the twigs and then the small +branches, and both tended the fire with as much care as an infant +receives from its nurse. Soon it became stronger and stronger, and +they breathed a deep sigh of relief and put on some big pieces of +wood. + +As Snap had said at camp, the fire brightened things up wonderfully +and both boys felt lighter-hearted as the ruddy glare lit up the +scene. They found something of a circular hollow under the cliff with +a big fallen tree just beyond it. They brought the fire to one side of +this hollow, and banked up the snow on the other side, and soon the +shelter began to grow warm. Then they brought in the deer and hung the +game in a fork of the fallen tree. + +"Lucky we brought that lunch along," said Shep. "I am as hungry as a +bear." + +"So am I," returned Whopper, "and I don't think that little lunch is +going to satisfy me. What's the matter with broiling a venison +streak?" + +"Do you want to cut up the deer before we get back to camp?" + +"Most likely we'll have to. If this snow keeps on there is no telling +how long we'll be snowbound." + +"That is true, too. Well, we needn't cut up the whole deer--only cut +out what we want to use." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A CRY FOR HELP + + +Fortunately for the boys, they knew how to cut up a deer to advantage +and it did not take them long to trim away a portion of the pelt and +get out the steak they wanted. Then they fixed up a rude fork on which +to cook the meat, and soon the appetizing odor of broiled venison +filled the hollow. + +"This is much better than nothing but a cold lunch," said Whopper, as +he divided the steak. "Fingers were made before knives and forks, and +as nobody is looking on, we can eat as suits us." + +"Let us broil another steak, before the fire gets low," suggested the +doctor's son. "If it goes out on us we won't want to be without +something to eat?" + +"That fire isn't going out--not if I know it. Why, it would be awful +to be left without a light, and without warmth. We might freeze to +death--if it got much colder!" + +Another and larger steak was well cooked, and then the boys set to +work to gather a generous supply of firewood, breaking and cutting it +as best they could. This was hard work, but it kept them warm, and +neither complained. + +"I suppose Snap and Giant are worrying about our not getting back," +said Whopper. "I hope they don't come out to look for us." + +After they had cut all the wood they wanted, they sat down again by +the fire. Both boys were very tired, yet the strangeness of their +situation kept them awake for several hours. They watched the snow, as +it came down as thickly as ever, and listened to the shrieking of the +wind as it tore through the trees on the top of the cliff. + +"Do you think more of the trees will come down?" questioned Whopper. + +"I am sure I don't know," was Shep's reply. + +At last both boys began to blink and stretch themselves, and then +Whopper said they had better go to sleep. + +"You turn in first," said Shep. "I'll watch the fire. When I can't +keep awake any longer, I'll call you." + +Whopper laid down and was soon slumbering. Shep continued to guard the +fire, and, to keep himself awake, walked up and down the narrow +confines of the temporary shelter. He often paused to listen to the +roaring of the wind, which, outside of the crackling of the blaze, was +the only sound that broke the stillness. + +"Well, I am glad no wild animal has come to disturb us," he thought, +as he continued to pace up and down. + +Presently he sat down and his eyes closed. For a moment he dozed, and +then started up. A low moan had reached his ears. + +"What in the world is that?" he asked himself, and felt his hair +standing on end. Then he heard the moan again, and turning half +around, began to grin to himself. The moan had come from Whopper, who +was having a nightmare. + +"Hi, Whopper! Wake up!" he called, and shook his companion. + +"Get out--don't chew me up!" groaned Whopper, and then sat up and +rubbed his eyes. "Wha--what's the matter? Oh, I--er--I guess I was +dreaming," he said sheepishly. + +"You were, and groaning fit to raise the dead," answered the doctor's +son, who now felt that he could afford to laugh. + +"I dreampt about a million wolves were after me, and one was going to +chew my foot off," said Whopper. He stretched himself. "Time for me to +stand guard?" + +"I think you had better. I am so tired I feel like sleeping standing +up," answered Shep. + +Whopper arose, and waiting to make certain that his companion was wide +awake, Shep threw himself on the couch, which had been formed of some +leaves found at the rear of the hollow. He soon fell into a troubled +sleep, which lasted about three hours, when he awoke at the sound of +Whopper's voice calling him. + +"Is it time to get up?" he questioned, sleepily. + +"Shep, I hear wolves!" + +"Wolves!" and now the doctor's son leaped to his feet and glanced +toward his shotgun, which rested against the rocky wall. "Are you +certain?" + +"Listen!" + +Both boys bent their ears and for a full minute neither made a sound. +Then Shep shook his head. + +"I can't hear anything now," he said. + +"Well, I heard them before," answered Whopper, positively. "Must have +been a million of 'em, too!" + +"Whopper, you've got a million wolves on the brain." + +"Have I? Well, I know--Listen!" + +The young hunter stopped short, and both listened a second time. From +a great distance came the howl of a wolf, followed by an answering +howl not so far off. + +"Now, what did I tell you!" + +Shep did not answer, but picked up his shotgun. Whopper had already +gotten the rifle, and with the firearms fully loaded the young hunters +stood on guard for at least a quarter of an hour. + +"I don't hear them any more," said the doctor's son, at length. + +"They may be sneaking up on the sly," answered Whopper, and it was +hard for him to keep his voice from trembling. + +Neither of the boys cared to go beyond the light of the camp-fire, and +again they waited. But a good half hour went by and nothing more was +seen or heard of the wolves. + +"You may as well take another nap, Whopper," said the doctor's son. +"I'll give you about two hours, and then I'll lie down for the same +length of time. That will about finish out the night." + +Whopper agreed to this, but it was some time before he could get to +sleep, and then he had another nightmare and groaned as before. But +this time Shep "let him have it out," as he told Whopper afterward. + +Daylight found them still under the cliff. Their fitful naps of the +night just passed had only about half rested them and they did a good +deal of gaping as they stirred up the fire and prepared a morning +meal. Fortunately Shep had a pocket cup with him, and in that they had +to melt snow to get water to drink. + +"Well, I am glad the night is over," declared Whopper. "I declare, I +don't want to pass another like it!" + +"Let us be thankful that it was no worse," answered the doctor's son. +"Supposing we had not found this shelter, or supposing that match had +gone out, or supposing we hadn't shot the deer--" + +"Stop, Shep! I am blue enough already. I'll tell you what it is: By +hook or by crook, we must get back to camp before to-night. If we +don't the others will be worried to death about us, I am sure." + +"That's easy enough to say. But look at the snow." + +Whopper looked beyond the shelter. The snow had stopped coming down +but it lay to the depth of several inches in some spots and in drifts +three and four feet high in others. He gave a sigh. + +"Tough traveling and no mistake. Maybe we can't get through at all!" + +"I know what I am going to do, first of all," said Shep. "I am going +to climb a tree on the top of the cliff and locate myself." + +"That's a good idea." + +Breakfast over, both boys scrambled up one of the fallen trees to the +top of the cliff. Not far away was a tree with low branches and up +this went the doctor's son, Whopper boosting him all he could. All the +boys could climb well, and soon Shep was far enough up to look around +on all sides. + +"There is the lake, about three-quarters of a mile off," he said, +pointing with his hand. "I can see our camp, too. The smoke is coming +up out of the chimney." + +"Is it on the other side of the lake?" + +"It is across the big cove." + +"Do you think we can signal to the others?" questioned Whopper. + +"We might try it--with some wet wood," answered Shep. + +He came down again, and soon they placed several wet sticks on the +fire. This created a dense smoke, which, as the wind had fallen, went +straight up into the sky. + +"That will tell them somebody is over here with a fire," said Shep. +"But I reckon we had better start for the camp without delay. Just +past the cliff is a ridge of high ground running almost to the lake, +and the wind has swept it clear of snow, so walking will not be so +very difficult." + +It gave them something of a pang to put out the fire, yet they did not +dare to leave it burning, for fear of setting fire to the forest. +Placing the deer on the pole as before, they set off toward the ridge +Shep had mentioned. + +With the going down of the wind, the air seemed warmer. The sky was +still dull and heavy, and they were afraid it might snow again at any +moment. Where the footing was good they almost ran, so eager were they +to get back to Birch Tree Inn. + +They had almost gained the shore of Firefly Lake when Whopper came to +a halt. At the same time a distant cry reached the ears of both young +hunters. + +"What was that?" asked Whopper. + +"Somebody calling for help, Whopper. Listen!" + +"Help! help!" came faintly to their ears. + +"Don't leave me, please! Help!" + +"It's some person calling," said Shep. "But where is he?" + +Both boys gazed around in perplexity. Then the cry was repeated, and +following the sound they made their way to some brushwood growing +between several trees. Here they found a man crouched before a tiny +fire. He was dressed in a tattered suit and an even more tattered +overcoat, and his shoes were bound up in potato sacking. A slouch hat +full of holes was drawn down over his forehead, and he looked to be +exactly what he was, a tramp. + +"What's the matter?" asked Shep, not unkindly, for the fellow was +evidently suffering. + +"Don't leave me," cried the man. "I'm sick and I'm hungry, and I +nearly froze to death last night. Please don't leave me!" + +"Have you had anything to eat?" asked Whopper. + +"Not a mouthful since yesterday noon. I had some stuff wrapped in a +newspaper, but I lost it in the snow." The man did not add that he had +been intoxicated and had not known where he was going or what he was +doing. + +"Well, here is a piece of venison steak and some crackers," said Shep. +"That's all we can give you just now." + +"Ain't you got anything to drink?" asked the man, wistfully. + +"No, we don't carry liquor." + +"Oh!" + +"We can get you some water if you want that," put in Whopper. + +"What?" + +Whopper repeated his words. + +"No, I don't want any cold water--I'm cold enough now," said the +tramp. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN CAMP ONCE MORE + + +The boys imagined the man was not well and they dropped their game and +set to work to get breakfast for him. They took the venison steak and +warmed it up, and also warmed the few crackers which still remained +from the lunch. The man ate greedily, and then consented to drink a +little water. + +"Where are you going?" he asked, while eating the last of the venison. +They had found out that, in spite of being a tramp, he was fairly well +spoken. Evidently drink had brought him down in the world. + +"We are bound for our camp," answered Whopper. + +"Oh, so you've got a camp around here?" + +"We have one on the other side of the cove--over yonder, where you can +see the smoke drifting above the trees." + +"I wish you'd take me over to it, boys. I can't stay here--I feel too +sick." + +"What's the matter with you?" + +"I don't know--only I get sharp, shooting pains now and then across my +back." + +Whopper and Shep looked at each other. They had no desire for the +companionship of such a disreputable looking person, yet they did not +wish to see the tramp suffer. + +"What's your name?" questioned Whopper. "And where do you belong?" + +"My real name is Kidlaw Leech, but most of my friends call me Kiddy +for short. I came from--er--New York, but I have been up to Fairview +and other places looking for work. Yesterday I started to walk to the +next town, but I reckon I got lost on the road, and I fetched up +here." + +"You must have tramped a good distance," answered the doctor's son. He +was far from being favorably impressed by the tramp. + +"I did," answered Kiddy Leech. "But, say, you'll help me to your camp, +won't you?" + +"Yes. I have some medicines over there, and one of them may do you +good. I'm a doctor's son." + +"Got any liquor? That's the best medicine for my back." + +"No, but I can give you some peppermint and some ginger." + +Again the tramp's face fell. He got up slowly and prepared to +accompany the boys. There was nothing more to say, and kicking out the +fire, the young hunters told Kiddy Leech to follow them. He came +slowly, and caught hold off Shep's arm to steady himself. His breath +still smelt of liquor, something that disgusted both lads. + +The ice reached, Shep and Whopper cut a long bush and on it placed the +deer. + +"What's that for?" asked Kiddy beech, in curiosity. + +"It is easier to drag the deer than to carry it," answered Whopper. +"The branch will act as a kind of sled." + +"Wish I had a sled to ride on, my back is pretty lame." + +Both boys looked at the tramp closely, wondering whether or not he was +speaking the truth or shamming. For all they knew he might be as lazy +as he was good for nothing. Then Shep whispered to Whopper. + +"All right, it won't be for far," whispered Whopper in return. + +"You can sit down on the branch beside the deer," said the doctor's +son to Kiddy Leech. "We can easily pull you along." + +"Thanks, boys, that's kind of you," answered the tramp, and dropped +down with a deep sigh of satisfaction. + +With their double load the two young hunters did not make very rapid +progress across the lake cove. When they came in sight of the flag, +which still flew from the sapling, they set up a loud and ringing +shout. + +"Hullo!" came back from Snap, as he rushed from the shelter, followed +by Giant. "Back at last, eh? Are you all right?" + +"Yes," answered Whopper. "But we've had quite an adventure, I can tell +you. And we've got a deer!" he added, with pride. + +Snap and Giant came to the shore to help pull the load up to the camp +and then noticed the tramp. + +"Hullo!" cried Giant. "How is it you are getting a free ride?" + +"Do you know him?" questioned Shep, quickly. + +"Not exactly. He came to our house begging--the day before we left +home," answered the smaller member of the club, in a whisper. + +"We found him half frozen, in the snow," said Whopper. "He says there +is something the matter with his back." + +The shelter gained, Shep and Giant were glad enough to go in and rest +and so was Kiddy Leech. The tramp gazed around the cozy place with +keen satisfaction. + +"This is a bang-up bunk," he observed. "A fellow could stay here a +long time and enjoy himself." + +While the three newcomers rested, Giant and Snap bustled around and +prepared them a substantial meal, with plenty of hot coffee, for the +trip across the cove had been a cold one and they wanted something for +"thawing out purposes," as Shep said. Kiddy Leech was not backward in +eating a big meal, washing it down with all the coffee offered him. + +"Coffee is the next thing to liquor for warming a fellow," he +observed. + +"We think it is far better," answered Snap. "We carry no liquor of any +kind, only a little alcohol for special purposes." + +"Humph!" + +After the meal Shep got out some liniments for the tramp, but he said +he would try a good sleep first. He sought out a comfortable corner of +the shelter, and in a very few minutes was snoring away lustily. + +"He certainly takes things easy," said the doctor's son. + +"I believe he is thoroughly lazy, and a heavy drinker," answered +Giant, and hit the nail squarely on the head. + +"What are we to do with him?" questioned Snap. "We certainly don't +want him to stay at this camp." + +"Not much!" cried Whopper. "As soon as it clears off, we'll fix him up +some provisions and start him on his way." And this was decided upon +unanimously. + +During the afternoon it cleared off to such an extent that Snap and +Giant determined to go out for a short walk. + +"Let us put on our snowshoes," said Giant. "It will give all of us a +chance to get used to them." + +Snap was willing, and soon the boys had fastened on their snowshoes, +which were long and narrow and first-class in every particular. Both +had worn snowshoes before, but not sufficiently to feel thoroughly at +home on them. + +"Come on!" shouted Giant, who was the first ready, and off he started +in fine style, and soon Snap came after them. Shep and Whopper watched +them depart and then returned to the shelter, feeling still too tired +out to do, more than sit around and take it easy. + +Snap and Giant walked on through the woods until they came to a place +that showed quite a cleared spot. + +"Come on--I'll race you!" cried the smaller lad, and away he went as +fast as he could on his snowshoes, and Snap came after him. + +The two boys thought they were going over a level sheet of snow, but +it was down grade and soon they struck a small hollow. Over went Giant +on his face into the snow below, and an instant later Snap followed. + +"Whow!" spluttered the small youth, when he could make a sound. His +nose and mouth were filled with snow, and some was also down his +sleeve. "I say, this isn't so pleasant, Snap." + +"Pleasant! I should say not, Giant. Ugh! but this snow is cold!" + +"I can't get up!" + +"We'll have to do the best we can." + +With a great effort, Snap managed to rise to his feet again and then +he went to Giant's assistance. After that the two boys were careful +how they stepped out and so got along fairly well. + +"I don't think I'd care to travel more than a mile or two on +snowshoes," remarked Giant, as they turned back towards the Inn. "It +is too tiring on the ankles." + +When the two lads arrived at the shelter they were tired out and glad +enough to take off the snowshoes and hang them up. Shep and Whopper +wanted to know how it had felt to walk on snowshoes and they related +their experience. + +"We'll all have to go out to-morrow," said Whopper. "Just wait till +you see me walk! I'll wager I'll walk ten miles with ease." + +"Make it a hundred while you are at it," answered Shep. "I am not +saying what I shall do." + +"If we go out what is to be done with that fellow?" whispered Snap, +pointing to the sleeping form of Kiddy Leech. + +"I don't know," replied Whopper. "I don't like the idea of leaving him +alone in camp." + +When night came on they put some fresh logs on the fire and cooked +another meal of venison steak. Then, later on, they sat around the +blaze, talking and eating nuts and apples. The tramp slept on soundly +and they left him where he was, even when they retired. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN WHICH A TRAMP DISAPPEARS + + +"I know what I am going to do to-day," said Giant, on the following +morning. "I am going fishing through a hole in the ice. I am just +hungry for a bit of fresh fish for breakfast." + +"I want to fish myself," answered Whopper. "If you don't mind, I'll go +with you." + +Snap beckoned his chums to the outside of the shelter. The tramp still +lay on his couch but was awake. + +"Let us take turns at fishing," said the leader of the Gun Club, in a +low tone. "Two can fish and two watch the tramp,--until he clears +out." + +"Let us give him a hint that he is not wanted here," suggested Shep. + +"Will you give him the hint?" asked Giant. + +"Certainly--I am not afraid." + +They prepared breakfast, and when they were ready to sit down and eat +the tramp arose and stretched himself lazily. + +"That smell good," he said. "Reckon you've got some for me, eh?" + +"Yes, you can have your share," answered Shep. "After breakfast we'll +give you some lunch in a paper bag and then you can be on your way." + +"What, going to throw me out in such weather as this?" cried the man, +reproachfully. + +"The weather is all right to-day," put in Snap. + +"My back hurts a good deal." + +"I guess you are able to walk. We'll give you plenty of lunch, so you +won't starve." + +"It's hard lines on a fellow who hasn't a cent to his name," whined +the tramp. His manhood had evidently deserted him completely. + +The young hunters looked at each other questioningly. They did not +want to be hard on anybody who was in distress. Snap put his hand in +his pocket. + +"I'll give you a quarter," he said, and passed over the silver coin. + +"So will I," added Shep. And then Giant and Whopper also handed over +twenty-five cents each, making a dollar in all. + +"Much obliged," said Kiddy Leech, pocketing the silver with +satisfaction. "But if you don't mind, I won't start out until about +noon time. By then I reckon my back will I feel better." + +"Very well, make it noon then," said Snap. Giant and Whopper were soon +down on the ice. They took with them their fishing outfits and an axe. + +"I've got an idea we'll find pretty good fishing around yonder bend of +the shore," said Giant, pointing with his hand. + +Reaching a spot that looked favorable to them, they threw down their +fishing outfits and began to cut two holes in the ice, about fifty +feet apart. Cutting the ice was no light task, and they took turns +until they had each hole about a foot in diameter. + +"Now then to bait up," said Giant. + +He had prepared himself for this by cutting out certain portions of +the deer meat and small patches of the skin. He soon had his line in +trim for use, and with the aid of a light sinker allowed it to sink +close to the bottom of the lake. + +Whopper was using some bait brought from home, something Jed Sanborn +had said might be effective in luring the finny tribe. The two boys +stood by the holes patiently, waiting for a bite. + +Fully five minutes passed and Giant felt a small nibble. He pulled the +bait around a bit and then felt a sudden tug. Up came his line with a +rush, and out on the ice flopped a pickerel of fair size. + +"Hurrah! first haul!" sang out the small member of the Gun Club, +proudly. "Who says we can't catch something?" + +After that came another spell of silence and then Whopper gave a yank +on his line. Up came a good sized fish, but as it fell on the ice it +broke loose from the hook and flopped back into the water with a +splash that covered Whopper with the icy drops. + +"Oh, hang the luck!" gasped Whopper. "He got away and gave me a shower +bath in the bargain." + +"Wish I could get a maskalonge," said Giant. "Do you remember the big +one I caught last summer?" + +"Indeed I do," answered Whopper. "And I remember how the fish pulled +you overboard and nearly drowned you." + +They continued to fish and presently Whopper got another bite and +brought up a good-sized pickerel, of a variety that is known to many +as a lake trout. Then both boys got a second and a third bite, and +inside of an hour had a fair mess of fish to their credit. + +In the meantime Snap and Shep remained near the shelter, fixing up a +number of things. Shep made a fresh batch of bread dough and also +prepared a pot of beans and baked a plain cake. He likewise tried his +hand at an apple pie, but the crust was not right, and later on, when +the pie was tested, Whopper said the "lid" might do for a shingle but +not for eating. The cake, however, turned out well, and all of the +young hunters praised it. + +As Snap and Shep moved around, in and out of the shelter, Kiddy Leech +watched them closely, although without letting them see it. The tramp +had on his ragged overcoat and, when he got the chance, he put a +number of things into the pockets on the sly. + +Suddenly from the lake there came a loud shouting, and Snap and Shep +ran out to see what was the matter. + +"Maybe Giant and Whopper are in trouble," said the doctor's son. + +They ran out on the ice and then around the bend, to find those who +had been fishing running toward them. + +"We just saw some big game," panted Giant. "Get the rifle and the +shotguns!" + +"What game?" queried Snap. + +"At least a dozen deer, big ones," answered Whopper. "Oh, hurry. We'll +never get such a chance again!" + +"Did you really see a dozen?" asked Shep. + +"I saw five or six," answered Giant. + +"I saw more than that--right across the lake," came from Whopper. +"Hurry up!" + +With such game so close at hand the four boy hunters were in a fever +of excitement. All rushed to the shelter and got their firearms, +Whopper and Giant throwing their fish and lines in a heap on the +floor. For the time being the tramp was practically forgotten. + +"Where are you going?" he shouted after them. + +"After some deer. We'll soon be back," answered Snap. + +At that moment Shep sighted one of the deer--directly on the opposite +shore of the lake. But as soon as the game was seen it disappeared +from view. + +"They are there, sure enough," exclaimed the doctor's son. + +"Shall we go back for our skates?" asked Snap. + +"No, there isn't time." + +Without further words the four boy hunters started to cross Firefly +Lake, stepping as much as possible on the portions that did not look +extra slippery. Yet more than one went down with a thump, and this +delayed them not a little. + +"Where are the deer?" queried Snap, when the other side of the lake +was gained. + +All looked around, and while one went up the shore, another went down, +and then two hurried into the forest, which at this point was extra +thick. + +"Here are the tracks!" cried Snap, and began to run forward, with the +others close at his heels. + +But alas! the tracks soon came to an end, on a series of rocks which +the wind had swept clear of snow. Beyond this point the ground was so +uneven that progress was difficult. + +The boys gazed around in perplexity. They had expected some easy +shooting. Now the game was gone and they did not know where to look +for it. + +"May as well go back to camp," said Snap at last. "Remember, we left +that tramp in full possession." + +"Oh, let us look around a little longer," pleaded Giant. + +To please the small member of the Gun Club, the others remained in +that vicinity for quarter of an hour longer, looking in every possible +direction for the deer. But the animals had made themselves scarce, +and that was the end of it. + +"Too bad!" sighed Whopper. "I thought we'd get a full dozen this +time!" + +They had stirred up absolutely nothing in the way of game, and so +retraced their steps without firing a single shot. Nobody felt in +particularly good humor, and the walk back to camp was a rather silent +one. + +"Might better have kept at fishing," grumbled Whopper. + +"What did you get?" asked Shep, who had not taken time to look at the +catch. + +"Oh, we've got enough for several meals." + +"That's good." + +"I hooked one big fish, but he got away." + +"The big fish always do," remarked Snap, significantly. + +"Oh, I'm not exaggerating," growled Whopper. + +When they came in sight of the camp it looked particularly lonely. + +"It's a wonder Mr. Kiddy Leech didn't come out to welcome us," +remarked Giant. + +"He's too lazy," said Shep. "More than likely you'll find him snoring +in front of the fire." + +"He certainly is a lazy one," said Whopper. "We must clear him out +right away." + +They came up to the Inn and entered, to find the fire smouldering +dimly. The tramp was nowhere to be seen. + +"Hullo!" called Snap, but there was no response. + +"Maybe he went out to find us," suggested Giant. + +"Not much!" exclaimed Snap. "I don't like this," he went on. + +"What, Snap?" + +"Look around you and see what is missing." + +"Missing!" + +"That is what I said." + +At these words all made a hasty examination of their belongings. Some +underwear was gone, also a storm coat, and a number of other things. +The tramp had taken a game bag full of provisions, and the pair of +skates belonging to Snap. + +"He's a thief!" cried Giant. + +"I wish I had my hands on him," muttered Snap. + +"So do I," put in Whopper, to whom the storm coat belonged. + +"We must go after him, and at once," came from Shep. "He must not be +allowed to get away with the things he has taken!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SOMETHING OF A CHASE + + +"It is easy enough to say go after the tramp, but where are you going +to find him?" said Whopper. "We went after those deer, but we didn't +get any." + +"If he put on the skates, he must have taken to the lake," answered +Snap. "Anyway, I don't think it will hurt to look around." + +"Somebody ought to stay at camp and watch things," said Shep. +"Whopper, will you do that?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you can lend your skates to me, while I go after Mr. Kiddy +Leech," said Snap. + +So it was arranged, and a few minutes later Snap, Shep and Giant set +out to look for the tramp who had so unceremoniously disappeared. + +"If he took to skating he most likely went down to Lake Cameron," said +Snap. "From there he could get to the river and go wherever he +pleased." + +Once on the ice the three boys skated around on the lake until they +saw other skate marks. These they began to follow and soon saw that +they led down towards the neck that connected Firefly Lake with Lake +Cameron. + +"I believe he did not imagine we'd get back so soon," said Giant. "He +reckoned on getting over Lake Cameron to the river before we could +spot him." + +Wherever there was a ridge of snow on the ice they could see the marks +left by the tramp quite plainly. They skated with vigor, for they felt +that Kiddy Leech would do all in his power to escape. + +"He may be lazy, but he'll hump himself now," declared Shep. + +"And to think he'd do such a thing as this, afar what we did for him," +said Giant. "He can't have any sense of gratitude." + +On they went until they entered the rocky passage between the two +lakes. Here they had to walk through several ridges of snow and saw +that the tramp had done the same. + +Out on Lake Cameron the ice was tolerably free from snow, so it was +not so easy to follow the trail. But they watched the ice closely, and +kept their eyes open for the tiny scratches made by the skate runners. +At one point, in a snow drift, they saw where the tramp had taken a +tumble and rolled over. + +"Served him right," grumbled Snap. "I wish he had taken a dozen +falls." + +They were nearing the end of the lake when they swept around a curve +of the shore. At once, Snap, who was in the lead, set up a shout: + +"There he is!" + +"And skating for all he is worth!" added Shep. + +"Hi, you! stop!" yelled Giant. "Stop, you rascal!" + +At first Kiddy Leech did not hear, but presently, as they drew closer, +he turned in a startled way. Then he tried to skate harder than ever. + +"Stop where you are, or I'll shoot you!" called out Snap, who had +brought his shotgun along. + +"Don't shoot! Don't shoot!" yelled the tramp, in wild alarm. + +"Then stop," went on Snap. + +The tramp skated a few strokes more and then halted. Soon the three +boys swept up to him. + +"Don't shoot!" cried Kiddy Leech again. "It's--er--all a mistake. +I--er--I didn't mean any harm." + +"You didn't?" said Snap, indignantly. "No harm to steal our things? +You're a rascal if ever there was one. We ought to hand you over to +the authorities." + +"No! no. I--er--I wasn't stealing anything. It's all a joke. I was +coming back. I thought I'd scare you a little, that's all." + +"Hand over that game-bag," said Shep. + +"And that storm-coat," said Giant. + +"And my skates," put in Snap. "And all the other things you took. And +be quick about it, too." + +"You'll not go near our camp again," answered the leader of the Gun +Club. + +Finding himself surrounded, Kiddy Leech gave up the things he had +taken, including the skates. + +"Now hand over the money you got from us," continued Snap, sternly. + +"Why, can't I keep that?" + +"Not a cent of it." + +Kiddy Leech tried to, protest, but the young hunters would not listen +to what he had to say. + +"We ought to give you a good thrashing," said the doctor's son. "If we +were near town I'd have you arrested." + +"Don't you ever show your face near our camp again," said Giant, who, +even though small, was bound to have his say. + +"If you do, we'll make it red-hot for you," added Snap. + +Stripped of all he had taken, the tramp stood glaring at the boys in a +sullen manner. + +"I'll fix you for this," he began, when Snap cut him short. + +"Say another word and we'll thrash you good," he said. "Now get--just +as fast as you can walk." And he pointed toward the river. + +Muttering under his breath, Kiddy Leech moved on, and the three young +hunters watched him until a distant bend hid him from view. + +"Doesn't walk as if his back was lame," was Giant's comment. + +"Oh, I guess that was all put on--just to arouse our sympathy," +answered Snap. + +The boys turned back in the direction of their camp, talking about the +affair and glad that they had had no worse trouble in getting back +their things. In the meantime Kiddy Leech walked on, fast at first and +then more slowly, until Rocky River was reached. Here he came to a +dilapidated building once used as an ice-house and sat down on a bench +in the sun to rest. + +"I'm having bad luck right along lately," he muttered to himself. +"Thought sure I'd get away to-day with those things. Gee, but I'm glad +they didn't shoot me! That fellow they call Snap looked mad enough to +do it. And to think they took that money back too--after giving it to +me! Say, I'd like to fix 'em for that!" And he shook his head +savagely. + +Kiddy Leech had been sitting on the bench less than quarter of an hour +when he saw several boys coming along the frozen river on their +skates. He looked at them indifferently at first, but soon became +interested in two of the number. These boys were Ham Spink and Carl +Dudder. The third youth was Barney Hedge, one of Spink's cronies. + +"The same boys!" muttered the tramp to himself. + +"Hullo, look at the scarecrow!" called out Ham Spink, as he swept up +on an elegant pair of silver-plated hockey skates. + +"Wonder what cornfield he came from," put in Carl Dudder. + +"Got any old clo's' to sell!" cried Barney Hedge, imitating a street +merchant. + +Kiddy Leech scowled at the trio and said nothing at first. Then, as +Ham Spink threw a snowball at him, he arose and beckoned the boys +nearer. + +"I want to talk to you two," he said, motioning to Carl and Ham. + +"We haven't any money for you," answered Ham. + +"You can't get a drink out of me," added Carl Dudder. "And by the +way," he added suddenly. "You're the tramp my father fired out of our +barn one night last week." + +"That's true," answered Kiddy Leech, calmly. "But he won't do it +again." + +"I know he won't--you won't dare to come around," jeered Carl. + +"Humph! I We'll see about that, sonny. Maybe I'll call on your father +to-morrow." + +"The scarecrow is crazy," said Barney Hedge. + +"No, I ain't crazy. But I know a thing or so, and I want to talk to +you two in private," went on the tramp, and motioned again to Ham and +Carl. + +"What do you want?" asked Ham, curiously. He could see that the tramp +was not crazy. + +"Come here,--or send that other boy away." + +"Gosh, got a state secret, eh?" said Barney Hedge. "All right--I'll +keep out of it. If you want help, call," he added, as he circled away +to a distance. + +"What do you want anyway?" questioned Carl, half angrily. "We are not +in the habit of associating with tramps." + +"We are gentlemen's sons," added Ham, drawing himself up proudly. + +"Say, do gentlemen's sons blow up boathouses?" asked Kiddy Leech, in a +low but distinct tone. + +At this question consternation seemed to seize both Ham Spink and Carl +Dudder, and their faces grew pale as they stared at the tramp. + +"Wha--what's that?" stammered Ham, faintly. + +"I asked you if gentlemen's sons blew up boathouses." + +"What do you know about blowing up a boathouse?" asked Carl. + +"I don't know much about doing the job. But I saw one blown up not +long ago, and--" + +"And what?" came eagerly from Ham and Carl. + +"And I know you two boys did the job," finished Kiddy Leech, +significantly. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +AN EVIL COMPACT + + +For the next moment Ham Spink and Carl Dudder stared at the tramp in +amazement not unmixed with terror. + +"You--er--you saw us?" faltered Ham, at length. + +"I did." + +"You were mistaken," put in Carl. "You--" + +"No, I wasn't mistaken, for I saw you with the dynamite, and I saw you +go into the boathouse and then come out. And then--" + +"Hush, not so loud," interrupted Ham, looking over to where Barney +Hedge was skating up. + +"Then don't say I don't know anything about it," insisted Kiddy Leech. +"I know all about it. You two boys did the job, and nobody else." + +"Where were you?" asked Ham. + +"Oh, I was just knocking around." + +"You can't prove we did it," said Carl, a little of his courage +returning. + +"Can't I though? Just you try me and see. I don't know your names, but +I can soon find them out. I know you belong in Fairview." + +"Oh!" + +Ham's face grew pale again, and if the truth were known he was +trembling in his shoes. + +"Say, I--er--I don't want you to say anything about this to anybody," +he added, hastily. + +"Oh, I am not the kind to tell all I know," answered the tramp. + +"Thank you." + +"But it will cost you a trifle." + +"Eh?" + +"How much money have you got with you?" went on Kiddy Leech, calmly. + +"Only some change--less than a dollar." + +"How much have you got?" + +"What is that to you?" demanded Carl. + +"I want what you've got, that's all." + +"I'll not give it to you." + +"All right then, I'll walk to Fairview and tell what I know about that +explosion." + +"We'll say you did it!" cried Carl, struck by a sudden inspiration. + +"Won't do no good--I can prove you're guilty," answered Kiddy Leech. + +He spoke with such positiveness that both boys believed him, and after +a few words more both agreed to give him all the money they carried if +he would keep silent about the matter. + +"The boathouse wasn't worth anything," explained Ham. "We only knocked +it down to play a trick on some other boys we don't like." + +"Some other boys?" + +"Yes, some fellows who came up this way to go camping. They had their +traps stored in that boathouse." + +"Did those boys come to a camp up here?" asked the tramp, with +interest. + +"Yes." + +"What were their names?" + +"Snap Dodge, Shep Reed, a fellow called Whopper Dawson and a little +chap named Caslette." + +"Humph! the very same crowd," muttered Kiddy Leech. "So you played the +trick on them, eh? I am glad of it." + +"Say, what are you chaps gassing about anyway?" demanded Barney Hedge, +who was growing tired of waiting for his cronies. + +"Say, Barney, excuse us for awhile, will you," called out Ham, skating +towards his friend. "We want to find out something from this tramp. He +knows something about the Dodge crowd I am sure." + +"Oh! Well, I want to find out about them too," said Hedge and came +closer. + +"Don't say anything about the boathouse," whispered Ham Spink to Kiddy +Leech, to which the tramp replied with a knowing wink of his bleery +eye. + +"Have you been up to the Dodge camp?" questioned Carl Dudder. + +"Yes, and those chaps treated me shamefully," answered Kiddy Leech. "I +never touched a thing they had, yet they accused me of trying to steal +some of their traps." + +"Just like 'em," said Ham. "They are a mean set, every one of 'em. +What kind of a camp did they have, a regular log cabin?" + +"No, a sort of shelter patched up among some trees," and at this +information Ham and Carl winked at each other. + +"Thought we were to go up there some day and play a trick on them," +came from Barney Hedge, who, during the summer, had done his full +share of trouble-making for all of our friends. + +"How would you like to go to that camp and make trouble for that +crowd?" said Ham, to the tramp. + +"Me?" + +"Yes. We'd like to have their outing spoilt. We'd pay you for your +trouble." + +"Say, Ham, can you trust this fellow?" whispered Barney, half in +alarm. + +"I think so. He's only a tramp and he will do anything for a little +money. If he does the job we won't have to dirty our hands, and if he +gets into trouble we can deny that we had anything to do with it." + +This view of the matter suited Barney Hedge and also Carl Dudder, and +all joined in getting Kiddy Leech to tell them what our friends were +doing and how they were situated. Then it was suggested again to the +tramp that he go back to the vicinity of the camp on Firefly Lake and +make matters uncomfortable for the campers. + +"I'll do it, if you'll pay me what it is worth," said Kiddy Leech. +"But I can't go back to-day. It's too cold and I ain't dressed warm +enough. And I'll want some provisions." + +"I can get you some better clothing," said Carl Dudder. "I think one +of my father's old suits will fit you. Maybe I can get you an +overcoat, too." + +"I can get you some shoes, and a hat," said Barney Hedge. + +"I'll furnish the provisions, and we'll pay you some money," put in +Ham Spink. "Come along to Fairview if you want to." + +So it was agreed, and Kiddy Leech accompanied the young conspirators +back to the town. Here the tramp was given some more money, and he put +up at Bamling's Tavern, a low resort near the river. The boys brought +him the clothing and other things promised, and he had several talks +with them on what was to be done when he went back to the vicinity of +the camp on Firefly Lake. He promised to do all they wished; but on +the following day he was missing. + +"What do you suppose had become of him?" said Ham to Carl, in +considerable alarm. + +"I am sure I don't know, and Bamling says he doesn't know either," was +the answer. + +Ham Spink made numerous inquiries and soon learned from some rivermen +that Kiddy Leech had yielded to his weakness for strong liquor and +gone off on a spree. + +"We are out our money," he said to Carl Rudder, in disgust. "He'll +never do a thing for us, I am certain, and we dare not prosecute him." + +"Maybe he'll do what we want when he gets sober," answered Carl. "He +will want more money, and then we can tell him that he can't have a +cent until he goes up to the camp and does what we want him to." + +When at last they saw the tramp again he looked more battered and +disreputable than ever,--so much so, in fact, that the rather +fastidious youths were afraid of him. But he would not let them get +away from him, and insisted on keeping to the bargain that had been +made. + +"I am sorry I took to the liquor--but it's a weakness I get once a +year or so," he said blandly. "But I'll keep as sober as a judge now, +you see if I don't--no more drink for Kiddy Leech until this job is +done. All I want is what you promised to me, and you can rely on me +doing the rest." + +"We are not going to trust you," said Ham, putting on as bold a front +as he could, although he was trembling. "You go and do the work as +promised and we'll pay you afterwards." + +This did not suit Kiddy Leech, and a lively discussion followed, and +the matter was compromised. The tramp was given something of another +outfit and a third of the money promised to him, and he agreed to +accept the rest of the money when he had done the "job" at Firefly +Lake. + +"Mind you now," said Ham, "I want you to make it just as disagreeable +for that crowd as you possibly can. You can soak their firewood with +water, hide their guns and provisions, and fix it so the snow will +break in their roof--and things like that." + +"Oh, don't you worry," declared Kiddy Leech. "I'll make it so +uncomfortable for them that you'll see them back home in no time, mark +my words." + +"And see that they don't bring any game with them either," said Carl +Dudder. + +"I'll fix that too," answered the tramp. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +FUN IN THE CAMP + + +"Boys! wake up! Are you going to sleep all day?" + +It was Snap who called out. He had just crawled out of his cozy +sleeping place near the fire and looked at his watch. It was eight +o'clock. + +It was the morning after the day when they had had their trouble with +Kiddy Leech, and as they brought in some wood, stirred up the +smouldering camp-fire, they talked over what had occurred. + +"I don't think he'll bother us any more," said Shep. "He's too much of +a coward at heart." + +The boys had planned for a day "at home," as Snap put it. They were +going to try their hands at cake and candy making, and for dinner were +going to have baked turkey, beans and apple sauce. For breakfast Giant +and Whopper had prepared some of the fish caught through the ice, and +the repast proved a delicious one--quite a relief from the monotony of +game. + +All of the boys were in exceptionally good humor that day, whistling +and singing and "cutting up" generally. Right after breakfast they +opened up the Inn to let in some fresh air and during that period of +time had a snowball match, using as a target a saucepan lid set up on +a tree stump at a distance of a hundred feet. Each took ten trials and +Snap knocked the lid down seven times, Shep six times and Giant and +Whopper each five times. Then the boys got to snowballing each other, +running round the shelter for protection, and at last Giant followed +Shep inside, each carrying a chunk of snow. + +"Hi! that won't do!" sang out the leader of the club. "No snow allowed +inside. Come out, or I'll fine you each five sticks of wood." Which +meant that each culprit would have to go out into the woods and chop +down five fair sized sticks for firewood. This was a system of fines +Snap had instituted and it seemed to work very well. + +"No wood chopping in mine," called out Giant, and threw his snow +outside. Whopper attempted to do the same, but the chunk fell and +spread all over one of the couches. + +"Whopper you are fined five sticks, and you must at once clean the +couch, before the snow melts," said Snap. + +"Just my luck," grumbled Whopper. "Every time I start out for fun I +end up with a funeral!" Yet he set to work willingly, whistling as +merrily as ever. + +The sport at an end, all of the boys set to work, cake and candy +making. They cracked some of the nuts taken from the squirrels' hiding +places and then while Snap and Giant made a big nut cake, Shep and +Whopper made nut candy. The boys had learned the work at home (for +camp purposes) and the results were decidedly appetizing. In the +meantime the turkey was roasting, and then Snap and Shep peeled some +apples for apple sauce. + +"Listen!" cried Whopper. "Am I mistaken, or did I hear a whistle?" + +All listened and from a distance heard a clear, sharp whistle, thrice +repeated. They knew that signal well, and all rushed to the doorway of +the shelter, getting in a jam in consequence. + +"I'm the one to get out ahead!" cried the Giant, and the small form +slipped deftly between the others. "Hullo, Jed Sanborn! How are you?" + +"Hullo, yourself!" came from off the ice of the lake, as the +well-known old hunter strode forward. "Thought I'd find you to hum--by +the look of the smoke from your chimbley." + +"Where did you come from, Fairview?" + +"Yes,--got letters fer all of you." + +"Oh, letters!" was the cry, and then all the young hunters rushed +forward to shake hands and escort the old hunter into the shelter. Jed +Sanborn looked around in perplexity. + +"Why, say, this ain't the camp I expected," he stammered. + +"The other was burnt down when we got here," answered Snap. + +"Burnt down? 'T wasn't burnt down when I was here last, lad." + +"So you told us. It must have been burnt down after that. The work of +some enemy," put in Shep. + +"You don't suspect Felps, do you?" + +"Either he or the Ham Spink crowd," answered Whopper. + +"Humph! Dog mean, wasn't it? Some fellers is too mean to live. Say, +that turkey smells good. Ain't starvin' none, eh?" + +"Not a bit of it," declared Giant. "We've got more than enough." + +"Then kin I get dinner?" + +"A dozen of them!" cried Snap. + +They made Jed Sanborn make himself at home, and then read with +pleasure the letters. All was going along well at Fairview, and the +boys were cautioned to take good care of themselves. + +"We must send letters in return," said Shep, and this was agreed to +instantly, and the communications were pencilled that afternoon. + +Jed Sanborn had quite some news to tell, and he listened with interest +to the tale the young hunters had to relate about their various quests +of game. His brow darkened when they related their experience with +Kiddy Leech. + +"Sech rascals ought to be run out o' the deestrict," he observed. "An' +I'd like the job of runnin' 'em out. I hope he doesn't bother you +again." + +It was one o'clock when the Gun Club and their guest sat down to their +turkey dinner. All took their time over the repast, and as a +consequence the meal was not finished until some time after two. Then +they took it easy, while Jed Sanborn told them a story about a bear +hunt, and how he had once gone fishing on the St. Lawrence and got +caught in the rapids. + +"It's snowing again!" called out Shep, who chanced to go out, to bring +in some more firewood. "Coming down pretty thick, too, I can tell +you!" + +"I allowed it was going to snow before nightfall," answered Jed +Sanborn. "I'll take a look at the sky myself." + +As a man who spent nearly all of his life out of doors, he was keenly +interested in the weather at all times. He studied the sky carefully +for several minutes and then shook his head. + +"What do you think?" was Whopper's query. "Going to snow all night, I +reckon--an' putty good too." + +On account of the snow, it grew dark rapidly, and they had to stir up +the fire for light as well as for warmth. Jed had brought with him a +small bag of corn for popping, and also a popper, something Shep had +meant to bring but had forgotten. While some of the boys cleared away +what was left of the meal, Giant and the old hunter popped a pan full +of corn, and of this and the cake, candy, and apples they made, later +on, what they termed supper. + +"My! but it is snowing to beat the cars!" exclaimed Whopper, as he +looked out of the shelter before retiring. "Can't see the end of your +nose. I'll bet the snow will be eight or ten feet high by morning." + +The evening was spent in playing various games and in singing some of +the home songs. The boys could sing fairly well and Jed Sanborn +listened with pleasure. + +"Wish I could sing myself," he said. "But I ain't got no more voice +nor a black crow." + +At last it came time to turn in, and they provided the old hunter with +a comfortable corner. The fire was fixed for the night, and presently +all went to sleep, little thinking of the excitement so close at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AN UNEXPECTED PERIL + + +The snow continued to come down thickly. The weather had moderated to +a great extent and this made the snow heavy and clinging. It came down +on the shelter steadily until the top of Birch Tree Inn resembled the +top of some large sugar-coated cake. + +The roof of the shelter was not as strong as it should have been, for +the young hunters were amateurs in the construction of such an affair. +It held up bravely until the weight of snow became too heavy, and then +it began to bend lower and lower and commenced to snap and crack, as +one tree after another gave way. + +The boys and the old hunter slept on, unconscious of their danger, +until an extra loud crack awoke Whopper. The lad sat up, looked around +him and listened. Then came another snap. + +"Must be a log on the fire," said Whopper to himself. "But it didn't +seem to come from there. Perhaps--Oh!" + +Whopper heard a crack directly over his head, then down came a heap of +snow that all but buried him. + +"Hi! Wake up, everybody!" he yelled, in alarm. "The roof is coming +down!" + +"What's that?" called Jed Sanborn, rolling out of his blanket and +struggling to his feet, only to be hurled flat by the snow that came +down on his head. + +By this time the boys were all awake and trying to get up. They heard +several cracks, and then more snow came down and with it several +sticks of good size. + +"We must get out! If we don't we'll be hurt!" cried Whopper. "Come +on," and he leaped for the doorway, which had been well closed, to +keep out the cold. + +Before Whopper could gain the outer air the entire roof of the shelter +seemed to come down, and Snap and Shep were buried beneath the ruins. +Giant was caught against the wall, not far from the rude chimney. Jed +Sanborn reached the doorway, and he and Whopper managed to push down +the barrier and leap outside. + +Some of the snow tumbled into the fire and this created a smoke which +all but stifled poor Giant, who, for several minutes could hardly +move. In the meantime Snap and Shep were flat on their breasts, trying +to squirm from under the mass that was pressing them to the earth. + +"The others have been caught!" exclaimed Whopper, in horror, as he +gazed behind him. "Oh, what shall we do?" + +"Tear the stuff apart as fast as we can," answered the old hunter, and +set the example by springing back and pulling on branches, poles and +chunks of snow. Whopper set in to do likewise, and the pair labored +like Trojans for several minutes. Then they caught sight of Snap and +actually hauled him from the wreckage feet first! + +"Who's out and who's caught?" demanded Snap, as soon as he could +speak, and having learned he went on: "We must get Shep and Giant out, +before the fire reaches them!" + +"Help! help!" came faintly from Giant. + +"Where are you?" asked Snap. + +"Here--next to the chimney. I am wedged fast. The smoke is choking +me!" + +"We'll git him out!" spoke Jed Sanborn, who had not stopped in his +labors, and he pitched in harder than ever, with Whopper and Snap +doing all they could to aid him. Snap had his face and one hand badly +scratched, but paid no attention, just then, to the blood which was +flowing from the wounds. + +It was not long before the three outside were able to aid Shep. Using +all his strength, which was considerable, Jed Sanborn held up a +portion of the fallen roof and Shep crawled forth until Whopper and +Snap could get hold of him and raise him up. He had suffered but +little, although the breath had been forced out of him. + +"Get poor Giant!" were the first words. "Don't--don't mind me. I'll be +all ri-right when I--I get m-my wind!" + +The others were already laboring to release Giant. Through the tangle +of branches the smoke was pouring, for more snow had fallen on the +fire. + +"Giant, can't you turn and get some air through the cracks of the +side?" called out Whopper. + +"That's what I am trying to do, but I am caught fast," was the +gasped-out answer. + +"I'll try to do something around near the chimney," said Jed Sanborn. +"Where's the axe?" + +It was given to him and soon he was at work close to where Giant was +held a prisoner. Fortunately a slender tree of the shelter frame was +located at this point and a few well-directed blows cut it off. Then +Jed shoved the tree upward, thus making a hole through which Giant +fell rather than crawled. + +"Are you burnt?" asked Whopper and Shep, in a breath. + +"No, but I am about ha-half smoked!" declared the smaller member of +the Gun club and coughed. + +"Boys, we must put the fire out, or all of your things will be +ruined," said Jed Sanborn. "I reckon I know how to do the trick, now +Giant and the rest are out." + +"How?" asked several. + +"Fill up the chimney with snow." + +This was a good idea and soon, by forcing the snow down the chimney, +they had the fire all but out. Of course it smoked a great deal, but +this did little damage. + +It was three o'clock in the morning and the snow was coming down as +thickly as ever. They scarcely knew what to do, until Jed Sanborn +suggested they build a camp-fire outside. + +"So long as you've got plenty of firewood why not use it?" said he. +"We want a light, too." + +"Here is the acetylene gas lamp," said Snap, picking it up from where +it had fallen, near the doorway. + +"And the can of carbide," added Shep. "This will help us to start a +fresh fire, even if the wood is wet," he continued. + +"How?" questioned Jed Sanborn, who had never used such a "new-fangled +consarn," as he called the bicycle lamp. + +"I'll show you," answered Shep. "Just heap up some of the wood, with +the little sticks on the bottom." + +The wood was heaped up and then, in a hollow in the snow underneath, +Shep dumped out some of the carbide from the can. Then he lit a match, +held it to the snow, to melt the latter a little, and up blazed the +gas, at first slowly and then more furiously, until the fire was +roaring. + +"Why, how is that!" cried the old hunter. "Never knew snow to set fire +to anything in my life." + +"It is very simple, Jed," explained Shep. "As soon as the snow melts +it turns to water, and the water, soaking the carbide, generates +acetylene gas, which burns about the same as gas in a city." + +"Well, it's an easy way to start a camp-fire," was the old hunter's +comment. "I've had lots o' trouble sometimes, when the wood was wet as +it is now." + +The roaring fire made matters a little more cheerful, yet the boys +felt discouraged, with the roof of the shelter broken down. Jed +Sanborn did all in his power to cheer them up. + +"When you go camping like this you can't expect everything to go jest +right," he said. "You have to take the lean with the fat an' the +bitter with the sweet. Now, I knowed a crowd o' men went camping out +in the North Woods a few years ago. First one of the men took sick an' +had to go home, then the boat they had got to leakin' so they couldn't +use it, then came a forest fire, and in running away one of 'em up an' +broke his leg. Thet was an outin' fer you!" + +"Thanks, but I'd rather stay home," said Snap. "But I believe +you,--there is no use of crying over spilt milk, as the saying goes. +What do you advise?" + +"Cleaning out the place and puttin' up a good, strong roof. We can do +it by night." + +"Night!" cried Whopper. "What is it now but night?" + +"No, it's morning, lad, but rather early, I admit." + +Under the old hunter's directions they went to work, and by seven +o'clock had the shelter cleaned out. This gave them a chance to get at +their stores and also use the fireplace once more, and they cooked a +fish breakfast and made a generous pot of coffee and another of +chocolate. + +"We'll cut all these branches away and then build a regular pole +roof," said Jed Sanborn. "Build it right and it will withstand any +pile o' snow you kin git on it." + +He told them just what poles to cut and how to place them, and showed +them the best way to put in strips of bark and bind the whole +together. By nightfall they had the new roof finished, and all of the +boys admitted it was much better than the other roof had been. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + + +Jed Sanborn had promised to remain long enough in the camp to go out +on at least one deer hunt with them, and, on the following day, the +whole party started out, shutting up the shelter as best they could, +so that no wild animals might get inside during their absence. + +The snow had ceased to come down. It covered the ground to the depth +of a foot and a half on the level and Jed said it was just the right +kind of weather for deer. + +"If we spot 'em they won't have much chance to git away," he told +them, "They can't run in sech deep snow nohow." + +Of course they went on their snowshoes. Jed had brought his own +along--a pair rather the worse for wear, but on which he covered the +snow as rapidly as any of them. He said he had frequently been out on +snowshoes for days at a time and they did not bother him in the least. +He grinned when Shep took a tumble, but aided the lad to arise without +any comment. + +The old hunter had seen some deer at a place called Doorknob Valley, a +hollow to the southwest of Firefly Lake, and led them in that +direction. The trail was by no means an even one, and often they had +to force their way through bushes half buried in the snow. + +It was noon before they came in sight of Doorknob Valley, with some +hills running around one side and a series of cliffs and rough rocks +and scrub pines on the other. To the boys' dismay, not a deer was in +sight. Snap looked questioningly at the old hunter. + +"I think we'll find 'em somewhere around here," said Jed. "Come, +follow me, and don't make any noise. I haven't seen a winter yet when +there weren't deer in Doorknob Valley." + +They pressed on, over one of the hills, and then towards the cliffs +and rough rocks. Soon Jed held up his hand. + +"Have you spotted any?" whispered Shep, eagerly. + +The old hunter nodded, and then pointed to the edge of one of the +cliffs. Under, in something of a shelter, they could see several deer +and not far away a big, sturdy buck, all feeding on some tender +saplings which they were stripping of bark. + +"Oh, what a shot!" whispered Giant, excitedly. + +"We'll try to git a bit closer," said Jed Sanborn. "But don't make any +noise, or we'll have to follow 'em until they get winded." + +Hardly daring to breathe after that, the boys followed the old hunter +in and out among the cliffs and rough rocks. This was the hardest part +of the journey and both Snap and Whopper went down, the latter twice, +much to his disgust. + +"Now, don't make a sound," cautioned Jed Sanborn. "And don't show +yourselves till I tell you to." + +They were passing down between the rough rocks, and soon came to a +spot where there were several thick clumps of bushes. Here the old +hunter went ahead again. Then he motioned for the boys to drop down +low and they did so. Peering forth through the bushes they could now +see the deer close at hand. The big buck, however, was not visible. + +"Where is the buck?" whispered Snap in Jed's ear. The young leader of +the Gun Club wished very much to lay that magnificent beast low. + +The old hunter pointed to a nearby cliff. + +There was the buck, standing between two saplings, eating the bark of +one and rubbing himself against the other. + +"Can I hit him, do you think?" went on Snap. + +"You can try. But wait." + +In a low tone Jed Sanborn instructed the lads to aim and fire to the +best advantage. Each was to shoot at his own game, and Sanborn said he +would take a shot or two afterwards. + +"I'll give the word," said the old hunter. "Are you all ready?" + +They were, and he ordered them to fire. Bang! bang! bang! went the +three shotguns, and crack! went the rifle. The deer Shep had aimed at +was killed outright and the two aimed at by Giant and Whopper were +badly wounded. The buck, upon which Snap had tried his skill, was hit +in the flank, and he gave a snort of rage as he swung around, breaking +one of the saplings as he did so. + +"Hurrah, I've got one!" cried Shep, in exultation. + +"Mine is down, but it isn't dead," said Giant. + +"Neither is mine, but I guess we can get 'em both," answered Whopper. +And then the lads ran forward to secure the two struggling deer, that +were floundering furiously in the snow. + +Snap had turned toward the buck, but now he got a sudden attack of +"buck fever" as it is called and stood stock still, with eyes staring +from his head. + +"Look out there, he'll horn you!" yelled Jed Sanborn, and raised his +gun to fire. But as he did so, Shep bumped against him, and the +buckshot intended for the buck only rent the empty air. + +By this time the buck was less than a hundred feet from where Snap was +standing. That he was wild with rage could be seen from the look out +of his wide-open and bloodshot eyes. He lowered his antlers, as if to +pierce poor Snap through and through. + +"Run! run!" yelled Shep. "Run, Snap!" + +It was then that Snap awoke to the peril which confronted him, and +turning, he made a leap to one side and around a clump of the bushes. +The buck turned too, and at that moment Jed Sanborn discharged the +second barrel of his shotgun, this time taking the game in one of the +rear legs. + +For the moment the buck was halted and he raised the wounded leg and +let out a moan of pain. Then his fury increased, and with a mighty +effort he arose in the air, intending to leap directly over the clump +of bushes and on top of Snap. + +But now Shep was ready for another shot and he let drive at the buck, +hitting him along the left side. This served to bring the leap to a +halt in midair, and doubling up, the buck sank down directly in the +midst of the bushes. + +"Good for you!" shouted Snap, and rushing forward he, too, took a +second shot. This was too much for the buck, and crashing out of the +bushes he rolled over and over and then stretched out, dead. + +It was fully five minutes before the excitement was at an end. Snap +was a trifle pale. + +"What a narrow escape!" he murmured. "I thought sure he was going to +horn me!" + +"A buck will fight sometimes and when he does he's as ugly as any +critter on four legs," said Jed Sanborn. "I might have fixed him with +my first shot only Shep bumped into me. But I know he didn't mean to +do it," added the old hunter hastily. + +"I didn't see you--I was looking at the other deer," explained the +doctor's son. + +"Can we get any more of 'em?" demanded Whopper. + +"Whopper always wants a dozen or two," laughed Giant. + +"No more deer to-day, lad," said Jed Sanborn. "I think we have had +remarkable luck. Why, sometimes a crowd like this can tramp all day +and not get a sight of a deer. As it is, we're going to have some fun +getting our game home." + +"Oh, we can't carry such a load!" cried Giant. + +"We'll cut some drags and get 'em to camp that way," said the old +hunter. + +He pointed out two saplings which might do for drags, and they cut +them down with the axe the old hunter had brought along. Then they +placed the two largest of the deer on one and the buck and the +smallest deer on the other, thus making the loads about even. Some of +the branches of the saplings had been cut off, so that they trailed +over the snow rather flatly, which was what was desired. + +They had brought lunch with them, and before they started on the +return they built a small campfire and made themselves a pot of +chocolate, something of which Jed was exceedingly fond. + +"I don't go much on candy," said he, "but chocolate seemed to hit the +spot, better'n coffee or tea." + +"I like them all," answered Snap. + +The repast over, they started on the return, Jed helping with first +one drag and then the other. He also pointed out what he thought would +be the easiest route to follow. This was over two hills. + +"Well have to climb, but we won't fall down between any o' the rocks," +he said. "It's dangerous walking over rocks with snow on 'em, for if +you go down in a hollow you're liable to twist an ankle or break a +leg." + +"We certainly don't want any accidents," said Shep. + +"How the eyes of Ham Spink and his crowd would stick out if they knew +we had bagged so much game!" exclaimed Whopper. "If they had such luck +they'd never get done talking about it." + +"Do you think they'll come out this winter?" questioned Giant. + +"I don't know," answered Snap. "If they do come out I hope they keep +away from us." + +"So do I," put in the doctor's son. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +SHOOTING WILD DUCKS + + +When the boys and Jed Sanborn reached camp a surprise awaited them. +Seated at a small fire in front of Birch Tree Inn was an elderly man +dressed in the outfit of a mountain guide. + +"Why, it's Jack Dalton!" cried Shep. + +"Hullo, boys!" called the man at the fire, rising. "Thought as how +you'd be back some time to-day. How are ye, Jed?" he added, to the old +hunter. + +Jack Dalton, as my old readers know, was a guide of that vicinity, +well known to all the inhabitants for miles around. He had visited the +boys' camp during the summer and had been friendly in more ways than +one. + +"Thought I might get a shakedown here for the night," said Jack +Dalton. "Been hoofing it sence five o'clock this morning--over from +Philbrook's preserve--and I'm too tuckered out to make Fairview." + +"Certainly you can stay with us," answered Snap. "Had any luck?" + +"A few rabbits and some ducks, that's all. Gee shoo! Do you mean to +say you got them deer an' that buck to-day?" + +"We did." + +"Gosh all hemlock! No wonder a feller like me can't get nuthin! That's +rare luck; eh, Jed?" + +"It was," answered the old hunter. "They don't expect to do it again +in a hurry." + +The shelter was opened up and all went inside and prepared a generous +supper. Jack Dalton insisted upon giving the boys one of the ducks he +had brought down, in return for the accommodations received. On their +part they gave the guide a generous chunk of venison, for which he was +exceedingly thankful. + +"I'd like to go out duck shooting," said Whopper. "It would be +something different." + +"No ducks around Firefly Lake," answered Giant. "I asked Jed." + +Jack Dalton was questioned and said that there were plenty of wild +ducks below the Philbrook preserve--at a locality known as the +Marshes--and he told them how to get there. + +"But you want to be careful about walking over the Marshes," he said. +"In the summer time there are lots of bog holes, an' it ain't none too +safe in the winter time." + +As Jack Dalton was going on to Fairview with Jed Sanborn, it was +decided by the boys to send the buck and one of the other deer home, +which would be easy, with two men to draw the load. All spent a +comfortable night in camp, nothing coming to disturb them. Breakfast +was a substantial one, and by nine o'clock Jed and Dalton set off with +their load, the old hunter also carrying various letters for the folks +at home. The boys went out on the lake to see them off, and gave them +a rousing cheer on parting. + +"Tell everybody we are having the time of our lives," shouted Snap +after the pair. + +There was more snow in the air, and the young hunters spent the +remainder of that day in camp, cleaning the game they had brought in +and also their firearms, and mending a couple of snowshoes that had +become a little broken. A portion of the chimney also needed +attention, and before they knew it, night was once more upon them. + +"I'll tell you what," said Snap. "Out here the time seems to fairly +fly." + +"Boys, do you realize that day after to-morrow is Christmas," came +from Whopper. + +"So it is!" was the cry. + +"Gracious, I almost forgot about it!" + +"We must celebrate!" + +"Sure thing! Oh, we'll have a dandy time. We can have fish, fowl and +venison, and pudding and cake and nuts and apples, and lots of good +things," finished Giant. + +"Let us go duck hunting to-morrow and spend Christmas here," said the +doctor's son, and so it was agreed. + +Everything was prepared for an early start, and the four boy hunters +were "up and doing" by seven o'clock in the morning. + +"Phew! but ain't it cold!" ejaculated Snap, as he slapped his hands +together. "I didn't calculate on such a drop in the thermometer." + +It certainly was freezing weather and they bundled up well before +leaving the shelter. As before, they shut up tightly, to keep out all +wild animals. The deer and other game had been hung high by ropes from +several tree limbs. + +Of course all were on snowshoes, and they carried in their game-bags +provisions enough for two good meals. Every day they found walking on +snowshoes easier, and all got over the ground, or rather snow, very +well. + +Once over the hills back of Firefly Lake, they took to a route that +was new to them, leading through a heavy belt of spruce timber and +then over a sloping stretch running down to the lowlands. On the way +they stirred up some rabbits and Whopper could not resist the +temptation to bring one of them low. + +"Now I won't have to go back empty-handed, even if I don't see another +thing," he declared. + +It was fully noon by the time they reached the edge of the Marshes, +wide stretches of lowlands, dotted here and there with clumps of +bushes. At a great distance they heard gunshots, but failed to +discover the gunners. + +They tramped on to a point where Jack Dalton had said the wild ducks +were apt to be found. The wind was coming up, and out in this wide +open plain it cut like a knife. + +"We won't want to stay out here more than an hour or two," said Shep. +"My backbone feels like an icicle!" + +"Do you know what I think?" said Giant. "I think it is going to snow." + +"So do I," came from Whopper. + +A few minutes later the first flakes fell, and fearful that the snow +would interfere with their sight of any wild ducks they hurried +forward until they reached a circle of bushes Jack Dalton had +mentioned. + +"Wait, I see some ducks!" cried Giant. "See, they are rising and +coming this way!" + +"Be quick!" cried Snap, and brought around his shotgun. The others +also aimed their weapons, and as the wild ducks sailed almost over +them they let drive in a scattering volley. Two of the ducks were +killed outright and came straight down, while a third circled around +badly wounded. The others swept out of range before any harm could be +done to them. + +"We've got two, anyway," said Shep. + +"I'm going after that wounded one!" cried Whopper, and went off on his +snowshoes behind the fluttering game. The duck touched the snow and +then arose again and did this several times. Giant followed Whopper, +bound to get the third duck if it was possible to do so. + +"Beware of holes!" yelled Snap, after the pair. "Remember what Jack +Dalton said!" + +The others were too interested in pursuing the wounded duck to pay +attention to his words. Thinking he saw a chance, Whopper discharged +his weapon but it did no damage. Then Giant took a shot, and this was +likewise of no avail. + +"Gracious, ducks seem to be harder to hit than deer!" cried the +smaller member of the Gun Club. "It will get away after all, Whopper!" + +"Not if I know it," was the reply. "Come on!" + +The pair continued to run, until fully a hundred yards more had been +covered. The wounded duck had now fluttered down into some bushes and +both felt sure they would be able to bag it. So eager were they that +they did not notice the softness of the snow before them until, +without warning, they sank up to their knees. + +"Hi! what's this?" sputtered Whopper, as he floundered around. + +"We're in a hole!" gasped Giant. "Say, we had better get back!" + +They tried to turn back, but it was impossible, and soon both young +hunters were up to their waists and then to their breasts. They forgot +all about the wounded duck and began to call lustily for help. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A TOUCH OF A BLIZZARD + + +"Those boys ought to be more careful," said Snap, as he watched Giant +and Whopper plunge along after the wounded duck. + +"Well, you told them to beware of holes," answered Shep. + +The two ducks that had been killed were picked up and put in the +game-bags, and then Snap and Shep started to follow their comrades, +but at a more moderate rate of speed. + +"Hark! they are calling for help!" exclaimed the leader of the Gun +Club, a moment later. + +"They are in a hole!" said the doctor's son. "Look, I can just see +their heads!" + +"We must help them out! My! how the wind is blowing!" + +The increase in wind was rapid and by the time Snap and Shep drew +close to where Whopper and Giant were still floundering, it carried +the loose snow around in a perfect whirlwind. + +"Can't you crawl out?" asked Snap, coming as close as he dared. + +"Every time we try we seem to sink deeper!" gasped Giant. + +"Then keep still and I'll aid you," answered the leader of the Gun +Club. "Come, Shep." + +"What we you going to do?" + +"I'll show you. Be quick." + +Walking to the nearest bushes, Snap cut them down with the hatchet he +had insisted upon carrying. Shep now understood, and both lugged the +bushes to the edge of the fast sinking snow. Then more bushes were +brought, and at last, almost exhausted, Giant and Whopper crawled +forth on their hands and knees, their snowshoes held in the air. Then +they got up on their feet and lost no time in gaining a point of +safety. + +"I told you to be careful," said Snap, rather severely. "And Jack +Dalton warned you, too. It is a lucky thing you didn't sink into the +marsh up to your head." + +"We were after the duck and didn't think," answered Whopper. "But you +can bet I'll be careful next time." + +"So will I be careful," came from Giant. "Where's the duck?" + +"Flew away--I saw it," answered Shep. "Gracious, how the wind is +rising!" he added, pulling his coat collar closer to his neck. "It's +going to be a hammer of a snowstorm." + +"I think we had better get off the Marshes," said Snap, after a look +at the sky and the whirling snow. "This looks to me as if it was going +to turn into blizzard." + +"Going to leave with only two ducks?" asked the doctor's son. "It +seems a pity--after tramping such a distance, too!" + +"Maybe we'll strike some more going back," said Snap, cheerfully. + +All of the young hunters were willing to leave the Marshes, for the +increasing wind made the situation decidedly unpleasant. When they +turned back they had both the wind and the pelting snow in their faces +and could scarcely see where they were going. + +"Isn't this fierce!" gasped Shep, after they had walked less than +fifty yards. "I never felt the wind blow so strongly!" + +"We get the full sweep of it out here," answered Shep. "It won't be so +bad when we reach the timber again." + +The mind was fairly whistling around them now. They could not tell how +much snow was falling, for much of it was caught up from where it lay +and sent hurtling along, now in straight dashes and then in mad +circles that blinded and bewildered them. More than once they had to +turn around to catch their breath and clear their eyes. + +"I wish we we-were to th-the timber!" gasped Giant. "I feel as if the +wind was going to pick me up and carry me away!" + +"Let us keep close together," said Whopper. "There is no telling what +will happen with such a wind tearing down upon us." + +They were all scared and with good reason, for to be caught in a +blizzard on that wide stretch of marshland was a serious matter. +Sticking as closely together as possible they hurried on, as fast as +the gale and the flying snow would permit. The air was growing darker +and heavier every moment. + +"Are you sure you are heading for the timber?" questioned Whopper, +presently. "I must confess I am completely turned around." + +"So am I," added Shep. + +"I--I think the timber is in that direction, but I am not certain," +answered the leader of the club, pointing with his hand. + +All stared around them in bewilderment. They scarcely knew how to +turn. + +"Well, one thing is sure, we can't stay here," said Shep. "Come on," +and he started off in the direction his chum had pointed out. + +"Mind you, I don't say I am right," called out Snap. + +"We'll go that way anyhow--if we can make it," said Whopper. + +It was slow traveling, and they had to rest frequently, for the wind +seemed to fairly take the breath out of their bodies. Once they came +up to a clump of bushes and were half tempted to make a prolonged stop +there. But Snap demurred very strongly. + +"It won't do, fellows," he said. "The snow is piling up fast and the +bushes will be snowed under in another hour or two. We have got to +reach the timber somehow. It's our only chance of safety." + +Again they struggled on, so out of breath and weak they could scarcely +draw one snowshoe after the other. Giant fell down and had to be +raised up. + +"I--I am afraid I ca--can't go another step!" he blurted out. "I am as +we--weak as a--a cat!" + +"We'll help you," said Snap, kindly. "Come, Shep, you take one arm and +I'll take the other. Whopper can go in front, to break the force of +the wind for us." + +At the end of ten minutes more all were ready to drop. They were +numbed with the cold and their breath came in quick, short gasps. It +looked as if they must give up and perish. + +"Oh, if only we were back at camp!" sighed Whopper. + +"Don't give up!" urged Snap. He stopped and gazed over his left +shoulder. "Am I mistaken, or is that a tree yonder?" + +"I'll soon see," answered Shep and turned in that direction. "Yes, +it's a tree and the timber is back of it!" he cried in delight. + +This announcement put renewed courage in the young hunters, and once +again they struggled on against the fierce wind, which was now blowing +little short of a hurricane. The trees came into sight dimly through +the swirling whiteness, and a minute later they sank down under the +overhanging boughs of a big spruce. + +"Safe at last!" murmured Shep. + +"Oh, how glad I am of it!" added Giant. "I--I thought we'd be +lo--lost sure!" + +"We must have a fire, first of all," said Snap. "My feet are half +frozen already!" + +"I brought some carbide along, so we can easily start a blaze," added +Whopper. "But we've got to be careful in such a wind as this. Just +listen!" + +They listened, and it made them shiver to hear the shrieking of the +wind as it went ploughing through the forest, often snapping off a +bough here or a tree top there. The spruce they were under bent and +swayed, but it was strong and healthy and it did not give way. + +Leaving his companions for a few minutes, Snap did his best to look +around the vicinity. He could see but little, but made out three big +trees growing somewhat close together on the edge of the marshland. At +one side of the trees was an irregular rock five or six feet in +height. + +"That will have to do," he told himself, and called for his companions +to join him. But they did not hear, owing to the raging of the storm, +and he had to go after them. + +"We'll fix up some sort of shelter among the trees," he said. "And we +can build a fire against that rock. Let us get to work at once, before +it grows colder and the snow gets worse." + +The brief respite had rested them, and while Whopper and Giant cut +some wood and built a fire, Snap and Shep broke down some spruce +branches and piled them up around the clump of trees. Then they kicked +up the snow into something of a wall leading from the side of the rock +to the nearest tree. + +"There, now we can keep fairly warm if nothing else," said the leader +of the Gun Club. + +It was still very dark and the fire did little to dispel the gloom, +the wind having a tendency to blow the smoke in several directions at +once. But the fire kept them fairly warm and for that they were +thankful. + +"If this isn't a blizzard it is next door to it," remarked the +doctor's son, as he gazed at the display of the elements. "And the +worst of it is, there is no telling how long it is going to last." + +"Will we be snowed in?" asked Whopper. + +"It looks like it." + +"And with nothing but a rabbit and two ducks!" cried Giant. "Boys, it +doesn't look as if Christmas was going to be such a cheerful day after +all." + +"Never mind Christmas," put in Snap. "Let us be thankful if we are not +snowbound so completely that we starve to death!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A REMARKABLE CHRISTMAS NIGHT + + +Night came on rapidly after that, and with the coming of utter +darkness the fury of the elements appeared to increase. The wind +shrieked and whistled through the timber and hummed in the tops of the +spruces overhead. Occasionally they would hear a crash, as some mighty +tree would be laid low, and they trembled for fear the storm would +damage their shelter. + +They were tremendously hungry and ate rather more of the lunch brought +along than Snap thought right. One of the ducks was cleaned and +broiled with care and half of the meat divided into four equal shares. +For drinking water they melted some snow, a little at a time, in a +drinking cup. + +After the meal there remained nothing to do but to mind the fire and +go to sleep. They took turns at watching the blaze, each boy remaining +on guard two hours. + +All night long the storm raged and the snow came down as thickly as +ever. As a consequence, when it began to grow a little brighter they +found that they were completely snowed in. On all sides the spruces +were nearly broken down with their weights of whiteness, and on the +opposite side of the rock where the fire was built was a drift of snow +eight to ten feet high. This gave them a little more shelter but cut +off a good share of the outlook. + +"Merry Christmas!" cried Snap, as he got up and stretched himself as +well as he could under the low boughs. + +"Merry Christmas!" cried all of the others, and then Whopper added: +"But it isn't very Merry, is it?" + +"I don't see that broiled fish, and stuffed turkey, and cake and +pudding and candy and--" began Giant. + +"Hold on, Giant, don't make us any more hungry than we are!" +interrupted the doctor's son. "We're here and we've got to make the +best of it, so don't croak." + +"Oh, I'm not croaking," answered the smaller member of the Gun Club. +"I shall be satisfied if we get back to camp alive with such a snow +all around us." + +"Giant, why didn't you hang up your stocking last night?" asked +Whopper, jokingly, and this brought forth a general snicker, and then +all the lads felt a trifle less blue. + +Breakfast was certainly a slim affair, each person getting a small +bite of duck, two crackers, a spoonful of cold beans Shep had brought +along, and a drink of melted snow. Several gazed wistfully at the +rabbit, but Snap shook his head at them. + +"We've got to save that," he said. "You know that as well as I do." + +"Don't you suppose there are some birds or squirrels or rabbits around +here?" asked Shep. + +"We can look--if the storm will let us." + +Breakfast over, one after another of the young hunters went beyond the +clump of spruces to look around. But the weather was so wild, and the +snow so deep, all were glad to come back. + +There was little of the holiday air in the gathering. All of the boys +were sober, for they fully realized the peril of their situation. +Their food would not last long, and where were they to get more? + +At noon they had little more than a rabbit lunch--something that made +Whopper sigh as he thought of the big Christmas dinner he had thought +to feast upon. + +"I think it is clearing a bit," said Shep, about three o'clock. "If we +want to move now is our chance to do so." + +It was voted by all hands to move, and they started without delay. +They could not locate the exact route toward their camp, but made it +as nearly as possible. The snowdrifts were truly terrific, and even on +snowshoes they made slow progress. + +"Wait, I see a rabbit!" cried Shep, presently, and he pointed to a +clump of bushes. Then he unslung his shotgun and pushed his way +forward. A gray head appeared over the rim of snow and he blazed away. +The rabbit gave a leap and fell dead. + +"A little more to eat anyway," said the young hunter, as he put the +game in his bag. + +"Wait, where there is one rabbit there are sometimes more," said Snap. +"Let us stir around a little and see." + +They did as he suggested, and soon sent two rabbits skipping from +under a low-hanging tree. The rabbits could not run very well in the +deep snow and were secured with ease. But that was the last of the +game in that vicinity. + +"Now we won't starve right away," said Snap, and gave a sigh of +satisfaction. + +They were less than half way through the belt of timber when they came +to a spot where a big tree had been blown over by the wind. As they +walked around this Giant gave a cry, and, stepping between the +branches, brought forth a couple of dead squirrels. + +"Killed by the fall, I suppose," he said. + +"It's lucky for us," answered Shep, "for it means just so much more +food." + +"Let us look for nuts,--the squirrels must have had some," came from +Snap. + +They made a search, and soon found a hollow half filled with nuts and +took them all. Then they went on as before. + +By the time they reached the end of the timber belt all were too +exhausted to go further and they looked around for another shelter of +some kind. They found several trees growing close together and in +something of a row. + +"That will shelter us from the wind," said Snap, "although it is not +as good a place as the one we used last night." + +They cut some tree branches, placed them from tree to tree and packed +on some snow. Then they lit another fire and banked up the snow on the +other side. By this time it was dark again and they were as hungry as +bears. They broiled two of the rabbits and ate every morsel and then +cracked a quantity of the nuts and picked out the meat. + +"This is certainly a Christmas to remember," said Shep, as they sat in +front of the fire that evening. "I should like to know what the folks +are doing." + +"Don't mention it," cried Giant. "It makes a fellow feel homesick." + +They cut plenty of firewood, and in honor of the day built a blaze +that was to be seen a long distance off. This made them a little more +cheerful and they even cracked a few jokes. But with it all that +Christmas was far from a bright one. They were still miles from their +camp on Firefly Lake and all wondered if they would get back in +safety. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN TROUBLE ONCE MORE + + +The next day it snowed again and the four boy hunters were almost in +despair, for they had calculated to strike out for Firefly Lake as +soon as it grew light. + +"It would be foolish to try it just now," said Snap, looking at the +sky. "just see how fast the snow is falling!" + +The heavy snow kept up all day, but cleared away as evening came on. +Looking out about eight o'clock Shep gave a shout: + +"Boys, the stars are shining. It is as clear as crystal!" + +All rushed forth to verify the glad tidings. It was indeed clear and +the glittering stars made a scene of royal splendor. + +"We'll start for camp early to-morrow," announced Snap. "Now let us +get to bed and get a good night's rest. It is going to be no picnic +walking on this snow." + +They turned in, after fixing the fire, leaving Giant on guard for the +first three hours. After Giant came Whopper, and then Snap took his +turn. + +Snap had scarcely commenced his vigil when he heard the bark of a fox +at a great distance. + +Presently the barking of the fox ceased and utter silence reigned for +all of half an hour. Then came another sound which made the leader of +the Gun Club listen with intentness. + +"Wolves, as sure as fate!" he murmured. "I trust they are not coming +here!" + +Another period of silence, and the mournful howls came still closer. +There were many more of them and Snap came to the conclusion that a +regular band of wolves were closing in on the little shelter beside +the spruces. + +"Guess I had better wake up Shep," he told himself. "He has got to +take the next watch anyway." + +He aroused his chum and told Shep of what he had heard. Then came more +of the howls, still closer. + +"They are certainly coming this way," said the doctor's son, picking +up his gun. "And I'm afraid there must be quite a number of them." + +After this came another period of silence. Both boys kept on the +alert, Snap on one side of the camp and Shep on the other. They felt +sure that the wolves were coming closer and they were not mistaken. + +"I see one!" cried Snap, as a pair of gleaming eyes showed themselves +over a rim of snow. + +"I see three or four," responded Shep. "Call Giant and Whopper." + +The words had scarcely left his lips when Snap took aim and fired at +one of the wolves, wounding it in the shoulder. The report of the +shotgun brought Giant and Whopper to their feet without delay. + +"What's up?" came from both. + +"Wolves!" answered the leader of the club, laconically. "Get your +guns!" + +The shot had caused the wolves to fall back a little, and taking +advantage of this, Snap reloaded the empty barrel of his shotgun and +stirred up the fire still more. + +Bang! went Shep's shotgun, and a wolf was taken directly in his +throat. He turned to run away and then fell dead. Without hesitation +his fellows fell upon him and rent the carcass asunder. + +"What horrible cannibals!" muttered Whopper. "Say, how do you like +that?" he went on, and fired a bullet from the rifle into the mass of +wolves, hitting one in the leg and another in the side. The first wolf +was merely wounded but the second was killed. + +The death of another of their band made the other wolves retreat and +they kept away for fully a quarter of an hour. But then their numbers +were increased by the arrival of more equally hungry, and they came on +in a wide semi-circle, as if to pounce upon the four boy hunters and +eat them up. + +"Shoot 'em--don't let 'em come any closer!" called out Whopper, and +banged away with his shotgun, hitting a wolf in the breast. Then the +others fired and another of the ugly beasts went down. Still another +was wounded just sufficiently to make him ugly, and with bloodshot +eyes he leaped straight into the camp and at Snap's very feet! + +It was a moment of extreme peril, and for the instant Snap's heart +seemed to stop beating. Then little Giant turned swiftly and pulled +the trigger of his shotgun and sent the load into the wolf's ear. +There was one short yelp, a leap of agony, and the wolf landed in the +fire, dead, scattering the burning embers in all directions. + +"Good for you, Giant!" cried Snap, when he could speak. He caught the +dead wolf and threw the body among the trees. + +"Fix that fire up!" yelled Whopper. "It's our best protection!" + +He ran for some sticks, and they built the fire into a roaring blaze +that illuminated the forest for a considerable distance. Then Shep and +Whopper fired more shots, wounding two more wolves, and the pack +slowly retreated, growling and howling savagely. + +"What an attack!" said Whopper, wiping the cold perspiration from his +forehead. "I don't want to experience another." + +Further sleep was out of the question, and for the remainder of the +night the boys kept a good fire going and watched all around the +temporary camp for their enemies. But the wolves did not show +themselves again. + +"And now for Firefly Lake and Birch Tree Inn!" cried Shep, when they +were preparing breakfast. "My! the Inn will seem like home, after such +experiences as we have had!" + +It was clear and mild, with hardly any wind blowing. As the sun came +up it made the great drifts of snow glitter and sparkle in a manner +which was dazzling. + +"Oh, look!" screamed Giant, just as they were getting ready to set +out. "There's a shot for somebody!" and he caught up his gun. + +Over the spruce trees a flock of wild ducks were soaring, evidently +searching for food. They came quite close, and all of the young +hunters blazed away, in rapid succession. Six of the ducks came down, +one so straight that it hit Whopper directly on the head, almost +knocking him over. + +"There's luck for you!" cried Snap, gleefully, "We've got a few ducks +anyway." + +They placed the game in their bags, and a few minutes later bade +farewell to the shelter of the spruces. It was so clear they could see +the distant hills and mountains with ease and Snap regulated the +course accordingly. + +Some of the snowdrifts were truly immense, one, they reckoned, +measuring twenty feet in height. They had to proceed with care, for +they did not want to break through and sink out of sight. Once Whopper +fell over and it was all the others could do to set him straight on +his snowshoes again. + +They had thought to take almost a direct course to Firefly Lake, but +after covering a mile found this impossible. + +"We'll have to take something of a round-about way," said their +leader. "It will be longer, but it can't be helped." + +"That will bring us between Firefly Lake and Lake Cameron, won't it?" +asked Giant. + +"Yes." + +They hurried on for another mile. It was certainly hard work and made +them warm in spite of the lowness of the thermometer. Then they came +to a big drift of snow and found it no mean task to get over the same. + +"Hark I what was that?" said Shep. + +"A gunshot," answered Whopper. "There goes another." + +After that they heard several more shots, coming from some point +ahead. + +"Some other hunters must be out," said Snap. "Wonder who they can be?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A DISAGREEABLE MEETING + + +They had reached a point directly between Firefly Lake and Lake +Cameron when they came to a little patch of woods surrounding a pond +less than a hundred feet across. As they entered the woods they heard +a slight noise and saw a small deer running swiftly across the snow on +the pond. At once Whopper let drive and so did Snap, and the deer went +down, kicked for a moment, and then lay still. + +The game had been struck in the rump and in the neck, but there was +another wound in one ear and still a fourth near the tail. + +"Must have been hit before she came this way," said Giant. + +As the young hunters surrounded the game they did not notice the +approach of three men on snow-shoes, all carrying guns and gamebags. +The three men were Andrew Felps and two of his particular friends, +Giles Faswig and Vance Lemon. + +"Hi! what are you doing here?" demanded Andrew Felps, striding up +angrily. "Didn't I warn you off of my land last summer? You have no +right to hunt here." + +"They have the deer!" put in Giles Faswig. "Hang the luck anyhow." + +"Never mind, the deer belongs to us--it was shot on my land," muttered +Andrew Felps. + +"Certainly it is your deer if it was shot on your land," put in Vance +Lemon. + +The four boy hunters listened to the talk in considerable dismay. +Evidently the three men intended to appropriate the game. + +"Is this your land?" asked Whopper. + +"We didn't see any fence," put in Snap. + +"The fences are there anyway--I had them put up last fall, after the +fire. You have no right to even cross my land, much less do any +shooting." + +"Felps, ain't you going to claim the deer?" asked Giles Faswig. + +"Certainly I am. But I want these young rascals to understand that +they can't come on my land," answered the lumber dealer. + +"Mr. Felps, we are not young rascals," said Shep, with flashing eyes. +"We shot the deer in good faith and if you take it from us I shall +consider it stealing." + +"Listen to that!" ejaculated Vance Lemon. "And after we wounded the +deer first, too!" + +"I won't talk to you," cried Andrew Felps, savagely. "Leave that deer +alone, and get off of my land as quick as you can--and stay off!" + +His manner was so savage and threatening that the young hunters felt +compelled to retreat. Yet they were very angry. + +"Mr. Felps, I think you'll be sorry for this some day," said Snap. +"When I get back to Fairview I shall tell everybody just how meanly +you have acted." + +"Hi! don't you threaten me!" roared the irate lumber dealer. "I know +my business. You clear out--and be quick about it." + +"I suppose you and your friends want our deer because you're not able +to shoot one yourselves," called out Whopper, and with this parting +shot the young hunters withdrew. All of the men shook their fists at +the boys. + +"Now, wouldn't that jar you!" exclaimed Shep, as they turned toward +Firefly Lake. "Did you ever hear of such meanness?" + +"He's as bad as he was last summer, when he drove us away from Lake +Cameron," said Snap, bitterly. + +For some time after that the young hunters were silent, each busy with +his own thoughts. Driven away from the vicinity of Lake Cameron, they +had to make another wide detour, and it was one o'clock before they +came in sight of Firefly Lake, nestling so cozily among the hills. + +"It will take at least an hour and a half to get down to the lake and +up to camp," said Snap. "Shall we go on or stop for dinner?" + +"I am as hungry as two bears," said Whopper. "Let us rest up a bit and +get something to eat." + +The others were willing, and soon a fire was blazing and over this +they broiled one of the wild ducks. The meal and the rest occupied an +hour and a half, but they all felt it was time well spent. + +Their hearts beat rapidly as they walked down the hill to the edge of +the lake. They had to pass a bend and then came in sight of the camp. + +"The flag is down!" cried Giant, in some disappointment. + +"I reckon the blizzard was too much for it," answered Snap. "But let +that go, so long as the shelter itself is all right." + +They almost broke into a run on the last quarter mile, so eager were +they to see the condition of things. At last they caught sight of +Birch Tree Inn. It looked to be exactly as they had left it. + +"Thank fortune for that," began Shep, when Whopper uttered a cry. + +"I really believe the doorway is open!" + +The barrier to the doorway was certainly gone, and with hearts that +fairly thumped in their breasts they ran for the shelter, to learn +what this meant. All was dark inside and very cold, and with trembling +fingers Snap struck a match and looked around for the acetylene +bicycle lamp. + +"It's gone!" he cried. + +"And most of our things are gone too!" gasped Shep. + +Then the match went out and they had to light another. A scrap of +paper was found and some dry sticks, and they kindled a blaze, heaping +up the fire so as to get as much light as possible. + +"One sled is gone!" + +"So are all the cooking utensils!" + +"And the extra clothing!" + +"And the grub!" wailed Whopper. "Not a bit of coffee, chocolate, +sugar, or anything left!" + +"Boys, this is awful!" wailed Giant. "Who could have done it?" + +"Maybe the Ham Spink crowd." + +"Or the Felps crowd." + +"Or that tramp who made trouble for us before," came from Snap. + +Then they made a more careful inspection--to find their skates also +missing and--most precious of all--all the extra matches and extra +ammunition. + +"This is the worst blow of all," said the leader of the club, +referring to the matches and the ammunition. "We can't stay here +without ammunition and the wherewith to make a fire when we want it." + +"What's to do?" asked Giant and Whopper, in a breath. + +"Either catch the fellow who has stolen our things, or go home." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +AT THE CAMP ONCE AGAIN + + +The announcement Snap made cast a gloom over all the boys. Each felt +that their leader spoke the truth. + +"Well, as I don't want to go home, I vote we go after the thief," said +Shep, who was the first to speak. + +Fortunately not all of their stores had been taken--they had been too +plentiful to pile on one sled--so they had enough left with which to +get a substantial supper. But all of the boys did not wait for the +meal. + +"If we are going to follow that thief up we ought to do it right +away," said Snap. "The more time that is wasted the less will be our +chance of catching him. Shep, if you say so, we can go after him and +leave Giant and Whopper to look after what is left here." + +"Why can't I go along?" asked Giant. + +"Two ought to stay here," said Snap. "And I've got another plan," he +went on. "How much money have we got on hand?" + +The amount was counted and found to be nearly five dollars. + +"That's enough," said the leader. "If we can't find the thief, we can +slip over to Riverside and buy the things we actually need. I wouldn't +go to Fairview, because that would cause too much talk." + +Snap and Shep put some provisions in their game bags, readjusted their +snowshoes, and soon set off. + +"Have you any idea when you will be back?" called Whopper after them. + +"No--maybe not till to-morrow," was the answer. + +In the deep snow it was easy to follow the direction the thief with +the sled had taken, and they soon became convinced that but one person +had done the deed. + +Left to themselves, Whopper and Giant did what little they could to +restore order to the camp. They saw that the thief must have remained +in the shelter one or two days--probably during the blizzard. On +leaving he had attempted to break down one wall of the place and ruin +the chimney, but had not succeeded. + +"They'll last as long as we want to stay," said Giant. "But how mean +it was to try such things!" + +In coming to the shelter Whopper had twisted his ankle and this hurt +him not a little, and he was perfectly willing to rest the member all +he could. Giant prepared supper and they ate it leisurely, in the +meanwhile talking over the outlook from every point of view. + +Morning found the two young hunters stirring early. There was little, +however, to do, and they took their time over breakfast. Giant had +found where a bag of beans had been spilled on the ground and he +picked them up with care one by one. + +"I think I'll make some bean soup for a change," he said. "I'll throw +in some meat to give it a flavor." + +"That rascal--whoever he was--took all the flour, otherwise we might +make some pancakes," grumbled Whopper. + +"I might try my hand at fishing through the ice again," said Giant. +"Baked fish will go fine for a change." + +"Hadn't I better stay here, Giant? Somebody ought to mind the camp +until Snap and Shep get back, and my ankle is quite swollen." + +"Yes, stay by all means, and if you want me, yell or fire your gun." + +So it was arranged, and after dinner Giant sallied forth, with the +axe, which had not been confiscated, and his fishing lines and such +bait as he could scrape together. + +As Giant had found his former fishing place a good one he went to the +same spot again. The snow was deep and he had to sweep it away with a +spruce branch he cut for that purpose. Then he chopped a round hole in +the ice as before, and sat down on some snow and the tree branch to +wait for a bite. + +Fishing proved slow, and it was a good quarter of an hour before he +got a bite and then the fish slipped the hook just as he was hauling +the catch to the surface. But he kept on and in an hour had a catch of +three, all of fair size. + +After that, however, try his best, he could not get another bite. Then +he determined to go further down the lake, where there was another +cove. + +"There ought to be fish at the bottom of that cove," he told himself. +"And if there are, I am bound to have some." + +Finding a spot that suited his fancy, he again swept off the snow and +began to cut a hole in the ice. This proved quite a task, and by the +time he had finished he was pretty well winded. He baited up and sat +down on a bank of snow he had swept together. + +Just then some noise reached his ears, and he looked around and +listened. But the noise was not repeated. + +"What could that have been?" he mused. "Some bird?" + +He strained his ears, but the stillness of the forest lay all around +the lake. Of a sudden Giant began to feel lonely, and he gave a little +shiver. Then he braced up. + +"Pshaw, I'm getting as nervous as a cat," he murmured. "And all on +account of nothing. I'd better go to fishing and forget it." + +He dropped in his line, properly baited, and waited for a bite. He was +lucky, for soon up came a nice maskalonge. Then, a few minutes later, +came a rock bass--something for which he had not been looking. He grew +interested, and forgot all about the noise he had heard, until the +cracking of some bushes caught his ears. + +"There's that noise again," he muttered. "What in the world can it +be?" + +For the first time since leaving the shelter Giant wished he had +brought along his shotgun. What if some game should suddenly appear? + +"If a deer should come along and I couldn't shoot it, it would make me +sick," he told himself. "And game is always sure to come along when +you haven't a gun." + +Giant had now seven fish, four of good size. He decided to wait for +just one more, then wind up and go back to the shelter. It was rather +cold sitting at the fishing hole and his feet were beginning to feel +very much like the ice under them. + +He had baited up with care, and allowed the line to sink almost to the +bottom of the lake, when a fresh noise startled him. This was another +crackling sound. There followed a low, suppressed growl, and turning +in the direction of the shore Giant was horrified to see a big, black +bear come lumbering into view! + +"A bear! I'll have to get out of here!" he ejaculated, and snatching up +his fish and line and the axe he started on a run for the shelter. + +The bear came out on the ice and toward the hole. Then it smelt the +fish, and a moment later started on a clumsy run after the fleeing +youth! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE TRAIL THROUGH THE SNOW + + +Snap and Shep followed the trail of the stolen sled to the end of +Firefly Lake with ease. The track was clearly to be distinguished, and +it pursued its course in almost a straight line. + +"I hope we can follow it thus easily to the end," said the leader of +the Gun Club. "I'd hate to lose it." + +"Let us hurry as much as possible," returned the doctor's son. "We +want to overtake the thief before night." + +They did hurry, and at length came to the outlet of the lake. Before +them was Rocky River, a hundred and more feet wide at this point and +frozen over solidly. + +"Hullo, he didn't go towards Fairview!" cried Snap, pointing to the +track the sled had left. "He went the other way." + +"He must have gone to Riverview, or else beyond," returned the +doctor's son. + +They passed the old icehouse where Kiddy Leech had met Ham Spink and +his cronies and kept on steadily in the direction of Riverview. Then +of a sudden Snap set up a shout. + +"I see a man ahead--with a sled!" + +"So do I! It must be the thief, Snap!" + +"Perhaps, although I can't make out at this distance. I'll tell you +what I'll do, Shep--put on the skates and skate on the clear ice. I'll +soon catch him that way. You can follow on your snowshoes or take them +off, if you'd rather." + +Shep decided to run without the snowshoes and both lads took off the +articles. Then Snap donned the skates and hurried off at his best rate +of speed. + +"If he won't stop--shoot at him!" called Shep after his chum. + +"I certainly will!" responded Snap, who was worked up more than he +cared to admit. + +Snap had quite a stretch of clear ice, but further on was a long drift +of snow over which he made but slow progress. But then came another +clear stretch and he spun along, his skates skirring merrily at every +sturdy stroke. + +Snap was within a hundred yards of the man with the sled when the +latter chanced to look around. At once the youth yelled at him. + +"Stop, you thief! Stop!" + +The man was startled and slackened his pace. Then, when he saw the +youth raise his shotgun, he let up a cry of fear. + +"Don't shoot! Please don't shoot!" + +"Kiddy Leech!" ejaculated Snap, recognizing the tramp. "Stop, you +rascal, or it will be the worse for you!" + +To this the tramp did not reply. Instead, he ran to one side of the +river, and plunged into some bushes. Beyond was a thick growth of +trees, and he lost no time in hiding himself among these. + +At first Snap was on the point of shooting, but he hesitated, as he +was afraid he might kill the thief. Then it was too late to fire, and +he dropped his gun on its strap. He took possession of the sled, +turned it around and skated slowly toward where his chum was coming up +on a decidedly lively run. + +"Did you catch him, Snap?" + +"No, but I know who it was--that tramp, Kiddy Leech." + +"Is that so! Are all the things here?" + +"I don't know." + +"Where did he go?" + +"Ran for that woods like a frightened deer. I would have fired, only I +was afraid of killing him." + +"Do you think we ought to go after him? We might be able to trail him +in the snow." + +"We might try it. He was pretty well scared when he saw me with my +shotgun." + +Leaving the sled by the river side, both young hunters made their way +through the bushes and into the forest. For a short distance they +followed the trail with ease. But then they reached a pond containing +some clear ice and here the footprints were lost. + +"Might as well give it up," said Shep, looking around. "It is growing +dark and he will know enough to keep hidden. Besides, if we corner him +he may play some trick--tumble a rock on us, or something like that." + +Slowly the two young hunters retraced their way to the river. They +were now so tired they could scarcely drag one foot after the other. +The excitement over, reaction set in. + +"I don't think I want to walk all the way to camp to-night," remarked +Shep. "It's too far." + +"We'll put up somewhere over night," answered Snap. + +They examined the things on the sled with interest and were glad to +ascertain that nearly every article stolen was there. The few things +missing were of scant importance. + +"I'll wager that scamp intended to take the things somewhere and sell +them," said Snap. "We were lucky to catch him as we did." + +Having looked the load over, they repacked it with care and then +looked around them, to find out their exact location. + +"There is a farmer named Masterson, who lives just beyond this woods," +said Snap. "My father sold him the lumber for his new barn. Perhaps +he'll take us in for the night, if we offer to pay him." + +"Well, we can try him anyway," answered the doctor's son. + +They skated along the river until the field leading up to the +farmhouse was reached. It was now quite dark. A dog came out to greet +them, barking furiously. + +"Hope he isn't of the biting kind," said Shep, drawing back. + +"Down, Rover, down!" came in a man's voice, and a moment later Aaron +Masterson appeared. He was a man of sixty, bent from age and hard +work. + +"Good evening, Mr. Masterson," said Snap. "I don't know if you +remember me or not. I am Charley Dodge. My father sold you the lumber +for your new barn." + +"Oh, yes, I remember you," said the old farmer, with a smile. "You +came to the raising, didn't you? Who is this with you?" + +"My friend, Shep Reed. He is Dr. Reed's son." + +"Oh, yes, I know the doctor, too. He attended my wife when she had +pneumonia--brought her around, too. Well, lads, what brings you in +such a snow?" + +In a few words Snap and Shep explained the situation. When they +mentioned the tramp Aaron Masterson shook his grizzled head and his +fist vigorously. + +"The pesky critters! I wish you had shot him! They're a terribul +nuisance, tramps is. One day my wife give two on 'em a dinner an' they +up afterwards an' stole my new sickle an' whetstone. Tramps ought all +to be hung. Come in the house." + +"Can you keep us until to-morrow morning?" + +"I think so--I'll have to ask my wife first though." + +Mrs. Masterson proved to be a motherly lady of fifty, and she readily +consented to keep the boys and give them their supper and breakfast. + +"You won't have to pay a cent," she declared. "I am glad to do Doctor +Reed's son a favor, and your friend a favor too. The doctor is a +wonderfully fine man." + +"An' Mr. Dodge treated me right on that lumber fer the barn," put in +Aaron Masterson. + +The boys were invited to sit down to a well filled table, and did so, +after washing their hands in the kitchen at the sink. They had a real +homecooked supper and enjoyed it immensely. + +They were just finishing up when there came a loud knock on the dining +room door of the farmhouse. Aaron Masterson answered it. + +"What's wanted?" he asked, of a man who stood on the porch. + +"Please, sir, I am a poor man looking for work. Would you mind giving +me a bit to eat?" came from somebody outside. + +"It's Kiddy Leech!" whispered Snap. "Now, what do you think of that?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMP + + +It was indeed Kiddy Leech who had applied for assistance at the home +of Aaron Masterson. The tramp had taken it for granted that Snap and +Shep had started for the camp on Firefly Lake and would make no +further effort to bring him to justice. + +"What nerve!" whispered Shep. "What shall we do?" + +"Let's capture him. I'll go outside, and you can remain in here." + +So speaking, Snap caught up his shotgun, which stood near the kitchen +door, and slipped out of the entrance to the woodshed. From there he +ran around the corner of the house, coming up behind Kiddy Leech. + +"Out o' work, eh?" Aaron Masterson was saying. "Wot's your trade?" + +"I'm an electrical worker," answered the tramp. "The factory I worked +in shut down, and I can't get a thing to do anywhere." + +"Humph! Well, I reckon we can give you a meal," answered the farmer. +"Come in." + +"Thank you very much," said the tramp, and followed through the +doorway. Then Aaron Masterson noticed Snap with the shotgun. + +"Hullo, how did you git out there?" he cried. + +Kiddy Leech turned swiftly and he started on beholding the young +hunter. + +"Wha--what do you want?" he stammered. + +"Go on in, Leech," answered the leader of the Gun Club, firmly. "If +you try to run away I'll surely shoot you." + +"What does this mean?" demanded Aaron Masterson. + +"This is the rascal who ran off with our outfit, Mr. Masterson," +answered Snap. + +"And we mean to make him a prisoner," added Shep. "Kiddy Leech, don't +you dare to resist, or it will be that much worse for you." + +The tramp was caught between two fires, as it were, and did not know +what to do. As we know, he was a good deal of a coward at heart, and +the sight of the shotgun in Snap's hands made him quake. + +"Don't shoot me!" he whined. "Please don't shoot me!" And he held up +his hands in token of submission. + +"So you are the pesky rascal the lads was a-tellin' me about," said +Aaron Masterson, sternly. "Nice doin's, I must say!" + +The door was closed and locked, so that Kiddy Leech might not make his +exit in a hurry. The tramp was in a decidedly perplexed frame of mind +and blamed himself roundly for not having been more careful. + +"What are you going to do with me?" he asked, as he stood in a corner. + +"We are going to hand you over to the police," answered Snap. "It is +no more than you deserve." + +"I didn't mean no harm,--indeed, I didn't! + +"I suppose you think it no harm to steal!" said Shep, sarcastically. + +"I wasn't stealing your things." + +"You were!" + +"No, I wasn't. I was--er--only going to hide 'em on you." + +"You went a mighty long way to do it," said Snap, coldly. "Where were +you going to hide them, at the second-hand shop or the pawn-broker's?" + +"I'm telling the plain truth. Why, I never stole a thing in my life!" +exclaimed Kiddy Leech. + +"Not even when you ran away from our camp that first time," said the +doctor's son. "How can you expect us to believe you? It is a waste of +breath on your part." + +"If I can prove that it wasn't my doings--that is--that I am not the +responsible party, will you let me go?" demanded Kiddy Leech, eagerly. + +"We want to hear your story first," said the doctor's son. + +"If this here feller stole them things, as you say he did, the best +thing to do is to tote him off to the lock-up," interposed Aaron +Masterson. "He's evidently tryin' to make up a slick yarn so as to git +off." + +"Aaron, you can't take him to the town jail to-night, it's too late," +said the farmer's wife. "Remember, the travelin' is powerful bad, too." + +"Then I reckon we can tie him up in the barn till mornin'," answered +her husband, with an inquiring look at the two young hunters. + +"We can do that," said Snap. "But first we might listen to what he has +to say." + +"You won't let me go--if I tell you something very important?" asked +Kiddy Leech. + +"Not yet." + +"All right then, I won't say a word," answered the tramp, and a set +look came over his somewhat besotted face. + +He realized that he was in a serious situation and made up his mind +that Ham Spink and Carl Dudder must help him out of it. He knew the +two boys were well-to-do and reasoned that their parents would do +almost anything to keep their sons out of jail. + +"Going to tie me up in the barn and starve me to death, eh?" he said +sourly. "I wouldn't treat a dog that way." + +"If we keep him all night I suppose we can give him a little something +to eat," said Mrs. Masterson, relenting. + +"Sit down there and eat," commanded her husband and pointed to a +chair. Kiddy Leech dropped into it and was given a fair supper, for +which, it must be confessed, he had little relish. Several times he +acted as if he wanted to talk, but as often changed his mind. + +"I'll make them young dudes get me out of this," the tramp told +himself. "Maybe their folks will pay me handsomely to keep mum and +take what's coming to me. That's their way of doing." + +The supper over, Aaron Masterson lit his lantern and led the way to +the barn. Here the tramp had to submit to having his hands bound +behind him, and then he was placed in a large harness closet. The +closet was fairly warm, so there was little danger of his taking cold. + +"Now, you keep quiet until morning," said Aaron Masterson, as he threw +in several blankets. + +"Do you think he can break out of the closet?" asked Snap. + +"I'll fix it so he won't want to," answered the farmer. + +When Snap and Shep had come he had tied up his dog. Now he released +the animal and brought him into the barn. + +"Watch, Rover, watch!" he said, pointing to the closet, and the dog +gave a sniff and a short bark, and then lay down in front of the +locked door. + +"My dog is here--don't try to get out," called Aaron Masterson, to the +tramp. "If you do--well, I won't be responsible, thet's all!" + +"Mighty kind," growled Kiddy Leech, and that was all he said. + +After that the farmer and the two young hunters returned to the house +and talked the matter over for a full hour. It was decided to take +Kiddy Leech to the Riverside jail the first thing in the morning. Then +Snap was to go home and tell his father of what had occurred, and Shep +was to take the news to the camp on Firefly Lake. + +The two boys were given a comfortable room in which to sleep. It felt +more than good after "bunking around" in camp and forest, and despite +the excitement of the tramp's capture, they slept well. + +"Hi! boys, got up!" they heard Aaron Masterson call, at about six +o'clock. + +"Oh, dear, I wish he'd let us sleep an hour longer," grumbled the +doctor's son. + +"Remember, we are to take that tramp to the lock-up this morning," +answered Snap. + +"Boys, are you awake?" went on the farmer. "I've got news for you! +Thet tramp's got away!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +FOUR BOYS AND A BEAR + + +"ESCAPED!" ejaculated Shep. + +"How in the world did he manage it?" queried Snap. + +Then both young hunters leaped up and dressed as rapidly as possible. + +"He was a slick one," said Aaron Masterson. "He got free of the rope +around his wrists somehow and then he clum to the top o' the harness +closet and into the loft. From the winder he dropped onto the shed an' +then to the ground." + +"But what of your dog? Didn't he go after him?" questioned the +doctor's son. + +"No, the barn door was shet, to keep out the wind, so Rover couldn't +follow him." + +"When do you suppose he got away?" + +"Some time during the night." + +"Can't we follow him?" asked Snap. + +"We can try." + +All went outside and down to the barn. The tracks left by Kiddy Leech +were plainly to be seen from the barn to the highway, but there the +footprints were hopelessly lost in the multitude of others. + +"Ain't no use to try to follow him," said Aaron Masterson. "The road +branches off four times between here an' town an' there ain't no +tellin' wot road he tuk. More'n likely he's travelin' as fast as all +git-out, too." + +"He certainly will do his level best to get away--after such +experiences as he has had," answered Snap. "Perhaps he will never show +himself in this locality again." + +They remained out on the road, looking up and down, for five minutes, +and then returned to the house. + +"Did he steal anything?" asked Shep. + +"By gum! I didn't think o' that!" gasped Aaron Masterson. + +He took a thorough look around and then came in and gave a sigh of +satisfaction. + +"Nothin' missing, so far as I can see," he said. "Reckon he was too +scart to pick up anything. The dog must have barked, but I didn't hear +him." + +"Neither did I," answered Snap. "It was so cold I rolled up as tight +as I could, ears and all, in the blankets." + +With the tramp gone, there seemed nothing to do but for Snap and Shep +to return to the camp. Mrs. Masterson served them with a fine +breakfast of sausage, and, wheatcakes with molasses, and the boys +"filled up" as only growing boys can. Then the lady of the house gave +them a mince pie and some crullers to take with them. Neither she nor +her husband would take any pay for what they had done. + +"It's too bad thet tramp got away," said Aaron Masterson. "But I did +wot I thought best to hold him." + +"Oh, we don't blame you, Mr. Masterson," said Snap. "But it is a pity +such a rascal should be at large." + +It was pleasant enough when the sun showed itself, and by eight +o'clock the two young hunters were on their journey to Firefly Lake. +It must be confessed that they found their load a heavy one, and by +noon they were still some distance from camp. + +"We'll have to stop, to rest and get a lunch," said the doctor's son. +"No use of killing ourselves." + +"I suppose Giant and Whopper are wondering what has become of us," +said Snap. + +They came to a rest in the shelter of some pine trees and ate a lunch +Mrs. Masterson had prepared for them, in the meantime keeping warm by +a fire they built of tree branches. The rest occupied half an hour and +then they went on as before. + +"Wonder what the boys are doing?" said Snap, as they reached Firefly +Lake. + +"Giant said something about fishing through the ice," answered his +companion. "He appears to love that sport." + +"Well, it is nice--when you can catch anything--and Giant is always +lucky." + +They had proceeded less than half the distance up the lake to the camp +when Snap came to a halt. + +"Listen, Shep!" + +"It is Giant calling," answered the doctor's son. "He must be in +trouble!" + +"Whopper! Whopper!" came to their ears. "Help me! A bear is after me!" + +"A bear is after Giant!" gasped Snap. "Come on, Shep, we must aid +him!" + +"There he is." said Shep, as they swept around a bend of the lake. +"And look, a big bear is after him!" + +"Let us shoot the bear!" cried Snap, and dropped his hold of the sled +rope, while the doctor's son did the same. Then both young hunters +brought around their shotguns and aimed at the big bear. But Giant was +also in range and they did not dare to fire. + +"Giant, run to one side!" sang out Snap. "Give us a chance to shoot! I +think I can hit him." + +"Snap!" gasped the smaller member of the Gun Club. "Shoot him! shoot +him! He wants to eat me up!" + +"Hullo! hullo!" came from the camp, and now Whopper appeared, rifle in +hand. "By ginger, a bear!" + +By this time the bear was closing in upon poor Giant. The beast was +hungry and the smell of fish was very tempting. With nothing else to +do, Giant threw his mess of fish directly in the bear's face. + +The movement was a surprise to bruin and he stopped short. Then he +caught up the string of fish, turned swiftly but clumsily, and +lumbered off in the direction of the forest bordering the lake. + +It was now that Snap and Shep, as well as Whopper, got a chance to +fire at the beast, and all did so hastily. But they were excited over +Giant's narrow escape and their shots did no more than to wound the +bear slightly, in the ear and the side. Bruin gave a growl, made a +turn as if to come back, and then dove into the forest and was lost to +view. + +"He--he wanted my fish!" gasped Giant. "Well, he is welcome to them, +so long as he doesn't chew me up!" + +"What a pity that we didn't nail him," said Shep. + +"Shall we go after him?" demanded Whopper. "The four of us ought to be +able to lay him low." + +"I am not going after him just now," answered Giant, who was still as +white as a sheet. + +The others talked it over for a few minutes and it was decided to +follow up the bear some other time, if it could be done. Whopper and +Giant were anxious to hear what Snap and Shep had to tell, and all +took themselves to the Inn, dragging the sled after them. + +As soon as the excitement was over, Snap and Shep told their tale in +full, to which Giant and Whopper listened with close attention. The +latter were sorry that Kiddy Leech had escaped, but glad that the +outing had not been broken up. + +"I'd rather say here than go to court and testify against that tramp," +said Whopper. "I don't like to go to court." + +"Oh, so would I," answered Shep. "But it was our duty to bring him to +justice, if it could be done." + +Giant was sorry he had lost his mess of fish, but he had no desire to +try his luck again for the time being. + +"That bear may be watching around here," he said. "And I don't want +him to make a meal of me!" + +With it all, the boys were happy to be together again, and equally +happy to have their outfit back. That evening they cooked themselves +what Whopper declared was "a stunning supper," and enjoyed it to the +utmost. It was nine o'clock before they turned in, worn out but happy. + +But they did not sleep long. Snap had just gotten into a doze when he +heard a scratching outside. He sat up and listened, and soon the +scratching was repeated. + +"What can that be?" he mused, and then of a sudden his hair seemed to +stand upon end. "It must be that bear, and he is trying to get in!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +UNEXPECTED VISITORS + + +For the moment Snap thought to rouse up the others. Then he checked +himself, arose with caution, and felt for his shotgun. The fire had +burnt low and only a faint flickering of light told him where the +firearm was located. + +In the meantime the scratching outside had ceased. But soon it began +again. It was at the doorway, where the logs set up to close the +opening left a crack two inches wide for fresh air. + +Snap waited, his heart almost in his throat. Then he saw a shaggy paw +pull one of the logs slightly. + +He could wait no longer, and aiming straight at the crack he pulled +the trigger of his shotgun. Bang! went the weapon, with a noise inside +of the shelter that was almost deafening. + +"Hi! what's up! Who's shooting!" yelled Whopper, leaping up and then +sprawling down in his blanket, which was wrapped completely around +him. + +"What's attacking us?" came from Giant. + +"Did you hit it?" asked Shep. + +"It's a bear, I think," answered Snap. "He was at the doorway, trying +to get in." + +A low growl at this juncture reached the ears of all. The other young +hunters ran for their firearms. The growl came from a distance, +showing the would-be intruder was retreating. + +"I've a good mind to go after him," said Shep. + +"Don't you do it--it's too dark outside," warned Whopper. "Wait till +daylight." + +They waited several minutes, but no further sound came to disturb +them. Then, with caution, they pulled the logs of the doorway aside +and peered out. The clouds had drifted over the stars and it was dark, +so that they could see but little. Snap took a firebrand and gazed +down into the snow. + +"Blood," he said, pointing to the spots. "I certainly hit him." + +"And it must have been a bear, by the big tracks," said Giant. "Very +likely the one that attacked me on the ice." + +"We must get that bear," said Whopper. "But not to-night." + +"Yes, we must get that bear by all means," added the doctor's son. + +"I vote somebody remain on guard," said Snap. "That beast may come +back at any time. Doubtless he is very hungry, and a hungry bear is +usually pretty desperate." + +It was decided that they should take turns watching, and this settled +one after another the young hunters went to rest again. But for the +balance of the night only an owl came to disturb them and they paid no +attention to this. + +With nothing special to do the young hunters were rather lazy about +getting around in the morning and it was after ten o'clock when the +breakfast dishes were cleared away. Whopper went outside to bring in +some firewood and presently called to the others. + +"What's wanted?" asked Snap. + +"Two men are coming this way, from over yonder. Unless I am mistaken +they are the two men who were out hunting with Andrew Felps." + +"So they are!" exclaimed Shop. "What can they be wanting now?" + +"Maybe they want to drive us away from this lake," suggested Giant. +"They are just about mean enough." + +"No, they can't do that," answered Snap. "I made sure of it before I +left home." + +"They are carrying something between them," said Whopper, as the men +came closer. "Looks like a deer." + +"It is half of a deer--the very deer we killed!" cried Giant. + +Soon the men were within speaking distance. + +"Good morning, boys," said Giles Faswig, blandly. + +"Good morning," returned Snap, briefly. Instinctively he felt that +something unusual was in the air. + +"We've come to the conclusion to let you have half of that deer," said +Vance Lemon. + +"Better keep it," said Giant, curtly. + +"That's just what I say," murmured Whopper. + +"No, boys, we want to do the fair thing," said Giles Faswig, smoothly. +"As it was shot on Mr. Felps' land he thinks he is justly entitled to +it, but at the same time--" + +"I don't think we want the deer--now," said Snap. "We have plenty of +other game, and you acted so hateful about it you can keep it." + +He looked at his chums and they nodded, to show that they agreed with +him. The two men looked rather dissatisfied. + +"So you won't take the deer meat, even after we carried it away over +here?" said Vance Lemon. + +"No." + +"That isn't a very friendly way to act." + +"Well, you didn't act very friendly in the first place," answered +Shep. + +"Having pretty good luck, you say?" asked Giles Faswig, curiously. + +"The very best of luck," answered the leader of the Gun flub, and +mentioned some of the game brought down. "So you can easily see we +don't need this venison at all," he added. + +At this the two men looked at each other and murmured something the +boys could not catch. + +"We came over to--er--to do a little trading," said Giles Faswig. "Got +plenty of ammunition on hand, I reckon." + +"All we wish," answered Snap, and then he suddenly "smelt a mouse," as +the saying goes, and winked at his chums. + +"We thought so, and we thought we'd help you out by buying some from +you. What sizes have you got?" + +"Snap, you don't--" whispered Shep. + +"Hush, Shep. Let me run this," whispered the leader of the club, in +return. Then he turned to the two men again and mentioned what kinds +of ammunition they used and how much they had on hand. + +"Thought so," said Giles Lemon. "We'll take half of what you've got +and pay you double price for it." + +"What!" came from Giant and Whopper, but Snap merely shook his head +and winked at them, and then they said no more. + +"That's a fair deal, isn't it?" asked Giles Faswig, oilily. "You'll +make a clean dollar and a half by the operation." + +"We don't want your money," said Snap, decidedly. + +"Eh?" came from both men. + +"I wouldn't sell you our ammunition at any price, and I don't think my +friends care to either." + +"That's the talk," put in Shep. + +"You don't get anything out of us," murmured Giant. + +"Not by a jugful!" added Whopper. + +"Then you won't sell us any ammunition?" asked Vance Lemon, and his +face grew as sour as the fruit his name represented. + +All of the young hunters shook their heads with vigor. + +"We'll pay you triple price," said Giles Faswig. "Come, that will be +easy money for you." + +"Not if you offer us a hundred times the value of the ammunition," +said Snap, firmly. "You treated us as mean as dirt before. Now, if you +want any ammunition, you can tramp back to town and get it." + +At this the men broke into a rage and began to threaten the young +hunters in various ways. They had brought over the deer meat merely to +smooth matters over, so that they could get the ammunition, which they +needed sorely. + +"Look here, if you threaten us any more, I'll have you up before the +squire," said Snap, at last. "You clear out and leave us alone." And +then, in high dudgeon, Giles Faswig and Vance Lemon departed, taking +the deer meat with them. On their way back to their own camp they met +the big bear, and in fright dropped the meat and ran for their lives. +When they got to the camp they told Andrew Felps of the result of the +trip. + +"Well, we can't stay here without ammunition," said the lumber +merchant, in disgust. "I bought up all Riley had, and Jackson said he +wasn't going to get any more of those sizes of cartridges until next +week. We'll have to give up. Hang those boys anyway!" + +And deeply disgusted, the lumber dealer had to give up his outing and +go home, and his friends departed with him. They had been more than +mean, and, right or wrong, the young hunters had paid them back in +their own coin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +A SURPRISE--GOOD-BYE + + +After that two days went by without anything unusual happening. The +boys enjoyed every minute of the time, and with the bear scare at an +end, they went hunting and fishing to their hearts' content. Giant and +Whopper caught a mess of sixteen fish, large and small, and Shep and +Snap laid low half a dozen rabbits, some squirrels, and also a +beautiful brook mink of which they were very proud. + +"It is too bad that our outing must soon come to an end," said the +leader of the Gun Club. "But as we have had a glorious time I suppose +we ought not to complain." + +"I saw some silver tail foxes at the ridge to-day," said Shep. "I +think we ought to go after them." + +"And after that bear," put in Whopper. "We don't want to go home until +we lay low his bearship." + +"Maybe his bearship will lay us low," put in Giant. "That wouldn't be +so nice." + +During their spare time the boys had set several traps, and in these +they caught some animals of more or less importance. They also brought +down two wild turkeys, and resolved to eat one for their New Year's +dinner and take the other home. + +"Happy New Year!" was the cry, on a beautiful morning, and the young +hunters got up to put in a "full day," as Snap expressed it. Right +after breakfast they set the turkey to roasting, and made a pie and +some other good things. They had a bountiful dinner early and by one +o'clock started out for their last hunt. + +They had already resolved to cross the lake in the direction Shep had +seen the silver-tailed foxes. They went over on their skates, and then +donned their snowshoes and were soon deep in the forest. Here they +soon struck the trail of the foxes and discovered them in an angle, +between a cliff and a series of sharp rocks. + +"There's a shot for you!" cried Snap, as four of the rather beautiful +creatures came to view, and without hesitation all took aim and fired. +As the various reports died away two of the silver-tailed foxes gave a +whirl upward and came down lifeless. The others turned tail and +started to rush past the young hunters, but Snap and Shep were too +quick and brought them down limping and then the others finished the +creatures. + +"One apiece!" cried Whopper. "Just what I hoped for!" + +"So did I," said Giant. + +They tramped on after this, and managed to bring down a big owl, which +Snap said they could stuff and put it in their clubroom--providing +they ever got one. Then they came to a peculiar trail that bothered +them not a little. + +"Do you know what I think it is?" said Snap, at last. "It's the trail +of a bear and the beast was carrying something pretty heavy." + +"Maybe it is our bear!" cried Giant enthusiastically. + +"Gracious, I didn't know we owned a bear," answered Shep. + +"Well, Shep, you know well enough what I mean." + +"Come on after his bearship!" cried Whopper. "We'll blow him into a +million pieces and then take him home as a trophy of our skill." + +"Who's going to carry the million pieces?" asked Snap, innocently, and +then Whopper shied a chunk of soft snow at him. + +All felt in excellent spirits and willing to go after the savage +animal. They advanced with caution among the rocks, until they came to +a narrow defile, partly choked with snow and ice. On one side was a +big shelving rock, with a dark hole beneath. + +"Be careful, that may be the bear's den!" cried Snap softly, and just +then a loud and deep growl came from the hole. It rather scared all of +the young hunters and they retreated several paces. + +"Wonder how we can make him come out of his hole?" asked Shep, after +an awkward pause. + + +"Go in and invite him," suggested Whopper, who felt in particularly +bright humor that day. + +"All right, you go." + +"Not on your life!" And Whopper took another step backward. + +"Let us get up on yonder rocks," suggested Snap. "Then I'll throw a +stone into the den." They crawled up the somewhat slippery rocks and +then the leader of the Gun Club did as he had mentioned. + +The stone struck something soft, and a moment later out of the den +lumbered the big black bear, bristling with rage. As he came forth all +of the young hunters blazed away, and the bear was struck in various +places. But the shots were far from fatal, and with a grunt of rage +and pain bruin started to climb up the rocks after them. + +"Give him another shot!" yelled Whopper, who had the rifle. "Quick, or +he'll chew somebody up!" + +Again Snap and Giant fired, and the bear received more buckshot in his +anatomy. But he was tough as well as big, and the wounds seemed to +merely increase his rage. + +"He's coming up the rocks sure!" gasped Giant. Then he started to run, +lost his footing and began to roll down one of the steep sides of the +rock! + +"Giant! Giant!" yelled Snap. "Stop, you are rolling right toward the +bear!" + +"He'll be chewed up sure!" screamed Shep. "Shoot him, somebody! Shoot +him!" + +In feverish haste Whopper had been reloading his rifle. Now he swung +the weapon to his shoulder. He was greatly agitated but by sheer force +of will power calmed himself sufficiently to take aim. Then the rifle +cracked out and the bullet hit the bear full in the chest. It made +bruin stagger, and he fell back on his side, kicking up a shower of +snow in all directions. + +"Good! That's the way to do it!" sang out Snap. "Now run, Giant!" + +By this time the youngest member of the Gun Club had reached the +bottom of the rocks and was scrambling to his feet. He had his gun +still in his hands, and as the bear lurched toward him he caught the +weapon by the barrel, swung it around and let the beast have such a +crack on the head that the gun stock was completely shattered. Over +went the bear again, kicking up another shower of loose snow. + +By this time the young hunters were sure they had the best of the +fight, and withdrawing to a safe distance each of those having +available weapons let the beast have another shot. This was too much +for bruin, and with a final roar and a gasp he plunged forward on his +head, gave several convulsive kicks, and lay still. + +"Hurrah! We've got him!" cried Shep. "That's the best haul yet!" + +"You are right," said Whopper, "even if it did cost Giant his gun." + +"Never mind, we'll chip in and buy another for him," said Snap. "Say, +that was a sharp fight," he added. + +It was no easy matter to get the big bear on a drag and haul the +carcass down to the ice. But once on the lake they made good progress +towards the camp. + +"Hullo, boys, been looking for you!" came the call, and Jed Sanborn +appeared. "By Christopher Peter! Got a black bear, have yet! Now ain't +thet prime!" + +"What's the news, Jed?" asked Snap. + +"Lots o' news," said the old hunter. "First thing is, you're to go +home to-morrow." + +"Oh, we know that already," said Whopper. + +"Next thing is, do you know that tramp feller with the name o' Kiddy +Leech? + +"Yes." + +"Well, he's tuk--caught him yesterday. Aaron Masterson spotted him +hanging around Riverview. He's arrested." + +"Good!" cried Snap. "Now he'll get what he deserves." + +"An' that ain't all. Who do you think the tramp sent fer when he was +in jail?" + +"Who?" asked the four young hunters, simultaneously. + +"Ham Spink and Carl Dudder. It ain't leaked out jest why, but some +folks thinks young Spink and young Dudder got the tramp to steal your +things. An' there's more news, too." + +"What more, Jed?" + +"It's come out that Ham Spink and Carl Dudder blew up the old +boathouse, jest to ruin your things. There was a lively row, but Mr. +Spink an' Mr. Rudder settled the bill--to keep Ham and Carl out o' +jail, I expect." + +This was indeed news and the boys listened with interest to all of the +details. The discovery about the boathouse had come through a workman +who had let Ham Spink have the dynamite. + +"If Ham Spink got that tramp to come here, he ought to suffer for +it--and Carl Rudder ought to suffer too," said Snap. + +"They shall suffer for it," added Shep. + +That evening they told Jed Sanborn of their various experiences, and +showed him the game they were going to take home. He declared the bear +to be the largest he had ever seen in those parts, and said the game +would create a stir when exhibited at Fairview. + +"Don't know as you'll ever have so much fun hunting again," he said, +"or so many adventures." But he was mistaken, they did have an equal +amount of fun, excitement and thrilling adventures the very next +summer, and how and where will be told in the next volume of this +series, to be entitled "Young Hunters of the Lake; or, Out with Rod +and Gun." + +The home-coming of the young hunters made quite a stir in the quiet +town and when they showed the big bear at one of the stores crowds +came to inspect the game. The lads were greatly praised and if their +parents were proud of what their sons had done, who can blame them? + +The truth about the doings of Ham Spink and Carl Dudder soon leaked +out, so far as our friends were concerned, although the matter was +kept from the general public. Both Mr. Spink and Mr. Dudder were +anxious that no charge of theft should be made against Kiddy Leech, so +the tramp was merely given thirty days in jail for vagrancy, and was +then given some money by Mr. Spink and told to go elsewhere, which he +did. In the meantime Mr. Spink and Mr. Dudder paid for all damages our +friends had sustained, including the burning down of the log cabin, +which the bad boys admitted, and promised to take Ham and Carl +vigorously in hand. As a result both of the misguided boys were sent +to a very strict boarding school, where their parents hoped they would +see the error of their ways and do better. Hearing of this Snap and +the other Gun Club members said they were satisfied; and there the +matter rested. + +"Boys, we had a dandy time," said Shep one day, as they were talking +the outing over. "Hope we go again soon!" + +"And shoot more bears," put in Giant. + +"And deer," added Snap. + +"And a hundred or two other things," came from Whopper. "The next time +I go camping--" + +"We'll all go with you!" interrupted Snap. "Hurrah for the Fairview +Gun Club." + +And the cheer was given with a will. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Guns and Snowshoes, by Ralph Bonehill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GUNS AND SNOWSHOES *** + +***** This file should be named 8697.txt or 8697.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/6/9/8697/ + +Produced by Stan Goodman, Charles Franks, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Guns And Snowshoes + +Author: Captain Ralph Bonehill + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8697] +[This file was first posted on August 2, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, GUNS AND SNOWSHOES *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Stan Goodman, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES + +Or + +The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters + +by CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL + +AUTHOR of "FOUR BOY HUNTERS," "FOR THE LIBERTY OF TEXAS," "THE WINNING +RUN," "FLAG OF FREEDOM SERIES," ETC. + + + + + + + +ILLUSTRATED + + + +BOY HUNTERS SERIES + +By Captain Ralph Bonehill + +FOUR BOY HUNTERS + Or The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters. + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES + Or The Outing of the Gun Club + + + + + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. INTRODUCING FOUR BOYS + + II. A QUARREL IN THE SNOW + + III. THE RESULTS OF SNOWBALLING + + IV. THE EXPLOSION + + V. OFF FOR CAMP + + VI. CHICKENS AND MINCE PIE + + VII. A DISMAYING DISCOVERY + + VIII. THE FIRST NIGHT IN CAMP + + IX. INTO A HOLE AND OUT + + X. OUT AFTER DEER + + XI. SNOWBOUND + + XII. A CRY FOR HELP + + XIII. IN CAMP ONCE MORE + + XIV. IN WHICH A TRAMP DISAPPEARS + + XV. SOMETHING OF A CHASE + + XVI. AN EVIL COMPACT + + XVII. FUN IN THE CAMP + + XVIII. AN UNEXPECTED PERIL + + XIX. THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + + XX. SHOOTING WILD DUCKS + + XXI. A TOUCH OF A BLIZZARD + + XXII. A REMARKABLE CHRISTMAS + + XXIII. IN TROUBLE ONCE MORE + + XXIV. A DISAGREEABLE MEETING + + XXV. AT THE CAMP ONCE AGAIN + + XXVI. THE TRAIL THROUGH THE SNOW + + XXVII. THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMP + + XVIII. FOUR BOYS AND A BEAR + + XXIX. UNEXPECTED VISITORS + + XXX. A SURPRISE--GOOD-BYE + + + + +PREFACE. + + +My DEAR LADS: + + +This story is complete in itself, but forms volume two of a set known +under the general title of the "Boy Hunters Series," taking the heroes +through various adventures while out hunting and fishing, in the woods +and mountains, and on rivers and lakes. + +The boys are bright, lively lads of to-day, with a strong liking for a +life in the open air and a keen taste for hunting both big and little +game, and for fishing in various ways. In the former volume, entitled, +"Four Boy Hunters," they organized their little dun Club and obtained +permission to go a number of miles from home and establish a camp on +the edge of a lake. From this spot they were driven by enemies, and +then settled at another camp, where they had various adventures and +not a little fun, and in the end cleared up a mystery which had +bothered them not a little. + +In the present story we have the same boys and almost the same +locality, but the time is now winter, and in the pages which follow +are related the sport the boys had in the snow and on the ice, and +something about a new mystery, which ended in rather a surprising +fashion. + +As I have said before, hunting, especially in our eastern states, is +not what it was years ago. Almost all of the big game has disappeared, +and the fellow who can get a deer or a moose without going a good many +weary miles for the game is lucky. Yet in some sections small game is +still fairly plentiful, and a bag full of rabbits or wild ducks is +much better than nothing. + +With best wishes to all who love the woods and waters, a gun, a dog, +and a rousing campfire, I remain, + +Your sincere friend, + +CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL. + + + + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +INTRODUCING FOUR BOYS + + +"Hurrah, boys, it's snowing at last! Aren't you glad?" + +"Glad? You bet I'm glad, Snap! Why I've been watching for this storm +for about six months!" + +"There you go, Whopper!" answered Charley Dodge, with a grin. "Six +months indeed! Why, we haven't been home six months." + +"Well, it seems that long anyway," said Frank Dawson, who was usually +called Whopper by his chums, because of his exaggerations when +speaking. "I've just been aching to see it snow." + +"So that we can take that trip we proposed," put in Sheppard Reed, +quickly. "I guess we are all waiting for that." + +"I am anyway," came from Will Caslette, the smallest lad of the four, +who had gathered at their usual meeting place in the town where they +resided. "Our camping out last summer was immense. If only we have +half as much fun this winter!" + +"We will have, Giant," broke in the boy called Whopper. "Didn't I tell +you I was going to bring down sixteen deer, twenty bears, two hundred +wild turkeys, a boatload of wolves, and--" + +"Phew, Whopper! Every time you name 'em over the list gets longer!" +cried Charley Dodge. "If you bring down so much game there won't be +anything left for other hunters." + +"Well, I'll leave you a bear or two," said Whopper cheerfully. + +"Thanks awfully." + +"Leave me one lone wild turkey, Whopper dear," came mournfully from +Shep Reed. + +"Say, if you're going to talk like that I won't leave anything," burst +out Frank. + +"Whopper may bring down all the game, but I'll wager he can't throw a +snowball as straight as I can," said Charley, taking up some snow. +"See that spot on the fence yonder? Here goes for it!" + +The snowball was launched forth with swiftness and with a thud struck +the spot directly in the center. + +"Hurrah! A bull's-eye for Snap!" + +"Humph! I can do that too!" cried Whopper, and forthwith proceeded to +make a good hard snowball. Then he took aim, let drive, and the ball +landed directly on the top of the one Charley had thrown. + +"Good for you, Whopper!" said Charley enthusiastically. + +"Ah, I could do that a thousand times in succession," answered the +youth given to exaggeration, coolly. "Why, don't you know that one day +there were six Tom cats on a fence and I took a snowball and hit 'em +all?" + +"What, with one snowball?" queried the little lad called Giant. + +"Sure thing, Giant." + +"But how?" + +"Why, I made the snowball bounce from the head of one Tom cat to the +head of the next," answered Whopper, unabashed. + +"Well, if that isn't the worst yet!" roared Shep. "Say, we ought to +roll Whopper in the snow for that!" + +"Right you are!" cried Snap. "Come on!" + +"Hi! hold on!" yelled Whopper in alarm, but before he could resist he +was landed on his back in the snow, and the others proceeded to roll +him over "good," as Shep expressed it. The rolling process at an end, +a general snowball fight ensued between all of the boys, and also +several others who chanced to be passing. + +The scene was the town of Fairview, a place containing a main street +and also another thoroughfare running to the tidy little railroad +depot, where eight trains stopped daily. The town was made up of +fifteen stores and shops, three churches, a hotel, and a livery +stable, while just outside were a saw mill and several other +industries. The place was located on the Rocky River, which, ten miles +below, flowed into a beautiful sheet of water called Lake Cameron. + +To those who have read a previous volume of mine entitled, "Four Boy +Hunters," the lads skylarking in the snow need no special +introduction. For the benefit of others let me state that Charley +Dodge was the son of one of the most influential men of that district, +a gentleman who was a school trustee and also part owner of a big +summer hotel and one of the saw mills. Sheppard Reed was the son of +the best-known local physician, and he and Charley,--always called +Snap, why nobody could tell--were such chums they were often spoken of +as the Twins. + +Frank Dawson had come to Fairview a little over two years before, and +had speedily made himself a prime favorite. As we have seen, he loved +to exaggerate when telling things, yet with it all Whopper, so called, +was as truthful as anybody. As Snap said, "you could always tell +Whopper's whoppers a mile off," which I think was something of a +whopper in itself, don't you? + +The youngest lad of the four was Will Gaslette, always called Billy or +Giant. He was the son of a French widow lady, who thought the world of +her offspring. Although Will was small in size, he was sturdy and +self-reliant, and promised to become all that his mother hoped for +him. + +During the previous summer the four boys had organized the Fairview +Gun Club and obtained permission to go camping for a few weeks in the +vicinity of Lake Cameron. They had started in high spirits, and after +a number of minor adventures located on the shore of the lake. From +this spot, however, they were driven by a saw mill owner named Andrew +Felps, who ran a company that was a rival to the concern in which Mr. +Dodge had an interest. The boys were made to give up their comfortable +camp, and then they went to Firefly Lake, a mile away. Here they +hunted and fished to their heart's content, being joined in some of +their sports by Jed Sanborn, an old hunter and trapper who lived in +the mountains between the lakes. They had some trouble with Ham Spink, +a dudish youth from Fairview, who, with some cronies, located a rival +camp across the lake, but this was quickly quelled. Then, during a +forest fire, they captured a long-wanted criminal, and came home at +last loaded down with game, and with the firm determination to go out +camping again during the winter. + +"We couldn't spend our time more pleasantly," was what Snap said. +"Just think of a cozy camp in the snow, with a roaring camp-fire, and +plenty of game on all sides of you! Um! um! It's enough to make a +fellow's mouth water!" + +"Oh, we'll have to go!" had been Shep's answer. "Of course we'll have +to go to school, but we are going to have a long vacation around the +holidays--" + +"And we can ask for our Christmas presents in advance," Giant had +interrupted. "If we go out, I know what I want?" + +"What, Giant?" + +"A pair of snowshoes." + +"Oh, we'll all want those," had come from Whopper. "And sleds, +too--for our traps." + +"That's right." + +"And another shot-gun." + +"Yes, and plenty of blankets. It's no fun to camp out in winter if you +can't keep warm." + +And so the talk had run on, until the winter outing of the Gun Club +became almost a certainty to them. But there were certain +restrictions, one of which, placed on all of the boys by their +parents, was that they should end the term at school with good +averages in all their lessons. + +"You must get at least eighty-five per cent. out of a possible hundred +in all your lessons," said Doctor Reed to Shep, "otherwise you cannot +go," and the other parents said practically the same thing to Snap, +Whopper and Giant. And then the boys pitched in with a will, resolved +to come out ahead, "or know the reason why," as Snap said. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A QUARREL IN THE SNOW + + +The snow lay on the ground to the depth of four inches and was still +coming down thickly. It was the first fall of the season, and was +late,--so late, in fact, that the boys had been afraid there might +come no fall at all. Fast and furiously flew the snowballs and each +lad was hit many times. + +"How is that?" sang out Whopper, as he planted a snowball directly in +Snap's ear. + +"And how's that?" returned Snap quickly, and sent a chunk of soft snow +down Frank's collar. + +"Wuow!" spluttered Whopper. "Hi! that isn't fair! Oh, my poor +backbone!" + +"Here you are, Giant!" called out Shep, and hit the little lad in the +back. "Sorry, but it can't be helped. I--Oh, my!" and Shep bent double +as a snowball thrown by Giant with much force took him directly in the +stomach. + +"Just to remember me by!" sang out Giant. "Here's another," and the +ball struck Shep in the elbow. "Small favors thankfully received and +big ones granted in return. There you are!" And still another snowball +landed on Shep's neck. + +Five other boys had come up, and now the contestants were lined up on +both sides of the street not far from a corner, where there was a turn +running down to the depot. As the snowballing went on a distant +locomotive whistle sounded out and the afternoon train from the East +rolled into the station. Several passengers alighted and among the +number was Andrew Felps, of the Felps Lumber Company, the man who had +caused the boy hunters so much trouble the summer previous. + +Mr. Andrew Felps was in a bad humor. He had gone to the city on +business and matters had not turned out as he had expected. Now he had +gotten back, dressed in his best, and wearing a new silk hat, and he +had no umbrella with which to protect himself from the snow-storm. +More than this, his coachman, who generally met him when he came in on +the train, was not in sight. + +"Bah! I'll have to walk I suppose," muttered the saw mill owner, as he +looked around for a carriage and found none. "Just the time you want a +rig you can't find one. I'll discharge Johnson as soon as I reach +home." + +With his coat buttoned up around his neck, and his head bent low to +escape the scudding snow, Andrew Felps hurried away from the depot and +up to the main street of Fairview. Then he made another turn, +presently reaching the spot where our heroes and the other lads were +having their sport. + +"Hi! here comes old Felps!" cried Giant. "We ought to give him +something to remember us by!" + +"Don't you do it!" returned Snap quickly. "He doesn't know what fun +is, and he'd be sure to make trouble." + +Some other boys were coming up, and the snowballs began to fly more +furiously than ever. Snap, Shep, Whopper and Giant were on one side, +and a boy named Carl Dudder and five other town lads on the other +side. In the midst of the rallies came a yell of alarm, followed by +several loud cries of rage. + +"Hullo! look there!" exclaimed Whopper. "Old Felps has been knocked +into the middle of next month. There goes his hat in the snow too! Who +threw at him?" + +"I didn't," answered Giant, promptly. + +"Neither did I," came from Snap. + +"Nor I," added Shep. + +The saw mill owner was flat on his back, his silk hat on one side of +him and a package of books and papers on the other. + +"Maybe he slipped on some ice," suggested Snap. + +"Hi! hi! who threw that snowball!" roared Andrew Felps, savagely, as +he arose to his feet. "You young villains! I'll have the law on you +for this!" + +He scrambled to his feet and glared around him. All of the boys had +stopped throwing at once and gazed at him curiously. + +"Ha! I know you!" went on Andrew Felps, striding up to Snap. "It was +you who hit me in the ear and knocked me down!" + +"No, sir, I did not," answered Charley. + +"I know better! I saw you do it!" + +"You are mistaken, Mr. Felps! I was throwing across the street." + +"Don't tell me! I know better, Dodge. You hit me and you did it on +purpose." + +At this Snap merely shrugged his shoulders. + +"I'll have the law on you," fumed Andrew Felps. + +"Snap didn't hit you," said Shep. + +"Ha! then perhaps you threw the snowball," said the saw mill owner +suspiciously. + +"I did not." + +"I know you boys, and I have not forgotten your work against me last +summer," growled Andrew Felps. + +"And we haven't forgotten you," answered Snap, coldly. "You have no +right to accuse me of something I didn't do." + +"Bah! If I find out who hit me I'll make it warm for him!" And having +thus delivered himself Andrew Felps picked up his silk hat and his +bundle and went on his way, in a worse humor than ever. + +"Isn't he a darling?" observed Whopper sarcastically. "How I would +love to own him for a brother!" + +"I wonder who did hit him?" mused Snap. "The snowball couldn't have +come from over here." + +"I know who hit him," said a little boy named Benny Grime. + +"Who was it, Benny?" + +"Ham Spink." + +"Ham Spink!" cried Snap and Shep in concert. + +"Yes." + +"Why, he isn't here," said Whopper. + +"He just came up, threw one snowball, and ran away. I guess he meant +to hit somebody else and the snowball hit Mr. Felps instead," went on +the small boy. "Don't let him know I told you, or he'll wax me good +for it." + +"I shan't tell Ham," said Snap. "But this is strange," he continued. + +"Thought Ham was too much of a dude to throw snowballs," was Whopper's +comment. "Why, he wears a new necktie every day now, and new patent +leather shoes, and new gloves, and--" + +"Don't pile it on too thick, Whopper," laughed Shep. "But I admit, he +is a dude and no mistake." + +"And a sneak--to run away as soon as he hit old Felps," finished +Giant. + +There was no time to say more, for the snowball battle was again +raging, more furiously than ever. The balls flew on all sides, and +grown folks, coming in that direction, kept out of the way as much as +possible. + +"Here comes old Mammy Shrader!" cried Snap, presently. "We must be +careful not to hit her." + +The woman he referred to was old and feeble and very short sighted. +She had a faded shawl over her shoulders and carried a market basket +on one arm. She went out nursing among the poor people and was well +known throughout the entire neighborhood. + +As the old woman came on a snowball was thrown at her from the other +side of the street. + +"Say, don't do that!" called out Snap, angrily. "Leave Mammy Shrader +alone!" + +He has scarcely uttered the words when another snowball was thrown at +the aged female. This hit her on the cheek and caused her to utter a +cry of pain. She tried to save herself from falling, but could not, +and went down in a heap. + +"For shame!" ejaculated Shep and ran to help the old woman to arise. +In the meantime Snap, with flashing eyes, hurried across the street +and confronted Carl Dudder. As my old readers know, Carl Dudder was a +close crony to Ham Spink and had done his full share in making our +young friends uncomfortable during the summer outing. + +"Dudder, aren't you ashamed of yourself?" said Snap. + +"What are you talking about?" demanded Carl Dudder, although he +trembled a little as he spoke. + +"You threw those snowballs at Mammy Shrader." + +"I didn't." + +"You did--I saw you." + +"That's correct--I saw him too," put in Giant, who had followed Snap. +In the meantime Whopper had followed Shep, and both were doing what +they could for the old woman. + +"See here, Snap Dodge, I don't want you to talk to me," blustered Carl +Dudder. "I know my own business." + +"You ought to be knocked down for throwing at Mammy Shrader." + +"You can't knock me down!" growled Carl, doubling up his fists. + +"A fight! a fight!" cried several boys, always ready for an affair of +that sort. + +There was an awkward pause. Snap did not wish to fight, and yet he +wanted Dudder to understand that he was not afraid. + +"I think I owe you something from last summer," said Dudder, coming +closer and sticking his chin in Snap's face. "I haven't forgotten +that." + +"Yes, but you seem to have forgotten that we about kept you from +starving to death," answered Snap calmly. + +"And that's no joke," came softly from Giant. + +"You keep your oar out, little one," grunted Dudder, turning to glare +at Will. + +"You and your crowd acted very meanly last summer and you know it, +Dudder," said Giant, not in the least abashed. "Your treatment of +Mammy Shrader is on a par with your other actions." + +"Shut up!" roared the other boy, and made a quick pass at Giant's +head. But the small boy dodged and the fist struck Snap on the +shoulder. + +The next instant Snap hauled off, struck out, and Carl Dudder measured +his length in the snow. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE RESULTS OF SNOWBALLING + + +Carl Rudder had not expected this telling blow and he was so dazed it +was several seconds before he turned over in the snow and arose to his +feet. + +"Good for you, Snap!" cried Will. "That's the way to serve him." + +"Wha--what do you mean by hitting me like that?" demanded Dudder, +glaring at Charley, but still keeping a safe distance. + +"What do you mean by hitting me?" demanded Snap. + +"I'll punch your head good for you! + +"Try it--if you dare," answered Snap, defiantly, and he took an +aggressive step forward, at which Dudder retreated. + +"I'll fight you another time--when you haven't so many friends +around," said Carl Dudder lamely, and then turning on his heel he +started away, followed by one of his cronies. + +"If old Mammy Shrader is hurt, you'll be to blame," called Snap after +him. + +"He's a coward," was Giant's comment. "I wish I had got a whack at +him. He is much larger than I am, but I am not afraid of him." + +While this scene was transpiring Shep and Whopper had helped old Mammy +Shrader to a seat on the porch of a house not far from where she had +gone down. The old woman complained of a pain in her side and it was +next to impossible for her to take another step. + +"I'll have to go home," she panted. "But how am I to get there?" + +"Here comes Mr. Sell in his grocery wagon," cried Whopper. "Perhaps +he'll give you a ride." + +"Maybe he will--I buy my things from him," answered the old woman. + +The grocer was stopped and the situation explained, and he readily +volunteered to take Mammy Shrader to her home, located at no great +distance. He and the boys helped her into the wagon. + +"The boy who struck her ought to be horsewhipped," said the grocer. +"Fun is one thing, but hitting an old woman is quite another." + +"Just what I say," answered Shep. + +"Well, I knocked him down anyway," said Snap, coming up, and Giant +told the details of the brief encounter. + +Snap volunteered to go with the grocer, and between them they soon had +Mammy Shrader at her home and lying on a couch. Shep hurried home and +told his father the particulars of what had occurred. + +"I will drive over and see her," said the doctor, and as his horse was +hitched up he went immediately. + +"She is suffering from a sprain and from the jar," said the physician, +after an examination. "She must take it easy for a week or so." Then a +neighbor, who had dropped in, said she would look after the patient +during that time. + +"Carl Dudder ought to be made to pay for this," said Doctor Reed. + +"The Dudders won't pay anything--Mr. Dudder is as miserly as they make +him, even if he is well off," said Whopper. + +"Perhaps he can be forced to pay," replied Snap. + +When Carl Dudder heard that a doctor had been called in to attend +Mammy Shrader he was much frightened. He went to consult Ham Spink +about it. The two were hand-in-glove in everything. + +"Are they sure you threw the snowball?" asked Ham Spink, pointedly. + +"They say they saw me." + +"Who says so?" + +"Oh, Snap Dodge and that crowd." + +"Always that crowd!" muttered Ham Spink. + +"They say they know you knocked Andrew Felps down," went on Dudder, +finding some consolation in the fact that Ham was in difficulties too. + +"They didn't see a thing!" roared the dudish youth. + +"Well, that is what they say." + +"Humph! Carl, they are bound to get us into trouble." + +"Of course. They haven't got over last summer's trouble yet. I suppose +they will make it as hot for us as they can." + +"Well, let us stick together and maybe we can face them down," was Ham +Spink's comment, and then he lit a cigarette and offered one to his +crony, and both fell to smoking. + +That very evening both youths had to "face the music," and in a manner +which did not please them in the least. + +Coming home just before supper Mr. Spink, found a note awaiting him. +It was from Andrew Felps and ran, in part, as follows: + +"I have a complaint to make against your son Hamilton. To-day while I +was on my way through the streets of our town I was assailed in the +fashion of a ruffian by your son, who threw snowballs at me, knocking +me down and ruining my silk hat and a rare volume of history I was +carrying. I demand that your son apologize to me for his actions or I +shall make a complaint to the authorities." + +"Hamilton, what does this mean?" demanded Mr. Spink, after perusing +the communication several times. + +"I don't know," answered the undutiful offspring brazenly. + +"Did you snowball Mr. Felps?" + +"No. I didn't snowball anybody." + +"He says you did." + +"He must be mistaken." + +"It is mighty queer," muttered Mr. Spink. "I will look into this +to-morrow." + +"The old Harry take Felps anyway," muttered Ham to himself. "How did +he learn I threw that snowball? That Dodge crowd must have told him." + +It was Mammy Shrader's neighbor, Samuel O'Brien, who called upon Mr. +Dudder. + +"Sure, Mr. Dodder, yer son ought to be locked up, so he ought," said +the Irishman. "It's him as is wantin' to kill old Mammy Shrader." + +"Why, what do you mean, sir?" demanded Mr. Dudder, in amazement. + +"Sure an' wasn't it Carl as knocked the old lady down to-day and laid +her on a sick bed, wid a doctor, an' me wife to nurse her till she +gits betther? Sure it's a bastly shame, so it is, an' Carl will go +to the lock-up onless ye pay all the bills." + +"I do not understand you." + +"Thin I'll be after explainin'," answered Samuel O'Brien, and gave his +story in full, to which Mr. Dudder listened in a nervous fashion. Then +Carl was called into the room. + +"What do you mean by making trouble in this fashion?" demanded Mr. +Dudder wrathfully. + +"I didn't make trouble," said Carl, sullenly. + +"Sure an' he did that," said the Irishman. + +"Mr. O'Brien says you knocked Mrs. Shrader down." + +"I didn't." + +"He was seen--several b'ys saw him," put in Samuel O'Brien. + +"I--er--it was an accident," stammered Carl, quailing before the stern +gaze of his parent. "The--er--the snowball slipped. It didn't hit +Mammy Shrader hard, and she fell down of her own account, not because +of the snowball." + +"She says th' snowball knocked her down," said Samuel O'Brien. "If ye +was my b'y I'd be afther givin' ye a good walloppin', so I would!" he +added pointedly. + +"I will go and see Mrs. Shrader," said Mr. Dudder. "Carl, you remain +at home until I get back." + +"Can't I go over and see Ham?" + +"No." + +"I promised him that I would be over." + +"Well, you can't go. You study your lessons, unless you prefer to go +with me to Mrs. Shrader's." + +"I don't want to go to her house," said Carl. + +Mr. Dudder lost no time in paying Mammy Shrader a visit, and then he +called on Doctor Reed. When he came home again he was very angry. + +"Carl, I have a good mind to punish you severely," he said. "I did not +think you would treat a woman as Mrs. Shrader has been treated. I +shall have to pay her doctor's bill and also something more--at least +fifteen or twenty dollars." Mr. Dudder sighed at the thought of +parting with so much cash. "I shall take the amount out of your +spending money, and out of the money I was going to give you for +Christmas" + +"Can't I have the five dollars you promised me for Christmas?" gasped +Carl. + +"Not a cent of it." + +"Oh, you're a mean thing!" burst out Carl, and ran from the room +before his father could stop him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE EXPLOSION + + +On the following afternoon Snap was walking down to the river front, +on an errand for his father, when he caught sight of Ham Spink and +Carl Dudder, under a lumber shed. The pair were conversing in an +earnest fashion, but ceased their conversation as Snap came closer. + +Snap knew that Ham and Carl were in far from a friendly humor. Through +one boy he had learned how Carl had been treated by his father, and +through another how Andrew Felps had discovered that Ham had been his +aggressor. There had been a lively interview when Mr. Felps and Mr. +Spink had met, and in the end the latter had said he would stand for +all damage done. Then he had gone home and laid down the law good and +hard to Ham. + +"To punish you I will cut off your spending money," said Mr. Spink, +and thus Ham and Carl found themselves in the same trouble so far as +cash was concerned. It galled them exceedingly, and, as was their +habit, they laid the blame entirely on others. + +As Snap passed the shed both Ham and Carl scowled at him. Then, after +he had gone a dozen steps, Ham called out: + +"Come back here. I want to talk to you." + +"Did you address me?" demanded Snap, wheeling around. + +"I did. Come here, I want to talk to you." + +Snap did not budge. + +"If you want to talk to me you can come where I am," he said. + +"Oh, you needn't get so mighty high and loftly!" sneered Ham Spink. + +"I am not your servant." + +"Nice stories you and your crowd have been telling about me and Carl," +went on Ham, coming closer. + +"Trying to get us into trouble," put in Carl. "It's a jolly shame and +you ought to be thrashed for it." + +"See here, Dudder, and you too, Spink," answered Charley firmly, "I +want no quarrel with you. Ever since our outing last summer you have +been like bears with sore heads. If your camping out was a failure it +wasn't our fault. When you hadn't any game we let you have some of +ours, and we did a great deal more for you than you deserved. Now--" + +"Oh, don't preach!" cried Ham. + +"What do you want of me?" + +"I want to give you fair warning that neither I nor Carl will stand +for the way you are acting. Either you keep your distance, or it will +be the worse for you." + +"I am not afraid of you." + +"Well, you had better be." + +"What do you mean by that?" demanded Snap. He fancied there might be +some hidden meaning to Ham Spink's words. + +"Oh, you'll find out one of these days," came from Carl, +significantly. + +"If you try any of your underhanded tricks you'll get the worst of +it--just as you did up to the camp," answered Snap, and went on his +way. + +"Oh, I wish I could mash him!" muttered Ham Spink, between his set +teeth. + +"Yes, and mash the whole crowd of 'em," added Dodder. "I hate the very +sight of 'em!" + +"Do you know that they are talking about camping out again?" + +"What, this winter?" + +"Yes." + +"Where?" + +"That I don't know." + +"I'd like to spoil the trip for them." + +"So would I. Maybe we can do it too, if we watch our chances." + +The two talked the matter over for some time and when they separated +it was with the fixed determination to play some underhanded trick and +do "the Dodge crowd," as they called our friends much harm. + +All of the boys who attended the local school had been waiting +impatiently to learn when the present session would come to an end. +Now it was announced that school would close the following Friday +afternoon and remain shut up for three weeks and a half. + +"Hurrah! that will give us just time enough for a dandy outing!" cried +Whopper. + +"You'll have to kill a bear a day to make up the number you said you'd +bring down," answered, Giant. + +"Pooh! I never kill bears singly," sniffed Whopper. "I always kill them +in pairs or by the half dozen." + +"We've got to make sure that we can go first," said Shep. "Remember +the school averages." + +They did remember, and all were very anxious concerning the +examinations to come off before the term closed. They studied hard, +and came out with an average of eight-eight to ninety-four per cent. + +"Good!" said Snap. "Our folks can't find fault with such records." And +nobody did find fault. On the contrary, the boys received not a little +praise, and permission to go on the winter outing was readily granted. + +"Let us start next Monday," said Giant, who was impatient to get away. + +"I doubt if we can get ready so quickly," answered Shep. "There is a +good deal to do, you know." + +"Then make it Tuesday," pleaded Giant. + +"The ice on the river is perfect, so it will be the easiest thing in +the world to skate to the lake and drag our sleds after us." + +It had already been decided that they should go into camp at Firefly +Lake, where they had left their summer shelter only a few months +before. Firefly Lake was a beautiful sheet of water, or ice, located a +mile from Lake Cameron, and about eleven miles from Fairview. To get +to this spot they had to go to Lake Cameron first and then along a +narrow watercourse which united the two sheets of water. + +The news quickly spread through the town that the Gun Club was going +away on another outing, and many envied our friends their coming +pleasures. Ham Spink and Carl Rudder looked sour over the prospects. + +"Where are they going?" asked Carl. + +"To Firefly Lake, to their old camp." + +After this announcement both boys looked at each other suggestively. + +"It will be moonlight to-night, and we can easily skate twenty or +twenty-five miles," suggested Ham. + +"So we can, Ham. Let us do it, and--_fix things_." + +"We will," said Ham firmly. + +As soon as it was settled that our friends were to go away before +Christmas, and remain away over the holidays, they received from their +parents several gifts in advance. All obtained snowshoes--picked out +for them by their old hunter friend, Jed Sanborn--and they also +procured an extra gun, an extra sled, and some warm camp blankets. +They still possessed their old camp outfit and so it was an easy +matter to gather the things together and get everything ready for the +start. The outfit was packed upon two good-sized sleds and well +fastened. + +"I suppose we ought to have skated up to the camp and inspected +things," observed Snap. "But I have been too busy to do so." + +"Oh, I reckon everything is as we left it," answered Whopper. + +"The camp was all right two weeks ago," said Jed Sanborn, who chanced +to be present. "Of course you'll have to fix up some kind of a chimney +in the cabin, for you can't keep your fire outdoors in this weather." + +"It's as much fun to fix up the cabin as it is to camp out," said +Shep, and the others agreed with him. + +On Monday afternoon the boys got their things together and stored them +in an old boathouse on the river front. They had looked to their +skates and each pair had been sharpened and put in first class +condition. + +"We may use our skates as much as the snowshoes," said Whopper. + +With everything stored in the old boathouse the door was carefully +locked by Shep, who put the key in his pocket. The old boathouse had +two windows, but each of these was nailed shut. + +"I don't believe anybody will get in there," observed the doctor's +son. + +"Oh, I don't think there are any thieves around," answered Whopper. + +The evening was devoted to final preparations, and it was after ten +o'clock before any of the boys thought of retiring. Snap was over to +Shep's house, and the doctor's son saw his friend to the front door. + +"Now remember, seven o'clock sharp," said Shep. "We want to get away +as early as possible, so we'll have plenty of time to fix up the cabin +when we get there." + +"Oh, I'll be up early enough," said Snap, with a smile. "Fact of it +is, I am so worked up I don't expect to do much sleeping." + +After a few words more the boys separated, and Snap started to walk +home. He had almost reached his gate when something prompted him to +halt. He looked down the roadway in the direction of the old +boathouse. + +"I have half a mind to go down and see if everything is O. K.," he +murmured to himself. + +Then he thought it would be foolish, and started to enter the house. +But he was undecided, and at last hurried down the roadway in the +direction of the river. + +He was still some distance from the old boathouse when he discovered +two persons running across an open field which lined the roadway. He +could not make out anything excepting that they were either men or big +boys. + +"That's queer," he reasoned, and then started forward again. + +Snap was still two hundred feet from the old boathouse when a most +extraordinary thing happened. There was a rumble as of thunder, +followed by a fierce flash of fire, and then the end of the boathouse +arose in the air and came down with a crash, completely wrecking what +was left of the building! + + + + +CHAPTER V + +OFF FOR THE CAMP + + +The sudden and unexpected shock nearly threw Snap from his feet, and +it was several seconds before he could collect his senses. + +Then, in a dim and uncertain way, he realized two things--that there +had been a terrific explosion and that the old boathouse containing +their precious camping outfit was in ruins. + +"What in the world can it mean?" he asked himself, as he stared in a +bewildered fashion at the ruin in front of him. "It sounded as if some +dynamite went off." + +The noise and shock of the explosion was heard all over Fairview, and +soon people came flocking to the scene from all directions. + +"What blew up?" + +"Hullo, the Cramer boathouse is down!" + +"Fire! fire!" + +Such were some of the cries which arose on all sides. Then the crowd +came closer, staring at the fallen building, as Snap had done. + +In the meanwhile Snap ran forward until he was less than a rod away +from the wrecked building. He saw a small fire start up among some +splintered boards and, quick to act, picked up some chunks of snow and +attempted to put it out. + +"That's a good idea," said John Sell, the grocer, who had arrived, and +he, too, began to throw the snow, and so did others. + +"Our camping-out things are in that place," said Snap. + +"Is that so. What blew up, some of your powder?" + +"I--I don't think so," faltered Snap. He had up to that moment not +thought of the cartridges they had stored on one of the sleds. + +"Must have been pretty powerful," said another man. "That noise was +like a regular blast over to the stone quarries." + +In the crowd was Shep, who had just been on be point of going to bed, +and soon Whopper and Giant arrived. In the meanwhile large quantities +of snow were hurled on the ruins and soon the fire was completely +under control. + +"Snap, do you think our cartridges went off? questioned Whopper. + +"No, I don't. How could they go off, unless they were fired, from a +gun or otherwise?" + +"A rat might have gnawed them," suggested Giant. + +"Those cartridges wouldn't cause such a wreckage as this," said Snap +firmly. His senses were now coming back to him. "Well, I never!" he +exclaimed suddenly. + +"What's up now?" + +"I just thought of something." + +"What is it?" + +"When I left Shep's house I walked in this direction, because I was +worried for fear somebody might steal our traps. As I walked along I +saw two persons running across Hecker's cornfield. I couldn't make out +who they were, but I fancy they came from this direction." + +"Then they must have caused the explosion," said Whopper quickly. "But +why should they do it?" + +"Maybe it was an accident," said Giant. + +"I'd like to know how much our outfit is damaged," said Shep, +anxiously. "I don't care about the old boathouse. It wasn't worth much +anyway." + +From a nearby store several lanterns were brought, and men and boys +proceeded to make an inspection of the ruins. Some boards and timbers +were hauled aside, and soon the boys discovered the sleds with the +outfit practically as they had left them. One load was a bit damaged +at the end, but that was all. + +"I'm thankful it is no worse," was Snap's comment. + +"If the fire hadn't been put out when it was everything would have +burnt up," said Shep seriously. + +While the boys were taking care of their sleds and the other things +the men folks looked around for traces of what had caused the +explosion. Among the men was Jerry Corwin, one of the blasters at the +stone quarry. + +"Dynamite did this," said he. "Dynamite and nothing else." + +"It certainly sounded like dynamite," said another man. + +"How would dynamite get here?" asked Mr. Dodge, who had arrived on the +scene. + +At this question Jerry Corwin shrugged his massive shoulders. + +"Once in a while some dynamite is missing from our store at the +quarry," he answered. "The laborers steal it, for they can sell it to +farmers for blasting out stumps, and to others. During the past six +months we have lost at least a dozen sticks." + +"As the boathouse was not worth much, why was it blown up?" asked +Doctor Reed, who had been summoned by somebody who thought a man had +been hurt. + +"That's the question," said Mr. Dodge. "Evidently it contained nothing +of value outside of the outfit belonging to our sons." + +"Hum!" murmured the physician, and said no more. + +It was a bitter cold night, so after the fire was put out and the +ruins examined, the majority of the crowd went home. The members of +the Gun Club put their outfits in a neighboring barn, where a friend +promised they should be safe, and then, after a short talk, went to +their respective abodes. It was a good hour before any of the lads got +to sleep. + +Whopper was just dreaming of another terrific explosion when he awoke +with a start, to hear a loud pounding on the side of the house, +directly under his bedroom window. Opening the sash cautiously he +caught sight of Giant below, hitting the clapboards with a snow shovel +which happened to be handy. + +"Oh, what a racket!" murmured Whopper. "I must pay him for that!" And +scooping up some snow from the window sill he gave a low whistle. Then +as Giant looked up, he let the snow drop. + +"Wuow!" spluttered the little lad, as the loose snow filled his mouth +and nose. "Say, do you want to smother me?" + +"Then stop that infernal racket," answered Whopper. "Do you want the +neighborhood to think that there are more explosions taking place?" + +"Time to be moving," said Giant, and passed on, to arouse Shep. + +"Now, my son, be very careful and keep out of danger," said Mr. Dodge +to Charley, when the latter was ready to leave. "I shall send old Jed +Sanborn up to see you once or twice, and if you need anything from +here you let him know and he can bring it to you." And then, after a +warm handshake from his father and a kiss from his mother, Snap almost +ran from the house, fearful that he would be late. + +At the barn where the things had been stored he found Giant and Shep, +but nothing was to be seen of Whopper. + +"I woke him up," said Giant. "Something has gone wrong, or he would be +here by this time." + +They waited five minutes longer, and Snap was on the point of going to +Whopper's home when they saw the missing club member approaching on a +run. + +"What in the world kept you so long?" cried Shep. + +"Oh, I had a little set-to with Barney Hedge," answered Whopper. "He +said some things I didn't like and I rolled him over in the snow and +put some down his back to help him cool off." + +"Barney Hedge," repeated Snap. He knew the fellow mentioned to be a +crony of Ham Spink and Carl Dudder. "What was it about?" + +"Oh, about our outing last summer. It seems Hedge and the others are +starting a report that we didn't shoot the game we brought in, but +that Jed Sanborn brought down the most of it for us." + +"How mean!" cried Giant. + +"He said we couldn't shoot but that we were all blowers--and if left +to ourselves in this cold weather we would starve to death and freeze +in the bargain. I couldn't stand for that, so I pitched into him." + +"Good for you!" shouted Giant. "I hope you gave him something to +remember." + +"I wonder if we will have trouble with that crowd during the present +outing," mused Snap after a pause. + +"I don't think they are going camping," answered Whopper. "They +haven't got enough real sporting blood in them." + +After that the topic of conversation quickly changed, as they looked +over their things for the last time, to make certain that everything +was there. + +The boys carried a good supply of clothing, including extra underwear +and extra pairs of boots. Each had a pair of warm blankets and also a +rubber sheet, to be used in case of sudden rain. + +The stores were made up of a variety of things, including flour, +bacon, beans, some canned goods, and coffee, chocolate, sugar, salt, +pepper and condensed milk. They had their old "nest" of pans and +kettles, tin cups and plates, and likewise enough knives, forks and +spoons to go around. In a waterproof case were several boxes of +matches, and they also had along an acetylene bicycle lamp, which they +thought they might use in bringing down game at night, and an axe and +a hatchet. + +All of the young sportsmen were armed with shotguns and they also took +along Mr. Dodge's rifle, as they had done before, and the trusty +pistol belonging to Doctor Reed. Their snowshoes were placed on the +tops of the loads, and they put on their well-sharpened skates as soon +as the river front was reached. + +"Good-bye to Fairview!" cried Shep, when all was in readiness for the +start. + +"Good-bye, boys, and the best of luck for you!" shouted Doctor Reed, +who had driven down in his sleigh, to see them off. + +"Don't let the bears eat you up!" called out a riverman who stood on +the dock. + +"No danger of that," answered Snap. + +And then with a shout and the waving of caps, the members of the +Fairview Gun Club set off on their winter outing, never dreaming of +the many surprises and perils which awaited them. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +CHICKENS AND MINCE PIE + + +It was a perfect winter day, with a dull golden glow in the sky and +only a faint breeze from the north blowing. On the ground the snow lay +to the depth of ten inches or a foot, but the wind of the week past +had almost cleared the ice on the river. Here and there were long +ridges of snow across the glare, but that was all. + +The young hunters had tied long ropes to the sleds, and while Whopper +and Shep pulled one turnout, Snap and Giant dragged the other. The +sleds had polished runners, and slid over the river surface so easily +that pulling was more sport than work. + +The course was down the river towards Lake Cameron, and in a very few +minutes the town neighborhood was left behind. On either side of the +frozen stream were trees and bushes, with here and there a cleared +patch or an orchard. Some boys accompanied them a short distance, but +then these dropped back, and our four young friends were left to +themselves. + +"Do you remember how we stopped at Pop Lundy's orchard when we went to +the camp in the rowboat?" observed Shep. + +"Yes, and how he caught us and then got us to go after the negro who +stole the watch," put in Whopper. + +"I shouldn't mind having some of his apples now," said Giant. "We +ought to have taken apples along." + +"There is the orchard now," cried Snap. "But there are no apples to be +had this time of year." + +"As if we would dare to take them," said Whopper, with a wink of his +eye. + +As they neared the spot where the orchard ran down to the river shore +they heard the sound of an axe and saw Simon Lundy chopping down an +old apple tree for firewood. The man was a very close-fisted farmer +and was rarely known to do a charitable act. + +"How are you, Mr. Lundy!" called out Snap, as he brought one of the +sleds to a halt. + +"How do ye do," grunted the farmer, and then gave a closer look. "Oh, +so it's you fellers ag'in, hey? Goin' campin' once more? + +"We are." + +"How are your apples getting along?" asked Shep, also halting. + +"Didn't have sech a big crop as I expected." + +"Thought you might spare us a few," suggested Whopper. "Of course +we'll pay for them, if you wish." + +"Well, there hain't much profit in givin' apples away," said Simon +Lundy, pursing up his thin lips. "Got some putty good golden russets +left. How many do ye want?" + +"Give us all you can spare for a quarter," said Shep, who had been +chosen treasurer of the club for the outing. + +Simon Lundy led the way to his barn, and there the boys picked out +some russets and some greenings. While this was going on Mrs. Lundy +came from the house to see the visitors. + +"Why, if it ain't them same boys as helped to catch that nigger!" she +cried. "Want some apples, hey? Give 'em all they want, Simon. They +deserve 'em." + +"I was a--er--a--sellin' them the apples," answered the husband, +lamely, and growing a bit red in the face. + +"What! Simon Lundy, ain't ye ashamed! You shan't take a cent from 'em, +not a cent! Why, the idee!" + +"All right, all right, if you say so," said the farmer hastily. + +"I do say so." Mrs. Lundy turned to the young hunters. "Where be you +a-goin?" + +"We are going camping," answered Snap. "At the same place we were last +summer." + +"Ain't you afraid o' being frizz to death?" + +"Oh, I think we can stand it." + +"What have ye took along to eat?" + +Snap told her and she shrugged her shoulders. + +"Ye ought to have brung more, boys. Now, I've jest been a-makin' some +mince pies. Wouldn't ye like one o' them?" + +"Yes, indeed!" shouted Whopper, who had a weakness for that dainty. "I +can eat mince pie in the middle of my sleep." + +"Then you shall have the biggest pie o' the lot," said Mrs. Lundy. +"And, Simon," she added, to her husband, "you jest kill a couple o' +fat chickens fer 'em. Maybe they won't find no game the first day they +be in camp, an' they ought to have some kind o' meat." + +"It's drefful expensive!" groaned Simon Lundy. + +"Shucks! These boys did us a real service, an' want 'em to know we +appreciate it," answered Mrs. Lundy briskly. + +She told her husband what chickens to catch and kill, and helped pull +the feathers. Then she brought forth the still steaming mince pie, +leaving it in the stone dish in which it had been baked. + +"You can leave the dish when you come back--if you think o' it," she +said, "and if ye don't, 'twon't matter much." + +A little later saw the four boy hunters on their way again, the +precious mince pie resting on the top of one of the sled loads and the +apples and chickens on the other. Mrs. Lundy waved them a cheery adieu +and Simon smiled somewhat grimly. + +"It nearly broke old Pop Lundy's heart to give the things away," was +Giant's comment. + +"It wasn't any more than fair, after what we did for him," answered +Shep. "Say, boys, camping out with chicken and mince pie won't be bad, +will it?" + +"Yum! yum!" was the only answer the others gave. + +By noon they found themselves on Lake Cameron. On one shore were the +grim evidences of that terrible forest fire which had nearly cost the +saw mill robber and the Felps' crowd their lives. A few spots on the +lake were clear, but at other points the snow lay from a few inches to +a foot and a half deep. + +They skated to the opposite shore and stopped near the shelter of some +pines and hemlocks. All were willing to rest, and a small campfire was +built, over which they made a pot of coffee. They had brought with +them some sandwiches and some cake, and these made up the brief +noonday meal. + +"Here goes for a first shot!" cried Snap, leaping to his feet with a +part of a sandwich still in his mouth. He had discovered several +rabbits near some bushes up the lake shore. Catching up his shotgun he +took careful aim and blazed away. + +"Two of them!" exclaimed Shep. "Good for you, Snap!" + +Snap ran forward and picked up the game. They were plump and heavy and +he held them up with pride. + +"We shan't starve just yet," remarked Giant. "We are sure to get +rabbits, and partridge and wild turkeys, and there must be plenty of +fish under this ice." + +All of the party were anxious to reach the former camp, to see what it +looked like, so the noonday rest did not last long. Skirting one shore +of Lake Cameron, they came to the narrow waterway that connected it +with Firefly Lake. Here the water, which usually flowed swiftly +between the rocks, was frozen up in a lumpy fashion that made skating +impossible. + +"We'll have to walk the rest of the distance," announced Whopper. "We +couldn't skate on this in a million years." + +"I wish we could try the snowshoes," said Giant. He knew very little +about using the articles. + +"Can't do it," answered Snap. "But just you wait, we'll have more snow +before long and then the snowshoes will come in mighty handy." + +They took off their skates, put them on the sleds, and started up the +rocky and frozen watercourse. The walking was treacherous and soon +Whopper went down, with Shep on top of him. The bag of apples came +over both. + +"Hi! get off of me!" roared Whopper. "Do you want to crush me into a +pancake? Who threw that bag of apples?" + +"You want to be careful of the loads," admonished Snap. "Don't throw +off the mince pie as you did the apples." + +"Look!" yelled Giant, who had been gazing to the north of the +watercourse. "Am I mistaken, or is that a deer?" + +"A deer! A deer!" cried Shep, and on the instant all of the boys +forgot about the tumble and each caught up his shotgun. It was indeed +a deer, standing among some young trees about two hundred yards +distance. + +"Oh, if we can only bring it down!" said Whopper, in a whisper. + +"We must bring it down," answered Shep, in an equally low voice. + +"Get out of sight," warned Snap. "If he sees us he'll be of in a +jiffy." + +They dropped behind some convenient bushes and then moved forward with +great caution, each with his shotgun ready to blaze away instantly. + +The forward movement lasted for fully five minutes and then all raised +up cautiously and looked for the deer. + +The game had disappeared! + +"Where is he?" whispered Giant, gazing around in bewilderment. + +"Bless me if I know," answered Snap. + +The young hunters gazed in all directions and then came out into the +open. + +"He is surely gone," said Shep. + +"There he goes!" sang out Giant, and pointed up the lake to a clearing +an eighth of a mile away. + +"And streaking it like greased lightning," added Whopper. "He'll reach +the Canadian line before he stops." + +"Too bad!" growled Shep, in disgust. "I fancied we'd get him sure." + +"This puts me in mind of what Jed Sanborn says," said Snap, with a +sickly grin. "'Be sure of only what is in your game bag.'" + +The young hunters looked around for more deer but none were in that +vicinity and so they returned to where they had left the sleds. + +"If it hadn't been that we want to get to camp we might have followed +up that deer," was Giant's comment. + +"Not much use of that," answered Snap. "By the way he was running he +must have been pretty well woke up, and when that happens you know a +deer will run for miles without stopping." + +All were glad when they came in sight of Fire-fly Lake. About one half +of the surface was a smooth glare of ice, the other half being covered +with ridges of snow. + +To reach their old camp they had to go up the shore and around a bend +where the bushes and trees were thick. Once more they donned their +skates and went forward rapidly. + +"Let us have a race!" cried Whopper, and he and Giant set off with one +sled, while Snap and Shep set off with the other. + +"An extra piece of mince pie to the winning team!" cried the doctor's +son merrily as he put on an extra spurt. + +Soon the turn of the shore was gained, with the sleds side by side. +Then all of the young hunters gazed ahead. + +"Well, I never!" + +"If this isn't too bad for anything!" + +Such were the exclamations uttered. And there was good cause for their +consternation and dismay. Instead of the tidy cabin they had expected +to see, nothing but a heap of blackened logs confronted them. + +The log cabin had been burnt to the ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A DISMAYING DISCOVERY + + +The hearts of the four young hunters went "down in their boots" as +they surveyed the desolate scene before them. + +They had spent much hard labor over the cabin which had been their +home during a large part of the summer outing, and they had fully +expected to find it in the same condition as when they had locked it +up and come away. + +"Boys, what can this mean?" said Snap at last. Who has played us this +shabby trick?" + +"Can the cabin have burnt down right after we left it?" asked Giant. + +"Why, no, it has been burnt down since the last snowstorm," answered +Shep, "otherwise the snow would cover the ruins." + +"This fire isn't over three or four days old," came from Whopper. + +"Do you think it could start up of itself?" asked the small member of +the Gun Club. + +"No, I don't." + +"Then somebody must have set it on fire." + +"Yes." + +"Who?" + +"That remains to be found out," said Snap. "Oh, I wish I had the +fellow here now," and he banged a fist into the palm of his hand, to +show what he would do in such a case. + +The boys walked around the ruin several times and lifted up a few of +the half-burnt logs. It was easy to see that the cabin was a total +wreck. Snap heaved a mountainous sigh and so did the others. + +"We'll have to clear all this stuff away and build a brand new cabin," +said Shep. "All these old logs are good for is firewood." + +"That is true, Shep," answered Snap. "What I am thinking of is, what +are we to do to-night? We can't stay out in the open air. It is +growing colder every minute." + +"Well, I am not going home," came quickly from Giant. "I'd rather +freeze!" + +"Who said anything about going home?" demanded Whopper. "Why, I +wouldn't go home in a thousand years, cabin or no cabin. We can rig up +some sort of shelter of pine boughs and then build another cabin." + +"I know a dandy spot for another cabin," said Snap. "Don't you +remember I mentioned it to you, Shep, last summer? The spot where the +young trees stood so close together in a circle?" + +"Just the place," answered the doctor's son. + +Standing around was cold work and the young hunters lost no time in +cutting some dry brushwood and building a fire, on which they placed +several of the half-burnt logs. It was now the middle of the afternoon +and they knew they must work vigorously if they wanted any sort of a +suitable shelter against the cold before nightfall. + +The spot Snap had mentioned was less than two hundred feet up the lake +front. Here, behind some bushes which would keep off considerable +wind, was an almost perfect circle of trees, the diameter inside being +about fifteen feet. The trees were mostly young and not very tall and +the lower branches were not over ten feet from the ground on an +average. + +"We can cut off the tops of the trees and then bind in some of the +branches for a roof," said Snap. "Over those branches we can bind +others, with strips of bark between. We can cut the trees higher on +one side of the circle than on the other, so the snow and rain can run +off. Then we can bind in brushwood and bark for the sides, between the +trees, leaving one spot open for a rough sort of chimney, which we'll +have to build up of flat rocks. It won't make as nice a cabin as the +other was, but it is the best we can do in this wintry weather, and I +think, with a good fire going, we can make it fairly comfortable +inside." + +There were a great many things to take into consideration, but in the +main Snap's idea was voted a good one, and the sleds were brought to +the spot and the axe and hatchet gotten. + +"Giant, you bring up that camp-fire," said Snap. We'll want it here +later. Bring all those half-burnt logs, too, so that we'll have plenty +of firewood." + +"Aye, aye, Captain!" answered the little lad, in true nautical style +and touching his cap. + +While Giant re-built the camp-fire the others set to work on the new +cabin. First Snap and Shep, went up in the trees and marked off the +top of the new shelter. Then down came one tree top after another and +then the limbs that could not be used above. In the meantime Whopper +took a hunting knife and cut some strips of bark. + +"Now let us begin to bind in the branches," said Snap, and he and Shep +set to work, with Whopper helping them. Giant passed up some branches +which had fallen to the ground, and also some long, pliable withes to +be used as rope. Fortunately some of the branches left on the trees +were long and supple and could be twisted around one another with +ease. + +"We are going to have a regular mat of a roof," observed Whopper. "Why +can't we pile a lot of dead leaves on top, to make it air tight?" + +"Because they might possibly shake down and catch fire," answered +Snap. "We can bind in some more brushwood and some more bark. Then the +next snow will do the rest." + +At last the roof was finished and the workers dropped to the ground. +It was now night and all were tremendously hungry. + +"We'll have to let the sides of the shelter go until morning," said +Snap. "We can pile up some tree branches on the windy side and put the +rubber blankets over them. Then, during the night, we can build a fire +right in the middle of the hut. But we'll have to take turns at +guarding, to prevent the place from catching fire and to prevent those +sleeping from smothering, if the wind should change." + +While Snap and Shep continued to work on the shelter, Whopper and +Giant started to cook the evening meal, which consisted of a broiled +chicken, a loaf of bread they had brought along, and a slice of cake, +washed down with hot chocolate. They spent an hour over the meal, and +in the meantime discussed their future plans and the burnt cabin. + +"Do you know I have an idea that the same person who burnt down our +cabin wrecked the old boathouse," said Snap. + +"I was figuring it that way, too," answered Whopper. "The question is, +Who would be so mean!" + +"Perhaps it was Carl Dudder," answered Giant. + +"Or Ham Spink," came from Shep. + +"It was certainly done by an enemy," said Snap. "But I shouldn't dare +to accuse anybody unless I was certain." + +"You are right there," answered the doctor's son. "Burning a building +is a serious piece of business." + +"Yes, and blowing up a place with dynamite is serious, too," added +Whopper. "Why, it's a wonder the whole town didn't sail skyward!" + +The floor of the shelter had been cleaned up and on one side were +placed several piles of fresh pine boughs, which in camping out make +the best kind of a couch. Then the fire was brought in and placed +where the smoke could drift out between the trees. The blaze soon +warmed the place up, and the ruddy glare made the boys feel quite at +home. + +To keep out still more of the cold the two sleds were stood up between +some of the trees and the canvas coverings and rubber blankets were +stretched around as far as they would go. By that time all of the boys +were worn out with their labors and their journey and glad enough to +retire. + +"Each member of this club will have to remain on guard two hours," +said Snap. "We'll draw lots for turns." + +This was done, and it fell to Whopper to take the first turn, from +nine o'clock to eleven. Giant was to follow him, and then Snap and +Sheep. + +"Just my luck!" grumbled Whopper. "And when I am so sleepy I can +scarcely keep my eyes open." + +"Well, don't you go to sleep until your two hours is up," said Snap +sharply. "Keep an eye on the fire, and don't wake Giant up until his +turn comes." + +"I am going to fix up a pot of beans to cook," answered Whopper. "That +will help to keep me awake." + +Leaving Whopper fussing with the bean pot, the others turned into +their blankets and threw themselves on their pine bough couches. +Inside of five minutes Shep was asleep and Snap and the small member +of the Gun Club quickly followed. + +Whopper filled the pot half full of bean, soaked them a little in ice +water, and then hung them over the fire to bake, putting some bacon +with them, to give the proper flavor. Then he brought in some extra +sticks and sat down. He was indeed sleepy and it was all he could do +to keep his eyes open. + +"Guess I had better walk around," he told himself, and not to disturb +the sleepers, passed through one of the openings between the trees to +the outside of the shelter. + +It was a moonlight night, and he could see across the lake with ease. +All was quiet saving for the distant hoot of an owl and the occasional +bark of a fox. The wind had gone down and not a tree branch was +stirring. + +"What a glorious night for skating," mused the boy. "There must be a +good many out at Fairview, now that the ice is so solid." + +He walked around the shelter four times and then came to a halt once +more in front of the lake. + +As he did this, he saw some object move across the ice of the lake. +One object was followed by another, and then a third and a fourth. + +"Animals of some kind," he thought. "But what?" + +He watched the objects for several minutes. + +They kept coming closer slowly, stopping every now and then, as if to +deliberate. Then of a sudden, a lonely, mournful howl rent the air. + +"Wolves!" he muttered. "They have discovered our camp and are coming +towards it. I wonder what I had better do?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE FIRST NIGHT IN CAMP + + +Whopper was not much frightened. He had met wolves before and he did +not think that the pack on the ice would dare to attack him and his +friends. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he watched the beasts +closely, and when they came still nearer he rushed into the shelter +and grabbed up his shotgun. + +"What's the row?" asked Shep sleepily, disturbed by the unusual +bustle. + +"Four wolves are on the ice in front of the shelter," explained +Whopper. "Reckon I'll give them a shot." + +"I'll go along," and the doctor's son sprang up and reached for his +own firearm. + +When Whopper got outside again, followed by Shep, he saw the wolves +had approached still closer. There were now seven of them, and they +stood in a semi-circle, sniffing the air suspiciously. The man-smell +was strong, and this they did not like, for to them it betokened only +danger. Yet mingled with the man-smell was the smell of chicken and +rabbit meat, and this pleased them, for they were hungry. + +"Let us both fire together," suggested Shep. "Each of us ought to +bring down at least one. You can fire to the right and I'll fire to +the left of the line." + +"All right." + +They took careful aim, and at the word from Whopper each pulled the +trigger of his shotgun. + +Bang! Bang! + +The two guns spoke up in rapid succession, and as the smoke cleared +away it was seen that two of the wolves lay on the ice, twisting and +turning in their death agonies. The others were scuttling away, one +limping painfully. + +"Hullo, what's up?" came from Snap, as he rushed from the shelter, +followed by Giant. "What are you firing at?" + +"We just brought down a couple of wolves," answered Whopper, with +considerable satisfaction in his tone. + +"Wolves!" ejaculated Giant. "I didn't think they'd find us as early as +this." + +Taking a brand from the fire, Whopper led the party out on the ice to +where the two wolves lay. One was already dead and the other quickly +breathed its last. They were large and gaunt looking creatures, with +cruel teeth, and Shep shivered as he looked them over. + +"I am glad they didn't get into the shelter," he observed. "If they +had, we should have had the fight of our lives." + +"I doubt if they would have attacked us," answered Snap. "They were +after those rabbits and that chicken. They must have followed the sled +trail from Lake Cameron." + +As the young hunters did not want the wolves, they were left where +they had fallen. The other beasts did not show themselves again. + +The remainder of the night passed without anything unusual happening. +Once the wind veered around a little, threatening to suffocate them +with smoke from the camp-fire, but by the time they prepared to vacate +the shelter the wind veered back to where it had first come from and +gave them no more trouble. + +"I saw a beautiful owl," said Giant, when they were preparing +breakfast. "I'd like to get him and have him stuffed." + +"To eat, I presume," said Whopper, innocently. + +"Eat? What do you take me for!" cried the smaller member of the Gun +Club, and picking up a chunk of snow he shied it at Whopper, taking +the latter in the ear. + +Whopper could not stand that and threw some snow in return. Then +ensued a regular snowball fight all around, which came to a sudden +termination when Shep hit the coffee pot and spilled half of the hot +beverage in the snow. + +"Hi! that's going too far!" cried Snap. "Don't waste good coffee like +that!" + +"I move we fine Shep one cent for a bad throw," murmured Giant. + +"He can make another pot of coffee, that's what he can do," grumbled +Whopper. + +"All right, I will, but no more snowballing for the present," answered +Shep, and set to work without delay. + +For breakfast they had some chicken, some bread and butter and hot +coffee. The bread was pretty dry, but nobody minded it, for hunger and +a clear, cold atmosphere are wonderful appetite builders. + +"The first thing to do to-day is to finish building our shelter," said +Snap. + +"Oh, gosh! can't we go hunting?" demanded Whopper, who was itching to +get out after big game. + +"He wants to bring in a few of those bears he has been talking about," +said Giant, with a wink of his eye. + +"No hunting until the shelter is good enough to use in all kinds of +weather," answered Snap. + +The bracing air kept the boys moving lively, and directly after +breakfast they set to work in earnest. A large quantity of tree +branches were cut down, and with these they made the sides and top of +the hut or cabin as tight as possible. Around the bottom of the +shelter they heaped up all the snow that was close at hand. + +The building of the chimney bothered them a great deal. Fortunately +they found some stones which were fairly flat, and these they managed +to pile up into something of a square, with an opening in the center +and another at the bottom, next to the shelter. On the outside they +heaped up some dirt and above this plastered the cracks with mud. When +tried, the chimney drew very well, and there seemed to be little +danger of it setting fire to the shelter proper. + +"We ought to have a name for this camp," observed Snap. "Every really +first-class camp has a name." + +"This is such a very high-toned camp let us call it Hotel +Millionaire," suggested Giant. + +"The Lakehouse," came from Whopper. + +"I've got something better than that," said Shep. "Half of these trees +are birch trees, and we used birch bark on the roof. What's the matter +with calling the place Birch Tree Inn?" + +"That's all right!" cried Snap. "Hurrah for Birch Tree Inn!" + +"Good enough," assented Whopper. "Let's run up a napkin for a flag, +for here is where we feed." + +"Not much!" came from Giant. "What's the matter with this?" And from +an inner pocket he produced a small silken flag. "I brought this along +for our camp." + +"Hurrah for the stars and stripes!" came from Snap. "We'll raise the +flag by all means." + +This was an easy matter, for directly in front of the camp, on the +lake front, grew a tall and slender sapling. From this they cut the +extreme top and the branches, and then ran up a thin rope, to which +they attached the flag. Floating in the breeze it looked very pretty, +and taking off their caps, the members of the Gun Club saluted the +national emblem. Then Whopper and Shep began to whistle the Star +Spangled Banner and the others joined in. + +The making ready of the camp had taken longer than they had expected, +and it was nightfall before they had everything as they wished it. In +addition to making the shelter weather tight and warm, they had cut a +good sized pile of wood for the fire. All were tired out, and Shep +admitted that his back felt pretty stiff and lame. + +"I don't think we'd want to work so hard around home," said Giant +frankly, and the others admitted that this was so. + +They were too tired to do more than prepare an ordinary supper, but +this included the beans previously put in soak and then baked and +these went very well. Then they brought in some wood, and closed up +the doorway of the Inn. + +"No need to remain on guard," said Snap. "The fire and the sides of +this shelter will keep away all wild animals." + +"That's true." + +During the afternoon it had begun to snow again, and this made it all +the more cozy in the shelter. After supper the boys piled wood on the +fire and lounged around, telling stories and talking over the +prospects of getting game. All were enthusiastic, and determined not +to return home until they had brought down "something worth while," as +Snap expressed it. + +When the lads came out in the morning, they found that the snowstorm +had cleared away completely. The air was clear and cold, with scarcely +any wind. + +Whopper could hardly wait to get his breakfast, so anxious was he to +go after game. Giant suggested that they go on their snowshoes, but +Snap demurred. + +"Not the right kind of snow yet," he said. "Let us skirt the lake this +morning and see what we can pick up near camp." + +Before they left the Inn they saw to it that every spark of the fire +was extinguished, for the dreadful conflagration of the summer season +had taught them a useful lesson. They also placed their matches in a +tin can, so that they might remain dry and also to keep them from +being lit by some prowling wild beast. + +"I once heard of a place being burnt down by a fox," said Giant. "The +animal knocked the match box from a shelf on which some rabbits were +hanging." + +"Well, I've often heard of rats setting fire to buildings by igniting +matches," answered Snap. + +"Millions of times," came from Whopper. "Rats sometimes do that for a +regular business. They make a deal with people who want to get a fat +insurance; you know, and then--Oh!" And the remarkable story came to a +sudden end as Shep shied a snowball at the youth who loved to +exaggerate. + +They were soon on the way, Snap, Shep and Giant with their shotguns +and Whopper with the rifle. They headed directly along the shore of +Firefly Lake, intending to make the complete circuit of that sheet of +ice. + +They had proceeded only a short distance when Snap held up his hand. + +"Rabbits," he whispered. "We are in luck!" + +"Humph! I wanted to see a bear," grunted Whopper. + +"Now, dolt you spoil this for us," remonstrated Snap. + +"Let us fire together," whispered Giant. "I see at least a dozen." + +The bunch of rabbits were close to the lake front, nibbling the bark +from some young shoots growing in that vicinity. Without delay Snap, +Shep and Giant brought their shotguns around in position to fire. + +"I'll give the signal," said Shep. "Shep, you fire to the left. I can +fire to the right, and Giant can blaze away at the middle of the +bunch." + +"There they go!" screamed Whopper just then, and he spoke the truth, +the rabbits had discovered the hunters and were making mighty bounds +to gain the thickets beyond lake shore. + +All the boys with shotguns blazed away, and four of the rabbits +dropped in their tracks. Another went limping along painfully and Snap +caught it with case. But there was no time for a second shot. + +"Well, that's not so bad, for a start," observed Giant, as they took +up their game. + +"If I hadn't yelled you'd have lost the bunch," said Whopper. "Why, I +was most tempted to bring one down with the rifle." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +INTO A HOLE AND OUT + + +Inside of an hour the young hunters had passed to the extreme end of +the lake and were coning down on the other side. + +"Here is where the Ham Spink crowd stole our boat," said Snap, +indicating the spot. + +"Phew! and what a time we did have on the lake afterwards," was +Whopper's comment. "Say, I can't understand yet why some of us weren't +drowned." + +"Don't make so much noise," said Shep. "We'll never get any game if +you keep on talking." + +After that they went on a distance of a hundred yards in perfect +silence. Then Giant came to a halt, and pointed up two trees in front +of him. On the branches were half a dozen fat, gray squirrels. + +Again those carrying shotguns discharged their fowling pieces, and +down came three of the largest of the squirrels. Then Snap let Whopper +have his gun and down came another squirrel just as he was about to +enter his hole. + +"Squirrels and more!" shouted Giant, rushing forward. + +"More?" queried Shep. "We shot only the squirrels." + +"True, but you've forgotten what the squirrels hide away." + +"Nuts!" exclaimed Whopper. "Just what we want, to eat in front of the +camp-fire at night." + +It was an easy matter to locate the storehouses of the squirrels, and +from each they took a quantity of nuts. They did not take all, for +they did not wish the squirrels that were still alive to starve. + +"I guess we have got all the game we'll find around here," observed +Shep, as they went on once more. "The banging away will make the rest +of the game keep under cover." + +"Well, let us go around the lake anyway," answered Snap. "There is no +fun in crossing over on the ice without skates." + +Down at the lower end the lake made several turns, winding in and out +among the rocks, and here the boys left the ice and walked under the +trees and between the bushes. + +"This isn't so pleasant," said Whopper, as he stumbled on a rock and +rolled over on his side. + +"Look out, that your gun doesn't go off!" cried Snap, warningly. "Keep +the muzzle pointed at the ground.' + +"That's what I always do," answered Whopper. + +They had almost reached the end of the lake, at the point where it +emptied through the rocky gorge into Lake Cameron, when Giant came to +a sudden halt and uttered a low whistle. + +"What is it?" questioned Snap and Whopper in a breath. + +"Saw something through yonder trees--something big," was the answer of +the small member of the Gun Club. + +"You did?" said Snap. "What did it look like?" + +"Looked like a cow--but of course it couldn't be that.' + +"Maybe it's was a moose!" cried Shep. "Let's go after him." + +The thought that a moose might be so close at hand thrilled all the +boys, and without a moment's hesitation they started off in the +direction in which the strange animal had been seen. + +"If it is a moose let me take a rifle shot at him," whispered Whopper. +"A bullet is what he'll want to lay him low." + +"I'm willing you should have the first shot," said Snap. + +The others also agreed that Whopper should be the first to fire--if +the game was really as large as expected--and the boy who loved to +exaggerate went to the front. + +They had to climb a small hill, which came to an abrupt end beside +another gully. Here the bushes had been bent low by the wind and were +covered with drifted snow. + +"Be careful--walking isn't very good here," cautioned Whopper. "The +ground seems to be spongy." + +All ranged up to the edge of the gully and prepared to leap across. As +they did this, some of the bushes and the snow gave way, and down they +went in a heap, a distance of ten or a dozen feet. As they fell +Giant's shotgun went off with a bang that scared them greatly. + +"Oh, dear!" gasped Snap, when he could free himself from the snow. +"What a tumble? Is anybody hurt?" + +He gazed around, to find Whopper head first in a snow drift. He pulled +his chum out, and in the meantime Shep and Giant scrambled up. + +"Did--did my shot hit anybody?" questioned the smaller member of the +club, anxiously. + +"I'm safe," announced Snap. + +"So am I," came from Whopper. "But say, I thought I was going to plow +through the snow clear to China!" + +"The discharge went pretty close to my ear," announced Shep. And then, +as he began to realize the escape he had had, he grew slightly pale. + +"I tried to keep the gun barrel pointed to a safe place," said Giant. +"But the fall came so quickly I had hardly time to think. I am +thankful nobody was struck. Had I hit anybody I should never have +forgiven myself!" And he shuddered. + +"Be careful of the rest of the guns," said Whopper. "We don't want to +be blown out of this hole--we prefer to climb out--at least I do." + +They looked to their firearms, and then gazed around the locality in +perplexity. The gully was long and narrow and both sides were covered +with ice and snow. The ground above, also covered with ice and snow, +was well out of their reach. + +"Getting out is going to be no easy task," announced Snap. "Maybe +we'll have to, walk to the end of the gulch." + +"Wait, perhaps I can climb out--if one of you will give me a boost," +said the doctor's son. + +The others were willing to have Shep make the trial, and Snap and +Whopper put down their guns and aided him by putting his feet in their +hands. Shep caught hold of some bushes and began to haul himself up +with all his strength. + +"Hurrah! he is going to make it!" cried Giant, when snap! went the +bushes, and down rolled the doctor's son and plunged once more into +the snow. + +"Whow!" he spluttered, as he arose and worked the snow from his collar +and his coat sleeves. "No more of that for me! Snap, don't you want to +try it?" + +"No, I prefer to walk to where the gully is not so deep." + +They struck out, to find the bottom of the gulch filled with bowlders, +bushes and snow. More than once one or another went down into a hollow +and had to be hauled out. + +"Phew! but it's cold down here!" murmured Whopper. "My feet feel like +two cakes of ice." + +"One of the delights of hunting in the winter time," observed Snap. +"Want to go home, Whopper?" + +"Not for a million dollars and a mince pie thrown in," was the prompt +answer. + +"Say, a piece of mince pie wouldn't go bad just now." said Shep, +smacking his lips. + +"Don't mention it, please." + +It took a quarter of an hour's hard journeying to reach a point where +the gully was only four or five feet deep, and here they left the +hollow with ease. They were now further away from the lake than ever +and in a locality that looked new to them. + +"I don't remember this spot, although I thought we were all over this +ground last summer," observed Snap. + +"A place looks different in winter from what it does in summer," said +Shep. + +"Then that must be it." + +"I reckon that moose must be 'steen miles from here by this time," +said Whopper. "He must have heard Giant's gun go off." + +As they could see nothing of the strange game, they agreed that +Whopper must be right in his surmise and so determined to look around +for other game. They circled the end of Firefly Lake, and then walked +a short distance in the direction of Lake Cameron. + +"Wait!" called out Whopper, presently, "Snap, let me have your +shotgun." And he reached for the weapon. + +"What do you see?" + +"A wild turkey, and a big one, too." + +Snap was willing that Whopper should have a try at the turkey, since +he seemed so disappointed at losing track of the big game, and so +passed over his shotgun. The wild turkey was roosting near the top of +a silver maple tree. Taking careful aim, Whopper blazed away. + +To the astonishment of all, the wild turkey gave a flutter, sank back +on the tree limb and then became quiet. + +"What in the world does that mean?" gasped Whopper, hardly believing +that he saw aright. + +"Maybe you didn't hit him," suggested Giant. + +"Didn't hit him--at such a short distance?" said Whopper, in disgust. +"Of course I hit him." + +"Then why didn't he tumble down or fly away?" came from Shep. + +"He'd fly quick enough--if he could," said Snap. "There is something +wrong with him. Maybe he is caught fast in the crotch of the limb." + +Guns in hand the four boy hunters ran forward until they stood +directly under the silver maple. Here they could see the head and the +tail of the wild turkey, but that was all. The game did not offer to +move, even when Whopper set up a shout. + +"He's dead and caught fast, I am sure of it," said Whopper. "If it +were otherwise he would surely flutter down or fly away." + +"You'll have to do some climbing to get your game," said the doctor's +son. + +"Well, I can do that, too--if you'll give me a boost," answered +Whopper, passing over the shotgun and laying aside his rifle. + +The others assisted him to reach the lower limbs of the silver maple, +and up he went from one branch to another until he stood directly +beneath the wild turkey. He put forth his hand with caution. + +"Be careful," cried Shep. "If the turkey is still alive he may show +fight and try to peck out your eyes." + +Shielding himself as best he could, Whopper presently caught the +turkey by one foot. He pulled gently at first and then gave a strong +yank. Down came the game from the crotch of the tree, and Whopper +almost lost his balance. To save himself he let the game drop to the +ground and clutched at the tree branches nearest to him. + +"Dead as a door nail!" he announced, as soon as he felt safe. "And I +knew it from the start. He didn't fall because he got caught, that's +all." + +"Now you are up in the tree you had better take a look around and see +if any more game is it sight," called up Snap. + +"I will." + +While the others stamped around to keep warm, Whopper mounted to the +topmost branches of the silver maple. From this position he could +overlook a wide expanse of country. He gazed first to, the northward +and then over to the west. + +"Hullo!" he yelled suddenly. "I see something worth going after." + +"What?" questioned the others in concert. + +"Two deer." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +OUT AFTER DEER + + +"You see two deer?" queried Snap. + +"Yes." + +"How far from here?" questioned the doctor's son. + +"A good quarter of a mile." + +"Oh, that's not so far!" exclaimed Giant. "Come on after them, +fellows." + +"Wait till I get down," said Whopper, coming as quickly as he could. +"Don't go ahead yet." + +"How are we going ahead, since you are the only one that knows where +the game is?" answered the doctor's son. + +As soon as Whopper was on the ground, they set off, taking the wild +turkey with them. The shot had entered the heart of the turkey, +killing it instantly, and its single flutter had only served to wedge +it fast in the tree crotch. + +"Boys, it is growing colder," announced Snap, as they proceeded. + +"As if we didn't know it," answered Giant, slapping his hands +together. + +"And I think it is going to snow some more," went on Snap. + +"Pooh! who cares!" cried Whopper. "I am going to get one of those deer +if I die for it." + +"So say I!" put in Shep. "Remember, we ought to get quite some game on +hand, in case we get snowed in at the camp." + +The sky had become overcast, and this was what made it seem colder. +The wind, too, was springing up, and they were glad to keep to the +sheltered portions of the ground so far as the journey after the deer +permitted. + +Inside of fifteen minutes they covered more than a quarter of a mile. +Yet no deer were to be seen. + +"Whopper, didn't you make some mistake?" asked Snap, coming to a halt. + +"I am sure I saw the deer." + +"Whopper must have been deceived in the distance," said Giant. "Things +look closer on the water, or when the ground is covered with snow." + +"Perhaps that's it," answered Whopper. "Anyway, the deer were +somewhere out here, I'm sure." + +Again they went on, but soon came to a series of rocks, where walking +was difficult. Giant slipped on one of the rocks and barked his left +shin. + +"Oh dear!" he cried, in pain. "I don't like this much. It is a regular +Rocky Road to Dublin!" + +"I don't feel like going much further," said Snap. "I think we ought +to go, back. See, it is starting in to snow," he added, as the flakes +began to fall. + +The four boy hunters held a consultation, which almost ended in a +quarrel. Whopper was determined to go ahead after the deer and so was +Shep, while Snap and Giant insisted upon returning to the camp. + +"I'll tell you what's let do," said Whopper. Two of us can go on and +two go back. That's fair." + +"And the two to go back can take the game to camp," added Shep. "There +is no use of our carrying it with us. And, besides, if we get a deer, +that will be a big load for us." + +"Aren't you afraid of a big snow coming on?" questioned Snap. + +"Oh, this snow won't amount to anything," declared the doctor's son. + +"Perhaps it will." + +Snap and Giant took possession of all the game, and turned over to +Shep and Whopper the lunch that had been brought along. + +"We can get what we want when we reach camp," said Snap. "And you may +need this before you get back." + +"If I were you I wouldn't stay out too late," cautioned Giant. "If you +do, you may lose your way in the dark." + +"We'll be safe enough," answered Whopper confidantly. + +It was no light load for Snap and Giant to carry, for the turkey, +rabbits and squirrels were all big. They saw Shep and Whopper depart +and rested fully five minutes before taking to the back trail. + +"I wish they had come with us," said the leader of the Gun Club. "I +doubt if they get a deer--the wind is blowing directly toward the +game." + +"Well, they wanted to go so let them," answered Giant. + +The barked shin hurt considerably and he was anxious to get back to +camp, that he might wash it and bathe it with witch hazel. + +"Let us go up the lake and across on the ice," suggested Snap. "It +will be shorter, and we'll avoid that nasty gully and the rough +rocks." + +They took to the course mentioned, and inside of half an hour reached +the lake front once more. It was now snowing steadily and the wind was +gradually rising. + +"I said it was going to snow hard," grumbled Snap. "They should have +come with us. It won't be fit to be out in another hour." + +"Well, they wanted their own way, so let them have it," answered his +companion. + +They wished they had their skates to skate across a cove which +separated them from the camp. The bare spots on the ice were as +slippery as wet glass and they had to walk "as if on eggs," as Snap +expressed it. Once his right foot went from under him, and he measured +his length on his back, while his gun slid a dozen feet away. + +"Come here and I'll pick you up," sang out Giant merrily, as soon as +he saw his chum was not hurt. + +"That was a peachy fall," grumbled Snap, as he turned over and got up. +"Glad the gun didn't go off." + +"Do you know what I am going to do--if it doesn't snow too hard?" said +Giant, as they walked on again. "Try my luck at fishing through a hole +in the ice. Fish will taste good for breakfast." + +They were directly in the middle of the lake when a distant gunshot +reached their ears, followed by another. They halted and listened. + +"Whopper and Shep must have found something to shoot at," remarked the +smaller member of the Gun Club. + +"Or else there are other hunters in this vicinity. I shouldn't be +surprised if Jed Sanborn is out." + +"Yes, and a dozen others, for the matter of that." + +By the time they had crossed the lake the wind was blowing furiously, +sending the snow whirling over the smooth ice in long white streaks. +More than half out of breath, the two young hunters were glad enough +to reach the shelter of the trees and bushes. + +"It's going to be a corker," was Snap's comment. "Just listen to the +wind whistling through the trees!" + +"I don't think I'll try fishing just yet," said Giant. "I might get +frozen fast to the ice." + +"Fishing will have to wait, Giant. Come on into the Inn." + +They were glad enough to enter the shelter and rest for a few minutes. +Then, when they had regained their breath, both set about building a +fire. Luckily they had saved some dry bark and brushwood, so starting +the blaze was comparatively easy. They heaped on several medium-sized +sticks and then a good back and a front log, and soon the fire was +roaring merrily. The home-made chimney was wide open at the top, so a +good deal of heat was lost, yet enough remained below to warm the +shelter nicely. + +"I tell you, a fire makes all the difference in the world!" declared +Snap, as he pulled off his outer coat and cap and sat down close to +the chimney. "No matter how forlorn or lonely a fellow feels, a fire +is bound to brighten him up and make him feel on better terms with +himself." + +"Right you are, Snap. I pity the fellow who gets left in the woods +without a match, or the wherewith to start a camp-fire," answered +Giant, who was using the witch hazel on his ankle. + +As soon as they were warm, the two boys set to work to cook themselves +a substantial meal. They prepared sufficient for all hands, thinking +that Shep and Whopper would be back in an hour or two at the most. + +"They won't stay out very long--with this snowstorm on," remarked +Snap. "They know what such a storm means as well as we do." + +Before leaving camp that morning Giant had made some bread dough and +set it for raising. This was now in good shape and he kneaded it over +and made some loaves and some muffins. The muffins they used for their +meal, along with more beans and some stewed squirrel, and a pot of hot +chocolate. They ate leisurely, at the same time keeping their ears on +the alert for the coming of their companions. Three times during the +meal Snap went to the doorway, to gaze out. + +"They are foolish not to come back before it gets night," he said. "If +they don't look out they'll be snow-bound." + +"Oh, Snap, do you think so?" cried the smaller member of the club, in +alarm. + +"It might happen, Giant. Just look how it is snowing! Why, I can't see +a hundred feet from the Inn!" + +Giant came to the opening and peered forth. Snap was right, the snow +was coming down thickly, and the fierce wind sent it swirling in all +directions. The landscape on all sides was completely blotted out. + +"Oh, if only they had come back with us!" murmured Giant. + +Both of the boys sighed and returned to the fireside, finishing their +meal in silence. They were much worried, more than they cared to admit +to each other. + +The meal over, Giant warmed some water and washed the few tin dishes +and other things which had been dirtied. Snap put another log on the +fire, and then got out the acetylene bicycle lamp that had been +brought along. + +"What are you going to do with that?" questioned Giant. + +"Light it and hang it out for a searchlight," answered Snap. "It may +aid them in finding the Inn." + +The gas lamp was soon fizzing and then Snap applied a match. As it +flashed up, he regulated the light and then the affair was taken +outside and hung where its rays might flash forth through the storm +and across the cove of the lake. + +"They can see that quite a distance, even through the flying snow," +said the leader of the Gun Club. "And they'll want all the light they +can get, to find their way back." + +He and Giant sat down again in front of the roaring fire. They watched +the sparks fly upward and the ruddy glare showed a concerned look on +the face of each. They did not care to read or play any game, and +talked in low tones, each with his ears strained to catch any sound +from without. + +Slowly one hour after another went by, until the darkness of night lay +over the camp. The snow came down as thickly as ever and the wind +shrieked dismally through the leafless trees. Time and again the two +boys had gone to the doorway to look out, and Snap had even run down +to the very edge of the lake. + +"It's no use," he said finally. "They are snowbound and can't get +here. If only they are safe!" + +"Yes, if only they are safe!" echoed Giant. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SNOWBOUND + + +Left to themselves, Shep and Whopper started off briskly after the +deer that had been seen from the top of the tree. + +"We must get at least one of 'em by all means," said Shep. "It won't +do to go back to the camp skunked." + +"We shan't be skunked," answered Whopper, confidantly. "If there are a +dozen, we'll bag the lot of them!" + +The trail was by no means as easy as they had anticipated, and they +had to pick their way around the rocks and through the brushwood with +care. Once Whopper slid down one of the rocks and landed on his back +with a thump that took the wind out of him completely. + +"Cats and carrots!" he gasped. "Say, but that was a hard one, right +enough!" + +"Trying to split the rock?" asked Shep, helping him up. + +"No, I was only testing it, to see how soft it was," growled Whopper. + +Soon the two boys found themselves going up a small hill. The climb +was rather discouraging, until Whopper let out a soft cry, and then +motioned for silence. + +"See 'em?" queried his chum, in a whisper. + +"No, but there are the tracks, as plain as day!" + +Whopper was right, the deer tracks were there, although partly covered +by the falling snow. At the sight of them the spirits of the boy +hunters arose wonderfully. They forgot how tired they were, and pushed +forward at a faster gait than ever before. + +"Won't we surprise them when we come back with such game!" said Shep. + +"I think so, Shep. They didn't really think we'd get anything," +answered Whopper. + +On and on went the boys, the trail of the deer becoming plainer at +every step. They did not notice how much ground they were covering nor +in what direction they were moving. They had "deer fever" and had it +hard. + +Presently they came to the top of the rise of ground. Beyond was a +patch of scrub timber, where, years before, a forest fire had wiped +out the best of the trees. Looking ahead they saw four deer walking +slowly along near some brushwood. + +"There they are!" cried Shep, and brought his gun around for use. + +At that moment the deer turned partly around and looked squarely at +the boys. They were evidently taken completely by surprise and their +heads went up high as they discovered the enemy. Then, without further +hesitation they leaped forward, toward the dense timber ahead. + +Bang! went Shep's shotgun, and crack! came the sharp report of +Whopper's rifle. Before the echoes had died away the last of the deer +leaped high in the air, made a part turn and then came down heavily. +Then it got up, ran several paces and fell again and began to kick. + +"I hit him!" + +"So did I!" + +"Let's try for another!" + +But to try for another was out of the question. With the fall of the +hind one, the others reached the shelter of the dense timber and in a +second more were completely out of sight, and running as only +frightened deer can run when they know it is a case of life or death +for them. + +When the two young hunters reached the side of the fallen deer it was +just breathing its last. + +The bullet from the rifle had entered its side and the buckshot had +struck in the neck and shoulder. + +"We both brought him down," said Shep. + +"Pity we didn't get the others," grumbled Whopper. + +"Well, one is better than nothing." + +"Oh, I know that, and I am thankful as far as that goes. Will it be +worth while to go after the others, do you think?" + +"No. They'll run too far before they stop." + +The deer was of fair size, and looked as if it would make good eating. +They inspected the game with much interest, turning it over and +lifting it up. + +"Pretty heavy," announced Whopper. "We'll have all we want to do to +carry it to camp." + +"Just what I was thinking. And say, just look how it is snowing!" + +The two young hunters gazed about them and were a good deal startled. +It was growing dark and the leaden air seemed to be filled with snow. +They had paid little attention to the wind, but now realized that it +was rising steadily. + +"The best thing we can do is to make for camp," said Shep. "If we +don't--" He did not finish. + +"You think we'll be snowbound?" + +"Doesn't it look like it?" + +"I must admit, it does." + +Alarmed more than they cared to mention, both boys prepared to return +to the Inn without delay. They selected a slender sapling and cut it +down with a hunting knife Shep carried. They trimmed off the limbs, +thus making of it a pole. To this they slung the deer, tied fast by +the front and the hind legs. Then Whopper took the front end of the +load and Shep the rear end, and thus they set off in the direction +they had come. + +For perhaps a quarter of a mile all went well, for, despite the +falling snow, they managed to keep to the tracks they had made in +following the deer. Then, of a sudden, Whopper came to a halt and +Shep, of course, had to do likewise. + +"What's up?" asked the latter. + +"I can't see the trail anymore. The falling snow has covered it +completely." + +Whopper was right, as Shep realized with much alarm. Both of the young +hunters gazed around in perplexity. The whirling snow hid the +landscape from view. In a moment more, turning this way and that, they +were completely bewildered. + +"Well, I declare!" burst out Shep. "Hang me if I know where I am!" + +"I think the lake is in that direction," announced Whopper, after a +painful pause. + +"Maybe you are right--I don't know." There seemed to be no sense in +standing still, with the snow coming down thicker every minute and the +wind whistling dismally all around them. On they went, for at least a +quarter of a mile further. The rocks bothered them a great deal and +twice both fell, dropping their load as they did so. "This is the +finest pleasure stroll I ever took in my life," was Whopper's rather +sarcastic comment. "Such level walking, and such nice bright sunshine, +with birds singing and--Oh!" And his speech came to an end as he went +down again, this time into a hollow of snow and dead leaves up to his +knees. + +"Are you hurt?" asked Shep. + +"Not enough to weep over," was the answer. "But, no joking, this is +fierce! I wish I was back to camp." + +"So do I, Whopper. But wishing won't take us there--we've got to +walk." + +"Isn't it getting dark!" + +"Yes, and just listen to that wind!" + +By this time, both of the young hunters were scared, although neither +mentioned it. Again they went on, but only for a dozen rods. Then both +halted and stared in front of them in amazement. + +"What's this?" + +"We aren't going toward the lake at all!" + +Before them was a slight hollow and beyond a cliff of rocks all of +twenty to thirty feet high. On the top of the cliff grew a number of +large trees and several of these had, in times past, been blown over, +their tops resting in the hollow below while the roots still clung +fast near the top of the cliff. + +"Did you ever see this spot before?" asked Shep. + +"Not that I can remember," answered his chum. "But I am sure it is not +near the lake." + +The young hunters were more alarmed than ever. They felt that they +must be miles from camp. Night was now upon them, and the storm, +instead of clearing away, was growing worse every minute. + +"I don't think we can reach camp to-night," said Shep, as bravely as +he could, although his voice trembled slightly. "We'll have to try and +make ourselves as comfortable as possible elsewhere." + +"What, right out here in the woods!" + +"No, we can hunt for some sort of shelter, Whopper." + +"Don't you think we can find the lake? If we once found that we could +keep on along the shore until we struck our camp." + +"I don't believe we can locate the lake in this darkness and with the +snow coming down so thickly. Why, look around! You can't see at all!" + +Whopper did gaze around, and had to admit that Shep was right. They +were shut in by the storm, which seemed to grow wilder and wilder. + +With heavy hearts the boys drew closer to the cliff, as that seemed to +afford some shelter from the wind, which cut like a knife. In the +darkness they stumbled into the hollow and then between two of the +fallen trees. + +"Well, if we have got to seek shelter, this place may prove as good as +any," observed Whopper. "It's warmer under the rocks, and we can use +some of these tree branches for a fire." + +"Yes, we must have a fire," answered the doctor's son, who did not +relish the darkness. He wondered what they would be able to do should +wolves attack them, but did not mention this to his companion. + +Dropping their load in the snow, they felt their way between the +trees, and then broke off some of the small branches for firewood. +They got the driest they could find. + +"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" came suddenly from Whopper. + +"What's up?" + +"I haven't a single match! Have you any?" + +In haste Shep felt in his pocket. There were two matches there, but +one felt as if it was no good. + +"I've got two, but one feels as if the top was off," he announced. + +"For gracious sake, don't let the good one go out, Shep! Here, I've +got an old letter in my pocket. Light that first." + +The doctor's son felt in his other pockets and brought forth part of +an old railroad timetable. The papers were bunched together and held +low, while Shep tried to strike the match that had lost part of its +head. It made a faint streak of light, but that was all. + +"Is that the good one?" asked Whopper, hoarsely. Never before had he +been so anxious about a light. + +"No. I'll try the good one now," answered the doctor's son. + +"Don't let the wind blow it out," pleaded his chum. "Here, use my +cap." + +The papers were placed beside the cap, and Shep struck the match +several times. Both of the boys hardly dared to breathe. Then came a +flash, and a tiny flame sprang up, and the papers were set to blazing. +They put on the smallest and driest of the twigs and then the small +branches, and both tended the fire with as much care as an infant +receives from its nurse. Soon it became stronger and stronger, and +they breathed a deep sigh of relief and put on some big pieces of +wood. + +As Snap had said at camp, the fire brightened things up wonderfully +and both boys felt lighter-hearted as the ruddy glare lit up the +scene. They found something of a circular hollow under the cliff with +a big fallen tree just beyond it. They brought the fire to one side of +this hollow, and banked up the snow on the other side, and soon the +shelter began to grow warm. Then they brought in the deer and hung the +game in a fork of the fallen tree. + +"Lucky we brought that lunch along," said Shep. "I am as hungry as a +bear." + +"So am I," returned Whopper, "and I don't think that little lunch is +going to satisfy me. What's the matter with broiling a venison +streak?" + +"Do you want to cut up the deer before we get back to camp?" + +"Most likely we'll have to. If this snow keeps on there is no telling +how long we'll be snowbound." + +"That is true, too. Well, we needn't cut up the whole deer--only cut +out what we want to use." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A CRY FOR HELP + + +Fortunately for the boys, they knew how to cut up a deer to advantage +and it did not take them long to trim away a portion of the pelt and +get out the steak they wanted. Then they fixed up a rude fork on which +to cook the meat, and soon the appetizing odor of broiled venison +filled the hollow. + +"This is much better than nothing but a cold lunch," said Whopper, as +he divided the steak. "Fingers were made before knives and forks, and +as nobody is looking on, we can eat as suits us." + +"Let us broil another steak, before the fire gets low," suggested the +doctor's son. "If it goes out on us we won't want to be without +something to eat?" + +"That fire isn't going out--not if I know it. Why, it would be awful +to be left without a light, and without warmth. We might freeze to +death--if it got much colder!" + +Another and larger steak was well cooked, and then the boys set to +work to gather a generous supply of firewood, breaking and cutting it +as best they could. This was hard work, but it kept them warm, and +neither complained. + +"I suppose Snap and Giant are worrying about our not getting back," +said Whopper. "I hope they don't come out to look for us." + +After they had cut all the wood they wanted, they sat down again by +the fire. Both boys were very tired, yet the strangeness of their +situation kept them awake for several hours. They watched the snow, as +it came down as thickly as ever, and listened to the shrieking of the +wind as it tore through the trees on the top of the cliff. + +"Do you think more of the trees will come down?" questioned Whopper. + +"I am sure I don't know," was Shep's reply. + +At last both boys began to blink and stretch themselves, and then +Whopper said they had better go to sleep. + +"You turn in first," said Shep. "I'll watch the fire. When I can't +keep awake any longer, I'll call you." + +Whopper laid down and was soon slumbering. Shep continued to guard the +fire, and, to keep himself awake, walked up and down the narrow +confines of the temporary shelter. He often paused to listen to the +roaring of the wind, which, outside of the crackling of the blaze, was +the only sound that broke the stillness. + +"Well, I am glad no wild animal has come to disturb us," he thought, +as he continued to pace up and down. + +Presently he sat down and his eyes closed. For a moment he dozed, and +then started up. A low moan had reached his ears. + +"What in the world is that?" he asked himself, and felt his hair +standing on end. Then he heard the moan again, and turning half +around, began to grin to himself. The moan had come from Whopper, who +was having a nightmare. + +"Hi, Whopper! Wake up!" he called, and shook his companion. + +"Get out--don't chew me up!" groaned Whopper, and then sat up and +rubbed his eyes. "Wha--what's the matter? Oh, I--er--I guess I was +dreaming," he said sheepishly. + +"You were, and groaning fit to raise the dead," answered the doctor's +son, who now felt that he could afford to laugh. + +"I dreampt about a million wolves were after me, and one was going to +chew my foot off," said Whopper. He stretched himself. "Time for me to +stand guard?" + +"I think you had better. I am so tired I feel like sleeping standing +up," answered Shep. + +Whopper arose, and waiting to make certain that his companion was wide +awake, Shep threw himself on the couch, which had been formed of some +leaves found at the rear of the hollow. He soon fell into a troubled +sleep, which lasted about three hours, when he awoke at the sound of +Whopper's voice calling him. + +"Is it time to get up?" he questioned, sleepily. + +"Shep, I hear wolves!" + +"Wolves!" and now the doctor's son leaped to his feet and glanced +toward his shotgun, which rested against the rocky wall. "Are you +certain?" + +"Listen!" + +Both boys bent their ears and for a full minute neither made a sound. +Then Shep shook his head. + +"I can't hear anything now," he said. + +"Well, I heard them before," answered Whopper, positively. "Must have +been a million of 'em, too!" + +"Whopper, you've got a million wolves on the brain." + +"Have I? Well, I know--Listen!" + +The young hunter stopped short, and both listened a second time. From +a great distance came the howl of a wolf, followed by an answering +howl not so far off. + +"Now, what did I tell you!" + +Shep did not answer, but picked up his shotgun. Whopper had already +gotten the rifle, and with the firearms fully loaded the young hunters +stood on guard for at least a quarter of an hour. + +"I don't hear them any more," said the doctor's son, at length. + +"They may be sneaking up on the sly," answered Whopper, and it was +hard for him to keep his voice from trembling. + +Neither of the boys cared to go beyond the light of the camp-fire, and +again they waited. But a good half hour went by and nothing more was +seen or heard of the wolves. + +"You may as well take another nap, Whopper," said the doctor's son. +"I'll give you about two hours, and then I'll lie down for the same +length of time. That will about finish out the night." + +Whopper agreed to this, but it was some time before he could get to +sleep, and then he had another nightmare and groaned as before. But +this time Shep "let him have it out," as he told Whopper afterward. + +Daylight found them still under the cliff. Their fitful naps of the +night just passed had only about half rested them and they did a good +deal of gaping as they stirred up the fire and prepared a morning +meal. Fortunately Shep had a pocket cup with him, and in that they had +to melt snow to get water to drink. + +"Well, I am glad the night is over," declared Whopper. "I declare, I +don't want to pass another like it!" + +"Let us be thankful that it was no worse," answered the doctor's son. +"Supposing we had not found this shelter, or supposing that match had +gone out, or supposing we hadn't shot the deer--" + +"Stop, Shep! I am blue enough already. I'll tell you what it is: By +hook or by crook, we must get back to camp before to-night. If we +don't the others will be worried to death about us, I am sure." + +"That's easy enough to say. But look at the snow." + +Whopper looked beyond the shelter. The snow had stopped coming down +but it lay to the depth of several inches in some spots and in drifts +three and four feet high in others. He gave a sigh. + +"Tough traveling and no mistake. Maybe we can't get through at all!" + +"I know what I am going to do, first of all," said Shep. "I am going +to climb a tree on the top of the cliff and locate myself." + +"That's a good idea." + +Breakfast over, both boys scrambled up one of the fallen trees to the +top of the cliff. Not far away was a tree with low branches and up +this went the doctor's son, Whopper boosting him all he could. All the +boys could climb well, and soon Shep was far enough up to look around +on all sides. + +"There is the lake, about three-quarters of a mile off," he said, +pointing with his hand. "I can see our camp, too. The smoke is coming +up out of the chimney." + +"Is it on the other side of the lake?" + +"It is across the big cove." + +"Do you think we can signal to the others?" questioned Whopper. + +"We might try it--with some wet wood," answered Shep. + +He came down again, and soon they placed several wet sticks on the +fire. This created a dense smoke, which, as the wind had fallen, went +straight up into the sky. + +"That will tell them somebody is over here with a fire," said Shep. +"But I reckon we had better start for the camp without delay. Just +past the cliff is a ridge of high ground running almost to the lake, +and the wind has swept it clear of snow, so walking will not be so +very difficult." + +It gave them something of a pang to put out the fire, yet they did not +dare to leave it burning, for fear of setting fire to the forest. +Placing the deer on the pole as before, they set off toward the ridge +Shep had mentioned. + +With the going down of the wind, the air seemed warmer. The sky was +still dull and heavy, and they were afraid it might snow again at any +moment. Where the footing was good they almost ran, so eager were they +to get back to Birch Tree Inn. + +They had almost gained the shore of Firefly Lake when Whopper came to +a halt. At the same time a distant cry reached the ears of both young +hunters. + +"What was that?" asked Whopper. + +"Somebody calling for help, Whopper. Listen!" + +"Help! help!" came faintly to their ears. + +"Don't leave me, please! Help!" + +"It's some person calling," said Shep. "But where is he?" + +Both boys gazed around in perplexity. Then the cry was repeated, and +following the sound they made their way to some brushwood growing +between several trees. Here they found a man crouched before a tiny +fire. He was dressed in a tattered suit and an even more tattered +overcoat, and his shoes were bound up in potato sacking. A slouch hat +full of holes was drawn down over his forehead, and he looked to be +exactly what he was, a tramp. + +"What's the matter?" asked Shep, not unkindly, for the fellow was +evidently suffering. + +"Don't leave me," cried the man. "I'm sick and I'm hungry, and I +nearly froze to death last night. Please don't leave me!" + +"Have you had anything to eat?" asked Whopper. + +"Not a mouthful since yesterday noon. I had some stuff wrapped in a +newspaper, but I lost it in the snow." The man did not add that he had +been intoxicated and had not known where he was going or what he was +doing. + +"Well, here is a piece of venison steak and some crackers," said Shep. +"That's all we can give you just now." + +"Ain't you got anything to drink?" asked the man, wistfully. + +"No, we don't carry liquor." + +"Oh!" + +"We can get you some water if you want that," put in Whopper. + +"What?" + +Whopper repeated his words. + +"No, I don't want any cold water--I'm cold enough now," said the +tramp. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN CAMP ONCE MORE + + +The boys imagined the man was not well and they dropped their game and +set to work to get breakfast for him. They took the venison steak and +warmed it up, and also warmed the few crackers which still remained +from the lunch. The man ate greedily, and then consented to drink a +little water. + +"Where are you going?" he asked, while eating the last of the venison. +They had found out that, in spite of being a tramp, he was fairly well +spoken. Evidently drink had brought him down in the world. + +"We are bound for our camp," answered Whopper. + +"Oh, so you've got a camp around here?" + +"We have one on the other side of the cove--over yonder, where you can +see the smoke drifting above the trees." + +"I wish you'd take me over to it, boys. I can't stay here--I feel too +sick." + +"What's the matter with you?" + +"I don't know--only I get sharp, shooting pains now and then across my +back." + +Whopper and Shep looked at each other. They had no desire for the +companionship of such a disreputable looking person, yet they did not +wish to see the tramp suffer. + +"What's your name?" questioned Whopper. "And where do you belong?" + +"My real name is Kidlaw Leech, but most of my friends call me Kiddy +for short. I came from--er--New York, but I have been up to Fairview +and other places looking for work. Yesterday I started to walk to the +next town, but I reckon I got lost on the road, and I fetched up +here." + +"You must have tramped a good distance," answered the doctor's son. He +was far from being favorably impressed by the tramp. + +"I did," answered Kiddy Leech. "But, say, you'll help me to your camp, +won't you?" + +"Yes. I have some medicines over there, and one of them may do you +good. I'm a doctor's son." + +"Got any liquor? That's the best medicine for my back." + +"No, but I can give you some peppermint and some ginger." + +Again the tramp's face fell. He got up slowly and prepared to +accompany the boys. There was nothing more to say, and kicking out the +fire, the young hunters told Kiddy Leech to follow them. He came +slowly, and caught hold off Shep's arm to steady himself. His breath +still smelt of liquor, something that disgusted both lads. + +The ice reached, Shep and Whopper cut a long bush and on it placed the +deer. + +"What's that for?" asked Kiddy beech, in curiosity. + +"It is easier to drag the deer than to carry it," answered Whopper. +"The branch will act as a kind of sled." + +"Wish I had a sled to ride on, my back is pretty lame" + +Both boys looked at the tramp closely, wondering whether or not he was +speaking the truth or shamming. For all they knew he might be as lazy +as he was good for nothing. Then Shep whispered to Whopper. + +"All right, it won't be for far," whispered Whopper in return. + +"You can sit down on the branch beside the deer," said the doctor's +son to Kiddy Leech. "We can easily pull you along." + +"Thanks, boys, that's kind of you," answered the tramp, and dropped +down with a deep sigh of satisfaction. + +With their double load the two young hunters did not make very rapid +progress across the lake cove. When they came in sight of the flag, +which still flew from the sapling, they set up a loud and ringing +shout. + +"Hullo!" came back from Snap, as he rushed from the shelter, followed +by Giant. "Back at last, eh? Are you all right?" + +"Yes," answered Whopper. "But we've had quite an adventure, I can tell +you. And we've got a deer!" he added, with pride. + +Snap and Giant came to the shore to help pull the load up to the camp +and then noticed the tramp. + +"Hullo!" cried Giant. "How is it you are getting a free ride?" + +"Do you know him?" questioned Shep, quickly. + +"Not exactly. He came to our house begging--the day before we left +home," answered the smaller member of the club, in a whisper. + +"We found him half frozen, in the snow," said Whopper. "He says there +is something the matter with his back." + +The shelter gained, Shep and Giant were glad enough to go in and rest +and so was Kiddy Leech. The tramp gazed around the cozy place with +keen satisfaction. + +"This is a bang-up bunk," he observed. "A fellow could stay here a +long time and enjoy himself." + +While the three newcomers rested, Giant and Snap bustled around and +prepared them a substantial meal, with plenty of hot coffee, for the +trip across the cove had been a cold one and they wanted something for +"thawing out purposes," as Shep said. Kiddy Leech was not backward in +eating a big meal, washing it down with all the coffee offered him. + +"Coffee is the next thing to liquor for warming a fellow," he +observed. + +"We think it is far better," answered Snap. "We carry no liquor of any +kind, only a little alcohol for special purposes." + +"Humph!" + +After the meal Shep got out some liniments for the tramp, but he said +he would try a good sleep first. He sought out a comfortable corner of +the shelter, and in a very few minutes was snoring away lustily. + +"He certainly takes things easy," said the doctor's son. + +"I believe he is thoroughly lazy, and a heavy drinker," answered +Giant, and hit the nail squarely on the head. + +"What are we to do with him?" questioned Snap. "We certainly don't +want him to stay at this camp." + +"Not much!" cried Whopper. "As soon as it clears off, we'll fix him up +some provisions and start him on his way." And this was decided upon +unanimously. + +During the afternoon it cleared off to such an extent that Snap and +Giant determined to go out for a short walk. + +"Let us put on our snowshoes," said Giant. "It will give all of us a +chance to get used to them." + +Snap was willing, and soon the boys had fastened on their snowshoes, +which were long and narrow and first-class in every particular. Both +had worn snowshoes before, but not sufficiently to feel thoroughly at +home on them. + +"Come on!" shouted Giant, who was the first ready, and off he started +in fine style, and soon Snap came after them. Shep and Whopper watched +them depart and then returned to the shelter, feeling still too tired +out to do, more than sit around and take it easy. + +Snap and Giant walked on through the woods until they came to a place +that showed quite a cleared spot. + +"Come on--I'll race you!" cried the smaller lad, and away he went as +fast as he could on his snowshoes, and Snap came after him. + +The two boys thought they were going over a level sheet of snow, but +it was down grade and soon they struck a small hollow. Over went Giant +on his face into the snow below, and an instant later Snap followed. + +"Whow!" spluttered the small youth, when he could make a sound. His +nose and mouth were filled with snow, and some was also down his +sleeve. "I say, this isn't so pleasant, Snap." + +"Pleasant! I should say not, Giant. Ugh! but this snow is cold!" + +"I can't get up!" + +"We'll have to do the best we can." + +With a great effort, Snap managed to rise to his feet again and then +he went to Giant's assistance. After that the two boys were careful +how they stepped out and so got along fairly well. + +"I don't think I'd care to travel more than a mile or two on +snowshoes," remarked Giant, as they turned back towards the Inn. "It +is too tiring on the ankles." + +When the two lads arrived at the shelter they were tired out and glad +enough to take off the snowshoes and hang them up. Shep and Whopper +wanted to know how it had felt to walk on snowshoes and they related +their experience. + +"We'll all have to go out to-morrow," said Whopper. "Just wait till +you see me walk! I'll wager I'll walk ten miles with ease." + +"Make it a hundred while you are at it," answered Shep. "I am not +saying what I shall do." + +"If we go out what is to be done with that fellow?" whispered Snap, +pointing to the sleeping form of Kiddy Leech. + +"I don't know," replied Whopper. "I don't like the idea of leaving him +alone in camp." + +When night came on they put some fresh logs on the fire and cooked +another meal of venison steak. Then, later on, they sat around the +blaze, talking and eating nuts and apples. The tramp slept on soundly +and they left him where he was, even when they retired. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN WHICH A TRAMP DISAPPEARS + + +"I know what I am going to do to-day," said Giant, on the following +morning. "I am going fishing through a hole in the ice. I am just +hungry for a bit of fresh fish for breakfast." + +"I want to fish myself," answered Whopper. "If you don't mind, I'll go +with you." + +Snap beckoned his chums to the outside of the shelter. The tramp still +lay on his couch but was awake. + +"Let us take turns at fishing," said the leader of the Gun Club, in a +low tone. "Two can fish and two watch the tramp,--until he clears +out." + +"Let us give him a hint that he is not wanted here," suggested Shep. + +"Will you give him the hint?" asked Giant. + +"Certainly--I am not afraid." + +They prepared breakfast, and when they were ready to sit down and eat +the tramp arose and stretched himself lazily. + +"That smell good," he said. "Reckon you've got some for me, eh?" + +"Yes, you can have your share," answered Shep. "After breakfast we'll +give you some lunch in a paper bag and then you can be on your way." + +"What, going to throw me out in such weather as this?" cried the man, +reproachfully. + +"The weather is all right to-day," put in Snap. + +"My back hurts a good deal." + +"I guess you are able to walk. We'll give you plenty of lunch, so you +won't starve." + +"It's hard lines on a fellow who hasn't a cent to his name," whined +the tramp. His manhood had evidently deserted him completely. + +The young hunters looked at each other questioningly. They did not +want to be hard on anybody who was in distress. Snap put his hand in +his pocket. + +"I'll give you a quarter," he said, and passed over the silver coin. + +"So will I," added Shep. And then Giant and Whopper also handed over +twenty-five cents each, making a dollar in all. + +"Much obliged," said Kiddy Leech, pocketing the silver with +satisfaction. "But if you don't mind, I won't start out until about +noon time. By then I reckon my back will I feel better." + +"Very well, make it noon then," said Snap. Giant and Whopper were soon +down on the ice. They took with them their fishing outfits and an axe. + +"I've got an idea we'll find pretty good fishing around yonder bend of +the shore," said Giant, pointing with his hand. + +Reaching a spot that looked favorable to them, they threw down their +fishing outfits and began to cut two holes in the ice, about fifty +feet apart. Cutting the ice was no light task, and they took turns +until they had each hole about a foot in diameter. + +"Now then to bait up," said Giant. + +He had prepared himself for this by cutting out certain portions of +the deer meat and small patches of the skin. He soon had his line in +trim for use, and with the aid of a light sinker allowed it to sink +close to the bottom of the lake. + +Whopper was using some bait brought from home, something Jed Sanborn +had said might be effective in luring the finny tribe. The two boys +stood by the holes patiently, waiting for a bite. + +Fully five minutes passed and Giant felt a small nibble. He pulled the +bait around a bit and then felt a sudden tug. Up came his line with a +rush, and out on the ice flopped a pickerel of fair size. + +"Hurrah! first haul!" sang out the small member of the Gun Club, +proudly. "Who says we can't catch something?" + +After that came another spell of silence and then Whopper gave a yank +on his line. Up came a good sized fish, but as it fell on the ice it +broke loose from the hook and flopped back into the water with a +splash that covered Whopper with the icy drops. + +"Oh, hang the luck!" gasped Whopper. "He got away and gave me a shower +bath in the bargain." + +"Wish I could get a maskalonge," said Giant. Do you remember the big +one I caught last summer?" + +"Indeed I do," answered Whopper. "And I remember how the fish pulled +you overboard and nearly drowned you." + +They continued to fish and presently Whopper got another bite and +brought up a good-sized pickerel, of a variety that is known to many +as a lake trout. Then both boys got a second and a third bite, and +inside of an hour had a fair mess of fish to their credit. + +In the meantime Snap and Shep remained near the shelter, fixing up a +number of things. Shep made a fresh batch of bread dough and also +prepared a pot of beans and baked a plain cake. He likewise tried his +hand at an apple pie, but the crust was not right, and later on, when +the pie was tested, Whopper said the "lid" might do for a shingle but +not for eating. The cake, however, turned out well, and all of the +young hunters praised it. + +As Snap and Shep moved around, in and out of the shelter, Kiddy Leech +watched them closely, although without letting them see it. The tramp +had on his ragged overcoat and, when he got the chance, he put a +number of things into the pockets on the sly. + +Suddenly from the lake there came a loud shouting, and Snap and Shep +ran out to see what was the matter. + +"Maybe Giant and Whopper are in trouble," said the doctor's son. + +They ran out on the ice and then around the bend, to find those who +had been fishing running toward them. + +"We just saw some big game," panted Giant. "Get the rifle and the +shotguns!" + +"What game?" queried Snap. + +"At least a dozen deer, big ones," answered Whopper. "Oh, hurry. We'll +never get such a chance again!" + +"Did you really see a dozen?" asked Shep. + +"I saw five or six," answered Giant. + +"I saw more than that--right across the lake," came from Whopper. +"Hurry up!" + +With such game so close at hand the four boy hunters were in a fever +of excitement. All rushed to the shelter and got their firearms, +Whopper and Giant throwing their fish and lines in a heap on the +floor. For the time being the tramp was practically forgotten. + +"Where are you going?" he shouted after them. + +"After some deer. We'll soon be back," answered Snap. + +At that moment Shep sighted one of the deer--directly on the opposite +shore of the lake. But as soon as the game was seen it disappeared +from view. + +"They are there, sure enough," exclaimed the doctor's son. + +"Shall we go back for our skates?" asked Snap. + +"No, there isn't time." + +Without further words the four boy hunters started to cross Firefly +Lake, stepping as much as possible on the portions that did not look +extra slippery. Yet more than one went down with a thump, and this +delayed them not a little. + +"Where are the deer?" queried Snap, when the other side of the lake +was gained. + +All looked around, and while one went up the shore, another went down, +and then two hurried into the forest, which at this point was extra +thick. + +"Here are the tracks!" cried Snap, and began to run forward, with the +others close at his heels. + +But alas! the tracks soon came to an end, on a series of rocks which +the wind had swept clear of snow. Beyond this point the ground was so +uneven that progress was difficult. + +The boys gazed around in perplexity. They had expected some easy +shooting. Now the game was gone and they did not know where to look +for it. + +"May as well go back to camp," said Snap at last. "Remember, we left +that tramp in full possession." + +"Oh, let us look around a little longer," pleaded Giant. + +To please the small member of the Gun Club, the others remained in +that vicinity for quarter of an hour longer, looking in every possible +direction for the deer. But the animals had made themselves scarce, +and that was the end of it. + +"Too bad!" sighed Whopper. "I thought we'd get a full dozen this +time!" + +They had stirred up absolutely nothing in the way of game, and so +retraced their steps without firing a single shot. Nobody felt in +particularly good humor, and the walk back to camp was a rather silent +one. + +"Might better have kept at fishing," grumbled Whopper. + +"What did you get?" asked Shep, who had not taken time to look at the +catch. + +"Oh, we've got enough for several meals." + +"That's good." + +"I hooked one big fish, but he got away." + +"The big fish always do," remarked Snap, significantly. + +"Oh, I'm not exaggerating," growled Whopper. + +When they came in sight of the camp it looked particularly lonely. + +"It's a wonder Mr. Kiddy Leech didn't come out to welcome us," +remarked Giant. + +"He's too lazy," said Shep. "More than likely you'll find him snoring +in front of the fire." + +"He certainly is a lazy one," said Whopper. "We must clear him out +right away." + +They came up to the Inn and entered, to find the fire smouldering +dimly. The tramp was nowhere to be seen. + +"Hullo!" called Snap, but there was no response. + +"Maybe he went out to find us," suggested Giant. + +"Not much!" exclaimed Snap. "I don't like this," he went on. + +"What, Snap?" + +"Look around you and see what is missing." + +"Missing!" + +"That is what I said." + +At these words all made a hasty examination of their belongings. Some +underwear was gone, also a storm coat, and a number of other things. +The tramp had taken a game bag full of provisions, and the pair of +skates belonging to Snap. + +"He's a thief!" cried Giant. + +"I wish I had my hands on him," muttered Snap. + +"So do I," put in Whopper, to whom the storm coat belonged. + +"We must go after him, and at once," came from Shep. "He must not be +allowed to get away with the things he has taken!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SOMETHING OF A CHASE + + +"It is easy enough to say go after the tramp, but where are you going +to find him?" said Whopper. "We went after those deer, but we didn't +get any." + +"If he put on the skates, he must have taken to the lake," answered +Snap. "Anyway, I don't think it will hurt to look around." + +"Somebody ought to stay at camp and watch things," said Shep. +"Whopper, will you do that?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you can lend your skates to me, while I go after Mr. Kiddy +Leech," said Snap. + +So it was arranged, and a few minutes later Snap, Shep and Giant set +out to look for the tramp who had so unceremoniously disappeared. + +"If he took to skating he most likely went down to Lake Cameron," said +Snap. "From there he could get to the river and go wherever he +pleased." + +Once on the ice the three boys skated around on the lake until they +saw other skate marks. These they began to follow and soon saw that +they led down towards the neck that connected Firefly Lake with Lake +Cameron. + +"I believe he did not imagine we'd get back so soon," said Giant. "He +reckoned on getting over Lake Cameron to the river before we could +spot him." + +Wherever there was a ridge of snow on the ice they could see the marks +left by the tramp quite plainly. They skated with vigor, for they felt +that Kiddy Leech would do all in his power to escape. + +"He may be lazy, but he'll hump himself now," declared Shep. + +"And to think he'd do such a thing as this, afar what we did for him," +said Giant. "He can't have any sense of gratitude." + +On they went until they entered the rocky passage between the two +lakes. Here they had to walk through several ridges of snow and saw +that the tramp had done the same. + +Out on Lake Cameron the ice was tolerably free from snow, so it was +not so easy to follow the trail. But they watched the ice closely, and +kept their eyes open for the tiny scratches made by the skate runners. +At one point, in a snow drift, they saw where the tramp had taken a +tumble and rolled over. + +"Served him right," grumbled Snap. "I wish he had taken a dozen +falls." + +They were nearing the end of the lake when they swept around a curve +of the shore. At once, Snap, who was in the lead, set up a shout: + +"There he is!" + +"And skating for all he is worth!" added Shep. + +"Hi, you! stop!" yelled Giant. "Stop, you rascal!" + +At first Kiddy Leech did not hear, but presently, as they drew closer, +he turned in a startled way. Then he tried to skate harder than ever. + +"Stop where you are, or I'll shoot you!" called out Snap, who had +brought his shotgun along. + +"Don't shoot! Don't shoot!" yelled the tramp, in wild alarm. + +"Then stop," went on Snap. + +The tramp skated a few strokes more and then halted. Soon the three +boys swept up to him. + +"Don't shoot!" cried Kiddy Leech again. It's--er--all a mistake. +I--er--I didn't mean any harm." + +"You didn't?" said Snap, indignantly. "No harm to steal our things? +You're a rascal if ever there was one. We ought to hand you over to +the authorities." + +"No! no. I--er--I wasn't stealing anything. It's all a joke. I was +coming back. I thought I'd scare you a little, that's all." + +"Hand over that game-bag," said Shep. + +"And that storm-coat," said Giant. + +"And my skates," put in Snap. "And all the other things you took. And +be quick about it, too." + +"You'll not go near our camp again," answered the leader of the Gun +Club. + +Finding himself surrounded, Kiddy Leech gave up the things he had +taken, including the skates. + +"Now hand over the money you got from us," continued Snap, sternly. + +"Why, can't I keep that?" + +"Not a cent of it." + +Kiddy Leech tried to, protest, but the young hunters would not listen +to what he had to say. + +"We ought to give you a good thrashing," said the doctor's son. "If we +were near town I'd have you arrested." + +"Don't you ever show your face near our camp again," said Giant, who, +even though small, was bound to have his say. + +"If you do, we'll make it red-hot for you," added Snap. + +Stripped of all he had taken, the tramp stood glaring at the boys in a +sullen manner. + +"I'll fix you for this," he began, when Snap cut him short. + +"Say another word and we'll thrash you good," he said. "Now get--just +as fast as you can walk." And he pointed toward the river. + +Muttering under his breath, Kiddy Leech moved on, and the three young +hunters watched him until a distant bend hid him from view. + +"Doesn't walk as if his back was lame," was Giant's comment. + +"Oh, I guess that was all put on--just to arouse our sympathy," +answered Snap. + +The boys turned back in the direction of their camp, talking about the +affair and glad that they had had no worse trouble in getting back +their things. In the meantime Kiddy Leech walked on, fast at first and +then more slowly, until Rocky River was reached. Here he came to a +dilapidated building once used as an ice-house and sat down on a bench +in the sun to rest. + +"I'm having bad luck right along lately," he muttered to himself. +"Thought sure I'd get away to-day with those things. Gee, but I'm glad +they didn't shoot me! That fellow they call Snap looked mad enough to +do it. And to think they took that money back too--after giving it to +me! Say, I'd like to fix 'em for that!" And he shook his head +savagely. + +Kiddy Leech had been sitting on the bench less than quarter of an hour +when he saw several boys coming along the frozen river on their +skates. He looked at them indifferently at first, but soon became +interested in two of the number. These boys were Ham Spink and Carl +Dudder. The third youth was Barney Hedge, one of Spink's cronies. + +"The same boys!" muttered the tramp to himself. + +"Hullo, look at the scarecrow!" called out Ham Spink, as he swept up +on an elegant pair of silver-plated hockey skates. + +"Wonder what cornfield he came from," put in Carl Dudder. + +"Got any old clo's' to sell!" cried Barney Hedge, imitating a street +merchant. + +Kiddy Leech scowled at the trio and said nothing at first. Then, as +Ham Spink threw a snowball at him, he arose and beckoned the boys +nearer. + +"I want to talk to you two," he said, motioning to Carl and Ham. + +"We haven't any money for you," answered Ham. + +"You can't get a drink out of me," added Carl Dudder. "And by the +way," he added suddenly. "You're the tramp my father fired out of our +barn one night last week." + +"That's true," answered Kiddy Leech, calmly. "But he won't do it +again." + +"I know he won't--you won't dare to come around," jeered Carl. + +"Humph! I We'll see about that, sonny. Maybe I'll call on your father +to-morrow." + +"The scarecrow is crazy," said Barney Hedge. + +"No, I ain't crazy. But I know a thing or so, and I want to talk to +you two in private," went on the tramp, and motioned again to Ham and +Carl. + +"What do you want?" asked Ham, curiously. He could see that the tramp +was not crazy. + +"Come here,--or send that other boy away." + +"Gosh, got a state secret, eh?" said Barney Hedge. "All right--I'll +keep out of it. If you want help, call," he added, as he circled away +to a distance. + +"What do you want anyway?" questioned Carl, half angrily. "We are not +in the habit of associating with tramps." + +"We are gentlemen's sons," added Ham, drawing himself up proudly. + +"Say, do gentlemen's sons blow up boathouses?" asked Kiddy Leech, in a +low but distinct tone. + +At this question consternation seemed to seize both Ham Spink and Carl +Dudder, and their faces grew pale as they stared at the tramp. + +"Wha--what's that?" stammered Ham, faintly. + +"I asked you if gentlemen's sons blew up boathouses." + +"What do you know about blowing up a boathouse?" asked Carl. + +"I don't know much about doing the job. But I saw one blown up not +long ago, and--" + +"And what?" came eagerly from Ham and Carl. + +"And I know you two boys did the job," finished Kiddy Leech, +significantly. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +AN EVIL COMPACT + + +For the next moment Ham Spink and Carl Dudder stared at the tramp in +amazement not unmixed with terror. + +"You--er--you saw us?" faltered Ham, at length. + +"I did." + +"You were mistaken," put in Carl. "You--" + +"No, I wasn't mistaken, for I saw you with the dynamite, and I saw you +go into the boathouse and then come out. And then--" + +"Hush, not so loud," interrupted Ham, looking over to where Barney +Hedge was skating up. + +"Then don't say I don't know anything about it," insisted Kiddy Leech. +"I know all about it. You two boys did the job, and nobody else." + +"Where were you?" asked Ham. + +"Oh, I was just knocking around." + +"You can't prove we did it," said Carl, a little of his courage +returning. + +"Can't I though? Just you try me and see. I don't know your names, but +I can soon find them out. I know you belong in Fairview." + +"Oh!" + +Ham's face grew pale again, and if the truth were known he was +trembling in his shoes. + +"Say, I--er--I don't want you to say anything about this to anybody," +he added, hastily. + +"Oh, I am not the kind to tell all I know," answered the tramp. + +"Thank you." + +"But it will cost you a trifle." + +"Eh?" + +"How much money have you got with you?" went on Kiddy Leech, calmly. + +"Only some change--less than a dollar." + +"How much have you got?" + +"What is that to you?" demanded Carl. + +"I want what you've got, that's all." + +"I'll not give it to you." + +"All right then, I'll walk to Fairview and tell what I know about that +explosion." + +"We'll say you did it!" cried Carl, struck by a sudden inspiration. + +"Won't do no good--I can prove you're guilty," answered Kiddy Leech. + +He spoke with such positiveness that both boys believed him, and after +a few words more both agreed to give him all the money they carried if +he would keep silent about the matter. + +"The boathouse wasn't worth anything," explained Ham. "We only knocked +it down to play a trick on some other boys we don't like." + +"Some other boys?" + +"Yes, some fellows who came up this way to go camping. They had their +traps stored in that boathouse." + +"Did those boys come to a camp up here?" asked the tramp, with +interest. + +"Yes." + +"What were their names?" + +"Snap Dodge, Shep Reed, a fellow called Whopper Dawson and a little +chap named Caslette." + +"Humph! the very same crowd," muttered Kiddy Leech. "So you played the +trick on them, eh? I am glad of it." + +"Say, what are you chaps gassing about anyway?" demanded Barney Hedge, +who was growing tired of waiting for his cronies. + +"Say, Barney, excuse us for awhile, will you," called out Ham, skating +towards his friend. "We want to find out something from this tramp. He +knows something about the Dodge crowd I am sure." + +"Oh! Well, I want to find out about them too," said Hedge and came +closer. + +"Don't say anything about the boathouse," whispered Ham Spink to Kiddy +Leech, to which the tramp replied with a knowing wink of his bleery +eye. + +"Have you been up to the Dodge camp?" questioned Carl Dudder. + +"Yes, and those chaps treated me shamefully," answered Kiddy Leech. "I +never touched a thing they had, yet they accused me of trying to steal +some of their traps." + +"Just like 'em," said Ham. "They are a mean set, every one of 'em. +What kind of a camp did they have, a regular log cabin?" + +"No, a sort of shelter patched up among some trees," and at this +information Ham and Carl winked at each other. + +"Thought we were to go up there some day and play a trick on them," +came from Barney Hedge, who, during the summer, had done his full +share of trouble-making for all of our friends. + +"How would you like to go to that camp and make trouble for that +crowd?" said Ham, to the tramp. + +"Me?" + +"Yes. We'd like to have their outing spoilt. We'd pay you for your +trouble." + +"Say, Ham, can you trust this fellow?" whispered Barney, half in +alarm. + +"I think so. He's only a tramp and he will do anything for a little +money. If he does the job we won't have to dirty our hands, and if he +gets into trouble we can deny that we had anything to do with it." + +This view of the matter suited Barney Hedge and also Carl Dudder, and +all joined in getting Kiddy Leech to tell them what our friends were +doing and how they were situated. Then it was suggested again to the +tramp that he go back to the vicinity of the camp on Firefly Lake and +make matters uncomfortable for the campers. + +"I'll do it, if you'll pay me what it is worth," said Kiddy Leech. +"But I can't go back to-day. It's too cold and I ain't dressed warm +enough. And I'll want some provisions." + +"I can get you some better clothing," said Carl Dudder. "I think one +of my father's old suits will fit you. Maybe I can get you an +overcoat, too." + +"I can get you some shoes, and a hat," said Barney Hedge. + +"I'll furnish the provisions, and we'll pay you some money," put in +Ham Spink. "Come along to Fairview if you want to." + +So it was agreed, and Kiddy Leech accompanied the young conspirators +back to the town. Here the tramp was given some more money, and he put +up at Bamling's Tavern, a low resort near the river. The boys brought +him the clothing and other things promised, and he had several talks +with them on what was to be done when he went back to the vicinity of +the camp on Firefly Lake. He promised to do all they wished; but on +the following day he was missing. + +"What do you suppose had become of him?" said Ham to Carl, in +considerable alarm. + +"I am sure I don't know, and Bamling says he doesn't know either," was +the answer. + +Ham Spink made numerous inquiries and soon learned from some rivermen +that Kiddy Leech had yielded to his weakness for strong liquor and +gone off on a spree. + +"We are out our money," he said to Carl Rudder, in disgust. "He'll +never do a thing for us, I am certain, and we dare not prosecute him." + +"Maybe he'll do what we want when he gets sober," answered Carl. "He +will want more money, and then we can tell him that he can't have a +cent until he goes up to the camp and does what we want him to." + +When at last they saw the tramp again he looked more battered and +disreputable than ever,--so much so, in fact, that the rather +fastidious youths were afraid of him. But he would not let them get +away from him, and insisted on keeping to the bargain that had been +made. + +"I am sorry I took to the liquor--but it's a weakness I get once a +year or so," he said blandly. "But I'll keep as sober as a judge now, +you see if I don't--no more drink for Kiddy Leech until this job is +done. All I want is what you promised to me, and you can rely on me +doing the rest." + +"We are not going to trust you," said Ham, putting on as bold a front +as he could, although he was trembling. "You go and do the work as +promised and we'll pay you afterwards." + +This did not suit Kiddy Leech, and a lively discussion followed, and +the matter was compromised. The tramp was given something of another +outfit and a third of the money promised to him, and he agreed to +accept the rest of the money when he had done the "job" at Firefly +Lake. + +"Mind you now," said Ham, "I want you to make it just as disagreeable +for that crowd as you possibly can. You can soak their firewood with +water, hide their guns and provisions, and fix it so the snow will +break in their roof--and things like that." + +"Oh, don't you worry," declared Kiddy Leech. "I'll make it so +uncomfortable for them that you'll see them back home in no time, mark +my words." + +"And see that they don't bring any game with them either," said Carl +Dudder. + +"I'll fix that too," answered the tramp. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +FUN IN THE CAMP + + +"Boys! wake up! Are you going to sleep all day?" + +It was Snap who called out. He had just crawled out of his cozy +sleeping place near the fire and looked at his watch. It was eight +o'clock. + +It was the morning after the day when they had had their trouble with +Kiddy Leech, and as they brought in some wood, stirred up the +smouldering camp-fire, they talked over what had occurred. + +"I don't think he'll bother us any more," said Shep. "He's too much of +a coward at heart." + +The boys had planned for a day "at home," as Snap put it. They were +going to try their hands at cake and candy making, and for dinner were +going to have baked turkey, beans and apple sauce. For breakfast Giant +and Whopper had prepared some of the fish caught through the ice, and +the repast proved a delicious one--quite a relief from the monotony of +game. + +All of the boys were in exceptionally good humor that day, whistling +and singing and "cutting up" generally. Right after breakfast they +opened up the Inn to let in some fresh air and during that period of +time had a snowball match, using as a target a saucepan lid set up on +a tree stump at a distance of a hundred feet. Each took ten trials and +Snap knocked the lid down seven times, Shep six times and Giant and +Whopper each five times. Then the boys got to snowballing each other, +running round the shelter for protection, and at last Giant followed +Shep inside, each carrying a chunk of snow. + +"Hi! that won't do!" sang out the leader of the club. "No snow allowed +inside. Come out, or I'll fine you each five sticks of wood." Which +meant that each culprit would have to go out into the woods and chop +down five fair sized sticks for firewood. This was a system of fines +Snap had instituted and it seemed to work very well. + +"No wood chopping in mine," called out Giant, and threw his snow +outside. Whopper attempted to do the same, but the chunk fell and +spread all over one of the couches. + +"Whopper you are fined five sticks, and you must at once clean the +couch, before the snow melts," said Snap. + +"Just my luck," grumbled Whopper. "Every time I start out for fun I +end up with a funeral!" Yet he set to work willingly, whistling as +merrily as ever. + +The sport at an end, all of the boys set to work, cake and candy +making. They cracked some of the nuts taken from the squirrels' hiding +places and then while Snap and Giant made a big nut cake, Shep and +Whopper made nut candy. The boys had learned the work at home (for +camp purposes) and the results were decidedly appetizing. In the +meantime the turkey was roasting, and then Snap and Shep peeled some +apples for apple sauce. + +"Listen!" cried Whopper. "Am I mistaken, or did I hear a whistle?" + +All listened and from a distance heard a clear, sharp whistle, thrice +repeated. They knew that signal well, and all rushed to the doorway of +the shelter, getting in a jam in consequence. + +"I'm the one to get out ahead!" cried the Giant, and the small form +slipped deftly between the others. "Hullo, Jed Sanborn! How are you?" + +"Hullo, yourself!" came from off the ice of the lake, as the +well-known old hunter strode forward. "Thought I'd find you to hum--by +the look of the smoke from your chimbley." + +"Where did you come from, Fairview?" + +"Yes,--got letters fer all of you." + +"Oh, letters!" was the cry, and then all the young hunters rushed +forward to shake hands and escort the old hunter into the shelter. Jed +Sanborn looked around in perplexity. + +"Why, say, this ain't the camp I expected," he stammered. + +"The other was burnt down when we got here," answered Snap. + +"Burnt down? 'T wasn't burnt down when I was here last, lad." + +"So you told us. It must have been burnt down after that. The work of +some enemy," put in Shep. + +"You don't suspect Felps, do you?" + +"Either he or the Ham Spink crowd," answered Whopper. + +"Humph! Dog mean, wasn't it? Some fellers is too mean to live. Say, +that turkey smells good. Ain't starvin' none, eh?" + +"Not a bit of it," declared Giant. "We've got more than enough." + +"Then kin I get dinner?" + +"A dozen of them!" cried Snap. + +They made Jed Sanborn make himself at home, and then read with +pleasure the letters. All was going along well at Fairview, and the +boys were cautioned to take good care of themselves. + +"We must send letters in return," said Shep, and this was agreed to +instantly, and the communications were pencilled that afternoon. + +Jed Sanborn had quite some news to tell, and he listened with interest +to the tale the young hunters had to relate about their various quests +of game. His brow darkened when they related their experience with +Kiddy Leech. + +"Sech rascals ought to be run out o' the deestrict," he observed. "An' +I'd like the job of runnin' 'em out. I hope he doesn't bother you +again." + +It was one o'clock when the Gun Club and their guest sat down to their +turkey dinner. All took their time over the repast, and as a +consequence the meal was not finished until some time after two. Then +they took it easy, while Jed Sanborn told them a story about a bear +hunt, and how he had once gone fishing on the St. Lawrence and got +caught in the rapids. + +"It's snowing again!" called out Shep, who chanced to go out, to bring +in some more firewood. "Coming down pretty thick, too, I can tell +you!" + +"I allowed it was going to snow before nightfall," answered Jed +Sanborn. "I'll take a look at the sky myself." + +As a man who spent nearly all of his life out of doors, he was keenly +interested in the weather at all times. He studied the sky carefully +for several minutes and then shook his head. + +"What do you think?" was Whopper's query. "Going to snow all night, I +reckon--an' putty good too." + +On account of the snow, it grew dark rapidly, and they had to stir up +the fire for light as well as for warmth. Jed had brought with him a +small bag of corn for popping, and also a popper, something Shep had +meant to bring but had forgotten. While some of the boys cleared away +what was left of the meal, Giant and the old hunter popped a pan full +of corn, and of this and the cake, candy, and apples they made, later +on, what they termed supper. + +"My! but it is snowing to beat the cars!" exclaimed Whopper, as he +looked out of the shelter before retiring. "Can't see the end of your +nose. I'll bet the snow will be eight or ten feet high by morning." + +The evening was spent in playing various games and in singing some of +the home songs. The boys could sing fairly well and Jed Sanborn +listened with pleasure. + +"Wish I could sing myself," he said. "But I ain't got no more voice +nor a black crow." + +At last it came time to turn in, and they provided the old hunter with +a comfortable corner. The fire was fixed for the night, and presently +all went to sleep, little thinking of the excitement so close at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AN UNEXPECTED PERIL + + +The snow continued to come down thickly. The weather had moderated to +a great extent and this made the snow heavy and clinging. It came down +on the shelter steadily until the top of Birch Tree Inn resembled the +top of some large sugar-coated cake. + +The roof of the shelter was not as strong as it should have been, for +the young hunters were amateurs in the construction of such an affair. +It held up bravely until the weight of snow became too heavy, and then +it began to bend lower and lower and commenced to snap and crack, as +one tree after another gave way. + +The boys and the old hunter slept on, unconscious of their danger, +until an extra loud crack awoke Whopper. The lad sat up, looked around +him and listened. Then came another snap. + +"Must be a log on the fire," said Whopper to himself. "But it didn't +seem to come from there. Perhaps--Oh!" + +Whopper heard a crack directly over his head, then down came a heap of +snow that all but buried him. + +"Hi! Wake up, everybody!" he yelled, in alarm. "The roof is coming +down!" + +"What's that?" called Jed Sanborn, rolling out of his blanket and +struggling to his feet, only to be hurled flat by the snow that came +down on his head. + +By this time the boys were all awake and trying to get up. They heard +several cracks, and then more snow came down and with it several +sticks of good size. + +"We must get out! If we don't we'll be hurt!" cried Whopper. "Come +on," and he leaped for the doorway, which had been well closed, to +keep out the cold. + +Before Whopper could gain the outer air the entire roof of the shelter +seemed to come down, and Snap and Shep were buried beneath the ruins. +Giant was caught against the wall, not far from the rude chimney. Jed +Sanborn reached the doorway, and he and Whopper managed to push down +the barrier and leap outside. + +Some of the snow tumbled into the fire and this created a smoke which +all but stifled poor Giant, who, for several minutes could hardly +move. In the meantime Snap and Shep were flat on their breasts, trying +to squirm from under the mass that was pressing them to the earth. + +"The others have been caught!" exclaimed Whopper, in horror, as he +gazed behind him. "Oh, what shall we do?" + +"Tear the stuff apart as fast as we can," answered the old hunter, and +set the example by springing back and pulling on branches, poles and +chunks of snow. Whopper set in to do likewise, and the pair labored +like Trojans for several minutes. Then they caught sight of Snap and +actually hauled him from the wreckage feet first! + +"Who's out and who's caught?" demanded Snap, as soon as he could +speak, and having learned he went on: "We must get Shep and Giant out, +before the fire reaches them!" + +"Help! help!" came faintly from Giant. + +"Where are you?" asked Snap. + +"Here--next to the chimney. I am wedged fast. The smoke is choking +me!" + +"We'll git him out!" spoke Jed Sanborn, who had not stopped in his +labors, and he pitched in harder than ever, with Whopper and Snap +doing all they could to aid him. Snap had his face and one hand badly +scratched, but paid no attention, just then, to the blood which was +flowing from the wounds. + +It was not long before the three outside were able to aid Shep. Using +all his strength, which was considerable, Jed Sanborn held up a +portion of the fallen roof and Shep crawled forth until Whopper and +Snap could get hold of him and raise him up. He had suffered but +little, although the breath had been forced out of him. + +"Get poor Giant!" were the first words. "Don't--don't mind me. I'll be +all ri-right when I--I get m-my wind!" + +The others were already laboring to release Giant. Through the tangle +of branches the smoke was pouring, for more snow had fallen on the +fire. + +"Giant, can't you turn and get some air through the cracks of the +side?" called out Whopper. + +"That's what I am trying to do, but I am caught fast," was the +gasped-out answer. + +"I'll try to do something around near the chimney," said Jed Sanborn. +"Where's the axe?" + +It was given to him and soon he was at work close to where Giant was +held a prisoner. Fortunately a slender tree of the shelter frame was +located at this point and a few well-directed blows cut it off. Then +Jed shoved the tree upward, thus making a hole through which Giant +fell rather than crawled. + +"Are you burnt?" asked Whopper and Shep, in a breath. + +"No, but I am about ha-half smoked!" declared the smaller member of +the Gun club and coughed. + +"Boys, we must put the fire out, or all of your things will be +ruined," said Jed Sanborn. "I reckon I know how to do the trick, now +Giant and the rest are out." + +"How?" asked several. + +"Fill up the chimney with snow." + +This was a good idea and soon, by forcing the snow down the chimney, +they had the fire all but out. Of course it smoked a great deal, but +this did little damage. + +It was three o'clock in the morning and the snow was coming down as +thickly as ever. They scarcely knew what to do, until Jed Sanborn +suggested they build a camp-fire outside. + +"So long as you've got plenty of firewood why not use it?" said he. +"We want a light, too." + +"Here is the acetylene gas lamp," said Snap, picking it up from where +it had fallen, near the doorway. + +"And the can of carbide," added Shep. "This will help us to start a +fresh fire, even if the wood is wet," he continued. + +"How?" questioned Jed Sanborn, who had never used such a "new-fangled +consarn," as he called the bicycle lamp. + +"I'll show you," answered Shep. "just heap up some of the wood, with +the little sticks on the bottom." + +The wood was heaped up and then, in a hollow in the snow underneath, +Shep dumped out some of the carbide from the can. Then he lit a match, +held it to the snow, to melt the latter a little, and up blazed the +gas, at first slowly and then more furiously, until the fire was +roaring. + +"Why, how is that!" cried the old hunter. "Never knew snow to set fire +to anything in my life." + +"It is very simple, Jed," explained Shep. "As soon as the snow melts +it turns to water, and the water, soaking the carbide, generates +acetylene gas, which burns about the same as gas in a city." + +"Well, it's an easy way to start a camp-fire," was the old hunter's +comment. "I've had lots o' trouble sometimes, when the wood was wet as +it is now." + +The roaring fire made matters a little more cheerful, yet the boys +felt discouraged, with the roof of the shelter broken down. Jed +Sanborn did all in his power to cheer them up. + +"When you go camping like this you can't expect everything to go jest +right," he said. "You have to take the lean with the fat an' the +bitter with the sweet. Now, I knowed a crowd o' men went camping out +in the North Woods a few years ago. First one of the men took sick an' +had to go home, then the boat they had got to leakin' so they couldn't +use it, then came a forest fire, and in running away one of 'em up an' +broke his leg. Thet was an outin' fer you!" + +"Thanks, but I'd rather stay home," said Snap. "But I believe +you,--there is no use of crying over spilt milk, as the saying goes. +What do you advise?" + +"Cleaning out the place and puttin' up a good, strong roof. We can do +it by night." + +"Night!" cried Whopper. "What is it now but night?" + +"No, it's morning, lad, but rather early, I admit." + +Under the old hunter's directions they went to work, and by seven +o'clock had the shelter cleaned out. This gave them a chance to get at +their stores and also use the fireplace once more, and they cooked a +fish breakfast and made a generous pot of coffee and another of +chocolate. + +"We'll cut all these branches away and then build a regular pole +roof," said Jed Sanborn. "Build it right and it will withstand any +pile o' snow you kin git on it." + +He told them just what poles to cut and how to place them, and showed +them the best way to put in strips of bark and bind the whole +together. By nightfall they had the new roof finished, and all of the +boys admitted it was much better than the other roof had been. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + + +Jed Sanborn had promised to remain long enough in the camp to go out +on at least one deer hunt with them, and, on the following day, the +whole party started out, shutting up the shelter as best they could, +so that no wild animals might get inside during their absence. + +The snow had ceased to come down. It covered the ground to the depth +of a foot and a half on the level and Jed said it was just the right +kind of weather for deer. + +"If we spot 'em they won't have much chance to git away," he told +them, "They can't run in sech deep snow nohow." + +Of course they went on their snowshoes. Jed had brought his own +along--a pair rather the worse for wear, but on which he covered the +snow as rapidly as any of them. He said he had frequently been out on +snowshoes for days at a time and they did not bother him in the least. +He grinned when Shep took a tumble, but aided the lad to arise without +any comment. + +The old hunter had seen some deer at a place called Doorknob Valley, a +hollow to the southwest of Firefly Lake, and led them in that +direction. The trail was by no means an even one, and often they had +to force their way through bushes half buried in the snow. + +It was noon before they came in sight of Doorknob Valley, with some +hills running around one side and a series of cliffs and rough rocks +and scrub pines on the other. To the boys' dismay, not a deer was in +sight. Snap looked questioningly at the old hunter. + +"I think we'll find 'em somewhere around here," said Jed. "Come, +follow me, and don't make any noise. I haven't seen a winter yet when +there weren't deer in Doorknob Valley." + +They pressed on, over one of the hills, and then towards the cliffs +and rough rocks. Soon Jed held up his hand. + +"Have you spotted any?" whispered Shep, eagerly. + +The old hunter nodded, and then pointed to the edge of one of the +cliffs. Under, in something of a shelter, they could see several deer +and not far away a big, sturdy buck, all feeding on some tender +saplings which they were stripping of bark. + +"Oh, what a shot!" whispered Giant, excitedly. + +"We'll try to git a bit closer," said Jed Sanborn. "But don't make any +noise, or we'll have to follow 'em until they get winded." + +Hardly daring to breathe after that, the boys followed the old hunter +in and out among the cliffs and rough rocks. This was the hardest part +of the journey and both Snap and Whopper went down, the latter twice, +much to his disgust. + +"Now, don't make a sound," cautioned Jed Sanborn. "And don't show +yourselves till I tell you to." + +They were passing down between the rough rocks, and soon came to a +spot where there were several thick clumps of bushes. Here the old +hunter went ahead again. Then he motioned for the boys to drop down +low and they did so. Peering forth through the bushes they could now +see the deer close at hand. The big buck, however, was not visible. + +"Where is the buck?" whispered Snap in Jed's ear. The young leader of +the Gun Club wished very much to lay that magnificent beast low. + +The old hunter pointed to a nearby cliff. + +There was the buck, standing between two saplings, eating the bark of +one and rubbing himself against the other. + +"Can I hit him, do you think?" went on Snap. + +"You can try. But wait." + +In a low tone Jed Sanborn instructed the lads to aim and fire to the +best advantage. Each was to shoot at his own game, and Sanborn said he +would take a shot or two afterwards. + +"I'll give the word," said the old hunter. "Are you all ready?" + +They were, and he ordered them to fire. Bang! bang! bang! went the +three shotguns, and crack! went the rifle. The deer Shep had aimed at +was killed outright and the two aimed at by Giant and Whopper were +badly wounded. The buck, upon which Snap had tried his skill, was hit +in the flank, and he gave a snort of rage as he swung around, breaking +one of the saplings as he did so. + +"Hurrah, I've got one!" cried Shep, in exultation. + +"Mine is down, but it isn't dead," said Giant. + +"Neither is mine, but I guess we can get 'em both," answered Whopper. +And then the lads ran forward to secure the two struggling deer, that +were floundering furiously in the snow. + +Snap had turned toward the buck, but now he got a sudden attack of +"buck fever" as it is called and stood stock still, with eyes staring +from his head. + +"Look out there, he'll horn you!" yelled Jed Sanborn, and raised his +gun to fire. But as he did so, Shep bumped against him, and the +buckshot intended for the buck only rent the empty air. + +By this time the buck was less than a hundred feet from where Snap was +standing. That he was wild with rage could be seen from the look out +of his wide-open and bloodshot eyes. He lowered his antlers, as if to +pierce poor Snap through and through. + +"Run! run!" yelled Shep. "Run, Snap!" + +It was then that Snap awoke to the peril which confronted him, and +turning, he made a leap to one side and around a clump of the bushes. +The buck turned too, and at that moment Jed Sanborn discharged the +second barrel of his shotgun, this time taking the game in one of the +rear legs. + +For the moment the buck was halted and he raised the wounded leg and +let out a moan of pain. Then his fury increased, and with a mighty +effort he arose in the air, intending to leap directly over the clump +of bushes and on top of Snap. + +But now Shep was ready for another shot and he let drive at the buck, +hitting him along the left side. This served to bring the leap to a +halt in midair, and doubling up, the buck sank down directly in the +midst of the bushes. + +"Good for you!" shouted Snap, and rushing forward he, too, took a +second shot. This was too much for the buck, and crashing out of the +bushes he rolled over and over and then stretched out, dead. + +It was fully five minutes before the excitement was at an end. Snap +was a trifle pale. + +"What a narrow escape!" he murmured. "I thought sure he was going to +horn me!" + +"A buck will fight sometimes and when he does he's as ugly as any +critter on four legs," said Jed Sanborn. "I might have fixed him with +my first shot only Shep bumped into me. But I know he didn't mean to +do it," added the old hunter hastily. + +"I didn't see you--I was looking at the other deer," explained the +doctor's son. + +"Can we get any more of 'em?" demanded Whopper. + +"Whopper always wants a dozen or two," laughed Giant. + +"No more deer to-day, lad," said Jed Sanborn. "I think we have had +remarkable luck. Why, sometimes a crowd like this can tramp all day +and not get a sight of a deer. As it is, we're going to have some fun +getting our game home." + +"Oh, we can't carry such a load!" cried Giant. + +"We'll cut some drags and get 'em to camp that way," said the old +hunter. + +He pointed out two saplings which might do for drags, and they cut +them down with the axe the old hunter had brought along. Then they +placed the two largest of the deer on one and the buck and the +smallest deer on the other, thus making the loads about even. Some of +the branches of the saplings had been cut off, so that they trailed +over the snow rather flatly, which was what was desired. + +They had brought lunch with them, and before they started on the +return they built a small campfire and made themselves a pot of +chocolate, something of which Jed was exceedingly fond. + +"I don't go much on candy," said he, "but chocolate seemed to hit the +spot, better'n coffee or tea." + +"I like them all," answered Snap. + +The repast over, they started on the return, Jed helping with first +one drag and then the other. He also pointed out what be thought would +be the easiest route to follow. This was over two hills. + +"Well have to climb, but we won't fall down between any o' the rocks," +he said. "It's dangerous walking over rocks with snow on 'em, for if +you go down in a hollow you're liable to twist an ankle or break a +leg." + +"We certainly don't want any accidents," said Shep. + +"How the eyes of Ham Spink and his crowd would stick out if they knew +we had bagged so much game!" exclaimed Whopper. "If they had such luck +they'd never get done talking about it." + +"Do you think they'll come out this winter?" questioned Giant. + +"I don't know," answered Snap. "If they do come out I hope they keep +away from us." + +"So do I," put in the doctor's son. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +SHOOTING WILD DUCKS + + +When the boys and Jed Sanborn reached camp a surprise awaited them. +Seated at a small fire in front of Birch Tree Inn was an elderly man +dressed in the outfit of a mountain guide. + +"Why, it's Jack Dalton!" cried Shep. + +"Hullo, boys!" called the man at the fire, rising. "Thought as how +you'd be back some time to-day. How are ye, Jed?" he added, to the old +hunter. + +Jack Dalton, as my old readers know, was a guide of that vicinity, +well known to all the inhabitants for miles around. He had visited the +boys' camp during the summer and had been friendly in more ways than +one. + +"Thought I might get a shakedown here for the night," said Jack +Dalton. "Been hoofing it sence five o'clock this morning--over from +Philbrook's preserve--and I'm too tuckered out to make Fairview." + +"Certainly you can stay with us," answered Snap. "Had any luck?" + +"A few rabbits and some ducks, that's all. Gee shoo! Do you mean to +say you got them deer an' that buck to-day?" + +"We did." + +"Gosh all hemlock! No wonder a feller like me can't get nuthin! That's +rare luck; eh, Jed?" + +"It was," answered the old hunter. "They don't expect to do it again +in a hurry." + +The shelter was opened up and all went inside and prepared a generous +supper. Jack Dalton insisted upon giving the boys one of the ducks he +had brought down, in return for the accommodations received. On their +part they gave the guide a generous chunk of venison, for which he was +exceedingly thankful. + +"I'd like to go out duck shooting," said Whopper. "It would be +something different." + +"No ducks around Firefly Lake," answered Giant. "I asked Jed." + +Jack Dalton was questioned and said that there were plenty of wild +ducks below the Philbrook preserve--at a locality known as the +Marshes--and he told them how to get there. + +"But you want to be careful about walking over the Marshes," he said. +"In the summer time there are lots of bog holes, an' it ain't none too +safe in the winter time." + +As Jack Dalton was going on to Fairview with Jed Sanborn, it was +decided by the boys to send the buck and one of the other deer home, +which would be easy, with two men to draw the load. All spent a +comfortable night in camp, nothing coming to disturb them. Breakfast +was a substantial one, and by nine o'clock Jed and Dalton set off with +their load, the old hunter also carrying various letters for the folks +at home. The boys went out on the lake to see them off, and gave them +a rousing cheer on parting. + +"Tell everybody we are having the time of our lives," shouted Snap +after the pair. + +There was more snow in the air, and the young hunters spent the +remainder of that day in camp, cleaning the game they had brought in +and also their firearms, and mending a couple of snowshoes that had +become a little broken. A portion of the chimney also needed +attention, and before they knew it, night was once more upon them. + +"I'll tell you what," said Snap. "Out here the time seems to fairly +fly." + +"Boys, do you realize that day after to-morrow is Christmas," came +from Whopper. + +"So it is!" was the cry. + +"Gracious, I almost forgot about it!" + +"We must celebrate!" + +"Sure thing! Oh, we'll have a dandy time. We can have fish, fowl and +venison, and pudding and cake and nuts and apples, and lots of good +things," finished Giant. + +"Let us go duck hunting to-morrow and spend Christmas here," said the +doctor's son, and so it was agreed. + +Everything was prepared for an early start, and the four boy hunters +were "up and doing" by seven o'clock in the morning. + +"Phew! but ain't it cold!" ejaculated Snap, as he slapped his hands +together. "I didn't calculate on such a drop in the thermometer." + +It certainly was freezing weather and they bundled up well before +leaving the shelter. As before, they shut up tightly, to keep out all +wild animals. The deer and other game had been hung high by ropes from +several tree limbs. + +Of course all were on snowshoes, and they carried in their game-bags +provisions enough for two good meals. Every day they found walking on +snowshoes easier, and all got over the ground, or rather snow, very +well. + +Once over the hills back of Firefly Lake, they took to a route that +was new to them, leading through a heavy belt of spruce timber and +then over a sloping stretch running down to the lowlands. On the way +they stirred up some rabbits and Whopper could not resist the +temptation to bring one of them low. + +"Now I won't have to go back empty-handed, even if I don't see another +thing," he declared. + +It was fully noon by the time they reached the edge of the Marshes, +wide stretches of lowlands, dotted here and there with clumps of +bushes. At a great distance they heard gunshots, but failed to +discover the gunners. + +They tramped on to a point where Jack Dalton had said the wild ducks +were apt to be found. The wind was coming up, and out in this wide +open plain it cut like a knife. + +"We won't want to stay out here more than an hour or two," said Shep. +"My backbone feels like an icicle!" + +"Do you know what I think?" said Giant. "I think it is going to snow." + +"So do I," came from Whopper. + +A few minutes later the first flakes fell, and fearful that the snow +would interfere with their sight of any wild ducks they hurried +forward until they reached a circle of bushes Jack Dalton had +mentioned. + +"Wait, I see some ducks!" cried Giant. "See, they are rising and +coming this way!" + +"Be quick!" cried Snap, and brought around his shotgun. The others +also aimed their weapons, and as the wild ducks sailed almost over +them they let drive in a scattering volley. Two of the ducks were +killed outright and came straight down, while a third circled around +badly wounded. The others swept out of range before any harm could be +done to them. + +"We've got two, anyway," said Shep. + +"I'm going after that wounded one!" cried Whopper, and went off on his +snowshoes behind the fluttering game. The duck touched the snow and +then arose again and did this several times. Giant followed Whopper, +bound to get the third duck if it was possible to do so. + +"Beware of holes!" yelled Snap, after the pair. "Remember what Jack +Dalton said!" + +The others were too interested in pursuing the wounded duck to pay +attention to his words. Thinking he saw a chance, Whopper discharged +his weapon but it did no damage. Then Giant took a shot, and this was +likewise of no avail. + +"Gracious, ducks seem to be harder to hit than deer!" cried the +smaller member of the Gun Club. "It will get away after all, Whopper!" + +"Not if I know it," was the reply. "Come on!" + +The pair continued to run, until fully a hundred yards more had been +covered. The wounded duck had now fluttered down into some bushes and +both felt sure they would be able to bag it. So eager were they that +they did not notice the softness of the snow before them until, +without warning, they sank up to their knees. + +"Hi! what's this?" sputtered Whopper, as he floundered around. + +"We're in a hole!" gasped Giant. "Say, we had better get back!" + +They tried to turn back, but it was impossible, and soon both young +hunters were up to their waists and then to their breasts. They forgot +all about the wounded duck and began to call lustily for help. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A TOUCH OF A BLIZZARD + + +"Those boys ought to be more careful," said Snap, as he watched Giant +and Whopper plunge along after the wounded duck. + +"Well, you told them to beware of holes," answered Shep. + +The two ducks that had been killed were picked up and put in the +game-bags, and then Snap and Shep started to follow their comrades, +but at a more moderate rate of speed. + +"Hark! they are calling for help!" exclaimed the leader of the Gun +Club, a moment later. + +"They are in a hole!" said the doctor's son. "Look, I can just see +their heads!" + +"We must help them out! My! how the wind is blowing!" + +The increase in wind was rapid and by the time Snap and Shep drew +close to where Whopper and Giant were still floundering, it carried +the loose snow around in a perfect whirlwind. + +"Can't you crawl out?" asked Snap, coming as close as he dared. + +"Every time we try we seem to sink deeper!" gasped Giant. + +"Then keep still and I'll aid you," answered the leader of the Gun +Club. "Come, Shep." + +"What we you going to do?" + +"I'll show you. Be quick." + +Walking to the nearest bushes, Snap cut them down with the hatchet he +had insisted upon carrying. Shep now understood, and both lugged the +bushes to the edge of the fast sinking snow. Then more bushes were +brought, and at last, almost exhausted, Giant and Whopper crawled +forth on their hands and knees, their snowshoes held in the air. Then +they got up on their feet and lost no time in gaining a point of +safety. + +"I told you to be careful," said Snap, rather severely. "And Jack +Dalton warned you, too. It is a lucky thing you didn't sink into the +marsh up to your head." + +"We were after the duck and didn't think," answered Whopper. "But you +can bet I'll be careful next time." + +"So will I be careful," came from Giant. "Where's the duck?" + +"Flew away--I saw it," answered Shep. "Gracious, how the wind is +rising!" he added, pulling his coat collar closer to his neck. "It's +going to be a hammer of a snowstorm." + +"I think we had better get off the Marshes," said Snap, after a look +at the sky and the whirling snow. "This looks to me as if it was going +to turn into blizzard." + +"Going to leave with only two ducks?" asked the doctor's son. "It +seems a pity--after tramping such a distance, too!" + +"Maybe we'll strike some more going back," said Snap, cheerfully. + +All of the young hunters were willing to leave the Marshes, for the +increasing wind made the situation decidedly unpleasant. When they +turned back they had both the wind and the pelting snow in their faces +and could scarcely see where they were going. + +"Isn't this fierce!" gasped Shep, after they had walked less than +fifty yards. "I never felt the wind blow so strongly!" + +"We get the full sweep of it out here," answered Shep. "It won't be so +bad when we reach the timber again." + +The mind was fairly whistling around them now. They could not tell how +much snow was falling, for much of it was caught up from where it lay +and sent hurtling along, now in straight dashes and then in mad +circles that blinded and bewildered them. More than once they had to +turn around to catch their breath and clear their eyes. + +"I wish we we-were to th-the timber!" gasped Giant. "I feel as if the +wind was going to pick me up and carry me away!" + +"Let us keep close together," said Whopper. "There is no telling what +will happen with such a wind tearing down upon us." + +They were all scared and with good reason, for to be caught in a +blizzard on that wide stretch of marshland was a serious matter. +Sticking as closely together as possible they hurried on, as fast as +the gale and the flying snow would permit. The air was growing darker +and heavier every moment. + +"Are you sure you are heading for the timber?" questioned Whopper, +presently. "I must confess I am completely turned around." + +"So am I," added Shep. + +"I--I think the timber is in that direction, but I am not certain," +answered the leader of the club, pointing with his hand. + +All stared around them in bewilderment. They scarcely knew how to +turn. + +"Well, one thing is sure, we can't stay here," said Shep. "Come on," +and he started off in the direction his chum had pointed out. + +"Mind you, I don't say I am right," called out Snap. + +"We'll go that way anyhow--if we can make it," said Whopper. + +It was slow traveling, and they had to rest frequently, for the wind +seemed to fairly take the breath out of their bodies. Once they came +up to a clump of bushes and were half tempted to make a prolonged stop +there. But Snap demurred very strongly. + +"It won't do, fellows," he said. "The snow is piling up fast and the +bushes will be snowed under in another hour or two. We have got to +reach the timber somehow. It's our only chance of safety." + +Again they struggled on, so out of breath and weak they could scarcely +draw one snowshoe after the other. Giant fell down and had to be +raised up. + +"I--I am afraid I ca--can't go another step!" he blurted out. "I am as +we--weak as a--a cat!" + +"We'll help you," said Snap, kindly. "Come, Shep, you take one arm and +I'll take the other. Whopper can go in front, to break the force of +the wind for us." + +At the end of ten minutes more all were ready to drop. They were +numbed with the cold and their breath came in quick, short gasps. It +looked as if they must give up and perish. + +"Oh, if only we were back at camp!" sighed Whopper. + +"Don't give up!" urged Snap. He stopped and gazed over his left +shoulder. "Am I mistaken, or is that a tree yonder?" + +"I'll soon see," answered Shep and turned in that direction. "Yes, +it's a tree and the timber is back of it!" he cried in delight. + +This announcement put renewed courage in the young hunters, and once +again they struggled on against the fierce wind, which was now blowing +little short of a hurricane. The trees came into sight dimly through +the swirling whiteness, and a minute later they sank down under the +overhanging boughs of a big spruce. + +"Safe at last!" murmured Shep. + +"Oh, how glad I am of it!" added Giant. "I--I thought we'd be +lo--lost sure!" + +"We must have a fire, first of all," said Snap. "My feet are half +frozen already!" + +"I brought some carbide along, so we can easily start a blaze," added +Whopper. "But we've got to be careful in such a wind as this. Just +listen!" + +They listened, and it made them shiver to hear the shrieking of the +wind as it went ploughing through the forest, often snapping off a +bough here or a tree top there. The spruce they were under bent and +swayed, but it was strong and healthy and it did not give way. + +Leaving his companions for a few minutes, Snap did his best to look +around the vicinity. He could see but little, but made out three big +trees growing somewhat close together on the edge of the marshland. At +one side of the trees was an irregular rock five or six feet in +height. + +"That will have to do," he told himself, and called for his companions +to join him. But they did not hear, owing to the raging of the storm, +and he had to go after them. + +"We'll fix up some sort of shelter among the trees," he said. "And we +can build a fire against that rock. Let us get to work at once, before +it grows colder and the snow gets worse." + +The brief respite had rested them, and while Whopper and Giant cut +some wood and built a fire, Snap and Shep broke down some spruce +branches and piled them up around the clump of trees. Then they kicked +up the snow into something of a wall leading from the side of the rock +to the nearest tree. + +"There, now we can keep fairly warm if nothing else," said the leader +of the Gun Club. + +It was still very dark and the fire did little to dispel the gloom, +the wind having a tendency to blow the smoke in several directions at +once. But the fire kept them fairly warm and for that they were +thankful. + +"If this isn't a blizzard it is next door to it," remarked the +doctor's son, as he gazed at the display of the elements. "And the +worst of it is, there is no telling how long it is going to last." + +"Will we be snowed in?" asked Whopper. + +"It looks like it." + +"And with nothing but a rabbit and two ducks!" cried Giant. "Boys, it +doesn't look as if Christmas was going to be such a cheerful day after +all." + +"Never mind Christmas," put in Snap. "Let us be thankful if we are not +snowbound so completely that we starve to death!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A REMARKABLE CHRISTMAS NIGHT + + +Night came on rapidly after that, and with the coming of utter +darkness the fury of the elements appeared to increase. The wind +shrieked and whistled through the timber and hummed in the tops of the +spruces overhead. Occasionally they would hear a crash, as some mighty +tree would be laid low, and they trembled for fear the storm would +damage their shelter. + +They were tremendously hungry and ate rather more of the lunch brought +along than Snap thought right. One of the ducks was cleaned and +broiled with care and half of the meat divided into four equal shares. +For drinking water they melted some snow, a little at a time, in a +drinking cup. + +After the meal there remained nothing to do but to mind the fire and +go to sleep. They took turns at watching the blaze, each boy remaining +on guard two hours. + +All night long the storm raged and the snow came down as thickly as +ever. As a consequence, when it began to grow a little brighter they +found that they were completely snowed in. On all sides the spruces +were nearly broken down with their weights of whiteness, and on the +opposite side of the rock where the fire was built was a drift of snow +eight to ten feet high. This gave them a little more shelter but cut +off a good share of the outlook. + +"Merry Christmas!" cried Snap, as he got up and stretched himself as +well as he could under the low boughs. + +"Merry Christmas!" cried all of the others, and then Whopper added: +"But it isn't very Merry, is it?" + +"I don't see that broiled fish, and stuffed turkey, and cake and +pudding and candy and--" began Giant. + +"Hold on, Giant, don't make us any more hungry than we are!" +interrupted the doctor's son. "We're here and we've got to make the +best of it, so don't croak." + +"Oh, I'm not croaking," answered the smaller member of the Gun Club. +"I shall be satisfied if we get back to camp alive with such a snow +all around us." + +"Giant, why didn't you hang up your stocking last night?" asked +Whopper, jokingly, and this brought forth a general snicker, and then +all the lads felt a trifle less blue. + +Breakfast was certainly a slim affair, each person getting a small +bite of duck, two crackers, a spoonful of cold beans Shep had brought +along, and a drink of melted snow. Several gazed wistfully at the +rabbit, but Snap shook his head at them. + +"We've got to save that," he said. "You know that as well as I do." + +"Don't you suppose there are some birds or squirrels or rabbits around +here?" asked Shep. + +"We can look--if the storm will let us." + +Breakfast over, one after another of the young hunters went beyond the +clump of spruces to look around. But the weather was so wild, and the +snow so deep, all were glad to come back. + +There was little of the holiday air in the gathering. All of the boys +were sober, for they fully realized the peril of their situation. +Their food would not last long, and where were they to get more? + +At noon they had little more than a rabbit lunch--something that made +Whopper sigh as he thought of the big Christmas dinner he had thought +to feast upon. + +"I think it is clearing a bit," said Shep, about three o'clock. "If we +want to move now is our chance to do so." + +It was voted by all hands to move, and they started without delay. +They could not locate the exact route toward their camp, but made it +as nearly as possible. The snowdrifts were truly terrific, and even on +snowshoes they made slow progress. + +"Wait, I see a rabbit!" cried Shep, presently, and he pointed to a +clump of bushes. Then he unslung his shotgun and pushed his way +forward. A gray head appeared over the rim of snow and he blazed away. +The rabbit gave a leap and fell dead. + +"A little more to eat anyway," said the young hunter, as he put the +game in his bag. + +"Wait, where there is one rabbit there are sometimes more," said Snap. +"Let us stir around a little and see." + +They did as he suggested, and soon sent two rabbits skipping from +under a low-hanging tree. The rabbits could not run very well in the +deep snow and were secured with ease. But that was the last of the +game in that vicinity. + +"Now we won't starve right away," said Snap, and gave a sigh of +satisfaction. + +They were less than half way through the belt of timber when they came +to a spot where a big tree had been blown over by the wind. As they +walked around this Giant gave a cry, and, stepping between the +branches, brought forth a couple of dead squirrels. + +"Killed by the fall, I suppose," he said. + +"It's lucky for us," answered Shep, "for it means just so much more +food." + +"Let us look for nuts,--the squirrels must have had some," came from +Snap. + +They made a search, and soon found a hollow half filled with nuts and +took them all. Then they went on as before. + +By the time they reached the end of the timber belt all were too +exhausted to go further and they looked around for another shelter of +some kind. They found several trees growing close together and in +something of a row. + +"That will shelter us from the wind," said Snap, "although it is not +as good a place as the one we used last night." + +They cut some tree branches, placed them from tree to tree and packed +on some snow. Then they lit another fire and banked up the snow on the +other side. By this time it was dark again and they were as hungry as +bears. They broiled two of the rabbits and ate every morsel and then +cracked a quantity of the nuts and picked out the meat. + +"This is certainly a Christmas to remember," said Shep, as they sat in +front of the fire that evening. "I should like to know what the folks +are doing." + +"Don't mention it," cried Giant. "It makes a fellow feel homesick." + +They cut plenty of firewood, and in honor of the day built a blaze +that was to be seen a long distance off. This made them a little more +cheerful and they even cracked a few jokes. But with it all that +Christmas was far from a bright one. They were still miles from their +camp on Firefly Lake and all wondered if they would get back in +safety. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN TROUBLE ONCE MORE + + +The next day it snowed again and the four boy hunters were almost in +despair, for they had calculated to strike out for Firefly Lake as +soon as it grew light. + +"It would be foolish to try it just now," said Snap, looking at the +sky. "just see how fast the snow is falling!" + +The heavy snow kept up all day, but cleared away as evening came on. +Looking out about eight o'clock Shep gave a shout: + +"Boys, the stars are shining. It is as clear as crystal!" + +All rushed forth to verify the glad tidings. It was indeed clear and +the glittering stars made a scene of royal splendor. + +"We'll start for camp early to-morrow," announced Snap. "Now let us +get to bed and get a good night's rest. It is going to be no picnic +walking on this snow." + +They turned in, after fixing the fire, leaving Giant on guard for the +first three hours. After Giant came Whopper, and then Snap took his +turn. + +Snap had scarcely commenced his vigil when he heard the bark of a fox +at a great distance. + +Presently the barking of the fox ceased and utter silence reigned for +all of half an hour. Then came another sound which made the leader of +the Gun Club listen with intentness. + +"Wolves, as sure as fate!" he murmured. "I trust they are not coming +here!" + +Another period of silence, and the mournful howls came still closer. +There were many more of them and Snap came to the conclusion that a +regular band of wolves were closing in on the little shelter beside +the spruces. + +"Guess I had better wake up Shep," he told himself. "He has got to +take the next watch anyway." + +He aroused his chum and told Shep of what he had heard. Then came more +of the howls, still closer. + +"They are certainly coming this way," said the doctor's son, picking +up his gun. "And I'm afraid there must be quite a number of them." + +After this came another period of silence. Both boys kept on the +alert, Snap on one side of the camp and Shep on the other. They felt +sure that the wolves were coming closer and they were not mistaken. + +"I see one!" cried Snap, as a pair of gleaming eyes showed themselves +over a rim of snow. + +"I see three or four," responded Shep. "Call Giant and Whopper." + +The words had scarcely left his lips when Snap took aim and fired at +one of the wolves, wounding it in the shoulder. The report of the +shotgun brought Giant and Whopper to their feet without delay. + +"What's up?" came from both. + +"Wolves!" answered the leader of the club, laconically. "Get your +guns!" + +The shot had caused the wolves to fall back a little, and taking +advantage of this, Snap reloaded the empty barrel of his shotgun and +stirred up the fire still more. + +Bang! went Shep's shotgun, and a wolf was taken directly in his +throat. He turned to run away and then fell dead. Without hesitation +his fellows fell upon him and rent the carcass asunder. + +"What horrible cannibals!" muttered Whopper. "Say, how do you like +that?" he went on, and fired a bullet from the rifle into the mass of +wolves, hitting one in the leg and another in the side. The first wolf +was merely wounded but the second was killed. + +The death of another of their band made the other wolves retreat and +they kept away for fully a quarter of an hour. But then their numbers +were increased by the arrival of more equally hungry, and they came on +in a wide semi-circle, as if to pounce upon the four boy hunters and +eat them up. + +"Shoot 'em--don't let 'em come any closer!" called out Whopper, and +banged away with his shotgun, hitting a wolf in the breast. Then the +others fired and another of the ugly beasts went down. Still another +was wounded just sufficiently to make him ugly, and with bloodshot +eyes he leaped straight into the camp and at Snap's very feet! + +It was a moment of extreme peril, and for the instant Snap's heart +seemed to stop beating. Then little Giant turned swiftly and pulled +the trigger of his shotgun and sent the load into the wolf's ear. +There was one short yelp, a leap of agony, and the wolf landed in the +fire, dead, scattering the burning embers in all directions. + +"Good for you, Giant!" cried Snap, when he could speak. He caught the +dead wolf and threw the body among the trees. + +"Fix that fire up!" yelled Whopper. "It's our best protection!" + +He ran for some sticks, and they built the fire into a roaring blaze +that illuminated the forest for a considerable distance. Then Shep and +Whopper fired more shots, wounding two more wolves, and the pack +slowly retreated, growling and howling savagely. + +"What an attack!" said Whopper, wiping the cold perspiration from his +forehead. "I don't want to experience another." + +Further sleep was out of the question, and for the remainder of the +night the boys kept a good fire going and watched all around the +temporary camp for their enemies. But the wolves did not show +themselves again. + +"And now for Firefly Lake and Birch Tree Inn!" cried Shep, when they +were preparing breakfast. "My! the Inn will seem like home, after such +experiences as we have had!" + +It was clear and mild, with hardly any wind blowing. As the sun came +up it made the great drifts of snow glitter and sparkle in a manner +which was dazzling. + +"Oh, look!" screamed Giant, just as they were getting ready to set +out. "There's a shot for somebody!" and he caught up his gun. + +Over the spruce trees a flock of wild ducks were soaring, evidently +searching for food. They came quite close, and all of the young +hunters blazed away, in rapid succession. Six of the ducks came down, +one so straight that it hit Whopper directly on the head, almost +knocking him over. + +"There's luck for you!" cried Snap, gleefully, "We've got a few ducks +anyway." + +They placed the game in their bags, and a few minutes later bade +farewell to the shelter of the spruces. It was so clear they could see +the distant hills and mountains with ease and Snap regulated the +course accordingly. + +Some of the snowdrifts were truly immense, one, they reckoned, +measuring twenty feet in height. They had to proceed with care, for +they did not want to break through and sink out of sight. Once Whopper +fell over and it was all the others could do to set him straight on +his snowshoes again. + +They had thought to take almost a direct course to Firefly Lake, but +after covering a mile found this impossible. + +"We'll have to take something of a round-about way," said their +leader. "It will be longer, but it can't be helped" + +"That will bring us between Firefly Lake and Lake Cameron, won't it?" +asked Giant. + +"Yes." + +They hurried on for another mile. It was certainly hard work and made +them warm in spite of the lowness of the thermometer. Then they came +to a big drift of snow and found it no mean task to get over the same. + +"Hark I what was that?" said Shep. + +"A gunshot," answered Whopper. "There goes another." + +After that they heard several more shots, coming from some point +ahead. + +"Some other hunters must be out," said Snap. "Wonder who they can be?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A DISAGREEABLE MEETING + + +They had reached a point directly between Firefly Lake and Lake +Cameron when they came to a little patch of woods surrounding a pond +less than a hundred feet across. As they entered the woods they heard +a slight noise and saw a small deer running swiftly across the snow on +the pond. At once Whopper let drive and so did Snap, and the deer went +down, kicked for a moment, and then lay still. + +The game had been struck in the rump and in the neck, but there was +another wound in one ear and still a fourth near the tail. + +"Must have been hit before she came this way," said Giant. + +As the young hunters surrounded the game they did not notice the +approach of three men on snow-shoes, all carrying guns and gamebags. +The three men were Andrew Felps and two of his particular friends, +Giles Faswig and Vance Lemon. + +"Hi! what are you doing here?" demanded Andrew Felps, striding up +angrily. "Didn't I warn you off of my land last summer? You have no +right to hunt here." + +"They have the deer!" put in Giles Faswig. Hang the luck anyhow." + +"Never mind, the deer belongs to us--it was shot on my land," muttered +Andrew Felps. + +"Certainly it is your deer if it was shot on your land," put in Vance +Lemon. + +The four boy hunters listened to the talk in considerable dismay. +Evidently the three men intended to appropriate the game. + +"Is this your land?" asked Whopper. + +"We didn't see any fence," put in Snap. + +"The fences are there anyway--I had them put up last fall, after the +fire. You have no right to even cross my land, much less do any +shooting." + +"Felps, ain't you going to claim the deer?" asked Giles Faswig. + +"Certainly I am. But I want these young rascals to understand that +they can't come on my land," answered the lumber dealer. + +"Mr. Felps, we are not young rascals," said Shep, with flashing eyes. +"We shot the deer in good faith and if you take it from us I shall +consider it stealing." + +"Listen to that!" ejaculated Vance Lemon. And after we wounded the +deer first, too!" + +"I won't talk to you," cried Andrew Felps, savagely. "Leave that deer +alone, and get off of my land as quick as you can--and stay off!" + +His manner was so savage and threatening that the young hunters felt +compelled to retreat. Yet they were very angry. + +"Mr. Felps, I think you'll be sorry for this some day," said Snap. +"When I get back to Fairview I shall tell everybody just how meanly +you have acted." + +"Hi! don't you threaten me!" roared the irate lumber dealer. "I know +my business. You clear out--and be quick about it." + +"I suppose you and your friends want our deer because you're not able +to shoot one yourselves," called out Whopper, and with this parting +shot the young hunters withdrew. All of the men shook their fists at +the boys. + +"Now, wouldn't that jar you!" exclaimed Shep, as they turned toward +Firefly Lake. "Did you ever hear of such meanness?" + +"He's as bad as he was last summer, when he drove us away from Lake +Cameron," said Snap, bitterly. + +For some time after that the young hunters were silent, each busy with +his own thoughts. Driven away from the vicinity of Lake Cameron, they +had to make another wide detour, and it was one o'clock before they +came in sight of Firefly Lake, nestling so cozily among the hills. + +"It will take at least an hour and a half to get down to the lake and +up to camp," said Snap. "Shall we go on or stop for dinner?" + +"I am as hungry as two bears," said Whopper. "Let us rest up a bit and +get something to eat." + +The others were willing, and soon a fire was blazing and over this +they broiled one of the wild ducks. The meal and the rest occupied an +hour and a half, but they all felt it was time well spent. + +Their hearts beat rapidly as they walked down the hill to the edge of +the lake. They had to pass a bend and then came in sight of the camp. + +"The flag is down!" cried Giant, in some disappointment. + +"I reckon the blizzard was too much for it," answered Snap. "But let +that go, so long as the shelter itself is all right." + +They almost broke into a run on the last quarter mile, so eager were +they to see the condition of things. At last they caught sight of +Birch Tree Inn. It looked to be exactly as they had left it. + +"Thank fortune for that," began Shep, when Whopper uttered a cry. + +"I really believe the doorway is open!" + +The barrier to the doorway was certainly gone, and with hearts that +fairly thumped in their breasts they ran for the shelter, to learn +what this meant. All was dark inside and very cold, and with trembling +fingers Snap struck a match and looked around for the acetylene +bicycle lamp. + +"It's gone!" he cried. + +"And most of our things are gone too!" gasped Shep. + +Then the match went out and they had to light another. A scrap of +paper was found and some dry sticks, and they kindled a blaze, heaping +up the fire so as to get as much light as possible. + +"One sled is gone!" + +"So are all the cooking utensils!" + +"And the extra clothing!" + +"And the grub!" wailed Whopper. "Not a bit of coffee, chocolate, +sugar, or anything left!" + +"Boys, this is awful!" wailed Giant. "Who could have done it?" + +"Maybe the Ham Spink crowd." + +"Or the Felps crowd." + +"Or that tramp who made trouble for us before," came from Snap. + +Then they made a more careful inspection--to find their skates also +missing and--most precious of all--all the extra matches and extra +ammunition. + +"This is the worst blow of all," said the leader of the club, +referring to the matches and the ammunition. "We can't stay here +without ammunition and the wherewith to make a fire when we want it." + +"What's to do?" asked Giant and Whopper, in a breath. + +"Either catch the fellow who has stolen our things, or go home." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +AT THE CAMP ONCE AGAIN + + +The announcement Snap made cast a gloom over all the boys. Each felt +that their leader spoke the truth. + +"Well, as I don't want to go home, I vote we go after the thief," said +Shep, who was the first to speak. + +Fortunately not all of their stores had been taken--they had been too +plentiful to pile on one sled--so they had enough left with which to +get a substantial supper. But all of the boys did not wait for the +meal. + +"If we are going to follow that thief up we ought to do it right +away," said Snap. "The more time that is wasted the less will be our +chance of catching him. Shep, if you say so, we can go after him and +leave Giant and Whopper to look after what is left here." + +"Why can't I go along?" asked Giant. + +"Two ought to stay here," said Snap. "And I've got another plan," he +went on. "How much money have we got on hand?" + +The amount was counted and found to be nearly five dollars. + +"That's enough," said the leader. "If we can't find the thief, we can +slip over to Riverside and buy the things we actually need. I wouldn't +go to Fairview, because that would cause too much talk." + +Snap and Shep put some provisions in their game bags, readjusted their +snowshoes, and soon set off. + +"Have you any idea when you will be back?" called Whopper after them. + +"No--maybe not till to-morrow," was the answer. + +In the deep snow it was easy to follow the direction the thief with +the sled had taken, and they soon became convinced that but one person +had done the deed. + +Left to themselves, Whopper and Giant did what little they could to +restore order to the camp. They saw that the thief must have remained +in the shelter one or two days--probably during the blizzard. On +leaving he had attempted to break down one wall of the place and ruin +the chimney, but had not succeeded. + +"They'll last as long as we want to stay," said Giant. "But how mean +it was to try such things!" + +In coming to the shelter Whopper had twisted his ankle and this hurt +him not a little, and he was perfectly willing to rest the member all +he could. Giant prepared supper and they ate it leisurely, in the +meanwhile talking over the outlook from every point of view. + +Morning found the two young hunters stirring early. There was little, +however, to do, and they took their time over breakfast. Giant had +found where a bag of beans had been spilled on the ground and he +picked them up with care one by one. + +"I think I'll make some bean soup for a change," he said. "I'll throw +in some meat to give it a flavor." + +"That rascal--whoever he was--took all the flour, otherwise we might +make some pancakes," grumbled Whopper. + +"I might try my hand at fishing through the ice again," said Giant. +"Baked fish will go fine for a change." + +"Hadn't I better stay here, Giant? Somebody ought to mind the camp +until Snap and Shep get back, and my ankle is quite swollen." + +"Yes, stay by all means, and if you want me, yell or fire your gun." + +So it was arranged, and after dinner Giant sallied forth, with the +axe, which had not been confiscated, and his fishing lines and such +bait as he could scrape together. + +As Giant had found his former fishing place a good one he went to the +same spot again. The snow was deep and he had to sweep it away with a +spruce branch he cut for that purpose. Then he chopped a round hole in +the ice as before, and sat down on some snow and the tree branch to +wait for a bite. + +Fishing proved slow, and it was a good quarter of an hour before he +got a bite and then the fish slipped the hook just as he was hauling +the catch to the surface. But he kept on and in an hour had a catch of +three, all of fair size. + +After that, however, try his best, he could not get another bite. Then +he determined to go further down the lake, where there was another +cove. + +"There ought to be fish at the bottom of that cove," he told himself. +"And if there are, I am bound to have some." + +Finding a spot that suited his fancy, he again swept off the snow and +began to cut a hole in the ice. This proved quite a task, and by the +time he had finished he was pretty well winded. He baited up and sat +down on a bank of snow he had swept together. + +Just then some noise reached his ears, and he looked around and +listened. But the noise was not repeated. + +"What could that have been?" he mused. "Some bird?" + +He strained his ears, but the stillness of the forest lay all around +the lake. Of a sudden Giant began to feel lonely, and he gave a little +shiver. Then he braced up. + +"Pshaw, I'm getting as nervous as a cat," he murmured. "And all on +account of nothing. I'd better go to fishing and forget it." + +He dropped in his line, properly baited, and waited for a bite. He was +lucky, for soon up came a nice maskalonge. Then, a few minutes later, +came a rock bass--something for which he had not been looking. He grew +interested, and forgot all about the noise he had heard, until the +cracking of some bushes caught his ears. + +"There's that noise again," he muttered. "What in the world can it +be?" + +For the first time since leaving the shelter Giant wished he had +brought along his shotgun. What if some game should suddenly appear? + +"If a deer should come along and I couldn't shoot it, it would make me +sick," he told himself. "And game is always sure to come along when +you haven't a gun." + +Giant had now seven fish, four of good size. He decided to wait for +just one more, then wind up and go back to the shelter. It was rather +cold sitting at the fishing hole and his feet were beginning to feel +very much like the ice under them. + +He had baited up with care, and allowed the line to sink almost to the +bottom of the lake, when a fresh noise startled him. This was another +crackling sound. There followed a low, suppressed growl, and turning +in the direction of the shore Giant was horrified to see a big, black +bear come lumbering into view! + +"A bear! I'll have to get out of here!" he ejaculated, and snatching up +his fish and line and the axe he started on a run for the shelter. + +The bear came out on the ice and toward the hole. Then it smelt the +fish, and a moment later started on a clumsy run after the fleeing +youth! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE TRAIL THROUGH THE SNOW + + +Snap and Shep followed the trail of the stolen sled to the end of +Firefly Lake with ease. The track was clearly to be distinguished, and +it pursued its course in almost a straight line. + +"I hope we can follow it thus easily to the end," said the leader of +the Gun Club. "I'd hate to lose it." + +"Let us hurry as much as possible," returned the doctor's son. "We +want to overtake the thief before night." + +They did hurry, and at length came to the outlet of the lake. Before +them was Rocky River, a hundred and more feet wide at this point and +frozen over solidly. + +"Hullo, he didn't go towards Fairview!" cried Snap, pointing to the +track the sled had left. He went the other way." + +"He must have gone to Riverview, or else beyond," returned the +doctor's son. + +They passed the old icehouse where Kiddy Leech had met Ham Spink and +his cronies and kept on steadily in the direction of Riverview. Then +of a sudden Snap set up a shout. + +"I see a man ahead--with a sled!" + +"So do I! It must be the thief, Snap!" + +"Perhaps, although I can't make out at this distance. I'll tell you +what I'll do, Shep--put on the skates and skate on the clear ice. I'll +soon catch him that way. You can follow on your snowshoes or take them +off, if you'd rather." + +Shep decided to run without the snowshoes and both lads took off the +articles. Then Snap donned the skates and hurried off at his best rate +of speed. + +"If he won't stop--shoot at him!" called Shep after his chum. + +"I certainly will!" responded Snap, who was worked up more than he +cared to admit. + +Snap had quite a stretch of clear ice, but further on was a long drift +of snow over which he made but slow progress. But then came another +clear stretch and he spun along, his skates skirring merrily at every +sturdy stroke. + +Snap was within a hundred yards of the man with the sled when the +latter chanced to look around. At once the youth yelled at him. + +"Stop, you thief! Stop!" + +The man was startled and slackened his pace. Then, when he saw the +youth raise his shotgun, he let up a cry of fear. + +"Don't shoot! Please don't shoot!" + +"Kiddy Leech!" ejaculated Snap, recognizing the tramp. "Stop, you +rascal, or it will be the worse for you!" + +To this the tramp did not reply. Instead, he ran to one side of the +river, and plunged into some bushes. Beyond was a thick growth of +trees, and he lost no time in hiding himself among these. + +At first Snap was on the point of shooting, but he hesitated, as he +was afraid he might kill the thief. Then it was too late to fire, and +he dropped his gun on its strap. He took possession of the sled, +turned it around and skated slowly toward where his chum was coming up +on a decidedly lively run. + +"Did you catch him, Snap?" + +"No, but I know who it was--that tramp, Kiddy Leech." + +"Is that so! Are all the things here?" + +"I don't know." + +"Where did he go?" + +"Ran for that woods like a frightened deer. I would have fired, only I +was afraid of killing him." + +"Do you think we ought to go after him? We might be able to trail him +in the snow." + +"We might try it. He was pretty well scared when he saw me with my +shotgun." + +Leaving the sled by the river side, both young hunters made their way +through the bushes and into the forest. For a short distance they +followed the trail with ease. But then they reached a pond containing +some clear ice and here the footprints were lost. + +"Might as well give it up," said Shep, looking around. "It is growing +dark and he will know enough to keep hidden. Besides, if we corner him +he may play some trick--tumble a rock on us, or something like that." + +Slowly the two young hunters retraced their way to the river. They +were now so tired they could scarcely drag one foot after the other. +The excitement over, reaction set in. + +"I don't think I want to walk all the way to camp to-night," remarked +Shep. "It's too far." + +"We'll put up somewhere over night," answered Snap. + +They examined the things on the sled with interest and were glad to +ascertain that nearly every article stolen was there. The few things +missing were of scant importance. + +"I'll wager that scamp intended to take the things somewhere and sell +them," said Snap. "We were lucky to catch him as we did." + +Having looked the load over, they repacked it with care and then +looked around them, to find out their exact location. + +"There is a farmer named Masterson, who lives just beyond this woods," +said Snap. "My father sold him the lumber for his new barn. Perhaps +he'll take us in for the night, if we offer to pay him." + +"Well, we can try him anyway," answered the doctor's son. + +They skated along the river until the field leading up to the +farmhouse was reached. It was now quite dark. A dog came out to greet +them, barking furiously. + +"Hope he isn't of the biting kind," said Shep, drawing back. + +"Down, Rover, down!" came in a man's voice, and a moment later Aaron +Masterson appeared. He was a man of sixty, bent from age and hard +work. + +"Good evening, Mr. Masterson," said Snap. "I don't know if you +remember me or not. I am Charley Dodge. My father sold you the lumber +for your new barn." + +"Oh, yes, I remember you," said the old farmer, with a smile. "You +came to the raising, didn't you? Who is this with you?" + +"My friend, Shep Reed. He is Dr. Reed's son." + +"Oh, yes, I know the doctor, too. He attended my wife when she had +pneumonia--brought her around, too. Well, lads, what brings you in +such a snow?" + +In a few words Snap and Shep explained the situation. When they +mentioned the tramp Aaron Masterson shook his grizzled head and his +fist vigorously. + +"The pesky critters! I wish you had shot him! They're a terribul +nuisance, tramps is. One day my wife give two on 'em a dinner an' they +up afterwards an' stole my new sickle an' whetstone. Tramps ought all +to be hung. Come in the house." + +"Can you keep us until to-morrow morning?" + +"I think so--I'll have to ask my wife first though." + +Mrs. Masterson proved to be a motherly lady of fifty, and she readily +consented to keep the boys and give them their supper and breakfast. + +"You won't have to pay a cent," she declared. I am glad to do Doctor +Reed's son a favor, and your friend a favor too. The doctor is a +wonderfully fine man." + +"An' Mr. Dodge treated me right on that lumber fer the barn," put in +Aaron Masterson. + +The boys were invited to sit down to a well filled table, and did so, +after washing their hands in the kitchen at the sink. They had a real +homecooked supper and enjoyed it immensely. + +They were just finishing up when there came a loud knock on the dining +room door of the farmhouse. Aaron Masterson answered it. + +"What's wanted?" he asked, of a man who stood on the porch. + +"Please, sir, I am a poor man looking for work. Would you mind giving +me a bit to eat?" came from somebody outside. + +"It's Kiddy Leech!" whispered Snap. "Now, what do you think of that?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMP + + +It was indeed Kiddy Leech who had applied for assistance at the home +of Aaron Masterson. The tramp had taken it for granted that Snap and +Shep had started for the camp on Firefly Lake and would make no +further effort to bring him to justice. + +"What nerve!" whispered Shep. "What shall we do?" + +"Let's capture him. I'll go outside, and you can remain in here." + +So speaking, Snap caught up his shotgun, which stood near the kitchen +door, and slipped out of the entrance to the woodshed. From there he +ran around the corner of the house, coming up behind Kiddy Leech. + +"Out o' work, eh?" Aaron Masterson was saying. "Wot's your trade?" + +"I'm an electrical worker," answered the tramp. "The factory I worked +in shut down, and I can't get a thing to do anywhere." + +"Humph! Well, I reckon we can give you a meal," answered the farmer. +"Come in." + +"Thank you very much," said the tramp, and followed through the +doorway. Then Aaron Masterson noticed Snap with the shotgun. + +"Hullo, how did you git out there?" he cried. + +Kiddy Leech turned swiftly and he started on beholding the young +hunter. + +"Wha--what do you want?" he stammered. + +"Go on in, Leech," answered the leader of the Gun Club, firmly. "If +you try to run away I'll surely shoot you." + +"What does this mean?" demanded Aaron Masterson. + +"This is the rascal who ran off with our outfit, Mr. Masterson," +answered Snap. + +"And we mean to make him a prisoner," added Shep. "Kiddy Leech, don't +you dare to resist, or it will be that much worse for you." + +The tramp was caught between two fires, as it were, and did not know +what to do. As we know, he was a good deal of a coward at heart, and +the sight of the shotgun in Snap's hands made him quake. + +"Don't shoot me!" he whined. "Please don't shoot me!" And he held up +his hands in token of submission. + +"So you are the pesky rascal the lads was a-tellin' me about," said +Aaron Masterson, sternly. "Nice doin's, I must say!" + +The door was closed and locked, so that Kiddy Leech might not make his +exit in a hurry. The tramp was in a decidedly perplexed frame of mind +and blamed himself roundly for not having been more careful. + +"What are you going to do with me?" he asked, as he stood in a corner. + +"We are going to hand you over to the police," answered Snap. "It is +no more than you deserve." + +"I didn't mean no harm,--indeed, I didn't! + +"I suppose you think it no harm to steal!" said Shep, sarcastically. + +"I wasn't stealing your things." + +"You were!" + +"No, I wasn't. I was--er--only going to hide 'em on you." + +"You went a mighty long way to do it," said Snap, coldly. "Where were +you going to hide them, at the second-hand shop or the pawn-broker's?" + +"I'm telling the plain truth. Why, I never stole a thing in my life!" +exclaimed Kiddy Leech. + +"Not even when you ran away from our camp that first time," said the +doctor's son. "How can you expect us to believe you? It is a waste of +breath on your part." + +"If I can prove that it wasn't my doings--that is--that I am not the +responsible party, will you let me go?" demanded Kiddy Leech, eagerly. + +"We want to hear your story first," said the doctor's son. + +"If this here feller stole them things, as you say he did, the best +thing to do is to tote him off to the lock-up," interposed Aaron +Masterson. "He's evidently tryin' to make up a slick yarn so as to git +off." + +"Aaron, you can't take him to the town jail to-night, it's too late," +said the farmer's wife. Remember, the travelin' is powerful bad, too." + +"Then I reckon we can tie him up in the barn till mornin'," answered +her husband, with an inquiring look at the two young hunters. + +"We can do that," said Snap. "But first we might listen to what he has +to say." + +"You won't let me go--if I tell you something very important?" asked +Kiddy Leech. + +"Not yet" + +"All right then, I won't say a word," answered the tramp, and a set +look came over his somewhat besotted face. + +He realized that he was in a serious situation and made up his mind +that Ham Spink and Carl Dudder must help him out of it. He knew the +two boys were well-to-do and reasoned that their parents would do +almost anything to keep their sons out of jail. + +"Going to tie me up in the barn and starve me to death, eh?" he said +sourly. "I wouldn't treat a dog that way." + +"If we keep him all night I suppose we can give him a little something +to eat," said Mrs. Masterson, relenting. + +"Sit down there and eat," commanded her husband and pointed to a +chair. Kiddy Leech dropped into it and was given a fair supper, for +which, it must be confessed, he had little relish. Several times he +acted as if he wanted to talk, but as often changed his mind. + +"I'll make them young dudes get me out of this," the tramp told +himself. "Maybe their folks will pay me handsomely to keep mum and +take what's coming to me. That's their way of doing." + +The supper over, Aaron Masterson lit his lantern and led the way to +the barn. Here the tramp had to submit to having his hands bound +behind him, and then he was placed in a large harness closet. The +closet was fairly warm, so there was little danger of his taking cold. + +"Now, you keep quiet until morning," said Aaron Masterson, as he threw +in several blankets. + +"Do you think he can break out of the closet?" asked Snap. + +"I'll fix it so he won't want to," answered the farmer. + +When Snap and Shep had come he had tied up his dog. Now he released +the animal and brought him into the barn. + +"Watch, Rover, watch!" he said, pointing to the closet, and the dog +gave a sniff and a short bark, and then lay down in front of the +locked door. + +"My dog is here--don't try to get out," called Aaron Masterson, to the +tramp. "If you do--well, I won't be responsible, thet's all!" + +"Mighty kind," growled Kiddy Leech, and that was all he said. + +After that the farmer and the two young hunters returned to the house +and talked the matter over for a full hour. It was decided to take +Kiddy Leech to the Riverside jail the first thing in the morning. Then +Snap was to go home and tell his father of what had occurred, and Shep +was to take the news to the camp on Firefly Lake. + +The two boys were given a comfortable room in which to sleep. It felt +more than good after "bunking around" in camp and forest, and despite +the excitement of the tramp's capture, they slept well. + +"Hi! boys, got up!" they heard Aaron Masterson call, at about six +o'clock. + +"Oh, dear, I wish he'd let us sleep an hour longer," grumbled the +doctor's son. + +"Remember, we are to take that tramp to the lock-up this morning," +answered Snap. + +"Boys, are you awake?" went on the farmer. "I've got news for you! +Thet tramp's got away!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +FOUR BOYS AND A BEAR + + +"ESCAPED!" ejaculated Shep. + +"How in the world did he manage it?" queried Snap. + +Then both young hunters leaped up and dressed as rapidly as possible. + +"He was a slick one," said Aaron Masterson. "He got free of the rope +around his wrists somehow and then he clum to the top o' the harness +closet and into the loft. From the winder he dropped onto the shed an' +then to the ground." + +"But what of your dog? Didn't he go after him?" questioned the +doctor's son. + +"No, the barn door was shet, to keep out the wind, so Rover couldn't +follow him." + +"When do you suppose he got away?" + +"Some time during the night." + +"Can't we follow him?" asked Snap. + +"We can try." + +All went outside and down to the barn. The tracks left by Kiddy Leech +were plainly to be seen from the barn to the highway, but there the +footprints were hopelessly lost in the multitude of others. + +"Ain't no use to try to follow him," said Aaron Masterson. "The road +branches off four times between here an' town an' there ain't no +tellin' wot road he tuk. More'n likely he's travelin' as fast as all +git-out, too." + +"He certainly will do his level best to get away--after such +experiences as he has had," answered Snap. "Perhaps he will never show +himself in this locality again." + +They remained out on the road, looking up and down, for five minutes, +and then returned to the house. + +"Did he steal anything?" asked Shep. + +"By gum! I didn't think o' that!" gasped Aaron Masterson. + +He took a thorough look around and then came in and gave a sigh of +satisfaction. + +"Nothin' missing, so far as I can see," he said. "Reckon he was too +scart to pick up anything. The dog must have barked, but I didn't hear +him." + +"Neither did I," answered Snap. "It was so cold I rolled up as tight +as I could, ears and all, in the blankets." + +With the tramp gone, there seemed nothing to do but for Snap and Shep +to return to the camp. Mrs. Masterson served them with a fine +breakfast of sausage, and, wheatcakes with molasses, and the boys +"filled up" as only growing boys can. Then the lady of the house gave +them a mince pie and some crullers to take with them. Neither she nor +her husband would take any pay for what they had done. + +"It's too bad thet tramp got away," said Aaron Masterson. "But I did +wot I thought best to hold him." + +"Oh, we don't blame you, Mr. Masterson," said Snap. "But it is a pity +such a rascal should be at large." + +It was pleasant enough when the sun showed itself, and by eight +o'clock the two young hunters were on their journey to Firefly Lake. +It must be confessed that they found their load a heavy one, and by +noon they were still some distance from camp. + +"We'll have to stop, to rest and get a lunch," said the doctor's son. +"No use of killing ourselves." + +"I suppose Giant and Whopper are wondering what has become of us," +said Snap. + +They came to a rest in the shelter of some pine trees and ate a lunch +Mrs. Masterson had prepared for them, in the meantime keeping warm by +a fire they built of tree branches. The rest occupied half an hour and +then they went on as before. + +"Wonder what the boys are doing?" said Snap, as they reached Firefly +Lake. + +"Giant said something about fishing through the ice," answered his +companion. "He appears to love that sport." + +"Well, it is nice--when you can catch anything--and Giant is always +lucky." + +They had proceeded less than half the distance up the lake to the camp +when Snap came to a halt. + +"Listen, Shep!" + +"It is Giant calling," answered the doctor's son. "He must be in +trouble!" + +"Whopper! Whopper!" came to their ears. "Help me! A bear is after me!" + +"A bear is after Giant!" gasped Snap. "Come on, Shep, we must aid +him!" + +"There he is." said Shep, as they swept around a bend of the lake. +"And look, a big bear is after him!" + +"Let us shoot the bear!" cried Snap, and dropped his hold of the sled +rope, while the doctor's son did the same. Then both young hunters +brought around their shotguns and aimed at the big bear. But Giant was +also in range and they did not dare to fire. + +"Giant, run to one side!" sang out Snap. "Give us a chance to shoot! I +think I can hit him." + +"Snap!" gasped the smaller member of the Gun Club. "Shoot him! shoot +him! He wants to eat me up!" + +"Hullo! hullo!" came from the camp, and now Whopper appeared, rifle in +hand. "By ginger, a bear!" + +By this time the bear was closing in upon poor Giant. The beast was +hungry and the smell of fish was very tempting. With nothing else to +do, Giant threw his mess of fish directly in the bear's face. + +The movement was a surprise to bruin and he stopped short. Then he +caught up the string of fish, turned swiftly but clumsily, and +lumbered off in the direction of the forest bordering the lake. + +It was now that Snap and Shep, as well as Whopper, got a chance to +fire at the beast, and all did so hastily. But they were excited over +Giant's narrow escape and their shots did no more than to wound the +bear slightly, in the ear and the side. Bruin gave a growl, made a +turn as if to come back, and then dove into the forest and was lost to +view. + +"He--he wanted my fish!" gasped Giant. "Well, he is welcome to them, +so long as he doesn't chew me up!" + +"What a pity that we didn't nail him," said Shep. + +"Shall we go after him?" demanded Whopper. "The four of us ought to be +able to lay him low." + +"I am not going after him just now," answered Giant, who was still as +white as a sheet. + +The others talked it over for a few minutes and it was decided to +follow up the bear some other time, if it could be done. Whopper and +Giant were anxious to hear what Snap and Shep had to tell, and all +took themselves to the Inn, dragging the sled after them. + +As soon as the excitement was over, Snap and Shep told their tale in +full, to which Giant and Whopper listened with close attention. The +latter were sorry that Kiddy Leech had escaped, but glad that the +outing had not been broken up. + +"I'd rather say here than go to court and testify against that tramp," +said Whopper. "I don't like to go to court." + +"Oh, so would I," answered Shep. "But it was our duty to bring him to +justice, if it could be done." + +Giant was sorry he had lost his mess of fish, but he had no desire to +try his luck again for the time being. + +"That bear may be watching around here," he said. "And I don't want +him to make a meal of me!" + +With it all, the boys were happy to be together again, and equally +happy to have their outfit back. That evening they cooked themselves +what Whopper declared was "a stunning supper," and enjoyed it to the +utmost. It was nine o'clock before they turned in, worn out but happy. + +But they did not sleep long. Snap had just gotten into a doze when he +heard a scratching outside. He sat up and listened, and soon the +scratching was repeated. + +"What can that be?" he mused, and then of a sudden his hair seemed to +stand upon end. "It must be that bear, and he is trying to get in!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +UNEXPECTED VISITORS + + +For the moment Snap thought to rouse up the others. Then he checked +himself, arose with caution, and felt for his shotgun. The fire had +burnt low and only a faint flickering of light told him where the +firearm was located. + +In the meantime the scratching outside had ceased. But soon it began +again. It was at the doorway, where the logs set up to close the +opening left a crack two inches wide for fresh air. + +Snap waited, his heart almost in his throat. Then he saw a shaggy paw +pull one of the logs slightly. + +He could wait no longer, and aiming straight at the crack he pulled +the trigger of his shotgun. Bang! went the weapon, with a noise inside +of the shelter that was almost deafening. + +"Hi! what's up! Who's shooting!" yelled Whopper, leaping up and then +sprawling down in his blanket, which was wrapped completely around +him. + +"What's attacking us?" came from Giant. + +"Did you hit it?" asked Shep. + +"It's a bear, I think," answered Snap. "He was at the doorway, trying +to get in." + +A low growl at this juncture reached the ears of all. The other young +hunters ran for their firearms. The growl came from a distance, +showing the would-be intruder was retreating. + +"I've a good mind to go after him," said Shep. + +"Don't you do it--it's too dark outside," warned Whopper. "Wait till +daylight." + +They waited several minutes, but no further sound came to disturb +them. Then, with caution, they pulled the logs of the doorway aside +and peered out. The clouds had drifted over the stars and it was dark, +so that they could see but little. Snap took a firebrand and gazed +down into the snow. + +"Blood," he said, pointing to the spots. "I certainly hit him." + +"And it must have been a bear, by the big tracks," said Giant. "Very +likely the one that attacked me on the ice." + +"We must get that bear," said Whopper. "But not to-night." + +"Yes, we must get that bear by all means," added the doctor's son. + +"I vote somebody remain on guard," said Snap. "That beast may come +back at any time. Doubtless he is very hungry, and a hungry bear is +usually pretty desperate." + +It was decided that they should take turns watching, and this settled +one after another the young hunters went to rest again. But for the +balance of the night only an owl came to disturb them and they paid no +attention to this. + +With nothing special to do the young hunters were rather lazy about +getting around in the morning and it was after ten o'clock when the +breakfast dishes were cleared away. Whopper went outside to bring in +some firewood and presently called to the others. + +"What's wanted?" asked Snap. + +"Two men are coming this way, from over yonder. Unless I am mistaken +they are the two men who were out hunting with Andrew Felps." + +"So they are!" exclaimed Shop. "What can they be wanting now?" + +"Maybe they want to drive us away from this lake," suggested Giant. +"They are just about mean enough." + +"No, they can't do that," answered Snap. "I made sure of it before I +left home." + +"They are carrying something between them," said Whopper, as the men +came closer. "Looks like a deer." + +"It is half of a deer--the very deer we killed!" cried Giant. + +Soon the men were within speaking distance. + +"Good morning, boys," said Giles Faswig, blandly. + +"Good morning," returned Snap, briefly. Instinctively he felt that +something unusual was in the air. + +"We've come to the conclusion to let you have half of that deer," said +Vance Lemon. + +"Better keep it," said Giant, curtly. + +"That's just what I say," murmured Whopper." + +"No, boys, we want to do the fair thing," said Giles Faswig, smoothly. +"As it was shot on Mr. Felps' land he thinks he is justly entitled to +it, but at the same time--" + +"I don't think we want the deer--now," said Snap. "We have plenty of +other game, and you acted so hateful about it you can keep it." + +He looked at his chums and they nodded, to show that they agreed with +him. The two men looked rather dissatisfied. + +"So you won't take the deer meat, even after we carried it away over +here?" said Vance Lemon. + +"No." + +"That isn't a very friendly way to act." + +"Well, you didn't act very friendly in the first place," answered +Shep. + +"Having pretty good luck, you say?" asked Giles Faswig, curiously. + +"The very best of luck," answered the leader of the Gun flub, and +mentioned some of the game brought down. "So you can easily see we +don't need this venison at all," he added. + +At this the two men looked at each other and murmured something the +boys could not catch. + +"We came over to--er--to do a little trading," said Giles Faswig. "Got +plenty of ammunition on hand, I reckon." + +"All we wish," answered Snap, and then he suddenly "smelt a mouse," as +the saying goes, and winked at his chums. + +"We thought so, and we thought we'd help you out by buying some from +you. What sizes have you got?" + +"Snap, you don't--" whispered Shep. + +"Hush, Shep. Let me run this," whispered the leader of the club, in +return. Then he turned to the two men again and mentioned what kinds +of ammunition they used and how much they had on hand. + +"Thought so," said Giles Lemon. "We'll take half of what you've got +and pay you double price for it." + +"What!" came from Giant and Whopper, but Snap merely shook his head +and winked at them, and then they said no more. + +"That's a fair deal, isn't it?" asked Giles Faswig, oilily. "You'll +make a clean dollar and a half by the operation." + +"We don't want your money," said Snap, decidedly. + +"Eh?" came from both men. + +"I wouldn't sell you our ammunition at any price, and I don't think my +friends care to either." + +"That's the talk," put in Shep. + +"You don't get anything out of us," murmured Giant. + +"Not by a jugful!" added Whopper. + +"Then you won't sell us any ammunition?" asked Vance Lemon, and his +face grew as sour as the fruit his name represented. + +All of the young hunters shook their heads with vigor. + +"We'll pay you triple price," said Giles Faswig. "Come, that will be +easy money for you." + +"Not if you offer us a hundred times the value of the ammunition," +said Snap, firmly. "You treated us as mean as dirt before. Now, if you +want any ammunition, you can tramp back to town and get it." + +At this the men broke into a rage and began to threaten the young +hunters in various ways. They had brought over the deer meat merely to +smooth matters over, so that they could get the ammunition, which they +needed sorely. + +"Look here, if you threaten us any more, I'll have you up before the +squire," said Snap, at last. "You clear out and leave us alone." And +then, in high dudgeon, Giles Faswig and Vance Lemon departed, taking +the deer meat with them. On their way back to their own camp they met +the big bear, and in fright dropped the meat and ran for their lives. +When they got to the camp they told Andrew Felps of the result of the +trip. + +"Well, we can't stay here without ammunition," said the lumber +merchant, in disgust. "I bought up all Riley had, and Jackson said he +wasn't going to get any more of those sizes of cartridges until next +week. We'll have to give up. Hang those boys anyway!" + +And deeply disgusted, the lumber dealer had to give up his outing and +go home, and his friends departed with him. They had been more than +mean, and, right or wrong, the young hunters had paid them back in +their own coin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +A SURPRISE--GOOD-BYE + + +After that two days went by without anything unusual happening. The +boys enjoyed every minute of the time, and with the bear scare at an +end, they went hunting and fishing to their hearts' content. Giant and +Whopper caught a mess of sixteen fish, large and small, and Shep and +Snap laid low half a dozen rabbits, some squirrels, and also a +beautiful brook mink of which they were very proud. + +"It is too bad that our outing must soon come to an end," said the +leader of the Gun Club. "But as we have had a glorious time I suppose +we ought not to complain." + +"I saw some silver tail foxes at the ridge to-day," said Shep. "I +think we ought to go after them." + +"And after that bear," put in Whopper. "We don't want to go home until +we lay low his bearship." + +"Maybe his bearship will lay us low," put in Giant. "That wouldn't be +so nice." + +During their spare time the boys had set several traps, and in these +they caught some animals of more or less importance. They also brought +down two wild turkeys, and resolved to eat one for their New Year's +dinner and take the other home. + +"Happy New Year!" was the cry, on a beautiful morning, and the young +hunters got up to put in a "full day," as Snap expressed it. Right +after breakfast they set the turkey to roasting, and made a pie and +some other good things. They had a bountiful dinner early and by one +o'clock started out for their last hunt. + +They had already resolved to cross the lake in the direction Shep had +seen the silver-tailed foxes. They went over on their skates, and then +donned their snowshoes and were soon deep in the forest. Here they +soon struck the trail of the foxes and discovered them in an angle, +between a cliff and a series of sharp rocks. + +"There's a shot for you!" cried Snap, as four of the rather beautiful +creatures came to view, and without hesitation all took aim and fired. +As the various reports died away two of the silver-tailed foxes gave a +whirl upward and came down lifeless. The others turned tail and +started to rush past the young hunters, but Snap and Shep were too +quick and brought them down limping and then the others finished the +creatures. + +"One apiece!" cried Whopper. Just what I hoped for!" + +"So did I," said Giant. + +They tramped on after this, and managed to bring down a big owl, which +Snap said they could stuff and put it in their clubroom--providing +they ever got one. Then they came to a peculiar trail that bothered +them not a little. + +"Do you know what I think it is?" said Snap, at last. "It's the trail +of a bear and the beast was carrying something pretty heavy." + +"Maybe it is our bear!" cried Giant enthusiastically. + +"Gracious, I didn't know we owned a bear," answered Shep. + +"Well, Shep, you know well enough what I mean." + +"Come on after his bearship!" cried Whopper. "We'll blow him into a +million pieces and then take him home as a trophy of our skill." + +"Who's going to carry the million pieces?" asked Snap, innocently, and +then Whopper shied a chunk of soft snow at him. + +All felt in excellent spirits and willing to go after the savage +animal. They advanced with caution among the rocks, until they came to +a narrow defile, partly choked with snow and ice. On one side was a +big shelving rock, with a dark hole beneath. + +"Be careful, that may be the bear's den!" cried Snap softly, and just +then a loud and deep growl came from the hole. It rather scared all of +the young hunters and they retreated several paces. + +"Wonder how we can make him come out of his hole?" asked Shep, after +an awkward pause. + + +"Go in and invite him," suggested Whopper, who felt in particularly +bright humor that day. + +"All right, you go." + +"Not on your life!" And Whopper took another step backward. + +"Let us get up on yonder rocks," suggested Snap. "Then I'll throw a +stone into the den." They crawled up the somewhat slippery rocks and +then the leader of the Gun Club did as he had mentioned. + +The stone struck something soft, and a moment later out of the den +lumbered the big black bear, bristling with rage. As he came forth all +of the young hunters blazed away, and the bear was struck in various +places. But the shots were far from fatal, and with a grunt of rage +and pain bruin started to climb up the rocks after them. + +"Give him another shot!" yelled Whopper, who had the rifle. "Quick, or +he'll chew somebody up!" + +Again Snap and Giant fired, and the bear received more buckshot in his +anatomy. But he was tough as well as big, and the wounds seemed to +merely increase his rage. + +"He's coming up the rocks sure!" gasped Giant. Then he started to run, +lost his footing and began to roll down one of the steep sides of the +rock! + +"Giant! Giant!" yelled Snap. "Stop, you are rolling right toward the +bear!" + +"He'll be chewed up sure!" screamed Shep. "Shoot him, somebody! Shoot +him!" + +In feverish haste Whopper had been reloading his rifle. Now he swung +the weapon to his shoulder. He was greatly agitated but by sheer force +of will power calmed himself sufficiently to take aim. Then the rifle +cracked out and the bullet hit the bear full in the chest. It made +bruin stagger, and he fell back on his side, kicking up a shower of +snow in all directions. + +"Good! That's the way to do it!" sang out Snap. "Now run, Giant!" + +By this time the youngest member of the Gun Club had reached the +bottom of the rocks and was scrambling to his feet. He had his gun +still in his hands, and as the bear lurched toward him he caught the +weapon by the barrel, swung it around and let the beast have such a +crack on the head that the gun stock was completely shattered. Over +went the bear again, kicking up another shower of loose snow. + +By this time the young hunters were sure they had the best of the +fight, and withdrawing to a safe distance each of those having +available weapons let the beast have another shot. This was too much +for bruin, and with a final roar and a gasp he plunged forward on his +head, gave several convulsive kicks, and lay still. + +"Hurrah! We've got him!" cried Shep. "That's the best haul yet!" + +"You are right," said Whopper, "even if it did cost Giant his gun." + +"Never mind, we'll chip in and buy another for him," said Snap. "Say, +that was a sharp fight," he added. + +It was no easy matter to get the big bear on a drag and haul the +carcass down to the ice. But once on the lake they made good progress +towards the camp. + +"Hullo, boys, been looking for you!" came the call, and Jed Sanborn +appeared. "By Christopher Peter! Got a black bear, have yet! Now ain't +thet prime!" + +"What's the news, Jed?" asked Snap. + +"Lots o' news," said the old hunter. "First thing is, you're to go +home to-morrow." + +"Oh, we know that already," said Whopper. + +"Next thing is, do you know that tramp feller with the name o' Kiddy +Leech? + +"Yes." + +"Well, he's tuk--caught him yesterday. Aaron Masterson spotted him +hanging around Riverview. He's arrested." + +"Good!" cried Snap. "Now he'll get what he deserves." + +"An' that ain't all. Who do you think the tramp sent fer when he was +in jail?" + +"Who?" asked the four young hunters, simultaneously. + +"Ham Spink and Carl Dudder. It ain't leaked out jest why, but some +folks thinks young Spink and young Dudder got the tramp to steal your +things. An' there's more news, too." + +"What more, Jed?" + +"It's come out that Ham Spink and Carl Dudder blew up the old +boathouse, jest to ruin your things. There was a lively row, but Mr. +Spink an' Mr. Rudder settled the bill--to keep Ham and Carl out o' +jail, I expect." + +This was indeed news and the boys listened with interest to all of the +details. The discovery about the boathouse had come through a workman +who had let Ham Spink have the dynamite. + +"If Ham Spink got that tramp to come here, he ought to suffer for +it--and Carl Rudder ought to suffer too," said Snap. + +"They shall suffer for it," added Shep. + +That evening they told Jed Sanborn of their various experiences, and +showed him the game they were going to take home. He declared the bear +to be the largest he had ever seen in those parts, and said the game +would create a stir when exhibited at Fairview. + +"Don't know as you'll ever have so much fun hunting again," he said, +"or so many adventures." But he was mistaken, they did have an equal +amount of fun, excitement and thrilling adventures the very next +summer, and how and where will be told in the next volume of this +series, to be entitled "Young Hunters of the Lake; or, Out with Rod +and Gun." + +The home-coming of the young hunters made quite a stir in the quiet +town and when they showed the big bear at one of the stores crowds +came to inspect the game. The lads were greatly praised and if their +parents were proud of what their sons had done, who can blame them? + +The truth about the doings of Ham Spink and Carl Dudder soon leaked +out, so far as our friends were concerned, although the matter was +kept from the general public. Both Mr. Spink and Mr. Dudder were +anxious that no charge of theft should be made against Kiddy Leech, so +the tramp was merely given thirty days in jail for vagrancy, and was +then given some money by Mr. Spink and told to go elsewhere, which he +did. In the meantime Mr. Spink and Mr. Dudder paid for all damages our +friends had sustained, including the burning down of the log cabin, +which the bad boys admitted, and promised to take Ham and Carl +vigorously in hand. As a result both of the misguided boys were sent +to a very strict boarding school, where their parents hoped they would +see the error of their ways and do better. Hearing of this Snap and +the other Gun Club members said they were satisfied; and there the +matter rested. + +"Boys, we had a dandy time," said Shep one day, as they were talking +the outing over. "Hope we go again soon!" + +"And shoot more bears," put in Giant. + +"And deer," added Snap. + +"And a hundred or two other things," came from Whopper. "The next time +I go camping--" + +"We'll all go with you!" interrupted Snap. "Hurrah for the Fairview +Gun Club." + +And the cheer was given with a will. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, GUNS AND SNOWSHOES *** + +This file should be named gnsss10.txt or gnsss10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, gnsss11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, gnsss10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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