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.