The Outdoor Chums on the Lake; Or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island

CHAPTER V—A STRANGE HAPPENING

“Tell me about that, will you? There was my uncle laughing at me when I mentioned about this same wild man of the island. He declared it was only some innocent animal, or else an old woman’s tale. But every one of us saw him, and we’ve not been ashore five minutes, either,” declared Jerry.

“I foresee some stirring times for us here, what with the snakes, if they are to be found, the ferocious wildcats they tell about, and now this mysterious wild man,” remarked Frank, soberly, as he began to take the bundles out of his canoe and place them high and dry up on the shore.

“Are we going to stay?” asked Bluff.

“Why, to be sure we are. Talk to me about your brave men, I like to hear a fellow speak about being scared away by the first sight of some poor, harmless chap. Perhaps it’s another of Mr. Smithson’s crazy people, escaped from the asylum over at Merrick, and hiding out here.”

On their camping-out trip of the preceding autumn they had met with a remarkable personage who persisted in declaring that he was the famous Prince Bismarck, and who eventually turned out to be an escaped inmate of the asylum at Merrick, some miles away.

A keeper named Smithson had engaged them to help him capture the demented one, and this was what Jerry was referring to when he spoke.

“I wouldn’t wonder but what that may be true,” remarked Frank, seriously; “but no matter, we are not the kind to run at a shadow. We laid out this trip to spend our Easter holidays on Wildcat Island, and it’s got to be something pretty threatening that will frighten us off.”

“Hear! hear!” exclaimed Jerry.

“That’s the stuff!” declared Bluff, thinking that he could not afford to let his rival take all the credit for valor.

“But I’ll never get another opportunity to take his picture,” complained Will.

“How do you know? Man alive, there may be no end of stirring times coming, with that same old hermit figuring in the circus. Perhaps the scent of our coffee and bacon will bring him back into touch with civilization; why, he may even walk into our camp, and try to make friends, when he gets a whiff of onions frying,” and Frank slapped his chum on the back as he spoke along this line.

“Oh! well, if you think that way I’ll keep up my hopes. And you just remember that if I seem to be hugging this little snapshot contrivance closer than usual, why, I’m only keeping in readiness for instantaneous work. A fellow has to be pretty quick on the trigger to get a picture of a wild man, you know.”

They soon had the boats unloaded.

“Pull them out, fellows. I’ve brought along the chains and padlocks belonging to each boat. Having a canoe stolen isn’t such fun, even on a ten-mile lake like Camalot,” ventured Frank, as he produced the articles in question, and proceeded to fasten the canoes together, at the same time making sure they were chained to the sturdy root of a nearby tree.

“He thinks of everything,” admitted Will, in admiration.

“Don’t you believe it for one second. I forget many things; but as they said a wild man inhabited this bit of island, I wanted to make sure he did not run off with any of our boats, and perhaps our supplies.”

“All the same, it took your long head to think of such a thing, old chap. Now, I defy any one to hook our boats. Besides, we don’t mean to ever leave the camp unguarded; and I guess you expect to put up the tents close by here?” said Jerry.

“It looks good to me,” replied Frank, casting another glance at the little open spot close to the beach, which seemed an ideal place for a canoeist’s camp, having a splendid view of the lake, stretching almost ten miles away to the north.

The four were soon as busy as beavers.

They already knew how to erect the tents, which had a fly that could be lowered in front in severe weather, and a ground cloth of waterproof material, quite an addition to the comfort of the interior.

Jerry worked just as hard as the rest, although every now and then pretending to laugh at all this fuss, when a humble shack of branches ought to serve any fellow who called himself a true sportsman.

By the time the fireplace had been built of stones, over which several stout steel bars rested, upon which the cooking utensils would set, the Spring afternoon was drawing to a close.

“What will we have for our first supper?” Bluff asked; for he did not mean to let Jerry carry off all the honors in the cooking line this trip.

Secretly Bluff had been getting the hired girl at his home to teach him some of the kitchen lore, and he had a few surprises up his sleeve which he intended to spring upon his unsuspecting chums when the occasion came around that he was left alone in charge of the camp.

“Nobody thought to bring a steak this time,” ventured Frank; “so if you’re all agreeable, I say that we begin our cooking with a little canoeist’s menu something along this order: Tea, succotash, a can of corned beef, fresh bread and butter, and finish with a jar of preserves and cake from home. How does that strike you?”

“It suits me. And as the sun is sinking low, the sooner we get to work the better,” declared Bluff, readily enough; for he was fairly ravenous, and kept wetting his lips like a hungry dog that scents a rich, juicy bone.

“Talk about your feasts, what could equal that programme? Me for the corned beef every time. Why, it’s my best hold, and I just worship it—hot, cold or medium. How do you stand, Will? Any further suggestions?”

“Well, I brought some imported Switzer cheese along, and you know, fellows, I’m particularly fond of it; so if it’s just the same to you, I’ll add that to the list,” replied the one addressed.

“Oh, my! that’s what I get for speaking too hastily. Now I shall certainly be punished. I suppose as long as that cheese lasts my appetite will vanish at every meal. I only hope that gay old wild man takes a fancy to it, and elopes with the whole blessed bunch. Why didn’t you fetch limburger and kill us outright, instead of our dying by inches? But it will help draw the wildcats around, that’s one comfort,” groaned Jerry.

Preparations for supper went on apace.

They had set the tents at the base of a little bluff; for Wildcat Island was a singular formation, being quite hilly in parts. Indeed, some people were fond of comparing it to the volcanic islands that suddenly rise up out of the sea in regions like the Alaska coast; and as frequently vanish in a night. It was moreover heavily wooded, and the rank vegetation made it anything but an easy task to do any exploring.

Frank had calculated that this steep bluff overhanging the camp would be of considerable benefit to the expedition should a severe storm set in from the west.

As the boys busied themselves with various tasks they chatted and joked after their custom.

The stew of succotash and corned beef, which Frank had called the Canoeist’s Delight, was now ready. He set it aside on a stone to cool a trifle while the table was being prepared.

“How’s the coffee getting on, Jerry?” asked the chief cook of the evening; for they usually changed around, and gave each fellow a chance to show what he knew along the line of preparing appetizing dishes, or of exposing his ignorance, which method of procedure naturally created some rivalry.

“Just about ready. I’ve allowed it to boil furiously three times, and settled it with a dash of cold water on each and every occasion. Talk to me about the nectar of the gods, this suits me all right.”

“Oh! please hurry up. I’m almost trembling with eagerness, after sitting here and sniffing those delicious odors for so long a time,” pleaded Will, who happened to have nothing to do with the supper on this occasion, his time coming on the morrow.

But they gave him no heed, those unfeeling wretches.

The one who camps out must expect to prove himself a hero daily by conquering his appetite and holding it in check with a firm hand until the head chef declares that all is ready for the feast to begin.

Frank had just finished placing the aluminum plates and cups, and was about to reach out for the kettle of steaming stew, when to his astonishment he found the stone, where he had laid it, empty.

Thinking that one of the others might be playing some trick, he opened his mouth to remonstrate, when a cry from Will caused him to turn his eyes upward.

There he saw the little kettle swinging in mid-air, and being drawn hastily upwards by some unseen mysterious agency!

CHAPTER VI—FRANK MAKES A GUESS

But Frank caught his arm.

“No, I wouldn’t do that, Bluff. We can afford to lose our stew, for we’ve got plenty more behind it. We can even let the little kettle go, if necessary; but we should hate to have any man’s life on our hands, no matter if he is a crazy being.”

“Did you see him, Frank?” exclaimed Will, in great excitement.

“No more than the rest of you. An arm came into view, and the kettle was drawn in. Somebody is going to enjoy a fine supper to-night. Perhaps the poor fellow has not tasted decent food for ages. Much good may it do him,” said Frank.

“What are you going to do about it, then?” demanded the warlike Bluff.

“Well, the best thing is to open another can of succotash and one of the corned beef, since we seem to have set our minds on that stew,” smiled Frank.

He immediately started operations.

“But are we going to sit here like a lot of babies while that scamp runs off with our supper?” demanded Bluff, indignantly.

“And he’s stolen one of your charming little aluminum kettles, too, Frank,” put in Will, in added horror.

“Well, there are plenty more where that came from, and an indulgent dad will, I am sure, supply me with all I want; but I should hate to have to tell him that I had filled a poor demented being with bird-shot just because the tantalizing odor of my favorite canoeist stew had tempted him beyond endurance.”

“How do you think the beggar ever did it?” asked Jerry at this juncture, as he craned his neck to look straight upward.

“I think I can see how. I noticed a cord of some sort. Evidently he had a hook attached. This he passed over that branch of a tree sticking out from the top of the bluff, so that the kettle might be kept away from the face of the cliff as it rose, and in that way prevented from spilling its coveted contents,” replied the one addressed.

“Talk to me about your aeroplanes, that was an ascension to beat the band! Wow! I had a chill run up and down my spinal column, for I give you my word, fellows, at first I really thought of ghosts, and that some invisible agency had reached down and gobbled our supper.”

“And I thought I was dreaming—that I’d fallen asleep by the fire, and you had eaten up all the stew, while Bluff was throwing up the empty kettle to practice shooting at, like he did our wash-basin that other time,” admitted Will.

“And that chap was angling for the bale of our kettle while we sat here and never once suspected what was going on. Say, we’re a husky lot of tenderfeet. Why, some night a thief will come and steal the blankets off us, and no one be the wiser until morning,” declared Bluff, in disgust.

After a while the second kettle of stew was pronounced ready. It was laughable to see how those four crowded around to protect it against an invading force; and what suspicious looks they cast upward at the brow of the innocent little bluff.

But there was no further manifestation of the Presence near them. Jerry kept an eye on the coffee-pot, and was ready with a keen-edged knife to immediately proceed against any dangling cord and hook that might come in sight.

They enjoyed the supper in spite of the uncanny feeling that this unprovoked and early attack had produced.

“Who was it predicted that the odors of our cooking would stir up the old hermit, and awaken his appetite for the things of the civilized world? Frank, it was you. And sure enough that’s what came to pass. He’s got tired of feeding on roots and birds’ eggs and fish,” remarked Will, feeling better after he had quieted the gnawings of his appetite.

“Provided that it was the so-called wild man,” said Frank, quietly.

At which remark there was a chorus of cries.

“It certainly must have been a human being and not an animal. Even an educated ape or chimpanzee could never have had that cord and hook and managed it as this chap did. What do you mean by doubting it, Frank?” demanded Bluff.

“Yes, tell us what you’ve been thinking?” asked Will.

“Say, that gives me an idea. I wager I can guess what he’s got in mind,” ventured Jerry, looking exceedingly wise.

“Well, go on then,” from Frank.

“The two runaway tramps!”

“Jerry, that head of yours will get you into trouble some day. You are too good a guesser,” laughed Frank.

“Then that was it? You think the tramps have come over here to Wildcat Island to hide while the sheriff is hunting the woods high and low for them? I declare, if that’s so it means warm times in store for us,” exclaimed Will.

“Talk to me about your war scares, what could equal that? Why, we’ll capture the blooming hoboes, and let Mr. Dodd know there are others besides himself who can do things.”

“What makes you think that?” pursued Bluff, who always wanted to know the why and wherefore of everything, he being the Doubting Thomas of the quartet.

“I may be mistaken, remember; for I’m just speculating, you see. In the first place, I doubt if our wild man would be provided with such a convenient cord and hook. Then again I saw that arm, and it was covered with a sleeve that looked wonderfully like that of the taller tramp’s coat, a dun-colored affair.”

“Bravo! Frank’s logic carries the day. I’m going to take it for granted that we are entertaining angels unawares on this blessed old island,” cried Will.

“Angels?” snorted Jerry. “Talk to me about that, will you? They must have had their wings singed, then, or else they’d have flown down and scooped our grub instead of using a measly old string. Angels! Wow! Will’s turning poet as well as artist.”

“I know one thing, boys, and that is we’ll have to keep watch and watch every night from now on. If the tramps are here they’ll steal everything we own, given half a chance,” from Bluff.

“That’s a good idea, and we’ll arrange that one must be on guard for two hours at a stretch. Besides, it will make the camp seem more military,” said Frank.

“I rather like the idea, and ask to be appointed the first keeper of the watch,” spoke up Will.

An arrangement was soon completed. By means of a system each of the boys would be on duty as a guard two hours of the night. This would cover the time from ten to six, which allowed the sleepers ample time to recuperate.

They passed a pleasant evening despite the many suspicious glances cast aloft from time to time. Finally Jerry began to yawn.

“Say, fellows, as I’m the last to go on duty, I guess I’ll turn in. To-morrow I mean to collect a lot of hemlock browse for a bed; but to-night it’s me on the cold, hard ground, with only my good blanket under and above.”

“Not a bit of it, old chap. Here’s where my surprise comes in. Now, you and our good friend Bluff here have been sighing for a chance to prove which one possesses the biggest lungs. I’m going to give you a chance to make good,” announced Frank.

“Hurrah! count me in, whatever it is,” exclaimed Bluff, jumping up, as Frank began to undo the mysterious bundle that had excited their curiosity earlier.

“Here you see a couple of the finest rubber air-cushion mattresses ever made for the use of campers. Each can be extended so that two can sleep on it. Now, I’m going to spread these out here ready. You two will lie down on your chests, and wait till I give the signal, and then blow for all you’re worth. The first one whose mattress is filled with air will be proclaimed the victor,” said Frank.

Jerry and Bluff threw themselves prostrate instantly, eager for the trial, and each filled with a determination to settle the matter for all time. They did not see the sly wink Frank gave Will, nor hear the chuckling sound of amusement that escaped from the lips of that camper as he half turned his head away.

“Go!”

Frank stood there as referee and timed the contestants, who puffed and blew with all the vigor of their young lungs, until both mattresses stood out just as full as they could stand.

“How is it?” wheezed Bluff, looking up, red in the face.

“Do I win?” gasped Jerry, too exhausted to do more than roll over.

“Gentlemen, it has been a remarkable contest all around. I am forced to call it a draw for to-night, as you both came under the wire at the same time. It is simply wonderful!” announced the judge, gravely.

Will mutely held up his hands, but whether to express his admiration for the capacity of the contestants’ lungs or for the astonishing ingenuity of Frank, could not be told. He knew that they would never have any trouble about getting those two air mattresses filled each night, for the eager rivals could hardly wait for turning-in time to come, so anxious were they for a new trial of lung capacity.

Frank had not camped in Maine for nothing. He afterwards admitted in secret to Will that he had witnessed a similar trick being played upon a couple of guides, and had never forgotten it.

“Just you wait until to-morrow night, and I’ll show you,” grunted Jerry, as he rolled over to woo the goddess of slumber.

“Then you’ll have to go a notch better than you did just now, that’s what,” was the pugnacious reply of his rival.

“How does it go, Jerry?” asked Will, whose watch came first, and who was handling Frank’s gun a bit nervously, for he was a poor shot.

“Fine. Frank, you deserve the united thanks of the club for thinking of such things as these. Talk to me about your bed of hemlock browse, it’s all good enough to read about, but this is solid comfort!” said Jerry.

“That settles it. They must be great when such a simple-minded sportsman as you would praise them. Here goes, fellows,” and Frank lay down.

Ere long the camp was quiet, save for the strenuous breathing of Bluff, who persisted in lying on his back, and gently snoring. Will sat out his watch and then awoke Frank, whose turn came after him.

It was just about midnight when he took up his station where he could see all that went on in the camp. He meant to keep a good watch, because, if those rascally tramps were really on the island it was more than possible that they would sooner or later try to make another raid on the larder of the boys in order to satisfy their hunger.

The moon had risen long before, but was hidden behind a bank of heavy clouds.

Frank was trying to figure out how he ought to act under such conditions. He had said that he did not want to do the tramps bodily injury if it could be prevented, but at the same time there might arise conditions that would necessitate prompt and severe measures of reprisal.

He would not like to shoot unless the object of his anger were at a good distance so that the bird-shot would not severely injure the object of his attentions.

Frank had his back against a tree, and could observe the entire camp as he sat there with the minutes passing. Strange noises came from the interior of the island, but this lad had spent so many nights under canvas that most of them were familiar to him as the cries of owls or nighthawks, perhaps quarreling raccoons or an opossum objecting to a rival’s attentions to his mate.

But when he had been sitting there fully an hour Frank’s attention was called to a slight movement in the bushes on one side of the camp.

Thrilled with expectancy he watched the leaves, and kept his fingers upon the triggers of the gun that lay across his knees, ready for an emergency.

CHAPTER VII—EXPLORING THE ISLAND

The crash of the gun brought the other three out of the tents in a mad scramble, under the impression that either the wild man or the two hoboes had invaded the camp.

“Where are they? Let me get a crack at the scamps!” shouted Jerry.

There was an angry snarl, and he dodged just in time to escape the furious leap of a wildcat that had been crouching on some part of the lower bluff, entirely unseen by the sentinel.

Jerry was as quick as lightning with his gun. He whirled around and let go almost before any of the others had discovered what object it was he had dodged.

“Talk to me about that, will you,” exclaimed the marksman, as the riddled “varmint” tried to leap again, and fell back to breathe its last; “where was Frank all the while—what did he fire at, tell me?”

“This,” remarked the other, quietly, stepping forward and picking up a monster of a bobcat that had lain, unnoticed by Jerry, amid the leaves still covering the ground from the previous Fall.

“Two of the critters! What do you know about that—a pair the very first night! Well, I reckon this old island was well named, after all. No wonder the boys never wanted to land here, even in the daytime. But I’d rather it was cats than wild men, or thieving hoboes.”

After a search had failed to reveal any more of the “pestiferous cats,” as Jerry delighted in calling them, the three boys crawled back under their blankets again, for the night air felt chilly, after being snuggled down so warmly.

No more alarms came that night, and later on the sky cleared, allowing the moon full sway.

As daylight advanced long before Jerry’s watch was over, it became a part of his duty to resuscitate the fire, and begin to get ready for breakfast.

They had laid out numerous things to be done on this day. First of all it was decided that two of them must hunt in company; and even those left in camp were not to separate more than they could help. Of course it might be necessary for one of the stay-at-homes to launch a canoe and try the fishing, if they expected to extend the variety of food in the larder; but there must be no solitary wandering about the strange island.

Frank and Jerry were chosen to make an exploration that day. They could start in and easily go around the island, exploring every part of it, and learning considerable about its secrets.

If the tramps were really hiding here, possibly some evidence of their presence would be found, the embers of a fire it might be.

Frank was somewhat provoked about the happening of the preceding night, and even thought it might be advisable to move the camp away from that bluff. The others convinced him, however, that they were just as safe there as in any other locality, and so he did not persist in this idea.

He did climb to the top of the bluff to examine the ground. Here Jerry joined him after a little.

“Any signs?” asked the latter, swinging over to where Frank knelt.

“Plenty. Here they crouched and watched us.”

“Then there were more than one?” asked Jerry, eagerly.

“You can see the marks of two separate pair of shoes; and one of them small enough to belong to your Waddy Walsh. I think you said he was a squatty chap, and used to boast of his delicate hands and feet,” continued Frank, pointing.

“You’re right. And that settles one thing. The hoboes stole our kettle, and not any wild man. I reckon they’re a little afraid of us, seeing we’re armed, and they may not be. Wonder what they thought we were shooting in the night?”

“All I hope is they’ll give us a wide berth after this. If they keep on trying to make us feed them, it’s going to spoil our outing some, I fear,” remarked Frank, as he started to descend the bluff again.

After a serious consultation the party separated.

Frank and Jerry started off along the shore, heading to the west.

“If all goes well look for us some time before sunset. We’ve got a lunch along and want to do the job up brown while we’re at it, you know,” said Frank, as he turned to wave his two comrades farewell.

“Good luck!” called Bluff, who was washing the dishes.

Snap!

“I’ve got you as you appear starting off on the great exploring expedition, fellows. If by any evil chance you never show up again, that picture will be cherished by your relatives,” called Will.

“Talk to me about your croakers, will you? That’s a pleasant send-off, now,” said Jerry, as he fell in beside his chum, and lost sight of the cheery camp.

They found the going rather rough at times, and what with climbing over obstacles and cutting a passage through creepers that trailed down from the trees at such times as they pushed in from the shore, progress was rather slow.

At noon they had not gone more than a third of the way around the island.

“Here’s a good place to rest. I move we sit down, eat our grub, and take a few winks. I didn’t get much sleep last night, and feel dopy,” remarked Jerry.

Truth to tell, Frank was not unwilling to comply. He was sleepy himself, and the April sun seemed unusually warm at this time of day.

“Just as you say. That snack of crackers and cheese and cold tongue would strike me about right. Down it is, then,” he replied, dropping on the green grass.

They drank from the lake when thirsty, for the water was pure and cold. After finishing their frugal meal the two lay back to rest. Frank watched the clouds passing over for a time, but finally his eyes closed and he slept.

“Here, get up!” he heard some one say close to his ear.

Jerry was yawning and stretching. The sun seemed to be pretty well down the first half of the western heavens.

“How long have we been asleep here?” demanded Jerry, curiously.

“I’m ashamed to say several hours. It’s now three,” laughed his comrade.

“Then we’d better be on the jump if we expect to get around the blessed old island to-day. I won’t hear of going back after starting out with such a grand hurrah.”

Frank was quite of the same opinion. Accordingly the two pedestrians began to move along their way, following the shore line save in certain places where something out of the usual run attracted their attention.

All the while they were on the keen watch for any signs that would indicate the presence of human beings on the island.

Being able to keep track of their progress by watching the shore of the mainland, they knew when they had reached a point half way around.

“Now we’re on the home stretch,” announced Jerry, as he looked over the lake in the direction of its southern terminus, not more than a quarter of a mile off.

“But the worst is yet to come,” laughed Frank, simply to hear Jerry groan, and not because he really believed it to be the case.

A short time later they were tempted to enter the depths of the timber again to investigate some curious formation that Frank believed might be an Indian mound.

“I’d like to dig into it some time, and satisfy my curiosity,” he declared.

“It makes a bully support for a fellow’s tired back, I know,” said Jerry, as he spread himself upon the ground.

“Well, take a little rest, then, while I examine that other rise over there. It looks larger than this one, and if my suspicions prove true there ought to be a jolly lot of relics dug out of these mounds.”

“All right, Frank, I’m agreeable. Don’t forget me, and go back to camp alone, you know,” said Jerry, laughing, as he stretched himself out.

“I declare if the fellow isn’t thinking of taking another nap. Well, we may see fit to keep you on duty the whole of to-night, so prepare yourself.”

With which warning Frank walked away. He arrived at the larger mound, and was so deeply interested in examining the same that the minutes crept along unheeded. He heard the cries of hawks quarreling in some nearby tree; then again sounds as of small animals snarling came from the brush beyond; but Frank paid little heed to any of these things.

Finally he aroused himself.

“Come, this won’t do. I must get back to Jerry, and we’ll have to do some hustling to reach the camp by dusk,” he exclaimed.

When he arrived at the other mound he was surprised not to find his chum lying there sleeping. Jerry had vanished in a most incomprehensible manner!

At first, Frank thought the other might be trying to play one of his practical jokes upon him. He called, but there came back no answer.

Then he dropped down to examine the ground, having been tutored by the Penobscot Indians of the northern woods; and, finding tracks, he knew that the worst had happened. Jerry had undoubtedly fallen into the hands of their foes!

CHAPTER VIII—OLD ENEMIES APPEAR

“Fake? No more than most of the pictures you see, where some well-known person is photographed with a big bear at his feet, or perhaps it’s a moose. I guess I know. But it gives me a picture, and neither Jerry nor Frank would bother posing. You’re really the only accommodating pard in camp, Bluff,” remarked Will.

“Oh, rats! you only say that because you can smooth me over, and get me to consent to helping you out in these dreadful frauds of pictures. I reckon I’ll never hear the last of it if Mame Crosby ever learns how I stood for this, when others claimed the game,” grunted Bluff.

“But I thank you ever so much, old fellow; you’re so obliging,” said Will.

“Well, I’d like to get one of the boats out, and try the fish. What are you going to do, now?” asked the other.

“I’ll tell you. I’ve got some flashlight contrivances here that have been used successfully, they tell me, in making wild game photograph themselves. Just think how great that would be. The thing is set with a sort of trigger, you see. As the ’coon or other beast creeps up along the log to get the piece of meat, he crosses a string that sets the flash afire. It’s all over in a second, and there’s your nice picture of Mr. Coon sitting up and looking startled.”

“Huh! you believe you can do all that, do you?” asked Bluff, the skeptic.

“Why not, when others have met with great success. I’ve read up on the subject, and think I’ve got it all down pat. Anyhow, no harm done in trying.”

“Of course not. Well, I’m going to leave this gun of Jerry’s in your charge, as I’ll hardly need it out on the lake. First I expect to dig some worms, and then try for the perch, just to see if they’ve wakened up from their winter’s nap.”

“You won’t go far away, I hope?” remarked Will, a little nervously.

“See that point yonder? Well, off that I believe the perch are waiting for me. I remember catching a bully mess there last Spring when several of us came down here fishing. If you want me at any time just give a call and I’ll be with you in a jiffy.”

So Bluff went off to dig his worms in a promising spot, while Will began to get things in readiness for the clever little trick he intended to play upon B’rer ’Coon or Mr. ’Possum.

Half an hour later Bluff was anchored off the point. He found the perch ravenous, as they usually are after a winter’s sojourn under the ice; and it kept him busy right along pulling in the wriggling, barred poachers, or baiting the hooks they denuded.

It was getting along toward noon when he fancied he detected the odor of cooking in the air.

“Let him have a try at it; I guess it’s up to Will to show how much he has learned in the cooking line since last Fall. He’s a green hand, and it’s about time he took hold. I’m comfortable here. When grub’s ready he’ll call me,” was what the sly Bluff was saying to himself, as he kept his back turned toward the camp, and continued to tempt the perch.

“Hey! you, Bluff!” came a shout just then.

“What d’ye want, bothering me in that way?” demanded the fisherman.

“For goodness’ sake come ashore and give me a hand. I can’t find any more dishes, and the pesky thing still keeps bubbling over. Come quick, or we’ll be smothered under a mountain of it!” shouted the one on shore.

“Now what under the sun has the fellow been up to?” said Bluff to himself, as he pulled in his anchor, and used the paddle to urge the canoe ashore.

When he strode into the camp a minute or so later he stared, and then burst into a shout of laughter as he dropped upon the ground and rolled about.

“Well, I don’t see anything so funny about it,” declared Will, in an aggrieved tone as he looked at the various kettles and dishes heaped high with boiled rice, and the kettle on the fire still pouring up its white contents like a miniature volcano in action. “I never knew rice would expand like that. Why, it’s dreadful the way it keeps boiling over. What can we do to hold the stuff?”

“Say, how much did you put in the kettle?” gasped Bluff, when he could speak.

“All there was, and even then I wondered if there would be any left for the rest.”

Bluff acted as though he would have a fit.

“All there was,” he shouted, “that beats anything I ever heard. And Frank said the grocery-man had doubled his order, and put up four pounds! Say, we’ll have rice every way under the sun up to the day we pull up stakes and get out of here. Still she boils! If you don’t take care the blooming thing’ll put the fire out.”

Finally he condescended to help poor Will, and some of the rice was scooped out of the kettle, relieving the congestion. Still, what to do with the vast quantity of half-cooked rice was a question calculated to appall Will during the balance of the day.

He finally compromised by secretly burying a large portion where he calculated none of his chums would find it again.

Bluff assisted in getting some lunch ready, and Will was very meek after that experience. He grimly determined that he would pay more attention to what the others were doing when preparing meals, and by degrees learn the secret of cooking.

“Did you get your little game trap set?” asked Bluff after they had eaten, and lay around taking it easy.

“Everything is ready for the coming of the night. I’ll expect to find the cheap little camera which I brought along for that especial purpose, doing its work. No matter, it’s worth a trial, anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” remarked Will.

“Rice, for instance,” ventured Bluff, turning his head to look at the great snow-white heap that covered a spread-out newspaper nearby, since they had to empty the cooking utensils which Will had filled one after the other.

“Oh! I admit that was a fine joke on me, all right, and I suppose I’ll have to just stand the digs of the boys for a while. But it’s spurred me on, and sooner or later I’m bound to be a chef worth mentioning. I guess they haven’t found any sort of game on their trip around the island, do you?”

“I heard no shot to tell of it,” admitted Bluff. He was lying on his back and apparently ready for a nap.

“It was some hot out there on the water, son, and I’m inclined to be dopy. Please keep on guard while I take a dozen winks,” he said, pulling his hat over his face.

His dozen winks stretched out for some two hours. During this time Will busied himself in reading a little book on camp cookery which he had brought along. It looked as though he were about to study up on the subject in earnest.

Finally Bluff gave a grunt, began to move and stretch himself, and then sat up.

“Hello! I guess I must have been asleep,” he remarked.

Will drew out his little nickel watch and surveyed it.

“Two hours and thirteen minutes to the dot. A few winks, eh? When am I going to get my chance to indulge?” he demanded, sternly.

“Now, if the spirit moves. But I see you have been busy ‘conning’ that volume of camp recipes. Any dishes that call for rice there, because we’ve got it and to spare. I always liked boiled rice, with sugar and milk, even the condensed kind; but there can be too much of a good thing. I’ll be like the old dominie soon whose people fed him on rabbit every place he went.”

“How was that?” asked Will.

“Never heard that story? Well, you see, they knew he liked rabbit, so every place he ate, his host made sure to have his favorite dish. Of course the good man hated to tell them that he was getting sick of the taste of rabbit; so what d’ye think he finally hit on as a delicate way of getting a change?”

“I give it up; now tell me,” declared Will.

“When he found it before him the next time he bowed his head and this was the grace he said: ‘Of rabbits young, of rabbits old; of rabbits hot, of rabbits cold; of rabbits tender and rabbits tough, I thank the Lord we’ve had enough!’”

“That must have fetched them, all right. Now, if any one puts up a howl here about rice, I’m going to bury the balance of it, mark my words. What ails you, Bluff?” demanded Will, as his companion started half to his knees, and crouching there stared through the leaves of the low-growing trees that concealed the camp from the lake.

“Look yonder, and see! H’sh! not another word!” he murmured.

Will crept to a place beside him, and, finding an opening, also used his eyes to advantage. What he saw would have annoyed any of the boys, considering the fact that they had hoped for a period of peace while camping on Wildcat Island.

A large rowboat was just passing that side of the island. It had come from up the lake somewhere, and was filled with a crowd of rough-looking boys.

“Pet Peters and his crowd again. They gave us all the trouble they could last Fall when we were in camp above the lumber docks, and now they’ve hunted us up again to annoy us,” breathed Will, as soon as he saw who occupied the rowboat. “But Andy Lasher isn’t with them—he’s away on a visit, somebody told me.”

Bluff had reached out and picked up Jerry’s shotgun.

“They seem to be looking in here pretty hard,” continued Will.

“I guess they know we’re here, and they’ve got some mean trick up their sleeve; but possession’s nine points of the law, and we don’t get out to please those rowdies,” said Bluff between set teeth.

CHAPTER IX—GUARDIANS OF THE CAMP

“Oh! then that settles it. Well, it looks as though we might have a lively enough time of it, after all. What with the wild man, those two thievish tramps, the wildcats that live on the island, and now, last but not least, the Pet Peters crowd that used to train with Andy Lasher. Can we ever go anywhere and be let alone?” complained Will, who loved peace above all things.

“Well, I don’t mind it much. We came out for some excitement, and it looks as if we were going to get our fill,” said Bluff, who was built more upon the adventurous model than his companion.

They watched the boat as long as it remained in sight.

“Seemed to me they were heading in for the shore just before they disappeared,” suggested Bluff, finally, as he turned and looked at his mate.

“I admit that it looked that way to me. Then we might as well take it for granted that they’re going to make camp on the island. I wonder——” mused Will, fingering his pet camera reflectively.

“What now?” demanded the other suspiciously.

“The idea struck me that perhaps I might creep close enough to their camp to get a snapshot. You know those I have of that crowd are in sections, either running away, or doing some sort of stunt. I’d like to have one that showed them up seated around their fire, and planning mischief.”

“You’ll do nothing of the sort, my lad, at least not while I’m left in charge of the camp. What sort of fellow are you, anyway? You profess to be afraid of the crazy man that is said to be on this island, and you know those brutes yonder would be only too glad to beat you up if you fell into their hands; yet you propose spying on them without a thought of the danger.”

“Oh! but that was to get a picture, you see,” explained Will, as though such a laudable motive might be sufficient to make any one valiant.

Bluff looked at him, and shook his head.

“They’ll sure have you over in that sanitarium at Merrick, before long, for you show all the signs of getting looney. I tell you what I’m going to do,” he said.

“Well, go on. You’re hardly complimentary, you know; but I consider the source.”

“While you remain here, I’m going to climb up to the top of this bluff. Perhaps I can get a sight of their landing-place. It may even be that I shall discover signs of our two pards making their weary way around the end of the island, yonder.”

“And if there is a good chance for a view, call me up with my camera, will you?”

“Sure. You settle down here. I’ll take the gun along. I can defend the camp just as well up there as below. Don’t worry about that, my boy.”

And Bluff started off.

When he reached the top of the abrupt rise he did have a splendid view of the lake and the distant shore, but could see little of the island.

“No good for taking pictures, pard. Just you stay down there, and I’ll join you after I’ve looked through my marine glasses a little,” he called down.

Frank had brought along a good pair of glasses belonging to his father; and with these Bluff now scanned the shore line as far as he could see it. He was in hopes of discovering some sign of the two explorers around the point; or possibly locating the camp of the Peters crowd.

The big rowboat he did see on the beach, and there were signs of smoke among the trees close by, so that he decided where the town bully and his followers had taken up their temporary quarters.

“Wonder if they dare attack us in the night?” was what Bluff was saying to himself as he once more commenced to descend the bluff.

His mind went back to their previous experiences with these same boys. The rowdies had tried to burn their camp; they had stolen whatever they could lay hands on, and made themselves disagreeable until the conversion of their leader, at that time Andy Lasher, by Jerry, who had saved his life when he was caught under a fallen tree, had changed the complexion of things.

Under the rule of the new leader, Pet Peters, these fellows would be equal to any deed of misconduct just so far as they dared. The fact that the four chums never went into camp without guns of some sort might make them cautious; but that would be the only thing.

Will bombarded him with questions when he came down.

“Did you see Frank and Jerry?—was the camp of those fellows in sight?—could I get any sort of picture, if I climbed up?” so he went on until Bluff called a halt.

“Nothing doing at all. Just stay here where you’re well off. We’ve got our hands full to guard this camp. I’m wondering what keeps the boys so long, that’s all,” he said.

But the minutes lengthened into hours and still there were no signs of the explorers. Bluff and Will started to get supper ready. Neither of them felt very gay, for a shadow seemed to be resting upon the camp.

The sun had set behind the mountains in the west, and with the gathering of the dusk their fears increased.

“Something dreadful must have happened to them,” said Will, looking alarmed.

Bluff tried to laugh it off, saying:

“Humbug! What could happen to those two chaps? They’re up in all that pertains to the forest, and they’ve got a gun along, too. It’s you and I that may well be called the babes in the woods. We know precious little between us; but you just bet nobody can give us points on how to cook rice.”

But Will was too much worried to even show signs of anger or reproach.

“What if they don’t come at all? What if both fellows disappear mysteriously as if they were swallowed up in the earth? We’ll feel pretty tough telling their parents the sad news. I kind of wish now we hadn’t come,” he remarked dolefully.

“Just let up on that tune, will you? Think of the pictures you have already secured, and the others coming. Why, the boys might have been delayed by a dozen things. Make up your mind they’re all right and will pop in on us at any minute.”

But despite Bluff’s attempt to cheer his mate up, Will kept watching the bushes in the light of the rousing fire they kept going, as if hoping against hope that his prediction of evil might not be fulfilled.

They waited until the supper began to get cold.

“We’ll have to eat by ourselves, I reckon, partner. Those other chaps have given us the cold shake for just now. But they’ll be along after awhile, never fear,” said Bluff, putting on a bold face, even while his heart was troubled.

Will was seriously alarmed, but he tried not to show it, out of pride. So there the two poor fellows sat as the time passed, trying to assume a nonchalance that neither of them really felt.

Twice they started up as some sound arose to startle them. Once it was a shrill cry from the neighboring woods, and Bluff laughed to recognize the solemn “whoo-whoo” of an owl; the other time it was some equally harmless source from which the alarming sound sprung.

The idea of spending the night by themselves was far from pleasant. Neither of them wanted to sit up, and yet they dared not lie down and try to sleep.

“This isn’t so very much fun,” grumbled Bluff, as he held on to the gun and continued to stare about him at the changing shadows that seemed to flutter around the outskirts of the camp.

It had been a question of dispute between them as to whether they should keep up a good fire or allow it to dwindle down. Will was for having a roaring blaze that would serve to warn all evildoers and trespassers that they were awake and on the watch. On his part Bluff declared it would draw trouble; so they compromised by allowing the fire to die partly down.

“Say, it must be getting awful late,” remarked Will, stifling a yawn.

“Why don’t you lie down and get some sleep, then?” expostulated the other; “I’ll stand guard, and nothing is going to happen.”

“Of course not, but you see I know I couldn’t sleep a wink thinking about those two poor fellows, and wondering what has happened. Do you suppose they could be drowned, Bluff?” asked Will, in an awe-struck voice.

“Aw, get out with your gloomy ideas. Drowned—those fellows drowned—not on your life. They have some good reason for not showing up. I don’t know what it is, but you’ll see when they do come. Don’t get timid, Will.”

“Timid! Who’s showing the white feather, I’d like to know. Why, I’m not afraid of anything that could happen here. You never saw me shake unless it was with the cold. What is there to fear, after all? Just lie down if you feel like it, and—— What’s that?”

Will gave vent to a half-muffled yell when a sudden vivid flash dispelled the darkness around them, as if lightning had cut the gloom of night.

CHAPTER X—FRANK TRIES TO FIGURE IT OUT

So he pondered as he stood there looking around at the dense foliage that gave no hint as to where these lawless characters could have taken poor Jerry.

Frank searched high and low as the minutes passed, but without any success. He saw the coming of night with uneasiness.

“This is a nice pickle for me. Trying to warn the others, and I fall into the pit myself the first one. But they wouldn’t dare hurt Jerry. We haven’t done them any harm. What they really want, I imagine, consists of our guns and food. Then they could hold out for a long campaign in the woods, and snap their fingers at the sheriff and his posse. Like as not, in the morning they’ll try to open communications with us and offer Jerry in exchange for our things.”

The thought gave him pain. Never before had he known just how much he thought of the missing boy.

Then he remembered that he had two other chums.

“They’ll be worried too. Perhaps I’d better be getting back to camp to relieve their distress of mind. It will be all right in the morning, no doubt. And there’s always a chance that Jerry may be able to give the rascals the slip. He can duck first-class when he wants to, whether it’s playing hockey or prisoner’s base.”

Getting what small consolation he could out of this, Frank now set about heading for the camp. He had ventured far into the interior of the island, and only for the fact that the stars were shining brightly above, he might have further mixed matters up by getting thoroughly lost himself.

There were times when he found it all he could do to push his way through the dense vegetation which obstructed his passage on every side.

But having taken his bearings, he knew he was slowly but surely drawing nearer the point where their camp lay. The bluff stood up against the star-bedecked sky at such times as he found a clear spot and could catch a view.

Frank happened to have an unusually large supply of matches with him. He always carried some when in the woods, but that morning he had taken up quite a bunch from the receptacle Jerry had made to hold them near the entrance to their tent.

Consequently he was able to strike one every little while when some peculiarly knotty problem presented itself for solution.

It was while standing in a little glade that he ignited one of the matches in order to glance at his watch, more than anything else. His attention was immediately attracted toward something on the ground.

“The ashes of a fire, without a doubt. That proves the presence of human beings on the island; and I guess an escaped lunatic would never be guilty of making a fire. Oh! those two hoboes are here, all right. If I could only get word to Mr. Dodd now, he would surround the island, and capture them easily. But if they hurt my chum they’ll pay dear for it,” he muttered.

The ashes were stone cold, as he discovered upon placing his hand upon them, Indian style. Perhaps a red native of the North Woods could have even told just how long it had been since fire lingered among the dead embers; but it was more than the boy was able to do.

Again he pushed forward. Rounding the bluff, he now headed straight for the camp.

Perhaps he found himself entertaining a desolate hope that, after all, Jerry might have played a little trick on him, running off, and making camp while he lingered. Frank knew about the old game of “holding the bag,” where boys coax a green comrade to go out into the dark woods far from home, and leave him holding a sack over the end of a hollow log while they pretend to scare up the rabbits or other game, but in reality go home; but he did not think Jerry would play such a lark when things looked so serious around them.

He wondered why he did not see something of the fire.

Surely nothing could have happened to the two in camp? That would be worse and worse, for it was bad enough to think of Jerry in the hands of those rascally hoboes, without adding to the horror.

Now he was crawling up near the place under the shelter of the bluff, craning his neck eagerly for some sign of the boys. At first he could not see them. The fire was burning low, and that was a sign he did not like.

Frank began to feel a cold sensation creep over him. It was beginning to seem so sinister and awe-inspiring that he was deeply impressed.

Then he caught the low buzz of voices, and, listening, was cheered to recognize the tones of Will as he made his boast.

When that sudden amazing flash came, Frank crouched there as if transformed into a pillar of salt, like Lot’s wife. For the life of him he could not understand what had happened. He thought he heard a scuffling sound on the other side of the camp, but was not sure. Then Will spoke up, his voice quivering with alarm:

“Oh! what was that, Bluff? Did any one shoot, or was it lightning? I didn’t hear the thunder, did you?”

“Hang the luck, that gave me a bad start, as sure as you live. And to think, after all, it was only that beastly old flash you arranged to make some animal take a photograph of himself! A few times like that and we’ll both be fit to go over to the Merrick Asylum, that’s what.”

“My camera set for a flashlight picture? Why, of course! How silly for me to be startled! But I should have remembered it in a few seconds, anyhow. Thank you for reminding me of it. And it worked, you notice, Bluff. You laughed at the idea, but I guess I’ve got the ’coon’s picture, all right,” laughed Will, hysterically.

“What’s that over on the other side, yonder? I would swear I saw something moving there. Listen, and tell me if you can hear him breathing before I let go!” exclaimed Bluff, excitedly.

“Hold on there, Bluff, don’t you dare fire! It’s me, and I’m hiding behind this tree for fear of being punctured by a load of shot!” called a voice.

Will gave vent to a gurgle of delight, and seemed to try to hug himself.

“Thank goodness, it’s Frank. They’ve returned at last to a cold supper. Welcome home, boys. We’ve been looking for you this long while,” he said.

“Why, he’s alone!” exclaimed Bluff, in surprise.

“Yes, and I’ve got some bad news for you, fellows,” said Frank, coming up.

“About Jerry?” demanded Bluff.

“Yes, he’s gone!” continued the newcomer, dejectedly.

“Gone!” echoed Bluff.

“Goodness gracious! what’s happened?” ejaculated Will, clutching hold of the newcomer’s sleeve, as though his knees suddenly grew weak.

“Disappeared, and I’m seriously afraid that those miserable hoboes have caught him,” declared Frank.

“Caught him—but they’re not cannibals—they couldn’t eat poor Jerry!” came from the bewildered Will, at which Bluff gave a contemptuous laugh.

“Why, of course not, silly. Frank means they’ve caught Jerry, intending to make him valuable some way; ain’t that it, Frank?” he said.

“Just what I mean. They may try to dicker with us for some provisions. I rather guess they’re some shy in that line. Or, it may be they want us to clear out. Any way you fix it the thing has a bad look, and promises to break up our pleasant little outing.”

“It’s a beastly shame. I’d just like to get hold of those tramps. Wouldn’t they be headed for the lock-up in Centerville in a hurry!” growled Bluff.

Frank looked at him seriously as if contemplating some move.

“Well,” said he presently, “I don’t know but what it will come to it that you can have a hand in their removal.”

“What d’ye mean?” demanded the other, instantly.

“It may be that between now and morning I’ll ask you to make a little journey.”

“Looking up the hoboes?” asked Will, aghast.

“Well, hardly. This trip would be by water, and in a canoe,” replied Frank.

“Oh! I catch on, all right. You think some one ought to go back to town and let the sheriff know that his game can be found here on Wildcat Island?” said Bluff.

“Just so, but please lower your voice; there’s no telling who may be hiding in the bushes around here. Those hoboes want something we’ve got, and they mean to have it if possible. Perhaps it may be food, and, again, I’ve thought, they may envy us the possession of guns.”

“Well, I think the idea is a good one; somebody ought to go,” pursued Bluff.

“Then it ought to be you. Who can paddle a canoe better than you, Bluff? Besides, Frank is needed here on the island. Something might come up that neither you nor I could settle,” remarked Will.

“I suppose so. Let me know what you decide, Frank, and you’ll find me willing,” continued Bluff.

For answer the other simply squeezed his hand. He was considerably worried over the mysterious absence of Jerry, and realized that the game they were playing was a much more serious one than any that had as yet claimed their attention. These disreputable rascals were desperate; they had done something calculated to send them to the penitentiary for a term of years, and would try their best to avoid punishment.

“There’s one thing good, Bluff, if you do go: you won’t have to paddle along in the dark,” said Will, presently.

The others glanced toward the east, where the light of the moon was just beginning to appear along the horizon.

Even as they stood there and talked in low tones the silvery face of the moon pushed up into view. Being some days past her full, she was shorn of a portion of her circuit; but still promised a flood of light during the balance of the night.