"Well, it's gone, anyhow," declared Jack, in a tone of great relief. "You can come down, Andy."
Andy was soon out of the tree, and, having picked up the two partridges, the six young hunters continued on their way, as they supposed, in the direction of Cedar Lodge.
Presently they came to another clearing, and on the far side of this noted some animals hopping about which they felt certain must be rabbits.
"Let's go over there!" cried Fred excitedly. "Maybe we can make a good haul."
"It's a pretty good tramp around to the other side of this clearing," remarked Gif. "And it looks to me as if it might begin to snow again," he added, with a glance at the sky which was now heavily overcast.
But all of the others wanted a chance to get more game, so in the end the six cadets tramped around one edge of the clearing until they reached a point close to the spot where the rabbits had been seen. Here the bunnies were out in force, trying to find something to eat, and they had but little difficulty in bagging four of the creatures.
"Well, that's not so bad but what it might be worse," announced Jack.
"We should have had more than four," grumbled Randy. "There were at least fifteen or sixteen rabbits to be seen." He had missed what he had thought to be a comparatively easy shot.
"Well, we can't have everything," declared Spouter philosophically.
They trudged on once more, Gif, as before, taking the lead. But presently the tall cadet called a halt.
"What's the matter now?" questioned Randy. "See any more game ahead?"
"No." Gif was staring around first to the right and then to the left. "Hang it if I know whether we are on the right trail or not!"
"Do you mean to say, Gif, you don't know in what direction the Lodge is located?" questioned Spouter quickly.
"I think it's off in that direction, Spouter," was the reply, and Gif pointed with his hand, "but I'm not dead sure of it. Circling that clearing threw me off the track."
"Well, were you sure of the trail before we came over here?" questioned Jack. "If you were, we can go back you know, even though it is quite a tramp."
"I thought I was sure, Jack. But now I'm not sure of anything," answered Gif helplessly. "Someway or other, I seem to be completely turned around."
"Gee! then we're in a pretty pickle," groaned Fred, who was beginning to grow tired of tramping through the snow.
"If we could only get down to the river again we'd be all right," came from Randy.
"I wonder if I could locate the Lodge from the top of one of these trees," remarked Jack. "It would be quite a climb to get such a view, but it would be better than tramping around without knowing where one was going."
"I'll do the climbing," answered Gif quickly. "I got you fellows into this mess, and it's up to me to get you out."
"Oh, don't think I'm complaining," returned Spouter quickly.
"None of us is complaining, Gif. We all know it's the easiest thing in the world to get lost in a big woods like this—especially when there is snow on the ground to cover up the landmarks."
A tall pine was selected, and the others boosted Gif upward as far as they could. Then he mounted from branch to branch, and the others waited below as patiently as possible for what he might have to report. In the meantime a few flakes of snow came drifting downward, and soon it was snowing steadily.
"Well, what can you see?" called out Jack, after those below had waited quite a while for their chum to make a report.
"I can't see very much on account of the snow coming down," announced Gif. "I can see the edge of a clearing that might be the one where Cedar Lodge is located, but I am not certain of it."
"Well, take another good look," advised Spouter. "Wish we had field glasses," he added.
It was a full fifteen minutes before Gif rejoined the others. He had located but one place that looked like the clearing surrounding the Lodge, but, as he had said before, he was by no means certain that this was the right location.
"Well, we might as well try it anyway," announced Jack. "We can't stay here all night."
"It's too bad it began to snow so heavily just as I was climbing the tree," remarked Gif. "If it hadn't been for that I might have gotten quite a view and maybe located the bungalow without difficulty. However, this may prove to be the right trail after all. Come on, before it gets dark."
"Wish I had something more to eat," remarked Andy. The few sandwiches and doughnuts they had brought along had long since been eaten.
As they walked on the way seemed to grow more difficult. They soon found themselves at a point where there were a series of rocks backed up by low-hanging bushes thickly covered with snow. There was no wind, but the snow was now coming down more thickly than ever.
"Gee! it looks to me as if we were lost," remarked Fred.
All gazed around them, but saw little to give them satisfaction. Behind them lay the thick forest, and in front of them the rocks and bushes. It was now growing dark, and this added to their uneasiness.
"Well, what shall we do next?" questioned Gif.
Nobody answered that question. They were undoubtedly lost, and what was to be done about it was a serious problem.
"One thing is sure," said Jack presently. "We can't stand out here in this snowstorm all night."
"Let's go on at least a short distance further," broke in Spouter.
"Maybe we'll come to some sort of trail that Gif will recognize," put in Randy.
"I'm getting dead tired. I can't tramp more than a mile or two further," said Fred.
"I don't believe any of us care to go any such distance as that, Fred," returned Jack kindly. "Here, give me your gun. I'll carry it for you," for it was plainly to be seen the youngest Rover was becoming exhausted.
All were tired out from their skate and their tramp, and climbing among the rough rocks covered with snow was by no means easy.
Soon they reached another line of rocks, this time much higher than those they had been crossing. At one end of the rocks was a small cliff. At the top of this several cedars had once stood, but the winds of the winter before had blown them over, so that, while the roots were still imbedded in the cliff, the tops rested in the snow below.
"Great salt mackerel!" cried Gif in dismay. "Well, now I have spilled the beans!"
"What's up now?" questioned Randy quickly.
"I heard my uncle tell about this place. He visited it just after those trees fell over. He said the spot was about three miles from the Lodge."
At this there was a groan from the twins and Fred.
"We can't walk that distance in this snowstorm," said the latter decidedly.
"Not over those rough rocks, anyway," added Randy. "I feel as if my ankles were getting twisted out of shape."
"Do you know in what direction the Lodge is from here?" questioned Spouter.
"I do not, except that you have to be on the top of the cliff to get to it. We were evidently headed the right way, although we must have walked in a big semicircle since we left the river."
"I'm going to climb to the top of the cliff and have a look around," declared Jack. "Here, take these guns and the game."
It was no easy matter to mount to the top of the cliff which at this point was at least fifteen feet over their heads. But Jack finally made it, and was followed by Spouter and Gif.
Here, however, the view was no better than from below—the thickly falling snow hiding the landscape on every side. Night was coming on and it was growing colder, and the boys could not help but shiver.
"I guess the best thing we can do it to try to make ourselves comfortable for the night," remarked Jack.
"How can we make ourselves comfortable without anything to eat?" questioned Spouter.
"We've got the game. We can start a fire and cook some of that."
"And besides, you must remember we have the things we bought at Henryville," said Gif.
The three rejoined the others, and the question of what to do was put to the younger Rovers. Fred and Andy declared they could not tramp much further, and at once agreed that it would be best to try to make themselves comfortable for the night.
"It looks as if there might be some kind of shelter under those fallen cedars," said Randy. "Hanging down from the top of the cliff, they form a sort of lean-to."
"I was thinking of that," said Jack. "Let us get under them and investigate."
"Beware of more wildcats," cautioned Andy.
"We'll use my flashlight," said Gif.
This was done, he and several of the others investigated the spot under the fallen cedars with care. No trace of any wild animal, not even a rabbit or a squirrel, was found. Then the boys began to size up the situation, trying to determine how they could make themselves at home there for the night.
"First of all I think we had better build a fire," suggested Gif. "Then, after we have warmed up and rested a bit, we can prepare supper."
With so much wood at hand it was an easy matter to start a campfire. This was placed at one side of the opening under the fallen cedars, the boys taking care that the flames should not reach the trees. With their hatchet they cut off some of the cedar boughs and scattered these over the ground for a flooring. The driest they placed to one side to use for bedding later.
Fortunately while at Henryville they had purchased a fair-sized box of cocoa. This box was of tin, and Jack suggested that they dump the cocoa out on a sheet of paper which he had in his pocket and then use the tin for a pot in which to boil water.
"It won't make a very large cocoa pot, but it will be better than nothing, and we can fill it as many times as we please."
The boys had several collapsible drinking cups with them, and these they would take turns in using.
"I'm mighty glad we bought that cheese," remarked Spouter. "That will help out quite a little," for they carried a piece weighing almost two pounds.
Of the other things purchased at Henryville, only a box of fancy crackers could be used. There were two dozen all told, and these were divided by Randy, four crackers to each cadet.
"We'll clean a couple of the rabbits and see what we can do about broiling them over the flames," said Gif. "Now you fellows can show what you can do," he added, with a grin. "It's all well enough to work when you've got the tools to work with, but quite another story when you've got next to nothing."
Water was obtained by melting a quantity of the snow, and soon they had the first can of hot cocoa ready. In the meanwhile several of the lads were broiling the rabbits as best they could.
"I know how I'm going to heat the next can of water," declared Andy. "I'm going to do as the Indians did—drop a clean, redhot stone into it." And this he did later on and got his boiling water in short order.
It was not a very satisfactory meal, but the lads had fun eating it, and they did not complain when they found portions of the broiled rabbits slightly burnt and found that four fancy crackers with cheese each did not take the place of a big pan of biscuits or a good-sized loaf of bread.
"One thing is in our favor, anyhow," said Fred, with a sigh of satisfaction, after they had finished their scant meal. "We won't have to wash the dishes."
The can was dried over the fire, the cocoa was replaced, and then the lads proceeded to make themselves comfortable for the night. They missed their blankets, and it was therefore decided that they should take turns in sitting up and guarding the fire, so that all might keep warm without running the danger of setting fire to the cedars under which they were resting.
It proved to be a long and wearisome night for most of them. The resting places were anything but soft, and a fitful wind often blew the smoke of the campfire toward the would-be sleepers, causing them to cough and shift their positions. But neither man nor beast came to disturb them, for which they were thankful.
"Going to bother about breakfast?" questioned Jack, as he sat up and saw that Gif and Spouter were already stirring.
"I don't think so," was the answer. "If you fellows are willing, we'll strike right out for the Lodge. We can get a better meal there."
The others agreed, and almost before daylight they were on their way again. They climbed to the top of the cliff, and, after moving around cautiously for several hundred feet, reached a well defined trail running in the direction Gif thought they ought to take.
The storm had cleared away, and soon the sun came peeping over the treetops.
"Gee! I won't do a thing to a good hot breakfast when we reach the Lodge," remarked Randy to his twin.
"I'll be with you," returned Andy. "A big heaping plate of pancakes with maple syrup for me, flanked by a couple of good-sized sausage cakes and washed down with a big cup of that cocoa!"
"Say, Andy, you make me hungry clean down to my shoes!" burst out Fred.
"I think we'll all be able to eat a good breakfast by the time we get there," announced Gif.
"Are you sure you are on the right trail, Gif?" questioned Spouter anxiously.
"Yes, I know where I am now. It's queer how I got mixed up before."
"How much further?" questioned Jack.
"About half a mile."
They crossed another small clearing, and on the edge of this caught sight of several more rabbits. Jack and Randy fired simultaneously and were lucky to bring down two of the bunnies.
"They will help out the larder just so much more," announced Gif, after they had tried for several minutes to stir up more of the rabbits, but without success.
"I wish we could get a chance at some other kind of game," remarked Jack.
Presently they caught sight of Cedar Lodge at a distance, and then all hurried their pace.
"Looks mighty good to a fellow after he's been away all night," declared Spouter.
"Look, Look!" burst out Gif. "What can that mean? Every window and every door of the Lodge is wide open!"
"Sure as you're born, Gif is right!" ejaculated Fred. "Something is wrong, that's sure."
All set off on a run, to ascertain as quickly as possible what had occurred at the Lodge during their absence. Gif was the first to enter the place, but he was quickly followed by the others.
"Gee! what do you know about this?" ejaculated Andy.
"This is the work of our enemies!" murmured Jack.
The doors and windows had evidently been open for some time, for the Lodge was bitter cold inside and not a little snow had drifted in through the openings. The wind had likewise entered, blowing the ashes of the dead fire in all directions.
"I'll bet Glutts and Werner did this!" cried Spouter.
"Just what I think," answered Jack.
The six cadets lost no time in making a thorough examination of the Lodge. In the bedrooms they found everything topsy-turvy, the bed clothes having been hauled near the windows where the incoming snow might fall upon them. In the kitchen they found many of their cooking utensils in the sink, and over them had been poured a mixture of flour, catsup, maple syrup, and condensed milk. In the storeroom many other things were upset, and not a few of the supplies appeared to be missing.
"This is certainly the worst yet!" groaned Fred, as he looked at the mussed-up and ruined food.
"I said Glutts and Werner would get back at you for meddling with their supplies," remarked Jack sharply. "They have certainly paid us back with interest."
"I wish we had those two fellows here now. I'd hammer them good and proper," declared Randy. "Just the same, I suppose this is our fault, and I'm mighty sorry for it," he added, looking at Jack, Gif, and Spouter.
"They either took a large share of our supplies away, or else hid them," said Gif, after another look around. "My, what a mess they did make!"
"Well, as we are largely responsible for this, it's up to us to take hold and clean up the best we can," announced Randy to his twin and Fred.
"Right you are," answered Andy. "Come ahead! we'll clean up the living-room first and get a fresh fire started."
"All right, you fellows do that, and we'll tackle the bedrooms," said Jack. "We'll have to dry out that bedding before night."
Soon the whole crowd was busy, breakfast, for the time, being forgotten. All went at the task with a will, and before long everything was straightened out but the kitchen. Doors and windows had been closed, a fresh fire had been lit, and then the roaring logs sent a grateful warmth through the entire bungalow.
"Now we'll get breakfast, and then we'll clean up this mess in the kitchen," announced Gif.
"And what are we going to do after that?" questioned Jack.
"What do you think we ought to do, Jack?"
"Square accounts with Glutts and Werner, if they are the guilty parties."
"They only paid us back for what Fred and the twins did," said Spouter. "I don't know but what we might as well call it quits."
"Well, we'll go over there, anyway, and see what they've got to say for themselves," said Jack. "Perhaps at the least we'll be able to scare them so that they'll leave us alone in the future."
"All right, we might do that," answered Gif; and so it was decided.
The boys came to the conclusion that Glutts and Werner, accompanied possibly by Codfish, must have visited the Lodge some time in the middle of the previous afternoon. Evidently the marauders had been afraid that the bungalow's occupants might return at any moment, for they had worked with great speed.
"They took a big chance with that fire," remarked Randy. "If the wind had blown the sparks too far—into the bedrooms for instance—the whole place might have gone up in flames."
At first the lads thought to go over to Tony Duval's place without delay. But by the time they had straightened out the bungalow and gotten their breakfast, the older cadets were in a different frame of mind.
"More than likely they'll be on their guard to-day, looking for us to come over," said Jack. "Let us wait two or three days and try to catch them unawares," and this change was made in their plans.
Several days, including Sunday, passed, and the six cadets took it easy. It snowed part of the time, so that they went out hunting only once. On that trip they managed to get several more rabbits and four quail, but that was all.
"I thought I saw a fox," said Gif on the morning following. "I heard him bark during the night too."
"Was he a silver fox?" questioned Jack eagerly.
"I didn't see him well enough to find out, and I can't tell the color of a fox from his bark," was Gif's somewhat dry reply. And at this there was a laugh.
Then the storm cleared away once more, and on the following morning the boys resolved to tramp in the direction of Tony Duval's place and see if they could locate Werner and Glutts.
"I don't believe this Tony Duval is a very nice fellow to meet," remarked Gif, when they were on their way. "I saw him twice, and he looked like anything but a pleasant character."
The middle of the forenoon found them on the grounds occupied by the various shacks belonging to the French-Canadian. They were small structures, built for the most part of slabsides, and each contained but two windows and a door.
"I wonder which shack is that used by Glutts and Werner," remarked Randy, as they looked around.
Nobody was in sight. There were five of the shacks located several hundred feet apart, and each with some timber around it.
"We'll try the nearest place," said Gif, and, going up to it, he knocked sharply on the door. He waited for fully a minute, but there was no reply.
"Seems to be empty," remarked Jack, after looking in through one of the windows. "There is no sign of a fire in the fireplace."
They tramped on to the next shack, and found that was likewise vacant.
"I think we'll find somebody at home in the third shack," announced Spouter. "Anyway, I see smoke coming from the chimney."
They were approaching the doorway of this rude structure when it was suddenly flung open and a man stepped into view. He wore a hunter's outfit, and carried a double-barreled shotgun in his hands.
"Who are you?" he questioned, and his tone had a strong French accent. "What do you want here?"
"We are looking for a fellow named Werner who hired one of these shacks," answered Gif.
"Who are you?" repeated the man sharply, and then Gif recognized Tony Duval.
"I am the son of one of the men who own Cedar Lodge. We want to find Werner and the two fellows who are with him."
"Aha! So you are the young fellows from Cedar Lodge who made so much trouble for Mistaire Werner and his friends," cried Tony Duval. "He has told me all about that."
"Did he tell you what he did down at Cedar Lodge?" demanded Jack.
"He say he would square the account. Why should he not do that? You have no right to destroy his things and hurt his horse."
"We didn't touch his horse!" answered Fred quickly.
"His horse is gone lame, and he say you do that," cried Tony Duval. "I do not want such people as you around my place. You can go back, and you must stay off my property," and Tony Duval emphasized his words by handling his shotgun suggestively.
"If Werner and his friend are here we want to see them," cried Jack sharply. "Which shack do they live in?"
"They live there." Duval pointed with his thumb. "They are not at home now. They go on a hunt. But you shall not make more trouble for them or you will hear from me," and again he handled his gun suggestively. The man's face was very red and looked as if he had been drinking. Evidently he was in an ugly humor.
After that the cadets attempted to argue with Tony Duval, but all to no purpose. He was very stubborn, and he insisted upon it that they had already made a great deal of trouble for his patrons. He finally ordered them away, and acted so threateningly that they retired.
"Well, we've had our walk for nothing," remarked Fred, when they were in the woods again.
"I don't know about that," answered Randy. "Let us keep our eyes open. Maybe we'll run across Werner and Glutts."
The four Rovers and their chums walked leisurely through the woods, keeping their eyes open for the possible appearance of their enemies, and also for any game that might present itself. Thus the best part of an hour went by, and they managed to bring down one more rabbit and also a squirrel. Then they heard some shooting at a distance, and walked cautiously in that direction.
"There they are!" cried Randy presently, and pointed out of the woods and across a small clearing.
All looked in the direction indicated, and there saw Werner, Glutts, and Codfish. Each had a gun, and the three had been shooting at a number of rabbits. Only Werner had been successful, the others shooting wide of the mark.
"Let us circle the clearing and surprise them," said Jack, and to this the others immediately agreed.
With caution they made their way around the clearing, doing their best to remain hidden from the other boys. They had no desire to be mistaken for game and shot at, so they had to keep their eyes on the alert as they advanced.
Werner and his cronies had passed into the woods, and now were making their way down a hillside into a hollow where they had built a fair-sized campfire. As the Rovers and their chums came closer they saw the three sitting around the campfire and evidently getting ready to have a midday lunch.
"Come on! We're six to three, so we ought to be able to manage those fellows with ease!" cried Fred.
"Wait a minute! I've got an idea!" exclaimed Randy, holding his cousin back.
"What is it?" questioned Spouter.
"Do you see how much higher the other side of the slope is?" went on Andy. "Well, that slope runs right down to where they are sitting and have their fire. Now a few big snowballs started down that slope—"
"I've got you, Andy!" burst out his twin, with twinkling eyes. "It will be great! Come on, fellows, we'll smother 'em with snow!"
It did not take the four Rovers and their chums long to reach that part of the slope pointed out by Andy. As he had said, this was much higher than the spot where they had stood before and the slope was much steeper, leading directly down to where Werner, Glutts, and Codfish were now busy over their campfire preparing the midday meal.
The bully and his cronies were good feeders, and had brought a considerable quantity of food for their lunch. Some of this was now spread out on a napkin resting on the snow, and the rest of it was being warmed over the campfire.
"It's the chance of our lives," said Randy softly. "Come on, fellows, let's make the biggest snowballs we can."
All of the others were willing, and soon they had rolled six snowballs, each of which was two feet or more in diameter.
Of course, our friends were well out of sight of those in the hollow, and as they spoke in low tones their enemies had no suspicion of what was coming.
"Now then, place all the snowballs in a line on the very edge of the slope," said Jack. "And, Gif, you give the word when we are to push them down."
Soon the six massive snowballs were lined up side by side. Those behind them looked below to make sure that none of the trio was close to the fire, because they did not wish anybody to be burnt.
"Now then," whispered Gif suddenly, when he saw the three lads sit down with the cooked stuff between them. "All ready? Go!"
Everybody gave a shove, and over the edge of the slope went the six snowballs, slowly at first, but gradually gathering both size and speed. Through the snow they rolled and over the bare rocks until almost to the foot of the slope.
"Hi! what's this coming?" roared Glutts, happening to glance around as a strange noise reached his ears.
"It's a snowslide!" screamed Werner.
"Oh, oh! let me get out of the way!" shrieked Codfish.
All three attempted to spring to their feet, Glutts knocking over a pot of hot coffee as he did so. But the movement came too late, for the next instant the six snowballs bowled over the three boys, hurling them in all directions. One ball rolled through the lunch, carrying most of this along, imbedded in the snow. Another snowball went directly through the campfire, smashing that flat and leaving the embers hissing and blackened.
"Don't let them see you," called Jack, as the twins were about to dash down the slope. "Get back there out of sight."
"Oh, they'll know we did it, all right enough," answered Spouter. "Come on down and have it out with them."
This was what the majority desired, and before Glutts and the others could recover from their astonishment and dismay Gif and his crowd were down the slope.
"Huh! so you were the fellows to roll those snowballs down on us," growled Bill Glutts, as he rubbed his leg where some of the hot coffee had been spilled upon it.
"That's a fine way to treat a fellow," said Werner, digging some snow from his ear.
"And you spoiled all the lunch!" wailed Codfish, looking around for his cap, which had been knocked off. "Oh dear! I wish I hadn't come to this out-of-the-way place!"
"Shut up your whining!" roared Werner. "You make me sick!"
"I don't care. I told you yesterday I wanted to go home," answered Codfish complainingly. "I hate it up here!"
"Well, go home then!" snapped Werner. "Go home this minute if you want to. I'm sick of having you around."
"You'd do much better, Codfish, if you wouldn't train with fellows like Werner and Glutts," remarked Jack.
"If I leave them will you fellows show me the way back to Timminsport?" questioned the sneak of Colby Hall pleadingly. It was plainly to be seen that he had had no easy time of it since he had come up into the woods.
"That depends," said Gif, and caught the youth by the wrist. "Tell me, Codfish, were you at our Lodge the other day—the day the whole place was rough-housed?"
"No, I wasn't, Gif. Really and truly I wasn't!" cried the sneak, in alarm.
"Were Werner and Glutts alone?"
"Yes, yes! I had nothing to do with it!"
"See here, Codfish, you keep your mouth shut!" roared Glutts, and he moved forward as if to strike the small youth who cowered before him.
"You keep your distance, Glutts," admonished Jack. "If Codfish is tired of staying with you fellows, he's going to leave, and you're not to say anything about it."
"What right had you fellows to smash those snowballs down on us?" questioned Werner, with an angry look in his eyes.
"What right had you fellows to come and upset Cedar Lodge, destroying some of our stores, and walking off with some of the others?" questioned Jack sternly.
"We didn't walk off with anything," answered Werner quickly. "What we did we had a right to do—to pay you back for what you did to our stores in the sleigh."
"We didn't take any of your things," put in Fred quickly; "and a whole lot of our stuff is missing."
"We didn't take a thing away—not a thing," put in Glutts, and he smiled grimly to himself as he spoke.
"I know what they did!" cried Codfish quickly. "If you'll take me along with you, and see that I get to Timminsport safely, I'll tell you where your things are."
"You say a word, Codfish, and I'll lambaste the life out of you!" yelled Werner.
"You won't touch Codfish!" broke in Jack sturdily. "And if he wants to go with us, he'll go."
"I want to go!" wailed the sneak. "I don't want to stay with them another minute. But how am I to get my things that are up at their shack?" he questioned helplessly.
"Well go up there with you," answered Gif.
A war of words followed, and then in uncontrolled rage Werner and Glutts attacked Jack and Gif. Half a dozen blows were exchanged, and then Glutts attempted to run away while Werner attempted to use the butt of his gun as a club. Andy tripped Glutts up, and Spouter caught Werner from behind, and as a consequence of the general mix-up the two bullies received a well-deserved drubbing. Then their weapons were discharged and their ammunition was taken away from them, and they were told to march back to Tony Duval's shacks.
Here, as they expected, our friends had another set-to with the French-Canadian. Tony Duval wanted to take sides with Werner and Glutts, but the others would not listen.
"This young man is going with us, and he is going to take his things with him," announced Gif, pointing to Codfish. "If you make any trouble for us, Duval, I'll at once notify my father and my uncle, and likewise the authorities at Portview. Your reputation around here is already none of the best, and I'll see to it that you are treated as you deserve."
"Bah! what do I care for you or your father or your uncle?" cried Tony Duval, in a rage. "This is my property. You will leave it at once."
"We'll leave when this young man has his things, and not before," answered Jack, and now he, too, fingered his gun in a suggestive manner.
Tony Duval realized that he was outnumbered and that the boys from Cedar Lodge meant business. He grumbled a good deal and talked in a whisper with Werner and Glutts. In the meanwhile, Codfish hurriedly gathered together his few belongings, and presently announced that he was ready to leave.
"Now, one thing more," said Gif, turning to the two bullies. "Don't you dare to show your faces anywhere near Cedar Lodge again. If you come on our property, you come at your own peril."
"Oh, you don't know how to take a joke," grumbled Glutts.
"We'll do as we please," added Werner, but it was plainly to be seen that he was much disturbed.
The boys were about ready to leave the shack when they heard the sound of sleigh bells, and soon a two-seated sleigh came into sight drawn by a pair of powerful horses. The turnout drove directly to the front of the shack occupied by Tony Duval.
"Hello! there are those men again," cried Gif.
All looked and saw that he referred to the Germans they had met on the road when looking for Cedar Lodge. The newcomers paid no attention to them, but leaped out of the sleigh and entered the Duval shack.
"I must go," said Tony Duval abruptly. "And I want you to go, too, and never come back here again," he added, and then hurried away.
"Who are those men?" questioned Jack, turning to Werner and Glutts.
"That's none of your business," answered Werner sourly. "You clear out of here and never come back."
There seemed nothing to do but to leave the premises, yet the Rovers and their chums were curious to know who the Germans were and what their errand to Tony Duval's shack could be. Yet they had no excuse for lingering longer, so presently they took their departure, Werner and Glutts looking sourly after them as they walked away.
"Do you know, I'd give a good deal to know more about those Germans," remarked Jack, as they trudged along. "I wonder what they want here? They can't be hunters, because they haven't any hunting outfits."
"They certainly couldn't be up here for business," returned Spouter, "because there is no business to speak of in this vicinity. Why, there isn't even a farm or a farmer around here, and the nearest logging camp is miles away, so they told me at Henryville."
"I'll tell you what we might do," said Gif. "We might pass into the woods and then turn around and come back again up behind Tony Duval's shack. We can watch and see what the Germans do, and maybe we'll hear what they and Duval have to say."
"That's an idea!" cried Jack. "I don't know but what we had better act on it."
"Do you know anything about those Germans?" questioned Fred, turning to Codfish.
"I know they came to see Tony Duval once or twice before," answered the sneak of Colby Hall. "They and Duval seem to have some secret business between them."
"Do you know what it is?" asked Jack.
At this Codfish shook his head.
"Did Werner and Glutts have anything to do with it?" came from Gif.
"They went to Duval's cabin once when the Germans were there. I asked to go along, but they wouldn't let me. After that Bill and Gabe took some kind of a message down to Timminsport for them. It was on their way back from the town that they stopped and made a mess of things at your Lodge. They were laughing and joking about it when they got back, and that is how I know what took place."
"You said you would tell us where the things that were taken away are," came from Spouter.
"They are all in the barn under the hay—at least that is what Bill and Gabe said. They took 'em out there in one of the bed sheets."
"I guess that's right," came quickly from Gif. "I noticed that one of the sheets was missing."
They had now reached the shelter of the forest, and here, after a little talk, it was decided that the twins and Fred should return to Cedar Lodge at once, taking Codfish with them, while Jack, Gif, and Spouter took a roundabout course leading to the rear of Tony Duval's shack.
"We've got to be careful," announced Jack. "For all we know, those Germans may be desperate characters."
"And on the other hand they may be the most innocent fellows in the world," added Spouter. "Remember, not all the German-Americans in this country are unpatriotic."
The three soon reached a point where they could catch sight of Duval's shack. They approached with caution so that they might not be seen from the single back window of which the rough building boasted. As the boys drew closer they saw that the window had been raised several inches. Evidently there was a good fire going inside of the shack, and with so many occupants the place had become overly warm.
"Then it's all settled, and you'll attend to the matter?" they heard one of the Germans remark, as they crawled up close to the building.
"Yes, I'll do it," answered Tony Duval. "But I'll be running a big risk."
"Not if you are careful," said another of the Germans.
"And don't forget that you are being well paid for your work," added a third German, "and that you are doing this for the country in which your mother was born."
"I should not want to be caught," grumbled Tony Duval. "If I was, the authorities might hang me."
"Poof! be not so chicken-hearted," said the German who had first spoken. "Now it is all arranged, be careful that you do not disappoint us," he added sternly.
The three cadets had listened to this talk with intense interest. Now Jack could not resist the temptation to peer in at one corner of the window. He saw one of the Germans returning a wallet to his pocket, and saw Tony Duval take up several bank bills from the table and place them away in his hunting jacket. All of the Germans were on their feet, and now turned to the door, which one of them flung wide open.
"It's all over; get back as far as you can to the woods," whispered the oldest Rover boy, and led the way with the others at his heels.
When the cadets gained the shelter of the trees they saw the Germans get into the sleigh once more, and a few seconds later they drove away, Tony Duval watching their departure.
"Now what do you make of that, Jack?" questioned Gif. His face showed that he was puzzled.
"It looks to me as if those fellows were up to no good," returned Jack.
"Did you notice what they said about Tony Duval's mother?" cried Spouter. "That seemed to me as if his mother might have been a German woman."
"That's the way I took it, too," returned Jack. "And then, don't forget what Duval said—that the authorities might hang him if he was caught. That sounds as if they were asking him to do something which was against the law."
"Yes, and a big crime at that," put in Gif.
"I wonder where the Germans live?"
"Most likely at a distance. Otherwise they wouldn't be using a sleigh."
"We ought to look into this, and without delay," said Jack decidedly.
"Let us make it our business to find out all about the Germans to-morrow," said Gif. And so it was decided.
When the three arrived at Cedar Lodge they found the others were already there and had uncovered the goods hidden by Glutts and Werner under the hay in the barn. There they likewise found the bedsheet and the blanket which had previously been taken.
"Well, anyway, they didn't rob us," was Randy's comment.
"I guess they were afraid to do that," answered his twin. "They thought we might bring the law down on them."
"I don't like those fellows any more, and I intend to have nothing more to do with 'em," said Codfish.
"I guess they got you up here simply to make you toady to them."
"That's what they did, Andy. They made me carry all the things for 'em, and made me cut the wood and wash the dishes and everything. I was a big fool to leave home, where I might have had a splendid time during the holidays."
That evening came the first real drawback of the outing. In returning from the barn Spouter slipped on some ice and fell down with his foot under him. When he got up he found that his ankle was sprained, so that he could scarcely walk upon it. The others assisted him into the bungalow and did what they could to make him comfortable.
"I guess I'll be all right in a day or two," grumbled Spouter. "But this will prevent me from going out with you to-morrow to find out about those Germans."
"Well, anyway, Spouter, you'll have Codfish here to keep you company, and I'm sure he'll be glad enough to get something to eat for you," said Jack.
"I'll do that willingly if only you won't call me Codfish any more," pleaded the cadet mentioned.
"All right, Henry. We'll have to call you by your right name after this." And at this the sneak of the school seemed much relieved. Secretly, he hated the nickname of Codfish exceedingly.
Early in the morning came a surprise. The boys heard a well-known whistle and beheld Jed Wallop approaching, this time on foot. The old hunter had his gun with him.
"Thought I'd make a day of it with you," he announced. "That is, unless you've some other plans."
"We were thinking of coming over to your place," answered Jack. "We want to get some information."
"All right. I'm the walkin' dictionary and cyclopædia of this hull district," answered Jed Wallop, with a grin. "Go on and fire all the questions at me that you want to."
The old hunter listened with interest to what the cadets had to say concerning the Germans and Tony Duval, and also about the message Glutts and Werner had carried to Timminsport for the strangers.
"That don't look right to me, at all," he said, shaking his head gravely. "I've seen them Germans a few times myself, drivin' around in that big sleigh of theirn. Sometimes there's only two of 'em, and then agin the four are in a bunch. Someone once told me that Duval had German blood in his veins, and I guess that's right."
"And I'm sure Glutts is German, and maybe Werner too," said Randy.
"My idee is that them Germans are holdin' out at an old house up River Bend way. It was the old Parkingham estate, but it hasn't been used for years. It's a mighty lonely place, too, right in the midst of the woods."
"How far is that from here?" questioned Fred.
"About three miles, I should say."
"Is there a pretty good road?" questioned Jack.
"The way by the mountain road would be all of five miles. But I know a fair trail through the woods that we might take."
"Then let's get there as soon as possible!" cried Gif. "Will you go with us, Jed?"
"O' course I will! If them Germans are traitors to this country, or anything like that, I want to know it," answered the old hunter decidedly. "I'm too old to enlist for the war, but I ain't too old to do my duty by Uncle Sam."
"We might combine business with pleasure," remarked Jack. "We can take our guns and game bags, and also a substantial lunch. Then if we see any signs of game going or coming, we can take our time about getting back here."
"One thing that brought me over was this," went on Jed Wallop. "I heard one of you young fellers sayin' you wanted to get a crack at a silver fox. Well, I know a holler about two miles from here where quite a few foxes are hangin' out. I've heard 'em barkin' around there more than once. I saw a silver fox up that way, too, and if he shows himself you might git what you are wishin' fer."
"Fine!" exclaimed Jack, with enthusiasm. "But is that hang-out of the foxes on the way to the old mansion you mentioned?"
"No, it ain't. But we might work around that way comin' back."
A substantial lunch was prepared and packed, and then, after seeing to it that their guns were in good order, the five cadets and Jed Wallop left the Lodge.
"Mighty sorry I can't go along," said Spouter dolefully. "However, I wish you all the best of luck, not only in getting some information about those Germans, but also in locating the foxes."
"And you can depend on me taking good care of Dick," said Henry Stowell.
"All right, Henry," answered Gif; for he and all of the others had been told how Codfish hated his nickname, and they had decided to do what they could toward dropping it, although, as Andy had remarked, "It might be pretty hard to stop calling a donkey a donkey all the time."
"We'll give the little sneak a chance to turn over a new leaf," was what Jack had said in return. "I don't believe Codfish is bad at heart—he's only been traveling in the wrong company."
It was a fair day with the sun coming up clearly over the treetops. It was still intensely cold, but there was little or no wind, for which the lads were thankful.
"I suppose you have thinned out the game a good deal right around this Lodge," remarked Jed Wallop. "You know rabbits and squirrels don't like to hear the bangin' of a gun. They know mighty well it spells trouble fer 'em."
A mile was covered before they sighted anything that looked like game. Then a big fat rabbit ran directly across their path. To give the boys a chance, Jed Wallop did not fire, and as a consequence the bunny got away, none of the cadets being quick enough to get a shot at it.
"You've got to have your eyes open if you want to lay low all the game in these woods," chuckled the old hunter.
"He was too close to us," grumbled Gif. "Why, he was out of sight before I could think of raising my gun!"
"You mustn't think, Gif. Jest fire and let it go at that," and Jed Wallop grinned broadly. He was a man who loved company, and he thought it great sport to be out in the woods with the cadets.
After this they trudged along in silence, each of the lads keeping his eyes wide open for the possible appearance of any game. But nothing came to view.
"Now we'll soon be in sight of that old house," announced Jed Wallop presently. "It's on the other side of this hill."
They topped the rise, and there saw before them a small clearing, beyond which was a rough mountain road. On the other side of the road was a thick patch of timber, and in the midst of this stood a long low house with a wide veranda in front.
"There is the Parkingham house," said Jed Wallop. "And unless I'm greatly mistaken that's where them Germans are hangin' out."
"We don't want anyone to see us," remarked Jack, as they came to a halt on the edge of the clearing.
"Oh, them Germans won't know but what you're simply out huntin'," answered Jed Wallop.
Nevertheless, the boys were anxious to approach the old house unobserved, and so skirted the clearing and crossed the mountain road, which at this point was lined with thick pines. Then they entered the forest again, coming up presently at a point in the rear of the building where there was a small barn and also several sheds.
The Parkingham house was a rambling structure which had seen better days. One end sagged, and here a porch post had fallen away, along with several steps. But the other end of the long building had evidently been put in some kind of repair, for some boards on the piazza were new, as were also several window sashes. All the curtains were drawn down.
"Somebody mast be living here," remarked Randy. "Otherwise they wouldn't have gone to the trouble and expense of making repairs."
They looked around the old house carefully, but could see nobody. Then they peered into the barn.
"No horses here," announced Gif. "And that big sleigh isn't here either."
"Then, if those Germans live here, they must be away on a trip," remarked Jack after a pause.
"I don't see anything suspicious around this place," said Andy.
The barn showed signs of use, and so did the other outbuildings, and there were numerous tracks in the snow leading from the barn to the house. At the well some water had been spilled, and this had not yet had time to freeze.
"They can't have gone away so very long ago," was Gif's comment. He turned to the others. "Well, what's the next move?"
"I don't see why you don't walk right up and knock on the door, and if them fellers are around have a talk with 'em," declared Jed Wallop. "If they are above board, they won't hesitate about answerin' questions."
"Let us wait around the barn for a while and see if anybody comes in or goes out," suggested Jack. He could not get it out of his mind how queerly the Germans had acted, and he felt certain that something was wrong and that the fellows ought to be reported to the authorities.
"Gee! it's rather cold around here," remarked Fred, as they walked up and down in the big barn to keep warm.
"I'm going to cover myself in the hay if you fellows are going to stay here any length of time," cried Andy, and in a playful mood he and his twin made a dash for what looked to be a large quantity of hay at one side of the barn. Both burrowed down in this, and then Randy set up a cry of surprise.
"Hello! this isn't a pile of hay at all. It's bundles of wire!"
"Bundles of wire?" queried Jack.
"What kind of wire?" asked Gif.
"Looks like fence wire, or telegraph wire, to me," said Andy, who was holding some of the hay to one side so that he might get a better look at what was underneath. "It looks brand new, too."
There were numerous coils of the wire, and these the cadets and Jed Wallop looked at with interest. Then they found several packing cases, all nailed up tightly and marked in English and in German.
"This is certainly queer," said Jack.
"Say, what's the matter with opening one or two of the cases and seeing what's in 'em?" suggested Fred.
"Have we any right to do that?" asked Gif doubtfully.
"We'll take the right," decided Jack. "I'm satisfied that those fellows are up to no good. You know what Tony Duval said when they asked him to do something."
Not far from the barn was a woodshed, and here the cadets procured an axe and a hammer. With these implements they managed to pry open one of the packing cases. Inside was what looked to be electrical machinery, but just what it was they could not make out.
"Looks like that telephone or telegraph line all right enough," remarked Randy. "But what are those fellows going to do with any such line as that away up here?"
"It's a riddle, ain't it?" remarked Jed Wallop. "Jest the same, that stuff looks mighty suspicious to me."
They continued their investigation, and behind the packing cases found some machinery. All of it was new and strange to them.
"If they've got so much queer stuff out here in the barn, how much more do you suppose they've got in the house?" questioned Fred.
"If I was sure no one was at home I'd be strongly tempted to find a way inside and take a look around," said Jack.
"Come ahead and do it!" burst out Randy. "I don't believe there's a soul around."
"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Jack finally. "You keep out of sight, and I'll go out on the road and walk toward the house and knock on the door. Then, if anybody comes, I'll say that I'm out hunting and would like to buy a bit to eat. They can't refuse me a bite, and that will give me a little chance to look around while I'm inside."
"I don't think you ought to go alone," said Gif. "They know there are a bunch of us at the Lodge and they would be rather suspicious if you were by yourself. Why not let me go with you?"
So it was arranged, and, leaving the others hidden in the barn, the two cadets started to walk through the woods to the road.
"Keep your guns with you," advised Jed Wallop. "And if you git into anything like a tight place, shoot off one of the guns as a signal and we'll be to the rescue in no time."
The two boys were soon out on the lonely mountain road, and then they headed for the old house. Boldly mounting the main piazza, they knocked sharply on the door.
At first there was no response, and the lads were just congratulating themselves on the fact that the premises were deserted when they heard shuffling footsteps. Then came the tremulous voice of an elderly woman speaking in broken English.
"Who ist der? Vat you vants?"
"We are a couple of boys out hunting," answered Jack. "We would like to know if we can buy something to eat."
"I haf nodings for you. You besser go somevhere else."
"Can't we come in and get warm?" asked Gif.
"Nein. You go avay."
"Who lives here?" questioned Jack loudly, for the woman had made no attempt to open the door.
"Dis ist Mister Bauermann's house."
"Is he in? I'd like very much to speak to him. I am sure he would let us have something to eat," went on Jack in the smoothest tone he could command.
"Do you know Mister Bauermann?" questioned the woman cautiously.
"Isn't he the gentleman who has been riding around here in his sleigh with two or three other men?" asked Gif. "If he is," he continued, "we have met him near my father's place."
"I think you might at least let us have a little to eat. We're willing to pay well for it," broke in Jack. "Just a little bread and butter, and maybe a cup of hot coffee or tea if you have it."
"I can't open de door for you," said the woman firmly. "Mister Bauermann he gifs orders not to let anypody in de house. You haf to go avay unt get somedings to eat somevhere else."
"When do you expect Mr. Bauermann back?" asked Gif.
"Dot I can't say. Maybe he was come back by dinner time, unt maybe not bis night."
"All right then, we'll go. But I think you are rather mean not to sell us something to eat," said Jack.
To this the woman did not make any reply, but they heard her fumbling at the door, evidently making certain that the lock and bolt were secure.
As there seemed nothing else to do, the two cadets retired, and, feeling that the woman must be watching them from behind the tightly drawn curtains at the windows, walked on down the rough road until a bend hid the house from view. Then they came up through the woods again and rejoined those at the barn.
"Well, we found out one thing, anyway," declared Jack. "There is a woman keeping guard in the house, and the menfolks are all away and won't be back until noon or to-night."
"Evidently those chaps are very secretive," said Gif. "I agree with Jack that the whole thing looks mighty suspicious."
"Do you intend to wait around here until those Germans come back?" asked Fred a bit impatiently.
"Why not go out on a hunt and come back later?" suggested Randy.
"That's the talk!" broke in Andy. "I'm getting tired of hanging around here doing nothing." To him it had been a long wait while the others had gone to the house.
"I suppose we might as well go on a hunt," announced Gif. "Anyway, I'm willing to do whatever the others say."
So it was decided that they should go off on a hunt, to return to the house either later that day or else on the day following. This suited Jed Wallop, for the old hunter did not feel in the humor for investigating the old mansion or the Germans staying there.
"Come on, come on," said he, "and maybe we'll git a chance at a fox or two."
"Now you're saying something!" cried Fred.
Leaving the old Parkingham house and outbuildings behind, they struck off through the woods, crossed the mountain road and a small frozen-up watercourse, and then mounted one of the hills lying to the northwest of Cedar Lodge. Here they found traveling rather difficult, and more than once the old hunter said he wished they were on snowshoes.
"Purty hard to use 'em at first," said he. "But after a while travelin' that way gits to be as easy as the reg'lar way."
"Oh, we know something about snowshoes," said Jack. "But we didn't think we'd need any on this trip."
They tramped around for the rest of the forenoon, managing to stir up several rabbits, and also a partridge, which Fred was fortunate enough to bring down. Then they built a small campfire and made themselves a pot of hot chocolate and had this with the lunch they had brought along.
The middle of the afternoon found them in the location Jed Wallop had had in mind when speaking of foxes. The old hunter told all of them to be on the alert.
"You know Mr. Fox ain't goin' to stand still to be shot at," said he quizzically. "As soon as he spots you he'll be off quicker than greased lightning."
They advanced with caution, and had hardly proceeded a hundred yards when Jed Wallop suddenly put up his hand for silence. They were coming to a series of rocks, and beyond this was a small clearing, backed up by brushwood still thickly covered with snow. They looked over toward this brushwood in the direction which Jed Wallop pointed out, and there saw a fox standing on a high rock, gazing expectantly at the woods beyond.