“If we wanted to, we could make some box traps for birds,” said old Runnell. “But I guess you won’t care for them this trip. It’s better to catch birds in the summer.”
“I’d rather not catch them at all,” said Fred. “They are not much good for food—that is, they don’t go aground like rabbits, or turkeys, or a deer. I don’t believe in killing them just for the fun of it.”
“What is a death-fall?” questioned Link.
“A death-fall is simply a heavy trap, for killing big game,” answered the old hunter. “Some are made simply of a heavy log, so placed that when the bait is disturbed the log comes down and crushes the beast. Others are made with a tough stick and a big rock.”
“Some hunters dig pitfalls for bears, don’t they?” asked one of the boys.
“Yes, but it’s not likely we’ll catch a bear in any such hole—they are too scarce around here. Besides, pitfalls are dangerous. Some years ago a hunter I knew fairly well fell into a pitfall dug the season before by some other hunters, and he broke his leg and two ribs.”
“It was mean to leave the pitfall unmarked,” said Joe.
“When you are in the woods there are several things worth remembering, lads. One is, never leave a fire without you’re certain it won’t do damage.”
“Yes, we’ve learned what fire can do,” said Fred, grimly.
“Another thing is, don’t fool with your firearms, and don’t point a gun at the other fellow just because you think the gun isn’t loaded. And another thing, never point your gun at yourself or at anybody else when you are climbing a fence, or crawling through the brushwood. The hammer may catch on something and somebody may be killed.”
“Yes, I knew of a boy who was killed that way,” said Harry. “He was climbing a rail fence and the charge nearly took the top of his head off.”
“And finally,” said Joel Runnell, “when you leave a camp, don’t break up everything in sight just for the sport of it, thinking you’ll never come back that way again. You may want to come back the very next season, or, if you don’t, somebody else may happen that way and it will be a pleasure for that party to find things in shape for use, just as we found Snow Lodge ready for use.”
By the time the young hunters had returned to the shelter the wind was rising once more, and they were glad enough to sit around the fire and get warm. While they ate their midday meal Joel Runnel explained many traps and their workings to the boys, and told of what animals he had caught from time to time by such means.
They were just preparing to go out for the afternoon when Link, who was at the doorway, called softly to his companions.
“Don’t make any noise,” he said. “I think there is some kind of an animal around.”
“Is it a bear?” queried Bart.
“I don’t know what it is.”
“Where did you hear it, Link?” asked Joe.
“Down near the lake. It made a very odd sound.”
By this time all had reached for their guns and were coming forth from the shelter.
“Come with me, Link,” said old Runnell. “You others hang back a little. We’ll find out what it is that is prowling around. I don’t believe it’s a bear.”
With extreme caution Joel Runnell led the way in the direction Link had pointed out. The snow covered the rough rocks so that walking was extremely difficult.
Just as they were to pass from under some pine trees into the open there came a cat-like cry from a tree to their right. Wheeling around, the old hunter caught sight of two animals facing each other on a sloping tree limb. Each animal was rather larger than a good sized house cat and had a long, bushy tail and short, stout legs.
“What are they, cats?” whispered Link.
“No, pine martens,” returned the old hunter, in a low voice. “Get back and perhaps we’ll see some fun.”
He caught Link by the arm, and both drew back a few paces. Then the others were motioned to keep silent.
The two pine martens soon began to growl and spit at each other exactly as do two house cats when on a back fence to settle a long-standing dispute. They were so much in earnest that neither noted the approach of the hunters, although usually a pine marten is very shy and quick to detect danger.
“What a battle!” remarked Joe, when each had made a savage claw at the other. “You’d almost think they were two old Toms, wouldn’t you?”
“Perhaps you’d better heave a boot-jack at them,” came dryly from Bart.
“Hush, lads,” put in Joel Runnell. “Be prepared to fire the minute they try to run away. Remember, they may disappear like magic.”
“Let me shoot one,” pleaded Link. “I haven’t had any chance at game yet.”
“And let me try for the other,” came from Bart.
“All right. But take careful aim, or the martens will get away from you.”
In order to get a better view of the pine martens, who had shifted slightly from where they were first fighting, Link and Bart moved cautiously along among several big pine trees.
“I’ll take the lighter one,” said Bart.
“All right, I’ll try for the darker,” said his chum. Both of the martens were brown, but there were several shades of difference between the pair.
“Are you ready?” came a few seconds later.
“Yes.”
“Then fire!”
Crack! crack! went the two guns in rapid succession and up into the air leaped both of the animals. Then they came down into the snow and whirled over and over. One was mortally wounded and quickly expired, but the one shot by Bart, tried to crawl away.
“He’s going to get away from ye!” cried Teddy Dugan, in strong excitement. “Let me give him a shot, won’t ye?”
“Yes,” answered Bart, and no sooner had he spoken than the Irish boy blazed away, and over on its back went the pine marten, as dead as a stone.
All of the young hunters rushed up to inspect the prizes. They found the pine martens of a strong odor, but with beautiful furs.
“Those pelts are worth something,” said Joel Runnell.
“Can we eat the meat?” asked Bart.
“I don’t think you’ll care particularly for the flavor. But you want to save the furs.”
“We shall certainly do that,” said Link, and then old Runnell showed them how to skin the game so that the fur would not be damaged.
Now that they were out with their guns they continued the hunt until sunset. During that time they were lucky enough to get three rabbits and two squirrels and also some more nuts out of the hole of one of the latter creatures.
It was growing colder steadily and by sunset all of the young hunters were more than glad to get back to the shelter.
“Oh, but this night is going to be a stinger!” predicted Joe, and he was right. They brought in a large quantity of firewood and set the blaze to going as hard as they dared. The pine trees leaning against the cliff were getting dry and they had to be careful that no sparks should set them ablaze.
“We’ve burnt down one shelter, we don’t want to burn down another,” said old Runnell, and Joe, Harry and Fred agreed with him.
By midnight it was so cold that several of the boys could not sleep. Wrapped up in their blankets they huddled so close to the fire that one of them, Bart, had one corner of his wrap badly singed.
“Look out, you’re on fire!” came from Joe, in a warning, and Bart leaped up and did a war dance in an effort to brush away the sparks which had reached him.
Some water had been brought into the shelter for drinking purposes, but long before morning this was frozen into a solid chunk, which Teddy Dugan surveyed with a comical look on his face.
“Sure an’ nobody will be after drinkin’ that,” he said. “If you want water you’ll have to chew it!”
“This is the banner cold snap so far,” observed Harry. “I trust the thermometer doesn’t go much lower.”
“If it does the bottom will drop out sure,” added Link, with a grin.
“I don’t feel much like stirring from the fire,” came from Fred.
“See Fred, doubled up like a squaw,” cried Bart. “Fred, are you toasted yet?”
“Never mind, I noticed you grumbled as much as I did, during the night,” returned the stout youth.
“Did I?”
“Did you? Well, I just guess. You wanted all the extra blankets, you did.”
“Never mind, boys,” said Joel Runnell. “We’ll have a good hot breakfast, and that will warm us all up.”
Pancake flour had been brought along by Link and Bart, and that morning they had coffee, pancakes, and fried rabbit. They did full justice to the meal, and as old Runnell had said, all felt warm and in better humor after the repast was finished.
It remained cold all day, and the boys spent the time around the shelter, cutting more firewood, and fixing the place up so that the wind could not get in quite so freely. Link started another snowball fight, but it did not last.
Yet Link was out for some fun, and at supper time he reminded Harry of the trick to be played on Teddy.
“I’m willing,” came from Harry, readily. “But I think we ought to let the others know, so they can enjoy the fun.”
“I shouldn’t tell Runnell. He might want to stop us.”
So it was agreed to tell the other boys. All were much interested and did what they could to make Harry and Link look like Indians.
First some reddish dirt was dug up and thawed out, after which it was mixed with a little rabbit grease and smeared on their faces. Then some feathers were put in bands and stuck around their heads, and each wrapped himself in a camp blanket, in true Indian style.
“You’ve got to have weapons,” said Joe. “Here, each take a hatchet.”
“I brought along a bow and some arrows,” said Bart. “Link can take that.”
“And I’ll take my gun,” put in Harry.
“See that it is empty first,” said Joe, warningly. “We don’t want any accident.” And the weapon was discharged on the spot.
All these preparations were made in secret, while old Runnell was out looking for game. The boys had persuaded Teddy to go out, too.
When Joel Runnell and the Irish lad returned to camp Link and Harry were missing.
“They went up the north shore,” said Joe. “Teddy, they wanted to know if you wouldn’t follow them up. I think they have something they want you to help carry home.”
“All right,” answered the Irish lad, willingly, and set off at once, whistling merrily as he trudged along.
As luck would have it, Joel Runnell was busy skinning some rabbits found in the traps. Consequently he did not notice the actions of the boys and inside of a minute after Teddy left the camp they were following him up.
“Don’t let him see you,” whispered Joe to the others. “If he does the game will be spoilt.”
“You keep out of sight yourself,” returned Bart.
“And don’t talk so loud,” came from Fred. “Remember, it’s so quiet just now a fellow’s voice carries further than you imagine.”
After that they remained silent and took good care that Teddy should not see them.
All unconscious of the trick about to be played upon him, the Irish lad trudged on and on, until he was quarter of a mile from camp.
“Hello, boys!” he called out. “Where are you?”
No answer came back, and he continued to move on, until a sudden stir in some bushes caused him to halt. It was after sunset and the woods appeared dim and ghostly.
“I say, where are you?” he went on. “Link! Harry!”
Again there was no answer, but now he saw two forms moving silently from the bushes to a spot behind him.
Joe had seen to it that Teddy did not take his gun along, so the Irish lad was totally unarmed. He watched the figures in considerable alarm.
“Sure an’ they can’t be the boys,” he told himself. “Link! Harry!”
Slowly the figures drew closer and as they did so Teddy’s hair almost stood on end.
“Indians!” he cried. “Indians! Oh, I’m a dead b’y now!”
“Pa-wa! Pa-wa!” cried one of the advancing figures. “Bunk-a-bunk a busta-bust! Pa-wa!”
“Nunk-a-nuck!” came from the other. “White boy Injun prisoner!”
“Mercy on me!” shrieked poor Teddy. “Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me, Mr. Indian!”
“White boy big chief’s prisoner,” came from the second figure. “Maybe scalp white boy!”
At this Teddy clasped his hands in terror.
“Don’t ye do it!” he yelled. “Help! somebody, help! The Indians have come to murder us all in our beds! Don’t touch my hair! I nade it, I do!”
He wanted to run, but one of the wrapped-up figures caught him by the arm, while the other raised his hatchet threateningly.
“White boy be silent!” was the command. “No speak a word.”
“Fer the sake o’ me family!” groaned Teddy. “Please let me go!”
“White boy good to eat maybe?”
“To eat is it! Oh, my! just to hear o’ that now! No, I’m no good to eat! I’m tough, terribul tough! If ye try to eat me ye’ll break yer teeth!”
At this came a snicker from behind the trees.
“Say, but he’s scared right enough,” murmured Bart.
“Down on your knees—your Japanese,” went on Harry, giving his hatchet a wild flourish.
“Oh! oh! Don’t sca—scalp me!” groaned Teddy, and fell on his knees.
“Injuns let white boy go on one condition,” said Link, who had a wild desire to burst out laughing.
“What is that?” was the eager question.
“White boy stand on head and sing big song.”
“Well, did you ever hear the beat of that?” asked Fred, in a whisper, after Link had made his outrageous request.
“Hush, we may miss something,” came from Joe.
“Stand on me head, is it?” asked Teddy, thinking he had not heard aright.
“Yes. Sing big song.”
“What shall I sing?”
“Sing, De Wacht am Rhine.”
“Eh? I can’t sing a Dutch song.”
“Did you hear that?” came with a suppressed laugh from Joe. “De Wacht am Rhine of all things for Teddy!”
“No sing Dutch song, sing Chinese song—Chow Chow Chippy Chow!” went on Link.
“Sure an’ I can’t sing Chinese ayther!” said poor Teddy. “I’ll sing The Wearin’ o’ the Green, if ye want me to.”
“White boy sing French song—La Loopa de Loopa,” came from Link.
“Sing Russian song—Tvitsky Smoultskyitvalitz,” put in Harry. At this there came a distinct snicker from behind the nearby trees.
“What a name for a song!” murmured Fred. “His teeth will fall out if he don’t take care!”
“Don’t know Frinch, or Russian,” said Teddy.
“Too bad, big Injun weep much tears,” sighed Link. “White boy sing Mary Has a Little Ox?”
“Eh? Do you mean, Mary Has a Little Lamb?” queried Teddy, in perplexity.
“No. Injun no like lambs—bad for Injun complexion. White boy sing What is Home Without Um Alarm Clock. Sing nine verses and can go home.”
“Sure an’ I niver heard o’ the song,” said Teddy. “Tell ye what I’ll sing,” he added, brightening. “I’ll sing ye a song me father made up.”
“Good!” shouted both “Indians.” “But must stand on head,” added one.
“Oh, dear,” groaned Teddy. “I never sang standin’ on me head before. Are ye sure you’ll let me go if I do it?”
“Yes, white boy run to bosom of family.”
With a great effort Teddy managed to stand on his head, balancing himself on his hands, a feat he had learned after visiting a circus which had once stopped at Lakeport. Then with even a greater effort he began to sing:
“Me father had an old blind mule,
An’ he was very frisky,
To git upon that muley’s back
He said was very risky.
The mule was swift upon his feet,
Could run a mile a minit!
He beat the hosses at the track—
Not wan of thim was in it!”
“Fine song! Make Injun heap laugh!” cried Link and began to dance around as if greatly pleased.
“White boy sing more such song,” put in Harry. “Injun learn ’em.” And almost out of breath poor Teddy went on, wobbling from side to side as he did so:
“Me father’s mule he loved to eat
Green grass and ripe pertaters,
But niver cared a single cent
To swallow ripe termaters!
Wan day that mule stood on his head,
A-facin’ two big Injuns,
The Injuns roared to see him there—
“But he got up and walked away, fer he saw it was all a joke an’ he wasn’t goin’ to stand fer such nonsense any longer,” concluded Teddy, and arising to his feet, he squinted comically first at Link and then Harry. “Yer fine lads to play such a trick on me,” he added. “Supposin’ I’d had me gun an’ shot off both yer heads?”
The end of this speech was lost in a burst of laughter from behind the trees, and Joe, Bart and Fred ran into view.
“Hullo, Teddy, how do you like Injuns?” queried Fred.
“Teddy, your voice is fine when you stand on your head and sing,” came from Bart.
“Oh, stop yer foolin’,” said the Irish boy, calming down. “Sure, didn’t I know it was a joke all along.”
“Oh, Teddy, did you know it?” asked Harry.
“To be sure I did.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“All right then,” and the Irish lad tossed his head into the air. “I wasn’t goin’ to spoil——”
“Teddy, you’re drawing on your imagination,” burst in Link. “But we’ll let it pass.”
“Wait till I’m after gettin’ square,” said Teddy, and put up one finger warningly.
“Never mind, the song was O. K.,” said Fred. “Did your father really make it up?”
“And what’s the end of the second verse?” queried Link.
“No, me father had nothin’ to do wid it. I got it out of an old joke book, an’ I’ve forgotten the end of it. That’s the reason I made up an endin’.”
“Three cheers for Teddy, the acrobatic songster,” cried Fred, and the cheers were given with a will. The cheers put the Irish lad in a better humor; but it was a long time before he forgot how they had played Indian on him.
“What’s all the cheering about?” asked Joel Runnell, as they came back to camp, Link and Harry having first wiped the red mud off their faces and hidden away the feathers and blankets.
“We’ve been initiating Teddy into a secret society,” said Link.
“Didn’t know you had a secret society.”
“This is the Forest Wanderers,” put in Harry. “Teddy is now Head Chief of the Royal Frying Pan.”
“You’ve been cutting up high jinks,” said old Runnell, with a smile. “Well, it’s all right, but don’t none o’ you git hurt, that’s all,” and there the affair ended.
Joe and Harry had not forgotten about the three tramps, and were anxious to make a hunt for the rascals, but the next morning Joel Runnell asked all hands to go down to the lake front with him and help erect a shelter on the ice, from which they might spear some pike and other fish.
“It’s too cold to stay out there without a shelter,” said he, and directly after breakfast they set to work.
The fishing-wigwam, as the boys named it, was a primitive affair, built up of long tree branches, set in a circle of snow. The branches were fastened together at the top, like the poles of an Indian wigwam, and then snow was packed around on the outside to a point just above their heads.
“Now this will make a comfortable place to fish in,” said Joel Runnell, and with a sharp axe began to chop a hole in the ice about a foot and a half square. “Of course this hole will freeze over from time to time, but once we are through the main ice it will be an easy matter to cut away whatever forms later.”
The tree branches made the fishing shelter rather dark inside. On this account they could look down into the water with ease, for the latter was lit up by the light on the outside of the shelter.
“This is great!” cried Joe. “Why the water is almost as bright as day!”
At last the hole was cut and finished off to old Runnell’s satisfaction. In the meantime the boys had prepared a fishing bait which the old hunter approved. The bait was nothing but a little imitation fish, made of wood and a bit of tinfoil.
“Now, wait till I have my spear ready,” said Joel Runnell, and brought out the weapon mentioned, which was fairly long and with a razor-like point.
In a few minutes he was ready for the test, and he showed Joe how to drop the bait into the hole and jerk it around in the water below.
For quite a while Joe jerked the imitation fish around in vain. Once a lazy looking fish came fairly close, but not close enough for old Runnell to use the spear.
“Perhaps we had better try a line and hook,” said Harry.
“Be patient,” said the old hunter. “You’ll never have any success at fishing if you are not patient. You must—ah, I guess we’ll get something now.”
Joel Runnell bent directly over the hole. A good-sized pike had shown himself. He darted off, but soon reappeared. Then, as Joe gave the bait another jerk, the pike came directly under the hole and sniffed at it.
It was a splendid chance and old Runnell was not slow to take advantage of it. His spear was up, and down it came with force and directness, taking the pike directly through the back. There was a twist and a short struggle, and in a twinkling the pike lay on the floor of the fishing shelter, breathing its last.
“Oh, but that’s a prize!” cried Bart, enthusiastically. “He must weigh three pounds!”
“You’d have a fine time bringing him in on a line,” was Joe’s comment. “He’d tire you out sure, or maybe break the line on the edge of the ice.”
All inspected the pike with great interest, and then Joel Runnell passed the catch over to Teddy to be cleaned.
“Can we get another one, do you think?” asked Bart, who was anxious to try his luck.
“Perhaps, although a big pike like this usually keeps his territory to himself. More than likely his home was under yonder overhanging tree.”
This time Bart took the spear and Link the bait, and nearly half an hour went by. But then a pike larger than the first appeared.
“Oh, my, what a chance!” murmured Link. “Now, Bart, don’t miss him!”
“I’ll do my best,” answered Bart, who was quivering with excitement.
All of the others were interested and drew around the hole hardly daring to breathe. Three times the pike came fairly close and then swam away. Once he passed directly across the opening, but so swiftly that Bart did not take the chance to hit him.
“He has gone,” said Fred, after a few minutes more had passed, but just as he spoke the pike reappeared and came up directly under the hole, where he began to turn around.
“Now!” cried old Runnell, and down went the spear, in something of a sideway fashion. But it passed through the pike near the tail, and with a whirl and a great splashing, he came up to the surface and out of the hole.
“Hurrah, you’ve got him!” cried Link, as he wiped the cold water from his face. “Say, he gave me a regular shower bath, didn’t he?”
“Oh, you mustn’t mind that,” put in Fred. “Why such a pike as that is worth a dip into the lake.”
“Not in this freezing weather,” came from Joe. “But he’s a beauty and no mistake. Four inches longer than the other and at least half a pound heavier.”
“There are a great many kinds of pike, aren’t there?” asked Link.
“Yes, a great number,” answered old Runnell. “The big muskalonge, the pike-perch, the pickerel, the wall-eye or glass-eye pike, and the gray pike, and half a dozen other varieties. The pike-perch of the Great Lakes sometimes grows to three feet and weighs fifteen or eighteen pounds.”
The fishing was continued for over two hours longer and one more small pike was obtained. Then Fred tried his hook and line and very soon brought in several small fish.
“Now, we’ll have fish to last us for awhile,” said Joel Runnell. “What we don’t use at once we can let freeze in the ice.” And this was done by simply throwing the fish in a hollow and pouring clean water over them.
The party had used up a good share of their deer meat, but the best part of one of the halves still remained—or rather, had been left at the camp when they went fishing. But now, when they got back, strange to say, the deer meat was gone.
“Hullo, what does this mean?” cried Joe. “Have we had another visit from Dan Marcy and old Skeetles?”
“Somebody has taken the meat, that is certain,” put in Bart.
Joel made a careful examination. The meat had been left hanging on one of the pine trees.
“An animal took that meat,” said the old hunter. “And I am pretty certain I know what kind of a beast it was.”
All of the young hunters listened to Joel Runnell’s words with deep interest.
“An animal took the meat?” questioned Joe. “What sort of an animal?”
“Unless I am greatly mistaken, lad, it was a wolverene.”
“A wolverene!” cried several in chorus.
“Oh, do you think it was really a wolverene?” came from Link. “Why, they are very fierce, aren’t they?”
“About as fierce a beast as you can bring down in these parts, Link, and just about as hard to track, too.”
“I’ve never seen a live wolverene,” came from Harry. “I saw a dead one once at my father’s store—Jerry Daley brought it down. It was about as long as a wolf, but a good deal heavier, and was black, with a lightish streak running around each side toward the tail. It had a sort of cat head, with the ears laid low, and an awful savage looking mouth.”
“Yes, and Jerry Daley was almost killed by the beast, too,” put in Joe. “It ripped up his arm and gave him a fearful scratch on one knee. Jerry put two bullets into it and then cut its throat with his hunting knife.”
“I’ve heard a lot of stories about wolverenes,” said Fred. “A good many hunters fight shy of them.”
“And the wolverenes fight shy of the hunters,” put in old Runnell. “Can’t blame ’em either.”
“Maybe we had better not go after this beast,” put in Teddy. “I don’t want to be chewed up.”
“Oh, yes, let us go after him,” came from Bart. “I’m not afraid. Remember, he stole our deer meat.”
“Better let that meat go,” went on Teddy.
“Oh, I don’t want to eat the meat after a wolverene has chewed on it,” added Bart. “But we ought to teach the beast a lesson.”
“Wolverenes are great for stealing hunters’ meat,” said Joel Runnell. “And not only that, they soon learn how to get at rabbits and other animals that have been trapped. I once heard tell of how a hunter went out to look at his traps and he discovered a wolverene watching ’em. He kept out of sight, and pretty soon a rabbit got into one of the traps. As soon as the rabbit was a prisoner, Mr. Wolverene came out of hiding and pulled the rabbit out of the trap, and just then the hunter killed the beast.”
The matter was talked over, and it was decided that two of the boys should go with old Runnell after the wolverene. Lots were cast, and the choice fell upon Joe and Bart.
“Bart, that ought to suit you,” said Fred.
“And it does,” was the quick answer.
“It suits me, too,” came from Joe. “Sorry you can’t go, Harry,” he added to his brother.
“Well, such is luck,” was the reply. “Perhaps next time I’ll go and you’ll have to stay home.”
A hasty lunch was had, and in less than half an hour old Runnell, Bart, and Joe were on the way.
The track of the wolverene was plainly to be seen, and they followed it with ease over the rocks where the wind had blown a good deal of the snow away.
“Are your guns ready for use?” questioned old Runnell. “It may be that we may fall in with some other kind of game besides the wolverene.”
The weapons were in proper condition and both were held in such a fashion that they could do no harm as the party traveled along. They had now to enter the woods, with thick pines on one side and a variety of small hemlocks and scrub bushes on the other. They were going uphill, and walking at every step became more difficult.
“Here are the marks very plainly,” said Joe. “The wolverene got tired of carrying the meat and dragged it.”
“Make no more noise,” said Joel Runnell. “We may be closer to the beast nor you think.”
After that they proceeded in utter silence. The trail led around a number of pointed rocks and then among the pines.
Suddenly Joel Runnell came to a halt and motioned for the others to do likewise. Looking ahead, Joe and Bart saw a spot where the snow was much disturbed, and there lay the best part of the deer meat which had been stolen.
Crouching low, Joel Runnell began to look in among the pine trees, for he felt certain that the beast he was after could not be far away. Evidently the wolverene had been disturbed while devouring a portion of the game and had leaped out of sight among the pine branches.
The wolverene is well called the glutton, for it loves to gorge itself upon any meat which it can obtain. When it has such meat in its possession to give it up is almost out of the question, and it becomes maddened to the last degree.
All this Joel Runnell knew, and he also knew that if he advanced to where the meat was lying more than likely the wolverene would leap upon him.
But it was not the old hunter who first caught sight of the beast. Happening to glance over his shoulder Bart saw a sight which filled him with sudden terror. The wolverene was there, in a high branch, ready to leap down upon his head!
“Oh!” yelled the boy, and then, more by instinct than reason, he swung his gun around and fired. The firearm held a fair charge of shot, and this took the wolverene partly in the breast and left foreleg. There was a fierce snarl, and down came the powerful creature at Bart’s very feet.
As the wolverene landed both Joe and old Runnell wheeled around. The latter would have fired, but Joe was in his way.
“Look out, boys!” yelled the old hunter. “Back for your lives!”
He spoke none too soon, for the wolverene was now ready for a second leap. Bart sprang back, and the beast caught sight of Joe, who was trying to get a shot.
Bang! went Joe’s weapon, but the wolverene leaped as he fired, and all that was hit of the creature was the bushy tail, which was knocked completely to pieces at such close range.
Dazed and bewildered, the wolverene now backed to the nearest tree, and leaped out of sight among the low-hanging branches. The pain of its wounds made it snarl and growl viciously, and had it been able to reach one or another of the hunters it might have done great damage.
“Look out,” cried Bart. “Guess he’s trying to come up behind us.”
“I’ve got my eye on him now,” answered Joel Runnell. “Both of you stay where you are, and reload.”
Neither had thought of reloading, but now they did so with all possible speed. In the meanwhile Joel Runnell was moving down among the pines. They listened and heard the wolverene make a leap from one branch to another, then all became suddenly silent.
“Oh, I hope Runnell don’t get hurt,” muttered Bart.
There followed a short spell of silence, and then the firearm of the old hunter rang out. The report was followed by a cat-like screech, loud and of short duration. Then from one limb to another tumbled the wolverene, striking the ground with a whirl and sending the snow flying in all directions. But the shot was a fatal one, and in a few minutes the savage beast gave a shudder, stiffened out, and lay still.
“Is he—he dead?” asked Bart, almost in a whisper.
“Dead as a door nail, boys,” answered Joel Runnell. “He was a fighter right enough, wasn’t he?”
“I never want to go after another wolverene,” declared Joe.
“You are right; one is enough,” returned Bart. For once his face was strangely white.
“What shall we do with the animal?” went on Joe.
“May as well keep the hide,” answered the old hunter. “That will pay us back for our deer meat. You can make a mat of it when you get home.”
“I believe now some of the stories I have heard about wolverenes,” declared Bart. “Why, this creature is about as bad to meet as a bear.”
“Worse than some bears.”
“Do you boys know what the wolverene is sometimes called?” asked the old hunter.
“I don’t know. What?” asked Joe.
“The skunk bear, on account of its peculiar colorings. Yes, after this, fight shy of wolverenes if you can help it.”
“You must have had a close call,” said Harry, when the others returned to the camp and told their story. “I am mighty glad that wolverene didn’t get a chance at me.”
“Sure an’ if I see wan of them bastes I’ll run for me life,” came from Teddy. “It’s worse nor a—a tiger they must be.”
“Worse than Injuns, Teddy,” said Link, dryly.
“Ah! Go run after your own shadow,” growled Teddy, in deep disgust. And then, as he turned away there was a merry twinkle in his eyes. “Sure an’ I’ll fix ’em to-night,” he murmured to himself.
Link and Harry had employed their spare time in making for themselves two pillows of pine needles. This was easy, for they had brought along some bags for nuts and had merely to fill these and then sew up the open ends.
Watching his chance, Teddy got hold of the two pillows and also the box containing pepper. Into each pillow he poured some pepper and also sprinkled the outside liberally.
It had been decided that an early start should be made the next morning in a search for the three tramps, and Joel Runnell advised that all hands turn in early.
“I’m willing,” said Fred, and was the first to lie down and go to sleep. Then the fire was fixed for the night and the others followed his example.
The silence in the shelter did not last long. Suddenly Link gave a terrific sneeze and Harry followed suit.
“Boys, get out of the draught or you’ll take cold,” came from Joel Runnell.
“I’m not in any—ker-chew!—draught,” answered Harry.
“I am—ker-chew—I think—ker-chew—” spluttered Link, and ended with a series of sneezes that brought all in the shelter to a sitting position.
“Hullo, what’s the matter?” sang out Bart.
“I-ker-chew! I think I’ve got the—ker-chew!” spluttered Harry.
“I think so myself,” went on Bart. “Got ’em bad, too.”
“Ker-chew!” exploded Link. “Ker-chew! Oh, my! Ker-chew!”
“Well, I never,” came from Fred. “Is this a sneezing match?”
“I’ll bet on the feller that wins,” piped up Teddy. “Now then, both start together.”
“Ker-chew!” began Link.
“Ker-chew!” came from Harry, directly afterwards.
“Didn’t start together,” went on Teddy, calmly. “Try it over again and see——”
“Ker-chew!” came from both.
“Teddy Dugan, did you—ker-chew!” began Harry.